June 10, 2008

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 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.

                        Mr. Dinkins led the prayer and pledge.

                        Chairman Thomas opened the meeting.

           

Pursuant to public notice, the Board held a Public Hearing to consider the adoption of the Public Schools Element. Mr. Alan Gray of the West Florida Regional Planning Council (WFRPC) gave the second presentation of the Public Schools Facilities Element and the Interlocal Agreement. He stated that the previous adoption had not been executed correctly and that a follow up hearing today was necessary in order to be compliant as part of the submission of the Comprehensive Plan. He also stated that he had included an updated data and analysis section as well. Commissioner Music made a motion to “vote on the one component which includes Chapter 2, “Goals, Objectives, and Policies” Section 2.9 (Attachment A), Ordinance 2007-11, Comprehensive Plan Text amendment to Policy 5.7 (Attachment B), amended Public Schools Interlocal Agreement from DCA, and additional data presented at the public hearing, consisting of information in table format as requested by The Department of Community Affairs (DCA).  This Public Schools Element is not required to be submitted as one of the two yearly Comprehensive Plan Amendments allowed by Florida Statutes”. Commissioner Williams seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

 

(Interlocal Agreement, data and analysis)

 

The Board discussed the Planning Commission Ordinance and meeting attendance. Ms. Michele McDaniel, Planner, stated that attendance at the Planning Commission Meetings had been very poor, and that no members had come to the meeting Monday night, therefore, the Planning Commission had not reviewed the ordinance. She also stated that the Planning Commission Ordinance will set guidelines for the Planning Commission and that she would like to proceed with the first reading of the ordinance. Administrator Wood stated that Ms. McDaniel will be calling to remind members of the meetings prior to the meeting date in addition to mailing meeting packets as had been done previously. Commissioner Williams made a motion to table the Planning Commission Ordinance. Commissioner King seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

 

 

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

 

                        May 20, 2008 Special Session minutes

                        May 27, 2008 Regular Session minutes

                        Anderson Columbia contract-CR 177A

Commissioner  Music seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

 

Chairman Thomas stated that the order of the agenda would be changing slightly, with the high speed internet tax credit agenda item being discussed next. Ms. Beth Kirkland, of the Economic Development Council, and Mr. Allan Byington, Executive Director of the Big Bend Regional Healthcare Information Organization, presented information regarding the Federal Communication Commission Grant Program. Mr. Byington explained that the program would be beneficial to the County by creating interconnectivity between health care organizations in Bonifay to locations such as Pensacola and Tallahassee using a broadband network. He also stated that construction could begin as early as next year. They asked the Board to consider the adoption of a resolution certifying that the Big Bend Regional Healthcare Information Organization Program is a tax program consistent with local plans, regulations, and the Comprehensive Plan. The Chairman Thomas stated the Attorney Young had reviewed the resolution to ensure that is in compliance. Commissioner Williams made a motion to adopt the resolution. Commissioner Music seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

 

(Resolution 08-06)

 

The Board discussed the additional services request from Hatch Mott MacDonald, engineering firm, for the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) building project. This request included a redesign of the building square footage as well as engineering, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) structural and mechanical upgrades in order to utilize the maximum amount of grant funding. Since the engineering fee of Hatch Mott is based on square footage, the fees to Hatch Mott would also increase from $82,580.00 to $109,030.00. Commissioner King made a motion to approve the increased engineering fee to Hatch Mott MacDonald. Commissioner Music seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

(Letter)

 

            The Board discussed the proposed 911 Center dispatch building addition to the EOC. Previously, the Board has asked Hatch Mott MacDonald to create a design to include a 911 addition to the EOC drawing. Chairman Thomas stated that the grant funds could not be used to pay for this proposed portion of the building. Attorney Young clarified that this fee is assessed as if the 911 portion was constructed at the same time as the EOC is built, however, if the 911 portion is added later, another fee will most likely be assessed. Commissioner King made a motion to table the item until a later date. Commissioner Merchant seconded the motion. The motion passed with Chairman Thomas voting no, and all others voting yes.

 

(Letter)

 

            The Board discussed the letter from the City of Bonifay regarding replacement of the water meters at the Courthouse and Jail. Commissioner Merchant asked whether the City will be responsible for installing the meters. Administrator Wood stated that he will be looking into the installation responsibility. Commissioner King made a motion to send out for bids for the water meters for the Jail and Courthouse. Commissioner Music seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

(Letter)

 

            Administrator Wood asked the Board to consider whether to move the agenda submission deadline to Wednesday prior to the meeting to allow more time for Board members to review their packets. The Board agreed to keep the deadline at the Thursday prior to the meeting.

 

            Administrator Wood stated that the County had been awarded the E-Stars Grant that allowed the County to purchase laptops for the ambulances so that run reports can be completed electronically. He asked the Board to consider whether to sign an agreement with EMS Consultants for billing services. He explained that EMS Consultants is a company that can provide free software to be used with the laptops if their billing and collections services are utilized. He stated that the cost for this service is 7.5 % of collections made by the company. The purchase of the software without the billing and collection service will be $14,000.00 with an additional $1,800.00 charge for maintenance. Mr. Wilburn Baker, Ambulance Director, stated that this service will be beneficial to the County because the billing process would become more streamlined and collections may be expedited. He also stated that if the software is purchased alone, training will be included in the purchase price. Citizens speaking regarding this topic:

 

            Ms. Betty Yancey

 Commissioner King made a motion to sign a twelve month contract with EMS Consultants. Commissioner Music seconded the motion. The motion failed with Chairman Thomas and Commissioners Merchant and Williams voting no and Commissioners King and Music voting yes.

 

Administrator Wood stated that laptops had been purchased previously using grant funds and that they would not be useful unless the software was purchased. Commissioner Williams made a motion to purchase the software. Commissioner Merchant seconded the motion.  The motion passed with Commissioner King voting no and all others voting yes.

 

Commissioner Williams asked whether a fuel surcharge is currently being charged for EMS services. Mr. Wilburn Baker stated that a fuel surcharge is not being charged.  Chairman Thomas asked Administrator Wood to look into whether a surcharge may be possible. The Board agreed.

 

            Administrator Wood asked the Board if it would be allowable to extract the “junk yard” portion of the proposed Debris Ordinance so that a Junk Yard Ordinance could be developed. Administrator Wood explained that with the development of the ordinance, licensing provisions may be added. Mr. Al Vetzel, Litter Control Officer, stated that a junk yard is defined as a property where two or more unlicensed vehicles are present. He stated that currently, without a junk yard licensing policy, he has no authority to enter properties for observation and enforcement of penalties as he would be trespassing. He also stated that with a junk yard licensing policy that he would be granted authority to observe the infractions and to send a report to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Citizens speaking regarding this issue:

 

                        Mr. Bennie Little

 Commissioner Williams made a motion to pull the junk yard provisions out of the Debris Control Ordinance in order to further develop the Junk Yard Ordinance to bring back to the Board for review. Commissioner Merchant seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

 

            Administrator Wood stated that he had received quotes to repair the air conditioning at the Emergency Operations Center building. The quotes submitted were the following:

 

Company Name

Base Bid

 

Copper Tubing

Crossover

Total Bid

 

 

 

 

 

 

Horton's Chipley Heating & Cooling

$1,932.00

 

$150.00

$250.00

$2,332.00

 

4 Ton/ 13 Seer

 

 

 

 

 

Incl. 5 yr compressor warranty

 

 

 

 

 

Incl. 5 yr parts warranty

 

 

 

 

 

Incl. 1 yr labor warranty

 

 

 

 

 

outside unit only

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

P & P Heating & Cooling

$1,832.53

 

not bid

not bid

$1,832.53

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.5 Ton/ 10 Seer

 

 

 

 

 

Incl. 5 yr parts warranty

 

 

 

 

 

Incl. 1 yr labor warranty

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Company Name

Base Bid

 

Copper Tubing

Crossover

Total Bid

Wayne's Heating & A/c

$1,800.00

 

$150.00

not bid

$1,950.00

 

4 Ton/ 13 + Seer

 

 

 

 

 

Incl. 1 yr parts warranty

 

 

 

 

 

Incl. 1 yr labor warranty

 

 

 

 

 

Incl. 5 yr compressor  warranty

 

 

 

 

 

outside unit only

 

 

 

 

 

Mr. Wayne Cartwright, of Wayne’s Heating and Air Conditioning, Incorporated stated that he had assessed the unit and found that the system presently has a 4 ton air handler, a 3 ton condenser, and a 4 ton compressor.  He further advised that this error had probably been made by the company that had done the previous repair.  The Board discussed that the repairs had been made by P & P Heating & Cooling in 2006. Commissioner King offered a motion to contact P & P Heating and Cooling to correct the problem.  Chairman Thomas advised that the Emergency Management Director had already contacted P & P and was advised by Mr. Danny Powell that his company would “make this right” if it proved to be true.  Commissioner King amended his motion to ask P & P to come evaluate the situation and to correct it if necessary, and then to award the bid to replace the unit to the low quote of Wayne’s Heating and Air Conditioning, if no error had been made by P & P.  Commissioner Music offered a second.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

(Quotes)

 

            Administrator Wood stated that Ponce de Leon School had submitted a letter of request to waive the permit fee required for the application of roof coating on the school building. Commissioner Music made a motion to waive the permit fee. Commissioner King seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

 

            Administrator Wood stated that two quotes had been received for the EOC propane tank installation at the Prosperity Tower site. The following quotes were received:

           

            Tri-County Gas Service, Inc.                            $3386.65

            Ward Propane Gas Co.                                      3400.00

Commissioner Music made a motion to accept the lowest quote. Commissioner Williams seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

 

            Commissioner Williams stated that one of the road graders has been in the Shop for an extended period of time. He stated that a company had diagnosed the issue with the grader and that the grader had been sent out for repair, only to have the same ongoing issue. He asked the Board to consider withholding payment on the $9739.49 bill to the company for repairs until the issue is resolved. Attorney Young advised that payment could be reserved until the repair issue had been resolved.

 

            Commissioner Williams stated that his crews had received the equipment that had been requested and asked that the equipment be stored at the yard so that it can be secured. Administrator Wood stated that the fencing project at that District Three Yard will be Project Manager Eddie Whitehurst’s next assignment.

 

            Commissioner King stated that the Housing Expo last weekend was a great success. He commended Ms. Michele McDaniel for her hard work on the Expo.

 

            Commissioner King stated that due to the rising costs of grader fuel, he would like the Board to consider paving two portions of road in the Northdale Subdivision. He had estimated cost for the project to be $23,560.00 for Northdale Drive and $76,760.00 for Wedgewood Drive using the asphalt contract that the County already has with C.W. Roberts. Chairman Thomas stated that there is approximately $700,000.00 in the gas tax fund and that the estimated cost for this project would be about $100,320.00. Commissioner King made a motion to put a two-inch surface down in the Northdale Drive and Wedgewood Drive in the Northdale Subdivision.  Commissioner Music seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

 

            Mr. King Hall, citizen, commended the Board for their efforts and stated that he would like to speak about the park upkeep on Highway 79. Commissioner Music stated that the parks are in need of maintenance and that garbage pickup has become a serious issue. Chairman Thomas stated that the County is in need of more inmates and that inmates are usually unavailable during the summer because they are utilized at the schools. He suggested the possibility of utilizing citizens that are required to serve community service. Commissioner King stated that he would like Administrator Wood to meet with prison officials to discuss the possibility of getting more inmates for park upkeep. No action was taken on this item.

 

            Commissioner Music stated that Mr. John Lawlor has a cherry picker for sale for $3,500.00 and that it would be a helpful tool to aid in changing difficult to reach light bulbs.  No action was taken on this item.

 

            Commissioner Music stated that the Agri-center air conditioning system is in need of repair. Mr. Wayne Cartwright of Wayne’s Heating and Air Conditioning stated that he can fix the unit, and asked the Board to allow him to step out to get pricing information. The Board agreed.

 

            Chairman Thomas stated that the cost estimated by the contractor to replace and/or repair the four bridges to be $900,000.00 which included the design, build and financing provisions if the County accepts it. He stated the Florida Local Government Finance Program may be able to finance the project as well. Commissioner King made a motion to put the bridges out for bid, contingent upon financing. Commissioner Music seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.  

 

            Mr. Wayne Cartwright rejoined the meeting with a price for the compressor for the Agri-center. He stated that he estimated the total cost for the repair to be about $4,923.70. Chairman Thomas stated that if the funds were not available in the Agri-center Budget, then to take the money from grant contingency. The Board agreed. Commissioner King made a motion to declare the repair an emergency purchase and for Wayne’s Heating and Air Conditioning to do the repair for $4923.70. Commissioner Music seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

 

            Chairman Thomas stated that he had been researching biodiesel fuels. He asked the Board to allow him to contact the biodiesel company and School Board to move forward with research. Commissioner King made a motion for the Chairman or Administrator Wood to meet with the School Board to consider moving forward in exploring biodiesel fuel options. Commissioner Music seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

 

            Mr. Bob Jones, Grants Administrator, stated that the Rum Road and Pittman project should be completed in July. He asked the Board to allow him to prepare a proposal for another Community Development Block Grant project for consideration and bring it to the Board. The Board agreed.

 

            Ms. Michele McDaniel stated that the WFRPC meeting will be taking place today from 2:00-4:00 p.m.

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

            __________________________________    ___________________________________

Clerk                                                                Chairman