Good morning, everyone. It is 10.30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 15th. Happy tax day to everybody. 25th. We'll call this meeting of the Jefferson County Commissioner's Court to order and we'll begin our meeting today with an invocation today led by Commissioner Erickson, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Commissioner Senegality Field led to rise. He'd bow your heads, John Mimper. Heavenly Father, we thank you for another glorious day in your kingdom. This beautiful creation that you've given us help us to be good stewards of the environment that you've given to us. Father, today we ask a special blessing on our county employees. It is County Government Month, and we just thank you for the wonderful people that you've supplied to serve the citizens of Jefferson County. We are lucky to have a great workforce and we ask you to continue blessing on all who work for Jefferson County. We also ask you to bless you on our nation, our state and our county and all the elected leaders, people that you've placed in the positions, give them wisdom, guidance and the ability to discern what is right. Father, we ask all these things in your son's name. Amen. Please join me, a pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God in the middle of the Indian justice world. All right, we're going to begin our agenda a little bit out of order today. And we will start under human resources with, how to may is the presentation of 2024 employee excellence award. Oh, yeah, we're going to. Yeah, they're going to have to wait while we'll take public comment. So any individual president in the courtroom who wishes to make comment on any item on today's agenda, you may approach the lecture and if you're attending remotely, you may press star six to unmute your line. Those are the time the public comment is open. Here we're moving on to item's under human resources. The out of May is the presentation of 2024 Employee Excellence Award and not a bid to consider impossible to approve a resolution for the 2024 Employee Excellence Award winner. Do I have a motion on those two? I have. Some moves. Been moved and seconded by Commissioner Jarekson that Senegal in each discussion. All in favor say aye. Any opposed? The ayes have it unanimously and I will turn it over to Ms. Rosellas. Thank you Judge and commissioners for this opportunity. We really appreciate being able to continue this wonderful tradition for employee excellence awards. As Commissioner Erickson mentioned, and for those who are not aware, April is National County Government Month, so it's a great time to recognize all of our county employees who do such a wonderful job for us every day and for the citizens of Jefferson County. Before I announce the winners, I'd like to recognize the judges who had the very difficult decision of narrowing down the nominees down to three finalists and then selecting the winner. With busy schedules it can be difficult to find judges who want to participate and take times out of their busy schedules. But this panel was very appreciative of the opportunity and the time that they spent together. So we appreciate their participation. If you would please stand once I call your name if they're here. I'm see. We have Samantha Rito. Russ. participation. If you would please stand once I call your name if they're here. We have Samantha Rito, Russell Wright, Angela Caraway, Derrick Copes and Mercedes-Wattler. Thank you all guys. If you all are here, thank you for your participation. Thank you. Also just a very quick thank you and shout out to McKinnever from our office who does such a wonderful job of coordinating this event from the very beginning. And thank you to Brandy and Kelsey who are also with us. They'll be helping out passing cakes. It's really a team effort. Now it is with great pleasure. Please, this is all over. Y'all go help yourself in refreshments, because we don't want it to left over in my house. OK. Now it is with great pleasure that I introduce to you the winners of the 2024 Employee Excellence Awards. Our second finalist and the winner of a $300 award and certificate is Tammy Reagan, account clerk for the County Tax Assessor Office. Tammy has been with the county for four years and was nominated because she exhibits reliability, leadership, and she's a team player. Her dedication to her job is clear in how she strives to create a positive interaction with each taxpayer she serves. Tammy's peers say that she is devoted to providing the highest standard of moral, ethical, and professional excellence, setting a great example for her peers. Tammy is always willing to help out her fellow co-workers and shows compassion and respect for all those she interacts with. Tammy exemplifies wonderful characteristics of a Jefferson County employee. Congratulations, Tammy. The first finalist and the winner of a $350 award and a certificate is Victoria Schultz. Media and grants coordinator for the Ben J. Rogers Regional Visitor Center. Victoria has been with the county for over five years and was nominated due to her positive attitude, strong work ethic, and her ability to multitask and problem solve. Victoria has dedicated a majority of the last two years to building a new website for the Visitor Center. She went above and beyond in demonstrating technical skills, creativity, and a great attention to detail. Victoria is an exceptional representation of the Visitor Center and always strives to foster positive interactions with citizens, co co-workers and Jefferson County visitors. Victoria exemplifies many great characteristics as a Jefferson County employee. Congratulations, Victoria. And finally, our winner for the 2024 Employee Excellence Awards. who receives a $700 award, his name on a plaque to be displayed by the County Clerk's Office, and a certificate goes to an employee who has dedicated four years of service to Jefferson County. I would like to introduce to you the 2024 Employee Excellence Award winner, Kenneth Shepherd, superintendent of building maintenance for parks. Kenneth demonstrates a strong work ethic and puts forth extra effort to help others. Kenneth is praised by his peers for his high level of professionalism, his commitment to his team, and departments that depend on him, and his unwavering dedication to ensuring that the job is always done with the highest level of attention to ensure accuracy. Kenneth goes above and beyond prioritizing quality of building maintenance and mindful safety of others. Kenneth consistently shows up every day for the citizens and employees of Jefferson County. He leads with humility, never seeking attention or praise, but always crediting his team on the job well done. The characteristics that Kenneth exhibits are truly a great example for all Jefferson County employees. Congratulations, sir. I just took a picture and this is going to take a nice picture of the show to me. I'll be here thank the President. I just want to thank the President. I just want to thank the President. I just want to thank the President. I just want to thank the President. I just want to thank the President. I just want to thank the President. I just want to thank the President. I just want to thank the President. I just want to thank the President. I just want to thank the President. I just want to thank the President. They have remembered that a meeting of the Jefferson County Commissioner's Court held on April 15th, 2025, based on motions made by the commissioners. The commissioners court of Jefferson Candidate here had established the Employee Excellence Award as of December 4th, 1995. And where has Kenneth Shepherd, Superintendent of Building Maintenance for the Port Author Maintenance Department, have been selected, the employer of Jeff and County who meets all the criteria for this award and who best demonstrates the highest standards of leadership, productivity and work ethic. And whereas each quality is shown by as four years of dedication to Jefferson County is overall professionalism and compassion for others, which promotes a great example and a great deal of confidence with everyone with whom he shares his knowledge. Now therefore the Commission is called Objection County and regular meeting to the held and acting in capacity as a governing body of Objection County. The nearby present the 2024 Objection County Employee Elections Excellence Award to Kenneth Shepherd and praises him for dedicated service service to the citizens and employees of Jefferson County. And we will have this frame for you. I want to give thanks to all you commissioners, especially commissionersegal for allowing me to bring the service in his name. Great leader, great person. And I just want to give honor to God as well. And I want to thank you to everybody here. Appreciate you all. Thank you so much. Thanks. Thank you. And again, as Judge mentioned, we would like to invite everyone out into the lobby for cake and punch if you'd like. Thank you. Thank you very much, Renee. This is quick, Judge. I want to say thank you to the people that elected here, but I did not vote for him. We've been friends for 50 years, almost brothers for 50 years, 43 years with Paul Calumber and he begged him to come and work for the county cause. I knew his work that ethics and I knew what type of lady he is in the community. He gives 90% of his time to his grandkids and other parts of boxing training kids and learn how to box. Well, let me say 5% to the county. So yeah, it all lit up, it was 100%. But congratulations, Chef. And we had some of our staff here from Precinct 3's Police Stand. Yeah. Yeah. And with newborns grandbaby I just walked away great-grandbaby. Wow. You should introduce your family. They did come out the ones that's here. That's his number if you don't mind. No. absolutely. He thinks he's 13 but he got great grand kids. I want to thank each and every staff member from Precinct III that made it possible for me to be up here. I also want to thank my family. It's right here, my sister, my granddaughter, my lovely great-great-grandma. And it's a pleasure to receive this award. And my staff made this possible with the leadership of Commissioner Senegal. It does a great job. Like I said, I'm just jawful. Thank you, thank you. Thank you, Coach. I'm what you're paying for sale. I'm just hopeful. I'm hopeful. Judge, I do want to say that we established this, the court and its established this in 1995 and I believe that's what you read. You know, for 30 years now then we've been doing this and there have been some truly excellent employees that have been honored with this award over the years and we truly are blessed to have the employees we do working for Jefferson County. I would add this only one thing and most important, the citizens of Jefferson County, you have some gyms that work for you, diamond and rough, but we have some excellent employees all around and we as a court really thank everything and thank you for everything you do for this county because this county is noted for your works. Thank you thank you all for being here. Now we're turning the item under purchasing we have a very short agenda this week. I don't know. It's considering approved specifications for invitations for bed. Yeah, shut down the other better than until all the cases come. Specifications for invitations for bid for contracted heavy equipment operator and Sawyer for Defton County wildfire fuel mitigation percentage of 222 the Texas Global Government Code. The County County purchasing act and two code of federal regulation seconds, 200, 4.318, 327. Do you have motion on that item? So moved by Commissioner Oliver and second and second by Commissioner Senegal. They need to sketch them. All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? The Ives having under county auditor. We have six items. Item A is considered to improve budget transfer for road bridge precinct 2. For additional costs for vegetation control on by-out properties. Item B is considered to improve budget transfer for comfortable precinct 2. For additional cost for replacement vehicle in the amount of $2,000, $2,711. Item C is to consider and approve budget transfer for a comfortable pre-seam for. For additional calls for VEST and LAPTOP for replacement deputy in the amount of $4,370. Item D is to receive and file a Texas General Land Office Community Development Revitalization byodequadition Program in, use certification form for each property purchased. At me, it's considering the proof of the Texas General Land Office Community Development and Revitalization Biodequadition Program relocation incentive for Robert and Charity Webster and the amount of $10,000 has proved by the Texas General Land Office. And item F is regular county bills, check numbers 527261 through 527471. Do they have motion on those items under audit? So moved. Second. It moved. And seconded by Commissioner Senegal and Eric, and any discussion? This is a question and I get, Frank, this would be on the B. Is that that additional amount that we were talking about with these yes this was that second vehicle that we did since we found that other vendor okay so it was budgeted and then the cost went up before it was delivered correct okay got you thank you any other discussion all in favor say aye any opposed the I have it. Under district attorney would have one item considered impossible to prove out of state travel for a district assistant district attorney Tommy Coleman to attend the Association of Government Attorneys and Capital Litigation held July 30th through August 2nd in Nashville, Tennessee. It's not available in Texas and will be paid out of DA budgeted travel funds. Do I have most of them out there? Some moved. Moved and seconded by commissioners, Alfred and Senegal in any discussion. All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Yeah, I have it. And then under county commissioners, we have one item to consider possibly approve an authorized county judge to sign a letter of commitment for Jefferson County funding through the coastal erosion planning and response act for the North Sabine Lace project. Do that emotional in that? Second. Second. Been moved and seconded by Commissioner Senegal and Willett. Any discussion? Judge, is this the project is currently ongoing? Were there doing some work in the on the North Levy area? No. If it were up to me, that project would never be happening. But because that project is happening, which is going to that revetment area on the north end of Plays of Ireland, is owned by the United States Army Corps of Engineers as a placement area, it had been planned as a placement area for probably 50 years, but until the deepening and ladding projects came along, there was no need for it. So over the last 50 years, that area, because it has pipes that allow title flows into that extra which was once used as a shrimp farming operation by Mr. Moon. It has become one of the most popular and successful areas for bank fishermen in the county, which is why I was against the project, because people without boat that's one of the best places for them to fish. And it's important to shrimp nursery habitat. So because the Corps of Engineers is filling that in with spoil, we've worked with Lamar University and the Texas General Land Office to study to create another, because just to the north of that, in Sabine Lake, where there used to be islands that have eroded because of wave action, which impact the travel of ships. That the Sabine pilots have a difficult time in that area, because when they get to the north end of the island, then it's open up to that wind coming across, and it creates navigation issues. So we wanna go back and build another issue with the cooperation of the navigation district, using sports, build it up, have tidal flow pipes in there, have the road go out there, create the nursery habitat so that bank fishermen have a place to go, but at the same time help navigation. It's a win for all concerned. And we think it can be done with the spoil that's going to be created by the widening projects. projects. Well, I just like, you know, having fish there all my life and knowing what that North Revegment area meant to people. I just like to see it, you know, filled in, but that's what it was intended for all these years, I guess. Yeah. And we had no control over that. So, otherwise, we would have put it somewhere else. Or the navigation district. You're right. You're putting it somewhere else. Any other discussion? All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? The aye has haven't. That completes our regular agenda. Is there any member of the court? Has anything they wish to bring the attention to the public without our taking action? Yes, Judge, I would bring this to the public. You started off by being a tax week. We won't see you at the end of the week, but it's one of those weeks that we all should be thankful for. And since we will have, I'm sure visitors in this area, please let them know about the road conditions we have because it's unsafe in some cases and they're not accustomed to it. Happy Easter and to the staff, to the public wish you have a very happy Easter. Yeah, happy Easter. Anything else in the commission? Any elected official? All right, nothing further. Have a wonderful rest of your week. We are adjourned.