Board of County Commissioners

Gadsden County, Florida

Regular Public Meeting

December 19, 2017

6:00 p.m.

Present:               Brenda Holt, Chair, District 4

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

                                Eric Hinson, District 2-appeared by phone

                                Gene Morgan, District 3

                                Sherrie Taylor, District 5

                                Dee Jackson, Interim County Administrator

                                David Weiss, County Attorney

                                Marcella Blocker, Deputy Clerk

INVOCATION, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE  Chair Holt called the meeting to order, Commissioner Morgan gave the Invocation and Chair Holt led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the U. S. Flag.
AMENDMENTS AND APPROVAL OF AGENDA  V/Morgan 5-0
AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS AND APPEARANCES
CLERK OF COURT
CONSENT  Morgan/V 5-0
1.	Approval to Accept the FY 2017 4^th Quarter Report
2.	Approval of the 2018 BOCC Meeting Calendar
3.	Approval of Minutes a. September 19, 2017
ITEMS PULLED FOR DISCUSSION
CITIZENS REQUESTING TO BE HEARD ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS
PUBLIC HEARINGS
GENERAL BUSINESS
4.	Approval of Contractual Agreement between CenturyLink and the Gadsden County BOCC  Jackson introduced the above item-annual one year contract V/Morgan 5-0
5.	Approval of the Agreement with the Gadsden County Sheriff’s Department to Provide Security Services at the Edward J. Butler Building  Jackson asked to table V/Morgan 5-0
6.	Selection and Appointment of Members to the Gadsden County Tourist Development Council  Jackson introduced the above item.  Jackson said Mr. Thro wished to stay in that position.  V nominated Linda Dixon to be appointed. Morgan said felt should wait until the Hinson asked that she repeat what they were talking about.  She said Commissioner Morgan asked that they vote on the positions separately.  Commissioner Hinson said Cathy Johnson had submitted her application but it was never received by staff and was not included in the packet.  Taylor motion to table/V 5-0
7.	Economic Development Professional Services Contract-Gadsden County Development Council  Jackson introduced the above item. V said based on conversation had and what he heard, V motion to approve option 3/Morgan Hinson had questions Hinson asked if option 3 was still for two years-yes-he was comfortable with one year instead of two-he asked if the attorney had any problem with the contract.  Hinson said there was word in contract that concerned him.  He asked about Paragraph 6 Chair called for the vote 4-1 Taylor opposed
8.	Economic Development Professional Services Contract Gadsden County Chamber of Commerce Small Business Service Center V option 3/Holt second for discussion Morgan wanted term for 2 years like with GCDC Chair called for the vote 2-3 Hinson, Taylor, Morgan opposed Morgan option 3 with 24 months/V  5-0 Taylor asked for deliverables Morgan agreed-two good organizations working to try to improve and our responsibility to make sure they adhere
9.	Approval of the Amended Security Force Southeast LLC Contract  Jackson introduced above item Taylor/V 5-0
10.	Request to Revoke Authorization for Redeemed, Inc. to Apply for the Criminal Justice, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse Reinvestment Grant and Designation of Redeemed, Inc. as the Applicant on behalf of the County  Jackson introduced the above item.  After last meeting Staff learned the Sheriff was not aware of the grant V said he mentioned this to the Interim County Administrator and as soon as out of meeting received call from citizen and they advised him it was a federal grant and the Sheriff was not aware of the grant being applied for.  V asked if the County had a Criminal Justice Diversion Program outside of the Sheriff’s Office and Mrs. Jackson said not that she was aware of.  V said he was personally disturbed when he heard this information and he was leaning toward option 1. Annie Berry appeared before the Board and said she did not represent that she was with the Sheriff’s Department, they gave their approval at the last meeting and it was too late Chair Holt said in the meeting it was mentioned that she worked for the Sheriff’s Department by herself, the Manager and they said the grant was to come back before them for approval.  Mrs. Berry said the County Administrator had a copy of the application. V said he was one that made the motion and had the hand-out provided by Mrs. Berry at the previous meeting.  He said he was glad this was on agenda Hinson asked if there was anything wrong with the contract and Weiss said there was no contract.  Weiss said he recalled the question was asked if a non-profit could implement Hinson said it comes down to what was fair- Morgan said when the item originally came before them she called him to discuss it and he thanked her.  He agreed with some of the comments Hinson made.  Hinson said if Sheriff OK, he was OK.  Morgan said he called the Sheriff and the Sheriff was not OK with this.  Felt if they supported a non-profit in this capacity, Taylor said they could not get in the habit of doing this Morgan stepped out Taylor said second time gave approval and taken it back Morgan returned Taylor said could appreciate the Sheriff and his position  Should be some kind of way with Redeemed and the Sheriff’s Office they could work this out Hinson said he’s been screaming forever about mental health Chair Holt told Hinson they had to move on Mrs. Berry asked if the Gadsden County Sheriff’s Department had a drug court and said no, Redeemed did; she asked if Gadsden County Sheriff’s Department had a pretrial release program-no Redeemed did V said he felt this application should have come through the Sheriff’s Department and let him approve this and the Sheriff is not OK with this Mrs. Berry said it was known that the Sheriff said he did not support this and she never said this was coming from Sheriff Department and was their assumption.  She said she did not understand and did not appreciate the way the Board was handling the situation because of their assumption. V motion to approve option 1 and if get second requested voice vote/Holt second  Morgan had questions Morgan said indicated earlier or suggested Sheriff said he was applying for the grant and Mrs. Berry said yes and Chair Holt said if he were applying for the grant it would be on the form but issue was what they were doing now with it. Weiss pointed out at end of option 1 stated “and advise DCF of the revocation and that Gadsden County does not intend to submit a grant application” and if Gadsden County intends to submit application, remove last part. V amended motion to exclude Gadsden County does not intend to submit a grant application/Holt amended second V-yes Morgan-yes Taylor-no Hinson-no Holt-yes 3-2 Revocation granted
COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
11.	Update on Various Board Requests  Jackson said reached out to GHI hospital board and his recommendation was to dissolve the Board Taylor stepped out Morgan said he had volunteered for a long time and he supported his position if he wished to do this Thanked them for them attending the Staff Christmas party and the float won first place. Memo in front of them regarding the timeline for the Courthouse renovations Morgan thanked her for the updates asked ongoing issue of BOCC meetings not being aired in Chattahoochee-has reached out to Spectrum-doing all can to get going  He said they were airing these meetings on Facebook on the County page Taylor returned He said there was no costs-Staff took direction from the last Board meeting and will be brought back before the Board at a later date-next meeting County Administrator’s Position-was rush to get position filed and now nothing-Staff has not been directed to do anything Thanked everyone and said Merry Christmas Taylor said to Administrator and staff congratulations for winning the Christmas float in the parade V wanted the Interim to look into voter registration and wanted an update
COUNTY ATTORNEY
12.	Update on Various Legal Issues  Nothing to report
DISCUSSION ITEMS BY COMMISSIONERS
13.	Report and Discussion of Public Issues
	Commissioner Eric Hinson, District 1  Asked for proclamation for Willie Simmons, now head football coach at FAMU/V second 5-0 Wanted to acknowledge Shannon Faison, just retired from Sheriff Department and now gives training to individuals-asked for Resolution / V 5-0 Wanted to recognize Antonio Jefferson-he was recognized by North Florida Rural Caucus Wanted resolution for 2 young couples-Terrance Roberts and wife Natalie Roberts wanted to recognize at next board meeting Wanted to recognize Havana Kiwanis Club for Christmas baskets
	Commissioner Gene Morgan, District 3  Morgan mentioned for future workshop-Sheriff’s Office-entertained building new Administration Building and felt Board would be wise in discussing it because could save money Also updating jail Said he appreciated efforts she has put into interim position she was in charge of and encouraged her to continue
	Commissioner Sherrie Taylor, District 5  Said she did not vote for FAMU thing and asked to change it. One of schools was recognized as number 2 in nation to move into Mathematics Morgan stepped out She said with workshop held earlier-concurred with Dr. V to not add these type meetings in front of regular board meeting Morgan returned Suggested having meeting sometime soon to keep iron hot Morgan said it was very important and sessions needed to be short enough to retain information and build on it Taylor said point she was trying to make-she was tired and sure everyone else was as well about what they should have done
	Commissioner Anthony “Dr. V” Viegbesie, Vice-Chair, District 2  Commended Gadsden County Economic Development Council for event at Creek Entertainment yesterday Commended Sheriff’s Department for Active Shooter exercise and the Faith-based community for response and attendance Wished everyone Merry Christmas and Healthy, Happy and Prosperous 2018
	Commissioner Brenda Holt, Chair, District 4  Holt asked for Proclamation for Delshonta Jackson/V and resolution for school 5-0 Hinson had question to Administrator-look into and check status of Havana Elementary School and status for Gretna and St. John-hears rumors Holt asked that they call the Administrator on some of these items before the meeting to get things out of the way to move faster GCDC did outstanding job yesterday and told them to continue
Receipt and File
UPCOMING MEETINGS
	January 2, 2018-Regular Meeting – 6:00 p.m.
MOTION TO ADJOURN  Adjourned at 7:50 p.m.