Crown Ranch EMS response times to decrease

ANDERSON — Grimes County commissioners were updated on recent developments regarding the EMS response times in the Crown Ranch Subdivision during the Wednesday meeting. The court also received reports from the Grimes County Sheriff’s Office and the Navasota Grimes County Chamber of Commerce.

Positive news for Crown Ranch

Jack Sines attended commissioners court a few months ago concerned with the emergency response time to the residents of the Crown Ranch Subdivision. During that meeting he assured the court he wasn’t there to just present his concerns but to be part of the solution.

Crown Ranch is within Grimes County limits but is surrounded by Montgomery County with the access road to the subdivision in Montgomery County as well.

Sines updated the court in the opening public comments regarding the progress that has been made in the intervening time. He stated that the Magnolia Fire Department will be able to assist with fires, due to an automated response system recently implemented by the county.

He also said that he received confirmation that CHI St. Joseph and Magnolia have a contract on the table to allow Emergency Management Services from Magnolia respond to medical emergencies at Crown Ranch. The entities are currently awaiting approval to add Magnolia EMS to the Grimes County Emergency response dispatch, but Grimes County Chief Deputy Todd Greene said that the contract has just been submitted and has yet to be approved.

Sines was proud of the progress that was made and thanked the county for their efforts to ensure the safety of its citizens.

Racial Profiling report

Greene presented the annual racial profiling report that is required to be submitted to the governing body each year.

“Based on the numbers and looking at the percentages we are in line with where we need to be and we also didn’t receive any complaints this year,” stated Greene.

There were no recommendations for improvement, but Greene said the department is constantly looking for ways to improve.

Grimes County Judge Joe Fauth III jokingly said, “let the record show that of the 1,884 stops men were stopped twice as much as women, so that women driver scenario goes right out the window on that one.”

Chamber update

Johnny McNally highlighted upcoming events and developments within the Navasota Grimes County Chamber of Commerce.

“I always talk about promotion, education and economic development and I’ll start with promotion,” said McNally. “We had our annual chamber awards banquet and I just wanted to name the people that were recognized at that banquet: Chamber Member of the Year was Republic Services; Community Member of the Year was Kristin Keally for her work with the Grimes County Animal Shelter; Employee of the Year went to Bob Shirley of 42 Place Apartments; and Citizen of the Year went to Gail Sowell, Mayor of Anderson.”

McNally shared a few dates of importance, including the Vendor Blender, which is open to the public and will be held at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, March 28, at the Grimes County Expo.

“This will be a free, family-friendly event with lots of children activities and we are also bringing in a special guest, U.S. Olympian Johnny Quinn, member of the bobsled team and a former NFL player,” said McNally.

McNally said Quinn will speak briefly and be on hand for autographs and photos.

The Groovy Grapes Wine Walk will take place 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday, April 20, in downtown Navasota. In addition, there are two tour groups visiting March 19 and 22, to take the law enforcement tour.

“These tours have become very popular and bring a lot of tourist into the county and we are always happy to show what we have to offer here,” explained McNally. “We have more scheduled for April and May.”

On the education side a developers round table is scheduled for May 14 at 7D Ranch. According to McNally, this will give area realtors updates on current projects, so they “know what they can tell potential buyers wanting to purchase homes or businesses within the area.”

Historic Courthouse

celebration

Fauth announced a 125th birthday celebration will be held Saturday, June 15, for the Grimes County Courthouse. The event will feature a pancake breakfast, dignitaries, barber shop quartet, antique car show, ice cream social, hot dogs, lemonade, guided courthouse tours, children’s areas and will be free of charge. In addition, there will be a time capsule dedication.

“The idea with the time capsule is businesses can drop their business cards in the capsule for a set donation, and it will be opened in 50 years or whatever is decided,” explained Fauth.

A group photo will also be taken to commemorate the occasion.

In other business,

the county:

•approved the auction of a 2001 Ford Expedition on govdeals.com. According to Building Maintenance Manager Al Peeler, the vehicle has more than 200,000 miles and has multiple defects, including air conditioning issues and a rear door that no longer opens;

•approved an amendment to the current email usage policy to include the retention of email for employees that no longer work for the county. IT Director Greg Cannon stated that for non-managerial employees who no longer work for the county their email will be terminated and not forwarded. Manager position employee emails in the same scenario will have their emails archived and forwarded to a designated manager for 30 days;

•approved an interlocal agreement between the county and Anderson-Shiro ISD. Road and Bridge Engineer said this is a five-year contract that will allow the county to repair access roads for the school, if the materials are purchased by the school;

•approved an application by Wickson Creek SUD for waterline installations on CR 127 and 128; and

•adopted a hiring resolution for Gessner Engineering LLC related to the 2017 General Land Office GLO-CDBG Hurricane Harvey Grant Program.