Board of County Commissioners
Gadsden County, Florida
Regular Public Meeting
June 4, 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
Gene Morgan, District 3
Brenda Holt, District 4
Dee Jackson, County Administrator
Nicholas Thomas, Clerk of Court
David Weiss, County Attorney
Marcella Blocker, Deputy Clerk
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INVOCATION, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Chair called meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Asked everyone to mute phone.
Pastor Barry Young, Second Elizabeth Missionary Baptist Church, Quincy, FL, gave invocation.
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AMENDMENTS AND APPROVAL OF AGENDA Reverse items 11 & 12 with 12 coming first-both dealing with Courthouse, want to approve grant first before approving renovations.
Pull Item 5 from Agenda
Taylor said wanted to add appropriations to agenda. Chair said would add to that when he calls in.
Morgan said if was for information only-yes.
Holt approval of amended Agenda/ Morgan second 5-0
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AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS AND APPEARANCES
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CONSENT Holt/Morgan 5-0
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1. |
Ratification Memo
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2. |
Approval of Minutes a. April 16, 2019-Regular Meeting Minutes
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ITEMS PULLED FOR DISCUSSION
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CITIZENS REQUESTING TO BE HEARD ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS
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PUBLIC HEARINGS
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3. |
Public Hearing- Adoption of Ordinance 2019-007, An Ordinance of the Board of County Commissioners of Gadsden County, FL amending the Economic Development Ad Valorem Tax Exemption Ordinance of Gadsden County, FL, Ordinance No. 2012-003, as amended by Ordinance No. 2015-005, currently codified at Chapter 74, Article I, Section 5 of the Gadsden County Code of Ordinances, to include additional Statutory definitions of “new business” and “expansion of an existing business” to allow additional businesses to potentially qualify for the exemption; providing for repeal, severability, inclusion in the Gadsden County Code of Ordinances, modifications that may arise from consideration at public hearing, and correction of scrivener’s errors; and providing for an effective date. Lawson introduced above item.
Mr. Weiss said amendment was to include general definitions and this Ordinance originally adopted in 2012 and amended in 2015.
V announced public hearing and asked if there were any comments from public and there were none.
Taylor asked about exemptions and Weiss explained.
V asked if tax exemption was only on capital projects and not on hiring-yes-only exempting ad valorem tax. Weiss said before they would grant anything, it would go the Property Appraiser.
Taylor stepped out 6:14 p.m.
Morgan said Property Appraiser did not have authority to grant. Also asked if granting was at Board discretion-yes
Taylor returned at 6:15
Holt said on page 8 had list of procedures.
Weiss responded.
Taylor said she wanted to ask about percentage and if there would be guidelines. Taylor said too much unknown and was not clear.
Morgan said what talking about was loosening terms and condition have as model. Means as Board will need to be much more cognizant as to understanding. He said has to go before public in form of referendum every 10 years. Wand to see more documentation. If majority of Board want to move forward, have no issue.
Holt said few years ago set some perimeters in place
Beth Chiccetti appeared before the Board to expound on this Ordinance. GCDC invested in modeling tool should they have ? come before them.
Holt said was good plan but need to review and make sure all in it that County wants.
Taylor said disagree with Morgan at option to agree or deny some, could bring up litigation issues. Is there point system in place that would give system more merit? Knew had point system when had $1 Million out there but was so outlandish was hard to make available for businesses.
Holt move approval/Morgan second 3-2 Taylor, Hinson opposed
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4. |
Public Hearing-Adoption of Ordinance No. 2019-008, Adopting Procedures and Criteria to Consider Acquisition of Property Interests in and Acceptance of Maintenance Responsibility for Certain Private Roadways in the Unincorporated Area of the County under Certain Conditions Lawson introduced above item.
V announced public hearing and asked if anyone had any comments and there was no-one.
Weiss elaborated on item and stated in 2014 Board adopted an Ordinance with certain criteria to consider acquisition of certain private roadways for maintenance responsibility under certain conditions.
Hinson motion to approve/V second Morgan question
Morgan said if understood, no changes to what was before and would need 100%
Chair called for vote 4-1 Taylor opposed
Taylor asked if this was same that was in place as before-yes-she said did not help ones that lived on private roads at all. Hinson said he agreed with Taylor and when time to speak maybe can bring up.
Weiss said looked historically at amendments that could be made and have to make sure County has right and authority to adopt road.
Weiss said he was asked to bring this back as it was.
Weiss said whomever owned road would have to give County property.
Holt said in past have had roads with oak tree in middle, roads that went behind someone’s house
Morgan stepped out 6:43
Holt said have to look at everything before can tell people can do.
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GENERAL BUSINESS
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Item pulled |
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6. |
Bell Road SCRAP Supplemental Agreement Lawson introduced above item. Road came in over bid and
Morgan returned 6:44
Holt approve/Morgan second 5-0
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7. |
2018 Statewide Mutual Aid Agreement between the State of Florida Division of Emergency Management and Gadsden County, FL Lawson introduced above item.
Holt approval/Morgan 5-0
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8. |
Approval of Amendment to 2016 Lease Agreement for William M. Inman Agriculture Center Lawson introduced above item. Said only
Morgan option 1/Holt 5-0
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9. |
Direction Regarding the County Administrator Position Lawson introduced above item.
V said was something Board needed to work on because currently working with Interim and his contract was only for 6 months.
Holt said guidelines in place and made motion to approve/V Morgan question
Morgan not in favor of adopting what currently in place.
V said July 7, 2016, Board had retreat at Creek Entertainment and came up with list of criteria and US Bureau of Labor Statistics and their list was in line with that list.
Morgan said obviously several things have changed in the County since then and may have enhancements may need to change.
Taylor said to move question.
V called for vote. 4-1 Morgan opposed
Congressman Lawson phoned in and was recognized by the Chair. Legislation passed last night to help with hurricane relief and listed ways would help. Recovery for Hurricane Michael far from over. Wanted to give Gadsden the information that funds were on the way.
Taylor said Congressman did send supplement. Tomato farmers will receive assistance as well as forestry farmers. She listed other areas of assistance that will be coming.
Taylor asked for a workshop regarding this and inviting sister cities in. V asked that she make it available to the Clerk and other commissioners and if that money was for the State or the nation.
Taylor said items she read was dollars that was specific for this area.
Holt said she received the information also and great job. If could get other stuff in by July 15th, will need to sit with School Board. Said does not mean Gadsden County will receive all of the money but need to submit list.
Taylor suggested whoever the target department at State, if Congressman could let them know, allocations would come through the State.
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10. |
Approval of Fourth Amendment to Gadsden Hospital Lease Lawson introduced the above item.
Weiss explained all this did was amend the lease to extend the Notice of Non-Renewal deadline and extension would allow additional time for negotiations.
Holt approve/Morgan second 5-0
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12. |
Approval of Contract Amount for Restoration of Old Courthouse Lawson introduced above item
Holt move approval/Morgan second Taylor question
Taylor said this this was for work on his courthouse and was he familiar with the company. He said he met a few as they were doing surveying around. He said was sensitive because there was old gas line from old boiler that was there and they are now aware of it. She said this was a time sensitive contract and wanted them to be aware of. Lawson said the County will have people there to assist as well.
Chair called for vote. 5-0
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11 |
Approval and Execution of Amendment to DOS/DHR Grant No, SC731 Old Courthouse Renovation Lawson introduced above item. Majority of scope modified because
Morgan approve option 1/V second 5-0
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CLERK OF COURT
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13. |
Updates Nothing specific
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COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
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14. |
Updates Safety Fair Saturday 10-1 at Bobby Nealy complex
Conference
June 20th budget workshop
Closing of Barak Obama street closing to work on roundabout.
Taylor asked Administrator when would approve his contract, already done. She asked if he can hire, fire.
V asked attorney what he recalled regarding contract. He said he did not prepare. Taylor asked who did, he said HR and was very basic in his duties. Deputy Clerk will send her copy tomorrow.
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COUNTY ATTORNEY
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15. |
Updates Nothing
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DISCUSSION ITEMS BY COMMISSIONERS
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16. |
Report and Discussion of Public Issues
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Commissioner Eric Hinson, District 1 Hinson said affordable housing- received lots of phone calls and lots of residents have issues with communication. Clerk brought up last year had funds and want to start using funding.
Also concur with Taylor about contract for Administrator and need to make sure get right person in place and have absolute power to fire people and make changes and look out for employees.
Summer Youth Employment-receiving lots of phone calls about that and prays commissioners will have change of heart.
Library-noticed was closed last Saturday and asked if reason why. Lawson said was not aware was closed and will find out.
Holt left at 7:31 p.m.
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Commissioner Gene Morgan, District 3 Morgan thanked Lawson for stepping in and assuming duties of County Administrator position while the look for permanent Administrator.
Thanked Congressman Lawson also for his report
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Commissioner Brenda Holt, District 4
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Commissioner Sherrie Taylor Vice-Chair, District 5 Morgan left at 7:33 P.M.
Taylor said last week she asked the Board to allow her to do a Resolution and young lady in audience saw the way the Commissioners pushed back on allowing her to move forward with the Resolution ...
No quorum present
Chair Viegbesie interrupted and said from the comment the Attorney just made him understand, for a person’s vote to count, the person has to be here physically so...
Mr. Weiss said “To clarify, it’s actually not for a person’s vote to count, that’s fine, but the issue is in order to have a quorum, for quorum purposes, it’s a physical presence”.
Commissioner Hinson (appearing by phone) asked how many Commissioners were present and Chair Viegbesie responded there was two and could not do anything without a quorum. Commissioner Hinson stated he could be there in 15 minutes. Commissioner Taylor said she could filibuster that long and “dared” him to make it in 15 and said she currently had the floor. Chair Viegbesie tried to talk and Commissioner Taylor (looking at the attorney) said he needed to stay out. She said for Commissioner Hinson to make it in 10 and she could filibuster that long, she had a lot to talk about. Mr. Weiss said they could not, they needed to end. Chair Viegbesie said the attorney informed him they could no longer hold the meeting because there was no quorum.
– meeting adjourned by Chair at 7:33 p.m.
Commissioner Taylor said she was not finished with her comments. Chair Viegbesie said she could go ahead with her comments.
Commissioner Taylor thanked the attorney for what he just did and said she would like to have his contract placed on the next meeting.
(Mr. Weiss stood, trying to stop the comments.)
Commissioner Taylor said she wanted to talk about building inspections and contractors, there were issues going on.
She said last meeting she asked for a Resolution from the Board and a few of the Commissioners that denied that. She said she wanted to do a Resolution for Mrs. Bettye Bryant in her name because it was her district and a young lady that heard the Commissioners say it could not be in her name or on letterhead but she wrote one for her and did an excellent job in putting it together for her.
She said she wanted to bring up the private roads but they adjourned the meeting and did not think it was fair because she did have the floor at least to give her comments. She added that a Commissioner did have the right to add an item, according to Chair Viegbesie, for the Agenda and did not have to have the approval. She wanted the attorney’s contract added to the next meeting.
Chair Viegbesie said that was respect not a rule but the final was depending on the County Administrator because they were the one that developed the Agenda if there was room for it. He said if there was, he did not see why a request of a Commissioner should not be added.
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Commissioner Anthony “Dr. V” Viegbesie,, Chair, District 2
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Receipt and File
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17. |
Documents
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UPCOMING MEETINGS
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18. |
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MOTION TO ADJOURN
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