MINUTES OF MEETING
OF
BOARD OF ALDERMEN
THE TOWN OF ANDERSON, TEXAS
August 16, 2012
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 16, 2012. Present were Mayor Gail Sowell, Aldermen Erna Freeman, Carol DeBose, Karen McDuffie-Melton, Tom Johanson, Joe Boudreaux and Attorney Angela Collier.
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m.
Guests present at the meeting were Cindy Bell, Chester Finke, Ronnie Hale, Dianne Sechelski, Tony Pavlock and Darryl Alford.
Ronnie Hale of Entergy was present to speak to the members of the board new customer experience Entergy Program, available on their website.
Dianne Sechelski and Daniel Sanders of Mid-South Electric Co-Op were present and
spoke to the council members about ways their company may be able to assist the city. Their goal is to assist communities in the area with man power, technology, and possible help with grant applications were some of the ways they wished to be of service. They expressed the desire to also help with a clean-up day in the Fall by providing manpower, equipment, etc. to assist with the various types of materials to be removed.
Mayor Sowell asked members to read and approve minutes of the regular meeting held on Thursday, July 12, 2012. Motion was made by Alderman Freeman and seconded by Tom Johanson to accept the minutes as presented. All members present voted in favor of the motion.
Mayor Sowell asked members to review the appraisal roll for the Town of Anderson for tax year 2012 as prepared by Bill Sullivan, Chief Appraiser for Grimes County. The rate for 2011-2012 was $0.2079. Mr. Sullivan will post the notice in the newspaper of the public hearing to be held on September 20, 2012. Alderman Freeman made a motion to retain the same figure from the previous year for the 2012-2013 tax rate. Alderman Boudreaux seconded the motion; all members present voted in favor of the motion.
Members were asked to consider moving the meeting for September from the 13th to the 20th, and holding public hearings on the same evening. Alderman Boudreaux made a motion to make the change. Alderman Freeman seconded the motion; all members present voted in favor of the motion. The time for the meeting will remain 7:00 p.m.
Motion was made by Alderman Johanson and seconded by Alderman Boudreaux to pay all bills due and payable at this time. All members present voted in favor of the motion.
Mayor Sowell updated members on recent projects, etc.
Mayor Sowell spoke with Sam Nobles of Grimes County Road & Bridge about mowing the streets. The county mows our streets in the spring and in the fall. Mr. Nobles said the streets would be mowed again in October. The Mayor advised that the streets are really bad and we need to do an emergency cutting before then. She advised the council that she spoke with Brandon Belinowski and his company could do the mowing this weekend. Alderman Freeman made a motion to hire him to do the emergency mowing; Alderman Johanson seconded the motion and all members present voted in favor of the motion.
Meeting was adjourned at 7:45 to allow members to convene in private session.
Members and visitors re-convened in public session at 8:18 p.m.
City Attorney Collier provided an update on the Bean and Peavy Properties. A public hearing was set to be held on September 20th. The inspectors will submit evidence at that time.
Regarding the property for sale by city on Johnson St., four bids were submitted. The Board accepted the highest bid of $2,501.00 presented by Norene Perkins. Alderman Freeman made a motion to accept the high bid; Alderman Joe Boudreaux seconded the motion. All members present voted in favor of the motion. Attorney Collier will draft the deed.
Meeting was adjourned at 8:22 p.m.
Closed Session
The Board of Aldermen of the Town of Anderson met in closed session in the American Legion Building in Anderson, Texas, at 7:47p.m. Thursday, August 16, 2012. Mayor Gail Sowell, Aldermen Joe Boudreaux, Tom Johanson, Carol DeBose, Ema Freeman, Karen McDuffie-Melton and city Attorney Angela collier were present. .
Attorney will make a statement when session is re-opened.
Attorney Collier provided an update on Peavy and Bean properties. Inspection was held on July 13th. Attached is a timeline sent July 13th. Supposedly he worked on the property, as described in attached timeline, through July 31.
We will need another inspection.
Peavy – notice and certified copy of newspaper available.
We will publish a notice of the hearing 10 days in advance of Sept. 20th. Publish order certifying . Begin abatement procedure with bids two times.
Post notice of bid then sign contract for abatement based on contractor time line. Do for Peavy and Bean.
Start Sept. 10 meeting at 7:00 to cover 3 items. Inspectors to be here.
Prepare notice again
Record in deeds
Peavy Property – Being used as car lot. Need more notices put up, also FOR SALE signs, yellow tape, and condemned – no trespassing signs. Contact Sheriff’s office.
Regarding additional properties to be reviewed – need a list for Inspectors.
Joe said after the fall cleanup is a good time to view. Erna said cleanup frst week in Oct. then move on other property. Joe stated that there were 6 or 7 on the list.
Erna said school grounds were looking bad. Send letter.
Peavy done. Letter from city may help individuals in town hoping it will get some folks moving.
Annexation of Gail Cox on hold for time being.
Bean property will require another inspection and report for September. Question regarding charge by Inspectors.
Members felt that Bean failed. Last notice – 15 days if not completed go forward as non-compliance.
Peavy will need hearing.
Finish Bean and handle postings.
CITY MUST BE IN COMPLIANCE. LEAVE NOTHING TO QUESTION. Can County Judge sign? She could.
Properly Sale Closed Bids opened.
1. Kyle Childress $2,501.00 (build dwelling for mother)**
2. Wm. Smith $877.00
3. Richard Odom $500.00
4. Pavlock, A&B $1,500.00
Motion made by Alderman Boudreaux to accept the highest bid; seconded by Alderman Freeman. All members present voted in favor of the motion.
**Norene Perkins name will be on deed. She could sell to anyone. Pastor Childress maintains a good reputation with the residents. Don’t feel there is a problem there.
Angela to draft deed. Using metes and bounds.
Closed Session adjoumed at 8:17 p.m.