City Council - Regular Meeting

[music] [music] [music] Hello, my My name is Isabella Perez, recreation leader for the city of Sakoro. Thank you for joining today's meeting. Before the meeting begins, we would like to remind our guests to remove all hats and silence all electronic devices. No disruptive behavior or outburst will be tolerated and violates are subject to ejection and possible prosecution. Fore. We're good now. All right. Well, first and foremost, I want to uh wish everyone a happy new year and

welcome back uh staff and council. Uh we're ready for another year to work for our our residents of Sakoro. And um I also want to um ask that you all uh forgive me for my attire today. I'm usually dressed a little bit better, but I'm coming back from the ranch and I just barely made it to the meeting and I wanted to do something different um for the start of the year. So before we proceed with today's agenda, I'd like to acknowledge the challenges and the concerns facing our society at this time. These matters affect our community and the decisions that we are called to make. So in recognition of this, I would like to respectfully invite us to begin with a moment of of prayer so that we may seek wisdom, clarity, and guidance as we carry out our responsibilities. And with us today, I have um a couple of the pastors that operate within the uh community here. Um pastors, if if you don't mind, you can you can come up to the podium and the microphone and and you can go ahead and lead us in in invocation and you all can can choose whatever is comfortable for you all. If you'd like to stand or you like to sit and and just join us in this moment of prayer.

Good evening, mayor, city council members, and members of our community. My name is Pastor Lydia Torres and together with my husband, Pastor Raondo Torres, um we at Panel Ministry serve here in our city. Also, we are joined by other city and regional pastors. We are grateful for the opportunity to stand before you today as servants of God and servants of this community. As we begin this new year, we humbly come to place our city, its leaders, its families, and its future into God's hands. We do so with hearts of gratitude seeking wisdom, protection and peace for all who live and serve here. I would like to read uh Psalm 121 and the word of God says, "I will lift up my eyes to the hills from where shall my help come. My help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to slip. He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper. The Lord is your shade on your right hand. The sun will not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will protect you from all evil. He will keep your life. The Lord will guard your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forever. Amen.

Good evening, mayor and city council. I would like to do a prayer in Spanish. My name is Pastor Torres. Rudy Fore compassion. Amen.

Amen. Before I continue and um I'm going to share the mic with my pastor I want to thank uh the city mayor um and councilman and deputies and everybody that's here in this particular room. Um and uh it is very important for us not only to unite in efforts with with everything that's going on as far as solidarity, but ask God to support and provide that protection for those who are either being confronted with violence or you know just the disparity that goes around within the community. So, I'm going to ask um mayor if you allow us just to continue on with praying for you and the the body in itself. And I'm going to ask pastor before I turn the mic for him to close in prayer. And this is the prayer that I ask for each and every one of you. That God will be the only the provider for each and every one of your homes. For the city of Soro not only can become a beacon of light of what is righteousness, but that people can say that when the righteous govern, the people rejoice, but when the wicked are in front, the people mourn. I believe wholeheartedly that the righteousness of God is going to be amongst you city mayor and all of your leadership management that every single area in this particular sooro this blessing do we bring not because we're closer to God or even because we have that connection but beyond that we believe that God has a purpose so I'm going to ask Pastor Ivan to close us in prayer and I want you to understand that we are here not only to bless amen we can bless in and out But we are here to serve. So I want to thank each and every one of you for your servants heart for this community. Amen. Go ahead.

Santochech. Amen.

Thank you all.

Thank you so much. Okay. So, I welcome you all to the January 15, 2026 uh Sakoro City Council meeting. It is now 6:10 p.m. and I call this meeting to order. And as always, uh we begin our meetings with the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence. And today's pledge will be led by the Hilly Elementary School students. To the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nation indivisible with liberty and justice for all. I can a morning silence.

Thank you so much. before Yes. Let's clap for them. [applause] Before you all go home and start playing video games and watching uh TV and stuff like that, we uh are doing your homework. The city council and on behalf of the city of Sakoro, we want to provide you all with a certificate because it takes a lot to stand up here in front of all these people and I'm sure all your friends are watching you guys on YouTube right now, but we want to give you a certificate of appreciation. Is that okay?

Yes. Um, our council members are going to call your name and if you and if you'd like to come up here and shake our hands and then stand here for a quick photograph because you guys are are are cool looking kids and we want to take a picture with you all. As [applause] you Leah Agira. [applause]

Congratulations. Thank you,

Scarlett Ortiz. [applause] Good job. Thank you. And Enrique, [applause]

thank you sir. This way.

We have a hard time. Would [applause] would the parents like to come up and and take a photo of their of their students or teachers or administrators? You want to come up?

You took pictures already. Okay. All right. Good stuff, guys. All right. Let's go home and do some homework now. All right. At this time, we were going to go ahead and establish quorum. Ruben Rees, yes. Caesar Nearez here. Alejandro Garcia here. Mayor Rudy Cruz here. Gina Corddero here. And Irene Roas is absent. Mayor, we have a Okay. Thank you, Miss Navaro. Um, we're going to move into the public comment portion of our meeting with agenda item number four. Do we have any speakers signed up?

Yes, mayor. Our first speaker is Edgar Carrasco.

Okay. Uh, good evening everyone to uh mayor, city council members, and members of the community. Um, I'm here to speak today about an exciting project that the community of Sakoro is working on and we're working on our uh Apache and cowboy spirit garden. Um, we chose this land with the respect and meaning. The Apaches represent the first uh caretakers of this land. Respect the nature, balance, and community. The cowboys represent the working families, farmers and ranchers who help build this area through hard work and responsibility. Together they tell the story of Sukoro. Different histories, shared land, and a shared future. We also recognize that this land has long been home to indenous people, including the Tiwa tribe, whose traditions, farming, water care, respect to earth continue to guide our region. This garden will honor those teachings by caring for the land and thoughtful and responsible way. This garden will become a place to bring people together from the start and the focus will be our youth. This space will provide a safe and positive place for young people to learn, work and grow after school weekends and the summer. It will help build confidence, responsibility, and pride. One part of our garden will be beekeeping education. Bees are critical to our food system environment. We have joined the basel nort beekeepers association and this partnership will also allow us to learn proper responsible beekeeping and time that share knowledge with their own youth in a safe way. The garden will also include roses, native plants, traditional crops reflecting how indigenous communities including the tias have long grown food and balance with the desert environment. These plants will add beauty shed and life to

our city. We will use water smart growing methods such as permaculture, hogaculture. These practices will follow values long held by our communities uh what use what lands gave us which indigenous communities have used. What the land gives you waste nothing and think about the next generation. We will work toward partnerships with we have reached out to Texas A&M the USDA students from plant independent school district and the Sabora ISD as well. These partnerships will connect education, rural world skills and help students see agriculture, science, land stewardship and meaningful paths towards the future. This garden will also become a space for senior citizens. A calm place where they will be able to walk, sit, garden and share stories, knowledge with younger generations. As the garden grows, it will help uh our goal is that we will help feed families in need, support healthier eatings, bring people together through farmers markets, and community events. This project will support many city goals at once, youth engagement, public health, education, water conservation, beautifification, and community pride. Our hope in this Apache Cowboy spirit garden will become something SOR is proud of, a place that honors the past, present, and prepares the future. So, I'm excited about this project. So, hopefully uh we already started working it and hopefully we can have some of you visit us. Thank you.

Thank you. Nina, can I ask uh staff if they can adjust the camera so that the speakers can be seen on on video? Okay. What was the name again? Miss Lalo Medina. Mr. Medina, you have three minutes.

Thank you. Uh my name is Lo Medina. I farm here in the area um for the last 15 20 years. A lot of the trees that are planted currently in the area, we sold them started selling about 20 years ago. So I'll say every new tree that has been planted on pecans that was planted in the last 20 years. I'll say 80% of 90% came from us. Um we're part of a community. uh we continue farming not only here in the outside of the Sakuro city in the ETJ area but also we farm about 500 acres in the fab area. So we're part of a community and we continue to participate. I'm here to share the experience of a farmer and we're looking also as well to share that we ask for the council um and which I should have addressed first. Council members, thank you for having me. Um, we want to share that, you know, we only ask to to uh approve our plot based on the rule of law. We also appreciate um hearing me out. Um, the farm is always a complicated business. It's a very based on commodity prices. The pan industry has been affected dramatically since uh 2017 when the trade war in China started. 30% of the pecans in this valley will go into China. That's not happening anymore. So that has changed and you know put a lot of pressure on the farmers as myself as all the other rest of the valley. Um the second thing that has changed is you know cost has raised for everybody knows inflation has catch up on in all of us. Um and also it it is a complexity to farm in an urban area. So, I've heard some of the common periods in the before where people complain about cars and trucks, but they also complain about farmers. So, I want to make sure I share with you guys that we do our best to to handle the farm

roads, which now are used more as the city roads. People move in the residence and different places that just be patient with us. We're trying to do our best to move heavy equipment. We also be trying to be careful with environment and take care of the water. Um, but Also the challenges on farming is the water quality is dropping down dramatically. There's still quantity but there's no quality and a lot of have to do with the urban area being developed. There's no more the few water few inches of rain that we get a year is not getting you know into the ground again and that's creating a lot salinity which creates a lot of the challenges that comes with it. So I'm just thankful for you guys for your work. It's a thankless job what you guys are doing. you know, you come here every week and you hear all of us. So, thank you so much.

Thank you. Marty [clears throat] Loya.

Good evening, city councilor staff and mayor. We're here to present a project that we're working on with the Sakoro mission and basically um it's a sense of urgency that we want to make sure that everyone understands. Um Adana, you want to present that now? Correct. So, right now we're under public comment. You're the next item after this. Okay. So, she's going to reserve her comments for uh the agenda item. Okay. Okay. Do we have any other public? No more speakers, please.

No. Uh, do we have any online? No. Okay. Just making sure. Um, at this time, we're going to move into the presentations. Do any council members want to move up any items before we begin the presentation portion of this meeting? Yes, ma'am. I would like to move up item 45 and 46 uh before presentations, please. Okay. If council wants to take a moment to look at items [snorts] 45 and 46 and Miss Cordiero has made a motion to move those items up before the presentations second. There's a motion and second on the table. All those in favor say I.

I. Okay, that motion carries and we'll begin with agenda item number 46. Okay. Agenda item number 45

five is the presentation, discussion and action on financing options and budget overview related to the issuance of certificates of obligation and authorization to issue a notice of intent.

Good evening, mayor and council. Uh, this item is being brought forward to follow up on the council's direction given on November 6 when staff was asked to evaluate financing options to support ongoing and future infrastructure and capital improvement projects. Tonight, Theo Caba CPA with SBNG will provide a presentation to council that includes a budget overview and financing options related to the possible issuance of certificate of obligations, also known as COS. Following the presentation, TA staff is requesting council authorization to issue a notice of intent with an amount which is required to step in the process if the city chooses to move forward. This action would allow staff to prepare and bring the notice of intent at the next council meeting. Mr.

Thank you, Miss Adriana. Uh good good afternoon members of council. You may remember me from uh last summer. I'm my name is Teo Cabrera. I work for the firm SBNG and I am the independent CPA that performs the audit of the financial statements for the city of Sukoro. So, uh the reason why I'm here tonight is because uh Miss Adriana has requested my perspective in the sense of what would be the impact of issuing bonds in the city of Sakuro's finances. So, I'm I'm here tonight in a capacity of a external CPA, right, as your auditor. uh I'm not a specialist in the area of bonds. It's a really highly specialized area of the law. However, I am providing a perspective uh based on the knowledge that I've acquired in in auditing your financial statements, right? Um and also looking at the uh numbers that we're currently auditing for the year ended uh September 30, 2025. So one of the the recommendations that I have provided informally uh to this council and also to Miss Adriana in our previous audit uh was the the need to start looking at maybe uh a new bond finance a bond issuance. So the last bond issuance was done in 2019 and that was for approximately $9.6 million. Okay. Those funds are set aside in a separate bank account which is the city's u capital improvements bank account and those funds have been spent uh over the last five years. Um normally bond issuance of that size get spent a little bit faster. Um however some of the things that occurred obviously since 2019 there was COVID and then there were the ARPA monies. The ARPA monies were approximately $8 million originally. Um, so over the last

five years, the city has been spending a combination of um these ARPA funds and then also the the latest bond issuance which was the $9.6 million uh and then also other funding including text grant monies. So what I'm showing here to slide it is a a slide uh showing a a summary of the largest infrastructure projects right and this is not all the operations obviously these are just the largest um infrastructure projects that have occurred since the onset of COVID since that last bond issuance in 2019 uh all the way through the end of fiscal year 2025. Right. So these numbers are numbers as of September of of this last year. So we have approximately 27.5 million in major expenditures, major improvements. Um most of them being infrastructure improvements as as we can see here. Um now the the mix of funding um approximately onethird of it uh is has been financed by uh text dot right by grants that have been received by the Texas Department of Transportation. uh approximately another quarter of it has been uh financed by uh the tax reinvestment zone, right? Which is a a special portion of property taxes that are set aside um for for projects like this. And then the other 28% a little bit more than a quarter was financed with the LA last bond issuance, right? The 2019 bond issuance. Then the rest is a little bit of a mixed bag. uh we have a little bit of ARPA funds that have contributed to this although most of the ARPA funds have been set aside for other projects. Um and then the general fund which normally does not kick in has kicked in um approximately 9% in

particular in the last fiscal year is when the general fund starts kicking in a little bit more into these projects. Right? So what has occurred is that since early in fiscal year 2025, the basically the the money in the capital improvements bank account has been used, right? Uh so there's there's basically no more money left from the last bond issuance in 2019. And uh usually the general fund operates at a surplus which means that the city remains within its operating budget and and and the general fund has the ability to kick in some monies to help with these infrastructure projects. Right? And that is what we saw in the last year that we are currently auditing. Okay. So just to give you a snapshot of where the last fiscal year ended in terms of how much cash reserves they are uh the general fund and this is the the the the general cash that is available for operations and to do whatever whatever expenditures are necessary. Right? So it's uh just under $5 million. So, it's $4.9 million and that includes the the operating bank accounts and then also an an investment bank account that is held with an institution called Logic which is an investment fund used by many municipalities. Right? So, these two accounts uh the balance as of the end of the last fiscal year, right? I mean, this balance may be different now as of the beginning of January, but as of September, that balance was $4.9 million. Now, the city does have a minimum cash policy, right? A minimum reserve, which is was established by this council many years ago. And that policy establishes that the city will always maintain

enough money in its unrestricted bank accounts to account for at least 16%. So, one six 16% of the uh budgeted expenses. So, as of the end of the last fiscal year, the minimum cash reserve requirement was $2.7 million. So, as we can see, the general fund is healthy, right? There's more money there than the minimum cash reserve. The close to $5 million that we're seeing, that is roughly a little bit more than 33% of the budgeted general fund expenditures. So it's it's based on the rule of thumb. You want to have at least 25% so you're well above the 25% and you're well above the minimum cash reserve. Right? So where we expect the year to end this this current fiscal year 2026 uh if we continue spending in the same pattern meaning that if there's no bonds issued and the general funds continues to put some of its money into streets and and repairs and and some of the projects that are being partially funded by tux then what we anticipate is that the general reserve is going to be closer to $3.6 million by the end of fiscal year 2026, right? Um and and this is assuming that you you are within your budget, right? Your your budget actually calls for a a $3 million use of your reserves, but normally you don't use the entire budget amount. So, we're thinking that you're going to be somewhere in the middle essentially being left with about 3.6 $.6 million, right? And this is without any new bond issuance and expecting that you're going to be somewhat similar operating expenditures than the last

fiscal year. U so at this point, the required minimum fund balance would be $3 million. So you're going to be getting really close to that that limit. Okay. So coming into mind uh the recommendation would be to at least consider a bond issuance. So there is the possibility to continue investing in streets um and then other projects. Now, this slide shows uh a really rough view of the the basically the wish list, right? The the estimated projects that uh the city manager has contemplated uh and put together in in evaluating uh what would be the amount of bond issuances to go after. Right? So as you can see the total amount of projects that are anticipated in the and I would say maybe the next five years is approximately $29 million. Right? So what you're seeing in Jello is one of the things that I have asked Miss Adriana had asked her to kind of give us a priority of which of these projects are are to be started first or finished. The other the other recommendation that I provided is to look not just of how much we want to get issued we want to get done but what can the city reasonably complete in in a 3 to 5 year horizon. Okay. And the reason for this is because if it's going to go beyond five years or three years um it it may be uh contrary to the requirements of the bond ordinances. Most of these bond ordinances require these projects to be completed within a short relatively short period of time, usually three to five years, right? U so the longer we

take right to finish them, um we we're going to have those bond monies in in the bank account and those generate interest. However, there there may be some requirements of having to pay some tax backs to the IRS, right? If if we're not spending these monies fast enough. Um and then also we're going to be stuck paying the interest for a longer amount of time. Right? So my recommendation is first look at the previous history. So what has the city done in in its most recent history? So in its most recent history, the 2019 bond was 22 $9.2 million and the issuances before that was in 2014. So you we can see roughly a five-year window and it was roughly for the same amount, right? So in these two last bond issuances, the city has remained within that $10 million sort of threshold. Okay? So that would be my first inclination is to okay, we'll see how much we can get done with $10 million following the history of of what has been done in the past. Now the other option is to try to go a little bit higher than that. And considering that prices for everything have really changed in the last five years and the city has grown and there's more projects going on now uh than we had in 2019 or in 2014. So the other option would be to go with roughly $15 million. And the $15 million going back to that slide um roughly aligns with the items in Jello highlighted here. Okay. So that that more or less gives us the $15 million, right? So the priority um would be to have enough to meet the commitments that the city has made or is planning on making uh when it comes to getting

grants, right? So that's what we what we refer to as local matches. So a significant amount of grants that are infrastructure driven. So the grants that are provided by text dot and other similar grants, they usually require the city to kick in a 20% match. Right? So the bond money would be used to cover these matches and the estimate provided by Miss Adriana is roughly $4 million. Right? Some of it has already been committed. Some of it is is expected to be committed in the near future. So the first four $4.5 million would go to these matches. And then another project uh that is uh anticipated is that the city would like to move forward and explore the options of creating a solid waste department that would be ex exclusive for the city of Sakoro. And Miss Adriana can speak more about that um if you all have more questions. But these would be the two largest uses of funds. Uh there's also a very important priority in continuing improving parks and continuing improving sidewalks. Right? So those would be the other projects that are listed here. And last but not least, the police department would be reinforced with equipment. Right? So those are the or what appear to be at this point the the priority of uses of the $15 million. Again, if the bonds don't pass, at least the local match would probably have to come from the general fund, which going back to where we were discussing how much reserves we have in the general fund. We don't want to have less than 3 million, and we're thinking that we're going to end at around $3.6 million. Okay. Uh so those are the numbers. Again, the recommendation is really focusing on that three-year horizon. the the the city's bond specialist has reinforced that these projects should have a three-year timeline. Okay. So, it it

it's trying to be realistic and and how much can the city staff and how much can the resources that the city have really really achieve in the next three years. So, to me, that would be the starting point. Um and then also making sure that we're covering our our local match obviously, right? Because that is that is what's coming first. Um, and then also going for considering, you know, the 10 million versus the 15 million, right? So, if you want to go and issue a larger amount, there's really nothing that's preventing you from doing it. You could go and issue the $29 million. However, it would have a higher impact in the property taxes that that would be established, right? If we go with the $29 million, right? So, there there are some benefits. Obviously, borrowing more money is going to give you higher capacity to start more projects a lot sooner, but that's what why I'm going back to okay, but how much can we really start in the next three years, right? Obviously, the 20 $29 million will give us a large canyon and some of the interest could be reinvested in these projects and then we wouldn't have to go over multiple issuances. Okay. So th those would be the advantages of going with a really large uh 29 $29 million issuance. Now if we go more conservative uh we don't have a such a large increase in the property taxes at once, right? And we always have the option of going for more in the future, right? And if interest rates go down or they change, we can take advantage of a lower interest rate in the future. Obviously maybe interest rates would be higher. So we always have that that risk but we would be stuck with whatever interest rate we have now if we go with the $29 million. Okay. So those are some things to consider. Uh and then just the other thing is that it is really

important to consider monitoring that minimum cash reserve. Right? So the the budgeting period begins in June. The budgeting season begins in June. So, by the time we hit June 2026, the city will have a good idea of how much cash reserves they're going to have and how much they're going to be ending the fiscal year with. So, at this point, it it's going to be important to consider whether we're going to renew the next property tax rate without going into an election to increase past the 3.5%. Okay. So, let me just show you a snapshot of the property tax rate. That is the effective rate since 2018. So, since 2018, the city has not had an election to increase the property taxes. So, it means that the property tax rate has been established at a rate that only provides an additional 3.5% to your general reserve. Okay. So we can see the property tax rate has gone down every single year and the reason for that is because property tax values have gone up right so there's an inverse relationship. Um however the city has not pushed an election to go beyond the 3.5% in the property tax rate. Okay. And in order to do that to continue doing that it is really important that you don't fall beneath that minimum cash reserve. Okay. So this year you may be close to that po amount but I mean if you continue to be prudent as you us the city usually is uh you should be able to continue in this in this rate. Uh so just to give you an idea this is just an illustration. Uh so again I don't we no one has a crystal ball so we don't know what's going to happen with property tax values

right and the property tax values there are not established by the city of Sakoro right just a reminder the property tax values are are determined by the appraisal district and they're determined also by market force for forces and they're also determined by how much growth right and how much new construction so in an illustration in which property taxes property values vales increased by 8%. This is more or less what we're looking at um if the city were to go with a $15 million bond and also the border approval rate, meaning no elections. So that means that your property taxes only increased by 3.5% for the general fund and then you'd raise just enough taxes to cover the bond. Um, so with a $15 million bond and with an 8% increase in property tax values, the rate would be close to the 6 626 63 cents, more or less. So it would likely still be a smaller rate than what currently has been approved for the fiscal year. If you go with a $29 million bond, you'll be looking at a higher increase obviously. So, in an ex in an in a scenario where property tax values increased by 8% and you approve a 29% a $29 million bond, I'm sorry, then you would be looking at a closer to a 67 cent rate. Okay. Uh now in this situation that you need to go to an election. So let's say that the general fund cash reserve is getting close to that minimum cash balance and there's a need to raise the property taxes a little bit beyond. So this is another possible scenario, right? So, with the $15 million bond increasing the property tax rate past the election amount, you

would be closer to a 69 cents rate. Okay. Um, so just some figures for you to consider. Uh, again, these are just some sort of options for you of ultimately that this council has the burden of deciding what what what a reasonable amount of bond amount is. And if you do not approve a bond issuance, then you would need to look for other strategies, right, of covering the very needs of the city with the general fund and with the property taxes that have been established. Okay, so hopefully this was in plain English. I tried our best to make it easy to understand. It is a very complex topic. Um, and again, it's just to give you guys some illustrations for you to consider as we move into this possible bondish. Does anyone have any questions? Any members of council have any questions or comments on the presentation?

I I just have uh some comments to make. [clears throat] You know, our our residents are are frustrated and they're getting tired of seeing the patchwork happening in our city. They want to see overlays. They're getting frustrated and impatient because the sidewalks aren't coming soon enough. um they're frustrated to see the parks and the conditions that they're in. And I think that we all can agree here on the table that we we've all received multiple calls, emails from our [snorts] constituents because it doesn't come fast enough. And as much as we want to, we don't have a budget that's that's robust enough to cover all these things. And our our residents, they want to see they want to see action and they want to see it now. And I think that this is the only way that we can achieve it is is through a bond issuance because we're already dipping into the reserves and we want to remain with a healthy um reserve amount because what that does it puts a lot of strain on our on our operating budget and the last thing that I want to do is take police officers off the street um to cover all the other things. Um we can we can cut the fat on our budget all we want. We will never never get to the amount needed to start doing complete street overlays, replacing park equipment, fixing our parks, making it look nice. I think our kids and our residents deserve the nice parks like they have overall on the west side. I think that I think our residents are worth that and I think that this is the only way that we're going to be able to achieve it. So, I hope that in the near future we can we can come together and and and we can find a happy medium here, you know, amongst our residents and the table here. But ultimately, that's what I'm seeing right now is it's not coming fast enough and we don't have the money to do it. That's why we're just able to do the patchwork. And I'm tired of seeing I'm tired of seeing the patchwork. I'm tired of seeing the parks

uh the looking the way they look because we don't have the sufficient amount of funds to go in there and do these complete repairs. I want I want some nice playground equipment for our kids to play in. I really really want to see it. Um, but I appreciate you coming here today and and presenting and I'm sure that in the near future we're going to have a a whole lot more questions for you. Um, Mr. Garcia. [snorts] So, I want be very blunt. If this doesn't happen, we're only going to have money to cut the grass because we're not going to be able to do sidewalks. We're not going to be able to hire new police officers. We're not going to be able to do what everybody else wants us to do. As Mr. Cruz, our mayor said, this is this is a rough patch for Saporo. We we've we've always held back on on the taxes because of it's just, you know, we have but as of right now, it doesn't look good because the examples there and everybody who's here needs to hear it. You know, we all want everything for our city. The only problem is is the way I answer is how we're going to pay for it. And that's going to make this very difficult time especially for council but I'm being as honest as I can be that if we want things here in the city things are going to have to change a little and it's just I'm just being honest because I can't sugarcoat it any other way it's going to cost us because we want to hire more cars we want to have the best here we want to have the parts we want to have everything But we're we're we're uh we've kept our tax rate super low. And don't mix us up with SISD. The cities of Coral is way different because everybody goes to tells us about SISD. SISD is their own

rate and you pay a lot more for them than you pay for us. But this is very bleak time for us and and I want everybody to understand that. That's why I tell you some people get afraid about projects. We don't have money for projects. And and I hope that this is a very straightforward answer and and if we just want the the grass cut, then we don't we don't have to move from here. But if everybody wants sidewalks, uh new equipment uh for police officers, more police officers, parks, all that good stuff that we like, sidewalks, it's going to be it's going to be costly and and this is where we are now. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Garcia. And you know, you're absolutely right with a lot of the comments that you say there there's grant funding in the millions of dollars, but like you've mentioned there there has to be a match that we have to put up and we can get these projects done, but we need to put up the local match. And this is the only way that we're going to be able to put up the local match without dipping into our reserves more than we already have, right?

Um I think we can make some some good stuff happen here in the next three to five years um if if we can get this going here. Uh but yeah, like Mr. Garcia says, It's going to cost us a little bit of money, but you know what? That's where the younger generation of our residents need to come in and and start um and start seeing it that way. You know, quality of life, it's going to cost a little bit. Um I think we spent more at the steakhouse uh on family dinners than we than we would see here paying annually for a small little increase here. But we'll we'll cross that bridge when we get to it. And um

and also just want to reemphasize I mean the the rate has as you can see since 2019 has not gone up beyond the the border approval rate right so you as far as how much you get for your operations you you have only been increasing by 3.5% which is the maximum allowed by the the Texas property tax code right um so that is a really conservative way to operate And uh usually the city has never exceeded its budget, right, in in the general fund. Uh so I can say that uh I mean you all are used to operating within your means, but like you're saying, you don't want to put yourself in a position where you're slowing too much or or you're having to start using those reserves that you have built over the years with with a lot of sacrifices. Um so just things to consider. I mean there's no easy decisions and again I'm just the the auditor, right? I mean, I'm just telling you the numbers. Uh, whatever decision you'll have is going to be the right decision, I'm sure. Um, and the city will adapt to whatever is approved.

And what's happened throughout the course of 2018 to now is we've seen so much residential growth. There's more streets to patrol, there's more sidewalks to install, there's more public works uh, work that needs to be done in all of these parks and neighborhoods. But because these councils in the past and this current council have always wanted to do right by the people, we've kept the tax rate where it's at. But all the other entities, taxing entities of residents have gone up. SISD, Lower Valley Water, the county, um the hospital, EPCC, those are all the other taxing entities that we have to pay taxes. they have all raised it, but because we we never wanted to be the the bad guy for our residents, we've kept them where they're at. But right now, we we are busting at the seams. Um, and I think we can we can we can do what the people want us to do, but at the same time, I don't think that that's a decision that can be made just by us. And so, we want the residents to to also give us their input on that as well. And we'll we'll afford that opportunity to them once we cross that bridge. I appreciate the uh the presentation. Sure. Are there any more comments? Mr. Re

got a quick comment. Um I think it's very important for for us to go out and educate our people, our constituents and let them know about the tax like like uh the mayor said, we have UMC, we have a community college. Everybody is going out for for bonds and they always blame it on on us. Nope. We get very little money

and we need to make sure if we collect $5, we tell them, "Okay, a dollar is going to go for here, another one over here because we always we're always going to be getting those comments. Where's the money at? Where's the money?" So, it is very important to to let them know how much we're going to get and where that money is going to go.

Absolutely. And I I our staff uh has done an amazing job and I and I'm sure that they'll create uh some type of a a visual tool that we can use here in the future so that we can we can help educate ourselves as as a community and show our residents how how the monies work within within the uh the city government. Um any more comments or or questions on this one here? No. Um Miss Roert, sorry. Good evening, Mayor and Council. Right now, staff does need direction though if we're going to proceed with the issuance of certificate of obligation. If so, provide me an amount so we can bring the notice of intent to our next meeting.

And that that's the directive that you need tonight. Correct. I need I need an actual amount if we want to proceed with the certificates of obligations. Absolutely. Can you do me a favor and bring up that chart again that shows the uh the dollar amounts um for bond issuance? I'd like to make a motion to uh for a $29 million bond. Sorry.

There's there's been a a motion by Mr. Garcia, a second by Mr. Nevad for um for a $29 million. What would you call it, Jim? So be before you go there, that is not something that staff recommends just because of the we don't believe we're going to be able to spend $29 million in the next three years. That's what I was going to say is is um we're aiming more for a 15 million.

Um um yes. Right. Because we we don't recommend the 29. Is it doable? Yes. We but we just don't believe that we would be able to spend those type of funds that rapidly just because there's a lot of procurement processes we have to um there's a lot of red tape, right? So I would recommend either a 10 to$15 million and and and the staff recommends 15. Yes. So I'd like to amend my motion to a $15 million bond. Mr.

Martinez Okay, we uh make a motion to approve the $15 million notice. Okay, there's been a uh motion and second on the table for the $15 million bond issuance uh for staff uh to provide that notice of intent on the table. All those in favor say I.

I. Any oppose or abstain?

Okay, that motion carries. Thank you. On the next item that we're going to be u moving on into is item number 46. This is the discussion and action regarding amended petition to release the following real property from the city of Sakoro's ETJ approximately 2.31 square miles,478.40 acres described as Vista Bonita subdivision blocks 1-14 Picon Valley Estate subdivision blocks 1-9, Grihalva subdivision block one and Athena West subdivision blocks 1-11. Motion to approve. Second. Good evening, Mayor and Council. This item is for discussion and action regarding the amended petition on that was received on December 9th requesting the release of approximately 2.31 square miles or 1,478.40 acres from the city of Sakuro ETJ. After reviewing the amended petition, staff verified 582 registered voters within the revised area, 312 ballot signatures, and a verification of 53.61. So, it's meeting the 50% threshold. Based on this review, the amended petition meets the stat statutory requirements for council's consideration.

Okay. And we're here to answer any questions. Absolutely. Uh any questions or comments on the table by any members of council? No. There was a motion uh to approve. Do I have a second? Okay. There's a motion and second on the table. All those in favor say I. I. Any oppose or abstain? Okay, that motion carries. Thank you. All right. Okay, now moving on to the uh presentation portion of our meeting. We're going to go ahead and bounce back to agenda item number five. This is the uh update for together for the Saporoto mission. This is a fundraising event and restoration campaign.

Good evening, mayor and council. This evening we have Miss Marty Loya and Miss Magda Mara that will give an update on the fundraising efforts uh under the together for the Sakoro mission uh event for and restoration campaign.

Hello again. Back again. All right I'm sorry. Yes. Can uh can we turn down uh the AC? off. Yeah, I appreciate it. Yes. So, good evening again. Good evening. So, prior to Christmas, we have started a campaign, a fundraiser campaign, and in planning a event that's going to happen in October of this year. Miss Ly, can can we adjust the mic a little bit so we the little bit closer? Yeah. Is this better? Yes.

Thank you so much.

Um, so it's a sense of urgency of what is happening to our mission of and this is for phase two. There's a budget of $2.7 million to do the restoration and that entails many activities. I don't know if you've gotten this that is outlined in this uh document. We have representatives from the Catholic who are the project managers for this project and also Magda who is very much involved in different phases and different things of the soor mission. The box before you is has been distributed to close to a hundred companies, car dealerships, attorneys, lawyers, the city of El Paso council, El Paso County, just to get the word out that we are in desperate need for funding for this project. we come to city council as well too to uh consider what you can do to support this project because like I say it is a sense of urgency. Um colleague you want to give some detail on [clears throat]

can we speak into the mic please?

Thank you. Basically in phase one that is currently occurring on the church uh is uh uh phase one like item number one is to preserve the integrity of the structure and we have 95 uh% completion currently in the church regarding phase one. In the phase two, we intend to uh the limited drive uh riding that's to deviate the water from the mission uh to install the helical pers to stabilize the concrete slab. The removal of the AC units that are currently on the roof. This these items are causing uh some stress on the on the Vegas and the adobe walls. And then we are going to uh do the underwater underground sorry work for the HVAC system. And then uh to finalize we're going to pretend to install a new. So as you can see there's quite a quite a bit of things that need to be due for the restoration. Uh the budget does say $2 million. In order for the [clears throat] the church to actually get a loan from the dascese, they have to come up with 40% of that budget so they can even come get a loan. So we're working towards it. Our goal is to raise $2 million at least and that's going to be through donors that receive the box. And we're also going to have a fundraising event in October at invite everyone to attend for that as well too. It's a

a big afternoon. It's uh October 17th. We we're working with October because the establishment date for the Pueblo of Soro is October the 13th, 1680. In that respect, we just celebrated our 345th birthday. And I'm going to go ahead and say something that's been a little frustrating to me over time. I kind of wish that we were achieve a certain consistency because the date that is firm for the establishment of Soro is October the 13, 1680. And yet our logo says 1691. I believe that may have to do with construction of the mission. Uh 1682 gets thrown around quite a bit. But to be very honest, the date that I really feel that we should hold firm to is 1680. Because after that, if you get into the weeds of the history, there's a lot of barriers, but the establishment date is firm. 1680. Um, we have a big, we're gonna talk a little bit about the details starting at the mission, including the old mission site, including some stops along the way probably at Windown and then ending up at at Bodea. Right? Those are plans. Those are the uh overarching plans for now. So, we're hoping to hear from our donors. Uh, Like I say, we have distributed the boxes. We're going to follow up with them to do a save the date for the event, but we are relying on them. And we know the money is out there. We know it's out there. It's going to take a committee and a village to go after these people and make sure

they understand the urgency that we have. The mission is a great asset. It's a gym not only for our city, but for the region, for the city of El Paso, for the Mission Trail, for the state, for the nation, and we don't want to lose it, and we're in desperate need that we could lose it if we don't raise this money to do the restoration. Uh the event in October will start at the mission with a tour. We'll be using the parking lot for people that want to leave their vehicle there and they can take a vehicle. We'll have a van or something. They'll take them to the original site and then start the event at the M wind down. We're going to have chefs, 10 local chefs throughout the area of demonstrating what they cook. We're going to have entertainment and we're going to have a silent auction. So, all that's in the works right now, but we're hoping that the city of Sakoto also helps us in any way they can.

Any questions? Any members of council have any questions or comments? [clears throat]

I know that um there's there's a great desire uh as as a local government because you can see the logo that's used and it's everywhere. It's plastered everywhere. our mission. Um what can be frustrating at times is uh the the funding that we receive as a local government. It can only be used for um improvements done on on on public right away, you know, parks and roads and and whatnot. Um the city itself can't can't take money out of its budget to give to the church. That would be ideal. I mean, that'd be in a perfect world, but I think what we can do as city representatives and representatives of this area is we can help we can help promote um and campaign with you all to help raise these funds. I'm I I'm assuming the the 40% is around the $800,000 mark in order to

about it's about $1 million

about $1 million so that we can get this loan. Um I I was under the impression that um the Catholic they they they they have money. Um I know I put my money in the basket every Sunday, but um I didn't know that we had to go out for loans, but maybe um what what I what I've been interested in in wanting to do is become part of some Texas historical associations that can help bring funding, but I would have to do it as an as an individual. And and I'm more than happy and willing to do to do that. I just need to find out which one has more money so that I can bring bring that back to you all. But um thank you always for for showing that passion because I know that every time I send people to the Sakoro mission, they always meet Magda and and she's she's an awesome tour guide and she tells the the beautiful story of our mission very very well. And uh we appreciate residents like you all that come from pioneers of Soooro that have continued with the traditions and the upkeeping of our mission because not very many people do.

And sponsorship can be in different forms, right? It can be volunteers for our event. It can be cooking gordas. I mean, whatever. We're just looking for the support. Thank you so much. Thank you. [clears throat]

The next presentation is to recognize the three missions brewery as small business of the quarter. And um Miss Alejandra Valadees and Mr. Kun will be presenting this and the owner of Three Missions Brewery will be providing a sample to all in attendance tonight. No, I'm joking. That's not part of the agenda, but Uh good evening mayor and council. It's a pleasure to be here and happy new year to all of you. Wishing us a lot of success as we move forward in this uh new year. Today I uh I bring to you one of the the first uh persons that I came in contact when I started with the city and uh it gives me a lot of pleasure to talk about this business because they were the ones a small business that said we believe in this community. We believe in what offered we're willing to put our citizen and time into it. And today we're going to we're going to recognize uh three missions brewery. You can go to slide three. So this is the this is the the fourth quarter of uh what we've been doing with our small business recognition program which reflects the last three months October, November, December and in the all other business category um three missions brewery was recognized has is being u awarded today joining me today is Ricardo Raso the owner of uh the micro brewery that was established in 2020. during the pandemic. I mean, talk about, you know, tough time to start a business during a pandemic and in a community which has its own challenges and then you throw in that everybody's tied on the money and so uh all those conditions and he pulled forward with it and and what a pleasure because what he offers

is a micro brewery, a very unique product. It is made here in Sakoro. It's not made in in Washington or in Michigan or in St. Louis or in Denver. Uh some big breweries we hear about, but rather here in the heart of El Paso County in Soro and Three Missions Brewery. Um raise your hand if you've been here before. Don't be ashamed if you're 18 and 21, right? We're all guilty.

Great, great brewery. Great place to be. I think the ambience is a big part of it. the fact that it is in a historical historical building right next to Kasa right next to it and um and I think Ricardo has done a wonderful job you know I know his staff is really on top of things when you go there I you know I've seen folks tourists that just go there to have a beer and enjoy the scenery and what pleasure it gives me to to recognize uh three mission brewery and it owner for all the work his commitment and his dedication he's also a soal mentor So businesses, he's given topics to other small businesses in and around and what it is the challenges and all the opportunity that this community has. So with no further ado, I want to I want to recognize Ricardo to give us his uh [clears throat] I think we have a certificate for you, but I'd like for you to maybe talk a little bit more about Well, thank you all. Um, I really appreciate this. I love the city of Saporo. I wouldn't I mean, I'm so glad I started my business here. I'm very happy to start it here. Uh, the love of history, the love of beer, and combined in this old adobe building in Plaza. Just an amazing experience. Um, we're going on six years. I want to give thanks to God, my wife, and all my children. I got five of them. My oldest is five. And so, I work really hard and that's why I'm only and I look 45. [laughter] But I really appreciate this award and the city of Sakoro and everybody who works for you. Really appreciate it. Thank you. Congratulations. [applause] You all join in to take a a photo.

Yeah. Rick, if you want to come up here and um we would like to uh present to you the certificate. Rick, how do you like the sidewalks?

All right, good stuff. All right. Okay. [clears throat] The next item on the agenda is uh number seven. This is the presentation on the Texas Women's Leadership Institute, the class of 2026.

Good evening, Mayor and Council. Victor Reta, your communications director. I have some exciting news for the city of Sakura which will propel us not only on the local regional but also the state and national level. Recently we were approached by Texas women's leadership institute. You might be asking what exactly is that? So the leadership institute is not a conference. It is a leadership accelerator. It is the premier leadership pipeline for municipal government specifically for female empowerment leaders specifically senior officials within cities across the state of Texas. This is a very competitive program which only selects 20 women from the state of Texas, most of which are done through either application, but some of which are done through nominations. Focus on solving real world problems that are plag plaguing local cities. They will tackle five areas of improvement which focus on building not only strong leaders but also strong cities. As mentioned, it is an extremely competitive process in which they look at municipalities from all over the state to go ahead and select their pool of applicants. Why does it matter? Uh the city of Sakura was looked at and considered to be a highly selective city which had great potential in terms of a city to watch in terms of development, growth and innovation. I'm sorry. It is a statewide honor and it is also excellence by design as many cities across the state look to see to have one of their positions filled by a member of their city. As mentioned, only 20 participants are selected every year. Some of the things that they challenge include organizational leadership, public finance, economic development, negotiation and conflict resolution, infrastructure and public works. However, the bottom line is that they look at building strong leaders in order to make stronger cities. Throughout the night, you've heard that our city has done a lot more with a lot less and we value all the leadership that we've had within the city. So, when I got the call that they looked at our city to nominate someone, it was extremely extremely honorable. Uh part of the program does look at

creating executive seminars, mentorships from top Texas city managers. They do shadow and applied learning to go ahead and create not only infrastructure but also recreate successful programs from other cities in the state and bring them to your local city. So the statewide recognition will include the elevation of Sakura's presidents and voice at the local and state level. We are the only city in Texas from the uh western part of the state that has been awarded a seat at this table. We are one of again only 20 cities that will be represented this year and we are the only one attending the executive seminar. This places a coror alongside some of the most respected communities in the state. With that being said, they are happy to announce that this year's recipient of a scholarship is city manager Adrena Rod. [applause] from all city council and the department heads. We got you a little arrangement to commemorate your award.

Matt, you want to come up here and receive uh receive your gift? I think it's a big deal. Let's take a picture with our city manager here. For history, city of Sakor is the only West Texas city that has been honored with the place in the past 20 years. Mr. Sharte will join city managers, city leaders, and other senior officials throughout the state for the next six months to gain education, internship, and experience to better the city of Sakoro in all aspects of our departments and personnel. Congratulations, Mr. Rupe. [applause]

[applause]

Mr. Dart should say a speech. You should say a speech.

It's your turn to speak. Good evening, Mayor and Council. I'm extremely honored. Um, I've been here for 12 years and I can tell you that I'm very passionate about my city. Uh, born and raised here. So, I do have deep roots. U, but every I I love seeing how the city is growing and how it's progressing and just what the things to come. So, I'm very honored to be representing our city of Sakoro um at the state level. Thank you. [applause]

You can cry if you want.

You know, um the majority of our directors that run the operations here, they're all major are women because I get asked all the time. And um Muarte, I know I know she doesn't say it openly, but but I'm in her office every week and and I'm I'm I go in there and she's she can hear my my boots coming down the hallway and she's like, "This guy again." But um because we only want uh good things to happen for our residents. And I know that I I I run I run the operation pretty hard sometimes. and um I'll send her an email in the morning and and by the evening it's already been taken care of and that's that's something that I've I've worked for different organizations and I that's not a common practice. So we appreciate your hard work and congratulations and and represent us well. Thank you.

Thank you. All right. [applause] Okay. Moving on to the consent agenda. Motion to approve a consent agenda. Second. Uh, all those in favor of consent agenda say I. I. Okay. Are there any items that we need to move up before we move into the regular agenda? Do we need to delete any items? To delete item. I would like to delete item 26 and 27.

Second. Miss Corddero has made a motion to delete items 26 and 27. There's a second by Mr. Garcia. All those in favor say I. I. Any oppose or abstain?

That motion carries. Okay. Now we're going to move up to agenda item number 22. This is a public hearing of an ordinance for the amendment to the city of Sakoro's master plan and resoning of lot one block 12 Alamea estates replat subdivision located at 10371 Mansana drive Sakoro Texas from R1 single family residential to R2 medium density residential to allow for a triplex. Uh it is now 7:20 p.m. and the public hearing is now open.

No speakers, mayor. As there are no speakers, we'll be closing the public hearing comment uh period at 7:21. Agenda item number 23. This is the second reading and adoption of an ordinance for the amendment to the city of Sakoro's master plan and reszoning of lot one, block 12, Alamemeda Estates replat subdivision located at 10371 Mansana Drive, Sukoro, Texas, from R1 single family residential to R2 medium density residential to allow for a triplex. Motion to approve. Second.

Thank you, mayor and council. Good evening. This is Lorenito, city planner. The next this item on the agenda is 10371 Monsano Driveoning Request. The legal description is lot one block 12 of Alamemeda Estates Reply. The property owner and representative is Juan Baker Jr. and is present to answer any questions at the end of the presentation. The property is 10,695 ft in size. It is zoned R1 and currently vacant. The future land use map for the area designates this as suburban residential. And in summary, the request is to reszone the property from R1 to R2 to allow for a triplex on the property. Staff recommends approval of the request and city um [clears throat] planning and zoning commission recommended approval. Voting three yeses. Uh, no z no um zero nos and zero abstensions at their meeting on December the second. Uh the property is located on the corner of Escalante and Mansana Drive. It is currently R1 and surrounded by R1 residential uh zoning. The subdivision map shows the Alamemeda Estates subdivision. Various R1, R, R2, R3 zoning um changes have been made in this uh subdivision. The future land use map designates the area as suburban residential and the aerial image shows the property. Um on the aerial is an up outdated

aerial. This uh land is currently vacant. That structure is no longer on the property. These are photos uh looking at the property from Mansana Drive as well as from the intersection of Mansana and Escalante showing the vacant property. Public notices were sent to property owners within 200 ft of the applicant property. One letter was received uh and included in the backup. Their concerns varied um along different areas of the compatibility of the property, proposed land use, um the additional traffic, the additional noise being uh brought to the neighborhood, an established neighborhood, as well as a notice of of opposition from a person who spoke uh at the planning and zoning commission against the resoning request. also um citing their uh concerns with traffic and the impacts to changes to their property values. The next slide shows the site plan showing the parking on Escalante and the three units surrounded frontage with landscaping. The next shows the elevation. In summary, the request is for approval of a reszoning of a property from R1 to R2 to allow for a triplex. With that, staff can answer any questions and Mr. Baketta is also present to answer any

questions that council may have. Any members of council have any questions on this agenda item here? I believe there was a motion and a second. All those in favor say I.

I. Any oppose or abstain? That motion carries. Thanks. [clears throat] We go ahead and move on to agenda item number 24. This is a public hearing of an ordinance approving a preliminary plat for the floor delv subdivision being all of track 11A block 32 San Lisa Grant El Paso County, Texas and located near Petunia Drive. It's now 7:26 p.m. and the public hearing period is now open. No speakers, mayor.

All right. As there are no speakers, we'll go ahead and close the public hearing at 7:26 p.m. Agenda item number 25. This is the second reading and adoption of an ordinance approving a preliminary plat for the floor deboske subdivision being all of tract 11A block 32 Sanio Grant, El Paso County, Texas, and located near Patunia Drive. Motion to approve. Second.

Thank you, mayor and councel. Some general information regarding this preliminary plat request. The property is of track 11A block 32 San Lisario grant. Property owners Felo LLC and CA Group is their representative. Scar is present to answer any question that council may have. The property is 82.18 acres in size. There is no zoning as this is outside of the city of Sakoro's uh city limits, but it is within the city of Sakoro's ETJ. The [clears throat] request is for approval of a preliminary plat for the Flor Rio Flor uh subdivision. Planning and zoning staff recommends approval of the request at their planning and zoning commission meeting on December 2nd. The commissioners voted to approve the request 3 to zero. This aerial map shows the location of the property. These are outside of the city limit. So they there is no zoning. The purple shows the area within the ETJ and the portion of the flat that is within the city of Soros ETJ. The remainder being in the county. These are photographs of the property and these photos were taken from Patunia Drive. Uh uh traffic analysis was submitted. This is the preliminary plat for the the de subdivision. It is for 355 residential lots. It will also contain five ponds. [clears throat] And with that, staff can answer any questions.

Does council have any questions on this development? It's not even in our city. It's only in our ATJ. [clears throat] Okay. Um there was a motion and second on this item. All those in favor say I. I. Any oppose or abstain? That motion carries. Before we move on, I know that a lot of us are are coming to these meetings from from our other jobs. I'd like to see if anyone would like to entertain a motion for a uh a short recess. Make a motion for a 10-minute recess. Second. A motion and second on the table for a recess. All those in favor say I. I. Okay. At this time, we're going to go ahead and take a short recess.

unmuted.

I want to welcome everybody back to the uh second portion of our January 15, 2026 meeting. It's now 7:50 p.m. and we're going to move into agenda item number 28. This is the public hearing of an ordinance approving a final plat for Horizon Park unit 4 and a waiver request from section 38-49 compliance with requirements subsection D for the proposed storm drainage tie into Cottonwood Cove unit 2 subdivision being track 10-1 block 3 Soro grant and located at Ebert Road Soo Texas and public hearing is now open at 7:50 p.m. No speakers, mayor.

As there are no speakers, we're going to go ahead and close the public comment period at 7:50 p.m. Agenda item number 29. This is the second reading and adoption of an ordinance approving a final plat for Horizon Park unit 4 and a waiver request from section 38-49 compliance with requirement subsection D for the proposed storm drainage tie into Cottonwood Cove unit 2 subdivision being track 10-1 block 3 Soro grant [clears throat] and located and located at E Bert Road Soo Texas motion to approve second. Thank you, mayor and council. The next item is Horizon Park unit 4 subdivision final flat. The property is located off of Burke Road. It is track 10 I block three of Sakoral Grant. Bowling Brother Development Company LLC are the owners. Their representative with CA engineering is present to answer any questions that you may have. The property is just under three and a half acres in size and zoned R2, medium density residential. The current land use is vacant and the request is for approval of a final flat for Horizon Park unit 4 and the waiver request from section 3849 in compliance requirements to allow them to uh tie into an existing um [clears throat] pond for the Cottonwood Cottonwood Cove unit 2 subdivision. Planning and zoning staff recommends approval of the request for the final plat and the waiver request. Planning and zoning commission voted at their December 2nd meeting for approval of the request with two yeses and one extension. As I previously mentioned, the property is located off of Bert Road.

It is R2 medium density residential surrounded by other residential zoning R1 and R2 zoning districts. It is currently vacant as shown on the aerial site. Pictures taken from BERT show the vacant property and this is the request from CA for the waiver and this is the final PL. This will be a residential subdivision with a road tying into BERT. In summary, the request is for approval of the final flood for Horizon Park unit 4 and a waiver request from section 3849 compliance with requirements subsection D for the proposed storm drainage tie into Cotton Cove unit 2 subdivision. With that, staff can answer any questions and the representative is present. Any questions as well?

Council have any questions on this u agenda item? I have I have a few. Miss Kim, [clears throat] the the waiver request again is is for the tie-in of uh storm drain. Yes. So instead of having two small separate storm drains, this is one developer. We can combine the two and the drainage can be handled by the cotton coation. It's one large larger one. Um and they outbud each other. So, and then [snorts] for the city in the long run, it's easier to maintain one

one. Yeah. Then versus two. Um are there any residents in that area where the future development is is um is happening that don't have access to like the uh the water and the sewer? Yes. On the Mesa Drain properties, will we be able to tie those residents in now with this new development? Yes. Okay. Um, can we have Mr. Scott approach the uh the podium?

Good evening, Mayor Council with CA Group for the record.

Good evening. Can we bring up the map um showing like the site plan is is a better one to look at. the with the with the orange. There you go. Um, the reason why I'm asking this is because uh there there's some monies that are going made made available here in the in the near future uh coming down from the state that we want to take advantage of for our residents and we're trying to identify any and all uh projects similar to the ones that have been identified by the state for funding to be used. Um, can you describe the areas of residents that uh and I and I know it's not your job, but being familiar with the area that show the residents that don't have, you know, current utility services. Currently, there's uh between the Mesus uh drain road and the red highlighted project area, there's four properties that are either have they're either landlocked uh or have limited services. They all have water. We and we got confirmed by uh Laura Valley Water District.

You need the waste water and they have gas water. Water regular water. Natural gas is one that lacks, I think.

I believe gas, sewer lacks. Um, so as part of our subdivision, we're coming in with 18 lots and we're going to extend a pave surface from Bert Road all the way to the end to kind of I'm going to call it stub it out or it kind of terminates at the property line. Um, and now these residents are going to have paved access from Bert Road all the way to the front of the uh property. In addition, we're bringing in water, even though they already have water, but obviously these are residential lots that we got to bring utilities into, but also we're going to extend sanitary sewer from Bert Road all the way to to our property line. However, we've been working with the Lower Valley and the Lower Valley actually engaged us to go ahead and design a sewer line kind of that's going to serve those residents right now. So, uh, I just met with the Ed Long and the Lur Valley on Tuesday. They gave me a couple comments they want me to address. We'll probably resubmit on Monday. Uh, and they said they will probably take about a day or two. Actually, Monday they're closed, so it'll probably be Tuesday.

Um, probably about a day or two before they get them approved. We're looking at going out to construction uh or not I'm sorry go out to bid I'm sorry go out to bid on Friday for I'm going call it Horizon Park 4 Cotton Cove which is the one uh the case which is after this one and adjacent to this property and we're going to call it Horizon I call it Horizon Park unit for sewer off-site sewer. Uh we're going to go out to bid on those four. It takes about probably about three weeks for us to get the bids and then we're looking at starting construction either late February or early March to start the grading is one of the first things that ended up happening and then we come in with the wet utilities and then paving and grading I mean paving and curb.

Yeah. And and the the Mesa drain road which technically isn't isn't a road but it's been given that title because that's the only access that those l landlocked residents have been able to use. That has to be that goes unpaved unfortunately become it belongs to the water district. We can't pave. You can put gravel on there, but it's going to be at the cost of the residents to to do um my main concern is um waste waste water and and gas. These residents will not have access,

right? So, waste water uh is going to go from Bert Road all the way through their property. And then with working with the lower valley, we're doing a line parallel to Bert Road that now these people are going to be able to tie in to a sanitary sewer line directly. The gas we're going to come in and terminate uh at the property line and then as people want make requests comes in and starts tying them in. Okay. Okay. Good. Um and then they'll be able to access off of Mesa Draan onto Bert Road. Now that they'll have that open, right? It's going to be paid. It's going to be fully paved in compliance to sedakoto standards.

Is is there any parks anywhere close to that area? The only park that we have uh is we are doing one in Horizon Park unit one um which is does it show in this in this map here or

No, I think it's a little bit further to the to the north. I want to [clears throat] say to the north on the other side of Bert Road. Uh it's a subdivision that's under construction. the same developer uh and they're I think it's a about a one and a half one and a half acre park or two acre park that we're proposing on this one. Reason why I'm saying this is right across the street from Mesa Drain, there's there's like wannabe park, but it's it's not really a park. And I I' I'd like to get rid of that piece and then have the residents be able to use that that larger park, that one and a half acre. I think you mentioned it's about one and a half acre.

One and a half acre park. I think that that'd be nice for those residents to be able to use now instead of the handball court that gets tagged on every week, the portable restrooms that are there and then these it's just it's just not a pretty sight, you know. Okay, those were all my questions and we've coordinated with the adjacent proper I think the I forgot the lady that uh we've been coordinating uh and they have no objection. They they ended up leaving just they understand the project. So, okay. Okay. Awesome. Thank you so much. Thank you. There [clears throat] was a U motion and second on this item. All those in favor say I. I.

Any oppose or abstain? That motion carries. Nice. Moving on to agenda item number 30. This is a public hearing of an ordinance approving a final plat for Cottonwood Cove unit 2 subdivision being tracked 10G1 10H 101 and 11B1 block 3 Soro Grant and located at Ebert Road Sakoroto Texas. It's now 801 p.m. and the public hearing is now open. No speakers.

Thank you. As there are no speakers, we'll move on to agenda item 31. This is the second reading and adoption. I'm sorry. Did I already close the uh public comment? We're going to close public comment at 801. Agenda item 31 is the second reading and adoption of an ordinance approving a final plat for Cottonwood Cove unit to subdivision being track 10G1 10H 101 and 11B1 block 3 So grant and located at Eber Road, Sakoro, Texas. Motion to approve. Second.

Thank you, mayor and councel. This is your next item. Cottonwood Cove unit 2 subdivision final flat as stated previously, this is adjacent to the item that you just heard and voted on. This [snorts] is track 10 G1 10H10 I and 11 B1 block 3 a coral grant bowling brothers uh development LLC their representative is in the audience to answer any questions that you may have after the presentation. The property is 4.36 acres in size and zoned R2. The property is vacant and in summary, the request is for approval of a final flat for the Cottonwood Cove unit to subdivision. Planning and zoning staff recommends approval of the request and the planning and uh zoning commission voted for approval. Two yeses and one extension at their December second meeting. [clears throat] The property is located between uh the Mesa drain and B road. It is zoned R2 medium density residential. The property is vacant and surrounded by various residential uh uses as well as some vacant property. These are photograph photographs taken uh from B road and from Cold Creek. This is a final plat for cotton cove unit 2. And the ponding area that we were discussing is to the right of the street in the middle of the plat.

In summary, the request is for approval of a final final plat for Cottonwood Cottonwood Cove unit 2 uh subdivision. that staff can answer any questions or if you have questions for the representative, he can answer them as well. Thank you. Any questions from council on this one here? No, Miss Kamino, I I noticed that on on a lot of our um recommendations from the planning and zoning commission, there's always that one no um abstain. Is it was it why why do they have um is it a conflict of interest that they abstain? Yes, they have a connection to the Bowling Brothers development.

Oh, okay. All right. Very well. There was a motion and second on this item. All those in favor say I. I.

Any oppose or abstain? That motion carries. Agenda item number 32. This is a public hearing of an ordinance approving a master plan resubmission section 38-7.11. Master plan changes for Horizon Park. Master plan being Horizon Park unit one, Horizon unit one replat A, Horizon Park unit one replat B, Horizon Park unit 3, all of tracks two 3B 3B-5 4E-18 10-1 and JB block 3 Soroto Grand Soroto Texas and public hearing is now open at 8:05 p.m. No speakers, ma'am.

Thank you. As there are no speakers, we're going to go ahead and close the public hearing at 8:05 p.m. Agenda item number 33. This is a second reading and adoption of an ordinance approving a master plan resubmission section 38-7.11 master plan changes for Horizon Park. Master plan being Horizon Park unit one Horizon unit one replat A Horizon Park unit one replat B Horizon Park unit 3 all of tracks 2 3-B 3-B-5 4- E-1- A 10-1 and J block 3O grant support Texas motion to approve

second

thank you mayor and councel this next item is a master plan resubmission for the Horizon Park development. The property is off of Horizon Boulevard and the property owner is Bowling Brothers Development Company LLC of Fiesta Palms Ltd. Their representative Horgeescare with CA Group is in attendance. The property in its entirety is 76.64 acres in size and zoned A1, R2, and C2. The current land use is residential, agricultural and vacant. Uh the summary is in summary the request is for a approval of a resubmitted master plan. This resubmission adds the new um subdivisions Horizon Park unit 3, unit 4 to the overall master plan for the area. You approved the Horizon Park master plan at your January 25th, 2024 meeting. So, this has been seen by city council before. Planning and zoning staff recommends approval of the request. The planning and zoning commission voted for approval at their December 2nd meeting with three members present, two yeses, and one abstension. This is a the location map showing the property off of Horizon Boulevard. The area is highlighted in blue. The aerial map shows the vacant land. And the next slide shows some photographs taken from BERT. The master plan shows the uh layout for

the residential development, the commercial along Horizon Boulevard, the parks as mentioned. And in summary, the request is for approval of the resubmission of a master plan for Horizon Park. And with that, staff can answer any questions that you all may have. Any questions from council on this one here?

No. Thank you, Mr. Martinez. There was a uh motion and second on this item. All those in favor say I. I. The opposer abstain. That motion carries. Thank you. Thank you.

Thank you, Miss Kimo. Thank you. We're now moving on into the grants department with agenda item number 34. This is the discussion and action to ratify a letter of support for El Paso County's fiscal year 26 raise grant application for the Bob Hope Drive project. Motion to approve. Second.

Good afternoon, Mayor Council Alejandra Valade, city development director. Uh we are requesting your approval for a letter of support that we have provided to El Paso County for the Bob Hope extension project. This project will expand extend Bob Hope from Mission Ridge all the way to Joe Battle. The project is not in Sakura, but we do believe in supporting our um neighboring uh communities as best as possible in the same way that they support our Sakura projects. That's it. That's all. That's all I [laughter] have. Thank you. I was waiting for the waiting for money for the kicker. I'm not We don't need money, but

just your approval. All right. Well, there was a uh motion and second on on this item here. All those in favor say I. I. Any oppose or abstain? That motion carries. The the next item is agenda item 35. This is the discussion and action to ratify a letter of support for the partnership between El Paso Community College, Sakoro Independent School District and Workforce Solutions Borderlex WSB and their application to the TWWC jobs and education for Texas grant program which will benefit local high school career and technical education students. Motion to approve.

Good afternoon, mayor and council. Uh your approval for this letter of support will help to provide support for the collaboration between El Paso Community College, Sakora Independent School District and local industry for a dual dual credit pathway um program for advanced manufacturing uh to support our growing manufacturing industry here locally. So, this will be uh the development of a dual credit program that will start at the high school students senior uh I'm sorry, junior year and prepare them to go into higher paying manufacturing jobs upon graduation. There is no financial impact through this letter of support. It's just showing our support for this project.

Absolutely. Any questions or comments? There was a motion and second. All those in favor say I. I. That motion carries. Agenda item number 36, the discussion and action to update the ARPA spending framework for the city of Sakoro, Texas. Motion to approve.

Good afternoon, mayor and council. We're requesting your approval on the updates described in our agenda item for our RPA spending framework. As you recall, these funds were appropriated to the city of Sakoro to support our recovery from the CO9 pandemic. Uh this time we are bringing you a few changes uh to increase reduce funding to ARPA project GSPO5 by $28,000. Increase funding to ARPA project RCO3 by $66,000. Um and increase ARPA project PO6 by $13,000. there is a net um increase decrease of zero dollars. So, we're balancing that budget that we have available to make sure that we maximize the use of those funds.

Any uh questions and and comments for this one here? I know that the uh description of the [clears throat] funds being appropriated are given a numerical and alphabetical title. Can can you just describe what those specific projects are?

Yes. So GSPO5 is funding for uh the salary and wages of our economic recovery coordinator, Mr. Jose Kyones, who has done a lot of really good work in building up our small business community here in here in Sakuro. Um we have now included his position as part of the grants and special projects department. So we no longer need ARPA funds for that project specifically. Uh project RCO3 is for our community wellness coordinator um who is also um funds her salary. This uh change is going to increase funds available for that position so that we can keep her as part of our team through the end of December 2026. And lastly, ARPA project P9 is what we call our surface transportation project, and it involves uh some of the material that we need for um street paving and and some of our sidewalks projects as well. So, that's going to increase a little bit of funds so that we can make the most out of the the ARPA funds that we do have available.

Very well. Thanks. Um there was a motion and second. All those in favor say I. I. That motion carries. The next agenda item is uh number 37. This is the discussion and action to approve resolution 837 authorizing the submission of a grant application to text offsystem rail grade separation state fund program for the Union Pacific Railroad crossing at Horizon Boulevard east of Alameda State Highway 20 El Paso County Great Separation Project. There is no match requirements for the city of Sakoro. Motion to approve.

Second. Good afternoon, Mayor and Council. We're requesting uh your approval for a resolution allowing us to submit the detailed application for this project. On May 2025, Senate Bill 155 authorized uh funds for an offsystem rail grade separation fund program in the state of Texas. Um the 89th Texas State Legislature allocated $250 million to be made available to communities across Texas within the next two years. um so that they can move forward with grade separation projects and reduce uh some of those traffic issues that we're finding at the railroad crossings. The city of Sakuro did submit a preliminary application in November of 2025 and our project was selected to move forward to the detailed application phase. That application is now due on on January 19th. Um at this time we're requesting your approval showing support for the project. As you have heard, we have also deployed a survey to the community. In the past few days, we've received over 270 responses. 89% of of the responses show support for the project and also provide comments on how that railroad crossing crossing impacts their lives. and everything from um law enforcement to emergency response, fire response, ambulance response is being affected by that the lack of a bridge over the Horizon Boulevard railroad crossing. So, if this project is selected for funding, uh we're estimating to um be awarded approximately $35 million for the project and the impacted taxpayers would be zero dollars. Does anyone want to say no to that?

Um, I I have uh one question. The 11 the 11% that may not have been in favor for this specific project, what were those comments?

The comments that we received were anything from we shouldn't be spending uh money our our taxpayer dollars on the bridge, we should be spending it on animal control, we should be spending it on parks, we should be spending it on sidewalks. Um, some of the residents showed concern about us taking on debt to cover the cost of the project. A lot of it had to do with how much is this going to cost. So, I think once we communicate that the the project is going to be 100% grantfunded, will not impact uh taxpayers, I think that will be um helpful to mitigate some of those questions. But we will make the survey responses available on our website on the project site after we close the survey. There's still time to fill it out. Uh we're taking responses through the end of today so that we can compile those responses and submit them with the application.

And if I'm not mistaken, the description of the survey that the city has has has posted, I think it clearly states that it it would be at zero cost to the residents. Yes, we have um we have a whole page on the project on our website and we invite the community to go on there and and look at some of the details and we have our contact information there if there's further questions. But it does talk about the cost of the project and how we plan to fund it through this grant. Very well. There was a motion and second on this item. All those in favor say I. I.

Any oppose or abstain? That motion carries. Agenda item number 38. This is the discussion and action to approve supplemental number seven uh to work authorization number two under contract 22-07-01 with Kamacho Hernandez and Associates LLC for the Novo Waco Tanks Road extension project extending the termination date through October 20th of 2027 and authorizing the city manager or her designate to execute the supplemental agreement. There's no financial impact associated with this action. Motion to approve. Second. There's a motion and second. All those in favor say I. I. Good afternoon, mayor and council. We're requesting your approval for this. I've already taken the vote on the house.

Oh, okay. But you know what? I apologize. No, I apologize because I jumped the gun and I didn't allow you to present the item. So, at this time, are we allowed to present this item or the the council has spoken? But nobody voted against it. No. Well, everybody

I I don't have much to say about it other than

Alejandra doesn't have much to say good out of courtesy. I just wanted to throw it out there. So the uh there was a motion and second and the council voted uh all in favor. So, we'll be moving on to agenda item number 39. And you'll still be able to present this one. Um, this is the discussion and action to approve supplemental to number six to work authorization number three under contract 22-07-01 with Kamacho Hernandez and Associates LLC for the Sparks Aoyo drainage improvement project extending the termination date through November 15 of 2027 and authorizing the city manager or her designated execute the supplemental agreement. There's no financial impact associated with this action. Motion to approve. Second.

So, uh thank you. This is a Sparks Aaro project. As you know, it is ongoing. Uh this project is very important to improving storm water control, drainage, and flood prevention around the Sparks Aaro area, which does include a lot of neighborhoods. Because the project is already in development, we are getting ready to go into the construction phase in the next year. Uh it is important that we extend our contract with our engineer to be able to deliver the project as best as possible within the the extended time frame. There is no additional funds that are requested is it's just a a time extension.

There was a motion and second and does council have any questions comments on this item? There was a motion and second. All those in favor say I.

I. And that motion carries. Agenda item number 40. This is the discussion and action to approve supplementals to work authorizations under contract 22-07-02 with CA engineering group extending their effective dates through September 30th, 2027 and authorizing the city manager or her designated execute the supplemental agreements for the following projects. Supplemental to work authorization number two for the arterial one project. Supplemental to work authorization number four for the Paso Norte Trail project. Supplemental to work authorization number five for the Vineyard road bridge replacement project. And supplemental to work authorization number six for the Passmore road bridge replacement project. There's no financial impact from this action. Motion to approve.

Second.

Good afternoon, mayor and council. We are requesting your approval for those supplementals listed. That would be for the arterial one project, the Basonorte trail project for contract administration, the vineyard bridge replacement project, and the Passmore bridge replacement project. Again, same as with our previous item, all of these engineering um projects are in development and they're pretty far along. So, we'd love to get the opportunity to extend the engineering contract so that the projects can be brought to full completion and delivery and and um we bring those projects to the community. There's no financial um increase. There's no impact. We're just requesting the time extension.

Any questions? There was a motion and second on the table. All those in favor say I. I that motion carries. [clears throat] We'll be moving on to uh our city manager with agenda item number 41. This is the discussion and action to approve award to Terara Logic for digitization of planning and zoning records and purchase of document management software in the amount of 34,195 with 76 cents. Motion to approve.

Second. Good evening, mayor and council. This item is requesting approval to award to our logic for dig digitizing of planning and zoning department records. This request includes two components. Digitizing of records and document management software. The purpose of this project is to help the planning and zoning department modernize how records are stored and accessed by converting physical files into a secure digital format. This will uh improve organization, allow quicker retrieval of records, strengthen document retention practices and improve accessibility. Trail logic is an approved vendor through the Texas byboard cooperative which is meeting the procurement process. This purchase was budget for fiscal year for this fiscal year and staff is available to answer any questions.

Does council have any uh questions on this item here? I'm just glad that it's already happening because it it's very long overdue. Okay, there was a motion and second on this item. All those in favor say I. I. That motion carries. Agenda item number 42. This is the discussion and action to authorize staff to initiate discussions regarding franchise agreements and utility service options. Um motion to approve. Second. Is is this an item that the council wishes to discuss in executive or is this one that has to be discussed uh in open forum? Mr. Martinez.

So, good evening, Mayor and Council. This item before you is authorizing city staff to initiate conversations with utility and service providers operating within the city regarding potential franchise agreements and to also explore services delivery options for solid waste services. As council, you're aware that the city currently maintains franchise agreements with certain utility providers in an effort to promote consistency, transparency, and responsible management of city's rightway infrastructure. Staff is requesting authorization to begin preliminary discussions with other utility companies to determine whether franchise agreements may be appropriate moving forward. In addition, staff is seeking direction to explore options related to solid waste services. This includes evaluating the possibility of a franch franchise style service agreement with potential providers and the feasibility of establishing a city operated solid waste department. As part of this evaluation, staff would review the operational, legal, and financial consideration to determine what approach would be would best serve the city. I would like to emphasize that no agreements and no service changes are being approved tonight. This agenda item is intended only to allow staff to begin discussions, gather information, evaluate options, and return to mayor and council with findings and recommendations for future consideration. any proposed franchise agreements, fee structures or solid waste recommendations would be brought back to council for review and approval at a later date. So staff is just requesting approval so we can start those um conversations and staff is here to answer any questions

questions or comments. Okay, there was a motion and second on this item. All those in favor say I. I. That motion carries. [clears throat] Agenda item number 43. This is the discussion and action to approve the use of city office space by the Soro Veterans Group. Motion to approve.

Good evening, Mayor and Council. This item is requesting approval to allow the Sakoro Veterans Group to use city- owned office space and location basis for administrative work and for the storage of merchandise related to their activities. The Sorro Veterans Group has requested access to a small office space so they can conduct organizational work. After reviewing available city facilities, staff has identified a suitable office that was purely used by animal control prior to the relationship to the police department. Their relocation, not relationship, relocation to PD. Um, so we we believe that is a good office space for them and we're asking for your approval for that

and staff is here to answer any questions. Any discussion on this item here? Would it be the one next door? No, right here where it is at. Uhhuh. That's where animal control used to be housed and then they relocated to PD. So right now that office is empty. Does um is it furnished already or or do we have some furniture that we can uh So it's furnished. I think there's two desk in there.

Do you know? Chief Roas. So if there's not, we we can provide we have some at the police department. We can provide some some because I I believe they did take some. I just don't know exactly what they some pallets and some milk cartons. The folding chairs. The folding chairs. Yeah. No. Um so there was a motion and second on the table. All those in favor say I. I. And that motion carries. [clears throat] The next item is agenda item number 44. The discussion and action to reappoint Chief of Police Robert Sir Roas to the El Paso County 911 District Board of Managers. Motion to approve. Second.

Correct. So this motion he he serve he recently he currently serves at the 911 district board. All we're asking is to reappoint him since his term expired in December. Is there any discussion? Well, there was a motion and second on the table. All those in favor say I. I. That motion carries. Thank you. Uh we've already discussed the uh the following two items. So we're going to be moving on to agenda item 47. Mayor and councel. This is the discussion and action regarding the city manager's annual performance evaluation and consideration of annual discretionary bonus. Um

go ahead, Mr. Martinez. What if the council has given the subject a directive to take their evaluation into executive is the council has given a directive of the subject receiving the evaluation to rather take this one into executive.

Okay. Okay, I know that in the years that I've served, you've always asked for your evaluation to be uh open and and in the public. Is that something that you want to continue doing? For transparency, I believe it should be an open session.

Very well. I'd like to make a motion to approve with a 10% bonus uh paid immediately. the um the evaluations. Did did anyone want to discuss their evaluation? Miss, did they have any comments that they'd like to make during the meeting today?

Keep up with your work. uh in my evaluation I said she was a heart of Sakoro and I think she proved that today with her uh being accepted to a state award and she's been here longer than any of us so she's been through the thick and thin and we appreciate your work here at any other uh comments or you'd like to address today or would you like to keep them as stated in the evaluation? Anyone else? Any other discussion? No.

No. I've I've provided my evaluation. Um, [clears throat] and you guys are more than welcome to uh review my evaluation. Um, our city clerk has has copies of all that. So you guys part of your backup [cough and clears throat] and it also is part of the backup. You can see all my comments that I put there and and the uh the grading that I've given her. Um, so there was a motion on the table for um for the consideration or actually a 10% bonus bonus and is it do does a bonus have to be specific uh Jim as far as

a percentage and then you said to be paid effective immediately and effective immediately um the only thing I'd say I wish we could give you a pay raise but that's longer and more expensive and one time bonuses I hope is good enough for you very well any other discussion no there was a uh motion and second on table. All those in favor say I. I.

So I I've also uh voted in agreement with my colleagues on the table. So the uh that the uh for the record this agenda item does pass unanimously. Okay. All right. [clears throat] Moving on to the following agenda items. Are there any items for discussion for uh 48 49 50 51

51 [clears throat and cough] present? Okay, we're going. Okay, so let's take care of 48 U and 49 and and 50. What items are we discussing? Uh 51. We're going into executive for that one. So we would we need to delete uh the items prior to that. So I'm going to need a motion motion to delete items 48, 49, and 50. Second.

There's been a motion and second to delete items 48, 49, and 50 from the agenda. All those in favor say I. I. That motion carries. Um, I'm going to need a motion to go into executive. Motion to go into executive. Second. There's been a motion and second to enter into executive at this time. All those in favor say I. I.

It's now 8:34 p.m. and we're now entering into the executive session. Hey, hey, hey, hey. Hey, hey, hey. Hey, hey, hey, hey.

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Hey, hey, hey. Hey, hey, hey. Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey. Uh welcome back to the January 15, 2026 Okoto city council uh meeting. We're now back in regular session from executive after discussion. Would any council members like to make a motion?

Okay, there's been a motion and second by councel. All those in favor say I. I. The opposer abstain. That motion carries. Uh would anyone like to entertain a motion to There's been a motion and second to adjurnn this meeting. All in favor say I. I. That motion carries. Our meeting adjourns at 9:12