May 26, 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 discuss Resolution #09-07 and the Inter-local Agreement with the Escambia County Housing Finance Authority. Ms. C.J. Pipkins, Assistant Executive Housing Director, explained that the Housing Finance Authority provides below market interest rate loans to first time homebuyers. She stated that there was no cost or liability for the County, and also that the County had participated in the agreement for the past five or six years. She advised that the resolution and agreement was necessary so the County could extend participation. Commissioner King made a motion to enter into the agreement. Commissioner Music seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

 

(Resolution #09-07, Inter-local Agreement)

 

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

 

                        May 7, 2009 Workshop Minutes

                        May 12, 2009 Regular Session Minutes

                        SHIP Satisfaction of Lien: Louis Slaughter

Commissioner Williams seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

 

            The Board discussed the bids that had been received for used bridge materials. Previously, the Board had voted to accept bids on salvaged bridge materials such as used lumber and piling materials. The following bids were submitted:

 

                        Bidder                                      Materials                      Pilings

                        Mr. Stacy Ward                       No bid                         $1,511.00

                        Mr. James Martin                     No bid                         $1,225.00

                        Mr. Joe Curry                          $550.00                       No bid

 

Commissioner King stated that he would like future sealed bids to be opened by the Board. Commissioner King made a motion to award the bid to the high bidders in each section. Commissioner Music seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

 

            The Board discussed the Bay Cares Invoice item for past services. Previously, the Board had decided not to contribute to the Bay Cares program for the current fiscal year; however the issue had arisen that the Bay Cares Program was operating on a fiscal year that differed from that of the County. Commissioner Monk made a motion to table the item. Commissioner Music seconded the motion. The motion passed; with Commissioners Williams and King voting no, and all others voting yes.

 

(Request)

 

            The Board discussed the telephone system for the former Emergency Operations Center Building that would soon be occupied by the Administrator’s Office. Chairman Merchant explained that the Emergency Management Department had removed the telephone system from the building and installed it at the new facility. He stated that a representative of Embarq Telephone Company had recommended installing an underground telephone line from the Courthouse telephone system. Commissioner Williams suggested installing an overhead line. Commissioner King made a motion to see whether they can get an aerial line installed and if not, proceed with the underground installation. Commissioner Williams seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

                                                                        (Letter)       

 

            The Board discussed setting a Special Session meeting date for the top five ranked engineering firm presentations. Chairman Merchant stated that Mr. Skipper of Hatch Mott would be opening road project bids at three o’clock in the afternoon on June 1st, and that the firms could conduct their presentations beginning at 3:30p.m.. Mr. Skipper was agreeable to this. Commissioner Williams made a motion to set the meeting time for June 1, 2009 at 3:00 o’clock in the afternoon. Commissioner Monk seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

 

            Chairman Merchant stated that a volunteer was needed to fill the vacancy on the Regional Transportation Partnership committee. Previously, Administrator Wood had served in this capacity. Chairman Merchant agreed to fill the position.

 

            The Board discussed going out for bid for the Inmate Healthcare Services Contract. Chairman Merchant stated that the termination date for the current contract was nearing, and also that this item should be bid soon as this was an important item for consideration in the upcoming budget. Commissioner Williams made a motion to advertise for the Inmate Healthcare Services Contract bids immediately. Commissioner Music seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

 

            The Board discussed whether to revise the County Administrator job description. Commissioner Williams made a motion to leave the description as it was. Commissioner King seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

 

(Sample Descriptions)

 

            The Board discussed the Local Agency Program (LAP) Agreement. Mr. Timothy Smith of Post, Buckley, Schuh & Jernigan, Incorporated (PBS& J) and Mr. Jonathan Harris of the Department of Transportation (DOT) were available to answer questions. Mr. Timothy Smith explained that the contract would give authorization for funding for the 179A project. He asked the Board to authorize the Chairman to sign the agreement. Commissioner King made a motion for the Chairman to sign the LAP agreement. Commissioner Music seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

(Agreement)

 

            The Board discussed the Road Department budget amendment which included an increase of $8,500.00 to the Inmate Repair and Maintenance Fund and an increase of $12,000.00 to the Inmate New Equipment Fund. Previously, the Board had received a proposed equipment list totaling $20,701.00 from Mr. Hubert Hendrix, Shop Foreman, which included the following items: four lawn mowers, four lawn mower engines, eleven weed eaters, seven chainsaws, four pole saws and one leaf blower. Previously, the Board had agreed to discuss this item at a later meeting so that it could be placed on the agenda. The Board discussed equipment security. Commissioner Monk suggested the use of enclosed trailers and advised that this would eliminate the need for trailer unloading each evening. Commissioner Williams made a motion for the equipment to be secured each evening on County property. Commissioner Music seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Commissioner Music made a motion to approve the budget amendment. Commissioner Monk seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

 

(Equipment List, Budget Amendment #2)

 

            The Board discussed Hatch Mott MacDonald’s engineering fees of $30,900.00 for CR173 N and $22,500.00 for Roping Road. Commissioner Williams made a motion to approve the engineering fees. Commissioner Music seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

(Fee Proposal)

 

            Ms. Michele McDaniel, citizen, advised that at a prior meeting it was stated that she, as the former County SHIP Program Director, had made a “mathematical error” when determining the award amount for a loan. Previously, the Board had discussed an audit discrepancy for this loan. She stated that there was additional documentation in the file to support the award that was given. No action was taken on this item.

 

            Mr. Hilton Meadows, of Diversified Environmental Planning, spoke regarding the Evaluation and Appraisal Report (EAR) and Comprehensive Plan. Other citizens speaking regarding this topic were the following:

 

                                                             Ms. Michele McDaniel

                                                            Mr. Will Fielding

 

            The Board discussed two rock hauling requests. Commissioner Music stated that Ms. Deanna Bush was in need of a rock delivery. He advised that she would pay for the rock and a $30-50.00 fuel surcharge. Chairman Merchant stated that he had also received a request. Commissioner Music made a motion to approve both requests. Commissioner Williams seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

 

            Attorney Young advised the Board that a vote was needed to go out for bid for the Roping Road repair project. Mr. David Skipper asked whether the Board would like him to request bids from the same two contractors that he had contacted for the CR 173N project. Commissioner King stated that he was agreeable to this. Commissioner King made a motion to go out for bids on the project. Commissioner Williams seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

 

            Ms. Theresa Justice, new owner of Family Refuse, gave the Board copies of her company business plan. Previously, the Board had voted to allow Family Refuse to operate on a trial basis because of past garbage hauling issues with the previous business owner. Commissioner King stated that he had noticed the garbage haulers have been covered as discussed previously. No action was taken on this item.

 

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

 

                                                                             

 

           

 

 

 

 

 

 

________________________________                    ______________________________

Clerk                                                                            Chairman