Bay City Tribune

Commissioners approved almost $43,200 in Homeland Security funds to purchase three radiation portal monitors during their regular weekly meeting Monday morning.

Matagorda County Judge Nate McDonald also announced that the county was one of only three in the state to win a county progress award at a statewide Commissioner and Judicial conference last week.

George Deshotels, Commissioner Pct. 2, also announced that unexpected grant money had been awarded to the county for the construction of permanent restroom facilities at the Sargent Beach park located off of FM 457.

Doug Matthes, Matagorda County Emergency Management coordinator, told commissioners that the radiation portal monitors will be housed in Matagorda County but deployable as a statewide resource.

The monitors are large enough to drive a car or pickup truck through and serve to detect traces of radiation on people or objects in the event of a radiological release.

"These funds were received as a result of working with (South Texas Plant Nuclear Operating Company)," said Matthes.

"We will use these at our reception centers in the even that we have a radiological release at STP."

Bob Watts, Matagorda County Emergency Management coordinator and consultant, said the new monitors will replace the two the county currently owns that are about 30 years old and out of calibration.

Matthes explained that the monitors are also used a large events such as the Super Bowl to detect dirty bombs and other security threats.

"So this will become a state asset but it will be housed here in Matagorda County," said Matthes.

"They are portable so we'll use the Red Cross volunteers to deploy them in the event that surrounding counties needed them for an emergency."

"Two of them will be deployable but we'll probably make it policy that one of them always stays here in the county," he said.

The drive-through feature will be a huge asset as opposed to the old hand-held monitors that have been used in the past, said Matthes.

During public comments McDonald displayed the County Progress award that Matagorda County received.

"Matagorda County was one of three counties in the state that received the County Progress Award," said McDonald.

The glass trophy read, "In appreciation of Matagorda County Commissioners Court for excellence in going the extra mile."

"What it was in reference to was the four commissioners willingness to send their troops out to help Brazoria County in their time of need," said McDonald.

"When they had Hurricane Ike strike they were devastated over there - especially with their roads being closed."

"These gentlemen all got together to come to the aid of our neighbor," he said.

McDonald said Donald Payne, Brazoria County Commissioner Pct. 1, was present at the award ceremony to express his gratitude to Matagorda County.

"I think what you did to step forth to come to the aid of your neighbors is not done in this day and age near enough," said McDonald.

Deshotels said the county received another grant for $126,000 that was somewhat unexpected.

"Four or five years ago we applied for a grant to put in restrooms at the park at the end of FM 457 (near the entrance to Sargent Beach) and we were not awarded the grant," said Deshotels.

"They said, though, that if any money ever came available from grants that weren't used they would pass those on to us."

Currently two portable restrooms stand in the place where construction is set to begin.

"We're working with the engineer now to build those restrooms and after this year they are certainly needed," he said.

"A lot of people have been using Sargent Beach."

Deshotels said the grant would not require a funding match from the county.

In other news, commissioners:

approved a resolution and cover letter in support of the Economic Action Committee of the Gulf Coast's grant application for home-delivered meals from the Texas Department of Agriculture;

approved a resolution submitting William E. Roe as Matagorda County's nomination to be placed on the official ballot for the Board of Directors of the Matagorda County Appraisal District.