City Council

CITY COUNCIL MINUTES CITY OF ODESSA, TEXAS April 22, 2025 On April 22, 2025, a regular meeting of the Odessa City Council was held at 6:01 p.m. in the Council Chambers, 5th floor, City Hall, 411 W. 8th, Odessa, Texas. City Council present: Mayor Cal Hendrick; Council members: Craig Stoker, At-Large; Eddie Mitchell, District One; Steven P. Thompson, District Two; Gilbert Vasquez, District Three; Greg Connell, District Four; and Chris Hanie, District Five. Staff present: Norma Aguilar, City Secretary; Dan Jones, City Attorney; Richard Morton, Interim City Manager, and other members of City staff. A quorum being present, Mayor Hendrick called the meeting to order, and the following proceedings were held: Roll call. Ms. Aguilar conducted the roll call for the City Council. Council member Hanie lost a friend in a suicide and stated that suicide was an epidemic. He encouraged to reach out to neighbors and be proactive. He provided his information for anyone to talk to him if they needed any help. He gave a prayer. The invocation was given by Pastor Hendricks, Mackey Chapel, and followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and Texas flags. Proclamations and Presentations. None. Citizen’s comments on non-agenda items. No comments. Consent Agenda 1. City Council work session minutes, April 8, 2025; 2. City Council minutes, April 8, 2025; 3. Request by S31B42 LLC, for a zone change from FD, Future Development District, to LI, Light Industrial District, on 41.44 acre tract, situated in the southeast quarter of Section31, Block 42, Township 2 South, Texas and Pacific Railway Company Survey, Ector County Texas; 4. Ordinance No. 2025-16 - Request by Leeco Energy & Investments, Inc., for a zone change from SPD-DR, Special Dwelling District- Drill Reservation, to SPD, Special Dwelling District on a 4.88 acre tract of land located in Section 2, Block 42, T-2-S, T&P RR CO. Survey, Ector County, Texas. Motion was made by Council member Stoker seconded by Council member Thompson to remove item #3 from the consent agenda item. The motion was approved by the following vote: Council Minutes April 22, 2025 Page 2 Aye: Hendrick, Stoker, Mitchell, Thompson, Vasquez, Connell, and Hanie Nay: None Motion was made by Council member Vasquez seconded by Council member Connell to approve the consent agenda items numbers 1,2 and 4. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Hendrick, Stoker, Mitchell, Thompson, Vasquez, Connell, and Hanie Nay: None Tabled - Request by S31B42 LLC, for a zone change from FD, Future Development District, to LI, Light Industrial District, on 41.44 acre tract, situated in the southeast quarter of Section31, Block 42, Township 2 South, Texas and Pacific Railway Company Survey, Ector County Texas. Elizabeth Shaughnessy, Director of Development Services, stated that the zone would be changed to Light Industrial. Donald Murray was against the zone change as he did not know what would come in the property for the future. There were no water or sewer lines and there would be no control over the use. He wanted his water well protected from any possible chemical contamination. Mrs. Shaughnessy stated that there was no impact for Mr. Murray’s property. She reviewed the uses. Alex Rowlett, Director of Utilities, stated that area needed several lift stations and the cost to place lines was $12 to $15 million. Motion was made by Council member Mitchell seconded by Council member Connell to table the item. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Hendrick, Stoker, Mitchell, Thompson, Vasquez, Connell, and Hanie Nay: None Regular Request from LULAC/Hispanic Heritage to fund events for the 2025 year events from FY 2024-2025. Carol Uranga requested $50,000 for this year’s Cinco De Mayo and September 16 events. Mr. Morton stated that the request was out of cycle. Gerado Arzate was working on bringing in soccer tournaments from other cities. Council member Vasquez has helped Hispanic Heritage over the years and supported its efforts. He was concerned the request was out of the cycle. Mr. Jones stated that there was no law or statute of applying for HOT funds. Mr. Morton stated that the Council needed to be aware for the upcoming year that there was 15% for the arts and this request fell under the arts. Motion was made by Council member Stoker and seconded by Council member Mitchell to approve $50,000 to LULAC/Hispanic Heritage for the two events. Council member Stoker stated they were the proven experts and proved its successes. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Hendrick, Stoker, Mitchell, Thompson, Connell, and Hanie Nay: None Abstain: Vasquez Purchase of the Brazos E-citation product from Tyler Technologies for the Police Department. Mike Gerke, Police Chief, stated that the E-citation would connect with Municipal Court. The cost was $95,686. Council Minutes April 22, 2025 Page 3 Motion was made by Council member Connell and seconded by Council member Stoker to approve the purchase of the Brazos E-citation product. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Hendrick, Stoker, Mitchell, Thompson, Vasquez, Connell, and Hanie Nay: None Bid award for 2025 friction seal. Yervand Hmayakyan, City Engineer, stated that the friction seal cost was $1,644,570. It would cover 20 linear miles. Motion was made by Council member Thompson and seconded by Council member Vasquez to approve the bid award for friction seal. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Hendrick, Stoker, Mitchell, Thompson, Vasquez, Connell, and Hanie Nay: None Bid award for 2025 sealcoat. Mr. Hmayakyan stated that the seal coat was for $1,202,143.82 for 12 linear miles. Motion was made by Council member Thompson and seconded by Council member Vasquez to approve the bid award for sealcoat. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Hendrick, Stoker, Mitchell, Thompson, Vasquez, Connell, and Hanie Nay: None Public Hearing Open a public hearing to consider renaming a portion of Murphy Street to Martin Luther King, Jr. or M.L.K., Jr. approximately 2.59 miles of Murphy Street. Renaming Murphy Street from Grant Avenue to Standard Avenue, Standard Avenue from Murphy Street to Dixie Boulevard, and Murphy Street from Dixie Boulevard to Interstate Highway 20. Joseph Goff, Traffic Operations Superintendent, stated that a portion of Murphy St. would be changed to M.L.K. Jr. St. Dawn Miller supported the name change as it was important for the community to have a street named after MLK. A citizen asked why the entire street was not changed. Murphy St was named after a family. No one else came forward and the public hearing was closed. Motion was made by Council member Mitchell and seconded by Council member Stoker to approve the ordinance on first approval. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Hendrick, Stoker, Mitchell, Thompson, Vasquez, Connell, and Hanie Nay: None Tabled - Open a public hearing to consider approval of the request by Imperative Chemical Partners, Inc., for a zone change from FD, Future Development District, to HI, Heavy Industrial District on 43.436-acretract in Section 32 and 41, Block 42, T-2-S, T&P RY. CO. Survey, City of Odessa, Ector County, Texas. Motion was made by Council member Thompson and seconded by Council member Mitchell to table the item. The motion was approved by the following vote: Council Minutes April 22, 2025 Page 4 Aye: Hendrick, Stoker, Mitchell, Thompson, Vasquez, Connell, and Hanie Nay: None Larry Robinson stated that there were water issues with this area. Donald Murray wanted information on what was planned on the property. Michael Ashton stated that there could not be any water damage. Resolution Resolution No. 2025R-51 – Authorize the Police Department to apply and accept three K-9 vests from vested Interest in K9s. Matt Davidson, Deputy Police Chief, stated that the grant was for three vests for the K-9s as three vests expired. Motion was made by Council member Connell and seconded by Council member Stoker to approve the resolution. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Hendrick, Stoker, Mitchell, Thompson, Vasquez, Connell, and Hanie Nay None Resolution No. 2025R-52 – Permian Basin Community Centers DBA PermiaCare agreement to provide two mental health officers to the Crisis Response Team. Chief Gerke stated that there would be two mental health teams that consisted of an officer and a mental health professional to handle incidents. The cost was $472,948 with a cash match of $144,146. Chris Barnhill, PermiaCare, stated a grant was received for two years to respond to crisis calls. Motion was made by Council member Thompson and seconded by Council member Stoker to approve the resolution. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Hendrick, Stoker, Mitchell, Thompson, Vasquez, Connell, and Hanie Nay: None Resolution No. 2025R-53 – Apply and accept funds for the City of Odessa Police Department from the 2026 HIDTA Grant in the amount of $66,300. Chief Gerke stated that the grant was for $66,300 for overtime to help fight narcotics. Motion was made by Council member Mitchell and seconded by Council member Stoker to approve the resolution. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Hendrick, Stoker, Mitchell, Thompson, Vasquez, Connell, and Hanie Nay: None Resolution No. 2025R-54 – Purchase solar lights. Jon Rogers, Interim Parks and Recreation Director, stated that the solar lights would be for three parks at a cost of $122,214.40. He reviewed the warranty information. The installation would be contracted. Motion was made by Council member Thompson and seconded by Council member Stoker to approve the resolution. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Hendrick, Stoker, Mitchell, Thompson, Vasquez, Connell, and Hanie Nay: None Council Minutes April 22, 2025 Page 5 Resolution No. 2025R-55 – Amend professional services agreement contract including the Northeast water line and elevated storage tank and appropriate funds. Mr. Rowlett stated that the amended Kimley Horn agreement was $1,305,100 for additional engineering and design. He reviewed the funding. Chandler Shields, Kimley Horn, provided a history of the project and the growth was primary driven for the amendment. There was an average of 17.5% annual growth. He reviewed the project. The construction funding for the project was $41 million. He reviewed the schedule to be completed in 2028. Council member Hanie asked about ground storage tanks. Mr. Chandler stated that the overall maintenance was more than an elevated tank and it needed to be TCEQ compliant. Andrew Simonsen reported that the State required elevated storage tanks. Motion was made by Council member Connell and seconded by Council member Thompson to approve the resolution. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Hendrick, Stoker, Mitchell, Thompson, Vasquez, Connell, and Hanie Nay: None Resolution No. 2025R-56 - Purchase of Odessa Police Department, Odessa Fire Rescue and Solid Waste vehicles, related equipment, and budget adjustments. Aaron Smith, Assistant City Manager, stated that the purchase for the vehicles and budget adjustment was $3,045,873.47. Motion was made by Council member Vasquez and seconded by Council member Mitchell to approve the resolution. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Hendrick, Stoker, Mitchell, Thompson, Vasquez, Connell, and Hanie Nay: None Ordinance Ordinance No. 2025-17 - Amend the food truck ordinance in the Code of Ordinances. Omar Galindo, Fire Marshal, stated that the changes would amend the food truck ordinance to provide a streamlined process. Motion was made by Council member Stoker and seconded by Council member Mitchell to approve the ordinance on second and final approval. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Hendrick, Stoker, Mitchell, Thompson, Vasquez, Connell, and Hanie Nay: None Special event fees. Mr. Rogers reviewed the revised fee structure as it would help with the cost of hosting events. Motion was made by Council member Thompson and seconded by Council member Connell to approve the ordinance on first approval. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Hendrick, Stoker, Mitchell, Thompson, Vasquez, Connell, and Hanie Nay: None Miscellaneous Council Minutes April 22, 2025 Page 6 Discuss and consider all City of Odessa commissions and board members including appointment, re-appointment, removing, or modification including the following: Board of Survey, Historic Preservation Commission, Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, Planning and Zoning Commission, and Zoning Board of Adjustment. Council member Stoker requested that the board applications be made available on a link for the Council. Citizen Comments. Jo Ann Davenport-Littleton stated that the Black Cultural Council followed the HOT guidelines and met requirements. There was no problem in meeting the guidelines. She stated that the City gave the Black Cultural Council funds from the General Fund for the request. It was not asked to come out of General Fund. As authorized by the Texas Government Code Section 551.074(a)(1) to (Deliberations about Personal Matters), the City Council may adjourn into executive session to: deliberate the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline, or dismissal of public officer or employee, city manager candidates. Motion was made by Council member Mitchell and seconded by Council member Hanie to go into executive session under 551.074(a((1). The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Hendrick, Stoker, Mitchell, Thompson, Vasquez, Connell, and Hanie Nay: None Motion was made by Council member Thompson and seconded by Council member Vasquez to return from executive session. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Hendrick, Stoker, Mitchell, Thompson, Vasquez, Connell, and Hanie Nay: None No action was taken in executive session. Mayor Hendrick stated it was a difficult process as there were three outstanding candidates. He thanked the candidates as all were very deserving. Motion was made by Council member Hanie and seconded by Council member Thompson to authorize Mr. Morton to complete the employment agreement with David Vela and begin employment on June 2, 2025. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Hendrick, Stoker, Mitchell, Thompson, Vasquez, Connell, and Hanie Nay: None Motion was made by Council member Vasquez and seconded by Council member Mitchell to adjourn the meeting. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Hendrick, Stoker, Mitchell, Thompson, Vasquez, Connell, and Hanie Nay: None The meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m. Council Minutes April 22, 2025 Page 7 ATTEST: APPROVED: Norma Aguilar, TRMC, CMC Benard Calvin Hendrick VII City Secretary Mayor