City Council

CITY COUNCIL MINUTES CITY OF ODESSA, TEXAS November 10, 2020 On November 10, 2020, a regular meeting of the Odessa City Council was held at 6:00 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. Mayor Turner recognized Mr. Marrero for his 25 years of service to the City of Odessa. Bill Fowler expressed appreciation to staff for the work on the Ector County Utility District (ECUD) contracts. Tommy Ervin, President of ECUD, stated that the new relationship was positive and thanked the Council. CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS A. City Council minutes, October 27, 2020; B. City Council work session minutes, November 3, 2020; C. Renew contract with DPC Industries for liquid/gas chlorine for $262,710; D. Renew contract Chameleon Industries for liquid ammonium sulfate for $80,000; E. Renew contract with Chameleon Industries for liquid aluminum sulfate for $245,000. Motion was made by Council member Bryant and seconded by Council member Sprawls to approve the consent agenda. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Turner, Shelton, Bryant, White, Sprawls, Willis, and Dean Nay: None Council Minutes November 10, 2020 Page 2 OTHER COUNCIL ACTION RESOLUTION Resolution No. 2020R-74 - Execute the Ector County Utility District (ECUD) water supply and ancillary services agreement. Mr. Marrero stated provided a brief history on the ECUD contract over the years. In 2014, a five-year term contract was executed to allow ECUD to prepare to take over the operations and maintenance of their own system as well as the meter reading, and billing/collection services. The current ECUD water supply contract expired on September 30, 2019; however, all services and terms of that contract have been continuing a month-to-month basis. ECUD was close to the independent status. A new water supply contract and ancillary services was negotiated that the City would continue to provide to ECUD. ECUD’s board has approved the new water supply contract and ancillary services agreements. Mr. Marrero reviewed the new terms and conditions on a new water supply contract and ancillary agreements that included lab services, distribution and system operations, and billing and collections services. Council member Bryant expressed appreciation to staff’s dedication and the future partnership. Mr. Fowler stated that there were minor changes to the latest contract. Motion was made by Council member Bryant 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 Resolution No. 2020R-75 – Accept grant funding from Walmart Community Grants Team and Facility #3645 and appropriating the funds to Odessa Fire Rescue. John Alvarez, Fire Chief, stated that Walmart Community Grants Team provided a $2,000 grant to Odessa Fire Rescue. The funds would be used to purchase equipment and training items. He conveyed appreciation of the support provided from Walmart. Motion was made by Council member Willis 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 Resolution No. 2020R-76 – Authorize renewal and execution of Industrial District Agreements with Mueller Incorporated (formerly HOMCO) Industrial District, AZ Industrial Construction Group, Inc. (Formerly Woolley Tool Industrial District) Industrial District, JTF Enterprises, LLC Industrial District, Elliott Partners, LTD (Formerly Woolley Tool Industrial District) Industrial District. Ms. Brooks stated that several industrial districts would expire on December 31, 2020. The renewal would provide for a term of seven years to Mueller, AZ Industrial, Elliot, and JTF Enterprises. Motion was made by Council member Dean and seconded by Council member Willis to approve the resolution. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Turner, Shelton, Bryant, White, Sprawls, Willis, and Dean Nay: None Council Minutes November 10, 2020 Page 3 Resolution No. 2020R-77 – Accept and appropriate funds for $80,000 donated to the City of Odessa Police Department from Bustin for Badges Clay Shoot. Mike Gerke, Police Chief, stated that $80,000 was donated to the Police Department from the clay shoot that included an auction. The event was organized by local oil-based businesses and other retail businesses. The fundraiser was for local law enforcement agencies. The event raised $320,000. The funds would be used for a training simulator. Council member Dean expressed appreciation to the businesses. 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 Resolution No. 2020R-78 – Accept State dollars from JRAC for Odessa Fire Rescue. Rodd Huber, Assistant Fire Chief, stated that the funds was from the State for $17,077 for EMS Fire Rescue. Motion was made by Council member White and seconded by Council member Willis to approve the resolution. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Turner, Shelton, Bryant, White, Sprawls, Willis, and Dean Nay: None Resolution No. 2020R-79 –Allocate an additional $20,000 of CARES Coronavirus Relief Funds (CRF) for the City of Odessa Small Business Assistance Program (COBAP). Mr. Marrero stated that an additional $20,000 allocated to the COBAP would assist the final requests that was submitted before the application deadline. The program was successful in assisting small businesses. Council member Dean stated that the total amount given to small businesses that qualified was $510,000. Motion was made by Council member Bryant 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 MISCELLANEOUS Discuss how to help small businesses with property tax due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Mark Trotter, Triple T Auto Repair, stated that no funds were given to small businesses to assist with its business’ property tax. He had concerns with his business that needed assistance. Council member Dean explained how the PPE funding helped pay employees for eight weeks. It allowed to keep businesses open to generate sales and reimbursement of the payroll. Mr. Trotter had skilled technicians and could not lose the employees. After further discussion, Mayor Turner would provide contact information to Mr. Trotter to contact Representative Brooks Landgraf and Senator Kel Seliger for funding assistance in the federal level. Discuss COVID-19. Mayor Turner provided an update on area cities on positive COVID-19 cases. Odessa positive cases were increasing. He reported that the hospitalization patients’ numbers which were high. He stated that citizens were not following the guidelines of social Council Minutes November 10, 2020 Page 4 distancing, not wearing masks and the hygiene. He did not want the State to mandate any local restrictions. Council member Willis stated that the hospitals were pleading for the City to take action to help to decrease the cases. She stated that as leaders something needed to be done for the sake of the citizens and community. The community must work together. Council member White stated that Council may need to discuss the mandating of the masks. Council member Dean stated that people were passive about the pandemic. She suggested a public service notice campaign highlighting harsh facts. She suggested a timeline for the advertising. People needed to be reminded of the facts and guidelines. Council member Sprawls stated that the mask mandated was not desirable. Devin Sanchez, Director of Communication, provided an update on the advertising. The message was focused on the COVID testing. Due to the increased severity, the message could take a different focus such as the medical professional perspective with aggressive messaging. Council member Willis suggested including the younger citizens to give a message, as it related to their experience. Council member Shelton stated that we needed to come together as a city to step up and stay strong. Council member Willis stated it was a buy in to attitude and wanting to help others. Council member Bryant stated it was important to respect our fellow citizens in wearing masks. As a community, we must get together and provide social media blasts to get under control. Discuss City of Odessa Business Assistance Program (COBAP). Council member Dean provided a summary of businesses and funds that were distributed under the COBAP program. The program was to assist businesses that did not receive PPE funds or any other type of federal assistance. She reported that 21 applications were denied but most were due to having received federal assistance. She thanked the committee members that reviewed the applications. The Council commended the committee. Appointment of Boards: Animal Shelter Advisory Committee, Odessa Housing Finance Corporation, Zoning Board of Adjustment, and Midland Odessa Urban Transit District. Motion was made by Council member Bryant and seconded by Council member Shelton for the following appointments: Detra White reappointed to the Animal Shelter Advisory Committee Tom Sprawls reappointed to the Animal Shelter Advisory Committee Henry Lide reappointed to the Animal Shelter Advisory Committee Susan Clark reappointed to the Animal Shelter Advisory Committee Connie Coots reappointed to the Animal Shelter Advisory Committee Lisa Frost reappointed to the Animal Shelter Advisory Committee Joyce Trower reappointed to the Animal Shelter Advisory Committee 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. Recess for Executive Session: As authorized by the Texas Government Code, Section 551.071 (Consultation with Attorney), the City Council may adjourn into executive session to consider pending or contemplated litigation. Council Minutes November 10, 2020 Page 5 Personnel matters - Deliberate the employment, evaluation, duties, discipline, complaint, or dismissal of a public officer or employee. (Texas Government Code 551.074). Motion was made by Council member Bryant and seconded by Council member Shelton to go into executive session under 551.071 consultation with attorney and 551.074 personnel matters. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Turner, Shelton, Bryant, White, Sprawls, Willis, and Dean Nay: None The Council reconvened from executive session, there was no action. There was no other business, the meeting adjourned at 7:58 p.m. ATTEST: APPROVED: Norma Aguilar-Grimaldo, TRMC, CMC David R. Turner City Secretary Mayor