MINUTES OF MEETING
OF
BOARD OF ALDERMEN
THE TOWN OF ANDERSON, TEXAS
May 18, 2011
The Board of Aldermen of the Town of Anderson met in regular open session in the American Legion Building in Anderson, Texas, at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 18, 2011. Present were Mayor Gail Sowell, Alderwomen Erna Freeman, Carol DeBose, Aldermen Tom Johanson, Daryl Alford, Joe Boudreaux, City Attorney John DeMille and his associate Angela Davis.
Visitors present were Cindy Bell, Chester Finke, John Freeman and Ronnie Hale.
Mayor Sowell and members of the Council canvassed votes from the May 14, 2011 election. A total of 43 ballots were cast. Gail Sowell was unopposed. Three candidates were running for two positions. The winners were Carol Love DeBose and Tom Johanson. Alderwoman Freeman made a motion to accept the totals of the canvass materials provided by Becky Duff, Grimes Co. Election Registrar. Motion was seconded by Alderman Boudreaux and all members present voted in favor of the motion. *
The returning members were sworn in by City Attorney, John DeMille.
The Aldermen re-organized the council. Alderman Daryl Alford made a motion that Alderwoman Erna Freeman be re-elected to the position of Mayor Pro-Tem and Alderman Tom Johanson remain as Secretary. Alderwoman Carol DeBose seconded the motion; all members present voted in favor.
Ronnie Hale was present to give update on Entergy business. Mayor Sowell and the council discussed adding more street lights in the residential areas with Mr. Hale. Mayor Sowell will contact him with the specifics at a later date. Motion to move forward with the additional lights was made by Alderman Boudreaux, seconded by Alderman Johanson. All members present voted in favor of the motion. Mayor Sowell will get with Mr. Hale at a later date to decide where they will be placed.
Members read and approved the minutes of the regular meeting held on Thursday, April 14, 2011 and the special meeting held on Thursday April 28, 2011. Motion to accept minutes as presented was made by Daryl Alford and seconded by Tom Johanson. Motion was accepted by members present.
Mayor Sowell asked members to review previous agreements with Anderson Water Co., Inc. and revise agreement if update was needed. Attorney DeMille will review and present an update for approval.
Angela Davis presented an update on the condemnation process of the Alex Terrell Estate (John Peavy, owner, as listed in the Grimes Co. Appraisal Dist. Records). She indicated that they would keep moving forward—post a notice to known and unknown heirs and wait the allowed time limit for responses.
Mayor Sowell asked members to look over the information regarding street names and a map of the city provided by Katherine Dornak with Grimes Co. 911 Addressing. She asked members to take the list home and bring back any corrections found to the next meeting, therefore the item was tabled.
Mayor Sowell mentioned that the June meeting would be a week later than usual due to the Grimes Co. Fair. The meeting will be on June 16.
Mayor Sowell asked members to approve payment of invoices due and payable. Motion was made by Alderwoman Freeman and seconded by Alderman Boudreaux to pay the bills. All members present voted in favor of the motion.
Mayor Sowell brought members up-to-date on current projects and miscellaneous items.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:06 p.m.
* Addendum to Minutes of May 18, 2011
The election ballots covered two items:
- Elect 2 members to the Board of Aldermen, and Mayor for the town of Anderson.
- Reauthorization of the local sales and use tax in Anderson at the rate of
1/4 % to continue providing revenue for maintenance and repair of municipal streets. The vote was 16 for and 12 against. This item was covered by Resolution No. 49A-ll, a copy of which is attached.