[A. CALL MEETING TO ORDER]
[00:00:02]
ALL RIGHT, GOOD MORNING EVERYONE.
WE'RE GOING TO GO AHEAD AND CALL THIS MEETING OF CALDWELL COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S COURT TO ORDER, THURSDAY, JUNE 25TH, 2026 AT 9:00 AM.
AND IS, PASTOR WILLIAMS HERE? OH, THERE HE IS.
ALL RIGHT, WE'RE GOING TO, GO AHEAD AND DO OUR INVOCATION.
SHALL WE PRAY? GOD OUR FATHER, WE THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN FOR THIS ANOTHER DAY THAT YOU HAVE GIVEN US AN OPPORTUNITY TO FULFILL OUR PURPOSE THAT YOU HAVE CREATED US TO BE, BUT MOST OF ALL TO GIVE YOU GLORY AND PRAISE FOR WHO YOU ARE.
GOD, AS WE COME TODAY TO PRAY OVER THIS COMMISSIONER'S COURT, THAT FATHER, YOU WOULD ALLOW THE WISDOM THAT YOU HAVE GRANTED UNTO US THAT ONLY COMES FROM ON HIGH TO BE UPON THESE COMMISSIONERS AS WELL AS ALL, FATHER, WHO MAY COME BEFORE THE COURT TODAY.
AND THAT, FATHER, AS WE HEAR, FATHER, ALL THE CONCERNS AND ALL THE AGENDAS, AGENDA ITEMS THAT HAVE BEEN MARKED DOWN FOR TODAY, THAT, FATHER, THIS WISDOM THAT YOU HAVE GIVEN UNTO US THROUGH LEARNED EXPERIENCE OR, FATHER, EVEN THROUGH KNOWLEDGE WE'VE GAINED, THAT WOULD HELP US TO OR HELP THE COMMISSIONERS TO ACT IN ALL FAIRNESS, EQUALITY, BUT FATHER, ALSO HAVING INTEGRITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY WITH THE FUNDS AS WELL AS WITH THE DECISIONS THEY MUST MAKE.
WE ALSO PRAY THAT GOD, YOU WOULD GUIDE AND PROTECT EVERYONE HERE, AND FATHER, THAT IF DECISION DOES NOT GO OUR WAY OR THE VOTE DOES NOT GO OUR WAY, THAT GOD, WE WILL STILL CONTINUE TO DO WHAT WE MUST FOR CALDWELL COUNTY AND STILL CONTINUE TO LOOK AT EACH OTHER, FATHER, WITH THE SAMENESS OF SPIRIT THAT YOU LOOKED UPON US OVER 02,000 YEARS AGO WHEN YOU GAVE US YOUR ONLY SON.
WE THANK YOU NOW FOR LIFE, HEALTH, AND HAPPINESS THAT WE HAVE BECAUSE WE KNOW WE SERVE A GREAT GOD WHO LOVES ALL AND CARES FOR ALL.
AND WE ASK THIS IN OUR HEAVENLY FATHER'S NAME.
I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF 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.
ALL RIGHT, COMMISSIONERS, DO WE
[D. ANNOUNCEMENTS]
HAVE ANY ANNOUNCEMENTS THIS MORNING? AND COMMISSIONER WESTMORELAND IS RUNNING LATE, BUT HE WILL BE HERE SHORTLY.THE 73RD ANNUAL LUNAN WATERMELON THUMP IS THIS WEEKEND, SO STARTS TODAY, AND COME ON OUT IF YOU HAVE THE TIME.
MR. THERIOT? NONE FOR ME, JUDGE.
I KNOW WE DO HAVE AT LEAST ONE STAFF ANNOUNCEMENT.
JOANNE? GOOD MORNING, JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS.
I JUST WANTED TO MAKE A QUICK ANNOUNCEMENT.
I'VE WORKED WITH MILES AND WE HAVE UPDATED OUR CALDWELL COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PAGE.
SO IT'S A QUICK, EASY ACCESS WAY FOR THE COMMUNITY TO ACCESS BURN BAN STATUS, ROAD CLOSURES, WEATHER UPDATES, REGISTRY FOR EMERGENCY NOTIFICATIONS.
AND THEN THERE'S ALL THE LINKS TO OUR FACEBOOK EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PAGE, TDEM, FEMA, TEXAS FOREST SERVICE, AND LOTS OF LITTLE FLYERS AND PDFS ON OUTDOOR BURNING RULES AND OTHER LINKS AS FAR AS OUR EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DUTIES, INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM, AND EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER AND HOW IT WORKS.
WE HOPE THE COMMUNITY CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT.
ANY, ANY OTHER STAFF ANNOUNCEMENTS?
[E. CITIZENS' COMMENTS]
OKAY.IF NOT, WE WILL GO TO CITIZENS' COMMENTS.
THANK YOU FOR HAVING THE STOP SIGNS ON TODAY'S AGENDA.
MY CONCERN IS NOT WHETHER THE COUNTY HAS THE AUTHORITY TO INSTALL MULTI-WAY STOP SIGNS.
STATE LAW CLEARLY GIVES THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT THAT AUTHORITY.
MY CONCERN IS IF THESE PARTICULAR STOP SIGNS IN PRAIRIE LEE ARE A SAFE AND EFFECTIVE WAY TO ADDRESS SPEEDING.
[00:05:02]
SINCERELY BELIEVE THE MULTI-WAY STOP SIGNS ARE THE BEST SOLUTION.THOSE OF US ASKING FOR THE SIGNS TO BE REMOVED SHARE THE SAME GOAL: SAFER STREETS.
THE DISAGREEMENT IS NOT ABOUT THE GOAL, IT IS ABOUT THE METHOD.
SOME PEOPLE SUPPORT THE STOP SIGNS BECAUSE IT SEEMS LIKE COMMON SENSE.
STOP SIGNS SLOW VEHICLES DOWN, AND SLOWER VEHICLES SHOULD MEAN FEWER ACCIDENTS.
WELL, THIS IS A CONCLUSION BASED ON INTUITION.
HOWEVER, TRAFFIC ENGINEERING IS BASED ON DATA, RESEARCH, AND ESTABLISHED STANDARDS, NOT INTUITION ALONE.
THE TRAFFIC STUDY CONDUCTED IN PRAIRIE LEE FOUND THAT THESE INTERSECTIONS DO NOT MEET THE WARRANTS FOR MULTI-WAY STOP CONTROL.
IN OTHER WORDS, ACCORDING TO THE ENGINEERING STANDARDS USED THROUGHOUT THE GREAT STATE OF TEXAS AND THE NATION, THESE STOP SIGNS ARE NOT JUSTIFIED.
I BELIEVE THE STUDY SHOULD BE REVIEWED PUBLICLY, AND ENGINEER TRACY BRATTON SHOULD HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLAIN THE FINDINGS AND ANSWER QUESTIONS.
FOR DECADES, TRAFFIC ENGINEERS HAVE CAUTIONED AGAINST USING STOP SIGNS AS A SPEED CONTROL DEVICE, YET THAT IS OFTEN WHY RESIDENTS REQUEST THEM.
STUDIES HAVE CONSISTENTLY SHOWN THAT STOP SIGNS ARE INEFFECTIVE LET ME SAY THAT AGAIN STOP SIGNS ARE INEFFECTIVE AT CONTROLLING SPEEDS BETWEEN INTERSECTIONS.
WHAT THEY DO ACCOMPLISH INSTEAD IS CREATING UNNECESSARY STOPS, ENCOURAGING NONCOMPLIANCE, AND REDUCING RESPECT FOR ALL TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES.
WHEN ENGINEERS DENY REQUESTS FOR STOP SIGNS, RESIDENTS FREQUENTLY APPEAL TO ELECTED OFFICIALS, AND THAT'S UNDERSTANDABLE.
ELECTED OFFICIALS WANT TO RESPOND TO COMMUNITY CONCERNS.
BUT THAT CAN SOMETIMES LEAD TO DECISIONS BASED MORE ON PUBLIC PERCEPTION THAN ON ESTABLISHED TRAFFIC ENGINEERING PRINCIPLES.
AND I BELIEVE THIS IS WHERE WE FIND OURSELVES TODAY.
BEFORE CONCLUDING THAT TRAFFIC CALMING IS NEEDED, I THINK WE SHOULD ANSWER A BASIC QUESTION: HAS SPEEDING ACTUALLY BEEN DEMONSTRATED TO BE A PROBLEM IN PRAIRIE LEE? AT A PREVIOUS COURT MEETING, JUDGE HAYDEN RECOMMENDED COLLECTING SPEED DATA.
YET NO SPEED DATA WAS EVER CONDUCTED.
WE ARE DEBATING TRAFFIC CONTROL DECISIONS WITHOUT OBJECTIVE MEASUREMENTS OF VEHICLE SPEEDS.
MY REQUEST IS STRAIGHTFORWARD: FOLLOW THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE TRAFFIC STUDY.
REMOVE THE UNWARRANTED MULTI-WAY STOP SIGNS AND COLLECT THE DATA THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN GATHERED BEFORE THE STOP SIGNS WERE INSTALLED.
CONDUCT A 1 TO 2 WEEK SPEED STUDY, EVALUATE IF THE RESULTS OBJECTIVELY, AND DETERMINE IF SPEEDING IS A PROBLEM IN PRAIRIE LEE.
THE CITY OF LOCKHART USES DISCRETE PORTABLE TRAFFIC MONITORING EQUIPMENT FOR THIS PURPOSE AND HAS FOUND THAT MANY SPEEDING COMPLAINTS ARE NOT SUPPORTED BY MEASURED DATA.
THE CITY HAS ALSO OFFERED TO MAKE THIS EQUIPMENT AVAILABLE TO ASSIST THE COUNTY.
AT ITS CORE, THIS IS NOT A DEBATE ABOUT IF WE WANT SAFER STREETS.
THE REAL QUESTION IS IF PUBLIC SAFETY DECISIONS SHOULD BE GUIDED BY ASSUMPTIONS OR BY DATA AND EVIDENCE.
I RESPECTFULLY ASK THE COURT TO RELY ON THE TRAFFIC STUDY, GATHER THE NECESSARY SPEED DATA, AND ENSURE THAT FUTURE TRAFFIC CONTROL DECISIONS IN PRAIRIE LEE AND OTHER PLACES IN THE COUNTY ARE GUIDED BY OBJECTIVE FACTS, ESTABLISHED STANDARDS, AND SOUND ENGINEERING JUDGMENT.
I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION.
ANY OTHER CITIZENS' COMMENTS? JENNIFER VERDEEN.
I'M JENNIFER VERDEEN FROM PRAIRIE LEE, AND I SUPPORT REVIEWING THE ENGINEER'S RECOMMENDATIONS ON THIS STOP SIGNS BEFORE MAKING A FINAL DECISION.
IF WE PAID FOR THIS TRAFFIC STUDY, I BELIEVE WE SHOULD GIVE THIS STUDY SERIOUS CONSIDERATION.
HOW'S IT GOING, GUYS? OOPS, SORRY.
HOW'S IT GOING? MY NAME IS EDWARD OLVERA.
I LIVE ALSO IN PRAIRIE LEE, AND I DON'T LIKE THE STOP SIGNS BECAUSE EVERY TIME I SIT OUTSIDE, I WATCH PEOPLE SPEED AND BLOW PAST THEM.
THERE ARE NO OTHER CITIZEN COMMENTS.
[F. CONSENT AGENDA]
ALL RIGHT.WITH THAT, WE'LL GO AHEAD AND GO TO CONSENT.
COMMISSIONERS, IF THERE ARE NO QUESTIONS ON CONSENT, LOOK FOR A MOTION TO APPROVE.
MOVE APPROVAL BY COMMISSIONER THERIAULT.
[00:10:01]
NOT.OPPOSED? HEARING NONE, MOTION CARRIES.
[G.1 Caldwell County Capital Improvements Plan & Program: American Structurepoint, Inc. - Steve Widacki, Senior Project Manager]
NEXT WE'LL GO TO A PRESENTATION, CALDWELL COUNTY CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PLAN AND PROGRAM BY AMERICAN STRUCTURE POINT.STEVE WODOCKI, AMERICAN STRUCTUREPOINT, SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER.
JUST REAL QUICK, I WANT TO, HOPEFULLY, NOT SPEND TOO MUCH TIME, BUT I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE METHODOLOGY THAT WE USED IN ACTUALLY PREPARING THIS DOCUMENT, WHICH BASICALLY IS THE BASIS FOR THE BOND PROGRAM THAT Y'ALL HAVE IMPLEMENTED, AND IT ALSO LOOKS OUT ON A 20-YEAR HORIZON.
SO GIVE SOME JUST GENERAL TOPICS ABOUT HOW THAT WAS ACHIEVED.
FIRST AND FOREMOST, WHAT IS THE CIPP? IT'S A LOOK AT THE COUNTY'S NEEDS FOR TRANSPORTATION, AND THAT'S PRIMARILY WHAT WE LOOKED AT TRANSPORTATION NEEDS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY.
WE ALSO LOOKED AT SOME DRAINAGE ISSUES RELATED TO LOW-WATER CROSSINGS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
BUT WHAT IS A CIPP? IT'S A CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PROGRAM.
PROGRAM JUST MEANS WHAT ARE THE NEEDS OF THE COUNTY OVER HOWEVER MANY YEARS, WHAT ARE THE PROJECTS THAT HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED, AND ACTUALLY LISTING THOSE OUT FOR CONSIDERATION.
WHAT IS A PROGRAM? A PROGRAM ACTUALLY TAKES THOSE NEEDS AND KIND OF SCORES THEM ON A BASIS OF WHAT ARE THE PRIORITIES.
THAT IS HOW WE DEVELOP THE COUNTY'S BOND PROGRAM.
WE ALSO ESTABLISH YEAR 10, 15, AND 20 HORIZONS FOR WHAT THOSE NEEDS ARE.
ONE OF THE POINTS THAT I WOULD MAKE IS THAT, AGAIN, THIS STUDY ITSELF, IT'S LIMITED.
IN, SAY, 3, 4, 5 YEARS, YOU NEED TO COME BACK AND LOOK AT IT AGAIN DEPENDING ON WHAT HAPPENS IN THE COUNTY.
THOSE PRIORITIES COULD CHANGE.
SO THAT'S IT'S VALUABLE AT THE TIME THAT IT'S DONE, BUT IT DOESN'T JUST NEED TO SIT THERE.
IT NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT AGAIN AT SOME POINT IN THE FUTURE AND SEE WHAT ELSE PRIORITIES MAY CHANGE AND ALL OF THOSE GOOD THINGS.
HOW WE DEVELOP THIS STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT: WE OBVIOUSLY TALKED TO EACH OF Y'ALL ABOUT Y'ALL'S PRIORITIES AND NEEDS IN EACH OF Y'ALL'S PRECINCTS, VISITED WITH CITIES OF LOCKHART, LULING, SOME OF THE SMALLER MUNICIPALITIES, TALKED WITH COUNCIL PEOPLE THERE, ROAD ADMINISTRATORS, FIRE DEPARTMENT, POLICE IN THE DIFFERENT CITIES, AND EVEN THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS.
LULING, LOCKHART, EVEN PRAIRIE LAKE, WE SPOKE WITH ALL OF THEM.
WHAT ARE THEIR PRIORITIES? SO BASED ON THAT, PRIORITIES CAME OUT OF ALL OF THOSE DISCUSSIONS.
FROM THERE, LOOKED AT REASONABLE PROJECT LIMITS, BECAUSE IF YOU HAVE A ROADWAY THAT'S, SAY, 6, 7, 8 MILES LONG, SOME OF THEM MAYBE MAY WARRANT THAT TYPE OF CONSTRUCTION AT ONE POINT IN TIME, OR MAYBE SHORTER DISTANCES.
SO IN THAT 20-YEAR PROGRAM, WE LOOKED AT FEASIBLE SEGMENTS THAT COULD BE DONE AT ANY ONE TIME.
SOME ARE LONGER, SOME ARE SHORTER, SOME BE EXPANDED IN THE FUTURE.
SO LOOKED AT DRAINAGE NEEDS, UTILITY AND RIGHT-OF-WAY, AND ADDITIONALLY ENGINEERING COSTS.
SOME OF THE ROADWAY PROJECTS, WE'RE NOT GOING TO CONSTRUCT THEM NOW, BUT IT MAKES SENSE TO DO THE ENGINEERING.
AND THESE ARE TYPICALLY THE TXDOT ROADWAYS, THE ON-SYSTEM ROADWAYS, TO MOVE THEM UP IN PRIORITY FOR THE NEEDS OF THE STATE.
SO THE EVALUATION OF PRIORITIZATION, OBVIOUSLY TALKING TO YOU GUYS AND TALKING TO THE DIFFERENT MUNICIPALITIES.
WHAT WERE THEIR PRINCIPAL NEEDS? THAT'S HOW WE CAME UP AGAIN WITH THE BOND PROGRAM.
WHAT'S GOING TO BE ESTABLISHED AS FAR AS OUT AT YEAR TEN? A LOT OF CONVERSATIONS WITH OBVIOUSLY TRACY AS THE COUNTY'S ACTING ENGINEER.
WHAT ARE THE PRIORITIES BASED ON COMING DEVELOPMENT? THINGS LIKE THAT.
THOSE ARE THE ASSESSMENTS THAT WERE DONE INSIDE OF THIS.
SO, PREPARATION OF THE CIPP, AS I DISCUSSED, PRACTICAL LIMITS OF PROJECTS.
YOU KNOW, IF YOU HAVE A 20-MILE-LONG SEGMENT OF A BRAND NEW ROADWAY, YOU'RE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO BUILD ALL OF THAT.
A GREAT EXAMPLE OF THAT, WILLIAM PETTUS, 21 TO 142.
THAT'S A REASONABLE PROJECT LIMIT TO DESIGN AND CONSTRUCT AT ANY ONE TIME.
AT SOME POINT, WILLIAM PETTUS IS INTENDED TO CONTINUE BEYOND 142, AND I THINK IT'S INTENDED TO GO ALL THE WAY TO 130 AND BEYOND, POTENTIALLY HAVE AN INTERCHANGE THERE.
BUT THOSE ARE THINGS FURTHER OUT ON THE HORIZON, AND THAT'S WHAT THIS CIPP DOES.
SO FROM THERE, PREPARED THE DOCUMENT, AND EFFECTIVELY THE INTENT IS THIS IS NOW COMPLETE.
IT GIVES YOU THAT 5-YEAR HORIZON, 10-YEAR, 15-YEAR,
[00:15:02]
AND 20-YEAR.AND WHAT I WOULD ASK YOU GUYS TO DO IS IN ANOTHER COUPLE OF YEARS, LET'S PULL THIS DOCUMENT BACK OUT AGAIN.
I DON'T KNOW IF IT'LL BE ME, SOMEBODY ELSE, MAYBE ANOTHER CONSULTING FIRM.
BUT WE NEED TO LOOK AT IT AGAIN, OR THE COUNTY NEEDS TO LOOK AT IT AGAIN AND EVALUATE WHAT ARE THE NEXT PROJECTS THAT ARE TO BE DONE IN THOSE YEARS.
SO THAT'S HOW THIS WAS DEVELOPED, PUT TOGETHER, AND IT'S READY TO ISSUE TO YOU GUYS.
ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? NONE FOR ME.
[H.1 To discuss and take possible action regarding the approval of the Minutes for the June 11, 2026, regular meeting and budget workshop meeting. ]
THANK Y'ALL.WE'LL GO AHEAD AND GO TO DISCUSSION ACTION.
DISCUSS AND TAKE POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING THE APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FOR JUNE 11TH, 2026 REGULAR MEETING AND BUDGET WORKSHOP MEETING.
MOVE APPROVAL BY COMMISSIONER HORN.
SECOND BY COMMISSIONER THOMAS.
[H.2 To discuss and take possible action on the Development and Assignment Agreement for Continental Homes of Texas, LP and AustinMax Ventures, LLC, concerning 77.863 acres located off Farmer's Road in Caldwell County, Texas. ]
MOTION CARRIES.ITEM H2, DISCUSS AND TAKE POSSIBLE ACTION ON DEVELOPMENT AND ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT FOR CONTINENTAL HOMES OF TEXAS LP AND AUSTIN MAX VENTURES LLC CONCERNING 77.863 ACRES LOCATED OFF FARMERS ROAD IN CALDWELL COUNTY, TEXAS.
THIS AGREEMENT HAS BEEN REVIEWED BY OUR CONSULTING ENGINEER TRACY BRATTON.
OUR COUNTY ATTORNEY HAS REVIEWED IT, AND AT THIS TIME WE'RE READY TO BRING IT FORTH FOR TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL.
JUDGE, THIS IS AN EXISTING AGREEMENT THAT WE'VE HAD ABOUT A YEAR, AND WE'RE JUST ACKNOWLEDGING AN ASSIGNMENT OF THE AGREEMENT TO ANOTHER GROUP.
SO THERE'S NO, NO CHANGES OR ANYTHING TO IT.
OKAY, WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE BY COMMISSIONER THERIAULT.
OPPOSED? HEARING NONE, MOTION CARRIES.
[H.3 To discuss and take possible action regarding Prairie Lea stop signs.]
THANK YOU.ITEM H3, DISCUSS AND TAKE POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING PRAIRIE LEE STOP SIGNS.
JUDGE, I'M BRINGING THIS BACK TO THE COURT TO CLARIFY THESE STOP SIGNS AT PRAIRIE LEE. 2017, COMMISSIONER MOSES BROUGHT THIS TO THE ATTENTION RAISED CONCERNS ABOUT SPEEDING ON RIVER STREET AND ST. JOSEPH STREET.
THE INSTALLATION OF STOP SIGNS PER OUR TRANSPORTATION CODE 251-155.
SEVERAL YEARS LATER, THE COURT DECIDED TO DO TRAFFIC STUDY 21 AND 22 FOLLOWING CONCERNS OF A SINGLE RESIDENCE.
WE LOCATED IT WITH YOUR HELP, BOTH WHICH SHOW THE SAME RESULT: THE STOP SIGNS FUNCTION APPROPRIATELY.
DO NOT NEGATIVELY AFFECT TRAFFIC FLOW.
I THEN VISITED WITH THE RESIDENTS IN THE AREA.
MANY APPRECIATE THE STOP SIGNS.
THEY UNDERSTAND THE NEED FOR THEM DUE TO TRAFFIC AND CHILDREN PLAYING IN THE NEIGHBORHOODS AT THE TIME.
COMMISSIONERS AGAIN VOTED THEN IN '25 TO KEEP THE STOP SIGNS IN PLACE.
PAST 4 YEARS, MR. MCCLISH HAS ATTENDED COURT ARGUING THAT THE STOP SIGNS ARE NOT WARRANTED BY TXDOT'S CRITERIA.
HOWEVER, TXDOT STANDARDS DO NOT SUPERSEDE OUR TRANSPORTATION CODE UNLESS THE INTERSECTION CONNECTS TO A TXDOT HIGHWAY.
THE ONLY ELEMENT THAT TXDOT STANDARDS IS, IS THE SIGN ITSELF.
WHICH MEANS I CANNOT WRITE A HANDWRITING SIGN AND STICK IT ON A POST AND EXPECT PEOPLE TO STOP.
SO WITH THAT BEING SAID, I STILL DO NOT SUPPORT THE REMOVING OF THE STOP SIGNS PER OUR TRANSPORTATION CODE.
NOW I HAVE TALKED TO MR. MCCLISH OVER THE LAST FOUR YEARS, AND I UNDERSTAND SOME OF HIS CONCERNS.
YOU KNOW FROM I JUST DON'T WANT THEM, WHICH IS NOT A GOOD REASON TO.
IT DOESN'T QUALIFY BY THE TRAFFIC STUDY OR OUR STANDARDS UP TO TXDOT.
UNFORTUNATELY, MR. COMMISSIONER MOSES AT THE TIME NEEDED THESE, AND I STILL I THINK THE RESIDENTS IN THAT AREA STILL APPRECIATE THE STOP SIGNS.
JUDGE, CAN I MAKE A COMMENT? SURE.
I'D JUST LIKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE MY PAST COMMENTS RELATED TO THIS.
WHEN I CAME ONTO THE COURT, MY PAST EXPERIENCE WITH WARRANT STUDIES DEALT MOSTLY WITH TXDOT HIGHWAYS.
[00:20:02]
SO I THINK THAT WAS THE BASIS FOR PROBABLY MY COMMENTS RELATED TO WHETHER OR NOT THERE WERE WARRANTS FOR STOP SIGNS.I'VE SINCE READ A LOT AND UNDERSTAND THAT STOP SIGNS IN URBANIZED AREAS, PARTICULARLY MUNICIPALITIES OR OTHER AREAS, WOULD NEVER MEET THE TXDOT WARRANTS.
SO, YOU KNOW, THERE'S A LOT OF GOOD REASONS TO HAVE THEM.
YOU KNOW, PEDESTRIAN SAFETY, VEHICULAR SAFETY, YOU KNOW, JUST BASIC ASSISTING IN TRAFFIC MOVEMENTS.
AND THAT THOSE DECISIONS WHETHER OR NOT THE STOP SIGNS NEED TO BE PLACED ARE LOCAL DECISIONS.
AND NOBODY KNOWS THE LOCAL SITUATION BETTER THAN THE COMMISSIONER FOR THAT AREA.
SO I DEFER TO RUSTY ON WHETHER OR NOT THOSE STOP SIGNS NEED TO BE THERE AND SUPPORT HIS DECISION.
SO MR. MCCLISH DOES HAVE VALID CONCERN.
PEOPLE ARE RUNNING THE STOP SIGNS, AND EVEN THE GENTLEMAN IN THE ROOM THERE SAID HE'S SITTING ON HIS FRONT PORCH, PEOPLE SPEEDING AND RUNNING THE STOP SIGNS.
I HAVE ASKED THE LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT TO MAKE PRESENCE, BUT THEY CAN'T BE THERE 24/7, JUST LIKE THE STOP SIGNS OUTSIDE THIS COURTROOM.
I'M SURE THEY GET RAN EVERY DAY.
AND SO THEY HAVE MADE A FEW PRESENCE, SO WE'RE DOING WHAT WE CAN TO STOP THAT.
OKAY, SO I STILL APPROVE THE STOP SIGNS IN PLACE.
GO AHEAD, COMMISSIONER THOMAS.
SO HAVE YOUR CONSTABLES BEEN PATROLLING THAT AREA REGULARLY? LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT, SHERIFF'S OFFICE CONSTABLES, EVEN I'VE EVEN TALKED TO THE DPS.
IS THERE OUT THERE TO, TO MAKE A RIDE THROUGH THERE JUST TO HAVE A LITTLE PRESENCE? YES.
A MOTION TO LEAVE THE STOP SIGNS IN PLACE BASED ON THE REASONS THAT COMMISSIONER HORNE DESCRIBED.
DO WE HAVE A SECOND? I'LL SECOND.
SECOND BY COMMISSIONER TERRY YOUNG.
OPPOSED? HEARING NONE, MOTION CARRIES.
[H.4 To discuss and take possible action regarding a proposal from Davis Kaufman, PLLC to represent Caldwell County on matters relating to monitoring legislative and regulatory activities during the 89th and 90th sessions of the Texas Legislature. ]
ITEM H4: DISCUSS AND TAKE POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING A PROPOSAL FROM DAVIS KAUFMAN PLLC TO REPRESENT CALDWELL COUNTY ON MATTERS RELATING TO MONITORING LEGISLATIVE AND REGULATORY ACTIVITIES DURING THE 89TH AND 90TH SESSIONS OF THE TEXAS LEGISLATURE.COMMISSIONERS, WE'VE DONE THIS, EVERY YEAR PROBABLY FOR THE PAST 6 YEARS OR SO DURING SESSIONS, AND THEY ARE THE FIRM THAT'S HELPING US GET THE BILL DRAFTED TO TRY TO GET SOME LOCAL AUTHORITY FOR US TO DEAL WITH LARGE WATER CONSUMERS SUCH AS DATA CENTERS.
WE WERE THERE I CAN'T REMEMBER WHAT DAY IT WAS NOW THIS WEEK, ONE DAY.
WE WERE THERE TUESDAY REPRESENTING CALDWELL COUNTY AND ASKING THE NATURAL RESOURCE COMMISSION TO CONSIDER ALLOWING US TO HAVE THE RESTRICTIONS THAT WE'RE NOW GETTING THROUGH DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS CODIFIED IN STATUTE.
OF COURSE, THEY DON'T HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO GRANT THAT, BUT WE WERE, WE WERE TRYING TO GET THEIR APPROVAL OF THE IDEA.
THEY SEEMED GENERALLY OPEN TO IT.
SO WE'VE GOT A LOT OF WORK TO DO.
WE'RE JUST IN THE BEGINNING STAGES OF THAT, AND WE WILL DEFINITELY NEED THE ASSISTANCE OF DAVIS AND KAUFMAN TO PUSH THAT THROUGH.
AND THEY'RE THE SAME FIRM THAT HELPED US PUSH THROUGH THE CONTRACT FOR DEED LEGISLATION 6 YEARS AGO.
THAT ONE PIECE OF LEGISLATION WAS BRACKETED ONLY TO OUR COUNTY AND ANOTHER AND GOT THROUGH, GOT THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE AND THEN STILL ALMOST GOT VETOED.
SO WITHOUT THE HELP OF THEM, I DON'T HOLD OUT ANY HOPE OF GETTING A BILL THROUGH.
SO WE DEFINITELY NEED THEIR ASSISTANCE.
[00:25:01]
I MOVE FOR APPROVAL.MOVE APPROVAL BY COMMISSIONER HORNE.
SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WESTMORELAND.
[H.5 To discuss and take possible action regarding a Caldwell County Burn Ban. ]
HEARING NONE, MOTION CARRIES.ITEM H5, DISCUSS AND TAKE POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING THE CALDWELL COUNTY BURN BAN.
GOOD MORNING, JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS, STAFF, AND GALLERY.
IN THE PAST 2 WEEKS, WE'VE HAD A FEW SMALL FIRES, NOTHING MAJOR, MOSTLY ALONG OUR ROADWAYS, PROBABLY FROM PEOPLE THROWING CIGARETTE BUTTS OUT THE WINDOWS OR DRAGGING CHAINS.
WE'RE GOING INTO A DRY SPELL UP TILL ABOUT JULY 3RD.
THE HIGH IS GOING TO MOVE OUT AND COASTAL DRIFTS WILL START DRIFTING BACK NORTH AGAIN.
SO OUR RAIN CHANCES START BACK ON JULY 3RD AND THEY GO FOR ABOUT A WEEK.
I'M LOOKING TO KEEP THE BURN BAN OFF AND I THINK WE'RE GOOD TO SAY THAT AND I RECOMMEND IT STAY OFF FOR ANOTHER 2 WEEKS.
DO YOU HAVE THAT? FOR THE KBDI? YEAH, THANK YOU.
THE MINIMUM IS 77, THE MAX IS 219, AVERAGE 144.
COMMISSIONERS? SO MOVED TO APPROVE.
I MOVE APPROVAL FROM COMMISSIONER THOMAS TO KEEP THE BURN BAN OFF.
ANY DISCUSSION? IF NOT, ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
[H.6 To discuss and take possible action regarding the 2026-2027 Granicus Peak agenda software management agreement.]
OPPOSED? HEARING NONE, MOTION CARRIES.ITEM H6, DISCUSS AND TAKE POSSIBLE ACTION STARTING WITH 2026-27, GRANICA'S PEAK AGENDA SOFTWARE MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT COST $14,394.
COMMISSIONERS, THIS IS A BIG ONE.
IN THE PAST, WE USED TO HAVE EVERY ITEM IN A STACK OF BACKUP, AND I'D HAVE TO GO THROUGH AND SIGN EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THOSE AND THEN HAND IT OFF TO THE NEXT PERSON WHO THEN HAND IT OFF TO THE NEXT PERSON.
AND NOW WE CAN ALL GET ONLINE, PUT OUR STUFF IN, APPROVE IT IN REAL TIME, AND IT MAKES, PUTTING THE AGENDA TOGETHER EASIER.
IT'S NOT EASY, BUT IT'S EASIER WITH IT THAN WITHOUT IT.
SO, UM, ANYWAY, I JUST WANTED TO AND, AND STEPHANIE'S DONE A GREAT JOB OF, OF USING THAT AND TEACHING US ALL HOW TO USE IT.
SO THAT'S VERY MUCH APPRECIATED.
MOVE APPROVAL BY COMMISSIONER HORNE.
SECOND BY COMMISSIONER THERIAULT.
[H.7 To discuss and take possible action regarding Budget Transfer 09-2026 moving $669.00 from Postage and $500.00 from Machinery & Equipment to Office Supplies to cover expenses.]
HEARING NONE, MOTION CARRIES.ITEM 8.7, DISCUSS AND TAKE POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING BUDGET TRANSFER 09-2026.
MOVING $669 FROM POSTAGE AND $500 FROM MACHINERY EQUIPMENT TO OFFICE SUPPLIES TO COVER EXPENSES.
GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS.
THESE NEXT 3 ARE JUST INTERNAL TRANSFERS IN BETWEEN THE DEPARTMENTS, THEIR OWN BUDGETS, SO NOTHING'S MOVING FROM CONTINGENCIES OR THE FUND BALANCE.
THIS FIRST ONE IS FOR JUDGE DALEON.
SHE JUST NEEDS A LITTLE BIT OF EXTRA MONEY IN OUR OFFICE SUPPLIES.
OKAY, COMMISSIONERS? SO MOVED TO APPROVE.
MOVE APPROVAL BY COMMISSIONER THOMAS.
[H.8 To discuss and take possible action regarding Budget Transfer 10-2026 moving $10,000.00 from JP1/DRC Building-Lockhart to Judicial Center-Lockhart to cover multiple invoices. ]
HEARING NONE, MOTION CARRIES.ITEM H8, DISCUSS AND TAKE POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING BUDGET TRANSFER 10-2026, MOVING $10,000 FROM FROM JPI DRC BUILDING LOCK CART TO JUDICIAL CENTER LOCK CART TO COVER MULTIPLE INVOICES COST TEN THOUSAND.
YEP, THIS ONE'S FOR BUILDING MAINTENANCE AND PRETTY MUCH LIKE IT READS.
MOVE APPROVAL BY COMMISSIONER WESTMORELAND.
SECOND BY COMMISSIONER TERRIO.
ANY DISCUSSION? NOT ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
[H.9 To discuss and take possible action regarding Budget Transfer 11-2026 moving $120,000.00 from Machinery & Equipment and $20,000.00 from Inmate Medication, totaling $140,000.00, with $60,000.00 allocated to Food Supplies and $80,000.00 allocated to Professional Services to address increased operational food costs and unanticipated inmate medical care.]
OPPOSED? HEARING NONE, MOTION CARRIES.ITEM H9, DISCUSS AND TAKE POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING BUDGET TRANSFER 11-2026, MOVING $120,000 FROM MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT AND $20,000 FROM INMATE MEDICATION, TOTALING $140,000, WITH $60,000 ALLOCATED TO FOOD SUPPLIES AND $80,000 ALLOCATED TO PROFESSIONAL SERVICES TO ADDRESS INCREASED OPERATIONAL FOOD COSTS AND UNANTICIPATED INMATE MEDICAL CARE.
YES, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS, THIS ONE'S PRETTY ROUTINE FOR THIS TIME OF YEAR, EVERY BUDGET YEAR.
I HAVE TALKED WITH CAPTAIN SHORT ALREADY TO ADDRESS IT IN OUR BUDGET MEETINGS THAT WITH THIS REPEAT PATTERN, WE'RE GOING TO NEED TO DISCUSS ON INCREASING THOSE LINE ITEMS FOR THEIR FOOD AND THE INMATE MEDICAL ON THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES SIDE.
SO WE'RE JUST BORROWING SOME OR TRANSFERRING SOME FROM THOSE OTHER LINE ITEMS TO GET THEM THROUGH THE END
[00:30:01]
OF THIS FISCAL YEAR.OKAY, COMMISSIONERS, MOVE FOR APPROVAL.
MOVE APPROVAL BY COMMISSIONER HORN.
SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WESTMORELAND.
[H.10 To discuss and take possible action on acceptance of an award from the Capital Area Council of Governments for the Home and Community-Based Services for Counties Affected by July 4, 2025, Disaster Declaration in the amount of $32,500.00, and approval of the associated contract documents.]
IN FAVOR SAY AYE.OPPOSED? HEARING NONE, MOTION CARRIES.
ITEM H10, DISCUSS AND TAKE POSSIBLE ACTION ON ACCEPTANCE OF AN AWARD FROM THE CAPILLARY COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS FOR HOME AND COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES FOR COMMUNITIES AFFECTED BY JULY 4TH, 2025 DISASTER DECLARATION IN THE AMOUNT OF $32,500 AND APPROVAL OF THE ASSOCIATED CONTRACT DOCUMENTS.
THIS IS A GRANT THAT WE DID NOT APPLY FOR.
ALL THE DIFFERENT REGIONS GOT SOME OF THE FUNDING FROM THE STATE, AND SO IT IS TRICKLING DOWN TO US.
THEY ELECTED THAT WE WOULD BE AWARDED THE $32,500.
AND WHAT IT'S MEANT FOR IS TO PURCHASE EMERGENCY KITS, MAINLY THE EMERGENCY RADIOS THAT ARE USED DURING STORMS, AND HAND THOSE OUT TO ELDERLY PEOPLE AS WELL AS DISABLED.
WE WOULD BE ABLE WE WOULD NEED TO PURCHASE 625 KITS, WHICH COULD BE A LITTLE BIT HARD TO HAND OUT.
WE'RE NOT SURE IF WE'LL GET THAT KIND OF, YOU KNOW, ATTENDANCE TO THE EVENT THAT WE HAVE TO PUT ON.
BUT WE ARE ABLE TO PURCHASE IT ALL UP FRONT.
EVEN IF WE CAN'T HAND IT ALL OUT AT OUR ONE EVENT THAT WE HAVE TO HOST THROUGH THE GRANT, WE CAN HOLD ON TO THEM AND HAND THEM OUT AT OTHER EVENTS.
WE CAN GIVE THEM IN BULK TO OTHER ORGANIZATIONS THAT WORK WITH THE ELDERLY AND DISABLED TO HAND OUT.
SO I THINK WE'LL BE ABLE TO GET RID OF THEM.
THE ONLY THING WOULD BE THE STORAGE OF THEM, THE ONES THAT WE DO HAVE TO HOLD ON TO UNTIL WE CAN GET RID OF THEM.
OTHER THAN THAT, THERE'S NO FUNDING THAT HAS TO COME FROM US.
THE ONLY THING IS WE HAVE TO DO IT VERY QUICKLY.
SO IT'LL ALL HAVE TO BE DONE BY THE END OF JULY.
WE DO HAVE TO HOST A QUICK EVENT.
AND CAPCOG IS GOING TO HELP FACILITATE THAT.
AND THEY'LL BE THERE TO ASSIST IN ANY WAY THAT THEY CAN.
BUT BECAUSE IT TOOK SO LONG FOR CAPCOG TO GET IT THROUGH THE COMMITTEE AND AWARDS TO BE PUT OUT, NOW OUR TIMELINE'S REALLY SHORT.
MOVE TO ACCEPT BY COMMISSIONER WESTMORELAND.
SECOND BY COMMISSIONER THOMAS.
[I. EXECUTIVE SESSION]
MOTION CARRIES.WE'RE GOING TO GO AHEAD AND GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 9:33. PURSUANT TO TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 551.087, THE DISCUSSION AND DELIBERATION REGARDING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEGOTIATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH PROJECT APEX GRAPHITE.
OKAY, WE ARE GOING TO EXIT EXECUTIVE SESSION AT PURSUANT TO TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 551087, DISCUSSION AND DELIBERATION REGARDING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEGOTIATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH PROJECT APEX GRAPHITE.
[H.11 To discuss and take possible action regarding updates on Project Apex Graphite economic development negotiations. Commissioners Court may provide further instruction or take necessary action as appropriate.]
AND NO ACTION WILL BE TAKEN IN OPEN COURT.SO IF I COULD GET A MOTION TO TABLE H11.
MOVED TO TABLE BY COMMISSIONER WESTMORELAND, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER HORN.
ANY DISCUSSION? NOT ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
OPPOSED? HEARING NONE, MOTION CARRIES.
DO WE HAVE A MOTION TO ADJOURN? MOTION BY COMMISSIONER THERIAULT.
SECOND? SECOND BY COMMISSIONER THOMAS.
OPPOSED? HEARING NONE, MOTION CARRIES.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.