Chair Croley called the
meeting to order at 6:03 p.m. and requested that all speakers who wished to
address the Commission file a “Speaker Request Form” with the Clerk.
Chair Croley extended heartfelt condolences to Arthur Lawson and his
family on the loss of their Mother.
He then opened the meeting with a silent prayer and the pledge of
allegiance to the U.S. flag.
AMENDMENTS, PRESENTATIONS
AND APPEARANCES
UPON MOTION BY COMMISSIONER
HOLT AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER HINSON THE BOARD VOTED 4-0 BY VOICE VOTE TO
APPROVE THE AGENDA AS PRINTED.
1.
Brownfields Update
Roger Register, Project
Manager, Cardno TBE, Tallahassee, FL, appeared before the Board and gave an
update of the Brownfield grant that was awarded by the US Environmental
Protection Agency.
Commissioner Taylor stepped out at this juncture.
Commissioner Taylor returned at this juncture.
He mentioned the EPA Brownfield’s loan fund grant and felt this was a
great opportunity for the County to leverage the assessment grant that the
County was awarded and possibly apply for an EPA revolving loan fund grant in
the next cycle.He also mentioned other
opportunities, both state and federal, that might be available for the County
and said he would be working with staff concerning that.
Commissioner Croley asked questions concerning the clean-up
procedures.
CLERK OF COURTS
Muriel Straughn stated the
Clerk would like to make the items part of the record and Chair Croley asked
if there were any questions.
2.
Cash-in-Bank Report
Commissioner Holt had
comments.
3.
Debt Management
4.
Presentation of County Finance
and County Clerk Issues
CONSENT
UPON MOTION BY COMMISSIONER
HOLT AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER TAYLOR THE BOARD VOTED 4-0 BY VOICE VOTE TO
APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRINTED.(ITEMS 5-12)
5.
Ratification of Approval to
Pay County Bills
6.
Approval and Signature(s) for
Satisfaction of Special Assessment Lien(s) State Housing Initiative
Partnership (SHIP) Program
7.
Approval of Signatures for
Special Assessment Liens and Rehabilitation Contracts-State Housing Initiative
Partnership Program (SHIP) and BOCC Emergency Repair Program
8.
Approval of New Appointment to
Library Commission
9.
Approval of CSX Railroad
Invoice for Repairs to Brickyard Road Crossing
10.
Approval to Appoint Commissioner
Gene Morgan as BOCC Representative and Commissioner Eric Hinson as Alternate
to the Tourist Development Council (TDC)
11.
Approval of Appointments to
Apalachee Regional Planning Council (ARPC)
12.
Approval of Physio Control
Technical Support Agreement for Cardiac Monitoring Equipment
ITEMS PULLED FOR DISCUSSION
CITIZENS REQUESTING TO BE
HEARD ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS
There were no citizens that
requested to be heard.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
13.
Public Hearing-Approval of
Budget Amendment Request to Authorize Expenditure of the Courthouse
Facilities Reserve and Anticipated Fund FY 12 to Replace the Roof of the
Gadsden County Main Courthouse
Grant Slayden, Court Administrator, Second Judicial Circuit,
appeared before the Board on behalf of Chief Judge Charles A. Francis.Mr. Slayden stated this was a budget
amendment for $326,295 to repair roof leaks, main courtroom infrastructure
upgrades in the courtroom, replace carpeting, and $12,000 for Public
Defenders Office for minor work.
Nancy Daniels, Public
Defender, Second Judicial Circuit, appeared before the Board concerning
the need to replace ceiling tiles that have mold growing in them.She asked that the more serious repairs be
done at this time and wait on the cosmetic repairs until a later time.
Nina Moody, Chief Assistant Public Defender, appeared before the
Board and echoed what Ms. Daniels had stated before the Board.
Commissioner Holt had comments.
Chair Croley had questions he asked of Mr. Slayden.
Commissioner Hinson had comments.
Commissioner Taylor had comments and asked Mr. Clyde Collins to come
forward.She asked Mr. Collins if both
facilities could be covered for that amount of money.He stated the roof had been repaired over
the Public Defender’s Office.
Mr. Presnell commented he had not been aware of the extent of the
damage in their office.
Commissioner Taylor stated it could be a health issue for the County
and items needed to be prioritized and addressed.
Commissioner Hinson asked how the $12,000 figure was obtained and Mr.
Collins replied that an architect looked at things.Commissioner Hinson further stated that the
mold issue needed to be addressed quickly.
Commissioner Holt asked the Public Defender how many offices were in
their building and Ms. Daniels responded 10 or 11.Commissioner Holt stated a new building
could be built for the price of repair.
Chair Croley asked that they return to the budget agenda item and
called for a motion.
UPON MOTION BY COMMISSIONER
HOLT AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER TAYLOR THE BOARD VOTED 4-0 BY VOICE VOTE TO
APPROVE THE BUDGET AMENDMENT AS STATED.
Mr. Presnell said he would visit the Public Defender’s Office.
GENERAL BUSINESS
14.
Cost Sharing Agreement between
the Second Judicial Circuit of Florida, Gadsden County and the Five Other
Counties in the Second Judicial Circuit for a Circuit-Wide Integrated
Computer System
Grant Slayden, Court Administrator, Second Judicial Circuit,
appeared before the Board.He stated
he was looking at a cost sharing agreement with the counties in the Second
Judicial Circuit and asked for the Board’s support at this time.He stated it had been mandated that the
Courts go to e-filing in the criminal and civil offices and they were looking
to purchase a viewer to be able to look at documents that would be e-filed
with the Court system.
Commissioner Taylor asked if they were going to ask for additional
monies, what they would be willing to give up being able to remain within
their budget.
Commissioner Holt had questions and comments.
Chair Croley asked about the purchase of the required hardware and if
it would be shared between the counties.
Commissioner Taylor asked what would happen if one or more counties
opted out.Mr. Slayden responded the
pro rata would reduce.
UPON MOTION BY COMMISSIONER
HOLT AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER TAYLOR THE BOARD VOTED 4-0 BY VOICE VOTE TO
APPROVE.
15.
Approval to Renew Service
Contract with AllCol Technologies, Inc.
UPON MOTION BY COMMISSIONER TAYLOR AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER HOLT
THE BOARD VOTED 4-0 BY VOICE VOTE TO APPROVE THE SERVICE CONTRACT.
16.
Approval to Extend the
Contract for County Auditing Services with Purvis, Gray and Company of
Tallahassee, FL
Chair Croley introduced the
item and Mr. Presnell further explained the item.
Commissioner Taylor stated it was a sole source item and this should
be a properly bidden item.
Attorney Minnis stated that this service did not need to be bid on
each year.The Board could enter into
an agreement and extend the agreement each year.
Chair Croley asked Mr. Lawson to clarify how these items are normally
handled.Mr. Lawson explained it was
bid on in 2010 and there was a provision the contract could be extended for 2
terms and the procurement policy allowed for that.
Commissioner Holt asked Mr. Lawson when the contract would be up and
he responded at the end of the 2012 audit.
Commissioner Hinson stated there were plenty competent individuals
that were graduates of FSU, Florida, FAMU and asked that this be bid out.
Chair Croley said Commissioner Taylor raised good points about
bidding out, that Commissioner Holt made good points.
Commissioner Holt made a motion to table this until the next meeting
but died for lack of second.
Commissioner Taylor said she was right but audits were time sensitive
and needed to move forward.
UPON MOTION BY COMMISSIONER
HOLT AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER TAYLOR THE BOARD VOTED 4-0 BY VOICE VOTE TO
APPROVE TO EXTEND THE CONTRACT FOR ONE YEAR AND REQUIRE IT TO BE BID OUT
AFTER THE ONE YEAR.
Commissioner Hinson stated his only hesitation was if someone was not
doing their job.
Chair Croley asked that it be made clear to Clerk Thomas that, in the
future, a representative should be present when these types of items are
presented.
17.
Approval of Local Agency Program
(LAP) Agreement for Salem Road Paved Shoulders Project
Mr. Presnell stated this was
the safety enhancement project for Salem Road that had been previously voted
on.
UPON MOTION BY COMMISSIONER
HOLT AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER HINSON THE BOARD VOTED 4-0 BY VOICE VOTE TO
APPROVE THE AGREEMENT.
18.
Approval of Interlocal
Agreement between Gadsden County and the City of Gretna and Authorize
Chairperson to Execute
Mr. Presnell introduced the
item and stated the Grant had been obtained to fix storm water issues that
were in Gretna.
UPON MOTION BY COMMISSIONER
HOLT AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER HINSON THE BOARD VOTED 4-0 BY VOICE VOTE TO
APPROVE THE AGREEMENT.
19.
Planning Commission Member
Appointments
Mr. Presnell stated some
members terms were expiring at the end of this month.Mr. Matheny stated in District 1, Ronny
Butler expressed desire to not return, but the rest expressed desire to
return at their commissioner’s approval.
Commissioner Holt stated she wanted to appoint Edward J. Dixon in
place of Mr. Rudd, whose term has not ended yet.
Attorney Minnis said her suggestion would be to bring this up at the
next agenda to allow Mr. Rudd a chance to speak.
Chair Croley asked Commissioner Hinson if there was a replacement and
he responded that he wanted to put William Chukes on.
Commissioner Taylor wanted to
retain Mr. Allen and Mrs. Robinson in District 5.
UPON MOTION BY COMMISSIONER
HINSON AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER TAYLOR THE BOARD VOTED 4-0 BY VOICE VOTE TO
APPROVE ITEM 19 WITH THE ADDITION OF WILLIAM CHUKES AND REAPPOINTING THE
OTHER MEMBERS.
20.
Notice of Intent of the
Property Appraiser to Enter into a Contract for Cell Tower Valuation
Mr. Presnell stated he and
Clay Vanlandingham met with a contractor that specialized in evaluating cell
towers and associated equipment.
Clay Vanlandingham, Gadsden
County Property Appraiser, appeared before the Board and stated he was
seeking Board approval to join into a contract with Cell Tower Solutions to
re-evaluate the cell towers in Gadsden County.He stated this would be a significant
increase in cell tower evaluations and would naturally result in more ad
valorum tax dollars.
Commissioner Taylor moved for approval.
Chair Croley said he understood what was being attempted and asked if
the cell tower was tangible personal property and what made the towers
different from other tangible items.
Commissioner Holt asked the Property Appraiser if he was looking at
towers on private property and he stated yes.
UPON MOTION BY COMMISSIONER HOLT
AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER TAYLOR THE BOARD VOTED 4-0 BY VOICE VOTE TO
APPROVE THE CONTRACT.
COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
21.
Update on Board Requests
Mr. Presnell asked to
schedule a workshop date for February, preferably the 21st.
Commissioner Hinson asked if the workshop could be held at 4:30 on a Tuesday
before the meeting.
Commissioner Taylor stated she would rather come in early before the
meeting rather than hold the meeting on a Thursday.
Commissioner Hinson proposed to meet on Tuesday, February 19th
at 4:30.
Revenue workshop was scheduled for February 19th at 4:30.
Commissioner Hinson asked to reschedule the Board Retreat after his
commissioner training in March.
COUNTY ATTORNEY
22.
Update on Various Legal Issues
Recently received email from
National Solar and they are investigating a site and moving forward.
Chair Croley asked progress on re-districting since this was odd year
and could staff get information and was something to be addressed in near
future.
DISCUSSION ITEMS BY
COMMISSIONERS
23.
Commissioner Morgan, District
3-District Concerns
Commissioner Holt, District
4-County Concerns
Commissioner Holt asked about
the debt service item submitted by the Clerk and wanted to look at counties
comparable to Gadsden and regarding the County auditing, she asked what
categories they were auditing and looking at.
She added it was very interesting information provided from
Brownfields concerning grants.
She further added that concerning the Planning and Zoning appointment
process-when new person is proposed it’s not done ahead of time, a person
serves at will of the board.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY
COMMISSIONER HOLT AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER HINSON TO AGENDA REPLACEMENT
OF WILLARD RUDD ON THE PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD.THE MOTION WAS WITHDRAWN BEFORE THE
VOTE.
UPON MOTION BY COMMISSIONER
HOLT AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER HINSON THE BOARD VOTED 4-0 BY VOICE VOTE TO MAKE
A PLANNING AND ZONING MEMBER CHANGE IN DISTRICT 4 AT THIS MEETING.
UPON MOTION BY COMMISSIONER
HOLT AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER HINSON THE BOARD VOTED 4-0 BY VOICE VOTE TO
REPLACE PLANNING AND ZONING MEMBER WILLARD RUDD WITH EDWARD J. DIXON.
Commissioner Taylor, District
5-No Items
Commissioner Hinson, Vice
Chairman, District 1 – County Concerns
Commissioner Hinson
acknowledged Dr. Martin Luther King’s birthday and asked the Commissioners to
commit to eating twice a month at local restaurants and help support local
business.
Commissioner Croley, Chairman,
District 2-Report and Discussion on Public Issues and Concerns Pertaining to Commission
District Two and Gadsden County
Chair Croley commented on
having the redistricting of districts placed on the agenda at the appropriate
meeting time.He also stated that emails
had been received from FHP concerning High Bridge Road and improvements.
RECEIPT AND FILE
24.
a.For the Record: Letter from the Division of Emergency
Management Regarding CEMP Compliance
b.For the Record: Letter from Waste Pro Regarding
Franchise Agreement
c.For the Record: Letter to Division of Historical Resources
Regarding Restoration Grant