City Council

CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MINUTES CITY OF ODESSA, TEXAS November 7, 2023 On November 7, 2023, a workshop meeting of the Odessa City Council was held at 4:04 p.m., Council Chamber, fifth floor, City Hall, 411 W. 8 th 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; and Chris Hanie, District Five and Denise Swanner, At Large. Staff present: Norma Aguilar-Grimaldo, City Secretary; John Beckmeyer, City Manager; Dan Jones, City Attorney, and other members of City staff. A quorum being present, Mayor Joven called the meeting to order, and the following proceedings were held: Discuss ARPA funds and funding options. Matt Magee, Comptroller, reviewed the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) purpose. He reviewed the eligible uses that included revenue replacement, COVID-19 expenditures or economic impacts, pay for workers, water, sewer, and broadband infrastructure. He reviewed the timeline for the use of the funds. The funds must cover costs incurred by December 31, 2024, and expended by December 31, 2026. He reviewed the report of budgeted funds. There was $17,161,480 received and expenditures were $5,000,356. There were $12 million that was available. Mayor Joven stated that ORMC did not sign or complete the application. The Council obligated the $1 million but it was not issued. The funds could be de-obligated for another purpose. Mr. Magee reviewed the new eligible uses as of September 2023. The addition uses included funding for emergency from natural disaster, surface transportation infrastructure and programs under HUD’s Community Development Block Grant program. The restrictions on the uses of the funds were reviewed. Joe Tucker, Interim Director of Public Works, stated that the Faudree project was under budget and about $2 million would be available. Council member Matta suggested to use some of the funds for the Rochester property which needed water, sewer and road. Using the funds would offset the costs and be cost effective for housing. Council member Thompson suggested using funding for the 87th St. and Loop 338 bridge. The funds would move up the project with TxDOT. The Council reviewed the project allocations. The Council had a consensus to deallocate the funds except for the payroll reimbursement. The West Texas Food Bank had expended its funds. Mr. Jones would provide an agenda item for Council to consider to de-obligate the funds to be obligated at a future time. Mayor Joven asked to consider roads, water and sewer projects and spread out the funds throughout the city. Motion was made by Council member Swanner and seconded by Council member Vasquez to adjourn the meeting. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Joven, Matta, Thompson, Vasquez, Connell, Hanie, and Swanner Nay: None Council Workshop Minutes November 7, 2023 Page 2 The meeting adjourned at 4:47 p.m. ATTEST: APPROVED: Norma Aguilar-Grimaldo, TRMC, CMC Javier Joven City Secretary Mayor