July 14, 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.

 

The Board discussed the consent items. Commissioner King made a motion to approve the following consent items:

 

                        June 30, 2009 Regular Session Minutes

                        Emergency Management Base Grant Agreement Modification

                        Public Assistance Agreement for Severe Weather/April Flooding Funding

                        Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG)

                        Greenhorne & O’Mara Engineering Contract

                        CR173 Emergency Roadway Improvements Pay Request

                        Budget Amendment #4

                        12.50 Surcharge Committee Request

Commissioner Music seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 

 

            The Board discussed the Landfill Engineer/Environmental Consultant sealed rankings. Previously, the Board had agreed that each member would rank their firm choices to be tabulated at the meeting. The following firms were ranked: Thompson, Brown and Burdine, HAS Golden, Capital Engineering, Jones Edmunds CDG Engineers and Associates and SCS Engineers.  Mrs. Sherry Fitzpatrick, Administrative Assistant, collected the ranking sheets to tabulate the final score.

 

            The Board discussed the draft revision to the County Procurement Policy. Attorney Young stated that the local preference on page four had been inadvertently noted as two-percent with a $10,000.00 cap. He acknowledged that a prior Board had voted for a three-percent local preference without a cap and asked the Board if the clerical error should be revised. He stated that this written policy, if adopted, would supersede the prior policy. Commissioner Williams made a motion to approve the procurement policy revision. Commissioner Music seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

 

(Draft Policy Revision)

 

            Chairman Merchant opened the sealed bids for open cell Icynene insulation for the Health Department building roof. The following bids were submitted:

 

Company                                                                                  Total Bid

                        Tifco Enterprises, Inc.                                                               $19,916.00

                        Energy Conservation Insulation (ECI)/Firedog, LLC        19,207.00

 

Commissioner King asked for an update regarding the air conditioning unit installation. Commissioner Monk stated that due to scheduling conflicts of the Health Department, the unit should be installed soon. Commissioner Williams stated that he would be in favor of the Health Department paying for this expense. Commissioner Williams made a motion for the Health Department to receive a copy of the bids, so that they could decide whether to install the insulation. Commissioner Music seconded the motion. The motion passed; with Chairman Merchant voting no and all others voting yes.

 

(Bids)

 

            Chairman Merchant opened the sealed bids for inmate healthcare services. The following bids were submitted:

 

            Company                                                        Quarterly Amount                  Yearly Total

            Northwest Florida Community Hospital             $30,000.00                              $120,000.00

Doctor’s Memorial Hospital                              * Billed as services provided w/ reimbursement of 125% of current Medicare rate.

 

Mr. Cody Taylor, Clerk of Court, clarified the bids. He stated that although Northwest Florida Community Hospital (NFCH) had the contract for these services, all emergencies must be taken to the nearest hospital, which is Doctor’s Memorial Hospital. He advised that these instances had led to very high healthcare bills in past years. He explained that referral bills are also an additional cost, beyond the contract pricing, as well. He also explained that per State Statute, while inmates are responsible for their own healthcare, the County also has the right to file a healthcare lien against an inmate. He asked the Board to consider this topic at the upcoming budget workshops. He also stated that the contract expiration was September 30, 2009, and that a new contract should be in place by October 1st. He advised that if the Board chose to award the bid to Doctor’s Memorial Hospital, it would be an opened ended contract and it would be necessary for the Board to negotiate for physician services. He explained that a nurse had been coming to the Jail two times per week and that Dr. Yunis, Ambulance Service Medical Director, had expressed an interest in becoming the Jail Physician. Commissioner Williams made a motion to table the item so that more information could be gathered. Commissioner King seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

(Bids)

 

            Ms. Sharon Burnett, West Florida Regional Planning Council Rural Work Program Liaison, asked the Board to submit recommendations for the Department of Transportation’s five year work program by the deadline of August 17th. She discussed several projects that were on the program project list.

(Program Project List)

 

            The Board revisited the Landfill Engineer/Environmental Consultant rankings. The firms were ranked as follow:

 

                        Ranking                      Company

                        1st                                CDG Engineers and Associates

                        2nd                                Brown & Burdine

                        3rd                                Capital Engineering

                        4th                                HAS Golden

                        5th     (tie)                      Thompson

                        5th      (tie)                      SCS Engineers

                        6th                                Jones Edmunds

 

Commissioner King made a motion to award the contract to CDG Engineers and Associates. Commissioner Music seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Commissioner Williams asked whether the contract price was negotiable. Chairman Merchant stated that it was negotiable.

 

            Mr. Hilton Meadows, citizen, spoke regarding the Evaluation and Appraisal Report (EAR) and presented a packet of information to the Board. He expressed his concern regarding the Board’s previous decision to allow Mr. Tony Arrant to complete the preparation of the EAR for an additional $10,000.00. Commissioner Williams advised that the Board had agreed to pay Mr. Arrant $10,000.00 only after the EAR document had been approved by the Planning Commission, the Board, and the Department of Community Affairs. Mr. Cody Taylor, Clerk of Court, responded to several questions from the Board and stated that he is in the process of obtaining documentation that would provide complete information for the Board in preparation of the EAR.

(EAR Information Packet)

 

            Mr. Gary Newell, citizen, asked whether the Board could look into garbage pickup issues at the area boat ramps. Chairman Merchant stated that this issue would be addressed soon.

 

            Ms. Terry Joseph, Executive Director of WFRPC, stated that her firm was available should the County need any advice regarding the EAR. She also stated that after DCA has received the EAR Report, the Objections, Recommendation and Comments (ORC) report should follow. She advised the Board to consider adding the ORC report response as a condition of the consultant contract.

 

            Ms. Nadine Hall, citizen, spoke regarding the Free Enterprise Zone Tax Rebate for property improvements. She asked the Board to pursue this. Commissioner Williams stated that he believed that the County was a program participant. Chairman Merchant stated that someone would check into the rebate information.

 

            Ms. Paulette Johnson, citizen, stated that her homestead exemption had been revoked. Mr. Cody Taylor, Clerk of Court, advised that she should speak with Mr. Otis Corbin, Property Appraiser.

 

            Mr. Felton Miller, citizen, asked the Board to place Public Hearing items at the beginning of the agenda.

 

            Commissioner King asked for an update regarding the proposed dirt pit site purchase on Joe French Road. Previously, the Board had voted to collect quotations for surveying this property. Chairman Merchant stated that the following quotes had been submitted:

                                   

Company                                                                    Total Cost

                        Kathman Surveying                                                       $1,200.00

                        Clark Surveying                                                               2,900.00

                        SE Surveying                                                                   3,500.00      

                       

Mr. Cody Taylor, Clerk of Court, advised that the surveying and closing date should be coordinated. Attorney Young stated that he would speak with the seller to ensure that the stabilization requirement of the proposed contract had been satisfied. Commissioner King made a motion to award the quote to Kathman Surveying. Commissioner Music seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

 

            Attorney Young stated that he would like to add the Local Option Gas Tax (LOGT) Interlocal Agreement to the upcoming special session agenda. Commissioner King made a motion to add the LOGT Interlocal Agreement to the agenda. Commissioner Music seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

 

            Attorney Young asked that an executive session be scheduled regarding union negotiations and a lawsuit. No action was taken on this item.

 

            Commissioner Williams updated the Board regarding the Highway 173N project. He stated that although the roadway was rough, it should be opening soon.

 

            Chairman Merchant updated the Board regarding the Rum Road Project. He stated that he had signed the contract for the temporary bridge installation, and that the project should begin Tuesday or Wednesday.

 

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

           

           

           

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

______________________________                        ______________________________

Clerk                                                                            Chairman