MINUTES OF MEETING
OF
BOARD OF ALDERMEN
THE TOWN OF ANDERSON, TEXAS
August 8, 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
Member Absent: Tom Johanson
Anderson Attorney Present: Angela Collier Seager
Visitors Present: Chester Finke, Cindy Bell, Les Shipman, Brett Mize, Andrew & Kim Williams, Ken Sanders & Louise Sanders, Kyle Childress, Norman Blake.
There was a quorum thus a public open meeting was called to order at 7:00 P.M. by Mayor Gail Sowell. The Pledge of Allegiance and the Texas Allegiance were recited. Kyle Childress, pastor of Anderson Baptist Church, opened the meeting with a prayer.
Remarks of visitors: Cindy Bell brought to the council’s attention an issue with someone moving a trailer home on the property next to hers, unfortunately, they infringed on her property 12—14 feet. The issue is being taken care of privately. However, Cindy is suggesting that the council consider drafting and approving a “Certificate of Appropriateness”. She feels this would avoid/eliminate such mishaps to happen. Erna Freeman stated that the board will take under advisement.
Les Shipman stated that he heard the city was imposing ordinances. He questioned if he could view previous minutes. He also stated that he owns land that is landlocked and he would like to know if there was a map to see who owned the land around him. He said he would like to start a subdivision but there is no way onto his property. It was stated that the city owns the land. He brought to the board’s attention that there is a horse pen with horses grazing on one of those lots surrounding his property. Erna Freeman requested a written statement from him describing where he is referring to, what he proposes to do and told him he would have to go to the Appraisal District to get a map.
Minutes of previous meeting held on July 11, 2013 were read by each board member present. A motion was made to approve the minutes as written by Erna Freeman. The motion was seconded by Joe Boudreaux. All approved, motion carried.
The review and action on documents granting ASCISD permission for a company to bore under Hill St. was tabled until next meeting.
Angela Collier Seager has the original deed on Lift Station/Howard property and it is completed. Erna Freeman will take to have it recorded.
Angela Collier Seager presented the mowing ordinance for the first official reading. Erna made a motion to accept the present mowing ordinance in hand as the board’s official first reading. Karen McDuffie-Melton seconded the motion. This mowing ordinance will be mailed to property owners in the Town of Anderson along with a list of people who can be contracted out to help them with the clean-up at their expense. A follow-up letter will be mailed to anyone who is in violation including a deadline date for clean-up and if clean-up is not done by the owner by that date, the city will hire someone to clean it up for them at their expense. If not paid, a lien will be imposed on the property. Bret Mize questioned the height of the grass and weeds. It was noted that it is defined in the ordinance. All approved motion carried.
A junk vehicle ordinance was presented to the board by Angela Collier Seager. It basically follows the State of Texas ordinance with a few revisions. Previously, Norman Lofland of the GCSO started working with the town on the ordinance some years back. Until an ordinance was put into effect, the sheriff’s office has been using the State of Texas Transportation junk vehicle ordinance for enforcement. Mayor Gail Sowell will take the revised ordinance to Sheriff Don Sowell to look over. The first reading for the junk vehicle ordinance will be at the next scheduled open meeting.
Erna Freeman made a motion to approve the new TxDOT agreement with the town concerning the Master Gardeners beautification project pending a follow-up letter of agreement signed and dated by the Master Gardeners, written by Angela Collier Seager, which includes the details of how the project is being funded by them along with including a monthly report. Joe Boudreaux seconded the motion. All approved. Motion carried.
Erna Freeman made a motion to approve the effective rate appraisal roll for the Town of Anderson for tax year 2013. Joe Boudreaux seconded the motion. All approve. Motion carried. Mayor Sowell will get with Bill Sullivan to set up appropriate measures to hold a tax hearing at the September meeting.
Mayor Sowell requested to move next month’s regularly scheduled meeting to September 19th at 7:00 PM in order to also hold the tax hearing as well as the budget hearing.
A motion was made by Joe Boudreaux topay bills as presented. Carol DeBose seconded the motion. All approved, motion carried.
Open session closed at 8:00 PM and closed session opened at 8:04 PM.
Closed session closed at 8:35PM and open session resumed at 8:36 PM.
Erna Freeman made a motion to take action to move forward on the condemnation of Billy Bean’s property. Joe seconded the motion. All approved, motion carried.
Next Regular Session town meeting is scheduled for September 19, 2013. A public tax hearing and budget hearing will begin at 7:00 PM followed by the regular town meeting.
Meeting adjourned: 8:40 P.M.
