A regular meeting of the Commissioners' Court of Brazos County, Texas was held in the Brazos County Commissioners Courtroom in the Administration Building, 200 South Texas Avenue, in Bryan, Brazos County, Texas, beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 28, 2022 with the following members of the Court present:

Duane Peters, County Judge, Presiding;

Steve Aldrich, Commissioner of Precinct 1;

Russ Ford, Commissioner of Precinct 2;

Nancy Berry, Commissioner of Precinct 3;

Irma Cauley, Commissioner of Precinct 4;

Karen McQueen, County Clerk.

The attached sheets contain the names of the citizens and officials that were in attendance.

• U.S. and Texas Flag – Commissioner Berry

Scott Hestor discussed the striping on Dilly Shaw Tap Road. Mr. Hestor stated that it is a flat road with a double stripe and should instead be a single stripe that allows for passing. He asked that the Court look into the issue. Judge Peters suggested that Mr. Hestor reach out to the Road and Bridge Department to look into it. 

Roy Flores expressed concern over polling locations and made the suggestion that the Court consider utilizing school gymnasiums instead of the current selected locations. 

Financial Fitness Director Jay Meador gave his input on the proposed 7.5% COLA. Mr. Meador stated it is critical that employees making $40,000 per year or less receive this COLA in order to make ends meet. He then made a recommendation that the Court consider capping the raise at $3,000 per employee instead of 7.5% across the board. 

Resolution 22-012 authorizing the use of an electronic signature of County Judge Duane Peters, Chief Elected Officer (CEO) for the County's contract with Justice Benefits, Inc., for the federal Alien Assistance Program and delegating authority to use the electronic signature to the Brazos County Auditor.

Approval to cancel the Regular Meeting for Commissioners Court on Tuesday, July 12, 2022 due to lack of a quorum.

Consider and take action to set the early voting locations and hours for the November 2022 General Election.

Commissioner Ford made a motion to approve the early voting locations with an amendment to include North Zion Church on the list. Judge Peters is not supportive of closing the Arena Hall location to add North Zion Church. Commissioner Ford then made a suggestion to add a location in each precinct. Commissioner Cauley then raised concern over the early voting hours stating, only opening 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM in the first week of early voting is disenfranchising the working class citizens. The Court entered into discussion on the pros and cons of extending early voting hours and adding locations. Judge Peters invited the public to speak on the matter.

Elizabeth Cunha made the recommendation to reopen the MSC as a polling location. Ms. Cunha reported there is free parking available on election day and believes this is a more feasible options to allow students to vote as opposed to City Hall. 

Democratic Party Chairman Amy Alge reiterated her point from last week that the new Party Chairs were unaware it was their responsibility to set voting locations and ultimately placed the blame on the Commissioners Court. Ms. Alge is also in favor of reopening the MSC. 

Roy Flores requested that whatever hours the Commissioners Court set for early voting, that it remain consistent. Mr. Flores believes consistency is key in voter turnout. 

Republican Party Chariman Elianor Vessali stated that she was never asked to select location however, she intends to assert her authority moving forward. Ms. Vessali supports the reopening of the MSC as a voting location. 

Commissioner Ford amended his motion to include extension of the early voting hours from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM in consideration of Commissioner Cauley's concerns. Commissioner Cauley seconded the motion. Elections Administrator Trudy Hancock advised of the issues her office will run into if the Court chooses to add hours and polling locations such as, not having enough workers and security concerns. Commissioner Ford ultimately decided to withdraw his motion and Commissioner Cauley withdrew her second, with the intent of tabling the item for further review upon Ms. Hancock's request.  Commissioner Berry made a motion to table the item and was seconded by Commissioner Cauley. The Court voted unanimously to table the item.

Consider and take action to set the election day vote center locations for the November 2022 General Election.

Approval of the following Amended Travel Policy effective July 1, 2022:

• a. Mileage $.625

A copy of the renewal of contract is attached.

A copy of the renewal of contract is attached.

A copy of the renewal of contract is attached.

Approval of the following committee for the evaluation of proposals for RFQ #22-124 Professional Services - Architect.

• a. Ernest Stutts
• b. William (Bill) Hadley
• c. Ed Bull
• d. Purchasing (Non-Voting)
• e. Legal (Non-Voting)

A copy of the service contract is attached.

A copy of the service contract is attached.

The Court voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the Purchasing Agent and awarded RFP #CIP 22-638 Peach Creek Cutoff Road Reconstruction to Larry Young Paving, Inc. A copy of the contract and bid tabulation is attached.

• Budget Amendments FY 21/22 37.1 – 37.4

37.1 Reallocate funds for Constable, Precinct 2. 

37.2 Transfer Contingency funds to County Judge. 

37.3 Transfer Contingency funds to Juvenile. 

37.4 Transfer funds from Facilities Services to Juvenile. 

• a. Employment & Separations

• b. Personnel Action Forms

A copy of the Personnel Change of Status requests is attached.

8115952 – 8116079

9005195 – 9005240 

Convene into Executive Session pursuant to the following:

• a. Texas Government Code §551.0725 to deliberate business and financial issues related to a contract being negotiated.
• b. Texas Government Code §551.0745 to deliberate about a County Advisory Body.

At this point, the County Judge announced the Court would consider items 26 through 31 and then return to convene into Executive Session.

Having considered the previously noted agenda items, Civil Counsel Ed Bull submitted a written determination that deliberation in an open meeting would have a detrimental effect on the position of the Court in negotiations with a third party.  A motion was offered by Commissioner Berry to meet in closed Executive Session as per Mr. Bull's recommendation on Executive Session (a).  The motion was seconded by Commissioner Cauley and motion passed unanimously.  At 11:22 a.m. the County Judge announced the meeting closed to the public, so the Court could convene into Executive Session as stated above.  The following individuals were asked to stay for the sessions:

Cheryl Coffman, Executive Assistant

Ed Bull, Chief of Staff/Civil Counsel

Bruce Erratt, Civil Counsel

Kimberly Roach, Intergovernmental Liaison

At 11:53 a.m. the County Judge announced the meeting open to the public and announced that no action would be taken on the Closed Executive Sessions.

The Court acknowledged receipt of the 2021-2022 Budget to Actuals by Fund as of June 22, 2022.

Acknowledgement of monthly reports submitted in June 2022.

The Court acknowledged receipt of the Extension Service reports submitted in June 2022 and acknowledged receipt of reports from the following County and Precinct Offices showing revenues collected and remitted to the County Treasurer:

County Clerk

County Court at Law 2

Constable Precinct 2

Veterans Services

Juvenile Director Linda Ricketson reported there are 41 juveniles in the detention center, 35 are male and 6 are female, and 33 have electronic monitors.

Sheriff’s report on inmate population.

Purchasing Director Charles Wendt introduced his newest staff member, Josue Loyola.  

Commissioner Cauley made two announcements. First, she stated that she was invited to speak at First Presbyterian Church regarding their Salute to Community Service event. Second, she encouraged citizens to submit a form for any veterans they know, to have their names added to the Wall of Honor in Veterans Park. 

Michael Southerland echoed Commissioner Cauley's recommendation to make sure Veterans are represented on the Wall of Honor. He then followed up on the discussion regarding polling locations. Mr. Southerland requested that the Parties do their part in recruiting election workers to work the polling locations. He suggested increasing pay if that would entice more workers. Mr. Southerland stated his opinion that the Court is not following through in putting polling locations in the highest concentrated areas of the County. He asked that the Court make this a high priority. 

Democratic Party Chairman Amy Alge disagreed with Mr. Southerland in that she doesn't believe it is about highly concentrated areas so much as creating more accessible polling locations for people that can not afford to drive very far. She is not in favor of more polling locations in South College Station.