Judge Brett Bray called the Commissioners Court special meeting to order at 9:02 a.m. on May 26. All four commissioners were present and the meeting was broadcasted via Zoom.
Kenneth Welch, Blanco County citizen, provided public comments. He encouraged the court to provide citizens with a current assessment of the financial impacts from the pandemic. “Fortunately, you are about to enter into the budgeting process for the coming year and you will be able to adjust your budgets in order to cope with the impacts of this tragedy...I would also appreciate an update on the status of the local actions being taken in regard to business openings and county office openings,” said Welch.
The minutes from the May 12 meeting were approved. There were two line item transfers. The first request was from Commissioner Tommy Weir to transfer $500 from the road material line to the markers/safety equipment line for signs. Sheriff Don Jackson requested two transfers totaling $7,500 for outfitting a new vehicle. Funds were available for all the transfers and these line item transfers were approved. Commissioner Chris Liesmann moved to approve the outstanding bills of $245,297.11 and Commissioner Emil Uecker seconded; the motion carried. The court approved the bond of $20,000 for Robert Sense, elections administrator, and for the payment of the bond. Liesmann moved to approve the bond for Precinct 1 of $3,000 along with the correction of Weir’s name (misspelled) and Commissioner Paul Granberg seconded the motion. It carried.
Next, the court discussed several replats in various neighborhoods in the county. Lots 35 and 36 in the Ranches at Crabapple Creek subdivision were approved for the replat and will be known as Lots 35R and 36R. Lots 25 and 26 in the Lake of the Hills subdivision will be combined into one larger lot known as Lot 25R. A new lot known as Lot 58R was formed with the approval of replatting Lots 58 and 59 in the Lake of the Hills subdivision. The replat of Lot 5 in the Circle N Ranchette subdivision will be discussed at a later meeting. Next, the court discussed several grants.
Liesmann moved to authorize Judge Bray to sign the resolution in support of the 2020 Help America Vote Act (HAVA) Cares Act Sub-Grant to Texas Counties and Granberg seconded; the motion carried. The judge was also authorized to sign the grant application for the 2020 HAVA Cares act Sub-Grant to Texas Counties; this grant has a required matching amount of $2,540.58. The federal share maximum award amount is $12,702.88. The “purpose of this award is to “prevent, prepare for, and respond to the coronavirus domestically or internationally, for the 2020 Federal election cycle,”” according to the application.
The commissioners authorized Judge Bray to sign a resolution in support of the Coronavirus Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, including the Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) to provide potential grant assistance to Blanco County. Lastly, the judge was authorized to sign a resolution to seek grant funding from the Federal Management Agency, Coronavirus (COVID-19) Category B: Emergency Protective Measures, to offset the expenses for equipment and expendable supplies purchased in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This should cover the new audio equipment purchased for the Zoom meetings.
Next, the County Transportation Infrastructure Fund Grant Program was discussed. The project funding total grant is $1,785,000 and the county will match 20 percent, which totals $357,000. The County Road Repair Grants application was submitted on Friday, and if awarded, Blanco County would receive $87,378. There were a few items that needed to be accepted and approved by the county to secure the grant. Weir moved to approve the following: the acts of the designated TxDOT County contracts for the purposes of preparing and submitting the application; the 2019 road condition reports; the county transportation infrastructure fund project list (prioritized list); and the designation of a county contact person and authorize the county contact person to prepare and/or execute documents on behalf of the county in matters relating to and regarding the TxDOT CTIF Grant and Grant Program.
Next, Deborah Earley, county attorney, asked the court to approve appointing a reserve investigator for the county attorney office. She explained that there is one applicant already and the investigator would assist at the office a few days a week. There would not be any additional expenses. Sheriff Jackson said this would not cause issues for his department. Weir moved to approve the appointment and Granberg seconded. It carried.
The burn ban will remain lifted at this time. A brief discussion regarding the upcoming meetings took place. During the June meeting, citizens might be able to attend the meetings in person to deliver their public comments; the meeting will still be broadcasted for others to watch. Uecker moved to adjourn the meeting and Weir seconded; the meeting was adjourned at 9:30 a.m.
