January 8, 2008

Regular Session

Bonifay, Florida

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

Mr. Greg Wood, County Administrator, was present.

Mr. Brandon Young, County Attorney, and Mr. Wade Mercer, Attorney, were

present.

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

Mr. Dinkins led the prayer and pledge.

Chairman Thomas opened the meeting.

Pursuant to public notice, the Board held a Public Hearing to consider adopting Ordinance 07-17. This ordinance would change the land use from agricultural to commercial zoning for the 1.5 more or less acres known as Stafford’s Package Store located on CR 81. Commissioner Merchant made a motion to adopt ordinance 07-17. Commissioner Music seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Chairman Thomas closed the Public Hearing.

(Ordinance 07-17)

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

December 18, 2007 Regular Session Minutes

Hatch Mott MacDonald-81A SCOP invoice

Hatch Mott MacDonald-Emergency Operations Center invoice

Emergency Management Preparedness Association Base Grant

Modification #1 to Homeland Security Grant

Commissioner Williams seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Chairman Thomas change the order of the agenda slightly since Mr. Skipper had not yet arrived to deliver his presentation.

Chairman Thomas updated the Board regarding the “purchase trade in program” for the County dump trucks. Originally the Board had entered into an agreement to utilize the dump trucks for a period of thirteen months, however due to the unavailability of new trucks; the agreement was informally extended by Chris at Tallahassee Mac Truck. Commissioner Williams asked if it would be permissible to get trucks with a “locking rear end” feature if possible. No action was taken on this item.

The Board discussed the County motor grader trials and purchases. Chairman Thomas stated that the operators were asked to rank the motor graders and that the Caterpillar machines were ranked highest by operators. He asked whether the Board would like to purchase Caterpillar graders because they were available at the state bid price, or “go out” for bids for the equipment. Steve Parrish of Thompson Tractor Company, stated that Caterpillar requires the County to maintain equipment for three years. Justin Nichols of Tractor and Equipment Company, stated that equipment dealers other than Caterpillar may come in cheaper than the state bid price. Commissioner King made a motion to go with Caterpillar brand equipment. Chairman Thomas relinquished his duties to Vice Chairman Music. Commissioner Thomas seconded the motion. The motion failed with Commissioner Williams, Chairman Music and Commissioner Merchant voting no; and Commissioner King and Commissioner Thomas voting yes. Chairman Music relinquished his duties back to Commissioner Thomas. Commissioner Merchant made a motion to gather information regarding the resale value of the top two ranked motor graders, John Deere and Caterpillar. Commissioner Music seconded the motion. The motion passed with Commissioner Williams, Commissioner Music, and Commissioner Merchant voting yes; and Chairman Thomas and Commissioner King voting no.

Administrator Wood stated that the Gardnyr Micheal Capital agenda item should have been “scratched”, however he explained that the company that held the existing bond issue for the jail was offering a high interest rate and that an alternate company is being researched for a lower rate.

Mr. David Skipper of Hatch Mott MacDonald updated the Board regarding the CR 81 project. He stated that the project was ninety percent planned and that the survey and cost estimate portion had been completed. He stated that the road bed was in good condition and that the proposed budget for this project would cover the cost to widen the road to twenty feet. He stated that the project should be ready for bids in about two weeks, so that the work on the project could begin as early as March or April.

Mr. Skipper updated the Board regarding the Emergency Operations Center building. He stated that the seventy percent plan submittal had been sent to the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) in December and that Hatch Mott MacDonald had not received any correspondence regarding the plans to date. He stated that once the plans are approved at the seventy percent level, there will be another meeting with the Board to finalize the plans at the one hundred percent level. He explained that once the plans are finalized, and after DCA approves the plans at the one hundred percent level, at that time the funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) could be finalized as well. He stated that DCA review times will dictate the project timeline. Mr. Skipper clarified that this plan was just for the EOC building, and that the 911 addition was in the plans, however it was currently listed as an alternate “add on”. He stated that the fees for the 911 portion of the building could be negotiated separately at a later date.

Chairman Thomas updated the Board regarding the Stream Crossing Grant paving project for Lyons Dairy Road. He presented pricing information for the project and stated that grant funds must be used soon. He stated that Gum Creek Farms, a paving company from DeFuniak Springs, had agreed to apply and roll asphalt for the road at a price of $25.00 per ton or haul, apply and roll the asphalt at a price of $30.50 per ton. He stated that the cost of the project would be $49,395.00 hauled, rolled and applied, which would be under the $50,000.00 budget. Commissioner King made a motion to proceed with the paving project. Chairman Thomas asked that Commissioner King withdraw his motion. Commissioner King withdrew his motion. Chairman Thomas explained that since the road bed was ready and since funds had to be spent soon, the project could be declared an emergency. Commissioner King made a motion to declare the project an emergency and to start the project Monday if the weather is suitable. Commissioner Music seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Commissioner King made a motion for Gum Creek Farms (GCF) of DeFuniak Springs to haul, lay and roll approximately three hundred tons of asphalt. Commissioner Music seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Commissioner King stated that the grass seed on Clemmons Road did not grow and asked whether some more seed could be purchased. Chairman Thomas stated that the Department of Corrections may be willing to lend the portable sod cutter and that sod could be cut from the edges of some of the paved roads as an alternative to seed. No action was taken on this item.

Mr. Greg Wood, County Administrator, asked the Board to authorize him and technician David Brazil to attend the Mosquito Control Conference in Panama City in February. Commissioner Williams made a motion to allow Mr. Wood and Mr. Brazil to attend the training. Commissioner King seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Administrator Wood updated the Board regarding the Prosperity Park project. He stated that the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) asked that the park project be expedited because of budget cuts and funding shortages in the State. He asked that all special projects for Eddie Whitehurst, Project Manager, be coordinated through the Administrator’s Office as the park project is in need of completion.

Administrator Wood stated that the salary raise for Ms. Ann Payne of the Recycling Department needed clarification. Previously, the Board had discussed a raise for Ms. Payne. Commissioner King made a motion to grant Ms. Payne a three-percent raise on her salary along with an additional dollar per hour. Commissioner Music seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Mr. Cody Taylor, Clerk of Court, asked for clarification of whether the raise would be retroactive back to October 1, 2007. The Board agreed.

Administrator Wood stated that the County is in need of an ordinance code enforcement system. Attorney Young stated that a workshop regarding code enforcement would be a favorable approach. The Board agreed to set a meeting for the evening of Wednesday, January 16, 2008 to discuss the employee handbook and code enforcement.

Mr. Al Vetzel, Litter Control Officer, stated that residents are dumping unwanted deer carcasses and that it has become an overwhelming problem. He asked whether it would be allowable for road department employees to assist in burying the carcasses. Chairman Thomas asked whether deer composting areas would be beneficial. Mr. Vetzel stated that the composters are a good idea.

Mr. Vetzel updated the Board regarding private junk yards. Because of zoning issues, licensing concerns and health hazards, this has become a growing problem. He stated that the DEP is reluctant to assist the County with this issue because the yards are not licensed, therefore making this a County issue.

Mr. Benny Little, citizen, spoke regarding code enforcement and areas of public health concern. He stated that there is a need for a code enforcement officer.

Commissioner King asked whether another member was needed for the Canvassing Board. Chairman Thomas stated that the Board currently had enough members.

Commissioner King stated that there was a need for a temporary worker in District One of the Road Department and asked whether he could hire a temporary employee. The Board agreed.

Commissioner King asked whether the school in Ponce de Leon needed to pull a building permit for pole barns. Chairman Thomas stated that poles barns are exempt from a building permit.

Chairman Thomas stated that he had been asked by Farm Bureau whether the County would be willing to assist in some of the costs to reopen the farmers market, specifically cooler repairs. Chairman Thomas stated that Shep Eubanks of the Extension Service oversees the facility currently, and that the Farm Bureau would be responsible for the advertising costs. The Board agreed.

Mr. Cody Taylor, Clerk, updated the Board regarding the Courthouse renovation project. He stated that the agreement had been signed by the State and that the first distribution had been received. He asked that the Board authorize the Chairman to sign the agreement with Peter Brown Construction. Commissioner King made a motion to proceed with the project. Commissioner Music seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

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

______________________________ ________________________________

Clerk Chairman