County staff honored; $24k changes approved for new county D.A.W.I.C.H. building

From left to right are Medina County employees who were recognized at the Commissioners Court meeting: Gina Champion, Jamie Moore, Diamantina Jasso, Kathy Collins, and Edward Gonzales.

All commissioners for Medina County were present for the January 14 Commissioners Court meeting, and Judge Schuchart attended via Zoom. Six visitors and 7 county personnel were present for both sessions, with an unknown number attending virtually. In the first session, regular business was attended to, including an approval of personnel action in which Lytle Mayor Ruben Gonzalez requested a pay cut from his county position (Veteran Services Officer), so that he would not double-dip income on days when he is performing mayoral duties.
The second session took place an hour later and opened with the presentation of Employee Service Awards for the 4th quarter of 2019. Thank you to the following Medina County employees for their continued service: 10 Yrs- Edward Gonzales; 15 Yrs- Katherine Collins, Jamie Moore, Gina Champion, Diamantina Jasso; 25 Yrs- Jennifer Adlong.
A new method for juvenile offenders to ‘check in’ was approved, consisting of a smartphone app that use the smartphone location and camera to verify users’ locations. The app will would allow for live photo verification (using facial recognition) that will make check-ins easier and more convenient, as has been proven with previous use of the app with adult users. The added cost to the county is $100/month and there is no limit to the number of users the county may add to the program.
New software— “CAD Web View”— was approved to enhance dispatcher and supervisor awareness, created by Tyler Technologies for an annual cost of $1000. This software creates secure web access to a live map of where all Sheriff Office vehicles are located (and thus, where deputies are), which the deputies and dispatcher can already view on their dispatch and in-car computers. The difference with CAD Web View is that supervisors can see that map via a secure internet connection on their mobile devices, and can coordinate operations when they are away from the dispatch or cruiser computers.
Seven change orders from Canco Construction were approved for the “D.A.W.I.C.H.” building, located at 1402 Ave. M in Hondo. This building will house the District Attorney, WIC program and Health unit, hence the name. The change orders total $24,918 and include reframing interior walls, upgraded 200 Amp circuit breaker & disconnect, added drain line to the existing sewer, added countertops and document storage in Health offices, demolished approach ramp to accommodate new doors, re-routed main power supply (this is a shared supply line to the annex building) and upgrade the street-side glass with a bullet-resistant film to meet ballistic resistance standards.
The same DAWICH property had a separate paving contract accepted from and awarded to Wayne Rogers Construction Co Inc., which was the lowest presented bid at $35,250. Other bids for similar work ranged from $47k to $56k.
Final approval was given to Rothe & Associates to vacate and replat Lot 8 San Martin Hills Subdivision in Pct. 1 off of CR 246, as well as Lots 6A, 6B 173 South Subdivision, Unit 2 in Pct. 1 off of Hwy 173.
Final approval was given to CR 6717 Property LLC to vacate and replat Lot 8 Hickory Ridge Subdivision in Pct. 4 off of CR 6717.
Final Approval was given to LJA Engineering for the Hunters Ranch Phase II Subdivision in Pct. 4 off of FM 1957 (Potranco), though it was noted that this item of business may have been a duplicate from the last meeting.
Private Road (PR) 7735 & 7702 were approved southeast of Devine in Pct. 4 and will run north from CR 7711, and south from HWY 173, respectively.
Kyle G. Saathoff
Staff Writer