MINUTES

The Uvalde County Commissioners Court met in regular session on July 24, 2006 at 10:00 a.m. in the Uvalde County Commissioners Courtroom, with the following members present:

William R. Mitchell, County Judge

Randy Scheide, Commissioner #1

Mariano Pargas, Commissioner #2

Jerry W. Bates, Commissioner #3

Jesse R. Moreno, Commissioner #4

Lucille C. Hutcherson, County Clerk and Ex-Officio Clerk of the

Commissioners Court of Uvalde County

ABSENT: John P. Dodson, County Attorney

Also present were County Treasurer Joni Deorsam; County Tax Assessor-Collector Maggie Del Toro; and Assistant Road Administrator Danny Welch.

1. CONSIDER AND ACT UPON CALL TO ORDER, PRAYER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:

The Honorable William R. Mitchell gave the invocation; led the pledge of allegiance to the United State of America and Texas flags.

The following proceedings were had:

2. CONSIDER AND ACT UPON APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

· Upon motion of Commissioner Moreno

· Second by Commissioner Bates

The Court unanimously approved the Minutes of July 10, 2006, as written.

3. CONSIDER AND ACT UPON BAN ON OUTDOOR BURNING:

· Upon motion of Commissioner Moreno

· Second by Commissioner Pargas

The Court unanimously approved an ORDER RESTRICTING OUTDOOR BURNING. A copy of said Order is attached to these minutes.

4. CONSIDER AND ACT UPON RECEIVING DONATIONS TO THE COUNTY OF UVALDE:

Judge Mitchell informed the Court that State statute requires all donations or contributions to the County of Uvalde be received by the Commissioners Court. The County has been given the following donations:

a) $100.00 from the Texas Department of Public Safety Officers

Association to assist with the County’s DARE program.

b) $1000.00 from Wal-Mart, Inc. to assist with the County’s

Department of Emergency Management.

· Upon motion of Commissioner Bates

· Second by Commissioner Moreno

The Court unanimously approved accepting the above mentioned monetary donations from the Texas Department of Public Safety Officers Association to assist the DARE program and Wal-Mart, Inc. to assist the Department of Emergency Management.

5. CONSIDER AND ACT UPON EMERGENCY SERVICES DISTRICT REQUEST FOR THE COUNTY TO ABSORB COST OF CONDUCTING DISTRICT ELECTION:

Kermit Smith and Roger Swift representatives of the Emergency Services District requested that the Commissioners Court waive the cost of conducting the District’s election which was held November 7, 2005. The representatives informed the Court that due to lack of funds the other Counties that are within the District were not charging for election services.

· Upon motion of Commissioner Moreno

· Second by Commissioner Bates

The Court unanimously voted in favor of the County absorbing the cost incurred for conducting the Emergency Services District’s November 7, 2005 election. The Uvalde County Election Official had submitted a bill in the amount of $3644.78 to the ESD for services rendered.

6. CONSIDER AND ACT UPON FUNDING REQUEST OF SABINAL EMS:

· Upon motion of Commissioner Moreno

· Second by Commissioner Bates

The Court unanimously approved the request of Charles McFarland of Sabinal EMS for additional funding in the amount of $2500.00.

7. CONSIDER AND ACT UPON PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING PRIVATE SEWAGE FACILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Health Department representative Bob Oakley gave an updated report to the Court concerning on-site sewage facilities and septic tank inspections.

Installation inspection fee - $150.00

Re-inspection fee - $ 50.00

Cement, fiberglass or plastic septic tanks may be installed

Vic Hilderbran of the Uvalde County Underground Water District expressed concerns on water quality issues when using fiberglass or plastic septic tanks.

Mr. Hilderbran also cautioned the Court that in the near future the Edwards Aquifer Authority may be monitoring Uvalde County concerning pollution to the underground water supply.

8. CONSIDER AND ACT UPON ADOPTING CHANGES TO PRIVATE SEWAGE FACILITY REQUIREMENTS:

· Upon motion of Commissioner Bates

· Second by Commissioner Pargas

The Court unanimously approved the ORDER ADOPTING RULES OF UVALDE COUNTY FOR ON-SITE SEWAGE FACILITIES. The motion also included setting the fee of $150.00 for installation inspection and $50.00 for re-inspections. A copy of said rules are attached to these minutes.

9. CONSIDER AND ACT UPON REPORT OF SUBDIVISION RULES AND REGULATION COMMITTEE:

Nick Fohn, chairman of the Subdivision Rules and Regulation Committee, presented the recommended changes to the Court. Other members of the committee include Wayne Everett, Gary Parker, C. E. Davis and Kyle Wilson. Public Hearings will be conducted at the next three (3) Commissioners Court meetings on the proposed changes to the rules. No action was taken on this agenda item.

10. CONSIDER AND ACT UPON SOLID WASTE TRANSFER STATION AS PRESENTED BY NUECES RIVER AUTHORITY:

Con Mims of the Nueces River Authority, informed the Court of a recently completed feasibility study for the establishment of a Regional Solid Waste Transfer Station that would serve Uvalde County, the cities of Leakey, Camp Wood and Rocksprings as well as private haulers. The study showed that the transfer station would provide savings to the users of the facilities by reducing travel costs, operation and maintenance costs if grant assistance were available to offset capital costs for the project. Mr. Mims requested that the Court adopt a resolution in support of this concept and he also stated that the County would not be bound for any financial assistance, at this time.

· Upon motion of Commissioner Scheide

· Seconded by Commissioner Bates

The Court voted 3-1 to approved a Resolution supporting the request of the Nueces River Authority to be the applicant to receive any grant and/or loan funds to develop the Regional Solid Waste Transfer Station, own and operate the facilities and negotiate contracts with the local participants to provide the service and secure any debt associated with the design and construction of the facilities. Commissioner Moreno cast the descending vote. A copy of the Resolution is attached to these minutes.

11. CONSIDER AND ACT UPON ROAD ADMINISTRATORS REPORT:

Assistant Road Administrator Danny Welch gave the following activity report, with no action being taken.

-Routine maintenance

-Mowing

-Cutting brush

-Blading/patching roads

12. CONSIDER AND ACT UPON LINE-ITEM BUDGET AMENDMENTS:

None were presented for approval.

13. CONSIDER AND ACT UPON APPROVAL OF MONTHLY REPORTS:

· Upon motion of Commissioner Bates

· Second by Commissioner Scheide

The Court unanimously approved the following monthly reports, as presented:

Jail: July 10, 2006 (3); July 17, 2006 (3)

County Clerk: May 2006 (Bond); June 2006 (Bond); June 30, 2006; July 3-6, 2006; July 7-13, 2006;

July 14-20, 2006

Auditor: June 2006

J.P. #1: July 3-7, 2006 (2); July 10-14, 2006

J. P. #2: June 26-30, 2006; July 10-14, 2006

J. P. #3: July 1-7, 2006; July 8-14, 2006

J. P. #4: July 3-7, 2006; July 10-14, 2006

J. P. #6: July 3-7, 2006; July 10-14, 2006

14. CONSIDER AND ACT UPON APPROVAL OF BILLS:

· Upon motion of Commissioner Bates

· Second by Commissioner Scheide

The Court unanimously approved the bills for payment, as presented.

15. CONSIDER AND ACT UPON PAYROLL APPROVAL:

· Upon motion of Commissioner Moreno

· Second by Commissioner Bates

The Court unanimously approved the payroll.

16. CONSIDER AND ACT UPON RESOLUTIONS/PROCLAMATIONS:

The Court approved resolutions in honor of the following, with the meeting being closed in their memory.

Jennielea Gold

Julia Moore

Jesus R. Morales, III

With no further business, the Honorable William R. Mitchell adjourned the meeting of July 24, 2006.