REGULAR MEETING OCTOBER 26, 2020  Be it remembered on the 26th day of October 2020 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 Kenny White Charles Wilkins Casey Russell Trey Ellis Sharon May Susie Spring  Commissioner Pct. #1 Commissioner Pct. #3 Commissioner Pct. #2 Commissioner Pct. #4 Judge County Treasurer County Clerk Cargill Friona Mayor Cargill Friona EMS TXDOT State Line Tribune TXDOT Sheriff  Also present:  Casey Conrad Ricky White Katie Smith Nikolas Baucom Kylan Francis Rob Pomper Steve Perez Randy Geries  When the following was had and done, To-wit:  Call to Order 1. Prayer  Judge Ellis 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 audience had any comments at this time.  4. Consider Overpass at Cargill  Judge Ellis had everyone introduce themselves. Casey Conrad stated the history of accidents at the Cargill intersection to include 40 accidents since 2010 with 4 fatalities on scene. He stated this was a time to make  1    safety improvements for the citizens of the county and the employees of Mayor White discussed the public and private partnership that the City of Friona had with Cargill and thanked them for their past support for the City of Friona. He stated Cargill had contributed 1.2 million to United Way in the past 20 years through employee contributions. He stated that an earlier study showed that 6000 vehicles drive by Cargill daily. Along with trucks turning and trains running through the Cargill entrance, it causes a great deal of congestion. He stated that the City of Nikolas Baucom stated that an earlier study also showed the average speed driving by the plant entrance was 91 MPH and the result of that speed on the severity of any collisions at that intersection. Sheriff Geries agreed that speed was a real problem along with the ever increasing number of trains. He expressed his support for Cargill and the Rob Pomper reminded the group that the railroad is adding a third line Kylan Francis explained the current design proposed for the overpass and buying the right of way for 21 acres. She then explained that the agreement with the local government includes a payment of 10% of the cost of the project from the county. This comes to the sum of $75,600.00. Casey Conrad stated that Cargill did not want the county to have to provide money that was not funded in their budget and presented the The Commissioners then discussed the approval of the project. Commissioner Wilkins expressed his opposition due to the fact that a county road would be closed and local traffic would have to detour  Cargill.  Friona supports the overpass.  overpass.  and that would make the situation even worse.  county with a check to cover the county's 10%.  around that closing causing a hardship for them.  After further discussion, Commissioner Frye made the motion to approve the overpass at US 60 and CR 15 to alleviate the dangerous traffic situation at the Cargill entrance. Commissioner White seconded and the motion passed on a 4 to 1 vote with Commissioner Wilkins opposing. TXDOT then presented a resolution for the county participation in the project. Upon a motion to approve the resolution by Judge Ellis and a  second by Frye, the motion passed unanimously.  2    5. Read and Approve Minutes of the Previous Meeting  Upon reading of the Minutes of the last meeting, on a motion by Frye, seconded by Wilkins to approve the Minutes of the Regular meeting on October 13, 2020 with changes noted to the minutes, the motion passed. 6. Consider Approval and Payment of the Accounts Payable - Sharon May  Sharon May reported the Accounts Payable List for October 21st and 26th 2020. Motion by Russell, seconded by White to approve payment of the Accounts Payables as presented. Motion carried. See attached.  7. Consider Treasurer's Report-Sharon May  Motion by Frye, seconded by Wilkins to approve the Treasurer's Payroll Report for October 15, 2020. Motion carried. See attached. The Treasurer also presented a renewal agreement with NetData Hosting & Service Level Agreement. See attached. Upon motion by Judge Ellis, seconded by Frye to approve the agreement, the motion passed. The Treasurer also presented Contingency Fund Transfers. This transfer isin the budget for this year. Upon motion to approve the transfers by The Treasurer also asked that the District Attorney Forfeiture Report be approved. Upon motion for approval from Russell, seconded by Frye, the The Treasurer presented the Quarterly Report for approval. See attached. Upon motion by White to approve the report, seconded by Russell, the  White, seconded by Frye, the motion passed.  motion passed.  motion passed.  8. Consider Indigent Defense Grant Resolution  This resolution allows Parmer County to apply for funds from the Texas Indigent Defense Commission. The motion to approve this resolution was  made by Frye, seconded by Wilkins. Motion passed.  9. Consider Conservation Work in Precinct #1  Commissioner Frye stated that he is proposing work on private land to correct a water flow issue to keep the water flow off the county road. Upon motion by White seconded by Wilkins to allow the work on  Eugene Bandy's land, the motion passed.  3    10. Consider Any and All Matters Concerning the Parmer County Law  Enforcement Center  Sheriff Geries presented metal detector that also screens for temperature, thus making it a COVID screening device. This falls under the grant money from the CARES act. Judge Ellis made a motion to buy two metal detectors, one for the courthouse and one for the jail. Commissioner Frye He reported 23 inmates at the present time. He stated that he is working with Judge Green to prepare for jury trials following all the COVID He reported that the camera purchase for the jail that was approved at the last meeting is being reevaluated for a better pricing option. The Sheriff's Department is hosting Trunk or Treat in Friona and  seconded and the motion passed.  guidelines.  participating in Lazbuddie's Red Ribbon week.  Judge Ellis reported that the COVID Cares Act money given to us by the City of Farwell will be used to pay for the salary of all the first responders and jail employees for the time frame of March 1 through December 30 of  this year.  With no further business to come before the court, Commissioner White moved to adjourn. Commissioner Frye seconded and adjournment was called at 12:30  o'clock P.M.  County Clerk SiSa   County'Judge  6