2025 04 10 Minutes

BE IT REMEMBERED, that on this the 10th day of April 2025, at 7:00 p.m., there was begun and holden a Regular Meeting of the Town of Anderson, Grimes County, Texas.

• Call the meeting to order and establish a quorum. 

1. 1. 1. At 7:00pm Will Borski, Tanner Krause, Harold Minor, Ashley Ver Schuur, Mayor Marc Benton and Rebecca Ray Present. Bessie White arrived at 7:02pm.

• Invocation given by Harold Minor.

• Pledges to the flags.

“Honor the Texas Flag.  I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one state under God, one and indivisible.”

• Public Hearing on May 3rd Election Ballot – Prop A to increase Town of Anderson Sales Tax .25%

1. 1. 1. Bring sales tax to 8.25 percent. 
      2. Expecting to raise 35,000 to 50,000 in revenue in a year.
      3. No questions or comments presented to the council.

• Public Comment 

1. 1. 1. No public comment.

• Proclamations

1. 1. 1. Kenny Graves Appreciation Day
         1. Favorite voices of Grimes County Kenny Graves, Chandler Wahrmund and Hannah Abraham 
         2. Special Thank you to Kenny Graves for everything he has done for the community, specifically Anderson.
         3. A Video presented with a sample of whom he has interviewed in the community as well as he has offered his support to get the community news out.
         4. Proclamation presented to Kenny Graves by Mayor Marc Benton and read aloud.

• Mayor’s Update

1. 1. 1. May 2nd Grimes County Sheriff Office is hosting a Blood drive.
      2. City Conference in Navasota for TML if anyone on the council is interested.

• Consent Agenda: Motion to approve consent agenda items in its entirety by Tanner Krause, second by Will Borski, all in favor.  

All consent items are considered to be routine and will be enacted by one motion and vote.

1. Approval of the March 13, 2025 Town Council Meeting Minutes
2. Approval of the list of claims and bills

• Reports:  

Informational reports only, no action to be taken.

1. Permit report: No Permits
2. Sewer Report 
   1. Brian Colbert not present. 
   2. $900 charge for emergency work behind Car Quest for sewage back up, Salvador dug up new pipe, clean-outs, put in and backed up again. It was attached to clay pipes. Pipes clogged by roots.
   3. Lines at the plants that pump chlorine need to be replaced due to cracking. Waiting for estimate.
3. Grants Report
   1. 2017 Harvey Grant: No Update
   2. ARPA Grant: No Update
   3. 2023-2024 CDBG: Working with Grant Works to fill out paperwork.
   4. 2025-2026 CDBG: No Update
   5. CDBG MIT-MOD: No Update
   6. Harvey Reallocation Funds: No Update
   7. RCP: No Update
   8. Texas Water Development Fund (DFund): No Update 
   9. TDA CDBG Downtown Revitalization: Applied for addressing sidewalks on main street. Repair and restoration, as well as building new ones. 
4. Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT): Spoke with James Robbins regarding Main Street. Waiting for information pertaining to surveys done in the past.

• Business: 

Discuss, consider, and possibly take action regarding:

1. Consider and take action to approve Municipal Maintenance Agreement between the City of Anderson and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and authorize the Mayor as signatory.
   1. Copies provided to the council
   2. Motion to approve by Tanner Krause, second by Bessie White, all in favor.
2. Consider and take action to approve Ordinance #175-25 between the State of Texas and the City of Anderson for Maintenance control, supervision and regulation of certain Highways and/or portions of State Highway in the City of Anderson and authorize the Mayor as signatory.
   1. Copies provided to the council
   2. Motion by Tanner Krause, second by Will Borski, all in favor.
3. Discussion of Hotel Occupancy Tax implementation.
   1. Ashley Ver Schuur stated three types of Hotel Occupancy Tax, state, county and local. State pays directly to the comptrollers. County and municipalities are to collect directly. 
   2. Reached out to Texas hotel and lodging association. Forms provided to Ashley via email.
   3. Sample forms passed to the council. 
   4. Suggested sending a letter to hotels and Airbnb stating implantation.
   5. Report to comptroller what we have received, and form to fill out online on comptroller website. 
   6. Currently 3 Airbnb’s in Town.
4. Discussion and possible action on investment decisions for General CD and Road CD held at First National Bank of Anderson which both mature in April.
   1. General CD is a 12-month CD, road cd is a 2 year CD. Both mature on 24th.
   2. The bank provided a rate sheet and is current as of today.
   3. 6-month certificate which is 4 percent 12-month certificate is 3.25 percent. 
   4. Motion to approve CDs for 6-month term with a 4 percent interest rate by Will Borski, second by Bessie White, all in favor at 8:31pm after executive session.
5. Discussion of findings/decisions from the Kitchen Hall Remodel Workshop and plans to move forward.
   1. Discussed the kitchen remodel ideas discussed at the workshop previously.
   2. Demolition to cabinets, plumbing, electrical, FRP and stainless behind the stove. Request a wire shelf next to the stove and in supply closet. All stainless-steel tables will be placed. Keep the current fridge and purchase a stainless-steel freezer. 
   3. Discussed bids roughly 20,000 with contract on the first bid. The second bid is estimated at 10,000-12,000 contingent we buy everything. Checking on availability. 
   4. The week of April 28th can start to May 4th. 
   5. Bids are out there and will let the council know by mid-next week about a decision.
   6. Both asking for 25 percent down.
   7. Special meeting to approve bid before the 28th.
6. Discussion and action to approve a date for a second Public Forum on sales tax increase and first Planning Town Hall to present comprehensive plan efforts.  Suggested date of April 29, 2025.
   1. Thursday night April 29th.
   2. Public management called and ready to have public forum closer to the election.
   3. Set up stations at the forum to answer questions and show what’s going on.
   4. Propose a Town station to discuss sales tax.
   5. Landers BBQ will cater pulled pork sandwiches and sides.
7. Discussion of final plans for Anderson Spring Clean Up on April 12th.
   1. Crews assigned so that nobody crosses any major roads.
   2. The County will be there on Saturday morning.
   3. Will Borski to look at sprinklers down main street with the possibility they are broken. 
   4. Multiple events that day but Main Street is first priority.
8. Discussion of updates to town priority list.
   1. List provided to the council
   2. This is a plan, not a promise
   3. Get back into inspections and condemning properties.
   4. Next two years ideas/plans can continue to be updated. Email priority list to the council.

• Executive Session at 7:51pm

1. 1. 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.

• Possible Action from Executive Session 

1. 1. 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.
      2. Back from Executive session at 8:27pm.
      3. Motion by Tanner Krause to approve Town Attorney Ashley Ver Schuur to negotiate on the Councils behalf with Grimes County regarding the Old Clerks Building on Main Street for $225,000 with a payment plan, second by Harold Minor, all in favor.

• Around Town 

1. 1. 1. Potholes done through town and Pecan Street will be done this week. 
      2. Hill Street and Buffington Avenue the light is still out needing to contact Entergy. 
      3. Ashley Ver Schuur advised the Council she is involved with the Chamber of Commerce and would mention in meetings of anything going on in Anderson to get the word out.  
      4. Tomorrow Marc will drive around Town to identify piles and routes for the County to pick up brush and limbs. 
      5. Rose bush discussed and will be moved by the owner. 
      6. Public Management will be in town on Wednesday going door to door and Aron will discuss surveys with residents. 

• Discussion of agenda items for the next scheduled meeting 

1. 1. 1. Cyber security training. 

• Adjourn at 8:45pm.

Signed: Marc Benton, Mayor

Attest: Rebecca Ray, Town Clerk