January 29, 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, was present.

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

Chairman Thomas opened the meeting with the prayer and pledge.

Pursuant to public notice, the Board held a Public Hearing to consider adopting Ordinance 08-01. This ordinance included 911 policy regarding required address display for each residence, sign theft policy, violation enforcement and penalties. Commissioner Merchant made a motion to approve Ordinance 08-01. Commissioner Music seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

(Ordinance 08-01)

Chairman Thomas stated that per the request of the developer, the items on the agenda regarding Waite’s Crossing would be postponed until a later meeting. Ms. Michele Mc Daniel, Planner, clarified that the items would be presented at the February 26, 2008 meeting.

Chairman Thomas closed the Public Hearing.

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

January 8, 2008 Regular Session Minutes

January 16, 2008 Special Session Minutes

Elder Care Services, Miscellaneous Appropriations Agreement

Holmes Council on Aging, Miscellaneous Appropriations Agreement

Tri-County Community Council, Miscellaneous Appropriations Agreement

Excel Class for Cathy Britton

Worker’s Compensation Settlement, Theresa Wilson

Payment for Health Fair Screenings for Board employees

Commissioner Merchant seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Chairman Thomas stated that there was a need to replace the signal light and pole at Poplar Springs School. The only quote submitted was from Griffin Traffic Signal in the amount of $1650.00. Commissioner King made a motion to notify Griffin Traffic to repair the signal. Commissioner Music seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

(Quote)

The Board discussed the invoice from Advanced Fire Protection Services, Inc. Chairman Thomas read a letter from Advanced Fire Protection Services that discussed the thirteen percent increase in service from the previous year. Commissioner King made a motion to table this item until a later date so that the price quoted could be reviewed. Commissioner Music seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

(Letter)

The Board discussed Resolution 08-01 which declared that Public Hearings would be held to consider abandonment of an easement or private road located south of Marvin Moss Road. Chairman Thomas stated that the first Public Hearing would be held February 26, 2008. Commissioner Williams made a motion to pass Resolution 08-01. Commissioner Music seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

(Resolution 08-01)

Administrator Wood stated that the Treadwells have requested to be granted ingress/egress across a parcel of property located in front of their property so that they would be able to put the property up for sale. Previously, the property in front of the Treadwells’ was part of a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) buyout and the Treadwells’ land had been “landlocked” with no means of reaching their property. Commissioner Williams asked who would be responsible for maintaining the easement. Administrator Wood stated that in his correspondence with FEMA, that the easement would be allowable, however, it may not be paved and must remain County owned property. Commissioner Music made a motion to grant the easement to the Treadwells. Commissioner Merchant seconded the motion. The motion passed with Commissioner King voting no; and all others voting yes. Commissioner Williams clarified that the County will under no circumstances maintain any part of the easement.

(Map)

Mr. Greg Wood, Administrator, updated the Board regarding County 911 director Clint Erickson’s recent surgery. He stated that Clint is doing well.

Administrator Wood stated that the meeting date of November 11, 2008 would need to be changed because of the holiday schedule, upcoming election and State law. He stated that he would research a suitable date for the meeting. The Board agreed.

Administrator Wood stated that a fan motor repair was needed at the Health Department for the air conditioner. He presented two quotes for the repair:

Hasty Heating and Cooling $437.80

P and P Heating and Cooling $661.70

Commissioner Williams made a motion to award the bid for the repair to Hasty Heating and Cooling. Commissioner Music seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Administrator Wood discussed the State Housing Initiative Partnership (SHIP) recipient selection requirements. He advised that the SHIP Committee intended for the resident to live in the home five consecutive years before being eligible to apply for rehabilitation funds, but that the adopted verbiage did not clearly reflect this. He also advised that two applicants were being affected by this section and that the Board might consider “grandfathering” them in since it was not totally clear. He stated that the language could be corrected for future applicants. Ms. Shirley Hawthorne, SHIP Committee Chairman, also spoke regarding the Committee’s intent for the requirement. Commissioner King offered a motion to “grandfather” in the two applicants. Commissioner Music offered a second. The motion passed unanimously. Commissioner Williams offered a motion to amend the verbiage in the criteria section B of the Local Housing Assistance Plan (LHAP) to be “five consecutive years from the date of application”. Commissioner Merchant offered a second. The motion passed unanimously.

Administrator Wood stated that a past recipient of a SHIP loan had passed away some time ago and that the Bank of Bonifay is in the process of refinancing the property; however, the County holds a lien against the property. He asked that the County forgive the loan and record the release of lien. He also stated that it was the recommendation of the SHIP Committee to forgive the loan. Commissioner King made a motion to approve the SHIP Committee’s recommendation. Commissioner Music seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

(Release of Lien)

Administrator Wood stated that there is a need for the community service workers to be covered under the Worker’s Compensation Insurance Coverage of the County. He stated that adding the workers to the policy would not increase the premium. Mr. Ray Riley, of the Sheriff’s office, clarified that Community service workers are individuals normally on probation. Commissioner Williams made a motion to approve the coverage. Commissioner King seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Administrator Wood stated that the tire amnesty day would occur in April and that there would be more than one drop off site. Commissioner Williams asked that there be sufficient advertising. The Board agreed.

The Board discussed inventory procedure for the inmate crew equipment. Hubert Hendrix, shop foreman, explained that the County is in need of a better inventory system and asked that inmate crew equipment be brought to the shop for an inventory count. He also stated that he would like authorization to secure equipment in the building that the sign machine previously occupied. The Board agreed. Commissioner Williams stated that there is a need for the security measures, as well as for “like pieces” of equipment to be purchased for part inter-changeability. Chairman Thomas asked Mr. Hendrix submit a list of needed equipment for the inmate crews to the Administrator.

Ms. Velma Sasnett of Mallard, Incorporated asked the Board to consider allowing her company to take over the clean up project at the shop. She stated that the company that is currently conducting the cleanup, Advanced Environmental Technologies (AET), is from Georgia and that it made more sense to award those projects to local companies. Chairman Thomas stated that because the County has a contract that was signed in 2004, with AET, that no changes would be made at this time. Administrator Wood stated that Mallard, Incorporated be added to a bidders’ list for the County projects and asked Ms. Sasnett to submit a statement of qualification documentation to become part of the list. She agreed. No action was taken on this item.

Commissioner Merchant updated the Board regarding the D.D. Eldridge Park Project. He stated that work crews had been assigned to this project and that it was progressing.

Commissioner King asked for an update regarding the federal prison project. Administrator Wood stated he hadn’t heard from the Chairman of Emerald Companies this week. Chairman Thomas stated that the corporation was still working on the details of the property.

Commissioner Music stated that the asphalt on Airport Road is piled too high. He asked the Board to allow the Road Department to fix the problem. The Board agreed.

Administrator Wood asked the Board to allow him to apply for Small County Road Assistance Program (SCRAP) and Small County Outreach Program (SCOP) funds for repairs to CR 173. The Board agreed.

Commissioner King stated that Hatch Mott MacDonald should be ready to accept bids for the CR 81 project next month.

Chairman Thomas stated that the County had been awarded $18,000.00 in grant funds from the National Association of Counties (NACO) Rural Health Works Program. He stated that the County was only one of three Counties in the Country to be awarded funds to assist in revitalization of the local healthcare system.

(NACO Letter, press release)

Mr. Brandon Young, County Attorney, updated the Board regarding Beall Packing Road’s Shoefly Bridge. He presented a letter from the attorney that represents Mr. Wade Gilbert, the driver whose truck caused the bridge to collapse. Attorney Young advised that the County’s best course of action was to enter suit, since both parties believe that they were damaged in some way. The Board agreed.

(Letter)

Mr. Benny Little, citizen, stated that the last meeting had only been advertised on the internet website. He asked why it had not been posted as usual on the courthouse board. Chairman Thomas apologized for the error and noted that the items that were discussed at the last meeting were included in the consent items for tonight’s agenda.

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

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Clerk Chairman