THE STATE OF TEXAS CITY OF BROWNSVILLE COUNTY OF CAMERON MINUTES of a Regular Meeting of the City Commission of the City of Brownsville, Texas, held in the Commission Chambers, on the Second Floor of the Brownsville City Hall Old Federal Building, located at 1001 East Elizabeth Street, Brownsville, Cameron County, Texas, on Tuesday, October 17, 2017, at 6:00 P.M. with the following members present: ANTONIO MARTINEZ ) Mayor COMMISSIONERS ROSE Z. GOWEN ) At-Large B RICARDO LONGORIA, JR. ) District 1 JESSICA TETREAU ) District 2 JOEL MUNGUIA ) District 3 BEN NEECE ) District 4 PETE GONZALEZ MICHAEL L. LOPEZ ALLISON BASTIAN GRISELDA ROSAS ABSENT: DEPUTY CITY MANAGER ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER DEPUTY CITY ATTORNEY CITY SECRETARY CESAR DE LEON At-Large A A quorum being present, Mayor Antonio Martinez, asked Ms. Griselda Rosas, City Secretary, to read the call to consider the following matters as posted and filed for the record in The Office of the City Secretary on October 13, 2017. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * REGULAR MEETING: 6:00 P.M. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: UNITED STATES PLEDGE * TEXAS PLEDGE The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Antonio Martinez and the Texas Pledge was led by Commissioner Ricardo Longoria, Jr. INVOCATION: The invocation was led by Pastor Brad Burkes, from Embassy of the Spirit Church, of Brownsville, Texas. 1. MAYOR S ACTIVITY UPDATE: * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Mayor Antonio Martinez did not deliver a report. Minutes October 17, 2017 Page 1 of 7
2. COMMISSIONERS ACTIVITY UPDATE: Commissioner Rose Gowen mentioned that the Brownsville Latin Jazz Festival and Cyclobia were both successful events and thanked the organizers. Commissioner Gowen announced that the Buena Vida Choice Neighborhood will be having their 1 st Annual Treasure Hunt Event on Saturday, October 21, 2017 at the Edelstein Park 1155 E. Polk St. from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Commissioner Ben Neece announced that the Brownsville Historical Association would be holding an event on Saturday, October 21, 2017, at the Linear Park starting at 5:30 p.m. 3. PROCLAMATIONS: Housing America Month 2017 (Commissioners R. Gowen/B. Neece) The proclamation was read and presented by Commissioner Rose Gowen. 4. PRESENTATIONS: Employee of the Month (Pete Gonzalez Deputy City Manager) Mr. Pete Gonzalez, Deputy City Manager, recognized Ms. Sylvia Ordeman, Grants Manager, as October s Employee of the Month. 2017 Annual Community Voice Campaign (Marina Zolezzi Grants) Ms. Marina Zolezzi, Grants Director, gave a brief explanation of the 6 th Annual Community Voice Campaign. 5. CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS: Commissioner Ricardo Longoria, Jr., requested that Consent Agenda Item 5a be moved out of sequence for discussion. Commissioner Longoria, Jr., mentioned that the item was tabled and he requested for a re-vote. Ms. Griselda Rosas, City Secretary, noted that there was an Agenda Item for GBIC Board appointment already in place for a vote. Brief discussion ensued amongst the Board in regards to the action that was taken during the meeting of October 3, 2017 for GBIC Board member appointment. All Consent Agenda Items listed were considered to be routine by the City Commission and were approved by one motion. Upon motion by Commissioner Rose Gowen seconded by Commissioner Joel Munguia and carried unanimously, Consent Agenda Items b through f were approved, with the exception of Consent Agenda Item a. ITEMS No. a through f Minutes October 17, 2017 Page 2 of 7
a) Approval of the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of October 3, 2017. b) To acknowledge the following individuals to incur travel expense: Employee Department Destination Date Shawn Schroeder Airport New Orleans, LA Dec. 04-08, 2017 Arturo Rodriguez Health Austin, TX Oct. 16-18, 2017 Maria Isabel Garza Human Resources San Antonio, TX Nov. 13-14, 2017 Carlos A. Zamorano Police Dallas, TX Oct. 23-27, 2017 Juan M. Salinas Police Dallas, TX Oct. 23-27-, 2017 Michael S.Parker Police Dallas, TX Oct. 23-27, 2017 John Tamayo Police Dallas, TX Oct. 23-27, 2017 Eric I. Castillo Police Kingsville, TX Nov. 05-10, 2017 Eduardo R. Zuniga Police Kingsville, TX Nov. 05-10, 2017 Joe Villarreal Police Kingsville, TX Nov. 05-10, 2017 Hugo Martinez Police Kingsville, TX Nov. 05-10, 2017 c) APPROVAL on SECOND and FINAL READING on Ordinance Number 2017-1632 approving negotiated Texas Gas Service Rates for 2017-2018. d) Consideration and ACTION for authorization for 26 employees to attend the ARFF Live Fire Training on October 13, 2017, October 20, 2017 and October 27, 2017 at the Laredo International Fire & Law Enforcement Training Center in Laredo, Texas. e) Consideration and ACTION on Resolution Number 2017-062 authorizing the closure of Southmost Boulevard for the 18th Annual Veteran's Day Parade to be held on Saturday, November 04, 2017. f) APPROVAL on SECOND and FINAL READING on Ordinance Number 235-2017-044, to rezone from General Retail G (4CG) to Dwelling G (DG) for 4.00 acres of Reserve of Valadez Subdivision located at 4865 Paredes Line Road. (District 3) PUBLIC HEARINGS: * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 6. Public Hearing and ACTION on FIRST READING on Ordinance Number 235-2017-061, to rezone from Dwelling Z (DZ) to General Retail H (4CH) for 0.7651 acres of Lot 4 El Jardin Resubdivision, Block 204 and.2267 acres of Abstract 2 Lopez High School Subdivision PT Lot 1, Block 1 located at 3228 S. Dakota Avenue. (District 1) Ms. Francesca Linder, Zoning Plat Administrator, gave a brief explanation of the proposed rezoning ordinance. Upon motion by Commissioner Ricardo Longoria, Jr., seconded by Commissioner Rose Gowen and carried unanimously, the public hearing was closed. Commissioner Ricardo Longoria, Jr., moved that Ordinance Number 235-2017-061, be adopted at first reading, to rezone from Dwelling Z (DZ) to General Retail H (4CH) for 0.7651 acres of Lot 4 El Jardin Resubdivision, Block 204 and.2267 acres of Abstract 2 Lopez High School Subdivision PT Lot 1, Block 1 located at 3228 S. Dakota Avenue. (District 1) The motion was seconded by Commissioner Rose Gowen and carried unanimously. Minutes October 17, 2017 Page 3 of 7
7. Public Hearing and ACTION on FIRST READING on Ordinance Number 235-2017-062, to rezone from Light Retail X (2CX) to Dwelling G (DG) for 10.73 acres out of 51.55 acre tract of Lots 1, 2, 3 and 4 of Block 115 of El Jardin Resubdivision located near FM 511 and Charmaine Lane. (District 2) Ms. Francesca Linder, Zoning Plat Administrator, gave a brief explanation of the proposed rezoning ordinance. Upon motion by Commissioner Ricardo Longoria, Jr., seconded by Commissioner Joel Munguia and carried unanimously, the public hearing was closed. Commissioner Ricardo Longoria, Jr., moved Ordinance Number 235-2017-062, be adopted at first reading, to rezone from Light Retail X (2CX) to Dwelling G (DG) for 10.73 acres out of 51.55 acre tract of Lots 1, 2, 3 and 4 of Block 115 of El Jardin Resubdivision located near FM 511 and Charmaine Lane. (District 2) The motion was seconded by Commissioner Joel Munguia and carried unanimously. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 8. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD: PLEASE NOTE: Mr. Erasmo Castro, expressed concern regarding City Government. Ms. Leticia Perez Garzoria, expressed concern regarding City Government. ITEMS FOR INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION: 9. Consideration and ACTION to accept the letter of retirement from Charlie Cabler, and set a date on which the office of the City Manager is officially vacated. Commissioner Ricardo Longoria, Jr., moved that the letter of retirement from Mr. Charlie Cabler, City Manager and set a date on which the office of the City Manager is officially vacated, be accepted and approved. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Rose Gowen and carried as follow: Ayes: Commissioners Longoria, Jr., Tetreau, Gowen, Munguia and Mayor Martinez Nays: None Abstained: Commissioner Neece Commissioner Ricardo Longoria, Jr., moved that the letter of retirement from Mr. Charlie Cabler, City Manager and set a date on which the office of the City Manager is officially vacated, be effective as of October 17, 2017, be approved. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Rose Gowen and carried as follow: Ayes: Commissioners Longoria, Jr., Tetreau, Gowen, Munguia and Mayor Martinez Nays: None Abstained: Commissioner Neece Minutes October 17, 2017 Page 4 of 7
10. Consideration and ACTION to appoint seven (7) members to the Historic Preservation and Design Review Board. Commissioner Jessica Tetreau moved that Mr. Calvin Walker, be appointed to the Historic Preservation and Design Review Board. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Ricardo Longoria, Jr., and carried unanimously. Commissioner Ben Neece moved that Mr. Rolando Garza, Phillip Samponaro, Lawrence Lof, and Ms. Tara Putegnat, be appointed to the Historic Preservation and Design Review Board. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Rose Gowen and carried unanimously. Commissioner Ricardo Longoria, Jr., moved that Mr. Juan (Trey) Mendez III, be appointed to the Historic Preservation and Design Review Board. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Joel Munguia and carried unanimously. Commissioner Rose Gowen moved that Mr. Joseph Rodriguez, be appointed to the Historic Preservation and Design Review Board. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Joel Munguia and carried unanimously. 11. Consideration and ACTION to appoint one (1) member to the Greater Brownsville Incentives Corporation. Commissioner Ricardo Longoria, Jr., moved that Ms. Nurith Galonsky, be appointed to the Greater Brownsville Incentives Corporation. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Jessica Tetreau and carried unanimously. 12. Consideration and ACTION for the City of Brownsville to enter into a contract with Cameron County Emergency Service District No. 1 to furnish firefighting services to the unincorporated area of Cameron County designed by Zone Number 1 on the Official Fire Protection Service Zone Map of the Cameron County Emergency Service District 1. Commissioner Ben Neece moved that the City of Brownsville to enter into a contract with Cameron County Emergency Service District No. 1 to furnish firefighting services to the unincorporated area of Cameron County designed by Zone Number 1 on the Official Fire Protection Service Zone Map of the Cameron County Emergency Service District 1, be approved. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Joel Munguia and carried unanimously. 13. Consideration and ACTION for the City of Brownsville to enter into a contract with Cameron County Emergency Service District No. 1 to furnish ambulance and emergency medical services to the unincorporated area of Cameron County designed by Zone Number 1 on the Official Fire Protection Service Zone Map of the Cameron County Emergency Service District No. 1. Commissioner Ben Neece moved that the City of Brownsville to enter into a contract with Cameron County Emergency Service District No. 1 to furnish ambulance and emergency medical services to the unincorporated area of Cameron County designed by Zone Number 1 on the Official Fire Minutes October 17, 2017 Page 5 of 7
Protection Service Zone Map of the Cameron County Emergency Service District No. 1, be approved. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Joel Munguia and carried unanimously. As per City Staff, Agenda Item #17 was moved out of sequence for action. 17. Consideration and ACTION on Resolution Number 2017-061, to enter into a cooperative agreement with the GoodBuy Purchasing Program. Mr. Roberto Luna, Purchasing Director gave a brief explanation of the resolution and the agreement. Brief discussion ensued amongst the Commission with City Staff in regards to the GoodBuy Purchasing Program. Commissioner Ricardo Longoria, Jr., moved that Resolution Number 2017-061, to enter into a cooperative agreement with the GoodBuy Purchasing Program, be approved. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Rose Gowen and carried as follow: Ayes: Commissioner Longoria, Jr., Gowen, Munguia and Mayor Martinez Nays: Commissioner Neece Commissioner Jessica Tetreau did not vote, she stepped out. 14. Consideration and ACTION to approve the purchase of a new bucket truck for the Parks Department. Mr. Roberto Luna, Purchasing Director gave a brief explanation of a new bucket truck for the Parks Department. Brief discussion ensued amongst the Commission with City Staff in regards to the bucket truck. Upon motion by Commissioner Ben Neece seconded by Commissioner Rose Gowen the item was tabled and carried as follow: Ayes: Commissioners Neece, Gowen, Munguia and Mayor Martinez Nays: Commissioner Longoria, Jr. Commissioner Jessica Tetreau did not vote, she had stepped out. 15. Consideration and ACTION on the FY 2018 Administrative Services Agreement for Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation (BCIC). Commissioner Jessica Tetreau moved that the FY 2018 Administrative Services Agreement for Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation (BCIC), be approved. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Rose Gowen and carried unanimously. 16. Consideration and ACTION to request authorization to approve the City of Brownsville Brownsville Metro Department to offer a Free Ride Day on Wednesday, October 25, 2017. Minutes October 17, 2017 Page 6 of 7