City Council

CITY COUNCIL MINUTES CITY OF ODESSA, TEXAS November 11, 2025 On November 11, 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 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; and Greg Connell, District Four. City Council absent: Council member Chris Hanie, District Five. Staff present: Aaron Smith, Acting 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 Dr. James J. Bolton, St. James Missionary Baptist Church, and followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and Texas Flag. Proclamations & Presentations. Mayor Hendrick presented Ginamarie Soto with an award for hosting the Olympics between Odessa and Midland. He presented an award to Deston Crane and Oscar Alvarado for their heroic action in saving a victim from a burning structure. Citizens’ comments on non-agenda items. Ronnie Lewis stated that his first choice for City Manager was Aaron Smith and Tina Jauz. He stated that Jeff Russell’s posts should be deleted or apologize. He supported the Council for doing a good job. Consent Agenda 1. City Council work session minutes, October 28, 2025; 2. City Council minutes, October 28, 2025; 3. Ordinance No. 2025-50 - 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; 4. Ordinance No. 2025-51 - 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.); 5. Ordinance No. 2025-52 - Amend the established speed limits on Loop 338 from US Hwy 385 to 52nd St. and 56th St. to I-20. Council Minutes November 11, 2025 Page 2 Motion was made by Council member Thompson seconded by Council member Vasquez to approve the consent agenda. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Hendrick, Stoker, Mitchell, Thompson, Vasquez, and Connell Nay: None Regular Purchase the Centracs Mobility System Service and setup from Paradigm Traffic Systems, Inc., for 150 intersections citywide. Joseph Goff, Traffic Operations Superintendent, stated the purchase was for a platform to provide centralized control for 150 signalized intersections. The cost was $229,000. Motion was made by Council member Stoker and seconded by Council member Connell to approve the purchase of the Centras Mobility System. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Hendrick, Stoker, Mitchell, Thompson, Vasquez, and Connell Nay: None Purchase the NoTraffic Nexus Omni Mobility platform equipment and installation services for 150 intersections citywide. Mr. Goff stated that the purchase was for the equipment for the 150 intersections. The cost was $3,934,189.50. Motion was made by Council member Stoker and seconded by Council member Thompson to approve the purchase of the NoTraffic Nexus Omni Mobility platform equipment and installation. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Hendrick, Stoker, Mitchell, Thompson, Vasquez, and Connell Nay: None Resolution Resolution No. 2025R-119 – Authorize the partial abandonment and conveyance of an approximate 0.124 acre alley right of way in Block 119, Crescent Park addition 6th filing City of Odessa, Ector County, Texas (north of 8th street between Grandview Avenue and Limestone Avenue); the City of Odessa shall retain a non-exclusive general utility easement and a drainage easement; the property shall have to be finally platted to reflect this resolution; the compensation for the partial abandonment is to be determined; 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. Joe Tucker, Director of Public Works, stated that the abandonment of a portion of the alley was to expand business. Mr. Stretcher stated that the City was retaining the utility easement and drainage easement. John Herriage, Realtor, recommended the value between $10,000 to $12,000. The plat contained a reverter clause. He recommended $10,000 for the portion of the alley. Council member Mitchell had concerns about the placement of the dumpsters. Motion was made by Council member Stoker and seconded by Council member Mitchell to approve the resolution for $10,000. The motion was approved by the following vote: Council Minutes November 11, 2025 Page 3 Aye: Hendrick, Stoker, Mitchell, Thompson, Vasquez, and Connell Nay: None Resolution No. 2025R-120 – Accept a $10,000 sponsorship contribution from Bronco Wild Fund and the Greater Texas Ford Dealers for McKinney Park. Jon Rogers, Director of Parks and Recreation, stated that a contribution was made from the Bronco Wild Fund and the Greater Texas Ford Dealers to reinvest in McKinney Park. The funds would be used towards pickleball courts. Motion was made by Council member Thompson and seconded by Council member Vasquez to approve the resolution. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Hendrick, Stoker, Mitchell, Thompson, Vasquez, and Connell Nay: None Resolution No. 2025R-121 – Approve a four percent base salary increase for the City Secretary, Presiding Municipal Court Judge, and Associate Municipal Court Judge effective January 1, 2026. Mayor Hendrick stated that evaluations were made and recommended a 4% cost of living increase for the City Secretary, Presiding Municipal Court Judge, and Associate Municipal Court Judge effective January 1, 2026. 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, and Connell Nay: None Resolution No. 2025R-122 – Approving a Waiver of Liability and a Total and Complete General Release with David Vela, former City Manager for the City of Odessa; Establishing employment dates and responsibilities; 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 Mayor to sign any documents necessary to implement this resolution and declaring an effective date. Dallas Kennedy thanked Mr. Vela for his services. He stated to hire Aaron Smith as City Manager. Motion was made by Council member Thompson and seconded by Council member Vasquez to approve the resolution. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Hendrick, Stoker, Mitchell, Thompson, Vasquez, and Connell Nay: None Miscellaneous Tabled - Discuss name change and the naming of streets. Motion was made by Council member Connell and seconded by Council member Thompson to table the item. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Hendrick, Stoker, Mitchell, Thompson, Vasquez, and Connell Nay: None Council Minutes November 11, 2025 Page 4 Discuss and consider all City of Odessa commissions and board members including appointment, re-appointment, removal or modification including the Odessa Development Board. Motion was made by Council member Connell and seconded by Council member Stoker to appoint Jefferson Cox to the Odessa Development Corporation. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Hendrick, Stoker, Mitchell, Thompson, Vasquez, and Connell Nay: None 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 551.071, 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. Discuss pending litigation with the Interim City Attorney and the attorneys hired by the City of Odessa for Cause No. C- 25-09-1123-CV, styled Matt Fuentes, et al. vs. The City of Odessa, and Master Meter, Inc., in the 244th Judicial District Court of Ector County, Texas. Motion was made by Council member Vasquez and seconded by Council member Thompson to go into executive session under 551.071. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Hendrick, Stoker, Mitchell, Thompson, Vasquez, and Connell Nay: None Motion was made by Council member Connell and seconded by Council member Mitchell to return from executive session. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Hendrick, Stoker, Mitchell, Thompson, Vasquez, and Connell Nay: None No action was taken in executive session. Motion was made by Council member Vasquez and seconded by Council member Connell to adjourn the meeting. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Hendrick, Stoker, Mitchell, Thompson, Vasquez, and Connell Nay: None The meeting adjourned at 7:07 p.m. ATTEST: APPROVED: Norma Aguilar, TRMC, CMC Benard Calvin Hendrick VII City Secretary Mayor