Midland County Commissioners Court met July 24.
Here are the minutes provided by the court:
Be it remembered that on Monday the 24th day of July 2023 at 9:00 a.m. a meeting of the Midland County Commissioners Court was called to order in the Commissioners Courtroom, located at the Midland County Courthouse, 500 North Loraine Street, Midland, Texas. The following members were present:
Terry Johnson, County Judge;
Scott Ramsey, County Commissioner Precinct No. 1;
Jeff Somers, County Commissioner Precinct No. 2;
Dianne Anderson, County Commissioner Precinct No. 4
Recorded by Alison Haley, County Clerk.
1. Call to Order.
2. Invocation given by Pastor Pat Bryant, Travis Baptist Church.
3. Pledges of Allegiances.
4. Acknowledge I.M.P.A.C.T.S. of the Month Honoree, Kim Ben Said, from Treasurer’s Office.
Robert Segura, HR Director introduced Kim Ben Said, from the Treasurer’s office as the July I.M.P.A.C.T.S. honoree of the month. No action taken. Exhibit: 14
5. Acknowledge Quarterly Reports for JP 2 & JP 4.
Presented by Judge John Barton, Justice of the Peace Precinct 4. This is for May through June.
Motion to acknowledge the quarterly reports for JP’s 2 and 4.
Motion by: Ramsey Second by: Somers Exhibit: 15-33
For: All (4) Against: None Abstaining:
6. Acknowledge Monthly Report for JP 3.
Presented by Judge Susan Rayos, Justice of the Peace Precinct 3. This is for June. Motion to acknowledge monthly report for JP 3.
Motion by: Somers Second by: Ramsey Exhibit: 34-59
For: All (4) Against: None Abstaining:
7. Discuss and take action on Vector Amendment.
Presented by Aubrey Felton, CSE for Vector. This is in reference to the 9th amendment to the contract. There was some discussion about part and their availability. Commissioner Anderson asked about the average wait time for a vehicle.
Motion to approve the amendment to the Vector contract for FY2024.
Motion by: Ramsey Second by: Somers Exhibit: 60-65
For: All (4) Against: None Abstaining:
8. Discuss and take action on Midland County Fair Agreement.
Presented by Dan Corrales, Midland County Fair Treasurer. Commissioner Ramsey asked about the 10% of sales for the beer.
Motion we accept the agreement for Midland County Fair.
Motion by: Anderson Second by: Somers Exhibit: 66-70
For: All (4) Against: None Abstaining:
9. Discuss and take action on mural at Courthouse.
Presented by Commissioner Anderson and artist Janet Pontious, Top Notch Murals. Commissioner Anderson mentioned using a wrap instead or not have a mural at all. Tabled. Exhibit: 71
10. Acknowledge Juvenile Department’s proposal approved by Juvenile Board.
Presented by Jeff Leyva, Chief Juvenile Probation Officer. The have restructured the administration level. The intention is to maintain the County budget the same. Veronica Morales, Auditor answered some of the Court’s questions.
Motion to acknowledge the Juvenile Department’s proposal which was approved July 11, 2023 by the Juvenile Board.
Motion by: Ramsey Second by: Somers Exhibit: 72-92
For: All (4) Against: None Abstaining:
11. Discuss and take action on out-of-state travel for Sgt. Daniel Subia to attend the IHIA Annual International Training Symposium in Oklahoma City, OK, on August 6- 11, 2023.
Presented by MCSO Lt. Chris Fuentes.
Motion to approve the out-of-state travel for Sgt. Daniel Subia to attend the IHIA Annual International Training Symposium in Oklahoma City, OK, on August 6-11, 2023.
Motion by: Somers Second by: Anderson Exhibit: 93-98
For: All (4) Against: None Abstaining:
12. Discuss and take action on court minutes from July 17, 2023. Presented by Alison Haley, County Clerk.
Move we accept the court minutes from July 17, 2023.
Motion by: Anderson Second by: Ramsey Exhibit: 99
For: All (4) Against: None Abstaining:
13. Discuss and take action on court fees from County and District Clerks’ Offices. Presented by Alison Haley, County Clerk.
Motion to acknowledge the court fees from County and District Clerks’ offices.
Motion by: Ramsey Second by: Somers Exhibit: 100-113
For: All (4) Against: None Abstaining:
14. Discuss and take action on Interlocal Agreement with Department of State Health Services. Tabled.
15. Discuss and take action paying out comp time over 60 hours.
Presented by Mary Ann Espinoza, Chief Deputy Treasurer. Veronica Morales, Auditor answered some of the court’s questions. County Attorney, Russell Malm joined the conversation.
Motion to pay comp time over 60 hours.
Motion by: Ramsey Second by: Somers Exhibit: 114-118
For: All (4) Against: None Abstaining:
16. Discuss and take action on personnel memoranda.
Presented by Mary Ann Espinoza, Chief Deputy Treasurer.
Motion to acknowledge the personnel memoranda.
Motion by: Somers Second by: Ramsey Exhibit: 119-121
For: All (4) Against: None Abstaining:
17. Discuss and take action on line item transfers.
Presented by Veronica Morales, Auditor. There were a few exceptions. Motion to approve line-item transfers.
Motion by: Somers Second by: Anderson Exhibit: 122-144
For: All (4) Against: None Abstaining:
18. Discuss and take action on bills and wire transfers.
Presented by Veronica Morales, Auditor. There was one wire transfer. No exceptions. Motion that we acknowledge bills and wire transfers.
Motion by: Anderson Second by: Somers Exhibit: 145-153
For: All (4) Against: None Abstaining:
19. Discuss and take action on positions for Horseshoe.
Presented by Robert Segura, HR Director. We need some additional positions to make up the staff that are already out there. Mary Ann Espinoza, Chief Deputy Treasurer and Veronica Morales, Auditor joined the conversation.
Motion that we add the positions of 1 Facilities Coordinator at level 13; 4 in Facilities (Horseshoe Maintenance Techs) at level 13, and 1 Receptionist at level 11.
Motion by: Anderson Second by: Somers Exhibit: 154-161
For: All (4) Against: None Abstaining:
20. Discuss and take action on AllVoices proposal for Compliance Hotline for Midland County.
Presented by Robert Segura, HR Director. Another platform for concerns from the public and other employees. Commissioner Ramsey asked how this would be monitored by the county to judge the effectiveness of this hotline. County Attorney, Russell Malm joined the conversations. Tabled at the County Attorney’s request. Exhibit: 162
21. Acknowledge Quarterly Environmental Report.
Presented by Tim Telck, DA Environmental Investigator.
Motion to acknowledge the quarterly environmental report.
Motion by: Ramsey Second by: Somers Exhibit: 163
For: All (4) Against: None Abstaining:
22. Discuss and take action on abatement for 1810 Cloverdale Road.
Presented by Tim Telck, DA Environmental Investigator. The clean up is progressing. Commissioner Somers stated that the front has made 70% progress. Investigator Telck stated they should move forward with the abatement if they want it done quickly. A preliminary RFP for the cleanup was discussed. Pastor Alvin Mills addressed the court. He has done the best that he could during the past 90 days and asked the Court for more time. Tabled until next meeting. Exhibit: 164
23. Discuss and take action on Framed Step into Art Exhibition Agreement with Minnesota Children’s Museum.
Presented by Debbie Garza, Library Director. This is scheduled for June through September 2024.
Motion to have the County Judge sign the contract for Framed: Step into Art Exhibition agreement with Minnesota Children’s Museum.
Motion by: Ramsey Second by: Somers Exhibit: 165-180
For: All (4) Against: None Abstaining:
24. Discuss and take action on MOU between Midland County Public Libraries and Permian Basin Adult Literacy Center.
Presented by Debbie Garza, Library Director. This has been done in the past.
Motion to authorize the County Judge to sign the memorandum of understanding between Midland County Public Libraries and Permian Basin Adult Literacy Center.
Motion by: Somers Second by: Ramsey Exhibit: 181-182
For: All (4) Against: None Abstaining:
25. Discuss and take action on burn ban.
Presented by Justin Bunch, Fire Marshall. Recommending 90-day ban Motion that we institute a burn ban for 90 days beginning today.
Motion by: Anderson Second by: Ramsey Exhibit: 183-200
For: All (4) Against: None Abstaining:
26. Discuss and take action on ConocoPhillips Grant Application for Emergency Management.
Presented by Jamie Jewett, Assistant Emergency Operations Coordinator. This will be used to purchase weather radios to give out to the public.
Motion to apply for the ConocoPhillips grant for Emergency Management.
Motion by: Ramsey Second by: Somers Exhibit: 201-221
For: All (4) Against: None Abstaining:
27. Discuss and acknowledge damage and fleet accident reports for June 2023. Presented by Ken Colston, Risk Manager. Commissioner Anderson had a few questions. Motion to acknowledge the damage and fleet accident report for June 2023.
Motion by: Ramsey Second by: Somers Exhibit: 222-228
For: All (4) Against: None Abstaining:
28. Discuss and take action on purchase of Tahoes for SO-Detention.
Presented by Kristy Engeldahl, Purchasing Agent. These are budgeted items. $112,060.57 from Reliable Chevrolet.
Motion to approve the purchase of the 3 Tahoe’s for SO Detention.
Motion by: Ramsey Second by: Somers Exhibit: 229-233
For: All (4) Against: None Abstaining:
29. Discuss and take action on upfitting Tahoes for SO_Detention.
Presented by Kristy Engeldahl, Purchasing Agent. This came in a little over budget. They submitted a line-item transfer.
Motion to approve the upfitting of the Tahoe’s for the Sheriff’s office Detention.
Motion by: Somers Second by: Anderson Exhibit: 234-241
For: All (4) Against: None Abstaining:
30. Acknowledge Surplus Auction from April/May 2023.
Presented by Kristy Engeldahl, Purchasing Agent. The total brought in was $7,751.72. Move we acknowledge surplus auction from April/May 2023.
Motion by: Anderson Second by: Ramsey Exhibit: 242-243
For: All (4) Against: None Abstaining:
31. Discuss and take action auctioning surplus equipment and furnishings. Presented by Kristy Engeldahl, Purchasing Agent.
Motion to approve auctioning surplus equipment and furnishings.
Motion by: Somers Second by: Anderson Exhibit: 244
For: All (4) Against: None Abstaining:
32. Discuss and take action on MOU with Midland College for Tahoe. Presented by Kristy Engeldahl, Purchasing Agent.
Move we sign the MOU with Midland College for the Tahoe.
Motion by: Anderson Second by: Ramsey Exhibit: 245-250
For: All (4) Against: None Abstaining:
33. Discuss and take action on RFP 23MCO609 Seal Coat County Roads Project.
Presented by Kristy Engeldahl, Purchasing Agent. We did not receive any bids. Andrew Avis, Public Works Director addressed the Courts questions. We will start again next spring.
Motion that we acknowledge the no bids.
Motion by: Anderson Second by: Somers Exhibit: 251
For: All (4) Against: None Abstaining:
34. Discuss and take action on updates to Midland County Purchasing Terms & Conditions.
Presented by Kristy Engeldahl, Purchasing Agent. Due to some legislative changes, we have made some updates to our purchasing terms and conditions.
Motion that we approve the updates to the Midland County Purchasing Terms and Conditions.
Motion by: Ramsey Second by: Somers Exhibit: 252-256
For: All (4) Against: None Abstaining:
10:35 a.m. take a 10-minute break.
10:53 a.m. back into Regular Session.
35. Discuss and take action on out-of-state travel for Justin Stephenson and Daniel Ochoa to attend the following:
a. Public Safety Communications expo in Nashville, TN, on August 6, 2023. b. Motorola Radio Equipment Staging in Chicago, IL, on September 11, 2023.
Presented by Javier Chacon, IT Director.
Motion to approve out of state travel for Justin Stephenson and Daniel Ochoa to the Public Safety Communications expo in Nashville, TN and the Motorola Radio Equipment staging in Chicago, IL.
Motion by: Ramsey Second by: Somers Exhibit: 257-260
For: All (4) Against: None Abstaining:
36. Discuss and take action on purchase of Aruba Networking equipment for the following:
a. New Sheriff’s Office.
b. Courthouse – 11th Floor Buildout
Presented by Javier Chacon, IT Director.
Motion to approve the purchase of the Aruba Networking equipment for the new Sheriff’s Office and the Courthouse 11th floor buildout.
Motion by: Somers Second by: Anderson Exhibit: 261-264
For: All (4) Against: None Abstaining:
37. Discuss and take action on purchase of new Fortinet Firewalls.
Presented by Javier Chacon, IT Director. $143,287.00. We would like to replace what we have.
Motion to purchase the new Fortinet Firewalls.
Motion by: Ramsey Second by: Somers Exhibit: 265-266
For: All (4) Against: None Abstaining:
38. Discuss and take action on purchase of radio tower and communications equipment from Petro.
Presented by Javier Chacon, IT Director. This is for the new Sheriff’s office building.
Motion to approve the purchase of radio tower and communications equipment from Petro.
Motion by: Somers Second by: Ramsey Exhibit: 267-268
For: All (4) Against: None Abstaining:
39. Discuss and take action on Text Notification Amendment for Tyler Courts Project. Tabled.
40. Discuss and take action on TIPS Contract with UPN for fiber install and services at new Sheriff’s Office.
Presented by Javier Chacon, IT Director. This is to add the contract number 220105. Motion to approve the new contract with the updated TIPS contract 220105.
Motion by: Ramsey Second by: Somers Exhibit: 269-281
For: All (4) Against: None Abstaining:
41. Discuss and take action on purchase of Access Control and Security Camera equipment for new Sheriff’s Office.
Presented by Javier Chacon, IT Director.
Motion to purchase access control and security camera equipment for Parsley building.
Motion by: Ramsey Second by: Somers Exhibit: 282-285
For: All (4) Against: None Abstaining:
42. Discuss and take action on purchase of Dell Servers for camera storage at new Sheriff’s Office.
Presented by These are two physical servers.
Motion we purchase Dell Servers for camera storage at Parsley.
Motion by: Anderson Second by: Somers Exhibit: 286-291
For: All (4) Against: None Abstaining:
43. Discuss and take action on purchase of Audio/Visual System for conference room on 11th Floor of Courthouse.
Presented by Javier Chacon, IT Director. This is to set up the new conference rooms on the 11th floor.
Move we purchase the 11th floor build out audio/visual system for the new conference room.
Motion by: Anderson Second by: Somers Exhibit: 292-298
For: All (4) Against: None Abstaining:
44. Discuss and take action on deed for transfer of land for Right-of-Way for County Roads.
Presented by Andrew Avis, Public Works Director. Right of way purchase for CR1250. This is from FY2023 budget.
Motion authorizing the County Judge to execute the deed for transfer of land for the right-of-way for CR 1250 and Annetta and authorizing the payment of $1,220,245.00 from 604-015-00.7080.
Motion by: Ramsey Second by: Somers Exhibit: 299-322
For: All (4) Against: None Abstaining:
45. Discuss and take action on MW Builders contract for 11th Floor Buildout. Presented by Jessica Buchanan, Public Works Regulations Manager.
Motion authorizing the County Judge to sign the contract with MW Builders for 11th floor buildout.
Motion by: Somers Second by: Ramsey Exhibit: 323-353
For: All (4) Against: None Abstaining:
46. Discuss and take action on plat for Feeders Meat Processing. Presented by Jessica Buchanan, Public Works Regulations Manager. Motion to approve the plat for the Feeders Meat Processing.
Motion by: Somers Second by: Anderson Exhibit: 354-355
For: All (4) Against: None Abstaining:
47. Discuss and take action on plat for Rustic Acres.
Presented by Jessica Buchanan, Public Works Regulations Manager. Motion to approve the plat for Rustic Acres.
Motion by: Somers Second by: Ramsey Exhibit: 356-357
For: All (4) Against: None Abstaining:
48. Take action on submitted applications for permits to use county right-of-way for utility and line installations, driveway construction, road dedication, and mailbox construction.
Presented by Jessica Buchanan, Public Works Regulations Manager.
Permit to Construct Driveway Facilities on County Right of way:
1. Pioneer Natural Resources on CR 1065
2. Redneck Metal Buildings on ECR 130
3. Redneck Metal Buildings on ECR 130
4. Redneck Metal Buildings on ECR 130
5. Sammy and Rosary Enriquez on ECR 110
6. Franklin Construction on ECR 110
7. Franklin Construction on ECR 110
8. Franklin Construction on ECR 120
9. Franklin Construction on SCR 1059
Request for designation of location for crossing of a Midland County Texas road:
1. Flock Safety on SCR 1223
2. Pioneer Natural Resources on SCR 1110
3. Pioneer Natural Resources USA, Inc. on WCR 173
4. Flock Safety on ECR 60
5. Driver Pipeline Company Inc. on NCR 1140
6. Pioneer Natural Resources USA, Inc. on CR 173
7. Crownquest Operating LLC on SCR 1090
8. Crownquest Operating LLC on SCR 1090.
Motion to approve all.
Motion by: Ramsey Second by: Somers Exhibit: 358-416
For: All (4) Against: None Abstaining:
49. Discuss and take action on Midland County non-law enforcement vehicle usage guidelines.
Presented by Justin Bunch, Emergency Management Coordinator. Tabled for more information.
50. Discuss and take action on random drug testing of County vehicle operators.
Presented by Justin Bunch, Emergency Management Coordinator. We do have a policy for random drug testing under 10.26. Commissioner Ramsey asked about the cost and scheduling. No action taken.
51. Discus and take action putting GPS on all County vehicles maintained, insured, and fueled at County expense.
Presented by Justin Bunch, Emergency Management Coordinator. No action taken. Exhibit: 417
52. Discuss and take action discontinuing “other time” from payroll.
Presented by County Judge Johnson. Alison Haley, County Clerk and Karen Hood, Tax Assessor Collector addressed the court. No action taken. Exhibit: 418
53. Discuss and take action on budget amendment for Safe Streets for All (SS4A) Action Plan Grant.
Tabled.
54. Discuss and take action on Elected Officials’ salaries.
Presented by Jenny Hilton, County Court Administrator and County Judge Terry Johnson. A longevity pay of $60 could be increased to $100 and in one payment at the beginning of the year.
Motion changing the longevity amount paid to Elected Officials from $60 to $100 per year of service paid out in the first check in December.
Motion by: Ramsey Second by: Somers Exhibit: 419-420
For: All (4) Against: None Abstaining:
55. Conduct Executive session pursuant to Texas Government Code Section 551.074 to discuss personnel matters.
11:36 a.m. break then go into Executive session.
12:21 p.m. back into Regular Session.
56. Adjourn.
Motion to adjourn.
Motion by: Ramsey Second by: Somers Exhibit:
For: All (4) Against: None Abstaining:
Adjourn at 12:21 p.m.
https://www.co.midland.tx.us/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_07242023-398