Board of County Commissioners

Gadsden County, Florida

Emergency Management Workshop

May 2, 2017

4:00 p.m.

Present:               Sherrie Taylor, Chair, District 5

                                Eric Hinson, Vice Chair, District 1

                                Dr. Anthony “Dr. V” Viegbesie, District 2

                                Gene Morgan, District 3

                                Brenda Holt, District 4

                                Robert Presnell, County Administrator

                                David Weiss, County Attorney

                                Marcella Blocker, Deputy Clerk

1.	WELCOME  Chair Taylor welcomed everyone to the Workshop
GENERAL BUSINESS
2.	Overview  Mr. Brad Johnson welcomed everyone and said hurricane season was about to start.  He recognized Tashonda Whaley and Major Shawn Woods.
3.	Florida Division of Emergency Management Protection
4.	Gadsden County Emergency Management Presentation Tashonda Whaley, Emergency Management Coordinator, appeared before the Board and gave a brief overview of what Emergency Management was and what they do during an emergency event.  She said their primary responsibilities were being accountable for coordinating all local efforts in each phase of emergency management; Responsible for providing training and information to all citizens, businesses and government agencies pertaining to any disastrous event that may affect the area; and be responsible for working with emergency support functions to develop and implement the County’s Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEMP).  She gave the phases of Emergency Management: Mitigation, Preparedness, Response and Recovery.  She gave a “snapshot” of prevention and preparedness for “Blue Sky” roles and responsibilities and for “Grey Sky” roles and responsibilities. Commissioner Viegbesie stepped out at this juncture of the workshop. She then gave a list of recent projects. Commissioner Holt arrived at this juncture of the meeting. She said they do a lot of community outreach, i.e., Keeping Independent Seniors Safe Program; Citizens on Patrol among others. Commissioner Viegbesie returned at this juncture of the meeting. She said next for Emergency Management, she gave the 2017-2019 Strategic Plan and said they would focus on community outreach, public safety and social strengths and gave goals.  She explained WEBEOC and what AlertFlorida was.
5.	Grants & Funding Report  Dee Jackson, Grant Writer, appeared before the Board.  She said Emergency Management had two reoccurring grants they did not have to apply for: a State Grant Emergency Management Preparedness and Assistance Program Base Grant (EMPA) that was $105,806.00 that required an annual match of $13,000.00 and a Federal Grant, Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPD) that was $50,628.00.
6.	Questions & General Discussion  Commissioner Hinson said there were two spots in Havana, one around Havana Middle School and heading off Concord Road heading toward Meridian Road.  He then mentioned the subdivision in Midway that had only one way in and one way out.  Mr. Presnell said they were already working on that. Commissioner Viegbesie said Ms. Whaley did a wonderful job and said Emergency Management fell under the BOCC and the Sheriff’s Department ran it.  He asked if having a building where the “office” could be located and in case of emergencies, everyone would know to do to that building or location.  She asked if he meant permanently every day or only during emergencies.  She mentioned Wakulla had a complex and she knew they had had communication issues in the past.  Major Shawn Woods appeared before the Board and said Gadsden was on board to get a WEBEOC.  Commissioner Hinson asked if they were partnering with Talquin to see about putting utilities underground.  Major Wood said Talquin was its own entity and had their own Board of Governors.  Mr. Presnell said Commissioner Hinson had excellent points and said under current Land Development Code all major utilities had to be placed underground and no development allowed in wetlands.   Commissioner Holt said they had a Director at one time with the Red Cross.  She also said the Emergency Management fell under the BOCC, not the Sheriff’s Department. Commissioner Viegbesie said for the record, from his understanding and the way he sees workshops, they were organized to improve services the agencies provide.  He added this was a  Commissioner Hinson said he was in a small community in Hillsborough County and they had Commissioner Hinson said he really wanted to own the WA Woodham building and TCC was wanting to give it to us  Chair Taylor said she felt all of them were on the “same sheet of music”.  She said there was a boiling water alert this week and when a citizen contacted her she had no knowledge regarding it.  Chair Taylor asked Ms. Whaley if at the Emergency Meeting yesterday if any of the BOCC commissioners were present and they were not.  Ms. Whaley said an email was sent to the Administrator and Mrs. Bradley.  Commissioner Holt said she did receive a call.  Chair Taylor asked the Administrator, the Board funds through General Revenue  Commissioner Viegbesie said he saw more a reason for a centralized location Commissioner Hinson said he thought this was good dialogue.  Commissioner Holt said this was not an attack on their Department and if there was any stress, it should be on the BOCC.
CITIZENS REQUESTING TO BE HEARD
MOTION TO ADJOURN  Meeting adjourned at 5:36 p.m.