Meeting Minutes
The Town of Anderson, Texas
4-14-2016
Members Present: Gail Sowell, Mayor (arrived a few minutes late); Alderwomen: Erna Freeman, Carol DeBose, Karen McDuffie; Aldermen: Tom Johanson, Joe Boudreaux
Anderson Attorney Present: Michael R. Casaretto
Visitors Present: Cindy Bell
There was a quorum thus a public open meeting was called to order at 7:01 P.M. by Mayor Pro-Tem Erna Freeman.
Pledges were recited and Tom Johanson spoke the invocation.
Remarks of visitors:
Cindy Bell reported that there is a business expo scheduled for May 12th 5:30-7:30 pm at St. Stanislaus Hall. No action needed by the board.
Minutes of previous meeting held on Thursday, March 10, 2016 were read by each board member present. A motion was made by Joe Boudreaux to approve the minutes as written. The motion was seconded by Carol DeBose. All approved, motion carried.
Mayor Gail Sowell arrived and chaired the rest of the meeting.
Erna Freeman made a motion to table item #4 of adopting a rate for sewer services until further review of the present ordinance of sewage user rates, which will be emailed to the board before the next meeting, and at the board’s next regularly scheduled meeting in May set the new rate. Tom Johanson seconded the motion. All approved, motion carried.
Erna Freeman made a motion to approve the media policy, open records request policy and form with amendments made of the additional line for the date and change of rate from .50 cents to $1.00. Joe Boudreaux seconded the motion. Discussion followed with Michael explaining and clarifying the guide-lines. He also requested to be notified when a request is made by anyone. During the discussion Erna Freeman made a friendly amendment to the motion on the floor to include about closed meeting minutes. Joe seconded the motion. All approved, motion carried.
Joe Boudreaux made a motion to accept TML’s insurance policy quoted with the effective date being the date of expiration of the present insurance policy on the building now. Carol DeBose seconded the motion. Upon discussion the board requested that Mary Bostelman call TML and inquire about liability insurance on vacant lots owned by the town, if they would be covered under the umbrella of the new insurance policy. All approved, motion carried.
Mayor Sowell presented a written rental agreement for the Anderson Community Center. Karen McDuffie made a motion to accept the rental agreement as presented. Carol DeBose seconded the motion. All approved, motion carried.
Michael Casaretto reported on the progress of the annexation. Miriah Cunneen and attorney Casaretto will be meeting next week as they move forward he will report the progress at next meeting.
Mayor Gail Sowell presented a Proclamation declaring April 2016 as Child Abuse Prevention Month in Anderson, TX. Joe Boudreaux made a motion to approve the proclamation declaring April 2016 as Child Abuse Prevention Month in the Town of Anderson. Karen McDuffie seconded the motion. All approved, motion carried.
Erna Freeman made a motion to pay invoices currently due as presented. Tom Johanson seconded the motion. All approved, motion carried.
Mayor Sowell and Karen McDuffie updated the board on the up-coming Town Clean-Up Day scheduled for April 30, 2016 8:00 A.M.- 12:00 Noon. An informational letter and flyer will be hand-delivered to every household within the town of Anderson. Mayor Sowell and the board of alderman stated they are all very appreciative of Brazos Valley Solid Waste Management for partnering with the town on this day by providing the dump container free of charge.
The town council received a letter from Taya Shipman requesting a copy of all the town meeting minutes from 2012-present. Attorney Michael Casaretto will address this request in a responsive letter to Mrs. Shipman informing her that the minutes are available on the town’s website and can be printed off from there. If she would like for the town to send them to her there is a cost of $1.00 per page plus postage.
Michael Casaretto brought up some concerns of non compliant properties. A letter of non-compliance and a copy of the ordinance should be mailed to those in violation. Carol DeBose had previously given that list to Michael Casaretto and she stated two on the list have taken care of their property however the others are still in violation. Michael will send the letters out.
Joe Boudreaux brought up a concern regarding Road & Bridge. There was a problem with the culvert at the CenturyLink property and with some run off of stone. It was decided that the new Road & Bridge engineer be invited to the next regular session on May 12, 2016. Mayor Gail Sowell will contact him and request his presence at that meeting and place him on the agenda.
Open session adjourned: 8:33 P.M.
Closed session opened: 8:33 P.M.
Closed session closed: 8:58 P.M.
No need to reopen open session .
Next regular scheduled meeting: May 12, 2016 @ 7:00 P.M.
______________________________ Attest: ______________________________
Mayor Secretary