City Council - Regular Meeting

I've got an online link to be able to do that, or you can just call into City Hall and request that, and we'll get you scheduled for a 15-minute block if you'd like to come in and meet with me about anything that you want to discuss. Okay, the second is I have to apologize. I take full responsibility for the mistake that was sent out to all of the city employees regarding the premium rates, and it was absolutely a mistake. This is a new venture for the city. We just became self-funded a year ago. This is the first time that we have designed premium rates under a self-funded plan. In the past, we would always get quotes from a third-party insurer, generally Blue Cross Blue Shield, who would provide all this information for us, and we would have an enrollment period where the employees could come in, do their registrations, pick their coverages, and just kind of go forward from there. So last week, Friday, I believe, an email was sent out to city employees letting them know that enrollment was going to begin the following Monday and presenting a list of premium rates that showed, there's no other way to say it, massive increases across the different plans that were presented. But it was a mistake. There were several mistakes that were caught into why those rates were given out to employees. So just to give some comfort, hopefully pause, to the city employees out here, those are not the final rates. We are reviewing those. We see a way to not have to be able to increase premium rates to the extent that had been proposed in that Friday email. And I just want to say that I personally take full responsibility for this. Our city staff works really hard. Our HR department has gone through great lengths to really dive through the numbers of our self-funded plan. City management has done a great job putting this budget together. We've all talked about how proud we are of the budget. This one particular issue on the premium rates, it just wasn't something that I personally had reviewed before it went out. So I take 100 percent responsibility that the mistake was not caught before it was sent out to employees. Really, really sorry about that. But I can assure you that we are working on a solution. It will not be what was presented to you. And so what the new revised rates will be coming out very soon and it will be nowhere near what was presented last Friday. So, again, I just want to apologize on behalf of the city, on behalf of myself. to all the city employees, we value you, we care about you, and we're really, really, really sorry that we put so many employees and their families under stress. And again, I take full responsibility for that. Okay, now let's move on to some celebratory stuff. I suppose that there will be some people coming up making public comments about this, which we're happy to hear. But first, let's take up some proclamations and recognize some groups that deserve the recognition. If we could, on 6A, we do have a proclamation to recognize our Beast Mode 6U Select Softball Team for winning the 2026 McAllen Pony International World Series Championship. So if we could please have the team come up to the front. We'll present you with a proclamation. City Secretary, if you could read the proclamation, we'll take some pictures with you all.

Yes, Your Mayor. Beast Mode 6U Select Softball Team. Whereas Beast Mode 6U Select Softball is an Edinburgh-based youth softball organization that trains and develops young athletes at the Beast Lab training facility in Edinburgh, Texas, with a commitment to teaching the fundamentals of softball while emphasizing teamwork, discipline, sportsmanship, accountability, and character. And whereas in July 2026, the Beast Mode 6U Select Softball team proudly represented the city of Edinburgh at the McAllen Pony International World Series, competing against top teams from across the United States and Mexico. And whereas through determination, resilience, teamwork, and fearless play, the Beast Mode 6U softball team captured the 2026 McAllen Pony International World Series Championship in the 6U division, bringing international recognition and pride to the city of Edinburgh. And whereas after suffering their only loss of the tournament on Saturday, the Beast Mode 6U softball team entered the championship on Sunday with their backs against the wall, needing to win three consecutive elimination games to earn the title. Through great resilience and unwavering determination, They rose to the challenge and completed an unforgettable championship run to capture the 2026 McAllen Pony International World Series Championship. And whereas this remarkable achievement reflects the countless hours of dedication from the players, the commitment of their coaches, the unwavering support of their families, and the community that continues to invest in youth athletics, leadership, and sportsmanship. And whereas the Beast Mode 6U Select Softball Team is made up of an outstanding group of young athletes, number one, Miranda Rodriguez, number three, Miquela Garza, number four, Mylene Sanchez, number five, Legacy Alejandro, number seven, Alexa Ramirez, number 11, Danai Lozoya, number 12, Laia Hernandez, number 14, Mari Campos, number 21, Mariana Rodriguez, number 30, Jade Perez, number 44, Sofia Limas, and number 77, Daisy Escalante. The team is led by head coaches Pedro Rodriguez and Randy Ramirez and assistant coaches Agustin Lozoya, Rolly Perez, and Christopher Alejandro. And whereas the Edinburgh City Council proudly recognizes the accomplishments of the Beast Mode 6U Select Softball Team, whose dedication, perseverance, and championship spirit have brought honor and distinction to the City of Edinburgh because serving as an inspiration to young athletes throughout the community. Now, therefore, the Mayor and Council of the City of Edinburgh, Texas, by power of a citizen and by law, do hereby recognize the Beast Mode 6U Select Softball Team for winning the 2026 McAllen Pony International World Series Championship and encourage all residents to join in celebrating these outstanding student athletes, coaches, and families for their hard work, dedication, and exceptional achievement.

Awesome job, ladies. Appreciate you all. Would anybody like to say anything? Coaches?

Players?

This is your time.

Yeah?

Yeah? All right, thank you all so much. We love our youth. Being very involved in sports, we have a very robust Parks and Rec program. Super proud of everything that you all accomplished. Thank you for putting Edinburgh on the map, ladies. Thank you all. Okay, next item that we've got is a presentation, a proclamation to the Edinburgh Rogue Boxing Team for their state and national titles. So we can have the team come up here to the front. And if the secretary could read the caption.

Yes, your mayor. Rogue Boxing Team. Whereas the City of Edinburgh Rogue Boxing Team demonstrated exceptional talent, determination, and sportsmanship through a highly successful month of competition in July and August, 2026. And whereas from July 9th through 12th, 2026, the City of Edinburgh Rogue Boxing Team traveled to Houston, Texas to compete in the Gulf Coast National Championships bringing a team of six boxers and returning home with four national champions and two runners-up. And whereas the Gulf Coast National Championship runners-up were Orlando Garza and Pedro Oliveira, while Anthony Flores, Emiliano Corral, Joaquin Castaneda, and Sebastián Oliveira captured first-place national championship titles in their respective divisions. And whereas from July 24 to 26, 2026, the City of Edinburgh Grove Boxing Team traveled to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to compete in the Rival National Championship, facing elite competition and proudly earning two finalist honors and one national championship title. And whereas Anthony Flores and Sebastián Oliveira advanced to the finals at the Rival National Championship, while Orlando Garza captured the national championship title, further demonstrating the skilled discipline and competitive spirit of the Rogue Boxing Team. And whereas from July 31st to August 2nd, 2026, the City of Edinburgh Rogue Boxing Team concluded the month by traveling to College Station, Texas, to compete in the Games of Texas State Tournament, bringing a team of seven boxers and earning five first-place championships and two runner-up finishes. And whereas the Games of Texas State Tournament champions were Orlando Garza, Pedro Oliveira, Sebastián Oliveira, Irene Cano, and Mateo Corral, and Anthony Flores and Emiliano Corral earned runner-up honors. And whereas the outstanding accomplishments of the City of Edinburgh Rogue Boxing Team throughout these competitions reflect Countless hours of training, discipline, perseverance, dedication, and sportsmanship bringing pride and recognition to the City of Edinburgh and stand as a testament to the commitment of the team members and the leadership and dedication of their coaches, Rolando Garza and Anthony Aguirre, Javier Garza, Director of Parks and Recreation, Eric Molina, Assistant Director, and Martin Martinez, Parks and Recreation Head Instructor, whose guidance and support have helped develop these athletes both inside and outside the rink. Our words, the City of Edinburgh is proud to recognize the Rogue Boxing Team for representing our community with excellence, hard work, determination, and sportsmanship while competing at the national and state levels. Now, therefore, the Mayor and City Council of the City of Edinburgh, Texas, by power vested in my law, do hereby recognize the Rogue Boxing Team for outstanding accomplishments during the 2026 summer competition season and congratulate the boxers, coaches, and families for their dedication and commitment to excellence.

All right, thank you, gentlemen. Coach?

Good evening. Javier Garza, Director of Parks and Recreation. Real quick, we're very proud to announce we have five national titles and two state titles here with us today. Very talented group. This didn't start yesterday or last year. It started in the 80s with Martín Martínez coming up. Branded Rogue Boxing, but it's actually a seat of Edinburgh Parks and Recreation, and the Rogue Boxing was created by Martín Martínez in the 80s. 90s, 2000s. It took a little dip in the COVID era, but we're back. This is the strongest team we've had ever with some national champs here, and I want to give a little credit to Martin here to come up and say a few words on behalf of our Parks and Recreation, City of Edinburgh, Rogue Boxing Team. Martin.

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, mayor, council, Martin Martinez at your service. First of all, I would like to thank God, second, the parents of these young kids, and of course, my bosses, and you all, because without you and without your vision seeing through our eyes, this wouldn't be happening right now. But most of all, I give thanks to these young men that they had the courage, not knowing if they would be coming out on top, but they stepped up, stepped over that line, and put their fist up, and they let it rain, and they came back with belts in their hands. Thank you, ladies and gentlemen. Here's Mr. Rolando Garza. Also say some words.

Good evening, guys. My name's Coach Rolando Garza, one of the boxing instructors here for the City of Edinburgh Boxing Program. Thank you all for recognizing, taking the time and recognizing our athletes, our boxing athletes. We've been working really hard as coaches and as boxers. We set ourselves some goals. We are in the process of completing some of those goals. We have already done the Games of Texas and the Nationals. Our ultimate goal is to be recognized get the city of Edinburgh recognized in USA boxing. So that's our main goal. So we're at it. We're going to keep working hard. And I want to thank Tony Aguirre and the rest of the coaches for being part of our goal. And thanks to our athletes that they come in every day and train hard. Thank you very much, guys. Thank you, athletes.

Thank you all.

One last thing. Eric Molina, the assistant director of Parks and Recreation. These kids, watching them train, watching what Martin Martinez has built here in the city of Edinburgh. I mean, it's just a magical thing. I've said this for a while. The city of Edinburgh has never had an official world champion professional. We could have one here. The city is full of amazing talent, especially in this sport. So I want to just thank the mayor council for always getting behind the Junior Olympics, the boxing event at the Fourth of July event. and just all these events and giving these kids the opportunity to go out and compete. Thank you, guys. Thank you.

Gentlemen, anybody want to say anything? You don't have to, but the floor is yours if anybody would like to say anything.

Hello, Anthony Aguirre. Everyone called me Coach Tony. Just want to say a big shout out to all these guys just doing what I can to help everybody here. I have great, great, great mentors in Coach Martín, Coach Rolo, and our directors, of course, helping a younger coach envision what I have and plan going on with all these guys. It's been an excellent experience here with City of Vanderbilt Parks and Rec. Excellent. All right.

Gentlemen, young men, thank you guys for everything that you do. You all are warriors in the ring. I hope you are warriors for your community when you walk out of it, right? Make sure you give back to your community in addition to what it is that you're doing for yourselves. And thank you so much for putting Edinburgh on the map. And you all know this to be true already, right? But you all are second to nobody. You can beat anybody that you walk into that ring with. Edinburgh has got a great tradition of boxers. And you're being coached by some really, really great ones. So keep up the great work. Keep up that hard work. Thank you all for making us proud.

Thank you.

Next item is a proclamation recognizing our South Texas Health System, Edinburgh, for winning Best Regional Hospital Award from US News and World Report the fifth year in a row. If you all can come up to the front. Madam Secretary, if you could read the proclamation.

Mr. Mayor, South Texas Health System Edinburgh, whereas the health, safety, and overall well-being of our citizens depends significantly on the availability of top-tier reliable health care facilities within our community, and whereas South Texas Health System Edinburgh has once again demonstrated its unwavering dedication to clinical excellence, patient safety, and compassionate medical service, and whereas U.S. News and World Report, a leading authority on national hospital rankings, has officially designated South Texas Health System Edinburgh as the 2026-2027 Best Regional Hospital, ranking it number 30 in the state of Texas. And whereas this prestigious achievement marks the fifth consecutive year that STHS Edinburgh has earned a coveted spot on the list, standing proudly as the only hospital in the Rio Grande Valley to receive this regional recognition for 2026-2027. And whereas STHS Edinburgh has additionally been honored by U.S. News & World Report as the Best Regional Hospital for Community Access for the third consecutive year, making it one of only 73 hospitals nationwide and one of only five in Texas to be recognized for exceptional care delivered to underserved and diverse populations. And worse, this standard of excellence is a direct result of the relentless work, expertise, and profound dedication of the physicians, nurses, administrators, and support staff who serve at STHS Edinburgh. Now, therefore, the Mayor and City Council of the City of Edinburgh, Texas, by a power vested in them by law, do hereby recognize South Texas Health System Edinburgh and the entire STHS team for their outstanding contributions to local health care and for continuously ensuring that the residents of Edinburgh and the broader Rio Grande Valley receive world-class medical treatment close to home.

All right. Lance, congratulations to you and your team.

Please, the floor is yours. Thank you so much. We are so honored to be here and we're grateful for our city leadership. We also, working in the healthcare field, see you all very engaged in our community. We know we can call you with the smallest needs when it comes to waste disposal or the biggest needs that we need with our hospital. We appreciate seeing you at our community events and having a city leadership team that is engaged as you all are means a lot to our community. As a hospital, we're here to help grow along with the city of Edinburgh and the entire Rio Grande Valley. This recognition for five years in a row now, it means a lot to us. U.S. News and World Report is a significant report. Our focus every single day is quality. It's patient experience, and we are relentlessly focused on making sure that we bring not just the best care to the Rio Grande Valley, but bringing nationally recognized best practices to the valley so that we really can get the very best care here at home. As you can see, today we have a large group. I'm grateful to have leadership from the hospital as well as several physicians. If you could just raise your hand really quick. We are so fortunate to have the medical expertise in this community, and you should know how hard everyone here works, whether it's taking call 24-7, answering the calls in the middle of the night, using the training we've all received in many different places across the country to really, again, provide that outstanding care that our families, our friends need here in the community. That's what we're all about. We all love what we do. We're passionate about it, and we're excited to be able to serve this wonderful community. So thank you for your support, and we're excited for many more years to come. Excellent.

And thank you all for everything that you do. You're a wonderful hospital, right? And that's a testament for the five years of being recognized by this award. That's not easy to do. It's not something that just happens, right? But to be consistently able to do this says a lot about the quality of care. But I say this a lot, especially when you invite me to come out to your events, because it's absolutely true. It's not just about the quality of care that South Texas gives. It's the heart that you have for the community, all the events that you put on, the services that you do, the personal touch that you give to each patient when they come into the door. We see that. I see that. I really recognize the leadership that you've brought right here to the hospital, the great job that your team does. and we're just so fortunate to have South Texas Health System here in Edinburgh. I like to call us Medical City RGV because we have some wonderful healthcare systems, so we really appreciate what it is that you all do for us.

Thank you very much.

Lance, I'd like to say a few words. Being in the medical community, for those that don't know, I've been a paramedic my whole life, so I've seen what this hospital has done, what it's grown from. It was initially a small hospital here, and then, of course, the advancements. But what's happened in the last few years the investment. On a personal note, I've taken all my family there. I've seen what the nurses do. I know what you guys go through. Really, really great. So let's put things in context. We had championship rings. We had heavyweight belts. And this is a heavyweight belt for five years in a row in the hospitals. Thank you very much. Congratulations to you and your team. Thank you, Kenita. Thank you. Thank you.

OK. All right, next item we have on the agenda are public comments. Madam Secretary?

Yes, Your Mayor. Good evening, everyone. The Edinburgh City Council allows for a specific portion of the City Council meeting to be dedicated to public comments. Public comments are limited to three minutes. I'll be taking time. Please note the public comment period is not interactive. The Council may not respond to public comments. At this time, Mayor and Council, there are six public comments. The first public comment is Mr. Silva regarding public safety concerns.

Testing.

Sorry I've always wanted to say that. Do I know when is like the timer.

Oh please go ahead. You should be able to see the time right now.

Good evening gentlemen and council members of the board. My name is Elijah Silva. I would like to start by saying I've been a resident of Edinburgh for almost two decades now and throughout the years I've seen many positive changes within our city and community. I would like to start by asking a question. Now let's just say you went out of town. You went out with your family. You were just roaming the streets. But as soon as you left, you were being watched, filmed even. Now you may find this weird, but you continue on your day. It's like everywhere you go, you're continuously being filmed. Well, this brings me to the topic of today's discussion, flock cameras. Flock safety cameras are AI-licensed plate readers. They capture passing vehicle plate numbers, the descriptions, the dates, times, and locations. Their purpose is to assist law enforcement recover stolen vehicles, locate criminal suspects, and help determine any crime. Now, supposedly, immigration agencies aren't given direct access to this footage. However, many law enforcement agencies still continue to give assisted access. I would like to state I'm a firm supporter of law enforcement and border security. Isn't it insulting to our officers on having them rely on dystopian surveillance technology? Now, according to the Institute of Justice, there has been at least 27 documented cases since 2018 in which officers, or sorry, in which automated license plate readers contributed to innocent civilians being stopped, detained, or even jailed. As stated in the Texas Tribune, there has been at least 28 cases or police officers use flock to stalk romantic interests. Two of the flock cases were in Texas, one of which an officer used flock to stalk a female colleague. Now this to me doesn't seem like the America I know. It feels as if we were living in North Korea or China. Now imagine that, gentlemen. Everywhere you go, you are being filmed and surveilled. Could you imagine your child being perverted in public? Now, I live near many families with kids, and it absolutely kills me knowing there's disgusting animals doing ungodly things with this new surveillance technology. Now, I did not come here to spread harm and chaos, but I do come with love and civility. But I must remind you, gentlemen, that you were the ones who enacted with this tyrannical surveillance. And to quote Benjamin Franklin, those who would give up essential liberties to purchase a little Temporary safety deserves neither liberty nor safety. With that in mind, gentlemen, I would hope you could...

Thank you, Mr. Silva. Thank you. The next public comment is Raul Rangel regarding item 10A, Sacred Heart Church.

Good evening, gentlemen, and thank you so much for all the work you do for our city But on behalf of Sacred Heart, I want to extend an extra thank you to you all for the support you have given us there at Sacred Heart Church throughout the years. This coming Saturday, we will be celebrating our annual Kermes, and I wanted to thank the support that you have given us in preparation for that, and extend an invitation not only to you all, but to the great community of Wittenberg, who has for over 100 years been a great support for our community. Also, on our behalf of our 100-year committee, I want to ask you all to please continue to keep an eye out. We will be sending out for you all, let's save the date, of our 100-year anniversary as a parish, while we have been a church for more than 100 years, as an established parish in February, This 6th, we will be celebrating our 100th year anniversary. So we will be extending an invitation to the City Council to join us for that evening of celebration on that great day. But this coming Saturday, we invite the Council and the great community of Edinburgh to come and join us for some great live music, some great food, and some fun for our children during this time. I want to thank the community who will be helping us set up and be prepared for that. Many of our high school students have volunteered to come and join us in the morning to be a part of that great event. So thank you all on behalf of Sacred Heart community and all that you do for each and every one of us. God bless you all.

The next public comment is Billy Dillard regarding Carnival Ride License.

Is that for me?

My name's Billy Dillard. I live in Edinburgh. I've been here since 1979 when my family moved from up north. I own Cool Breeze Rental Company. I'm the owner-operator. My background is in the carnival industry. I'm here for, to give you some information and maybe even some educational things that you don't know pertaining to amusement ride regulations that is set in the state of Texas and particularly for Edinburgh. What I want to give you is this is primarily for what we do. I rent different things out but I also have some children's rides. The amusement ride regulation industry in Texas is regulated by the Texas Department of Insurance. They have their own entity for amusement rides. They have Class A, which is the permanent rides that you see at Worlds of Fun or Disneyland. And then you have the portable rides, which is a Class B. In order for you to get a permit for an amusement ride device, for whatever it is, an inflatable, a slide, a zip line, a mechanical ride, any of that, you need to get a license. In order to get the license, you have to have insurance. You have to meet the the minimum requirement of insurance set by the state. You have to have your rides inspected by a certified state inspector, and then you have to have those rides listed with your insurance company and the Department of Amusement Rides. My point is, there's so many different people here that are not qualified to operate. There's a lot of people that don't know what you're supposed to do in order for you to comply with the state of Texas. It's so easy and simple. We have a lot of mom-and-pop operations. We have a lot of different companies that are in non-compliance. If you have a car, you have a license to drive it. You have to have insurance. If you're gonna build an apartment.

Thank you, Mr. Tiller.

Thank you for your time. I appreciate it.

The next public comment is Ms. Fern McCarty regarding taxpayers' money.

Good evening, gentlemen. I have had a hot day, and it's not weather-wise either. This morning, me and half of the county sheriff's officers were at the commissioner's court meeting. The commissioners were trying to convince the people that they needed to increase their salaries, and I'll make this short. It did not work. The commissioners are giving themselves 16.6% raise. The county judge only wants a mere 15%. The rest of the elected officials receive a 12% increase, but the general population will receive 5% increase. A 5% increase may sound good, but the property tax increase is 9.78%. So they can work for the county, but they cannot afford to own property. So why am I talking about the county at a city meeting? Because when we pay our taxes, they just say, here's the bill. not due to you, whatever. We'll do it the easy way. We'll do it the hard way. When I come to these meetings, I do not mind that they say, here comes Fern. She wants the city to lower the property taxes. Yes, I do. She wants the city to pay the employees more. Yes, I do. We fund projects that make us feel good until we have to pay the bill. $7 million for employment center at the golf course. The state has had a fully staffed employment center in Edinburgh for 10 years. The answer is always, don't worry. It was built with COVID or EDC money. I don't know if you all know where that money comes from, but it's the taxpayers. All money available to local governments come from the people. So if infrastructure is a priority, why not spend it on projects that make life easier? We want a government that works to make life better. Selling bonds and increasing taxes makes life more difficult. And tonight I'm glad that you fixed your mistake that you did because it was really going to hurt the way it was stated a lot of people in the city. And y'all were put up there by each one of the voters. So we need y'all to take care, look at what's going on with the employment insurance, whether it be in that we're paying them a good salary. and especially law enforcement. As I said today, I had a problem because the county sheriff's deputies make little over $55,000. They go to the county, go through the academy, and then they come to Edinburgh so they can get $70,000, and 67 at McAllen. And then if they go to DPS, they get a lot more. So we at the county need to do a better job, and I'm hoping you're watching our police officers here today. I also signed up for 11A, okay? And I'm hoping, I was told possibly it was pulled. I'm not sure. But I'm hoping that you did the background and looked at the paperwork. That was the weirdest thing I have ever seen. They promised one thing on 11 and 122. Then on January 13, 23, they changed it. Then they changed it again. in the primary plot in March 14th, 2023. So it looks like to me, somebody's not telling the truth of what they're trying to do. So I'm glad you pulled it. I hope you do your homework and check it because I don't trust what's going on. Thank you.

The next public comment is Roberto Cuellar regarding details of Choon Gulf management contract.

Ladies and gentlemen, honorable mayor, honorable councilman, I guess you know by now, Roberto Cuellar, citizen of the poor side of Edinburgh, north side, where nothing happens over there. Anyway, on the last council meeting, I overheard the conversation about the contract given out to a true corporation. to manage the two golf courses owned by the city of Edinburgh, okay? Which, to me, that's a management contract, okay. Nobody's an expert on running golf courses, but the gentleman, and I'll call him Mr. Troon for the lack of not knowing his name, he stood up here and said that he was gonna make, they were gonna have a improvement on the Ebony Golf Course of, and going to spend $7.2 million. Okay, $7.2 million, all without the help or the cost to the taxpayer. That got my ears up. As my dad, my dad had only a first grade education, but he taught me one thing, son, nothing is free. If you don't pay upfront, somebody or somewhere, you're going to pay for it. Nothing is free. I'm finding out that the improvement to Ebony, which I'll get into something else because I did an unscientific survey of why people don't play there. I met some golfers. And we're spending $7.2 million to renovate a useless golf course under the guise of the Workforce Reserve Center. I looked up on Google and looked up at all the fanfare that banned October, how it was going to be great because it was going to be a Workforce Resource Center. Now, why in the world does a Workforce Center have to do with golfing? Somebody's trying to improve the golf without under the guise of the resource center, which is a clubhouse, going to build a clubhouse, two stories. The first story is for the golf. The second story is for the resource center. $7.2 million. Now, if everybody was interested in the workforce resource center, $7.2 million can go a long way TO GET THE YOUTH OF THE CITY WORKING AND TEACHING THEM AND TRAINING THEM GOOD JOBS. NOT FOR SOMEBODY'S GOLF COURSE. OKAY?

THANK YOU, MR. CLARE. THE NEXT PUBLIC COMMENT IS DIANE TEETER REGARDING TAXES, BUDGET, AND HEALTH CARE.

GOOD EVENING, DIANE TEETER. I'd like to give my view of the city's proposed tax rate from a fiscally conservative standpoint, one rooted in memory and by current events. It wasn't long ago that the COVID-19 pandemic upended every assumption cities had about stability. Federal relief kept essential services afloat, but that was a one-time lifeline. Since then, we've seen extreme weather, water security concerns, and now health care concerns. Effective today, the federal freezing of $9.8 billion in Medicaid funding, including the Comprehensive Hospital Increase Reimbursement Program, CHRP, inflicts an immediate $27 million daily shortfall on Texas safety net hospitals. For Edinburgh, this federal contraction creates an escalating local crisis. While our hospitals remain legally obligated to treat Medicaid patients, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act cuts off the critical federal match that multiplies our local provider tax dollars. As hospitals face unsustainable losses, projected service reductions in neonatal care, behavioral health, and rural art outreach will immediately shift the burden onto our municipal systems. Anberg taxpayers will absorb the fallout through strained EMS, police, and public health resources. Constrained by the state's 3.5% revenue cap, the city cannot easily raise funds to cover this downstream shortfall. Fiscal conservatism isn't just about keeping taxes low. It's about maintaining financial resilience to survive the next crisis without gutting fire, police, drainage, or water infrastructure. Yes, Edinburgh is growing and growth brings obligations, but a responsible tax rate is not a burden. It is insurance. It's how we safeguard the gains we've already earned. UTRGV football shows what happens when a city invests wisely. Thousands of visitors, packed venues, and surge of local spending. Strong communities don't happen by accident. They happen because we choose to fund what works and keep an eye on the future. I urge the council to adopt a rate that keeps Edinburgh prepared, protected, and positioned to thrive. Thank you.

There are no further comments, Mayor.

All right. No further comments. We will move on. Council, if I may, I'd like to take up the ordinances first under Section 10, because I know we have visitors here with their events who would like to do that. First item, 10A. Secretary, can you read the caption?

Yes, Your Mayor. Consider ordinance providing for a temporary special use permit for Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Anio Kermes, to be held Saturday, September 5, 2026, as described, located at 216 North 16th, Straight at Sacred Heart Catholic Church as requested by Sacred Heart Catholic Church.

Move to approve. Second. Motion and a second to approve. Any discussion? I know you're ready to come up and talk about the Kermes, but anything else you'd like to say about it? Everyone's invited. Yes.

I invite everybody to come join us. Hopefully the weather will continue to be cooperative and hopefully we'll have a breeze.

Excellent. Thank you. All right. Motion and a second. Any further discussion? Hearing none, all those in favor of the motion, raise your right hand. All those opposed? All right, motion passes. Next item, 10B. The secretary can read the caption.

Consider ordinance provided for a temporary special use permit for the sixth annual HCDA Brights March to be held on Saturday, October 24th, 2026 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Hidalgo County Criminal District Attorney's Office Victims Unit as described located at 107 North 10th Avenue as requested by Daniel Gonzalez on behalf of Hidalgo County District Attorney's Office.

Motion approved. Second.

Motion and a second. Is there any representatives from this event? Would you like to say anything about it? No? All right. Okay. Great event. Everybody make it out. October 24th, 8 a.m. to noon. It'll be here at the Hidalgo County District Attorney's Office. Just not far down the street. So hopefully you all will make it out for this. All right. Any discussion on this item? All right. Okay.

The one with the heels. Tell everybody to bring their heels. Is this the right one? No?

No. This is a different one. This is a bride's march, right, so wear white. Wear white. Why don't you come up? Don't be shy.

So October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and this will be our sixth annual. There at the DA's office, we march from the Annex building all the way to the Domestic Violence Unit, which is located right here on 107 North 10th Street here in Edinburgh. And this reference to... A victim, back in 1999, she was tragically murdered by her ex-partner. While her fiancé, her husband-to-be, was in the altar, the ex pretty much ransacked into her home and killed her. So we've done this. It's out of the state of Illinois. Her name is Gladys Ricard, and y'all are more than welcome to Google her. So everyone is invited.

Thank you. Thank you for having this event. Thank you. Okay, there's a motion and a second. All those in favor of the motion, raise your right hand. All those opposed. All right, motion passes. Thank you. All right, we'll go back now to the public hearing item under Section 8A. If the Secretary could read the caption.

Hold public hearing. Consider the ordinance providing for the special use permit for on-premise consumption of alcoholic beverages for late hours as described located at 225 East Connell Street as requested by Barlicks LLC.

Okay, public hearing is now open on this item. Anybody wishing to speak for or against can come forward. All right, seeing none, the public hearing is now closed. Is there a motion on this item?

Motion to approve.

Second. Motion and a second to approve. Is there any discussion? I believe this is the permit for Las Almas, correct? Okay.

Yes, Mayor. Jaime Acevedo, Planning and Zoning Director. This is the alcohol permit for Las Palmas. It's going to be a new center here at 225 East Canal Street.

Yeah, very excited about that eatery. It'll be 10 different restaurant locations inside of this food hall. I believe two to four retailers. Really, really great project for downtown Edinburgh. Super excited about it. So I'm glad they're investing in downtown Edinburgh.

I think the representatives are here. I don't know if they want to come up and say something about the restaurants.

We're definitely super excited about opening. We should be opening up within the month. Maybe a little bit longer. But we're very grateful to the City of Edinburgh and y'all support. I know we've been very busy. So thank you all and looking forward to seeing you guys there. Y'all have a great rest of your day.

Thank you so much. All right. Any further discussion on this item? Okay. Seeing none, let's vote. All those in favor of the motion to approve, raise your right hand. All those opposed? All right. Motion passes. Next item are the items under 9, section 9, public hearing routine items. As a reminder, these are items where the staff recommendation and the Planning and Zoning Commission's vote are aligned, and there are no written comments in opposition to staff's recommendation and the Planning and Zoning Commission. So in essence, these items are moving towards the recommended action. So if you are in favor of the recommended action, you don't necessarily have to come up, but you can. If you're against the recommended action, then you should come up to let us know about that. So we'll now open the public hearings on items 9A and B. Anybody wishing to come up to speak on items 9A or B can do so. Okay, seeing none, the public hearing is now closed. Is there a motion to approve the recommendation on items 9A and B? So moved.

Second.

Motion and a second. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor of the motion, raise your right hand. All those opposed? All right, motion passes. Next item is the item under the variance, 11A. Now, I know that there was a request to pull this item, to table it, so that it could be reconsidered. But if we could, can I get a motion to suspend the rules just so we can get some additional information?

Motion to suspend?

Second. Motion and a second to suspend the rules. Any objection to that motion? Hearing none, motion passes. So they're asking to move this to another meeting?

Yes, Mayor and Council, they're asking to be heard at the September 15th meeting. There's been some developments this afternoon where they got a response back on some of the utility work from our utilities director, Jerry Carmona. So based on that new information, I believe they want to move forward as presented in this variance, but they want to wait until September the 15th. Okay. But they are here in the audience.

Okay. I know that the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended denial. I think it was a vote of five to one. I know staffs are also recommending denial. So it's possible the council could take action tonight. Let me ask this. I know Ms. McClarity already spoke on this item. Was there anybody else who was here tonight that wanted to speak on this item? Not necessarily the applicant, but anybody else? Because if we do decide to table this and move forward, I don't want to have to make you come back. for the next meeting. We can hear you out now if you had wanted to speak on this.

Okay.

All right. No? All right. Okay. Any other questions or discussion from the council?

I did have a question, Jaime. I saw that, I know there's a history to it, but the current, I'm just looking at what they're asking today, they wanted a variance to make some lots smaller in order to make other lots larger, but it didn't specify numbers. Do you have that?

No, basically what they're doing is they're cutting about 16 lots in half and making them two lots instead of one. So they're cutting the square footage of the majority of the lots. I think three of them meet code, but the other ones along the interior street are being proposed to be cut in half.

The way it was presented in the packet is that they were trying to make some smaller so they could make others larger. That's not how it is? No, not necessarily, no.

When I talked to you earlier, because I had a question about this, One of the things that you had said was they planned on cutting some lots, and they were going to need a variance. They decided not to go that route after all?

That's correct. I spoke to a representative of the developer this morning, and there was two thoughts that were going on around that time. And one of them was to eliminate five lots. That way, the remaining lots would meet code. They wouldn't need a variance. The other, I guess, that they were kind of considering was going back to the original plan, because there's already a recorded plan for the subdivision. But since then, there's been a little change of their opinion, and they might proceed as presented here tonight.

So if we were to take a vote and deny this, it might behoove them to go back to the original plan, or like Councilman Lozano said, that maybe go back to something that doesn't require variance? At that point, then it wouldn't need to come in front of the council.

Okay, that's all I have.

Any other discussion? No? Okay, so we have a motion to suspend the rules, but we have no motion on action. Is there a motion to take action on this item, either to approve, deny, or to table?

I'll make a motion to deny, following P&Z and staff's recommendation.

Motion to deny. Is there a second?

So instead of tabling, you're going to?

There's a motion to deny. Is there a second? Okay, hearing none, there's no second. Okay, motion cannot take action on that. Is there any other motion?

Make the motion to table.

Motion to table. Is there a second?

I'll second that.

Okay, motion to table and a second. Any discussion on this? Would you like to hear? Yes, please. The applicant? If you'd like to come up and speak.

Isidro Fernandez representing HLG Plan Review Services. And basically the yes like Mr. Acevedo mentioned the request for the item to be tabled is basically to visit with staff and go over the options. I know there were some concerns about utilities and we were able to clear that with Mr. Carmona and that will be part of the concerns they had at the planning and zoning. And also, we would like to take the opportunity to revisit with staff and go over some additional information that may be useful for our next available meeting. That way, for your consideration, we would be very pleased for the item to be tabled tonight.

Thank you.

Okay, any other discussion, questions, anything else?

I guess my question I have is if there's going to be a solution that not to, you know, to follow our codes, is there a possibility of a solution for that?

That's always a possibility, Councilman, if they comply with the rules. The elimination of the five lots would basically bring the others into compliance. That's always an option, though.

And is that something that's going in that direction?

your conversation i'm not sure this one's been back and forth as you saw we included a timeline in the packet and uh it's gone back and forth quite a bit of times in the past two three years so if they eliminate those five lots they don't need a variance they don't need anything from us it appeared that they wouldn't need a variance at that time because they would meet the minimum square footage of a townhome lot okay right and just for the record that's that's why i made the motion to deny because it sounds like they do have options to stick to code um so i hope that the motion would

kind of help fast-track it for them.

Mr. Well, hopefully we could come to an agreement and not bring this item back. We can just pull it privately.

Mr. And that's why I voted for table, but I didn't have the vote.

Mr. All right. Any other discussion? Okay. There is a motion to table and a second. All those in favor, raise your right hand. All those opposed? All right. Motion passes, items tabled. Next item is 12, economic development. If the city secretary could read the caption.

CONSIDER RESOLUTION NOMINATING ASTECA MILLING LP LOCATED AT 501 WEST CHAPIN STREET FOR HALF ENTERPRISE PROJECT STATUS TO THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND TOURISM.

IS THERE A MOTION ON THIS ITEM?

MOTION TO APPROVE.

SECOND.

MOTION AND A SECOND. ANY DISCUSSION OR QUESTIONS ON THIS ITEM?

NO. OKAY.

HEARING NONE.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF THE ITEM, RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND. ALL OPPOSED. SAME SIGN. MOTION PASSES. NEXT IS THE CONSENT AGENDA. ITEMS A, B, AND C. CAN I GET A MOTION TO APPROVE?

SO MOVE.

All right. Motion and a second to approve. Any discussion on this? Okay. All those in favor of the motion, raise your right hand. All those opposed? Motion passes. Next item is other business. Any other business proposed by the City Council? Okay. Next item is executive session. Can I get a motion to enter executive session?

So moved.

All right. Motion and a second. Any objection to the motion? Hearing none, motion passes. We are now in executive session. Time is 7 p.m.

CONSULTATION WITH CITY ATTORNEY. ITEM B, CONSULTATION WITH CITY ATTORNEY REGARDING PERSONAL MATTERS. ITEM C, DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING THE COMMANDS EXCHANGE EARLY SURVEILLANCE PROPERTY. ITEM D, DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT MATTERS.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. you Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Time is 8.38. We are coming out. Can I get a motion to enter back in the open? Motion and a second. Any objections? Hearing none, motion passes. We are back in the open. My understanding from the discussion is There's no action required at this time, is that correct? That's correct. Okay. No action required. All business is being discussed. The meeting is now adjourned, 8.39 p.m.