Meeting Minutes
The Town of Anderson, Texas
7/9/2015
Members Present: Gail Sowell, Mayor; Alderwoman: Erna Freeman, Karen McDuffie; Aldermen: Joe Boudreaux, E. Tom Johanson
Member Absent: Carol DeBose
Anderson Attorney: Michael R. Casaretto
Visitors Present: Cindy Bell, Mr. & Mrs. Daryl Alford, Brett Mize, Scott McDuffie, Ronnie Hale. Dia Copeland, Kathy Hartman and husband.
There was a quorum thus a public open meeting was called to order at 7:01 P.M. by Mayor Gail Sowell. The Pledge of Allegiance and the Texas Allegiance were recited. Tom Johanson spoke the invocation.
Remarks of visitors:
Cindy Bell gave an update on the Navasota/Grimes County Chamber and reminded the Board that the Chamber Golf outing was scheduled for Sept. 26, 2015. Daryl Alford stated he would speak on the Master Gardeners program when Dia Copeland, the President of the Master Gardeners program is in attendance. Brett Mize mentioned that he has cleaned up the area of land that was destroyed and will wait to speak again during agenda item number seven. Scott McDuffie representing the Navasota Theatre Alliance explained to the board different plays that the Alliance has performed in area towns. He thought it would be a good idea to have the Town sponsor a play in the park or in front of the courthouse at the rate of $1000.00 per play for the community. He suggested perhaps for the National Night-Out Event. The board will discuss this opportunity for community togetherness in the near future. No other action at this time is needed by board.
Minutes of previous meeting held on Thursday, June 11, 2015 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 Tom Johanson. All approved, motion carried.
Mr. Ronnie Hale of Entergy discussed the ordinance declining to approve the change in rate request. He stated the utilities are seeing a boom in electricity. He explained in detail about energy units, power grids, purchase powers, and improvements in systems. Erna Freeman made a motion to accept Ordinance # 108-15 which declines to approve the change in rates requested in Entergy’s Statement of Intent. Joe Boudreaux seconded the motion. All approved, motion carried.
Erna Freeman made a motion to move agenda #5 ( Will Ray, TXDOT representative, will be in attendance to answer questions concerning streets in his jurisdiction within the city limits) & agenda item # 6 (Mr. Bob Cochrane of Road & Bridge to discuss his findings and present a bid for repairs on the various issues in conjunction with the town’s roads and culverts. Consider approve Road & Bridge’s bid.), until the next regularly scheduled meeting in August. Joe Boudreaux seconded the motion. All approved, motion carried.
Attorney Michael Casaretto updated the board on the meeting he had with Mr. Brett Mize. He went through the options the town has to help with the problem that has been occurring with the road leading down to Mr. Brett Mize’s property. After discussing the options of signage, temporary road closure, cameras, Erna Freeman made a motion that Attorney Michael Casaretto prepares an ordinance for temporary road closure with limited access. Karen McDuffie seconded the motion. All approved, motion carried. Brett Mize stated that Les Shipman went to his preliminary hearing and that he is out on bond. Mr. Mize thanked the Mayor and Board for their action on this road issue. Michael Casaretto will start preparing the ordinance with the proper wording for board approval at a later date.
It was a unanimous consent to table the pool issue at this time and Attorney Michael Casaretto will get with Secretary, Mary Bostelman about getting a violation notice sent to the owners.
Erna Freeman made a motion to pay bills currently due as presented. Joe Bordeaux seconded the motion. All approved, motion carried.
The Master’s Gardeners, (MG) representatives, President, Dia Copeland and Vice President, Kathy Hartman were on hand to discuss the issues of the Main Street Beautification project. Mayor Gail Sowell opened the discussion with a summary of when the project started until now and the issues of who is suppose to be maintaining the project along with the irrigation problems that are being experienced. Dia Copeland stated that the MG’s are all volunteers and their goal is to educate and not maintain after the completion of a project. Several board members agreed that they were told by the MG’s that the maintenance would be taken care of by the MG’s and the only obligation from the city would be to supply and pay for the water used to irrigate the flowers. Business owner, Daryl Alford, questioned Dia Copeland about the contract that the business owners signed stating all maintenance would be done by the MG’s. Dia was unaware of such documents. Much discussion went back and forth with Attorney Michael Casaretto, Dia Copeland, and the board members. President Dia Copeland ended the discussion by abruptly walking out refusing to leave a phone number where she could be contacted.
Mayor Sowell handed out the newspaper articles from the Examiner and the Freedom Fest about the Anderson business man, Les Shipman, who was arrested for organized crime. She noted that is all that is known at this time since it is a legal case. The Mayor also gave out an update report on the house on Hill Street with trash in the truck and other trash on property. She concluded with an update on Ron Whinery’s issues with the neighbors dogs.
Open session adjourned: 8:44 P.M.
Entered into Closed session: 8:49 P.M.
Closed session ended: 9:14 P.M.
No need to re-open regular session.
Next scheduled meeting: August 13, 2015 @ 7:00 P.M.
______________________________ Attest: ______________________________
Mayor Secretary
