September 13, 2022 Hood County Commissioners' Court

Open with transcript & summary →Search this meeting's transcript →

The Hood County Commissioners' Court met on September 13, 2022, to address a wide range of county matters including development applications, budget concerns regarding late fiscal year line item transfers, and citizen comments on local issues such as development impacts and water resources. The court approved several items on the consent and regular agendas, including replats and final plats for residential developments, renewal of service contracts with noted price increases, and reappointment of a trustee. Significant public comment was heard regarding a proposed border security resolution, with citizens presenting multiple perspectives on the resolution's merits and framing. The court also conducted an executive session regarding property acquisition and approved various administrative and operational matters for county facilities and services.

• Opening and invocationFather Stuart Smith of Good Shepherd Anglican Church delivered an invocation addressing the distinction between public, private, and social media behavior.
• Public participation procedures and Constitution Week proclamationThe court explained open mic speaker procedures and recognized Constitution Week with a proclamation signed by Judge Ron Massilon and commissioners.
• Texas A&M AgriLife Extension District 8 annual reportDr. Donald Kelm, district extension administrator for Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service District 8, presented highlights including 4-H scholarships, youth programs, and county agent accomplishments.
• Citizens at large comments: Development concerns and resolutionsTen citizens spoke during open mic, raising issues about local development, water resources, road safety, and other county matters.
• Budget concerns and line item transfersNanette Samuelson raised concerns about over $300,000 in line item transfers on the final month of fiscal year 2022, and questioned their impact on the 2023 budget.
• Budget concerns and line item transfersA commissioner raised concerns about account 555 discrepancies, overspends, and numerous line item transfers late in the fiscal year.
• Public comment on Neri Road development (Comanche Peak Coalition)Courtney Coates Blackman, a 46-year resident and member of the peak Coalition, expressed concerns about a phased 300-acre development into two-acre lots approved since August 11th.
• Public comment on Neri Road development (water and livestock concerns)Ivy Wilborn, a Comanche Peak Coalition member who moved to the country 18 months ago for sustainable living, expressed concerns about six new homes with six wells on her fence line.
• Consent agenda approvalThe court approved the consent agenda without objection or further discussion.
• Development applications and replat public hearingsDevelopment director Clint Head presented three accepted replat applications and requested public hearings be set.
• Blue branch Ranch replat public hearing and approvalA public hearing was held and the replat of blue branch Ranch combining lots 68, 69, and 71 into a 6.151 Acres lot 68r was approved.
• Roadstone Estates construction plans approval notificationDevelopment director notified the court that construction plans were approved for Roadstone Estates phase one and two by engineering staff on August 23 2022, requiring no action.
• Roadstone Estates phase one final plan and developer agreementDevelopment director presented Roadstone Estates phase one final plan with developer agreement and letter of credit, noting construction had begun prior to final plat approval.
• Roadstone Estates approval with conditionsCommissioner expressed agreement with developer's willingness to do what needed to build the road right; motion made to accept agreement, letter of credit, and approve final plat with conditions.
• Dumas estate final plat approvalA two-acre lot final plat at 801 Thomas Road in Granbury was approved with no streets proposed and access on existing county-maintained Thomas Road.
• Financial report and budget discussionBecky Kidd presented invoices and payments with a large list of payments over ten thousand dollars and discussed budget challenges and line item transfers.
• Miscellaneous item and Governor Abbott endorsementJudge offered strong support for Governor Abbott as candidate for governor of Texas and moved to adopt Commissioner Eagle's petition on border invasion with conditions.
• Public comment on border invasion resolutionDonna Cole presented 151 additional signatures and expressed support for border invasion declaration and criticism of previous 3-2 vote against governor petition.
• Public comment supporting border invasion resolutionNate Criswell compared the border invasion resolution to the 2019 Second Amendment Sanctuary resolution and noted the petition has collected about 600 signatures over the square.
• Public comment on border resolution with statistical backgroundDavid Ferris Granberry, with background in physics and statistics on border data, thanked court for bringing resolution up but noted Hood County has no border wall.
• Public comment supporting adoption of petitionDave Holland, a Hood County resident, expressed support for the court's adoption of Commissioner Eagle's petition and emphasized demand language would be more appropriate.
• Public comment on citizen support for border messageSharon sealander reported being on the Square and finding almost everyone in favor of sending Abbott loud message about border and federal government failure.
• Border security resolution and citizen concernsCitizens urged the court to support stricter border security measures and called on Governor Abbott to enforce stronger protections at the Texas border.
• Republican Party platform and border security priorityA speaker representing the Republican Party of Texas emphasized that border security ranks as the second-highest legislative priority for the party.
• Opposing view on border "invasion" characterizationDr. Harold Granick challenged the resolution's framing, comparing the border situation to a parable and distinguishing immigration from military invasion.
• Medical board complaint proceedings and testimony disputesDr. Granick detailed his experience with the Texas Board of Medical Examiners, contesting the legitimacy of complaints and describing alleged irregularities in the process.
• Commissioner Eagle's response and court managementCommissioner Eagle addressed the disputes raised during public comment, affirmed support for Governor Abbott, and offered Dr. Granick an opportunity to file documents with the county clerk.
• Pecan Valley Centers trustee reappointmentThe court reappointed Edward Seltheimer as trustee for Pecan Valley Centers for Behavior and Developmental Health Care for a two-year term.
• Historic Courthouse parking lot event approvalsThe court approved two event applications for use of the historic Courthouse parking lot in Granbury.
• Holiday pay extensionThe court extended the deadline for employees to use accumulated holiday pay to January 31st 2023 instead of the standard September 30 deadline.
• Hood County Library holiday and training scheduleThe Hood County Library presented and received approval for its holiday closure schedule aligned with county holidays plus additional training dates.
• Tax 21 and Highway 377 advocacy membership duesThe court approved payment of pro-rated annual membership dues to support advocacy efforts for tax initiatives and highway expansion.
• Hood County fireworks usage and safety policy updatesFire Marshal Jeff presented updated Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) trigger points in the fireworks usage and sales policy, reducing thresholds significantly from 2011 policy.
• Motorola Solutions Spillman investigation module contractThe court authorized the County Judge to sign a Motorola Solutions contract to update the Spillman investigation module to command Central software with corrected contract date.
• Roadside mowing and landscaping contract awardThe court awarded the roadside mowing and landscaping contract to MGM Landscape Services following evaluation of three qualified bids.
• Hot mix asphalt concrete renewal and price increaseThe court approved annual renewal of the hot mix asphalt and concrete contract with Vulcan Construction Materials at a 32 percent price increase.
• Fire truck preventive maintenance contract renewalThe court approved annual renewal of fire truck preventive maintenance contract with Emergency Apparatus with a 15 percent price increase on materials.
• Sale of Larry Court property to City of LipanThe court approved sale of 7603 Larry Court to the City of Lipan for $72,000 (approximately $12,000 per acre for six acres).
• Removal of emergency equipment from replacement vehiclesThe court approved funding of $4,200 from fund 55 for removal of emergency equipment graphics and in-car video systems from two vehicles being replaced.
• HVAC replacement funding requestThe court approved an additional $75,000 from fund 55 for repair and replacement of failing HVAC units in county buildings.
• Disabled veterans driver's license fee waiverThe court waived the $5 county driver's license fee for disabled veterans who meet Texas state requirements and have supporting documentation.
• Lamar Companies sign location lease agreementThe court authorized the County Judge to execute a signed location lease agreement with Lamar Companies for billboard signage renewal.
• Romancing the Monarch Festival parking lot useLake Granbury Master Gardeners requested use of the north parking lot of Annex One for the annual Romancing the Monarch Festival on October 1, 2022.
• Environmental health and collection station fees revisionsThe court entered public hearing to discuss and approve revisions to environmental health and collection station fees proposed by Genie Stacks.
• Executive session and property purchase authorizationThe court convened into executive session at 11:31 to discuss purchase of property in Precinct One, then returned to authorize the County Judge to execute purchase documents for Rolling Acres subdivision lots.