County signs off on agreement for contract review

COLDSPRING — The San Jacinto County Commissioners Court has approved a contract with an engineering firm for services regarding subdivision development.

At the regular meeting on Wednesday, County engineer Mark Wood said an agreement with Spearpoint Engineering was approved on Oct. 14, and the contract generated from that approval was reviewed by District Attorney Greg Magee and given his stamp of approval. The contract simply sets the scope of duties and payment arrangements.

Wood said the contract will assist the county determine changes to county requirements requested by the development firm working on San Jacinto Ranch is feasible and adheres to existing county law.

County Judge Fritz Faulkner pointed out that any disputes arising as part of the contract should be settled in San Jacinto County, not Montgomery County, which was written in the contract.

Wood said the contract only covers review of technical aspects, not legal aspects.

The council also discussed requests for qualifications submitted by Commissioner Crystal Dominy for consultation work. One was approved for consulting firm for a proposed solar farm project in the county, and two submitted bids will be reviewed by a committee.

Requests for qualifications for legal and engineering consultation work for the administrative department were tabled.

In other business, the county:

• accepted the resignation of Mickey Culpepper from Emergency Services District No. 2, and appointed Lenette Peterson as a replacement for the remainder of the term;
• approved the county’s participation in the annual Toys for Tots program;
• accepted bids for road materials, but will seek additional bids for reclaimed asphalt;
• approved a letter of engagement with Brooks Watson and Co. for the annual audit;
• approved the purchase of a patrol vehicle through grant funds;
• approved declaring old bulletproof vests as surplus for donation to the University of Houston for training;
• approved the purchase of 16 ballistic protective vests through grant funds for $23,114;
• renewed the county’s participation in the County Choice Silver Retiree Insurance Plan;
• renewed an interlocal agreement with the city of Shepherd for maintenance work;
• tabled discussion on updating animal control policy;
• approved adding additional roads to a road use agreement with Grand Free Pine; and
• approved applications for grant funds to help fix a communication tower and provide funds for senior citizen centers.