Board of County Commissioners
Gadsden County, Florida
Regular Public Meeting
August 6, 2024
6:00 p.m.
Present: Ronterious Green, Chair, District 5
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
|
Call to Order, Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance Chair called meeting to order at 6 p.m. Chair provided invocation and led into Pledge of Allegiance.
Hinson appeared at 6:02 p.m.
|
|
Amendments and Approval of Agenda Dixon stated the below
Pull item 2 and 21
Request to be added under Consent: 21a. Approval of Spooner Road – Change Order 01
Simpkins/ Holt 5-0
|
|
Awards, Presentations, and Appearances
1. Presentation on Disaster Preparedness for Small Business Mr. Davis appeared before the Board to provide presentation
Hinson asked if private company
NeSmith asked to get cards.
Chair asked if could assist with tornado in May.
2. Recognition of Diane Williams-Cox
|
|
Consent
NeSmith asked to pull 7,8,9 10
Simpkins asked to pull 16,18,19,20
Holt/ NeSmith 5-0
|
|
3. Ratification Memo
4. BOCC Meeting/Workshop Minutes: a. May 11, 2024, Emergency Meeting b. May 30, 2024, 1st Budget Workshop c. June 4, 2024, Regular BOCC Meeting d. June 11, 2024, 2nd Budget Workshop e. June 12, 2024, Boys and Girls Club Workshop f. June 18, 2024, Regular BOCC Meeting g. July 1, 2024, 3rd Budget Workshop
5. Approval of Signatures for Special Assessment Liens – State Housing Initiative Partnership Program (SHIP)
6. Approval and Signatures for Satisfaction of Special Assessment Lien
11. Re-appointment to the CareerSource Capital Region Board
12. Public Officials Bond Review
13. Approval of the revised Lease Agreement between the Gadsden County BOCC and the St. Hebron AME Church and St. Matthews Primitive Baptist Church as owners of a 2.0 +/- acre parcel of land to be used as a County Park
14. Approval of Elderly Affairs to become Host Agent for National Caucus and Center on Black Aging Senior Community Service Employment Program
15. Approval of Supplemental Agreement South Adams Street Sidewalk
17. Approval of Interlocal Fire Agreement with the Town of Havana
21a. Approval of Spooner Road – Change Order 01
|
|
Items Pulled for Discussion
|
|
7. Approval of Transportation Agreement between the Gadsden County Board of County Commissioners and Big Bend Transit, Inc. to Provide the Gadsden Express Services from October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2027 Dixon stated item 7 and 8 are county funded
Holt/ NeSmith 5-0
|
|
8. Approval of Transportation Agreement between the Gadsden County Board of County Commissioners and Big Bend Transit, Inc. to Provide the Gadsden Connector Bus Service from October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2027
Holt/ NeSmith 5-0
|
|
9. Approval of Transportation Agreement between the Gadsden County Board of County Commissioners and Big Bend Transit, Inc. to Provide the Quincy Shuttle Bus Service from October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2027
Holt/ NeSmith 5-0
|
|
10. Approval of Transportation Agreement between the Gadsden County Board of County Commissioners and Big Bend Transit, Inc. to Provide the Havana Shuttle Bus Service from October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2027
Hinson/NeSmith 5-0
|
|
16. Approval of Separation Agreement Simpkins stated item should be under general business not consent
Dixon stated in his experience, this was how it was handled.
Simpkins stated not being fiscally responsible, asked about litigation
Simpkins stated Attorney was not a part of this, it was already signed when he got it
Hinson stated great to table this – need to discuss this
Holt stated not the only time they paid severance pay and won’t be the last
Simpkins stated they were setting a precedence
Dixon stated this was coming out of general revenue
Chair stated this could cost them more if they decide to go in a different direction
Holt/ Green 2-3 Hinson, Simpkins, NeSmith opposed
Item did not pass
|
|
18.Approval of the Contract with Graybelle Construction, LLC. Pursuant to the Award of ITB 24-06 Rebid
Simpkins asked if this contractor has a performance bond Asked attorney if amount was standard – Attorney stated this was ensuring completion
Morris stated it was a requirement
Holt asked deadline of grant – Morris stated have request extension
Simpkins asked if they were confident to complete project by deadline
Simpkins made motion to approve item and to include that all change orders come before board and above the 1.6 and to add performance bond / Holt 5-0
|
|
19. Approval of Change Order 1 to the Contract with Graybelle Construction, LLC. Pursuant to the Award of ITB 24-06 Rebid
Simpkins/ NeSmith 5-0
|
|
20. Approval of the CDBG-CV Grant Letter of Financial Commitment Simpkins/ Holt 5-0
|
|
Citizens Requesting to be Heard on Non-Agenda Items (3-Minute Limit) 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.gov 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 on the County’s website at www.gadsdencountyfl.gov.
Chair read aloud the above statement
|
|
MT Thomas, 363 E Crawford St Mr. Thomas appeared before the Board.
Simpkins asked if serves students that encountered the law
|
|
Amy Williams Ms. Williams appeared before the Board to discuss animal control. Here to support Kate McFall.
|
|
Kate McFall, 1206 Walton Dr. Tallahassee FL. McFall appeared before the Board to discuss animal services.
|
|
Public Hearing
|
|
22. (Quasi-Judicial) – WSN Construction Site Improvements Conceptual/Preliminary Site Plan (SP 2024-01) Andrews appeared before the Board and went through the item.
appeared before the Board
Chair asked if willing to make adjustments – stated yes
Holt asked what development is for
Stated general construction office
Hinson asked if did study on property
Chair stepped out at 7:42 p.m.
Holt/ Hinson 5-0
Chair returned at 7:44 p.m.
|
|
23. (Quasi-Judicial) – Talquin Electric Cooperative (TEC) Mutual Aid Staging and Coordination Facility Gadsden County Conceptual/Preliminary Site Plan (SP 2024-02) Dixon presented
Andrews appeared before the Board.
Will Waddle appeared before the Board.
Chair asked if willing to abide by request from Planning and Zoning
Holt asked about homes near property and Waddle stated none
Hinson stated spoke with manager for Talquin
Holt/ NeSmith 5-0
|
|
24. Approval of Resolution 202-030 and Budget Amendment for FY 2023-2024 Dixon presented
Holt/ NeSmith 5-0
|
|
General Business
|
|
25. Seeking Board Direction Regarding RFP 24-05 Legal Services Dixon went through item.
Received 4 proposals – staff is seeking direction
Chair stated currently on month-to-month now; need to have open discussion publicly and have special meeting
Holt stated should look over package and each commissioner choose top 2, submit in writing to staff.
Chair stated would like to interview all 4
NeSmith stated would like to also interview all 4 candidates
Burroughs appeared before the Board
Attorney stated the RFP has scoring criteria in it
Simpkins stated has problem with this – did not know what was on RFP. She was not in the loop.
Chair asked if notified firms that did not meet procurement policies and Dixon stated yes
NeSmith asked if info in RFP came from a policy
Attorney stated was not in the loop
Holt stated have done interviews on administrator and law firms- categories were the same on experience.
Hinson stated used to have workshops to get things together and then they bid out.
Hinson stated should have workshop after budget hearing in September
Simpkins stated agreed with Hinson, budget is most important right now. This was not an emergency. Does not have a clear understanding of how this process will work. Still has questions on this item. There are things more pressing and they need to slow down. They have time to go over this info.
Holt motion to look over info and set priorities and meet and decide with law firm within 30 days/NeSmith 3-2 Simpkins and Hinson opposed
|
|
26. Approval of Resolution 2024-028 Grant Budget Amendment for FY2024 Dixon presented above.
went through the budget amendments
Hinson asked CA about Iron Bridge Road. Are they re-surfacing whole area? Dixon stated this was just adding some money.
Curtis Young appeared.
Hinson/Holt 5-0
|
|
27. Approval of Budget Amendment for FY 2023-2024 – Summer Youth Dixon presented.
Chair stated would need to make necessary adjustments in the future
Hinson asked how many students they hired and CA stated 300
Dixon stated they did not turn away kids
Holt/ NeSmith 5-0
|
|
28. Approval of Policy Number 2024-003; Uniform Policy and Procedures for Employees Not Provided with Custom Uniforms Dixon presented above.
Chair asked about cost and Dixon stated $3,500
Holt/ NeSmith 5-0
|
|
29. Approval of Health Insurance Rates Dixon presented above.
Simpkins asked who is insurance committee – Dixon stated all the constitutionals and staff member.
Simpkins asked if they even presented other insurance companies so they could look at quotes.
Dixon stated Sheriff went with UnitedHealth. CHP has all doctors they were used to. Sheriff was considering going back with CHP.
Chair asked about deadline to approve contract – would like to see comparisons of insurance companies. Could be more competitive if they consider others.
Dixon stated effective 10/1/2024 and due 9/15/2024
Simpkins stated she agreed with Chair
Simpkins stated requesting a meeting with CHP
Holt/ Simpkins 5-0
|
|
30. Approval to Accept Donation of Property Dixon presented above
Dixon stated
Hinson/ Simpkins 5-0
|
|
Clerk of Court 31. Updates
|
|
County Administrator 32. Dixon stated they met with DOT District Secretary.
NeSmith stepped out at 9:12 p.m.
|
|
County Attorney 33. CA thanked everyone for condolences on his uncle’s passing and gave funeral info.
|
|
34. Discussion Items by Commissioners
|
|
Commissioner Eric F. Hinson, District 1 Hinson asked when OE ends – Dixon stated tmrw
NeSmith returned at 9:15 p.m.
Hinson stated hosting comm. Resource fair
|
|
Commissioner Kimblin E. NeSmith, J.D., District 3 Thanked staff regarding weather
Asked CA what happened with their July trip – Dixon stated will have an answer for him.
NeSmith asked cost to repair Cane Creek project – Dixon did not have answer yet.
Asked CA if received list of all opportunities - they need to enhance their revenue
asked if have schedule to service all of their county properties – Dixon stated do not have schedule yet, have re-tooled facilities and moved them under Building Official
NeSmith asked Ms. Burroughs…
NeSmith asked to have workshop on severance packages – Attorney sated as long as its public.
NeSmith asked about Aspalaga Road. Dixon stated not on the list.
|
|
Commissioner Brenda A. Holt, District 4 Holt mentioned parking in the back and fencing.
Holt stated would like item 13 brought back for discussion
|
|
Commissioner Alonzetta Simpkins, District 2 Thanked everyone for back-to-school drive
request that at each meeting, presentations from depts. with updates.
mentioned Scott Town Park
mentioned Dog Town Road
Curtis Young stated at 60% design
Simpkins mentioned Neighborhood Clinic
NeSmith stepped out at 10:01 p.m.
|
|
Commissioner Ronterious Green, District 5 asked for update on boys & Girls Club
NeSmith returned at 10:02 p.m.
|
|
Motion to Adjourn Chair adjourned meeting at 10:08 p.m.
|
|
-
Status:
Markers: |
Status:
Markers: |