Jury patio a smokin’ topic
At the Feb. 15 Regular Meeting of Grimes County Commissioners Court, commissioners approved the request by district judges Gary Chaney and David Moorman to provide a secure area for jurors during jury service. The motion by Commissioner Phillip Cox stipulated the outdoor addition is not to exceed $50,000 and must be in compliance with County policy related to smoking.
Echoing Judge Gary Chaney’s comments at the Feb. 1 commissioner court, Judge Moorman advised the court of the need to allow juries out of the jury room but the potential of coming in contact with victim and defendant families. He also had just learned of a county policy restricting smoking to no less than 15-feet from a door and requested consideration of a waiver for people summoned for jury service.
Moorman said, “We asked for 10x10 feet. I’m not a proponent of smoking but I also know when we have jury duty, we summon people and threaten them with contempt if they don’t show up.”
He continued, “It is something we think is important. One, to make sure we only try jury trials once, and that we don’t get halfway through and have someone have some contact with a juror that we’ve got to have a hearing and they have to have a mistrial.”
Building Maintenance Manager Rodney Floyd said the previously discussed estimate of $27,000 was for a 6x6 foot awning covered space over concrete which leads out of the building to a 10x10 patio of pavers. Floyd suggested extending just the pavers would lessen the cost of extending the patio’s dimensions and clarified that funding is available in his budget. To leave Floyd’s budget intact, Cox suggested taking the funds from Contingency. Auditor Jessi Murphy confirmed $266,000 currently in the Contingency fund.
Animal shelter lease scrutinized
After lengthy discussion, commissioners accepted the Amended Agreement between Grimes County and Grimes County Animal Rescue (GCAR) with additional revisions. General Liability insurance will be provided by GCAR. Property/Casualty will be provided by the County, but GCAR will reimburse any resulting premium increase.
The revised document will clarify County ownership of the building and that the Grimes County Sheriff’s Office has no obligation to provide labor. GCAR must attach a copy of their operating procedures.
According to County Attorney Jon C. Fultz, while reviewing the agreement to clarify the previously vague start date, he noticed phrasing issues related to ownership, insurance coverage and inspections.
The agreement’s language also prompted questions from Commissioner David Tullos who was not on the court when GCAR evolved from the 2015 Strategic Plan. Tullos expressed concerns about clarity of ownership, commitment of the GCSO and inmate labor, maintenance, shelter inspections and operation.
Fultz cautioned against micromanaging the day-to-day operations, asking how that would be enforced.
The revised agreement goes back to GCAR for review.
Meetings may be viewed in their entirety at https://www.facebook.com/GrimesCountyCourtHouse.
Other court action:
•Approved Consent Agenda items which included the Treasurer’s list of claims and bills and payroll. Under Budget amendments and/or line-item transfers, “LIT #1, Voters” was amended to transfer $8,630 from Special Elections rather than Contingency to cover an overage of seasonal/temporary salaries paid during the 2022 November General Election cycle.
•Service awards presented as follows: Judge Joe Fauth and Lisa Hyman, five years; Richard Carrell and Diane LeFlore, 15 years; Jennifer Crenshaw, 20 years. Not present for awards were Gregg Cannon, Gilverta Diaz and Cherie Wagner, five years and Gedon Bowman, 10 years.
•Received Quarterly Interpretive Event from Texas A&M AgriLife County Extension staff Kyla Moeller, Andrea Ryan and Carla Hays.
•Grimes County Historical Commission members Marilyn Bettes and Susan Boudreaux presented their thanks and the book “Texas Justice: The Legacy of Historical Courthouses” to commissioners for allowing them to attend the Texas Historical Commission’s Real Places Conference Feb. 1-3.
•Received a status report from Building Maintenance Manager Rodney Floyd on flood repairs. In addition, a committee composed of Floyd, Fauth, Cox and Auditor Jessie Murphy will oversee the Request for Qualifications (RFQs) for design/build services for the construction of the additional business center.
•Approved a Resolution supporting a grant application for Buckingham Gardens and Navasota Manor to the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs.
•Approved requesting Entergy to trim or remove tree at the Stoneham collection site and ambulance station.
•Approved accepting the proposed opioid settlement agreement with Walgreen’s, Walmart, Allergan and CVS, executive release forms and designate the county judge as signatory.
•No action related to ARPA expenditures.
•Judge Fauth advised that a Strategic Plan workshop will be scheduled upon return to use of Commissioners Court.
Public comments: •Judge Fauth announced the possibility of returning to the Commissioners courtroom March 1 • Pct. 3 residents Gene Baldobino, Jr. and Benny Torres spoke to commissioners about reckless dump truck and other heavy equipment drivers on CR 424, the condition of CR 424 and drainage issues • Pastor Cody Sechelski announced a NGC Chamber of Commerce mixer Thursday, Feb. 16, at 5:30 at 304 Frazier Street, home of Afresh Vision Enterprises/Masterbuilt Kids • A public meeting will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 25, in the Richards ISD cafeteria to discuss the incorporation of Richards • Navasota is holding a Spring Clean Up, Saturday-Sunday, March 11-12, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. at 520 Malcolm Street. Proof of Navasota residency required.
Burn Ban: The burn ban remains lifted.