City Council

CITY COUNCIL MINUTES CITY OF ODESSA, TEXAS November 22, 2022 On November 22, 2022, a regular meeting of the Odessa City Council was held at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers, 5 th floor, City Hall, 411 W. 8th, Odessa, Texas. City Council present: Mayor Javier Joven; Council members: Mark Matta, District One; Steven P. Thompson, District Two; Detra White, District Three; Tom Sprawls, District Four; Mari Willis, District Five; Denise Swanner, At-Large, Council members Elect Gilbert Vasquez, Greg Connell, and Chris Hanie. Others present: Michael Marrero, City Manager; Norma Aguilar-Grimaldo, City Secretary; Natasha Brooks, City Attorney; Cindy Muncy, Assistant City Manager; and other members of City staff. A quorum being present, Mayor Joven called the meeting to order, and the following proceedings were held: Mayor Joven acknowledged guests in the audience. The invocation was given by Pastor Don Caywood, Odessa Christian Faith Center, and followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and Texas flags. Presentation of Certificate of Election. Mayor Joven presented a certificate of election to Council members Elect Gilbert Vasquez, Greg Connell and Chris Hanie. Oath of Office. The Honorable Judge Bill McCoy administered the oath of office to Gilbert Vasquez, Greg Connell and Chris Hanie. Former Council members White, Sprawls and Willis left the dais and Council members Vasquez, Connell and Hanie stepped up to the dais. Citizen’s comments on non-agenda items. Mari Willis quoted John F. Kennedy to seek right. She congratulated the new council members and stated it was the responsibility to serve Odessa and it was a seat of service. She stated to enjoy the opportunity to serve the citizens and everyone had value and a voice. Matt Coday was happy that fire fighters would get the raises and hoped that Council would consider the police officers getting raises. He stated that the $14.5 million of funds could pay for raises and infrastructure. He asked to talk truth and honesty and act with integrity for the people. CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS A. City Council minutes, November 8, 2022; B. City Council work session minutes, November 15, 2022; C. Resolution No. 2022R-78 – Transfer funding originally allocated to the Infill Housing Construction program to the HOME Rehabilitation Reconstruction Program; D. Purchase traffic signal cabinets for $270,900; E. Award to Metrohm USA for purchase of a replacement Ion Council Minutes November 22, 2022 Page 2 Chromatography System for the Water Utility Laboratory for $68,524.50; F. Renew annual Motorola P25 Radio System maintenance/support; G. Renew annual software maintenance support for Munis ERP System. Motion was made by Council member Swanner and seconded by Council member Thompson to approve the consent agenda Items. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Joven, Matta, Thompson, Vasquez, Connell, Hanie, and Swanner Nay: None OTHER COUNCIL ACTION Tabled - Evaluations Appointees - As authorized by the Texas Government Code, Section 551.074 (Personnel Matters), the City Council may adjourn into executive session to consider personnel matters - deliberate the employment, evaluation, duties, discipline, complaint, or dismissal of a public officer or employee. (Texas Government Code 551.074): a. Municipal Court Judge - Carlos Rodriguez b. Associate Municipal Court Judge - Keith Kidd c. City Secretary - Norma Aguilar-Grimaldo d. City Attorney - Natasha Brooks e. City Manager- Michael Marrero Motion was made by Council member Swanner and seconded by Council member Connell to table the evaluations for appointees to the December 6, 2022 Work Session. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Joven, Matta, Thompson, Vasquez, Connell, Hanie, and Swanner Nay: None Purchase 32 radios for Odessa Fire Rescue using the radio supplemental account. Saul Ortega, Assistant Fire Chief, stated that 32 radios would be purchased that included microphones, batteries and chargers from Motorola Solutions. The cost was $349,702.84. The radios would replace about 1/3 of aging radios. Motion was made by Council member Matta and seconded by Council member Swanner to approve the radios as recommended. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Joven, Matta, Thompson, Vasquez, Connell, Hanie, and Swanner Nay: None ORDINANCE Ordinance outlawing abortion and declaring Odessa a sanctuary city for the unborn. Council member Hanie spoke on love and quoted scriptures. He stated that the city had life clinics that offered clothes, food and ability to finish school. The thanked the Life Center. He served God and the ordinance would bring light and change the city. Shaye Lane congratulated the new council members. She read scripture on the dignity of life in the right to life, pursuit of happiness and moral laws. She stated that the bible says to speak up to Council Minutes November 22, 2022 Page 3 those that can’t speak and to be their voice. She supported the ordinance. Lori Bova, from Hobbs, NM, supported the ordinance. She stated that people would cross the state line and go to New Mexico for abortions. She stated that Hobbs passed an ordinance to prevent abortion and its county will be considering a similar ordinance. She supported the ordinance to protect babies and Odessa would not be alone. Dawn Tucker stated that there were women who suffer that had abortions. Prayers were asked for blessings, healing and peace and we should not go against the Creator. She stated that people do not understand the self-afflicted abuse that women go through that have been through abortion. She requested the sanctuary city. Mindi Fires stated that abortion was a support leg to hide human trafficking. She stated that the city ordinance would bring life and vitality to the city. She stated it was a time for a voice of life and asked to vote for the ordinance. Mark Dickson, Director of Right to Life, stated in 2021 there were 17 cities that passed the ordinance and today there were 61 cities through the Nation that had a city ordinance on sanctuary city. The ordinances that were passed have been enforced and this would protect the residents of Odessa. Motion was made by Council member Hanie to approve the ordinance. Council member Thompson stated that the State of Texas has spoken, and this was a religious choice and not political. He understood as he adopted his daughter. He did not want to push religious beliefs. Council member Vasquez asked if it was redundant for a local ordinance. The Heartbeat Act allowed for six weeks of protection. Mr. Dickson stated that the Rove vs Wade was overturned. The Texas Heartbeat Act was passed and applied with only a detectable heartbeat. He stated that many lives have been lost with abortion and a ordinance could have stopped the loss of lives. The ordinance was a layer of protection, protected residents and gave a course of action for citizens to file lawsuits to protect human life. The motion was seconded by Council member Connell to approve the ordinance on first approval. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Joven, Matta, Connell, Hanie, and Swanner Nay: Thompson Abstain: Vasquez Mayor Joven thanked for a city of life. RESOLUTION Tabled - Renew Industrial Districts 1-B and 1-C. Motion was made by Council member Matta to table the two items and amended the motion to consider at the Work Session on December 6, 2022. The motion was seconded by Council member Hanie. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Joven, Matta, Thompson, Vasquez, Connell, Hanie, and Swanner Nay: None Resolution No. 2022R-79 – One City Council meeting for the month of December 2022. Mr. Marrero stated that tradition has been to have one council meeting in December due to the holiday. Motion was made by Council member Swanner and seconded by Council member Vasquez to approve the resolution. The motion was approved by the following vote: Council Minutes November 22, 2022 Page 4 Aye: Joven, Matta, Thompson, Vasquez, Connell, Hanie, and Swanner Nay: None MISCELLANEOUS Appoint one or more Mayor Pro Tem. Motion was made by Council member Vasquez and seconded by Council member Connell to appoint Council member Swanner as the first Mayor Pro Tem and Council member Matta as the second Mayor Pro Tem. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Joven, Matta, Thompson, Vasquez, Connell, Hanie, and Swanner Nay: None Discuss and consider the Mayor’s request on ARPA funds from Medical Center Hospital. Motion was made by Council member Matta and seconded by Council member Hanie to post phone the discussion indefinitely. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Joven, Matta, Connell, Hanie, and Swanner Nay: Thompson and Vasquez Russell Tippin, Medical Health System President, thanked the City in its willingness to help and its support and partnership. Appointment of Board: Board of Survey, Capital Improvement Advisory Committee, Citizens Golf Advisory Committee, Downtown Odessa, Historic Preservation Commission, Odessa Development Corporation, Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, Planning and Zoning Commission, Traffic Advisory Committee, and Zoning Board of Adjustment. Motion was made by Council member Connell and seconded by Council member Hanie to appoint Ismael “Mikky” Navarrete to the Odessa Development Corporation. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Joven, Matta, Connell, Hanie, and Swanner Nay: Thompson Abstain: Vasquez Motion was made by Council member Hanie and seconded by Council member Matta to appoint Jeff Russell to the Odessa Development Corporation. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Joven, Matta, Connell, Hanie, and Swanner Nay: Thompson Abstain: Vasquez Council member Swanner stated that the board members serve at Council pleasure. Motion was made by Council member Vasquez and seconded by Council member Thompson to appoint David Boutin to the Odessa Development Corporation. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Joven, Matta, Thompson, Vasquez, Connell, Hanie, and Swanner Nay: None Council Minutes November 22, 2022 Page 5 Motion was made by Council member Thompson and seconded by Council member Vasquez to reappoint Melanie Hollmann to the Odessa Development Corporation. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Joven, Matta, Thompson, Vasquez, Connell, Hanie, and Swanner Nay: None Motion was made by Council member Swanner and seconded by Council member Matta to reappoint Jim Cox to the Board of Survey. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Joven, Matta, Thompson, Vasquez, Connell, Hanie, and Swanner Nay: None Motion was made by Council member Thompson and seconded by Council member Matta to reappoint Paul Weaver to the Board of Survey. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Joven, Matta, Thompson, Vasquez, Connell, Hanie, and Swanner Nay: None Motion was made by Council member Matta and seconded by Council member Swanner to reappoint Kris Crow to the Odessa Development Corporation. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Joven, Matta, Thompson, Vasquez, Connell, Hanie, and Swanner Nay: None Motion was made by Mayor Joven and seconded by Council member Matta to reappoint Larry Robinson to the Odessa Development Corporation. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Joven, Matta, Thompson, Vasquez, Connell, Hanie, and Swanner Nay: None Discuss and consider establishing board and committee duties for the Mayor and Council members. No action. Motion was made by Council member Matta and seconded by Council member Swanner to adjourn the meeting. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Joven, Matta, Thompson, Vasquez, Connell, Hanie, and Swanner Nay: None The meeting adjourned at 7:11 p.m. ATTEST: APPROVED: Norma Aguilar-Grimaldo, TRMC, CMC Javier Joven City Secretary Mayor