News and notes for public meetings Feb. 10-12

Gonzales County Commissioners Court Feb. 10

• Sheriff Matthew Atkinson told the court the A/C unit one of his patrol vehicles failed.
• Tax Assessor-Collector Crystal Cedillo mentioned her office will be closed for training
• Commissioner Donnie Brzozowski updated the court on the Justice of the Peace Pct. 3 annex building construction.
• County Judge Pat Davis said the Hurricane Harvey grant money from the Texas General Land Office will be allocated toward building a radio tower near the Nixon area and two new generators.
• Minutes from the Jan. 27 meeting were approved.
• Monthly reports from Constable Pct. 1, 3 and 4 were received.
• The county auditor’s monthly report was received.
• The tax assessor-collector’s monthly report was accepted.
• The treasurer’s monthly report and a fulfilled requirements affidavit was accepted.
• County Treasurer Sheryl Barborak also shared the county’s interest earned for calendar years ending 2017, 2018 and 2019. 

• The payment of elected officials’ salaries for fiscal year 2020 was accepted.
• The court approved deputation for Michael Moyers, deputy sheriff.
• The court approved the donation of two surplus light bars with ancillary equipment to the Nixon Volunteer Fire Department.
• The court approved the purchase of a used, 2002 custom flatbed trailer in the amount of $4,000. The court also approved a budget amendment to complete the purchase.
• The court approved the selling of a long list of items from the Gonzales County Sheriff’s Office deemed surplus on Gov Deals. The court also approved the destruction of the items that do not sell.
• The court will retain the services of Allison, Bass and Magee L.L.P. for forthcoming precinct redistricting.
• Bills were read and approved.

Nixon City Council Feb. 10

• The fire and police chief reports were read.
• Minutes from the Jan. 13 meeting were approved and signed by each present alder member. Alderman Mark Soto abstained from the vote and signing due to previous absence.
• City Administrator Harold Rice was permitted to handle the financing negotiations between the Nixon Volunteer Fire Department and the creditor for a new brush truck.
• After deliberating in executive session, the council approved Fire Chief Mark Mendez’s request for a stipend for his clerical staff and assistant fire chief. No other actions were taken following executive session.
• Financial statements and unpaid bills were accepted.
• The council officially called the local general election for May 2, 2020. On the ballot are the mayoral position and two council seats.
• The city adopted a resolution to use the county’s election system and software. The council also approved the May election budget for supplies and payment of election judges.
• The city will reimburse both the Nixon Little League and the group of Rudy Martinez and Robert Andrade $800 each for labor conducted on the concession stand rebuild at the Little League park. The council previously approved the $1,600 for the project, but the check was made out to R&R Masonry. According to City Secretary Deborah Bustamente, R&R Masonry does not exist.
• Also discovered by Bustamente, the city has funds in a financial account with the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston that have not been accessed in several mayoral administrations. To check the account balance, signatures from alder members were needed. So, the needed signatures were accepted by council, and the forms were signed.
• Rice said he hopes to have the splash pad equipment set up in the next four weeks.
• An 18 ft. Christmas tree was ordered by Rice for the city.

Gonzales ISD School Board Feb. 11

• Public comment on the fairness of the dress code and its implementation was addressed to the board
• Minutes of the Jan. 13, 2020 meeting as well as budget amendments were approved.
• The board approved and adopted the new and required election system and software.
• School board also unanimously approved the EIE Local Policy
• The financial report, racial profile report and campus reporters were all presented to the board.

Waelder City Council Feb. 11

• No public comments were given.
• After consulting with BEFCO Engineer Bradley Loehr, the council opted to not move forward with a proposal from Advanced Water Well Technologies to repair water well 4. The city will instead look into building a new water well.
• The Waelder Police Department’s monthly report and the agency’s racial profiling information statistics were received.
• The council tabled a discussion on a potential solar energy ordinance to investigate the matter further.
• The council moved to procure administration and engineers for future hurricane preparedness grants.
• A ground lease between the city of Waelder and Jesus Reyna was accepted. The lease is a five-year agreement.
• Discussions on an interlocal agreement between the city of Waelder and Waelder Independent School District for a school resource officer were tabled to investigate the matter further. The city will look into holding a joint meeting with the school district on the officer.
• All the renaming proposals presented by resident Eulogio Melchor were tabled. The council will revisit the proposals at a later meeting.
• The council officially called the local general election for May 2, 2020. On the ballot are the mayoral position and two council seats.
• Early voting clerks for the May 2 election have been approved.
• The council approved the bid process for the purchase of a bucket truck.
• Discussions of the selection of new playground equipment and the placement of it were tabled.