June 9, 2009

Regular Session

Bonifay, Florida

The Holmes County Board of Commissioners met in a Regular Session on the above date with the following members present: Commissioner Kenneth Williams, Commissioner Ron Monk, Commissioner Jim King, Commissioner Phillip Music and Commissioner Monty Merchant, Chairman of the Board.

Mr. Brandon Young, County Attorney, was present.

Angie Jonas, Deputy Clerk, was present and kept the minutes.

Chairman Merchant opened the meeting with the prayer and pledge.

Pursuant to Public Notice, the Board held a Public Hearing to consider the adoption of the Local Contractor’s Licensing Board Ordinance #09-02. Previously, the Board had voted to adopt the Ordinance, but the Hearing had not been sufficiently advertised, so the Board re-advertised so that it could officially be adopted. Chairman Merchant read the title of the Ordinance. Citizens speaking regarding this topic were the following:

Ms. Michele McDaniel

Commissioner Williams made a motion to adopt Ordinance #09-02. Commissioner Music seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

(Ordinance #09-02)

Commissioner Music made a motion to approve the following consent items:

May 21, 2009 Workshop Minutes

May 21, 2009 Special Session Minutes

May 26, 2009 Regular Session Minutes

Chipola Regional Workforce Development Board-

Re-appointment of Mr. Dave Collings

Commissioner Williams seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

The Board discussed the procurement policy. Attorney Young asked whether a three percent local preference had been decided previously. Commissioner Williams clarified that the three percent preference had been voted on; however, it was not written into the policy. Attorney Young advised that he would prepare a draft policy for Board review at the next meeting.

Mr. Bob Jones, Grants Administrator of Jones Phillips and Associates, updated the Board regarding the Rural Development Grant application in the amount of $90,000.00 for the Gritney Volunteer Fire Department building construction. He asked the Board to authorize the Chairman and the Clerk to sign the grant application and all supporting documentation. He stated that there would be legal services agreement for the Fire Department project which would be coming from the Fire Department grant, and advised that it would not be considered and expenditure unless the County received the grant. He explained that an additional “sub-agreement” was necessary with Chastain Skillman engineering firm as a grant requirement. Commissioner King asked whether some of the funding could be used for water improvements. Mr. Jones stated that the Pittman Fire Department and this project have the same type of well and that provisions for a public water well were not in the budget as they may not have been necessary. Commissioner King made a motion to proceed with the application. Commissioner Music seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

(Letter, Grant Application)

The Board discussed the union negotiation representation agenda item. Previously, the Board had utilized the services of labor attorneys at the Carson and Adkins firm or the Administrator for the negotiations. Chairman Merchant asked how the Board would like to proceed with the selection of a negotiation representative. Commissioner Williams asked whether Attorney Young could also represent the County in the labor negotiations. Attorney Young stated that he was agreeable to this, and suggested that the Board consider this criteria when selecting a new Administrator as well. Commissioner Williams made a motion for Attorney Young to represent the County in union negotiations. Commissioner Music seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

The Board discussed the Mosquito Control certification agenda item. Chairman Merchant stated that while no one held current certification, Mr. David Brazile and Mr. David Byrd had expressed interest in obtaining certification. Commissioner King stated that he would like for Mr. Roger Williams, Building Inspector, to complete the testing to become certified as the director. Attorney Young advised that the test could be administered by the County Extension Agent. Commissioner Williams stated that he believed that there were separate certifications necessary for the director and operator personnel. Commissioner Monk made a motion for Mr. Roger Williams to become certified. Commissioner King seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Commissioner Williams stated that the testing could be done at no cost, and asked whether the Board would be paying for the continuing education units that were an additional requirement of the certification. Commissioner King stated that he would be in favor of one person completing the continuing education, should there be a cost to do so. Commissioner King made a motion for David Brazile to become certified. Commissioner Music seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. No further discussion followed.

The Board discussed the working hours for Mr. David Byrd of the Parks and Recreation Department. Chairman Merchant stated that funds are available in the budget for him to work twenty-nine hours until September 16, 2009. Commissioner King stated that it was necessary to maintain the parks, and that inmate availability had been limited recently. Commissioner Williams made a motion for Mr. David Byrd to work twenty-nine hours per week. Commissioner Music seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Captain Barnes, Jail Administrator, stated that Mr. Greg Wood, former County Administrator had approached him to let him know that old chiller unit would be moved from the Courthouse to the Jail. He asked the Board to confirm that the chiller would be moved to the Jail. Commissioner Music stated that he had spoken with Mr. Steve Christopher, of Peter Brown Construction and he had indicated to him that the unit should be compatible with the Jail’s ventilation system. He also stated that Peter Brown Construction had been the contractor for the Jail construction project. Captain Barnes explained that a concrete slab would be needed and that it would be necessary to run electricity from the Jail building to the slab area. Mr. Barnes advised that cooling expenses for the facility had not been in the budget previously, and that he would ask the Sheriff to budget for the item; however repairs would be the responsibility of the Board. Also speaking regarding this topic were the following:

Mr. Tim Brown, Sheriff

Mr. Tom Loucks, Lieutenant

Chairman Merchant asked whether the Board would like for Peter Brown Construction to give a cost estimate for moving and installing the chiller. The Board agreed by consensus. Commissioner Monk asked for a cost estimate to be prepared regarding the yearly expense for electricity. Commissioner King made a motion to hold a Special Session on Tuesday, June 16, 2009 at four o’clock to discuss this issue. Commissioner Music seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Mr. Roger Padgett, former County Employee, discussed a “No Trespass Order” regarding disorderly conduct which prevented him from entering County property. He stated that the order had appeared on a recent criminal background check which had been conducted upon his application for Federal employment. He explained that he believed that it had prevented him from being hired. Attorney Young advised that the order was just “interoffice paperwork” and that it should not have appeared on a background check. He stated that he would look over the background check information if Mr. Padgett would like to bring the information to the Board Office. Mr. Padgett agreed.

(Order)

Commissioner Monk stated that he had received three quotes for the excavator and was waiting for a few more. He stated that he was hoping to have all of the quotes ready for the next meeting agenda. No further discussion followed.

Commissioner King stated that Mr. Wesley DuBoise, Heavy Equipment Operator, had resigned and asked that Mr. David Hanes be hired to fill the vacancy. Commissioner King stated that he had posted the job opening for three days. Commissioner King made a motion to hire David Hanes. Commissioner Music seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Commissioner Music stated that he would like to gather pricing quotes for the replacement of the canopies on the former Emergency Management building. The Board agreed.

Chairman Merchant reminded the Board that the final engineer rankings were due to Mrs. Sherry Fitzpatrick, Administrative Assistant, for tabulation by Thursday.

Chairman Merchant stated that previously, the Board had decided that the Building Department should handle Planning inquiries until a new Administrator is hired. He stated that previously, the Building Department had taken minutes at the Planning Commission meetings and that the Planning Commission was once again in need of a secretary to keep the minutes at their meetings. He asked the Board whether a Building Department employee should be appointed to keep the minutes again. Commissioner King made a motion for Mrs. Brenda Rogers or Mrs. Tink Brown to keep the minutes at the Planning Commission meetings. Commissioner Music seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Attorney Young advised that the County had been served with a lawsuit regarding maintenance of a dirt road near Pollard Harris Road. He stated that the matter had been forwarded to the insurance company for review and advisement. He explained that more information would be forthcoming.

Commissioner Music made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Williams seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

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Clerk Chairman