Board of County Commissioners

Gadsden County, Florida

Regular Public Meeting

December 18, 2018

6:00 p.m.

Present:               Dr. Anthony “Dr. V” Viegbesie, Chair, District 2

                                Sherrie Taylor, Vice Chair, District 5

                                Eric Hinson, District 2

                                Gene Morgan, District 3

                                Brenda Holt, District 4

                                Dee Jackson, Interim County Administrator

                                David Weiss, County Attorney

                                Marcella Blocker, Deputy Clerk

INVOCATION, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE  Chair called meeting to order, asked everyone to turn off cell phones  Deputy Clerk called roll, all were present
AMENDMENTS AND APPROVAL OF AGENDA  Holt/Morgan 5-0
AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS AND APPEARANCES
CONSENT  Morgan/Holt 5-0
1.	Approval and Signature(s) for Satisfaction of Special Assessment Liens State Housing Initiative Partnership Housing Program
2.	Approval and Signatures for Special Assessment Liens State Housing Initiative Partnership Program (SHIP) (Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance Program)
3.	Approval of the Resolution for the New Chairperson Facsimile Stamp
4.	Approval of Minutes a. September 6, 2018 Budget Hearing b. November 20, 2018 BOCC Regular Meeting
5.	Ratification Memo
ITEMS PULLED FOR DISCUSSION
CITIZENS REQUESTING TO BE HEARD ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS
PUBLIC HEARINGS
GENERAL BUSINESS
6.	Debris Pick-up and Management Update  Mrs. Jackson said this was for update of debris pick-up update. Gary Brooks, Operations Manager, Thompson Consulting, appeared before the Board to give an update.  Each truck averaging 5 loads/day & load size is 45 cubic yards.  Debris Monitoring Costs $2 Million, Debris Removal costs $23,979,143 Still awaiting FEMA approval to pick up on private roads and anticipate debris operations into February. Hinson asked about District 1, still see lot of debris around, is that last spot they intend to target.  He said have had loads in that area and has made 1^st pass.  Still have trucks there, trying to concentrate Jeff ? appeared before the Board Taylor said they were present at meeting with Governor and FEMA and they gave verbal approval to go ahead and pick up on private roads-still awaiting for something from FDOT-Notice to Proceed. Morgan asked about DRC burning-Gary said burning on Shady Rest Road using air curtain-burns hotter Holt thanked them for all the work Hinson said had lot of minority business owners that wanted to be part of debris pick-up-asked how many minority contractors were hires Jeff said not prepared to answer that tonight.  Hinson asked for meeting-have had numerous phone calls past few week V said info could be sent directly to him. Holt said advertisements were placed in papers, put on Facebook, sent contractors to talk to Emergency Management and to the Manager.  They can get data and email to all Commissioners.
7.	Legislative Advocacy and Public Relations Services  Mrs. Jackson introduced the above item.  Current lobbying firm is Lawson & Associates at $15,000 and contract expired on September 30, 2018.  Talked to cities and willing to contribute $5,000 and Gunster firm willing to work with County.  Morgan asked about two firms and was confirmed that Chris Doolan contract never executed last year.  Have $ budgeted. Antonio Jefferson appeared before the Board.  Managers have gotten together and consensus need to have strong presence and believe Gunster would be great firm; only have one other County they represent Jack McLean appeared before the Board-have a special meeting tonight to look at this issue and voted unanimously to go with Gunster and have good relation with incoming Governor.  Have no comment as to keep 2 firms or 1 firm Morgan at appropriate time, motion to go with Gunster/Hinson second Weiss said V said understood agenda item was to approve Lawson and now adding Gunster.  Jackson said County budgeted $35,000 total for lobbying services.  Greensboro not committed, $25,000 total from other cities. Commissioner Hinson withdrew his second. Taylor said point of clarity, advising County to put together a legislative packet with all cities involved to present to legislative session Holt said mentioned in meeting with disaster counties, if put together in one packet, more likely to get help. Hinson said reason withdrew second, still in state of emergency and think instead of $15,000, go with $24,500 and roll dice.  Only way will go is both given $24,500, Lawson and Gunster Taylor asked with agreement with Gunster, is there a set amount because understand set from us and set from cities.  Antonio reappeared before the Board and said thought Gunster’s numbers little north of what mentioned-looking for $60,000 Holt said wanted to look at numbers, Hinson said Holt said in case of emergency, can it be waived?  Legislative session Weiss said is exception on procurement policy, cannot tell in matter of law this would constitute emergency Holt said if miss deadline, will hurt county and cities.  Been sued for less.  Want to look at possibilities, Taylor said need to move this, cities and Administrator have met, preliminary legislative package has been put together, legwork been done, need to get lobbyist and ready to submit, need to submit with team to get through.  Need to some up with figure to get off table and push through tonight.  V asked if make 2 contracts, $15,000 to Lawson and $25,000 to Gunster to add to cities, will still have to adhere to procurement policy if can keep County’s part under Have to adhere to procurement policy, V said keep Lawson at $15,000 and Morgan said go with Gunster and within budget.  Been without firm 3 months, nothing on fire, no value with going with 2 separate firms.  Take $25,000, put together with other cities.  Morgan $25,000 to hire Gunster/V second Holt  yes Hinson no Morgan yes Taylor yes Chair yes  4-1 Hinson said wanted to work with both parties, Lawson doing youmas job.  Hinson motion to give Lawson $25,000-died lack of second
8.	Approval of Contractual Agreement between CenturyLink and Gadsden County Board of County Commissioners  Jackson introduced above item Morgan/Holt 5-0
9.	Old Federal Road Resurfacing Project Bid Award  Jackson introduced item Taylor/Morgan 5-0
10.	Tolar-White Road SCOP Project  Jackson introduced item Morgan/Holt  5-0
11.	Approval of Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Amended Memorandum of Understanding  Jackson introduced item Morgan/Holt 5-0
12.	Appointments/Reappointments to the Small County Coalition Board of Directors  Jackson introduced above item Morgan moved to reappoint/V 5-0
13.	Approval of the Lease Extension with Neighborhood Medical Center to lease the Havana Health Clinic  Jackson introduced item Hinson/Holt and Morgan second 5-0
14.	Approval of Appointments/Reappointments to the Apalachee Regional Planning Council (ARPC)  Jackson introduced item Morgan said no problem with current appointee, issue is whether other municipalities informed about opening and had chance to respond and think appropriate to reach out to municipalities and Morgan motion to table/V 5-0
15.	Authorization to Apply for the Criminal Justice, Mental Health. and Substance Abuse Reinvestment Grant  Jackson introduced above item Holt/Hinson Morgan question 50% match-how much grant-Jackson said have not received information, thought someone from Sheriff’s office would be here to discuss Holt withdrew motion and Hinson withdrew second Jackson said if match, county liable. Holt pointed out on page 7 of 42 states Cash match not required. Hinson said give back to Administrator and let her give recommendation.  So can have detailed report.  V said received info grant not due until February.  Weiss said this item was left out of his book.  Looks based on language, seems to be in-kind match but would not mind having more time to look into this. Taylor motion to table to second meeting in January/Morgan second 5-0 Morgan out 7:24
CLERK OF COURT
16.	Updates
COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
17.	Updates  Staff Christmas party this Friday at 7:00 at Creek Entertainment January 1^st meeting cancelled Building permit office closed after 4:30 each day so can close out financials for day. Chair V appointed as Chair of CRPTA Morgan returned
COUNTY ATTORNEY
18.	Updates Can’t make to party, previous commitment
DISCUSSION ITEMS BY COMMISSIONERS
19.	Report and Discussion of Public Issues
	Commissioner Eric Hinson, District 1  Hinson said constituent told him permit office closed for next 2 weeks, Dee said no, only closed after 4:30 so can do daily reports for Clerk’s office. Still lot of trash in areas, when will they start going back over?  Jackson said more damage than anticipated with roads, now replacing signs, guardrails, etc. and debris company assisting.  Gibson, Richbay community need attention.
	Commissioner Gene Morgan, District 3  Update on Atwater Road as far as to when will be open. Justin Ford appeared before the Board. Missed Curtis today.  Have one joint pipe and one more to set, have met to discuss plan of action, maybe by end of week. Item regarding burning in County, would like to move forward with more conversation, could be issue Wished everyone Merry Christmas
	Commissioner Brenda Holt, District 4  Tabled item-board that needs to be established and need to look at it. Had adopt-a Road program one time, children were involved and wanted to look into that. Hinson said mentioned November 6^th-Resource Officers-Sheriff has maximized what can pay for and need 3 more Resource officers. Motion to put item on Agenda  V asked if would put budgetary impact on County that is already stretched? Hinson said for conscience, need to put on agenda and will give Administrator time to do research and get on Agenda.
	Commissioner Sherrie Taylor Vice-Chair, District 5  Grant for Courthouse-one extension about to expire in February-will not be done before expires, David and contractor been going back and forth-looks like transmitted contract to State and waiting for State approval.   Will follow up Taylor asked about High Bridge Road-Justin Ford said DOT project and will check-will not come to County as SCRAP or SCOP would.  Understands underway. Asked for updated information regarding Courthouse Pines on ground creating health-hazard-need to talk to debris company about intent FEMA said there was still 25+ families that are displaced.  Asked if still have $100,000 and that money would go long way to help displaced families.  Would like to have agendaed for discussion/Hinson second Jail-how much County being owner liable for anything Pat Thomas Park-tourists were trying to have family gathering and heard still in disarray- Administrator contract-been working with Attorney-will be on next agenda Clerk-Clerk not being cooperative-Taylor said maybe attorney could be liaison Holt said alternative vouchers in state-if someone has house that can be rented out, let know. Hinson said what was disturbing was work complicit Clerk k used and was strong word to use.  Think also says they are agreeing with wrong doing and used strong words and need him to some so can discuss because he not complicit with any wrong doing. Morgan said forgot about permitting fees-waived through January 15 and will be on agenda.
	Commissioner Anthony “Dr. V” Viegbesie,, Chair, District 2  Was elected Chair as CRTPA and having Suzanne Lex here, if see any road in need to attention let him know and will push onto work program About to go on holiday, s leave today to celebrate,
Receipt and File
20.	Letter from Florida Health November 13, 2018 Letter from the Florida Department of Revenue November 16, 2018 Letter from the Florida Department of Revenue Letter from DEO
UPCOMING MEETINGS
19.	January 15, 2019-6:00 p.m.-BOCC Regular Meeting
MOTION TO ADJOURN  Adjourned 7:59 p.m.