Budget Hearing Minutes
For Fiscal Year 2015-2016
The Town of Anderson, Texas
September 17, 2015
Members Present: Gail Sowell, Mayor; Alderwomen: Erna Freeman, Carol DeBose, Karen McDuffie; Aldermen: Joe Boudreaux
Member Absent: Tom Johanson
Anderson Attorney Present: Michael R. Casaretto
Visitors Present: Chester Finke, Cindy Bell, Kermit Bostelman, Clint Capps, Lance Lavergne, Johnny McNally, Greg Zweiacker, Joseph Casaretto, Francine Casaretto, Daryl Alford
There was a quorum thus a public budget hearing was called to order at 7:00 P.M. by Mayor Gail Sowell. The Pledge of Allegiance and the Texas Allegiance were recited. Invocation was by Mary Bostelman.
Mary Bostelman presented the proposed budget for F.Y 2015-2016 stating the balances as follows:
General account: $510,362.66; Sewer account: $131,006.20; I&S: $115349.47. She noted that the proposed budgets are balanced budgets with consideration in the general fund for street repairs and increase in allowance for engineering services if needed. The sewer budget also indicts the $275,000.00 USDA Community Block Grant awarded to us for the updating of the Sewer Plant upgrade to bring it up to speed with the new testing that is being done by the EPA.
Cindy Bell questioned what item numbered 1-6-576 contracted services and maintenance amount of $45,000 was intended for? That inquire was answered by both Joe Boudreaux and Mary Bostelman stating that was intended for the possibility of upcoming expenses for road repairs within the town of Anderson.
No other questions or concerns needed addressed.
Budget hearing adjourned: 7:09 P.M.
Attest:
______________________________________ ___________________________________-
Mayor Mayor Pro-Tem
Tax Rate Hearing Minutes
For Tax Year 2015
The Town of Anderson, Texas
September 17, 2015
Members Present: Gail Sowell, Mayor; Alderwomen: Erna Freeman, Carol DeBose, Karen McDuffie; Aldermen: Joe Boudreaux
Member Absent: E. Tom Johanson
Anderson Attorney Present: Michael R. Casaretto
Visitors Present: Chester Finke, Cindy Bell, Clint Capps, Lance Lavergne, Johnny McNally, Greg Zweiacker, Joseph Casaretto, Francine Casaretto, Daryl Alford
There was a quorum thus a public open tax rate hearing was called to order at 7:09 P.M. by Mayor Gail Sowell.
Mary Bostelman, secretary, reported that the total tax rate per $100 valuation for all purposes is proposed at 0.2090. She stated this is a slight increase from last year’s rate of 0.2004. This increase would provide approximately $1500.00 more per year if all stays the same. The tax rate would effectively be raised by 7.78 percent. On a $100,000.ooo home it would be approximately $8.40.
No questions or concerns were noted.
Tax Rate Hearing adjourned: 7:11 P.M.
ATTEST:
___________________________________ ___________________________________
Mayor Mayor Pro-Tem Meeting Minutes
The Town of Anderson, Texas
9/17/2015
Members Present: Gail Sowell, Mayor; Alderwomen: Erna Freeman, Karen McDuffie, Carol DeBose; Aldermen: Joe Boudreaux
Members Absent: E. Tom Johanson
Anderson Attorney Present: Michael R. Casaretto
Visitors Present: Cindy Bell, Clint Capps, Lance Lavergne, Chester Finke, Johnny McNally, Greg Zweiacker, Joseph Casaretto, Francine Casaretto, Will Ray, Kyle Childress, Daryl Alford
There was a quorum thus a public open meeting was called to order at 7:11 P.M. by Mayor Gail Sowell.
Remarks of visitors:
Cindy Bell gave an update on the Navasota/Grimes County Chamber golf tournament and stated she has information on it if anyone is interested. She also informed the board that this coming Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2015 in the afternoon, a park bench will be installed in the Historic Park of Anderson. A ceremony dedicating it will be held at a later date. But all are invited to attend the installation.
Minutes of previous meeting held on Thursday, August 13, 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 Karen McDuffie. All approved, motion carried.
Erna Freeman made a motion to accept the budget for year fiscal 2015-2016 by Ordinance # 109-15 including all receipts and disbursements for the Town of Anderson. Carol DeBose seconded the motion. All approved.
Joe Boudreaux made a motion to adopt the tax rate of 0.2090 per $100 valuation for the tax year 2015 by Ordinance # 110-15 for the Town of Anderson. Carol DeBose seconded the motion. All approved. Motion carried.
Upon realizing the amended budgets needed to be voted on prior to the 2015-16 budgets, a re-vote was taken to be in the proper order. Erna Freeman made a motion to adopt the amendments to the current fiscal year 2014-15 budgets for both the General and Sewer Funds. Carol DeBose seconded. All approved. Motion carried. Erna Freeman made a motion to adopt the Sewer and General Fund budgets for fiscal year 2015-2016 by Ordinance # 109-15 including all receipts and disbursements for the Town of Anderson. Joe Boudreaux seconded the motion. All approved. Motion carried. Joe Boudreaux made a motion to adopt the tax rate of 0.2090 per $100 valuation for the tax year 2015 by Ordinance # 110-15 for the Town of Anderson. Carol DeBose seconded the motion. All approved. Motion carried.
Greg Zweiacker of Zweiacker & Associates Reality handed a survey of lots six, seven, eight, nine, fifteen, sixteen seventeen, and eighteen of block seven, east of Main St., Town of Anderson, Grimes County, Texas and a portion of lots our and five out of block eleven, east of Main Street, Town of Anderson, Grimes County, Texas, all being in the Darius Gregg Survey, A-21: surveyed by R.H. Bonds Surveying Company. Mr. Zweiacker was on hand to discuss the possibility of either opening up Pecan Street or was open to any other options that may be available to be able to access land that is for sale by his client. He stated he has possibly one to three clients interested in purchasing said land to build homes. Mr. Zweiacker was interested in the buyer’s possible options to access the land that is for sale. He stated that he realizes the land is not land-locked however there is no viable access in and out at this point. The council voiced concerns regarding the opening of Pecan Street while also understanding the predicament that the buyer(s)/ sellers are in. Attorney Michael Casaretto stated there are issues and options to be considered and the board of aldermen will have to further discuss everything to be able to make a decision that is best for the Town of Anderson. The issue was tabled for later discussion/consideration.
Joe Boudreaux presented a quote obtained from Sam Nobles, Interim Director of Road & Bridge, to repair a number of streets with-in the Town of Anderson. The quote included the following streets for asphalt: Hill St., Austin St., Houston St., S. Main St., Cedar St., W. Buffington Ave., E. Buffington Ave., E. Woodward Ave., and Johnson Ave. It also included a 5’x50’ culvert on Cedar St. and a load of rock on S. Main St. Mayor Sowell explained to the visitors the inter-local agreement between Road & Bridge and the Town of Anderson. Joe Boudreaux made a motion to accept the quote of $31,578.40 to repair the above listed roads referenced in the quote presented. Erna Freeman seconded the motion. All approved. Motion carried.
Rev. Kyle Childress was on hand to discuss the Trunk or Treat which is set for the 31st of October 2015 on Main St. in Anderson and to discuss/consider some possible changes. He suggested that we allow vendors such as the 4-H, school organizations, and churches to charge for food and drink. Mayor Sowell mentioned the need of two Port-a-Pots on each end of Main Street. After much discussion between members and visitors alike including visitor Will Ray, Director of Grimes TxDot who mentioned the need of permits, the issue was tabled to discuss during closed session with Mayor Sowell getting word back to Rev. Kyle at a later date.
Erna motioned to table the agenda item # 10 “Christmas with Us” until a later date. Joe Boudreaux seconded the motion. All approved. Motion carried.
With the Director of Grimes County TXDOT, Will Ray, in attendance, Erna Freeman brought tabled agenda item # 4 from August 13, 2015 Board of Aldermen Town meeting to the floor. Will Ray acknowledged he looked at some of the issues presented to him by Alderman, Joe Boudreaux. He stated he will coordinate with Sam Nobles, Interim Director of Road & Bridge on the issue at Cedar St. He is looking into College St. issues and the two manhole problems. The issue on 1774 &Main St. will be taken care of in February or March once the proper milling machine is available. He mentioned that he has been in contact with the engineer’s office on the option of a possible shoulder on FM 149 from Hwy 90 to the school. As soon as he hears back from them, he will report their findings to the board.
Attorney Michael Casaretto made an open apology in reference to a couple of letters that were not sent out by him to the homes that are in violation of ordinances. He will send those letters using a personal service which will include an affidavit of service. He stated he would like to schedule a workshop in October if possible. At the next meeting he is planning on presenting a couple ordinances and we can use the newspaper for public readings and post on the towns bulletin board.
Mayor Sowell updated the aldermen on the sewer plant Block Grant in which we received the amount of $275,000.00. Mayor also updated the aldermen on the Main Street beautification project stating Mr. Ron Wise of Wise Landscaping is finished with the repairs and cleaning of the flower beds and will now start the process of maintaining the beds. Mayor Sowell introduced Mr. Johnny McNally, Executive Director of the Navasota/Chamber of Commerce and stated the Town of Anderson looks forward to working with the Chamber and him as Director.
Erna Freeman made a motion to pay bills currently due as presented. Joe Bordeaux seconded the motion. All approved, motion carried.
Open session adjourned: 8:10 P.M.
Entered into Closed session: 8:28 P.M.
Closed session ended: 9:23 P.M.
No need to re-open regular session.
Next scheduled meeting: October 8, 2015 @ 7:00 P.M.
______________________________ Attest: ______________________________
Mayor Mayor Pro-Tem