April 29, 2008

Regular Session

Bonifay, Florida

The Holmes County Board of Commissioner met in Regular Session on the above date with the following members present: Commissioner Kenneth Williams, Commissioner Monty Merchant, Commissioner Jim King, Commissioner Phillip Music, and 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 led the prayer and pledge.

Chairman Thomas opened the meeting by stating that the Public Schools Element ordinance item would be re-advertised and heard at a later date.

Chairman Thomas read the proposed mobile home park ordinance and stated that the County currently does not have sufficient guidelines for mobile home park development. He stated that the adoption hearing for this ordinance would also be conducted at a later meeting.

Commissioner King made a motion to approve the following consent items with road identification changes and the words “outdoor road crew policy” being added to the motion on page two of the :

April 8, 2008 Regular Session Minutes

Commissioner Music seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

The Board discussed the consent item, the debris removal contract, with Asplundh Environmental Services, Incorporated (AES). Administrator Wood stated that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) requires the County to have two contractors for debris removal and that Ashbritt is already contracted by the County. Commissioner Music made a motion to sign the agreement with AES. Commissioner Williams seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

(Agreement)

The Board discussed the replacement approval for the Tourist Development Council. Chairman Thomas stated that Mayor Eddie Simms and Perry Overholser had been nominated by the Council to fill positions previously filled by Mayor Freddie Howell and Holly Holland. Commissioner King made a motion to accept the nominees for the Tourist Development Council. Commissioner Merchant seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

(Letter)

The Board discussed the Florida Department of Revenue Agreement 2008-2011 for child support enforcement reimbursement. Chairman Thomas explained that the agreement is a renewal of a non-matching grant that the Sheriff’s Department receives for conducting child support servings. Commissioner King made a motion for the Chairman to sign the agreement. Commissioner Music seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

(Child Support Agreement)

The Board discussed budget amendment #2. Chairman Thomas read and explained the amendment. Commissioner Music made a motion to approve budget amendment #2. Commissioner Williams seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

(Amendment)

Chairman Thomas opened the sealed bids for the motor graders. The following companies submitted bids: Tractor and Equipment Company, Thompson CAT, ASC Volvo, Beard Equipment and Flint Equipment. Chairman Thomas explained that due to the complexity of the bids, the bids would not be announced in their entirety, and that the Administrator’s Office would be sending the typed up bid result form to each bidder on Wednesday. No action was taken on this item.

(Bid sheet)

Bob Jones presented the change order request for Rum Road. He stated that the original contract price had been $450,505.84 and that there are funds remaining that are available for some additional quantities to be added. He also stated that he had spoken to the engineering firm for the project, Chastain Skillman, and that no significant additions are foreseen. He asked the Board to consider adding stub outs, sod, lime rock and guardrails. Commissioner Merchant made a motion to add stub outs and sod to the project. Commissioner Williams seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

(Change order)

Administrator Wood stated that there is a need at the Recycling Department for a covered pavilion for storage of used oil and a concrete slab for storage of other amnesty items. He asked the Board to allow him to order two loads of concrete for the pavilion and slab construction. Commissioner King made a motion to authorize Administrator Wood to order the concrete. Commissioner Music seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Administrator Wood presented a list of potential soil conservation drainage improvement projects as per the Emergency Watershed program of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) which included Esker Martin Road, Wrights Creek Road, Gavin Road, Liberty School Road, Smith Chapel Road, and Griffin Circle Road. He stated that the projects are quite expensive and that the County would be responsible to provide some matching funds for the projects selected. Chairman Thomas clarified that grant funds from other agencies cannot be used as matching funds for the projects. He suggested pursuing the projects through the Local Mitigation Strategy Program for possible FEMA funding. The Board agreed that the Administrator could contact the NRCS to decline the projects.

Administrator Wood stated that he had some certificates for properties that were on the 2001 tax roll and asked the Board whether to pursue the properties or write them off. The Board asked Administrator Wood to return with more information regarding this topic at a later time.

Administrator Wood stated that there is a water leak at the Courthouse. He stated that the excess water is flooding the sidewalk near the Courthouse and becoming a health hazard. He also stated that the exact cause of the leak is unknown, and that he would like to utilize one of the County sump pumps to try to drain enough water from the area in order to expose the area in need of repair. He had received an estimate for the cost of replacing the water meter of $1300.00. The Board agreed to allow Administrator Wood to look into the best method for resolving this issue.

Captain Greg Yancey updated the Board on the Jail control panel item. He stated that recently there had been system failures on the current control board. Previously, the Board had asked Captain Yancey to research control panel companies and bring more information back to the Board. He stated that he was only able to obtain quotes from the following companies:

Cost Warranty Work

Montgomery Technology Systems $36,489.60 no cost for the first year

$2036.05 after the first year

CMI Electronics Incorporated $53,585.00

Commissioner Music made a motion to declare the situation an emergency and to award the bid to the low bidder, Montgomery Technology Systems. Commissioner Williams seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

(Bid info)

Mr. Rick Marcum of Opportunity Florida, presented information to the Board regarding a job services website that is available to veterans. He stated that the job service website is located at the address “myfloridamilitary.com”. He presented a resolution that stated that the County would agree to post job openings at the site, and asked the Board for their support. Commissioner Williams made a motion to accept the resolution. Commissioner Merchant seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

(Resolution)

Mr. John Callahan, citizen, stated that he would like to work with the County to devise an ordinance regarding regulations for animal shelters and charities. He stated that he would like the ordinance to focus on areas concerning public health, vaccinations, leash laws, etc. Chairman Thomas stated that some of those issues may need to be addressed as part of the Land Development Regulations which could be addressed through the Planning Department. Administrator Wood stated that animal rescue center licensing issues could also be included under the occupational licensing regulations as well. No action was taken on this item.

The following citizens gave their public apologies for drug use and/or distribution in Holmes County:

Mr. Bobby Hobbs

Mr. David Ledford

This apology was a requirement for their court ordered retribution.

Commissioner Merchant stated that milled asphalt hauling would continue next week from the Mossy Head location.

Chairman Thomas stated that he had received some information from the Shop regarding the District Four loader that is in need of repair. He stated that a complete overhaul of the loader would cost about $7,000.00 if the Shop does the repairs itself. Commissioner Williams made a motion to overhaul the loader in District Four. Commissioner Music seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Chairman Thomas distributed a letter regarding the dump truck turn in and asked the Board to review the letter for future action.

(Letter)

Chairman Thomas stated that one of the County employees had been “rear ended” in a County vehicle while on his way home form work. He asked the Board to consider whether the employee should request “sick time” for the days that he did not work following the accident, since Worker’s Compensation would not be covering the days that the employee was away from work. The Board agreed that the employee should use his sick time to cover the time off from work.

Chairman Thomas updated the Board regarding recent Legislative Sessions.

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

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Clerk Chairman