Aug 20, 2024 Commission Meetings

OKAY, MAYOR, I DO WANT TO ADD THAT MAYOR PROTE DID CALL IN AND HE IS ILL, SIR.

ITEM NUMBER TWO, THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO YOUTH AND TEXAS, THE FLAG.

AND, UH, PLEASE REMAIN STAND FOR THE INVOCATION PLEDGE.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG.

FLAG THE UNITED STATES AND MURDER TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH THERE ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVIDUAL WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.

HONOR A TEXAS FLAG, ALLEGEDLY JUST TO THE TEXAS ONCE STATE UNDER GOD, ONE INDIVIDUAL.

PABLO, LET US PRAY, GOD OF WISDOM, AND MIGHT WE PRAISE YOU FOR THE WONDER OF OUR BEING AND FOR OUR MIND, BODY, AND SPIRIT.

WE ASK THAT YOU BE WITH ALL STUDENTS AS THEY BEGIN A NEW SCHOOL YEAR.

BLESS THEM ALONG WITH THEIR TEACHERS AND SCHOOL STAFF.

GIVE THEM STRENGTH AND KNOWLEDGE AND KEEP THEM SAFE AS THEY CONTINUE THEIR EDUCATION.

WE ASK THIS THROUGH JESUS CHRIST, OUR LORD.

AMEN.

THANK YOU, MR. PABLO.

I'M TRYING TO TURN THIS THING OFF.

[ANNOUNCEMENTS]

COMMITTEE ANNOUNCEMENTS.

COMMISSIONER GOODMAN, MARK YOUR CA MARK, MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28TH.

THE CITY IS PREPARING FOR THE FOOD BANK OF THE RIO GRANDE VALLEY TO HOLD THE FOOD DISTRIBUTION FROM NINE NINE TO 11:00 AM AT THE SAN MANTO FAIRGROUNDS.

LOCATED, LOCATED AT 5 51 CESAR GONZALES PARKWAY.

THIS DISTRIBUTION IS OPEN TO EVERYONE, NOT JUST RESIDENTS OF SAN MANTO.

ALL WELCOME, ALL ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND.

NUMBER TWO.

WE'RE STILL A COUPLE WEEKS AWAY, BUT KEEP IN MIND THAT THE CITY OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 2ND IN OBSERVANCE OF LABOR DAY.

I WISH I COULD TAKE A DAY OFF TOO.

NORMAL BUSINESS HOURS WERE RESUMED TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3RD.

THANK YOU, SIR.

OKAY, COMMISSIONER, ANY ANY OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS TO THE ALL WHAT MAKE MAYOR? I, I WOULD JUST LIKE TO SAY SOMETHING.

UM, I WAS HONORED TODAY TO BE INVITED TO THE DEEP SOUTH TEXAS STATE OF, UH, WATER SYMPOSIUM, UM, TODAY IN FAR, UM, WHERE IT TOLD US A LOT OF INFORMATION ABOUT THE DROUGHT THAT WE'RE IN.

UM, YOU HAD YOUR STATE REPRESENTATIVES THERE, YOU HAD YOUR MORGAN LA MANIA, JANIE LOPEZ, UM, AND LETTING US KNOW THE CRITICAL STATE THAT WE'RE IN AND THAT WE ALL NEED TO DO OUR PART AND TO CONSERVE, CONSERVE, CONSERVE.

SO I JUST WANNA GET THAT MESSAGE OUT THERE TO EVERYBODY, THAT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE ALL NEED TO DO, PARTICIPATE IN.

UM, I KNOW SOMETIMES WE WOULD SAY OUR NEIGHBORING CITIES AREN'T DOING IT.

WE WHERE WE NEED TO WORRY AS A WHOLE, AS EVERYBODY, AND WE ALL NEED TO COME TOGETHER TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE DOING OUR PART.

THANK YOU, MAYOR.

THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.

AND YES, WE ARE, UH, WE ARE IN A SERIOUS DROUGHT.

UH, WE DO HAVE A LOT OF, UH, EVEN IF YOU LOOK AT OUR, THE SAKA, IT DOES HAVE, UH, YOU JUST NEED TO LOOK AT IT YOURSELF.

THAT WAY YOU COULD SEE IT SO THERE'S NOT, UH, TOO MUCH WATER IN IT.

PEOPLE THINK THAT IT'S US, IT'S NOT US.

UH, SO WE DEPEND ON THE IRRIGATION DISTRICT TO, UH, TO FEED US THE WATER.

BUT THERE'S NOTHING CLOSE TO LOW ON THE RIO GRANDE.

THERE'S NOTHING THAT THEY CAN START PUMPING TO US.

SO THAT'S WHY IT'S LOW LIKE THAT.

SO, UM, COMMISSIONER, YOU'RE RIGHT.

AND, UH, YOU KNOW, WE JUST NEED TO CONSERVE WATER AS MUCH AS WE CAN.

NOT ONLY THE PUBLIC, BUT ALSO THE CITY.

ANY OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS? COMMISSIONERS? YES, I HAVE AN ANNOUNCEMENT.

MAYOR, COMMISSIONERS, UH, AS Y'ALL KNOW, A FEW WEEKS BACK, UH, STAFF AND I, UH, OUR CFO, STEPHANIE AND OUR FAS, UH, WERE

[00:05:01]

RERATED BY FITCH.

SO THAT, THAT PROCESS, UH, WAS PRETTY GRUELING.

AND AS YOU KNOW, OUR FITCH RATING AND OUR STANDARD IMPORTS RATING IS ACTUALLY WHAT WE BORROW MONEY, UH, WITH.

AND, AND THAT DETERMINES OUR, OUR COST OF MONEY AND OUR COST OF BORROWING.

SO I'M PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT, YOU KNOW, THANKS TO THE STAFF, THE HARD WORK OF, UH, EVERYBODY THAT WE, WE, UH, AND, AND OF COURSE THE COUNCIL FOR, YOU KNOW, MAKING SURE THAT, UH, WE TOW THE LINE WITH, UH, OUR FISCAL RESPONSIBILITIES.

WE'VE BEEN RERATED, WE ARE AA, BUT WE WERE BEING, UH, MONITORED.

WE'RE NO LONGER BEING MONITORED.

SO, UH, KUDOS TO THE STAFF.

KUDOS TO STEPHANIE.

AND, UH, OF COURSE, SIR, AT THAT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

AND WE, UH, WE ARE GOING OUT WITH THAT PRESS RELEASE OFFICIAL TODAY.

GREAT.

THANK YOU FOR ALL THE STUFF, ALL THE FINANCE THAT, UH, YOU KNOW, EVERYBODY, EVERYBODY INVOLVED, UH, YOU KNOW, THANK YOU FOR, FOR, UH, GETTING US THERE.

YOU KNOW, I KNOW IT'S BEEN PRETTY HARD, UH, BUT, UH, YOU KNOW, WE'LL, WE'LL GET THERE.

THE CITY WILL GROW AS MUCH AS WE CAN, SO THANKS, THANKS FOR EVERYTHING.

SO YOU WILL, UH, YOUR STAFF, UH, KNOW WE OWE 'EM A BIG, A BIG LUNCH.

MAKE SURE YOU GIVE 'EM OUR, GIVE 'EM OUR BEST.

I KNOW THEY ALL WORK HARD FOR IT, SO.

WILL THAT BE ? SO THIS WEEK, OKAY, LET'S SEE.

WE CAN DO IT.

COMMISSIONERS.

ANY OTHER NO, NO OTHER ANNOUNCES.

[PUBLIC COMMENTS]

OKAY, GOOD.

UH, PUBLIC COMMENTS.

YES, WE HAVE, UM, WAYNE SINO, MR. JOSEPHO, EVENING MAYOR AND COMMISSION.

I, I CHUCKLED THE OTHER DAY WHEN I READ THAT THE CITY MANAGER TOLD THE NEWSPAPER THAT, UH, THE CITY USING PUBLIC FUNDS WAS PLANNING TO SUE MY FIRM FOR HARASSMENT.

I'VE BEEN EAGERLY WAITING FOR THE PROCESS SERVER, AND I'M HERE TONIGHT, SO IF YOU'D LIKE TO SERVE TONIGHT, OTHERWISE, I WOULD SUGGEST YOU MIGHT WANNA STOP RUNNING IT.

UM, BUT I, I HAD TO GET A BIGGER LAUGH WHEN I READ YOU MAYOR, UH, THREATEN YOU WERE GONNA KNOCK THE BLANK OUT OF ME.

MM-HMM.

AND SO I'M HERE TONIGHT.

SO, YOU KNOW, I DON'T NORMALLY GET INVOLVED IN THIRD GRADE ANTICS, AND I THINK IT'S AN EMBARRASSMENT TO THE CITY, BUT I, I WOULD SUGGEST THAT, YOU KNOW, I COULD LOOK, I COULD ASK THE COPS TO ARREST HIM FOR, YOU KNOW, THAT'S A TERRORISTIC THREAT LAST TIME I CHECKED, BUT I'M NOT GONNA DO THAT.

UM, BUT I AM HERE TO TELL YOU THAT SO THAT THERE'S NO MISUNDERSTANDING.

EVERY TIME SOME PUBLIC OFFICIAL HERE SAYS SOMETHING STUPID OR THREATENING, THAT MAKES ME WANT TO STAY AROUND LONGER.

I'M BUSY INVESTIGATING OTHER THINGS IN THE VALLEY.

THE REASON I KEEP COMING BACK TO SAN BENITO IS BECAUSE SOME OF YOU FOLKS JUST DON'T GET IT.

IF YOU CARED ABOUT TRANSPARENCY, MAYOR, YOU WOULD, FOR INSTANCE, UM, ORDER THE POLICE DEPARTMENT TO BEGIN AN INVESTIGATION OF THE SEXUAL HARASSMENT AND MISCONDUCT OVER AT THE HOUSING AUTHORITY.

YOU WOULD RELEASE THE HOUSING AUTHORITIES INVESTIGATION OF YOUR OWN BROTHER.

I DON'T REALLY CARE ABOUT WHOSE GIRLFRIENDS PEOPLE HAVE OR BOYFRIENDS OR EXTRAMARITAL RELATIONSHIPS OR ALL THAT KIND OF STUFF.

I DON'T CARE.

WHAT I DO CARE ABOUT IS THAT THE CITIZENS OF THIS TOWN DESERVE WHAT YOU CLAIM YOU DO, WHICH IS TRANSPARENCY.

IT'S AN EASY WORD TO SAY, MAYOR.

I HEAR IT ALL THE TIME.

I'VE HEARD IT FOR 45 YEARS FROM POLITICIANS.

BUT IT'S FALSE WHEN YOU DON'T DO IT.

OKAY? IT'S ALSO UNETHICAL AS YOU KNOW WHAT, USING YOUR WORDS, MAYOR TO A POINT, YOUR OWN KINFOLK TO STUFF, THE NOTION THAT THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH CITIZENS IN THIS TOWN WHO AIN'T RELATED TO SOMEBODY BY THE FIRST OR SECOND DEGREE SANITY IS ABSURD.

IF YOU REALLY CARED ABOUT TRANSPARENCY AND APPEARANCE, AND IF YOU THINK I'M HARDING YOUR FEELINGS OR SOMETHING, ALL YOU FOLKS, THEN GET RID OF YOUR KINFOLK.

TAKE YOUR BROTHER OFF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY, TAKE YOUR HUSBAND OFF THE BOARDS, TAKE YOUR COUSIN'S, MAMA'S GIRLFRIENDS OFF ALL HIS STUFF.

EVERYBODY SEES WHAT'S GOING ON HERE.

AND I'M, I'VE ALREADY TOLD THE WOMAN WHO INTERVIEWED WITH ME FOR THE STORY I DID TODAY AND OTHERS THAT IF THERE IS RETALIATION AGAINST ANY OF THOSE FOLKS, I'M GONNA STAND AROUND FOREVER.

AND I'M ALSO GONNA TELL THE CITY TONIGHT, AND MS. MCGINNIS SPECIFICALLY, THAT IF I DON'T GET THE FINANCIAL RECORDS THAT I'VE REQUESTED AND THAT HAVE BEEN ORDERED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, I WILL SUE YOUR CITY AND I WILL COST YOU A LOT OF MONEY FIRED, SIR.

AND NO MORE SUBPOENAS, MAYOR, BECAUSE I'LL FIGHT THOSE BATTLES.

MIKE TRAVIS, 1695 RUSSELL LANE.

ANYBODY ELSE FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS? PUBLIC BOOK? YES.

MR. MIKE TRAVIS.

MR. TRAVIS.

[00:10:09]

GOOD EVENING.

THE LORD'S BLESSINGS UPON US ALL ONE AND ALL.

AND JUST FOR THE RECORD, I AM NOT REPRESENTING ANYONE EXCEPT MYSELF HERE.

SO THE COMMENTS I'M GONNA MAKE HERE ARE MINE AND MINE ALONE.

NO ONE ASKED ME TO COME HERE.

AND SO IT'S VERY SERENDIPITOUS, SIR, THAT YOU WERE HERE SO THAT I COULD SEE HOW YOU BULLY AND YOU TRY TO THROW YOUR WEIGHT AROUND KIND OF STUFF.

UH, FIRST I WANNA SAY, UH, FIRST OF ALL, I, I APPLAUD THE STREET PAVING PROJECTS THAT'S BEEN GOING ON.

AND, UH, IT'S ALL, I'M ALWAYS REMINDED BY IT WHEN I GO TO THE POST OFFICE AND GO ON BOWIE STREETS, BECAUSE I STILL REMEMBER HOW, OKAY, I'M, I'M, I'M BURNING MY TIME.

UH, I DO HAVE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS WITH THE, UH, RELATED TO THE WATER CONCEPT.

UH, I PERSONALLY HAVE BEEN CUT OFF, I THINK ABOUT FOUR YEARS NOW FROM, UH, IRRIGATION DISTRICT NUMBER TWO FOR GETTING ANY KIND OF WATER KINDA STUFF MYSELF.

SO, UM, IS THERE ANY WAY, I DON'T KNOW IF THERE'S PLANS FOR, UH, DESALINIZATION, I READ IT IN THE NEWS HERE A LITTLE BIT.

PORT ISABEL, I THINK BROWNSVILLE, MAYBE TOGETHER, COLLECTIVELY AS A COMMUNITY, WE CAN LOOK INTO THAT.

UH, ALSO, UM, ON GOW STREET, OUTSIDE OF THE OLD PROJECTS, UH, SOMEBODY HAS DUMPED SOME TIRES AND I WAS WONDERING IF THERE'S ANY WAY, UH, SOMEBODY COULD GO OVER THERE AND PICK THOSE UP AND DISPOSE OF THEM PROPERLY.

I DID NOT WANT TO GO AND THROW THEM OVER THE FENCE OVER THERE.

UH, 'CAUSE I WOULD BE ACCUSED OF DOING SOMETHING.

AND THEN AT WILLIAMS ROAD AND RUSSELL LANE, UM, I KNOW THIS, THIS IS DOT, UH, AND I'VE CALLED THEM AND ASKED THEM TO DO THIS.

BUT MO ON THE RIGHT OF WAY, RIGHT THERE AT RUSSELL LANE AND WILLIAMS ROAD, UH, IT'S A JUNGLE RIGHT THERE.

AND IT'S A HAZARD.

IT'S A, IT'S A SAFETY HAZARD.

IT, ALL OF THOSE KIND OF THINGS.

UH, ANYWAY, NOW TO THE VARCO DEAL, THE WAY THAT I SEE IT, IT'S VERY SIMILAR TO THE BASS PRO DEAL IN HARLINGEN, THE WAY THAT I SEE IT, SOMEBODY COME IN AT THE BEHEST OF SOMEBODY TO DO A WORLD PROJECT, IT STARTS OFF, IT STALLS.

IT DOESN'T GET STARTED.

CRY FOUL.

SO THAT'S ALL I'M GONNA SAY ON THAT.

'CAUSE I'M USING ALL MY TIME HERE.

AND MR. DOSOFINO, I ALREADY SAID, UH, PERSONALLY WHAT I THINK ABOUT YOU, YOU'RE A BULLY.

YOU TRY TO USE YOUR POSITION AND YOUR INFLUENCE AND YOUR MEDIA COVERAGE AND EVERYTHING TO PUSH PEOPLE AROUND.

AND I WANNA SAY THIS, I SUPPORT EVERYTHING THAT Y'ALL DO.

AND AGAIN, NOBODY ASKED ME TO COME HERE.

I DID THIS ON MY OWN VOLITION AS A CONCERNED CITIZEN IN THE CITY OF SAN BENITO.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR LISTENING.

[CONSENT AGENDA ITEM(S)]

NEXT ITEM'S GONNA BE THE, UH, CONSENT AGENDA, SIR.

MAYOR, COMMISSIONERS, WE HAVE ITEMS ONE THROUGH 10 CONSENT AGENDA.

UM, WE CAN TAKE ACTION ON THOSE NOW, UNLESS SOME, UH, ANY OF Y'ALL WOULD LIKE TO REMOVE ANY OR YEP.

ALL OUT OF THE CONSENT FOR DISCUSSION.

ANY COMMISSIONERS WANT TO REMOVE ANY OF THE ITEMS? IF NOT ONCE, I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE CONSENT.

AGENDA ITEMS ONE THROUGH 10.

SECOND BY COMMISSIONER NAVARRO.

I'VE GOT A MOTION BY THANK SIR.

BY, BY COMMISSIONER.

UH, GOODMAN.

SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.

ANY NAYS? MOTION PASSES THE CONSENT AGENDA ONE THROUGH 10.

MAYOR

[1. Second Public Hearing on the 2024 Proposed Ad Valorem Property Tax Rate for the Fiscal Year 2024-2025.]

GOING TO PUBLIC HEARING.

AGAIN, THE STAR OF THE, THE STAR OF THE MEETING.

THANK YOU, STEPHANIE.

GOOD AFTERNOON.

STEPHANIE , FINANCE DIRECTOR FOR THE RECORD.

UM, FIRST PUBLIC HEARING.

THIS IS THE SECOND PUBLIC HEARING ON THE PROPOSED AT THE LAUREN PROPERTY TAX RATE AS DISCUSSED.

WE'LL, WE'LL LEAVING IT THE SAME.

THIS IS JUST OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

IF THERE'S ANY COMMENTS, OPEN PUBLIC HEARING.

WE'LL OPEN PUBLIC HEARING.

THE TIME IS, UH, 5 48.

ANY COMMENTS IN THE PUBLIC? ONCE, TWICE.

DONE.

UH, TIME IS, UH, 5 48.

WE'RE CLOSING THE PUBLIC COMMENTS.

THEN WE HAVE ITEMS FOR INDIVIDUAL CONSERVATION.

OK.

[1. First Reading of Ordinance Number 2623-08-2024 an ordinance levying the Ad Valorem Property Tax Rate for the City of San Benito, Texas, for the year 2024 and repealing all ordinances or part of ordinance in conflict herewith.]

UM, NOW IT'S THE FIRST READING OF THAT SAME SECOND PUBLIC HEARING.

THIS IS THE FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE NUMBER 26 23

[00:15:01]

DASH 8 20 24.

THIS IS THE ORDINANCE EVALUATING THE AT THE LAUREN PROPERTY TAX RATE FOR THE CITY.

UH, THE SAME THING.

NOW, THIS IS A FIRST READING ON IN ORDER FOR US TO ADOPT NEXT, NEXT MEETING.

THAT'S JUST A FIRST READING.

JUST A READING ACTION ON IT.

ON ITEM NUMBER TWO OF THE ITEMS FOR INDIVIDUAL ATION.

MM-HMM.

[2. First Reading of Appropriation Ordinance Number 2624-08-2024, an ordinance adopting a Budget for the General Fund, Debt Service Fund, Community Development Block Grant, Economic Development Fund, Waterworks Enterprise Fund, Wastewater Enterprise Fund, Solid Waste Enterprise Fund, the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston and Hotel and Motel Occupancy Tax for the Ensuing Fiscal Year October 1, 2024, and ending September 30, 2025, in accordance with the Charter of the City of San Benito, Texas and repealing all ordinance or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith.]

NOW WE HAVE THE APPROPRIATION OF THE ORDINANCE NUMBER 26 24 DASH EIGHT DASH 2024.

THIS IS AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE BUDGET FOR THE GENERAL FUND, THE DEBT SERVICE, THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, UM, GRANT, EDC, UM, THE WATER ENTERPRISE FUND, THE WASTEWATER ENTERPRISE FUND, THE SOLID WASTEWATER, UM, THE UT HEALTH, THE HOTEL MOTEL, UM, FOR THE YEAR, UM, STARTING OCTOBER 1ST, 2024, AND ENDING IN SEPTEMBER 30TH, 2025.

IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CHART CHARTER OF THE CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO, TEXAS, AND REVEALING ALL THE ORDINANCE OR PART OF ORDINANCE IN THE CONFLICT HERE WITH.

SO THIS IS THE FIRST, UM, READING OF APPROPRIATION OF THE ORDINANCE FOR US TO ADOPT THE BUDGET.

NEXT, UM, NEXT MEETING.

SEPTEMBER 3RD.

MM-HMM, .

STEPHANIE, HAVE THERE BEEN ANY MAJOR CHANGES SINCE WE RECEIVED THE, UH, BUDGET BIBLE? UM, NO.

WE'RE STILL, AS YOU MAY KNOW, PENDING ON ONE OF THE ITEMS, IT'S THE ONLY THING THAT HAS, THAT'S STILL NOT CONCLUDE.

UM, ONCE THAT'S DONE, I'M GONNA PROVIDE YOU ALL WITH THE PDF VERSION SO YOU CAN KNOW AHEAD OF TIME BEFORE SEPTEMBER 3RD.

IF THERE'S ANY QUESTIONS THAT ARISE BETWEEN THOSE TIMES, WE CAN ADDRESS THEM, UH, BEFORE WE ACTUALLY ADOPT.

UH, THAT'S WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO MAKE IT SO EARLY ON THE MONTH, SO THAT COULD GET, GET SET.

SO WE'RE ONLY WAITING ON MAYBE ONE OR TWO MORE ITEMS THEN? IS THAT WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT? YEAH, IT'S JUST, IT'S JUST ONE, ONE LAST ITEM.

JUST ONE ITEM.

AND I BELIEVE IT'S GONNA GET DISCUSSED TO TONIGHT WITH, WITH Y'ALL.

YEAH, WE'RE WAITING ON THE POLICE DEPARTMENT'S SUBMITTAL AND WE'RE GONNA DISCUSS THAT WITH Y'ALL ON THEIR CBA.

OTHER THAN THAT, EVERYTHING REMAINS THE SAME AS, UH, PRESENTED IN THE LAST BUDGET WORKSHOP.

ANY OTHER QUESTIONS, COMMISSIONERS? NO.

NONE.

OKAY, WE HAVE ITEM NUMBER THREE, AND THAT'S THE FIRST READINGS OF ORDINANCE NUMBER 2 0 2 1 0 3 DASH SEVEN DASH OH EIGHT DASH 2024, WHICH IS AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NUMBERS 21 0 3, 21 0 3 DASH 1, 21 0 3 DASH 2 21 0 3 DASH 4, 21 0 3 DASH FIVE, AND 2103 DASH SIX.

[3. First Reading of Ordinance Number 2103-7-08-2024, an ordinance amending Ordinance Numbers 2103, 2103-1, 2103-2, 2103-4, 2103-5, 2103-6, and any other amending ordinances codified in the code of ordinances pertaining to “Guarantees and Performance” and repealing any other ordinances in conflict therewith.]

AND ANY OTHER ORDINANCES, AMENDING ORDINANCES CODIFIED IN THIS CODE OF ORDINANCES PERTAINING TO GUARANTEES AND PERFORMANCE AND REPEALING ANY OTHER ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT.

THEREWITH.

OKAY, MS. JOANNA? YES.

UM, MAYOR COMMISSIONERS, THIS ORDINANCE IS BECAUSE DURING THE SUBDIVISION PROCESS, A SECTION OF IT ALLOWS FOR LETTERS OF, OR LETTERS OF CREDIT AND BONDS DEPENDING ON THE SITUATION AND THE PATH THAT THEY TAKE.

SO WE'RE KIND OF CLEANING IT UP CURRENTLY.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT DOESN'T PROTECT OUR INFRASTRUCTURE WHEN IT'S BEING BILLED IS THE SECTION OF THE ORDINANCE THAT STATES THAT THE ONE YEAR WARRANTY WILL BE GIVEN TO US.

UM, THE ONLY THING IS, YES, THEY'RE GUARANTEEING IT FOR A YEAR, HOWEVER, THEY'RE ONLY CUTTING US A CHECK FOR 5% OF THE COST OF THE TOTAL COST OF CONSTRUCTION.

IF THE STREETS FAIL OR SIDEWALKS FAIL, 5% IS NOT GONNA HELP US FIX VERY MUCH.

SO WE ARE CHANGING IT TO, INSTEAD OF AN ESCROW OF MONEY, UH, A MAINTENANCE BOND, I BELIEVE, OR A, UM, GIMME ONE SECOND.

PERFORMANCE BOND PERFORMANCE BOND.

IT'S A PERFORMANCE BOND OR A TRUST AGREEMENT.

AND THESE ARE DONE THROUGH THE BANK.

IT'S, IT'S A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT.

SO EASIER FOR THE DEVELOPER IN SOME WAYS, UM, EASIER ON US ALSO BECAUSE OUR INFRASTRUCTURE IS MORE PROTECTED OR AT LEAST FOR A LONGER PERIOD OF TIME.

AND, UH, AT A HUNDRED PERCENT, NOT AT 5%.

AND JUST TO CLARIFY, FOR THE MAYOR COMMISSION, THAT IS IN LIEU OF A ONE YEAR WARRANTY, CORRECT? YES.

CONSTRUCTION, AND TO BE QUITE HONEST, WE HAVE A COUPLE THAT ARE IN THE WORKS.

SO WE'RE, WE'RE GETTING A ONE YEAR WARRANTY OR THE PERFORMANCE BOND AND TRUST AGREEMENT FOR ONE YEAR THAT IT, THAT, YOU KNOW, WITHIN THAT ONE YEAR, IF ANYTHING HAPPENS, THE CONTRACTOR HAS TO COME BACK AND FIX IT.

UM, CURRENTLY WE DON'T HAVE THAT.

WE DO HAVE WHERE THEY HAVE TO COME BACK AND, AND WE HAVE TO, WE HAVE THE MONEY TO FIX IT, BUT IT'S 5%, FIVE PERCENT'S NOT GONNA DO VERY MUCH.

STEPHANIE APPRO.

OH, STEPHANIE, SORRY, JOANNA.

THE, UH, I'M STILL THINKING DOLLARS.

SORRY.

UM, HOW MANY OF THE, UH, HOW MANY SUBDIVISIONS DO WE HAVE CURRENTLY IN THE WORKS APPROXIMATELY? WE HAVE ONE THAT IS IN

[00:20:01]

IT'S JUST, UM, THEY HAVEN'T QUITE COME TO CONSTRUCTION YET.

ONE OF THE, ONE OF THE CONCERNS THAT I HAVE IS THAT IN THE YEAR, LITTLE OVER YEAR, I'VE BEEN SITTING HERE AND INVOLVED IN THIS, I'VE SEEN A LOT OF DEVELOPERS COME IN WANTING TO DO SUBDIVISIONS AND, AND, AND I GET CONCERNED WHEN I SEE SO MANY WHO WANT TO DO THINGS, BUT YET WE CAN'T SEEM TO GET THEM THAT THEY, I DON'T KNOW WHETHER IT'S THEM OR WE STANDING IN THE WAY.

DOES, DOES SOME OF THIS AND THE AMENDMENTS HERE MAKE IT EASIER OR MORE COMPLICATED FOR US TO GET THESE SUBDIVISIONS GOING? SO FOR, FOR EXAMPLE, THESE AMENDMENTS WILL MAKE IT EASIER FOR THEM BECAUSE WHEN WE ASK A DEVELOPER TO CUT A CHECK TO US, YOU KNOW, RIGHT AFTER CONSTRUCTION, WE HAVE TO HOLD THAT MONEY THAT'S ACTUAL MONEY OUT OF THEIR POCKET THAT THEY CAN'T TOUCH FOR A YEAR WITH A PERFORMANCE BOND OR A TRUST AGREEMENT, THEY'RE DOING THAT THROUGH THE BANK.

SO IT'S NOT MONEY THAT AFFECTS THEM, IT'S MORE THAT THE BANK IS GONNA SAY THAT THEY, THEY'LL HONOR THAT MONEY.

WHAT OTHER MEASURES CAN WE TAKE TO CONTINUE TO EXPEDITE SOME OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF THESE SUBDIVISIONS? UM, CURRENTLY WE'VE BEEN, YOU KNOW, WE, WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH THE DEVELOPERS MORE.

UM, IT'S JUST THAT THEY HAVE HIT SOME ROADBLOCKS.

UH, ONE OF THEM THAT'S IN CONSTRUCTION RIGHT NOW, UH, PROBABLY STOPPED FOR ABOUT THREE MONTHS SO FAR BECAUSE THEY HIT A, UM, A EP MAIN SOURCE OF INTERNET BOX FOR THE ENTIRE CITY.

SO THEY, INSTEAD OF HITTING IT, THEY SAW IT AND A EP BASICALLY TOLD HIM, OR WAS IT SPECTRUM, BASICALLY TOLD HIM YOU'RE NOT TOUCHING ANYTHING.

SO WE'RE TRYING TO GET A WORKAROUND AND IT, IT IS DIFFICULT.

WHICH SUBDIVISION IS THAT? UM, LEMME SEE.

DO YOU REMEMBER THE NAME? HOW OLD IT'S GUM PEDALS? IS THAT THE ONE BEHIND THE CAR WASH AND THE, OKAY, SUPER.

SO LITTLE THINGS THAT HAPPEN DURING CONSTRUCTION OR PRIOR TO US TRYING TO GET THEM, YOU KNOW, COMPLETELY GOING, I, I, I JUST REALLY WANT US TO BE A COMMUNITY THAT WHEN DEVELOPERS COME INTO TOWN, WE WELCOME 'EM.

WE, WE, WE DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO KIND OF REACH OUT TO 'EM AND SAY, OKAY, GREAT.

LET'S, YOU KNOW, HERE'S WHAT WE GOTTA DO TO GET GOING.

AND WE DON'T GET DELAYS, DELAYS, DELAYS WITH ALL KINDS OF STUFF.

I JUST WOULD RATHER SEE THAT WE, YOU KNOW, THAT WE'RE, WE HAVE A DIFFERENT REPUTATION THERE AND A DIFFERENT TRACK RECORD THERE.

AND SOMETIMES IT'S NOT NECESSARILY ON OUR END.

UNDERSTAND.

YEAH, THAT'S WHAT I WAS ABOUT TO SAY.

A LOT OF TIMES IT'S BEEN LATELY, UM, THEY'RE NOT HIRING ENGINEERS SOMETIMES AND I THINK THAT'S WHERE THEY'RE GOING HISTORY.

WELL, LET ME BE CLEAR ABOUT THAT.

IT'S NOT ALWAYS YOUR FAULT.

I APPRECIATE THAT.

BUT, UH, ANYTHING YOU CAN DO TO POINT THEM IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION OF WHAT THEY DO NEED TO DO, MAKING IT CLEAR FORM, WE NEED TO DO IT.

AND JOANNA, THANK YOU FOR CLARIFYING THAT BECAUSE SOME MAY THINK THAT WE HAVE EVERYTHING TO DO WITH THAT.

AND WHEN THAT'S OUT OF OUR CONTROL, WHEN IT'S NOT NOTHING PERTAINING TO THE CITY HOLDING THEM BACK, IT'S CIRCUMSTANCES OUT OF THEIR CONTROL AS WELL THAT PUT 'EM ON A HOLD ON A PROJECT.

SO THANK YOU FOR CLARIFYING THAT.

ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? COMMISSIONERS? NONE.

JOANNA, UH, THAT WAS ITEM THREE.

[4. First Reading of Ordinance Number 2573-A-08-2024, an ordinance amending Ordinance Number 2573, providing a Comprehensive Schedule of Fees and related policies and procedures for Technical Permit Fees, Planning and Zoning Department, Fire Department, Police Department, Library Department, Administration Department, Parks Department, and other fees and policies as stipulated.]

NO, ITEM FOUR.

FIRST READING, ORDINANCE NUMBER 2 5 7 3 DASH A DASH ZERO EIGHT DASH 2 4 2 0 2 4.

ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NUMBER 2 5 7 3, PROVIDING A COMPREHENSIVE SCHEDULE OF FEES AND RELATED POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR TECHNICAL PERMIT FEES, PLANNING AND ZONING DEPARTMENT, FIRE DEPARTMENT, POLICE DEPARTMENT, LIBRARY DEPARTMENT, ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT, PARKS DEPARTMENT, AND OTHER FEES AND POLICIES AS STIPULATED.

SO WE JUST TRUING UP OUR FEES.

YES, WE TRIED TO GIVE YOU AS MUCH INFORMATION AS POSSIBLE.

UM, THE ONES THAT ARE CHANGING, THE ONES THAT THE KNOW WE GAVE YOU OTHER CITIES ON SOME SITUATIONS, UM, I DID NOT DO THIS BY MYSELF.

UH, PRETTY MUCH EVERY DEPARTMENT HEAD GAVE US WHAT THEY NEEDED OR WHAT THEY, THEIR RESEARCH WAS.

AND WE, WE KIND OF COMPILED IT.

SEVEN PAGES OF FEES.

JUST IN CASE ANYBODY WANTS TO KNOW, THERE'S SEVEN PAGES OF DIFFERENT FEES.

IT'S FOR THE WHOLE CITY.

I'M IN THE VACATION RENTAL BUSINESS OUT ON SOUTH POTTER ISLAND, AND WE HAVE GUESTS THAT COME IN AND PEOPLE PAY RENT, AND THEN THEY, THEN WE CHARGE 'EM OTHER FEES, LIKE CLEANING FEES, ET CETERA, ET CETERA.

AND IT'S KIND OF A JOKE IN THE BUSINESS THAT, YOU KNOW, IT'S LIKE A, WE CHARGE A FEE THAT WE, WE CALL, YOU KNOW, BECAUSE I CAN FEE, YOU KNOW, IT'S JUST, OKAY, WHY ARE YOU CHARGING THAT FEE? BECAUSE I CAN'T, YOU KNOW, THAT'S, THAT'S IT.

I JUST, I JUST WANNA BE CAREFUL AND I KNOW THERE'S A REASON FOR ALL OF THESE FEES, BUT I JUST, I ALSO GET INTO THE ATTITUDE THAT, YOU KNOW, YOU'RE GONNA FEED ME TO DEATH WITH A LOT OF THIS STUFF.

BEFORE WE HAVE, WE HAVE, ONE OF THE THINGS WE TALKED ABOUT BEFORE WAS A PARK SETTLEMENT FEE.

TELL ME ABOUT THAT ONE.

THAT WOULD BE

[00:25:01]

MS. FIANNA.

THAT'S UNDER PARKS, RIGHT? I THINK IT'S UNDER, WELL, IT'S A, IT SAYS PARK SETTLEMENT FEE.

I THINK IT HAS, IT'S ON PAGE 1 26 OF THE, OF PAGE, UH, SEVEN, PAGE SIX OF THE, OF THE BOOKLET OF, BUT PAGE 1 27 IN OUR PACKET, AND I THINK WE TALKED ABOUT THIS BEFORE.

I HEARD SOMETHING ABOUT THIS.

IT WAS, UH, IT'S UM, PARK SETTLEMENT FEE OR SEE IS IT THERE ON THE TOP? DO YOU, WHAT DEPARTMENT DOES IT FALL UNDER? MM.

ASK ME THE HARD QUESTIONS.

NOW.

BUILDING PERMIT FEE, WAS IT UNDER BUILDING PERMITS? UH, THERE'S NO, IT WAS UP FURTHER UP.

HOLD ON, I'M GETTING THERE.

PARKS PLANNING AND ZONING? NO, WHERE'D IT GO? OH, PARK SETTLEMENT FEE.

THAT'S THE PARKLAND FEES.

PARKLAND FEE, YES.

WHAT IS THAT? THAT WE TALKED ABOUT THAT.

BUT THAT IS THE ONE THAT WE CHARGE NOW FOR, UM, EACH UNIT THAT COMES IN, THAT MONEY GOES INTO A SEPARATE ACCOUNT SPECIFICALLY TO HELP MAINTAIN OR BUILD OUR PARKS AND IT'S DIFFERENT ZONES OF THE CITY.

SO WE CUT THE CITY UP IN ZONES WHEN WE DID THAT ORDINANCE.

AND EVERY TIME A SUBDIVISION COMES IN, WE COLLECT X AMOUNT OF MONEY AND THAT MONEY GOES INTO THAT ZONE AND IT'S HELPED TO HELP MAINTAIN OUR PARKS OR JUST BUILD NEW PARKS.

THERE'S ALSO OTHER OPTIONS FOR THEM DURING THE SUBDIVISION PROCESS, LIKE DONATING THE LAND AND BUILDING A PARK THEMSELVES, DEPENDING ON THE SIZE OF THE SUBDIVISION, IF THEY DON'T WANNA PAY THE MONEY.

I'M ALL FOR GREEN SPACE AND I'M ALL FOR MAINTAINING GREEN SPACE.

I AGREE FOR THAT.

I AGREE WITH THAT.

BUT $600 PER LOT PER NEW LOT.

ACTUALLY THAT'S, IS THAT A COMMON FEE? THAT'S VERY STANDARD.

UM, SOME ARE A LOT HIGHER.

DON'T GO TO FAR .

IT'S A LOT HIGHER.

UM, OKAY.

WELL I JUST, I DIDN'T SEE THE COMPARISON HERE ON THE SHEET WHERE YOU DID SOME COMPARISONS.

I DIDN'T SEE ANY OTHER COMPARISONS ON THIS ONE, SO.

I THINK IT WAS 'CAUSE WE DIDN'T TOUCH THAT ONE.

YOU THINK WHAT? I THINK IT WAS BECAUSE WE, WE WEREN'T CHANGING THE FEE ON THAT ONE.

IT WAS STAYING THE SAME.

HOW ABOUT THE, UH, COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION BASE FEE UNDER BUILDING PERMIT FEE? UH, THAT ONE IT SHOULD BE STAYING THE SAME AS WELL SHOW.

WHAT PAGE IS THAT? THAT'S ON PAGE 1 26 AT THE BOTTOM AND THE TOP OF PAGE 1 27.

AND IT SAYS $200 WAS $40, NOW IT'S $200.

IT SAYS WESLACO CHARGES 25, LEMME SEE.

60 DO WELL, SAN JUAN $60 BASE RATE.

AND, AND AGAIN, I, I MEAN THESE, I UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF DOING THIS.

I JUST DON'T WANT TO BE PERCEIVED.

THIS IS A PERCEPTION ISSUE AS YOU KNOW, YOU'RE GONNA GO OVER THERE AND BUILD AND DEVELOP, BUT THEY'RE GONNA FEED YOU TO DEATH.

NO.

UM, THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF FEES THAT CURRENTLY ARE VERY, VERY LOW FOR US.

WE DON'T EVEN MAKE THE MONEY BACK ON SCANNING AND PAPER.

AND, YOU KNOW, I'LL GIVE YOU A PERFECT EXAMPLE FOR THE, IF YOU COME AND YOU APPLY FOR A CHANGE OF ZONE, IT'S $200.

CURRENTLY THAT'S NOT EVEN GONNA COVER THE NEWSPAPER AD.

THE NEWSPAPER ADS ARE LIKE FOUR 50.

AND THEN IF THEY NEED TO REAPPLY BECAUSE IT GOT TABLED OR WHATEVER THE CASE MAY BE ON OUR END, THAT'S ANOTHER 450.

IF WE TABLED IT ON OUR END, THEN WE DON'T CHARGE THEM AND WE'RE STILL OUT $800 OF THE 200 THAT WE COLLECTED.

ARE THERE OTHER WAYS TO PUBLISH OTHER THAN NEWSPAPERS? THE, WE HAVE TO FOLLOW STATE STANDARDS AND THAT'S ONE OF THEM.

SOMEBODY ELSE'S PROPERTY.

UM, AND THEN THAT'S NOT INCLUDING THE MAIL OUTS, THE PAPER, THE, YOU KNOW, PRINTING IT.

PEOPLE DON'T LIKE IT BLACK AND WHITE.

THEY WANT COLOR, UM, BECAUSE THEY CAN'T SEE THE ZONE ON BLACK AND WHITE.

IT ALL LOOKS THE SAME.

SO ALL THESE COSTS START ACCUMULATING AND WE'VE GOTTA MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE AT LEAST GETTING EVEN UNDERSTOOD.

UM, I, THE OTHER QUESTION I HAD, AND I'LL BE QUIET UP TO THIS MAYBE, UH, FENCE PERMIT, ROOF PERMIT.

THIS IS ALL JUST SLIGHTLY UNDERNEATH THERE.

UM, HOW MANY OF THOSE KINDS OF FEES ARE WE ACTUALLY COLLECTING? BECAUSE I'M NOT, I'M NOT SURE THAT PEOPLE EVEN UNDERSTAND.

THEY GOTTA COME IN AND, AND DO A PERMIT FOR 'EM AND, AND THEY NEED TO UNDERSTAND WHY.

WE NEED TO KNOW WHAT THEY'RE DOING.

SO FENCE PERMITS, WE DO GET A LOT OF PEOPLE IN HERE.

WE DO ALSO GET A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT BUILD WITHOUT PERMITS, BUT THEN THEY COME IN AND THEY ACQUIRE THEIR PERMITS.

UM, FENCES FENCE PERMITS ARE VERY IMPORTANT BECAUSE WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE STAYING ON THEIR PROPERTY LINE.

THEY'RE NOT EXTENDING INTO

[00:30:01]

UM, THINGS OF THAT NATURE.

ARE THEY GRANTING US ACCESS TO THE UTILITIES? YOU KNOW, THEY CAN FENCE, BUT THEY NEED TO PUT A GATE, YOU KNOW, THE, THEY NEED TO BE ABLE TO ACCESS, THEY NEED TO BE AWARE.

AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT'S BROUGHT TO THEIR ATTENTION WHEN THEY COME GET THE PERMIT.

IF YOU BUILD OVER THE EASEMENT, THEY HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO KNOCK DOWN YOUR FENCE, WHOEVER IT MAY BE, A EP SPECTRUM CITY, AND THEY DON'T HAVE TO REBUILD.

SO THOSE ARE THE, THAT'S THE INFORMATION PACKET THAT WE GIVE THEM, THE PAMPHLET, ALL THAT COMES IN IN THERE.

SO YES, WE DO HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT STILL ARE UNAWARE SOMETIMES THAT THEY NEED A PERMIT, BUT CODE ENFORCEMENT AND PLENTY OF PEOPLE WILL CALL MY NEIGHBOR BUILT A FENCE AND WE HAVE TO GO OUT THERE AND ASK THEM TO PLEASE JUST COME OBTAIN THE PERMIT.

AND THEY USUALLY DO, THEY USUALLY ARE VERY GOOD ABOUT COMING IN.

I JUST, I, IT'S IMPORTANT THE PUBLIC UNDERSTANDS WHY WE, WE DO THESE THINGS AND WHY THEY NEED THE PERMITS AND THAT BECOMES AN ISSUE FOR PUBLIC RELATIONS AND OTHER THINGS TO, TO DO.

AND ANYTHING ELSE WE CAN PUT ON OUR WEBSITES AND OTHER STUFF TO HELP THEM UNDERSTAND WHY THESE PERMITS ARE THERE AS WELL BECOMES IMPORTANT.

RIGHT.

NO, WE DO TRY TO GIVE THEM AS MUCH INFORMATION AS POSSIBLE, ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY COME IN.

UM, WE'VE CHANGED THE PROCESS A LITTLE.

THERE'S PAMPHLETS THAT TELL THEM, YOU KNOW, THIS IS THE PROCESS AND YOU GO FROM THIS STEP TO THIS STEP TO THIS STEP.

AND I MEAN, IT'S FOLLOWED.

FOLLOW IT AND YOU SHOULD BE GOOD.

UM, AND INFORMATION ABOUT, YOU KNOW, CODE ENFORCEMENT, WE GIVE THOSE OUT AT THE CITY HALL FOR ALL, UM, WHAT THEY CAN AND CAN'T DO AND WHAT PERMITS YOU NEED.

AND WE HAVE PAMPHLETS FOR ALL OF THAT.

AND THEY ARE UP ON THE WEBSITE, SO.

OKAY, SO NOW WE'RE GOING TO EXHIBIT SESSION.

ANY OTHER QUESTIONS, MR. JUDGE? NONE.

OKAY THEN, UH, GOT EXHIBIT POSITION.

[EXECUTIVE SESSION]

UM, ACCORDING TO, UH, UH, THANK YOU TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE 5 5 1 0.074, UH, CITY LEGAL DUTIES AND OBLIGATIONS.

SO WE COLLECT THE BARGAINING AND THE, UH, 5 0 1 5 5 2 0.1071, UH, PRIVILEGED COMMUNICATION WITH, UH, ATTORNEY CLIENT PRIVILEGE.

TIME IS, UH, 6 0 6 AND WE'RE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION, CORRECT? YES, SIR.

AND THE TIME IS, UH, 7 0 6 AND WE'RE BACK FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION.

AND, UM, AND ONE AND TWO.

ANY FOR ANY VOTES? NONE.

NONE TAKEN OR FOR? NO MOTIONS ON IT.

ANY OTHER QUESTIONS BEFORE I ADJOURN? COMMISSIONERS, GREG? NOTHING.