MINUTES OF MEETING
OF
BOARD OF ALDERMEN
THE TOWN OF ANDERSON, TEXAS
May 16, 2013
State of Texas
County of Grimes
Members Present: Gail Sowell, Mayor; Erna Freeman, Mayor Pro-Tem; Alderwomen: Carol DeBose, Karen McDuffie-Melton; Aldermen: Joe Boudreaux, Tom Johanson
Anderson Attorney Present: Angela Seager
Visitors Present: Chester Finke, Cindy Bell, Bret Mize, V.L. Snider, Felisha Love-Green, Rhonda Love-James, Susan Boudreaux, Sarah Nash, Louise Sanders, Ken Sanders, Lanell Szymczak, Karen Shiminski, Ted Shiminski, Les Shipman , William Smith.
There was a quorum thus a public open meeting was called to order at 7:05 P.M. by Mayor Gail Sowell. The Pledge of Allegiance and the Texas Allegiance were recited.
Remarks of visitors: Cindy Bell thanked the Aldermen and Mayor for their service and holding up the promise of the office.
The duly elected candidates qualified by taking an Oath of Office. Attorney Angela Collier-Seager performed the official duty of swearing Edward Thomas Johanson as Alderman; Carol Love DeBose as Alderwoman, and Gail Sowell as Mayor, Town of Anderson, Anderson, Texas.
Mayor Gail Sowell stated the need to re-organize by asking for nominations for the position of Mayor Pro-Tem and Secretary. Karen McDuffie-Melton made a motion to elect Erna Freeman for Mayor Pro-Tem. Tom Johanson seconded the motion. All approved. Motion carried. Carol Love DeBose made a motion to elect Edward Thomas Johanson for Secretary. Joe Bourdeaux seconded the motion. All approved. Motion carried.
Mayor Gail Sowell read a Proclamation declaring May as Motorcycle Awareness Month. Four motorcyclists were present for the presentation of the Proclamation.
Mrs. V.L. Snider, CPA presented the Town of Anderson Audit of the financial records and other pertinent records for the Fiscal Year 2011-2012. She noted the General Fund ending balance for F.Y. 2011-2012 is $280,431. The ending balance for the F.Y. in the Wastewater Enterprise Fund (Sewer) is $1,000,462. She reminded the board that a copy of the audit needs to be sent to the USDA. She requested that next year’s paper work be submitted to her by November 1st to be able to get the Audit completed in a timelier manner.
Minutes of previous meeting held on April 11, 2013 were read by each board member present. A motion was made to approve the minutes as written by Mayor Pro-Tem, Erna Freeman. The motion was seconded by Joe Boudreaux. All approved, motion carried.
Les Shipman addressed the board on establishing an historic district in the Town of Anderson. He congratulated the council and Mayor for their re-election and thanked them for their service. He then stated his main concern that he wanted to present to the council was his passion to preserve Anderson’s history. He asked the council to look ahead and think about what can be done to preserve the history of Anderson. The council suggested that he and other town citizens form a committee and that committee put together suggestions pertaining to preserving Anderson’s history and then present a concrete plan to the council to consider.
The Inter-Local Agreement for Maintenance of Roads, Law Enforcement, and 9-1-1 Services between the county and the Town of Anderson was read and discussed by the board members. It was agreed that it is too general in its description of the Road Maintenance. The board requested that Attorney Angela Collier-Seager send a letter to Mr. Jon C. Fultz, Grimes County Attorney’s Office stating the agreement is under review and the board stated that it is too generic in its wording in reference to the Road Maintenance section of the agreement.
Discussion of a draft of mowing ordinance was tabled.
Joe Boudreaux made a motion to pay bills as noted. Tom Johanson seconded the motion. All approved, motion carried.
No closed meeting was necessary.
Mayor Sowell and the Board discussed current projects and miscellaneous items. The Board scheduled a planning workshop to address several issues including, but not limited to, what the by-laws say about annexation. The workshop was scheduled for July 11, 2013 at 1:00 P.M. at the American Legion.
Next Regular session town meeting is scheduled for June 13, 2013.
Meeting adjourned: 8:23 P.M.