City Council

CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES CITY OF ODESSA, TEXAS January 3, 2023 On January 3, 2023, a work session meeting of the Odessa City Council was held at 3:00 p.m., Council Chamber, fifth floor, City Hall, 411 W. 8th St., Odessa, Texas. City Council present: Mayor Javier Joven; Council members: Mark Matta, District One; Steven P. Thompson, District Two; Gilbert Vasquez, District Three; Greg Connell, District Four, Chris Hanie, District Five; and Denise Swanner, At-Large. Others present: Agapito Bernal, Interim City Manager; Norma Aguilar-Grimaldo, City Secretary; Dan Jones, Interim 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: Council member Matta gave the invocation. Discuss approving the decision to work with Motorola Solutions to serve our Mach Alert system being used within the Fire Stations. Daniel Chavez, Assistant Fire Chief, stated that the agreement was for warranty service for $59,366.16 funded from the IT budget. The system was new and a robust technology. It was integrated with all fire stations and talked to dispatch to alert calls and other multi-tasking. Motorola has been used for several years. Discuss a bid award for netting project at Ratliff Ranch Golf Links. Matthew Christman, Deputy Director of Parks and Recreation, stated that netting would be purchased for behind the 16th green and the driving range. The bid was to Ace Golf Netting for $65,200. He explained the warranty of the netting. Discuss approving the purchase of police uniforms. Mayor Joven thanked the Police Department and Odessa Fire Rescue for their work, response, and PSAs made during the holidays. Mike Gerke, Police Chief, stated that the purchase of the new uniforms was for $60,781.94. The new uniform was better quality, water resistant, and light weight. Each officer was provided with three long sleeve shirts, five short sleeve shirts and three pants. Discuss a bid award for E. 31st Street pavement reconstruction from Andrews Hwy. to N. Dixie Blvd. Yervand Hmayakyan, City Engineer, stated that Permian Paving was the low bidder for $1,450,000 for reconstruction of E. 31st Street pavement from Andrews Hwy. to Dixie. There would be 120 days of construction. Permian Paving had other projects and would rotate among the other City projects. Discuss a bid award to Warrior Tank Manufacturing LLC for refuse container replacement panels and bottoms. Tom Kerr, Director of Public Works/Utilities, stated that the bid award was for metal panels and bottoms for repairing the dumpsters. Warrior Tank was recommended for $145,000. The welding was done onsite. Council Work Session Minutes January 3, 2023 Page 2 Discuss a bid award of annual sodium hydroxide to Univar Solutions USA, Inc. Mr. Kerr stated that sodium hydroxide was a chemical used in water treatment for corrosion control. The cost was $952,875 which had a 21% cost increase from last year. Discuss award of purchase to Lonestar Freightliner Group, LLC for the purchase of a vacuum/hydrovac truck. Mr. Kerr stated that a truck replacement would be purchased to clear blockages and hydro-excavate utilities. The cost was $526,246.07. The truck usage was high intensity. The truck would replace an aged truck. The warranty was for one-year. Discuss renewal of contract for benefits claims administration. Delia Ortiz, Director of Risk Management, stated that the benefits claims administration was the software support service for the self-administered software, complied with HIPA laws and eligibility. This was the third year of the five year renewal. The contract built in an increase if needed. The first two year renewals did not have a price increase. With the third year renewal, there was a 5% increase. Discuss renewal for group life insurance, AD&D coverage, and retiree life insurance with Standard Insurance Company. Ms. Ortiz stated that the insurance provided life insurance for employees and retirees. This was the final year renewal of the three year contract. The RFP would begin in August. She explained the agent of record. Mayor Joven stated that the insurance premiums were going up and wanted to find the best insurance for the employees. Discuss the results of the public safety personnel salary implementation. Mr. Bernal stated that staff was working to implement the raises for the public safety and the results were to be discussed. Larry Fry, Director of Finance, stated that staff needed direction on a few issues. He reviewed the fire raises and the issues with compression and the added pay to the engineers. Council member Swanner stated that the added pay was built into the raise and the $100 added pay should be removed. He outlined the seven positions that had compression issues and reviewed proposed salary adjustments. Saul Ortega, Assistant Fire Chief, provided the number of engineers and battalion chiefs. Mr. Fry stated that the additional cost was $59,488.01 for the fire adjustments. The total cost for fire, police and dispatch was $4.173 million annually. Council member Thompson stated it would be over $8 million in two years. Council member Vasquez asked if it was information based on the Evergreen study. Mr. Fry stated that the amount was for actual employees on payroll. The numbers were based upon the Council approval. Council member Matta stated that the figures were less than the study and was more cost effective. Council member Thompson was concerned with covering the increase over the years. Council member Thompson did not agree with the recommendation. Council had a consensus to proceed with the fire adjustment and remove the added $100 pay. Mr. Fry reviewed the police salary issues. There were five positions that had a recommendation for an increase to reduce compression at a cost of over $30,000. Council member Vasquez asked about the final dollar amount and if it affected employee moral and the impact. Council had a consensus to move forward with the police adjustments for approximately $30,000. Mr. Fry reviewed the dispatch salary issues. Octo Huerta, Payroll Supervisor, stated that the pay was based off years of service. Council had a consensus to move forward with dispatch. Discuss amending the 2022-23 budget and appropriate funds for a professional services agreement. Mr. Bernal reviewed the consulting services from the T2 Professional Consulting services agreement. A budget amendment would be made up to $338,000. Council member Thompson asked about the signed contract and the amount paid out. Mayor Joven stated that on December 13, Council approved any and all in seeking services Council Work Session Minutes January 3, 2023 Page 3 and commence proceeding for a city manager search. Council member Thompson stated that the contract was executed, and the deposit was made. He stated the item only gave opportunity to remove and start the process. He stated that there was no RFP and the company was in business for one year and five months. Mr. Jones stated that any and all possible action was covered. Mayor Joven stated that there was information being leaked and created a false narrative with rumors, false statements and no search for a city manager. He stated that there were many services under the professional services agreement. He stated that employees were not vetted or told about new employees. Mayor Joven stated that there was nothing hidden. It was not anticipated for the contract to go for 12 months. He stated that the process would be started for a city manager search. The contract included training for city staff. He stated it was a good practice to have a consultant for guidance. Council member Thompson stated that there was a strong City Manager and there was a push for a change of form of government. He disagreed with the consideration to the consultant as it was not vetted. He stated the consultant was a police chief and in business for one year. He stated that the contract was signed and obligated the City to the contract against the Mayor’s authority. Council member Vasquez asked about the benefit for the Interim City Manager to include training and would he grow into the position. Mr. Bernal stated that it was to benefit for all the City of Odessa for the transition of the City. Council member Vasquez asked about the wording in the contract with the search for a city manager. Council member Connell stated the section that outlined the recruitment of a city manager. The Council had a consensus to move forward with the budget appropriation of funds. Discuss an issuance of an RFP for a City of Odessa forensic audit. Council member Thompson stated that a forensic audit was different from an annual audit and it would be more expensive and why was it needed as the annual audit had a clean opinion. Council member Swanner stated that it would clear of any accusations. Mayor Joven stated that there was a big difference between a forensic and internal audit which was compliance. He stated that the City has had the same auditor for a long time. The Council had a consensus to move forward with a forensic audit. Appointment of Board: Downtown Odessa. John Herriage stated that Alma Gomez and Sandra Eoff were good members on the board and encouraged citizens to get involved with Downtown. Motion was made by Council member Hanie and seconded by Mayor Joven to appoint Tisha Crow and Anthony Rios to the Downtown Odessa Board. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Joven, Matta, Connell, Hanie, and Swanner Nay: Thompson and Vasquez 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 Council Work Session Minutes January 3, 2023 Page 4 The meeting adjourned at 4:26 p.m. ATTEST: APPROVED: Norma Aguilar-Grimaldo, TRMC, CMC Javier Joven City Secretary Mayor