
APRIL 28, 2020
STATE OF TEXAS )(
COUNTY OF WILLIAMSON )(
BE IT REMEMBERED that at 9:35 A.M. on TUESDAY, APRIL 28, 2020, a REGULAR SESSION of the Commissioners' Court of Williamson County, Texas, was held with the following being present, to-wit:
- Present:
-
- County Judge Bill Gravell, Jr.
- Commissioner Precinct 1 Terry Cook
- Commissioner Precinct 2 Cynthia Long
- Commissioner Precinct 3 Valerie Covey
- Commissioner Precinct 4 Russ Boles
- County Clerk Nancy E. Rister
- Others Present:
-
- Hal C. Hawes, General Counsel to Williamson County Commissioners' Court
- Rebecca Pruitt, Executive Assistant to County Clerk
Motion by: Commissioner Precinct 1 Terry Cook
Second by: Commissioner Precinct 4 Russ Boles
Motion: To approve the Minutes from the April 21, 2020.
- Aye:
-
County Judge Bill Gravell, Jr.
Commissioner Precinct 1 Terry Cook
Commissioner Precinct 2 Cynthia Long
Commissioner Precinct 3 Valerie Covey
Commissioner Precinct 4 Russ Boles
Motion by: Commissioner Precinct 1 Terry Cook
Second by: Commissioner Precinct 4 Russ Boles
Motion: To authorize the payment of bills totaling $4,461,637.61 from the computer printout, Addendum, Wire Transfer, Quick Check Report, and Electronic Benefit Payments from the proper line items, if found by the County Auditor to be legal expenses as appropriated in the County Budget.
- Aye:
-
County Judge Bill Gravell, Jr.
Commissioner Precinct 1 Terry Cook
Commissioner Precinct 2 Cynthia Long
Commissioner Precinct 3 Valerie Covey
Commissioner Precinct 4 Russ Boles
Motion by: County Judge Bill Gravell, Jr.
Second by: Commissioner Precinct 4 Russ Boles
Motion: To appoint County Treasurer Scott Heselmeyer as the Strikeforce Team Leader along with Commissioner Precinct 4 Russ Boles and Commissioner Precinct 3 Valarie Covey to focus on Business Assistance to be funded by the 2020 Federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act Fund; Commissioner Precinct 2 Cynthia Long to be responsible for helping to open county offices and working with Elected Officials and Senior Department Heads; County Judge Bill Gravell, Jr. to continue running Emergency Management Operations; and Commissioner Precinct 1 Terry Cook to assist with employee moral, employee retention and the hiring of new employees.
- Aye:
-
County Judge Bill Gravell, Jr.
Commissioner Precinct 1 Terry Cook
Commissioner Precinct 2 Cynthia Long
Commissioner Precinct 3 Valerie Covey
Commissioner Precinct 4 Russ Boles
Motion by: County Judge Bill Gravell, Jr.
Second by: Commissioner Precinct 1 Terry Cook
Motion: To accept $93,382,340.10 from the 2020 Federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act for local government disbursement.
- Aye:
-
County Judge Bill Gravell, Jr.
Commissioner Precinct 1 Terry Cook
Commissioner Precinct 2 Cynthia Long
Commissioner Precinct 3 Valerie Covey
Commissioner Precinct 4 Russ Boles
Motion by: Commissioner Precinct 2 Cynthia Long
Second by: Commissioner Precinct 4 Russ Boles
Motion: To approve the Professional Services Agreement for Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Testing.
- Aye:
-
County Judge Bill Gravell, Jr.
Commissioner Precinct 1 Terry Cook
Commissioner Precinct 2 Cynthia Long
Commissioner Precinct 3 Valerie Covey
Commissioner Precinct 4 Russ Boles
Motion by: Commissioner Precinct 2 Cynthia Long
Second by: Commissioner Precinct 1 Terry Cook
Motion: To authorize the purchase for an amount up to $350,000.00 for additional COVID-19 testing to be administered over the next four weeks.
- Aye:
-
County Judge Bill Gravell, Jr.
Commissioner Precinct 1 Terry Cook
Commissioner Precinct 2 Cynthia Long
Commissioner Precinct 3 Valerie Covey
Commissioner Precinct 4 Russ Boles
Motion by: Commissioner Precinct 2 Cynthia Long
Second by: County Judge Bill Gravell, Jr.
Motion: To authorize Logistics and Purchasing to procure personal protection equipment (PPE) for the Williamson County and Cities Health District and our private testing partners.
- Aye:
-
County Judge Bill Gravell, Jr.
Commissioner Precinct 1 Terry Cook
Commissioner Precinct 2 Cynthia Long
Commissioner Precinct 3 Valerie Covey
Commissioner Precinct 4 Russ Boles
Those who addressed the Court:
First Assistant County Auditor Julie Kiley
Director of Emergency Medical Services Mike Knipstein
Medical Director of Emergency Medical Serivces Jeff Jarvis
Motion by: Commissioner Precinct 4 Russ Boles
Second by: Commissioner Precinct 1 Terry Cook
Motion: To approve IGG (antibodies) testing, an amount up to $7,000.00, for Williamson County Emergency Medical Services (EMS).
- Aye:
-
County Judge Bill Gravell, Jr.
Commissioner Precinct 1 Terry Cook
Commissioner Precinct 2 Cynthia Long
Commissioner Precinct 3 Valerie Covey
Commissioner Precinct 4 Russ Boles
Senior Director of Human Resources Rebecca Clemons and First Assistant County Auditor Julie Kiley addressed the Court.
Motion by: County Judge Bill Gravell, Jr.
Second by: Commissioner Precinct 1 Terry Cook
Motion: To approve Senior Director of Human Resources Rebecca Clemons to review and reduce overtime that has occurred and authorize the County Judge the ability to add catastrophic event pay for exempt employees during an emergency.
- Aye:
-
County Judge Bill Gravell, Jr.
Commissioner Precinct 1 Terry Cook
Commissioner Precinct 2 Cynthia Long
Commissioner Precinct 3 Valerie Covey
Commissioner Precinct 4 Russ Boles
Motion by: Commissioner Precinct 3 Valerie Covey
Second by: Commissioner Precinct 1 Terry Cook
Motion: To accept donation(s) from Cleanint of its Cleanpen (a housed sponge that cleans styluses & pencils that could be used by voters at the ballot marking devices) and Cleanhands (portable, belt clip-on hand sanitizer module) products to be used by voters and poll workers during the 2020 elections in Williamson County (Pursuant to Texas Local Government Code Section 81.032) to support public health measures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Aye:
-
County Judge Bill Gravell, Jr.
Commissioner Precinct 1 Terry Cook
Commissioner Precinct 2 Cynthia Long
Commissioner Precinct 3 Valerie Covey
Commissioner Precinct 4 Russ Boles
Motion by: Commissioner Precinct 3 Valerie Covey
Second by: Commissioner Precinct 1 Terry Cook
Motion: To approve a line item transfer for the Elections Department of $15,000.00 from the Federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act of 2020 for the purchase of (100) protective shield barriers for use at voter check-in stations at in-person polling locations in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Aye:
-
County Judge Bill Gravell, Jr.
Commissioner Precinct 1 Terry Cook
Commissioner Precinct 2 Cynthia Long
Commissioner Precinct 3 Valerie Covey
Commissioner Precinct 4 Russ Boles
Senior Director of Emergency Services Chris Connealy
Director of Emergency Medical Services Mike Knipstein
Emergency Medical Services Commander for Logistics Jeff Isbell
Tax Assessor/Collector assisting as Logistics Deputy Coordinator Larry Gaddes
No action was taken on this item.
Motion by: Commissioner Precinct 2 Cynthia Long
Second by: Commissioner Precinct 4 Russ Boles
Motion: To approve an Amended Emergency Childcare Services Agreement between Williamson County and the YMCA of Greater Williamson County with a term ending May 29, 2020 (end of the regular school year).
- Aye:
-
County Judge Bill Gravell, Jr.
Commissioner Precinct 1 Terry Cook
Commissioner Precinct 2 Cynthia Long
Commissioner Precinct 3 Valerie Covey
Commissioner Precinct 4 Russ Boles
Motion by: County Judge Bill Gravell, Jr.
Second by: Commissioner Precinct 3 Valerie Covey
Motion: To ratify the purchase of 20,000 medical gowns from ZaaZ Medical in the amount of $145,000.00 to support Williamson County Emergency Services Operations and exempt this purchase from the competitive bidding requirements per Texas Local Government Code Section 262.024(a)(2).
- Aye:
-
County Judge Bill Gravell, Jr.
Commissioner Precinct 1 Terry Cook
Commissioner Precinct 2 Cynthia Long
Commissioner Precinct 3 Valerie Covey
Commissioner Precinct 4 Russ Boles
Motion by: Commissioner Precinct 2 Cynthia Long
Second by: Commissioner Precinct 4 Russ Boles
Motion: To approve the Laboratory Reference Agreement between Williamson County and American Institute of Toxicology, Inc. to provide clinical laboratory services in relation to COVID-19 testing, exempting the purchase of these services from the competitive bidding requirements per Texas Local Government Code Section 262.024(a)(2) and authorize the execution of the agreement.
- Aye:
-
County Judge Bill Gravell, Jr.
Commissioner Precinct 1 Terry Cook
Commissioner Precinct 2 Cynthia Long
Commissioner Precinct 3 Valerie Covey
Commissioner Precinct 4 Russ Boles
Motion by: Commissioner Precinct 3 Valerie Covey
Second by: Commissioner Precinct 1 Terry Cook
Motion: To direct Commissioners' Court General Counsel Hal C. Hawes to send a demand letter to Big Fish Entertainment, LLC, A&E Networks, Hearst Communications and Disney Media Networks (a business segment of The Walt Disney Company), ABC Television Group and Williamson County Sheriff Robert Chody to immediately cease and desist using Williamson County facilities, vehicles and property for the purpose of filming, producing or publishing the television series Live PD or any other type of television series or production.
- Aye:
-
Commissioner Precinct 1 Terry Cook
Commissioner Precinct 2 Cynthia Long
Commissioner Precinct 3 Valerie Covey
Commissioner Precinct 4 Russ Boles
- Other:
-
County Judge Bill Gravell, Jr. (Absent from the Dais)
Motion by: Commissioner Precinct 3 Valerie Covey
Second by: Commissioner Precinct 2 Cynthia Long
Motion: To direct General Counsel to Commissioners' Court Hal C. Hawes to suggest an attorney by the next Regular Session of Commissioners' Court to pursue filing charges against Big Fish Entertainment, LLC, A&E Networks, Hearst Communications, Disney Media Networks (a business segment of The Walt Disney Company), ABC Television Group, Williamson County Sheriff Robert Chody and any other individuals involved in order to stop Live PD from filming in Williamson County.
- Aye:
-
Commissioner Precinct 1 Terry Cook
Commissioner Precinct 2 Cynthia Long
Commissioner Precinct 3 Valerie Covey
Commissioner Precinct 4 Russ Boles
- Other:
-
County Judge Bill Gravell, Jr. (Absent from the Dais)
A. Real Estate Owned by Third Parties
Preliminary discussions relating to proposed or potential purchase or lease of property owned by third parties
a) Discuss the acquisition of real property for SW 183 and SH 29 Loop.
b) Discuss the acquisition of real property for CR 176 at RM 2243
c) Discuss the acquisition of real property: O'Connor Signal Project
d) Discuss the acquisition of real property: CR 200
e) Discuss the acquisition of real property for County Facilities.
f) Discuss the acquisition of real property for Seward Junction SE and SW Loop.
g) Discuss the acquisition of real property for SH 29 @ DB Wood.
h) Discuss the acquisition of real property for Hairy Man Rd.
i) Discuss the acquisition of real property for N. Mays.
j) Discuss Somerset Road Districts No. 3 & 4 reimbursements for acquisition & construction of Reagan Blvd.
k) Discuss the acquisition of real property for CR 111.
l) Discuss the acquisition of real property for Corridor H
m) Discuss the acquisition of real property for future SH 29 corridor.
n) Discuss the acquisition of real property for the expansion of Ronald Reagan at IH 35.
o) Discuss the acquisition of right-of-way for Corridor C.
p) Discuss the acquisition of right-of-way for Corridor F.
q) Discuss the acquisition of right-of-way for Corridor D.
r) Discuss the acquisition of right-of-way for SE Loop/Corridor A.
s) Discuss the acquisition of right-of-way for Reagan extension.
t) Discuss the acquisition of right of way for the Great Oaks Bridge Project.
u) Discuss the acquisition of real property for the Brushy Creek Trail Project.
v) Discuss the acquisition of real property in conjunction with WCCF for potential parkland/bird habitat.
x) Discuss the acquisition of drainage/detention easements for real property North of WMCO Juvenile Detention Center
y) Discuss the acquisition of the MKT Right of Way
B. Property or Real Estate owned by Williamson County
Preliminary discussions relating to proposed or potential sale or lease of property owned by the County
a) Discuss County owned real estate containing underground water rights and interests.
b) Discuss possible sale of +/- 10 acres located on Chandler Road near the County Sheriff's Office Training Facility
c) Potential governmental uses for 8th Street downtown parking lot
d) Discuss possible uses of property owned by Williamson County on Main St. between 3rd and 4th Streets. (formerly occupied by WCCHD)
e) Discuss property usage at Longhorn Junction
f) Discuss sale of excess 183A right of way to abutting property owner.
g) Discuss the sale of excess ROW at San Gabriel Parkway and Mel Mathis Ave.
h) Discuss Blue Springs Boulevard
i) Discuss county owned property located at Ed Schmidt Boulevard Hutto, Texas
C. Consider intervention in lawsuit regarding de-listing of Bone Cave harvestman.
D. Discuss the possible placement of agricultural-related monuments at the Williamson County Exposition Center with the participation of third parties.
E. Discuss the Williamson County Reimbursement Agreement for Construction of San Gabriel Blvd. and New Hope Road with the City of Leander and TIRZ #1
a) Business prospect(s) that may locate or expand within Williamson County.
b) Wolf Lakes
c) Flint Hill Resources-Taylor Fuel Storage Terminal on CR 366
d) Project Deliver
e) Project Advantage
f) Project Cedar
g) Project Expansion
h) Project Arcos
i) Project Woods
j) Project Co-Op
k) Project Liberty
a) Litigation or claims or potential litigation or claims against the County or by the County
b) Status Update-Pending Cases or Claims;
c) Employee/personnel related matters
d) Other confidential attorney-client matters, including contracts and certain matters related to county defense issues in which the duty of the attorney to the governmental body within the attorney/client relationship clearly conflicts with Chapter 551 of the Texas Government Code.
e) Civil Action; American Stewards of Liberty, et al. v. Sally Jewell, et al., In the Western District Court, Western District of Texas, Austin Division
f) Case No. 1:17-cv-00290, Rodney A. Hurdsman v. Williamson County Sheriff Deputies Gleason et al, In The United States District Court For The Western District of Texas – Austin Division.
g) Application to Obtain New Municipal Solid Waste Permit – Proposed Permit No. 2398 (Applicant - Lealco, Inc.)
h) Civil Action No. 1:18-CV-49, Troy Mansfield v. Williamson County, In The United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, Austin Division.
i) Cause No. 18-0903-C425/Court of Appeals Number: 01-19-00025-CV; Dee Hobbs, Williamson County Attorney v. Bill Gravell, Jr., Williamson County Judge, and Terry Cook, Cynthia Long, Valerie Covey and Russ Boles, County Commissioners; In the 425th District Court of Williamson County, Texas
j) Cause No. 19-0850-C368; County of Williamson vs. Purdue Pharma, LP et al., In the District Court of Williamson County, Texas.
k) Valerie Adams - EEOC Charge No. 450-2018-03807
l) Civil Action No. 1:17-cv-01114-LY, Elizabeth Saucedo and Tettus Davis v. Jonathon Hodgkiss, In The United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, Austin Division.
m) Case No. 19-0466-CC1; Billy Baskett v. Williamson County Sheriff’s Office et. al; In the County Court at Law No. 1 of Williamson County, Texas.
n) BANGL Pipeline Project
o) Cause No. 1:18-CV-0198; Officer Mary Teague v. Williamson County, Travis County and City of Giddings, In the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, Austin Division
p) D-1-GN-19-005511; Brian Johns v. Williamson County, Texas; In the 53rd Judicial District Court of Travis County, Texas
q) Anthony “Tony” Carter: EEOC Charge No. 451-2019-03927
r) Case No. 1:19-CV-938-RP; Langham v. Fuentes, et al., in the United States District Court, Western District of Texas, Austin Division.
s) Discuss Williamson County Subdivision Regulations and Texas Local Government Code Chapter 232.
t) Civil Action No. 1:19-CV-1163; Amanda McCoy v. Williamson County, Texas et al., In the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas Austin Division.
u) Claim of Regina Wright.
v) Law on use of County facilities.
w) Cause No. 19-0406-C368; Anthony Garcia and Victoria Garcia et al. v. Stephen Wade Freeman et al. v. Wayne Finch et al.; In the 368th District Court of Williamson County, Texas.
x) Civil Action No. 1:20-CV-00062; Jaivonte Roberts v. Williamson County, Texas et al., In the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas Austin Division.
y) Case: 1:20-CV-255-LY; Jay Kreper v. Williamson County et al.; In the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, Austin Division.
a) Litigation or claims or potential litigation or claims against the County or by the County
b) Status Update-Pending Cases or Claims;
c) Employee/personnel related matters
d) Other confidential attorney-client matters, including contracts and certain matters related to county defense issues in which the duty of the attorney to the governmental body within the attorney/client relationship clearly conflicts with Chapter 551 of the Texas Government Code.
e) Civil Action; American Stewards of Liberty, et al. v. Sally Jewell, et al., In the Western District Court, Western District of Texas, Austin Division
f) Case No. 1:17-cv-00290, Rodney A. Hurdsman v. Williamson County Sheriff Deputies Gleason et al, In The United States District Court For The Western District of Texas – Austin Division.
g) Application to Obtain New Municipal Solid Waste Permit – Proposed Permit No. 2398 (Applicant - Lealco, Inc.)
h) Civil Action No. 1:18-CV-49, Troy Mansfield v. Williamson County, In The United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, Austin Division.
i) Cause No. 18-0903-C425/Court of Appeals Number: 01-19-00025-CV; Dee Hobbs, Williamson County Attorney v. Bill Gravell, Jr., Williamson County Judge, and Terry Cook, Cynthia Long, Valerie Covey and Russ Boles, County Commissioners; In the 425th District Court of Williamson County, Texas
j) Cause No. 19-0850-C368; County of Williamson vs. Purdue Pharma, LP et al., In the District Court of Williamson County, Texas.
k) Valerie Adams - EEOC Charge No. 450-2018-03807
l) Civil Action No. 1:17-cv-01114-LY, Elizabeth Saucedo and Tettus Davis v. Jonathon Hodgkiss, In The United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, Austin Division.
m) Case No. 19-0466-CC1; Billy Baskett v. Williamson County Sheriff’s Office et. al; In the County Court at Law No. 1 of Williamson County, Texas.
n) BANGL Pipeline Project
o) Cause No. 1:18-CV-0198; Officer Mary Teague v. Williamson County, Travis County and City of Giddings, In the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, Austin Division
p) D-1-GN-19-005511; Brian Johns v. Williamson County, Texas; In the 53rd Judicial District Court of Travis County, Texas
q) Anthony “Tony” Carter: EEOC Charge No. 451-2019-03927
r) Case No. 1:19-CV-938-RP; Langham v. Fuentes, et al., in the United States District Court, Western District of Texas, Austin Division.
s) Discuss Williamson County Subdivision Regulations and Texas Local Government Code Chapter 232.
t) Civil Action No. 1:19-CV-1163; Amanda McCoy v. Williamson County, Texas et al., In the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas Austin Division.
u) Claim of Regina Wright.
v) Law on use of County facilities.
w) Cause No. 19-0406-C368; Anthony Garcia and Victoria Garcia et al. v. Stephen Wade Freeman et al. v. Wayne Finch et al.; In the 368th District Court of Williamson County, Texas.
x) Civil Action No. 1:20-CV-00062; Jaivonte Roberts v. Williamson County, Texas et al., In the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas Austin Division.
y) Case: 1:20-CV-255-LY; Jay Kreper v. Williamson County et al.; In the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, Austin Division.
THE FOREGOING MINUTES had at a Regular Session of Commissioners’ Court of Williamson County, Texas, having been read are hereby approved this 5th day of May, 2020.

ATTEST: Nancy E. Rister, Clerk of Commissioners’ Court, Williamson County, Texas
By: Rebecca Pruitt, Executive Assistant to County Clerk