City Council

CITY COUNCIL MINUTES CITY OF ODESSA, TEXAS June 9, 2020 On June 9, 2020, a regular meeting of the Odessa City Council was held at 6:01 p.m., Floyd Gwin, PAL Gym, 1015 N. County Rd. West, Odessa, Texas. 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; Robert Carroll, Senior Assistant City Attorney; Phillip Urrutia, Assistant City Manager; Cindy Muncy, Assistant City Manager; and other members of City staff. A quorum being present, Mayor Turner called the meeting to order and the following proceedings were held: The invocation was given by Mayor Turner and followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and Texas flags. Fire Station Presentation– John Alvarez, Fire Chief, was appreciative of the Fire Station 6 & 9 new buildings. The cost of Fire Station 6 was $16,100,000. He updated the potential relocations for Fire Station 6. The relocation at 3414 Brentwood did not have enough land. Four acres was needed. He provided the condition of Fire Station 6. The negotiation on the Maple and Grandview site failed. He proposed the location on Optimist Park. It had access to Grandview, and it would take less than 25% of the park. The footprint was scaled down and the Fire Marshal’s office would be relocated from Fire Station 6 to 3rd and Lee. The Police Department would have an office at Fire Station 6. He showed a concept drawing. He reviewed the floor plan for the Fire Marshal’s office. The additional cost was $4,040,000. He explained the associated additional costs. Council member Bryant asked the status of the feasibility building structure study. Mr. Marrero stated it was on hold due to the City’s current financial situation. Council member Bryant stated that the city was growing and the study needed to be done. He asked about the parking issues at 3rd and Lee. Mr. Marrero stated parking was changed to angled parking and a parking lot was available in the back of the building. Council member White asked about eminent domain. Mr. Marrero stated no past Council had imposed eminent domain. The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board recommended for approval for the use of Optimist Park. The Council encouraged that the residents on Everglade be made aware of the change. Council member Willis had concerns for downsizing the station with the current needs. Arts and Economic Prosperity Study – Randy Ham, Odessa Arts Executive Director, provided the results from the arts and economic study. The surveys had a 98% response. The arts economic impact was $6 million. There were 200 full-time jobs that were support by arts and cultural organizations. The City of Odessa had a huge return on its investment. The average event-related spending per person for residents attendees was $27.30 and for nonresident attendees was $79.22. Council Minutes June 9, 2020 Page 2 CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS A. City Council minutes, May 26, 2020; B. City Council workshop minutes, May 27, 2020; C. City Council work session minutes, June 2, 2020; D. Renew contract with Rene’ Bates Auctioneers for auctioneering services. Motion was made by Council member Dean and seconded by Council member Sprawls to approve consent agenda items. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Turner, Shelton, Bryant, White, Sprawls, Willis, and Dean Nay: None OTHER COUNCIL ACTION Bid award for the 2020 traffic signal improvements. Hal Feldman, Traffic Engineer, stated that two traffic signals would be constructed. The recommended bidder was Willis Electric for $298,000. Motion was made by Council member White and seconded by Council member Willis to approve the bid award as recommended. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Turner, Shelton, Bryant, White, Sprawls, Willis, and Dean Nay: None PUBLIC HEARING Resolution No. 2020R-40 - Conduct a public hearing and consider the allocation of $874,693 in Program Year 2020 Community Development Block Grant funds (CDBG) and $53,015 in unprogrammed CDBG funds. In addition, consider the allocation of $269,062 in 2020 HOME Investment Partnership Program funds. Merita Sandoval, Director of Community Development, stated that the City was allocated $874,693 in CDBG funds and $269,062 in HOME funds. There were $53,015 in unprogrammed funds. She provided the caps for public service, CD administration and HOME administration. Mrs. Sandoval reviewed each Community Development request. The mowing program assisted 36 households. She explained the housing rehab program on how the funds were used. Funds used included salaries for the housing assistant and construction manager. Council member Bryant stressed the importance of using all the CARES CV funding that was appropriated. He stated that those funds needed to be allocated accordingly and there were needs from the CDBG requests that could use the funds from the CARES CV funds. The appropriate agencies should be funded the CARES Act funds. Funds could be expended up to two years if it was under contract. Council member Bryant wanted to exhaust the CARE funds with the agencies that provide to the public. Council member Shelton stated that there were three churches that were designated as a 501 c3. The CARES funds would be received immediately and the CDBG funds were received in October or November. CDBG funds could not be reimbursed with the CARES funds. Council member Dean urged the agencies to apply for the CARES funding especially if they were not funded through CDBG. Council would allocate the CARES funding on July 14. Council Minutes June 9, 2020 Page 3 Gilbert Sanchez, Family Promise, stated that the program helped homeless families. The pandemic and oil drop had effected many families and more people were in need. Family Promise provided assisted those in need. Family Promise was discussing applying for the CARES funding. Family Promise needed additional trailers but there may be an issue with the zoning. The situation of the families were explained. The funding was used for transportation, food and some medical bills. There were only six churches that participated with Family Promise, which was down due to COVID-19. Margaret Burton, Meals on Wheels, reported that there were 85 new clients on the program. There were face visits but telephone calls were made. She explained the process of how the food was delivered to the clients. Extra food was sent to the clients to assist with the pandemic. The population of Odessa was growing and more clients were using the program. She would apply for the CARES funding. Each Council member provided a recommendation for CDBG funds and HOME funds. Motion was made by Council member White and seconded by Council member Sprawls to approve the resolution. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Turner, Shelton, Bryant, White, Sprawls, Willis, and Dean Nay: None The following CDBG Fund allocations were funded: Program Administration $150,000 Housing Rehabilitation 398,395 Demolition 230,000 GOPB Whitiker Head Start 44,084 GOPB Hollingsworth Head Start 75,229 Elderly and Disabled Lawn Mowing Program 30,000 The following HOME Fund allocations were funded: Program Administration $26,906 Housing Infill program $100,000 Homeowner Rehab Program 101,796 Community Housing Development Organization 40,360 ORDINANCE Install and remove traffic signals. Mr. Feldman stated that due to the University improvements project the traffic signals need to be updated in the Code of Ordinances. Motion was made by Council member White and seconded by Council member Shelton to approve the ordinance on first approval. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Turner, Shelton, Bryant, White, Sprawls, Willis, and Dean Nay: None Council Minutes June 9, 2020 Page 4 RESOLUTION Appeal of Betenbough Homes, owner, of the final plat of Ratliff Ridge, 5th Filing as approved by the City of Odessa Planning and Zoning Commission. No action. MISCELLANEOUS Appointment of Boards: Animal Shelter Advisory Committee, Historic Preservation Commission, Traffic Advisory Committee, Zoning Board of Adjustment and Midland Odessa Urban Transit District. No action. Citizen’s comments on non-agenda items. No action. There was no other business, the meeting adjourned at 7:56 p.m. ATTEST: APPROVED: Norma Aguilar-Grimaldo, TRMC, CMC David R. Turner City Secretary Mayor