City Council

CITY COUNCIL MINUTES CITY OF ODESSA, TEXAS September 9, 2025 On September 9, 2025, a regular meeting of the Odessa City Council was held at 6:02 p.m. in the Council Chambers, 5th floor, City Hall, 411 W. 8th St., Odessa, Texas. City Council present: Mayor Benard C. 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: David Vela, City Manager; Norma Aguilar, City Secretary; Keith Stretcher, Interim City Attorney; 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. The invocation was given by Council member Mitchell and followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and Texas flags. Proclamations and Presentations. None. Citizens’ comments on non-agenda items. Carmen Haynes there were positive steps on the Animal Services with publicizing spay and neuter. She stated that dead animals should be picked up in 24 hours and not after the weekend, when calls are made on the weekends. Consent Agenda 1. City Council work session minutes, August 26, 2025; 2. City Council minutes, August 26, 2025; 3. Ordinance No. 2025-40 - Request by Tolunay Engineering Group, owner, agent for a zone change from MF-2, Multi Family-Two District to NS, Neighborhood Services District, on Lots 5-6, Block 97,S. Williams Subdivision, City of Odessa, Ector County, Texas. (Located on the SW corner of N. Tom Green Ave. and E. 11th St); 4. Ordinance No. 2025-41 - Request by SW Howell for a zone change from FD, Future Development District to LI, Light Industrial District, on a 36.0-acre tract of located in Section 31, Block 42, T-2- S,T&P RY CO. Survey, City of Odessa, Ector County, Texas. (Located on the south Loop 338 approximately 550 feet east on the south side of W Murphy St); 5. Resolution No. 2025R-89 - Odessa Development Corporation annual budget for FY 2025-2026; 6. Resolution No. 2025R-90 - Odessa Development Corporation General Development Plan for FY 2025-2026; 7. Resolution No. 2025R-91 - Odessa Development Corporation annual contractor agreements for FY 2025-2026; Council Minutes September 9, 2025 Page 2 8. Resolution No. 2025R-92 - Odessa Development Corporation and Grupo Tapatios Inc., performance agreement; 9. Contract for a proposed 19-mile scope of improvements to the City’s underground stormwater infrastructure, targeting high-priority maintenance areas to prevent system failures and ensure continued regulatory compliance. Motion was made by Council member Vasquez seconded by Council member Hanie to approve the consent agenda. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Hendrick, Stoker, Mitchell, Thompson, Vasquez, Connell, and Hanie Nay: None Regular Recommendations from outside counsel regarding issuance of RFPS 25-51310-20 through 22 regarding leasing of city mineral (not surface) tracts for oil and gas development. Steve Pocsik, Attorney, reviewed the three RFPs for leasing. Motion was made by Council member Connell and seconded by Council member Hanie to issue the RFPs as recommended. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Hendrick, Stoker, Mitchell, Thompson, Vasquez, Connell, and Hanie Nay: None Funding options for the Visitors Center and the jackrabbit monument. Aaron Smith, Assistant City Manager, stated that proposed budget allocated $3.5 million for the Visitors Center and jackrabbit project. There was opportunity of public/private partnership. Renee Earls, Odessa Chamber of Commerce, stated that the visitors center would be a one stop shop for Odessa history and attractions. She highlighted results from the Perryman analysis, noting the project would be located downtown. Mayor Hendrick stated there was $150,000 of pledges for the project. Council member Stoker stated that the City funds were from Hotel Motel Tax funds. Peggy Dean stated that the jackrabbit would create excitement for Odessa’s centennial year in 2027. Ratify the property tax revenue increase reflected in the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 annual budget. Kaylie Banda, Director of Finance, stated that the proposed rate of $0.470700 cents per $100 valuation was $0.004425 cents higher than the tax rate approved for the 2024-2025 fiscal year. The proposed rate was $.027163 cents higher than the No-New Revenue Rate of $0.443537 cents, and it was $0.000001 cents lower than the total Voter- Approval Rate of $0.470701 cents. The Voter-Approval Rate consisted of a 2025 unused increment rate of $0.013625 cents, and a current Voter Approval Rate of $0.457076 cents. The budget would raise more revenue from property taxes than last year's budget by an amount of $6,203,805, which was an 11.4% increase from last year’s budget, and of that amount, $1,266,660 was tax revenue to be raised from new property added to the tax roll this year. Motion was made by Council member Thompson and seconded by Council member Vasquez to ratify the property tax revenue reflected in the Fiscal Year 2025-2026. The motion was approved by the following vote: Council Minutes September 9, 2025 Page 3 Aye: Hendrick, Stoker, Mitchell, Thompson, Vasquez, Connell, and Hanie Nay: None RFQ #25-51520-14 – Selection of Owner’s Representative for the multi-sports complex to The Sports Facilities Companies. Mr. Smith stated that the owners’ representative RFQs were reviewed and evaluated. The Sports Facilities Companies was recommended to manage and operate the sports complex. Its staff would be assigned to Odessa. Motion was made by Council member Thompson and seconded by Council member Hanie to approve the Sports Facilities Companies as owner’s representative for the multi-sports complex. 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 discuss and consider the approval of an ordinance levying assessments on assessable properties within the Windmill Crossing Operations & Maintenance Public Improvement District (PID), including the acceptance of the final amended and restated 2025 O&M Service and Assessment Plan. Jordan Soyer, P3, provided the yearly assessment of the Windmill Crossing PID. He reviewed the assessment costs and the budget. No one came forward and the public hearing was closed. Motion was made by Council member Connell and seconded by Council member Hanie 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 Motion was made by Council member Thompson and seconded by Council member Mitchell to suspend the rules and move items 18-20. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Hendrick, Stoker, Mitchell, Thompson, Vasquez, Connell, and Hanie Nay: None Ordinance Water rate change. Mayor Hendrick stated that Council was receptive to not increase the rates this year. Kaylie Banda, Director of Finance, stated that it was proposed to increase the water rates by 1.5%. If the rate was not increased, the revenue not captured would be $794,795. Motion was made by Council member Thompson and seconded by Council member Stoker to have a zero percent increase to the water rate. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Hendrick, Stoker, Mitchell, Thompson, Vasquez, Connell, and Hanie Nay: None Sewer rate change. Ms. Banda stated that it was proposed to increase the sewer rates by 1.5%. If the rate was not increased, the revenue not captured would be $275,017.13. Council Minutes September 9, 2025 Page 4 Motion was made by Council member Thompson and seconded by Council member Hanie to have a zero percent increase to the sewer rate. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Hendrick, Stoker, Mitchell, Thompson, Vasquez, Connell, and Hanie Nay: None Solid waste rate change. Ms. Banda stated that it was proposed to increase the solid waste rates by 1.5%. If the rate was not increased, the revenue not captured would be $284,183.24. Motion was made by Council member Thompson and seconded by Council member Hanie to have a zero percent increase to the solid waste rate. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Hendrick, Stoker, Mitchell, Thompson, Vasquez, Connell, and Hanie Nay: None Mayor Hendrick stated that it would lessen the impact on the citizens. Resolution Resolution No. 2025R-93 – Adopt City of Odessa Fiscal Year 2025-2026 annual budget. Ms. Banda stated that the adopted budget would be reflected with the correct impact, due to the no changes in the rates. Motion was made by Council member Thompson and seconded by Council member Mitchell to approve the FY 2025-26 budget as presented with the following changes: reduce the Water and Sewer projected revenues to $86,971,000, reduce the Water and Sewer Fund balance to $96,763,777, reduce the Solid Waste projected revenues to $18,925,999 and reduce the Solid Waste Fund balance to $8,791,518. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Hendrick, Stoker, Mitchell, Thompson, Vasquez, Connell, and Hanie Nay: None Resolution No. 2025R-94 – Reallocate remaining 2019 Certificate of Obligation (CO) Funds. Ms. Banda stated that the $11,576,830 from the 2019 COs was reallocated to projects. She reviewed the projects. Motion was made by Council member Hanie 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-95 – Amend the amended and restated performance agreement by and between the Odessa Development Corporation and Walkamin Trading Company, Inc. for the purpose of constructing necessary infrastructure improvements for a proposed light industrial park, consisting of extension of Faudree Road, and related sewer and water improvement from Yukon Road north to the Council Minutes September 9, 2025 Page 5 industrial park. Mr. Stretcher stated that the original contract granted $6.5 million to Walkamin Trading Company. The Odessa Development Corporation approved the amended contract to $6.8 million, an increase of $300,000. Motion was made by Council member Connell 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 Council member Vasquez left the meeting. Miscellaneous Pursuant to Texas Government Code §551.101, the City Council will hold an Executive Session, which is closed to the public, to discuss the following matters as permitted under the following sections of the Texas Government Code: a. Section 551.072, Deliberation Regarding Real Property Discuss the purchase, exchange, lease or value of real property in Section 24, Block 42, T-2-S, T&P RR Co. Survey, Ector County, Texas. b. Section 551.071, Consultation with Attorney Discuss matters in which the duty of the attorney to the governmental body under the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct of the State Bar of Texas clearly conflicts with Chapter 551 of the Texas Government Code. c. Section 551.074, Personnel Matters Deliberate the appointment, employment and duties of the City Attorney to be appointed by the City Council. Motion was made by Council member Hanie and seconded by Council member Connell to go into executive session under 551.072, 551.071, and 551.074. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Hendrick, Stoker, Mitchell, Thompson, Connell, and Hanie Nay: None Motion was made by Council member Stoker and seconded by Council member Hanie to return from executive session. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Hendrick, Stoker, Mitchell, Thompson, Connell, and Hanie Nay: None No action was taken in executive session. Motion was made by Council member Thompson and seconded by Council member Hanie to adjourn the meeting. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Hendrick, Stoker, Mitchell, Thompson, Connell, and Hanie Nay: None Council Minutes September 9, 2025 Page 6 The meeting adjourned at 7:57 p.m. ATTEST: APPROVED: Norma Aguilar, TRMC, CMC Benard Calvin Hendrick VII City Secretary Mayor