City Council

CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES CITY OF ODESSA, TEXAS October 20, 2020 On October 20, 2020, a work session meeting of the Odessa City Council was held at 10:00 a.m., Odessa, Texas in the Council Chambers, City Hall, fifth floor, 411 W. 8th St., 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; and Peggy Dean, At-Large. City Council absent: Council member Mari Willis, District Five. 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 Turner called the meeting to order and the following proceedings were held: Council member Turner gave the invocation. Discuss the MCH/ORMC COVID-19 testing request. Mr. Marrero stated that there was the opportunity to partner with Medical Center Hospital (MCH) and ORMC to provide free flu shots and COVID-19 testing. CARES funds received was $6.6 million and $1.2 million has been spent. There was a need for great testing access. Russell Tippin, MCH CEO, thanked the Fire personnel for the testing provided throughout the community. He stated that the partnership would provide free testing to more citizens. Two MCH clinics were identified. The extended hours allowed for more testing to be available for the citizens that live in Ector County or the City of Odessa. He stated that there would be a couple of events with different locations to reach out to citizens that may not have the avenue to get to the clinics. He explained the program with free COVID testing and free flu shots. Screening questions would be used as a buffer for those citizens that were retesting. The funds were required to be spent by December 31, 2020. The program would be launched November 1st. Dr. Rohith Saravanan, ORMC Chief Medical Officer, reported that there was a rise in COVID-19 cases. The vaccine would not be available for another three to four months. The service would be for the benefit of the community. The cost for the testing was $150 for the COVID testing and $50 for the flu shot. The lab results would be ready in three days. ORMC would provide an additional location. Council member Sprawls asked about different costs for the COVID testing. Dr. Saravanan explained that there were two types of testing. The type of testing had different costs. There was also the cost of staff administering the test. The testing would not be processed through the insurance. Dr. Saravanan explained the insurance process. Mr. Marrero requested that weekly reports be provided for the Council. Council member White stated it would free up Fire personnel. Council member Dean recommended allocating $1 million based on the information provided by Dr. Saravanan. The Council could consider more funds if needed. Mr. Tippin stated that the testing and shot would only be free at the designated locations, not at the other clinics. The flu shot was a way to offset the impacts of COVID-19. The CARES funds could be used for the cost of the flu shots. Council Work Session Minutes October 20, 2020 Page 2 Consider the purchase of traffic signal equipment ($230,480). Hal Feldman, Traffic Engineer, stated that the purchase would be to replace 14 traffic signal cabinets and three cabinets for emergencies. The cost was $230,480. Purchase Holiday Decorations ($135,177). Steve Patton, Director of Parks and Recreation, stated that Hotel/Motel Funds were allocated for decorations. He provided a drawing of the Starbright Village entrance. It was a spectacular 20’ tunnel with ice crystals and up lightning. There would be a wider walking trail. He discussed the traffic and parking. Accept and appropriate a donation from Chevron to Odessa Fire Rescue. John Alvarez, Fire Chief, stated that Chevron donated $10,000 to Fire Rescue. Chevron has donated in the past and the funds were used for a luncheon, equipment, and gifts for personnel. He thanked Chevron for its support. Chief Alvarez thanked the City Council for their leadership and support. Purchase the construction of a new metal building at Fire Station #5 ($65,545). Saul Ortega, Assistant Fire Chief, stated that metal building would be for Fire Station #5 for storage of equipment. The cost was $65,545. He described the building and identified the location. Renewal of Motorola P25 Radio System Maintenance/Support. Mike Parrish, Director of Information Technology, stated that the Motorola P25 renewal was for maintenance and support. The cost was $447,693. Microsoft Licensing Agreement. Mr. Parrish stated that the agreement was for the Microsoft licensing and operating software. The cost was $393,034. Annual HTE Superion software support. Mr. Parrish stated that the HTE was for software maintenance. The cost was $133,913. Annual software maintenance support for Munis ERP system. Mr. Parrish stated that the ERP was for the Munis system’s maintenance. The cost was $213,177. There was no other business, the meeting adjourned at 10:51 a.m. ATTEST: APPROVED: Norma Aguilar-Grimaldo, TRMC, CMC David R. Turner City Secretary Mayor