2014 08 14 Minutes

Meeting Minutes
The Town of Anderson, Texas

August 14, 2014

Members Present: Gail Sowell, Mayor; Erna Freeman, Mayor Pro-Tem; Alderwomen: Carol DeBose; Aldermen: Joe Boudreaux, Tom Johanson

Member Absent: Karen McDuffie

Anderson Attorney Present: Michael R. Casaretto

Visitors Present: Chester Finke, Cindy Bell, David Dobyanski, Ken Sanders, Lois Sanders, Perry Ealim, Joseph Gust, Kermit Bostelman, Michael R. Casaretto, Bill Sullivan.
There was a quorum thus a public open meeting was called to order at 6:58 P.M. by Mayor Gail Sowell. The Pledge of Allegiance and the Texas Allegiance were recited. Invocation was by Tom Johanson.

Remarks of visitors:
Cindy Bell stated that the Chamber of Commerce is planning on setting up a shelf so that members of the Chamber can place brochures about their town and or business. The board thought that would be a good idea and suggested that Mary Bostelman work on that project with Cindy Bell.
David Dobyanski gave a quick update on what is happening around Grimes County which included, USDA grant funding, a possibility of a youth center, a water treatment plant in Magnolia and a possibility of a countywide WiFi through the USDA. No action required by the board.

Minutes of previous meeting held on July 10, 2014 were read by each board member present. A motion was made by Tom Johanson to approve the minutes as written. The motion was seconded by Carol DeBose. All approved, motion carried.

Erna Freeman made a motion to accept Mr. Michael Casaretto as the new Town of Anderson attorney at the same pay rate and duties as our past attorney, Angela Collier Seager. Joe Bordeaux seconded the motion. Discussion of a written contract followed. All approved, motion carried. Mr. Michael Casaretto then officially joined the meeting as the town’s attorney taking his seat at the table.

Perry Ealim chose not to speak.

The request for annexation from Karrie Cooper was tabled until September. Town attorney Michael Casaretto will contact Karrie Cooper after some clarification of the request from the former town attorney, Angela Collier Seager, as well as Grimes County engineer, Mr. Steve Duncan.

Joe Bordeaux made a motion to adopt the State Transportation code 396 for section Q of the junked vehicle ordinance 98-14. Erna Freeman seconded the motion. All approved, motion carried.

The board reviewed the appraisal roll for the Town of Anderson for tax year 2014 as prepared and presented by Bill Sullivan, Chief Appraiser for Grimes County.

The board discussed the 2014-2015 fiscal year tax issues including the rate per $100.00 of taxable property, the time frame for publication of required notices, date for publishing notice date, time, etc. for budget hearing and adoption, and a brief review of current financial information with Mr. Bill Sullivan. The board decided that the effective rate would most likely be kept the same as last time. No motion was needed at this meeting of discussion only.

The board discussed the condemnation of abandoned and/or neglected lots and houses within the city boundaries as well as the neglect of back taxes owed on properties. There are a few properties that have not paid their taxes and these houses will be put up for sale. The Grimes County Appraisal District will take care of the proceedings. City limit boundaries were also discussed with some properties having the city line running through their property. It was suggested that the board sit down with Mr. Steve Duncan to discuss the boundaries.

Joe Bourdeaux made a motion to move September’s town council meeting from the 11th of September to the 18th of September, 2014 at 7:00 P.M. Tom Johanson seconded the motion. All approved, motion carried.

Erna Freeman motioned to increase Mayor Gail Sowell’s reimbursement of her cell phone allotment to $105.00 monthly, starting this month. Joe Bourdeaux seconded the motion. All approved, motion carried.

Tom Johanson motioned to pay bills currently due as presented with the G.C.A.D. taxes on property due be paid out of the General fund. Carol DeBose seconded the motion. All approved, motion carried.

Mayor Gail Sowell stated she will be attending the Central East Texas Alliance (CETA )Focus Series being held on August 26, 2014 at the Navasota Recreation Center. She also reminded the board that we are members of CETA and that any board member wishing to attend needs to register on-line by August 22 at www.cetalliance.com. Admission is free to members.

Mayor Gail Sowell stated that Marci Countryman from the ASCISD elementary school informed her that the PTA was having the schools Fall Festival on October 25, 2014. This date happens to be the last Saturday of the month which the town had always set aside for its Trunk or Treat event. The board discussed different dates for the annual Trunk or Treat and decided to table this issue until next month.

Open session closed: 7:58 P.M.

The board entered into closed session at 8:00 P.M.
Closed session adjourned: 8:58 P.M.

No Action required on items discussed in closed session.
Next scheduled meeting: September 18, 2014 @ 7:00 P.M.
Regular session was adjourned at 8:58 P.M.

Attest: ______________________ __________________
Mayor Secretary

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TOWN OF ANDERSON

P.O. Box 592
Anderson, TX 77830

Ph: (936) 873-3102

Office Hours : Tuesday – Thursday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m