1.

Call to Order, Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance

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

Morris stated no amendments.

Green motion to approve agenda as presented/ Holt 3-0

   4.

Citizens Requesting to be Heard on Non-Agenda Items (3-minutes 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. 

   5.

General Business

  5.a

Contract Update

  Morris provided background

Completion date - June 30 2026 

  Everyone introduced themselves.

Antonio Jefferson, Vice-Chair Boys & Girls Club Big Bend

Rebecca Pustejovsky, Boys & Girls Club Big Bend

Tracie Hodge, Treasurer, Boys & Girls Club Big Bend  

Cari Thro, Chair, Boys & Girls Club Big Bend

Kacy Dennis, CEO, Boys & Girls Club Big Bend

Cassandra McLong

Shawan Moi

Alma Venisee

  Baptiste stated 80% through contract

  Green stated to not go into detail with contract yet; workshop may be premature

  Attorney stated cities primary ask was contract contains things previously included; they could consider term of contract, now is 30 years contract      

  Simpkins stated requested this workshop bc members from Boys & Girls wanted to voice their concerns.

  Green stated his concerns

  Holt stated wanted to hear from boys & girls club

  Cary Throw stated was grateful for county’s support; they have concerns on agreement

  Chair stated hard to discuss things now without things being finalized.

  Throw stated thought they were discussing stand-alone facility and grant that state awarded 

  Chair stated would like to listen to the boys & girls club

  Throw stated they made commitment to present to county on where they stand with the club

  Attorney stated city owns land and county controls funding; county would be the one to build it

  Throw stated they may not be able to participate depending on decisions made

  Morris stated this is supposed to be a Gadsden County boys & girls club – not big bend - and that may be the misunderstanding

  Holt stated they need to see terms of agreement; thought the city was going to be here.

  Chair asked when county was approved of grant – Throw stated July 2023 and executed May 2024

  Green stated what they could/could not do is important in regards to facility.

  Attorney asked when they received agreement – Throw stated they never received it.

  Green stated to maybe bring other attorney to look at contract and give feedback

  Simpkins asked attorney if they were locked in to the city with this location – Morris stated no, not at all.

  Holt stated would like to know requirements they do have

   Antonio Jefferson stated they have had bad experience before; they need place where kids call home  

  Holt asked if still offering lease to city of Quincy; Attorney stated yes, until board says something different.

  Kasey Dennis provided update.

Wood appeared at 7:16 p.m.

  5.b

Bid Process for Construction and Engineering

   6.

Motion to Adjourn

Chair adjourned workshop at 7:30 p.m.