A plan to rent the former Sargent swing bridge control building as a multi-agency public safety center was discussed by Commissioners Court at its regular meeting Monday, Oct. 25.
Precinct 6 Constable Ricky Bort told commissioners the TxDOT-owned former Sargent Bridge Control Building could “possibly be used for a Sargent area place for all agencies – plus search and rescue - to use.
“It’s in good condition inside and out,” Bort said, adding there are “lots of activities” that would warrant its use.
County Attorney Jennifer Chau told the court that Matagorda County would be a “master tenant” of the building, while TxDOT would remain the owner.
County IT Director Chris Peikert asked about extending fiber cable to the building, and Chau indicated that would be permitted.
Chau is to work on an agreement to use the building with TxDOT and County Judge Nate McDonald was authorized the sign it.
In other action, the court:
n Authorized the county to submit a grant application for the Bridge Park State HWY 35 to LCRA, Texas Parks and Wildlife and Texas Department of Transportation.
Becca Sitz who has advocated for the park said a grant would help care for the area and make the area beneath the Texas 35 river bridge safer.
Precinct 4 Commissioner Bubba Frick has been working with Sitz on the project and noted the existing traffic bottleneck leading to the boat ramp.
Chau said the issue is access, adding a county official needs to work with Sitz.
Frick told Sitz there would be no county matching funds for any grant received.
N Approved an application from Underground Services Markham to lay a 14-inch brine pipeline under and along CR 417 (Hoffman Road).
Frick said the pipeline would deliver brine to the plants in the Clemville industrial area.
McDonald asked about the numerous pipelines at Clemville.
“There are pipelines everywhere – as soon as they lay down one, they get to working on another,” Frick said.
N Approved a resolution casting all Matagorda County votes to David Cobb for the Matagorda County Appraisal District board of directors for the 2022-2023 term.
N Approved Chau’s request to implement a new public information act policy for the county, with the county attorney to be the county’s information officer, with the exception of sheriff’s office public information officer Mike Glaspie.
Chau indicated the county has no policy for dealing with public information requests.
“To be clear, there is no conflict with emergency management,” McDonald said.
“I have no interest in outside public information,” the county attorney said.
“I’m leaving that with the department heads. I just want clear-cut guidelines.”
N Approved a formal request from the District Attorney’s office to have the County Attorney to criminally prosecute violations under the Texas Health and Safety Code.
District Attorney Steven Reis said the county attorney has been prosecuting Class C misdemeanor cases – such as nuisance abatement incidents - and Chau sought formal DA approval for those cases.
N Approved the Matagorda County Commissioner’s Court Variance Form to be used by anyone seeking a variance from county ordinances.
Frick said people should be clear the form is for seeking a variance and doesn’t indicate approval.
N Granted a right of entry consent form to Lina T. Ramey & Associates (LTRA) to access county property on FM 521 at the Tres Palacios River to conduct field surveys.
Frick said LTRA is doing the work for a bridge replacement and new alignment along FM 521.
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