MINUTES OF MEETING
OF
BOARD OF ALDERMEN
THE TOWN OF ANDERSON, TEXAS
August 10, 2006
State of Texas
County of Grimes
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. Thursday, August 10, 2006. Present were Mayor Gail Sowell, Alderwoman Erna Freeman, Aldermen Tom Johanson, Ernest Henderson and David Heyman. Attorney Lovett Boggess and Alderman Bill Robinett were absent.
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m.
Guest present at the meeting was Cindy Bell.
The Mayor asked that minutes from the regular meeting held on July 13, 2006 be considered/approved. Alderwoman Erna Freeman made a motion to accept the minutes as presented; Alderman David Heyman seconded the motion. All members present were in agreement with the motion.
Mayor Sowell asked for consideration/approval of the contract with Grimes County Appraisal District for tax appraisal and collection services for 2006-2007. Alderwoman Erna Freeman made a motion to accept the contract; Alderman Ernest Henderson seconded the motion. All members present voted in favor of the contract.
Mayor Sowell and members present reviewed the appraisal roll for tax year 2006 presented by Chief Appraiser Bill Sullivan in his certification letter dated August 1, 2006. The letter included detailing the rate per $100 of taxable property, the time frame for publication of required notices, date for publishing notice of date, time, etc. for budget hearing and adoption, and a brief review of current financial information. Official acceptance of the rate will be an agenda item at the September meeting; however all members present were in agreement to leave the tax rate the same as last year.
Mayor Sowell advised council members she received bids from several contractors to do work to the office for insurance purposes. The council agreed to use Leon Kimich to enclose the top of the office and reinforce the door lock. Motion was made by Alderman David Heyman and seconded by Alderwoman Erna Freeman to accept Mr. Kimich’s bid. All members present voted in favor of the motion.
Mayor Sowell discussed protection of clean out plugs and marking of manholes throughout town. More information regarding cost will be required.
Mayor Sowell asked Alderwoman Erna Freeman to discuss the need to authorize research of the town’s original charter and streets. A discussion ensued indicating that many of the Aldermen have different ideas as to exactly what is the most important information to secure. It was determined that a complete review of the town’s original plat and the desires of landowners regarding use of donated lands to city needs to be reviewed with an eye to future planning, etc. After quite a bit of discussion about whether to handle each problem that arises on an individual basis or do a thorough search of the records; seek help from TML attorneys and other professionals in establishing a future growth study, it was decided to table research until a later meeting. The council agreed to hold a “Town Hall Meeting” to seek input from local citizens as to their wishes regarding future growth and development. The meeting is tentatively set for September 14th.
Mayor Sowell asked for approval of the council to move the September meeting from the 14th to the 28th for budget planning purposes. All members were in agreement with the change.
Mayor Sowell asked for review and approval of payment of all invoices currently due and payable. Alderman Tom Johanson made a motion to pay invoices; Alderman Ernest Henderson seconded the motion. All members present were in favor of the motion.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:17 p.m.