Board of County Commissioners

Gadsden County, Florida

Regular Public Meeting

February 19, 2019

6:00 p.m.

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

                                Sherrie Taylor, Vice Chair, District 5

                                Eric Hinson, District 2-appeared by phone and arrived late

                                Gene Morgan, District 3

                                Brenda Holt, District 4

                                Dee Jackson, Interim County Administrator

                                Nicholas Thomas, Clerk of Court

                                David Weiss, County Attorney

                                Marcella Blocker, Deputy Clerk

INVOCATION, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE  Chair called meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.  Deputy Clerk Marcella Blocker took a roll call attendance.  All Commissioners were present with the exception of Commissioner Hinson, who appeared by telephone.
AMENDMENTS AND APPROVAL OF AGENDA  Pull Item 11; add 11a- Holt/Morgan 5-0
AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS AND APPEARANCES
1.	Proclamation Honoring of Economic Development Week  Chair Viegbesie read the Proclamation aloud. Commissioner Hinson arrived at 6:06 p.m. It was presented to Ms. Kirkland and then they posed for pictures and she had a few words to say.
2.	Resolution on Honor of Mr. Jerry Buscher, Warden of the Gadsden Correctional Facility  Commissioner Taylor introduced Mr. Buscher and read aloud the Resolution.
3.	Resolution honoring Ms. Sonya Hines-Hall   Chair Viegbesie read the Resolution aloud, they posed for pictures and a few words were spoken.
4.	Presentation on CareerSource Capital Region  Mr. Jim McShane appeared before the Board and gave a brief update. Commissioner Hinson echoed what Commissioner Holt said. Commissioner Taylor asked the number of people FEMA employed through him if he had a number for that and he did not, they don’t separate that out.  He said between Gadsden, Leon and Wakulla, they served around 30,000 people.
CONSENT  Morgan/Holt 4-1 Hinson opposed
5.	Ratification of Approval to Pay County Bills
6.	Approval of Minutes a. January 15, 2019-Regular Meeting
7.	Approval to Accept the FY 2019 1^st Quarter Report
ITEMS PULLED FOR DISCUSSION
CITIZENS REQUESTING TO BE HEARD ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS
PUBLIC HEARINGS
8.	Public Hearing-(Legislative) Consideration of Ordinance 2019-001 to Adopt the Bradwell Small Scale Comprehensive Plan Future Land Use Map Amendment (SSPA 2019-01)  Jackson introduced above item. Suzanne Lex appeared before the Board Jill Jeglie appeared before the Board and introduced the above item.  Property located off McCall Bridge Road.  Planning Commission voted 5-2 to approve.  3 options-to adopt; not to approve; Board direction. Chair announced public hearing and asked if there were any comments from the public. Elva Peppers appeared before the Board, representing Mr. Bradwell.  Not out of character to surrounding property.  Chair asked again if anyone wished to speak. Willie Green, 296 Bradwell Road, Quincy-spoke in support of the request.  Commissioner Taylor said it looked like Ms. Jeglie  moved approval/Hinson  Morgan question Morgan said no heartburn, looked like of the 5 acres, was more than 4 not buildable?  Ms. Peppers said there was enough set-back there would be no problems Jill Jeglie said in the County there was a process to split parcels and he should qualify for same. Chair called for vote 5-0
9.	Public Hearing-(Legislative) Consideration of transmittal of an amendment to the Future Land Use Map Amendment of the Comprehensive Plan by Allen’s Excavation, Inc. (LSPA 2019-01)  Ms. Jackson introduced above  Jill Jeglie appeared before the Board and gave an explanation of the above item. Current land use Ag 3-mining  No impact to level of service.  Purchased property in 1994 from Riverbend Sand Company  CBOR meeting held at Bear Creek-no attendees.   Planning commission voted 6-1 to approve Chair announced public hearing and asked if anyone had anything to say, either in opposition or support. Elva Peppers appeared before the Board.  She said the owner would like to have the property to reflect that it is a mining property and trying to change the property category to reflect mining from Ag 3.  Chair asked if any questions and there was not. Holt move approve/Taylor second with question Taylor asked if this was one of the mining companies approved some time ago and where is it located. Jill reappeared before the Board-if travel west on Sadberry Road, there is another mining company to the west Taylor said she was concerned to the amount of mining that was happening in that area.  Jill said they were approved by DEP to operate until 2044. Hinson asked the attorney if there were any issues and he said no. Holt said only changing zoning to go with the map, can still mine there. Chair called for vote.  5-0
10.	Public Hearing (Legislative) Consideration of a recommendation to adopt Ordinance 2019-003 to update the Capital Improvements Schedule (CIS) of the Capital Improvements Element (LSPA 2018-011)  Mrs. Jackson introduced above item. Chair announced public hearing and asked if there were any comments.  Suzanne Lez appeared before the Board to explain the item.  Chair asked if there were any comments from the audience and there were none. Ms. Lex said this was not considered an amendment but was an update to the Comprehensive plan. Morgan asked how individual projects were moving forward.  Is there a way to see if County on track with projects. Taylor said Ms. Lex indicated through narrative was not an amendment but was an update.  Ordinance states in heading “amending”. Legislature changed statutes Morgan returned 7:15 Did not think it stating amending versus updating was no significance Holt said in Weiss said can change language to read update Taylor move approval with changes/Holt second with comment/Holt 5-0
GENERAL BUSINESS
11.	Confirmation of the Public Works Director
11a	Adoption of Resolution No. 2019-005, accepting and approving the State of Florida Department of Transportation’s continued assumption of legal and financial responsibility for and conduct of all remaining  Jackson introduced above item. Chip Starr, D & J Consulting, appeared before the Board. Taylor stepped out at 7:22 p.m.   Wes, Thompson Consulting Taylor returned at 7:22 p.m. Morgan thanked them for their efforts and asked questions about the state roads vs. county roads. Chair asked about the stumps of the trucks of the trees.  Representative said they were removed as of the past Friday.  Holt asked Ms. Jackson if she had a copy of the email, yes, was sent to the Commissioners. Jackson said same guidelines will be followed by Public Works that FEMA set forth.  County will have to use own equipment , be certified, tickets issued Hinson said received phone calls regarding the subcontractors and wanted to make sure local minorities were employed.  Chip Starr said it was confirmed there was a 30% minorities employed as subcontractors that participated. Taylor asked if their agency or company would be in place to validate the debris that is being collected. Wes said process will continue and remain same.  FEMA window is 180 days.  Everything same in window.   Process does not change whether county ruck or D&J truck.  Wes explained reimbursement period. Holt/Morgan 5-0
12.	Ratification of approval and execution of Amendment to the DEP Grant Agreement for St. Hebron Park “Walk and Bike Trail”   Jackson introduced above item. Lex appeared before Board-request to extend grant for 1 year.  Taylor asked about $25,000 cash match been identified-yes. Hinson asked if had to have 4 votes last time.  Jackson said had nothing to do with Ordinance, was just to extend the grant. Mr. Weiss said there was an item on agenda that was related to this project to amend discretionary sales tax to use funds for this project.  This only relates to extension to agreement with DEP and does not require super majority vote. V said the $25,000 was approved before the past budget procedure.  Only extending so can get money and not lose the grant. Hinson said since County in such fiscal constraint, need to save the children.  Chair motion to approve option 1/Hinson second 4-1 Morgan opposed
13.	Approval of Task Order with Dewberry to Provide Professional Services for the St. Hebron Park RTP Project  Jackson introduced above item. Morgan asked the reason changing firms.  Jackson said previous firm did not deliver-paid out $ but work not done on time.  Taylor asked services rendered, was the County able to use? Yes. Justin Ford, Dewberry/Preble-Rish, appeared before the Board to address questions.   Was some reports that Dewberry will be able to use.  Weiss said they billed for certain services they performed but was terminated because the work was not timely.  Holt approve/V 3-2  Morgan, Hinson opposed
14.	Approval to submit grant applications to the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) under the Small County Outreach Program (SCOP), Small County Road Assistance Program (SCRAP), County Incentive Grant Program (CIGP)  Jackson introduced above item. Justin Ford appeared before the Board.  CIGP is most restrictive.  SCOP least restrictive and has largest budget.  Holt asked if could get direction Justin said did have running list and could provide it to the commissioners.  Holt said years ago there was an agreement more roads were paved on east side of County and the west side of county still waiting to be paved. Taylor asked how this would be done.  Probably best to see which roads could be better funding. Justin said 5-6 years ago, they worked with Public Works and they picked roads thought best candidate to get funding.    Can submit 2 SCRAP, 2 SCOP and 1 CIGP.  V asked if would be difficult or outside of time allowed if they considered 3 roads and let engineering team and Public Works derive roads and see which needed most work.  Morgan said Holt was right in her recollection.  Felt would suit citizens better to let engineer work with public works to decide roads. Hinson said also something to consider, Fairbanks Ferry Road, have had a lot of deaths on that road before the light was placed there. Justin said they did something similar when doing striping projects, ranked roads individually, and was certain could come up with some matrix to rank the roads.  Taylor said thought from hearing, what could work, is have 2-3 year plan and stick to it.  Justin said assuming get funding.  Justin asked for approval tonight, applications coming due.  Holt said good suggesting to Taylor, told Morgan how got stuck last time.  Whatever do this year, look at next year.  Taylor said each time have election is staggered, willing to move forward with plan, at least gives hope.  Justin said came up with list.  Said V asked Dogtown be placed on list and Justin failed to put on list.  Asked they keep list to 2-3 per district to make easier to work with.  Hinson said talked few years ago about Lake Yvette East, roads in terrible shape.  Holt said if put in one, take one off.  Can’t say if have wealthy homes, those roads get paved. Hinson said he resurfaced roads that no other could do.  Started with areas that needed help first.  V swapped toads V/Taylor 5-0
15.	Approval for FAMU to work with Gadsden County on the Stevens School Project  Jackson introduced above item. Taylor move approve/Holt  Morgan question Fiscal impact Jackson said is money in Stevens School Taylor said thought was being donated by students. Weiss said depending on how funds budgeted, may require budget amendment.  Though was moved into capital projects. Holt said would need to be brought back to the Board.  Taylor asked if should set caps.  Hinson said at last budget meeting, was shut down by Board.  Since noticed been paying 20 hours/week here, 20 hrs/week there.  Now someone else wants to bring in and not fair.  For it but can’t vote for it.  Holt said this was mostly for travel 30 miles away.  This is different type of animal. Morgan said was trying to express, can offer a year to students that is unpaid. V said a lot of architectural design and work done by the students that is done for credit.   See to allow Administrator and attorney to start negotiations. Hinson said he had always thought in past about what people done for him.  Morgan stepped out 8:32 p.m. Hinson said don’t want to approve this but moved to approve/Holt second Morgan returned 8:33 p.m. V asked if in accordance with option Taylor said after further discussion, changed position-according to narrative, fiscal impact said employ 2 students under County’s internship program.  Holt said they used group information, set here and met with some of the people, did not take away anything.  Taylor withdrew her motion V said this was just for negotiations. Hinson said he will withdraw his motion. Morgan said not sure why wouldn’t want to approve option 1, just money should come from Stevens School not General Fund.  Morgan approve option 1/Holt second  Taylor question. Taylor said not same group that originally came together and whole outlook being changed. Jackson said still have minutes from meeting, will be first phase, second phase and third phase-nothing happening that is not in her notes. Holt called the question. Morgan second-3-2 Taylor Chair called vote-3-2-Hinson, Taylor opposed
16.	Approval of Library Services and Technology Act Grant  Jackson introduced above item Holt/V 5-0
17.	Public Transportation Grant Agreement with Florida Department of Transportation and Big Bend Transit, Inc.  Jackson introduced above item Holt/V Jackson gave brief description of item. Morgan had question Morgan asked reimbursed-Jackson said reimbursed monthly-Morgan asked specific benefit-have several public transportation-why participate when have to pay up-front. Sean Mitchell, Big Bend Transit appeared before the Board to address questions.  Would take out some redundancy. Chair called for vote.  5-0
18.	Approval of Intent to Lease a Portion of the Massey Building located at 680 Maple Street, Chattahoochee  Jackson introduced above item.  Tammy Ceasor is looking to rent portion of building.  Has proposed to lease space for $800/month. Morgan said this was project that has had life for several weeks and had conversations with Chattahoochee.  Would be great benefit to Chattahoochee.  Local Senior Services are offered through a portion of that building and Ms. Ceasor has agreed they can continue to use portion of building.  Lease does not mention Seniors can continue lease.  Morgan approval/Holt second  V said spoke with Ceasor before meeting and she confirmed seniors will continue to use building.  Hinson question Need to make sure County protected at all time.  Weiss said she responsible for liability insurance.  Holt said one concern-asked Jackson about damages.  Chair called for vote.  5-0
19.	EMS Write-Off and Bad Debt  Jackson introduced above item. Morgan option 1/Holt second with question Keith Maddox, EMS Director appeared before the Board to address questions. V stepped out at 9:00 p.m. Taylor called for vote 4-0
20.	Bid Award for Debt Collection Services  Jackson introduced above item Holt move approval with question/Morgan second Holt asked Mr. Maddox to tell about company.  He said was before his tenure V returned 9:03 p.m. Looks like met qualifications, happened before his tenure. Holt asked Jackson’s opinion of company-all seems same. V asked for vote-5-0
21.	Discussion and Action on the Local Housing Assistance Plan (LHAP)  Jackson introduced above item. Taylor motion to approve to add mobile homes/V second  Morgan question Morgan said seems read first come, first serve, she said with priority being special needs first Lex clarified mobiles homes added because of disaster, cannot be done without a declared disaster. V asked when talk about declared emergency, who declares emergency-Governor?  Needs it to be specific.  Lex said felt needed to be declared at State or Federal level 5-0
22.	Approval of Appointment/Re-Appointment for the County-Elected Official to the Apalachee Regional Planning Council(ARPC)  Jackson introduced above item Hinson motion to approve/V 5-0 Weiss said they were asking for alternate as well V nominated Hinson as alternate/Holt 5-0 Hinson nominate Kathy Johnson/V second 5-0
23.	Possible Moratorium on Hiring  Jackson introduced above item V asked why she thought was impression was new hires and has budget been exceeded.  Actually under budget.    Thinks perception of new positions created was because of new titles.  Taylor said she asked for this item, not so much If look at chart, 45 dismissed and 40 hired.  Moratorium needs to be put in place so Commissioners can look-Board needs to look closer at issues until figure out direction going.  Employee morale not intact and there are issues.  Key people have been let go.  Would like to see hiring stopped and revisit.  Want to put brakes on what is going on. Mrs. Jackson said if look, chart accurate but not accurate.  Doesn’t mean people were terminated.  At EMS, actually paying lower, making changes, actually place people trying to come to.  In the black with EMS.  With Public Works, have had people wreck equipment, fail drug tests, Staff morale-was culture here, had staff close to commissioners and those intimidated other staff.  Taylor asked how she knows who she talks with, she asks.  Wherever she is, she is a commissioner.   Taylor said for her to say all great, all good, she not in touch with her people.  Hinson said County Administrator answered-look at sheet 45 dismissed.  Was interesting to see 45 dismissed.  How react in storm determines everything about you.  Taylor stepped out 9:32 p.m. Hinson said before she came, when on school board and they changed staff, school board saw chart and approved it.  Felt up to them to give her direction.  Felt if went with moratorium, only need right now is Assistant County Administrator and Building official. Holt said she not one to wait, she makes calls.  Have workshopped in past.  Don’t think time to put moratorium on hiring.  Need grant writer.  Need Public Works Director.  Need Assistant Manager.  Need grant writer.  Need someone else in SHIP program.  Taylor returned at 9:30 p.m. Morgan encouraged each member to search out and review reason for the Board-their primary responsibilities.  Are to hire two people, qualified County Attorney and County administrator.  They are not to run day-to-day operations of County.  Hinson said in all fairness, did not think what Commissioners brought up was petty.  Value other commissioners’ comments.  V said comment that Morgan made that was very appropriate.  Also at workshop comment made, “Nose in, finger out”.  Taylor said been around dais for 10 years, and each have brought subjects up to discuss they are compassionate about.  Especially when affects morale of County.  Is an agendaed item and was here for discussion.  Have been issues every meeting.  Hinson said they need to take morale serious.  Taylor stepped out at 9:57 p.m. Holt said can workshop.  Taylor returned at 9:58 p.m.
24.	Approval of a Revision to the Health Coverage Component of the Employment Agreement for the Gadsden County Administrator  Jackson introduced above item. V asked if she was saying error from single to family-previous had single and she requesting family coverage. Weiss said he drafted original contract with input from current administrator as to what she was requesting.  Motion was made to have $100,000 salary, two year term, 5 months’ severance and all other to follow previous administrator’s contract.   Seems if all other employees choose family or single, V said thought the option of family or single can be determined through open enrollment.  No other employees have contract.  Looked at previous Administrators, language changed.  Morgan said attorney accurately summed up.  Have been provided previous agreements dating back to 2005.  Only one where he saw County paid, Mr. Brown agreed to lower salary for premium to be paid.  Talked with previous Administrator, he paid employee portion.  Felt important, don’t think need to set precedent.  She already reduced her salary when took permanent position.  Jackson said if not benefit to Administrator to have paid.. Morgan said want to make this part of something Administrator comfortable with.  Holt asked Jackson what paying now.  V asked what happened to employees that do not use insurance program-have some that do not use it because may have coverage with spouse.  Back to what Holt saying, Commissioners accept health insurance just like employees.  Employees pay portion and County pays portion.  Morgan said reason item on agenda is because she request County consider paying entire premium.  What talking about is what impact fiscally this would be.  Holt move that Jackson approve contract with insurance that regular employees have/Morgan Hinson question-understand even though, fair is fair, think should pay whole premium.  Holt withdrew motion/ Morgan withdrew second. Morgan motion same as other employees/Hinson second 5-0
CLERK OF COURT
25.	Updates  No report Taylor question-where at with repayment of salary for Administrator.  Clerk forwarded email to commissioners that had options on it almost 2 weeks ago to all commissioners.  Taylor asked when will be on agenda.  Administrator said will be on second meeting in March.  Chair not had chance to discuss with Clerk yet.  Chair said he and Administrator not had chance to discuss options to determine what to bring to Board.  Will be done in March. Morgan said regarding Clerk, any reason why moved Constitutional Officer to end of meeting?  Any Constitutional attending meeting should be at front in case have report to Board .
COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
26.	Updates  Wednesday February 27^th at 6:00 will have a women wearing red on Courthouse square Tuesday 2/26 5:00 private road workshop 3/5 BCC meeting cancelled 3/12 4:30 BOCC Senior joint workshop at Senior center 3/19 BCC Meeting Morgan left 3/20 Gadsden County day at Capitol If know of any citizens with trees on yard that need to be moved, let her know, have volunteer group interested in helping Sent each a document showing $21 Million in damage to County property Morgan returned 10:24 p.m. Lot been said about employee morale-have staff person from each department.  Doing brown bag lunch once a month.  Holt spoke with Congressman Lawson, wanted to check on items for Legislature Taylor said saw at beginning of meeting acknowledged GCDC without Chamber-Jackson said did not say GCDC on Resolution, GCDC requested it.  Taylor asked did she not think the Chamber should have been added to acknowledgment?  Contract for GCDC-have chance to revisit?  Weiss said subject to funding every year.  Want CBOR back on Agenda. Seniors-wanted to share By-laws-think need copy of current by-laws to see
COUNTY ATTORNEY
27.	Updates
DISCUSSION ITEMS BY COMMISSIONERS
28.	Report and Discussion of Public Issues
	Commissioner Eric Hinson, District 1   Administrator said Chair took off Agenda item for Resource Offices and thought as Board when vote, can’t trump vote.  Taylor left at 10:32 p.m. Jackson said statutorily agenda set by Administrator.  But with this situation all parties involved said would prefer not come before Board yet, they wanted to meet separate and have workshop.  Hinson said he was told Chairman took off Agenda because he wanted to talk with Sheriff and Superintendent.  V said was originally on Agenda; Sheriff called; they can discuss school safety generally.  Meeting with school soon and will discuss school safety. Taylor returned at 10:34 p.m. Hinson said he specifically asked that they discuss Resource Officers-have three that do not have Resource Officers.  Morgan left at 10:36 p.m. Holt said when saw article DeSantis had, contacted Sheriff and Superintendent-2 pots of money not positive article.  Hinson said supported Senior Citizens efforts, call passionate and hope come to resolution; felt they were mistreated.
	Commissioner Gene Morgan, District 3
	Commissioner Brenda Holt, District 4  Asked for Proclamation for Women in Construction/V second  4-0 Proclamation for Freddie Figgers/Hinson 4-0 Four Star Freight training grant was received by Gadsden Vo-tech Get everyone back together for Stevens School
	Commissioner Sherrie Taylor Vice-Chair, District 5
	Commissioner Anthony “Dr. V” Viegbesie,, Chair, District 2  Thanked TDC for organizing the 2019 Crappie Fishing Tournament; Ms. Baker and Ms. Burns for their assistance.  Thanked Vice-Chair for representing BOCC on media day Proclamation declaring February 28 as Ida Simmons Day, will be 102/Holt second 3-0 Hinson proclamation for Edna Anderson turning 100 on March 2 Holt asked Jackson to check with FDOT on beautification project at I-10 and 90
Receipt and File
29.	Documents
UPCOMING MEETINGS
19.	December 6, 2018-5:00 p.m. BOCC/GHI Joint Workshop December 18, 2018-6:00 p.m. BOCC Regular Meeting January 1, 2019-6:00 p.m.-BOCC Regular Meeting Cancelled
MOTION TO ADJOURN  Adjourned 10:46 p.m.