City Council

CITY COUNCIL MINUTES CITY OF ODESSA, TEXAS October 14, 2025 On October 14, 2025, a regular meeting of the Odessa City Council was held at 5:00 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; Greg Connell, District Four; and Chris Hanie, District Five. City Council absent: Council member Gilbert Vasquez, District Three. 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 Hanie and followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and Texas Flag. Proclamations. None. Citizens’ comments on non-agenda items. Steve Chandler stated that there were pros and cons to the name change of Maple Avenue. He noted that the name change should be more a recognized and distinguished name in the community. He stated that Charlie Kirk had no ties to Odessa. Francisco Morales opposed the name change to Charlie Kirk, as it did not reflect the values of our community. He recommended renaming Maple to Jovita Idar, a Mexican American journalist, teacher, and activist who fought for civil rights. He presented a petition supporting the name change to Jovita Idar. Consent Agenda 1. City Council minutes, September 17, 2025; 2. City Council work session minutes, September 23, 2025; 3. City Council minutes, September 23, 2025; 4. City Council minutes, October 2, 2025; 5. Ordinance No. 2025-44 - Amend Chapter 13 of the City of Odessa Code of ordinances entitled "Utilities", Article 13-1 "General Provisions" Section 13-1-7 "Discontinuance of Service for Nonpayment of Charges", of the City of Odessa Code of Ordinances for the best interest in the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of Odessa; 6. Ordinance No. 2025-45 - Maverick Engineering for a zone change from FD, Future Development District to LI, Light Industrial District, on a 3.00-acre tract of land located in Section 25, Block Council Minutes October 14, 2025 Page 2 42, T-2-S, T&P RY CO. Survey, City of Odessa, Ector County, Texas. (Generally located on the south side of E Pearl St., approximately 1,665 feet west of Reed Ave.); 7. Ordinance No. 2025-46 - Rampart Texas, LLC, owners, Watermill Express, applicant to amend the Site Plan for the Planned Development–Retail (PD-R) zoning district, located on Lot 7, Block 27, North Country Club Estates, 5th Filing, City of Odessa, Ector County, Texas (Northeast of the intersection of Loop 338 and East Ridge Rd.) 8. Resolution No. 2025R-105 – Appropriate $6,000 from the General Fund for the International Cultural Festival; 9. Blink Signs contract for the KOB digital sign that will be located at 814 W. 42nd Street. Motion was made by Council member Thompson seconded by Council member Hanie to approve the consent agenda. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Hendrick, Stoker, Mitchell, Thompson, Connell, and Hanie Nay: None Regular Recommendations from outside counsel regarding issuance of RFP # 25-51310-09 regarding leasing of city mineral (not surface) tracts for oil and gas development. Steve Pocsik recommended leasing a small track of land on 8th and E. B-I 20. Motion was made by Council member Thompson and seconded by Council member Connell to approve the leasing of the city mineral as recommended. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Hendrick, Stoker, Mitchell, Thompson, Connell, and Hanie Nay: None Purchase five-year extended warranties including engine and transmission for Solid Waste and Public Works – Street trucks. Lura Cotton, Director of Equipment Services, stated that there were units that did not have five-year warranties. She reviewed the vehicles without warranty. She stated the cost for the five-year warranty was $144,232. Future fleet purchases would include the five-year warranty. Motion was made by Council member Hanie and seconded by Council member Mitchell to approve the five-year extended warranties. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Hendrick, Stoker, Mitchell, Thompson, Connell, and Hanie Nay: None Public Hearing Remove from the table to open a public hearing to consider a request by LCA on behalf of Ector County, Texas, owner, for an original zoning request of Light Industrial upon the annexation of a 4.897-acre tract of land located in Section 46, Block 42, Township 1 South, Texas & Pacific Railway Company Survey Ector County, Texas. Motion was made by Council member Thompson and seconded by Council member Council Minutes October 14, 2025 Page 3 Connell to remove the item from the table. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Hendrick, Stoker, Mitchell, Thompson, Connell, and Hanie Nay: None Elizabeth Prieto, Strategic Development Manager, stated that the annexation of 4.897-acre tract was for Ector County to build a Youth Detention Center. Aaron Smith, Assistant City Manager, stated that Yukon Road and the right-of-way were inside the city limits. Council member Thompson stated that the cost for bringing the road up to standard with the entrances needed to be documented so that the County would pay for the road. Maria Prieto, Planning Manager, stated that access must be in compliance with City standards. No one 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: Hendrick, Stoker, Mitchell, Thompson, Connell, and Hanie Nay: None Remove from the table to open a public hearing to consider a request by LCA, applicant for a Specific Use Permit to allow a Youth Detention Center to be located on a 4.897-acre tract of land in Section 46, Block 42, Township 1 South, Texas & Pacific Railway Company Survey, Ector County, Texas. (Generally located on the north side of E Yukon Rd., approximately 1,600 ft. west of Dawn Ave.) Motion was made by Council member Stoker and seconded by Council member Hanie to remove the item from the table. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Hendrick, Stoker, Mitchell, Thompson, Connell, and Hanie Nay: None Ms. Prieto stated that the specific use permit would allow for the Youth Detention Center. 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, Connell, and Hanie Nay: None Open a public hearing to consider a request by Mark Wu to amend a Specific Use Permit for a Halfway House on Lots 9-27, Block 2, Industrial Sites Addition, City of Odessa, Ector County, Texas. (Generally located on the east side of SE Loop 338 S, approximately 500-feet north of the intersection on S Dock Rd). Mrs. Prieto stated that amending the existing permit would allow for employee housing. The building was used as a storage building, which would be remodeled for housing. No one came forward and the public hearing was closed. Motion was made by Council member Stoker and seconded by Council member Hanie to approve the ordinance on first approval. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Hendrick, Stoker, Thompson, Connell, and Hanie Nay: Mitchell Council Minutes October 14, 2025 Page 4 Resolution Resolution No. 2025R-106 – Odessa Development Corporation (ODC) and Whitley Penn compliance consulting services agreement. David Boutin, ODC President, stated that grants required an annual audit before the grant payment was provided. The audit must be provided 60 days after the auditor has the completed information. ODC recommended for approval. Motion was made by Council member Connell and seconded by Council member Hanie to approve the resolution. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Hendrick, Stoker, Mitchell, Thompson, Connell, and Hanie Nay: None Resolution No. 2025R-107 – City’s request for an advance of funds from the ODC for the design services portion of the I-20 utility relocation project with TxDOT. Mr. Boutin stated that ODC reserve funds of $4.5 million were available to provide the cost design for the I-20 project. TxDOT would reimburse the costs back to ODC. Alex Rowlett, Director of Utilities, stated that Cobb Finley would provide the design services that included 54 utility relocations. 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, Connell, and Hanie Nay: None Resolution No. 2025R-108 – Partner with Sewell Fleet Management for the City of Odessa replacement vehicles. Lura Cotton, Director of Equipment Services, recommended partnering with Sewell Fleet Management for leasing replacement vehicles. She reviewed the expenditures and current fleet cost. David Gomez, Sewell Fleet, stated that the life cycle of city vehicles would be assessed. Council member Hanie stated that the maintenance needed a quick turnaround. Mr. Gomez stated that the City vehicles could be taken to authorized shops for preventative maintenance. Motion was made by Council member Stoker and seconded by Council member Thompson to approve the resolution. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Hendrick, Stoker, Mitchell, Thompson, Connell, and Hanie Nay: None Resolution No. 2025R-109 – On-call list for on call architectural services. Marisa Rodriquez, Director of Purchasing, stated that an established on-call list for architecture was for work on projects Six firms were on the list with a one-year term and an option to renew for one year. Motion was made by Council member Stoker and seconded by Council member Hanie to approve the resolution. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Hendrick, Stoker, Mitchell, Thompson, Connell, and Hanie Nay: None Council Minutes October 14, 2025 Page 5 Resolution No. 2025R-110 – On-call list for on call land surveying services. Mrs Rodriquez stated that eight firms were on the land surveying list. 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, Connell, and Hanie Nay: None Resolution No. 2025R-111 – On-call list for on call engineering services. Mrs. Rodriquez stated that ten firms were on the on-call list for engineering services. Motion was made by Council member Connell and seconded by Council member Hanie to approve the resolution. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Hendrick, Stoker, Mitchell, Thompson, Connell, and Hanie Nay: None Resolution No. 2025R-112 – Donation of City property to Habitat for Humanity. Mr. Smith stated that the donation of 7.65 acres of property was for affordable housing. There was a reverter clause if it was not used for housing. Joey Hopkins stated that 40 houses would be built and be on the tax rolls. Arica Gonzales was excited about the progress of housing development. Mr. Stretcher stated that the City would have to provide a release lot by lot for the use of public purposes. Motion was made by Council member Stoker and seconded by Council member Hanie to approve the resolution. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Hendrick, Stoker, Mitchell, Thompson, Connell, and Hanie Nay: None Mayor Hendrick asked the audience if anyone would like to speak on any item. No one came forward. Resolution No. 2025R-113 - Authorize the execution of an indemnity and defense agreement with Arrington Oil and Gas Operating, LLC, a Texas limited liability company, regarding the drilling of a Science Well to be drilled, evaluated, and plugged, and said well shall be located in Section 27, Block 42, T-2-S, T&P R.R. Co. Survey, in the city limits of the City of Odessa; said location also described as the corner of 2nd Street and Jefferson Avenue in Odessa, Texas; finding and determining that the meeting at which this resolution was passed was noticed and was open to the public as required by law; authorizing the city manager to sign any documents necessary to implement this resolution and declaring an effective date. Mr. Stretcher stated that the release, insurance, hours, and lighting were worked out. The drilling would be tested and plugged. 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: Hendrick, Stoker, Mitchell, Thompson, Connell, and Hanie Nay: None Council Minutes October 14, 2025 Page 6 Resolution No. 2025R-114 - Finding that Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC’s application to change rates within the city should be denied; finding that the city’s reasonable rate case expenses shall be reimbursed by the company; finding and determining that the meeting at which this resolution was passed was noticed and was open to the public as required by law; authorizing the city manager to sign any documents necessary to implement this resolution; requiring notice of this resolution to the company and legal counsel by the city secretary. Mr. Stretcher stated that the resolution would deny the Oncor rate. A hearing would be held. Motion was made by Council member Stoker and seconded by Council member Hanie to approve the resolution. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Hendrick, Stoker, Mitchell, Thompson, Connell, and Hanie Nay: None Miscellaneous Discuss Senate Bill No. 1851, passed during the last session of the Texas Legislature effective September 1, 2025 and all related matters. Mr. Stretcher stated that the requested documents were provided to the Attorney General. 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 551.074, Personnel Matters Deliberate the appointment, employment and duties of the City Attorney to be appointed by the City Council. Deliberate the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, and discipline of the City Manager, Interim City Attorney, City Secretary, Presiding Municipal Court Judge and Associate Municipal Court Judge. 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. Motion was made by Council member Thompson and seconded by Council member Stoker to go into executive session under 551.074 and 551.071. 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 Connell to return from executive session. The motion was approved by the following vote: Council Minutes October 14, 2025 Page 7 Aye: Hendrick, Stoker, Mitchell, Thompson, Connell, and Hanie Nay: None No action was taken in executive session. Motion was made by Council member Hanie and seconded by Council member Connell to adjourn the meeting. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Hendrick, Stoker, Mitchell, Thompson, Connell, and Hanie Nay: None The meeting adjourned at 9:14 p.m. ATTEST: APPROVED: Norma Aguilar, TRMC, CMC Benard Calvin Hendrick VII City Secretary Mayor