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, September 20, 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.

• Invocation - Judge Peters
• U.S. Flag - Dr. Leonora Owre
• Texas Flag - Mrs. Faye Hartfiel

Roy Flores urged the public not to vote on Proposition B regarding the upcoming Road Bond Election. Mr. Flores stated his belief that this would lead to toll roads in Brazos County, to which he is opposed. 

John Nix expressed concern over traffic safety issues on State Highway 6. Mr. Nix asked for a larger law enforcement presence on that roadway. 

Janet Dudding requested that the Court reconsider reinstating the Memorial Student Center (MSC) as an early voting location in order to prevent potential disenfranchisement of the student population. 

Fran Thielman also requested that the Court consider reinstating the MSC as an early voting location. Ms. Thielman noted concerns over transportation feasibility and the Court not caring about the students' voices in regards to elections. 

Timothy Delasandro spoke against Proposition B. Mr. Delasandro disagrees with the need for an additional $10 fee for vehicle registrations. 

Michael Alvard asked that the MSC be reinstated as an early voting location. He stated that having a convenient location for students to vote encourages young people to partake in the political process. 

Sabrina Wren also spoke in favor of the MSC being reinstated as an early voting location noting time and transportation issues. 

Ciara Anderson discussed reinstating the MSC again, citing issues such as transportation, parking and time. 

Zach Spanhak requested that the MSC be reinstated as an early voting location for the November 2022 election due to the potential disenfranchisement of numerous voters. 

Judy LeUnes then clarified that the remaining speakers could discuss concerns over the MSC during agenda item number 8. 

• a.  Presentation pertaining to Veterans Court by Lonny Masterson, Patrick Baca and Tiffany Love.

• b.  Presentation and discussion of COVID-19 by Dr. Yao Akpalu of the Brazos County Health Department.

Dr. Yao Akpalu gave an update on the current COVID-19 status in Brazos County. Dr. Akpalu stated that the situation has improved considerably and is on a downward trend with only 40 to 50 confirmed cases daily from an average of 80 to 90 cases daily in June. He encouraged the community to continue receiving vaccines and boosters. 

Commissioner Cauley raised concerns over a lack of free COVID-19 testing locations. She questioned why the Health Department is not providing testing and vaccinations as a service to the community. Health District Director Santos Navarrette explained that the Health District lab is not certified to perform the high level testing required for COVID-19 tests however, they are looking into what resources are needed to become a high complexity lab. A copy of the presentation is attached. 

Approval of Order dividing Election Precinct 54 and combining with Election Precinct 59 due to Bryan ISD redistricting.

Kristina Samuel asked the Court to reinstate the MSC in the November 2022 election. Ms. Samuel stated that it is not too late to change the location for the upcoming election. 

Ishikah Shah asked that the MSC be reinstated as an early voting lcoation due to the large population of students that utilize it. 

Bianca Avery urged the Court to reinstate the MSC. Ms. Avery stated that she believes the Court views student voters separately than resident voters. 

Tre Watson asked that the MSC be reinstated, as it is a historic location. Mr. Watson stated that the removal of the MSC as an early voting location is voter suppression. 

Mike Southerland supported the Texas A&M University students in advocating for the reinstatement of the MSC. He stated that the Court should strive to take care of the students. 

Judy LeUnes spoke in favor of reinstating the MSC. She stated that it will cause young voters to be suppressed. 

Jackson Bailey addressed the Court about reinstating the MSC. Mr. Bailey feels that it will be challenge for students to find time to vote off-campus. 

County Clerk Karen McQueen informed the Court and citizens in attendance that it would be an issue to redo the military ballots due to upcoming deadlines. Elections Coordinator Krystal Ocon concurred with Ms. McQueen and stated that due to the upcoming deadlines, it is not possible to change the location for the November 2022 election. Further discussion occurred between the Court and citizens. 

Commissioner Berry then expressed regret over the decision to remove the MSC as an early voting location  but stated that it was too late to make any changes for the November 2022 election. She spoke in favor of reinstating the MSC in 2023.

No action was taken. 

Approval of the following Job Description:

• a.  Manager (Landscaping) 2080 hours (Class Code B0750)

A copy of the job description is attached.

Approval requested from Constable Pct. 3 to apply for the Bullet-Resistant Shield Grant.

Approval requested from the Sheriff's Office to accept the TXDOT, FY 23, Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) Grant.

Requesting approval for the following contracts - SAVNS:

• a. Service Agreement Contract C-00020 with Appriss - FY 2023 SAVNS Grant Contract
• b. Contract 20222344900-319-01 for FY 2023 - Participating Entity Services
  Agreement For The Statewide Automated Victim Notification Service (SAVNS)

A copy of the service contracts are attached.

A copy of the renewal of contract is attached.

Request approval from Juvenile Services Department to grant an exception to Section 1.05 - Policy on Nepotism.

Approval of the following Community Support Contracts for FY 2023:

• a.  Aggieland Humane Society, Inc.
• b.  Amber Alert Network, Brazos Valley
• c.  Brazos County Historical Commission
• d.  Brazos County Precinct 3 Volunteer Fire Department, Inc.
• e.  Brazos County Precinct 4 Volunteer Fire Department, Inc.
• f.   Brazos Valley Council of Governments - Indigent Health
• g.  Easter Seals Greater Houston
• h.  Health For All, Inc.
• i.  Junction Five-O-Five
• j.   Keep Brazos Beautiful, Inc.
• k.  Mental Health Mental Retardation Authority of the Brazos Valley
• l.   North Bryan Community Center
• m. Brazos Valley Veterans Memorial

A copy of the surplus property is attached.

A copy of the service contract is attached.

A copy of the contract is attached.

Approval of the Final Plat of Southern Pointe Subdivision Sections 115 & 401; 20.48 Acres, Sterrett D. Smith League Survey, A-210; City of College Station ETJ, Brazos County, Texas. Site is located in Precinct 1.

Overpayments

• a.  Micah J & Heather K Green - $50.00 (9/13 agenda)

• b.  Keys & Walsh Construction - $2,506.34

• c.  Conlee Construction, LLC - $500.00

• a.  Budget Amendments FY 21/22  47.01 - 47.02

47.01 Transfer Contingency funds to Sheriff's Office Jail Administration. 

47.02 Transfer Contingency funds to Court Support. 

• b.  Budget Amendments FY 21/22  48.01 - 48.02

48.01 Reallocate funds for District Attorney. 

48.02 Reallocate funds for Metropolitan Planning Organization. 

• a.  Personnel Action Forms (9/13 agenda)

• b.  Employment & Separations (9/13 agenda)

• c.  Employment & Separations

• d.  Personnel Action Forms

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

8117488 - 8117789

9005741 - 9005849

Convene into Executive Session pursuant to Texas Government Code §551.0725 to deliberate business and financial issues related to two (2) different contracts being negotiated.

At this point, the County Judge announced the Court would consider items 41 through 47 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 Cauley to meet in closed Executive Session as per Mr. Bull's recommendation.  The motion was seconded by Commissioner Berry and motion passed unanimously.  At 12:09 p.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 session:

Cheryl Coffman, Executive Assistant

Ed Bull, Chief of Staff/Civil Counsel

Bruce Erratt, Civil Counsel

Katie Conner, County Auditor

Nina Payne, Budget Analyst

Prarthana Banerji, County Engineer

Kimberly Roach, Intergovernmental Liasion

At 12:43 p.m. the County Judge announced the meeting open to the public and announced that no action would be taken on the Closed Executive Session.

The Court acknowledged receipt of the Investment Report for quarter ending June 30, 2022. A copy of which is attached to and made a part of these minutes.

The Court acknowledged receipt of the 2021-2022 Budget to Actuals by Fund as of September 14, 2022. 

Juvenile director’s report on detention population.

Juvenile Director Linda Ricketson reported there are 49 juveniles in the detention center, 38 are male and 11 are female, and 23 have electronic monitors. 

Sheriff’s report on inmate population.