City Commission - Regular Meeting

Heat. Heat. Heat up here. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat.

Heat. Heat. Hey, Heat. Hey, Heat.

Hey, hey, hey. are even. Hey, hey, hey. feel. And now from Mallen City Hall, a meeting of the Mallen City Commission.

And good evening everybody. Welcome to tonight city commission meeting. We'll begin with the pledge of allegiance followed by invocation by Commissioner Rolley Rios. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Please bow your heads. Heavenly Father, we come before you today with grateful hearts for the opportunity to serve our community and work together for the good of our of our city. We ask for your wisdom and guidance for over this meeting, over our discussions, and over every decision that will be made today. Help us lead with integrity, compassion, and respect for one another. Bless our residents, our families, our first responders, our city employees, and all those who make our city great. Give us give us the vision to continue building a city that is safe, united, and full of opportunity for the future of generations. May we listen to with open minds, speak with kindness, and act with courage for the benefit of all. In your name we pray. Amen.

Amen. Amen. And

we have two proclamations today. We have peace officers memorial week. Commissioner Castile. Good evening everyone. City Mall proclamation state of Texas County of Vidalgo City of Macallen. Whereas in conjunction with National Police Week, the president of the United States has designated the week of May 10th as peace officers memorial week. And whereas it is important to understand the duties, the responsibilities, hazards, and sacrifices of our law enforcement agencies. And whereas the members of the Mallen Police Department play an essential role in safeguarding the rights and freedoms of our citizens and recognize their duties to safeguard safeguard life and property while protecting them from violence and disorder. Protecting the innocent from deception and the weak against oppression. And whereas the city of Macallen conglomerates law enforcement officers past and present who by their faithful and loyal devotion to responsibilities have rendered a dedicated service to their communities and in doing so have established for themselves an available and enduring reputation for preserving the rights and security of all citizens. And whereas the Macallen City Commission encourages everyone to join in recognition and tribute to the survivors of our fallen heroes. Federico R. Science whose last day of service was March 26, 1933.

Roselene Suarez Jr. whose last day of service was May 19, 1981, and Ronaldo V. Lopez, whose last day of service was July 10th, 1993. Elmo Gara Jr., whose last day of service was July 11th, 2020. Ismael Z Chavez, whose last day of service was July 11th, 2020. Now therefore, I, Rodolf Rudy Castill, city commissioner of the city of Macallen, Texas, by the virtual authority vested in me and behalf of the mayor and the city commission, do hereby proclaim the week of May 10th through the 17th of 2026 as Peace Officers Memorial Week. Commissioner Castillo, thank you so much for the proclamation. Mr. Mayor and members of the commission, ladies and gentlemen. I'm joined up here by the Macallen PD Honor Guard Unit. And I've asked them to join us here today. They were in Austin two weeks ago representing the city of Macallen at the state peace officers memorial event hosted by Governor Abbott. This group, this this unit, this honor guard unit was one about one of about 50 units that led the procession uh at the state event here about two weeks ago. Ladies and gentlemen, we our freedoms today were the dreams of men and women hundreds of years ago. Since then, men and women have fought and have died to preserve them. We know them as soldiers

and those that have served already. We know them as veterans. We are forever grateful to them for their achievements and for their sacrifices. In our domestic setting, these freedoms are guarded by a thin blue line. We know those that choose to be part of that thin blue line as police officers. They wear uniforms. They wear plain clothes. They are known as the men and women in blue. When that thin blue line is broken, harm, violence, and death befall our police officers and by extension on our communities as well. Sadly, this happens much too often. At Macallen, when that thin blue line was broken, five police officers died. Federico R. Science, his end of watch was March 26, 1933. Rosalin Suarez Jr., his end of watch was May 19, 1981. Ronaldo v. Lopez, his end of watch was July 10, 1993. Edelro Garca Jr., his end of watch was July 11, 2020. And Ismael Z Chavez, his end of watch was July 11, 2020. These were human beings that died protecting our communities.

We invite you to join us as we mark a very solemn but very special day this Wednesday at the Macallum Police Department. It is a special day because we remember our officers. We remember our fallen heroes. It is a solemn day because we we remember the dark days that befell Macallen. We enjoy, we invite all of you to join us Wednesday at 11:15 at the Macallen Public Safety Building for a brief ceremony to mark the day, Wednesday, America's Police Memorial Day. Thank you so much. Next we have National Public Works Week. Uh Commissioner Rios.

Thank you. Good afternoon everyone. Well, here in Macallen, when you talk about or think about quality of life, this is a team that makes it happen. This is a team that makes our city look so good, so beautiful, and this is the team that makes people want to come here to live. So, thank you so much for your work. And here we go. State of Texas, County Vidalgo, City of Macallen, where public works professionals focus on infrastructure, facilities, and services that are vital importance to the sustainable and resilient communities and to public health, high quality of life, and well-being of citizens in the city of Macallen. And whereas this infrastructure facilities rely on the dedicated efforts of public works professionals who are responsible for rebuilding, improving and protecting our nation's transportation, water treatment and distribution, wastewater collection, transmission and treatment, storm water facilities, solid waste and debris collection and disposal, recycling collection and processing, public buildings and other critical community facilities. And whereas in recognition of their critical role in emergency preparedness and community safety, public works professionals are considered first responders standing shoulder-to-shoulder with police and fire personnel in times of emergency response and recovery. and where it is in public interest for the citizens, civic leaders, and children of Macallen to gain knowledge of and maintain a progressive interest and understanding of the importance of public works and public works programs in the respective communities. And whereas the year 2026 marks the 11th annual National Public Works Week at the city of Macallen sponsored by the American Public Works Association. And whereas and whereas this week honors our public works professionals, engineers, managers, and employees for

their vital contributions to our city's health, safety, welfare, and quality of life. Now, therefore, I Rolando Roli Rio, city commissioner of the city of Macallen, Texas, by virtue of the authority vested in me on behalf of Mayor Vobos and the city commission do here proclaim May 17th to the 23rd, 2026 as National Public Works Week. Thank you so much for your hard work. Give him a big round of applause.

Hello. Good afternoon. On behalf of Macallen Public Works, we'd like to thank our community, especially our leadership, honorable commissioners, mayor, deputy city manager for all their support of public works. Public Works Week is a time to recognize and celebrate the dedicated employees who work behind the scenes to keep our community running smoothly every day. From maintaining streets and drainage systems to collecting waste, protecting the environment, and improving public spaces, public works professionals play a vital role in the health, safety, and quality of life of our residents. This week is also an opportunity to showcase the hard work, teamwork, and commitment of our first responders heroes, the men and women who proudly serve our city. Their efforts often go unnoticed, but their impact is seen in every clean street, safe roadway, and beautiful public space throughout the city. Now, we invite everyone, the community, to join in celebrating public works week at the Mallen Public Works walk party where families can meet the teams behind these essential services and enjoy a morning filled with free fun, food, music, community partners, games, an equipment rodeo, and so many giveaways, including 50 children's bikes sponsored by Lonear National Bank, and 100 safety helmets donated by Macallen Crimestoppers. It's happening this Saturday, May 16th, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Mallen Public Works Department located at 4201 North Benson Road. If you'd like more information, please reach out to us at our public works department at 956-681-420. We look forward to celebrating with you. Thank you. Robert

and next we have public hearings. Mayor, commissioners, good afternoon. Okay, the following items are these items went to PNZ April the 21st and the board recommended approval. Item number one is uh reszoning from C2 to C2. However, this one in particular, uh, the PNZ recommended C1 and so did staff. So, uh, the applicant was okay with going with C1. This is at 2400 Maple Avenue. This is on North 24th, just south of Picon. Items one through, uh, five are going to be city initiated resoning. Those are 102 parcels. That brings up uh, the city initiated resoning to about 14%.

Any question? Anybody speak against any of these items? Anyone to speak against any of these items? If not, what do I what do we have? Second. All in favor? I against motion carries. I need a motion to amend zoning ordinance for city. So move. Second. All in favor? I against motion carries. We we have consent agenda items A through F. Move to approve 2 A to F. Second. Those in favor? against. Motion carries. Item three.

Mayor and commission. The item before you is the award a contract for Dallas Avenue from First Street uh First Street drainage improvements. On April 23rd, we received 10 bids. The scope of the work that we're looking to award today is focuses on improving the capture and conveyance of excess storm water runoff. The project includes 485 linear feet of uh 24-in concrete pipe related to uh drainage. The engineer record Melon and Hunt and staff recommend award of the contract to the lowest responsive bidder signs utility contractors LLC of Ed Couch, Texas in the amount of $191,614 with a contract time not not to exceed 75 days. And we seek any questions not to exceed how many? 75 days.

75 days. So moved. Second. All in favor? I against. Motion carries. Item four. Mayor, item 4 A and 4B has been uh requested to be tabled by the applicants engineer. Okay. Motion table. So moved. Second. All in favor? Motion carries. Item 4C. Okay. Item 4C is 3300 Augusta Avenue. This is for Kascala at Champion Lakes. This one is requesting of variance to the block length. Uh this was went to PNZ that a board recommended approval as so did staff. This is just south of Macallen Palms of View Golf Course. So of course there's nowhere else for them to go. So that's why we recommended approval of the block length. Motion to approve.

Second. All in favor? Motion carries. Item D.

Item D is at 6200 South 23rd. This one in particular is um just south of 23rd north of Military. This one in part is just south of those um indivi it I go um non-conforming um um dumpster um sorry just went blank um sorry about that non-conforming um just went blank sorry about that um great sorry okay sorry so this one's it's this is south of non-conforming uh areas that have never been subdivided we've been trying to clean it up however they are not wanting to subdivide it right now so as of right now there is nowhere else for them to go we do have an electrical substation out to the west so that it's there's nowhere else to go. So that's why we're recommending approval of the block length.

We need to clean it up, but we're not cleaning it up. And what we're trying is just this non-conforming uh car lots and then this um car lots, junkyards, and mainly the junkyard. So it's just one it's an ongoing items that we've been trying been cleaning it up. It's just hard that everything everyone in that area is just from different parts of the country. And have you had conversations with them and repeatedly what we're doing? Yes, repeatedly. We they'll come in every five years and they'll they'll say, "Okay, yes, we want to work with y'all." And then of course it's all the junkyards and it's just they're literally running extension cords from place to place. So, it's just one of those things. It's ongoing. It's just we're trying, but it's just going to take some time. Is that where like Rio's tires is and all the other car lots or where? No, this is further south.

South. Further south. Yeah. Just north of military. Almost military life. Do you pass the levy? Where are the storeies? Mhm. Next to the store. There's a stripes right there. There old wonder. Military. 23rd in Military. Mhm. It's just north of that. Yeah, that's that's those are where those all those car locks in junkyards. Maybe a junkyard. So it's just ongoing items where they all it's from Sarah Street to Military. But if we keep on giving variances, when are we going to clean it up?

Well, no. So this this one is that in particular is they are subdividing. So that's the variances for the block length. So because I also had one of the ones you had earlier. Oh, okay. Sorry. Sorry about that. Do I have a motion to approve? Move. Second. All in favor?

Against? Motion carries. Item D. Item E. Okay. Item E is at 6117 Northware Road. This is variances of course to internal road right away. Uh ex uh exceeding the maximum culde-sac length and three to provide only the four the 4ft sidewalk. So in this one is just um on south of this is Hiendelas Mariposas and then you also have the church. So of course there's nowhere else to go. They are developing this area and at one point when the school district and Sid Mallen decides to extend uh 40 north 40th street we will connect along the west side. However, there is nowhere else to connect on the east side. So that's why we're the board and uh the development development team agreed to approve the variances.

Questions to approve your second. So the sidewalks is on one side only. Correct. Yep. And they're town home. Correct. Yes, sir. I'm fine. Is that a second? That's second. Second. Okay. All in favor? Against? Motion carries. Item F.

Item F is at 838 36 East Olympia Avenue. This one in particular is variances of course required right away for the dedicated 50 foot along east Olympia waving the culdesac uh turnaround requirement and of course waving the sidewalk requirement. So and this is an existing neighborhood. The thing with this is this is the last parcel on the culdeac. So there's really nowhere else we can get additional rightway for the culdeac sidewalks or anything else. They will be creating three lots. One lot uh facing Olympia and the other one two will facing east Pineriidge. So this is just cleaning up the area and giving the opportunity for three res uh additional residents. Santa Cruz, right? Yes, sir. Yeah. Move to approve. All in favor?

Against? Motion carries. Uh future agenda items. Nothing. If not, I don't think we have anything in executive session. Item number seven, uh canvasing of elections. Good afternoon, mayor and city commission. This item is for the canvasing of the election results for the city of Macallen special election held on Saturday, May the 2nd, 2026 to elect one commissioner for a single member district 5 to fill an unexpired term. The election outcome based on the canvas for the special city election, city commissioner, single member district 5, Mark Murray received 159 votes. Michael Phallic received 573 votes. Feli Dearal received 411 votes. Pursuant to the charter and ordinance of the city of Mckel and an applicable provisions of the te Texas local government, Michael Felick is declared to have been elected by the voters for city commission district 5. Staff recommends adoption of ordinance 2026-46, an ordinance certifying the election results of the special city election held May 2nd, 2026.

Any questions? Anybody? If not, do I hear a motion to approve? Second. Second. All in favor? Against? Motion carries. Congratulations, Mr. P.

And I believe that's all we have. There being no further, that's it. That's it. This meeting is adjourned. That's right. Thank you. Regular city commission meetings are held on the second and fourth Monday of each month. Meetings are broadcast on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays on the Mckllen cable network.