Call to Order, Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance

    Chair called meeting to order at 6 p.m. Chair led into Invocation and Pledge.

4. Amendments and Approval of Agenda

  Dixon added 10a.1

Request to be added under General Business:

10e – Approval to Dismiss the Pending Bid Protest

  Simpkins requested modification on 10e – needs to take place before 10b 

  Williams stated 10b needs to be before 10e

  Simpkins stated two contracts being addressed in item 10b

   Hinson asked if item was advertised

  Dixon stated this was general gov. and was put forth as such – was not advertised bc it was not required

  Williams stated policy stated notice has to be put out 10 days prior - can add and take away items until meeting time.

  Steele stated added on items were placed on website as soon as they were received 

  Simpkins stated these items were not advertised on the website until yesterday.

It was not 10 days prior

  Holt stated meeting was properly advertised and they should move on.

  Hinson stated it was sent on Sept 29.

  Simpkins asked CA why they put 10e on Agenda

  Dixon stated they have been months without legal services – recommends to move forward bc things are building up.

  Simpkins asked why item 10e was added

She stated it was a conflict of interest

  Dixon stated protestor was not ready to be the county attorney

  Williams stated he did not have conflict of interest – it was about the commission having choices.

Holt stepped out at 6:21 p.m.

Holt returned at 6:22 p.m.

Holt/ NeSmith 3-2

Simpkins, Hinson opposed.

5. Awards, Presentations and Appearances

   5a – Library Services Presentation

  Tabitha Washington, Director of Library Services, appeared before the board and provided updates on the library.

6.

Consent

  NeSmith/ Holt

  Hinson asked CA for overview on 6c

  Fryson appeared.

   NeSmith/Holt 5-0

6a.

Ratification Memo

6b.

BOCC Meeting/Workshop Minutes

1. September 3, 2024, Regular BOCC Meeting

2. September 10, 2024, 1st Budget Public Hearing

6c.

Approval to Renew the Annual MIP Fund Accounting Software

7.

Items Pulled for Discussion

8.

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.

Rev. Charles Flowers, 799 Friday Road Quincy, FL 32352

  Charles Flowers appeared. Came to speak on behalf of community park

    Asking for support on developing park in St. Hebron area

  Dixon stated they were just talking this morning and someone was looking at the trees to be taken down in that area. 

Richele Robinson, 335 Sparkleberry Blvd

  Richele Robinson appeared.

  shared her concerns regarding dismissal of last county attorney. She read the protest by Mr. Knowles.

  wanted them to go through line by line in the budget

Mentioned roads being riddled with potholes 

Ethelyn Cunningham, 390 Grace Cunningham

  Ms. Cunningham appeared. 

Terry Mitchell, 6360 Old Bainbridge Road

  Mitchell appeared. Here to talk about Clifford Johnson Road

  Chair stated it was on the agenda and will get back with him.

Pamela Reid, #1 Brewington St

  Reid appeared to discuss Piney Road Park.

Joshua Keever, Julie

  Appeared before the board to discuss Main Street and stated they were a non-profit organization.

  Keever appeared to talk about upcoming events. 

9.

Public Hearing

10.

General Business

10a.

Approval of Florida Department of Law Enforcement Salary Assistance for Fiscally Constrained Counties Grant

  Dixon presented.

  NeSmith asked if annual grant and Dixon stated yes.

  Williams stated funds were for the sheriff

Amend motion

Holt amended motion to approve item for county to receive funding and authorize agreement with Sherrif Office for those funds/ NeSmith 5-0

10.a.1

Approval to Extend the Emergency Resolution 2025-001 Resolution No. 2025-001

  Dixon presented.

 Holt/ Hinson 5-0

10b.

Approval of Legal Services Contract

  Dixon presented. 

   Derrick Elias appeared. Had concerns regarding 2a and 2b under agreement.

Wanted to know how ‘county’ was defined.

  Elias wanted to know what was the hurry.

  Simpkins stated to Mr. Elias that they did not have any representation

Contract stated 30 days but they did it ‘effective immediately’

  Simpkins mentioned how much they paid for legal services in 2006-2008

  Will be billed highest rate during those months

Did not have any legal advice on this.

  Simpkins stated the contract reflects attorney dictatorship and was not in best interest of the county.

  Chair stated some things were inaccurate – they did not fire the attorney; contract was up in March and were on a month-to-month basis

 Holt/NeSmith with discussion

   Simpkins stated whole process not done properly. She stated she did speak with Dixon about this and will make comments in public to let citizens know how she feels.

  Dixon stated it seemed to be focused on him. Mr. Elias did not accept job with money offered, he wanted more. Dixon accepted pay that was offered.

  Hinson asked who have legal advice on this document and Dixon stated Attorney Williams

  Hinson asked Attorney if they should get another form of legal advice

  Williams stated drafted up general contract; clause should not be in there

Asked for motion for that revision

  Simpkins asked if could get actual fees in compensation

  Williams stated billing will be very detailed

There are fees and costs

  Chair stated would like to modify contract from 4 years to 3 years.

  Williams stated corrections:

first correction – photocopy at 25 cents a copy.

Second correction – term agreement will be 3 yrs instead 4

Not charging for research

Holt stepped out at 8:02 p.m.

Holt returned at 8:03 p.m.

  Simpkins stated to look at interim contract instead of permanent contract

 Holt modified motion to approve with amendments/ NeSmith 3-2

Simpkins, Hinson opposed

10c.

Discussion and Approval of Task Orders with the Integrity Group for Office of Management

  Dixon presented

  Dixon stated did not due diligence…

  Dixon stated it was their prices, but was not what he intended to pay

Ceased the services once he caught it

  Chair stated services have been provided and they need to pay the bill

NeSmith made motion for option 1/ Holt 5-0     

10d.

Discussion and Approval of City of Gretna Love’s Travel Center

  Dixon presented

  Gretna requesting temporary access to property

  Williams gave historical background

  Terri Mitchell appeared before the board. Was told they had 2 more meetings to discuss this. Owns 4 acres in corner of i-10 and hwy 12

Trucks will be going by property every day.

  Mitchell wants to have a mtg and sit down with city of Gretna

  Simpkins asked if he has gone to city commissioner mtgs

  Mitchell stated he was new to this.

  NeSmith asked if they must have a public hearing

  Williams stated would typically go to planning and zoning first.

Chair stepped out at 8:50 p.m.

  Mayor Russ appeared.

  Simpkins stated would like to get a timeline on this from county attorney

Chair returned at 8:56 p.m.   

  Mayor appeared to provide clarity.

  Knowles asking for letter to Dot that they have no problem with them getting permit

Asking to dedicate road to City of Gretna

  Williams stated it was a risk analysis

Talked about possibility of doing letter – cannot tell them in this meeting that they own the property. Can work with Knowles to do title search 

  Knowles stated asking them to agree that they will execute interlocal agrmnt and agreeing to letter that satisfied with what they are doing. 

 Simpkins stepped out at 9:11 p.m.

  Knowles stated survey has already been done by engineers.

Simpkins returned at 9:13 p.m.

   Dixon stated they could give driveway permit

Holt motion to authorize driveway permit contingent upon title search, survey and letter to FDOT/ NeSmith 5-0

10e.

Approval to Dismiss the Pending Bid Protest

  Dixon presented

   recommended that board rejects all proposals pursuant to terms of RFP

Holt/ NeSmith with discussion

   Simpkins stated if in good faith, there would be no problem with moving agenda item up. That process was over. Asked CA to give his rational on this item.

  Dixon stated that they never had to do RFP.

  Williams stated every bid doc has language that they can reject RFP process. Typically, agency does not provide reason to bidder.

  RFP 24-05 for legal services stated

 Should be considered not responsive and therefore cannot bid

Re-score and show Knowles was not qualified to bid

  Simpkins asked attorney why this item was not placed prior to his contract

Williams stated that it was a choice they could do.

Holt/NeSmith 3-2

Simpkins, Hinson opposed.

11.

Clerk of Court

No updates.

12.

County Administrator

  Dixon thanked EMS for hurricane

13.

County Attorney

  thanked commission for voting him in

14.

Discussion Items by Commissioners

Eric Hinson

   Mentioned issues with generators

NeSmith stepped out at 9:39 p.m.

NeSmith returned at 9:42 p.m.

Holt stepped out at 9:47 p.m.

Holt returned at 9:49 p.m.

  Hinson stated every school needs a generator

Kimblin E. NeSmith

  Would like for them to participate in operation green light

NeSmith/Holt 4-0

Hinson stepped out at 9:53 p.m.

  Mentioned parks in St. Hebron  

  asked about severance package for former county administrator

Dixon stated developed policy

  Mentioned resurfacing on Hardaway hwy

Asked status on Providence Rd - Young stated still in design

  Asked about maple St – Young stated has not heard anything back

    NeSmith asked about ED trip – Lewis stated late October

  Asked about workshop for budget

  stated attorney needs to review all contracts

  Mentioned having own college in GC.

  Asked how quickly can build own hospital

  Mentioned Stevens School and Summer Youth

Brenda Holt

  Holt stated cell number is 850-510-9162

  Mentioned ED trip

Alonzetta Simpkins

  asked timeline on the rd in Reston  

  Young stated they put in request for truck and should be there in the morning; maybe have it done Tuesday of next week

  Asked about lighting on Shady Rest – Young stated they fixed one, need to order part for others

  thanked all staff for hard work during hurricane

  Simpkins wants them to make decisions that are fiscally smart for their county.

  need to do exit surveys to find out why employees leave

  Simkins stated has not received organizational chart

  stated she was passionate about serving and she was fighting for best interest in Gadsden County

Ronterious Green

  Asked about Spooner Rd – Young stated they would be back in the following week to finish up

   Mentioned boys & girls club

  Asked process of using land they already have for this club

  Dixon stated lease has not gone forward. 

  Motion for proclamation for Ms. Green for turning 85

NeSmith/Holt 4-0

  Chair provided greenlight 

15.

Motion to Adjourn

Chair adjourned at 10:24 p.m