City Council

CITY COUNCIL MINUTES CITY OF ODESSA, TEXAS July 14, 2020 On July 14, 2020, a regular meeting of the Odessa City Council was held at 6:02 p.m., Odessa, Texas. Due to the COVID-19, the meeting was teleconferenced, as allowed by Governor Abbott’s executive order. The 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, 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. CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS A. City Council minutes, June 23, 2020; B. City Council minutes, June 29, 2020; C. City Council work session minutes July 7, 2020; D. Ordinance 2020-20 - Request by Investment Corporation of America, owners, to rezone Windsor Height Addition, 6th Filing, Block 55, Drill Site No. 7 (5.27 acres), from Single Family-Two-Drill Reservation (SF-2-DR) to Office District (O) approximately 5.27 ac., Odessa, Ector County, Texas (southeast of the intersection of E. 37th St. and Englewood Ln.; E. Ordinance No. 2020-21 – Amend Chapter 14 of the City Code of Ordinances, Section 14-11-1: Fences and Screening; F. Ordinance No. 2020-22 – Install traffic signals; G. Award for professional services to conduct the City of Odessa facility needs assessment and conceptual planning; H. Annual contract renewal with Fox Scientific for the purchase of lab supplies. Motion was made by Council member White 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 Council Minutes July 14, 2020 Page 2 OTHER COUNCIL ACTION Bid award to CED/Energy Electrical Distribution for $94,050 for the purchase of 19 mini power packs for McKinney Park. Steve Patton, Director of Parks and Recreation, stated that the bid award was to purchase power packs for Starbright Village electrical displays. The replacement packs would last about 10 to 15 years. The cost was $94,050. Motion was made by Council member Willis and seconded by Council member Bryant 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 Open a public hearing to consider approval of the request by Stacey James and Donna Bell, owners, to rezone from Single Family-Two District (SF-2) to Neighborhood Services District (NS) on approx. 0.48 acre, Lots 18 and 19, Block 106, Crescent Park, Odessa, Ector County, Texas (southeast of the intersection of N. Grandview Ave. and Oakwood Dr.). Randy Brinlee, Director of Development Services, reviewed the location. The rezoning purpose was for a children’s clothing boutique. It would be complimentary to the area. The concern raised was parking space requirements. The issue was addressed as it would have rear access parking. The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval. No one came forward and the public hearing was closed. Motion was made by Council member Sprawls and seconded by Council member Bryant 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 Open a public hearing to consider approval of the request of James R. Hurt, etal., owners, City of Odessa/Kirk Strahan, agents, to rezone from Single Family-Three District-Drill Reservation (SF-3-DR) to Single Family-Three District (SF-3), south 3.67 acre of Lot 2, Block 1, Ratliff Ranch 38-1 (southeast of the intersection of E. 87th St. & Dawn Ave.) Mr. Brinlee stated that the location was vacant. The purpose to rezone was to remove the designation of Drill Reservation. The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval. Mr. Marrero stated that the Hurt family’s generosity donated the property for a future fire station. Council member Dean expressed appreciation to the Hurt family. No one came forward and the public hearing was closed. Motion was made by Council member White and seconded by Council member Sprawls 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 Open a public hearing to consider approval of the request by PPR Properties LLC, owner, for original zoning of Light Commercial (LC) on 13.36 ac. tract located in Section 39, Block 42, T-2-S, T&P Ry. Co. Survey, Ector County, Texas (west of the Council Minutes July 14, 2020 Page 3 intersection of S. Hwy. 385 and Mercer Rd.). Mr. Brinlee stated that the property was vacant. The purpose was to zone for Light Commercial and was consistent with the surrounding area. The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval. No one came forward and the public hearing was closed. Motion was made by Council member Dean 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 Tabled - Open a public hearing and consider the allocation of $514,553 in Community Development Block Grant Coronavirus funds (CDBG-CV). Merita Sandoval, Director of Community Development, stated that the City received $514,553 in CDBG-CV funds to be used on responding to the virus. The Task Force Committee identified four areas for the use of the funds. She reviewed all the requests. On the project administration requests, one application was withdrawn and the other was ineligible due to lack of providing a plan. Margaret Burton, Meals on Wheels, provided updated information with an increasing number of clients. The annual fundraiser was cancelled and was in desperate need for funds. She had 570 clients with 78 clients over the age of 90 years old. The delivery of meals was adjusted to protect the clients and volunteers. She reported that half of the clients were Hispanic. She explained the future client meal, as she was projecting more new clients. There was funding from other sources but it was allocated for other clients. Juan Gomez, Salvation Army Captain, stated that the request was focused on food assistance, rent/mortgage & utility assistance and homeless assistance. He was anticipating that the need would go up. The funds would be used for the clients in need. He explained the requests. Tom Jones, SHARE, stated that the request was for rent/mortgage and utility assistance. The funds would be used for families with children of special needs. It would include providing assistance with effects of COVID. SHARE partnered with ECISD to identify children. He reported that 1,300 families qualified for SHARE services. Out of the 100 families served from Odessa, 70% were single parents. Services also included counseling, case management and connecting assistance to government programs. The help provided was for immediate needs and long term. Erika Thomas, Odessa Links, stated that the funds would be for rent/mortgage and utility assistance and to assist the homeless. The funds would be used as leverage for additional match with federal funds. The client diversion assistance provided an individual support system. The program was cost efficient, as clients under this category may not need shelter assistance. Captain Gomez reported that the Salvation Army had to cut back on its occupancy for shelter to meet the social distancing requirements. He explained the food boxes as additional boxes to meet the needs. The food box may feed one or two weeks. Thurman Bryant, Community Development Program Assistant, stated that the request for Family Promise of $134,500 was for a purchase of a mobile home for transitional housing for the homeless with children. It would be used as a day center to house one or two families. Another request was for the upkeep, transportation, and supplies of the day Council Minutes July 14, 2020 Page 4 center. Mayor Turner stated that the churches housed the families by taking turns and during the day the day centers would be utilized for those families. The CDBG-CV fund had to be expended in five years. A Family Promise representative explained the other request that was to be used for gas expenses, food, medical and school supplies. She stated it would be difficult to raise funds for the trailer home if not all the funds were received. The home would be in the same location. Mr. Marrero stated that there were no issues with the zoning. Melanie Saiz, Centers for Children & Families, stated that the agency provided counseling for all individuals and payment was based on a sliding scale. There was a need for mental health services due to the pandemic. Their request of $50,000 would provide 417 counseling sessions. Council member Dean stated that even if not all the funds requested were allocated, it was fortunate to get these funds and distribute to those in need. Council member Willis thanked all the agencies for their service in the community. No one else came forward and the public hearing was closed. Each Council member gave a recommendation for funding. Council member Bryant stated that Family Promise had a long-range plan to fulfill the need with the purchase of a trailer. Council member Sprawls had concerns over providing a capital improvement and the possible burden on the agency to support the operations. He stated it might be a disservice if no help was given for the endowment. The following CDBG-CV allocation had a consensus: Food Assistance: Meals on Wheels $204,961 Salvation Army No consensus Rent/Mortgage & Utility Assistance: Salvation Army 85,000 SHARE 50,000 Odessa Links 28,100 Homeless Assistance: Salvation Army – protection and hygiene 30,000 Salvation Army No consensus Family Promise – day center/housing No consensus Family Promise –homeless care 18,000 Family Promise - homeless care 17,000 Odessa Links 26,490 Mental Health Counseling Centers for Children & Families 50,000 Discussion was held on where to allocate the funds. Mr. Marrero stated that there was a category under the CRF funds that could specifically be allocated to food delivery to residents but must be spent by the end of the year. Council member Bryant stressed that all the money given by the government be utilized and spent. He recommended exploring all options under the CRF funds especially with food, homeless and the other categories that Council Minutes July 14, 2020 Page 5 was allowed. The allocation should be used with the most benefit to meet the needs of the community. Mr. Marrero will provide the information at the next work session. Motion was made by Council member Bryant and seconded by Council member Shelton to table the item. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Turner, Shelton, Bryant, White, Sprawls, Willis, and Dean Nay: None RESOLUTION Resolution No. 2020R-43 – Texas Coalition for Affordable Power (TCAP) professional services agreement for participation in a Strategic Hedging Program for the procurement of wholesale energy. Mr. Marrero stated that the professional services agreement was with TCAP for participation in a hedging program for wholesale energy. TCAP will contract for the purchase of energy in the wholesale market from an energy manager. Power would be purchased for two years in advance. Motion was made by Council member White and seconded by Council member Shelton to approve the resolution. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Turner, Shelton, Bryant, White, Sprawls, Willis, and Dean Nay: None MISCELLANEOUS Appointment of Boards: Animal Shelter Advisory Committee, Historic Preservation Commission, Traffic Advisory Committee, Zoning Board of Adjustment, Midland Odessa Urban Transit District and Planning and Zoning Commission. Motion was made by Council member Sprawls and seconded by Council member Shelton to appoint Lance Marker to the Planning and Zoning Commission. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Turner, Shelton, Bryant, White, Sprawls, Willis, and Dean Nay: None Citizen’s comments on non-agenda items. No comments. There was no other business, the meeting adjourned at 7:51 p.m. ATTEST: APPROVED: Norma Aguilar-Grimaldo, TRMC, CMC David R. Turner City Secretary Mayor