MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA

 

 

November 18, 2008

 

 

 

The Board of County Commissioners of Brevard County, Florida, met in special session on November 18, 2008, at 5:30 p.m. in the Government Center Commission Room, Building C, 2725 Judge Fran Jamieson Way, Viera, Florida.  Present were:  Chairman Truman Scarborough, Commissioners Chuck Nelson, Mary Bolin, and Jackie Colon, County Manager Peggy Busacca, and County Attorney Scott Knox.  Absent was:  Commissioner Helen Voltz.

 

 

Commissioner Nelson stated the community is fortunate that so many churches help it; about one year ago there was a circumstance where the Housing Authority had evicted a woman who had some early stages of dementia and Alzheimer’s; it is sad that a governmental unit did that, but it had literally evicted the woman; and she was sitting outside of her apartment for almost three days.  He noted Pastor Stallbaum’s folks took the woman in and cared for her during that period of time; and expressed appreciation to Pastor Stallbaum and the church.

 

 

The Invocation was given by Pastor Dan Stallbaum, East Coast Christian Center.

 

 

Commissioner Mary Bolin led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

 

Commissioner Colon stated this is a day that the Lord has made; and when people say do not mix government and religion, they are highly mistaken because the foundation of the Country was based on faith.  She expressed appreciation to her family; stated she was extremely blessed to represent the citizens of Brevard County for eight years; and the Government Center Commission Chambers mean a lot to her as many things have happened.  She stated she had just come from New York the weekend of September 11^th, and had been with friends that were killed on September 11^th; she worked on the 102^nd floor of the World Trade Center; she was the director and oversaw 86 employees; it was in these Chambers where she received that information; and it was very mindboggling and she could not understand.  She noted her staff was able to console her at that time; her Pastor remembers vividly the kind of pain that she was feeling; the entire Country felt the pain of September 11^th; and everybody remembers where they were when the event happened.  She stated she was the Chairman of the Board when Columbia was lost; it is in these Chambers that one goes from level to level as a human being and learn; and they are able to say when things are tough, they are able to know what people are made of.  She expressed appreciation to County staff; stated they are the most professional, kind, and compassionate people that she is going to miss; County Manager Peggy Busacca is mom  to  2,900  employees  in  Brevard  County; and  County staff  taught  her what leaders are

 

 

REFLECTIONS AND BEST WISHES (CONTINUED)

 

made of.  She expressed appreciation to her office staff; stated they always treated her bosses, the citizens of Brevard County, with the utmost respect; and they were humble, public servants.  She thanked her family for allowing her to give so much back to the community, and to serve the community the way she felt she needed to, which was around the clock, 24-7 on-call.  She stated her staff never knew whether they were going to be in the office and answer phones, attending a funeral with her, or going to Wal-mart with her to purchase shoes for a child that did not have shoes to go to school the next day; that is what it is to be a public servant; it is not about the title or the money; and it is exactly what you do when God puts you in a position to make a difference.  She noted she feels extremely blessed because she was able to do that in the last 13 years.  She expressed appreciation to her husband, Charlie; stated behind every woman stands a good man; her husband deserves the credit; some people in the community were extremely cruel and said things, not based on her vote, but her ethnicity; it is un-American; but her husband was very courageous.  She thanked the community for allowing her to represent them for the last 13 years; she is proud to have been able to represent them as a Councilwoman, Deputy Mayor, Commissioner, and Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners; and it will forever keep her humble.

 

Commissioner Colon introduced the Jackie Colon Team; thanked the Team for being there when she needed to help families, and when the community was in the middle of hurricanes and needed a shoulder to cry on; stated the Team has always been there for her; and she is forever grateful.  She stated the battle continues; they are not finished yet; they are going to be opening the Jackie Colon Foundation; the need in the community is still great and huge; and whether someone is an elected official or a volunteer, they count and can make a difference.  She stated it has been an honor to serve with Commissioner Scarborough.  She thanked Commissioner Nelson for all those years when he was the Parks and Recreation Director; and expressed appreciation to Commissioner Bolin for the last two years.  She stated Commissioners Nelson and Bolin came right in the midst of baptism by fire; the last two years have not been easy; but they have been champions.  She noted there is a lot of work that needs to be done; it is not over by any means; the economy is in tremendous disarray; but the County is not responsible for anything outside of Brevard County.  She stated it is responsible for each other, which means they need to make sure that they look out for their neighbors, call each other up, and they are there for each other; and more than ever they are going to need that compassion and that heart.  She noted the Jackie Colon Foundation has an office and an open house today; to the new Commissioners, God be with them; and they need to be their own person and independent thinkers.

 

 

Chairman Scarborough presented a plaque to Commissioner Colon on behalf of the people of Brevard County and the Board, in recognition of her service; and expressed appreciation to Commissioner Colon for all she has done.

 

Commissioner Bolin stated she and Commissioner Nelson have been blessed to have Commissioner Colon as their mentor for two years.  She noted Commissioner Colon’s words that will be carried forward for all Commission meetings from here on out are “crystal clear.”

 

 

The meeting recessed at 5:57 p.m. and reconvened at 6:01 p.m.

 

 

Commissioner Bolin presented a plaque to Commissioner Scarborough for the work he has done through the past year as Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners.  She noted Commissioner Scarborough’s word that will be carried forward for all Commission meetings from here on out is “dynamics.”

 

Commissioner Nelson presented a plaque to Commissioner Scarborough in recognition of his 20 years of service to the citizens of Brevard County as District 1 Commissioner, November 1988 through November 2008; stated that is an incredible period of time being a Commissioner; and expressed his appreciation for all those years working with him.  Commissioner Nelson further presented a tie of the Space Shuttle to Commissioner Scarborough.

 

Chairman Scarborough stated this community may be facing problems, but Robin Fisher, Trudie Infantini, and Andy Anderson are going to be able to have opportunities to take the challenges and turn Brevard County into even a greater community; and it is about them.

 

 

 

Judge David Dugan administered the Oath of Office for Robin Fisher, District 1 County Commissioner.

 

 

Judge David Dugan administered the Oath of Office for Trudie Infantini, District 3 County Commissioner.

 

 

Judge David Dugan administered the Oath of Office for Andy Anderson, District 5 County Commissioner.

 

 

Vice Chairman Mary Bolin passed the gavel to Commissioner Fisher.

 

Motion by Commissioner Bolin, seconded by Commissioner Anderson, to select Commissioner Chuck Nelson as Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners for Year 2008-2009, as required by the Brevard County Charter.  Motion carried and ordered unanimously.

 

 

Vice Chairman Bolin passed the gavel to Chairman Nelson.

 

Motion by Commissioner Infantini, seconded by Commissioner Fisher, to select Commissioner Mary Bolin as Vice Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners for Year 2008-2009, as required by the Brevard County Charter.

 

 

 

Commissioner Fisher thanked his supporters for helping him get to this position; and expressed appreciation to his mother, grandmother, his wife Rhoda, daughter Carol, and his son Corey, for all of their support.  He stated he is going to remember what his high school football coach told him the night of the election, which was, “Now go make a difference”; and that is what he is here to do.

 

Commissioner Infantini thanked all the citizens of Brevard County for their trust and support in electing her to this position; stated she will work very hard to keep their support; and expressed appreciation to her husband Tony, and her children Wesley, Mallory, Kelsey, and Lindsey.  She stated without their support, encouragement, and constant working with her on this campaign, she could have never gotten here; and they are the best family anybody could have. 

 

Commissioner Anderson stated his wife is probably the most dedicated wife in the world; she has been with him through many elections, including City Council and now County Commission; none of this would be possible if his wife did not believe in this community and him; and thanked his wife, Sabrina, his two sons, Daniel and Hunter, and his father.  He introduced his staff members Dawn, Dave, and Matt.  He advised he is excited to serve with the County Commission; there is so much experience up here; he has a lot to learn; he believes there is a bright future for Brevard County; and he thinks the Commission is going to be a good team.

 

Commissioner Fisher introduced his staff members present, Dottie and Kathie. 

 

Commissioner Infantini stated she asked her staff to stay at home because they have a really busy week ahead of them.

 

Commissioner Bolin introduced her staff Dave Dingley, Jan Conrad, and volunteer Nina Gallagan.

 

Commissioner Fisher stated he is in the insurance business; he has some very talented people in his office that work; and introduced Amy and Joy.

 

Chairman Nelson introduced his staff, Melissa, Tyler, and Liz; and his son, Morgan, and his wife Gail.

 

 

 

Chairman Nelson stated an appointment needs to be made to the Space Florida Committee; normally the Chairman was doing that; Commissioner Scarborough had been the appointee; and he would like to appoint Commissioner Bolin to serve as Brevard County’s representative on such Committee.

 

 

Motion by Commissioner Bolin, seconded by Commissioner Infantini, to grant permission to use the newly elected Chairman’s signature plates for signing the Payroll and Accounts Payable checks.  (See pages                            for Deposit Account Resolution and Authorization for Business Entities, and Business Account Signature Card Forms.)

 

 

Chairman Nelson stated Space is going to be a huge issue for Brevard County; the community is going to be hurting in the next few years with the loss of jobs; and everything the County Commission can do to soften that and prepare itself is going to be worthwhile; and he is proud of the first two years and looking forward to the next two years because he believes there are a lot of good ideas that are going to be brought forward.  He noted Brevard County is going to be better as a result.

 

 

 

 

Upon motion and vote, the meeting adjourned at 6:24 p.m.

 

 

 

 

ATTEST:

                                                                       __________________________________

CHUCK NELSON, CHAIRMAN

                                                                        BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

                                                                       BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA

______________________

SCOTT ELLIS, CLERK

 

 

 

           (S E A L)