City Council

CITY COUNCIL MINUTES CITY OF ODESSA, TEXAS May 13, 2025 On May 13, 2025, a regular meeting of the Odessa City Council was held at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers, 5th floor, City Hall, 411 W. 8th, Odessa, Texas. City Council present: 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. City Council absent: Mayor Bernard Calvin Hendrick. 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 Pro Tem Stoker called the meeting to order, and the following proceedings were held: Roll call. Ms. Aguilar conducted the roll call for the City Council. The invocation was given by Council member Vasquez and followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and Texas flags. Proclamations and Presentations. Mayor Pro Tem Stoker presented a proclamation for Project Graduation. The City employees’ graduates were recognized. Mayor Pro Tem Stoker presented the Motorcycle and Safety Awareness Month proclamation. Citizen’s comments on non-agenda items. Jeff Russell stated that the Council passed Ordinance 2024-46 on bathrooms in protecting women. He stated that the City Secretary failed to fill the duty of not publishing the ordinance or codified in the Code of Ordinances. He stated it was law passed and stated that it was the duty of the City Secretary to carry out and publish the ordinance. Consent Agenda 1. City Council special minutes, April 17, 2025; 2. City Council work session minutes, April 22, 2025 3. City Council minutes, April 22, 2025; 4. Ordinance No. 2025-18 – Special event fees; 4. Ordinance No. 2025-19 - Rename 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. Motion was made by Council member Vasquez seconded by Council member Thompson to approve the consent agenda. The motion was approved by the following vote: Council Minutes May 13, 2025 Page 2 Aye: Stoker, Mitchell, Thompson, Vasquez, Connell, and Hanie Nay: None Regular Discuss and consider all action to include the city in their match for a voucher program Fix West Texas. Carmen Haynes supported the spay and neuter voucher program as it was a valuable resource. She reported that Odessa Animal Services was one of the top killing shelters in the State. Devyn Daley did not support the Fix West Texas as it lacked transparency and accountability and was misleading. The organization has hostility of Odessa leadership. Lisa Frost reported that the organization was draining funds from the City of Midland and there was no accountability. Karen Patterson reported that Fix West Texas clients were 52% from Odessa. She explained the voucher program and requested $10,000 to match a Wings of Rescue grant for spay and neuter. The funds could be used for Odessa residents. Carrie Rodriguez, Outreach Coordinator, stated that licenses were checked, and people were asking for assistance at events. Council member Stoker stated that it was additional services and not replacing any services that were offered. Ms. Patterson has not requested funds from Ector County. She discussed the Diversion Program and how the discount voucher worked. Mr. Morton did not want to duplicate efforts. Council member Thompson reported its revenue for 2024 and it had more revenue than expenses. He stated that the City did not need its services as we took care of our city and county animals. Susan Clark, Animal Advisory Board Chair, stated that many animals do not have an ID, have illnesses, and were unvaccinated. She did not support the voucher program for Fix West Texas. Kelley Hendricks, Director of Animal Services, reported that the City had a low cost spay clinic and it was going well. Council member Connell asked to review a contract and have the committee review the contract. Mrs. Hendricks stated that the program would be served better internally. Council member Thompson called the question. Motion was made by Council member Thompson and seconded by Council member Connell to decline the Fix West Texas voucher program and deny the $10,000 matching funds. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Mitchell, Thompson, Vasquez, Connell, and Hanie Nay: Stoker Teen Court interlocal agreement. Mr. Morton stated that the agreement was for the Teen Court program with ECISD, Ector County and the City. Motion was made by Council member Vasquez and seconded by Council member Thompson to approve the Teen Court agreement. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Stoker, Mitchell, Thompson, Vasquez, Connell, and Hanie Nay: None Public Hearing Open a public hearing to consider approval of the request by JD Elzner Holdings, LLC for a Zone Change from FD, Future Development District, to LI, Light Industrial District on Lot 5, Block 1, Oil Patch Addition, being 11.32-acres, City of Odessa, Ector Council Minutes May 13, 2025 Page 3 County, Texas. (Generally located on the north side of E. Murphy Street, approximately 500-feet east of Market Avenue) Elizabeth Shaughnessy, Director of Development Services, stated that the zone change would be for work force housing. No one came forward and the public hearing was closed. Motion was made by Council member Connell seconded by Council member Hanie to approve the ordinance on first approval. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Stoker, Mitchell, Thompson, Vasquez, Connell, and Hanie Nay: None Remove from the table to 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 Hanie and seconded by Council member Connell to remove the item from the table. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Stoker, Mitchell, Thompson, Vasquez, Connell, and Hanie Nay: None Mrs. Shaughnessy stated that property use would be to grow the business in heavy industrial. The Planning and Zoning Commission did not vote and recommended the Council to table the item. Ryan Havens provided an organizational timeline of growth and its strategic geographic footprint. Imperative Chemical was serving Odessa customers and would utilize the rail and spur and build up a regional operations center. New jobs would be created and addressed environmental concerns and would operate safely and effectively. Donald Murray researched and there were 24 active cleanup sites inside Loop 338 and two in the city. He provided stats on contaminated sites. If it was rezoned, there was no control on chemical storage. If there was a leak it would pollute water and harm citizens in the area. Jake Watkins stated that Imperative Chemical provided safety standards, gave back to the community and built up its team members. Larry Robinson discussed the wind spans and protested the zone change. He stated that the chemicals released lots of toxins and it was dangerous chemicals. Council member Hanie stated that remediation was completed, and the ground was cleared. Michael Ashton stated that the wind blew from the SW and was concerned with water contamination. No one else came forward and the public hearing was closed. Motion was made by Council member Hanie and seconded by Council member Connell to approve the ordinance on first approval. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Stoker, Mitchell, Thompson, Vasquez, Connell, and Hanie Nay: None Ordinance No. 2025-20 - Remove form the table to open a public hearing to consider approval of the 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 Section 31, Block 42, Township 2 South, Texas and Pacific Railway Company Survey, Ector County Texas. Motion was made by Council member Hanie and seconded by Council member Mitchell to remove the item from the table. The motion was approved by the following vote: Council Minutes May 13, 2025 Page 4 Aye: Stoker, Mitchell, Thompson, Vasquez, Connell, and Hanie Nay: None Mrs. Shaughnessy stated that the zone would be changed to Light Industrial. The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended for approval. A citizen stated that there were rules and regulation with chemicals and water. Donald Murray was concerned with the development and the type of chemicals to be stored. Larry Robinson stated that if there was chemical release the water supply could be compromised. He stated it was a burden for the City. Michael Ashton stated that due to House Bill 3866 there could be no one living in 2,000 feet. There was no housing in the area. No one else came forward and the public hearing was closed. Motion was made by Council member Hanie seconded by Council member Mitchell to approve the ordinance on second approval. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Stoker, Mitchell, Thompson, Vasquez, Connell, and Hanie Nay: None Open a public hearing to consider the vehicle for hire franchise application of Ronald Lynn Wilkerson Sr.: MGM Transportation. Mike Gerke, Police Chief, stated that the application was for one taxicab service. It met and passed requirements. No one came forward and the public hearing was closed. Motion was made by Council member Connell seconded by Council member Hanie to approve the ordinance on first approval. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Stoker, Mitchell, Thompson, Vasquez, Connell, and Hanie Nay: None Resolution Resolution No. 2025R-57 – Odessa Fire Rescue to accept, appropriate, and authorize expenditures from Texas J Regional Advisory Council in the combined amount of $21,586. Daniel Chavez, Assistant Fire Chief, stated that the grant was for $21,586 to be used on EMS equipment. Motion was made by Council member Thompson and seconded by Council member Mitchell to approve the resolution. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Stoker, Mitchell, Thompson, Vasquez, Connell, and Hanie Nay None Resolution No. 2025R-58 – TxDOT agreement for a temporary street closure. Joseph Goff, Traffic Operations Superintendent, stated that the temporary Grant street closure from 2nd St. to 6th St. was for Firecracker Fandango. Motion was made by Council member Hanie and seconded by Council member Connell to approve the resolution. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Stoker, Mitchell, Thompson, Vasquez, Connell, and Hanie Nay: None Council Minutes May 13, 2025 Page 5 Resolution No. 2025R-59 – Odessa Country Club water agreement. Mr. Morton stated that the water agreement was consolidated from three agreements of reuse, raw and reassignment water. The agreement provided for cost escalations as a pass through increase to the Country Club. Kris Crow asked about the start date and the cost of $1.50 from $1.77. Mr. Morton explained the cost formula and its history of increased rate charge. Mr. Crow did not like the 20 year contract and asked about the drought of water. Mr. Morton stated that there was a drought contingency in the agreement. The City had a right to serve its citizens first. Motion was made by Council member Thompson and seconded by Council member Hanie to approve the resolution. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Stoker, Mitchell, Thompson, Vasquez, Connell, and Hanie Nay: None Resolution No. 2025R-60 – Authorize publication of notice of intention to issue Certificates of Obligation (CO). Mr. Morton stated that there would be $40 million in Certificates of Obligation to help fund the sports complex. He reported that $90 million was from fund reservices and $40 million for construction with a total project cost of $130 million. George Williford, Hilltop Securities, stated that the CO was to be published as a notice of intent and post on the website. Her reviewed the timeline. He would formulize the documents for Council issuance. Related cost expenses were $225,000. He reviewed the repayment schedules. Council member Thompson stated that there was $500,000 in the account and $9 million in commitments. A 2% venue tax could be done on Hotel Motel tax No property tax funds was being used. Mr. Morton stated that the community wanted this project, and it would have an economic impact of $60 million from the sports complex. Mayor Pro Tem Stoker wanted to have funds that were over and above to be placed in the parks system. Mr. Williford explained the General Obligation Bond versus Revenue Bond. The Odessa Parks Foundation donated $300,000. Kris Crow asked how much money was in the bank. Council member Thompson stated $5 million and there were $10 million in committed funds. Mr. Crow asked why not take this to the voters of Odessa and what would be the change on the Odessa tax rate. Mr. Morton stated that there was no impact on the tax rate and explained the pay back. He stated that the water line would be paid out of the Water Fund, and it had a healthy fund balance. He stated the citizens can petition to call an election. Dallas Kennedy asked what was wrong with the Centurion contract. Mr. Morton stated nothing was wrong with the contract, but it would cost the City more. The contract became complicated and outlined the process. He stated the COs were less and would save the citizens money. Mr. Jones stated that there was only a non-binding MOU with Centurion. Motion was made by Council member Thompson and seconded by Council member Hanie to approve the resolution. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Stoker, Mitchell, Thompson, Vasquez, Connell, and Hanie Nay: None Miscellaneous 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. Motion Council Minutes May 13, 2025 Page 6 was made by Council member Mitchell and seconded by Council member Thompson to appoint Nancy Wells and Bill Cleaver to the Board of Survey. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Stoker, Mitchell, Thompson, Vasquez, Connell, and Hanie Nay: None Motion was made by Council member Mitchell and seconded by Council member Connell to appoint Henry Enriquez as alternate to the Planning and Zoning Commission. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Stoker, Mitchell, Thompson, Connell, and Hanie Nay: None Abstain: Vasquez Motion was made by Council member Hanie and seconded by Council member Vasquez to appoint John Herriage and Nancy Wells as alternate to the Board of Survey. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Stoker, Mitchell, Thompson, Vasquez, Connell, and Hanie Nay: None As authorized by the Texas Government Code Section 551.074(a)(1) to (Deliberations about Personnel 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, the position of Associate Municipal Court Judge - Carlos Rodriguez. Motion was made by Council member Vasquez and seconded by Council member Connell to go into executive session under 551.074(a)(1). The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Stoker, Mitchell, Thompson, Vasquez, Connell, and Hanie Nay: None Motion was made by Council member Connell and seconded by Council member Hanie to return from executive session. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Stoker, Mitchell, Thompson, Vasquez, Connell, and Hanie Nay: None No action was taken in executive session. Motion was made by Council member Connell and seconded by Council member Vasquez to appoint Carlos Rodriguez to the Associate Municipal Court Judge at a salary of $144,000. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Stoker, Mitchell, Thompson, Vasquez, Connell, and Hanie Nay: None Motion was made by Council member Hanie and seconded by Council member Mitchell to adjourn the meeting. The motion was approved by the following vote: Council Minutes May 13, 2025 Page 7 Aye: Stoker, Mitchell, Thompson, Vasquez, Connell, and Hanie Nay: None The meeting adjourned at 9:16 p.m. ATTEST: APPROVED: Norma Aguilar, TRMC, CMC Raymon C. Stoker IV City Secretary Mayor Pro Tem