IN THE COMMISSIONERS COURT OF

BELL COUNTY, TEXAS

DECEMBER  22, 2003

AFTER proper posting of public notice, a copy of which is attached hereto, on this the 22nd 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 - Jail/Courts Task Force Report

• MINUTE ORDER #522/03:  JUDGE BURROWS called the meeting to order at nine a.m. and called on Dr. David Yielding to give the report of the jail/courts task force.  Dr. Yielding gave such report, the same being attached hereto and made a part of these minutes.          
  
  
  
  

2. Agenda #2 - Jail/Courts Public Hearing

• MINUTE ORDER #523/03:  JUDGE BURROWS opened the public hearing on the Jail/Courts Hearing to allow comments on the task force's report.  The following individuals spoke for the task force report, to-wit: Lonnie Glenn, Moffat; Jimmy Towers, Killeen; Sam Michael, Belton; Charles Turnbo, Salado; Dr. David Yielding, Temple; Travis Hall, Belton; and Jim Endicott, Harker Heights.  The following individuals spoke against the task force report, to-wit: Debbie Berg, Belton; John Gallagen, Belton; Don Colbert, Temple; Bryon Osborne, Belton; Carolyn Wallace, Belton; and Donna Osborn.  There being no further comment, the public hearing was closed.          
  
  
  
  

3. Agenda #3 - Order of Intent to Call Bond Election

• MINUTE ORDER #524/03:  JUDGE BURROWS presented for the consideration of the Court an Order Declaring the Intent to Call a Bond Election for May 15, 2004.  After due discussion, upon motion of COMMISSIONER BROWN, seconded by COMMISSIONER CORTESE, the Court unanimously approved such Order of Intent to Call a Bond Election for May 15, 2004.  Such Order being attached hereto and made a part of these minutes for all purposes.           
  
  
  
  

4. Agenda #4 - Jail/Courts Advisory Council

• MINUTE ORDER #525/03:  JUDGE BURROWS appointed the following individuals to serve on the Jail/Courts Advisory Council, to-wit:  Dr. David Yielding, Charles Turnbo, Jimmy Towers, Larry Lender, and Ron King.          
  
  (The Court recessed and reconvened at 10:50 a.m., with all members aforementioned present in open Court, the following transpired.)
  
  
  

5. Agenda #6 - Minutes

• MINUTE ORDER #526/03:  JUDGE BURROWS called to the Courts attention the fact that they had previously received copies of the minutes of December 15, 2003.  He asked if there were any corrections or additions, there being no corrections, the minutes were approved as submitted.          
  
  
  
  

6. Agenda #7a - Public Hearing on Traffic Control Devices

• MINUTE ORDER #527/03:  The County Engineer presented the matter of the installation of the following traffic control devices, to-wit:  (a) Install a Yield sign on Aycock Road at Buckhorn Cemetery Road; and (b) Install a 45 mph speed limit on Reeds Cemetery Road.  The County Judge opened the public hearing on such installations and Mr. Lonnie Glenn spoke for the installation of a stop sign rather than a yield sign on Aycock Road.  There being no further public comments, the public hearing was closed and after due discussion, upon motion of COMMISSIONER SCHILLER, seconded by COMMISSIONER FISHER, the Court unanimously approved the installation of such traffic control devices with the addition of an additional sign indicating "Yield Right of Way" sign ahead of the Yield sign on Aycock Road.           
  
  
  
  

7. Agenda #7b - Authority to Advertise for Bids for R & B Department

• MINUTE ORDER #528/03:  Upon motion of COMMISSIONER CORTESE, seconded by COMMISSIONER FISHER, the Court unanimously approved authorizing the County Engineer to advertise for bids for four shredders and one haul trailer for the Road and Bridge Department.           
  
  
  
  

8. Agenda #7c - Woods at Cedar Oaks, Section I Subdivision

• MINUTE ORDER #529/03:  The County Engineer presented the final plat of Woods at Cedar Oaks, Section I Subdivision and recommended its approval.   After due discussion, upon motion of COMMISSIONER SCHILLER, seconded by COMMISSIONER CORTESE, the Court unanimously approved such final plat and ordered the same filed for record.   
  
  
  
  

9. Agenda #7d - Walnut Creek, Phase IV Subdivision

• MINUTE ORDER #530/03:  The County Engineer presented the final plat of Walnut Creek, Phase IV Subdivision and recommended its approval.   After due discussion, upon motion of COMMISSIONER FISHER, seconded by COMMISSIONER SCHILLER, the Court unanimously approved such final plat and ordered the same filed for record.     
  
  
  
  

10. Agenda #8 - Center Barriers for IH #35

• MINUTE ORDER #531/03:  Mr. John Obr, Engineer for TxDOT discussed with the Court concerning the Texas Transportation Commission's actions regarding center barriers on IH-35 through Bell County and proposed guidelines on toll roads.      
  
  
  
  

11. Agenda #9 - Personnel

• MINUTE ORDER #532/03:  Upon motion of COMMISSIONER FISHER, seconded by COMMISSIONER CORTESE, the Court unanimously approved all employee status report forms, the same being attached hereto.  
  
  
  
  

12. Agenda #10 -  TERF Fund Grant

• MINUTE ORDER #533/03:  Upon motion of COMMISSIONER FISHER, seconded by COMMISSIONER SCHILLER, the Court unanimously approved a grant request for temporary emergency relief funds from the Federal Emergency Management Administration.  The same being attached hereto.       
  
  
  
  

13. Agenda #11 - Authority to Exercise Option for Purchase of Property

• MINUTE ORDER #534/03:  Upon motion of COMMISSIONER FISHER, seconded by COMMISSIONER BROWN, the Court unanimously approved exercising the option (approved by the Court on July 21, 2003) to purchase property located at 307 and 309 Priest Drive in Killeen from Gary Purser, Sr., under IRS Code Section 1031 procedure for $505,000.00.  
  
  
  
  

14. Agenda #12 - Order Concerning Reimbursement

• MINUTE ORDER #535/03:  Upon motion of COMMISSIONER FISHER, seconded by COMMISSIONER BROWN, the Court unanimously approved an Order regarding Reimbursement of certain expenses to be paid from Tax Exempt Obligations.  All according to a copy of the same attached hereto and made a part of these minutes.  
  
  
  
  

15. Agenda #13 - FY 03 Budget Amendment

• MINUTE ORDER #536/03:  County Auditor Donna Eakin presented budget amendments for FY 2003 and after due discussion, upon motion of COMMISSIONER BROWN, seconded by COMMISSIONER FISHER, the Court unanimously approved amendments.  All according to a copy of the same attached hereto and made a part of these minutes.  
  
  
  
  

16. Agenda #14 - Claims
    

• MINUTE ORDER #537/03:  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.