City Council

CITY COUNCIL MINUTES CITY OF ODESSA, TEXAS January 13, 2026 On January 13, 2026, 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; Greg Connell, District Four and Chris Hanie, District Five. Staff present: Aaron Smith, City Manager; Norma Aguilar, City Secretary; James Parker, 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 Joshua Zuniga, Kingdom Church, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and Texas Flag. Proclamations & Presentations. Mayor Hendrick presented proclamations for Aspen Batenburg day, ECISD School Board month and Fire Chief Jason Cotton recognition for 30 years of service to the City. The Parade of Light winners received the awards. Citizens’ comments on non-agenda items. Rainbow Spannagel stated that many citizens feared ICE coming to Odessa and taking citizens. She requested a plan be made by the City on how to handle ICE and the local Police Department’s responsibilities. She asked to form a Citizen Oversight board composed of citizens to find solutions to keep citizens safe. Lewis Whilden stated that raids and violence overstep authority and there was a fear of safety of Odessa citizens. He stated that ICE has become deadly and asked for Council to create a Citizens Oversight Board to protect people and rights. Jacky Perez asked how the police would respond to ICE and what was the plan. She was interested in having an advisory board to find solutions to be safe from ICE. Consent Agenda 1. City Council work session minutes, December 9, 2025; 2. City Council minutes, December 9, 2025; 3. Ordinance No. 2026-01 – Reappointment and salary of a Presiding Municipal Court Judge and Associate Municipal Court Judge for a term of two years; 4. Ordinance No. 2026-02 - Request by LCA for a zone change from LC, Light Commercial District to CB-1, Central Business-One District, on a 6.27-acre tract of land located in Lots 1-6, Block 50, Original Town Replat, & Lot 1, Block 1, Postal Addition Replat, Section 27, Block 42, T-2-S, T&P RY CO Survey, Odessa, Ector Council Minutes January 13, 2026 Page 2 County, Texas. (Generally located on the northeast corner of the intersection of E. 2nd St., and N. Texas Ave); 5. Resolution No. 2026R-01 - Award bid and contract for billing, customer service and meter reading field to Origin Smart City Suite; 6. Resolution No. 2026R-02 - Amend the existing Chapter 380 Economic Development Agreement between the City of Odessa and Cinergy Entertainment Odessa, Inc., related to performance- based economic incentives supporting the development, construction, and operation of a Cinergy entertainment facility. 7. Update the Water and Wastewater Master Plans with Kimley-Horn. Motion was made by Council member Hanie seconded by Council member Connell to approve the consent agenda. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Hendrick, Stoker, Mitchell, Thompson, Vasquez, Connell, and Hanie Nay: None Public Hearing Conduct a public hearing and consider approval of the 2024 CDBG and HOME Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER), the City's end-of- year report to the U.S. Department Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and approve updates to the Citizen Participation Plan. Naira Enriquez, Director of Community Development, stated that the CAPER was a report to be submitted to HUD regarding the allocation of funds and activities. The Citizen Participation Plan had updated contact information. 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 CAPER and the Citizens Participation Plan. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Hendrick, Stoker, Mitchell, Thompson, Vasquez, Connell, and Hanie Nay: None Tabled - Open a public hearing to consider a request by Maverick Engineering for a Specific Use Permit for Workforce Housing in Lot 1, Block 1, Redstone Ridge Addition, City of Odessa, Ector County, Texas. (Generally located on the south side of E Pearl St., approximately 1,665 feet west of Reed Ave). Elizabeth Shaughnessy, Director of Development, stated that the Specific Use Permit was for workforce housing at 2606 E. Pearl. She reviewed the site and floor plans. Maverick would comply with the standards. No one came forward and the public hearing was closed. The project was 21 units and 104 suites. A Maverick representative stated that the housing would be leased. Mrs. Shaughnessy stated that the workforce housing was not short term rental. Council member Stoker stated that if it was less than 29 days it was a short term rental. The workforce housing was not defined as how long the stay in the unit. Council member Hanie stated it could become rental property. Mr. Smith stated that the ordinance was being followed for a Specific Use Permit and Council could change the policy. Motion was made by Council member Vasquez seconded by Council member Thompson to table the ordinance. The motion was approved by the following vote: Council Minutes January 13, 2026 Page 3 Aye: Hendrick, Stoker, Mitchell, Thompson, Vasquez, Connell, and Hanie Nay: None Open a public hearing to consider approval of the request by Leeco Properties, Inc. for a zone change from FD, Future Development to LC, Light Commercial on a 20.18 acre tract in Section 1, Block 42, T-2-S T&P RR CO Survey, City of Odessa, Ector County, Texas. (Generally located on the west side of John Ben Shepperd Parkway and approximately 1890 feet north of E 52nd St.). Mrs. Shaughnessy stated that the zone change was for light commercial. 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: Hendrick, Stoker, Mitchell, Thompson, Vasquez, Connell, and Hanie Nay: None Open a public hearing to consider approval of the request by Grace Christian Fellowship, owner, and S.W. Howell, Inc, agent for original zoning of Single Family- Three (SF-3) on a 5.19 acre tract located in Section 16, Block 41, T-2-S, T & P Ry. Co. Survey, Odessa, Ector County, Texas. (Generally located on the East side of Billy Hext Road, approximately 200’ north of Stonegate Dr.). Mrs. Shaughnessy, Director of Development, stated that the location was at 3450 Billy Hext for a single- family-three zoning. The zone would match the adjacent zoning. The expansion was for parking. She reviewed the six denials. No one came forward and the public hearing was closed. Motion was made by Council member Connell seconded by Council member Stoker to approve the ordinance on first approval. The motion failed by the following vote: Aye: Hendrick, Stoker, and Connell Nay: Mitchell, Thompson, Vasquez, and Hanie Resolution Resolution No. 2026R-03 – Performance agreement by and between the Odessa Development Corporation (ODC) and Tiny Footprints, Inc. for the purpose of making façade and infrastructure improvements to a building located at 310 Dotsy Avenue and authorizing the City Manager to sign any documents necessary to implement the resolution. Tim Edgmon, ODC board member, stated the Tiny Footprints qualified for $94,109.55 but the agreement was approved for $2,797.05 less than qualified. The ODC approved and recommend giving the grant at the fully qualified amount. Tom Manskey, Chamber of Commerce Economic Development, stated that the check process was through the City. The total grant was for façade and infrastructure improvements. Motion was made by Council member Vasquez 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. 2026R-04 – Adopt the Hazard Mitigation Action Plan update. Oscar Menchaca, Assistant Fire Chief of Emergency Management, stated that the Hazard Mitigation Action Plan was updated which was required to apply for certain FEMA grants. Council Minutes January 13, 2026 Page 4 Motion was made by Council member Hanie 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 Tabled - Accept a petition for the creation of the Deer Meadow Public Improvement District (PID) in accordance with Chapter 372 of the Texas Local Government Code and schedule a public hearing for January 27, 2026. Elizabeth Prieto, Strategic Development Manager, stated that accepting the petition would start the process for the creation of a PID which is for one park. Mr. Parker asked if the required notice was published before calling the hearing. The notice was not published. Motion was made by Council member Vasquez and seconded by Council member Thompson to table the item. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Hendrick, Stoker, Mitchell, Thompson, Vasquez, Connell, and Hanie Nay: None Ordinance Amend the Hotel-Motel Occupancy Tax Ordinances to update hotel occupancy tax provisions by adding definitions and tax administration requirements for short-term rentals and short-term rental platforms. Mrs. Shaughnessy stated that the update to the ordinance would include short term rental and tax administration. She reviewed the inclusions including penalties. Mr. Smith stated that the locations needed to be determined. A software system would track the rentals. 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, Vasquez, Connell, and Hanie Nay: None Miscellaneous Appointment of one or more Mayor Pro Tems. Mrs. Aguilar stated that the Council can appoint one or more Mayor Pro Tems. Motion was made by Council member Hanie and seconded by Council member Thompson to appoint Council member Vasquez as a second Mayor Pro Tem. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Hendrick, Stoker, Mitchell, Thompson, Vasquez, Connell, and Hanie Nay: None Council Minutes January 13, 2026 Page 5 Discuss and consider all City of Odessa commissions and board members including appointment, re-appointment, removal or modification including the Midland Odessa Urban Transit District and Citizens Golf Advisory Committee. Motion was made by Council member Stoker and seconded by Council member Mitchell to reappoint Susan Gentry and Ryan McGuire and appoint Council member Vasquez to the Midland Odessa Urban Transit District. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Hendrick, Stoker, Mitchell, Thompson, Vasquez, Connell, and Hanie Nay: None Motion was made by Mayor Hendrick and seconded by Council member Connell to appoint Blake Batte to the Citizens Golf Advisory Committee. 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 7:26 p.m. ATTEST: APPROVED: Norma Aguilar, TRMC, CMC Benard Calvin Hendrick VII City Secretary Mayor