The San Saba County Commissioners’ Court met for a regular meeting on Monday, November 9th, in the District Courtroom. Judge Byron Theodosis called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. and welcomed everyone in attendance.
Jim Reed, Executive Director of COG, gave the invocation and led everyone in the pledges to the American flag and the Texas flag.
Audience for Concerned Citizens For Public Comment:
None.
Action Items:
1. Approve or Correct and Approve Minutes of Previous Commissioners Court Meeting(s) County Official and Departmental Reports:
Decision: The Court voted unanimously to approve the Minutes of Previous Commissioners Court Meeting(s) with one correction.
2. County/District Clerk: Approve Subject to Audit or Reject Clerk's Report:
Ms. Wells reported that all went well with the election. Judge Theodosis commended Ms. Wells on her hard work with the election.
Decision: The Court voted unanimously to Approve the Clerk's Report Subject to Audit.
3. County Treasurer: Approve Subject to Audit or Reject Treasurer's Report:
Decision: The Court voted unanimously to Approve the Treasurer's Report Subject to Audit.
4. County Justice of the Peace: Approve Subject to Audit or Reject JP Report:
Ms. Blossman’s report was presented to the Court in her absence. It noted the following account information for October 2020:
Total: $15,351.30
Community Service/Jail Credit: $100.00
Total to the Community: $8,998.36
Small Claims and Civil: $46.00
Decision: The Court unanimously Approved the JP Report Subject to Audit.
5. County Sheriff and Jail: Approve Subject to Audit or Reject Sheriff's Jail Report:
The Sheriff reported he had 16 people in custody and had several arrests this past weekend. There was a death of a hunter; he had a heart attack.
Decision: The Court unanimously approved the County Sheriff and Jail Report Subject to Audit.
Non-Action Departmental Reports:
None.
Special Action Items (and Non-Action Items):
1. Discuss and Take Possible Action on Connected Nations Technical Services Update From COG and Connected Nation:
Jennifer Harris addressed the Court via ZOOM. She explained that her group offered their services free of charge and is paid for by a grant. Her group does Broadband mapping through Texas, and they work with communities across the state to see where the needs are for residential, businesses, healthcare, educational, etc. The grant will cover 27 communities across the state. If San Saba and Lampases are willing, they can go together as one “community” so the grant can go further. Ms. Harris emphasized that their recommendations for us would be specific to San Saba and not grouped together with Lampases.
Ms. Harris stated that all they ask in return is involvement from San Saba - even though it is free; the Court will have to encourage community involvement to participate in the survey. Ms. Merriman from the Chamber said she would also help to get the word out to our citizens.
Decision: The Court voted unanimously to approve taking the survey of our connectivity. Ms. Merriman from the Chamber said she would also help to get the word out to our citizens about the survey.
2. Discuss and Take Possible Action On Location Of New Digital Marquee For San Saba Chamber of Commerce:
Dora Miller, Chamber of Commerce President introduced Cassie Merriman, Chamber of Commerce Executive Director to address the Court on this issue. Ms. Merriman reported to the Court that the old marquee is not good, the letters keep flying off, and it needs to be replaced. After some discussion, it was brought up that the Historical Commission has to approve the sign and the location of the sign.
Decision: Judge Theodosis and Ms. Miller agreed to meet later in the day to come up with a plan to present to the Historical Commission.
3. Accept or Reject Chamber of Commerce Asking For Youth Entrepreneur Day Proclamation November 17, 2020:
Ms. Merriman from the Chamber of Commerce made this request of the Court.
Decision: The Court voted unanimously to authorize the Judge to approve the Proclamation that would be offered and viewed by the Judge for Youth Entrepreneur Day November 17, 2020.
Reporters note: National Entrepreneur Day is November 17, 2020. The Chamber requested and presented to the Judge Youth Entrepreneur Day as November 18, 2020 so it would not conflict with the National event.
4. Discuss and Take Possible Action on Railroad Easements:
Donnie Smith was present to answer questions from the Court about the Brady Shippers Group and his presentation from the last meeting. He has been working with Senator Buckingham’s office with the hopes of getting a bill passed that would help with our issues with the railroad easements issue.
Decision: After discussion, the Court agreed to send a letter of support for Donnie Smith and the Brady Shippers Group to be presented to Senator Buckingham.
5. Discuss and Take Possible Action on Subdivision in Cherokee CR 409 Pet. 3:
Decision: After discussion, this item was tabled until the next meeting.
6. Discuss, Accept or Reject Interlocal Agreement Between the City of Richland Springs and San Saba County For Flood Plain Management:
Ms. Hardy explained to the Court that this interlocal agreement is merely a formality of paperwork for something she has been doing. It will not add extra work as she is already the person the City of Richland Springs calls for all Flood Plain Management issues.
Decision: The Court voted unanimously to Accept the Interlocal Agreement Between the City of Richland Springs and San Saba County For Flood Plain Management.
7. Discuss and Accept or Reject Interlocal Agreement Between the City of San Saba and San Saba County For Flood Plain Management:
Ms. Hardy explained that this item is the same as the previous one except it is for the City of San Saba.
Decision: The Court voted unanimously to Accept the Interlocal Agreement Between the City of San Saba and San Saba County For Flood Plain Management.
8. Canvass Election Votes For Nov. 3, 2020 General Election:
Decision: The Commissioners voted unanimously to accept the canvassing of votes.
9. Discuss and Take Possible Action On COVID - 19 Issues:
Ms. Hardy reported there had been no change since Friday, but the numbers could be changed by the time the meeting was over. At the time of this meeting, there were 170 cases in San Saba County, 142 recovered, 23 active, and five deaths. She said the schools are now involved. Richland Springs had two weeks remote learning; Cherokee is staying on top of things. She reported there was a San Saba ISD School Board meeting scheduled for that evening. The football team has been affected; six players were out of last Friday’s game for COVID related reasons.
Ms. Hardy informed the Court that news from the Governor’s Office came out the day of this meeting about a vaccine that is 90% effective. She was not sure if there would be a vaccine clinic or drive through options or other options here in San Saba; that is still to be determined.
10. Take Possible Action Concerning Burn Ban (Current Status: Burn Ban IN EFFECT AS OF 09-30-2020 Thru December 29, 2020):
Decision: The item was tabled.
11. Approve or Reject Proposed Amendments and/or Line Item Transfers:
None.
12. Approve or Reject Proposed Accounts Payable:
Decision: The Court voted unanimously to approve the Accounts Payable Report.
13. Discuss Next Commissioners Court Date & Time:
The next Commissioners’ Court will be held Monday, November 23, 2020, at 9:00 a.m. in the District Courtroom.
14. Adjourn:
Judge Theodosis adjourned the meeting at 10:26 a.m.
The following were in attendance at this meeting: Judge Byron Theodosis; Commissioners: Otis Judkns, Kenley Kroll, and Pat Pool; Lois VanBeck, Treasurer; Kim Wells, District/County Clerk; Marsha Hardy, Emergency Management Coordinator; Sheriff David Jenkins; Chief Deputy, Dwayne Shaw; David Williams, Citizen; Dora Miller, Chamber of Commerce President; Cassie Merriman, Chamber of Commerce Executive Director; Jim Reed, Executive Director of COG; Donnie Smith, JC Smith, and Co.; Candy Kokernot, Administrative Assistant; and Djuana Payton, Reporter with the San Saba News & Star. Jennifer Harris of Connected Nations Technical Services attended via ZOOM. Commissioner Rickey Lusty was not present at this meeting.