Apr 26, 2022 Commissioners Court

[Call Meeting to Order]

[00:00:04]

GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE.

WELCOME TO COMMISSIONERS COURT.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

WE'RE GOING TO GO AHEAD AND CALL THIS MEETING TO ORDER TUESDAY, THE 26TH DAY OF APRIL 2022 AT 9 A.M.

AND COMMISSIONER ROLAND, WOULD YOU LEAD US IN THE INVOCATION, PLEASE? YES, SIR. [INVOCATION] OUR FATHER WHICH ART IN HEAVEN THE FATHER OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST. FATHER JUST ONCE AGAIN THAT THIS WICKED, HUMBLE SERVANT IS STANDING HERE IN FRONT OF THIS COURT JUST TO SAY THANK YOU, LORD.

WE THANK YOU FOR ALL THE MANY BLESSINGS THAT YOU HAVE BESTOWED UPON US ALL.

THANK YOU FOR THE ONES THAT CAME TODAY.

JUST COME TO THE COMMISSIONERS COURT TODAY TO LISTEN TO WHAT WE HAVE TO DO AND WHAT WE HAVE TO SAY.

LORD, I THANK SO MUCH FOR THE RAIN THAT YOU SENT.

I KNOW WE DON'T THINK WE GOT ENOUGH, BUT I KNOW, LORD, THAT YOU'LL.

YOU CAN PROVIDE US WITH ALL THE RAIN, BUT ALL THE GOODNESS THAT WE CAN WE CAN HANDLE THESE AND OUR BLESSINGS.

I PRAY IN JESUS HOLY NAME.

AMEN. AMEN.

ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH.

ANNOUNCEMENTS COMMISSIONERS.

[Announcements]

I ALWAYS WISH IT WAS MORE, BUT WE'LL TAKE ANYTHING WE CAN GET THAT'S ALL I GOT.

COMMISSIONER SHELTON. I TOO AM APPRECIATIVE FOR THE RAIN, BUT KIND OF GLAD IT WAITED TILL AFTER THE OLD SETTLERS MUSIC FESTIVAL WENT ON.

THEY HAD A GREAT FESTIVAL AS WELL ATTENDED.

GREAT MUSIC.

I ALSO ATTENDED THE ALLIANCE WATER UPDATE THAT'S STARTED OUT IN DEL HIGH AND THEY'RE PROJECTING THAT THE WATER WILL BE FLOWING BECOME MID 2023.

THANK YOU, MR. THERIOT. NO REPORTS, MR. ROLAND. NO REPORTS.

ANY STAFF? NO.

OKAY. WITH THAT, WE'LL MOVE TO CITIZENS COMMENTS.

[Citizens' Comments]

4 MINUTES. MY NAME IS DORIS STUBING.

I LIVE ON JOLLY ROAD.

I ALSO HAVE PROPERTY ON TOWER ROAD AND DICKERSON ROAD, AND I WOULD LIKE TO EXPRESS MY DISSATISFACTION WITH THE WAY THE BRIDGE SITUATION HAVE TRANSPIRED ON BLACK ANKLE.

CAN YOU HEAR ME OKAY? I'M HAVING TROUBLE HEARING.

THERE WE GO. ALL RIGHT.

I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF THE BRIDGE BEING TORN OUT UNTIL MY HELPER WAS ON THE TRACTOR WITH TWO BALES OF HAY DETECTING MY COWS ON [INAUDIBLE] ROAD.

AND HE GETS OVER THERE AND HE FINDS OUT THE BRIDGE IS TORN OUT.

NOBODY WAS EVER NOTIFIED.

I HAVEN'T FOUND ANYBODY THAT WAS EVER NOTIFIED THAT THE BRIDGE WAS GOING TO BE DEMOLISHED.

WE HAVE TO GO ALL THE WAY TO MARTINDALE DOWN 80, DOWN DICKERSON ROAD.

THAT'S ABOUT 35 MILES.

SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

THAT ADDS UP TO 245 MILES THAT WE HAVE TO TRAVEL TO TAKE CARE OF MY CATTLE ON MY PROPERTIES OVER THERE.

I DON'T KNOW WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS PROJECT.

I KEEP INQUIRING AND I WAS TOLD TO CALL THE GRANT WRITER.

I TALKED TO MY COMMISSIONER ABOUT IT.

I HAVEN'T LIKE I SAID, I HAVEN'T FOUND ANY PROPERTY OWNERS THAT WERE EVER NOTIFIED THAT THIS BRIDGE WAS GOING TO BE DEMOLISHED.

EXCUSE ME. I'D LIKE TO KNOW WHAT THE COMPLETION DATE IS ON THIS PROJECT.

I WAS TOLD IT WAS GOING TO BE DONE IN TWO MONTHS AND IT STILL HAS NOT BEEN DONE.

I WAS TOLD THERE WAS ISSUES ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL NOTIFYING THE INDIAN TRIBES AND THERE WAS CABLE THERE.

WOULD ANYBODY TALK ABOUT GETTING DIG TESTS IN THERE TO SEE ABOUT A CABLE OR ANYTHING BEFORE THEY STARTED DEMOLISHING THE BRIDGE?

[00:05:03]

I DON'T KNOW WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS, BUT I THINK WE NEED TO HAVE SOME ANSWERS.

AND I'D LIKE TO KNOW WHO IS ACCOUNTABLE.

AND I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE WHEN IT COMES UP ON THE AGENDA.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU.

BRYAN FREDERICK.

BRYAN FREDERICK 2353 FARM TO MARKET 1185 IN LOCKHART.

FIRST OF ALL, I WANT TO START OUT BY THANKING JUDGE HAYDEN FOR BRINGING FORTH THE RESOLUTION, RESOLUTION 32-2022, REGARDING THE 24/7 OPERATION OF THE DUMP.

IT'S VERY SATISFYING ON BEHALF OF ALL THE NEIGHBORS OUT THERE TO SEE THAT OUR COMMISSIONERS DO LISTEN TO US AND WOULD TAKE AN ACTION AGAINST SOMETHING THAT'S BAD FOR US. I ALSO WANT TO THANK THE COMMISSIONERS COURT AND GOING BACK SEVERAL COURTS FOR THEIR STAND IN NOT SIGNING THE HOST AGREEMENT THAT WAS BROUGHT FORTH BY GREEN GROUP HOLDINGS. IT MAY SOUND LIKE AN OBVIOUS THING, BUT ONE OF THE ITEMS OF THAT HOST AGREEMENT IS THAT THE COMMISSIONERS COURT WOULD HAVE BEEN OBLIGATED, COMMISSIONERS WOULD HAVE BEEN OBLIGATED TO SUPPORT THIS MOVE TO GO 24/7 BY HAVING SIGNED THAT AGREEMENT.

WE SAID AT THE TIME THAT THAT WAS NOT A GOOD THING.

THE COUNTY DOES NOT WANT TO BE PUT IN THAT POSITION.

FORTUNATELY, THEY RECOGNIZED AND DID NOT SIGN THAT AGREEMENT.

SO WHAT REALLY IS BEHIND THIS AGREEMENT OR THIS REQUEST AND WHAT'S GOING ON HERE? WHEN SH 130 APPLIED TO THE STATE OF TEXAS FOR THIS PERMIT, IT WAS FOR THE DISPOSAL OF MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE, MUNICIPAL BEING, CITY I.E. CITY GARBAGE.

THE PERMIT, AS GRANTED BY THE TCEQ, PLACES CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS ON AN OPERATOR.

FIRST OF ALL, CITIES, MUNICIPALITIES DO NOT COLLECT GARBAGE 24/7.

THEY DON'T COLLECT AT NIGHT.

THEY DON'T COLLECT ON SATURDAYS, THEY DON'T COLLECT ON SUNDAYS.

SO THERE IS NO REASON FOR A DUMP TO BE OPERATING 24/7 THAT ACCEPTS MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE.

SECONDLY, THE TCU REQUIRE THE TCEQ REQUIRES A DAILY COVER OF THE GARBAGE WITH SIX INCHES OF SOIL.

AND IF YOU THINK BACK WHEN GREEN GROUP FIRST CAME IN, THEY STATED VERY CLEARLY THAT THEY WOULD EVERY DAY COVER THEIR GARBAGE WITH SIX INCHES OF SOIL.

THIS, AGAIN, IS DONE FOR THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF THE PEOPLE LIVING AROUND IT.

THIS REQUEST BY SH 130 IS JUST A BACKDOOR WAY OF GETTING AROUND THAT STATE REQUIREMENT.

IF YOU DON'T EVER CLOSE, YOU DON'T HAVE TO COVER YOUR GARBAGE.

SO WE WOULD ALWAYS HAVE GARBAGE OPEN.

AT LEAST THE WORKING FACE WOULD ALWAYS BE OPEN POTENTIALLY, WHICH HAS SAFETY AND HEALTH ISSUES.

WHEN GREEN GROUP FIRST CAME IN AND PROPOSED THIS DUMP, WE HAD EXPERTS AND ENGINEERS REVIEW THEIR PERMIT AND WE DETERMINED THAT ON THE BASIS THIS FACILITY WAS POORLY LOCATED AND POORLY DESIGNED IN THAT THERE'S NOT ENOUGH DIRT TO BE ABLE TO COVER THE GARBAGE WITH SIX INCHES OF DIRT EVERY DAY AT THE END OF THEIR OPERATING, AND THEN STILL HAVE ENOUGH DIRT LEFT TO COVER THE FACILITY IN 45 TO 45 YEARS TO ENTOMB THE GARBAGE FOREVER INSIDE THAT DIRT.

WE THINK THAT SH 130, IT DEFINITELY RECOGNIZED THAT.

AND FOR THEM TO BE ABLE TO DO THIS, THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO GO OUT AND BUY DIRT TO DO THAT COVER OVER A PERIOD OF TIME.

IT'S GOING TO BE A COST TO THEM.

SO THIS IS REALLY AN ECONOMIC ISSUE TO SH 130.

SO HENCE, I THINK WHEN, WHEN THE TCEQ REVIEWED THIS PERMIT AND THEY SAW THE REQUEST FOR 24 /7, THEY RECOGNIZED WHAT WAS GOING ON.

THEY SAID NO, THAT THEY WOULD NOT GRANT 24/7.

I THINK THE COMMISSIONERS COURT SHOULD TAKE THAT SAME ACTION, PASS THIS RESOLUTION AND STAND UP TO THE GREEN GROUP AND THEIR SH 130 AND THEIR FUTURE DESIRES TO CHANGE THESE PERMITS.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

SUSAN LANE.

OKAY. UM, GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE HAYDEN.

AND I WANTED TO THANK YOU, JUDGE HAYDEN, FOR PUTTING THIS RESOLUTION ON THE AGENDA TODAY.

RESOLUTION 32-2022 IS WHAT I'M SPEAKING ABOUT.

I LIVE AT 13.

MY NAME IS SUSAN LANE.

I LIVE AT 1334 HOME ANVIL TRAIL, WHICH IS JOE [INAUDIBLE] OLD PROPERTY.

SOME OF YOU ALL PROBABLY KNOW HIM, AND IT'S DIRECTLY ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE 130 ENVIRONMENTAL PARK.

IT'S WHEN I FIRST MOVED THERE IN APRIL, BOUGHT THE PROPERTY IN APRIL, AND MOVED IN IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS.

I HAD HEARD THAT THERE WAS GOING TO BE A CAN I CALL IT A LANDFILL LANDFILL ACROSS THE STREET.

[00:10:07]

AND WHEN IT STARTED, THEY STARTED EXCAVATING.

IT WAS SORT OF ON THE DOWN LOW.

NOT MANY PEOPLE KNEW IT WAS EVEN HAPPENING UNTIL I CONTACTED FRANK [INAUDIBLE] AND HE HE TOLD ME THAT IT WAS IN COURT AND IT WOULDN'T BE HAPPENING, WELL, IT DID.

SO NOW THAT'S WHERE WE ARE.

AND MANY OF US, THERE HAVE BEEN PEOPLE LIKE FRANK AND OTHER PEOPLE WHO LIVE ON BARTH ROAD AND 1185 WHO HAD BEEN FIGHTING THIS FIGHT FOR OVER NINE YEARS.

AND I'M NEW TO THE GAME, BUT I'M I'M IN WITH ALL ALL FOUR FEET.

I REPRESENT THE LOOSELY THE SPANISH SPEAKING PEOPLE THAT LIVE ALONG HOME ANVIL TRAIL AND HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH MANY OF THEM.

THEY ALSO SOME OF THEM ARE RIGHT UP NEXT TO THE BERMS THAT ARE CREATED ALONG THE BACK OF THEIR PROPERTY AND SORT OF HAVE THEY'RE REALLY NOT IN TOUCH WITH WHAT IS HAPPENING.

BUT THEY LIKE ME ARE AWARE THROUGH THE SOUNDS OF THE MACHINERY AND THE CONSTANT SOUNDS AND FEAR OF SMELLS THAT THAT HASN'T HAPPENED YET.

BUT WE'RE WE'RE REALLY FEARING THAT IT MIGHT.

WE ALL HAVE YOU KNOW, WE HAVE MOVED THERE TO EXPERIENCE THE RURAL LIFE WITH DARKNESS AND STARS AND LISTENING TO FROGS AND CRICKETS. IF THIS PROPOSAL, THIS AMENDED PERMIT, GOES THROUGH TO ALLOW FOR 24/7 OPERATION, THAT'S GOING TO BE OFF THE TABLE.

THERE'LL BE TOWERS OF LIGHTS THAT THEY'LL HAVE TO HAVE.

THE LIGHT WILL GO AWAY.

WE WON'T HAVE DARK SKIES.

WE WON'T HAVE WE WON'T BE ABLE TO HEAR THINGS AT NIGHT.

AND THEN THERE'S, OF COURSE, THE POLLUTION THAT CAN HAPPEN.

I HAVE TWO STOP TANKS ON MY PROPERTY THAT I'M IN FEAR OF BECOMING POLLUTED THROUGH MISHANDLING POTENTIAL MISHANDLING AT THE LANDFILL.

LET ME SEE. SO I HOPE YOU WILL VOTE FOR RESOLUTION 32-2022 AND AGAINST THE 24/7 OPERATION.

AND AT I'D LIKE TO LEAVE YOU WITH THE SOUNDS THAT WE HEAR WHEN THE DUMP IS EXCUSE ME.

THAT'S WHAT WE CALL IT IN OPERATION.

THE ONE OF THE MAIN SOUNDS THAT WE HEAR IS AND WE DON'T WANT TO HEAR IT AT NIGHT OR ON THE WEEKENDS.

WE'RE GLAD WHEN IT STOPS.

HERE IT GOES. BEEP, BEEP, BEEP, BEEP, BEEP, BEEP.

SO THAT IS PERPETUATED THROUGH THE THROUGH THE DAY.

YOU JUST YOU DON'T HEAR YOU HEAR THAT.

SO THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO TALK.

THANK YOU.

KIM ROLAND. GOOD MORNING.

MY NAME IS KIM ROLAND.

I LIVE AT 1190 DICKERSON ROAD.

I'M HERE TO ADDRESS THE BLACK ANKLE ROAD BRIDGE SITUATION.

FROM THE ASPECT OF PUBLIC SAFETY.

NOT ONLY IS IT INCONVENIENT FOR EVERYBODY WHO LIVES THERE AND COSTING US MORE MONEY AND FUEL TO MAKE THE DETOUR AROUND THIS AREA IS GETTING VERY BUILT UP.

AND THIS BRIDGE BEING OUT IS AFFECTING FIRE, POLICE AND EMS RESPONSE.

THIS AREA IS GETTING BUILT UP GREATLY.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT KIND OF OVERSIGHT IS GOING IN ON THESE SUBDIVISIONS.

AND IT'S SO IMPORTANT TO GET RESPONSE FOR FIRE AND EMS AND THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT OUT IN THIS AREA.

SO I DON'T KNOW.

THERE SEEMS TO BE A LOT OF EXCUSES, ESPECIALLY WITH THE AT&T CABLE BEING BUILT.

I DON'T KNOW WHY THAT IS AFFECTING THIS BRIDGE BEING PUT IN.

AT&T CAN THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX, FIGURE OUT SOMETHING ELSE.

THIS BRIDGE MUST GO IN AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

IT'S BEEN OVER TWO MONTHS AND THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

NO MORE CITIZENS COMMENTS.

OKAY. THANK YOU.

ALL RIGHT, COMMISSIONERS, WITH THAT WILL MOVE TO THE CONSENT AGENDA.

[CONSENT AGENDA]

OTHERWISE, LOOK FOR A MOTION TO APPROVE.

I'LL MAKE A MOTION WE APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA.

WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE CONSENT.

DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND? WE HAVE A MOTION.

AND SECOND, ALL IN FAVOR.

SAY AYE.

AYE. OPPOSED, HEARING NONE, MOTION CARRIES.

NEXT ITEM WE HAVE A SPECIAL PRESENTATION FROM PAGE JOHNSON FOR THE CHILDREN'S CARAVAN AND TO ASK FOR SUPPORT FOR THIS YEAR.

[SPECIAL PRESENTATION]

[00:15:44]

THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK TODAY.

AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT TO THE CALDWELL COUNTY CHILDREN'S CARAVAN.

MY NAME IS PAIGE JOHNSON, AND I'M HERE TODAY REPRESENTING THE SEATON HAYES FOUNDATION AND THE CHILDREN'S CARAVAN.

THE SETON HAYES FOUNDATION IS A 501 C3 NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION WHOSE PURPOSE IS TO FUNDRAISE FOR THE ASCENSION TEXAS'S SOUTH MARKET OF HOSPITALS, WHICH INCLUDES ASCENSION, SETON, EDGAR B.

DAVIS HOSPITAL IN LULING.

ALTHOUGH WE WORK ON VARIOUS INITIATIVES, ONE OF MY PRIMARY FOCUSES IS THE CHILDREN'S CARAVAN, AND MY INVESTMENT IN THE CARAVAN GOES BEYOND MY JOB DESCRIPTION AS MY HUSBAND AND I AND OUR FAMILIES ARE FROM THIS COMMUNITY.

WE'RE RAISING OUR CHILDREN HERE, AND IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE SEE OUR COMMUNITY THRIVE.

AS YOU ARE PROBABLY AWARE.

HISTORICALLY, CALDWELL COUNTY IS ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED.

WE'RE TYPICALLY ABOVE THE NATIONAL AVERAGE REGARDING POVERTY RATE.

IN 2019, IT WAS REPORTED THAT WE HAD AN 18.9% POVERTY RATE, WHICH IS 80% ABOVE THE NATIONAL AVERAGE OF 10.5%.

OF OUR RESIDENTS UNDER 65.

23% ARE UNINSURED, AND AN ADDITIONAL 27% ARE UNDERINSURED, WHICH IS A COMBINATION OF 50% OF THE SEGMENT UNDER 65 BEING UNDERINSURED OR UNINSURED.

COMPLETELY OF 254 TEXAS COUNTIES, CALDWELL COUNTY RANKS 124TH FOR HEALTH OUTCOMES AND 168 FOR HEALTH FACTORS, MAKING IT THE UNHEALTHIEST COUNTY OF ALL THE COUNTIES WHERE ASCENSION SETON IS PRESENT IN TEXAS.

HEALTH OUTCOMES ARE MEASURED BY THE LENGTH AND QUALITY OF LIFE, WHERE HEALTH FACTORS ASSESS THE VARIABLES AND THEIR RELATIONSHIPS, SUCH AS QUALITY OF CARE AND ACCESS TO CARE.

AND THESE HEALTH FACTORS DIRECTLY IMPACT OUR HEALTH OUTCOMES.

THE CHILDREN'S CARAVAN IS A CUSTOMIZED VEHICLE THAT IS AN RV SHELL WITH AN EQUIPPED INTERIOR OF A STANDARD DOCTOR'S OFFICE.

AS LONG AS WE HAVE SOMEONE WHO CAN DRIVE IT BECAUSE IT IS VERY LARGE, IT'S VERY INTIMIDATING.

WE ARE AT FOUR DIFFERENT LOCATIONS WITHIN CALDWELL COUNTY ON A WEEKLY BASIS, AND USUALLY IT'S AT THE SCHOOLS.

SO IT'S EVEN MORE ACCESSIBLE TO THESE CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES.

WE TREAT PATIENTS AGES 0 TO 18, REGARDLESS OF THEIR ABILITY TO PAY.

LAST FISCAL YEAR, WE SAW 205 BRAND NEW PATIENTS AND WE ADMINISTERED 1445 IMMUNIZATIONS.

THIS VAN TYPICALLY COSTS ANNUALLY $240,000 PER YEAR IN OPERATING COSTS, AND THIS WAS IN ABOUT 2019. SO IN THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS, THAT HAS PROBABLY GONE UP.

OF ALL THE CHILDREN TREATED BY THE CARAVAN, 91.8% OF OUR VISITS ARE UN OR UNDERINSURED.

LET ME SAY THAT ONE MORE TIME.

NEARLY 92% OF OUR VISITS ARE UNINSURED, WHICH IS JUST MIND BLOWING.

MOST OF THESE CHILDREN WOULD NOT RECEIVE THE MEDICAL CARE THAT THEY NEED, EITHER DUE TO LACK OF TRANSPORTATION AND OR COST.

IF NOT ADDRESSED, CALDWELL COUNTY'S YOUTH WILL NOT HAVE AFFORDABLE AND ACCESSIBLE QUALITY HEALTH CARE, WHICH WILL RESULT IN NEGATIVE EFFECTS IN OTHER AREAS OF THEIR LIVES.

FOR EXAMPLE, THE PANDEMIC PUT MANY CHILDREN BEHIND IN SCHOOL, AND A LOT OF THEM ARE STILL TRYING TO CATCH UP.

MISSING SCHOOL BECAUSE THEY LACK PROPER IMMUNIZATIONS, WHICH THEY COULD EASILY RECEIVE FROM THE CARAVAN IS JUST UNACCEPTABLE.

AND ACCORDING TO A NATIONAL SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE ROBERT WOOD JOHNSON FOUNDATION, THEY FOUND THAT NEARLY ONE IN FIVE UNINSURED CHILDREN DID NOT RECEIVE MEDICAL TREATMENT NEEDED FOR A CHRONIC ILLNESS THAT WAS SERIOUS ENOUGH TO KEEP THEM FROM FUNCTIONING IN SCHOOL.

[00:20:07]

THOSE WITH A CHRONIC DISEASE ARE LESS LIKELY TO BE ABLE TO WORK OR HAVE A HARD TIME KEEPING THEIR JOB, RESULTING IN A LOWER INCOME, WHICH THEN RESULTS OTHER AREAS OF THEIR LIVES, SUCH AS AN EXAMPLE OF MENTAL HEALTH THAT COULD DECLINE THEIR MENTAL HEALTH.

IN 2020, THE CDC ESTIMATED THAT 90% OF NATIONAL HEALTH CARE SPENDING GOES TOWARDS CHRONIC DISEASE MANAGEMENT AND MENTAL HEALTH CARE.

IT'S ALSO BEEN FOUND THAT MOST INDIVIDUALS WHO DO NOT HAVE AFFORDABLE AND ACCESSIBLE HEALTH CARE TEND TO USE THE EMERGENCY ROOM FOR THEIR PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIAN, WHICH IS MORE COSTLY. SO THIS IS PAINTING A BIGGER PICTURE OF A BIGGER ISSUE THAN JUST UNHEALTHY YOUTH IN THIS COUNTY, WHICH DON'T GET ME WRONG, IS NOT GOOD TO BEGIN WITH, BUT IT AFFECTS WAY MORE THAN THAT.

IT SHOWS HOW THE CHILDREN AND THEIR HEALTH IMPACT THE FUTURE SUCCESS OF THIS COMMUNITY.

CALDWELL COUNTY SUCCESS IS GOING TO BE CONTINGENT ON ADDRESSING THIS CORE ISSUE BECAUSE HEALTH IS AT THE CORE OF ALL OF THESE OTHER ASPECTS THAT AFFECTS EDUCATION, INCOME LEVEL, EVEN MENTAL HEALTH.

FOR EXAMPLE, IN 2019, THE SETON HAYES FOUNDATION CREATED A SOLUTION FOR THIS PROBLEM THE CHILDREN'S HEALTH CARE ENDOWMENT AT ASCENSION, SETON EDGAR B DAVIS.

ONCE WE HIT OUR GOAL, WHICH IS $1.5 MILLION, THIS ENDOWMENT WILL BE PERMANENTLY DEDICATED TO ENSURING THE CHILDREN OF THIS COMMUNITY AFFORDABLE AND ACCESSIBLE HEALTH CARE, REGARDLESS OF THEIR SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS.

CURRENTLY, THE SETON HAYES FOUNDATION IS WORKING WITH MANY DEDICATED COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO ARE MAKING PRIVATE CONTRIBUTIONS TO THIS ENDOWMENT.

AND WE USED TO HAVE AN ANNUAL FUNDRAISING EVENT IN 2019 WHEN WE DECIDED TO SWITCH TO THE ENDOWMENT.

WE STOPPED THE FUND, THE ANNUAL FUNDRAISING EVENT, BECAUSE IT LIMITED THE WAY THAT PEOPLE COULD SUPPORT THE VAN.

IT WAS EITHER THROUGH CASH GIFTS OR DONATING A SILENT AUCTION ITEM, WHICH WERE VERY HELPFUL, BUT DEPENDING SOLELY ON ONE NIGHT OF FUNDRAISING, WAS NOT RELIABLE ENOUGH.

SO ONCE WE GET THIS ENDOWMENT FUNDED, IT'S GOING TO BE SELF-SUSTAINING AND WE'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE TO CONTINUE ASKING THESE VERY IMPORTANT, DEDICATED COMMUNITY MEMBERS FOR THE NEXT 20 YEARS TO KEEP SUPPORTING THIS VAN.

IT WILL BE SELF-SUSTAINING.

IT ALSO ALLOWS COMMUNITY MEMBERS DIFFERENT WAYS TO GIVE, SUCH AS PLEDGING A GIFT THAT COULD BE PAID OVER SEVERAL YEARS OR MAKING EVEN A GIFT THROUGH THEIR ESTATE, THEIR WILL, IF THEY'RE NOT ABLE TO MAKE A GIFT RIGHT NOW, MANY ASCENSION EMPLOYEES EVEN DIRECT A PORTION OF THEIR PAYCHECKS TO THE CARE OF AN ENDOWMENT BECAUSE WE SEE ITS FIRSTHAND IMPORTANCE.

IT'S GOING TO TAKE A COMMUNITY TO REALIZE THIS ENDOWMENT.

WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO COME TOGETHER FOR THIS.

THIS IS A CHANCE TO HAVE A LASTING DIFFERENCE FOR GENERATIONS TO COME ON THESE CHILDREN AND ALSO OUR COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE.

SO AS LEADERS OF THIS COMMUNITY, I ASK YOU ON BEHALF OF THESE CHILDREN AND THESE FAMILIES THAT WE SERVE TO PLEASE CONSIDER AN ANNUAL CONTRIBUTION OF $4,000 THIS YEAR TO THE ENDOWMENT.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND YOUR CONSIDERATION.

AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT TO US.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

WE'RE GOING TO GO AHEAD AND MOVE TO ITEM TEN, DISCUSSION ACTION REGARDING THE BURN BAN, HECTOR.

[10. Discussion/Action regarding the burn ban.]

JUST GIVE YOU A BRIEF UPDATE ON THE FIRE SITUATION HERE IN CALDWELL COUNTY.

SINCE THE LAST TIME WE MET.

WE'VE HAD A FEW A FEW FIRES OUT IN THE COUNTY.

MAJORITY OF THOSE FIRES ARE ILLEGAL BURNS WHERE PEOPLE WERE BURNING CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS AND OTHER THINGS THEY WEREN'T SUPPOSED TO BE BURNING.

I WANT TO THANK ALBERT LUNA AND HIS TEAM FOR COMING OUT AND ASSISTING US ON THESE FIRES BECAUSE THEY THEY'RE TAKING OVER THE CASES AND FILING CHARGES ON THESE PEOPLE THAT ARE BURNING ILLEGALLY OUT THERE.

AND ALSO, WE'VE HAD A I KNOW IT'S THAT TIME OF THE YEAR WHERE IF YOU HAVE A BARBECUE PIT AND YOU'RE TRANSPORTING IT FROM ONE LOCATION TO THE OTHER AND PEOPLE LIKE TO START THEIR FIRES AT HOME WHILE THEY GET IT TO THE LOCATION THEY'RE GOING TO.

PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT YOUR BURN BOXES ARE HIGHLY SECURED.

[00:25:01]

STARTED A FIRE ALL THE WAY FROM GONZALES THROUGH LOCKHART.

SO WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THOSE BARBECUE PITS ARE NICE AND SECURED.

CURRENTLY, WE HAD SOME RAIN, NOT A LOT, BUT WE GOT SOME.

SOME PEOPLE IN SOUTHERN CALDWELL COUNTY GOT A LITTLE BIT OVER AN INCH.

LOCKHART HERE IN THE NORTHERN SIDE OF TOWN WHERE I LIVE, I ONLY GOT A 10TH AND SOME OTHER PEOPLE GOT ALMOST ZERO.

RIGHT NOW, THE KBDI NUMBERS MINIMUM IS 317.

THE MAX IS 500.

THE AVERAGE IS 3.97 FOR A CHANGE OF PLUS EIGHT.

WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A FEW ONGOING LITTLE SHOWERS HERE AND THERE, BUT IT'S GOING TO KEEP THE GRASS GREEN.

IT'S GOING TO KEEP OUR FIRE DANGER DOWN.

SO I RECOMMEND THAT WE KEEP THE FIRE THE BURN BAN OFF.

SO I'LL MAKE THE MOTION TO LEAVE THE BURN BAN OFF.

OKAY. WE HAVE A MOTION TO TAKE THE BURN BAN OFF.

DO WE HAVE A SECOND? WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

AYE.

OPPOSE, HEARING NONE, MOTION CARRIES.

THANK YOU. ITEM 11, DISCUSSION ACTION TO CONSIDER ADOPTING RESOLUTION

[11. Discussion/Action to consider adopting Resolution 32-2022. stating the County's opposition to the 130 Industrial Park's application to amend its permitted operational hours to 24/7 operation.]

I'LL GO AHEAD AND READ THE RESOLUTION.

RESOLUTION 32-022 RESOLUTION OF CALDWELL COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT.

WHEREAS CALDWELL COUNTIES IS A SUBDIVISION OF THE STATE OF TEXAS.

AND WHEREAS, COMMISSIONERS COURT OF CALDWELL COUNTY, TEXAS HAS A DUTY TO ASSIST RESIDENTS TO ENSURE THE HEALTH, SAFETY, WELFARE OF ITS RESIDENTS AND THE PUBLIC AT LARGE.

AND WHEREAS, THE 130 ENVIRONMENTAL PARK SOLID WASTE LANDFILL WAS INITIALLY PERMITTED BY THE TEXAS COMMISSION ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY TO OPERATE BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 5 A.M. TO 9 P.M.

MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY.

AND WHEREAS, THE 130 ENVIRONMENTAL PARK LANDFILL NOW SEEKS TO EXTEND ITS OPERATING HOURS TO 24/7 OPERATING SCHEDULE.

AND WHEREAS, THE LOCATION OF THE LANDFILL CONTINUES TO BE SURROUNDED BY RURAL RESIDENTIAL USES.

AND WHEREAS, THE COMMISSIONERS COURT PREVIOUSLY OPPOSED THE APPLICATION ON 130 ENVIRONMENTAL PARK SOLID WASTE LANDFILL ON THE GROUNDS THAT INCLUDED, AMONG OTHER CONCERNS, THAT THE LANDFILL WOULD GENERATE A VARIETY OF NUISANCE CONDITIONS.

WHEREAS THE COMMISSIONERS COURT CONTINUES TO HARBOR CONCERNS OF ADVERSE CONSEQUENCES TO HEALTH, SAFETY AND WELFARE OF ITS RESIDENTS AND THE PUBLIC AT LARGE RESULTING FROM THE LANDFILLS OPERATION.

AND WHEREAS, IN PUBLIC HEARING, NUMEROUS RESIDENTS APPEARED BEFORE COMMISSIONERS COURT AND RECOUNTED THEIR EXPERIENCES WITH NUISANCE CONDITIONS GENERATED BY THE LANDFILL.

AND WHEREAS, ALL PUBLIC COMMENT EXPRESSED THE CONCERNS OF CALDWELL COUNTY RESIDENTS THAT EXTENDING THE LANDFILLS HOURS OF OPERATION WOULD RESULT IN CONTINUAL, UNENDING AND WORSENING NUISANCE CONDITIONS GENERATED BY THE LANDFILL.

AND WHEREAS, NO RESIDENTS SPOKE IN SUPPORT OF EXTENDING THE LANDFILLS HOURS OF OPERATION.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CALDWELL COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT THAT THE CALDWELL COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT OPPOSES EXTENDING THE OPERATING HOURS OF THE 130 ENVIRONMENTAL PARK SOLID WASTE LANDFILL ORDERED THIS 26TH DAY OF APRIL 2022.

COMMISSIONERS ENTERTAINING DISCUSSION NOW.

THANK YOU JUDGE.

JUDGE, HAVE YOU HAD ANY CONVERSATIONS OR OR HAS THERE BEEN ANY COMMUNICATION DIRECTED TOWARDS THE COMMISSIONER COURT FROM THE LANDFILL, FOLKS, AS TO THEIR METHOD, WHAT THEIR PROPOSED METHODS OF OPERATION WOULD BE? NOT NO, SIR, NOT NOT REGARDING THIS.

YOU MEAN YOUR MAIN REASONS FOR DOING IT.

REASONS THAT NO, SIR ARE GIVING YOU A LIKE.

ONE OF THE THINGS I'M CURIOUS ABOUT IS IF THEY WERE TO GO TO 24 HOUR OPERATIONS, HOW WOULD THAT OPERATION BE CONDUCTED? WHAT WOULD THEIR METHODS BE? WELL, YOU KNOW, WE'VE HEARD SOME TESTIMONY THAT THERE WILL BE BRIGHT LIGHTS, THAT THERE WILL BE LOTS OF TRUCK ACTIVITY WITH BEEPERS, THOSE TYPES OF THINGS.

AND I'M CURIOUS IF THAT WOULD BE THE CASE AND WHAT THE LANDFILL COULD OR COULDN'T DO TO MITIGATE THOSE? I HAVEN'T I HAVE NO WAY OF KNOWING SINCE THEY'VE NOT CONTACTED US.

I DO KNOW, HAVING BEEN OUT THERE A FEW TIMES.

EVERY TIME YOU PUT A BULLDOZER OR A MOTOR SCRAPER OR ANYTHING IN REVERSE, IT BEEPS.

IT'S NOT JUST THE TRUCKS.

AND SO ASSUMING THAT IT OPERATES THE WAY IT OPERATES NOW, AT THE END OF THE CYCLE WHERE THEY'RE ACCEPTING WASTE, WHICH OUT

[00:30:09]

SO I CAN ONLY ASSUME THAT THAT IF THEY EXTEND THE HOURS THAT THEY TAKE WASTE, THAT THEN THOSE HOURS OF COVERING WOULD BE EXTENDED. SO THAT'S THAT'S WITHOUT HAVING HAVING CONTACT FROM ANYONE OTHERWISE THAT'D BE MY ASSUMPTION.

I'M SUPPORTIVE OF THE RESOLUTION, WITH KIND OF THE CAVEAT THAT I'M I'M OPEN TO CONVERSATIONS WITH THE LANDFILL FOLKS REGARDING THE EVENING AND NIGHT ACTIVITIES.

AND I'M ALSO OPEN TO DISCUSSIONS ABOUT WHAT OTHER PROGRAMS OR OUR ACTIVITIES THAT WOULD BENEFIT THE RESIDENTS OF CALDWELL COUNTY MIGHT BE DISCUSSED AS PART OF THAT CONVERSATION.

BUT I THINK RIGHT NOW WE HAVEN'T HAD IT.

WE'VE HAD MINIMAL, IF ANY, COMMUNICATION WITH THE LANDFILL FOLKS AS TO AS TO BETTERING OUR UNDERSTANDING OF HOW THIS WOULD OPERATE OR I HAVEN'T.

AND SO I WOULD LIKE TO OPEN THAT DIALOG.

AND BUT FOR THE TIME BEING, I'M SUPPORTIVE OF THE RESOLUTION.

AT THIS TIME. ANY OTHER DISCUSSION, COMMISSIONERS? WELL, MY STANCE HAVEN'T CHANGED AT ALL, AND I DON'T WANT TO.

I AM REALLY FOR THIS RESOLUTION.

WE WE DO NOT NEED FOR THEM TO STAY OPEN 24 HOURS A DAY.

THAT WOULD BE JUST ADDING INSULT TO INJURY TO THE PEOPLE THAT'S OUT THERE AROUND THAT THAT LANDFILL.

SO CERTAINLY I'M 1,000% FOR ITEM 11.

I'M SUPPORTIVE OF THE RESOLUTION.

BUT I ALSO FOLLOW WITH WHAT COMMISSIONER THERIOT SAID, IF THERE'S NOT BEEN ANY COMMUNICATION AS TO HOW THEY WOULD.

BUT WHAT MAKES THEM WANT TO? WHAT DROVE THEM TO WANT TO DO 24/7? WHAT ARE THEY PLANNING ON TAKING IN? HOW WOULD THEY ADDRESS DOING THEIR COVERAGE? AT WHAT TIME OF DAY? SO, YEAH, I'M VERY SUPPORTIVE IN WHAT COMMISSIONER THERIOT SAID AS WELL.

THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER WESTMORELAND.

I'LL I'LL ADD MY SUPPORT FOR THIS RESOLUTION AS WELL.

I DO THINK IT WOULD NOT BEHOOVE, UH, BE IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE RESIDENTS OUT THERE FOR THEM TO DO THIS AT THIS TIME.

THE LACK OF COMMUNICATION IS, IS SUBSTANTIALLY MATTERS TO A SUBSTANTIAL PORTION FOR ME.

AND I DO THINK IT ALWAYS IS, IS IN OUR BEST INTEREST TO FLESH OUT ANY ISSUES AS THEY COME, BUT WITHOUT COMMUNICATION, THAT OBVIOUSLY CAN'T OCCUR. AND FOR THAT REASON, I'M SUPPORTIVE OF THIS RESOLUTION TODAY.

OKAY. ALL RIGHT, COMMISSIONERS, IN THAT CASE, I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 32-2022 STATING THE COUNTY'S OPPOSITION TO THE 130 INDUSTRIAL PARKS APPLICATION TO AMEND ITS PERMITTED OPERATIONAL HOURS TO 24/7.

SO MOVE. WE HAVE A MOTION TO HAVE A SECOND.

SECOND. WE HAVE A MOTION IN A SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR. SAY I.

I OPPOSED HEARING NINE MOTION CARRIES.

ITEM 12, DISCUSSION ACTION.

[12. Discussion/Action to discuss a $3,000 donation requested from CARTS.]

I'LL ASK EZZY TO COME UP HERE AND ASK YOU A QUESTION EARLIER.

I'M SORRY, COMMISSIONER, NOT TO EXCEED $3,000.

I DIDN'T READ THEM, BUT I THINK SHE CAN FILL US IN A LITTLE BIT.

THIS BROUGHT BACK A LITTLE MEMORY FOR ME.

I COULDN'T REMEMBER WHEN.

YES, THAT IS CORRECT.

THIS IS A LETTER FOR THEM REQUESTING THE $3,000 THAT THEY HAD ASKED US TO.

LAST YEAR, AROUND JUNE, THEY SENT US A LETTER ASKING US TO PUT THE PUT THAT IN OUR BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 22.

WE DID PUT IT IN THE BUDGET.

I DID SEND SUBMIT A BUDGET REPORT ON THERE.

SO THAT'S WHAT WE HAVE LEFT IN OUR DONATION LINE ITEM.

THAT DOES INCLUDE THE MONEY FOR THAT IF YOU WANT TO DONATE THAT MUCH.

COMMISSIONERS, ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? OK, WE HAVE A MOTION.

I'LL MAKE A MOTION THAT WE DONATE THE 3000 OR SEND THE CHECK THE $3,000 TO [INAUDIBLE] THAT WE BUDGETED FOR.

[00:35:05]

DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND, WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR. SAY AYE.

OPPOSED HEARING NONE, MOTION CARRIES.

ITEM 13 DISCUSSION ACTION TO CONSIDER APPROVAL OF A TEMPORARY EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT BETWEEN CALDWELL COUNTY AND SCOTTY CANNON AND AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY JUDGE TO EXECUTE

[13. Discussion/ Action to consider approval of a temporary employment contract between Caldwell County and Scotty Cannon, and authorizing the County Judge to execute the same.]

HE HAS A CONTRACT EMPLOYEE.

HOWEVER, BECAUSE OF VIRUS REGULATIONS, WE DO HAVE TO DO FATCA WITHHOLDING AND ALL THE OTHER THINGS THAT WE WOULD DO WITH ANOTHER EMPLOYEE.

AND HE WOULD BE OUR IT, HEAD OF IT.

[INAUDIBLE] COMMISSIONERS. JUST IN LIGHT OF THE PREVIOUS CONTRACTS THAT WE HAD DISCUSSED.

THERE IS A TERMINATION DATE.

IT ENDS AT THIS BUDGET CYCLE SO THAT DEPENDING ON WHAT YOU ALL CHOOSE TO DO, THIS NEXT BUDGET ROUND, THIS THIS CONTRACT COULD EITHER BE EXTENDED THROUGH NORMAL EMPLOYMENT OR THE CONTRACT JUST TERMINATES.

AND ONE THING I MIGHT THROW IN IS GOING THIS ROUTE RATHER THAN HAVING THEM COME THROUGH THE SERVICE THAT WE'VE BEEN USING IN THREE WEEKS, WE ACTUALLY SAVE A LITTLE MONEY ON THIS DEAL.

SO. ANY QUESTIONS? IF NOT, WOULD LOOK FOR A MOTION.

I MOVE TO APPROVE ITEM 13.

MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM 13.

WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND. WE HAVE MOTION AND A SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

AYE. OPPOSED, HEARING NONE, MOTION CARRIES.

ITEM 14 DISCUSSION ACTION AND CONSIDER THE APPROVAL OF BUDGET AMENDMENT 51 TO TRANSFER MONEY FROM 001-6510-4860

[14. Discussion/Action to consider the approval of Budget Amendment #51 to transfer money from (001-6510-4860) Contingency to (001-6610-1020) for the IT manager contacted Caldwell County Employee position.]

AND COMMISSIONERS I SEE HERE.

SO WE'RE MOVING.

I CAN IF YOU WANT.

THANK YOU. YES, NO PROBLEM.

SO WITH THIS, WE'RE JUST MOVING THE $53,000 BECAUSE THAT'S GOING TO BE HOW MUCH IT'S GOING TO HAVE TO COST FOR THE END TO THE END OF THIS BUDGET CYCLE FOR MR. CANNON. WE'RE JUST TAKING THAT $53,000 FROM CONTINGENCY AND MOVING IT INTO THE IT DEPARTMENT LINE ITEMS, WHICH IS YOUR APPOINTED OFFICIAL AND THEN THE BENEFITS FOR THAT INDIVIDUAL.

OKAY. ANY QUESTIONS, COMMISSIONERS? NOW, I WOULD LOOK FOR A MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM 14.

SO MOVED, WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM 14? DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND.

WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE, AYE.

OPPOSED? HEARING NONE MOTION CARRIES.

ITEM 15 DISCUSSION ACTION TO CONSIDER THE APPROVAL OF BUDGET AMENDMENT 44 TO TRANSFER MONEY FROM 001-6000-0940.

[15. Discussion/Action to consider the approval of Budget Amendment #44 to transfer money from (001-6000-0940) Reimbursed Revenue to (001-6560-4810) Commissioners Court Training for reimbursement check and to allocate expenditures.]

AND THEN WE'RE JUST MOVING IT BACK INTO THE TRAINING WHERE IT ORIGINALLY CAME OUT OF.

COMMISSIONERS. ANY QUESTIONS? IF NOT LOOK FOR A MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM 15.

SO MOVED.

WE HAVE A MOTION. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND. WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE, AYE.

OPPOSED? HEARING NONE MOTION CARRIES.

ITEM 16 DISCUSSION ACTION TO CONSIDER THE APPROVAL OF BUDGET AMENDMENT 45 TO TRANSFER MONEY FROM 001-6000-0950 INSURANCE

[16. Discussion/Action to consider the approval of Budget Amendment #45 to transfer money from (001-6000-0950) Insurance Proceeds to (001-6510-5610) General Fund Machinery and Equipment to receive TAC Insurance Proceeds and allocate expenditures for Xerox Invoice.]

YES. SO BACK IN SEPTEMBER, COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE, WE HAD A LIGHTNING STRIKE HIT THIS BUILDING AND IT TOOK OUT A COUPLE OF OUR XEROX COPIER DEVICES AND WE WENT THROUGH THE WHOLE INSURANCE PROCEED PROCESS.

AND THEY WE RECEIVED THE $37,000.

WE'RE JUST GOING TO GO AHEAD AND PUT THAT IN A MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT BECAUSE WE HAVE SOME QUOTES ON SOME NEW DEVICES FOR US.

COMMISSIONERS DO I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM 16.

[00:40:03]

ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE, AYE.

OPPOSED? HEARING NONE MOTION CARRIES.

[29. Discussion of the status of Black Ankle Rd. in the CDBG-DR Program Infrastructure Projects.]

DISCUSSION OF THE STATUS OF BLACK ANKLE ROAD IN THE CDBG-DR PROGRAM INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT, SPEAKER COMMISSIONER WESTMORELAND, DENNIS ENGELKE , DAVID CLARK AND DAVID JENKINS.

THANK YOU, JUDGE. FELLOW MEMBERS OF THE COURT.

I PLACED THIS ITEM ON THE AGENDA TODAY.

OBVIOUSLY, AS WE HEARD EARLIER DURING THE CITIZENS COMMENTS, THERE'S BEEN SOME SOME ISSUES WITH THIS PROJECT IN ORDER TO PREVENT ANY SORT OF WALKING QUORUM TYPE ISSUES WITHIN THE COURT, SINCE I KNOW MULTIPLE MEMBERS OF THE COURT HAD BEEN ASKED ABOUT THIS, I PLACED IT ON HERE AS A AS AN APPROPRIATE DISCUSSION.

IN ORDER TO JUST KIND OF GET THE LAY OF THE LAND, SO TO SPEAK.

I'M GOING TO ASK DENNIS JUST TO GIVE A STATUS UPDATE ON WHERE IT IS.

AND THEN I KNOW THAT I HAVE SOME QUESTIONS SPECIFIC TO THIS PROJECT ABOUT WHY SOME THINGS WERE DONE AND WHERE WE ARE GOING FORWARD.

AND THEN IF ANYBODY ELSE HAS ANY QUESTIONS AT THAT TIME, THAT WOULD BE THE APPROPRIATE PLACE.

BUT DENNIS, I'LL TURN OVER YOU FOR FOR A FEW MINUTES.

THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. JUDGE, GOOD MORNING.

JUST REFLECT BACK ON HISTORY.

BACK IN NOVEMBER OF 2019, THE COUNTY RECEIVED A GRANT FROM THE GLO GENERAL LAND OFFICE, FOR $1,458,279 TO REPAIR SOME SELECTED ROADS.

AS YOU MAY RECALL, WE ASKED EACH COMMISSIONER TO PICK A ROAD OUT OF THEIR PRECINCT AND THE FOUR ROADS THAT WERE SELECTED WERE POLITICAL, BLACK ANKLE, BIGGS, AND WITTER.

ONE OF THE POINTS THAT I WANT TO MAKE ABOUT THIS PROJECT IS, IS THAT THIS IS A FEDERAL PROJECT.

IT'S NOT A COUNTY PROJECT BECAUSE WE GOT THE GRANT.

SO WE'RE FACED KIND OF A DILEMMA.

WE AS THE GRANT ADMINISTRATOR, I'M ALWAYS LOOKING FOR FUNDS THAT MIGHT BE AVAILABLE TO THE COUNTY BECAUSE I'M UNDER THE BELIEF THAT EVERY DOLLAR WE GET IS ONE LESS TAX DOLLAR YOU GET.

BUT WHEN YOU GET GRANT MONEY, THERE COMES SOME STRINGS AND SOME GUIDELINES THAT ARE A LITTLE DIFFERENT THAN IF WE WERE WORKING WITH OUR UNIT ROAD DEPARTMENT ONLY ON ON THIS PROJECT. ONE OF THE THINGS THE WHEELS OF GOVERNMENT DON'T MOVE VERY QUICKLY.

AND WE FACE SOME ISSUES IN IN THIS PARTICULAR GRANT.

WE HAVE MORE AND MORE GUIDELINES LAYERS OF OF APPROVALS.

GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES DURING THIS TIME WERE BECAUSE OF COVID WE'RE WORKING FROM HOME, WHICH SLOWED DOWN THE FLOW OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DECISION MAKING.

THE GRANT HAS BEEN EXTENDED THROUGH NOVEMBER OF 2022 TO FINISH ALL FOUR ROADS, AND THAT'S WHERE WE ARE WITH THAT.

WE HAVE OTHER ISSUES THAT CAUSE DELAYS IN SOME OF THE CONSTRUCTION OTHER THAN THE WEATHER AND THE PANDEMIC.

YOU MAY RECALL WE ARE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE AN ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT ON THESE PROJECTS, WHICH INCLUDES SUCH THINGS AS WE HAD TO NOTIFY SIX INDIAN TRIBES AND MAKE THEM AWARE OF WORK THAT WAS BEING DONE AT THESE PARTICULAR SITES.

AND ONCE YOU NOTIFY THE INDIAN TRIBES, YOU HAVE TO GIVE THEM 30 DAYS TO RESPOND TO REGISTER ANY ISSUES THAT THEY MAY HAVE.

SO THAT SLOWED US DOWN.

ONE OF THE ISSUES THAT WE FACED WITH BLACK ANKLE MOST RECENTLY AND WE'RE HERE TO ADDRESS THAT PRIMARILY TODAY, IS, AS HAS BEEN MENTIONED IN SOME PREVIOUS TESTIMONY, WE DID DISCOVER THAT THERE IS AN AT&T LINE THERE IN IN THE RIGHT OF WAY.

AND WE CONTACTED THE AND I'LL LET OUR PROJECT MANAGERS TALK ABOUT THIS.

WE CONTACTED AT&T ABOUT MOVING THAT LINE AND THEY SAID THEY COULD DO IT, BUT IT'D TAKE ABOUT SIX MONTHS.

WELL, THAT'S NOT ACCEPTABLE IN OUR EYES.

SO WE HAD TO LOOK FOR OTHER OPTIONS.

AND ONE OF THE OPTIONS WAS TO MOVE THE CULVERTS FOUR FEET TO THE WHICH MOVED US INTO A DIFFERENT RIGHT OF WAY, WHICH THEN GENERATED THE POSSIBILITY WE WERE GOING TO HAVE TO CONTACT THE INDIAN TRIBES AGAIN, WHICH WOULD HAVE SLOWED THAT DOWN.

WE WORKED WITH OUR PROFESSIONAL CONTRACTOR, LANGFORD COMMUNITY MANAGEMENT SERVICES, AND WORKED WITH THE GENERAL LAND OFFICE AND THE TEXAS HISTORICAL COMMISSION AND BASICALLY GOT A WAIVER FROM HAVING TO CONTACT THE INDIAN TRIBES AGAIN.

WE THEN HAD TO WAIT ON APPROVAL FROM THE TEXAS HISTORICAL COMMISSION TO APPROVE THE CHANGE ORDER BY MOVING THE CULVERTS FOUR FEET.

WE GOT A READILY RESPONSE, POSITIVE RESPONSE ON THAT.

AND SO THAT KIND OF BRINGS US TO WHERE WE WHERE WE ARE TODAY.

I HAVE WITH US TODAY TO ANSWER QUESTIONS THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE AND CERTAINLY ASK THEM TO MAKE SOME OPENING COMMENTS IF THEY WOULD LIKE.

DAVID CLARK IS WITH DOUCET ENGINEERS AND ASSOCIATES.

HE'S OUR PROJECT MANAGER REPRESENTING OUR ENGINEERING INTEREST ON THIS PROJECT.

[00:45:04]

THEY ARE THE CONSTRUCTION COMPANY THAT WON THE BID TO DO THE WORK ON THESE FOUR ROADS.

SO I'M GOING TO TURN IT OVER TO DAVID CLARK AT THIS TIME.

GOOD MORNING, JUDGE. GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS.

MY NAME IS DAVID CLARK WITH DOUCET ENGINEERING I'M THE PROJECT MANAGER AND I REPRESENT THE DESIGNER FOR THE CALDWELL CDBG CULVERT AND ROADWAY IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT. TO ECHO SOME OF THE THINGS THAT DENNIS WAS TALKING ABOUT, THIS IS REALLY A NONSTANDARD PROJECT WHEN YOU TAKE A LOOK AT IT, YOU KNOW A LOT OF FOLKS LOOK AT CULVERT REPLACEMENT IS IT'S SIMPLE.

YOU TAKE OUT THE OLD STUFF, YOU PUT THE NEW STUFF IN, YOU'VE GOT BETTER IMPROVEMENT, YOU KNOW, IMPROVED CULVERT CAPACITY AND ROADWAY AND SAFETY.

WE HAD TO APPLY THAT TO FOUR DIFFERENT SITES, EACH WITH THEIR OWN SPECIFIC CHALLENGES.

AS YOU MENTIONED, IN 2019, THE GRANT WAS APPROVED, BUT BEFORE THAT, WE DID A LOT OF HYDRAULIC AND HYDROLOGIC MODELING.

A LOT OF THAT HAD TO BE VETTED.

SO AT EVERY STEP IN THE PROCESS, THERE'S ALWAYS MULTIPLE LEVELS OF REVIEW.

THERE'S THE GLO, THERE'S THE GRANT ADMINISTRATION, THERE'S THE COUNTY, THE ENGINEER, AND THEN ALL OF THAT HAS TO GO INTO CAN WE ACTUALLY CONSTRUCT THIS? CAN OUR CONTRACTOR ACTUALLY PERFORM THE WORK THAT'S IN THERE? SO ALL OF THAT COMBINES TO MAKE WHAT LOOKS LIKE A SIMPLE PROJECT A LITTLE MORE COMPLICATED THAN IT IS.

WE CERTAINLY UNDERSTAND THE FRUSTRATION FROM THE FOLKS IN THE AREA, ESPECIALLY WITH THE LONG DETOURS, THE NATURE OF THESE AREAS, THE REASON THAT THEY ARE DRAINAGE PROJECTS AND CULVERT REPLACEMENT PROJECTS IS THEY'RE KIND OF OUT IN THE BOONIES.

THEY'RE THEY'RE OUTSIDE OF A TOWN CENTER.

THERE'S NOT REALLY A WHOLE LOT OF OTHER ROADWAYS TO USE FOR DETOURS.

AND TEMPORARY DETOURS LIKE THE ONE WE USED AT THE POLITICAL ROAD SITE IS NOT ALWAYS FEASIBLE.

SOMETIMES RIGHT OF WAY ENTRY, YOU KNOW, EASEMENTS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

THEY'RE NOT ALWAYS FEASIBLE OR AMENABLE TO EVERYBODY INVOLVED.

SO, YOU KNOW, THERE'S CERTAIN SITUATIONS THAT WE'VE TRIED TO MITIGATE AS BEST WE CAN.

AND WE CERTAINLY LEARNED A LOT FROM THE FIRST TWO SITES THAT WE'VE WORKED ON SO FAR AS THEY APPLY TO THE REMAINING TWO SITES AT WIITER AND BIGGS ROAD, FOR EXAMPLE, WE HAVE ALREADY CALLED IN LOCATES FOR WITTER AND BIGGS ROAD TO MAKE SURE THAT WHATEVER UTILITIES ARE OUT THERE ARE MARKED.

AND WE KNOW ABOUT IT.

WE'VE ALREADY ACTUALLY, AS OF ABOUT 20 MINUTES AGO, CLEARED A UTILITY ISSUE THAT WE THOUGHT WE MIGHT HAVE AT WITTER ROAD AGAIN WITH AT&T.

SO WE'RE LEARNING ABOUT THAT.

WE'RE ALSO LEARNING TO REACH OUT TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS, EMERGENCY SERVICES, MAIL ROUTES, GARBAGE ROUTES.

ANYONE THAT WE CAN THINK OF THAT WILL BE IMPACTED BY HAVING TO TAKE THIS DETOUR SO THAT WE GIVE THEM ENOUGH TIME TO PLAN ACCORDINGLY.

AND THE SCHOOL DISTRICT ACTUALLY WAS VERY HELPFUL AND VERY PROMPT IN THEIR RESPONSE AND BEING ABLE TO ADJUST BUS ROUTES AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

SO WE ARE LEARNING FROM THESE EXPERIENCES AS WE GO FORWARD FOR THIS NONSTANDARD PROJECT.

BUT WE'RE ALSO ONE THING I WANTED TO MENTION WAS THE ACTUAL CULVERT REPLACEMENT PROJECTS.

EACH ONE OF THESE SITES ORIGINALLY HAD VERY OLD INFRASTRUCTURE, AT POLITICAL ROAD THE CULVERTS WEREN'T ACTUALLY INTENDED FOR USE AS CULVERTS. THEY WERE TRAIN CARS, THEY WERE OIL TANKER CARS.

THEY'D SAW THE ENDS OFF OF THAT HAVE RUSTED AWAY AFTER YEARS AND YEARS OF USE TO THE POINT AT POLITICAL ROAD, THERE WAS ACTUALLY A HOLE IN THE ROADWAY THAT YOU COULD SEE DOWN THROUGH THE TRAIN CAR INTO THE CULVERT BOTTOM.

SO THEY WERE IN ROUGH SHAPE TO BEGIN WITH.

THE IMPROVEMENTS THAT ARE GOING IN ARE NOT ONLY IMPROVING THE ACTUAL BOX CULVERTS WITH CONCRETE BOX CULVERTS, BUT WE'RE ALSO PUTTING UP GUARDRAIL IN FLOODING EVENTS.

IT'S NOT ALWAYS EASY TO TELL WHERE THE ROADWAY IS AT SOME OF THESE LOW WATER CROSSINGS, ASIDE FROM THE CULVERT MARKERS THAT STICK UP AT THE EDGE OF EACH EACH BOX CULVERT.

BUT THE ADDITION OF GUARDRAIL IMPROVES THE SAFETY FOR FOLKS THAT ARE ABLE TO CROSS OVER UNLESS WATER IS OVER THE ROAD, WHICH NOBODY SHOULD EVER CROSS ANY CULVERT ANYWHERE AT ANY TIME IF THERE'S WATER OVER THE ROAD.

BUT HAVING THE GUARDRAIL THERE KEEPS FOLKS FROM GOING OFF OF THE EDGE, GOING INTO THE EMBANKMENT, GOING INTO FLOOD WATERS.

SO IT'S NOT JUST THAT WE'RE REPLACING OLD PIPES WITH NEW PIPES, IS WE'RE IMPROVING THE ACTUAL PERFORMANCE OF THIS AND ALLOWING FOR THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF CALDWELL COUNTY TO PROGRESS SAFELY AND AND MAKE SURE THAT THE INFRASTRUCTURE THAT WE INSTALL SERVES A VERY LONG, USEFUL LIFE.

GOOD MORNING. I'M DAVID JENKINS, SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER WITH WJC.

GOOD MORNING THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS.

WE WE WORKED DILIGENTLY WITH THE COUNTY TO WORK THROUGH ALL THE ISSUES.

THERE'S BEEN QUITE A FEW AND MOST OF THEM WERE UNFORESEEN.

AND I HATE TO BE REDUNDANT, BUT WELCOME TO CONSTRUCTION.

AND WHEN YOU'RE OUT IN THE RURAL AREAS WHERE NOBODY KNOWS WHERE ANYTHING IS [INAUDIBLE].

WE'RE HERE TO WORK THROUGH THE ISSUES WITH YOU, GET IT DONE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

WE HAVE WE HAVE EQUIPMENT, MATERIALS SITTING ON SITE AS WE SPEAK, AND WE HOPE TO BE BACK OUT THERE WITHIN A COUPLE OF DAYS.

[00:50:07]

IT WAS DRIZZLING RAIN. AND WE'LL BUT WE'LL WORK THROUGH THE CHALLENGES.

WE'RE HERE TO WORK WITH YOU.

THANK YOU. I'LL JUST.

WE'RE OPEN TO ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM THE COMMISSIONERS.

GO AHEAD, COMMISSIONER. I THINK MY YOU KNOW, I KNOW WE BRIEFLY TOUCHED ON THE UTILITY LOCATE ISSUE WAS WAS A UTILITY LOCATE DONE PRIOR TO THE REMOVAL OF THE EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE ON BLACK ANKLE.

YES, SIR. IT WAS WJC CALLED IN LOCATES AS PER USUAL THE EVEN WITH LOCATES AND MARKS ON THE GROUND, FLAGS ON THE GROUND LIKE WE'VE SEEN IT, PRETTY MUCH EVERY SINGLE CONSTRUCTION SITE EVER SURVEY AND LOCATES ARE NOT 100% ACCURATE.

IN ORDER TO GIVE US THE ACTUAL SIZE, DEPTH AND LOCATION, THEY GIVE YOU A RANGE WITHIN ABOUT FOUR OR FIVE FEET OF WHERE THAT LINE COULD BE.

SO, YOU KNOW, EVEN EVEN WITH SURVEY, IF WE HAD HAD THAT MARKED WITH GIS, IT COULD BE OFF BY THREE OR FOUR FEET, WHICH IS THE CASE THAT WE HAD AT BLACK ANGLE ROAD, RIGHT.

A LONG TIME AGO, USED TO BE INVOLVED IN SOME TYPE OF EXCAVATION STUFF.

I KNOW YOU HAVE TO POTHOLE IT AND TRY TO FIGURE OUT EXACTLY WHERE THE LINE IS BEFORE YOU CAN ASSUME ANYTHING.

I JUST THINK THE I THINK WE'RE A LOT OF THIS REALLY GOT OFF THE RAILS TO BEGIN WITH WAS I TOUCHED ON THIS EARLIER ON ANOTHER AGENDA ITEM, I THINK THERE THERE WAS MORE OF A LACK OF COMMUNICATION ISSUE.

AND I THINK SOME OF THAT COULD HAVE BEEN MITIGATED IF CERTAIN EITHER COUNTY STAFF AND OR MYSELF OR OTHER INDIVIDUALS HAD BEEN MADE AWARE THAT THE THAT THE THAT THE BRIDGE WAS GOING TO OVER CULVERTS WERE GOING TO GO AHEAD AND BE REMOVED.

I THINK THAT'S KIND OF WHERE MY I DON'T WANT TO SAY FRUSTRATION, BUT A LITTLE BIT OF PERPLEXITY IS THE LITERALLY THE FIRST I HEARD OF IT WAS AN EMAIL THAT WE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE BUS ROUTES.

AND I THINK THAT SOME OF THAT SHOULD HAVE AND COULD HAVE BEEN MITIGATED BEFOREHAND.

WE COULD HAVE GOTTEN AHEAD OF THE PROBLEM AS OPPOSED TO TRYING TO SOLVE IT FROM BEHIND, BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY THE DETOURS ON THESE TWO WERE WERE EXTENSIVE THAN THEIR LONG AND IT WAS ALWAYS GOING TO BE INCONVENIENT FOR THOSE WHO WERE NOT ONLY RESIDENTS OF THE AREA, BUT ALSO PROPERTY OWNERS IN THAT AREA.

IT WAS ALWAYS GOING TO BE DIFFICULT FOR THEM TO DEAL WITH THE DETOURS BECAUSE THEY ARE OF SUCH LENGTH.

AND I UNDERSTAND THAT IT IS A VERY RURAL AREA AND IT DOES HAVE INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICEABILITY PROBLEMS GOING FORWARD.

OBVIOUSLY THAT THAT FOR ME IS A PRIORITY ON THE REMAINING TWO AND I KNOW THEY'RE NOT IN MY PRECINCT, BUT JUST TRYING TO WATCH OUT FOR ANY OTHER ISSUES COMING FORWARD.

I THINK THE COMMUNICATION NEEDS TO BE BETTER THAN IT HAD BEEN ON THE FIRST TWO.

I KNOW THAT THIS IS SINCE IT'S A GRANT PROJECT, OBVIOUSLY UNIT ROAD ISN'T DOING IT IN HOUSE, BUT I DO THINK THERE PROBABLY DOES NEED TO BE A LITTLE BIT MORE COMMUNICATION WITH THEIR DEPARTMENT BECAUSE THEY DO FIELD PHONE CALLS SINCE IT IS STILL IN OUR SYSTEM FOR THAT, I THINK THAT NEEDS TO BE A PRIORITY MOVING FORWARD.

I KNOW WE'RE NOT TAKING ANY ACTION ON THIS, BUT THAT WOULD BE JUST A RECOMMENDATION FROM MYSELF AS WELL.

THE ONLY OTHER THING I WOULD ADD BEFORE I TURN IT OVER FOR ANY OTHER QUESTIONS WOULD BE THAT IT IS GOING TO BE GREATLY APPRECIATED IF IF IT'S FINISHED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE MOVING FORWARD, BECAUSE THE DELAYS AT THIS POINT, IT HAS BEEN FRUSTRATING BECAUSE IT IS SUCH A COMPLEX PROJECT.

IT'S DIFFICULT TO EXPLAIN TO AREA RESIDENTS THAT THIS IS THE PROCESS THAT WE HAVE TO GO THROUGH BECAUSE OF THE FUNDING MECHANISMS INVOLVED.

I, I PERFECTLY UNDERSTAND THAT RINGS HOLLOW WITH MOST PEOPLE.

AND I CAN UNDERSTAND THEIR FRUSTRATION FOR THE PERIOD OF TIME THAT THAT IT'S LOOKED LIKE NOTHING HAS BEEN BEING HAS BEEN DONE, EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE HAD TO HAVE THESE THESE CONVERSATIONS BEHIND THE SCENES, SO TO SPEAK, SO THAT THAT WOULD BE MY, YOU KNOW, LIVE AND LEARN LESSON MOVING FORWARD I GUESS ON ON THIS ONE . IT IS WHAT IT IS.

I DO THINK IT WILL GREATLY IMPROVE THE TRANSPORTATION IN THAT AREA WHEN IT'S DONE.

I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT IT WILL BE MUCH IMPROVED OVER WHAT WAS IN PLACE TO BEGIN WITH.

THAT'S THAT'S KIND OF WHERE WHERE WE WERE AT RIGHT NOW.

AND I'LL TURN IT OVER TO ANYBODY ELSE WHO HAS ANY OTHER QUESTIONS.

SO I AS WELL AND DIDN'T DISCUSS THIS WITH NO ONE WAS APPROACHED BY SEVERAL CITIZENS THAT LIVE OUT IN THAT AREA AND MOST OF THEM ARE FRIENDS OF MINE.

AND THE ONE OF THE BIGGER CONCERNS OTHER THAN NOT THE COMMUNICATION WAS THE ROAD CLOSURE AHEAD OR BRIDGE OUT IS NOT FAR ENOUGH BACK AT AN INTERSECTION THAT INTERSECTS WITH IT SO PEOPLE KNOW NOT TO GET THAT CLOSE TO THE BRIDGE.

THERE WAS AN 18 WHEELER THAT GOT ALL THE WAY THROUGH THERE AND ACTUALLY WAS TRYING TO BACK HIS TRUCK OUT FOR A LONG DISTANCE.

AND THE PEOPLE WENT DOWN AND SAID, NO, JUST TURN AROUND IN OUR FIELD.

AND SO HE DID.

SO I THINK THE BIGGS ROAD IS MY ROAD AND I THINK, YOU KNOW, AS IT GOES IN AND IT'S PRETTY MUCH

[00:55:06]

AND IF WE'RE STILL WORKING ON A BRIDGE THAT WE TOOK OUT OVER TWO MONTHS AGO AND WE STILL HAVEN'T COMPLETED IT, AND WE'VE GOT TWO MORE BRIDGES TO GO, ARE WE GOING TO MEET THAT DEADLINE WITH WITH WHAT'S GOING ON? WE CAN ASK AGAIN FOR ANOTHER EXTENSION FROM THE GLO.

OKAY. JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT GOT COVERED.

BUT I THINK AND WE DO HAVE A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE GLO HERE THIS MORNING.

I JUST FEEL THAT THE COMMUNICATION TO THE CITIZENS AS WELL AS THE SIGNAGE OF LETTING PEOPLE BE MORE AWARE THAT, YOU KNOW, NOT ONCE YOU GET THAT CLOSE TO IT AND YOU HAVE NO WAY OUT, YOU NEED TO HAVE THAT AT AN INTERSECTION SO THEY KNOW.

ROAD AND BLACK ANKLE AT THE SAME TIME JUST BECAUSE OF THE PROXIMITY AND THE OF EQUIPMENT AND SO FORTH.

WE'VE NOW MADE A DECISION THAT WE'RE GOING TO GO AHEAD AND SEAL AND CLOSE AND PAVE POLITICAL ROAD INDEPENDENT OF THE BLACK ANKLE ROAD, BECAUSE WE'RE STILL WORKING ON BLACK ANKLE. SO THOSE THAT ARE HAVE A CONNECTION WITH THE POLITICAL ROAD PROCESS.

WE'RE GOING TO GO AHEAD AND SEAL AND CLOSE AND PAVE THAT ROAD AND REMOVE THE DEBRIS AND JUST CLOSE THAT PROJECT OUT.

WANTED TO BRING YOU UP TO DATE ON THAT CHANGE ORDER THAT WE'RE WORKING ON RIGHT NOW.

THE NOTIFICATION PROCESS FOR FOR THE AREA, WAS IT JUST PURELY BASED UPON RESIDENCES OR WAS IT BASED UPON RESIDENTS AND OR PROPERTY OWNERS? PROPERTY OWNERS? BECAUSE WE HAD TO GO IN AND GET RIGHTS OF WAY EASEMENT SIGNED BY THE PROPERTY OWNERS AND FOR THE PROJECTS TO BEGIN.

YOU KNOW, NOT TO BEAT A DEAD HORSE, BUT GOING GOING FORWARD, NOTIFICATION NEEDS TO BE MUCH BETTER.

WE'VE HAD A LOT OF FRUSTRATION AROUND THIS.

THIS SECOND PROJECT IN PARTICULAR, BECAUSE PEOPLE WEREN'T AWARE.

AND SO AS YOU HEARD FROM MS. STUBING, SHE'S HAVING TO MAKE A 30 MINUTE DETOUR INSTEAD OF BEING ABLE TO GO 5 MINUTES ACROSS THE BRIDGE.

SO HAVE WE NOTIFIED HER OF THAT IN ADVANCE? I THINK IT WOULD HAVE.

I DON'T THINK IT WOULD HAVE MITIGATED ALL OF HER FRUSTRATION BECAUSE IT'S BEEN GOING ON A LONG TIME.

BUT AT LEAST SHE WOULD HAVE KNOWN WHAT WAS GOING ON FROM THE GET GO.

AND THERE ARE A COUPLE OF OTHER RESIDENTS ON THE ROAD THAT HAVE EXPRESSED THE SAME ISSUES.

SO VERY MUCH WANT TO SEE BETTER NOTIFICATION OF PEOPLE UP AND DOWN BIGGS ROAD.

IT'S GOING TO BE A TOUGH ONE.

SO THERE'S NO WAY TO KNOW.

YOU KNOW, THERE'S NO WAY THROUGH THERE.

THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE THE SAME THING, GO WAY AROUND TO GO WHEREVER THEY'RE GOING.

SO JUST THAT'S THAT'S GOING TO BE VERY IMPORTANT GOING FORWARD.

YOU KNOW, AND I UNDERSTAND I THINK THAT WHENEVER WE GO TO START THESE PROJECTS, YOU KNOW, AND NOT TELLING YOU HOW TO DO YOUR JOB, SIR, BY ANY STRETCH OF THE IMAGINATION, BUT WE PROBABLY NEED TO POTHOLE AND GET THESE UTILITIES IDENTIFIED UP FRONT SO THAT IF WE GOT TO MOVE, WE CAN START ALL THE PROCESS THAT WE'VE BEEN GOING THROUGH WELL AHEAD OF TIME RATHER THAN TEARING IT OUT AND THEN, YOU KNOW, FINDING OUT LATER THAT WE HAVE AN ISSUE WITH WITH AN AT&T CABLE OR GAS LINE OR DOWN AT LULING, YOU'RE LIKELY TO FIND A ABANDONED FLOW LINE, YOU KNOW, BECAUSE THEY'RE EVERYWHERE.

AND SO WE JUST THOSE ARE THE KIND OF THINGS WE'VE GOT TO BE AWARE OF GOING FORWARD.

I JUST HAVE A QUESTION FOR THE CONTRACTOR.

WOULD ARE YOU ABLE TO IDENTIFY A SCHEDULE MOVING FORWARD ON BLACK ANKLE AND AND THE COMPLETION OF POLITICAL.

WE DIDN'T WE DIDN'T PRODUCE A PROJECT SCHEDULE AND WE DO UPDATE IT PERIODICALLY.

WE WE CAN UPDATE ANOTHER ONE NOW THAT WE'RE GETTING RELEASES FROM UTILITIES.

THAT'S UNTIL WE HAVE A CLEAR PATH.

THAT'S JUST A GUESS. SO NOW THAT THE PHONE LINES AND THE DETERMINATION OF HOW TO MOVE FORWARD HAS BEEN MADE, WE CAN START MOVING FORWARD AND WE CAN ADJUST THE SCHEDULES ACCORDINGLY. OKAY. DO YOU HAVE A FEEL FOR HOW LONG THAT'S GOING TO TAKE TO TO DO THE PROJECT NOW? BLACK ANKLE, WEATHER PERMITTING, NO MORE ISSUES, PROBABLY TWO AND A HALF, THREE MONTHS TO COMPLETE.

[01:00:06]

EXCUSE ME, COMMISSIONER I DIDN'T WANT TO INTERRUPT.

THE PROJECT SCHEDULE IS THAT SHARED? WHO IS THAT SHARED WITH? AS FAR AS THE COUNTY SITE IS CONCERNED, IS IT SHARED WITH WITH ANYONE ELSE? IS IT JUST WITHIN DOUCET AND YOURSELF? IT'S SHARED WITHIN THE PROJECT TEAM AND IT CAN BE COPIED TO THE COUNCIL AND ANYBODY YOU'D LIKE.

I THINK THAT WOULD DEFINITELY BE HELPFUL, IN PARTICULAR TO COMMISSIONER OF WHATEVER PRECINCT YOU HAPPEN TO BE WORKING AND THEY NEED TO BE AWARE OF WHAT'S GOING ON AND UNIT ROAD. [INAUDIBLE] NEEDS TO BE AWARE OF WHAT'S GOING ON.

WELL, THERE ARE CERTAIN PROTOCOLS WE HAVE TO FOLLOW, CURE TIME FOR CEMENT AND [INAUDIBLE] WE ALSO FOLLOW TXDOT RULES ON THIS PROJECT.

IT'S PART OF THE DOCUMENTS.

AND THERE'S CURE TIMES AND THINGS WE HAVE TO DO.

THAT'S ONE REASON WE HAVE TO ALLOW FOR IT AND TO BE FOR IT TO BE CONSTRUCTED PER CONTRACT DOCUMENTS.

COMMISSIONER, LET ME I'LL ELABORATE A LITTLE BIT ON HARWOOD.

THAT ROAD WAS ALREADY THERE.

WE HAD TO REPLACE THE CULVERT TO USE IT.

WE DIDN'T HAVE TO PUT IN A WHOLE NEW ROAD AND THEN GO IN AND TAKE THE WHOLE NEW ROAD OUT.

SO THAT WOULD BE A HUGE EXPENSE ON THIS PROJECT.

AND WE DON'T HAVE THE FUNDS.

WE DID DO IT ON POLITICAL, THOUGH.

YEAH. AND IT WAS EASEMENT.

YEAH, WE DID. AND THE OTHER PROBLEM THAT WE HAVE AT BLACK ANKLE IS THE LAND.

THE LANDOWNER RIGHT THERE, WE HAD A HARD TIME JUST GETTING THEM TO GIVE US THE EASEMENT THAT WE GOT.

SO IT WAS VERY IT WASN'T THAT EASY.

WE COULD TRY I MEAN, WE COULD TRY TO GO BACK TO THEM, I SUPPOSE, TO SEE ABOUT THAT.

BUT IT'S GOING TO IT'S GOING TO BE SOMETHING THAT'S NOT BUDGETED.

SO WE'D HAVE TO DEAL WITH HOW WE'RE GOING TO PAY FOR THAT.

WE DO THAT. I KNOW THAT ONE OF THE ISSUES ON ONE OF THE REASONS THAT IT WAS TORE OUT THE WAY THAT IT WAS OR REMOVED THE WAY THAT IT WAS, WAS TO, QUOTE UNQUOTE, DE WATER THE SITE, I ASSUME, WAS TO REMOVE ANY SORT OF IMPAIRMENT THAT THE ROADWAY ITSELF WAS CAUSING BECAUSE THAT CREEK ACTUALLY IS A DRAINAGE BASIN FOR SITE 34, I BELIEVE, OR MARTINDALE LAKE.

AND YOU KNOW, I THINK AGAIN, ON THE COMMUNICATIONS SIDE, I KNEW WHERE THAT WAS.

I USED TO HELP INSPECT THOSE THOSE DAMS. AND, YOU KNOW, KNOWING THAT IF THERE'S WATER ALWAYS GOING THROUGH THEIR PRINCIPAL SPILLWAY PLUNGE BASINS, THERE'S GOING TO BE WATER GOING INTO THE ROADWAY.

AND SO JUST TO WAIT THAT OUT, SO TO SPEAK, IS USUALLY SOMEWHAT PROHIBITIVE BECAUSE IT COULD TAKE QUITE A WHILE BECAUSE EVEN IF YOU'RE NOT RECEIVING RAIN EVENTS, IF THAT RESERVOIR HAS HAS ENOUGH SUFFICIENT CAPACITY AND IT'S GOING TO KEEP CONTRIBUTING WATER TO THAT CREEK BED.

SO AGAIN, THE COMMUNICATION MIGHT HAVE BEEN A WAY TO MITIGATE SOME OF THOSE ISSUES AND SAY THAT TOTAL REMOVAL PROBABLY WASN'T WASN'T PRACTICAL IN THIS SITUATION, GIVING SOME OF THE SPECIFICS ON IT JUST FROM A LOCAL KNOWLEDGE, SO TO SPEAK.

I'LL JUST LEAVE IT AT THAT.

SO THAT IS A LONG TIME TO KEEP WAITING FOR THIS PROJECT TO BE DONE.

THAT SEEMS IT SEEMS LIKE IT WILL BE VERY FRUSTRATING FOR A VERY LONG TIME UNFORTUNATELY, WITH WITHOUT A DIFFERENT SOLUTION IN PLACE. WHAT ARE YOUR CURE TIMES? A COUPLE OF WEEKS ON THE CONCRETE.

7 TO 10 DAYS. 7 TO 10 DAYS.

I'D BE INTERESTED WHEN YOU REVISE THE SCHEDULE AND SEEING IT AS WELL, YOU CAN SEND IT TO COMMISSIONER WESTMORELAND OR YOU CAN SEND IT TO ME.

BUT I DON'T KNOW, BE WISE TO SEND IT TO THE WHOLE COURT BECAUSE I WORRY ABOUT RISKING A WALKING QUORUM.

BUT SURE, AND WE CAN DO THAT.

SO JUST SO THAT WE ALL HAVE AN IDEA OF WHAT THE ACTUAL SCHEDULE IS GOING TO BE, SO THAT WHEN PEOPLE CALL US, WE CAN TELL THEM WHAT STAGE OF GAME WE'RE IN AND HOW MANY MORE WEEKS WE'RE LOOKING AT BEFORE IT'S FINISHED AND WHY.

YES, MA'AM. IT'S LIKE WE DID A POLITICAL ROAD.

I MEAN, ONCE WE GOT CLEAR SAILING, POLITICAL ROAD WAS KNOCKED OUT IN A FEW WEEKS IT WENT VERY FAST.

ONCE WE FINALLY GOT A WAY, AN AVENUE TO PROCEED WITH THE WATER LINE AND THE PHONE LINES AND THE FLOODS

[01:05:08]

WELL, YES, MA'AM.

THAT'S AN ACCURATE QUOTE.

YES, MA'AM. BUT THERE'S ALWAYS A LOT OF ISSUES WITH CONSTRUCTION AND THE WEATHER AND GETTING IN THERE.

SO WE'RE GOING TO DO IT AS FAST AS WE CAN AND WE HOPE TO DO IT WITHIN THE THREE MONTH PERIOD.

IF WE CAN DO IT IN THREE WEEKS, WE WILL.

YOU KNOW, TIME IS MONEY FOR US.

I'M TELLING YOU, WORST CASE SO THAT THEY DON'T START SHOOTING AT ME.

YOU KNOW, I DON'T WANT TO TELL YOU TWO WEEKS AND IT TAKES ME TWO MONTHS AND I'M HAVING TO HIDE IN MY CAR AROUND THE CORNER AND DON'T GO HOME.

SO, YOU KNOW, I GOT TO TELL YOU, WORST CASE AND LET ME BACK UP.

WHEN CONCRETE CURES 7 TO 10 DAYS IS BEST CASE, THE SPEC READS 75% OF THE CURE TIME.

SOMETIMES THAT TAKES 28 DAYS.

IT JUST DEPENDS ON THE TESTING, THE HUMIDITY, THE WEATHER, THE CONDITIONS ACTUALLY [INAUDIBLE] IS 75% OF THE REQUIRED STRENGTH, WHATEVER IT TAKES, 28 DAYS, 7 DAYS, 10 DAYS.

NORMAL CONCRETE TODAY YOU USUALLY ACHIEVE IT IN 7 TO 10 DAYS.

NOT ALWAYS. SO IT'S SOMETHING TO CONSIDER.

AND AS FAR AS NOTIFICATION, THE ENGINEER, THEY HAD A PRETTY GOOD TRAFFIC CONTROL PLAN.

I WAS SHOCKED. WE HAVE SIGNS OUT A LONG WAYS AWAY FROM THAT BRIDGE AT THE NEXT CROSS SECTIONS AND THE NEXT CROSS STREETS, INTERSECTIONS ON BOTH SIDES THERE'S SIGNAGE ALL AROUND THIS THING WITHIN A HALF A MILE TO A MILE.

MOST OF THE TIME THEY THREW THEM DOWN AND DROVE OVER THEM AND DIDN'T PAY ANY ATTENTION UNTIL THEY GOT TO THE BRIDGE.

OH, WE CAN'T GET ACROSS.

THEN THEY GET MAD. THEY THROUGH THE BRIDGE, ALL THE WARNING SIGNS AWAY, A HALF MILE AWAY, THEY'RE STILL UP.

I WENT THERE THIS MORNING.

EVERYTHING IS UP. WE MADE SURE THEY'RE UP AND THERE'S A LOT OF NOTIFICATIONS.

THEY DIDN'T GET DOWN THERE AND GET BOTTLENECKED.

THEY WENT BY THE SIGNS THAT TOLD THEM IT WAS OUT.

WE HAVE HAD SOME TREMENDOUS YES MA'AM. WE'RE NOT SAND BAG YES MA'AM. THAT'S WHERE YOU HOLD THOSE SIGNS UP YES, MA'AM. UNDERSTOOD.

WE WERE HERE TWO DAYS AGO, RESETTING THEM UP PROBABLY THROUGH THE WIND.

BUT WHEN THEY FIRST WENT OUT, THEY HAD A LITTLE HELP.

WE'D SEEN IT. JUDGE, CAN WE HAVE A KIND OF AN ONGOING ITEM ON THIS? SURE I JUST LEAVE IT ON THE AGENDA.

SCHEDULED CALL EVERY OTHER WEEK OR IF THERE'S AN EMERGENCY WE CAN MEET MORE FREQUENTLY THAN THAT, BUT WE DO A PROGRESS REPORT ON THE STATUS OF THESE YELLOW ROAD PROJECTS SO THAT WE, IF WE NEED TO AND OUR LAST DISCUSSIONS THAT WE HAD, BARRING WEATHER DELAYS, WE THINK THAT THERE SHOULD BE NO DELAYS IN CONTINUING THE WORK ON BLACK ANKLE AT THIS TIME.

I DON'T KNOW IF THEY ARE OR NOT, BUT CAN WE MAKE SURE THAT DONALD AND COMMISSIONER WESTMORELAND ON THIS PROJECT ARE ON THOSE CALLS? YEAH, THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES WHEN COMMISSIONER WESTMORELAND HAS BEEN A PART OF THAT AND DONALD HAS ALSO.

I WOULD ADD DONALD AS A STANDING MEMBER TO EVERY PROJECT GOING FORWARD ON THIS ONE.

YEAH, YEAH.

WE NEED TO HAVE OUR UNIT ROAD PEOPLE PLUGGED INTO THESE THINGS SO THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF WHAT'S GOING ON AT ALL TIMES.

WE CAN DO THAT. TO THE RESIDENTS IN ATTENDANCE, I HAVE SAID THIS MULTIPLE TIMES.

I AM TERRIBLY SORRY THAT THIS HAS GONE THE WAY THAT IT HAS.

I KNOW THAT IS OF NO SOLACE, BUT I FELT THIS WAS THE APPROPRIATE ACTION TODAY TO PUT IT ON THE COURT AGENDA, TO TRY TO FLESH OUT SOME OF THESE ISSUES AND LET IT BE KNOWN EXACTLY WHAT THE CURRENT STATUS IS AND WHERE WE ARE MOVING FORWARD.

SO.

OKAY. THERE IS NO ACTION ON THIS ITEM.

IS THERE ANY MORE DISCUSSION? THANK YOU. HANG ON ONE MOMENT BEFORE I CLOSE IT.

MS. DUBEE CAN YOU MIND COMING UP SO WE CAN GET YOU ON THE MIC? DORIS DUBEE. I TRAVEL THAT ROAD EVERY DAY.

THERE WAS NOT A SIGN PUT UP UNTIL THE BRIDGE WAS TORN OUT.

THERE WAS NO NOTIFICATIONS TO ANY OF THE PEOPLE.

THIS IS A TREMENDOUS INCOMPLETE TRANSACTION IN THE WAY THIS HAS BEEN HANDLED.

I TOTALED UP MY MILES PER MONTH IT'S ABOUT A THOUSAND MILES THAT I HAVE TO TRAVEL TO GO ATTEND TO MY CATTLE ON DICKERSON ROAD AND TOWER ROAD.

[01:10:06]

IF I HAD, I'D HAVE TAKEN A TRACTOR AND A FOUR WHEELER AND EVERYTHING OVER THERE AND BEEN IN POSITION.

AS IT WAS, I HAD TO LOAD EVERYTHING UP ON THE BIG TRAILER AND BIG TRUCK AND TAKE IT OVER THERE TO UNLOAD IT.

SO I'D HAVE A WAY TO GET AROUND.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE SOME ACCOUNTABILITY ON THIS CONTRACTOR, AND I DON'T THINK IT'S HAPPENING.

I WOULD LIKE A DEFINITE DATE WHEN THIS IS GOING TO BE COMPLETED.

OTHERWISE, IT'S GOING TO GO ON FOREVER AND EVER.

IT'S NOT ONLY ME, IT'S ALL THE RESIDENTS THAT ARE ON THAT LIVE OVER THERE.

THE SCHOOL DISTRICT.

THE SCHOOL DISTRICT WASN'T EVEN NOTIFIED THAT THE ROAD WAS GOING TO BE CLOSED.

THERE IS JUST NO ACCOUNTABILITY ON THIS ON THIS PROJECT.

AND I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A WEEKLY REPORT OR SOMETHING FROM THIS CONTRACTOR, WHAT HE'S DOING.

TWO MONTHS HAVE GONE BY AND NOTHING HAS HAPPENED.

YES, MA'AM. THANK YOU.

THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT WE WERE SETTING UP TODAY.

OKAY. OKAY.

ALL RIGHT. ALL RIGHT.

IS TRACY HERE YET? I DON'T SEE HIM. SORRY.

DAVE ROLAND 1190 DICKERSON.

I HAVE ONE QUESTION.

WHY WAS THE ROAD CLOSED AND THE BRIDGE DESTROYED BEFORE ALL OF THESE HURDLES WERE ADDRESSED? SOMEBODY WANT TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION? WITH THAT THOUGHT IN MIND, I THINK THE SENSE OF URGENCY SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED.

I AGREE. YES, SIR.

SO TO ADDRESS THE COMMENT ON WHY NONE OF THESE ITEMS WERE ADDRESSED AND THE ROAD WAS REMOVED.

IT WAS DURING THE REMOVAL OF THE ROADWAY DURING MOBILIZATION THAT WE DISCOVERED THAT THE AT&T LINE WAS NOT WHERE WE HAD ANTICIPATED IT.

AGAIN, SURVEY LOCATES GIS ARE ALL APPROXIMATE FOR VARIOUS REASONS.

MOST UTILITIES DO NOT GIVE ACTUAL LOCATIONS AND DEPTHS OF THEIR LINES.

SO WHEN WE DRAW A LINE, YOU KNOW, TWO OR THREE YEARS BEFORE THE PROJECT IS EVER CONSTRUCTED, WE'RE USING THE BEST AVAILABLE INFORMATION ON WHERE WE ESTIMATE THE LINE WILL BE. AND THEN THE PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS NEED TO HAVE SOME SORT OF BUFFER OR OFFSET.

WE DESIGNED IT WITH WHAT WE FELT, AN APPROPRIATE BUFFER, BUT AS SOON AS WE TURNED A SHOVEL OF DIRT AND FOUND THAT LINE A LOT CLOSER TO OUR IMPROVEMENTS, THAT'S WHEN WE HAVE TO STOP, MAKE SURE WE GO THROUGH THE PROPER CHANNELS, NOTIFY THE PROPER ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE OVERSEEING THE ENTIRE PROJECT.

AND WE DO AS MUCH AS WE CAN AS QUICKLY AS WE CAN TO REACH RESOLUTION.

WE WERE ON THE PHONE WITH AT&T THAT DAY FOR THE REGIONAL UTILITY COORDINATOR AND ASKED HIM, IS THERE ANY WAY YOU GUYS CAN GET THIS LINE MOVED OR CAN WE WORK CLOSER TO THE LINE THAN Y'ALL TYPICALLY DO? IT TOOK HIM ABOUT A MONTH TO GET BACK AND SAY, WELL, IF YOU NEED TO, YOU CAN UNCOVER THE ENTIRE LINE AND PULL SOME SLACK ON IT AND WORK AROUND IT.

BUT AGAIN, BY THAT TIME, WE HAD ALREADY THOUGHT, YOU KNOW, WE'RE NOT GOING TO GET A TIMELY ANSWER FROM THEM.

SO WE WENT AHEAD WITH THE CHANGE ORDER THAT CHANGED THE ALIGNMENT TO MOVE THE BOX OUT OF THE WAY, WHICH THEN TRIGGERED THE THC AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT CHECK TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DIDN'T NEED TO SEND OUT NOTICES AGAIN.

SO A LOT OF THIS SEEMS REACTIONARY, BUT WE'RE USING THE BEST AVAILABLE INFORMATION THAT WE HAD AT THE TIME OF DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION.

SO WITH THAT IN MIND AND UNDERSTANDING THAT THAT IS ABSOLUTELY NO EXCUSE OR SOLACE FOR THE DELAYS THAT WE ALREADY HAVE OUT THERE.

WE HAVE LOOKED AT THE TWO NEXT SITES AND ARE PLANNING, COORDINATION WITH THE COMMISSIONERS COUNCIL AS WELL AS THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS, GARBAGE, POSTAL, ANYONE THAT USES THAT ROADWAY THAT WE CAN NOTIFY AHEAD OF TIME.

AND WE WILL DO A MUCH BETTER JOB ON THE NEXT TWO SITES OF NOTIFYING RESIDENTS AND PLANNING DETOUR ROUTES AS WELL.

IN THE FUTURE WHEN YOU RUN INTO THAT AT&T IS NOT CALLING YOU BACK OR YOU'VE GOT A LINE IN YOUR WAY, BELIEVE IT OR NOT, IF YOU'LL CONTACT ONE OF US ON THE COURT, THE COMMISSIONER OR ME, WE CAN USUALLY GET IT DONE, BUT WE CAN'T GET IT DONE IF WE DON'T KNOW ABOUT IT.

ABSOLUTELY. I THINK THAT WAS PART OF MY FRUSTRATION AS WELL.

AND I JUST I HATE TO REHASH THAT SO THAT THE UTILITY LOCATE DID NOT INDICATE THE APPROPRIATE APPROXIMATE LOCATION OF THE LINE.

IN ACTUALITY, WHEN IT WAS EXCAVATED.

THAT'S WHAT I'M UNDERSTANDING.

[01:15:01]

WE WERE EXCAVATING FOR THE NORTH SIDE OF THAT BOX CULVERT FOUNDATION.

IT'S NOT JUST WHERE THE PIPES ARE.

IT EXTENDS ABOUT 20 OR 30 FEET ON EITHER SIDE OF THOSE.

SO WHILE WE WERE PERFORMING THE EXCAVATION FOR THAT PORTION OF THAT HEAD WALL, THAT'S WHEN WE FOUND THE LINE WAS A LOT CLOSER THAN WE ANTICIPATED.

AND THE ROADWAY HAD ALREADY BEEN REMOVED AT THAT POINT.

YES. AT THAT POINT, WE REMOVED THE ROADWAY PARTIALLY WITH DEWATERING, BUT ALSO TO PERFORM GENERAL EXCAVATION FOR THE PROJECT.

OKAY.

ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? IF NOT I'M GOING TO GO AHEAD AND RESUME.

HAS TRACY COME IN? I SPOKE WITH TRACY YESTERDAY ON MY ACTUAL ITEM FOR BOLLINGER, AND HE STATED THAT HE WAS NOT COMING TO COURT TODAY AND EVERYTHING THAT HE HADN'T BEEN ASKED. SO I ASSUME HE JUST WASN'T TOLD OR I DON'T KNOW.

DAVID CLARK DOES WORK WITH TRACY, SO I ASSUME MAYBE HE WAS JUST SENT IN HIS PLACE.

OKAY. WELL, I'M GOING TO GO AHEAD AND TAKE UP 31, TOO, SO THAT WE CAN GET EVERYBODY ON THEIR WAY THAT'S HERE FOR THAT.

[31. Discussion/Action to consider adopting a Development Agreement for the Bollinger Subdivision located on Sundance Court (FM 2720).]

IS IT READY TO GO? OH, I GOT TO FIX IT.

OH, SORRY. OKAY.

OKAY. GOOD MORNING.

SCOTT MILLER, RANCH ROAD DEVELOPMENT.

THIS IS THE BOLLINGER PROJECT.

YOU GUYS SAW THIS BACK IN NOVEMBER.

WE DID A WORKSHOP TO TRY TO GET FEEDBACK BEFORE WE STARTED GOING INTO THE PLANNING STAGE.

WE SUBSEQUENTLY CAME BACK IN MARCH WITH A MUD CONSENT WHICH GOT APPROVED, AND NOW WE'RE MOVING INTO THE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT ASPECT, VERY SIMILAR TO THE HEARTLAND RANCH PROCESS THAT WE DID FOR THE PROJECT OFF OF ORCHARD LOOP.

SO HERE'S THE CONCEPT PLAN AS SHOWN IN THE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT.

SO AGAIN, WE'VE GOT THIS DIVIDED ENTRY BOULEVARD UP OFF OF 2720, GIVING THIS REALLY NICE FEEL AS YOU COME INTO THE PROJECT.

IN THE ORANGE WE HAVE A MIXED USE COMPONENT, WHICH IS A COMMENT WHICH COULD BE A COMBINATION OF MULTI-FAMILY, SINGLE FAMILY ATTACHED, POTENTIALLY SOME RETAIL COMMERCIAL USES DEPENDING AGAIN WHAT HAPPENS ACROSS THE STREET WITH THE EVERGREEN PROJECT.

SO WE WANTED TO KEEP SOME FLEXIBILITY IN THIS PLANNING MODULE.

THE REST OF THE SITE IN THE YELLOW IS RESIDENTIAL ALL SITE BUILT HOMES, SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL WITH LOTS SIZES FROM 40 TO 60 FEET IN WIDTH. I'M TRYING TO PROVIDE A LITTLE BIT OF A WIDER RANGE OF HOUSING AS KIND OF THE MARKET STARTS TO COME TO CALDWELL COUNTY.

WE'VE GOT TWO MAIN AMENITIES.

THE PURPLE ONE IS A PRIVATE CLASSIC KIND OF POOL.

PROBABLY PICKLE BALL PRIVATE AMENITY FOR THE RESIDENTS MANAGED AND OWNED BY THE HOA.

AND THEN THE ONE JUST ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE CREEK IS A PUBLIC PARK THAT AGAIN WOULD BE MANAGED BY OWNED AND MAINTAINED BY EITHER THE MUD OR THE HOA.

AND THEN WE WOULD GIVE A LICENSE AGREEMENT FOR THE PUBLIC TO COME AND USE THAT.

THAT'S ABOUT FOUR ACRES AS WELL, BOTH REALLY NICE SETTINGS OVERLOOKING THAT CREEK THAT COMES DOWN OFF OF THE THE PLUMB CREEK CONSERVATION DISTRICT SITE NUMBER EIGHT RESERVOIR.

WE ACTUALLY WIDENED OUT THAT AREA THAT DISCHARGES OFF OF THE RESERVOIR.

WE DID A DAM BREAKAGE ANALYSIS AND WE JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE THIS IS A BIG CONCERN WITH TRACY THAT WE PULLED THE RESIDENTIAL BACK SO THAT IF THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THAT DAM AT SOME POINT IN THE FUTURE, WE'RE NOT PUTTING ANYBODY'S HOUSE AT RISK.

SO ENGINEER WENT THROUGH THAT ANALYSIS, RAN IT BY TRACY, AND WE PULLED BACK, LOST ABOUT 50 UNITS.

BUT IT WAS ABOUT, IT WAS WORTH IT TO REALLY MAKE SURE THAT WE HAD THAT FACTOR OF SAFETY THERE.

SO GENERALLY, THE SAME PLAN YOU GUYS HAVE SEEN PREVIOUSLY, WE HAVE MULTIPLE EMERGENCY VEHICLE ACCESS POINTS COMING OUT TO THE SOUTH THERE.

AND THEN WE'VE GOT A COUPLE OF CONNECTION POINTS TO FUTURE RESIDENTIAL.

IF ANYBODY ON OUR PERIMETER WOULD EVER DEVELOP, I KNOW THERE'S A PROJECT JUST I'LL CALL IT TO THE EAST OF US CALLED REYNOLDS RANCH, WHICH MAY DEVELOP.

WE'VE GOT A CONNECTION POINT INTO THERE IF NEED BE SO.

IT WAS ONE OF DESIRES FROM CONVERSATIONS WITH ED AND TRACY.

[01:20:06]

YES. SO WE'VE TALKED TO THE WATER COMPANY ABOUT THAT.

THEY HAVE A SET PROCESS.

OUR ENGINEERS ALREADY STARTED DOWN THE ROAD.

WE REALLY NEXT STEP FOR US IS TO GO OUT POTHOLE, THE UTILITIES.

INTERESTING, WE WERE JUST TALKING ABOUT THAT BUT POTHOLE THE UTILITIES AND THEN WE CAN FINALIZE THE DESIGN BASED ON THE DEPTH AND ALIGNMENT OF THOSE UTILITIES.

AND THEN SO WE WOULD DO CONSTRUCTION PLAN, SUBMIT THEM, AND THEN WE GET A LICENSE AGREEMENT TO GO AHEAD AND CROSS.

IS PCCD OR PLUM CREEK CONSERVATION DISTRICT, ARE THEY FULLY? YES.

WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF AMENDING THEIR EASEMENT.

WE'RE ACTUALLY EXPANDING IT TO PROVIDE THEM ADDITIONAL THREE FEET OF FREE BOARD.

SO IF THEY EVER WANTED TO COME IN AND REPAIR OR UPGRADE THAT DAM, THEY'D HAVE THE ABILITY TO GO AHEAD AND DO THAT.

SO THAT WAS THE REASON BEHIND MY QUESTION.

I KNOW THAT THEY'RE IN THEY REHAB A GOOD NUMBER OR THEY TRY TO REHAB A FEW OF THEM EVERY YEAR.

AND MOST OF THE TIME THAT INVOLVES AT LEAST ADDING SOME FREE BOARD TO THE TOP OF THOSE.

SO YEAH. SO IN COORDINATION WITH NRCS, WE PUT A PROPOSAL TOGETHER, SET IT UP.

IT LOOKS LIKE WE'RE, IN AGREEMENT.

SO WE HOPE TO GO BACK TO THE BOARD MEETING IN MAY AND GET THAT APPROVED.

OKAY. SO JUST A COUPLE OF QUICK HIGHLIGHTS ON SOME OF THE GOODIES CONTAINED IN THE DA. AGAIN, WE HAVE THIS MIXED USE COMPONENT.

NOT SURE EXACTLY WHAT THAT WANTS TO BE YET.

WE'RE GOING TO LET THE MARKET PLAY OUT A LITTLE BIT BEFORE I MAKE A DETERMINATION.

ONE OF OUR GOALS WAS TO BRING IN SOME MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING, YOU KNOW, 40 AND 50 AND 60 FOOT, LOTS ARE GREAT.

BUT THAT PRICE POINT NOW IS IS APPROACHING KIND OF 330, 340,000 JUST TO GET IN ON A 1200 SQUARE FOOT HOUSE.

THAT'S KIND OF WHERE WE'RE TARGETING.

SO THE THOUGHT WITH A MULTIFAMILY OR ATTACHED WOULD BE ABLE TO BRING SOMETHING IN MAYBE SUB 300 AT THIS MARKET.

SO THAT WAS KIND OF OUR THOUGHT THERE MAYBE A LITTLE CORNER RETAIL OR COMMERCIAL COMPONENT MIGHT BE NICE FOR NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES.

SO MORE TO COME ON THAT WHEN WE GET GET THAT KIND OF CONTEMPLATED, WE'LL COME BACK TO YOU GUYS WITH THE SITE PLAN AND WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE.

AND THEN IN TERMS OF THE SINGLE FAMILY, AGAIN, EVERYTHING'S SITE BUILT.

WE'RE COMMITTING TO 20% FOR 50 FOOT WIDE LOTS, 10% FOR 60 FOOT WIDE LOTS.

RIGHT NOW, OUR PLAN IS TO GO A LITTLE BIT HIGHER THAN THAT.

BUT AGAIN, IT DEPENDS ON THE MARKET.

WE DO THINK THE MARKET IS EMERGING FOR HIGHER END HOMES IN THIS LOCATION.

SO WE'RE GOING TO KEEP AN EYE ON THAT.

AND THOSE 50 AND 60 FOOT LOTS ARE MOSTLY IN THE LATTER PHASES.

SO WE'LL ALLOW THAT THE MARKET TO KIND OF BUILD AND START TO BRAND THE PROJECT.

AND THEN WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO BRING IN SOME LARGER HOMES.

ALL OF THE AMENITIES, TRAIL SIDEWALKS ARE MAINTAINED BY THE HOA AND OR THE MUD AS WELL AS ALL OF THE DRAINAGE PONDS CHANNELS.

THAT CREEK THAT COMES OUT OF PCCD WILL BE MAINTAINED BY THE HOA.

SO NO COUNTY MAINTENANCE THERE.

AND AGAIN, WE HAVE THE DARK SKY PROVISION SIMILAR TO WHAT WE DID AT HEARTLAND, SAME TYPE OF PROVISIONS IN THERE.

SO OTHER THAN THAT, THERE'S SOME SETBACK STUFF IN THERE THAT WE'VE BEEN WORKING OUT WITH, [INAUDIBLE] TRACY AND IT'S A PRETTY STRAIGHTFORWARD AGREEMENT.

SO OUR PROCESS WOULD BE IF WE GET THIS APPROVED, THE NEXT TIME YOU WOULD SEE US IS PROBABLY AT THE PRELIMINARY PLAT STAGE.

OKAY. THEY'VE BEEN RESPONSIVE TO OUR COMMENTS AND CONCERNS.

WE'VE ADDRESSED ISSUES RELATED TO AND HE JUST MENTIONED THEM THAT THE PRIVATE OWNERSHIP MAINTENANCE OF THE THE GREEN AREAS, THE AMENITIES, THE DRAINAGE AREA AND A PROVISION FOR SECONDARY ACCESS.

SO, YOU KNOW, WE'RE I'M SUPPORTIVE OF THE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT.

OKAY.

I NOTICED A DEVELOPER AGREEMENT THAT'S JUST GOT LEFT OVER? WE'RE GOING TO WORK WITH CHASE TO GET A CLEAN COPY.

WE'LL REMOVE THAT HIGHLIGHT.

IT WAS JUST A LAST LINGERING KIND OF COMMENT.

SO ARE YOU GOING TO ARE YOU REPLACING AS AN ERROR.

LEAVING IT ON LEAVING IT.

20 FEET IN DEPTH, 16 FEET WIDE.

ANY OTHER DISCUSSION, COMMISSIONERS? NO OKAY LOOK FOR A MOTION.

I'LL SO MOVE APPROVAL

[01:25:01]

DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND.

WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

AYE. OPPOSED HEARING NONE MOTION CARRIES.

I'M GOING TO GO AHEAD AND MOVE TO ITEM 23 SO THAT JUDGE MOLINA DOESN'T HAVE TO SPEND ANY MORE TIME HERE THAN SHE ALREADY HAS.

[23. Discussion/Action to consider the creation of an Assistant Court Coordinator position in the County Court at Law.]

GOOD MORNING, JUDGE HADEN AND COMMISSIONERS AND COURT STAFF.

IT IS NOT VERY OFTEN THAT I COME TO COMMISSIONERS COURT UNLESS THERE'S AN IMPORTANT MATTER THAT NEEDS TO BE DISCUSSED FOR THE COUNTY COURT AT LAW.

BUT IT IS ALWAYS GOOD TO SEE ALL OF YOU.

THE COUNTY OF CALDWELL IS GROWING SO FAST AND SO ARE THE COUNTY COURT AT LAW DOCKETS.

THERE IS NO DENYING THE INCREASE IN OUR GROWTH IN THIS COUNTY AS THE STATUTORY COUNTY COURT LAW JUDGE, I SEE THE NECESSITY FOR THE CREATION OF THE ASSISTANT COURT COORDINATOR FOR THE COUNTY COURT AT LAW.

THE ASSISTANT COURT COORDINATOR WOULD INVOLVE A RANGE OF ADMINISTRATIVE TASKS TO ASSIST THE JUDGE AND THE COURT.

THE ASSISTANT COURT COORDINATOR WOULD PERFORM CLERICAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES THAT ARE RELATED TO THE COURT'S DAILY OPERATION.

WHEN I SAT DOWN WITH MS. CASTILLO, WHO WAS THE ACTING INTERIM AUDITOR AT THE TIME, WE LOOKED AT THE COUNTY COURT AT LAW'S BUDGET TO SEE IF THERE WERE FUNDS TO TRANSFER TO CREATE THIS POSITION. WE FOUND FUNDS IN THE COUNTY COURT AT LAW'S BUDGET THAT WOULD ALLOW ME TO CREATE THIS POSITION AT A NET ZERO.

THE COST FOR THIS POSITION IS A NET ZERO BECAUSE THE FUNDS TO CREATE IT ARE INCLUDED IN THE COUNTY COURT AT LAW'S BUDGET.

NOW, THE AGENDA ITEM THAT IS BEFORE YOU TODAY, COMMISSIONERS, REFLECTS A COST OF 19,365.

BUT IF YOU LOOK, THOSE ARE FUNDS THAT ARE USED FROM MY OWN BUDGET AND THE COST IS A NET ZERO.

I SUBMITTED MY AGENDA ITEM REQUESTED JUST AS THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE DID LAST MONTH WHEN THEY REQUESTED FOR THE CREATION OF TWO NEW POSITIONS FROM THEIR OWN BUDGET. THERE WAS NO ADDITIONAL COST TO THE COUNTY, AND THIS COMMISSIONERS COURT APPROVED THOSE TWO NEW POSITIONS FOR THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE.

I MENTION ONLY THIS BECAUSE THOSE TWO NEW POSITIONS WERE CREATED USING FUNDS FROM THEIR OWN BUDGET AND REFLECT THE NET ZERO JUST AS MINE DOES TODAY. AS THE COUNTY IS GROWING, I WOULD LIKE THE COUNTY COURT AT LAW TO CONTINUE TO RUN AS EFFICIENT AS IT HAS BEEN RUN SINCE I TOOK OFFICE IN 2019, BECAUSE CALDWELL COUNTY DESERVES THAT.

THE LAST THREE YEARS FOR ME HAVE BEEN VERY DIFFICULT BECAUSE OF COVID AND THE ADAPTATIONS THAT I HAVE HAD TO MAKE IN MY COURT.

I HAVE MADE THE COUNTY COURT AT LAW AVAILABLE TO EVERYONE, EVEN DURING THE MOST DIFFICULT TIMES OF COVID.

THANK GOODNESS WE'RE GETTING PAST THAT.

I AM MAKING EVERY EFFORT TO SERVE THIS COUNTY AND TO KEEP THE COURTS OPEN TO EVERYONE.

AND WITH THEIR DOCKETS GROWING, THERE IS A NECESSITY TO HAVE AN ASSISTANT COURT COORDINATOR.

AND UNDER THE STATE STATUTE, AS A LOCAL ADMINISTRATIVE JUDGE, I HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO CREATE THIS POSITION AND TO APPOINT THE APPROPRIATE STAFF AND THE SUPPORT TO THE NEEDS OF THIS COUNTY. I AM ASKING YOU, COMMISSIONERS, TODAY, PURSUANT TO THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE, CHAPTER 74, TO APPROVE THE ANNUAL COMPENSATION OF $39,000 FOR THIS POSITION.

AND I DETERMINE THAT THIS IS A REASONABLE COMPENSATION FOR THIS POSITION.

AND AGAIN, I'M ASKING THAT THE COMMISSIONERS COURT APPROVE THAT.

AND I KNOW THAT ON THE NEXT AGENDA ITEM IS THE ACTUAL TRANSFER FROM THE COUNTY COURT AT LAW OF THE BUDGET.

THANK YOU SO MUCH, COMMISSIONERS, FOR YOUR TIME.

THANK YOU, JUDGE MOLINA.

ON THAT STATUTE, IT SAYS WITH WITH THE APPROVAL OF THE COURT.

AND THERE'S ALSO A DA'S OPINION THAT SAYS THAT AN ASSISTANT COURT COORDINATOR IS A COUNTY EMPLOYEE AND NOT PART OF THAT STATUTE. JUDGE, JUST ONE CORRECTION.

IT'S AN AG OPINION.

THE AG OPINION IS KP 0298.

IT'S A RESPONSE FROM A QUESTION FROM THE VAL VERDE COUNTY ATTORNEY WHO HAD A VERY SIMILAR REQUEST FOR THE CREATION OF AN ASSISTANT COURT COORDINATOR. AND THE END RESULT OF THE OPINION WAS THAT WHILE THE GOVERNMENT CODE ALLOWS FOR THE CREATION OF A COURT COORDINATOR, THE EFFECT IS THAT STATUTORILY THAT

[01:30:02]

ANY ASSISTANT COURT COORDINATORS AREN'T COVERED BY THAT STATUTE.

SO WHILE THE COURT MAY APPOINT APPROPRIATE STAFF IN THE GOVERNMENT CODE, THE COMPENSATION IS DETERMINED SOLELY BY THE COMMISSIONERS COURT AS PART OF ITS RESPONSIBILITIES UNDER THE GOVERNMENT CODE TO SET ALL SALARY FOR COUNTY EMPLOYEES.

AND WE HAD THIS CONVERSATION DURING THE BUDGET CYCLE AND DIDN'T DO IT, CERTAINLY OPEN TO DOING IT DURING THE NEXT BUDGET CYCLE.

AND I GUESS I HAVE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS.

ONE IS WE HAVE THREE DISTRICT COURT JUDGES THAT ARE OPERATING WITH A COURT COORDINATOR.

IS THAT RIGHT? WE HAVE A THREE DISTRICT JUDGES THAT ARE OPERATING THE DISTRICT COURTS.

ONE IS A STANDING JUDGE AND THE OTHER TWO ARE THE ROTATING.

AND THEY HAVE THE COURT ADMINISTRATOR, MR. STEVE THOMAS, WHO ASSISTS IS THE HEAD FOR ALL THREE COUNTIES IN THIS DISTRICT.

AND THEN WE HAVE THE COURT COORDINATOR THAT ASSISTS MR. THOMAS. SO I AM FOLLOWING THE STATE STATUTE BY APPOINTING THE APPROPRIATE PERSONNEL AND ASKING THAT, YOU KNOW, THIS IS A NECESSITY THAT I BELIEVE THAT WE NEED IN THIS COUNTY.

YOU KNOW, I HAVE DOCKETS THAT ARE FIVE PAGES SOMETIMES, AND WE ARE SETTING MORE AND MORE CASES EVERY DAY NOW.

WHILE MY COURT ADMINISTRATOR IS IN THE COURTROOM SCHEDULING WITH ALL THE ATTORNEYS IN THE COURTROOM THERE MIGHT BE EMERGENCIES THAT ARE COMING THROUGH THE PHONES EMAILS THAT THE ASSISTANT COURT COORDINATOR MAY TAKE A LOOK AT.

I NOT ONLY HANDLE CRIMINAL CASES, I HANDLE GUARDIANSHIPS AND PROBATE AND CIVIL MATTERS AND CONDEMNATION CASES.

AND I HAVE ATTORNEYS CONSTANTLY CONTACTING THE COURT.

AND WHEN THEY CONTACT THE CLERK'S OFFICE, THEY REFER THEM TO MY COURT ADMINISTRATOR.

AND MY COURT ADMINISTRATOR IS MOST OF THE TIME SITTING ON THE BENCH.

I'M TAKING THE OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS EVERYTHING THAT'S AN EMERGENCY TO THIS COUNTY.

AND THAT'S WHY I'M CREATING AND I'M ASKING THAT THE COMMISSIONERS COURT APPROVE THE COMPENSATION.

I THINK WE ALL CAN AGREE THAT WE KNOW THAT AS OUR POPULATION GROWS, SO DOES OUR CRIME.

AND SO, YEAH, I'M PRETTY POSITIVE THAT YOUR COURT IS FILLING UP MORE THAN IT EVER DID.

AND IT'S A LOT TO HANDLE.

AND THERE ARE YOU NEED APPROPRIATE STAFF.

AND IF YOU'RE DOING THIS FROM YOUR OWN BUDGET, I MEAN, WE'RE NOT TAKING ANYTHING.

BEAR IN MIND, COMMISSIONER, THAT'S THE BUDGET TRANSFER THIS TIME IT WILL BECOME A PERMANENT POSITION IN THE NEXT BUDGET CYCLE.

OKAY. AND YOU TALKED ABOUT IN THE NEXT CYCLE, WE COULD TALK ABOUT IT AGAIN.

IT'S YOU KNOW, IT'S LIKE OUR CONTRACT LABORERS.

WE NEED THOSE PEOPLE. WE NEED THEM NOW.

BUT IT IS IT'S DIFFICULT EVERY TIME WE DO THIS, BECAUSE IF YOU GO WITH IT IN THAT MINDSET, THEN THAT PERSON LOSES THEIR JOB AT THE END OF THE BUDGET.

AND YEAH, THE CONTRACT THAT IS THE CASE.

THEIR CONTRACT TERMINATES AND WE'RE UNDER NO OBLIGATION TO KEEP THEM.

THIS IS AN EMPLOYEE.

OKAY. AND SO IT'S DIFFERENT. IT'S NOT THE SAME.

IF OKAY, THEN IF SHE DOES A CONTRACT EMPLOYEE FOR THE TIME TILL THE END AND USES HER MONEY OUT OF HER BUDGET CYCLE AND SHE NEEDS THAT PERSON BECAUSE COURT CASES ARE RISING AND SHE NEEDS THE PEOPLE.

WE NEED PEOPLE IN SOME OF THESE AND LOOK AROUND.

IT'S HAPPENING EVERYWHERE.

MY POINT WITH BRINGING UP THE DISTRICT COURT JUDGES IS THEY'RE DOING THREE DOCKETS.

THIS IS ONE DOCKET WITH THE SAME AMOUNT OF PEOPLE.

AND JUDGE HADEN, IF I MAY, PLEASE SUPPORT THOSE OTHER JUDGES ALSO HAVE COURT COORDINATORS FOR EACH OF THEIR COUNTIES.

SO WE'RE NOT JUST TALKING IF YOU WANT TO SAY APPLES TO APPLES AND JUST TALK ABOUT HOW MANY COURT COORDINATORS ARE THERE IN THE THREE DISTRICT JUDGES.

YOU HAVE COMO COUNTY, YOU HAVE CALDWELL COUNTY, YOU HAVE HAYS COUNTY.

IF YOU LOOK AT EACH OF THOSE COUNTIES, THEY HAVE MORE THAN FIVE COURT COORDINATORS IN EACH OF THOSE COUNTIES.

TOGETHER. THEY HAVE, I THINK, THREE IN ONE COUNTY, AND TWO IN THE OTHER.

ONE COUNTY THAT HAS THREE HAS A POPULATION OVER 250,000.

SO AND I'D LIKE TO POINT OUT TOO JUDGE HADEN THAT WHEN WE SAT DOWN LAST YEAR TO DISCUSS THIS POSITION, IT WAS ACTUALLY IN THE PROPOSED ADOPTION. BUT BECAUSE THERE WAS SOME TYPE OF DEFICIENCY, WE REMOVED IT.

AND I UNDERSTAND NOT ONLY DID, I GET MY POSITION REMOVED, THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE GOT THEIR POSITIONS REMOVED.

THEY READDRESSED IT IN MARCH OF LAST MONTH.

AND THOSE SAME POSITIONS OR TWO ADDITIONAL POSITIONS WERE CREATED USING THEIR OWN BUDGET AT A NET ZERO.

SO WHY IS THERE A DISPARITY WITH MY POSITION? ONE PERSON USING MY COUNTY COURT AT LAW BUDGET?

[01:35:03]

THOSE FOUR POSITIONS WERE STILL THERE.

THEY WERE GIVEN A NEW TITLE.

THEY WERE JUST CHANGED FROM PATROL DEPUTY TO WHAT THEY ARE.

ALL RIGHT. SO WE DIDN'T ADD.

WE JUST WE CHANGED THEM, BUT THEY WERE ALREADY IN BUDGET.

I UNDERSTAND THAT NOW I'M TRYING TO BETTER SOMETHING FOR THIS COMMUNITY, FOR THE CALDWELL COUNTY.

AND I'M ASKING COMMISSIONERS COURT TO TO APPROVE THE SALARY BASED ON THE STATUTE AT THIS TIME COMMISSIONERS, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

ALL RIGHT, COMMISSIONERS, OPEN FOR A MOTION.

WELL, I MAKE A MOTION THAT WE APPROVE THE POSITION THAT JUDGE MOLINA IS ASKING FOR.

I CAN FULLY SEE THE NECESSITY OF THIS AND IT WOULD HAPPEN ANYWAY.

OKAY.

WE HAVE A MOTION.

DO WE HAVE A SECOND.

FOR DISCUSSION OF THIS I'LL SECOND IT.

WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.

IS THERE MORE DISCUSSION? JUDGE. GO AHEAD, COMMISSIONER.

WE'RE ABOUT TO GO INTO THE BUDGET CYCLE, RIGHT? YES, SIR. CAN WE AT LEAST GET THROUGH THIS BUDGET? THIS FIRST PART OF THE BUDGET DISCUSSION TO TRY TO GET A GET A HANDLE ON, YOU KNOW, WHAT TYPE OF EMPLOYEE FUNDING REQUESTS ARE GOING TO COME FORWARD.

YOU KNOW WHAT OUR ESTIMATED REVENUES ARE GOING TO BE THOSE KIND OF ISSUES BEFORE WE MAKE ANOTHER DECISION LIKE THIS.

YEAH, WE WE HAVE A MOTION THE SECOND ON THIS ITEM.

WE HAVE TO VOTE ON IT FIRST.

YES DANIE. I JUST WANTED TO RELAY TO THE COURT THAT IF THIS DOES TAKE EFFECT, IT IS SETTING A PRECEDENT FOR THE REST OF, YOU KNOW, GOING FORWARD.

I MEAN, CREATING SOMETHING OTHER THAN A CONTRACT POSITION WITHOUT A TERMINATION DURING THE BUDGET CYCLE IS A SLIPPERY SLOPE.

AND THAT'S THE ONLY REASON I'M NOT SAYING JUDGE MOLINA DOESN'T HAVE ENOUGH CASES TO DO IT, BUT I THINK IT SHOULD BE WELL THOUGHT OUT.

I THINK WHERE MY OPINION IS, I FULLY RESPECT THE VERY APPARENT FACT THAT WE ARE SEEING AN INCREASE IN POPULATION.

AND WITH THAT COMES WORKLOAD BY ALL COUNTY STAFF AND DEPARTMENTS.

THAT GOES WITHOUT SAYING.

WE ARE ABOUT TO BEGIN THE VERY PRELIMINARY PROCESS OF PREPARING THE BUDGET FOR THE NEXT YEAR.

AND FOR ME THAT IS A HOLISTIC OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THESE TYPES OF ISSUES AT THAT TIME.

THAT'S HOW I CHOOSE TO VIEW THEM.

ANY OTHER DISCUSSION.

IF NOT CALL THE VOTE.

WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND TO APPROVE THE CREATION OF THE ASSISTANT COURT COORDINATOR POSITION IN THE COUNTY COURT AT LAW.

ALL IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.

AYE. OPPOSED.

NAY. OR AYE.

NAY. SO WE HAVE THREE TWO JUDGE MOLINA.

WE VERY MUCH CAN DISCUSS DOING A CONTRACT EMPLOYEE SITUATION GOING FORWARD TO GET YOU THROUGH.

YOU AND I CAN VISIT ABOUT THAT AFTERWARDS WITH THE TERMINATION JUST IN CASE.

WHEN WE COME BACK, FOR THE BUDGET CYCLE, THERE IS NOT ENOUGH FUNDING TO FUND EVERYBODY'S POSITIONS THAT THEY'RE GOING TO ASK FOR BECAUSE EVERYBODY'S GOING TO ASK FOR MORE PEOPLE FOR THE VERY SAME REASONS THAT YOU ARE, GROWTH.

THEN WE CAN REVISIT AT THAT TIME AND YOU AND I CAN SIT DOWN TOGETHER AND DISCUSS DOING IT THAT WAY IF YOU'D LIKE.

ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. I WOULD LIKE TO DO THAT.

YES, MA'AM. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS.

OKAY. TRY TO REMEMBER WHERE WE WERE WHEN I STARTED JUMPING AROUND HERE.

[INAUDIBLE] 24. THE LAST ITEM WAS ITEM 17.

YES. THANK YOU.

ALL RIGHT. ITEM 17, DISCUSSION AND ACTION TO CONSIDER APPROVAL OF REQUISITION 01618 IN THE AMOUNT OF $30,408.82 FOR THE COPIER INSURANCE BUYOUT

[17. Discussion/Action to consider the approval of REQ01618 in the amount of $30,408.82 for the copier insurance buyout.]

COMMISSIONERS, WE HAVE A MOTION.

SO MOVED. MOTION TO APPROVE.

IS THAT A MOTION TO APPROVE? YES, WE HAVE MOTION TO APPROVE REQUISITION 01618.

DO WE HAVE A SECOND? I'LL SECOND.

WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE, AYE.

OPPOSED? HEARING NONE MOTION CARRIES.

ITEM 18 DISCUSSION ACTION TO CONSIDER THE APPROVAL OF PAYMENT FOR REQUISITION 01618 IN THE AMOUNT OF $30,408.82.

[18. Discussion/Action to consider the approval of payment for REQ01618 in the amount of $30,408.82.]

[01:40:04]

ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE, AYE.

OPPOSED? HEARING NONE MOTION CARRIES.

ITEM 19 DISCUSSION ACTION TO CONSIDER APPROVAL OF BUDGET AMENDMENT 46 TRANSFER MONEY FROM 001-6000-0940 REIMBURSED REVENUE

[19. Discussion/Action to consider the approval of Budget Amendment #46 to transfer money from (001-6000-0940) Reimbursed Revenue to (001-6510-4860) Contingency for the reimbursement for Regional Public Defenders Office.]

DANNY.

YES. SO WHEN IT COMES TO THE THESE KIND OF CAPITAL CASES, WE HAVE TO UP FRONT GIVE THE MONEY ALL UP FRONT OF HOW MUCH THAT CASE IS GOING TO COST. THEY DECIDED NOT TO GO, I BELIEVE I BELIEVE THEY TRIED TO CLASSIFY AS A CAPITAL MURDER.

IT GOT IT DIDN'T GET QUALIFIED AS A CAPITAL CASE OR A CAPITAL MURDER CASE.

SO WE RECEIVED THAT REVENUE BACK OF WHAT THEY THOUGHT THAT CASE WAS GOING TO ACTUALLY BE, WHICH IS THE $73,000.

WE'RE JUST TAKING THAT AND PUTTING IT IN OUR CONTINGENCY FUND.

ANY QUESTIONS, COMMISSIONERS? IF NOT I'D LOOK FOR A MOTION TO APPROVE.

I'LL SO MOVE. WE HAVE A MOTION DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND. WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE, AYE.

OPPOSED? HEARING NONE MOTION CARRIES.

ITEM 20 DISCUSSION ACTION TO CONSIDER THE APPROVAL TO INCREASE THE PAY OF SENIOR DEPUTY CLERK FOR ADDITIONAL DUTIES IN THE COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE.

[20. Discussion/Action to consider the approval to increase the pay to the Sr. Deputy Clerk for additional duties in the County Clerk's office.]

I JUST WANT TO I'M GOING TO APPOINT ONE OF MY ONE OF MY DEPUTIES ON THE DEED SIDE.

SHE'S BEEN THERE WELL, THE LONGEST OF THE FOUR TO DO MORE DUTIES AS TO TRAINING AND TAKING CARE OF EVERYTHING ELSE I'VE LOST, IT'S HARD FOR ME TO KEEP EMPLOYEES ON THAT SIDE.

I'VE LOST TWO. WE'VE BEEN SHORTHANDED.

I HAVE ANOTHER ONE THERE THAT'S BEEN WITH SANDRA.

SHE'S FAIRLY NEW, SO SANDRA'S HAVING TO REALLY TAKE UP ALL THE SLACK OF TRAINING ALL OF THEM, AND REALLY TAKING ON ALL THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF KEEPING THAT DEPARTMENT IN ORDER AND HAVING TO STOP AND SHOW THEM.

OUR DEED SIDE IS REALLY VERY BUSY.

THEY ARE ALWAYS BUSY.

WE TAKE ANYWHERE FROM $3 TO $5,000 A DAY AND THAT WAS WITH JUST MY TWO EMPLOYEES THAT I'VE HAD OVER THERE.

AND I JUST WANTED TO JUST GIVE HER A LITTLE BIT MORE TO SHOW HER, YOU KNOW, APPRECIATE HER AND AND ALSO DOING THE EXTRA DUTIES ALL THIS TIME.

BUT THAT'S BASICALLY IT.

COMMISSIONERS. THERESA IS THE DOCUMENT THAT WE HAVE IN OUR BACKUP, IS THAT THAT'S THE CURRENT JOB DESCRIPTION OR IS THAT THAT DID YOU CHANGE AND ADD DUTIES IN THERE? THE ONE THAT Y'ALL DO HAVE THE MAJORITY OF IT IS WHAT SHE DOES RIGHT NOW.

BUT SHE WILL TAKE ON MORE ASSIGNED WORK, LIKE I SAID, AS TRAINING THEM, KEEPING UP WITH THEIR WORK SCHEDULES, JUST BASICALLY OVERSEEING EVERYTHING.

SHE WILL BE THE ONE THAT THEY GO TO AS FAR AS RECORDS THAT COME IN AND NEEDING ASSISTANCE WITH ANYTHING.

I KNOW HISTORICALLY WHEN WE'VE DONE THIS, WE'VE ASKED FOR AN UPDATED JOB DESCRIPTION TO REFLECT THE INCREASE IN PAY.

THAT'S JUST TO MY RECOLLECTION.

THAT'S WHAT WE'VE DONE IN THE PAST.

AND I DON'T WE NEED TO HAVE, I GUESS, A BUDGET AMENDMENT OR SOMETHING SHOWING WHERE WE'RE MOVING MONEY AROUND FOR THIS.

AND I DON'T SEE THAT. THAT'S THE NEXT ONE.

OH, IT IS. OH, THAT'S RIGHT.

SORRY. I SKIPPED DOWN TO 21.

I'M LOOKING. ALL RIGHT, JUDGE, IS THIS ALSO AN ITEM THAT LIKE THE LAST THAT THAT WE SHOULD TAKE UP IN A IN A BROADER DISCUSSION OF.

I MEAN, COULD BE EMPLOYEE BUDGETING ISSUES? IT COULD BE. I MEAN, I GET I UNDERSTAND THAT THAT EVERY DEPARTMENT IS UNDER A STRAIN RIGHT NOW.

I MEAN, EVERY DEPARTMENT IS.

EVERY DEPARTMENT, I HAVE NO DOUBT, IS GOING TO BE COMING IN ASKING FOR MORE STAFF TO HANDLE THE STRAIN.

WHAT THE PARAMETERS THAT WE HAVE TO WORK WITHIN AS A COURT.

AND, YOU KNOW, AND ME AS THE BUDGETING OFFICER IS, DO WE HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO GIVE EVERYBODY ALL THOSE POSITIONS AND CONTINUE TO PROVIDE THE SERVICES THAT WE'RE STATUTORILY REQUIRED TO PROVIDE? AND IT'S THE CHICKEN AND THE EGG, YOU KNOW, WHICH COMES FIRST.

[01:45:01]

AND SO WE CAN PROVIDE BETTER SERVICE OR YOU KNOW, I KNOW IN PRIVATE INDUSTRY, YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU GET TO WORKING 16 HOURS A DAY, YOU DECIDE, I GOT TO HAVE A NEW PERSON HERE.

WE DON'T WE DON'T HAVE THAT LUXURY TO JUST ADJUST ON THE FLY.

WE HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE BUDGET CYCLE EVERY TIME.

AND SO, I MEAN, IT'S A CONSIDERATION CERTAINLY, COMMISSIONER.

AND IF I CAN ADD ON JUST TO KIND OF HELP CLARIFY, COMMISSIONER THERIOT.

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE LAST TWO IS MR. RODRIGUEZ IS NOT SHE'S NOT ASKING TO CREATE A NEW POSITION.

SHE'S JUST RE TITLING A CURRENT EMPLOYEE AS A SENIOR DEPUTY TO KIND OF GIVE YOU A LEADERSHIP ROLE IN HER OFFICE.

IN THE PAST, THERESA, DID YOU HAVE A SENIOR DEPUTY CLERK AND LOST HER? I DID KATRINA [INAUDIBLE].

YOU'RE NOT EVEN CREATING A NEW POSITION.

YOU'RE TRYING TO FILL THE POSITION.

I'M TRYING TO FILL IT BECAUSE KATRINA WAS THE ONE THAT HAD LEFT, WHICH LEFT ME WITH BASICALLY FOUR NEW DEPUTIES TRYING TO LEARN THE POSITION AND EVERYTHING WHICH SANDRA HAS.

SHE'S SPENT LIKE I SAID, SHE'S BEEN THERE THE LONGEST AND SHE'S TAKEN ON THE ROLE.

RIGHT. SO, YOU KNOW, LIKE YOU'RE GIVING HER A SEDATIVE, YOU'RE TRYING TO GIVE HER THE INCREASE TO THE PAY OF THE SENIOR DEPUTY CLERK THAT YOU LOST.

YES. THANK YOU FOR THAT CLARIFICATION.

THANK YOU FOR THAT. THERE YOU GO.

THANK YOU. BECAUSE I DIDN'T EVEN THINK OF BRINGING [INAUDIBLE].

I WANT TO MAKE THAT CLEAR. SO WE DON'T HAVE OTHER PEOPLE LIKE IN THE PREVIOUS SETTING, THE PRESIDENT, EVERYBODY SAYING, WELL, YOU KNOW, COMMISSIONER WESTMORELAND, HE'S BEEN A GREAT EMPLOYEE OF MINE AND I WANT TO GIVE HIM $700 TOO.

BUT YOU'RE FILLING A POSITION THAT WAS VACANT, SO YOU'RE ONLY BRINGING THIS POSITION UP TO ITS COST IT WAS.

YES. THEIR PAY THAT IT WAS.

SO THAT'S. YES, COMMISSIONER, THANK YOU.

BECAUSE I DIDN'T EVEN THINK OF BRINGING THAT UP.

I JUST WANT TO CLARIFY.

I'M SO SORRY. WE ARE INCREASING THAT SENIOR DEPUTY SALARY, THOUGH, BY $700 WITHIN YOUR BUDGET, FROM WITHIN YOUR OWN BUDGET.

SO WHAT'S THE SENIOR DEPUTY SALARY NOW? THE SEAT IT IS $32,620 AND SHE MAKES AND SHE IS GETTING PAID OUT OF RECORDS PRESERVATION FUND, WHICH IS A DIFFERENT ONE.

I TRIED TO GET IT OUT OF MY BUDGET AND LOWER MY TWO NEW POSITIONS AND LOWER THOSE TO GET THAT $700 FROM THERE.

BUT BECAUSE IT WAS SHE'S GETTING PAID OUT OF A DIFFERENT BUDGET, I WAS NOT ABLE TO JUST, YOU KNOW, MOVE IT AROUND LIKE THIS.

NO. BECAUSE IT'S OUT OF A DIFFERENT LINE.

[INAUDIBLE]. YEAH.

IT'S NOT JUST A DIFFERENT LINE.

IT'S A DIFFERENT FUND. YEAH.

SO. OKAY.

I SEE WHAT'S GOING ON.

I WASN'T PAYING ATTENTION TO CONTINGENCY INVOLVED IN THERE.

I WAS LIKE, WAIT, YEAH, YOU HAVE TO.

SORRY ABOUT THAT. SO.

SO WHAT WE WOULD BE IN EFFECT IN THE NEXT ITEM WE IF WE APPROVED THIS ITEM, AND THE NEXT ITEM, WE WOULD MOVE $700 TO ADD A CONTINGENCY FURTHER OUT OF CONTINGENCY TO THAT RECORD PRESERVATION BECAUSE IT'S IN THE SAME FUND, RIGHT? YES.

SO WE HAVE WE CANNOT MOVE MONEY BETWEEN FUNDS.

CORRECT. SO.

CORRECT. SORRY.

THAT'S OKAY. I JUST WANT TO BE CLEAR.

YES. SO NOT THAT I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH IT, BUT I JUST WANT TO BE CLEAR HOW THE MECHANICS OF THE BUDGET ARE GOING TO WORK WHEN WE DO THIS.

ANY MORE QUESTIONS? IF NOT I LOOK FOR A MOTION.

WELL, I'LL MAKE THE MOTION THAT WE INCREASE NOT INCREASE THE PAY, BUT IT IS IT'S INCREASING THE PAY OF THE SENIOR DEPUTY CLERK FOR THE ADDITIONAL DUTIES SHE DOES, AND IT FULFILLS THE SENIOR DEPUTY CLERK'S POSITION.

I GOT THAT OUT OF THERE.

VERY GOOD. WE HAVE A MOTION.

DO WE HAVE A SECOND? I'LL SECOND IT. WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE, AYE.

OPPOSED? HEARING NONE MOTION CARRIES.

NOW ITEM 21 DISCUSSION ACTION TO CONSIDER APPROVAL OF THE BUDGET AMENDMENT 47 A TRANSFER OF MONEY FROM 001-6510-4860

[21. Discussion/Action to consider the approval of Budget Amendment #47 to transfer money from (001-6510-4860) Contingency to the (001-9000-4945) County Clerk's Office/(003-7000-1000) Records Reservation Position for the pay increase for the Sr. Deputy Clerk.]

COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE 003-7000-1000 RECORDS PRESERVATION POSITION FOR PAY INCREASE FOR THE SENIOR DEPUTY CLERK . HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE? SO MOVED.

WE HAVE A MOTION, DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND. WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE, AYE.

OPPOSED? [INAUDIBLE] ITEM 22 DISCUSSION ACTION TO CONSIDER THE APPROVAL OF BUDGET AMENDMENT 48 TO TRANSFER MONEY FROM

[22. Discussion/Action to consider the approval of Budget Amendment #48 to transfer money from (001-6520-3560) JP 1/ DRC Building. (001-6520-3610) County Barn. (001-6520-5120) Caldwell Co. Courthouse to (001-6520-3620) Unit Road/Sanitation for FINA Construction Services Estimate.]

[01:50:05]

YES. YES.

COURT. SO WITH BUILDING MAINTENANCE, THERE WAS SOME MONEY THAT WAS LEFT OVER FROM LAST YEAR THAT DID NOT GET USED.

BUILDING MAINTENANCE DID NOT GET THAT BACK.

THAT WASHED BACK IN THE GENERAL FUND.

SO CURTIS CAME TO OUR OFFICE SEEKING HOW HE WAS GOING TO GET THIS RENOVATION DONE FOR THE SANITATION DEPARTMENT.

HIM AND I SAT DOWN AND WE WENT THROUGH HIS WHOLE ENTIRE BUDGET AND WE WERE ABLE TO FIND SOME AREAS OF EXTRA CASH FLOW THAT WE WERE ABLE TO MOVE THAT INTO THE UNIT ROAD SANITATION LINE ITEM WITHIN HIS BUDGET SO.

OK COMMISSIONERS, DO WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE BUDGET AMENDMENT 48? SO MOVED. WE HAVE A MOTION DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND. WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE, AYE.

OPPOSED? HEARING NONE MOTION CARRIES.

[INAUDIBLE] ITEM 23 ITEM 24.

[24. Discussion/Action to consider the approval of Budget Amendment #49 to transfer money from County Court at Law (001-3240-4160) Adult - Indigent Attorney Fees and (001-3240-4180) Juvenile - Indigent Attorney Fees to (001-3240-109) Office and Labor to create assistant court coordinator position.]

OKAY, THAT ONE. WE'RE GOING TO TABLE AND TAKE THAT UP AFTER JUDGE MOLINA AND I HAVE A CONVERSATION.

DO WE HAVE MOTION TO TABLE ITEM 24? SO MOVED.

WE HAVE A MOTION DO WE HAVE A SECOND.

SECOND, WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE, AYE.

OPPOSED? HEARING NONE MOTION CARRIES.

ITEM 25 DISCUSSION ACTION TO CONSIDER THE APPROVAL OF BUDGET AMENDMENT 50 FOR THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE SALARY REVISIONS.

[25. Discussion/Action to consider the approval of Budget Amendment #50 for the Auditor's Office salary revisions.]

SO WITH THIS BEING SAID, I'M NOT SURE IF THE COURT IS AWARE, BUT MYRA CASTILLO, HER LAST DAY IS THE 29TH OF THIS MONTH, WHICH IS THIS FRIDAY.

WITH THAT BEING SAID, I HAVE A COUPLE OF POSITIONS OPEN WITHIN MY OFFICE, KIND OF WANTING TO DO SOME REARRANGING AS FAR AS LEADERSHIP AND DUTIES GO.

THE JUST IN A SMALL, BRIEF SUMMARY, WHAT I WAS PLANNING ON DOING IS THE FIRST ASSISTANT AUDITOR SHE WAS MAKING ONLY WAS A COUPLE HUNDRED DOLLARS LESS THAN THE OR A COUPLE OF HUNDRED DOLLARS MORE THAN THE INTERNAL AUDITOR.

I WANTED TO INCREASE THAT APPROXIMATELY BY $5,000 BUMP THAT FIRST ASSISTANT AUDITOR UP TO $60,000 TO GIVE INCENTIVE WITHIN THE OFFICE TO THE TWO ASSISTANT AUDITORS THAT WILL NOW BE AT THE SAME LEVEL OF $45,975.

AND I ADDED AN ADDITIONAL $5,000 TO ACCOUNTS PAYABLE APPROXIMATE BECAUSE OF THE WORKLOAD THAT ACCOUNTS PAYABLE ACCOUNTS PAYABLE HAS TAKEN ON ALL BY HERSELF.

THERE IS NO BACKUP FOR HER, WHICH I DO PLAN TO CHANGE WITHIN THE COMING MONTHS, SO THAT $60,000 FOR THE FIRST ASSISTANT AUDITOR GIVES THOSE TWO ASSISTANT AUDITOR POSITIONS INCENTIVE FOR A LATERAL MOVE WITHIN THE OFFICE, GIVE THEM KIND OF FRIENDLY COMPETITION WITHIN THE OFFICE TO HAVE GREAT GOOD QUALITY IN THEIR PERFORMANCE.

AND AND I CAN GO THROUGH KIND OF MY MEMO, IF YOU'D LIKE.

IF NOT, JUST LET ME KNOW.

COMMISSIONERS. IS THIS TAKING AWAY A PAID POSITION ALTOGETHER? NO, MA'AM. YOU ONLY HAVE FOUR IN THE OFFICE? YES, MA'AM. SO WE HAVE OUR FIRST ASSISTANT, OUR INTERNAL INTERNAL SLASH ASSISTANT AUDITOR.

OUR ASSISTANT AUDITOR SLASH PAYROLL, AND THEN OUR ACCOUNTS PAYABLE THAT THAT ASSISTANT AUDITOR POSITION IS ALSO IT LISTS THAT WAY. KEEP HITTING US TODAY.

I'M SORRY, BUT IT'S.

IT'S THE PAYROLL ASSISTANT.

YEAH, THE ASSISTANT AUDITOR IS THE PAYROLL CLERK.

BUT WHEN THEY'RE NOT WORKING ON PAYROLL, THEY'RE DOING ASSISTANT AUDITOR DUTIES SUCH AS REVENUE WARRANTS, BANK RECONCILIATIONS, ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

OKAY. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? IF NOT I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION.

GO AHEAD, COMMISSIONER SORRY.

DO YOU HAVE A HAVE A HEARTACHE WITH THE INTERNAL AUDITOR WITH SUCH A DROP? NO. I DID LET HER KNOW THAT THAT FIRST ASSISTANT POSITION IS HERS IF SHE WOULD LIKE IT.

AND SHE HAS UNOFFICIALLY ACCEPTED UNTIL MYRA'S LAST DAY, WHICH IS THE 29TH.

SO JAN BAUER WILL BE MOVING UP INTO THE FIRST ASSISTANT AUDITOR POSITION.

[01:55:01]

YES. YES, MA'AM.

OKAY. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? AND MY HOPE TO WITHIN THE NEXT BUDGET CYCLE IS TO TAKE THAT INTERNAL AUDITOR TITLE MORE AND PUT IT BACK AS AN ASSISTANT AUDITOR AND HAVE EVERYBODY IN MY OFFICE GOING OUTSIDE AND DOING AUDITS AND, YOU KNOW, EVERYBODY CROSS-TRAINED AND NOT ONE PARTICULAR PERSON IS JUST SET TO ONE PARTICULAR DUTY.

THANK YOU. [INAUDIBLE] QUESTIONS COMMISSIONERS, IF NOT I'D ENTERTAIN A MOTION.

I MOVE TO APPROVE BUDGET AMENDMENT 50.

OKAY, WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE BUDGET AMENDMENT 50.

DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND, WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE, AYE.

OPPOSED? HEARING NONE MOTION CARRIES.

ITEM 26 IS DISCUSSION ACTION TO CONSIDER THE APPROVAL OF BUDGET AMENDMENT NUMBER 52 TO TRANSFER MONEY FROM 001-6510-4825 TAX

[26. Discussion/Action to consider the approval of Budget Amendment #52 to transfer money from (001-6510-4825) Tax Abatement to (001-6510-4260) Transportation for Texas Fleet Fuel Fees.]

TRANSPORTATION FOR TEXAS FLEET FUEL FEES.

THAT IS HARD TO SAY.

YES, COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE.

SO ON OUR LAST BILL CYCLE, WE RECEIVED A LATE FEE AND A FINANCE CHARGE.

SO THIS IS JUST ADDING ON TO THAT UNEXPECTED CHARGE THAT WE WERE GOING TO RECEIVE.

WE ARE DOING OUR DUE DILIGENCE TO MAKE SURE THAT DOES NOT HAPPEN EVER AGAIN.

OKAY. ARE WE DURING THE NEXT BUDGET CYCLE, HOPEFULLY GOING TO CONSIDER AN ALTERNATIVE TO THIS? YES, I HAVE ALREADY LOOKED AT ALTERNATIVES.

THERE IS ONE OUT THERE CALLED WEX FUEL.

SAME EXACT WAY.

THEY THEY DON'T THERE ARE NO LATE FEES.

THERE ARE NO SERVICE CHARGES.

THERE'S NO IF YOU HAVE FUEL CARDS, WE'RE NOT PAYING ADDITIONAL MONEY FOR FUEL CARDS AND WE'RE NOT THEY BUILD THAT RELATIONSHIP WITH THE COUNTY THAT THEY THEY'LL UNDERSTAND THAT WE'RE ON A BIWEEKLY PAY CYCLE AND THAT SOMETIMES IT'LL TAKE ANYWHERE BETWEEN 15 TO 25 DAYS TO RECEIVE THAT PAYMENT, WHERE AS WE'RE HAVING SOME ISSUES WITH FUEL DEMAND THAT WE GET THE BILL AND ALL OF A SUDDEN, TEN DAYS LATER, IT NEEDS TO BE PAID.

SO IT'S BEEN PROBLEMATIC FOR I FEEL LIKE WE'VE BEEN GETTING THE SHAKEDOWN.

AND IT'S JUST IT'S GOTTEN TO THE POINT OF BEING RIDICULOUS.

AND IT'S IT'S ALSO VERY HARD TO CHANGE ANY PRIVILEGES WITHIN THAT COMPANY.

SO NOW THAT I'VE TAKEN OVER THIS POSITION AND A COUPLE OTHER PEOPLE THAT WERE ON THEIR AUTHORIZATION, WHOEVER IS AUTHORIZED TO CONTACT THEM OR TALK ABOUT THE ACCOUNTS, THEY'RE NO LONGER HERE.

AND JUST TO GET THAT SWITCHED OVER, IT'S, IT'S I HAVEN'T EVEN HEARD ANYTHING BACK WITHIN A MONTH.

SO AND I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THEM.

ABOUT A YEAR AGO, IT TOOK ME OVER THREE MONTHS TO CHANGE SOME OF THOSE AUTHORIZATIONS ON THERE SO.

OKAY SO COMMISSIONERS, WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE BUDGET AMENDMENT 52.

SO MOVED.

WE HAVE A MOTION. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND. WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE, AYE.

OPPOSED? HEARING NONE THE MOTION CARRIES.

[27. Discussion/Action to consider the approval of Budget Amendment #53 to transfer money from (001-6510-4825) Tax Abatement to (001-6510-4610) Rentals for Xerox Rental Overages and Service Fee's.]

TAX ABATEMENT TO 001-6510-4610 RENTALS FOR XEROX RENTAL OVERAGES AND SERVICE FEES.

KIND OF A SIMILAR SITUATION OF THE LATE FEES THAT'S OCCURRING WITH XEROX.

WE NEED TO SIT DOWN.

I HAVE WORKING WITH MY ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AS WELL AS OUR PURCHASING DEPARTMENT TO CONTACT XEROX AND QUESTION THEM ON THE INCREASE AND THE THE LATE CHARGES FOR THAT OR I MEAN, I'M SORRY, THE OVERAGE CHARGES.

I KNOW SOME THINGS HAVE BEEN ADDED IN MY ABSENCE THAT I NEED TO I NEED TO FIGURE OUT WHAT SERVICES HAVE BEEN ADDED TO THAT CONTRACT FROM WHAT DEPARTMENT.

I KNOW THE ELECTIONS DEPARTMENT HAD GOTTEN SOME XEROX SERVICES AND DEVICES, AND I NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT'S NOT BEING ADDED ONTO THE XEROX PAYMENT.

SO I'M, YOU KNOW, TAKE THE RECOMMENDATION OF EITHER APPROVING IT OR TABLING IT UNTIL I CAN FIND OUT FURTHER, YOU KNOW, WHAT'S GOING ON. I MEAN, REGARDLESS, WE DO HAVE TO HAVE TO PAY XEROX.

SO WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF WE TABLED IT? MORE LATE FEES? YES.

IN ESSENCE, THEY WOULD TAKE AWAY OUR XEROX MACHINE.

YEAH. YEAH. WELL, ON THIS TO ADD TO DENNIS THING, I WAS LOOKING AT THE PO AND WE'RE KIND OF RUNNING LOW ON FUNDS ON THAT ONE, I BELIEVE WE ONLY PUT LIKE $5,000 IN THERE AND

[02:00:02]

SO WE KIND OF NEED A LITTLE BIT MORE JUST FOR ANY FUTURE OVERAGES JUST THAT WE MAY HAVE.

I WOULD ASK YOU GUYS TO APPROVE THIS AND THEN IF WE NEED TO CHANGE SOMETHING, DANNY CAN BRING IT BACK TO COURT.

AND I DEFINITELY DON'T WANT TO INCUR MORE LATE FEES.

NO. AND WE'RE SEEING A TREND OF THE OVERAGES.

AND THIS IS MORE OF AN ESTIMATE THAT IT LOOKED TO BE ABOUT, I THINK.

WHAT WAS IT? $1,200 DOLLARS A MONTH JUST IN OVERAGES.

SO THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE ESTIMATED OUT FOR THE NEXT SIX MONTHS FOR THE TILL THE END OF OUR BUDGET CYCLE.

I ALSO WANT TO GET WITH XEROX AND SEE IF THEY'RE OFFERING ANY KIND OF DISCOUNTS, REWARDS FOR THE COUNTY THAT THEY COULD MAYBE UPDATE OUR CONTRACT AS FAR AS THE OVERAGES, WHAT AND ANALYZE WHICH DEPARTMENTS ARE GOING OVER ON THEIR COPIERS? YEAH, THAT WAS GOING TO BE MY QUESTION.

IF IT WAS POSSIBLE TO TO RENEGOTIATE THAT CONTRACT AND BASICALLY REASSESS THE TERMS, IF IF WE HAVE CONSISTENT DEPARTMENTS THAT ARE THAT ARE NOT THAT WE KNOW ARE USING MORE THAN WHAT THEY'RE ALLOCATED. AND THAT'S NOT SAYING THAT THEY'RE AT FAULT.

IT'S JUST THE USAGE IS WHAT IT IS.

THAT WOULD BE PROBABLY ADVANTAGEOUS TO GET AHEAD OF THIS FOR THE NEXT BUDGET.

AND JUST JUST TO NOT BE THE WET BLANKET, BUT JUST TO REMIND THE COURT TO KEEP CONSTRAINED TO THE DISCUSSION ACTION ITEM.

WE CAN ADD ANOTHER ITEM NEXT TIME FOR DISCUSSING CONTRACT RENEWAL, BUT THIS IS THE BUDGET AMENDMENT.

OKAY. THANK YOU, JASON.

YES AND YES, GO AHEAD, CAROLYN.

HI. SO WHAT I WAS TELLING DANNY AND AS THE THE OVERAGE CHARGES FOR XEROX, THAT IS FROM WHEN THE ELECTIONS OFFICE WAS SET UP, THEY WERE SET UP WITH BLACK, WHITE ONLY, NOT COLOR.

SO EVERY TIME THEY PRINT, IT DOES CHARGE THAT DID COME UP IN THE DISCUSSION THAT WE HAD WITH XEROX LAST MONTH.

THEY ARE CURRENTLY WORKING.

I'VE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH JESSICA, WHO IS OUR XEROX REP.

THEY ARE WORKING TO TRY TO CONSOLIDATE OUR CURRENT CONTRACT WITH WHAT WAS SET UP FOR THE ELECTIONS AND TO TRY TO SET IT UP TO WHERE WE AREN'T GETTING SO MANY OF THOSE OVERAGE CHARGES DUE TO THE COLOR COPIES.

YES. AND THAT WAS WHAT WE HAD THAT MEETING LAST MONTH OR SO.

WE HAD XEROX THEIR SALES FOLKS, SENIOR SALES FOLKS IN TO DISCUSS THAT.

BUT JUST TO GET US THROUGH THIS IS THIS IS A BUDGET AMENDMENT THAT WILL MORE THAN COMPENSATE FOR ANY ADDITIONAL OVERAGES BY THE ELECTIONS DEPARTMENT OR ANY DEPARTMENT WITHIN.

AND IT COULD BE A BUDGET AMENDMENT THAT WE OVERCOMPENSATED, ESPECIALLY AFTER SPEAKING WITH XEROX, THAT WE MIGHT NOT NEED THAT MUCH, BUT JUST TO BE SAFE.

THIS WAS THE RECOMMENDED BUDGET AMENDMENT FOR THAT CONCERN.

COMMISSIONERS, WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE BUDGET AMENDMENT 53.

SO MOVED.

WE HAVE A MOTION? DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND. WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR. SAY AYE, AYE.

OPPOSED? HEARING NONE MOTION CARRIES.

[28. Discussion/Action to approve the transfer the supervision of Building Maintenance from Commissioner Pet. 4 to County Judge.]

UNLESS SOMEBODY ELSE WANTS TO VOLUNTEER TO DO IT, I'LL DO IT HAPPILY.

NO, IF NOT.

I'LL MAKE THAT MOTION THAT WE WOULD TRANSFER THE SUPERVISION OF BUILDING BUILDING MAINTENANCE FROM COMMISSION TO PRECINCT 4 TO THE COUNTY JUDGE.

WE HAVE A MOTION DO WE HAVE A SECOND? I'LL SECOND. WE HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE, AYE.

OPPOSED? HEARING NONE MOTION CARRIES.

ITEM 30 DISCUSSION ACTION TO CONSIDER THE APPROVAL OF THE PRELIMINARY PLAT FOR LYTTON CREEK RANCH PHASE ONE CONSISTING OF 17 SINGLE RESIDENTIAL

[30. Discussion/ Action to consider the approval of the Preliminary Plat for Lytton Creek Ranch. Phase 1 consisting of 17 single residential on approximately 23.8 9 acres located on Hidden Oak Road.]

GOOD MORNING. THIS PROJECT HAS HONESTLY BEEN GOING ON FOR ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF.

WE'RE FINALLY AT THE POINT WHERE WE CAN ASK FOR PERMISSION FOR APPROVAL FOR THE PRELIMINARY PLAT, FOR LYTTON CREEKS.

ALL OF THE BACKUP IS INCLUDED.

THIS IS CONSIDERED PHASE ONE, BUT THERE WILL NOT BE.

WE'LL HAVE A FINAL PLAT FOR PHASE ONE.

THERE WILL NOT BE A PHASE TWO BECAUSE THAT'S 100% IN BASTROP COUNTY.

SO THEY'LL TAKE IT OVER ONCE WE APPROVE THIS.

OKAY. THANK YOU.

ALL RIGHT. DO WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE PRELIMINARY PRELIMINARY PLAT FOR LYTTON CREEK RANCH PHASE ONE, CONSISTING OF 17 SINGLE

[02:05:03]

WE HAVE A MOTION. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND. WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE, AYE.

OPPOSED? HEARING NONE MOTION CARRIES.

THANK YOU. WE'VE DONE ITEM 31, SO WE'RE GOING TO GO TO ITEM 32 EXECUTIVE SESSION PURSUANT TO TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION

[32. EXECUTIVE SESSION ]

WE ARE GOING INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 11:06.

OKAY. WE'RE BACK.

[33. Discussion/Action to consider taking action on Executive Session.]

IT'S NOW 11:31 AND WE'RE GOING TO MOVE TO ITEM 33 DISCUSSION ACTION AND CONSIDER TAKING ACTION ON THE EXECUTIVE SESSION.

KASI CAME TO ME PROBABLY A WEEK AND A HALF AGO, AND SHE WAS OFFERED EMPLOYMENT WITH THE CITY OF LULING.

WE CERTAINLY I THINK THIS BODY IS UNANIMOUS, AND WE'LL FIND OUT FOR SURE HERE IN A MINUTE THAT WE DO NOT WANT TO LOSE KASI.

SHE SHE LITERALLY PERFORMS ABOUT FOUR DIFFERENT DUTIES THAT THE COMPENSATION THAT SHE GETS WOULD JUST BE FOR ANY ONE OF THOSE DUTIES.

SHE'S OUR SANITARIAN, SHE'S OUR DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.

SHE'S FUNCTIONING IN MULTIPLE MULTIPLE ROLES AND THE IMPACT OF HER LEAVING WOULD BE WOULD BE FELT FOR MONTHS.

SO WE REALLY APPRECIATE HER NUMBER ONE, NOT JUST TAKING THAT JOB.

THANK YOU FOR GIVING US THE OPPORTUNITY TO TO COME TOGETHER IN EXECUTIVE SESSION AS THE COURT AND DISCUSS THIS.

AND WE HAVE WE ARE GOING TO PROBABLY BE CONSIDERING A MOTION TO CHANGE KASI'S SALARY FROM $58,028.88 TO $72,000 TO COME VERY HOPEFULLY, THAT'S VERY CLOSE TO MATCHING WHAT CITY OF LULING OFFERED.

AND WE WANT TO KEEP YOU YOU ARE INCREDIBLY VALUABLE EMPLOYEE.

ALL OF OUR EMPLOYEES ARE VALUABLE.

BUT THE FACT THAT YOU DO SO MANY JOBS AND PUT IN SO MANY HOURS AND MOST I DON'T KNOW THAT MOST PEOPLE KNOW THIS, BUT IN THE DEVELOPMENT WORLD, WE START A CLOCK STATUTORILY AND WE HAVE THAT CLOCK STARTED ON I WOULD HATE TO GUESS HOW MANY DEVELOPMENTS RIGHT NOW. AND WE WOULD WE WOULD FAIL TO MEET OUR STATUTORY REQUIREMENT WITHOUT KASI JUST NUMBER ONE.

NUMBER TWO, WE COULDN'T ISSUE ANY SEPTIC PERMITS OR DO ANY OF THE SANATORIUM WORK THAT SHE DOES.

AND SO WITH THAT SAID COMMISSIONERS, I WOULD LOOK FOR A MOTION FROM ONE OF YOU TO MAKE THAT SALARY ADJUSTMENT.

DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND. WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE, AYE.

OPPOSED? HEARING NONE THE MOTION CARRIES.

ITEM 34 MOTION TO ADJOURN.

I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO ADJOURN.

WE HAVE A MOTION TO ADJOURN.

DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND. WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE, AYE.

OPPOSED? HEARING NONE MOTION CARRIES.

COMMISSIONERS WE HAVE A WORKSHOP NEXT.

WOULD YOU GUYS LIKE TO TAKE A BREAK OR GO RIGHT INTO THAT?

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.