Ark-Tex Council Of Governments

 

 

Minutes of Board of Directors Meeting
March 31, 2016

The Board of Directors of the Ark-Tex Council of Governments (ATCOG) met at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, March 31, 2016, at First Baptist Church, in Clarksville, Texas, hosted by Honorable Ann Rushing, Mayor, City of
Clarksville.
Item 1. Vice- President Chuck Superville, Jr., Judge, Lamar County, called the meeting to order.
Item 2. Robert Newsom, Judge, Hopkins County, gave the invocation.
Item 3. Each attendee introduced themselves at this time. Mayor Rushing thanked everyone for attending and welcomed them to Clarksville. She also extended a special thank you to those who responded during the destructive storm on March 17, 2016.
Item 4. The next order of business was to approve the minutes as submitted by the Ark-Tex Council of Governments Board of Directors meeting held Thursday, December 10, 2015, in Hooks, Texas.

Mayor Rushing made the motion to approve and seconded by James Carlow, Judge, Bowie County. The minutes were adopted as submitted.

Review and Comment
Item 5. Paul Prange, Environmental Resources Coordinator, presented for consideration Environmental Assessments to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) for proposed Water Quality Permit Renewal by:
a) Queen City to authorize the discharge of treated wastewater from the facility located on the south side of Cypress Creek, Cass County, Texas.

Judge Carlow made a motion to approve and seconded by Judge Newsom. It was adopted.

Item 6. Mr. Prange presented for consideration an Environmental Assessment to TCEQ for proposed Air Quality
Permit Renewal by:
a) Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation to authorize the continued operation of a Rendering Plant located at 1000 South O’Tyson Street, Mt. Pleasant, Titus County, Texas.
b) Luminant Mining Company LLC to authorize continued operation of a lignite handling plant located on County Road 2309, near the intersection of FM 1870 and County Road 2309, Sulphur Springs, Hopkins County, Texas.
c) Luminant Generation Company LLC to authorize the continued operation of the fly ash and Unit 3 coal handling systems at the Monticello Steam Electric Station located eight miles southwest
on FM 127 in Mt. Pleasant, Titus County, Texas.

Judge Newsom made a motion to approve and seconded by Scott Lee, Judge, Franklin County. The items were approved.

Item 7. Mr. Prange presented for consideration an Environmental Assessment to TCEQ for proposed Draft Federal Operating Permit Renewal by:
a) Midcontinent Express Pipeline to authorize the operation of the Lamar Compressor Station, located near Highway 24 and FM 1184 in Paris, Lamar County, Texas.
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b) West Fraser Inc., to authorize operation of the lumber mill located at 1345 US Highway 82 East, New Boston, Bowie County, Texas.

Judge Carlow made a motion to approve and seconded by Mayor Rushing. It was adopted.

Regular Business
Item 8. Amber Thurston, Executive Assistant, presented for consideration approval of membership for TexAmericas Center to the ATCOG Board as a Special District. Ms. Thurston recognized Scott Norton,
Executive Director, TexAmericas, who explained to the Board the primary goals of TexAmericas, as well as, daily proceedings.

Brady Fisher made a motion to approve the Northeast Texas Resource Conservation and Development and seconded by Judge Newsom. The item was approved.

Item 9. Diane McKinnon, Manager, Area Agency on Aging, presented for consideration approval of new member appointments to the Area Agency on Aging Regional Advisory Council.

Judge Scott Lee made a motion to approve and seconded by Mr. Fisher. It was adopted.

Item 10. Nancy Hoehn, Transportation Manager, presented for consideration approval of submission of the following grant proposals to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT).
a) Section 5310 Enhanced Mobility for Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities for Atlanta District to launch Senior Meal Center Transportation.
b) Section 5310 Enhanced Mobility for Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities for Paris District to purchase two Fixed Route Buses and provide operating funds.
Mayor rushing made a motion to approve and seconded by Edwin Pickle, Councilman, City of Paris. It was adopted.

Other Business
Item 11. Mr. Brown presented the following Executive Director Report:
a) Update on Transportation Meetings – there was a TEX-21/I-30 Corridor Study meeting held in Texarkana in March. There was a general discussion concerning regional highways and the need for Rural Planning Organization Committee meeting participation.
b) Transportation Quarterly Report from TxDOT – no issues noted.
c) Area Agency on Aging Committee Minutes. Ms. McKinnon provided a quick overview of a $20,000 dental grant provided in conjunction with St. Michael Hospital. Each applicant can receive approximately $1500 worth of dental work, with the possibility of additional funds awarded
next year.

The above items were for information only, so no further action was required.

Announcements
Ms. Thurston announced the next Executive Committee Meeting is Thursday, April 28, 2016, at the Titus County Extension Office, with an RPO Committee Meeting, held at 9:00 a.m. in the same location. She also thanked Mayor Rushing for hosting the meeting. At this time, there was no further business, so Judge Scott Lee made a motion to adjourn and seconded by Councilman Benefield. The meeting adjourned.
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EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT
Chuck Superville, Jr., Judge, Lamar County
Scott Lee, Judge, Franklin County
Robert Newsom, Judge, Hopkins County
James Carlow, Judge, Bowie County
Jason Murray, Judge, Delta County
Ann Rushing, Mayor, City of Clarksville
Edwin Pickle, Councilman, City of Paris
A.M. ”Rip” Benefield, Councilman, Queen City
Brady Fisher, Northeast Texas Resource Conservation & Development Area, Inc.

BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT
Dennis Chartier, Mayor, City of Naples
Nick Holloway, Councilman, City of Blossom
Wayne Dial, City Manager, City of Clarksville

GUESTS PRESENT
Robbin Bass, Office of Congressman Ratcliffe
Phillip Rutherford, Mayor, City of Roxton
Scott Norton, TexAmericas Center
Robert McGee, Queen City Police Dept.
Lou Antonelli, Clarksville Times

STAFF PRESENT
Chris Brown, Executive Director
Sharon Pipes, Director of Administration
Diane McKinnon, Manager, Area Agency on Aging
Nancy Hoehn, Transportation Manager
Leslie McBride, Human Resources Coordinator
Paul Prange, Environmental Resources Coordinator
Vickie Williamson, Special Projects Coordinator
Amber Thurston, Executive Assistant
Leslie Allen, Intern
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L.D. Williamson, President
Ark-Tex Council of Governments