Justice center contractor, project manager approved

The Grimes County Commissioners Court held a Regular Meeting Wednesday, Nov. 13. Among action taken was the approval of a contractor and a professional construction manager for the proposed Grimes County justice center.

PGAL architect Michael Lloyd presented a PowerPoint review of the center’s design, the bid tab, comparison projects and additional considerations. Those considerations included technology projects totaling $411,000, office furniture at $318,000 as well as landscaping and masonry. Furniture for the three courtrooms was included in the project estimate.

Discussion about desired design changes followed, such as the elimination of perimeter landscaping that could have unforeseen future maintenance requirements and expense. Other hot-button issues for some department heads and elected officials centered on PGAL’s choice of electric versus propane climate control and carpeting in high-traffic courtrooms.

Commissioners then approved awarding the construction bid to Collier Construction from Washington County. Of the seven bids received, Collier’s base bid of $10,330,000 plus $125,000 for the second driveway was low bid at $10,455,000 and $1,870,000 below PGAL’s project estimate.

The last item discussed was the services of a professional construction manager to act on behalf of the county regarding desired design changes and identifying potential cost reduction items. Commissioners approved an agreement with Vanir Construction Management, Inc. for $30,240 plus a reimbursable $2,000 allowance for travel and county authorized expenses.

Records, plat scanning approved

Commissioners approved a $117,058.34 contract with Data Preservation Solutions (DPS) for the scanning, indexing and preservation of county clerk records and authorized the county judge as signatory.

The request came from County Clerk Vanessa Burzynski and focuses on Grimes County marriage records as early as 1850 as well as newly acquired City of Navasota marriage records. Providing examples of the delicate records, Burzynski said she has 20 trays of hand-written marriage licenses in addition to 40 marriage books.

According to Burzynski, DPS will scan the licenses, chemically treat to retard erosion of the paper and place in acid-free sleeves in books. The scans will be available online and the books available to the public without handling the actual document.

In a second action, commissioners approved a proposal from Scott-Merriman, Inc. to scan plats as well as provide four plat storage cabinets for $37,800. Burzynski advised scanning will make the plats accessible online and reduce handling.

County approves

CDBG items

Commissioners approved an Interlocal Agreement with the Town of Anderson for Hurricane Harvey grant projects. Grimes County will provide labor and equipment to construct drainage and street improvements on behalf of the Town of Anderson for its Hurricane Harvey Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Relief (CDBG-DR) contract upon the award of a contract by the Texas General Land Office (GLO).

In another vote, commissioners approved the selection of HDR Engineering for design services for the county’s 2016 GLO-CDBG project. Road and Bridge Engineer Harry Walker reported the county received seven bids, and based on a rating sheet, opted to go with HDR Engineering.

Court adds two appraisal

candidates

Commissioners cast their votes for seven candidates to the Grimes Central Appraisal District (GCAD) board of directors. The taxing entity of Grimes County is entitled to 1,425 votes and cast 203 votes for each of the five incumbents, Charles Frede, Scot Nevill, Sam Ruffino, Kathleen Terrell and David Woehler. The remaining 410 votes were divided equally between Carol Garnet and Dianna Westmoreland, two additional names submitted by Judge Joe Fauth.

According to the GCAD, the votes will be tallied after the Dec. 14 deadline with the top five being elected for the 2020-2021 term.

Other court action:

•Approved consent agenda items that included the Treasurer’s list of claims and bills and payroll.

•Received the Grimes County third Quarter Investment Report.

•Recognized Sam Nobles for 30 years of service and Patrick Szymczak for 25 years of service.

•Received the introduction of Samuel E. Vaughan with Financial Northeastern Securities as a prospective investment broker/dealer in Grimes County.

•Certified and canvassed the returns for the Nov. 5, 2019, General Election and final tally of 2,210 voters.

•Approved the updated Salary Structure to include newly created positions, the Change of Status form and amended verbiage in the policy on vacation leave.

•Approved an Interlocal Agreement with Trinity County regarding housing of Trinity County prisoners in the Grimes County jail with the county judge as signatory.

•Approved the final payment in the amount of $79,866 to Journal Technologies for Justware software and terminating the contract effective 12-31-19.

•Approved a request by the Shiro VFD for an early second quarter payment to cover costs for 2020 insurance.

•Approved the addition of four Todd Mission VFD hand-held radios to the Grimes County 700/800 radio count.

•Following a Public Hearing held at 8:45 a.m., approved the replat of King Oaks subdivision, Section 1, Lots 143 and 144 to one lot totaling 4.203 acres and designated as Lot 143-R.

•Approved Road and Bridge’s request to trade in three 2008 Mack dump trucks that are being replaced.

•Approved waterline installation permits for Wick-son Creek SUD on CR 186 and on Roese Road.

•Approved an Interlocal Agreement with the Town of Anderson related to

•Received a Road and Bridge report on road maintenance, tree removal, culvert replacement, mowing, chip sealing and the removal of the old building from the Bedias dump site. Road and Bridge Engineer Harry Walker gave a brief update on construction of the new maintenance barn, 2015 GLO-CDBG CR 202 bridge replacement, and advised of plats in process and that revisions to the Subdivision Ordinance continues.

Burn ban:

The burn ban remains lifted.