Declaring the week of April 9 through April 13, 2012 as National Library Week in Ellis County, the Ellis County Commissioners’ Court took a few minutes to recognize the work of several volunteers in the County’s Law Library.

“Carla has juggled, and worn a couple of different hats, and has really turned our library around,” said County Judge Carol Bush. “It is such a great reflection on the County.”

Bush also thanked Assistant County Attorney Ann Montgomery, who provided guidance as the library was being established in the new courts building on Jackson Street.

“Ann was very instrumental, directing Carla and assisting her with the background knowledge of what the local attorneys might want and what is essential for the public as well,” Bush said. “Also, we’ve been able to benefit from the work of three women who have done quite a lot – these are volunteers, who have given of their time and helped this community.”

The three volunteers named in Bush’s proclamation were Helen Kessler, who has volunteered 731 hours; Safaa Cloud, who has volunteered 203 hours; and Kristi Jurek, who has volunteered 87 hours, for a total of 1021 hours in the last 15 months.

“This has been a real boost for the public, and it would not be possible if it weren’t for the four of you sitting here today,” Bush concluded.

The Court also approved a Memorandum of Understanding with the Center for Rural Development and the United States Department of Justice, National Institute of Justice, to authorize the use of a Tecnam P92 Eaglett N911TE aircraft by the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office for law enforcement purposes, pending legal review.

“In 2009, the Commissioners’ Court approved the use of a loaner aircraft,” said Chief Deputy Dennis Brearley. “What has changed now is instead of the Sheriff’s Association of Texas, it is still the National Institute of Justice, but along with them the Center for Rural Development.”

Brearley told the Court that the aircraft is supported entirely by volunteer pilots with many years of experience, as well as a volunteer aircraft mechanic. The only cost of the aircraft is maintenance and fuel.

“We also assist rural fire departments and other agencies with the aircraft,” he added. “Recently we helped Johnson County on a manhunt.”

The aircraft was in the air approximately 85 hours in the last 12 months.

In other business, Commissioners:

• Approved the consent agenda after removing item A2, approval and certification of the minutes from the Commissioners’ Court agendas dated March 12 and March 26, 2012;
• Granted a one-time variance from County of Ellis Rules, Regulations and Specifications for Subdivisions and Manufactured Homes as it relates to the road frontage requirement for Jordan Ranch in precinct 3;
• Awarded the primary bid for purchase of limestone flex base material, type A, Grade 1, to J&K Excavation for delivery to Precinct 1, Precinct 2, Precinct 3 Italy Barn, and Precinct 4 and to CJ & Sons for delivery to Precinct 3 Maypearl Barn;
• Awarded the secondary bid for purchase of limestone flex base material, Type A, Grade 1, to CJ & Sons for delivery to Precinct 1, Precinct 2, Precinct 3 Italy Barn, and Precinct 4 and to J&K Excavation for delivery to Precinct 3 Maypearl Barn;
• Took no action on a proposal to award a bid for limestone flex base material, Type A, Grade 4;
• Approved an addendum to Master Service Agreement with Justice Solutions for the addition of remote data backup, hot-spare replication services, and jail information public inquiry;
• Accepted scrap by-product material from Anderson Columbia from the Highway 287 Bypass project in Ennis at no cost to the County for use in Precinct 2;
• Approved an interlocal agreement with the City of Glenn Heights;
• Held a short executive session with no action taken.