City Council

CITY COUNCIL MINUTES CITY OF ODESSA, TEXAS October 28, 2025 On October 28, 2025, a regular meeting of the Odessa City Council was held at 2:05 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 Pastor Don Caywood, Odessa Christian Faith Center and followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and Texas Flag. Council was glad Council member Vasquez was back and was missed during his absence. Proclamations. Mayor Hendrick presented Sondra and Toby Eoff with an award for building downtown and a proclamation. Citizens’ comments on non-agenda items. None. Consent Agenda 1. City Council work session minutes, October 14, 2025; 2. City Council minutes, October 14, 2025; 3. Ordinance No. 2025-47 - Request by LCA on behalf of Ector County, Texas, owner, for 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; 4. Ordinance No. 2025-48 - 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.) 5. Ordinance No. 2025-49 - 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). Council Minutes October 28, 2025 Page 2 6. Resolution No. 2025R-115 - Odessa Development Corporation and ICA performance agreement. 7. Resolution No. 2025R-116 – Replace 41 sets of firefighter protective gear for Odessa Fire Rescue; 8. Bid award to THK Associates for golf feasibility study; 9. Purchase Rainbird IQ4 irrigation system for the parks. Motion was made by Council member Thompson seconded by Council member Connell to approve the consent agenda. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Hendrick, Stoker, Mitchell, Thompson, Vasquez, and Connell Nay: None Regular Bid award for the County Road West waterline replacement project. Alex Rowlett, Director of Utilities, stated the project to replace the waterline on West County Road was underway. The design was completed and the bid for construction was recommended to MACH Energy for $6,350,701.50. Councilmember Thompson questioned the one bid received. Mr. Rowlett stated that it was a quick timeline due to TxDOT’s portion of the project. He stated that there was extensive work with the engineer and there would be line stops incorporated in the project. The traffic impact would be significant and the posting of traffic plans would be made. Motion was made by Council member Connell and seconded by Council member Stoker to approve the bid award to Mach Energy Services for $6,350,701.50. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Hendrick, Stoker, Mitchell, Thompson, Vasquez, and Connell Nay: None Public Hearing Open a public hearing to consider approval of the request by Cruz & Francisca Fabela for a zone change from SF-3, Single Family-Three District to R, Retail District, on a 0.439-acre tract of land located in Section 34, Block 42, T-2-S, T&P RY CO. Survey, City of Odessa, Ector County, Texas. (Generally located on the southwest corner of the intersection of E Clements St., and S Dixie Blvd). Maria Prieto, Planning Manager, stated that the area was vacant and the rezoning was to allow future retail development. The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended for approval with conditions. No one came forward and the public hearing was closed. Motion was made by Council member Mitchell and seconded by Council member Vasquez to approve the ordinance on first approval. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Hendrick, Stoker, Mitchell, Thompson, Vasquez, and Connell Nay: None Open a public hearing to consider the approval of the request by LCA on behalf of LEECO Properties, Inc., owner, for the annexation of a 207.45-acre tract of vacant land in Section 1, Block 42, Township 2 South, Texas & Pacific Railway Company Survey Ector County, Texas). Elizabeth Prieto, Strategic Development Manager, stated Council Minutes October 28, 2025 Page 3 that annexation for a 207.45 acre tract of land was requested for dwelling. The notices received against the annexation were due to additional traffic. Larry Lee was present for any questions. No one else came forward and the public hearing was closed. Motion was made by Council member Thompson 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, and Connell Nay: None Ordinance Amend the established speed limits on Loop 338 from US Hwy. 385 to 52n St. to I-20. Joseph Goff, Traffic Operations Superintendent, stated that TxDOT requested to reduce the speed limit on portions of Loop 338. He reviewed the sections. No one came forward and the public hearing was closed. 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, and Connell Nay: None Resolution Resolution No. 2025R-117 – Authorize the Mayor, City Manager and Interim City Attorney to negotiate, execute and file any and all documents related to Chapter 103 of the Texas Local Government Code; and any and all documents related to Senate Bill Number 1851 passed during the 89th regular session of the Texas Legislature with an effective date of September 1, 2025; and any and all documents related to the letter dated October 2, 2025, from the Texas Attorney General to the Council Members for the City of Odessa; and any and all documents related to the letter from the Mayor of Odessa addressed to the Texas Attorney General dated October 16, 2025; and any and all documents related to the City’s real property tax rate for the fiscal year 2025- 2026 and real property tax levy for the City of Odessa, Texas, for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2025, and ending on September 30, 2026; and authorizing the mayor, city manager and interim city attorney to negotiate, execute and file on behalf of the City of Odessa any and all settlement agreements or agreed judgments involving the Texas Attorney General; finding and determining that the meeting at which this resolution was passed was noticed and was open to the public as required by law; and declaring an effective date. Mr. Stretcher stated that the resolution clarified the City’s stand. He reviewed the resolution. There was no mechanism to reverse or stop the Council’s adopted tax rate. Mayor Hendrick wrote a letter to the Attorney General and there were no laws violated. The City wanted to meet with the Attorney General. The Attorney General had received a complaint about the City of Odessa, but the City has not seen the complaint. Mr. Stretcher stated that the City followed the law. Motion was made by Council member Thompson and seconded by Council member Connell to approve the resolution with the change to include Interim City Attorney or City Attorney. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Hendrick, Stoker, Mitchell, Thompson, Vasquez, and Connell Nay: None Council Minutes October 28, 2025 Page 4 Resolution No. 2025R-118 – Appoint James D. Parker as the City Attorney for the City of Odessa effective December 1, 2025; approving an Employment Agreement with James D. Parker who will assume the duties of Odessa City Attorney as of December 1, 2025, said agreement being attached to the resolution as Exhibit “A” and incorporated into the resolution for all legal purposes; directing the City Secretary to post said agreement in a prominent place on the city’s internet website; and authorizing the Mayor to execute the agreement on behalf of the City of Odessa, Texas. Mr. Stretcher reviewed the employment agreement. The salary was $250,000 with benefits. It included a $600 monthly car allowance, cell phone, $6,000 moving expenses and living in the City of Odessa. Motion was made by Council member Stoker and seconded by Council member Mitchell to approve the resolution. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Hendrick, Stoker, Mitchell, Thompson, Vasquez, and Connell Nay: None Mr. Stretcher would serve until December 31, 2025. Council expressed appreciation of his service. Miscellaneous Discuss and consider all City of Odessa commissions and board members including appointment, re-appointment, removal or modification including the Odessa Development Board. No action. 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, evaluation, reassignment, duties, and discipline or dismissal 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. c. Section 551.072, Deliberation Regarding Real Property. Deliberate the purchase, exchange, lease, sale, or value of real property located in the downtown Odessa area. The deliberation in an open session would have a detrimental effect on the position of the governmental body in negotiations with a third person. Motion was made by Council member Vasquez and seconded by Council member Thompson to go into executive session under 551.074, 551.071, and 551.072. The motion Council Minutes October 28, 2025 Page 5 was approved by the following vote: Aye: Hendrick, Stoker, Mitchell, Thompson, Vasquez, and Connell Nay: None Council member Hanie arrived during executive session. Motion was made by Council member Stoker 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. Consider a motion or motions related in any manner to the employment, dismissal, reassignment, evaluation, duties, discipline, salary and compensation of the City Manager, Interim City Attorney, City Secretary, Associate Municipal Court Judge, or the Presiding Municipal Court Judge. Motion was made by Council member Thompson and seconded by Council member Hanie to accept the resignation of Mr. Vela, City Manager, effective October 31, 2025, and negotiate the separation agreement. 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 Hanie to appoint Aaron Smith as Acting City Manager effective October 31, 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 3:55 p.m. ATTEST: APPROVED: Norma Aguilar, TRMC, CMC Benard Calvin Hendrick VII City Secretary Mayor