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Home My WebLink About2013-10-15-10:15AM-PUBLIC HEARINGBRAZOS COUNTY BRYAN,TEXAS PUBLIC HEARING 2j13 'CT 1 I P 2: 4b BRAZOS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT Tuesday October 15, 2013 BRAZOS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT WILL CONDUCT A PUBLIC HEARING ON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2013 AT 10:15 A.M. IN THE COMMISSIONERS COURTROOM OF THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATION BUILDING, 200 SOUTH TEXAS AVENUE, SUITE 106, BRYAN, TEXAS 77803 THE COURT WILL CONSIDER THE ABOLITION OF JUSTICE OF THE PEACE COURT PRECINCT 2 PLACE 2 AT A DATE TO BE DETERMINED. ANY INTERESTED PERSON MAY SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THE ABOLITION OF JUSTICE OF THE PEACE COURT PRECINCT 2 PLACE 2. The Commissioners Coatroom of the Brazos County Administration Building, 200 S. Texas Avenue, Suite 106, Bryan, TX 77903 Is wheekhair accessible. Handicap parking spaces are available. Any request for sign Interpretive services must be made two working days before the meeting. To make ananpements, please call (979) 3914102. [VOI. Pg.a289 BRAZOS COUNTY BRYANJEXAS MINUTES October 15, 2013 BRAZOS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT PUBLIC HEARING 0 Signature Page.odf 0 File Stamped Agenda.pdf B Sign in sheetodf The Commissioners' Court of Brazos County, Texas held a Public Hearing at the Brazos County Administration Building in Bryan, Brazos County, Texas, beginning at 10:38 a.m. on Tuesday, October 13, 2013 with the following members of the Court present: Duane Peters, County Judge, Presiding; Lloyd Wassermann, Commissioner of Precinct 1; Sammy Catalena, Commissioner of Precinct 2; Kenny Mallard, Commissioner of Precinct 3; Irma Cauley, Commissioner of Precinct 4; Karen McQueen, County Clerk. The attached sheets contain the names of the citizens and officials that were in attendance. Bill Ballard, Civil Counsel gave a power point presentation on abolishing a Justice of the Peace Precinct. Judge Tommy Munoz, Justice of the Peace, Precinct 2, Place 2 spoke against abolishing the third (3rd) clerk position in his office as he did not feel that Judge Hooge was prepared to take on his case load. The County Judge stated when the JP 2.2 was handling all the truancies, the case load was even but since Judge Munoz asked the schools to file in the JP 2.1 office, his caseload has gone down while Judge Hooge's has gone up. Vol. _ Iovk Pg.,:?-9d Bryan High School representatives Lee Felder, Director of Human Resources and Crystal Goodman, Human Resources both spoke on the great relationship they have with Judge Munoz and how they are against the abolishment of the office. They stated that over 250 cased were filed for Bryan High School alone and 500 district wide with is 24 schools. They said that Judge Munoz was correct that most cases are Bryan High School and those are filed with JP 2.2. He was also instrumental in obtaining a grant. Currently the Alternative High School has more truancy than Bryan High School with Rudder next. Rudder truancies are being filed with JP 2.1 while Bryan High School truancies are being filed in the office of JP 2.2. Truancies for Rudder High School are being filed in the JP 4 office. Jerry Rose, College Station resident stated he has worked in legislative law and he doesn't see how abolishing a JP office would serve the citizens of the county when it would double the work for JP 2.1 and create a back log for justice being extended. This will just add to the frustration with our justice system. Sandra Portzer, College Station resident discussed a case filed with JP 2.2. Judge Munoz recused himself and it was transfered to JP 2.1 who then in turn recused herself. This took over a year and she does not believe it makes sense to abolish one of the justices. Their case load already seems back logged. Hector Garcia, Bryan resident said that he thought this was a bad idea to abolish the JP 2.2 office. Tom Chambers , representative of Roadrunner Towing said he was here to support Judge Munoz and thinks he is a great judge with experience. He went on to state that he does not think the office should be abolished. The County Judge stated that even Judge Munoz has stated he thinks the court should be abolished. There are never guarantees that the experienced judge will remain in office. Someone can run against him and win. He believes the workload can be handled by one Justice of the Peace. Also Judge Munoz can run against Judge Hooge for the JP 2.1 office. George Boyett, Justice of the Peace Precinct 3 said there were certainly reasons for abolishing the office. He has been through two (2) in the past. Yes they had affected his office. He stated that nothing has been said about the magistrate duties that the JP's do voluntarily for the jail on Saturdays and Sundays. Also the inquests that have to be done by the JP or County Judge. Abolishing the office will cut into both these duties. On weeks that he magistrates it takes up to 50 percent of the day. Margaret Munoz, wife of Judge Munoz stated that her main focus was not the abolishment of Judge Munoz's office but losing his third (3rd) clerk. She said now that Judge Hooge is finally taking some truancy cases the Court wants to take his clerk. The disbursal has everyone upset. The Commissioners Court has no way of knowing future case load and it is unfair to take his clerk after the budget has already been set. Mrs. Munoz said she feels Judge Munoz is entitled to the assistance he deserves to finish out his term.. The County Judge asked for more comments. There being none, the public hearing was closed at 11:37 a.m Pg.� 9� The foregoing minutes of the Commissioners Court Public Hearing held October 15 2013, have been examined and are approved in open Court this the 5" day of [JQVV,lwl x , 2013, in Bryan, Brazos County, Texas. Duane Peters Lloyd assermann County Judge Commissioner, Precinct 1 4ammyy qdtfatena Kenny Mallard CommXsioner, Precinct 2 Commissioner, Precinct 3 Irma C—aure—y Commissioner, Precinct 4 Attest: " l tP.e- [2," Karen McQueen County Clerk Vol. 7&- pg, a/.Z, BRAZOS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT Meeting on C / S Q 10"o 14 F PAGE ) of AL i PAGE ) of AL BRAZOS COUNTY COMNIISSIONERS COURT "� r�►b�KSrl�° Meeting on ;- �� J �_+ 1101'cohft I Organization Department i i 1 ' i i i ►..�� U PAGE Z of f BRAZOS COUNTY COMNHSSIONERS COURT wn(K,4� f Meeting on Name Organization / Department c p S? a 0, n aE s7P -Z, at� 01 P �� AZ P—wl do �4ff Ir I K,411, 1 .3 c- /,:7-s --1 f- c(dp� -Tv �/ f PAGE 3 of-Lf BRAZOS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT 4 VVO NL Meeting on i -Ls a* Q Name I Organization / Department 41� PAGE L of FV0 W P9 -vii 4-