City Council

CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES CITY OF ODESSA, TEXAS May 19, 2020 On May 19, 2020, a work session meeting of the Odessa City Council was held at 10:01 a.m. in the Council Chambers, City Hall, 411 West 8th Street, Odessa, Texas. Due to the COVID-19, the meeting was teleconferenced, as allowed by the Governor’s executive order. City Council was present through teleconference. City Council present: Mayor David R. Turner; Council members: Michael Shelton, District One; Dewey Bryant, District Two; Detra White, District Three; Tom Sprawls, District Four; Mari Willis, District Five; and Peggy Dean, At-Large. Others present: Michael Marrero, City Manager; Norma Aguilar-Grimaldo, City Secretary; Natasha Brooks, City Attorney; Phillip Urrutia, Assistant City Manager; Cindy Muncy, Interim Assistant City Manager; and other members of City staff. Mayor Turner gave the invocation. Grant funding from Walmart Community Grants. John Alvarez, Fire Chief, stated that the Walmart Community Grant was a second grant for $2,000. City to apply for and accept a Federal Government Grant ($80,800) to provide partial payment for bulletproof vests, committing to a cash match, appropriating awarded grant funds, and authorizing expenditure of awarded grant funds. Mike Gerke, Police Chief, stated that the grant would be to replace the bulletproof vests. The custom fit vests had a five-year life span. The grant was for $40,400 with a cash match of $40,400. Purchase roll-off trucks for Solid Waste. Mr. Urrutia stated that the roll-off was for a replacement of a truck with disbursement insurance of $129,924. The funds would be from the capital replacement funds for a total cost of $199,593. Reject bid for dry type transformers. Mr. Urrutia stated that one bid was received and it was over budget. The bid package would be revised and bid out later. Consider appointment of boards: Colorado River Municipal District, Mickey Jones and Dan Hollmann. Motion was made by Council member Bryant and seconded by Council member White to reappoint Mickey Jones and Dan Hollmann to the Colorado River Municipal Water District. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Turner, Shelton, Bryant, White, Sprawls, Willis, and Dean Nay: None Coronavirus Relief Funds Presentation. Mr. Marrero stated that the CARES Act provided financial resources for workers, families, and state and local governments. The allocation for Texas was $11.24 billion and 45% would be to the local governments. The cities with the population over 500,000 received its funds. Ector County and the City would receive $6.6 million. The City had access of $1.3 million (20%) immediately. There were Work Session Minutes May 19, 2020 Page 2 requirements to utilized and receive the funds. An application was required to be submitted. He reviewed the process and the funds were for expenses from March 1 through December 30, 2020. Mr. Marrero reviewed the Corona Relief Funding eligible activities. Some of the specific authorized expenses included medical expenses, public health expenses, payroll expenses, facilitate compliance with COVID-19, and any other COVID-19 related expense. If there was no funding from the State on the program for nursing homes, the funds could be directed for reimbursement on the nursing homes. Chief Alvarez stated that the Fire personnel was testing all the licensed nursing homes. Council member Bryant emphasized that all COVID-19 funds be reimbursed, if the expense was authorized. Mr. Marrero stated that the larger cities received its funding as it had experienced the most impact of the corona virus. Staff would identify where to best utilize the funds and be reimbursed for all reimbursable expenses. The funds were also available for assisting small businesses. All costs would be captured including administrative cost if it related to the COVID-19. Ector County would receive $2.6 million. Resolution No. 2020R-35 - Authorize the City Manager to apply and execute all necessary documents associated with the Coronavirus Relief Fund from the State of Texas. Motion was made by Council member Dean and seconded by Council member White to approve the resolution. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Turner, Shelton, Bryant, White, Sprawls, Willis, and Dean Nay: None CDBG CARES Presentation. Merita Sandoval, Director of Community Development, stated that the City would receive $514,553 from the CDBG-CV. She identified possible uses in public service, special economic development assistance, and public facilities. She stated that some of the recommended projects were testing including nursing homes, food assistance, rental assistance, and assist the homeless. The agencies such as the West Texas Food Bank, Meals on Wheels and Family Promise fit the category for food assistance. She stated funding could be disbursed through open applications or limit the type of projects. Council member Bryant suggested a taskforce to assist with making a recommendation for the funds. There needed to be city involvement, proper publicity for the right place to utilize the funds. He stated that time and attention was needed to put the funds where it belonged. Mrs. Sandoval stated that the deadline was September 30 and the funds were needed to be used on low to moderate income. Council member Willis stated that Mrs. Sandoval needed to be involved and to consider the mental health of COVID-19 areas that have been effected, if it met the criteria. The funds needed to be spent by December 30, 2020. Council members Bryant, Dean and Shelton will be on the task force committee and narrow where the assistance should be provided with the funds. There was no further business, the meeting adjourned at 10:46 a.m. ATTEST: APPROVED: Norma Aguilar-Grimaldo, TRMC, CMC David R. Turner City Secretary Mayor