%0~,20~/-/~G COMMISSIONERS' COURT AGENDA REOUEST PLEASE FURNISH ONE ORIGINAL AND NINE COPIES OF THIS REQUEST AND DOCUMENTS TO BE REVIEWED BY THE COURT. MADE BY: Dave Nicholson MEETING DATE: October 12, 2004 OFFICE: Commissioner, Pct. 4 TIME PREFERRED: SUBJECT: Consider and discuss the "Policies for Courthouse Building and Grounds" to determine if any revisions are needed. EXECUTIVE SESSION REQUESTED: (PLEASE STATE REASON) NAME OF PERSON ADDRESSING THE COURT: Commissioner, Pct. 4 ESTIMATED LENGTH OF PRESENTATION: 15 minutes IF PERSONNEL MATTER -NAME OF EMPLOYEE: Time for submitting this request for Court to assure that the matter is posted in accordance with Title 5, Chapter 551 and 552, Government Code, is as follows: Meeting scheduled for Mondays: THIS REQUEST RECEIVED BY: THIS REQUEST RECEIVED ON: 5:00 P.M. previous Tuesday. All Agenda Requests will be screened by the County Judge's Office to determine if adequate information has been prepared for the Court's formal consideration and action at time of Court Meetings. Your cooperation will be appreciated and contribute towards you request being addressed at the earliest opportunity. See Agenda Request Rules Adopted by Commissioners' Court. ORDER N0.28693 Policies for Courthouse Building and Grounds On this the 28~' day of June 2004, upon motion made by Commissioner Nicholson, seconded by Commissioner Baldwin,. the Court unanimously approved by a vote of 4- 0-0, policies governing the use of the courthouse building and grounds. THE FOLLOWING POLICY AND GUIDELINES SHALL GOVERN THE USE OF THE COURTHOUSE BUILDING AND GROUNDS. Courthouse Building General Rule The use of the courthouse building, or any portion thereof, shall be limited to official county government business. Exceptions 1. Conduct of precinct or county conventions by political parties in accordance with the requirements of the Texas Election Code. 2. Meetings or hearings conducted by other governmental entities or as may be required under State or Federal law Procedure When any portion of the courthouse building is to be used under the exceptions noted above, such use shall be accomplished with prior knowledge and coordination with the Facilities Director and Commissioners' Court courthouse facilities liaison. The Facilities Director and/or Commissioners' Court facilities liaison may impose reasonable conditions or requirements in connection with such use to address safety, security, clean- up or other appropriate concerns. Any use of any portion of the courthouse building except as specified above shall be permitted only upon the express authorization of Commissioners' Court and under conditions as may be prescribed by Commissioners' Court for such use. Courthouse Grounds Use of the courthouse grounds shall be limited to the following: 1. Non-Profit Organizations 2. Civic Organizations 3. School Organizations or Groups Page 1 aft 4. Veterans Groups 5. Recurrent contract users (example; Market Days) Procedure Any group desiring to use any portion of the courthouse grounds shall make the request for such use in writing to the courthouse Facilities Director and courthouse facilities liaison of Commissioners' Court. The requested use shall be consisted with the purpose or purposes of the requesting organization_ The Facilities Director andlor Commissioners' Court facilities liaison may impose reasonable conditions yr requirements in connection with such use to address safety, security, clean-up or other appropriate concerns. Any use of any portion of the courthouse grounds except as specified above shall be permitted only upon the express authorization of Commissioners' Court and under conditions as may be prescribed by Commissioners' Court for such use. Paget oft ~ w,~ a.p, ~cc~y 31 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 i3 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 29 25 (Na response.) JUDGE TINLEY: That moticn does carry. We'll move on to Item 10, consider and discuss establishing policies governing the use of the courthouse building and grounds. I placed this item on the agenda. As part of our strategic planning earlier this year, that was one item that the members of the Court thought was appropriate to be part of that overall strategic planning, and far that reason, I put it on the agenda and prepared the draft. I have one item to add that was omitted at the time I prepared the draft on the courthouse building. There's a third exception that has been taking place here for some time, and that's mock trial and other legal education programs. COhII~IISSIONER BALDWIN: Judge, let me ask you a question. What about -- what about the elected officials? Some of us serve on nonprofit boards and committees, and having that type of meeting in the courthouse? JUDGE TINLEY: To the extent that it relates, either directly or indirectly, to County business, I can certainly see why it would be appropriate. CON@7ISSIONER BALDWIN: We11, just -- just as an example, Leadership Kerr County. COMMISSIONER LETZ: That's a good one. JUDGE TINLEY: They come around, but they don't necessarily meet here. But they come around. 6-28-04 32 1 2 3 9 5 6 7 8 9 1D 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 16 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 CONI9ISSIONEP. BALDWIN: No, but I'm just using that as an example. If I -- hmm, don't use me. David Motley is the only other elected official in the room. If Motley was a member or the chairman of Leadership Kerr County, and he wanted to have one of their monthly meetings in the courthouse, would that to -- would the Leadership Kerr County be excluded as a nonprofit organization? JUDGE TINLEY: Using of the -- the building itself? COMMISSIONER BALDWIN: Yes, sir. JUDGE TINLEY: There's a passibility i't might fall under a -- some sort of legal education program, but I would suspect not. COMMISSIONER BALDWIN: Well, I guess that's the only place that -- I mdan, I like your document, but that may be the only place that I could -- you and T will differ on the issue, is that. I kind of think those kind of things should happen if an elected official so chooses. I'm not talking abeut the Second Baptist Church of Houston. I'm talking about Leadership Kerr County; I'm talking about t Crisis Council -- Hill Country Crisis Council and those kinds of things. JUDGE TINLEY: Crisis Council, I think, if I'm not mistaken, is one of our -- COMMISSIONED BALDWIN: It is. 6-2H-04 33 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 6 9 10 11 12 li 19 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 JUDGE TINLEY; -- County-sponsored activities, and relates to assistance in some of our court programs. COMMISSIONER BALDWIN: I agree. JUDGE TINLEY: I think that one would be -- CONII~ISSIONER BALDWIN: All right, let me remove the specifics, then, and just use the -- use the term, "nonprofit." A nonprofit organization. JUDGE TINLEY: I think then you've got the Second Baptist Church of Houston. COMMISSIONER LETZ: ~ I think -- COMMISSIONER WILLIAMS: I have another xiiustration, following up on yours. What about League of Women Voters? What if they wanted to conduct a forum in the big courtroom? JUDGE TINLEY: Legal education. COMMISSIONER WILLIAMS: They would qualify? JUDGE TINLEY: Nm-hmm. COMMISSIONER WILLIAMS: I noted, under Item 2 -- Judge, I have a sort of a suggestion. When you talk about "meetings or hearings conducted by other governmental entities (example; public hearings conducted by Texas Parks and Wildlifel," there are other examples that may not necessarily be governmental entities conducting them, but they are -- they are or would be required by one or others 6-28-14 34 1 2 3 9 5 6 7 8 9 10, 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 of -- of our several governmental codes. For example, public hearings conducted by Grantworks on some of the things they have worked with the County on with respect to the sewer project and other things they're working with us. Now, they're not a governmental agency; they're working with and far us, but the hearings axe required by -- by whatever governmental codes that govern the giving of those moneys or that type of entity. So, I'm wondering, I thin±, whether the intent would be better served if we talked about meetings or hearings as required by the various government codes. JUDGE TINLEY.: L.think you've got essential.lp_...... the lama situation -- ha~re nc problem with that. In your Grantworks example, they're actually conducting the public hearing on behalf of Kerr County, pursuant to the directive '~ of the -- of the codes. But certainly, substituting "by other governmental entities" tc "conducting pursuant to requirements of statutes or codes," I have no problem with that. None whatsoever, That -- that's government business. COMMISSIONER LETZ: I really hate -- I mean, I don't think it's a big issue, but I -- I don't see haw this Court can allow mock trial and other legal education, and then not allow everybody else. What if it's debate team that wants to use it? What if, you know, anybody -- I don't see how you can, all of a sudden, just say only if you're 6-26-09 35 1 gorng to do legal things can you use it. I think any -- either it's all nonprofit ox it's no nonprofit. And if we -- I [hink mock trial cannot get an exception. You either have to -- and I think mock trial should use it, personally. And I think debate team should use it. I think that other -- you know, other school-type things -- I guess that could come under governmental entities, you know. But I think -- and I think the mock trial could probably use it as governmental entity, the school U.I.L. So, I think that if you -- if you start -- if you're going to have a policy, you can't make exceptions. It's either got to be, you know, for everyone, you know, or you open it up to everyone. I mean, you can't just say legal edaeat~on, to me, 'cause I don't see how that -- you know, 9-N, that's County; I guess you could do it, but there's other things I'm sure that can -- if I sat around long enough -- sewer education. I mean, you know, it's -- 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 i3 19 1.5 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 29 25 JUDGE TINLEY: My response to that would be, draw a line through the mock trial and legal programs. COMMISSIONER LETZ: Well, and I -- you know, I hate to see mock trial not be allowed to use it, but I don't see how -- I can't vote to let -- allow them and nobody else. You know, I think governmental entities can be very broadly construed, That would -- in my mind, I think I could :ustify that to be any school activity as a part'of 6-28-04 36 1 2 3 9 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 19 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 29 25 the governmental entity. I was going through water hearings and other things, but those can come under water -- under gcvernmental entities as well, so I thrnk you could probably allow mock trial under governmental entities, but delete it as an explicit exception. JUDGE TINLEY: I have no problem with that. COMMISSIONER BALDWIPI: You don't have any problem with what? JUDGE TINLEY: Drawrng a line through mock trial. COMMISSIONER BALDWIN: I -- JUDGE TINLEY: Legal education. f.OMMTSSiONEP. RALDWTPI: We11, I do. We've had mock trials in this building fcx -- and kids have been in the national finals because o.f the -- they get to use the actual -- these courtrooms. And I -- COMMISSIONEP. LETZ: I said mock trial car, use it under governmental entities. They don't need to be -- I don't think there's any change. I think -- CONQ~fISSIONER BALDWIN: So, you're going to tell the District Judges that you are recommending that mock trial -- JUDGE TINLEY: No, I'm not doing that. COMMISSIONEA BALDWIN: You don't recommend that? 6-28-04 37 1 JUDGE TIIILEY: No. What I'm saying is, in the last paragraph, rf -- if they dcn't feel like it's adequately covered, they can come seek specific permission. COMMISSIONER LETZ: Yeah, but I'm saying they 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 1B 19 2D 21 22 23 29 25 are covered. COMMISSIONER NICHOLSON: Yeah. It's -- it's not an exception; it's covered under the general rule. COMMISSIONER LETZ: I see it as covered under the exception under meetings and hearings conducted by other governmental entities, ' COMMISSIONER NICHOLSON: Okay. COMMISSIONER LETZ: It's a meeting of the school. it's a U.i.L. function. And if it's a sanctioned school event, to me, that's a governmental entity. COMMISSIONER NICHOLSON: Let me -- I've thought of about four examples. JUDGE TINLEY: Good interpretation. COMMISSIONER NICHOLSON: I've thought of about four examples where I've used the courthouse facilities. I want to make sure that -- that they're covered. I would use it to meet with O.S.S.F. contractors. If we use it and continue to use it for the emergency service district meetings, fox volunteer fire department issues, meeting with representatives from -- from subdivisions about subdivision issues, all of these kind of 0-28-04 38 1 2 3 9 5 6 7 6 9 10 11 12 13 19 15 16 17 16 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 things would continue to be an official government use, and in performance of a Commissioner's job? JUDGE TINLEY: Sure. They're either government entities, or it's rn furtherance of county business, relates to county business. COMMISSIONER LETZ: And I think -- I agree; I think every item that you mentioned. But I think, to make it clear about the U.I.L. issue, you could add "meetings or hearings conducted by other governmental entities, including school." COMMISSIONER WILLI'AMS: Well, I think he's going to refine that Number 2 to kick in what -- the requirements that miyht cone out of government codes, which would cover that as well. COMMISSIONER LETZ: But T think, you know, sanctioned school activities is a governmental entity, to me. COMMISSIONER BALDWIN: What if you had -- I mean, I'm going to have a town hall meeting with my constituents. COMMISSIONER LETZ: That's under -- JUDGE TINLEY: County business. COMMISSIONER BALDWIN: We're going to talk about Second Baptist Church of Houston. No, I'm just joking. Let me ask you this, now. What is' -- when the 6-ZB-~4 39 1 Sheriff's wing to drive by at nighttime and see lights on in the courthouse, and he's going to get his binoculars out and try to decide whether it's a County -- County government meeting or not, are we going to handcuff everybody and -- or what's going to happen here? How are you going to -- I mean, how is all this -- just trust? We're going to trust the people that work in the courthouse? JUDGE TINLEY: Right now we don't have a policy, apparently. COMMISSIONER BALDWIN: Okay. Let's -- we're going to adopt a policy today, and then haw are we going to follow up to know that these people are not having some kind of church meeting in here? COMMISSIONER WILLIAMS: Mr. Holekamp's going 3 4 5 6 1 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 i5 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 to do that. COMMISSIONER BALDWIN: Glenn's going to sit up here in the middle of the night, check everybody's I.D., and -- COMMISSIONER LETZ: Way I look at it, you've got to have a key to the courthouse to have a meeting here after hours. COI~A1ISSIONER BALDWIN: Well, elected officials do. COMMISSIONER LETZ: Right, and they do. And I -- and I think that you can -- this is broad enough that s-ze-as 40 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 6 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 there are very few things that I thin Y. you couldn't meet on, and that's why I don't have a problem with it. I think that if you're meeting with a group of your constituents, you know, I don't see how you can hardly -- you know, do much. I mean, I think there's -- see, I think the intent is, you know, tc prevent me from opening up far the Kerrville Little League to have a meeting here. That's what we're trying to stop. If I want to meet with my constituents about a flood, or if Paula Rector wants to meet with some oeople about something, you know, almost everything we do with the public is governmentally related, and I think this is 'a broad enough policy that it rs -- prevents some usage -- uses that I think, we're :oii~erned about. But iL allows every elected official to use it, you know, almost whenever they want to. COMMISSIONER WILLIAMS: I agree. I'm on board. COMMISSIONER. BALDWIN: Yeah. Judge, I'm not opposed to it. I'm certainly in support of your document here. I just wanted to make sure that we all axe on the same -- same horse here and the same leg, that's all. JUDGE TINLEY: I'm not inflexible. I just -- just want to get somewhere to start. Then, if we need to do some refinement later on, why, we can do that. What I've done, under Number 2, "Meetings or hearings conducted by other governmental entities as may be required by state 6-28-04 91 1 statutes or codes." COMMISSIONER WILLIAMS: That's fine. Goad. JUDGE TINLEY: We may want to say, you know, "may be required under state law," and that -- that gets it a whole lot broader, Tf you are -- you've got, for example, regulations, T.C.E.Q. That's not state statutes or code, but they may be promulgated by that. COMMISSIONER WILLIAMS: Whatever gives us the 3 4 5 6 8 9 10 11 12 13 19 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 broadest -- JUDGE TINLEY: "May be required under state or federal law." COMMISSIONER WILLIAMS: There you go. That's fine. Whatever gives the broadest latitude. JUDGE TINLEY: Okay. CONMISSLCNER WILLIAMS: To ccnduct business that affects the County. That's fine. COMMISSIONER BALDWIN: Did I hear you move for adoption? Go on, make a motion. Do it. Go for it. Come on, Judge, do it. COMMISSIONER WILLIAMS: What did you have to eat for breakfast this morning? COMQw1ISSI0NER BALDWIN: Nothing. JUDGE TINLEY: It's not what he had to eat. He may have had something else he ingested there. Mr. Holekamp, you had a comment? 6-?8-U4 42 1 MR. HOLEKAMP: I understand what y'all are trying to get to, but what is -- who's going to be responsible for un:ocking, locking, and if it's not locked up and they call me in the middle of the night to come down here, is somebody going to schedule thrs building for these meetings? Or is this just like -- if -- if Commissioner Baldwin decides he's going to have a meeting, he calls his friends over, we're going to have a meeting. We don't know. Something has to happen for us to know when people are supposed to be in here. JUDGE TINLEY: Okay. Let me respond to that,' if i might. -` MR. HGLEk:AMP: Okay. JUDGE TINLEY:' Under the procedure, when any pcrtion of the building is to be used under any of these exceptions, the use shall be accomplished with prior permission and coordinated with the Facilities Director and courthouse Commissioners Court liaison, with the right to make imposed reasonable conditions and requirements concerning security, cleanup -- MR. HOLEKAMP: Okay. JUDGE TINLEY: -- and so forth. MR. HOLEKAMP: A11 rrght. COMMISSIONER NICHOLSON: In that regard -- MR. HOLEKAMP: As far as permission is 3 4 5 6 8 9 10 11 12 i3 14 15 16 17 1B 19 20 21 22 23 29 25 s-ze-aa 93 1 2 3 4 5 6 8 9 10 11 12 i3 14 15 16 17 16 19 20 21 22 23 29 25 concerned, I don't. need to give permission. If -- if it's pretty much plain on what y'all are going to do, an elected official wrshes to use the building -- JUDGE TINLEY: Haw about prier knowledge and -- MR. HOLEKAMP: Prior knowledge is necessary, but not -- JUDGE TINLEY: Okay. MR. HOLEKAMP: -- permission, I don't think, is going to be a requirement. COMMTSSIONER NICHOLSON: Who is the facilities liaison? COMMLSSIONER LETZ: think it's the Judge. JUDGE TINLEY: Right now, it's me. Those are selected annually. COMMISSIONER NICHOLSON: Okay. JUDGE TINLEY: Just like the Animal Control or EMS ar the others. COMMISSIONER NICHOLSON: I move to approve. COMMISSIONER BALDWIN: Second. JUDGE TINLEY: Motion made and seconded for approval. Let me -- CONAfISSIONER LETZ: Read back? JUDGE TINLEY: Let me tell you what I've changed here under Number 2 of the exceptions. "Meetings or 5-?8-04 44 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 B 9 10 11 12 13 19 15 16 17 16 19 20 21 22 23 29 25 hearings conducted by other governmental entities or as may be required under state or federal law." And then, rn the next paragraph, "When any portion of the courthouse building is to be used under the exceptions noted above, such use shall be accomplished with prior knowledge and coordination..." COMMISSIONER NICHOLSON: That's part of my motion. JUDGE TINLEY: Okay. Any -- any other question or discussion? All in favor of the motion as stated, signify'by raising your right hand. (The motion carried by unanimous vote..) JUDGE TINLEY: All opposed, same sign. (NO response.) JUDGE TINLEY: The motion does carry. COMMISSIONER LETZ: I'm excited. We've been working on these courthouse rules for, I think, six years. COMMISSIONER WILLIAN.S: Finally got it. Simple is better. JUDGE TINLEY: I will now recess the Commissioners Court meeting, and I will convene a public hearing for -- in connection with the revision of a plat for Tracts 12 and 13 of Hidden Valley Ranch 1 in Volume 9, Page 33. ~' 6-2B-04 45 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 lI 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 (The regular Commissioners Court meeting was closed at 10:06 a.m., and a public hearing was held in open court, as follows:) P U B L I C H EAR I N G JUDGE TINLEY: This is a timed item for 10 o'clock. It's a few minutes after now. Is there any member of the public that wishes to be heard in connection with the proposed revision of plat for Tracts 12 and 13 of Hidden Valley Aanch 1? Is there any member of the public that wishes to be heard on thrs item? MR. BRAPdDETIBURG: Yes, sir. JUDGE TINLEY: Yes, sir. Please come forward. Give your name to the reporter, and let us know what's on your mrnd. MR. BRANDENB7RG: My name is Gary Brandenberg, and I am the land surveyor that is actually preparing that plat. I may not have been understanding your question correctly. I'm here to represent that revision of plat, but if -- I believe you said you're going to have to recess and reconvene and then hear it? Is that correct? JUDGE TINLEY: That's generally the way the procedure works, yes, sir. MR. BRANDENSURG: Okay. JUDGE TINLEY: We're required by law to -- when we go into a public hearing mode, we've got to recess the meeting that's underway, go into a public hearing mode. n .°-JI 46 1 Then, once that's completed, we close the public hearing and go back in our meeting. MR. BRAPIDENBURG: Oh, okay. I apologize for my misunderstanding. JUDGE TINLEY: Not a problem. It is a little convoluted, but we get there. MR. BRASIDENBURG: OY.ay. Thank you, sir. (Discussion off the record.) JUDGE TINLEY: Is there any -- any other member of the public that wishes to be heard with regard to the proposed revision of the plat for Tracts 12 and 13 of Hidden Valley Ranch 1? If not, I will close the public hearing, and I wiil reconvene the Commissioners Court hearing scheduled for this date. (The public hearing was concluded at 10:08 a.m., and the regular Commissroners Court meeting was reopened. JUDGE TINLEY: And we will move on to Item 8, to consider the revision of plat fcr Tracts 12 and 13 of Hidden Valley Ranch 1. MR. JOHNSTOPI: This plat consisted of moving a lot line between 12 and 13 by about 50 feet, little over 50 feet. I have no problem with the plat. The only caveat is, Gary Brandenburg showed me his mylar. All the signature blocks are not signed, so we can either, A, approve it 3 4 5 6 7 B 9 10 11 12 13 19 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 29 25 6-36-04 ~Q,~2.o~f PUBLIC PARTICIPATION FORM FOR KERR COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' COURT Instructions: Fill out all appropriate blanks. Please print or write legibly. Present to the County Clerk prior to the time t A enda Item (or ,Items) you wish to address are discussed. Name: ~ `~ t~ ~ t Val, Q- f II Address: S~11 ~~~Y'h ~ ~ ~ l 1~t 1~~ ~~~1~1~ 1~,~~J Telephone: II, Place of Employment: (~ 2,'T't [ C'_ Employment Telephone: ' ~ Do you represent any particular group or organization? 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Present to the County Clerk prior to the time that the Agenda Item (or Items) you wish to address are discussed. Name: ~.~.~~ 1~ j1i~~~7'~1~~ Address: 2 I to LJ~ ~~ t,J(~~ Telephone: ~ ~~ ~ `~'S ~l'S~-1 ~ Place of Employment: ~~.~- ~~ j~ Employment Telephone: Do you represent any particular group or organization? Yes ^ No~ If you represent a group or organization, please state the name, address and telephone number of such group or organization. Which agenda Item (or Items) do you wish to address? In general, are you for or against such Agenda Item (or Items)? For ^ Against ^ ~_ L~V W ti ~ti`~~ Signature NOTE: This Public Participation Form must be presented to the County Clerk prior to the time the agenda item(s) are discussed. Once you reach the podium, please state your name and who/what you represent clearly for the court reporter to accurately record who you are.