IN THE COMMISSIONERS COURT OF

BELL COUNTY, TEXAS

DECEMBER  15, 2003

AFTER proper posting of public notice, a copy of which is attached hereto, on this the 15th day of December, A.D. 2003, the County Commissioners Court of Bell County, Texas, met in the Commissioners' Courtroom in Belton, Texas, in regular session with the following members of said Court present, to-wit:

1. Agenda #1 - Minutes

• MINUTE ORDER #514/03:  It being nine a.m., JUDGE BURROWS called the meeting to order and called to the Courts attention the fact that they had previously received copies of the minutes of December 8, 2003.  He asked if there were any corrections or additions, there being no corrections, the minutes were approved as submitted.          
  
  
  
  

2. Agenda #2a - Hoelscher Estates, Phase 1 Subdivision

• MINUTE ORDER #515/03:  The County Engineer presented the final plat for Hoelscher Estates, Phase 1 Subdivision and recommended approval of the same.  After due discussion, upon motion of COMMISSIONER SCHILLER, seconded by COMMISSIONER BROWN, the Court unanimously approved such plat and ordered the same filed for record.   
  
  
  
  

3. Agenda #2b - Shaw Branch East, Phase 3 Subdivision

• MINUTE ORDER #516/03:  The County Engineer presented the final plat for Shaw Branch East, Phase 3 Subdivision and recommended approval of the same.  After due discussion, upon motion of COMMISSIONER BROWN, seconded by COMMISSIONER CORTESE, the Court unanimously approved such plat and ordered the same filed for record.     
  
  
  
  

4. Agenda #2c - Beerwinkle Subdivision

• MINUTE ORDER #517/03:  The County Engineer presented the final plat for Beerwinkle Subdivision and recommended approval of the same.  After due discussion, upon motion of COMMISSIONER SCHILLER, seconded by COMMISSIONER FISHER, the Court unanimously approved such plat and ordered the same filed for record.     
  
  
  
  

5. Agenda #2d - Closure of Neroc Road at B.N.S.F. Railroad Crossing

• MINUTE ORDER #518/03:  The County Engineer presented the matter of setting a date for a public hearing for the closure of Neroc Road at the B.N.S.F. Railroad Crossing.  He reported to the Court that the railroad crossing is considered redundant since there is a controlled crossing site at Hunthill Road and at Highland School Road.  Including engineering, procurement and installation costs, TxDOT and the BNSF are expecting to spend about $185,000.00.  TxDOT and BNSF Railroad are offering these funds to the County to close this intersection.  Of the amount, $150,000.00 must be used to improve access to the two closest, controlled railroad crossings to the east and west.  The remaining $35,000.00 is donated to the County to be used at its discretion.  After due discussion, upon motion of COMMISSIONER SCHILLER, seconded by COMMISSIONER CORTESE, the Court unanimously approved setting January 12, 2004, as the date for the above referred to public hearing at nine a.m.     
  
  
  
  

6. Agenda #3 - Personnel

• MINUTE ORDER #519/03:  Upon motion of COMMISSIONER BROWN, seconded by COMMISSIONER SCHILLER, the Court unanimously approved all employee status report forms, the same being attached hereto and made a part of these minutes.  
  
  
  
  

7. Agenda #4 - Bids for one-ton Service Truck for Road and Bridge Department

• MINUTE ORDER #520/03:  Mr. Russell Williams, Assistant County Auditor, presented the matter of the bid for the One-ton Service Truck for the Road and Bridge Department.  Mr. Williams reported to the Court at the low bidder, Red McCombs Dodge, had faxed him before the meeting to tell him that the Dodge Corporation would not honor the warranty on their vehicle if any changes were made by the County.  Therefore, he recommended the bid of the next lowest bidder, Derek Scott's Auto Park of Hearne be accepted in the amount of $20,829.03.  After due discussion by the Court, upon motion of COMMISSIONER BROWN, seconded by COMMISSIONER FISHER, the Court unanimously approved awarding such bid to Derek Scott's Auto Park of Hearne in the amount of $20,829.03.      
  
  
  
  

8. Agenda #5 - Claims
   

• MINUTE ORDER #521/03:  The County Auditor presented all claims for the review of the Court.  Upon motion of COMMISSIONER BROWN, seconded by COMMISSIONER CORTESE, the Court unanimously approved all such claims.  All according to a copy of the same on record in the office of the County Auditor.  
  
  
  (The Court then went into workshop session to discuss those items on the workshop agenda with no action being taken on the same.)



          There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.