1.

Call to Order, Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance

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

   4.

Amendments to the Agenda

  Morris stated the below amendments and to pull item 11.d and 11.h

Morris requested to pull 7.g for discussion

Request to be added under Consent: 7.k. Approval of Signatures for Special Assessment Liens and Contracts - State Housing Initiative Partnership Program (SHIP) – ARPA Funds Program

Request to be added under General Business: 11.g. Approval to Continue the Investigation of the Sale of County Vehicles 11.h. Approval of Invoice for Capital City Classic Corporate Sponsorship

  Simpkins motion to approve amendments/ Green 5-0

   5.

Approval of Agenda

  Holt/Green 5-0

   6.

Awards, Presentations, and Appearances

6a. Recognition of Presiding Elder Tan Moss

  Board presented recognition to Presiding Elder Tan Moss

6b. Recognition of Mark Newberry, MD

   Mark Newberry was not present at the moment

6c. CareerSource Capital Region Presentation:

 (Jim McShane, CEO CareerSource Capital Region)

  Jim McShane, CEO CareerSource, appeared before the board and provided presentation.

   Jovan Matthews, CareerSource, appeared before the board.   

  McShane mentioned the Summer Youth Program

  7.

Consent

  Green/ Wood 5-0

7a. Ratification Memo

7b. BOCC Meeting/Workshop Minutes:

1.       December 2, 2024, Regular BOCC Meeting

7c. Approval of the 2025 BOCC Meeting Calendar

7d. Acceptance of Grant Award from the Department of Financial Services

7e. Acceptance of the Florida Firefighter Assistance Grant

7f. Acceptance of the MIH Model Communities Project Funding

7g. Approval of Maintenance/ Right of Way Control Maps for Hanna Millpond Bridge

7h. Approval of Off-System Bridge Project Agreement and Resolution

7i. Transfer of Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal Systems (OSTDS) Property

7j. Approval to accept the Emergency Management Performance Grant Agreement #G0517

7K. Approval of Signatures for Special Assessment Liens and Contracts – SHIP – ARPA Funds Program

 8.

Items Pulled for Discussion

7.g

Approval of Maintenance/ Right of Way Control Maps for Hanna Millpond Bridge

  Attorney stated needed to be modified... scrivener’s issue 

Green/ Holt 5-0

   9.

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.

Wood stepped out at 6:35 p.m.

Bishop Willie Green, 296 Bradwell Road Quincy, FL

Charles Williams, 145 Burns Road

  Charles Williams appeared before the board to discuss Mississippi trip.

Wood returned at 6:37 p.m.

Kate MacFall, 1206 Walton Dr. Tallahassee, FL

  Kate MacFall appeared before the board to discuss animal services. Applauded the county in recent improvements and was excited to partner with them. She stated she would like to see an adoption program and there was more work to be done.

  Hinson asked about animals and mental health    

Derrick Elias, 233 Cheeseborough Ave

  Derrick Elias appeared before the board. He asked about status for negotiations relating to fire contract. 

  Elias asked about speaker forms needed to be turned in by 6 p.m. and if there was a reason for that.

  Chair stated they were making sure to maintain order and not get it out of hand – citizens could also email their comments   

Lori Bouie, 816 Hardin St Quincy, FL 32352

  Lori Bouie appeared before the board and encouraged them to do the Mississippi trip again.

  Mr. Simmons appeared before the board and stated they need econ dev group that meets regularly in Gadsden County. Chair stated they did that before and will do it again.

  10.

Public Hearing

  11.

General Business

 11a.

Approval to Develop and Issue Procurements Seeking a Professional Architectural Firm and a Professional Construction Project Management Firm for the State-Funded Public Safety and EOC Project

  Morris presented item.

  Tracey Stallworth, PO BOX 1339 Quincy, FL appeared before the board. Chair stated to finish item 11.a first then will go back to Stallworth.

  Wood thanked Roosevelt Morris for stepping up.

Green motion to approve option 1/ Wood 5-0     

   Tracey Stallworth, PO BOX 1339 Quincy, FL appeared before the board. Mentioned security officer killed in internet cafe and asked about ordinance to protect people. Asked plan for next 5 years for Gadsden County. Asked if any plans for homeless and people with substance abuse.

  Stallworth asked Attorney about ordinance against internet cafes. Chair stated it was a law enforcement issue.  

 11b.

Approval of Applying for the Assistance to Firefighters Grant

  Morris presented above.

Simpkins/ Holt 5-0

 11c.

Approval of Resolution 2025-012 Grant Budget Amendment for FY2025

  Morris presented.

  Wood asked if Harris was able to get this done and Morris stated need to be spent by Dec. 31

  Simpkins stated it just needed to be obligated by Dec. 31, not spent.

Mentioned invoice from Clerk’s request

  Green asked Janice Harris if she has had convo with Clerk

  Janice Harris appeared and stated Clerk was requesting to pay lease on equipment – over 100k

  Holt asked if received purchase order and Harris stated no. Holt stated it should have been in his budget.

  Simpkins stated some of his requests were not granted   

  Harris stated quote for licenses in 13k and Clerk wanted to pay it.

  Simpkins asked if it was for the cyber security and Harris stated no.

  Green stated would be nice to have someone from Clerk office regarding this item.

 Chair mentioned lighting - Simpkins stated Morris was in convo with Talquin regarding lighting

  Wood mentioned volunteer fire as a discretionary – Harris stated it needs to be obligated to something. 

  Morris stated requesting to move funds to EMS Salary 

Harris stated to include in motion to approve spending plan and if not spent, can be moved to EMS salary

Holt motion to approve item and to approve spending plan; if not spent, can be moved to EMS salaries/ Wood 5-0

 11d.

Approval to issue a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for the sale/lease and/or redevelopment of a County-owned parcel through competitive bid solicitation

Item pulled.

 11e.

Approval to use Economic Development – Economic Incentive funding to support Gadsden County Main Street Organizations Chattahoochee, Havana, and Quincy

  Morris presented.

  T.J. Lewis appeared to provide presentation.

  Seeking board approval to provide 37,500

Simpkins/ Green 5-0  

 11f.

Approval of a One-Time Employee Bonus for Eligible Staff

   Morris presented.

Simpkins stepped out at 7:55 p.m.

Simpkins returned at 7:56 p.m.

  Simpkins stated cannot go with bonus, was under assumption they were looking at pay raises. 

  Green asked for clarity from Morris on how they have this extra funding

  Janice Harris appeared and stated have enough budget if they go with Option A, without going into reserve. Green stated he did not want to go into the reserve.

  Wood stated would like to bring this back to see what else they could do; he would like more clarity on this item.

  Green stated there was no need to rationally vote on this tonight; it was not time sensitive.

  Chair stated they could give 3k to employees making under 40-50k

  Green stated they could not just throw out numbers without knowing what it will all equal to.

  Simpkins stated they need to pay their people and they need to figure it out

Holt motion for $750 bonus/ Hinson 5-0    

 11g.

Approval to Continue the Investigation of the Sale of County Vehicles

  Morris presented and stated they need approval for an internal investigation. Still want to seek outside source for internal investigation.

  Derrick Elias appeared and asked how long does it take to investigate; it’s already been 4 or 5 weeks. Asked if board approved to sell vehicles and if auction was advertised. Asked if vehicles were ever disposed of in this manner.

  Attorney stated this was an ongoing investigation. Better to not comment on it. 

  Green asked status and how long this will last. Morris stated spoke with FDLE today, probably until end of January to complete investigation.

  Green asked timeframe for internal investigation, not the FDLE part.

  Morris stated staff was given direction to halt investigation and turn it over to FDLE.

  Holt stated they do not need to discuss this, just vote.

  Attorney stated FDLE could not do administrative investigation; item had to be brought to approve internal investigation

  Simpkins requested timeline with motion.

  Wood motion to table item 2 weeks/ Holt 5-0  

  Lori Bouie, PO BOX 77 Quincy, FL appeared and suggested HR to reach out to agencies…

Wood stepped out at 8:49 p.m.

 11h.

Approval to Invoice for Capital City Classic Corporate Sponsorship

Item pulled.

  12.

Clerk of Court

No updates.

  13.

County Attorney

No updates.

  14.

County Administrator

  Mentioned brunch for seniors

  Quincy Xmas parade on Friday

Wood returned at 8:50 p.m.

  15.

Discussion Items by Commissioners

 15a.

Commissioner Alonzetta Simpkins, District 2

  Simpkins requesting tents at Fontana Trail on Jan.1

  Simpkins stated she wants them to get out of doing things spur of the moment. 

  Simpkins motion to recognize GCHS Football team/ Green 

 15b.

Commissioner Shawn Wood, District 3

  Wood would like meeting with city recreation and have a round-table.

 15c.

Commissioner Brenda A. Holt, District 4

  Holt mentioned roads – Morris stated he emailed report to her

  Holt asked status on grant writer – Morris stated it was advertised

  Holt stated they need another building inspector

 15d.

Commissioner Ronterious Green, District 5

  Green asked about memorial for drowning victims at Lake Talquin

  Morris stated they were waiting on family response- have gone forward with the plaque.

  Green mentioned Strong Road; requested observation due to breakage

  Green motion for recognition /Hinson 5-0

  Green asked about Boys & Girls – Attorney stated still working on agreement; no issues about funds being in jeopardy, goal was to get it on the second meeting in January

  Green asked about legislative asks

  Green motion to have Dec. 23 off/ Holt 5-0

 15e.

Commissioner Eric F. Hinson, District 1

  16.

Motion to Adjourn

9:38