Board of County Commissioners

Gadsden County, Florida

Regular Public Meeting

August 1, 2017

6:00 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

                                Michael Glazer, Assistant County Attorney

                                Marcella Blocker, Deputy Clerk

INVOCATION, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE  Chair called meeting to order, asked everyone to silence phones, stands for Prayer and then led in Pledge of Allegiance.
AMENDMENTS AND APPROVAL OF AGENDA  One amendment-add introduction 2A Morgan/Holt 5-0
AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS AND APPEARANCES
1.	Healthy Weight Community Challenge  Mr. Presnell introduced Brittany Perkins, Senior Health Educator, Florida Department of Health, appeared before the Board regarding the Healthy Weight Community Champion. Brittany Perkins, Senior Health Educator, Florida Department of Health, appeared before the Board and gave a brief description of the Healthy Weight Community Champion and then presented a Certificate to the County.
2.	Strengthening Families Grant Award  Mr. Presnell introduced the above item.  Agatha Muse-Salters, Consultant for the Gadsden County Sheriff’s Department appeared before the Board to speak on behalf of Restoring Families Grant Award.  Received Grant of $200,000 from Department of Juvenile Justice and will be overseen by Major Barkley and she will be the Program Manager.  They will be hiring 4 Non-Clinical Counselors and 4 Life Coaches. Holt asked they step forward and get a photo. Morgan asked how much of $200,000 would be for service vs. salaries.  Major Barkley appeared and said $165,000 would go for consultant and 9 positions and remainder for services. Ms. Salters reappeared before the Board to further explain the breakdown of the money received-counselors will spend 3 hours week per child tutoring, life coaches will work with counselors and find resources to provide for children
2a.	Mr. Presnell introduced this item. Rob Nixon appeared before the Board and introduced Ken Sra, of Bhaasket Corporation, an international corporation, who appeared before the Board, international investment corporation based in Florida and has roots in India.  Vision is to bring skills training, manufacturing skills training and other into Gadsden County-hope to be operational within next 30-60 days Rob reappeared before the Board, will be able to work with school system, group will invest over $1 Million at Havana site.  Hinson said had opportunity to talk with Mr. Nixon few months ago and was trying to figure out way to use school. Holt said glad to have him, good to see school building be productive and need to have manufacturing part here. Morgan welcomed them to Gadsden County and asked how they heard about Gadsden County.  Rob Nixon been friend for a while and reached out to him and convinced him to come. Shannon O’Keefe, Vice-President of Bask-et spoke to the Board as well.
CLERK OF COURT
	Mr. Thomas not present and nothing to report.
DISCUSSION ITEMS BY COMMISSIONERS
5.	Report and Discussion of Public Issues
	Commissioner Brenda A. Holt, District 4  Holt said Sarasota County received reverse on Indigent Care asked how affect us. Mr. Glazer said decision was limited because based on provision for Sarasota County.  She asked that Mr. Weiss check into this matter. Announced had 3 young people attended National Junior Olympics, had one young lady come in 82^nd out of 3,000; 10 yo came in 14^th in Country in Shotput; and one more to run in long-jump and jumps almost 14 feet-will jump Friday.
	Commissioner Anthony “Dr. V” Viegbesie, District 2  V thanked County Administrator, Curtis Young and Public Works for job well done-gave list of roads in District 2 with old road signs and all have been replaced. V said one workshop attended at NACo convention was CGI Communications, worked with Counties to work with preview series of meetings for official website and would cost county nothing.  Gave information to County Administrator and asked he have them come do presentation.
	Commissioner Eric Hinson, Vice Chair, District 1  Hinson said Bishop Elliot Shepard, Pastor in Midway, asked for Resolution for 30^th Anniversary/V 5-0 Had opportunity to attend Early Childhood Development Summit in Charlotte, NC. Morgan stepped out. Morgan returned.
	Commissioner Gene Morgan, District 3  Morgan asked for copy of sublease agreement with City of Quincy at Woodham Center-Presnell provided-asked item be agendaed for upcoming meeting to discuss and review data. Morgan said knew budget workshop coming up and wanted to make sure “Pay and Pave Program” he mentioned for unpaved roads would be on for discussion.  Dr. V piggybacked on comment made by Commissioner Hinson.  Holt said forgot to mention Apalachee Regional Planning Council meeting, talking about another trip to MS, she voted for elected officials make trip, will be overnight trip.  She added utility company built 4 substations to accommodate company-bill runs $1.9 Billion per week. Hinson said this Thursday at 9:30-12:30-CareerSource have job fair, 20 companies will be there, located at IFAS Center, Pat Thomas Parkway.
	Commissioner Sherrie D. Taylor, Chair, District 5  Taylor said Sheriff’s Department bringing Jail to another level, getting $200,000 is great; significant issues in County Taylor acknowledged Jeanette Wynn, had been on previous agendas and unable to attend. Chair Taylor asked Ms. Wynn to step forward and the Commissioners had a few words to say and then presented a plaque to her. Commissioner Viegbesie stepped out at this juncture of the meeting. Commissioner Viegbesie reappeared at this juncture. Chair Taylor read aloud the Plaque and it was then presented to Mrs. Wynn.  She then had a few words to say.
CONSENT  Morgan/V 5-0
7.	Approval of Minutes a. June 6, 2017-Regular Meeting
ITEMS PULLED FOR DISCUSSION
CITIZENS REQUESTING TO BE HEARD ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS
	Bonnie Hirst, Williams Communications, 5046 Tennessee Capital Blvd., Tallahassee, FL  - Radio System, Agenda Item 5
	Angela Sapp, 821 , Quincy, FL – Stevens School
	Bob Busch, Motorola, 167 Seville Chase Drive, Winter Springs, FL – Radio System
	Ashley May, 1341 Woodward Road, Quincy, -Havana Fire Department – Radio System
PUBLIC HEARINGS
GENERAL BUSINESS
5.	Approval to Lease or Purchase a New County-Wide Communication System  Mr. Presnell introduced the above item and explained this was not a proposal because piggybacked. V said saw tremendous difference between purchase and lease and with regards to purchase, have they factored in estimated maintenance costs-won’t be any for.  Asked lifespan of equipment Morgan said to answer Dr. V’s question, one lender put out costs would be identical whether lease or purchase and other vendor also offered purchase and lease-encouraged Commissioner to set up in form of lease.  Reminded them critical issue with current equipment.  Felt overlooked at last meeting when had both vendors in room Hinson said had issue and asked if doing right thing with not bidding-Mr. Glazer said purchasing policy allows them to piggyback.  Hinson said in past always got funding first, why not going in direction of getting bond and not come from general revenue.  Presnell said got price down to approximately $1.3 Million, know Board does not like to take lot of money from General Revenue, Hinson asked what bonding company looked at-didn’t-not enough $ for bond.  Hinson said normally secure money first before proceeding. V said fact that this has to be done, is absolute necessity, question is lease purchase or purchase, looking at costs differences need answers, need to look where more cost efficient Holt asked lifetime of equipment-Presnell said hoped to get 20 years-different levels of maintenance-wants side by side comparison of two companies Morgan said the way he sees it, have $152,000 payment with one vendor and $145,000 payment with other.  Holt said with side by side comparison have what each will provide-looking at costs, not what each will provide Hinson said brought up at last meeting about comparison and had not received it yet V said in looking at packet, breakdowns there, trust County Administrator and staff have done due diligence and they need to look at what cost effective.  Kicked can enough. Bob Busch, Motorola, 167 Seville Chase Drive, Winter Springs, FL – Radio System-appeared before the Board and presented their item.  Expect life cycle to be 20 years, software will be updated regularly.  V asked that equipment he providing would be Motorola-yes Morgan said he mentioned software upgrades, if select them as vendor can it be added in agreement at no additional charge-yes. Bonnie Hirst, Williams Communications, 5046 Tennessee Capital Blvd., Tallahassee, FL  appeared before the Board-prices have dropped since came to table  V asked same question-if purchasing equipment from manufactures or asking other manufactures to do upgrade Morgan said she mentioned leasing option-no difference in price Ashley May, Havana Volunteer Fire Department, here on behalf of Havana Volunteer Fire Department to thank them for being willing to spend money, in favor of Motorola, if put on fire suit and can’t see hand in front of face, only lifeline is radio-want best and Motorola is Cadillac-hoped they consider what they are getting. Taylor said so many great points but settled with whichever system choose, both companies can produce and provide what needed- V said listening to both vendors and doing computation, difference is $6,000 more and will guarantee maintenance V motion to adopt option 2 for Motorola with guaranteed statement of maintenance for 10 years/Morgan second with caveat-maintenance not included by either vendor, warranty period of three years and support if take off last part of his motion-accepts amendment  Taylor asked that he amend motion to include agreement of upgrade of software for term of finance/Morgan second to amendment  Hinson had questions Hinson wants to hear from both companies, wants to make sure do right thing and asked County Administrator to bring information forward and he refused and he has problem with it.  Presnell said they asked for side-by-side comparison and this is what was provided by companies.  Taylor said Holt, Hinson and herself look for side-by-side and note can only give what provided.  V said this was not item they need to “kick the can any further” he has read through and where his questions have come from and understand about to spend $3 Million, both have good services and good equipment-question is if life of a volunteer firefighter worth less than $3 Million and do not believe should kick can any further today. Hinson said need to put definitive measures first, sometimes when looking at other things looking at apples and oranges, played football in district 2 and refused to put community center there.  Refused to play politics, can’t play with peoples emotion, problem is gave direction to Administrator and he refused to do so.  Presnell expressed wanted Motorola from get-go and wrong, need to do what’s right, nothing to do with fire department, has to do with him not getting information he requested. Morgan said taking little different stance, not backing off, V right, need to move issue, gone through process past 1 ½ years gathering information. Think with what provided very complete and easy to follow, Administrator did great job in making sure had all information needed, got binders with information.  Best decision is not to postpone any longer, make a decision to get problem solved.  We need to address situation and tonight time to do it Holt said comparison would have been easier with flow sheet side-by-side to be easy to see.  Do know both are correct in need to be done, would like to know in 10 years, pay for it, would like to see what maintenance done with other counties-concerned with Williams-in the middle-not manufacturing the equipment.  Said to Hinson if not receive information needed, need to look at that but think need to move and do something Taylor said motion and second on floor and asked for roll call vote V -yes Hinson -no Holt yes Morgan yes Taylor no passed 3-2
6.	Approve New Sublease for EMS Location on Florida State Hospital Property  Mr. Presnell introduced above item Morgan option 1/Holt  5-0
7.	Approval of Task Order 2017-012 with DPB & Associates, Consulting Engineers for Completion of a Project Development and Environmental (PD&E) Study   Mr. Presnell introduced above item Holt moved to approve Taylor had questions/V second 5-0
8.	Interlocal Agreement with the Gadsden Soil and Water Conservation District for Dispensing and Filling of Fuel  Mr. Presnell introduced item Hinson/V 5-0
9.	Gadsden County Lobbying Services  Mr. Presnell introduced above item. V asked why not have Legislative Day during the 2017 session Holt/V V asked for explanation to his question-Holt said when spoke to some of other Counties, they said reason they did not have Legislative Day was because of tight session Hinson said need to hold off and put everything on floor before approving existing contract that have   Morgan had question V said hear Hinson’s concern with budget but think do need lobbying firm to do grunt work during session to put county’s items in place.  Think need to secure lobbying services. Holt said if let Mrs. Wynn get away, losing lot, need her lobbying for us Morgan said current agreement expires September 30^th, if budget workshops coming up, why not bring up after budget workshop. Holt withdrew motion/V withdrew V table item/Holt Holt made comment 5-0
10.	Grant Agreement Execution for Utilizing Oral Accounts to Find Gadsden County’s Minority Groups’ History  Mr. Presnell introduced the above item. Morgan out V option 1/Hinson 4-0
11.	Approval to Award Bid No. 17-20 for the Clean-up and Debris Removal at the Old Stevens School  Mr. Presnell introduced Morgan returned  Angela Sapp Grant, appeared as self and City Commissioner representing City District 2, implored them to clean area and use to represent culture and diversity of District 2. V motion option 1 with expedited clean-up/Hinson Holt question Presnell said next meeting will have fire report Holt asked difference between bid low bid is $35,200 and high bid is $133,931.25 Taylor said building was historic and whatever done needs to represent community and area, lives in district Taylor asked timespan should be completed-30 days from commence- Holt had question Taylor said for public record-after clean-up, asked if County will come in with their resources to fill in hole in ground. Hinson said need to make sure done right way, maybe instead of bid do RFP.  Taylor said give Barnes Equipment direction to clear it.  Morgan said to let Administrator do his job and run the day to day. Chair called for the vote.  5-0
12.	Discussion and Direction of County Administrator’s Position  Mr. Presnell introduced above item. Scoresheets provided V said something going in direction he wanted it to go-as soon as possible need to reschedule interviews and hoped packet turned into Human Resources be given back to them to use to do more research. Holt said not crazy about tally Morgan said his issue was not sure getting best field of candidates and if limited to these three, are these only ones can choose from, Taylor said these 3 made deadline-Morgan asked if want to choose because made deadline, V said when firm came, had 7 and of 7 they asked if they wanted 5 or 3 and was told to take it to 3.  Morgan said think fewer applied because no definite exit date for current CA.  Suggested since have new Assistant, extend his contract and give definite end date of ?? or extend to end of his drop. Taylor said heard scheduling another interview date or extend contract. V said to extend contract he would go back on his word and he refuses to go back on his word and suggest to hold interviews as soon as possible. Morgan said has indicated since day 1 to allow Administrator finish out his drop. Taylor said in all fairness, Administrator has had tough job and has endured through all, not easy job  Asked Presnell Morgan asked Administrator if willing to serve to end of drop yes if board desires Motion to extend until end of 2018, died for lack of second V moved to interview 3 be scheduled as fast as humanly possible/Hinson second  Presnell asked how much time they wanted for each interview Holt said OK with her if can do by Skype; Hinson said need to figure out way, not sure if legal or not, how to talk to them one on one to figure out who they are Taylor asked V-his suggestion to do as did before - yes with more time Hinson – wants one on one Morgan-no comment Holt-other than ranking no problem Taylor will meet in two weeks Holt move to come back in two weeks to meet with candidates/V 4-1 Morgan opposed
COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
21.	Update on Various Board Requests  Bhaasket Corporation looking to build new campus and trying to entice to do so in Gadsden County Taylor said for record Motorola contract is for $1.5 Million
COUNTY ATTORNEY
22.	Update on Various Legal Issues Nothing to report Morgan thanked Mr. Glazer for coming.
Receipt and File
23.	Mediacom Gadsden County Health Department Quarterly Report for ½ Cent Sale Tax Prevention Letter from DEO Death Resolutions
UPCOMING MEETINGS
	August 15, 2017-Regular Meeting - 6:00 p.m. August 17, 2017-Budget Workshop – 4:00 p.m.
MOTION TO ADJOURN  Adjourned at 9:51 p.m.