IN THE COMMISSIONERS COURT OF

BELL COUNTY, TEXAS

AUGUST 23, 2004

AFTER proper posting of public notice, a copy of which is attached hereto, on this the 23rd day of August, A.D. 2004, 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 #266/04:  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 August 16, 2004.  He asked if there were any corrections or additions, there being no corrections, the minutes were approved as submitted.              
  
  
  
  

2. Agenda #2a - Proposed Extension of Preliminary Plat for Ryan Addition Subdivision

• MINUTE ORDER #267/04:  The County Engineer presented the request of the developer of the Ryan Addition Subdivision, Mr. Scott Cosper, for a 60 day extension of the preliminary plat approval from August 16, 2004.  The Engineer explained that the Court had previously approved the preliminary plat on August 26, 2002, and that the same had expired since under the County's Subdivision Regulations a preliminary plat was only valid for 24 months.  The Engineer reported that he had received a letter from Mitchell & Associates on behalf of the developer asking that the Court grant an extension of 60 days from August 16, 2004 to complete the construction on the roads in the subdivision.  The County Engineer recommended that the extension be granted.  After due discussion, upon motion of COMMISSIONER BROWN, seconded by COMMISSIONER SCHILLER, the Court unanimously approved such 60 day extension.   
  
  
  
  
  

3. Agenda #2b - Releasing Letter of Credit for Cedar Oaks Estates

• MINUTE ORDER #268/04:  The County Engineer presented the request to release the Letter of Credit #1016, First Texas Bank, in the amount of $4,750.00, for the maintenance of improvements in Cedar Oaks Estates Subdivision.  After due discussion, upon motion of COMMISSIONER SCHILLER, seconded by COMMISSIONER BROWN, the Court unanimously approved releasing such letter of credit upon its expiration date of September 3, 2004.    
  
  
  
  

4. Agenda #2c - Sale of Railroad Flatcar

• MINUTE ORDER #269/04:  The County Engineer reported that bids had been opened on August 17th, 2004, for the sale of two flatcars.  However, only one bid was received for one flatcar from Mr. Charles Beechem of Troy in the amount of $875.00.  After due discussion, upon motion of COMMISSIONER SCHILLER, seconded by COMMISSIONER CORTESE, the Court unanimously authorized the awarding of the bid for one flatcar to Mr. Beechem in the amount of $875.00.    
  
  
  
  

5. Agenda #2d - Sale of Railroad Flatcar

• MINUTE ORDER #270/04:  Upon motion of COMMISSIONER BROWN, seconded by COMMISSIONER SCHILLER, the Court unanimously approved authorizing the County Engineer to advertise for bids for one railroad flatcar.     
  
  
  
  

6. Agenda #3 - Personnel

• MINUTE ORDER #271/04:  Upon motion of COMMISSIONER FISHER, seconded by COMMISSIONER CORTESE, the Court unanimously approved all employee status report forms, the same being attached hereto and made a part of these minutes. 
  
  
  
  

7. Agenda #4 - Burn Band and Appointment of Mike Simmons as Fire Inspector

• MINUTE ORDER #272/04:  Fire Marshal Casey reported to the Court that since the County had received rain, that it was not necessary to implement a burn ban.  He requested that the Court appoint Mr. Mike Simmons, who currently works for CTCOG-Emergency Preparedness Coordinator, as a Fire Inspector and Arson Investigator for the County.  After due discussion, upon motion of COMMISSIONER FISHER, seconded by COMMISSIONER BROWN, the Court unanimously approved taking no action on the burn ban and further, approved Mr. Mike Simmons as a Fire Inspector and Arson Investigator for the County to take the place of Hal Pagel's position.  
  
  
  
  

8. Agenda #6 - Resolution Regarding Approval of Bonds for Adventist Health Systems/Sunbelt

• MINUTE ORDER #273/04:  Mr. J. Nicholson Meindl of Jenkens & Gilcrist, Attorneys at Law of Dallas, appeared before the Court to present a resolution regarding Section 147(f) approval of bonds for Adventist Health System/Sunbelt.  Mr. Meindl reported that the public hearing was held on such matter at 10 a.m. on Monday, August 9, 2004, at the Metroplex Hospital, Conference Room 2, in Killeen, Texas, as required by law.  Further, that no one appeared to speak against such bond issue.  After due discussion, upon motion of COMMISSIONER FISHER, seconded by COMMISSIONER BROWN, the Court unanimously approved such resolution, all according to a copy of the same attached hereto and made a part of these minutes for all purposes.    
  
  
  
  

9. Agenda #5 - Public Hearing on the FY 04-05 Bell County Budget

• MINUTE ORDER #274/04:  JUDGE BURROWS presented the County's FY 04-05 Annual Budget and thereafter opened the public hearing on such budget.  He asked if there were any public comments; there being none, the public hearing was closed.  Thereafter, the Court discussed such budget with JUDGE BURROWS reporting that such budget would be presented for approval on August 30, 2004, at nine a.m.  The Court also discussed the tax rates for Bell County needed to cover the budget and the fact that it was their intent not to exceed the current tax rate.     
  
  
  
  

10. Agenda #7 - Appointment of Election Judges and Alternates for the 2004 General Election

• MINUTE ORDER #275/04:  The County Clerk presented a list of individuals previously provided by the Democratic and Republic Chair Persons to serve as election judges and alternates for a term of one year from August 1, 2004.  After due discussion, upon motion of COMMISSIONER FISHER, seconded by COMMISSIONER BROWN, the Court unanimously approved such judges and alternates.  All according to a copy of the same attached hereto and made a part of these minutes.     
  
  
  
  

11. Agenda #8 - Agreement between Bell County and HCRS

• MINUTE ORDER #276/04:  The Court discussed the matter of an agreement between Health Care Reimbursement Services (HCRS) and Bell County for the provision administrative services related to the County Indigent Health Care Program (CIHCP) Social Security Disability (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Cases.  After due discussion, upon motion of COMMISSIONER BROWN, seconded by COMMISSIONER CORTESE, the Court unanimously authorized JUDGE BURROWS to execute such agreement on behalf of Bell County; all according to a copy of the same attached hereto and made a part of these minutes.     
  
  
  
  

12. Agenda #9 - Expo Chiller Repair Cost

• MINUTE ORDER #277/04:  The County considered the approval of expenses to repair the chiller at the Bell County Expo Center and after due discussion, upon motion of COMMISSIONER CORTESE, seconded by COMMISSIONER FISHER, the Court unanimously approved the payment of $142,329.12 for such repair, as follows:  $60,000.00 to be paid from the Expo Capital Improvement funds and $82,329.12 to be paid from Bell County's General Fund.    
  
  
  
  

13. Agenda #10 - Employment of a Construction Manager

• MINUTE ORDER #278/04:  The Court discussed the selection of a Construction Manager for three projects, to-wit:  Expansion of the Tax-Assessor Collector's Office; Expansion of the County and District Clerks' Document Storage Building; and the expansion of the Bell County Communications Center Building.  After due discussion and presentation of the quotes for such service, upon motion of COMMISSIONER BROWN, seconded by COMMISSIONER FISHER, the Court unanimously approved appointing Gene Doss Construction as the Construction Manager for the three above referred to projects, and authorized the negotiating of such contract with that Company.     
  
  
  
  

14. Agenda #11 - Asbestos Abatement/Air Monitoring/Project Manager

• MINUTE ORDER #279/04:  The Court discussed the employment of an Asbestos Abatement/Air Monitoring/Project Management firm for the two County Projects located at 309 Priest Drive in Killeen, Texas, and 120 Penelope in Belton, Texas, and after due discussion, upon motion of COMMISSIONER FISHER, seconded by COMMISSIONER BROWN, the Court unanimously approved the proposals by ESESIS of Waco, Texas, for such projects.  All according to a copy of the same attached hereto and made a part of these minutes.     
  
  
  
  

15. Agenda #12 - Claims
    

• MINUTE ORDER #280/04:  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.