Midland County Commissioners Court met Oct. 1.
Here are the minutes provided by the court:
Be it remembered that on Tuesday the 1st day of October 2024 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
LUIS D. SANCHEZ, County Commissioner Precinct No. 3
DIANNE ANDERSON, County Commissioner Precinct No. 4
Recorded by Alison Haley, County Clerk.
1. Call to Order.
2. Invocation given by Pastor Matt Koehler with Greenwood Baptist Church.
3. Pledges of Allegiances.
4. Discuss and take action on proclamation for 4-H Week.
Presented by Steve Paz, 4-H Agent. President, Elisa Griffith asked the court to designate October 6-12, 2024, as National 4-H week. The other officers and agents introduced themselves and their favorite projects. Judge Johnson read the proclamation for 4-H week. Laura Robinett, 4-H Educational Assistant Coordinator addressed the courts questions.
Motion to acknowledge the 4-H Week proclamation.
Motion by: Ramsey Seconded by: Somers Exhibit:
For: All (5) Against: None Abstaining
5. Discuss and take action on Lunch and Learn with Better Business Bureau.
Presented by Tate Owen, Public Information Officer and Devin Benavides with Better Business Bureau via phone call. The purpose of the Lunch and Learn event is to educate citizens and local businesses on how to effectively engage with Midland County. They would like to have the event at the Horseshoe. November 12-13, 2024.
Motion that we approve the Lunch and Learn to be held at the Horseshoe in conjunction with the Better Business Bureau November 12-13.
Motion by: Anderson Seconded by: Sanchez Exhibit:
For: All (5) Against: None Abstaining
6. Consent Agenda:
a. Take action on personnel memoranda.
b. 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.
c. Take action on court minutes from September 17, 2024.
d. Acknowledge Extension’s Reports.
e. Acknowledge Monthly Report for Constable Pct. 4.
f. Acknowledge the hiring of Shawn Glenn as Deputy Constable for Pct. 4.
g. Acknowledge Treasurer’s Report for July 2024.
h. Take action on renewal of Cooperative Agreement with Midland College for Breath Alcohol Testing Program.
i. Take action on renewal of Westlaw Contract for JP 2&4.
j. Take action on Ricoh Lease Agreement for Tax Office.
Motion to approve the consent agenda.
Motion by: Somers Seconded by: Ramsey Exhibit:
For: All (5) Against: None Abstaining
7. Discuss and take action on bomb dog and handler placement.
Presented by District Attorney, Laura Nodolf. The positions have been moved under the Sheriff’s Office. There are MOUs in place, but the Sheriff’s Office no longer wants to have the dog or the position of handler. Justin Bunch, Emergency Management Coordinator is willing to take the position. It will take a while. Kevin Bullard, Bomb Dog handler addressed the Courts questions. This will be an appropriate fit.
Motion that we move the bomb dog and the handler placement, and all the funds associated with that team to be moved over to Emergency Management.
Motion by: Anderson Seconded by: Johnson Exhibit:
For: All (5) Against: None Abstaining
8. Discuss and take action declaring a public purpose for Sheriff’s Office on the following:
a. Teddy Bears for community outreach.
b. Lunch boxes for community outreach.
c. Sgt. Mike Naylor’s Anniversary Memorial Wreath.
Presented by Captain Alma Acosta, Sheriffs Office. Veronica Morales, Auditor stated that she needs a public purpose stated. They use the community relations budget.
Motion, the Teddy Bears and Lunch boxes will help teach children to trust law enforcement, they help with community outreach and help build trust between the community and law enforcement through civil engagement. How is this accomplished by continuing to monitor purchases and the functions in which they are used. Returned benefit by promoting civil engagement and community outreach to foster a bond with members of the community.
Motion by: Ramsey Seconded by: Somers Exhibit:
For: All (5) Against: None Abstaining
Declare a public purpose for Sgt. Mike Naylor’s Anniversary Memorial Wreath for promoting civil engagement and community outreach and helping outreach build trust between the community and law enforcement through civil engagement.
Motion by: Ramsey Seconded by: Sanchez Exhibit:
For: All (5) Against: None Abstaining
9. Discuss and take action on line item transfers.
Presented by Veronica Morales, Auditor. Line-item transfer 12005 had a change for $16.00 to come from office supplies 5305. There were a few more exceptions.
Motion that we approve the line item transfers.
Motion by: Anderson Seconded by: Sanchez Exhibit:
For: All (5) Against: None Abstaining
10. Discuss and take action on bills and wire transfers.
Presented by Veronica Morales, Auditor. There were a few exceptions. Additional bills. Computacenter $51,556.00 and $2,735.46 for Facilities, Pilot Logistics $36.77 JP2 and $1,746.70 for SO Detention. Premise Healthcare for $29,461.49, Recourse Communications, Inc. $9,995.00, Texas Counties and District Retirement System $2,941.63, Warren Cat $331,912.69. 2 additional bills, CA Short $689.02 then for the Tax Office $82.00 for some inspections. 441st District Court requesting to pay for breakfast items for advanced CLE class/inhouse training. In a previous court breakfast items were not approved for Emergency Management. Please exclude the bill for United Supermarket $38.98 and one for $17.98. Russell Malm, County Attorney joined the conversation.
Motion to approve all bills and wire transfers excluding the $38.98 and $17.98 from United.
Motion by: Somers Seconded by: Ramsey Exhibit:
For: All (5) Against: None Abstaining
11. Acknowledge Financial Statements for July 2024.
Presented by Veronica Morales, Auditor.
Motion to acknowledge the financial statements for July 2024.
Motion by: Ramsey Seconded by: Somers Exhibit:
For: All (5) Against: None Abstaining
12. Discuss and take action on Memorandum of Understanding with Sarah Meinzer, LCSW for Drug Court.
Presented by Candace Ligon, Drug Court Administrator.
Motion to approve the updated MOU with Sara Meinzer, LCSW.
Motion by: Ramsey Seconded by: Sanchez Exhibit:
For: All (5) Against: None Abstaining
13. Discuss and take action declaring a public purpose for Juvenile Probation department to use funds for local trainings.
Presented by Cathy Chavez, Juvenile Probation. In house training and out of county members attending. This is for snacks provided during the training $197.27. There were two events. No action taken.
14. Discuss and take action on payment and agreement with Greenwood Volunteer Fire Department.
Presented by Justin Bunch, Emergency Management Coordinator. Annual contract.
Motion to authorize the County Judge to sign the protection agreement contract with the Greenwood Volunteer Fire Department.
Motion by: Somers Seconded by: Ramsey Exhibit:
For: All (5) Against: None Abstaining
15. Discuss and take action on collapsed headstone at Fairview Cemetery.
Presented by Ken Colston, Risk Management and Commissioner Sanchez. The family is asking to replace a collapsed headstone. The County believes that it is the family's responsibility, and the family believes that it is the Counties responsibility. The Court suggested that they take pictures of the headstones. There are no pictures of this headstone. Commissioner Anderson stated that the headstone was already in disrepair. The larger headstones are no longer allowed. County Attorney, Russell Malm joined the conversation and described our past policy. He does not believe there is a basis for the County to pay for this. No action taken.
16. Discuss and take action on the following plats:
a. Vander Ranch, Sections 7, 8, and 9.
b. Pecan Grove Section 3.
Presented by Joe Thomas, Public Works, Road Administrator.
Motion to approve the following plats: Vander Ranch, Sections 7, 8, and 9; Pecan Grove Section 3.
Motion by: Somers Seconded by: Ramsey Exhibit:
For: All (5) Against: None Abstaining
17. Discuss and take action authorizing purchase of property located at 608 Main St., Midland, Texas, approving the contract for purchase, and authorizing earnest money payment.
Presented by Andrew Avis, Public Works Director. Regarding taking action to authorize the purchase of 608 Main St property and pay earnest money of $10,000.00. Russell Malm, County Attorney joined the conversation. They discussed ADA compliance.
Motion to authorize purchase of 608 Main St., and to make the earnest money payment and to begin feasibility period for that purchase. $10,000.00 payment.
Motion by: Ramsey Seconded by: Somers Exhibit:
For: All (5) Against: None Abstaining
18. Discuss and take action on CMAR contract for JP Building.
Presented by Andrew Avis, Public Works Director. This if for part 2 of the contract. Motion that we approve the CMAR contract for the JP Building.
Motion by: Sanchez Seconded by: Anderson Exhibit:
For: All (5) Against: None Abstaining
19. Discuss and take action on Task Work Order for 2025 CFM Assistance and MS4 services.
Presented by Andrew Avis, Public Works Director.
Motion to approve the Task Work Order to Parkhill for CFM and MS4 services.
Motion by: Somers Seconded by: Ramsey Exhibit:
For: All (5) Against: None Abstaining
20. Discuss and take action adjusting Road and Bridge Administrator and Director job descriptions and grade and step.
Hold for Executive Session
21. Discuss and take action on donation letter for Bobcat Draw Holdings, LLC. Presented by Jesse Ferguson, Public Works Capital Projects Manager.
Motion to authorize the County Judge to sign the donation letter for Bobcat Draw Holdings, LLC.
Motion by: Somers Seconded by: Ramsey Exhibit:
For: All (5) Against: None Abstaining
22. Discuss and take action on the following deed agreements for reconstruction of WCR 160:
a. Joe Don Haynes.
b. Shane Evans.
Presented by Jesse Ferguson, Public Works Capital Projects Manager. Design is complete, construction hasn’t started yet.
Motion that we execute the deed agreements between landowners and MC and authorize payment for the deed transaction. Joe Don Haynes and Shane Evans.
Motion by: Anderson Seconded by: Ramsey Exhibit:
For: All (5) Against: None Abstaining
23. Discuss and take action on Permian Paving contract for reconstruction of SCR 1180. Presented by Jesse Ferguson, Public Works Capital Projects Manager. Motion that we approve the Permian Paving contract for reconstruction of SCR 1180.
Motion by: Sanchez Seconded by: Anderson Exhibit:
For: All (5) Against: None Abstaining
24. Discuss and take action starting one-year warranty period for and/or adopting private roads in Pecan Grove.
Presented by Jesse Ferguson Public Works, Capital Projects Manager. Andrew Avis, Public Works Director joined the conversation. Accepting the blacktop not the whole road.
Motion to approve, and you have already inspected, so after inspection that we can begin the one-year warranty period before County take over roads include SCR 1118, SCR 1116, SCR 1115 ½, ECR 98 ½, ECR 99, and ECR 99 ½ in the Pecan Grove Subdivision.
Motion by: Somers Seconded by: Ramsey Exhibit:
For: All (5) Against: None Abstaining
25. Discuss and take action starting one-year warranty period for roads paved in Vander Ranch subdivision.
Presented by Jesse Ferguson Public Works, Capital Projects Manager. These were paved in July.
Motion to approve starting the one-year warranty period for the roads paved in Vander Ranch subdivision which include part of ECR 114, ECR 115, SCR 1105, SCR 1108 and SCR 1109.
Motion by: Somers Seconded by: Ramsey Exhibit:
For: All (5) Against: None Abstaining
26. Discuss and take action on change order with Jones Bros. for reconstruction of CR 1130.
Presented by Jesse Ferguson Public Works, Capital Projects Manager.
Motion to approve the change order with Jones Brothers on the reconstruction of CR 1130 project.
Motion by: Somers Seconded by: Johnson Exhibit:
For: All (5) Against: None Abstaining
27. Discuss and take action canceling Toby Robertson Facilities Landscape responsibilities.
Presented by Andrew Avis, Public Works Director and Eddie Melendez, Facilities. This is coming inhouse. They discussed a 60-day cancelation letter. Commissioner Somers is not comfortable cutting this off in 60 days, he would prefer 12 months. County Judge Johnson stated that they have budgeted to bring it in house. Kristy Engeldahl, Purchasing Agent joined the conversation stating this is not for rights-of-way.
Motion to cancel the Toby Robertson Facilities Landscape responsibilities.
Motion by: Ramsey Seconded by: Anderson Exhibit:
For: Ramsey, Johnson Against: Somers Abstaining
Sanchez, Anderson
28. Discuss and take action on Courthouse 1st floor exterior exits renovations.
Presented by Eddie Melendez, Facilities Director. This is a budgeted item. This is to relieve congestion in the lobby.
Motion to move forward with the Courthouse 1st floor exterior exits renovations.
Motion by: Ramsey Seconded by: Sanchez Exhibit:
For: All (5) Against: None Abstaining
29. Discuss and take action on the following updated job descriptions: a. Risk Management.
Presented by Eddie Melendez, Facilities Director. The pay group for the Risk Management is a 20.
Motion that we approve the Risk Management updated job description.
Motion by: Sanchez Seconded by: Anderson Exhibit:
For: All (5) Against: None Abstaining
b. Fleet Contract Administrator.
Motion that we approve the updated job description for Fleet Contract Administrator.
Motion by: Anderson Seconded by: Sanchez Exhibit:
For: All (5) Against: None Abstaining
c. Fleet Administrative Assistant.
Motion we approve the updated job description for Fleet Administrative Assistant.
Motion by: Anderson Seconded by: Sanchez Exhibit:
For: All (5) Against: None Abstaining
10:36 a.m. take a 10 min break.
10:46 a.m. back into regular session.
30. Discuss and take action on award of RFP 24MCO636 Occidental parkway.
Presented by Kristy Engeldahl, Purchasing Agent. They received 5 responses for this project. We recommend awarding to Reece Albert in the amount of $4,365,624.00 and 180 calendar days.
Motion that we approve the award for RFP 24MCO636 Occidental parkway to Reece Albert in the amount of $4,365,624.00 and 180 days.
Motion by: Sanchez Seconded by: Anderson Exhibit:
For: All (5) Against: None Abstaining
31. Discuss and take action on Airespring agreement for dispatch purposes. Tabled.
32. Discuss and take action on Tango Networks Subscriber Letter of Authorization for Third Party Message Routing Services.
Presented by Javier Chacon, IT Director.
Motion we approve the Tango Networks Subscriber Letter of Authorization for Third Party Message Routing Services.
Motion by: Anderson Seconded by: Sanchez Exhibit:
For: All (5) Against: None Abstaining
33. Discuss and take action on Software as a Service Agreement with Tyler Technologies.
Tabled
34. Discuss and take action on Employee benefit documents.
Presented by Sara Gray, Treasurer. There was a 90-day waiting period they are recommending 30 day waiting period.
Motion that we approve the signing of the Employee benefit documents.
Motion by: Anderson Seconded by: Sanchez Exhibit:
For: All (5) Against: None Abstaining
35. Discuss and take action on engagement letter with Cole Bryan, PC for oil & gas receiverships.
Presented by Jenny Hilton, County Court, Administrator. This would be considered professional services.
Motion to enter into an agreement with Cole Bryan, PC to handle the Counties oil & gas receiverships issues.
Motion by: Ramsey Seconded by: Somers Exhibit:
For: All (5) Against: None Abstaining
36. Conduct Executive session pursuant to Texas Government Code Section 551.074 to discuss personnel matters.
10:57 a.m. go into Executive Session.
11:59 a.m. back into Regular Session.
37. Adjourn.
Motion to adjourn.
Motion by: Ramsey Seconded by: Somers Exhibit:
For: All (5) Against: None Abstaining:
Adjourn at 11:59 p.m.
https://www.co.midland.tx.us/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_10012024-447