City Council

CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES CITY OF ODESSA, TEXAS September 1, 2020 On September 1, 2020, a work session meeting of the Odessa City Council was held at 10:00 a.m., Odessa, Texas. Due to the COVID-19, the meeting was teleconferenced, as allowed by the Governor’s executive order. The City Council was present through teleconference. City Council present: 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. City Council absent: Mayor David R. Turner. Others present: Michael Marrero, City Manager; Norma Aguilar-Grimaldo, City Secretary; Natasha Brooks, City Attorney; Cindy Muncy, Assistant City Manager; Phillip Urrutia, Assistant City Manager; and other members of City staff. A quorum being present, Mayor Pro Tem Dean called the meeting to order and the following proceedings were held: Council member Shelton gave the invocation. Resolution No. 2020R-61- Abandonment of drainage easement. Yervand Hmayakyan, City Engineer, stated that the abandonment of easement was no longer needed. The relocation of the constructed new easement would coincide with the planned development. 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: Shelton, Bryant, White, Sprawls, Willis, and Dean Nay: None Bid award for 18” water line relocation at Yukon and E. Loop 338. Mr. Hmayakyan stated that TEC Excavation was the lowest bidder for $428,158. The water line would be relocated. The relocation would eliminate the conflict with the upcoming TxDOT project overpass that would begin in October. The funds to be used were from the 2019 CIP. Odessa Affordable Housing request for extension of time to expend CDBG funds. Merita Sandoval, Director of Community Development, stated that the Odessa Affordable Housing requested three months to expend the funds of $8,965. There were applications under review and would be spent by the end of the year. Specific use permit to allow a beauty shop in Single Family-Three zoning district. Randy Brinlee, Director of Development Services, stated that the specific use permit was for a one chair beauty shop that would be in the back portion of the house. It would be restricted cliental. The permit would have restricted conditions. Council Work Session Minutes September 1, 2020 Page 2 Appointment of judges and clerks for the General City Election on November 3, 2020. Mrs. Grimaldo stated that the Texas Election Code required that the governing body to appoint the judges and clerks for the Municipal Election on November 3, 2020. Approval of the MOUTD budget for FY 2020-21. Mrs. Muncy stated that the MOUTD budget was $6,548,590. Doug Provance, MOUTD, stated that there was a $182,245 increase in the budget due to increase in federal funds. The additional funds would assist with the over budget in the current year funding. He reviewed the increase in expenditures. Ridership was low due to the pandemic. Council member Sprawls stated it was a trying time for the transit system. Council member Willis stated that the personnel has gone above and beyond to keep the buses sanitized and safe. Water rate and sewer waste change. Mrs. Muncy stated that there was a proposed 2.5% increase in water, sewer, and solid waste rates. She reviewed an average rate increase for the water. The seniors and disabled had a lower rate. The funds would be used to replace deteriorated water lines. She reviewed the last increases. Solid waste rate change. Mrs. Muncy stated that there were different trash rates. She reviewed the proposed rate increase. Council member Dean stated that Council has reviewed the proposed rate changes in prior work sessions. Ratify the property tax revenue increase reflected in FY 2020-21 Fiscal Year and levy the tax for the 2020 tax year – FY 2020-21. Mrs. Muncy stated that there was a property tax increase due to the new property added and must be ratified. The no new revenue was $0.77115. The vote will be on September 8 and 15, 2020. Adopt the City of Odessa FY 2020-21 annual budget. Mrs. Muncy stated that there was a reduction in sales tax projections. There would be no employee raises. She provided residential values from last year compared to the proposed tax. Mrs. Muncy introduced Larry Fry, the new Director of Finance. There was no other business, the meeting adjourned at 10:47 a.m. ATTEST: APPROVED: Norma Aguilar-Grimaldo, TRMC, CMC Peggy Dean City Secretary Mayor Pro Tem