IN THE COMMISSIONERS COURT OF

BELL COUNTY, TEXAS

January 23, 2006

AFTER proper posting of public notice, a copy of which is attached hereto, on this the 23rd day of January, 2006, 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 #035/06:  It being nine a.m., Judge Jon H. Burrows, called the regular meeting of the Commissioner's Court to order and waived the presentation of the minutes of January 17, 2006.   
  
  
  
  

2. Agenda #2a - Public Hearing on Traffic Control Devices

• MINUTE ORDER #036/06: County Engineer, Richard Macchi, reported to the Court that notice to the public was run in the Temple Daily Telegram on January 8, 2006.  He reminded the Court that these items come as a result of a request for a Stop sign at the intersection of Rock Road at Franklin, which the County Engineer recommends that a Yield sign be installed and a request to try and slow down motorist on Water Supply Road, from SH 36 to Moffat Road.  Judge Burrows opened the public hearing regarding traffic control devices, such devices are to be installed as follows:  1) Install 45 M.P.H. speed limit on Water Supply Road, from S.H. 36 to Moffat Road;  2) Install YIELD sign at the intersection of Rock Road at Franklin Road.  He asked if there were any public comments; there being none, the public hearing was closed and thereafter, upon motion of Commissioner Eddy Lange, seconded by Commissioner Richard Cortese, the Court unanimously approved the installation of the aforementioned traffic control devices. 
  
  
  
  

3. Agenda #3 - Personnel

• MINUTE ORDER #037/06:  Upon motion of Commissioner John Fisher, seconded by Commissioner Richard Cortese, the Court unanimously approved all employee status report forms, the same being attached hereto and made a part of these minutes.  
  
  
  
  

4. Agenda #4 - 2005-2007 Equal Opportunity Plan

• MINUTE ORDER #038/06:  Judge Burrows presented the matter to consider approval of Bell County 2005-2007 Equal Opportunity Plan for the Task Force.  After due discussion, upon motion of Commissioner Richard Cortese, seconded by Commissioner Eddy Lange,  the Court unanimously approved this matter, with the same being attached hereto and made a part of these minutes.  
  
  
  
  

5. Agenda #5 - Appointments to Area Agency on Aging Advisory Council

• MINUTE ORDER #039/06:  Judge Burrows presented the matter to consider approval of the following appointments to the Area Agency on Aging Advisory Council:  1) Reappoint Phil Hinkle, representing the Alzheimer's Association;  2) Reappoint Patsy Luna, but move from representing 60+ individuals to a Elected Official position;  3) Reappoint Gaye Garner, but move from representing the General Public to a Family Caregiver position;  4) Reappoint Pct 1 Commissioner Richard Cortese, but move from an Elected Official position to a General Public or Family Caregiver position;  5) Reappoint Guadalupe Lopez to 60+ minority position;  6) Appoint Rita Kelley, Indigent Health Care Director, to a Health Care/Social Services position;  7) Appoint Dr. Alan Stevens, Scott & White Division of Geriatric Medicine, to a Health Care position.  After due discussion, upon motion of Commissioner John Fisher, seconded by Commissioner Eddy Lange, the Court unanimously approved this matter. 
  
  
  
  

6. Agenda #6 - Awarding Vehicle Bid for Information Systems Department

• MINUTE ORDER #040/06:  Assistant County Auditor, Russell Williams reported to the Court that we received two bids for two vehicles for IS.  The low bid is from Dodge Country for 2005 Dodge Caravans in the amount of $12,500.00 each.  Mr. Williams recommended that the bid be awarded to Dodge Country for a total of $25,000.00.  The amount budgeted is $31,354.00.  After due discussion, upon motion of Commissioner John Fisher, seconded by Commissioner Eddy Lange, the Court unanimously approved to award the bid to Dodge Country for a total of $25,000.00. 
  
  
  
  

7. Agenda #7 - FEMA Update

• MINUTE ORDER #041/06:  Judge Burrows reported to the Court that this item had been placed on the agenda in response to notice from FEMA at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, of the FEMA decision to cease funding for the Public Assistance 403 Program for Hurricane Evacuees effective February 28, 2006 and FEMA's intention to move eligible persons to the Individual Assistance 408 Program, consider approval of actions regarding the termination, discontinuation, and ratification of the Bell County Katrina/Rita Housing Program.  Judge Burrows reported that Bell County received notice from FEMA at approximately 3:42 p.m. on Friday stating  the following:  "That FEMA is working to transition all eligible lease agreements into the Section 408 Direct Housing assistance program by March 1, 2006.  Please notify state and local governments that they should not terminate any lease agreement that FEMA is presently reimbursing until receiving direction from FEMA.  State and local governments will continue to receive 403 funding for apartments until eligible occupants in leases can be successfully transitioned to 408.  Alternatively, for those evacuees who are not eligible to have their lease transitioned to 408 direct assistance, FEMA will not terminate any funding for emergency sheltering (403) lease agreements without first notifying the state and tenant at least thirty days in advance."  (A copy of such notice is attached hereto.)
  
  After due discussion, Judge Burrows recommended that the Court pass and take no action on the following items:  (a) The termination of all dwelling leases, property leases, and related utility services of the housing program;  (b) The initiation and transmittal of termination notices to all participating evacuees, occupants, landlords, and utility service providers of the housing program; 
  
  Judge Burrows then presented the following items for the consideration and approval:  (c) The ratification of all leases, all contracts, and the payment of all expenses of the housing program by Bell County, in accordance with all applicable federal and state law, whether inside or outside of Bell County, in response to a natural disaster (same being Hurricanes Katrina and Rita), and in response to the specific requests for assistance made by FEMA and the State of Texas to Bell County of the initiation and operation of the housing program under the Public Assistance grant program of federal and state law;  (d) The payment of all expenses associated with the housing program; (e) The applications for reimbursements from FEMA or other appropriate federal or state agency; (f) The collection and disposition of assets as authorized by FEMA or other federal or state authority; (g) The authorization for the County Judge and/or County Auditor, as appropriate, to sign and execute all necessary notices, applications, and other documentation.  Upon motion of Commissioner John Fisher, to approve agenda item 7 c-g seconded by Commissioner Eddy Lange, the Court unanimously approved this matter. 
  
  
          (Judge Burrows read a letter from Ms. Bernadine McGee, a New Orleans Evacuee, who expressed her heartfelt gratitude to Bell County's Government, Christian Communities, Agencies, Businesses, Companies, and Individuals for their caring, kindness, and generosity, during her time of distress.  A copy of such letter is attached hereto.)
  
  
  
  

8. Agenda #8 - Presentation of Certificates of Appreciation

• MINUTE ORDER #042/06:  Judge Burrows presented Certificates of Appreciation to County Auditor Donna Eakin and her entire staff; Assistant County Auditor Deborah Brown; Tim & Karen Doerbaum, and Pct 4 County Commissioner John Fisher, for their dedication and extraordinary efforts in the efficient and effective operation of the Bell County Katrina/Rita Housing Program.  Judge Burrows and all Commissioners thanked the employees and all the other people and agencies who dedicated their services to Bell County during this operation.  Commissioner Tim Brown thanked Judge Burrows for his leadership and expertise in the process.  Upon motion of Commissioner Tim Brown, seconded by Commissioner Eddy Lange, the Court unanimously approved the presentation of the Certificates of Appreciation. 
  
  
  
  

9. Agenda #9 - Claims

• MINUTE ORDER #043/06:  The County Auditor presented the claims for the review of the Court.  After proper review, upon motion of Commissioner Tim Brown, seconded by Commissioner Richard Cortese, the Court unanimously approved all such claims.  All according to a copy of the same being of record in the office of the County Auditor.  
  
  
  
  
  There being no further business, the meeting adjourned.
  



         (The Court then went into workshop session to discuss those items on the workshop agenda with
          no action being taken on any item.)