2025 02 13 Minutes

BE IT REMEMBERED, that on this the 13th day of February 2025, at 7:00 p.m., there was begun and holden a rescheduled Regular Meeting of the Town of Anderson, Grimes County, Texas.

1. Call the meeting to order and establish a quorum at 7:00pm. Members present William Borski, Harold Minor, Tanner Krause, Mayor Marc Benton, Kason Menges, Bessie White and Rebecca Ray. Ashley Ver Schuur Arrived at 7:02pm.
2. Invocation given by Harold Minor
3. Pledges to the flags.
   “Honor the Texas Flag. I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one state under God, one and indivisible.”
4. Public Hearing regarding submission to agriculture. Citizen participation plan. Start Public Hearing at 7:02pm to 7:12pm to allow people to come in.
   1. A Public Hearing regarding the submission of an application to the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) for one or more Texas Community Development Block Grant Program (TxCDBG) grants for Program Year 2025. The Town may be eligible to participate in the Community Development Fund, Downtown Revitalization Program, or other CDBG grant programs managed by the TDA. The purpose of this meeting is to allow citizens an opportunity to discuss the citizen participation plan, the development of local housing and community development needs, the amount of TxCDBG funding available, all eligible TxCDBG activities, and the use of past TxCDBG funds. The Town encourages citizens to participate in the development of TxCDBG application(s) and to make their views known at this public hearing. Citizens unable to attend this meeting may submit their views and proposals to Rebecca Ray, Town Clerk, at 936-873-3102 or townoffice@andersontx.gov. People with disabilities that wish to attend this meeting should contact Town Hall to arrange for assistance. Individuals who require auxiliary aids or services for this meeting should contact the Town Hall at least two days before the meeting so that appropriate arrangements can be made.
   2. Recognize Aron Miller with Public Management. Aron spoke regarding grant for $750,000 with 2 percent matching funds.
      • Water and Streets projects along those lines for this Grant.
      • Many water lines in town are due for maintenance along with meters presented by Erna Freeman.
      • Size of pipes addressed.
      • Dedicated sheriff for the town.
      • Out of Public hearing at 7:12pm.
5. Public Comment
   1. no public comment
6. Mayor’s Update
   1. Reminder that the election deadline is February 14th 2025 at 5pm. Rebecca Ray will be in the office from noon to 5pm
7. Consent Agenda: motion to approve Consent Agenda in its entirety by Tanner Krause, second by Kason Menges, all in favor.
   All consent items are considered to be routine and will be enacted by one motion and vote.
   1. Approval of the January 16, 2025 Town Council Meeting Minutes
   2. Approval of the list of claims and bills
8. Reports:
   Informational reports only, no action to be taken.
   1. Permit report
      • TABC License by Skyler Landers. Will sign and return Wednesday if there are no concerns.
        • Discussion regarding the process for TABC Licenses when they come in. Specific guidelines for the future.
      • Utilization of power at the Historic Grimes County Courthouse Permit by Charlie Diggs for Classics at the Courthouse April 6th
      • Vendor Permit Scoop and Fetch for the Animal Rescue Event
   2. Sewer Report: no update
   3. Grants Report:
      • 2017 Harvey Grant: working on closing currently. This Grant is important to close out for the Harvey Reallocation Funds.
      • ARPA: Grant payment for TCEQ will be submitted. So far, the Town of Anderson has expended roughly $6000-$6500 for Bleyl Engineering work and TCEQ.
      • 2023-2024 CDBG: waiting on TXDOT permit.
      • 2025-2026 CDBG: Discussed in Public Hearing. As well in Business item to pick Engineering Company.
      • CDBG MIT-MOD: Should have a DocuSign within a week or so for contract.
      • Harvey Reallocation Funds: Waiting on 2017 Harvey Grant
      • RCP: Provided in the packet there is a status report from Public Management. Currently Finalizing surveys. The Wastewater survey is completed by Steve Duncan. Requesting to authorize to start water survey. Public Management suggests March 4th for public meeting for public input.
   4. Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT): Main Street is still in process. Regarding FM 149 paving, starting final bid next week and fix gaps between the road. FM 149 will wrap up within a month.
9. Business:
   Discuss, consider, and possibly take action regarding:
   1. Consider and take action to select an Engineering/Architectural/ Surveying delivery service provider to complete project application for the 2025-2026 Texas Community Development Block Grant Fund Program of the Texas Department of Agriculture by Resolution 118-25 and authorize the mayor as signatory.
      • Read aloud by Mayor Marc Benton.
      • RFI posted in the paper looking for proposals.
        Bleyl Engineering was the only applicant. Grading sheets have been filled out.
      • Motion to adopt resolution 118-25 stating Bleyl Engineering is selected to provide application for 2025-2026 CDBG and authorize mayor to sign by Kason Menges, second by Tanner Krause, all in favor.
   2. Consider and take action to authorize the submission of a Texas Community Development Block Grant Program application to the Texas Department of Agriculture for the Downtown Revitalization Program by Resolution 119-25 and authorize the mayor as signatory.
      • CDBG grant for downtown revitalization.
      • Will be putting in application for this Grant. There are two ways to apply, and the Town of Anderson will apply as not part of the Main Street Program.
      • Resolution read aloud by Mayor Marc Benton.
      • Sidewalks are an authorized project.
      • Menges for Resolution 119-25 as written with 5 percent matching change authorize mayor as signatory, second by Harold Minor.
   3. Consider and take action to approve an order of election and joint election agreement with the Grimes County Elections office and authorize the mayor as signatory.
      • The last meeting was for the special election, this is for General Election positions.
      • Motion to approve ordinance 173-25 order of election and joint agreement by Kason Menges, second by Tanner Krause, all in favor.
      • So far, no other applications have been submitted.
   4. Consider and take action to approve an estimate for pothole repair by Grimes County Road & Bridge and authorize the mayor as signatory.
      • Discussion with John Steiber regarding the following locations:
        • South Main St. to Johnson Avenue, Fanthorp and Johnson Avenue, Pecan Street, College and Woodward.
        • No estimate at this point but a list has been given. Will table until next month.
        • Motion by William Borski up to $2000 for the road repair list provided to Grimes County Road and Bridge, second by Kason Menges, all in favor.
   5. Consider and take action to approve April 12th, 2025 or provide alternate dates for Spring Cleanup and the Anderson Street Dance.
      • April 12th for spring cleanup and street dance.
      • Event calendar presented.
      • Motion to approve April 12th for Spring Cleanup and Street Dance by Tanner Krause, second by Kason Menges, all in favor.
   6. Discussion and possible action on hall kitchen remodel task list and procedures for proposals.
      • Plan for next Tuesday, the scope of work will be provided to contractors and anybody else the Council is interested in.
      • Give two weeks for Bids to be presented to the Town Clerk and then Mayor Marc Benton and Rebecca Ray will go through and pick out the top 2. After that, the top 2 proposals will be presented to the council.
   7. Discussion on Hotel Occupancy Tax Ordinance.
      • Hotel tax broke down into state county and municipality. The country takes 6 percent, municipality can take up to 7 percent. The Cap is 15 percent whoever takes it.
      • Presented is 7 percent.
      • This money has to be spent on tourism or signs. something
      • Need flyers possibly Professionally done and put around the state.
      • Take home and read. Town of Anderson will vote next month.
   8. Discussion on automated payments to recurring vendors to include need, rules and processes.
      • Requesting Automate payments each month
      • If there is a delay in meetings, this would allow the accounts to be paid without disruption.
      • Propose to pay Midsouth, Verizon and Entergy (6 Accounts) and Chase Credit Card by Electronic Fund Transfer.
   9. Discussion of the town priority list.
      • The old priority list is read aloud and compared to a new Priority list.
      • Suggesting Councils input of Priorities for the town.
      • No action needed; input requested next month.
   10. Discussion of the Grimes County Mobility Plan and implications to the Town of Anderson.
       • Email from John Steiber with information changes to IRC and put out mobility plan.
       • County Seat was not included.
       • Tanner Krause on the board after discussions.
       • Get ahead of the curve on development that is coming. Designate roads ROW could come and be ahead of developments.
       • Suggested to take home and read. Let Council know if there are any issues
       • Special Thanks to Tanner Krause for being involved in the group.
10. Executive Session at 8:09pm
    1. Convene into Executive Session pursuant to Sec. 551.072, Texas Government Code, to deliberate the sell, purchase, exchange, or value of certain real property located within the limits of the Town of Anderson.
11. Possible Action from Executive Session at 8:51pm
    1. Reconvene into public session and take action as appropriate at the discretion of the Town Council regarding the sell, purchase, exchange, or value of certain real property located within the limits of the Town of Anderson.
12. Around Town:
    1. lights out at Hill Street and Buffington Avenue.
    2. Rebecca will reach out to Entergy regarding the lights.
13. Discussion of agenda items for the next scheduled meeting:
    1. Mobile Homes and Trailer homes. Discussion regarding the dates of the homes.
    2. Mayors breakfast March 11th.
14. Adjourn at 9:04 Motion by Kason Menges, Second by William Borski, all in favor.

Signed: Marc Benton, Mayor
Attest: Rebecca Ray, Town Clerk