[00:00:02] OKAY. GOOD MORNING EVERYBODY. THANK YOU FOR COMING TO CALDWELL COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT. [A. CALL MEETING TO ORDER] WE'RE GOING TO CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER NOVEMBER 25TH, 2025 AT 9 A.M.. AND DO WE HAVE ANYBODY TO, FOR THE INVOCATION THIS MORNING? WOULD YOU MIND DOING IT, COMMISSIONER? THANK YOU. I'LL ASK YOU GUYS TO READ THIS WE GIVE YOU PRAISE AND GLORY, HONOR AND FAITH. IT IS, I'M AFRAID. AMEN. AMEN. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG, THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS. ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL. HONOR THE TEXAS FLAG. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THEE, TEXAS, ONE STATE UNDER GOD, ONE AND INDIVISIBLE. OKAY, COMMISSIONERS DO WE HAVE ANY ANNOUNCEMENTS THIS MORNING? [D. ANNOUNCEMENTS] JUST WOULD LIKE TO WISH EVERYONE A HAPPY THANKSGIVING AND SAFE TRAVELS TO AND FROM HOME IF YOU'RE GOING TO BE ON THE ROADS. NONE FOR ME. SAME AS WHAT? COMMISSIONER. NONE FOR ME. NONE JUDGE. AND NONE FOR ME. OKAY. DO WE? I KNOW WE HAVE A COUPLE OF ANNOUNCEMENTS. EZZY. IT'S THAT TIME OF THE YEAR. I WOULD DO THE MARIAH CAREY THING, BUT IT'S NOT THAT GOOD. CYBER SECURITY IS COMING UP. SO NEXT, COMMISSIONERS COURT, WE ARE GOING TO BE PUTTING IT ON THE AGENDA TO HAVE YOU GUYS APPROVE IT. SO I HAVE HAD SEVERAL EMPLOYEES ASK ME ABOUT THE CYBERSECURITY AND GETTING THEIR PEOPLE ADDED, SO I WILL BE SENDING OUT EMAILS DOUBLE CHECKING EVERYBODY'S EMAILS AND MAKING SURE THAT WE GOT THOSE NEW EMPLOYEES THAT CAME IN. SO JUST BE PATIENT WITH US AND WE'LL BE SENDING THEM OUT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, AND JOANNE. GOOD MORNING. THE OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT HAS RECENTLY ACTIVATED OUR PARTICIPATION IN THE STEAR PROGRAM. THAT'S THE STATE OF TEXAS EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE REGISTRY THROUGH TDEM, THE TEXAS DIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT. IT'S A REGISTRY THAT'S FREE AND VOLUNTARY, AND IT PROVIDES LOCAL EMERGENCY MANAGERS WITH INFORMATION FOR THOSE WHO ARE MEDICALLY FRAGILE IN OUR COMMUNITY. SO IF THERE'S AN EMERGENCY, WE KNOW WHERE THOSE PEOPLE ARE LOCATED AND WE CAN PROVIDE THEM A BETTER RESPONSE. IT DOESN'T GUARANTEE A PRIORITY, BUT IT DOES, IT MAY PROVIDE FOR A MORE RAPID GOOD RESPONSE. SO THE PEOPLE WERE LOOKING FOR ARE THOSE WITH DISABILITIES, PEOPLE WHO MIGHT NEED SPECIAL EQUIPMENT LIKE OXYGEN OR WHEELCHAIR BOUND. AND WE WILL HAVE A DATABASE WITH ALL OF THAT INFORMATION. YOU CAN REGISTER THROUGH THE QR CODE THAT'S AVAILABLE ON OUR WEBSITE AND ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE. YOU CAN REGISTER ONLINE AND IF YOU CAN'T DO THAT, YOU CAN CALL 211. AND YOU CAN ALSO REGISTER THROUGH THERE. OKAY. THANK YOU. ANY OTHER STAFF ANNOUNCEMENTS THIS MORNING? IF NOT, WE'LL GO TO CITIZENS COMMENTS ANDREW MACLEISH. [E. CITIZENS' COMMENTS] GOOD MORNING, ANDREW MACLEISH. PRAIRIE LEE, TODAY I WANT TO TELL YOU WHAT HAPPENED WHEN THE PRAIRIE LEE STOP SIGN ISSUE CAME BEFORE THE NEW COMMISSIONERS COURT, WITH COMMISSIONER HADEN REPLACING JUDGE SCHAWE AND BARBARA SHELTON REPLACING COMMISSIONER MOSES. THREE YEARS AFTER THE HALLWAY STOP SIGNS WENT IN AND NEARLY TWO YEARS INTO THEIR TERM, THE COURT FINALLY TOOK UP THIS LONG STANDING ISSUE, AND THE WAY THIS COURT HANDLED IT IN SEPTEMBER OF 2020 WAS COMPLETELY DIFFERENT FROM HOW THE SHAWNEE COURT HANDLED IT BACK IN 2017. COMMISSIONER SHELTON REINTRODUCED THE ITEM, EXPLAINING THAT WHILE THE STOP SIGNS HAD BEEN INSTALLED YEARS EARLIER, THE MATTER WAS NEVER OFFICIALLY RESOLVED. SHE SAID IT NEVER GOT CLOSED OUT. THE STOP SIGNS WERE THERE, BUT THERE WAS NO RECORD OF WHY. NO STUDY, NO BACKUP, NOTHING IN THE MINUTES. SHE INVITED ME TO SPEAK THAT DAY. I SHOWED TIME LAPSE VIDEOS OF THE INTERSECTIONS, AND TOGETHER WE ESTIMATED THE TRAFFIC COUNT. JUDGE HAYDEN NOTED THAT IN TWO HOURS, ONLY ABOUT 24 CARS PASSED THROUGH, ROUGHLY ONE CAR EVERY 6 OR 7 MINUTES. AS I SAID AT THE TIME, YOU SEE MORE CLOUDS COME BY THAN TRAFFIC. I TOLD THE COURT THERE'S REALLY NO TRAFFIC. EVERYONE RUNS THOSE STOP SIGNS EVERY DAY. AND YOU MAY RECALL THAT THE PREVIOUS COURT COMMISSIONER HADEN, HE HAD NOTHING TO SAY ABOUT THE SUBJECT. [00:05:04] BUT NOW, AS COUNTY JUDGE HAYDEN, HE DIDN'T DISMISS WHAT HE HEARD. HE DIDN'T DEFEND THE OLD DECISION. HE LEANED BACK. HE LEANED IN AND ASKED FOR FACTS. HE SAID, I'D BE CURIOUS TO HAVE A TRAFFIC COUNT ON THOSE INTERSECTIONS WITHOUT KNOWING THAT IT'S PRETTY DIFFICULT TO MAKE A DECISION. COMMISSIONER THERIOT AGREED, SAYING THERE WOULD BE NOTHING HERE THAT WARRANTS A STOP SIGN. IN OTHER WORDS, THE TRAFFIC DIDN'T JUSTIFY THEM. THEN JUDGE HAYDEN MADE A KEY POINT. HE SUGGESTED GETTING A TRAFFIC AND SPEED STUDY. I THINK WE CAN GET SOMETHING LIKE THAT DONE, HE SAID. I CERTAINLY THINK WE HAVE IT IN OUR BUDGET. AND THAT'S WHEN THE CONVERSATION CHANGED. INSTEAD OF DEBATING WHO WAS RIGHT OR WRONG IN 2017, THE COURT FOCUSED ON HOW TO GET REAL DATA, DATA THAT HAD NEVER BEEN COLLECTED BEFORE COMMISSIONER SHELTON MOVED THAT THE COUNTY CONDUCT A FULL TRAFFIC AND SPEED STUDY ON SAINT JOSEPH STREET IN THE SURROUNDING INTERSECTIONS. COMMISSIONER ROLAND SECONDED, AND IT PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. NO GRANDSTANDING, NO POLITICS, JUST A CLEAR DECISION TO FIND THE FACTS BEFORE ACTING. NOW THINK BACK TO THE SHAUN COURT IN 2017. THE DIFFERENCE IS STRIKING. BACK THEN, THE STOP SIGNS WERE INSTALLED ON A COMMISSIONERS HUNCH. THERE WAS NO STUDY, NO ENGINEER'S REPORT, AND NO DOCUMENT NEEDED. WHEN RESIDENTS PROTESTED, THE COURT HELD A HEARING, BUT ONLY TO JUSTIFY WHY WE HAVE THESE STOP SIGNS THERE. THE DECISION HAD ALREADY BEEN MADE UNDER JUDGE SCHAWE THE COURT ACTED FIRST AND ASKED QUESTIONS LATER. UNDER JUDGE HAYDEN THE COURT ASKED QUESTIONS FIRST. THAT MEETING MARKED A RETURN TO PROCESS TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY. THE DISCUSSION WASN'T ABOUT DEFENDING THE PAST. IT WAS ABOUT UNDERSTANDING AND MOVING FORWARD WITH EVIDENCE. AS JUDGE HAYDEN SAID, WE DON'T HAVE ANY DATA ONE WAY OR THE OTHER, AND THAT'S WHY THIS COURT DECIDED TO COLLECT IT. BECAUSE GOOD GOVERNMENT DOESN'T RELY ON ASSUMPTIONS OR HUNCHES, IT RELIES ON FACTS. AFTER YEARS OF CONFUSION AND CONFLICTING DECISIONS, THE HAYDEN COURT BROUGHT SOMETHING BACK TO PRAIRIE LEE THAT HAD BEEN MISSING FOR A LONG TIME. FACT BASED DECISION MAKING. DURING THE NEXT MEETING, WE'LL TAKE A STRAIGHTFORWARD LOOK AT HOW THE HAYDEN COURT APPROACHED DECISIONS USING ACTUAL DATA AND ENGINEERING'S RECOMMENDATION. THANK YOU AND I HOPE YOU ALL ENJOY YOUR HOLIDAY WEEKEND. THANK YOU SIR. ANY OTHERS? NO, SIR. OKAY. ALL RIGHT. [F. CONSENT AGENDA] WITH THAT, WE WILL GO TO CONSENT COMMISSIONERS. IF THERE IS NO QUESTION ON CONSENT, WOULD LOOK FOR A MOTION TO APPROVE. MOVE TO APPROVE. CONSENT. MOVE TO APPROVE BY COMMISSIONER HORN. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WESTMORELAND. ANY DISCUSSION? NOT. ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. AYE. OPPOSED? HEARING NONE, MOTION CARRIES. EXCUSE ME. DISCUSSION. ACTION ITEMS. G.1, DISCUSS AND TAKE POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FOR THE NOVEMBER 13TH, [G.1 To discuss and take possible action regarding the approval of the Minutes for the November 13, 2025, regular meeting. Speaker: Judge Haden/Teresa Rodriguez; Backup: 14; Cost: $0.00] 2025 REGULAR MEETING. MOVE APPROVAL. MOVE APPROVAL BY COMMISSIONER THERIOT. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER THOMAS? ANY DISCUSSION? NOT. ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. AYE. OPPOSED. HEARING. NONE. MOTION CARRIES. ITEM G.2, TO CONSIDER THE PUBLIC STREET AND DRAINAGE AND CASA SUBDIVISION AS COMPLETE AND READY TO [G.2 To consider the public street and drainage in Casa Subdivision as complete and ready to begin the two-year performance period as evidenced by a maintenance bond in the amount of $38,000.00 for maintenance security. Speaker: Judge Haden/Commissioner Thomas/Donald Leclerc; Backup: 2; Cost: $0.00] BEGIN THE TWO-YEAR PERFORMANCE PERIOD, AS EVIDENCED BY MAINTENANCE BOND IN THE AMOUNT OF $38,000 FOR MAINTENANCE SECURITY. READY TO ACCEPT. OKAY, COMMISSIONERS. SO MOVED. MOVE APPROVAL BY COMMISSIONER THOMAS. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER THERIOT. ANY DISCUSSION? NOT ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. AYE. OPPOSED? HEARING NONE, MOTION CARRIES. ITEM G.3, DISCUSS AND TAKE POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING FINAL PLAT FOR CASA SUBDIVISION. [G.3 To discuss and take possible action regarding the Final Plat for Casa Subdivision consisting of 14- lots on approximately 17.283 acres located at FM 1854 in Dale, Texas. Speaker: Commissioner Thomas/Kasi Miles; Backup: 2; Cost: $0.00] EXCUSE ME. CONSISTING OF 14 LOTS ON APPROXIMATELY 17.283 ACRES LOCATED AT FM 1854, IN DALE. OKAY. GOOD MORNING. WE ARE NOW READY TO FINALIZE CASA SUBDIVISION. THERE WERE A FEW CONCERNS WITH THE ROADS. THE CORRECTIONS HAVE NOW BEEN MADE, AND WE'RE JUST READY TO MOVE FORWARD WITH AN APPROVAL. OKAY. COMMISSIONERS. SO MOVED. MOVE APPROVAL. MOVE APPROVAL BY COMMISSIONER THOMAS. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER HORNE. DISCUSSION? NOT. ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. AYE. OPPOSED? HEARING NONE, MOTION CARRIES. ITEM G.4, DISCUSS AND TAKE POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING THE RIGHT-OF-WAY LICENSE AGREEMENT TO ALLOW CENTEX DRAINAGE DISTRICT TO CONSTRUCT AN ENTRANCE MONUMENT AND [G.4 To discuss and take possible action regarding the Right-of-Way License Agreement to allow Centex Drainage District to construct an entrance monument and flag poles in County right-of-way on Lytton Lane for the Luna Rosa Subdivision. Speaker: Commissioner Thomas/Kasi Miles; Backup: 6; Cost: $0.00] FLAGPOLES AND COUNTY RIGHT OF WAY ON LYTTON LANE AND LUNA ROSA OF SUBDIVISION. COMMISSIONER THOMAS YOU HAVE A, JUDGE, ANYTHING YOU'D LIKE TO ADD OR TALK ABOUT? YES, SIR. WE ALL DISCUSSED THAT AND MADE A MADE DIFFERENT ARRANGEMENTS. [00:10:03] RICHARD WORKED ON IT AND WE GOT EVERYTHING CORRECT ON THAT RIGHT-OF-WAY. AND WE, THAT WAS THE FIRST AGREEMENT. AND SO WE AGREED THAT THIS IS GOING TO BE THE STANDARD. AND FOR WORKING WITH LUNA ROSA ON RIGHT-OF-WAYS IN THAT PARTICULAR AREA. SO EVERYTHING IS TAKEN CARE OF. OKAY. SO YOU MOVE APPROVAL? I MOVE TO APPROVE. OKAY. MOVE APPROVAL BY COMMISSIONER THOMAS, DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER HORNE. ANY DISCUSSION? NOT. ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE. AYE. OPPOSED? HEARING NONE, MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. ITEM G.5, CONSIDER PUBLIC STREET AND DRAINAGE AND LUNA ROSA PHASE 1 & 2 AS COMPLETE AND READY TO BEGIN. [G.5 To consider public streets and drainage in Luna Rosa Phase 1 & 2 as complete and ready to begin the two-year performance period as evidenced by a maintenance bond in the amount of $1,017,317.22 for maintenance security. Speaker: Judge Haden/Commissioner Thomas/Donald Leclerc; Backup: 3; Cost: $0.00] THE TWO-YEAR PERFORMANCE IS EVIDENCED BY MAINTENANCE BOND AND THE AMOUNT OF $1,017,317.22. READY TO RELEASE AND ACCEPT. OKAY, COMMISSIONERS? SO MOVE FOR APPROVAL. MOVE APPROVAL BY COMMISSIONER THOMAS. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WESTMORELAND. ANY DISCUSSION? NOT. ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. AYE. OPPOSED? HEARING NONE, MOTION CARRIES. ITEM G.6, DISCUSS AND TAKE POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING FINAL PLAT FOR LUNA ROSA SUBDIVISION, [G.6 To discuss and take possible action regarding the Final Plat for Luna Rosa Subdivision, Phase 1 consisting of 241 lots on approximately 103.147 acres located on Lytton Lane and Highway 21. Speaker: Commissioner Thomas/Kasi Miles; Backup: 4; Cost: $0.00] PHASE 1, CONSISTING OF 241 LOTS ON APPROXIMATELY 103.147 ACRES LOCATED ON LYTTON LANE AND HIGHWAY 21. OKAY THIS HAS BEEN REVIEWED. ALL COMMENTS ARE CLEARED AND WE'RE READY TO MOVE FORWARD WITH AN APPROVAL. OKAY, COMMISSIONERS. SO MOVED FOR APPROVAL. MOVE APPROVAL BY COMMISSIONER THOMAS. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER THERIOT? ANY DISCUSSION? NOT. ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE. AYE. OPPOSED? HEARING NONE, MOTION CARRIES. ITEM G.7, DISCUSS AND TAKE POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING FINAL PLAT FOR LUNA ROSA SUBDIVISION, [G.7 To discuss and take possible action regarding the Final Plat for Luna Rosa subdivision, Phase 2 consisting of 251 lots on approximately 133.011 acres located on Lytton Lane and Highway 21. Speaker: Commissioner Thomas/Kasi Miles; Backup: 4; Cost: $0.00] PHASE 2, CONSISTING OF 251 LOTS ON APPROXIMATELY 133.011 ACRES, LOCATED ON LYTTON LANE AND HIGHWAY 21. OKAY, SAME SCENARIO. EVERYTHING IS GOOD. ALL COMMENTS HAVE BEEN CLEARED AND WE'RE READY TO MOVE FORWARD. OKAY, COMMISSIONER THOMAS. SO MOVE FOR APPROVAL. MOVE APPROVAL BY COMMISSIONER THOMAS. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER HORNING. DISCUSSION? NOT. ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE. AYE. OPPOSED? HEARING. NONE. MOTION CARRIES. ITEM G.8, DISCUSS AND TAKE POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING THE SHORT FORM PLAT FOR TRACK ROAD ESTATES CONSISTING OF 4 LOTS AND APPROXIMATELY [G.8 To discuss and take possible action regarding the Short Form Plat for Track Road Estates consisting of four lots on approximately 18.798 acres located on Track Road. Speaker: Commissioner Thomas/Kasi Miles; Backup: 2; Cost: $0.00] 18.798 ACRES LOCATED ON TRACK ROAD. ALL RIGHT. THIS IS JUST A SIMPLE SHORT FORM PLAT. THEY DID CLEAR ALL COMMENTS. ALL FEES HAVE BEEN COLLECTED, AND WE'RE READY FOR APPROVAL. OKAY. SO MOVE FOR APPROVAL. MOVE FOR APPROVAL BY COMMISSIONER THOMAS. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WESTMORELAND. ANY DISCUSSION? NOT. ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. AYE. OPPOSED? HEARING NONE, MOTION CARRIES. MY VOICE, LINDSEY'S PRAYERS HAVE BEEN ANSWERED. DISCUSS. ITEM G.9, DISCUSS AND TAKE POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING AUTHORIZATION OF EXECUTION OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICE AGREEMENT AND WORK AUTHORIZATION BETWEEN CALDWELL COUNTY AND [G.9 To discuss and take possible action regarding authorization of the execution of a Professional Services Agreement and Work Authorizations between Caldwell County and American Structurepoint, Inc. to provide design services on the Borchert Loop project and SH 142 East project in Precinct 1. Speaker: Judge Haden/Commissioner Westmoreland/Maria Castanon; Backup: 101; Cost: $5,813,000] AMERICAN STRUCTURE POINT, INC. TO PROVIDE SERVICES ON BORCHERT LOOP PROJECT AND SH 142 EAST PROJECT IN PRECINCT 1. COMMISSIONERS? I'LL MOVE FOR APPROVAL. MOVE APPROVAL BY COMMISSIONER WESTMORELAND. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER THERIOT. ANY DISCUSSION? NOT. ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE. AYE. OPPOSED? HEARING NONE, MOTION CARRIES. BY THE WAY, THAT COST WAS $5,813,000. ITEM G.10, DISCUSS AND TAKE POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING AUTHORIZATION OF EXECUTION OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICE AGREEMENT AND WORK AUTHORIZATION BETWEEN CALDWELL COUNTY AND SEILER [G.10 To discuss and take possible action regarding authorization of the execution of a Professional Services Agreement and Work Authorization between Caldwell County and Seiler Lankes Group, LLC to provide design services on the Polonia Road at Plum Creek (Bridge Replacement) project in Precinct 1 and Precinct 3. Speaker: Judge Haden/Commissioner Westmoreland/Commissioner Theriot/Maria Christina Castanon; Backup: 69; Cost: $1,157,000.00] LANKES GROUP, LLC TO PROVIDE DESIGN SERVICES ON POLONIA ROAD AT PLUM CREEK (BRIDGE REPLACEMENT) PROJECT AND PRECINCT 1 AND PRECINCT 3. AND FOR A COST OF $1,157,000. I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE. MOVE APPROVAL BY COMMISSIONER THERIOT. WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WESTMORELAND. ANY DISCUSSION? NOT. ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. AYE. OPPOSED? HEARING NONE, MOTION CARRIES. ITEM G.11, DISCUSS AND TAKE POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING AUTHORIZATION OF THE EXECUTION OF A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT AND WORK AUTHORIZATION BETWEEN CALDWELL COUNTY AND [G.11 To discuss and take possible action regarding authorization of the execution of a Professional Services Agreement and Work Authorizations between Caldwell County and Quiddity Engineering, Inc. to provide design services on the US 183 Turn Lane addition and North Magnolia Avenue (US 183) turn lane projects in Precinct 2. Speaker: Judge Haden/Commissioner Horne/Maria Christina Castanon; Backup: 120; Cost: $4,809,000.00] QUIDDITY ENGINEERING, INC. TO PROVIDE DESIGN SERVICES ON THE US 183 TURN LANE ADDITION AND NORTH MAGNOLIA AVENUE, US 183 TURN LANE PROJECTS IN PRECINCT 2. TOTAL US $4,809,000. COMMISSIONERS? MOVE FOR APPROVAL. MOVE APPROVAL BY COMMISSIONER HORNE. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER THOMAS. ANY DISCUSSION? NOT. ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. AYE. [00:15:03] OPPOSED? HEARING NONE, MOTION CARRIES. ITEM G.12, DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO APPROVE ORDER [G.12 To approve Order 01-2026 restricting certain fireworks in unincorporated areas. (December Fireworks Period) Speaker: Judge Haden/Hector Rangel; Backup: 3; Cost: $0.00] 01-2026 RESTRICTING CERTAIN FIREWORKS AND UNINCORPORATED AREAS. ORDER 01-2026. WHEREAS TEXAS FOREST SERVICE HAS DETERMINED THAT DROUGHT CONDITIONS EXIST IN CALDWELL COUNTY. AND WHEREAS ON THE 25TH OF NOVEMBER 2025, COMMISSIONERS COURT OF CALDWELL COUNTY IS DETERMINED THAT THE NORMAL DANGER OF FIRE IN THE UNINCORPORATED AREAS OF CALDWELL COUNTY IS GREATLY ENHANCED BY EXTREMELY DRY CONDITIONS NOW EXISTING NOW, THEREFORE BE IT ORDERED BY THE CALDWELL COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT THAT ONE A PERSON MAY NOT CELL, DETONATE, IGNITE, OR IN ANY WAY USE FIREWORKS CLASSIFIED AS SKYROCKETS WITH STICKS UNDER 49 C.F.R. PART. 173.100(R)(2) (10-01- 86 EDITION) OR MISSILES WITH FINS IN ANY PORTION OF THE UNINCORPORATED AREAS OF CALDWELL COUNTY. THIS, 2, THIS ORDER DOES NOT PROHIBIT PERMISSIBLE FIREWORKS AS AUTHORIZED IN OCCUPATIONS CODE SECTION 2154.003(A) 3. A PERSON COMMITS AN OFFENSE IF THE PERSON KNOWINGLY OR INTENTIONALLY VIOLATES A PROHIBITION ESTABLISHED BY THIS ORDER. AN OFFENSE UNDER THIS ORDER IS A CLASS C. MISDEMEANOR. AND 4, THIS ORDER EXPIRES ON THE DATE THE TEXAS FOREST SERVICE DETERMINES DROUGHT CONDITIONS NO LONGER EXIST IN THE COUNTY OR AT MIDNIGHT JANUARY 1ST, 2026, WHICHEVER IS EARLIER ORDERED. THIS 25TH DAY OF NOVEMBER 2025. COMMISSIONERS WE HAVE A MOTION? MOVE TO APPROVE. MOVE APPROVAL BY COMMISSIONER WESTMORELAND. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER HORNE. ANY DISCUSSION? NOT. ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. AYE. OPPOSED? HEARING NONE, MOTION CARRIES. ITEM 13. DISCUSSION, TAKE POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING THE CALDWELL COUNTY BURN BAN. [G.13 To discuss and take possible action regarding a Caldwell County Burn Ban. Speaker: Judge Haden/Hector Rangel; Backup: 2; Cost: $0.00] GOOD MORNING JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS, STAFF AND GALLERY. IF YOU NOTICE, WE DIDN'T GET A LOT OF RAIN THIS THIS PAST WEEK. ALL THE RAIN EITHER WENT TO THE NORTHEAST, TO WEST OF CALDWELL COUNTY, AND YESTERDAY'S RAIN TRAVELED FROM THE SOUTHEAST TO THE TO THE NORTH, FROM ALL, COVERED FAYETTE COUNTY AND HARRIS COUNTY. WE DID GET A FEW DROPS OF RAIN HERE AND THERE, BUT NOTHING SUFFICIENT. I, HERE IN LOCKHART, WE ONLY GOT 3/10 OF AN INCH. OUR KBDI NUMBERS RIGHT NOW ARE MINIMUM IS 604 MAX, 684 AVERAGE, 648 WITH A CHANGE OF PLUS ONE. DUE TO THAT, WE HAVEN'T HAD SUFFICIENT RAIN. I'M RECOMMENDING TO COMMISSIONERS COURT THAT WE KEEP THE BURN BAN ON ANOTHER TWO WEEKS UNLESS WE GET RAIN. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU, HECTOR. COMMISSIONERS MOVE TO KEEP THE BURN BAN ON. MOTION TO KEEP THE BURN BAN ON BY COMMISSIONER HORNE. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER THOMAS. ANY DISCUSSION? NOT. ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. AYE. OPPOSED? HEARING NONE, MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU, JUDGE. THANK YOU. ITEM G.14, DISCUSS AND TAKE POSSIBLE ACTION ON APPROVAL OF SUBMITTING A GRANT APPLICATION TO THE TEXAS VETERANS COMMISSION FUND FOR VETERANS ASSISTANCE - [G.14 To discuss and take possible action on approval of submitting a grant application to the Texas Veterans Commission Fund for Veterans' Assistance - FY 2027 General Assistance Grant Program. Speaker: Judge Haden/Amber Quinley/Sara Love; Backup: 25; Cost: $0.00] FY 2027 GENERAL ASSISTANCE GRANT PROGRAM. MORNING, SO WE CURRENTLY HAVE TWO ACTIVE GRANTS WITH TVC FOR GENERAL ASSISTANCE AND HOUSING FOR HEROES, AND THAT WILL LAST US UNTIL THE END OF AUGUST. SO THIS CURRENT ONE THAT WE'RE SEEKING PERMISSION ON IS GOING TO PICK UP IN SEPTEMBER AND FORWARD. SO CURRENTLY WE WERE AWARDED FOR THE GENERAL ASSISTANCE FOR 100,000. AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE GOING TO BE SEEKING AGAIN THAT WILL HELP WITH RENT, MORTGAGE, UTILITIES, FOOD ASSISTANCE, TRANSPORTATION. AND THAT GOES FOR RIDES, GAS AND REPAIRS ON THEIR TRANSPORTATION IF THEY OWN A VEHICLE. THE GOAL IS TO ASSIST ANYWHERE FROM 100 TO 125 VETERANS. SO WITH YOUR PERMISSION, WE'D LIKE TO APPLY AGAIN, AND SARAH CAN ANSWER ANY OTHER QUESTIONS. OKAY, COMMISSIONERS, ANY QUESTIONS FOR SARAH? OKAY. I WOULD LIKE TO SAY SARAH, BECAUSE YOU DON'T HEAR IT VERY OFTEN. BUT NOT A MONTH GOES BY THAT I DON'T GET AN EMAIL FROM A VETERAN GRATEFUL FOR WHAT SHE DOES. SO WE JUST WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THAT. THANK YOU, SIR, APPRECIATE IT. OKAY. COMMISSIONERS? MOVE TO APPROVE. MOVE APPROVAL BY COMMISSIONER HORNE. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WESTMORELAND. ANY DISCUSSION? NOT. ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE. AYE. OPPOSED? HEARING NONE, MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. WE'RE GOING TO SKIP ITEMS G.15 THROUGH G.18. AND WE WILL TAKE THEM UP AS NECESSARY AND EXECUTIVE, AFTER EXECUTIVE SESSION. [H. EXECUTIVE SESSION] AND WE'RE GOING TO MOVE INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION. AND WE WILL BE STAYING IN, IN HERE FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION. [00:20:02] SO IF YOU'RE NOT PART OF IT JUST WE'LL EXCUSE YOU OUT TO THE TO THE GALLERY OUT THERE AND WE'LL INVITE YOU BACK IN AS WE GO ALONG. EXECUTIVE SESSION H.1, PURSUANT TO TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 551.087, DISCUSS DISCUSSION AND DELIBERATION REGARDING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEGOTIATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH TANGLED WEB. H.2. PURSUANT TO TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 551.087, DISCUSSION AND DELIBERATION REGARDING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEGOTIATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH PROJECT TALON STAY. H.3. PURSUANT TO TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE 551.087, DISCUSSION AND DELIBERATION REGARDING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEGOTIATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH PROJECT IGNITION POINT. H.4. PURSUANT TO TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE 551.087, DISCUSSION AND DELIBERATION REGARDING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEGOTIATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH PROJECT TECHNOLOGY COMPANY. AND H.5. PURSUANT TO TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE TITLE 5, SUBCHAPTER D, SECTION 551.071, DISCUSSION WITH LEGAL COUNSEL OF ALLISON, BASS & MAGEE, REGARDING TEXAS TRIBUNE, MANO AMIGA AND CALDWELL/HAYS EXAMINER VERSUS CALDWELL COUNTY CIVIL ACTION, NO. 1:23-CV-910; UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT, WESTERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS, AUSTIN DIVISION AND ANY POTENTIAL ACTION. IF, I'M GOING TO TAKE THESE KIND OF ONE AT A TIME. SO IF YOU'RE HERE FOR THE ITEM 4, FOR PROJECT TECHNOLOGY COMPANY, PLEASE REMAIN WITH US. AND OTHERWISE, WE'LL EXCUSE YOU OUT TO THE HALLWAY. OKAY. WE'RE GOING TO EXIT EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 9:53. PERSUANT TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE 551.087, DISCUSSION/DELIBERATION REGARDING ECONOMIC NEGOTIATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH PROJECT TALON, PROJECT TANGLED WEB, PROJECT IGNITION POINT AND PROJECT TECHNOLOGY COMPANY. AND PURSUANT TO TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE TITLE 5, SUBCHAPTER D, SECTION 551.071. DISCUSSION WITH LEGAL COUNSEL OF ALLISON AND BASS REGARDING TEXAS TRIBUNE, MANO AMIGA, AND CALDWELL/HAYS EXAMINER VERSUS CALDWELL COUNTY CIVIL ACTION NO. 01:23-CV-910. UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT, WESTERN DISTRICT, AUSTIN DIVISION. THERE WILL BE NO ACTION ON ANY OF THE EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS, SO I'D LOOK FOR A MOTION TO TABLE ITEMS G, WHAT IS IT? G.15 THROUGH G.18. WE HAVE A MOTION TO TABLE. MOVE TO TABLE G.15 THROUGH G.18. WE HAVE A MOTION. WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND. MOTION AND A SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE. ALL OPPOSED? HEARING NONE. WE WILL GO AHEAD AND GO TO THE FINAL ITEM ON THE AGENDA. WE HAVE A MOTION TO ADJOURN. MOVE TO ADJOURN. MOTION TO ADJOURN BY COMMISSIONER HORNE. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND BY COMMISSIONER THERIOT. ANY DISCUSSION? NOT ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE. AYE. OPPOSED? HEARING NONE. WE ARE ADJOURNED AT 9:55. * This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.