Call to Order, Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance

    Chair called meeting to order at 6 p.m.

Chair led into Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance

Amendments and Approval of Agenda

 Dixon requested to pull items 4,9,10,11

Dixon stated the below amendments:

Request to be added under Consent:

10a. Approval of the CDBG-CV Grant Agreement 22CV-SO9, Amendment #2 to

Extend the Agreement Expiration Date through September 30, 2025

Request to be added under General Business:

11a. Board Direction Regarding the Appointment of a Commissioner or a Designee to

Serve on the RFP 24-02 Auditing Services Evaluation Committee

11b. Board Direction on Gadsden County Legal Services contract

NeSmith/Holt 5-0

Awards, Presentations and Appearances

1.

Recognition of Linda Mason 

  Simpkins stated will personally deliver the recognition.

Consent

Holt/NeSmith 5-0

2.

Ratification Memo

3.

BOCC Meeting/ Workshop Minutes:

a. August 6, 2024, Regular BOCC Meeting

b. September 3, 2024, 6^th Budget Workshop

4.

Approval of State Aid Grant Agreement

5.

Approval of Mutual Aid Agreement between Gadsden County and Florida State Hospital

6.

Approval of Gadsden County Fire Service Education Agreement

7.

Approval to Accept the Emergency Management Program Grants Emergency Management Preparedness and Assistance Agreement #A0480

8.

Approval to Accept Proposed Funding Agreement #F0114 from the Florida Division of Emergency Management for final stage of construction and design of the Emergency Operations Center and Public Safety Complex

9.

Approval of Severance Pay Policy

10.

Approval of Lease Agreement for Heavy Equipment

10a.

Approval of the CDBG-CV Grant Agreement 22CV-SO9, Amendment #2 to Extend the Agreement Expiration Date through September 30, 2025

Items Pulled for Discussion

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.

Gary Yates, 2120 Killarney Way Tallahassee, FL 32309

  Mr. Yates appeared. President of Integrity Group

Came to discuss inaccuracies regarding Integrity item from last BOCC Meeting

   Hourly rate inaccuracy – Task orders were signed by CA

  155 was not disaster rate

  first contract with county April 2020-2023

Proud of work they did for Gadsden County

  Stated it was not true they were ripping off the county

  Simpkins asked about 2 task orders

  Yates stated originally had one task order – was asked to break it down to multiple task orders  

  Simpkins asked about forced budget

  Simpkins asked if staff was aware of costs beforehand

  Yates stated yes

  Hinson asked to get all docs that were sent to county from June up until now.

John Czunis, 2120 Killarney Way Tallahassee, FL

Gave his minutes to Mr. Yates

David Gillespie, 2120 Killarney Way Tallahassee, FL

Gave his minutes to Yates

Kalen Bruno

  Ms. Bruno stated she was here from New Jersey.

Invited them to event called …

Gloria Robinson, Linda Moore

  Appeared before the board regarding Greenshade-Dogtown Volunteer Fire Dept.

  Here to see what county could do to better equip fire dept.

  Gloria Robinson appeared to discuss this on behalf of her sister.

  Chief Douglas appeared and stated need to improve communication b/w fire depts.

Asking for help from the county.

  Moore stated 10 houses has caught on fire in that community

  Dixon stated they had to go thru EMS budget – need to start moving away from VFD.

Redirect brand new truck to Dogtown. Almost every fire truck they have is over 20 yrs old

  Simpkins stated their communication needs to be better.

Chief was not notified and that was a problem.

  allocate funds for EMS services – go back and look at budget

  Holt stated Edith Robinson was a good friend.

In favor of full-time fire station on east side of county

  Hinson stated should start a committee to find ways to increase revenue 

  Simpkins wanted to make sure if staff is not at station, then they were communicating with Chief.   

  Hinson stated to bring whole new EMS to Dogtown and stay overnight

Simpkins stated that station was capable of that already to have staff overnight

  Chair stated need to have workshop within next 2 weeks regarding fire services 

Dr. Traci Thompson

   Appeared through Zoom to provide update from North FL Rural Health Clinic

  Holt asked about applying for low-income pool

  NeSmith asked when was clinic opened

Thompson stated starting from May – officially opened in August 

  Simpkins asked if seeing patients in person

  Thompson stated majority in person but also do telehealth

  Thompson stated non clinical staff are there Mon-Fri

 Clinical staff once or twice a week

  Hinson stated they were the only one who asked for a million dollars

Need to do research on this organization before moving forward.

   Dr. Thompson stated county could utilize funds as they wish...

   Holt 

Derrick Elias

  Mr. Elias appeared before the Board regarding Greenshade-Dogtown fire station issue.

Public Hearings

General Business

11.

Discussion and Approval of Lease Agreement with the City of Quincy Lease for property located at S 9^th Street, Quincy Florida (Martin Luther King, Jr. Track Field) for the placement of a Community Center featuring a Boys and Girls Club

 Item pulled.

11a.

Board Direction Regarding the Appointment of a Commissioner or a Designee to Serve on the RFP 24-02 Auditing Services Evaluation Committee

 Dixon introduced item.

  excluding Hayes and replacing with Harris 

  Simpkins asked if that was normal practice that the board appoints staff members versus commissioner

Dixon stated it included commissioner – this was new.  

  County attorney asked they would be advising? Dixon stated yes

  Simpkins asked why need 5 staff serving if they have constitutionals that would be a part of this committee.

  Dixon stated not have had committee since he has been here. 

  Hinson asked for background

  Dixon stated …

  Holt motion with correction of names/NeSmith 5-0   

Holt nominate Simpkins/NeSmith 5-0

11b.

Board Direction on Gadsden County Legal Services Contract with Pittman Law Group

  Dixon introduced.

  Attorney stated for the record:

·         This was illegal, there is an active bid protest that was timely filed

·         Protest has not been resolved

·         Protest period has not expired

·         Contract of Pittman Law Group requires that termination notice is effective after 30 days of receipt of notice  

  Simpkins stated looks like going against policy in place – need to make sure they were following the process.

  Dixon stated it was staff recommendation – not sure if attorney was representing himself or county regarding statement he made.

  Simpkins stated the attorney works for board. Asked why they were not going through the process.

  Hinson stated voting on something that could affect general fund. He stated they need to wait this out and make sure they are being fair.

    Holt stated have approved items before without them being advertised

  Simpkins stated she requested board to follow policy that they put in place.

  Dixon stated this was simply the next step in the process. Following the will of the board.

  Simpkins stated the board should decide how things are done. Not sure why it says ‘effective immediately’. They were going to have to pay both attorneys for the 30 days.

  Chair stated the firm was a part of the policy of separation agreement

 Simpkins stated it was nothing personal for her, just talking about policy & procedure.

Holt motion to terminate Pittman law firm without cause/ NeSmith 4-1

Simpkins opposed.

Clerk of Court

12.

No updates.

County Administrator

13.

  Dixon stated SEPT 24 Budget Hearing

  Dixon mentioned City of Gretna…

Love truck stop

  Holt was hoping to fast track that.

County Attorney

14.

No Updates.

15.

Discussion Items by Commissioners

Commissioner Eric F. Hinson, District 1

  Hinson … 

Commissioner Kimblin E. Nesmith, J.D., District 3

  Thanked staff for progress on Hardaway Hwy 

  Mentioned Providence Rd

Hinson stepped out at 8:06 p.m.

Chair stepped out at 8:06 pm.

Chair returned at 8:07 p.m.

  NeSmith mentioned Rosedale Park

  NeSmith stated need to work on evaluation of Administrator 

Need to have workshop on County Administrator

  Asked about full-time grants coordinator position

  NeSmith stated to stop referring themselves as fiscally restrained county

Commissioner Brenda A. Holt, District 4

  Holt mentioned schools abandoned – need to look at ordinance for that 

  Wanted board to consider amnesty day regarding trash

Commissioner Alonzetta Simpkins, District 2

  Simpkins stated even when she gets upset, she still loves her fellow commissioners.

Holt stepped out at 8:22 p.m. 

  Mentioned Dogtown road – asked for update

  Mentioned striping on Jamieson Rd.

  requesting timeframe on property county owns

Holt returned at 8:24 p.m.

  Simpkins stated their directors should be able to come together and write grants. 

  Simpkins asked about mowing schedule – when are they mowing on the east side?

  Sept 26 – having a town hall meeting in Havana at 6 p.m.

  Sept 29 – voter reg. drive at Fontana Trail

Commissioner Ronterious Green, District 5

  Chair mentioned having directors at meetings or online in case they had questions. 

  Mentioned project on Spooner Rd – has had complaints due to work being done

  Have had 2 boys & girls club meetings – asked Dixon if looked at other properties on Strong Rd and Dixon stated they have.

Chair asked about workshop for fire service

  Simpkins stated she wanted CHP present – need to schedule that.

  NeSmith asked about FACT helping with fire

  Chair asked to start convos with school board now about schools that are closing.

  Oct 7 – Comm. Meeting in Midway at Fellowship Church

  Chair mentioned drum major Dontrell Hall - want to give proclamation

Chair/Holt 4-0

Simpkins/ NeSmith 4-0 proclamations

Motion to Adjourn

Chair adjourned meeting at 8:40 p.m.