MINUTES OF MEETING
OF
BOARD OF ALDERMEN
THE TOWN OF ANDERSON, TEXAS
SEPTEMBER 22, 2010
State of Texas
County of Grimes
The Board of Aldermen of the Town of Anderson conducted a public hearing on the proposed budget for FY 2011-2012. In attendance were Mayor Gail Sowell, Aldermen Daryl Alford, Joe Boudreaux, Tom Johanson, Alderwoman Erna Freeman and Attorney Angela Davis. Absent was Alderwoman Carol Debose. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. Ms. Stanley reviewed the proposed budget for 2011-2012. There were no comments or questions from the public. The meeting was closed at 7:15 p.m.
The Board of Aldermen then conducted a public hearing on the proposed tax rate for FY 2011-2012. The meeting was called to order at 7:15 p.m. The Board members expressed approval and acceptance of the rate proposed in Ordinance No. 84-11 for the coming year at the established tax rate of $0.2079 per $100 of valuation. There were no comments or questions from the public. The meeting was concluded at 7:18 p.m.
The Board of Aldermen of the Town of Anderson then met in regular open session in the American Legion Building in Anderson, Texas, at 7:18 p.m., Thursday, September 22, 2011. The Mayor, Aldermen Daryl Alford, Joe Boudreaux, Tom Johanson, Alderwoman Erna Freeman, and Attorney Angela Davis were present. Absent was Alderwoman Carol DeBose.
Guests attending this meeting included Cindy Bell, Chester Finke, and Billy Bean.
Members were asked to read and approve the minutes of the regular meeting held on Thursday, August 11, 2011. Alderwoman Freeman made a motion to accept the minutes as presented with a correction in wording of tax rate as required by GCAD; Alderman Alford seconded the motion, all members present voted in favor.
Mayor Sowell asked members to consider/approve amendments to the budget for the current fiscal year 2010-2011. Alderwoman Freeman made a motion to accept the amended budget as presented; Alderman Alford seconded the motion. All members present voted in favor of the motion.
Mayor Sowell presented Ordinance No. 84-11 to adopt a tax rate for the Town of Anderson for FY 2011-2012. Alderman Johanson moved that property tax rate of $0.2079 per $100 of valuation be adopted. Alderman Boudreaux seconded the motion. All members present voted in favor of the motion.
Mayor Sowell asked Members to consider/adopt a budget by Ordinance (83-11) including all receipts and disbursements, for the Town of Anderson for the FY 2011-2012. Alderwoman Freeman made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 83-11 for this purpose. Alderman Boudreaux seconded the motion; all members present voted in favor.
Mayor Sowell advised that a representative from the Crime Victims Assistance Program was to be present to read a Proclamation declaring October as being Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Inasmuch as she was unable to be present, Mayor Sowell read the proclamation. Alderman Johanson made a motion to activate the proclamation; Alderman Boudreaux seconded the motion. All members present voted in favor of the motion.
Mayor Sowell asked members to consider/approve by resolution nominations to the Board of Directors of the Grimes County Appraisal District. After discussion of members relative to not participating due to the number of entitlements allowed for the City, Mayor Sowell expressed a need to participate. Members agreed to accept first four names provided by GCAD, with the name of Tommy Szymcak heading the list.
Alderman Johanson made a motion to accept this choice by the members; Alderwoman Freeman seconded the motion. All members present voted in favor of the motion.
Item 8 – renewing and approving a new contract between the Anderson Water Co., Inc. and the Town of Anderson was tabled until the October meeting. The details were incomplete at this time.
Mayor Sowell asked members to discuss, consider and approve a request from Billy Bean for an extension of the 100 day schedule previously established to December 31, 2011.
Attorney Davis indicated that the Supreme Court had made a change in state procedures that required review/rehearing. Texas rules may not be sufficient for local use. City may be required to take to court. She is checking with TML and asked that we allow more time to allow her a chance to review more information. She requested a re-hearing of the initial request. Mayor Sowell asked Ms. Davis to keep on top of the situation.
Billy Bean indicated that he had met with Mr. Malek. Mayor Sowell indicated that Mr. Malek had not provided a report to the city. Mr. Bean said they had discussed removal of roof materials. Mr. Bean asked for a specific order for removal. He indicated that Mr. Malek had advised that he “keep going”. Mr. Bean is asking for an extension. Mayor and members of the board indicated that they had driven by the property several times and could not see any changes. Mr. Bean indicated he was working on the left side of the building, trying to save decking to put up at a later date. He indicated that he had contacted the electric company. He was advised that they could not put up a secondary line, he would have to do his own trimming.
Mr. Bean indicated that he is currently working in Navasota and will have more time to work on the project. His goal is to restore property to a one room storehouse and shed. He will dismantle the rest and re-use the materials. He is trying to “preserve” the integrity of the building.
Alderman Boudreaux indicated that it all looks like debris to him. The project will take years. Br. Bean said no. He does have a garage on the property and is storing materials there Attorney Davis asked about the number of hours he was putting in on the project. He indicated that he would put in 6 days straight this month—but mostly he spent 20 Hours per week.
In requesting the extension Alderwoman Freeman asked him if he would get it done Alderman Boudreaux asked about the bin for trash that he had indicated he would provide. Mr. Bean indicated that he was having a cash flow problem. Alderman Boudreaux indicated that he was not doing what he had said he would do. He didn’t consider all the needs sufficiently and was putting the city in an untenable position.
Attorney Davis advised that she could not analyze the situation based on Mr. Bean’s words. A chart is needed to show progress. Daily review needs to be included. The Chimney is coming down.
Attorney Davis indicated that she will work closely with Mr. Malek to see that progress is shown. She will report back to the members of the Board.
Some members felt that we should put a hold on Mr. Bean’s request until we have a report. Alderwoman Freeman said that city needed to move forward and assess a penalty if Mr. Bean fails to meet his deadline. Alderman Boudreaux indicated that he could not get it all done alone. He indicated to Mr. Bean that he had failed to determine the whole cost and needs. Alderman Freeman felt that the request should be tabled.
Also mentioned was the fact that if he is working alone, on scaffolding, he could be injured. Alderman Boudreaux again indicated that he could not see it being finished. Alderwoman Freeman indicated that the decision should be tabled.
Mayor Sowell asked members to consider and approve payment of invoices currently due and payable. After some discussion relating to the annual donation to the Volunteer Fire Dept. it was determined that the usual contribution would be paid this month, and an additional contribution would be considered in Oct. Alderman Alford made a motion to pay all bills due and payable; Alderman Boudreaux seconded the motion. All members voted in favor of the motion.
Mayor Sowell updated the projects and activities currently being dealt with. The city will continue to use GCAD to collect our taxes. Our fiscal year runs from Oct. to September; most other entities use the regular calendar year Jan. – Dec. Could the City use the calendar year instead of the fiscal year? Alderman Boudreaux stated that we should be consistent with all others.
Trunk or Treat night is scheduled for Oct. 29 (Saturday). Alderman Johanson indicated that there were some requests regarding safety issues. Mayor Sowell indicated that she would be in touch with Sam next week. Scott resigned and we now work with Sam again. Mayor Sowell indicated that she would bring up the question of mowing with Sam. Alderman Johanson mentioned that the corner hole in question is deep.
Speed limits
Mentioned was the fact that Fanthorp Inn had to dig under the street
Attorney Davis indicated that the paperwork on the Peavy property was complete. Alderman Alford made a motion to go forward with the condemnation project; Alderwoman Freeman seconded the motion. There was an indication that some cost would be involved, but recoverable. All members present voted in favor of the motion.
Alderman Alford made a motion to pay all invoices currently due and payable. Alderman Boudreaux seconded the motion.
Cindy Bell, with Historic Anderson, Inc., requested that the city review and/or propose standards of integrity to the town’s earlier design styles when building or remodeling property in the town proper.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:56 p.m.