REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 25, 2021  Be it remembered on the 25th day of January 2021 at 10:07 o'clock A.M., there was Begun and Holden a Regular Meeting of the Commissioner's Court in the Courthouse, in the town of Farwell, with the following members present,  To-wit:  Kirk Frye Charles Wilkins Casey Russell Trey Ellis Sharon May Susie Spring Kenny White  Commissioner Pct. #1 Commissioner Pct. #2 Commissioner Pct. #4 Judge County Treasurer County Clerk Commissioner Pct. #3  Absent:  When the following was had and done, To-wit:  Call to Order 1. Prayer  Commissioner Frye led the Court in prayer to begin the meeting.  2. Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag and the Texas Flag The Court pledged their allegiance to the flags of the United States of America and the State of Texas.  3. Open Forum for Public Comments  No members of the public were in attendance.  4. Consider Permanent School Fund Lease Extension with Basin Oil and Gas Following the meeting on November 23, 2020 where this lease was discussed, Carl Stroud returned with a proposal enabling Parmer County to have viewing rights to the seismic study. This was not acceptable to the Court. It was discussed that the County was receiving nothing for their extension of the lease with no payment for one year. Mr. Stroud explained that the study would be exclusive to his company and Parmer County but that the County would not receive an actual copy of the study. He stated the County could view the study at any time and could have an independent geologist view the study as well. Judge Ellis suggested that Mr. Stroud resubmit a proposal that allowed the County to receive the study should Basin Oil and Gas terminate the lease or  1    default on the lease. Upon motion by Frye to table this issue until the  next meeting, seconded by Russell, the motion passed.  5. Read and Approve Minutes of the Previous Meeting  Upon reading of the Minutes of the last meeting, on a motion by Wilkins, seconded by Frye to approve the Minutes of the Regular meeting on January 11, 2021 with the corrections suggested, the motion passed. 6. Consider Approval and Payment of the Accounts Payable - Sharon May Sharon May reported the Accounts Payable List for end of 2020 and January 2021. Checks were run January 14th and 25th for both budget years. Motion by Frye, seconded by Russell to approve payment of the Accounts Payables for 2020 as presented. Motion carried. See attached. Motion by Wilkins, seconded by Russell to approve payment of the 2021  invoices as presented. Motion carried. See attached.  7. Consider Treasurer's Report-Sharon May  Motion by Frye, seconded by Russell to approve the Treasurer's Payroll Report for January 15, 2021. Motion carried. See attached. The treasurer also presented the Quarterly Report for the period October 1,2020 through December 31, 2020 with the total of funds held to be $6,565,205.74. See attached. Upon motion by Russell, seconded by Wilkins to approve the Quarterly Report, the motion passed. See  attached.  8. Consider Part-Time Assistance in the Treasurer's Office  Judge Ellis said upon discussion with the Treasurer, it was decided by both that additional help was needed in the office to help with end of year and budget issues. He stated this was not budgeted, but he felt we would have the money we needed to fund this position from other areas of the budget. Upon motion by Wilkins to accept this recommendation to hire part-time assistance, seconded by Frye, the motion passed.  9. Consider Purchase of Road Grader for Use in Precinct #1  Commissioner Frye discussed his intention to purchase a new road grader. He stated it would be a trade in and asked Devin Cornell from Warren Cat to present the quote. With trade in, the cost to the County is  $127,600.00.  2    Upon motion by Russell to approve the purchase, seconded by Frye, the  motion passed. See attached. 10. Consider COVID Leave Policy  Discussion was held in regard to employees that were forced to quarantine due to a household member testing positive for COVID or for reasons of exposure. Also considered were employees that tested positive themselves. The general consensus was for this to be a quarterly policy, reviewable every quarter. The offer was for 80 hours of administrative leave per year. Also agreed upon was that if the Federal Government developed a requirement for this, the Parmer County policy would be void and the federal policy would take effect. Also, to require that the person receiving the COVID administrative leave have proof of positive test or Physician's letter. To qualify for the leave the employee must also have received a vaccination ifit has been offered to the employee's age group. Sharon May developed a policy representing the above. See attached. On a motion by Frye, seconded by Russell to approve the COVID policy,  the motion passed. See attached. 11. Consider Bond for Tax Assessor-Collector  Judge Ellis presented the bond for Awyna Sanchez. Upon motion from Frye to approve the bond, seconded by Wilkins, the motion passed.  12. Consider Resignation of Andria Griswold  Andria, who had been taking care of the Courthouse grounds has submitted her resignation effective February 26, 2021. Upon motion by Frye, seconded by Russell to accept the resignation, the motion passed. 13. Consider Lease for. JP #1 Office, DPS Office and Sheriff's office in Friona The lease renewal is for one year between Sea Scrolls, LLC and the County. The fee has not increased and remains at $850.00 per month. Upon motion by Judge Ellis to approve the lease, seconded by Frye, the  motion passed.  14. Consider Continuing Education Hours for the District Clerk  Upon presentation of the District Clerk's hours, upon motion by Frye to approve the hours, seconded by Russell. The motion passed. See  attached.  3    15. Consider Water Line Under County Road  This issue was referred for the next meeting as the paperwork was  unavailable for this meeting.  16. Consider Request from Bovina ISD for Permanent School Fund  Bovina ISD has requested $ 116,290.88. having submitted the appropriate invoices, upon motion by Wilkins to approve the request. Seconded by Russell, the motion carried. See attached.  17. Consider Contract with Plateau for PRI  Judge Ellis presented this contract for services from Plateau for equipment needed for upgrading the phone system. Cost is $392.00 per month. Upon motion by Judge Ellis to approve this contract, seconded  by Frye, the motion passed. See attached.  18. Consider Any and All Matters Concerning the Parmer County Law  Enforcement Center.  Sheriff Geries presented a proposal from Pop's Lawn Service for installation of a chain link fence surrounding the new emergency generator. This will include a 6 foot fence with barbed wire on the top and a door for access. They will also place gravel surrounding the generator sO there will be no need to maintain grass. This will involve the relocation of some sprinkler heads. Total cost is $4,696.00. Judge Ellis stated that this cost would be covered by the Courthouse Security Fund. Upon motion by Judge Ellis to approve the project, seconded by Frye, the Sheriff Geries reported 20 inmates as of today. He indicated that he is in talks with Deaf Smith County to house some of their inmates. He also reported on the status of the negative flow cell that was going to be paid using COVID grant money. The projected cost is much higher than anticipated. The estimate is $45,262.00 and that does not include the $10,000.00 architect fee. He is continuing to review this project and  motion passed.  will make further reports to the Commissioners.  4    With no further business to come before the court, Commissioner Frye moved to adjourn. Commissioner Russell seconded and adjournment was called at  12:43 o'clock P.M.  AESIONERS  County B553  EER  6  COUNT