During the public hearing, some citizens expressed concerns that the proposed bond amounts and the project costs differed greatly and asked how the county would address the differences. County Judge Robert Hebert advised citizens that the court would further discuss how to address the differences in another workshop that will likely be conducted next Tuesday at the next Commissioner’s Court meeting.
- Mobility bond workshop update
During the workshop, county engineer Richard Stolleis said the mobility bond entails 63 projects, but that number could change. Stolleis said the county is still working with city commissioners on at least five other projects that could affect the total bond budget. Precinct 1 Commissioner Vincent Morales said a project which includes a segment of Ransom Road might need to be pulled.
The proposed $850,000 Ransom Road project would have consisted of transitioning a three lane concrete roadway into a four lane roadway near the Grand Parkway. Morales said the city of Sugar Land decided to pull support for the project, and shortly thereafter the city of Richmond followed suit. Morales said removal of the project should be confirmed at the next commissioner’s court meeting. Precinct 3 Commissioner Andy Myers proposed adding a third segment to the Roesner Road projects that involves a 1-mile stretch of land in Harris County and would cost an additional $1.4 million. Hebert recommended a final workshop be held to consider the projects still under discussion.
- Judge Jodie Stavinoha bridge repair
Commissioners approved an advanced funding agreement to the Fort Bend Grand Parkway Toll Road Authority not to exceed $20 million to be used for emergency construction repairs to the Judge Jodie Stavinoha Bridge, otherwise known as the Brazos River Bridge. Due to the main channel of the river shifting dramatically, the rate of erosion on the north bank has increased significantly over the last year. Hebert said the $20 million should be thought of as a short-term loan that will be reimbursed once the bond sale has been created.
- Grant for Child Task Force Program
Commissioners approved an interlocal agreement between Fort Bend County and the city of Houston to take part in the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Program which includes a grant of $93,575.
- Discovery Channel documentary
Commissioners approved an item to allow for representatives from Red Marble Media, Inc. to film a documentary at the Fort Bend County Historic Courthouse in late July. Representatives from the Fort Bend County Sheriffs Office will be interviewed about a closed case for the Discovery Channel show “Evil Talks.”
