Board of County Commissioners
Gadsden County, Florida
Regular Public Meeting
May 21, 2024
6:00 p.m.
Ronterious Green, Chair, District 5
Present: Alonzetta Simpkins, Vice-Chair, District 2
Eric Hinson, District 1
Kimblin NeSmith, District 3
Brenda Holt, District 4
Edward J. Dixon, County Administrator
Clayton Knowles, County Attorney
Adriana Quijada, Deputy Clerk
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Call to Order, Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance Chair called meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. Chair provided invocation and led into pledge of allegiance.
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Amendments and Approval of Agenda Dixon stated no amendments, stated item 13 was not approval of sale on that property, potential asker has been told no a number of times.
Holt appeared at 6:03 p.m.
Chair stated would like to table item 12 due to having brief convo and would like to do more in depth convo as it related to individual occupying the residence.
Green motion to table item 12/ NeSmith 4-0
Holt/NeSmith motion to approve agenda 4-0
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Awards, Presentations and Appearances Dixon presented above.
Hinson appeared at 6:05 p.m.
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1. |
Proclamation Recognizing EMS Week Chair presented proclamation
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2. |
Proclamation Recognizing Public Works Week NeSmith presented proclamation
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3. |
Recognition of Pat Durden Simpkins presented recognition
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4. |
Recognition of Dr. Henry Grant Hinson presented recognition
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CONSENT Holt/ Simpkins 5-0
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5. |
Ratification Memo
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6. |
BOCC Meeting/Workshop Minutes: a. April 16, 2024, Regular BOCC Meeting
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7. |
Approval of Johnson Control Fire Protection Agreement to replace the Fire Alarm Panel at the Gadsden County Jail |
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8. |
Approval of the Judicial Inquiry System (JIS) Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) – Access Certification Statement |
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9. |
Approval of Signatures for Special Assessment Liens – State Housing Initiative Partnership Program (SHIP)
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10. |
Approval and Signatures for Satisfaction of Special Assessment Lien
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11. |
Approval of the 2024 Spring Rural County Grant Agreement for E911 System and MapFlex Annual Support and Maintenance
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ITEMS PULLED FOR DISCUSSION
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CITIZENS REQUESTING TO BE HEARD ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS The Gadsden County Board of County Commissioners welcomes and encourages public participation at all meetings of the Board. Citizens are free to speak for up to three (3) minutes on non-agenda items. Public comments and participation are also encouraged for items on the agenda. Additionally, if you are unable to attend a meeting in person, comments from the Public can also be submitted via email to CitizensToBeHeard@gadsdencountyfl.org until noon on the date of the meeting. Comments submitted after the deadline, but prior to the meeting, will be added to the official record, but the County cannot guarantee that Commissioners and staff will have adequate time to review comments prior to the meeting. Citizens are further encouraged to participate via Zoom using the credentials on the County’s website. The Board’s meetings are also broadcast live on the Board’s Facebook page. Chair read aloud the above statement.
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Caroline Smith, 617 Williams St, Tallahassee Is with ARPC. Working on econ. Dev. Plan project and provided update.
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Marion Lasley, 5 Dante Court Had complaints about Champs Chance dog compound such as noise from barking and odor from dog feces. Requesting cease and desist letter.
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Christopher Smith, 149 Virgil Way Smith also had concerns about Champs Chance compound. Had concerns about so many dogs in a little area.
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Bill Olms, 330 Virgil Way Olms stated that dogs get on their property about once a month and not sure how friendly the dogs are.
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Carl Pounsberry, 10870 Old Federal Rd Quincy Stated they own a cattle farm across the street from the dog compound
Chair stated would like to go down and see it for himself.
Dixon stated hurricane illuminated this; area was hit pretty good. Noticed dog cages in front yard. Unaware of what is happening in Code Enforcement.
Morris Roosevelt appeared and stated working on this situation
NeSmith asked about zone
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Ann Blount, 1010 Buck Blount Rd Wanted to talk about agriculture in this County.
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Public Hearing
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General Business
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12. |
Board Direction Regarding an Eviction Action Tabled
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13. |
Approval for County Administrator to negotiate the sale of County-Owned parcel 2-27-3N-2W-0000-00121-0200 Dixon presented above. Stated that the item should say board direction, not approval.
Betty Kellem appeared.
Dixon stated talking about EMS station, not just a building.
Attorney stated did not get this in advance; was new to him.
Holt stated procedure that needs to be followed. Has to be open to the public then they could take offers.
Simpkins asked if Mr. Lewis had convo with CA.
Dixon stated yes, they asked to be brought before the board. No reason for county to sell property. Never given impression that they want to sell property.
Simpkins stated there was discussion relating to negotiation; there was a counter offer. These are things that Attorney should be a part of from the start, not only at the tail end.
Chair stated cannot make vote on this item
T.J. Lewis appeared. Simpkins asked if he had communication with the CA.
Lewis stated yes, received phone call in March regarding this property. Spoke with MS. Kellem and she submitted an unsolicited offer for property. originally came in at $60k; was told by the CA that they would not accept that amount for that property.
Simpkins stated noticed that there was comm. As it related to EMS being moved to Greenshade. Lewis stated they met with EMS to see if that was feasible.
Holt stated property has to be bided; asked Attorney if he sent copy of state statute to board members.
Attorney stated updated the item over the weekend
Holt stated process has not changed
Holt asked Attorney if this was already on the agenda when he read it.
Attorney stated edited item over the weekend to reflect statutory requirements.
Chair stated agenda has been ready in advance and should never hear that attorney just got an item.
Hinson stated Chairman has to approve everything; looks at item first, chair is the driving force.
Hinson stated Attorney is not to blame
Simpkins stated should be a part of convos related to her district.
Dixon stated this was convo had with team about whether or not it was a good idea for the county. Discussed every opportunity. Could not figure out a good deal for EMS.
Neill Wade appeared.
Cathy Johnson appeared. Stated as a nurse, relies on EMS to be there.
Hinson stated her situation just happened today.
Holt made motion to not approve item/ NeSmith 5-0
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14. |
Approval of Fire and Rescue Interlocal Agreement Between Gadsden County, Florida and the City of Quincy, Florida Dixon presented above.
Simpkins/Holt 5-0
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Clerk of Court
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15. |
Updates No updates
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County Administrator
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16. |
Updates Dion stated youth fair moved to this Saturday from 9 to 1 p.m.
Holt/ NeSmith 5-0 for recognition of Homeowners Association Month
Holt/ NeSmith 5-0 for Proclamation of Probation week
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County Attorney
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17. |
Updates No updates
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18. |
Discussion Items by Commissioners
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Commissioner Eric F. Hinson, District 1 Hinson thanked Board for remaining calm and doing good work.
Proclamation for his parents married 60 yrs. NeSmith/Holt 5-0
Thanked all students in Gadsden County.
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Commissioner Kimblin E. NeSmith, J.D., District 3 NeSmith asked CA about legal services and CA stated it came in today.
Stated Arnita Green will be retiring after 36 yrs. at the Clerk’s office. Would like to do recognition NeSmith/Green 5-0
Mentioned may day and asked if has own may day celebration
Would like motion to coordinate own may day event Chair stated no motion needed
Asked about summer youth program
Chair stated it was maximized
Thanked them for construction on Hardaway Hwy
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Commissioner Brenda A. Holt, District 4 June 19 for extension building they approved.
Chair Green stepped out at 7:52 p.m.
May 25 celebration at Fort Negro; there was a battle down there during the early 1800’s.
Will not be in town for budget workshop
Asked if security at lake is certified to carry gun. Stated they should be certified for their own protection and asked CA to look into that.
Asked Attorney to give legal opinion once gets an item. Attorney asked if gets item 5-10 min before meeting, to prepare a memo?
Hinson mentioned lighting and stated it is too dark in some areas. Issues with striping as well.
Asked attorney if any request for contracts that received that has not been able to get back to staff
Attorney stated
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Commissioner Alonzetta Simpkins, District 2 Mentioned Selman Rd, lot of traffic. County vehicles and city vehicles going down that road and some citizens concerned about safety. Big vehicles going down that road fast
Dixon stated that road needed to be widened. Make sure to include lighting on that
Simpkins asked about working on blue reflectors on fire hydrants.
Would like for them to look at where they see themselves five yrs from now. What would they look like in 10 years and how they can keep the youth to stay in Gadsden. At rate its going, it’s going to be outpriced.
Dixon mentioned lady from ARPC that spoke earlier. They are an agrarian based economy; need to do more to ensure safety.
Hinson stated need to look at how much you need to make to afford a house
Holt mentioned getting transportation to Amazon. Need to apply for infrastructure funding for city buses to come over from Tallahassee.
Hinson stated biggest investment is in children. Build 10 acres of land for teachers.
Mentioned county investing in 4H
Want them to have workshop for Boys & Girls Club. The programming in Tallahassee versus in Quincy was a problem. Kids need to be exposed to arts not just sports.
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Chair Ronterious Green, District 5 Thanked new Parks and Rec person
Had great event with Seniors at the lake.
Mentioned parking at this facility when they are closed; could cause major liability.
Motion for proclamation for 50 yrs. of Senior Services Green/ Holt 5-0
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Motion to Adjourn Chair Simpkins adjourned meeting at 8:35 P.M.
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