AMENDMENTS TO THE AGENDA Chairman Echols added the filling of a vacant fire fighter position under Business Agenda Item #3.

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1 MINUTES OF THE GLADES COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MEETING ON TUESDAY, AUGUST 10, 2010 AT 9:00 A.M. IN THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MEETING ROOM, GLADES COUNTY COURTHOUSE, MOORE HAVEN, FLORIDA The Glades County Board of County Commissioners met on Tuesday, August 10, 2010 at 9:00 a.m. with the following Commissioners present: Russell Echols, Chairman K.S. Butch Jones, Vice Chairman Donna Storter Long Paul Beck Not present: Robert Giesler Others present: Julie Mann Braddock, Administrative Secretary Joe Flint, Clerk of the Circuit Court Brenda Choban, Chief Deputy Clerk Larry Hilton, Community Development Director Richard Pringle, County Attorney Jim Cianfrani, President-Muse Community Association Missie Barletto, South Florida Water Management District Bob Jones, Public Safety Director Doug Manke, County Road Department Tycee Prevatt, Glades County Extension Agent Charlie Murphy, Okeechobee Radio Stuart Whiddon, Glades County Sheriff Brett Friedman, McGladrey & Pullen Raoul Bataller, Hendry Glades Sunday News Missie Barletto, SFWMD 6 citizens PRAYER Vice Chairman Jones gave the invocation. OPENING PLEDGE Commissioner Beck led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. AMENDMENTS TO THE AGENDA Chairman Echols added the filling of a vacant fire fighter position under Business Agenda Item #3. ON MOTION of Vice Chairman Jones seconded by Commissioner Beck the Board approved the amendment to the agenda.

2 PRESENTATIONS/AWARDS 1. Presentation 2009 Financial Statements by McGladrey & Pullen Brett Friedman, Audit Director with McGladrey & Pullen, stated the County had received an unqualified opinion, which was the best opinion the County could receive. He stated the Financial Statement had been prepared properly in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. He stated the County s Solid Waste fund was still running at a significant deficit. He stated he understood that there was a proposed increase in the rate which would be helpful. He reviewed the Report with the Board. He stated the audit had been prepared in accordance with generally accepted government auditing standards and the arrangement letter dated July 18, He stated the County had implemented GASB Statement No. 45 which dealt with other postemployment benefits. He explained that this statement established a standard for the measurement, recognition and display of postemployment benefits to employees. He stated his firm did not identify any significant or unusual transactions. He stated there were some significant estimates included in the document. He briefly went over the estimates. He stated some audit adjustments had been made during the year. He stated there were some uncorrected misstatements that were not deemed significant. He stated his firm had not encountered any disagreements with management over the application of significant accounting principles. He stated some significant deficiencies had been uncovered in the grant process. He stated the landfill closure and post closure care costs were the main drivers for the deficit in the Solid Waste Fund. He reminded the Board that these figures were best estimates. He stated there were some new accounting standards that would be coming out in the next few years. He stated the most significant was GASB Statement No. 54. He stated this Statement would change how the fund balance was reported within the financial statements and would require certain policies be set by the Commission regarding how certain items were categorized. He stated this would restrict the use of certain funds. He referred to pages of the report and stated there were no material weaknesses in internal controls; however, there were some significant deficiencies. He stated Management had responded and indicated that each item would be addressed. He stated IC Equipment and Real Property Management would need to be addressed. He stated this related to the use of Federal funds in grant programs. He stated it was important that any assets acquired with these funds were coded specifically. He stated another item was IC Reporting. He stated there was a lack of evidence of Supervisor review. He stated no problems were seen with the submitted reports; however, there was no evidence that someone other than the preparer had reviewed the documents and approved them. Chairman Echols thanked Mr. Friedmann for his report. PUBLIC INPUT ON AGENDA ITEMS There were none PUBLIC HEARINGS 2

3 There were none. CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS 2. A. Approved County warrants. (Exhibit A) General Fund: Buckhead Ridge Utilities: 148 Health Department 1017 EMS Award Grant: 1875 Driver s Education: Intergovernmental Radio: Courthouse Facilities: 1321 B. Approved minutes of the April 22, 2010 Joint Meeting with Hendry County. C. Approved minutes of the July 15, 2010 Budget Workshop. D. Approved minutes of the July 22, 2010 Budget Workshop. E. Approved to encumber SHIP Funds for Applicant #R2010-Jly13 in an amount up to $30, and Applicant #B2010-Jly14 in an amount up to $18,028. ON MOTION of Vice Chairman Jones seconded by Commissioner Beck the Board approved the Consent Agenda items. BUSINESS AGENDA 3. Request: Fill vacated EMT Position Larry Hilton, Deputy County Manager, stated an EMT and a fire fighter had resigned and the positions needed to be filled. ON MOTION of Vice Chairman Jones seconded by Commissioner Storter Long the Board approved the filling of a vacant EMT position and a vacant Fire Fighter position. 4. Agreement: Okeechobee County BOCC and Glades County BOCC for EMS Service to Buckhead Ridge Bob Jones, Public Safety Director, stated he had received notice about 2 weeks ago requesting an increase in the cost of service coverage. He stated the cost had not been raised since 1996 or He stated Okeechobee County had provided the list of logged calls for the area and he believed the increase in price was consistent with the number of calls. He stated the old agreement had been revised to show the new costs and the addition of the northeast portion of the County. He explained that he had spoken with Okeechobee EMS about possibly selling one of old ambulances to them in lieu of part of the cost. He asked for authorization to negotiate a deal with Okeechobee County. 3

4 Chairman Echols asked for the authority to do one of three things: 1) approve the $40,000 total bill for a 5 year contract, 2) sell the truck to them with payment of $20, for a period of 6 years (truck to be depreciated $20,000.00/year over the 6 year period), or 3) sell the truck in lieu of payment for 3 years at $40,000.00/year. ON MOTION of Commissioner Storter Long seconded by Vice Chairman Jones the Board authorized County Manager Taylor and Chairman Echols to negotiate an agreement with Okeechobee County Board of County Commissioners for EMS Service to Buckhead Ridge with one of the following three options: a.) approve $40,000.00/year for a 5 year contract, or b.) $20,000.00/year for a 6 year contract and the fire truck depreciated over the 6 year period, or c.) sell the truck in lieu of payment at $40,000.00/year for 3 years and authorized the Chairman to sign. Motion carried by 4-0 vote. 5. Request: Waste Management to Operate Transfer Station Mr. Hilton stated the County s contract with Waste Management dated December 2007 contained a provision that stated Waste Management would pay the County for three (3) employees until April 4, He stated Waste Management had requested that this date be accelerated and that the employees be transferred to their employment by August Commissioner Storter Long questioned the transfer of the employees. She asked what effect this would have on our County employees. Mr. Hilton stated the employees were currently being paid by Waste Management, but employed by the County. He stated after August 31 st the employees would be employed by Waste Management. Commissioner Storter Long asked if Waste Management had given any indication why they wished to accelerate the date with such short notice. She questioned if Waste Management s rate would increase to $40.00/ton. Mr. Hilton stated Waste Management s request would only accelerate the date for the employees. He stated he believed this request was being made for budget reasons. Commissioner Storter Long stated these employees would cease being Glades County employees as of August 31 st. She stated some of these employees were concerned with how this transfer of employment would affect their retirement. She stated she would prefer that the County gave these employees a little more of a notice. Mr. Hilton stated the worst case scenario would be if Waste Management did not keep the employees. He stated if this happened, the employees could apply for unemployment benefits while their retirement was being processed. Commissioner Storter Long urged the Board to wait until October to transfer the employees to Waste Management. 4

5 ON MOTION of Commissioner Storter Long seconded by Vice Chairman Jones the Board approved the transfer of three (3) full-time positions at the Ortona Landfill to Waste Management effective September 30, CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS There was no discussion. COUNTY ATTORNEY Attorney Pringle stated he hoped to receive the County s revised Code Codification from Municode in the near future. He stated the Board would need to adopt the new Code in September. Commissioner Storter Long stated she had been asked by several citizens of Washington Park when they could anticipate some progress on the Pavilion project. Attorney Pringle stated he had been working on the lease agreement between the School Board and Glades County and hoped to move forward after approval from the School Board. Commissioner Storter Long commented on the concerns of the citizens with the need for a Management Agreement with the County. COUNTY MANAGER Chairman Echols thanked Mr. Hilton for sitting in for County Manager Taylor. He stated County Manager Taylor s brother had passed away at the end of last week. DEPARTMENT HEADS There was no discussion. PUBLIC INPUT ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS There was none. COMMISSIONERS ITEMS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Storter Long reminded everyone of the Political Forum that would be held at Muse on August 19 th at 7:00 p.m. at the Community Building. Commissioner Storter Long read the following statement into the record: Glades County Personnel Policy Manual Section 3.03 Harassment assures each employee that he or she will have a work environment free from harassment. She stated the term harassment was defined in that manual and included intimidation (verbal threats, pressure, bullying, or coercion) all of which fostered the need for a victim to conceal their identity. She stated intimidation in the work place was unprofessional and should never be tolerated. She stated the County Personnel Policy 5

6 also prescribed recourse to address such harassment. She stated the procedures were outlined for such complaints. She stated the directions were clear and stated that each complaint must identify the complainant. She stated the complaint was to be filed with the County Manager or the County Commission Chairman, if applicable. She stated copies of the complaint may be provided to all of the Commissioners but it was not required. She stated she received two (2) anonymous letters via the US mail approximately 10 days ago. She stated these letters contained allegations inferring intimidation as harassment. She stated anonymity was a nameless way of airing contentions without fear of retaliation, yet it provided no direction for intervention. She urged any employee or group of employees who had a grievance for intimidation, or other form of harassment, to follow the grievance rules of the Personnel Policy Manual. Chairman Echols stated the Air Boater s Association had conveyed their thanks to the Board for the Proclamation designating Glades County an Air Boat Friendly county. He stated the permits for the Moore Haven Canal project had been submitted to the Department of Environmental Protection on August 1 st. He stated he hoped that this process would go as quickly as possible. Commissioner Beck stated the Lakeport Community Center s renovations had been completed. He invited everyone to attend a ceremony celebrating the completion of these renovations along with a Political Rally at 7:00 p.m. this evening. He stated refreshments would be served afterwards. He stated someone had vandalized the fencing at the Lakeport Community Building last night. He asked that if anyone had any information regarding this crime that they report it to the Sheriff s Department. ADJOURNMENT ON MOTION of Vice Chairman Jones seconded by Commissioner Beck the Board moved to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried by 4-0 vote. There being no further discussion, Chairman Echols adjourned the meeting at 9:31a.m. ATTEST: Russell Echols, Chairman 6

7 Joe Flint, Clerk of the Circuit Court Approved: September 14, 2010 THESE MINUTES ARE NOT A VERBATIM RECORD. TAPES ARE AVAILABLE FOR ANYONE INTERESTED IN LISTENING TO THE ENTIRE MEETING. 7