2025 08 14 Meeting Minutes

BE IT REMEMBERED, that on this the 14th day of August 2025, at 7:00 p.m., there was begun and holden a Regular Meeting of the Town of Anderson, Grimes County, Texas.

1. Public Hearing: called to order at 7:00pm

1. 1. Regarding a contract amendment w/Texas General Land Office (GLO) for a Texas Community Development Block Grant – Mitigation (CDBG-MIT) grant. The purpose of this public hearing is to allow citizens an opportunity to provide input and ask questions on the proposed amendment.
   2. Aron, PMI, presented an updated map and proposed amendment.
   3. No public comment. Adjourn hearing at 7:10pm

2. Call the meeting to order and establish a quorum. At 7:10pm Will Borski, Harold Minor, Tanner Krause, Kason Menges, Bessie White, Cara McAlister and Town Attorney Ashley Ver Schuur were present. Mayor Marc Benton not present. Visitors present: Carnell Carrell, Aron Miller, Michael Kimich, Charles Borski, Mandi Alford, Daryl Alford, Nancy McMillan, Morgan Donnell, Mike Donnell, Mary Beth Wesley, Garrett Wesley
3. Invocation given by Kason
4. Pledges to the flags.  “Honor the Texas Flag.  I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one state under God, one and indivisible.”
5. Public Comment Citizens are welcome to address the court, up to 3 minutes each, but the court cannot respond
   1. Public comment was given and the following visitors expressed concern about the new parallel parking on Main St. and its potential impact to business.
   2. Daryl Alford, wants answers and who knew what options were available for Main St restriping; what was considered. Suggests to remove Loop 429 from Google maps to deter 18-wheeler traffic.
   3. Mike Donnell added the new striping significantly reduces parking capacity (2 vehicles occupy space, previously 6-8), restricts access to businesses by blocking stairs, and presents accessibility issues due to misalignment of accessible ramps and parking spaces. Businesses were not consulted on the changes and were in favor of the previous angled parking which was not presented as an option during discussions about new striping.
   4. Mary Beth Wesley: Added the new parking limited delivery options and was implemented without sufficient discussion, negatively impacting her business, the new town council building, and overall accessibility.

6. Mayor’s Update:
   1. Anderson Water Company – Lawyers from both parties met earlier this week. The contract to AWC was modified and resent.

7. Consent Agenda: All consent items are considered to be routine & will be enacted by one motion and vote.
   1. Approval of July 10, 2025 Town Council Meeting Minutes
   2. Approval of July 31, 2025 Workshop Minutes
   3. Approval of the list of claims and bills
   4. Approval of Budget Line-Item Transfers (if needed)
      • Transfer $1024.14 from 2-7-402 Contract Services Operator/Mowing account to 2-7-591 Plant Expenses Repairs
      • Transfer $600.00 2-7-715 Plant Expense Site Maintenance & Improvements account to 2-7-591 Plant Expenses Repairs
      • Transfer $400.00 2-7-404 Contract Services Fuel Charge account to 2-7-591 Plant Expenses Repairs
      • Transfer $160.00 from 2-7-271 Plant Expense Chemicals account to 2-7-403 Contract Services Auditing
      • Transfer $109.19 from 1-7-302 Contract Service – Maintenance account to 1-7-301 Town Hall Cleaning Supplies

Motion by Kason to approve consent agenda in its entirety, second by Bessie, all approved, motion carried.

8. Reports:  Informational reports only, no action to be taken.
   1. Permit report
      1. One swimming pool permit, others for Hispanic Heritage & have been handled
   2. Sewer Report – no update
   3. Grants Report
      1. 2017 Harvey Grant – no update
      2. ARPA Grant – no update
      3. 2023-2024 CDBG
         • Work was put on hold 2.5 weeks ago due to non-payment. The issue stems from a form required by TDA causing confusion among the grant administrators (GrantWorks) and contractors (AffinityBCS). The contractor received guidance from TDA Tuesday August 12, resubmitted the form with corrections August 13. Work did restart Monday August 11.
      4. 2025-2026 CDBG
         • Application submitted and accepted. Funding to occur early next year per Aron, PMI
      5. CDBG MIT-MOD
         • Pending vote later in meeting, will submit amendment if approved.
      6. Harvey Reallocation Funds
         • Kickoff held July 25. This project to address roughly 650ft of E. Buffington. Expect a shorter timeframe and completion within one year.
      7.  RCP
         • Near 50% complete. Town Hall will be scheduled soon.

1. 1. Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT)

9. Business: Discuss, consider, and possibly take action regarding:
   1. Discuss, consider and take possible action to approve updates to Ordinance 113-16 pertaining to Mobile Home, Manufactured Home, and Mobile Home Parks.
      1. Kaitlyn Higgins from PMI unable to attend.
      2. Council will review the suggestions and send recommendations to Town Attorney.
   2. Discuss and possible action to approve Resolution 126-25 to Amend the Texas Community Development Block Grant – Mitigation (CDBG-MIT) contract number 24-065-147-F006.
      1. Motion to approve by Kason. Second by Tanner, all approved, motion carried.
      2. Amendment to CDBG-MIT contract number 24-065-147-F006 will be submitted.
   3. Review and discuss Chief Appraiser’s submission of the 2025 Appraisal Roll, No-New Revenue Tax Rate, Voter-Approval Tax Rate, and other Tax Rate Adoption Materials.
      1. The appraisal roll for the Town of Anderson is $27,089,876.00. No new tax rate 0.131698/$100 ($35,676.82). The voter-approved rate 0.143292/$100 ($38,817.63)
   4. Consider and take action to propose a 2025 Tax Rate for the Town of Anderson.
      1. Motion by Kason to propose the rate of No New Tax Rate for 2025, second by Will, all approved, motion carried.
   5. Consider and take possible action to approve a purchase from Cummins Sales and Services for a membrane on the control panel of the wastewater plant automatic transfer switch.
      1. Tanner abstained from voting.
      2. Motion by Harold to approve a purchase from Cummins Sales and Services, second by Will, all approved, motion carried.
   6. Discuss, consider and take possible action to make the following changes to ToA Accounts at FNB Anderson:
      1. Close I/S account and move funds into General account
         • Motion by Tanner to close ToA I/S checking account (4282) and move all available funds in this account into the General account (0843) at First National Bank of Anderson, second by Kason, all approved, motion carried.
      2. On maturity of I/S CD in September, liquidate and move funds to Sewer account
         • Motion by Tanner to close ToA I/S CD (2463) on maturity on September 26, 2025 and move all funds into the Sewer account (4589) at First National Bank of Anderson, second by Kason, all approved, motion carried.
      3. Roll over Sewer CD to a 6-month option
         • Motion by Tanner to close ToA Sewer CD account (2464) upon maturity on September 26, 2025 and use the funds to open a new Sewer CD account on a 6 month term using the same signatories at First National Bank of Anderson, second by Kason, all approved, motion carried.
   7. Consider and take action to choose a rescheduled date for the September regular meeting of the town council.
      1. Tanner proposed September 4^th to allow time to pass the budget and meet tax rate adoption requirements.
      2. Motion by Tanner to reschedule September meeting to the 4^th, second by Will, all approved, motion carried.

10. Around Town
    1. Ditches around town are being over sprayed by new lawn company. Discussed that the Mayor has plans to ride around town with the lawn company foreman and review town needs. Will need better attention to weed eating. Harold considers a possible re-bid is in order.
    2. Houston St is open, but there is still junk scattered. Caution to drive through.
    3. Bessie requests for bushes to be cut back near the Austin and Hwy 90 intersection (South) citing poor visibility when exiting Austin St North.
    4. Harold has concern with the restoration of the streets during the recent sewer work on Houston and near First National Bank of Anderson the work trucks have destroyed areas of the road. A container used by construction company has also caused damage. Additional concern from Kason about patching and future potholes from use of concrete.

11. Discussion of agenda items for the next scheduled meeting
    1. Pass a tax rate
    2. Propose the budget
    3. Increase rental rates on community hall
    4. Ordinance for mobile/manufactured home – further discussion or take possible action
    5. Trunk or treat

12. Adjourn at 805pm Motion by Kason to adjourn, second by Will, all approved, motion carried.

Signed: Marc Benton, Mayor

Attest: Cara McAlister, Town Clerk