Residents ask for higher priority on road repair

• Ron Martin addresses the court on behalf of his neighbors on Emil Zielonka Road (Precinct 4) and Kulawik Road (Precinct 3). CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

With the scheduled absence of Judge Fowler, Precinct 3 Commissioner James Kaiser led the regular meeting of the Commissioner’s Court, which approved submission for a $1,337,000 block grant and heard residents ask for a higher priority for their road improvements.

A Community Development Block Grant from the Texas General Land Office could result in more than $1 million in funds earmarked for “roads and drainage construction, engineering and administration.” The court approved the grant submission, which, if received, Judge Fowler would oversee.

During public comments at the end of the meeting, residents from Emil Zielonka and Kulawik roads petitioned the court for their road repairs receiving a higher priority. Ron Martin, who spoke for the group, said the work has been needed for the 10 years he has lived here and for “four generations of my wife’s family.”

“Perhaps you could use some of that block grant to pave two roads,” Martin said.

The commissioners from Precincts 3 and 4 responded with explanations of work in the residents’ area.

Bruce Taylor, of Yorktown, lives at the intersection of the two roads. He spoke to the court, pointing out that county roads are used for emergency vehicles and need easy access. He described an incident where his grandson was injured with a head wound that bled a lot and needed emergency attention.

Other items discussed included a proclamation commemorating the 30th anniversary of the Stevenson’s Unit, a report from Peggy Ledbetter, chairman of the DeWitt County Historical Commission, and a survey of litter from Keep Cuero Beautiful. The City of Cuero received a good grade for litter control, but the highways leading into town need more pick up.

Actions Taken: 1. Executive/Closed Session — an executive/ closed session meeting will occur regarding the following matters: (a) pursuant to Sections 551.071(2) and 551.129 of the Texas Government Code (consultation with attorney), for the Commissioners Court to consult with and seek advice from its attorneys regarding a proposed real property transaction; and (b) pursuant to Section 551.072 of the Texas Government Code (deliberation regarding real property), for the Commissioners Court to deliberate the purchase and value of real property since deliberation in an open meeting would have a detrimental effect on the position of the Commissioners Court in negotiations with a third person.

2. Authorized. Discussion and Potential Action — discussion and potential action shall occur regarding: (1) consider authorizing County Judge to engage the services of a real estate broker as a buyer's agent for the potential acquisition of certain real property, by purchase with County public funds and deeds of conveyance from Seller( s), for authorized public purposes, said property being generally described as property located in DeWitt County, Texas, a part of the James Kimberling Survey (Abstract No. 283) therein; and (2) all related matters.

3. Approved. Joint Election Agreement: consider approval of the contract for elections services for the May 4th School Election between DeWitt County and Cuero ISD, Nordheim ISD, and Yorktown ISD; and take appropriate action.

4. Approved. Appointment of Local Health Authority: consider the reappointment of John Lee McNeill, DO as the Local Health Authority for DeWitt County for a two year term; and other appropriate action.

5. Adopted. Stevenson Unit 30th Anniversary Proclamation: consider adoption of a proclamation proclaiming April 10th, 2024 as Clarence N. Stevenson Unit Day in DeWitt County.

6. Approved. Memorandum of Donation: consider approval of a monetary donation of $5000 from Marathon Oil for public safety purposes for the DeWitt County Sheriff's Office pursuant to Local Government Code section 81.032; and any other appropriate action.

7. Certified. Certification of Funds: receive letter from County Auditor certifying donation for the DeWitt County Sheriffs Office from Marathon Oil; and take appropriate action.

8. Received. DeWitt County Historical Commission: receive 2023 Annual Report; and take appropriate action.

9. Received. Annual Financial Report: receive Annual Financial Report for Green De-Witt Drainage District for fiscal year ended September 30, 2023.

10.Received. DeWitt County Appraisal District: receive the audited DeWitt County Appraisal District Financial Statements dated December 31, 2023; and take appropriate action.

11. Approved. TXDOT Participation Waived Project Resolution: consider approval of resolution supporting the waiver of match fund participation requirements for certain bridge projects with Texas Department of Transportation; take appropriate action.

12. Approved. Resolution: consider approval of resolution authorizing the submission of an application to the Texas General Land Office (GLO) for the Community Development Block Grant — Mitigation (CDBG-MIT) Regional Method of Distribution (MOD) Program; and authorizing the county judge to act as the county's chief executive officer in all matters pertaining to the county's participation in the Community Development Block Grant — Mitigation (CDBG- MIT) Program; take appropriate action.

13. Approved. Crossroads Bank: consider adoption of a court order establishing an account with Crossroads Bank for investments; consider approval of resolution for signature authority on Crossroad Bank account; consider authorizing the transfer of funds from the County Depository to Crossroads Bank; take appropriate action.

14. Received. Affidavit Granting Permission to Enter Private Property: receive affidavit granting permission to enter private property owned by William F. Miller on Cheapside Road to move the fence back to make way for a temporary bypass road for bridge construction in Commissioner Precinct No. 1; and take appropriate action.

15. Received. Discretionary Exemption: receive information from P2 Emulsions regarding the purchase of items effective January 1, 2024 that can be obtained from only one source as provided in LGC 262.024(7)(A); consider approval of the exemption and take any other appropriate action.

16. Received. Uni-First Quote: receive updated quote from UniFirst for uniforms and supplies; and take appropriate action.

17. Golden Crescent Regional Planning Commission: consider the appointment of one commissioner's court member to sit on the Board of Directors of the General Assembly of GCRPC; and take appropriate action. Commissioner Varela appointed.

18. Received. Keep Cuero Beautiful Letter: receive letter from Keep Cuero Beautiful regarding survey of litter on DeWitt County properties.

19. Approved. Temporary Right of Way: consider permit application from AP s Logistic Services for installation of a temporary water line along Dubose Ranch Road in Commissioner Precinct No. 1; and take appropriate action.

20. Approved. Temporary Right of Way: consider permit application from Burlington Resources Oil & Gas Company LP for installation of a temporary water line along Gus Meyer Road in Commissioner Precinct No. 3; and take appropriate action.

21. Approved. Temporary Right of Way: consider permit application from Burlington Resources Oil & Gas Company LP for installation of a temporary water line along Coskey Ranch Road in Commissioner Precinct No. 3; and take appropriate action.

22. Approved. Pipeline Crossing Permit: consider permit application for a pipeline from Hurd Enterprises Ltd. to cross Steinmann Road in Commissioner Precinct No. 2; take appropriate action.

23. Received. Certificate of Completion: receive Certificate of Completion for DeWitt County Treasurer Desirae Poth-Garibay from Texas Department of Emergency Management for the successful completion of Texas Disaster Accounting 101; and take appropriate action 24. Received. Records and Proceeds from the Sale of Salvage or Surplus: receive report from Auditor showing records and proceeds from the sale of salvage or surplus property pursuant to Local Government Code §263, Subchapter D; and take appropriate action.

25. Received. Payroll Audit Report for March 2024: receive DeWitt County Auditor's Payroll Audit Report for March 2024, pursuant to Local Government Code, Chapter 115; and take appropriate action.

26. Received. County Auditor's Deposit Receipt Audit for March 2024: receive DeWitt County Auditor's Audit Report, pursuant to Local Government Code, Chapter 115.

27. Received. County Auditor's Purchasing Audit Report FY 2024 2' Quarter: receive De-Witt County Auditor's Audit Report, pursuant to Local Government Code, Chapter 115.

28. Received. County Auditor's Cash Count Report FY 2024 2' Quarter: receive DeWitt County Auditor's Audit Report, pursuant to Local Government Code, Chapter 115.

29. Received. County Auditor's Statutory Compliance Audit of Justice of the Peace, Pct. 1 FY 2024 1' Quarter: receive DeWitt County Auditor's Audit Report, pursuant to Local Government Code, Chapter 115.

30. Received. County Auditor's Statutory Compliance Audit of Justice of the Peace, Pct. 2 FY 2024 Pt Quarter: receive DeWitt County Auditor's Audit Report, pursuant to Local Government Code, Chapter 115.

31. Approved. Monthly Report of Officials: consider approval; and take appropriate action.

32. Received. County Auditor's Monthly Report: receive report; and take appropriate action 33. Received. County Treasurer's Monthly Report: receive report and consider approval of Order Approving Treasurer's Monthly Report; and take appropriate action.

34. Received. County Treasurer's Quarterly Investment Report: receive.

35. Received. Minutes: of the previous term of court; receive and approve.

36. Approved. Accounts Payable: if any, consider approval.

37. Approved. Ratified Accounts Payable: if any, consider approval.

38. Received. Payroll Reports: receive and ratify approval; if any.

39. No report. Jury Report: receive and ratify; if any.

40. No report. Courthouse/ Annex/Museum Expenditures/Maintenance/ Improvements: if any; consider approval or take appropriate action.

41. No report. Legislative Update.

42. Approved. Urban Engineering Task Order: consider approval of Task Order No. 2 for engineering services on Nessel Road in Precinct No. 1; take appropriate action.

43. Discussion of Commissioner Precinct Operations.

44. Public Announcements/ Comments.