City Commission - Regular Meeting

Thank you. Thank you. you Thank you.

Good afternoon.

Good afternoon. And welcome to the City Commission of the City of Brownsville. May we call the special meeting to order, Mayor?

Yes, please.

Pursuant to Chapter 551, Title 5 of the Texas Government Code, that the Texas Open Meetings Notice is hereby given that the City Commission of the City of Brownsville, in accordance with Article 5, Section 12 of the Charter, says to the We'll convene at a special work session on June 16, 2026. The time is 4 p.m. here in the Commission Chambers on the second floor of the Brownsville City Hall Old Federal Building, located at 1001 East Elizabeth Street, Brownsville, Cameron County, Texas, 78520. We will do the call to order, starting with Mayor John Cowan.

Present.

Commissioner Brian Martinez.

Present.

Commissioner Linda Macias. Present. uh commissioner uh tino villarreal president commissioner and norent kalansky commissioner agustavo de leon commissioner pedro cardenas president we do have a corn for the special work session we will move on to the first item of business which reads, is the presentation to provide an update on the potential implementation of the Microtransit and Operational Study and Brownsville Bus Rapid Transit Feasibility Study. We'll turn it over to staff.

So, Mayor and Commission, B-Metro has been working on a couple of studies over the last couple of years, and we have some findings they'd like to share with you tonight and just have some discussion about what some alternatives might be. for improving and enhancing the metro service. So, Jenny, take it away, please.

Yes, good afternoon. I'm Jenny Garcia with Brownsville Metro. As Mr. Gard mentioned, we have two very distinct studies that we've been working on over the past two years. One of them is the Brownsville Metro Bus Rapid Transit Feasibility Study. This is the first BRT study in the RGV that's been done, conducted south of San Antonio. We are leading the way in transit in this initiative. McAllen Metro is actually doing their study in process right now. Corpus is completing theirs as well. So I'm happy to say that we have been the first to complete ours, and we were very proud of this plan and project. It's a very robust plan. It's very intense, and it has a lot of infrastructure components involved in it. It's a high capacity form of transportation, high frequency. It's a way to move people quicker and faster. We understand that Brownsville is growing fast and that we need to figure out a way to move people quick, right? And the scope of work was how do we move people to major employment hubs? So one of the corridors that we identified was a 6.8 mile corridor from La Plaza Terminal through International Boulevard to the Port of Brownsville. along that corridor would be existing trail lines that would be pedestrian friendly and also transit oriented development which means that we look at retail space commercial development and other economic development housing along on along that corridor We also looked at our microtransit and operational analysis. This was another study that took about a year to complete. This was funded 100% by the Federal Transit Administration. We were awarded $300,000 with this grant. It was a competitive grant that we saw and won. We were very proud to win that funding as well. And so with this, it was to fund hard to reach areas, underserved areas. We are already implementing a sort of service of a microservice in our Route 30 Uber zone in the southeast area. We're also looking at changing the transit network slightly to shift some of those cost savings and to put into micro zones. So this study looks at changing the transit network, implementing new micro zones to reach underserved areas, more cost efficient, more reliable services, and reaching more people, right? that's what we're looking at here and the team is going to be able to tell you in more detail about the presentations and the study that we completed and over the past two years good afternoon mayor and commissioners my name is octavio salazar i'm the transit mobility planner for bronzo metro this study um

We have a quick overview of the study. This study was funded through the North American Development Bank. 90% of it was funded through them and 10% was funded through the city. The proposed BRT could feature enhancements such as improved travel times, buses operating either dedicated lanes or mixed traffic. The proposed BRT could serve the areas including downtown. and the current transit infrastructure. The proposed 6.8 mile corridor, like Jenny had mentioned, is designed to run north and south with direct access to the port. What is the BRT? BRT is a bus rapid transit, is enhanced high capacity bus system. It offers riders faster and more frequent service than traditional bus service. It combines the speed of rail transit system with the comparatively low cost of a traditional bus system. And it's a scalable system that allows communities to customize the right mix of communities enhancements to match the community's needs and demands. So what are the benefits and features of a BRT? We have low boarding and multi-door boarding, which makes loading and unloading quicker and easier. We have all 40 for collection. We have a kiosk that sells tickets for easier and faster boarding. We also have dedicated transit lanes that provide transit only space, allowing buses to operate free of other traffic. We also have a signal priority and intersection control, which allows traffic signals to give BRT priority. BRT provides more frequent and higher capacity vehicles to reduce wait times. We also have large zero emission vehicles to support the environmental environment and sustainable goals. We also have large improved stations that provide a better passenger experience. So what are the opportunities for the community? We want to bridge the gap between the transit gap between downtown and the Port of Brownsville. This helps to provide, drive the economic development and expect it to increase accessibility. This also provides a connection to the UT RGB Brownsville campus. Student demographic has high likelihood of riding this transit. Also, it has extensions to major employers like SpaceX Industrial Center on 511 and the Brownsville Airport. It's also important to examine partnerships with other employers. Connection to existing and proposed trails. Like Jenny had mentioned earlier, we have the South Pole Nature Trail that's along Highway 4 on International Boulevard. We also have a BRT system that has the potential to integrate with accessible infrastructure and pedestrian elements. Integration with existing transit infrastructure. This is a great opportunity to connect future BRT with existing bus infrastructure at La Plaza Multimodal Hub. These are potential station concepts. On your left-hand side, you will see dedicated lanes, bus lanes on the outside, and then you have dedicated bus lanes inside with an elevated platform for easier boarding. On the right hand side, you'll see dedicated bus lanes with parking on the outside. Same thing for the second slide. I'm sorry, for the second picture. And the last picture on the bottom, you'll see dedicated bus lanes with multi-use pathways along the entire corridor. So you might see these numbers and they're pretty high. So let me explain to you what the options are. Option 1 in 2025 dollars is a dedicated bus rapid transit lanes with a subtotal of 202 million dollars with a contingency of 70 million dollars with a total of 272 million dollars. Option 2 would be a mixed flow BRT light, no dedicated bus lanes. This total will be 45 million dollars contingency at 50 million dollars and a total of 60 million dollars. On the bottom examples or options would be a dedicated lane option with the estimated $2028 at $305 million. This scenario includes winding the roadway for dedicated bus lanes and the constructing of continuous bike lanes and sidewalks. On option two, which is a mixed flow BRT light, it's an estimated $66.5 million. This option remains, retains the existing roadway with focusing instead on roadways resurfacing and station enhancements to improve bus operations with current conditions. So how can it be funded? So this is an example. Part of the study, The study analyzed similar cities the size of Brownsville. One of them was Madison, Wisconsin. It had the same population density, but had a bigger transit density, and that city was Madison, Wisconsin. So for this example, we have the Madison East-West project, which was estimated at about $194 million, of which those $110 million were secured through the FDA. then 52 million were uh committed of time contributions with of which 18 million was from the tax increment financing as you can see on the graph below it's a breakdown of their funding 50% came from the FDA small start grants, the 5309 that was $80 million. And then they also had a section 5339 and a section 5307, 5337. They also had local funding from the city of Madison and local funding from the city of Sun Prairie, which is a neighboring city of Madison, Wisconsin. So you might ask, What are the options that we have? So we have option number three cost estimate. It would be Bronzo Express bus services. The cost estimates for this project for this phase would be $9.6 million, which includes three, the purchase of three 40-foot hybrid electric vehicle, vehicles at $3.6 million, prefabricated bus shelters with concrete pads at 13 stations at $591,000, And then we have unallocated contingency at $1.1 million. This express route estimate is not considered a BRT because it's cost efficient. It's too low of a cost. But it could potentially be applicable into evolving into a BRT in the future. This BRT express route can potentially connect to other fixed route in our system. On this slide, you can see an enhanced bus shelter. You would have real-time informational booths, AD-accessible ramps, a ticket vending machine, like I mentioned before, for easy boarding, covered seating, and amenities like bike racks and benches. So the cost to operate the service, how much would it cost to operate a service like this? So for the Bronxville Express bus service, Monday through Friday and concluding Saturdays, we will have service from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. Buses running every 30 minutes. And then we will have a service on Sundays from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Buses running every 30 minutes. Total cost for this to run this service would be $1.3 million. And this would include four drivers needed on Route A and four drivers needed on Route B. And another option that we would have would be the peak times only bus service. This would be during the week, a.m. peak and p.m. peak, 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Bus is running every 30 minutes. Then we would have a Saturday p.m. from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. And then Sunday p.m. to p.m. peak, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. And this will be running every 30 minutes. Total cost to run this service would be $617,000. Route A would have two drivers and Route B would have two drivers as well. So our timeline. We have completed our feasibility study and currently we are here June 26 with the funding plan. Do you have any questions?

That's just asking. This would be from La Plaza to the port, right? Correct.

This would be from La Plaza to the Port of Brownsville. It would be a 6.8-mile corridor.

And so if you only did it for the peak times, would there then be an hour on the regular times? When it's not peak, would it be just like one bus per hour or how?

We would only be running during the peak times.

Oh.

Okay. Yeah. Only the peak times. Only during the peak times that I mentioned in the graph. Yeah, so it's scalable. We can modify it depending on the, I guess, the community's needs.

Okay, and where will people park?

So we can...

So people can park at the La Plaza station, or we also have been working with the Port of Brownsville to identify a park and ride at the Port of Brownsville as well. and um does it tie in with the improvements that are currently being done um along international like is there still room to to yes so we would one of our stakeholders was text dot and so they had huge input on this corridor on international boulevard the main improvements would need to be adjusted from past four corners and on because there's no you would have to expand the road towards the port towards the bridge towards the port yeah because there's already improvements happening uh towards the bridge right but is it wide enough to take one lane out of service for buses so it depends on the on what type of service we would try to implement whether we want to go dedicated lane or use mixed flow but yes it is wide enough since housing authority is here i see it being very valuable to people who live

in Housing Authority and who might go to Matamoros or something like that. Okay, great, thanks.

Jeannie, thank you for the presentation, both of you. Thank you. I had a quick question, two questions. The first question was the figures you're sharing today are based on our current $2 fare and is there intentions of increasing that with this acquisition?

The fare structure was not included into this study. It was just based off the infrastructure cost and the operations cost for how much it would cost to run the service. So we would have to analyze whether we, the fare structure.

Right. And I just share it beforehand. I think this is a great initiative. I don't believe we have any routes to the port at the moment. So this is really connecting alternative routes for employees and tourists to be able to go by there. But it is going to be a very important factor for me personally, at least. I know when we spoke about the fare last time, we increased it double from $1 to $2. So it's just something I will be looking at just so you know. for us to find alternative ways, you know, to fund this, but not touch stuff where if we are going to change it, I'd rather change it down, not up. My second question is, is the Port of Brownsville making any contributions to this initiative as well?

So, no, not at this time, but the discussion has been in the past that we are, they're big stakeholders of ours, so that's something that we would like to have another discussion to see about future partnerships with multiple private-private partnerships.

Absolutely. I think there's a lot of opportunity we can explore there. And last, do we have a completion date for the TxDOT international project? I wouldn't want there to be a continuation. You know, it's already been over a year for construction. We're going to have, I think, another year still maybe. Do we have a date by any chance?

I don't know if we have anybody from... No. No, we don't have that date.

uh i would i would say based on the last update they said uh i think the fall this year they should be getting close okay that's what they i mean they keep on pushing it but right we're subject to their timeline so there might be i was seeing on the screen there might be additional right-of-way acquisitions needed for this potentially for past four corners and beyond towards the port but the good thing about this is that it shows our options and so we can

We can adjust the type of service that we implement. It doesn't have to be full-scale BRT. We can come with a lighter version or sort of like what we mentioned, the express type of option and go with our normal 35-foot option hybrid buses and then put some enhanced stations along that route, the corridor, so we can make the service scalable and more affordable to start with. And then we can look at turning it into a fuller BRT and having it more transit oriented development along the route.

Depends what direction we go. Thank you all.

So right now, do you have any numbers as to how many people are actually using public transportation to get to jobs at the port?

No, we don't have that specific data who uses it to get to the port. We don't have an exact I mean, we don't have a direct transit line that goes to the port right but we we don't have that no we do not so we don't really know how many people would use we don't know how many people actually use it the service to get to the port but what we do know is a number of riderships that this type of service can potentially um have so it was projected to increase the ridership to about 33 35 000 per year Riders but but we don't know about the port but we do what the other part is the port was wanting us to partner with them to do surveys for their needs of who would be utilizing the survey utilizing the service that we would be providing. And this was a couple years ago. But we don't have that data.

So basically, then the philosophy here would be you build it and then they'll come.

No, I think I think what we're saying is this is the initial step in this. We now know what the cost of service would be. And I think we have additional steps before we would implement it. We will want to do the survey. We will want to see how the port would be willing to partner with us. We need to do a revenue model. We have an expenditure model, which is only half the equation. But we do know there's demand. We do know there's demand in town already. that would be along that corridor and that's about 35,000 rides the other piece of that equation will be how many are going to be going out to the port and back and then we would want to look at what would that rate be typically these type of Express services that stop less often are typically more expensive not less expensive because you're providing them with convenience so we that would be part of our survey we would want to see what are you willing to pay for this versus owning a car and driving out insurance and all those things. So this is a very important piece. It's a big piece. It's about half, but we wanted to share this information with you tonight and that we will be working on taking those next steps to get the other piece of information come back to you, whether it's feasible or not to implement this.

Mr Greg, can you please tell me how you all got the 35 to the number 35,000?

was emphasizing the study that the our consultants were able to analyze that data 35 000 riders all over brown trip yeah yeah yeah not just from the port not just for report yeah does this include infrastructure costs needed at the port as well no so that would be potentially there they would have to contribute as well to build out this to complete their section right well like the bus stops on their side

yeah well their their portion would be the park and ride okay it would go to a park and ride that they would control it would connect to a park and ride oh mr battalion brought up a good point then um why do you need a parking lot at the port if they're going to work at the port and supposedly the bus service um you know we would need a parking lot somewhere else maybe like closer to the four corners or

yeah well the concept is to drop off people at that parking lot and then they would bus people into the port because we won't be able to access entry entry into the port due to regulations oh so it's not technically a park and it's more of a drop-off zone for us in their parking zone parking right for them to pick up their employees to go into the port So their businesses would have bands or small buses or things and to bring their their to the rest of the way to their business. So our other stakeholders were Bechtel and next next decade and SNA recycling and so forth.

That we're able to continue. You've seen how much parking the Ellen G's have already. They they don't really want to add more, so this would be very beneficial to them.

So the 35,000 rides. That's per year, correct? Per year.

Hi. I have a question. Your strategy funding plan, do you have an estimated timeline on when we would see options there? I do not, but we'll get one by tomorrow. yeah i i think the most important part i think just for me in the presentation is going to be what that strategy of funding because we do i i when i see the the uh options here of one and two for dedicated and mixed flow and then we see the option three of just the express bus service but tied specific numbers to it right um if this is going to be benefiting the LNGs of the world or whoever. Is this going to be a private-public partnership? All of those options should be on the table, at least for me. I don't know if that's to be completed by June, July. Just to kind of give us a little bit more clarity, because I do believe now that's the question. The ask was that. And I think you answered it that we can have that soon.

My goal would be for this to be part of our overall budget recommendation in August. So we will have all that information prior to that. And we'll be happy to share with the commission before now.

Now I'll just give you comments. So I think for me, the most important part in looking at this and and these are just this is just my opinion for the commission and the mayor. Um, You know, I do believe that hopefully the reason that this is on our work session is in hopes of creating a pipeline of downtown living at some point, right? Where people want to live downtown, where we can build vertical downtown and have the opportunity for people that just want to get across to the other side of the city, whether it be an LNG worker, whether it be somebody working at SpaceX, somebody working at the port, somebody working in that area. that could ride kind of like big city living right the way you would take a subway somewhere else this is a very futuristic plan but at 2028 prices as we know if you wait to 2035 38 maybe constructing this maybe it's the right time maybe it's not the right time i think it all depends on what the private Public partnership looks like how much city dollars go into this, how much our taxpayer dollars are going to go into this because we are very committed. I believe as a commission to keep our tax rate the way it is and not increase it at all for our, our taxpayers. But but I do see the benefit in this because I do see. Planning for the future, so thank you for the presentation.

And I want to commend you for being first in doing this, but I actually feel that these kinds of services are much more valuable and will be more likely to be used by people who are already users and they just don't have access, like people who live in the housing authority, or maybe even just access between the clinics. I know that when we visited the clinic on East 23rd, they commented that a lot of people have struggled getting services from the New Horizon Clinic in Southmost to the one in Paredes. And so those I think are much more needed services than the port. Although living in that area, traffic congestion is a reality and it'd be so nice to just be able to bypass all of that and reduce the congestion.

Yeah, this one specifically is meant to move people fast and quickly, right? And to service not just the port, all all all through the corridor residents businesses and so forth our next study you're also going to see how we provide even more services at a lower efficient cost and reach more people so i think you're going to have more a lot a lot of interest in the next one and i think that i think to build on commissioner virial's comment i i agree with you i would take it a step further i think we would see

uh vertical development all along that corridor not just downtown and again the goal is we know we're growing we're knowing we're getting bigger we know a lot of our roadways are already six lanes three on each side we can't make them eight lanes on each side so how do we get more people moving without adding more cars and this is part of that along that very busy corridor so that more more vertical you know four-story five-story apartment buildings all along that corridor allow people to live and shop in those neighborhoods, but get to work without necessarily have to getting in a vehicle every day. So that was a very good point. That's exactly what transit oriented developments about. And I think that's part of the goal of this of this study.

I think it's I think it's a great conversation to have. I mean, I really do. And so thank you so much for that. And I know that there's so much information left to be done that we that we're going to require. But to me, this is the first I think this is like the talk for, I guess, all the people in the audience that are listening to this, right? I mean, I think it's the first conversation of what it would be like if Brownsville wasn't near the ocean. This would be the first conversation of the Brownsville subway, right? This would be the first line, if you would, right? Because then from there, there could be possibly different lines in the future of express rail heading towards 511 or whatever that may be in the future.

Thank you for your presentation. I just piggyback off of what Commissioner Villarreal said. I agree, I've seen the parking lot. For space X, the amount of cars are actually parked there and then drive up. In buses, so I think it's a great idea now. Uh, we also had the county who just approved the tax abatement this morning. For ceramic, and that's going to be about 10,000 more jobs down at the port. So there's gonna be a lot of traffic. So I think it's a great timing. Uh, if the numbers are right, I do think that we should. Force the Port of Brownsville to be not only part of it, but probably leading this. uh with the funds uh i mean they showed us all whoever went to the port of brownsville state of the state of the port i mean they got money blowing out of that thing like there's no tomorrow so we should take advantage of that thank you thank you thank you guys

uh good afternoon uh mayor and commissioners my name is simone ortiz and i'm the transit manager here for uh bronzo metro and i'm uh here to talk to you about our micro transit and operational analysis that we conducted uh back in uh we started in january of 2025 and lasted a whole year And just to give you a bit of an insight as to what Michael transit is Michael transit is a think of it as a on demand service utilizing smaller vehicles. That gets into areas where our buses cannot fit right now it provides a curve to curve service transportation solution to our network. It also provides connections to our to our fixed route to travel to those areas that right now we don't currently provide any service. Trips are booked through a mobile application or call center, so it empowers the passenger, the rider, to book the rides and be in control of the rides as well. Fares are collected electronically through the mobile payment. Passengers, again, like I mentioned, they are empowered with the ride. They get real-time trip notifications as to when the ride is going to arrive. and the destination as well. And just something, a concept of microtransit is that it is not meant to replace our existing fixed route services. During this study throughout the year, we did do several outreach events, which were really exciting. We did Sombrero Fest in 2025, Space Fest 2025, Our first event, kickoff event, with Beneser Consultants was at Sombrero Fest. We had a significant amount of participation from the public. We were able to capture a lot of riders and non-riders as well. We kind of talked to them about what services we provide and what we're doing with the microtransit study. SpaceFest as well was one of those events. We did also do two outreach events at both public libraries. The first one, I want to highlight the first one at SOSMOS. It was during October, which they had the Trunk or Treat event. It had a huge turnout, so we were right in the entrance, so we were able to capture a lot of people coming in. Important is that it wasn't just riders. We also got non-riders, kind of introducing them to transit or service and what we provide. We also, during this time of the study, we had an online virtual room. Online virtual room allowed the public to visit our online virtual room and see what the current metro routes are, along with the gaps and analysis that we did, the ridership, and also ridership by bus stop. Something to highlight on the online virtual room, we got really good data from it, was that We had about approximately 500 visitors, and they spent about three and a half minutes on the website navigating through the material, which led us to believe high interest into our transit services as well as to engagement as well. We did do stakeholder interviews with Bechtel Airport, the public library, Next Decade, Port of Bronzeville, SA Recycling, TxDOT, and along with the UTRGV. After the study was concluded, our consultants came up with a proposed on-demand microtransit zone. They broke it down into four different zones that would improve the mobility into underserved areas, like I mentioned, also closing that service gap while still maintaining ADA compliance, being cost efficient, And more than anything, something I want to point out is rider convenience. That's our big emphasis on rider convenience. The first recommendation here is zone number one, which is on your left-hand side, which is what we call the northwest zone. Covers military highway corridor anchored with Summers Mall Valley Regional Medical Center. The other zone, which is right next to it, is the north zone. It covers residential communities along with local retail corridors along Alton Gloor, Old Alice Road, Varela's Line Road. Key destinations are such as Valley Regional Medical Center, Summer's Mall, and Walmart. The other two zones here, which is northeast zone, covers the Port of Bronzeville. It would cover the Port of Bronzeville, South Padre Island International Airport, industrial corridors along 802. Ruben Torres, Ruben Torres able to coffee roll coffee pour road and connections to our east side to our brand new East side transfer station. And then southeast zone would cover Morningside Park, Bronzeville, the airport, along with South Boulevard and Boca Chica Boulevard. In the future slide, I'm going to talk a little bit more about these two zones. So we'll come back to these two zones in the future slide here. So this study throughout the year came with recommendations to modify our existing network to kind of fit in into the micro transit service. What's really important here and I wanted to highlight in this particular slide is this study calls for implementing two new routes connecting from our east to west connection from Boca Chica Boulevard, Boca Chica and Ruben Torres connector as well. On the Ruben Torres right now, you won't believe when I talk to the public, even when we know I will talk to them over the phone, how much there's a need for connection on the Ruben Torres right now, because right now we don't provide any service from that area. I had a parent calling me that wanted to get down, wanted to visit Idea with her son on Robindale. And they asked, you know, which is the closest bus stop? And we had to tell them it was a Minnesota, I mean, Minnesota, which is a long distance to walk. Correct. Yes. So that's, this is where it's really important. I feel it's really essential that we, this is implemented because this will provide a lot of connectivity to that area right now where we don't provide any service. So back to those previous slides that I talked about, Zone 3 and 4, Southeast and Southwest zone. Right here on the map, you can see that this is currently our Route 30 Uber service area that's being run right now. We started the pilot back in November, along with our partnership with Trip Consulting, all the ones helping us out managing the trips with Uber. As you can see, when we started the program back in November, we've been seeing significant ridership increase all the way to May. We had 756, almost 800 rides. We have noticed a five time increase in ridership, which tells us that there's a lot of need for service in that area. Right now, the average cost per trip is $9 to $12. April being the highest at the time of the information was $12 due to the increase in ridership. Previously, our Route 30 service that was out there was running limited service. It would only run three hours in the morning, three hours in the afternoon, Monday through Saturday. Now it's running from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Passengers are able to book rides. Previous cost for the Route 30 service was $135 per passenger. Now it's a lot less, from $9 to $12. So right here, the intent when we launched this service with a trip, Uber, we wanted to connect people to employers, education, as well as quality of life programs. And it has shown us that it is doing exactly that. On your left-hand side, we have Lot X, which is being utilized a lot. As Commissioner Cárdenas, I believe, had mentioned regarding passenger, User usage in that area. Lot X has a pickup 180 to drop off 333. being highly utilized in that area. In the middle here, we have our Eastside Transfer Station. Like our new Eastside Transfer Station has 312 pickups, 232 drop-offs. That tells me and tells us and the system is that people are connecting where before they were not able to connect, they were connecting to our Eastside Transfer Station and coming to town, taking services to the mall, going to the mall, going to other quality of life programs as well. Something to highlight here as well is it's also being used for education. We have 50 pickups at Lopez High School and drop off 160 pickups. So it's being utilized exactly how the program was intended to be used. So operational costs for microtransit services, we're looking at about $1.5 million that we'll do. Phase one streamlines our fixed route alignments with minor adjustments to our transit network and launches microtransit service hours remain the same. It also calls for that important two new routes, east to west cross-town routes that will improve regional connectivity and as well reduce transfer times. Other fixed route and micro transit services unchanged from phase one. So right here on this graphic here on phase one, the call for phase one, we would implement with our cost savings of about 600,000 dollars. That will be the cost savings if we were to implement micro transit. Phase two, the cost goes a little bit higher due to the fact that we're adding those two new routes, the east to west connections. right now with bronzer metro we are recommend recommending next steps which would be to implement phase one and phase two phase two calls for the east to west connection will be starting in fiscal year 2028 we would like to launch which we know it's important to do outreach with the public educate the community would be an education campaign starting in 2027 along with a title 6 evaluation We would do a microtransit procurement. We can do a microtransit and procurement deployment within six to eight months. But something that I wanted to highlight due to our experience right now, we are doing some type of microtransit service with Route 30 Uber program. We could do it, since we have experience with procurement in that process, we could do it a lot faster, a lot of a faster turnaround time. Within those six months, we will implement fixed route modifications. And also starting in fiscal year 2028, we will implement those west to east two new routes as well. At this time, I open the floor for any questions.

And just for the record, we do have Commissioner Macias present.

so i'm just is it an uber where it's just one pickup or is it a small van where it's more efficient like because i see it really being good like in lopez right because the you don't have um well the the streets are so narrow and there's so much traffic and so i was just one like is it um it would depend on the request Okay, and then is the pricing, demand pricing? Because you said that in the beginning it was like $12 per ride or something, and then it went down to $9. So is it on-demand pricing, like an Uber or a Lyft?

That's our cost. That's how much it costs us. That's not the price for the rider. The rider would be similar to our fares currently.

So we're subsidizing it for the riders, correct?

Correct. Right.

Is there some sort of, I just don't understand how the pricing works then. Do we negotiate a price with?

So we, yes. So we worked out a cost analysis and pricing with a consultant's trip who worked with Uber. And that cost that you see for $9 to $12 is something that is how much it costs us to operate the service, I guess. And so we have a partnership with the county on that, and we pay part of that cost, and the county pays part of that cost. And it's free to the rider.

And so how do you decide how much the rider pays? It's always free?

It's not always. It just depends on our analysis at that time.

Yeah. then if we are dropping these riders off then at our fixed routes then they would have a bus pass and they would choose the level of bus pass they would buy whether a monthly pass or a daily so they would determine how much they would pay to get on that bus i'm gonna have to try this out okay thanks do you

Could you tell share with me what feedback of any from from the I know the outreach events we had, but how much feedback have we received from the elderly or those with special needs communities that usually have much more challenging time with transportation?

Yes. So more than anything, what the feedback the most the majority of the feedback we got was more frequency of service. extended hours as well with the special needs with our ADA. I mean, we still currently conduct our paratransit services and we provide them information regarding our ADA paratransit services if they do ask any questions in regards to that. But more than anything on the outreach events, what we got was a lot of feedback. The majority of feedback was more reliable, more frequent service as well extended hours of services as well.

Sure, we can we can get more specific details on the demographic.

I don't have that. Yeah, I'm just curious because I know that some of those transportation challenges sometimes as well, like especially all the services that we're talking about here could could also be, you know, used for people with disabilities and the elderly. And also a lot of this because it's like Uber, it's a lot of done through apps. I'm just curious to know if part of the outreach plan was also to talk to our senior citizens or people who necessarily may not have access to applications or things like that, that might not be so readily accessible to them.

Yeah, it was mainly focused on our fixed route services. We currently provide that on-demand service for the elderly and special needs. And so that's more why the reason why you focus more on the fixed route. So it's a similar type of service because it's an on-demand. But it's available. It would be available to all. Sure.

No, no. Perfect. Also, something what I wanted to point out as well is that if a passenger requests like an Uber transportation service, at that point in their uh say for example they're in a wheelchair we uh bronzer metro as our ada services paratransits we obligated we will provide that service for the writer as well they would be instructed to call the on the uber app it instructs the writer to call our offices and then we accommodate the right for them as well perfect thank you thank you

Well, that concludes our special work session. We do have some time before we begin at 5 p.m. for the regular meeting, so we will return here shortly. Thank you.

And people.

Thanks.

It's okay. Mm hmm.

That's where I'm going to be.

Testing testing. We will start here in less than one minute. Please silence your cell phones. Mayor, may we call the meeting to order?

Yes, please.

good afternoon and welcome to the city commission of the city of brownsville pursuant to chapter 551 title 5 of the texas government code that the texas open meetings notice is hereby given uh that the said uh charter of the said city will convene into open session for the regular meeting on june 16 2026 the time is 5 p.m here hilt um In the commissioned chambers on the second floor of the Brownsville City Hall Old Federal Building, located at 1001 East Elizabeth Street, Brownsville, Cameron County, Texas, 78520. We will proceed with the roll call, starting with Mayor John Cowan, Jr. Commissioner Tino Villarreal.

Present.

Commissioner Narenth Galonski. Commissioner Brian Martinez. Present. Commissioner Linda Macias. Present. Commissioner Gustavo De Leon. Here. Commissioner Pedro Cardenas. Present. We do have a quorum to proceed. We will have the invocation that will be led by Miss Rosalie Fernandez. And following, we will have the Pledge of Allegiance to the flags of the United States of America and the State of Texas.

If we would just take a minute and bow our heads and come together in agreement. We gather together, Heavenly Father, giving you and only you thanks and praise. In one accord, we continue to pray for all our military as they serve and stand for the red, white, and blue. Protect them and their families. We lift up President Trump. We wish him a happy birthday. Fully equip him to serve our country with best interest for the citizens of the United States. For we know that not even the leaves of a tree will move without your permission. As we head on to the November elections, put those in office that will benefit our country, that they make the best decisions for the United States of America. We ask Lord for a Holy Ghost protection for our country. protect our borders, and no weapon formed against us will ever prosper. And as we honor the Texas flag, each meeting we stayed under God, may we not take what we say lightly. First God, then our families, and then our responsibilities. Lord, I apologize. You have allowed us to be placed in positions of authority. May we do your will. Bless our city and the entire RGV, along with everyone serving in public service. Let us thank a police officer, a fireman, or maybe an EMT paramedic for their hard work. And those numerous volunteers, thank you for your time and dedication. You bring good to our community. Keep going. As citizens of Cameron County, Lord, continue to mold us into the individuals you designed us to be. We pray for a better future for our children and grandchildren. We pray that Brownsville, Cameron County will have an overflow of abundance and never lack for anything. May each of us who have stepped up to serve in our community shine in what we are doing. You are the light of the world, it states in Matthew 5, 14. So let's put you are the light of the world, Cameron County. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. So as we continue to build with a pure heart, let our work shine and bring a smile to our heavenly father. The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. May the next time you see the leaves of a tree move, remind you of our creator. In Jesus' mighty name, we pray. Amen.

Honor the Texas flag, and my relationship to thee.

Thank you. Next, we have the proclamations. The first one is to recognize June 16th as International Domestic Workers Day. If the members can head to the front to accept the proclamation.

And I'll go ahead and start. This is a proclamation of the City Commission of Brownsville, Texas, recognizing International Domestic Workers Day. Whereas 67.1 million people are engaged in domestic work across the world, while approximately 2.5 million are employed in the United States, supporting the households and families of our nation, many of whom are immigrant women and women of color. And whereas many domestic workers worldwide are excluded from the labor protections of their home countries due to restrictive immigration systems, placing an estimated 11.5 million migrant domestic workers at risk of exploitation and labor abuse, despite their significant contributions to the global and local economy. And whereas on June 16, 2011, the International Labor Organization adopted a historic treaty, the Domestic Workers Convention, establishing for the first time the rights of domestic workers and requiring nations to guarantee to domestic workers the same rights afforded to other workers. including daily and weekly rest periods limits on working hours overtime compensation and adequate protection against violence thereby designating this date as international domestic workers day and whereas in the city of brownsville domestic workers are the heart of our community providing essential care to the elderly children individuals with disabilities and households while also supporting their own families Yet they continue to be among the most exploited, undervalued and unprotected workers in the Rio Grande Valley, often facing high rates of workplace injury and lacking access to health care and paid leave. And whereas on this day, we commemorate and honor all domestic workers at the global, national and local levels and acknowledge the many groups fighting to ensure safe, fair and protected workplaces for domestic workers, including Border Workers United and other organizations united in the pursuit of social justice. And whereas the City of Brownsville is committed to recognizing this day by promoting equality and justice and labor protections for domestic workers and encouraging residents to support programs and initiatives that celebrate and raise awareness of the vital contributions of domestic workers, nannies, and home health care providers. Now, therefore, we, the members of the City Commission of the City of Brownsville, Texas, by virtue of the authority vested by the Charter of said city, do hereby proclaim June 16th as International Domestic Workers Day in Brownsville, Cameron County, Texas, done on this the 16th day of June 2026. Thank you all for coming and for advocating for the rights of all women who really contribute to their families and the families of other people.

It's

Good afternoon, Mayor and commissioners and city staff. If okay with you, I'm going to do my words in Spanish in respect to the constituency that we have, but we handed you a translated copy. Desde el 2016, Border Workers United se ha dedicado a proteger los derechos laborales a través de la educación, la defensa y la organización de trabajadores inmigrantes en el Valle del Río Grande y en El Paso. El robo de salarios es un problema crítico. El 64% de los trabajadores lo sufren semanalmente y el 76% de las horas extras quedan sin pagar, afectando el ingreso anual de las familias que ya experimentan recursos limitados. Solo en Texas, la Comisión de la Fuerza Laboral de Texas ha ordenado el pago de 49 millones de dólares en salarios atrasados durante los últimos cinco años. Sin embargo, el departamento sigue teniendo una financiación y una plantilla insuficiente. Esta crisis afecta de manera desproporcionada a los trabajadores domésticos y a los cuidadores, construyendo significativamente a la pobreza en nuestra región. El 16 de junio celebramos el Día Internacional de las Trabajadoras y los Trabajadores Domésticos, conmemorando el aniversario del Convenio 189 de la Organización Internacional de Trabajo. Esta histórica victoria estableció protecciones laborales fundamentales y proporcionó la creación de la Federación Internacional de Trabajadoras y Trabajadores Domésticos, un movimiento mundial que representa a más de 3.4 millones, 670,000 solo en Texas. que realizan tareas de limpieza del hogar, cuidado de niños y atención médica. Como parte del Comité Organizador de la Gran Alianza de Latinoamérica y del Caribe, y miembros de la Alianza y afiliados a la Alianza Nacional de Trabajadores Domésticos y del Consejo Nacional para la Seguridad y Salud del Trabajo, los trabajadores fronterizos unidos, o Border Workers United, mantenemos nuestro compromiso de promover estos derechos. Les damos gracias por ayudar a border workers a celebrar un movimiento global, exigir financiación para la dignidad y la atención de nuestras comunidades, y conectar nuestras campañas locales con los esfuerzos nacionales e internacionales para promover los derechos y la protección de los trabajadores y la dignidad humana. También queremos aprovechar este momento para animarles a que impulsen una ordenanza municipal, que deniegue contratos o permisos municipales a empleadores que cometan robo de salario, reduzcan pagos por horas extras, Thank you.

The next proclamation is recognizing Cole Mata. Please come to the front of the dais to accept.

The proclamation of the City Commission of Braswell, Texas recognizing Cole Mata. Whereas Cole Mata, a 17-year-old Homer Hanna High School student, son of Brenda Castillo, and grandson of Elvia Mata, has been an active member of our community. And whereas Cole began in 2022 dedicating his time and picked up over 1,500 pounds of trash along our hike and bike trails. Whereas Cole extended his dedication, picking up over 7,070 pounds of trash by the end of October 2023. Along the historical battlefield trail and the Paseo de la Resaca trails, whereas Cole has been dedicated and a valued volunteer to our community and has demonstrated his passion for maintaining our walking trails for everyone to enjoy every day, whereas and further encourage the residents of Brownsville to celebrate his generous efforts in keeping our community clean. Now, therefore, we, the member of the City Commission of the City of Brownsville, Texas, by virtue of the authority vested by the charter of said city and behalf of all citizens do hereby express our sincere appreciation to Mr Cole Mata done on this day, the 16th of June 2026. Congratulations.

Okay. Mr. Mata, I wanted to extend appreciation to everyone and thank you very much.

Thank you. That concludes the proclamation. Now moving into the public comment period, I do want to make note that we did receive seven that were preregistered out of the seven. Four signed up to speak under the public comment. One will be moved to the public hearing portion of the meeting. And two, those comments will be addressed in the minutes for, you know, for the record. We did receive one, the first one, which was Antonio Caldwell did rescind his request. So the next speaker we have available is Yolanda Spies. Please state your name and your address for the record. You will have three minutes to speak.

I'd rather not give my address for security reasons. Double standards. Seems as if the wealthier people in town are fine with people getting stopped and fined as long as the wealthier people in town are not bothered. For the longest time, the police would create a speed trap on Hidden Valley. They were constantly ticketing people there. The excuse by police officers was that residents were calling constantly. They were fine with the police out there ticketing people and it was wealthy residents that were calling it in. So the police were on it with no complaints from the police officers. A few years later, a traffic light was set up on Paredes and Galveston. That happens to be my backyard and it was speeding left and right through there. Well, Then one night I inconvenienced a female police officer by pulling her from one of the other part of town, another part of town where she preferred to be. She got hostile with me and I needed for her to stop speeders on paredes because one of these days they were gonna hit a curb and end up in my bedroom. The officer was so hostile to me, she was downplaying my concerns much like that city employee who said that it was inappropriate for me to come to him with my concerns, even though it's his job. So the question I have is who is serving who and who is working for who? By telling the resident, homeowner, taxpayer, voter that their concerns are inappropriate, how is that okay? And what is the purpose of this civil servant? What is the point of a mayor, a commissioner, city manager, if it isn't to serve the public? I had a police officer here tell me to simply comply and do what the city leaders want me to do. Don't make any waves, right? do you want us to simply sit back so you can steamroll us more efficiently with no opposition this is blatant the city is blatantly toxic and dysfunctional this is happening because the unlawful inappropriate unprofessional actions of these particular city leaders the city leadership exclusively wants to serve compadres and the wealthier neighborhoods and the neighbors that can't the neighborhoods that can't play by our by those particular rules can go to hell i guess It's all going to crap because your concern is unilateral. It isn't benefiting. If it isn't benefiting you, it's perfectly acceptable to be a jerk and you were well within your rights, right? Your job is to serve all of us. What happens when we don't comply? Are you going to stick your thugs on us or will you just simply continue poisoning us until we all die as you get rich? We see you and we know that your tenure And your precious popularity in time is running out. Your charm is growing tiresome, and people are seeing you for your shortcomings.

Next we have Marie Montalvo. Please state your name and your address for the record.

My name is Marie Montalvo. I live at 147 Sacramento River Drive. and first of all i want to thank all of you for serving city of brownsville you're doing a great job there's a couple things you may not know however that's why i'm here today it started with a trip to the grocery store i live at river bend so i'm driving towards town and i see a truck that is spraying poison into the water on the canal located at taurus street and um it it caused me pause because i've been studying ecology since i was a child and i taught science for more than 25 years And it bothered me so much where that poison was going in, because some people may not know, like my school children in fifth grade know that the canals, all the runoff from the parking lots, all of that eventually ends up in the Laguna Madre. It is one of the top 10 most fragile ecosystems in the world. Let that sink in. And we did get a call from a health inspector. He came. He had no idea the canals were connected, and it's not his fault. He wasn't prepared for his job. I would be happy to do classes for your people if you need me to. So he couldn't tell me who was putting the poison in. He couldn't tell me if it was the county. He couldn't tell me if it was the state. He couldn't tell me if it was the city. Eventually, we got an answer that it was the city. i asked him for a materials data sheet which tells you exactly what should and should not be in the water he didn't know what that was either that that was very bothersome and so my question is this This kind of action should be made known to the citizens before an old lady driving to the grocery store sees it. Most people just kept driving by. Nobody stopped to say, what's going on? my question is just that and as my mother used to say i have three seconds left i have pictures here they're worth a thousand words for each and every one of our commission and i don't know how to get it to you because i can't jump over that wall okay oh okay thank you so much i appreciate your time thank you for serving the city of brownsville we really appreciate you

I would ask that you leave your contact information with our city staff so we can follow up again based on contact to leave your contact information with with the city secretary and we'll follow up again.

Thank you so much. Thank you. Thank you for your comments. The next speaker is Diablo Velas. Please state your name and your address for the record, and the time will begin after you state your address.

I'm going to talk about Lady Condon's Tangora report. My name is Diablo Velez, 1254 Tyler Street. I don't know what is in Lady Condon's Tangora briefing to the Commission, and I don't know their recommendations given to the Commission. But nonetheless, it is like Yolanda always says. You are a dysfunctional government. You apply old-fashioned politics. For example, taking down the LGBTQ tax form or banning the moment of silence without the input of the public. That is old-fashioned politics. On June 2nd, outside on the lobby there was a boy about seven or eight year old boy sitting in his motherland and he was continually saying that he was not a boy he was a girl nobody give a them about it what i wanted to tell you is that lady tangorak uh mentioned that the museum is being closed for two years And her recommendations are old-fashioned politics. And I wanted to tell you that the world art is managed and is influenced by Generation X and millennials. And the information I wanted to give you is this. These people, mostly, they are faggots. They are transgender. They are lesbians. And they make a lot of money, hundreds and thousands of dollars, using computers, creating artificial intelligence. And they also buy art. and they manage museums so i wanted to recommend that the city hires a millennial or a generational person to manage the museum they are different people and they do different things and if you think for a minute that what i'm saying is just full of you are wrong because like lady tangora like to tell you uh that you uh sir your time's up can you finish your your comment please yeah i'm sorry thank you

So that concludes the public comment period. We will move into the city manager's update. Item number one is recognizing the city of Brownsville for being selected as a winner of the Governor's Community Achievement Awards with Keep Texas Beautiful KTB and the Texas Department of Transportation. I will turn it over to our city manager.

So we have members of our Keep Brownsville Beautiful team here. Uh, we're really proud. Um, they come work out of our department. So my bell is here to make a short presentation about this recognition and this award.

Good evening mayor and honorable commissioners are honorable mayor city commissioners. I'm sorry about that. um i want to present to you mr nick the maya who is our project coordinator and specialist event specialist for epw with the kbb team and so i'm going to hand it over to him so he can do this real short presentation on the governor's community achievement award um hello everybody it's a lot like

Yes, I'm Nicholas Tamao with Keep Texas Beautiful, and recently we won the Governor's Community Achievement Award. That is an award through Keep Texas Beautiful and TxDOT that grants us $310,000 to use on a state right-of-way project that we can use for any state right-of-way. A lot of rules and regulations to it, but we'll get into that later. But yes, it recognizes Texas communities that demonstrate outstanding leadership and beautification. We were the category 10 winner, and that is the largest category that we can possibly win for the GCAA.

Yeah.

Yes, and these are some of the photos that we've done. from past events, whether it's the Greatest American Cleanup, where we were cleaning along Westside Alticlure and working with parks to beautify the Montebello Trails. We've also hosted events such as Earth Fest in order to promote a clean, green, beautiful lifestyle in Brownsville, as well as promote recycling to all Brownsvillians. um again these are it just goes over some of the rules from the governor community achievement award um just talking about 310 000 for the landscaping projects that can be used as improvement along state maintained roadways and communities and these are photos of some of the work we've done alongside the metro with restoring some of the bus shelters and that's an effort we've really been pushing that i'm very proud of And yes.

Thank you, Mayor and City Commissioners. Also with me is Alex Aguilar. He is my manager for the Greens Division at EPW. We really pride ourselves and not just providing for the safety and the operations and functions of engineering and public works, but also our efforts to provide for the beautification efforts to complement the work that we do out in the field. Roadways, sidewalks, public spaces right away. This is just one contributing factor from EPW that we're very proud of. All the work that Nick does, all these events, the coordination of recycling events and cleanup events and the collaborative efforts with our community partners like UTRGV really add to the qualifying content for achievement of this award. So this reflects many tasks, many events to qualify this award. We're really proud. And we really thank you for your support and your endeavors to help Brownsville be beautiful. Thank you.

And we will be developing a project that qualifies how we use these fundings. And we'll bring that information back to the commission as soon as we have identified that.

Right. So these funds have to be used on a tech start right away. And so there are several types of projects that we can initiate that you know, for application of those funds. So we will be looking at those and coming to you for those recommendations. Thank you.

I had a really quick question, Maribel. Is this the first time that we received this award?

I am aware of this is the second time that we achieved this award. The first time was back in about four years ago?

2019. COVID got in the way of that one, unfortunately, yeah.

So that was for another 300,000 and we're also coordinating with textile currently to see that project come through. It's a crosswalk. I'm not too sure what the technical term of that is. Yes, but it's a crosswalk, so it all the signalizations really signal the pedestrians to cross all at one time and it's not just across the streets, but it's diagonal as well and will be implementing it here at this corner, I believe. So where you'll be look, you'll be seeing that come to fruition pretty soon.

Does the last question, sorry. Does the money have an expiration date by any chance?

No. Not that I'm aware of, no. Appreciate you all.

Congratulations. Congratulations to you and your team and all those involved. Great job.

The next item is recognizing that the City of Brownsville Communication and Marketing and Brownsville TV for receiving a blue pencil and gold screen award for news video at the Brownsville TV newscast by the National Association of Government Communicators.

Mayor and Commission, we want to take an opportunity to recognize our Department of Communications and Marketing and our Brownsville TV group. The Blue Pencil and Gold Screen Awards program recognizes superior government communication products and the professionals that produce them. Held annually, the National Awards program honors excellence in communications, marketing, television, social media, and other public information efforts. The National Association of Government Communicators presented 102 Blue Pencil and Gold Screen Awards across 31 categories, during a ceremony held at their conference in Greater Palm Springs, California, which was attended by the members of our team. They were honored by NAGC for its commitment to providing transparent, accessible, and meaningful communication to the Brownsville community. The NAGC recognized Brownsville's TV newscast as a professionally produced municipal news program designed to keep residents informed about city services, public safety, quality of life initiatives, and community events. Through straightforward storytelling, compelling visuals, and interviews, the newscast provides timely, transparent, and accessible information that strengthens public trust and engagement while serving as a reliable local information source for the Brownsville community. So I want to congratulate Manny Chacon and his team for bringing this recognition back to the city of Brownsville. And I really am pleased with the job that they do. They work tirelessly to tell our story, to make sure that the right information is getting out there. And we are making sure that people see the value that they get from their tax dollars.

So thank you, Manny, and your team.

Okay, three, two, one.

One more. One, two more.

One, two, three.

One, two, three.

Three, two.

Three, two, one.

Good evening, Mary commissioners, Mr guard very quickly. Just want to say what an incredible team the team is. Please can we give them another round of applause? I just want to thank this team for their hard work, their dedication every day. They're out there on the streets filming, they're coming back, they're editing, they're putting production work together so that we can keep our community informed and educated and providing resources on the multiple platforms that we offer communication. So I just want to thank Mr guard for his leadership, mayor and commissioners. Thank you all for always your support. You're always so kind.

so generous in supporting all of our efforts so thank you so much appreciate you that concludes city manager update we'll go on to the presentation item number one is a presentation on on point insights a citizen a satisfaction survey process we'll turn it over to staff mayor and commission tonight we have ron gailey here from on point insights and it's going to take a second to set this up

He's actually going to bring online our dashboard. This is going to be live and available to our citizens to look at the results from our citizen satisfaction survey. And the great thing about it is it has filters. So you can look at it by district. You can look at it by male versus female. You can look at it by age. by how long people have lived here in the city. This is really, really, really good information. And he's also going to get kind of an overview of the results. So with that, I'm going to turn it over to Ron. Thank you, Ron, for being here.

All right. While we're getting set up, I'll just introduce myself briefly. Before starting my company, I worked for Coca-Cola for eight years. Coca-Cola was divided up into five general regions across the world. I was responsible for all the research done in Asia. And we helped with the annual plans of the different countries that were there, 14 countries there. And I learned a thing or two about what executives needed what executives needed when they were working with data. And they just didn't want a long, cumbersome, difficult report that they couldn't figure out how to use anyway. And so a lot of that experience is brought to bear to help you have feedback from your residents in a way that's easy to digest, easy to use, and actually we can make it available to all of your residents too because it's that intuitive.

They want to show a little bit of your PowerPoint first. Where's the PowerPoint first? And then we'll go to the dashboard.

There we go all right so just a couple of things to let you know i'm going to go quickly through some of this initial part. And that is, we started in April, we went through part of June, we got 709 completed surveys and then i'll go through some of the content, as we actually jump into it here. We asked people where they lived in the city, some people indicated that they lived outside of the city, but we made sure that they were within the geographical area. So you can look at the people who use city services, but they actually live outside. You can also filter out those people and just look at only the Brownsville residents. So it's very powerful to know that. But you can say, I would also like to see what the people in District 1 think, and you'll have their results. When we did our survey, we got a very balanced set of data, balanced by age, balanced by gender, although a few more females, which is always the case. Ladies just seem to do better with that. But nearly everything is how I would expect. We did get a lot of long-time residents taking the survey, and that's something. But we have plenty who are not long-term residents. But a lot of them are there, very balanced by income group. so it's a very very balanced survey for you and i'm happy with that some of the basic findings you should know about your ratings are good we've seen better we've seen worse your ratings are pretty good would you refer the city to a friend a lot of people are strongly positive some are somewhat positive some were somewhat negative and some are strongly negative we saw some today here right and so anyway that is it's that way if we take the positive ones and the negative ones and subtract the negatives from the positive you get a score of 20. that allows us to compare to other cities and I'll show you some benchmarks in a little while you are tending positive though overall in the past three years as the city improved 54% say yes. That's a very strong score. 54% said I've seen them where it's nearly that many have gotten worse. So you're doing really well that way. Are we going the right direction? 62% said we're going the right direction. That's moderately strong. So in other words, things have improved, but are we going the right direction? Some people are a little bit mixed. How do we compare to other cities? Pretty strong compared to other cities. There's about 25% though who tend to be on the more negative side on that opinion. We asked at the very beginning of the survey Just off the top of their heads, are there a couple of things you appreciate about the city? And we took all of their comments and we grouped them into themes. I mean, we have the actual comments in the data. You'll be able to see them. But we grouped them into themes. And a lot of people said, I love it because it's friendly. I love it because of the culture and heritage. et cetera, some very positive things. You're also able to say, I would just like to look specifically about the people who talked about events and festivals. And you can see their comments when we get into it. I'll show you that. We also asked, what are their concerns or suggestions? We have that for you here. This is off the top of their head. They haven't seen anything else in the survey. Fix the roads, please. Traffic and transportation was number two, and maintenance of the infrastructure number three. So it was generally pretty good, but there's a lot of focus on your streets and roads and traffic. There are some things further down, like water quality concerns, 2%. So you'll have people come in and talk about water quality concerns. You know it's legit, but it's not by as many who have that concern. Now I mentioned a comparison to other cities. This is a busy chart, but pretty easy. Would you refer the city to a friend? You're down on near the bottom. It's a longer term measure. This is something that has been going on for years and years and years. Would you refer the city to a friend? It's harder to change it. How do we compare to others equally hard to change? You're fighting against others. It's kind of difficult to change that when possible, but more difficult. Are we going the right direction? You're doing much better. This is something where you've been turning things around wherever things where you've been focusing on the right things. Has the city improved your way up? So your short term measures of going where we should be going heading in the right direction. We've improved. Those are strong. Your longer term measure where we've been over years and years a little bit lower, so it'll take you a little while. Maybe to bring some of those up, but you're heading in a very sound direction. This is where I'd like to switch over to the dashboard if we can. And from this point out, can you get me that going? So this next section, what we did is we took 50 different attributes of the city. We broke them into five different sections. And the first thing we did for each was to ask what's most important for the city to be focusing on. Then we had them rate it. So I'm in the actual dashboard now. okay just by my mouse sorry so i'm in the actual dashboard here and actually to use the dashboard i'd like to point something out you just navigate up and down to get to any portion of the study and you just click it's really easy to get there and then we first ask what's most important to you and they talk about when we're thinking about specifically city facilities and events a lot of people are say your parks are important and your paths and trails are important down near the bottom uh the brownsville tennis center two percent felt that was important right so some people on the left hand side say that's what's important then only if it was important do we have them rate it so that actually shortened about six to eight minutes out of the survey making it condensed enough that people would take it and not mind it But people rated what's important to them. So this is important. 50% said this. And in general, you're pretty good or OK. Some people say room to improve. If we go to city benefits, same thing. What's most important when we look at the benefits? Beautification. We heard about the beautification of the city. That's great. It's really important. and do they think you're doing well where's some room to improve on the beautification so good on you for focusing on it you're heading in the right direction and can keep that forefront in your thinking go down a great place to retire well some people care about that but it's not the number one thing for you to focus on so you can see what should we focus on i notice preservation of the environment and wildlife is really important here and you know i've never seen that in a city And I've done over 50 cities in the past three years. So I've never seen that so high. I've seen it, but it's never been so high. So this is an unusually important focus for you to keep in mind, and they feel there's a lot of room to improve. I'm going to go to growth and development. This is an area where most residents rate cities poorly, and no exception. It's a really tough one for cities to handle the growth and development that's coming at them. streets roads and sidewalks are really important and a lot of room to improve the drainage infrastructure important and don't take your eye off it affordable housing a lot of people feel that's important although it's fallen off quite a bit and they tend to be younger who really think that but not only right and that's important but also you'll notice here local small business support is fairly important and you're doing really well or the historic downtown somewhat important and you're doing great so you can see so on some of these things if it's important and you're doing poorly maybe that needs a little bit more attention if it's important and you're doing well good don't take your eye off it because it's important but we don't need to put a lot of extra attention to it right So very helpful for you to think about that. I'm going to look at safety and security, an area where you tend to be doing quite well. People also had a harder time picking out their highest priority because in safety and security, a lot of these things are important. But pedestrian safety is the most important and some room to improve. And then the city neighborhood patrols, not like you're having a problem with them, they would just like them more. And you'll see that they'd love to see a little bit more neighborhood patrolling. Now, as we go through these, and leadership is like the last one that I'll show you here, managing the growth wisely out of these 10 different attributes about city leadership was most important to people. And then valuing resident input, what you're doing right now, thank goodness for the survey, it's a good thing, is also important. Some things, easy to do business with, I you're already pretty easy to do business with in general. And I'll show you something that shows that. And so not such a big focus. Transparency is pretty high and planning strategically for the future is high. Now, after we ask people to go through each of these five sections and pick their two most important, and after they rated them, then we ask them, all right, here's the 10 that you picked, two out of each, 10. Out of these 10, which four are most important to you? So out of everybody's 50 on the left-hand side, you see the cumulative opinion about what are the four most important ones. This is perhaps the most important page in the entire dashboard. If you keep this in mind, so you can say, so what are our top five issues? What are our top 10? What are our top 15? And if it's not on this page, it's below 20. So this is only the top 20 on this page. There's 30 more below it that residents didn't rate quite as high. So it's a really important page. And you can look up and down here and say, where should we focus our attention? And I would say over the next three to five years, some of these things cannot be addressed quickly. Most of them can't be addressed in two or three or four or five years, right? These are longer term things. but you should look at the things that you can get started and keep underway. And I understand that many in these top five, you already have a good focus on having spoken with Mr. Gard. And so I know you're on the right track on many of these things and that's great. And then probably what you do is you look at things that are a little bit further down where they care about it. Maybe they are short-term and you start filling those, some of those in so that they can notice a shorter term improvement. and notice some improvements so just pick the things that are quick easy and make sure you're doing some of those but keep your eye on the longer term ones so that's how if that were me that's kind of how i would do it one of the things that were was mentioned that is that there's filters over on the side so on every page nearly you can say i would like to see what the females so there the males are gone So now these results are for all the females, and there's 388 of them. And you can say even the females with children. So you can say, what do they care about? We've got 165 of them. And then you can see kind of what's most important to certain people. You can look at the older people. You can look at the people who are retired. You can look at those with high incomes and low incomes. And you can look at the people over in area 1234 or even out of the city all of these things can help you do what, if, in your own mind. By you're saying Oh, this is probably all of the what these kinds of people, and you can check and you go, I guess, not it seems to be more common to everybody. You can look at those things and address any of your beliefs or hunches and get answers to them pretty quickly. So it's very powerful and very useful for you to keep your mind kind of centered on how your residents actually feel. I'm going to show just a couple more things and then maybe take some questions. We asked about employee contact. Have you had employee contact? A lot of people had. Only 19% had no contact in the past year. So a lot of contact. And then if they did have contact, we got a rating. Your ratings are very high compared to what we see in most cities. So your operations is in a pretty good shape. We don't see that. It's like just stay focused on the vital things, but you don't have to fix a broken ship, right? You're in pretty good shape. looking at that. We also have comments about the departments. So you can say, well, how's the city manager's office doing? Or let's look at the financial services. Not very many people there. Let's go to the library. And so you can just go to the library. So you can look at the comments in these areas and see them just at a moment's notice. Another thing I would like to show you is we did ask, is there anything more you would like to say to city leaders? a final comment they've been through the whole survey and now they have room to chat and they gave their reasons again we summarized it into themes let's say you want to look into the environment and growth section here maybe so you can go to the next page where we have all the comments and you can say i would like to look at the environment and growth Um, set questions, and then they all pop up here and so all of the questions here related to the environment and growth and some of them don't really talk about the entire environment. They talk about growth and some of them talk about the environment. more more openly but you have it all here some people made really long comments because they could just push the microphone on their phone and speak it when they wanted to and they went on for a long time and some people are shorter on their comments again you can focus this by age or by gender or anything you would like to see um I think, and there's more for you to look at, but I think I'll stop here and see if you have any questions or things you'd like me to address.

I just want to say thank you. This is great information. How do you account for any potential bias? You know, obviously when you, people that fill out surveys are typically very opinionated, right?

It doesn't really reflect the... Well, they are, but yours tends to be more positive than negative on most things. So you do get more. No, we just try to do a random sample of the population and let it flow. But there's no way you can ask people who are more positive to take it more than those who are negative, right? You just do it. And it does happen where you get a few more negative feelings. Now, I would say this. When you're reading through the comments and you see some more negative comments, just be sure to go back to the actual results and get your mind straight around what's most important to what people and just say, this is a strong opinion about something that's of lesser importance to most people. And that'll help you, right? But just be sure. But that can happen a little bit. But in general, we've been pretty good to get a good round group of people.

Great.

Thank you.

Questions or comments? Thank you so much.

Your team was wonderful to work with, too. And I just want to comment. It was like we've done many surveys with many cities. And I would say this was almost the most seamless, intuitive, and easy group to work with that I've had. So my compliments to them.

Great job. Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you so much.

Thank you. The next item is the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative for the City of Brownsville Update. We'll turn it over to staff.

Thank you. Good evening, Honorable Mayor, Commissioners Marina Solesi with the City Manager's Office. And this evening, we're very proud to present an update regarding the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative. About a year ago, our mayor, Mayor Cowan joined other mayors that represent 17 different countries. And more specifically, the city of Braswell was selected to be part of the innovation track, which is when we're one of 18 cities. And so we're really proud. Tonight, we're going to show the journey, the nine month journey. going through the design process, going through innovative ways to bring solutions to the problem that they will share more. More specifically, tonight we have Nayeli Trejo, who's our innovation lead, as well as Mr. Sam Perez, who's the project lead. And then, of course, our core team that represented. We're very proud, different departments. This included parks, health, city manager's office, CMD, IT, and multimodal. And thank you so much mayor for your continued support, Mr. Guard and the rest of our city commission. So with that, I'll lead it to Ms. Nayeli.

Good evening, mayor honorable commission. Um, first and foremost, we want to thank, um, the mayor and the, and city leadership for affording us this opportunity. Um, it was a very enjoyable experience that is going to bring a lot of great to the city of Brownsville, um, building great on top of great. So we are very excited for it. To start, as Ms. Marina Selesi shared, the mayor was one of 18 mayors in the innovation track, and we started with a priority, and we dove into research. They call it a research sprint, and they were not joking about the sprint. So through the sprinting, we spoke to city leadership. We spoke to residents. We have some quotes here describing some of the challenges that our city faces. Many challenges that you are already familiar with, but one in three adults in the Rio Grande Valley have been diagnosed with diabetes, with many more remaining undiagnosed. Residents who attend exercise classes regularly are much more likely to report flourishing mental health than those who attend less. Early on, parents need to get kids outdoors so they develop that love and attachment to nature. We had a resident who does not regularly go to parks describe the value of social connection. How he does go to a park, it's with a friend and he enjoys the community he finds there, especially when the park is packed. With this takeaway, we realized without expanded access and culturally relevant programming, Brownsville residents were going to remain disconnected from parks, worsening our chronic illness rates and really limiting the opportunities that we have for physical and mental well-being. So through our research, we created and crafted this ambitious, impactful mission statement, and we meant ambitious. So by 2035, Brownsville will be recognized as a model healthy city where the increased use of community parks, trails, and the broader recreation ecosystem enhances residents' quality of life and contributes to lower rates of obesity and diabetes. This was important to us and this was our mission and kept us centered and grounded throughout the whole innovation track process. It began with the design phase. We utilized an approach to build a shared understanding, clearly framing the problem and including its impacts on people. We discussed why is it a problem for people and who is affected the most. We did land on working class families and our at-risk community members were the most affected by this challenge. We engaged a diverse set of voices. We went from residents who do use the parks, and then we went searching for residents who don't use the parks. We spoke to public health subject matter experts. We spoke to working class families, city staffers, city leadership, elected officials and beyond to really make sure we had a comprehensive understanding of the problem. We used this approach and allowed all the insights to emerge from what the data revealed rather than us starting from a predefined conclusion and then testing it. We used all this data and it was a lot of information and we crafted what we received from it. We engaged over 59 residents during our research and then we moved into ideation where we engaged 68 residents at interested parties. The innovation track approach is not just about generating ideas. It allowed us to reimagine how parks and recreation showed up in our community. It allowed us to be proactive, creative, and intentional in designing experiences to truly meet our residents where they are. This resident-centered approach allowed us to build solutions off of public input and feedback. Also, the intentionality of this process aligned completely with Brownsville's One City philosophy and strategy. We even had colleagues at the School of Public Health who adopted the same techniques we use in these ideation sessions to then build on and spread the approach we demonstrated in their own work and in their work with with the School of Public Health. What makes it different? It's designing together and better. So we had 56 long and short interviews resulting in 68 residents engaged in four ideation sessions. These ideation sessions were more than a brainstorm. They were a brain dump. We ask people to give us everything you have. It is quality over quantity. We want to hear everything that you know and you want to see from parks to help your health, whether it's your cultural, spiritual, mental, physical, fiscal health, all range. And we spoke to all the different categories we spoke to earlier. And they really, really showed up and gave us a lot of information. So we had over 500 ideas generated, several of which I will I will give kudos to the city of Brownsville, several of which that we are already doing. But that just pointed out to us, if we are already doing and our residents asking us for it, why don't they know? And so it also helped us close those gaps and let us really hone in on what we need to do to make sure our residents can improve their health and wellness through the use of parks. With that, I will turn the rest of this presentation over to my colleagues Samuel Perez.

Hi, good evening. Thank you. Thank you, Nayeli. So as she was saying, we interviewed a lot of people and we took over 700 ideas and we developed a portfolio of ideas. 10 of those ideas were what we came up with at the end. And that's the list that we gave you just to clarify. So those 10 ideas of the 10, one of them stood out. It was called City of Parks. It's the second one outlined on the presentation. City of Parks was something that we prototyped twice, and it was a conceptual idea that was maybe a little challenging for the citizen to envision or to see and for us to maybe execute. So we decided to make it our umbrella statement or our overarching theme for our entire portfolio. So underneath the City of Parks, we have nine other portfolio ideas. The second idea that we got to prototype was content activation zones. We got to do that at our May 16th Lunada event, a night in Havana. I don't mean to gloat, but I do mean to let you guys know that when we did present to those 17 cities around the world, the chat started blowing up that the city of Brownsville had broken. uh harvard bloomberg uh record for the touch points that were achieved that night so with that we're really grateful we had no idea we found out as we were presenting to to all our partners so it was really exciting it was a really exciting thing um harvard bloomberg also or um the bloomberg harvard uh Initiative also gave us 3500 dollars. So we were able to purchase some of the supplies and hire a videographer. Some of the commissioners were featured in that video and I think it was shared with the team. So with this, Nayeli was our innovation leader, is our innovation lead, but we want to give innovation some continuity with the city. To do that, we're going to embed innovation. We're committed to embedding innovation in things like our One City Leadership Conference, which is a conference by employees for employees. We're going to embed innovation in the director and assistant director book review that's done by annually in our one city university and on our online platform for employee training. So with that our mission statement is we're a city committed to innovation, where we develop systems that leverage our strengths of collaboration communication. Participatory leadership and continuous learning so that we're driving better outcomes, not just for our residents, but with them as well. I really want to just take a minute to to. Congratulate and thank it was a pleasure working with the other departments. It was amazing. It was like, I don't know. I felt like I was on the best team, the most unstoppable team really, because everyone had such diverse viewpoints and what they brought to the table was energy passion. It was even emotional at the end. It was a great energy to work with them. So our next steps moving forward, we're not just just to reiterate, we're not just generating ideas. We want to reimagine how parks and recreation shows up for our community. We just finished our parks and health master plan. And some of the questions you may ask is like, how does this tie in with our master plan? We have five goals that are outlined there. Healthy people, active lives, connected by community, which is improving the walkability of the city and parks, rooted in nature. That's one of our initiatives on there is rebuilding our canopy. So we found that we were seeing the same themes from our parks and health master plan echoing in our Bloomberg Harvard initiative. With that, I just want to thank you, thank everyone. Thank you, Mr. Gard and the city leadership that was involved with the project and my colleagues. We're open to take any questions.

Thank you, guys. I really appreciate all the hard work you've done over the last year or so. Can you share real quick how many people went to Lunada and how many in the social media numbers that came out of that? I think that's impressive.

Yes, we used Placer AI and we made approximately 23,000 touch points.

that night one night and that's just come out of one of the one idea that picked them up

Yes, and so Liliana counted as a prototype session and for them that is a demo of your idea. And so just with those place your AI numbers and those are only people who carry cell phones. So any grandparents or children are not in those touch points. That was the largest prototype session in Bloomberg history. And then I think online the engagement was maybe over 3000 views without any boosted ads, without adding anything. And without paying, it was all organic growth. So just with our content activation zone, our first prototype, we were very excited to see it go out of the park, just setting the next goal higher for ourselves.

Yes, I just wanted to add. So this is a lot of the work through the design process, but it's a milestone. It doesn't stop here, right? So there's going to be continual implementation. We're lucky to share that we've secured a Harvard Bloomberg fellow who will be coming this summer, as well as there's other opportunities that we can tap into the Harvard Bloomberg alumni programs and applications that we'll be submitting to continue this work.

Thank you. Great job. And myself and Commissioner Virial went to Lunada. We had a great time. Thank you for everything you did for that day. It was a great event. Also, thank you for Mr. Shonda Palma in the parks and everybody else within the city of Brownsville and the leadership by Mr. Guard and everybody that participated in making that a great event. I'll be honest with you. I never went to these events, but it's great to see when commissioner myself were walking to see all these young kids and everybody going to these things. It was great and it was emotional for me to see that the city of brunswick having these events for our citizens and it was great to be a part of it. Uh, and I hope to see and go to more events and I go to a lot. and i will be going to more and uh thank you uh mr virial commissioner for going with me and thank you uh sean for and thank you the whole city of brownsville that made it happen thank you very much

it is a one city approach to making sure we launch our events successfully and we were very happy i will share a heartwarming um tidbit from a from a resident at lunala if you watch the the video we shared online by our videographer you see a gentleman dancing at the very beginning of the video his brother did approach me and asked me when this video would be online because he had not laughed or danced in over a year after having a very difficult year that his family felt um that they weren't going to see their brother laugh or dance again and attending that luna that he was laughing and dancing and so it touched y'all but it also touched the hearts of our residents um and it's improving their health as they as they enjoy the culture together thank you sir thank you so much and to just add you know i picked this initiative uh because i think it has the most impact um across the city right we i think overall our park we have a great park system but we don't have enough people using it a lot of people um

I think need to be motivated and using innovation to increase the community, right, increase vibrancy and quality of life. And you're already seeing the impact. So I look forward for what's to come. So thank you again.

Thank you.

The next presentation is item number three is an update on the International Council of Shopping Center ICSC that was held on May 18th through the 20th of 2026. We'll turn it over to staff.

Good morning, commissioners. Good evening, commissioners. It's been a long week. I wanted to update you on our retail recruitment strategies. City of Brownsville, one of the kind of main issues that we've heard most recently, but also just overall, is how do we prevent retail leakage within our community? How do we get first to market retail here? stop hearing the same phrase that another city in another county very near us has a lot of great places to eat, dine, shop. So in that one city fashion that's been going around for quite some time now, we've created an impromptu retail recruitment group consisting of members of the Greater Brownsville EDC, the RTIB, BCIC, as well as the City of Brownsville's CMO, BCVB, and Planning and Redevelopment Offices. I would like to thank Commissioner De Leon for spearheading this project. The three of us came together particularly, or excuse me, partially before the International ICSC Real Estate Convention. We had a unified representation. We engaged with retailers as well as specific landowners prior to the event, and we also reached out to developers and some of the, we're not at liberty to say a few of the retailers that are already looking at our area, but it's really exciting that Brownsville is being considered as a first to market spot for a number of high end retail developers, but specifically also finally opening up the door to work with these developers appropriately. There's about still five good areas within Brownsville that we can look at developing the right way. Not saying that it wasn't, but just that we can get a little bit more smarter on that regard. We've had productive conversations. We have specific properties on the table. There is market interest confirmed. We've also worked just recently at the beginning of this month, met with the city of Starbase and their EDC development on assisting us with some of this retail recruitment efforts that we have. This is kind of a short, brief update just to let you know that we have three entities working together. We're also working with the city of Starbase. We're focused on first to market retail. We're also focused on the needs within our specific retail corridors. We're going to be having another meeting tomorrow as well as a few follow-up meetings bi-monthly with the three organizations itself. And I also want to let you know that we're really going to be leveraging data with all of these decisions that we have. We're probably the most data-centric organization as far as the city is in quite some time. We have Placer AI, we have Datify, we have AirDNA, we have CoStar. And we're also working now with Greater Browns EDC on getting retail coach. So there's nothing that we cannot provide to any existing retailer. We have a really great team moving forward, and we've got those relationships in place. And with that, I'll briefly open up the floor to questions.

No questions. Just a comment. Thank you all for going out there and representing Brownsville. I think it makes a difference right when we show up as a city. But when we bring all of the stakeholders together, I think that really shows the unison. So thank you. Thank you all for your advocacy.

Yeah, I would echo that. I think it's been a long time since we've had a unified retail strategy. I think that's important and I think very relevant right now. So I think thank you guys. Thank you, Commissioner for for spearheading it.

Thank you, Mayor, for entrusting my ideas sometimes. I want to say thank you to Greater Brownsville for allowing me and the city commission and the mayor to put forth this plan and bringing everybody together. I think we had a great trip. with nathan mr burkhardt uh mr doro garcia mr guard when i called him and asked him hey you know what uh we need many mr garcia to be on board uh for the city side we got a lot of great uh feedback and most important one is when you go to a convention that big and you just happen to run in to sunrise mall being showcased And I probably have the size of this wall. And we didn't even know about it. It was a great feeling to see that Brownsville was being represented. Thank you to BACIC, Corey Pena for allowing Michael to go with us. Great, Gbeck, thank you very much. And where is? There you are. Thank you, Mr. Rodriguez, for joining us. It was a great trip, and I hope to do another one and start bringing more businesses and retail to Brownsville because I think that's what the citizens need. I think that's what we need and create those sales tax. Thank you very much, Nathan, for the great job you've done and you continue to do every day. Thank you. Thank you all so much.

Item number four is the charter review committee update.

Turn it over to the chair to the podium with me. So I was the only city commissioner on this charter review committee because, well, I didn't want to have to burden someone else with a responsibility. But the reason for the presentation today is because we need to consider when charter amendments should be put on the ballot. We have an election coming up in November and then also in next year for the municipal election. And there's so many requirements that you have to do in order to get it all up and ready. We, as a board and the city attorney's office, need some guidance as to how quickly we should speed things up. So I think that today is just a presentation on things that have been discussed. Mr. Pena, who's present here today, is one of the review charter members. And so if you would like to add anything on top of that, the items that we have discussed. Oh, never used one of these. That's the resolution that says we've met already May 11th. I want to say we met maybe even in April. Well, anyway, we've had one, two, three, we've had four meetings so far. And I'm going to speed through up because this is a long meeting. These are the provisions that we discussed as a committee that maybe could be added. We were going to suggest to add to the, well, for us to consider to add to the ballot. The first one being salaries for the city commission. It was proposed maybe raising the mayor's salary to $60,000 and the city commissioner's salaries to $40,000. Currently it's at $40,000 and $25,000 respectively. The numbers are something that can be discussed and hashed out, but that's one of the things that has been added. In mentioning this to my peer, Mr. Cardenas, he suggested maybe we just link it to the, what was it?

Uh, medium household income, it just makes it easier for the future. So we don't come back in 30 years or whoever's here and does the same 10 dollar thing that was happening. So I think you, you tie it to something that continues to grow with the city.

So that's that's 1 of the provisions that that could be proposed. The office of the secretary is not. mentioned in in the city charter and so there's um a proposition to to formalize its existence and add it to the city charter and there's a language that's provided um there's also some changes that that were requested by the office of the city auditor um that would bring it in line with um with what usually um other cities uh have for their city auditors So these are all things that we've discussed. There's also some amendments that could be made to the Audit and Oversight Committee. Currently, we only have five members. And so as we have with all the other boards, we could increase it to seven so that then each member of the City Commission can appoint their own person. These are all things. um that we can read later and this is just in the interest of time that we have also discussed about maybe including some changes uh regarding municipal campaign campaign finance and um not that we have to detail uh what these rules would be within the city charter but at least do um like a provision where it says okay um We the city permission shall have an ordinance that decides things about campaign finance restrictions. So then and then just make it formalized so that the City Commission has the authority to to put any rules about campaign finance. Then the other thing that has been discussed at length was disciplinary provisions for City Commission members. Currently, the ethics code. has some um language as to what could happen if if a city commissioner got themselves into trouble and um this might the proposed language could um strengthen it to to mirror what other cities have had or currently have on their books um which could include forfeiture of office or and then if if say we've had situations where a city commissioner ends up missing a lot of meetings in which case can you vacate your position by virtue of absences? I mean, these details have been worked out and maybe Mr. Pena would like to add to it. These are just suggestions that we would have and we would bring to this full city commission for their vote. in July, I believe, right? In order to get it in time. Well, first and foremost, I think the most important decision we have to make is if we want to go for the November election or the May election. The one thing that I was mentioning to Commissioner Cárdenas is there is a third party group that maybe you've encountered that was seeking signatures for a petition. When I encountered them, they were trying to make sure that you know we gave local preference to vendors and so they've collected about 6000 signatures for their petition. If they were to meet all the requirements and get their petition on the ballot for the November election, then that would preclude us from having another. For making any any proposed changes to the city charter for another two years, because these. changes to the city charter can only be done every two years so uh for that reason we we might just have to be ready to get to put it on the november ballot but um but if they don't go then maybe we could uh leave it to may it's just um something that that really kind of affects how everything rolls out and so um as as the chair of the city charter committee i was I haven't discussed this with y'all except for better right now as hoping for more guidance from you all, because really, um, it depends on on what the city commission decides to do. Mr. Yeah, please feel free to add anything mayor and members of the commission.

So the, as the commissioner was mentioning, the committee did meet 4 times already and these are some of the red line suggestions that we are proposing for the charter review committee. So these are in draft form. I do think we have an opportunity we meet one more time to finalize what ultimately is going to be presented to the Commission for the final recommendation. But for the most part, it's shaping up very nicely. A lot of work went into drafting up these recommendations for the Charter to be amended. So they will be, I think one of the decisions as the Commissioner was mentioning was whether we have the election in November or May, which is Kind of depending on the time constraints and being able to put it into November, um, depending on what the commission's desire is to move forward, we will tackle that accordingly.

Thank you Mr. I have a quick question. Um, what's the purpose of this item for today? Is this a formal recommendation from the charter committee at this point?

No, this is just a draft of kind of giving an update of where we're going and what's being formulated within the charter to be presented. Uh, so we do have an opportunity to make changes to the commission. So desires, right?

So, so this was a part of the resolution and thank you. Um, Mr and Madam chairwoman. Commissioner part of the, the resolution had a requirement that they come and give a report. To you all similar to how we did it in 2023. Um. But as part of that, so they've technically have concluded their presentation. If you all want to have a November election at the next meeting in July will come to you with each individual proposition for you all to select. Yes, we want this 1. No, we don't want this 1 and then the following meeting, July 21st, we would call have the 1st reading. For the ordinance, calling the election, and then the following August meeting, we would then call the election and let the county know. The reason why the just to reiterate, especially now that we just got communication from. Around Texas, they have indicated that they have completed the survey. They have over 8000 signatures. They plan to submit it within the next couple of days to the city secretary's office. She has the option of either doing a full. check on each signature to see that it complies with state law. She can also do statistical sampling, which is more than likely what she'll do. All that to say, they want the election in November. So if they have the election and we wait until May, that essentially will preclude us, as the commissioner said, from having the election in May. We wouldn't be able to change the charter for another two years. So we had invited them to come meet with the charter review committee and they had politely declined and more than likely it was because they had already close to 6000 signatures and they knew they were going to force the election. So if we want to have a charter amendment election and assuming that they have all their signatures and it complies with state law, then we would, if we're going to have an election and they wanted in November, we would have to jump on that bandwagon with them. To have a charter amendment election in November.

So, it's triggering for us to have to have it in November because of the 3rd party. Right.

Yeah, I think we have to be ready for it. Right? We, we can only amended every 2 years and that's the reason why we started this late in the process because we were 2 years. When we wanted to do it, we were within the 2 years from the last time.

And what they're petitioning isn't don't we have a policy already for local preference where the rubric allows additional points to contracts? Or is this different of what they're pursuing?

So there's a little bit more robust, but there is a already a policy. Um, I believe it's come to city commission for local preference. Um, so this, this would.

basically it goes a step further in some instances but it would codify our policy into the charter and ever since i've been on the commission i know that that's always been uh one of the leading factors that it is a local preference um to my knowledge we have always uphold that and and i'm just sharing right like trying to understand what what what um because this is the first time i'm hearing about it um that this might trigger that so essentially it's codifying it in our charter

Right again, their version goes a little bit further because it has a few more requirements. It's pretty lengthy. But the spirit of what we have currently is local preference.

I think that's something that should have been also shared with the presentation today. I first posed the question about the purpose of the item because we kind of just skimmed through the slides and it wasn't an official presentation. In the past, we've put out information that kind of gets confused sometimes when the official approved recommendation comes before us. There are so many other versions. Okay. I just want a clarification. Thank you all.

But we do, I mean, I know this is a presentation, but if we can't, it's not for you all to take action on it, but we would like to know your all's preference as to whether you want to call it in November or wait.

I'll share my opinion. don't like being in the position, you know, being triggered that it might have to us make it in November. I think it's a very polarizing time for us to hold a charter election. I would much prefer for it to be during May, the municipal election, where we have much more focus on the municipal, the municipality itself. However, if we are legally, you know, tied to do that and the opportunity will be missed, and that's a different story. But for me, I would prefer that we

keep it from me but we we have to prepare for this then it'll be so yeah i concur i think we have to prepare to have it in november just in case we're forced to and and what at what point are we going to receive notice that it will be uh that they'll have enough signatures for the november on that item so i'll defer to miss myra on that

So as soon as it's filed, then that's when the review process will start ticking. So until it's filed now, I did receive a correspondence from the requester seeking information. They actually have 8200. So I'm waiting to get information from the county side on the registered voters that we have based upon once I receive that petition filed. And that's when it will start triggering, you know, the number of the registered voters.

Is it 5% or what's the percentage?

It is, I believe, the 5%, right, Will? I have to double check. But I'll get all the facts in four nights, right? Yeah, for the city of Brownsville's jurisdiction.

Is it 5%, Will? I'm sorry. Yeah, it's 5%, so it'll be $6,000. They have over $8,000.

Yeah, they have $8,000.

Thank you. No, I agree. I think it'd be great to do it in May, but we have to be ready for November. I mean, it is what it is, so. Is there is there many more meetings left commissioner?

No, we had the last 1 potentially, but if we got direction to do something else, we can reconvene. We just need to have, I think it's 2 meetings before it goes on the ballot. And so, given the timeframe of how many meetings we have left. It would have to be the 1st and the 2nd meeting of July, because then in August, right?

So you have to call I know the well, in the communication, they give a wrong date, but August 17th is the deadline to order the election. So, the way we have it. Essentially, what's on the screen is how we contemplated July 7th. We would go proposition for proposition and have y'all vote on it kind of like y'all did in 2023. And then July 21st, have the first reading, and then August 4th, have the second reading, because it's an ordinance calling the election. You have to have two readings per charter. I know we have July 8th through November 3rd. a education period once you all have voted at the july 7th meeting as far as what propositions you want to go with then we can start educating the public immediately the next day right um even though we haven't officially called the election we can still do that and then of course the election would be november 3rd

So by when do they have to have all of their things in for sure to make the November ballot?

August 17th.

And of course, given you all, it's a little bit different because with August 17th, there's a deadline for us to order the election. And I believe If I'm not mistaken, you have five days?

I have five days to review the petition that's filed. So that's once it's turned in, that's when the time starts ticking.

Right. So she has those five days to review it, and then she'll notify you all more than likely at the next meeting. But of course, we can do a blind carbon copy to let you all know that it did present, and we are required to call the election. Yeah.

Well, I have a question if we get ready for the November election. And it doesn't happen for whatever reason they don't qualify. They don't do it. They don't go through and we decide to pull to push it till May. Can there be changes on the recommendations from the charter? Yes. Or can we continue to work on those?

Yes. So, um, what we had, what we had thought as of the last meeting was last night. we had thought is that technically they have concluded if you all decide to move forward with the election. And knowing, of course, that you all still have the ability to make changes to what the recommendations are. What they've put before you all, you all can change, of course. Should we find that we go through this process getting ready for November and should we find that the body did not have enough signatures? Um, that are registered voters. There's a slew of requirements that the election code requires that they comply with. And if any of that, of course, causes them to not have about survey. Then what you all could do is either at the 1st or 2nd reading when we determine. Hopefully before that you all could then decline. To approve that ordinance, calling the election. And that would allow us to have the election in May. Right, so we can proceed as if we're planning to have the election in November and then, of course, you can cancel it. If we determine that the petition was faulty.

Thank you. That's all the questions I have.

Well, and if there's any other issues that, um, my fellow city commissioners would like to for this. For the charter review committee to address that this is would also be a good time to bring them up and then we can consider to add them. Um, before our meeting on July 7th. If there's anything that that you think that you'd like to see.

Speak now for hold your peace.

If not, then we'll come back to you on July 7th with more formal language as to what we would like to see on the ballot, or what was proposed to be on the ballot.

But overall, these are the red line changes that we're recommending, so they are for your review. And of course, do you have any other significant changes to the red lines that we've made? We can definitely consider those as well.

Or if you don't, if you think of something later, just contact your representative on the Charter Review Committee and then let us know.

Yep. So that too.

Thank you.

Thank you so much. Thank you. Thank you guys.

Now we move on to the consent agenda portion of the meeting to consider items under the consent agenda items one through 19 for your consideration.

I'll move to approve. Mayor, I'd like to pull one item. Number seven, please.

I would like to pull number 19, Mayor.

I'll entertain a motion. I'll approve. I'll move to approve 1 through 6 and 8 through 18. All right. We have a motion. Do we have a second?

Second.

We have a motion and a second.

Any further discussion? If not, all those in favor, please say aye. Aye. All those opposed, say nay. Ayes have it. Motion carried.

Perfect. So we'll consider a discussion on item number seven. It's a consideration in action to execute the first renewal on agreement number ACS 021123 with one stop janitorial services for the janitorial services for the Brownsville South Padre Island International Airport in the amount of $310,257 with 36 cents as budgeted. We'll turn it over to staff for questions.

Thank you. Hi, Faisal. Good evening. Good evening. I had a quick question on the contract. I was just noticing that the initial contract was from January 23 through December 25. Is that correct? And this renewal will be from January through December 2026. Yes, it's just the one year extension. We were working on a solicitation to have janitorial services, but we decided due to the time period to extend it one time as we get all the documentations. with the square footages of the building. I'm just wondering on the gap, since we are in June 2026, and this is going back to January. Yes. Was there like... There was a lapse. They continued their service, and we were going through the whole process to renew their contract, getting all the documentation. So we did trigger that one-year renewal. So would we be retroactively paying them for the six months, or is this...

Yes, we'll be paying them for the remainder of the year, for the whole year, and then we'll be going back out for solicitations.

Appreciate the clarification. Thank you. I move to approve. Second.

We have a motion and a second to approve. Any further discussion? If not, all those in favor, please say aye. Aye. All those opposed say nay. Ayes have it. Motion carries. Thank you, Faisal. Thank you.

It passes six to zero. Number 19 for consideration. It's a consideration and approval on the second and the final reading on ordinance number 2026-1807. I'm amending the chapter 66 of the municipal court, providing for the municipal court civil jurisdiction to enforce the health and safety and the nuisance of abatement ordinances, authorizing the issuance of search and seizure warrants, providing for the concurrent jurisdiction, creating a court of record in matters pertaining thereto. Turn it over for questions and answers.

Well, so I know that the judge reached out to me last week sometime i think he wanted to be here but somebody in his family or his close family i believe is in the hospital for some reason so i'm just wondering did you figure it all out with him because i know there was some things that they didn't really understand that or they didn't agree with what's going on has he had the ability to speak to and is he on board with this yes so we met last week and he provided some red lines my understanding is is ready to move with it today

Okay.

Um, I mean, because I got a call from somebody who works with him today asking me, Hey, can I see this when I get back? And I mean, why? What's the big issue with it? What's happening? Or why are there's back and forth on this?

So so the proposed ordinance, what it has in there is it makes the court a court of record. Um, that's one chain.

I think the court of record He has no issues with it. I think it's the other part, which I don't understand. Right?

The 2nd, the 2nd, um, part of that recommendation was to remove. To certain extent, the personnel aspect. Out of the judicial branch. right and so the city has been has had claims in the past from personnel from municipal court and as a judge the judge is supposed to have independence and how they preside over their cases and they're supposed to have judicial immunity that judicial immunity breaks when they start um managing employees if you will right the state of texas doesn't treat judges that are appointed now some municipal court judges are elected edinburgh is an example but here in brownsville where they're appointed it doesn't treat them as employees and so then to have an employee who is an appointed, right? It's a little different for judges. Um, unlike Arnold and myself, um, to have a judge also have, um, oversight of personnel matters takes away that judicial immunity for certain acts, right? And we currently have a pending lawsuit, and it basically derives from the fact that how the judge got appointed and what purview they have as the judge. And so what this does is it removes that to an extent. There are certain individuals under the state code that are required to be under the judge, like the court reporter, the bailiffs and the court clerks. The reason for that is because the court clerks, they essentially have the judge's signature, so they stamp documents for him. The bailiffs by statute, they have to have a bailiff and they basically protect the judge. And then your court reporters are the ones that record the hearings, right? In this instance, we would have a recorder and we would have the court reporter translate the or transcribe the hearing. But those positions are remaining under the judge. All the other clerks that are municipal clerks, if you will, that take the payments, those would be under the personnel side of municipal court.

But what does any of that have to do with the lawsuit? Because you mentioned the lawsuit.

Right.

What does any of the... Well, I can't go into details with the lawsuit, just that there has been instances where... because of how the judge is appointed and how the judicial branch of the city is run we have experienced issues in the past and so to prevent the judge from losing his immunity we have essentially created a judicial division with those that could be under him, as well as a court services division that would be under a manager who would then manage the rest of the employees. So you're adding a position over there and taking that away from the judge, I guess. We're not necessarily adding or taking away. It's just bifurcating the department.

The position already exists. The court administrator position already exists. We're not adding it.

Okay.

And she does already managed those people on a daily basis. They're not necessarily working inside the courtroom.

Okay, I have question. How does the judge get appointed?

The judge. So under the charter, the charge is very clear that when you look at the city manager and how they're appointed, it's very clear that and we're actually fixing it through this charter amendment. but it says that the city manager is responsible for all employees of the city and then it has a carve out except for the city attorney and with the charter amendment that created the audit and oversight committee or at least codified it it didn't have a provision that said and city auditor right so we're fixing that part um but the judge because they are it's not the judge is mentioned in there that a judge in the charter, it says the judge will have a four year term that mirrors the mayor's term, which follows state law, but it doesn't indicate who appoints the judge. So that has been interpreted in the past and it's codified in the ordinance that the city manager appoints the judge and the associate judges. Um, That's how some cities do it. Some cities, the commission appoints the judge. Some cities have elections for judge. Um, so, but here in Brownsville, the ordinance that has been in the books for the longest time is that the city manager appoints the judge and that the city commission sets that salary.

Um, I think my other question on this item is I had no idea, because it was in consent, and we were discussing, I believe, the original one read, and I had brought up the issue of being able to to hold people accountable for political signs that are out there, right? And I think all of this, for me, just got all put into one ordinance without our knowledge of all of this from your office or from anybody. This is all became something where there's apparently some discrepancy that we had no knowledge, just got put all into one consent agenda item. At least I had no idea about it.

So to answer that at the first presentation, part of the presentation did go through and discuss that this ordinance was creating the court of record. And then part of the, it wasn't part of the presentation, but verbally we can, I can show you the recording. I do indicate that we had recommended bifurcating the divisions to create a, judicial branch and a municipal court services department. And I gave my reason for that. I gave my reason that having a judge, the judge should have some oversight of the personnel that he interacts with within his court, like the court reporter or the court clerk. But then other individuals within the city and that department, he can manage them, but he loses that judicial immunity right in managing additional employees and it just creates more risks not just for him but for the city and so that had said that as part of my presentation and if it wasn't clear I apologize but the recommendation from the legal department is to create the court of record because the court of record will allow us to avoid going to district court to proceed with code violations. And since we opened up the chapter that creates the municipal court, we took it upon ourselves to also recommend changes into how the branch is created, right? So you have that bifurcated division. But in the changes that we had done with Mr. DeGos, Um, he had agreed to some red lines that he had done for us. We accepted those changes and those are the ones that are before you all today.

Sorry, I just don't understand what the issue what the issue is that that.

Sorry, I think there's, there's 2 issues, right? 1 is the, the quarter record, which I believe everybody's.

right i think i think what it comes down to is we're creating a court of record and maybe removing some of that managerial responsibility from the judge is being seen as a demotion but he's still a judge and i actually think that this elevates his office because he's not just going to be a manager of personnel he is going to be an appointed official whether it's by commission or a city manager he will have that judicial immunity preserved so that he doesn't have the issues that he might have had in the past.

Have you talked to him directly?

Yes, we had lunch at Ricardo's.

Okay. Well, because I just remember the first time it was not discussed or it was tabled because it had not been presented to municipal court. And then when we did actually Talk about it. I just remember it being Efficiencies like that was the the driving Factor for this efficiencies in terms of the amount of court cases going through municipal court and then being appealed to district court and financially to Yeah, no, I mean I watched I watched your presentation from two weeks ago, um, but I mean I had a call today so why is there either a

Discommunication or somebody's not telling me everything, but he's saying he believes that the communication or the wording on it is still very, I don't remember what he said, but kind of.

And that was from the judge or from the other?

No, the person who works with the judge, one of the judges.

Yeah, as far as I know, the judge and I met, we had lunch, we went over it. I had print out copies of the ordinance. He redlined it for me the next day. Yeah, and he was fine with it. I hadn't heard any other questions or concerns from him.

Want to table the 2nd reading?

This is. i don't want to continue to drag this on right but i i do i would want to hear what the judge's thoughts on it i mean i want him to do it here actually not in private or anywhere i want him to come here and say hey these are the reasons can we i mean give them an opportunity to come and yeah yeah you you can table this that's fine do we have to table the first part is it together or can we move on with half of this with uh yeah if you're going to table it i would table the whole thing

I'll move to table second.

We have a motion second table and for the discussion to the next meeting, but let me say I, I do have a comment on it. Can we make sure that the judge is here? If he doesn't, we're going to take it as he's okay with it. That way we stop. Yeah, I would defer the city manager again.

He's appointed by the city.

Absolutely. You know, I had the discussion, initial discussion with the judge and understood his concerns. And I talked with Will. I said, meet with the judge. He wants to meet his face, and they did. I'm sorry he's not able to be here tonight. I had not heard anything back from him, so I don't know differently. But we're happy to table it, move it to the July 7th meeting, and I'll make sure I talk with the judge and make sure he's good with it. And if he's not here, you should take that as he's good with it.

Yep.

I will follow up. Thank you. Thank you.

You called for vote. Yeah, all those in favor, please say aye. I was supposed to say nay. I just have it motion table item table.

Perfect and I then will move to July 7th. Moving on to the public hearing item number one is a public hearing in action on the first reading on ordinance number 235-2026-009 to rezone from the commercial corridor to the residential estates RE to to allow a single family residence for 2.64 acres. Out of five acres out of out of the out of the bald of 10.88 acre track of out of the CB Hamlet, a 47.9 acre track share 12 L Harding subdivision, Cameron County, TX, located at 32 Fish Hatchery Rd, Brownsville, TX 78520 as shown in Exhibit A located in District 4 will turn it over to staff.

Thank you. Good evening, Mr. Mayor, Commissioner Carlos Guerra with the city's Planning and Redevelopment Services Department. This first rezoning case we have for you this evening is located on Fish Hatchery Road. It is a request to rezone from commercial corridor to residential estate to allow for the construction of a single family residence. As required by state law, we posted a notice of public hearing detailing the meeting details and where they can contact us at. We also posted a physical sign on the property. And we also sent out eight mail outs to property owners within a 200 foot radius. We received zero written opposition to the request. These surrounding properties are zoned commercial corridor to the north and to the east, to the south and to the west, including the property adjacent is zoned residential estate. Land uses to the north include a mix of commercial uses. The property immediately to the east appears to be vacant, although there is a structure on there. And the properties to the south and also to the west all consist of large lot single family homes consistent with the zoning district of the residential estate. Again, this is an aerial view. The air is predominantly rainwater. single family residences on large lots, which again is consistent with the residential estate zoning district. The future land use plan designates the subject property in the linkage corridor and the emerging city west district. Residential uses in this area should constitute about one quarter of the land uses in the form of single family homes. The emerging city west district should be predominantly residential, consistent primarily of single family on large lots. So again, this request is consistent with the future land use plan and the adjacent land use. This case was presented to the Planning and Zoning Commission on June 6th, and the commission voted along staff's recommendation of approval to rezone the property to residential estate. During the planning and zoning meeting, the properties from the parcel to the west expressed concern about the rezoning to residential estate. Their request is that the commercial corridor zoning designation would attract commercial uses to the area. But we also received one property owner that spoke in favor of the request, in favor of a residential estate style home. They live in a similar style home across the street. It is important to note that this tract is of five acres, right? So the five acres is what you see that extends all the way to Expressway 77. That parcel to the east will remain. Commercial corridor, and then we're just rezoning this parcel that is kind of closer to the interior again, adjacent to the residential uses for the residential estate zoning district. So, again, staff is recommending approval other rezoning requests from that's a typo. Excuse me from commercial corridor to residential estate.

Question comments from the commission. Alright, this is a public hearing. If there's anyone here that wishes to address the commission on this item, please step forward and say your name.

Yes, we did have one that was pre registered. Welcome. My name is and then please say your name and then your address for the record and you will have three minutes to speak. Thank you.

good evening mayor and commissioners my name is olivette pena fisher and um with me i have my nephew ernie pena he is the owner of the property in question right now for this ordinance 235-026-009 on fish hatchery road um i've attached the short handout that i i was handed out to you all briefly just look at it uh and kind of like car i just got your first name i hate to say carlos because i don't know your last name But an agreement that I think it looks like the city is an agreement to the recommendation of classifying this to a residential estate. On the map, if you see that I provided for you from your city zoning, I think I have online. If you notice there that in the black surround, you know, outlined within black, there's a star that's the area of the property that is being subdivided. And it's out of the five acre track and it is in homestead area where the arrow is my mom's had that property since 19 late 1970s, and that is classified as her homestead. And if you see the surrounding areas, those are residential estates, according to the map you all have online right the zoning map so everything in green is residential states, of course, you all have everything in brown there's your your commercial quarter. and so i just want you to get a layout of how really it's surrounded by all these residential state zones and i know that we have some people here in support of that that actually live in that area and what i'd like to also continue saying that our request is really simple and limited we're not asking to increase the intensity of the property we're not asking for apartments business operations or a warehouse parking lot The request is for a residential estate zoning, so a single-family residence can be allowed on the rear portion of the property. That distinction does matter. The property may be near Interstate 69 East Commercial Corridor, but the portion being discussed is the rear 2.64 acres away from the interstate, where residential properties directly surround that portion. My mother's home remains on the original tract as it's classified as her homestead. My brother began this process in good faith because he was going to inherit this portion, but decided to give it to his son, Ernie Pena, a local businessman, owner of Wind Supply. Sadly, my brother passed away last week while this process was already during its final stages, of course. Our family's grieving, but we're also trying to responsibly complete what has already been started. He has also made a very serious financial commitment of paying roughly $25,000 for engineering, planning work, etc. to properly subdivide this property and follow the city's process the correct way. I respectfully understand that there's some neighbor property owners concerned about the current commercial use of their own property, but this request does not limit their property rights or change how they use their property. It only changes the rear 2.64 acres that we're wanting to subdivide in fact approving residential state zoning should reduce potential land use conflict if the concern is compatibility a single family residence is more compatible with nearby homes than many uses that could otherwise be associated with a commercial corridor zoning uh don't want to keep going on because i know that it seems like the city planning and zoning is in favor of this and giving that recommendation to you all so i want to thank you for your time and for listening to us thank you ma'am thank you very much thank you

Is there anyone else that wishes to address the commission on this item? Move to close public second. We have a motion and a second to close public hearing. Any further discussion? If not, all those in favor, please say aye. Aye. All those opposed say nay. Ayes have it. Public hearing now closed. Move to approve. Second. We have a motion and a second to approve.

I'm going to abstain from this one.

We have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? If not, all those in favor, please say aye. Aye. All those opposed say nay. I just have a motion carries.

It carries 6 to 0 with one abstention. We'll move on to public hearing number two. It's a public hearing in action on the first reading. I'm on ordinance number 235-2026-010 to rezone from the residential single family R1 to the residential suburban R2 To allow a duplex lot 4 block 4 at the McKinsey Estates Subdivision, Cameron County, TX located at 995 North Iowa Rd in Brownsville, TX 78521 as shown in Exhibit A in District 2.

Thank you. Yes, so this zoning case or zoning request is to rezone from residential single family R1 to residential suburban R2 and the proposed use is for a duplex. Now, this came to us about as a code enforcement issue. A duplex was constructed without the required permits. It was not in compliant with the applicable zoning regulations. It is worth noting that the applicant was quick to come to the planning and zoning department and figure out a way to rezone the property and get it into compliance. As required by state law, we created a sign of a notice of public hearing detailing the meeting events and who to contact. We also posted a physical sign on the property. We also sent out 25 mail outs to property owners within a 200 foot radius, and we received zero written opposition to the request. The surrounding zoning district is R3 to the east, R2 north of Austin Road to the north, and surrounded by R1. However, if you look at the aerial image, the neighborhood is kind of a mix between duplexes, triplexes, single family homes with accessory dwelling units and there's even an apartment complex that's on the on the top right corner on northern Iowa or North Iowa and Austin Street. The property immediately to the rear is consists of two duplexes, so we feel that this is consistent with the surrounding land use. This is the like I said, the applicant has been responsive and eager to get into compliance. They even submitted the site plan that shows the existing residents and then the duplex that is on pads and piers on the rear. If this request is approved in order to become into compliance, the duplex would have to be moved to the front of the property in order to be considered the primary structure. And of course, comply with any setback requirements. And with that zoning district, they would also be allowed to either construct an accessory dwelling unit or move the existing residents to the rear. So again, the duplex will be moved to the front to act as the primary structure. And then there's that option to have that extra accessory dwelling unit, which is permitted by right in an R2 zone. So this request is consistent with the city's future land use plan. It identifies the property as the transition east district. This district is meant to support residential uses with an average density of two dwelling units per acre. So it's, again, consistent with the future land use plan and surrounding uses. We did present this to the Planning and Zoning Commission, and they recommended approval along with our recommendation for approval.

Mr. Guerra, I had a question. What happens in these instances when people build without permits? Is there any repercussions or fines or anything of that nature?

Yes, sir. The penalty in this case would be two times the permitting cost. And the permit is based off the size of the structure and the cost. So it's hard to come up with that number off the top of my head, but it would be two times the permitting cost.

Thank you.

And being that it was built without a permit, do we know if it meets the current code?

As it is, go ahead.

Even so, it would have to go through the side review process as any other project would. So, um, our plans examiners would make sure that, uh, structurally it's been built correctly to comply with, uh, the IRC. The international billing code and, um. We would also make sure as part of the final inspection before issuing the CEO that it's in compliance. So this is the 1st step in the process to fix the situation.

Yes.

So, um. The primary goal is to get them to comply, which fortunately the applicant was eager to to move forward with that compliance. So, that's always the positive side of things. Now, what remains is actually reviewing accordingly to be able to determine that it was built as it was supposed to. And that in the end, again, as part of the final inspection, that everything is up to code for the issuance of the CO.

Any other questions or comments from the commission?

All right. This is public hearing. If there's anyone here that wishes to speak to the commission on this item, please step forward. Move to close. Second. We have a motion and second to close public hearing. Any further discussion? If not, all those in favor, please say aye. Aye. All those opposed say nay. Ayes have it. Motion carries.

Vote to approve. Second.

We have a motion and a second to approve. Any further discussion? Not. All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. All those opposed say nay. Ayes have it. Motion carries.

Thank you. Moving on to the public hearing number three. There's a public hearing and action on the first reading on ordinance number 235-2026-011S to request a specific use permit, SUP, in a commercial corridor, CC, in the zoning district to allow an event center for lot two, block one, Juan Garza, a subdivision replant, Cameron County, Texas, located at 4810 at Boca Chica Boulevard, Brownsville, Texas, 78521, as shown in Exhibit A, District 1.

Thank you. Good evening, Mayor, City Commissioners, members of the public. This item before you is a specific use permit request to allow an event center. It should also be mentioned that the proposal also includes a beauty salon component. However, this item is only focusing on the SUP in terms of the event center, since our UDC does require this type of permit to approve an event center within the corridor commercial. Again, this is for an event center and the property is currently fronting Boca Chica Boulevard. This is the notice that was sent out to notify the public of this meeting. A physical sign was also posted on site to notify the adjacent owners of this meeting. 17 total mail outs were sent to properties within a 200 foot buffer map. we received zero oppositions written back to city staff. This is the zoning map showing the current property zoned as corridor commercial. There's also a property to the east of it, which is zoned to our regional center. And most of the rest of the zoning that surrounds it is either our one single family district or other corridor commercial districts north and south of this property. This is an aerial map kind of showing what the existing uses are. It is a good mix of single family residential, some multifamily buildings, and also some commercial retail and office buildings. The map also shows kind of the location of where the event center is proposed to take place with the beauty salon just south of that. There's also an office use north. When we conducted our analysis, we did find that this request was consistent with our current comprehensive plan and future land use plan. Staff is recommending approval of this SUP request to allow the event center within this corridor commercial. Our PNZ board back in June 6 also is recommended approval of the SUP request subject to two conditions. The first one being sound mitigation regulations. which involve the measuring of interior finish out materials such as acoustic tiles or other approved sound dampening insulators shall be installed to maintain those noise levels down to or equal to 60 decibels as per our UDC requirements. And there's also a condition having to do with parking compliance since there are two land uses being proposed on the property. that can operate at the same time due to parking. The owner has agreed to run the event center from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and the beauty salon use from Monday to Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. So that way both operating hours per use don't conflict with each other and they could comply with parking as per the UDC's requirements for those uses.

Just curious on that compliance for parking. This is the first time I see it being so specific. So whether they have a Wednesday event that comes in front of them.

Since this is an SUP condition, it could be enforced. So if one of our code enforcement officers is out there and notices that infracture there, they could be cited.

Questions or comments? This is a public hearing, so if there's anyone here that wishes to address the commission on this item, please step forward. Move to close public hearing. All right, we have a motion and second to close public hearing. Any further discussion? If not, all those in favor, please say aye. Aye. All those opposed say nay. Ayes have it. Motion carries.

Move to approve.

We have a motion and a second to approve. Any further discussion? If not, all those in favor, please say aye. Aye. All those opposed say nay. Ayes have it. Motion carries. Thank you.

The next public hearing is item number four. There's a public hearing and action on the first reading on ordinance number 2026-1806 to annex into the city of Brownsville boundary limits a property described as a 47.27 acre track being out of lot one block 202 El Jardin resubdivision and according to the map where the plaque thereof record in volume four page 48 the map records of Cameron County, Texas, save and accept all of that part or portion thereof convene into the County of Cameron. Indeed, dated November 18, 1993, as recorded in volume 2658, page 181, the official records of Cameron County, Texas, located on South Dakota Avenue in Brownsville, Texas, 78521, as shown in Exhibit A.

Thank you. Thank you. Mentioned this is a voluntary annexation petition being made for this parcel to come into the official city limits of city of Brownsville. The petition is being made by Skatea Holdings LLC for approximately 47.27 acres. Uh, of land there, the proposed use for that development is for a future single family residential project that will involve lots for single family properties that range anywhere from 6300 to 7300 and square feet and some town home lots also being proposed. At 34 square feet, that subdivision is still underway. It hasn't been finalized, but they are proposing that once they get this annexation approved that they continue that process with the planning and redevelopment department. This property is fronting the South Dakota Avenue and just just north of the South most road. These are the municipal annexation requirements as per the local government code. It does require that they submit a voluntary petition to the city, uh, that we provide a written service agreement between the property owner and the city, uh, that we issue a public hearing, uh, such as this one, uh, that we provide proper notice of this annexation on the local newspaper. And finally that we give proper notice to the school districts and public entities that are in charge of taxing the property. This is an aerial map showing the location there as we could see what surrounds it is either undeveloped land or a single family residential properties. This is a proposed subdivision that they want to bring into the city of bronzeville that will be kind of finalized through our planning and redevelopment once the annexation is approved. Finally, staff is recommending approval to annex these 47.27 acres of land into the City of Brownsville.

Questions or comments from the Commission?

I'll move to close the public hearing. Second.

You have to ask if anyone's here that wishes to address the Commission on this item. Please stand forward and state their name. All right. Being none, I'll entertain a motion.

I'll move to close public hearing.

Second to the motion and second to close public hearing. Any further discussion? If not, all those in favor, please say aye. Aye. All those opposed say nay.

I'll move to approve.

Second. All right. We have a motion and second to approve. Any further discussion? If not, all those in favor, please say aye. Aye. All those opposed say nay. Ayes have it. Motion carries. Thank you.

The next public hearing is item number five. It's a public hearing and action on the first reading on ordinance number 2026-1808, amending chapter 102 of the City of Brownsville's Code of Ordinance to adjust the RSACA fee. We'll turn it over to the team.

Good afternoon, commissioners, members of the board. I'm here with a few of the board members and I'd like to for them to introduce themselves.

Eduardo Martinez, current BPB chair.

We also have with us Mr. Martinez-Argeis, also board member, and of course, your esteemed mayor is also part of our board as well. With me, I also have several staff members in case there's any questions after our presentation. And with that, I'll turn it over for the presentation for Mr. Martinez.

I won't be presenting. Just wanted to say thank you for letting us come. talk on this item, which I think is very important. And also wanted to invite you to the APPA conference coming up at the end of June. This is in Boston. This is the American Public Power Association. There's a lot of workshops there that we attend, a lot of stuff on governance, you know, the relations between city and public power. There's a lot of workshops on data centers, energy, growth, rates, Uh, so if you're interested and you're able to attend, I highly recommend it, uh, reach out to me or reach out to the staff and, uh, we'll help make that happen. And, uh, now Paul will go over some of the items.

Good evening, Mr mayor commissioners. This is the outline of what we're going to cover. Uh, we're here to present the board of directors, uh, recommendation on the. this is codified in the code of ordinances we manage it's a specific portion portion that relates to the management of the brownsville resaca system and its water reservoirs as raw water storage related to our water utility We're going to cover the charter just briefly, Russocoffee history, just to recap, and the many meetings and workshops that led to today. Just on this, that's an excerpt from the article that talks about your public utilities board and what it does. It studies rates and makes recommendations. You're the entity who approves and sets rates. So that's what we're here for. That's also consistent with what the bond ordinances require. So the RSACA fee goes back not too far, actually. The whole dredging program was really formally established back in 2012. and it was just part of the water rates because it's part of raw water storage the costs and expenses were updated in a 2022 cost of service study and when that was presented to the commission it had sort of a five-year step program based on the study results and what was expected to happen over the five years that was covered The City Commission adopted the recommendations and approved a RSACA fee on May 3rd, 2022. Now, a big component of the RSACA fee was to cover a local share of a federally matched program that was with the U.S. Corps of Engineers. And it was called Resacas in the vicinity of the city of Brownsville, TX. The sponsor is the city, the sponsoring agency and be published, providing that supporting role. The rate was tiered to go up in order to match program expenditures, including the Corps of Engineers project, and it rose to 625 on January 1st, 2023. In September 2023, because there were delays in implementation of contract one or phase one of the engineers overall project, The board recommended keeping that fee set instead of escalating each year with the program expenses and the City Commission unanimously approved that in November of 2023. So that's November 2023, and then we get to today. A lot's happened, and a lot of it has been driven by policy questions and about, well, what's the future of the RSACA program? We still need raw water. We still need dredging. We have dredging that we need to do in our reservoirs near Water Plant 1. and that we have a dredge uh an intake uh for water plant two into the resaca next nearby uh so so our focus you know what was that focus who should be doing the resaca management program so there was a series of of meetings some jointly with the the city commission and some with city staff and workshops held by the board in order to address these policy questions but all along in the background we have the corps of engineers project and questions that were going back and forth which led to in april of this year the corps telling the city that they were going to terminate that that particular project so The board looked at this in April and then again in May and considered various options and consistent with a strategy. We're looking at either reducing the fee because some funds had been accumulated over time as part of the resaca fee or eliminating it entirely. So. Right, so we get to the strategy that the board is implementing, and this is a this is part of it. This it's it's one focused on. Using just for the purpose, it was collected this dredging related program using the funds appropriately. and running down the balance on that resaca fee balance. And eventually, those funds will be exhausted. that that could mean we're also adjusting the water rates in the future and in fact the board has already approved a water study a water rate study happening again because we're getting to the end of that five-year period right so it's time to look at the water rates again and the sewer rates as a comprehensive matter so We are completing other federal match for the federally granted programs. The CORS program went away. That was a big one. But we have the Restore Act and Water Smart projects. And we're limiting dredging operations to those areas that we use directly for water storage. in the future with the when the new rate study is done we'll be back with that rate study just like we were in 2022 and we would provide subject matter expertise that we've accumulated over time in support of other groups or organizations that might take over other less water utility related functions right if if they're interested in in doing things to other parts of resacas and such So this leads us to the recommendation itself. The recommendation addressed in the May board meeting as adopted, it's in your packet materials. Your packet materials also include a proposed draft ordinance for the city to consider. and uh also includes all of the background materials that were provided to the board at the may meeting when they were also considering possible elimination or reduction of the of the risaka fee and that included a long powerpoint presentation that was made at a public workshop in december that's the one that's the heavy slide deck that's in the packet materials The strategy is to continue dredging operations in support of the water system and they recommend reduction of the fee to $2 per water account, and that would mean amending the section of the code of ordinances, the one that specifically talks about the fee amount.

Can I interrupt? So would that be even regardless of how big of a customer it is and if you have a RASAC or not, a big company, $2 and same as residential?

Correct. As it was approved, it's a per account basis.

Thank you very much for entertaining the background and history. I know a lot of you have been involved very intensely on this here. So, yes, the question was a $2 per water account, regardless if you live on resaca frontage or not. We are looking into potentially looking and implementing other type of services for those that live on the resaca because this is not for just resaca property owners. This is for the benefits for all of the city's citizens because it is for water storage and dredging operations for the city of Brownsville. One of the things in areas that we're going to be dredging in the future, we have received a grant for indirect portable reuse. And that grant does not cover the full amount. And it's going to be requiring dredging operations along the backside. If you think about our property at BPUB, there's a risaka in the back. There's a water plant. And that's where that risaka will eventually be dumping additional water information. I mean, water storage for our water facilities there. It's going to increase the deponing of the risaka. It's going to allow for additional water holding we all know even though it's been rating my god everybody thinks oh the drought's over it's raining outside but the reality is is that we still are at about 26 percent at our reservoir systems where we keep and hold our water so this is an additional strategy for us to keep and and hold water in our system and also pump our water out of the out of the risaka at that point trisakas though because it won't be all risakas throughout the city correct No, it will not be. It will only be resaca de la guerra with approximately about two to three miles. And if you look in your packet, there is a slide in there. And if you look in there, we have a map that indicates which portion of the resaca. And it's labeled indirect portable reuse. I can go back and tell you if it is located where it says a slide nine and it says for soccer de la guerra and slide nine in your packet. It's on the presentation that was prevented there. You don't have a packet. Okay. It was in the backup information. I did pull it from the online and so it's in there. It's in the agenda packet.

Sorry.

Yes. And also we can provide any additional information if needed. So that's a very good question, Commissioner. Just wanted to kind of highlight that based on my experience, a lot of people have a misconception that this was for all resacas in the city. As we mentioned, this was specifically for or mainly for a Corps of Engineer project that had specific resacas or areas of resacas in some cases Uh, this was an offer for all, so right now the recommendation is 2 dollars and that really is to just for us to maintain the needed dredging that that's required for maintaining the water system. And at some point when we do the rate study, we're not planning to have a specific fee for that that should be rolled into just overall water rates, which would be a function of how much water somebody uses and not a function of if you live in Narasaca, if you have an account and so on and so forth. So this is just putting out the first reading and we're available for any additional questions.

How many risakas are being planned to be dredged?

Just two? Yeah, for the need, the current need for PUB is...

The current need for PUB is dredging at the reservoir system, which is located along the river, and then also dredging along Risaka de la Guerra.

Okay, because I know some have already been dredged, correct? Correct.

Yes, that was dredged under another grant, which was part of the federal grant that was part of the treasury administered through the state. And that was called the restore program. And that is about to be completed and closed out. And we have a few funds to expend on that one for the close out of that project.

So there's two more resources to go, right?

Yes. And the other additional location that you're talking for the second section that we're talking for our own internal operations. And now we jump to the Bureau of Reclamation Project. And that one is also located in your packet. And it's also outlined in blue. And it is located by Military Highway near Alton Glore area. And that's another leveraging of federal funds. That is 75-25% match that is coming to, you know, for this usage of dredging of that particular RSACA section or segment, I should say.

Okay. There's two questions. How much more or less muscle mental do we have in that account right now? 8.5 million. Now that $2 that I guess it wants to go down to correct. Is that a set $2 or will that be coming back in two, three, four years saying, can we raise it to that? Or is that going to be like a set deal, like set it and forget it?

We will manage the RISACA operations with the $2. Of course, if any other additional segments RISACAs are added, then of course that's going to change. But for now, the $2 is what we intend to keep our own internal operations.

And so I think the, the intent from the board was to say, Hey, this is how much PB needs submit to, to dredge the restockers going forward. But like long-term, I think the best way is to put that cost in the water rates because that's part of the system. Right. Um, I think my question to you is if we were to get rid of the restocker fee, a hundred percent, how many months would be having for operations going forward in terms of runway, in terms of doing the study and, and and incorporating it in the future?

So that depends. We have to procure for equipment and some of the equipment we have various, we mentioned the stock operation started in 2012. And so the procurement of that equipment, we have estimated about 1.6 million, but we know that those are raising costs. We also have to account for the Bureau of Reclamation water smart matching grant share, which is about another 1.6. And so I'm just giving you a high level, mas o menos numbers. They're not exact science. And we are also including for the existing dredging operations that are accounting for there. We believe that we have anywhere between three to four years until we get everything managed and operational. But of course, the rate study will determine what it is exactly we're going to meet and how much it's going to do. And then we'll come back and provide a recommendation at that time once we complete the water study and say, okay, we can either roll it back into the rates or this is something that we should continue at $2.

And that process will be done within the next... We hope she can finish...

couple years yeah easy so i think if we were to get rid of it it would not put this program in jeopardy no it would not put the program in jeopardy but then at this point we would have to come with you with a recommendation sooner than later ideally we would recommend the elimination at the same time as the new rate structure is in place just asking questions thank you i think my questions may be for mr guard um

is the city going to if we approve this this going down to two dollars for the risaka fee is the city going to implement a drainage fee that'll be a policy question that you all consider as part of our 2027 budget our drainage utility fee study is about done and we have a presentation that we'll be making to the commission shortly we've shared some information We have looked at it budgetarily and how it would impact our general fund and what those fees would be for our residents and for our businesses. We are going to be sharing alternatives. What that fee structure would look like for residents and for businesses as part of our budget process and part of our budget presentation. The reason I asked the short and the longer and the shorter answer is yes.

Yeah, and the reason I asked that question is because if we lower the rate here for the risaka fee, but then we add a drainage fee, and this is part of the drainage fee, it gets very confusing to rate payers, right? Why there's multiple fees that we keep moving up and moving down. My next question would be to you, P. U. B. Is we do have a joint committee. And the last time we did discuss this specifically was in our last committee meeting, which took place probably over a year ago. And we were in the discussion of eliminating this fee in order to create a overall water drainage fee so that there would not be that confusion between P. U. B. And that my question is, we never had a follow up meeting. And now this is on our agenda.

And and commission, I think I think I have to take responsibility for that. The we did get behind in getting the drainage utility done or getting that study moving forward and it's taken longer than we expected. So I think the timing would be great to have that meeting now because we do have the study completed. We know what our numbers are. They now have a recommendation. It'd be a great time for that subcommittee to have that discussion. and bring a joint recommendation back to both boards.

Yeah, I think that would be the wisest thing for our rate payers so that we're not moving rates down, moving rates up, adding new fees, reducing fees. That just gets very confusing for any rate payer.

I have a question. $2 when you break it into the rate, what is that $2 in a rate? Is it less than a quarter of a cent maybe? The $2 and so it's $2 per account. Yes. What's the average usage per account?

It depends on your consumption, right? So if we have 5,000 and how many, my bill is around $47 a month. So my, my, that's my, my PB customer. And so for $47, then $2 would be, you know, my bill would be, you know, $2 or $47. So it depends on...

It would probably be less than that, my guess, but yeah, because it'll be based on consumption.

Okay, .00... Perfect, .002 cents. I mean, if you're going to do a rate increase, why not put that in there? Because this $2 just pops. And again, like you're saying, Risaka fee is a terrible name for it. It is. It's a terrible name for it, and I think we all agree with it, right? That we agree that it's not a good name for it. And I think what the mayor asked was very important, but I didn't get an answer. How much time do you have with the $8.5 million? We have three to four years.

So I think we have enough time.

Why don't we eliminate? Right.

All right. I think that's, from my perspective, it's cleaner. Why go down to $2 and then go down to zero later, right?

It creates a lot of confusion. I agree.

And the drainage, I think we have to explain to the public, hey, you know, in order to address our drainage issues more effectively, we're going to have this program, but it's going to be a more equitable, be based on surface area, right?

So a large, you know, big box store has a big impact on drainage rather than a single family mall, right?

So I think it'll be adjusted.

And people will see drainage projects all around town.

right whether they live on our Osaka or not and you could see it on the survey right earlier from earlier today drainage is clearly something we need to tackle and this fee will top two will be effective any further questions comments all right this is a public hearing if there's anyone here that wishes to address the commission on this item please step forward yeah

I do want to clarify something. This is a water supply fee, not a drainage fee. So for members of the public hearing, there are two separate independent issues and clarification. And this is a perfect time for the implementation because this is the time where we can direct the water study to if you eliminate the fee or if you leave it at $2 for us to provide you a recommendation sooner rather than later.

Totally agree. Thank you. I you know one more question i'm sorry um 8.5 million that we do have in there I heard that it can only be used for two or suckers are you sure on that or is that what you need because I do believe that when we were collecting it it was for every resaca in the city of brownsville which was gonna not only get restored or whatever it was called but um I mean we were gonna simple fee everybody everybody on our soccer so okay so

To the point of clarification there, when the fee was originally escalating to $12, it was intended for all of the various different RISACAs that were under. And remember, just because you're in the city of Brownsville, they're managed by other entities and not by Brownsville themselves. There's various different entities that are here. So we are recommending only the areas now, when we were asked to look by our board and the feedback we received from the commission, those areas that's what we're talking about specifically now those two risakas to finish up and wrap up the grants that we have received we're not going to go look and pursue any additional grants or funding we're going to just focus on the portion of the fee when it was implemented of the two dollars which is just for dredging operations for the use of vpub for the water supply i'm just curious and so what's going to happen with the jagu park the risaka there if the commission would like for us to pursue another avenue we will be happy to entertain the remaining use of the funds for jagu for potentially doing a different project along with that and then that would reduce the amount we have available for other projects and the amount for our internal operations

So right now, wasn't already awarded the money to do that section.

So back to the history on the Jaguar soccer commissioner, you're absolutely right. It was awarded. It was intended, but that's the public partnership agreement that was not, um, uh, yes, come to an agreement with the city of Brownsville and cancel by the U S army core of engineers. So the Jaguar soccer is the funding came. from the Army Corps of Engineers, and that is the project that was terminated earlier this year in April. Once we found out, that's when we re-evaluated and provided the final recommendation.

And just for clarification, you know, we asked for a number of adjustments to the requirements for the federal grant program that we thought were in the best interest of the city, and the U.S. Army Corps did not agree with what we requested. So that was a big think uh issue that we couldn't get past or that the court couldn't proceed with this project or was that one section was it that some property owners were not willing to give up the resaca furniture well i think i think it's it has to do with the overall um process that we would have to use for all all the resacas under that program yeah no i understood that that's All right, this is a public hearing if there's anyone here that wishes to address the commission on this item, please step forward. Move to close 2nd, right? We have a motion in a 2nd to close public hearing any further discussion. If not all of us in favor, please say, aye.

I'm sorry. Did you want to speak? No, okay.

For the next time.

Oh, okay. I just started standing up on it. Would you want to talk?

All right. All those in favor, please say aye.

Aye.

All those opposed, say nay. Ayes have it. Public hearing now closed. I'll entertain a motion. I move to remove the risography. I second. All right. We have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? If not, all those in favor, please say aye. Aye. All those opposed, say nay. Ayes have it. Motion carries. Thank you, guys.

That concludes the public hearing portion. We will move on to the items for the individual consideration, starting with number one. I mean, is the consideration in action to amend the phase contract with Noble Texas Builders for the construction manager at risk CMAR services for the Brownsville Public Safety Complex RFQ number 142-25-EPW-RFQ. and authorized staff to negotiate and finalize a guaranteed maximum price GMP for phase one of the construction services in amount of $7,752,389 for earthwork, utilities, the generator allowance, and CMAR fee. Turn it over to staff.

Kimberly Salinas- Good evening, good evening mayor city commissions. Kimberly Salinas- city management office and audience, my name is Kimberly salinas and i'm with the enterprise project management office. Kimberly Salinas- So I wanted to start off by providing you all with a project overview of some of the milestones that we have. hit and anticipate to pursue for this project. When I am talking about the project milestones, it is going to be specifically for bid package one of the public safety complex, which as mentioned, it's the utilities, the earthwork, generator, CMAR fee, and general requirements for the project. so in august city commission did approve noble texas builders as the construction manager at risk for the public safety complex at this time you all allowed you all approved a guaranteed maximum price uh budgeted guaranteed maximum price of 66.8 million as well as for the project not to exceed 80 million In April, we finalized the construction plans, our consultant megamorphosis and the bid package for, bid package number one was advertised and it was advertised by Noble Texas Builders. In May, we did receive bids for the project and the evaluation and the selection of the best valued subcontractor was selected for from Texas noble builders for acceptance from the city as well as the consultant. so we are now in june where we anticipate the approval of the final gmp for bid package number one and it if approved tonight we anticipate to have the amendment executed in july as well as issue the notice to proceed for construction if this um timeline comes to fruition we expect for bid package number one construction to be completed in spring of 2027. So as mentioned, Noble did handle the solicitation of the bids and the advertising since they are the construction manager at risk for the project. They did receive six bids for earthwork and utilities and four bids for the erosion control. And there is a typo there. It is the subcontractor, but they did recommend mid-valley paving for all three bid packages that we received. So just to make it clear, this amendment does not increase the previously approved guaranteed maximum price. It finalizes it for bid package number one. So the budgeted GMP that was approved by City Commission in August was 66.8 million. City Commission also approved a GMP to not exceed 80 million in August as well. We are seeking approval of the final GMP for bid package number one, which again includes utilities, earthwork, generators, CMAR fee, and general requirements in the amount of $7 million 752,389. And we have a remaining guaranteed maximum price of 72 million to allocate for the bid package number two, which will include the building. And we do anticipate that to come before city commission in August for approval. Thank you. Any questions? questions or comments i have one question i mean i don't know if you can answer this but when's the time frame for this to be done the time frame for this one or for the entire it's um fall 2028 as of now when we come before city commission in um august we'll have a more stringent timeline for that thank you any further questions or comments i'll entertain a motion

Did you ask for motion? I move to approve.

Second.

We have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? If not, all those in favor, please say aye. Aye. All those opposed, say nay. Ayes have it. Motion carries. Thank you.

Five to zero. Absent.

Moving on to item number two is consideration and action on the second reading on ordinance number 2026-235.130 to amend the city of Brownsville a unified development code in regards to the UDC article for the zoning regulations section 4.6 zoning development standards, subsection 4.6.3, the landscaping, Article 5, the supplemental regulations, section 5.1, tree preservation, the subsection 5.1.2, the applicability in the exemption section, subsection 5.1.3, the categories of the preserved trees, subsection 5.1.4, the tree mitigation, subsection 5.1.8, the removal of a protected tree without a tree removal permit to adopt the updated landscaping and tree preservation regulations and dealing with related matters as shown in Exhibit A. Turn it over to staff.

Good evening, Honorable Mayor, Commissioners. My name is Martin with the Planning and Redevelopment Department. Uh, to give you a little bit of a recap on June 2nd, our previous city commission meeting, we brought to you a text amendment for the landscape and tree preservation ordinance. Uh, at that meeting, there were some concerns brought up by the commission and, um, that's what we intend to present to you this evening. So, again, to give you a brief recap. The original framework or the essence of this text amendment is to update landscape plan requirements, modernize landscape standards, promote native and drought resistant plants, increase shade and canopy coverage, and strengthen tree preservation. So, as mentioned at the previous city commission meeting on June 2nd, there were some items of concern. The 1st, 1 that shows up on this slide is primarily a maintenance item or a housekeeping item just to mimic what the Texas administrative code states actually with. Wanting to mimic that language, we're removing the exemption from the requirement that irrigation plans. prepared by a licensed irrigator and again that's just inconsistent consistent with the texas administrative code two other items are primarily the ones that the commission brought up as concerns Uh, with this revision to the ordinance, we are looking to strengthen tree preservation guidelines. We will, uh, we revised the section 5.14 to establish a mitigation fee while preserving existing mitigation ratios. Section 5.18 was also revised to include defensible enforcement language that provides. uh ongoing protection for protected and heritage trees not just for the let's say the two-year period after the issuance of a certificate of occupancy it's more of a it's language to establish a perpetual protection to these type of trees and finally to address the disparity in fee assessment methodology between the legal removal of protected trees versus the illegal removal or damage of these protected trees. And finally, staff was tasked to do some benchmarking against other Texas cities and evaluate comparable tree mitigation and illegal removal fee structures adopted by Texas municipalities to establish a defensible fee amount. So, with the 1st item, as I mentioned, just to mimic what title 30 of the Texas administrative. Both states, the exemption of the license was removed because state largest mentioned that in a license must prepare plans or supervise the installation of any irrigation services that are provided to the public. Uh, moving forward with the current, uh, Brownsville framework for mitigation. Uh, again, to provide a little bit of a recap, the existing mitigation ratios, all of those stay the same for protected trees, uh, which basically consists of those, uh, trees that are. Between 12 and 24 inches at, uh, diameter at breast height. The mitigation ratio is a 1 to 1. For heritage trees that are 24 inches or higher in diameter at breast height, the mitigation ratio is 3 to 1. And the minimum replacement caliber size is 3 inches. As mentioned, the current language permits on site mitigation off site and tree donation or a fee in lieu when mitigation is not feasible. On the same site, however, the current code, the way the reads right now does not establish a fixed amount for mitigation. The current method relies on a nursery estimate for replacement and installation costs. So, with this update, we are creating a consistent calculation method and fee schedule entry for the event where mitigation is not possible on site and where the developer is looking to remove trees the correct way. And so I'll hand it off to Ms. Maribel Guerrero. She will be presenting the benchmark.

So what we want to stress here is that the planning department did its own evaluation of benchmarks with other cities. And they verified it, look at cities that had a comprehensive landscape plan. So the six cities shown here are San Antonio, Austin, Arlington, , Grapevine, and Bastrop. The main as we look at these benchmark costs, we see a price range from 100 to $400 of mitigation fee per caliber inch. So the main takeaway from this slide is really to show that the mid range is about $200 for mitigated trees. These want to point out that the comparisons of these cities are really just for context or not guiding the actual evaluation of the cost. They're just used as a comparison and for some context. These are also fees in lieu of amounts per mitigation caliper end. Okay. So what we want to show here is that the recommended arousal fee structure is $200 per required mitigation caliper inch in diameter. And what that means is if you have an approved removal of 10 caliper inches, it's going to cost a total of $2,000 for a mitigated tree. so why the 200 so one it provides clear and consistent fees based on measurement rather than the current case-by-case nursery cost estimates it also reflects the resources required to do the work the right way versus the added burden from staff that's created when standards are not met the third one is that it's a defensible and consistent with the middle with the upper middle range of texas municipal practice so we're in line with other cities um so this fee schedule entry is a tree mitigation fee in lieu of 200 per required mitigation caliber inch per diameter at breast height, not otherwise satisfied through approved on-site replacement of plantings, off-site replacement planting, or tree donations. So this is purely just mitigated trees. The current Brownsville preservation establishes a standard penalty fee for illegal removal of protected trees. So what that means, so a protected tree is any tree that's between 12 to 24 inches of diameter, breast height, I can't remember that DBH, versus a heritage tree that is qualified with a tree of 24 inches DBH or greater. So the current UDC language, you know, could be interpreted as limiting, limiting enforcement protection for protected trees to the first two years following issuance of a certificate of occupancy. So it currently establishes a fee of 75 per caliber inch. So these again, these are neglected or trees that die when we talk about, you know, two years after the issuance of occupancy, right? The livelihood and the survival of these trees on site. So what was our challenge? And we have a gap to resolve. So the the challenge was that we needed to establish a defensible language that provides ongoing protection for protected and heritage trees, including beyond the two year period following issuance of a certification of occupancy. By imposing a substantial per caliber fee for any such tree that is illegally removed or damaged to the point of irreversible decline. So we also needed to address the disparity in fee assessment methodology between the legal removal of protected trees and the illegal removal or damage to protected trees. So what we needed to do was to establish a calculation method and corresponding fee schedule entry for the illegal removal of protected trees consistent with recognized municipal practices across Texas. So this is, we looked at the same cities, right, who had comprehensive landscape plans. And what we found is that they basically just doubled the fines for unauthorized removal of illegal trees. So it went anywhere from 400 to 800. That was the range that we were seeing when we compared other cities. So what we are recommending for the Brownsville fee schedule is $400 per caliper inch for substantially damaged or illegally removed, plus any required mitigation that's determined appropriate by the City Forester. So the illegal removal of a 10 caliper inch tree would equal to $4,000 plus mitigation. that's required as per the landslide, the landscape plan. So why $400? The fee is consistent with the City of Brownsville standard practice of assessing a double fee amounts for permit related violations. It ensures applicants who follow the rules are not subsidizing those who do not. Fees are based on the actual cost of the city to properly administer, review, inspect, and enforce UDC requirements. The proposed fee structure establishes a clear distinction between enforcement penalties for illegal removal and standard fee assessments for legally approved removal, thereby eliminating the current disparity in fee assessment methodology. It is also defensible and consistent with the upper middle range of Texas municipal practices. So again, just to tie this all together with this slide, it's really establishing a defensible language and a set fee for illegal removal of protected trees proactively and strengthens enforcements and provides an additional layer of protection for Brownsville's tree canopy. I'll turn it right back over to my team.

Thank you. So overall, the key message for the adoption of this ordinance is to update the code to support climate, appropriate landscaping, stronger urban forestry standards, better parking lot shade, fair review procedures, and proactive protection to Brownsville's natural landscape and protected canopy. And so what remains the goal is to maintain attractive development that protects public health, safety, welfare, and Brownsville's natural landscape.

and uh staff both staff and pnv recommend the approval of this testament any questions i just do the epw have the manpower or even planning do they have the manpower then when someone wants to clear land because they're going to make a subdivision or make maybe make a house to then go out and see if there's any trees because right now until someone pulls a permit, then you go out and inspect the land to see if there's a tree.

Yes, and I'll actually defer to Mr. Alex Aguilar, but I believe our GIS manager is working on an application to do identification of these protected or heritage trees on site. So I'll turn it over to you.

Good evening. I'm Alex Aguilar. uh, in general, public works manager, mayor commissioners. Um, we do have the manpower to be able to do what we have to do to mitigate these trees before the permit comes out. We ask for, they, um, developers asked for a clear cut permit for us to go and check, make sure that the trees are in place, supposed to be in place. And we send one of our crews. We don't have a branch for forestry. We don't have inspectors. But we do have people that are trained, especially to go and check out trees, measure the calipers, make sure the species of the tree, and come back with a mitigation plan for them or to start talking to them about what trees they can remove, what trees they can't remove.

And is there a time frame between them pulling the permit and when you have to do that?

As soon as they pay for that clear-cut permit, we have about five days to go and check and make sure that whatever they put on that application is there. There are some questions that they have to answer. How many trees do you have that are higher or bigger than nine inch in caliber? So they have to put it down. We verify that information and make sure that it's done right within five days.

Okay. And so if they have to, whichever ones are protected, then you would mark? Yes.

So we tell them which ones are protected, which ones are native, and which ones are higher in caliber. Once we reach 12 inches, they're considered, remember, they're considered protected trees. Once they reach 24, they're considered heritage trees. So we identify the trees, we tell them what not to cut, what they can cut, and we start talking to plant development about mitigating those trees.

And my only other question would be enforcement. So, say someone does knock down a tree without consent from the city. Um, how do you then assess the fine?

So, when example we had when last year, um, we couldn't. Tell the size of the tree, because it was already cut, but we did measure the trunk that was left. so we look for the property owner we talked to them we got with code enforcement they issued out the the the ticket we are not ordinance officers we enforced their a penalty on them it was about forty five hundred dollars to the old way that we used to do seventy five dollars per caliber inch but so then you have to take them to court or So if they don't pay their fine, according to what the process that I understand, they don't pay their fine. They get, they get, you know what, through the mail, we've done it with our clear cut permits. Um, they don't pay somebody goes, knocks on their door here. You gotta go to court and municipal court and pay your fine. If you don't pay your fine, then it takes the process.

Okay, great. Thank you.

All right. Any other questions or comments from the commission?

I move to approve. Or is this a public?

We have a motion to approve.

Second.

And a second. Any further discussion? If not, all those in favor, please say aye. Aye. All those opposed say nay. Ayes have it. Motion carries. Thank you, everyone. Appreciate it very much. Thank you.

Thank you. Now we move on to the board appointments. Action number one. It is a discussion in action to acknowledge the compliance with the required boards and commissions, a personal financial statement, PFS filings as mandated by the code of ethics, chapter 38 of the code of ordinances. So the purpose of this item is to provide you with a compliance update in regards to the ethics ordinance, specifically to Chapter 38. In this ordinance, it does reference two sections, which one is the filing requirements, as well as the failure to timely submit the violations may be grounds for the removal. So who is required to file? So, to file is required on an annual basis, which is for the bodies of the City Commission, of the City Manager, of the City Auditor, of the City Attorney, GBIC board members, also known now as GBEDC, BCIC board members, the PUB board members, the Planning and Zoning Commission, and the Building and Standards and Zoning Board of Adjustments. Also, when is this due? This is an annual requirement that's due every year, and the deadline is April 30th by 5 p.m. There is an option to extend it based upon the city secretary's approval and their request to extend it, which must be submitted, and if it's submitted, it's up to 15 days.

And then what happens if it's not submitted?

It is failure to timely file this report.

It is a violation of the Chapter 38, our Code of Ethics.

The next slide does show the members, all of them are in compliant, excluding the last row, which is Board of Adjustments and Building Standards. All members from that board did submit, excluding the members that are listed, which is Alejandro Garcia Monroe, Ruben A. Martinez, and Jesus Flores are the three that I have not submitted thus far. I'll be happy to answer any questions. And these are up to your discretion as far as on the compliance part in relation to the Chapter 38 Code of Ordinance.

I'm assuming you try to reach out to those three individuals.

We did, based upon the ordinance too, we submitted the certified letters in writing to those members, as well as stayed in contact with the board liaisons to make sure that they were being notified and that communication effort were provided.

Have you reached out to whoever pointed them? I think I pointed one, I don't know.

Yes. The three I did provide, I can pull it up. for those three members out of out of I think it was what six we did get it you know get some responses which was great from our our message you would like to know the members that appointed those well I would like I don't want to put anybody on the spot I would like to know if one of them is mine yes I believe one is mine and I can reach out to you I'm pulling give me one second Sorry, I should have had it readily available. So Alejandro Moreno is District 4. Okay, perfect.

Thank you.

Ruben Martinez at Large A, Jesus Flores at Large B.

And there's been no communication from at least the District 4 one at all? Back to you.

Can you repeat that one?

There's been no communication from that way this way at all. from Alejandro Garcia Moreno towards you, nothing.

Not to my office, no. No communication. Can I appoint someone right now? Do what now?

Can I appoint someone right now or do we have to remove them?

From this point is on the compliance piece.

I would defer to legal, but just because you would have to wait for it to be on the agenda.

You go back one slide. I would say that we put it on the agenda for next time to reappoint or appoint different people that don't have their EFS on file.

Okay.

And then we can make that decision.

I'm going to have 15 days.

Thank you. Okay.

So we'll just put it back on the agenda for those three appointments for those three boards?

Yes. I guess you put it off. If they haven't appointed, you reappoint or appoint, right? Right. Kind of deal.

Because it'll be to serve that term period, that unexpired term. Correct. Definitely.

Okay.

And this item is an action item to acknowledge?

It was an action item to acknowledge.

I'll entertain a motion to acknowledge.

Yeah, we have a motion and second. Any further discussion? If not, all those in favor, please say aye. Aye. All those opposed say nay. Ayes have it. Motion carries.

The next item is the consideration in action on resolution number 2026-084 to appoint or reappoint members to the Brownsville Public Library System Advisory Board. This appointment is for Commissioner Macias. There is a vacancy to serve an unexpired term through December 31st, 2027.

I am going to appoint someone in the next meeting.

Okay, we'll table it to the July 7th meeting. Item number three is the consideration and action on resolution number 2026-061B to appoint or reappoint members to the Animal Regulation and Care Advisory Committee. This appointment goes to Commissioner Cárdenas.

I will reappoint Marcela Montemayor-Morris. Second. We have a motion and a second. Any further discussion?

If not, all those in favor, please say aye. Aye. All those against say nay. Ayes have it. Motion carried. Thank you.

The next appointment is in regards to resolution number 2026-68 to appoint or reappoint members to the bicycle and pedestrian advisory committee, BPAC. This appointment goes to Commissioner De Leon. There is a vacancy to serve an unexpired term throughout the end of this year.

Yes, I'm going to appoint Francisco Garvan. Second. All right, we have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? If not, all those in favor, please say aye. Aye. All those opposed say nay. Ayes have it. Motion carries.

The next item to consider is in regards to resolution number 2026-075 to appoint members to the Charter Review Committee. This appointment goes.

I will not appoint anybody on there. OK. Nobody will be appointed because it's over, so.

Yeah.

Alrighty, we'll move on to the next item. which is the Film Commission in regards to the resolution number 2026.076B to appoint or reappoint members to the Film Commission. This appointment goes to Commissioner Cardenas.

I will reappoint Juan de Becerra.

Second. All right, we have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? If not, all those in favor, please say aye. Aye. All those opposed say nay. Aye. Ayes have it. Motion carried.

Carries. Action item number seven is in regards to the resolution number 2026-077B to appoint or reappoint members to the Brownsville Convention and the Visitors Bureau. This appointment goes to Commissioner Cardenas as well.

I will reappoint Arturo Trevino. Second. All right. We have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? If not, all those in favor, please say aye. Aye. All those opposed, say nay. Ayes have it. Motion carries.

The next item is in consideration to resolution number 2026-81B to appoint or reappoint members to the Ethics Advisory Commission. There's 2 appointments for this 1 for commissioner and the other 1 for commissioner. 1, there is a vacancy to serve in an expired term for 2028 for at large B, and the. Other 1 is considered.

Yeah, so so I'm reappointing everybody basically, uh, reappointing. So, the reason that this happened is just because of the staggered miss, right? That's why I have everybody on correct. Thank you. Because, I mean, I appointed everybody about. 4 months ago.

Thank you, Commissioner. Any further discussion? If not, all those in favor, please say aye. Aye. All those opposed, say nay. Ayes have it. Motion carries.

And I'll appoint Sarah Stapleton-Barrera.

Is that motion? Second. Any further discussion? If not, all those in favor, please say aye. Aye. All those opposed, say nay. Ayes have it. Motion carries.

Perfect. That moves on to the next item is in consideration to resolution number 2026-082B to appoint or reappoint members to the Parks and the Recreation Advisory Board. Commissioner Cardenas.

On this one, I will appoint somebody new. His name is Joanne Rodriguez. Second.

We have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? If not, all those in favor, please say aye. Aye. All those opposed, say nay.

Aye.

Ayes have it. Motion carries.

and on my last one item is in regards to uh to resolution number 2026-083b to appoint or reappoint members to the paseo de la resaca lighting and landscaping maintenance district service plan board so i'll start on this one again i will reappoint dino chavez all right we have a motion do we have a second second i kind of think of myself i'll do a second all right we have a motion the second any further discussion if not all those in favor please say aye aye all those supposed to say nay

I just have a motion carries.

And then Commissioner De Leon.

Sorry. Can I go back? I'm so sorry to the parks and rec advisory board.

Go back one to which board parks and recs. One more. Keep going.

Commissioner Galanski just walked out, but I believe that Commissioner Galanski just appointed somebody last week. Not myself.

Yeah. So Skanda Galicia was appointed by Nerith Galanski. And then Ruben Santibanez was appointed by Commissioner Rose Gowan.

And my appointment wasn't up, which is Tito Mata. My appointment was up until July when I appointed him.

Your appointment, because of the staggered terms.

Yeah, but I did not appoint.

Oh, gotcha. Okay. Oh, gotcha. Okay. um let's check the records and then we'll get back if you don't mind giving us please yes okay you can look it up go ahead and go to the pastel no we have one more keep going next one next one okay give me the information on the slide you know

I'm going to pass to the next meeting on that one.

Okay, we'll table it.

That one, does it have to be a District 2 citizen or does that need to...

It's at your discretion.

No, I believe the city ordinance that we created last year was that the individual had to be from District 2 because it has taxation with representation because the individuals that live there pay for the tax called the Public Improvement District, which no other... It's a taxing unit within that area.

Yes, that is right.

Okay.

Isn't the composition those like certain members should live in the district and then certain ones can live outside the district. There's a certain number.

Yeah, I think you should just find it. Yeah, it's actually on the slide composition.

Go to the other it is. Yeah, no, no, no, no, no, no. Right there. The seven members shall be composed three of the members owning commercial or the residential.

With at least and it says within districts mayor at large a large B. And the reason for that was.

So the other four members.

The other four members can don't have to live. That's correct. I'm going to hold on mine till next meeting.

I thought, I don't know why, but that it was all of them had to be for the exception that the city would appoint one of the commissioners on there.

No, well, so in the ordinance that was adopted, we have at least three members owning commercial residential property. I mean, It is best that they live in the districts as they're assessing themselves.

Yeah, I think that that would be fair because the way that I view this, if you live outside of that precinct and you're not paying any taxes for it, I don't, I don't think that's fair to the ones that do. And there's thousands of residents that live there that would love to serve.

Right.

It's just my two cents.

This is the 2025 amendment we made to the

I can certainly provide that ordinance in the check-in for just, yeah, for the resolution, yes. Okay, so that item where the table Until July 7th. And the next appointment is in consideration to resolution number 2026-097 to appoint or reappoint members to serve an unexpired term on the Special Needs Advisory Board. This appointment goes to Commissioner Villarreal.

Yeah, I move to appoint Debbie Ann Perez.

Second. All right, we have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? If not, all those in favor, please say aye. Aye. All those opposed say nay. Ayes have it. Motion carries.

into executive session before we do i think just on the record can we clarify about the parks and rec board

So for the mayor is just, I'm not just mentioned to all the board members for the mayor is Luciana Morales. For our large A is Tito Mata. For our large B is Skanda Galicia. For district one is Rodrigo Quintero. For district two is Julio Martinez. District three is Gilbert Rodriguez. And district four is Dino Chavez.

Thank you. Yeah, my apologies on that. I believe you are up to date. Was that the correct name?

Yes. Thank you. It's just that I saw something. I said, whoa.

Yes, my apologies on that oversight. We'll get it updated. Thank you. Thank you.

Move to executive session. We have a motion and second for executive. Any further discussion? If not, all those in favor, say aye. Aye. Ayes have it.

we will enter into executive session on the following items number one is is closed session pursuant to the texas government code section 551.071 and 0.074 uh to uh to deliberate the appointment or employment or duties of a public officer and employee pertaining to the city manager number two is closed session pursuant to the texas government code section 551.074 related to the city attorney performance evaluation item number three um it's a closed session a pursuant to the texas government code 551.071 and 0.072 and 0.087 in regards to the united soccer league usl number four is closed session pursuant to the texas government code section 551.071 and 0.072 and 0.087 related to the project hot rod Number five is a closed session pursuant to the Texas government code section 551.071 related to project FBO. Item number six is a closed session pursuant to the Texas government code section 551.071 related to the collective bargaining agreement. with the Brownsville Police Officers Association. Charter number 290577-01. Item 7 is a closed session pursuant to Texas Government Code Section 551.071. In related to the CCAD, the property ID 30393, the time is 621 p.m. The City Commission is in executive session. We will return shortly.

Yeah. Will do.

May or may we reconvene into open session?

Yes, please.

The time is 10 oh 7 PM. We are back into open session from executive session. There is are there any possible action item from executive session? We'll start with number one that's listed is the consideration in action, if any, in related to the appointment or employment of a city manager and authorizing the mayor to negotiate or execute a contract with the appointed individual.

I'll move to a point to give the mayor a direction to authorization to negotiate a contract with Alan guard as city manager for two years.

All right. We have a motion. Do we have a second? Second. All right. We have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? If not, all those in favor, please say aye. Aye. All those opposed say nay. Ayes have it. Motion carries.

Possible action number two is consideration and action, if any, related to the city attorney's performance evaluation.

I'll move to proceed as discussed.

All right. We have a motion. Second. We have a motion and a second. Any further discussion?

not all those in favor please say aye aye all those opposed say nay i just have a motion carries item number three is action in uh in relation to the collective bargaining agreement with the brownsville police officers association charter two nine zero five seven seven dash zero one there's no action no action Next item is number four is action in related to the CCAD property ID 30393. There's no action on that one. I do want to make a note of that that Commissioner De Leon did recuse himself in the executive session. So just for the public awareness that concludes the possible or actually sorry, number five and six, which is a resolution of 2026.080. And two zero two six zero eight eight. Are there any possible action on action?

No action on those. And we'll enter into adjournment.

So we have a motion and a second to adjourn. All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. I just have it be adjourned, everyone.

We are adjourned at 10.09 p.m. Congratulations.