City Council - Regular Meeting

[music] Coming up next on ECN, a regularly scheduled meeting of [music] your Edinburgh city council. on the council. Mayor Omar Ooaha, Mayor Prom [music] David Salasar, Council Member [music] Dan Diaz, Council Member [music] Jason DeLeon, and Council Member Jerry Losano. sitting in his adviserss, city manager [music] Myra Ayala and city attorney Josie Ramirez Solis. And now live from the Edinburgh City Hall, the Edinburgh City Council. [music] Uh time now is 6 pm. Uh we'll call to order this regular meeting of the Edinburgh City Council. Uh looking around, I can see that all members of council are present. So, we do have a quorum. Uh, if we can go on to item 1A, is uh, Miss, uh, Pastor Joanna Walker present? No. Okay. Uh, Council Member Dan Diaz, could you lead us in prayer?

Yes, please. If hero could join me in standing, remove all head gear. Let us pray together. Before we begin our city council meeting this evening, let us take a moment to thank the Lord God for the opportunity to be here, working together toward the common goal of enriching our city and all who work here. Lord, we praise you and ask you to guide us in this meeting that we may be united in the spirit of mutual respect and the healthy exchange of our ideas. Help us work together for the good of all our community. We ask this in your name and as always in God we trust. Can I get an amen? Amen. Thank you. Uh for item 1B, the pledge of allegiance. Council member Lozano, could you lead us?

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nation with all. Next item is uh certification of public notice. Madam Secretary. Yes, sir. Mr. Mayor, the meeting was posted in accordance to the Texas Open Meetings Act on January 13, 2025 at 6:05 p.m., Sir. All right. Uh, next item three, disclosure of conflict of interest. Yes, Mayor. Under state law, a local government official is required to disclose a substantial interest for themselves or certain family members and abstain from voting on matters related to such a conflict. Are there any conflicts to disclose related to pending matters on today's agenda? No, ma'am. No, ma'am.

Thank you. Uh, next item is mayor's report, but we'll skip ahead to the city manager report because it's one and the same tonight. Go ahead.

Thank you, mayor. Uh, good evening, mayor and council. Um, today on the city manager report, I do have the city of Edinburgh events, the 44th annual All-America City David Chavana 10K run walk. Uh the city is preparing for the 44th annual like I mentioned uh all America uh city David Chavana 10K runwalk along with the 25th annual fun run and 11th annual Miracle Mile. The Miracle Mile will take place at 6 p.m. on Friday, February the 6th at Richard Flores Stadium. Then on Saturday, February 7th, the 10K will begin at 7:30 a.m. followed by the fun run at 10:00 a.m. and and Saturday's race will start uh in front of the Edinburgh Parks and Recre Parks and Recreation Center located at 315 Mark uh South uh South Mark Pñena Drive. The city invites the community to participate and show their support as we honor the legacy and lasting impact of the late David Chavana, uh, whose dedication and service continue to inspire our community. Registration is currently open online at active edinberg.com or in person at the parks and recreation department. For more information, residents may contact 956 381-5631. And additionally, along with the preparation for the 10K, residents are invited to join Mayor Ooa for his run with the mayor events at Municipal Park at 8:00 a.m. on Sundays. And for more uh information, they can reach out to Mayor Ooa or follow him on his social media for any updates. That's all I have. Mayor Council.

Great. Thank you. Yes, it's a lot of fun. Come out and join us. Sundays at 8 a.m. We have coffee. You can walk. You don't have to run. Uh but it's all in good fun. And I hope everybody here will participate in the 10K this year, whether you're a spectator cheering on the runners and the walkers or if you go out there yourself, which I hope that you do. So, thank you. Uh, next item on the agenda, are the proclamations or recognition? Um, for this particular one, could could you read the caption and then pause so I can say something?

Okay. Yes, mayor. Presentation of proclamation recognizing January 2026 as Edinburgh Consolidated Independent School District Board of Trustees Month. Yes. Uh so we're very honored uh and happy uh to be able to do this proclamation uh to recognize the Edinburg School Board uh in this school board month. Uh we are so glad uh and privileged to have members of the school board here today. I do have to apologize though on behalf of the city. Uh unfortunately we did not contact the schoolboard members to let them know about the proclamation this evening until this afternoon. Uh so for the schoolboard members who are not here, my deep apologies uh for that oversight. Um but what I would love to do is come to your next schoolboard meeting personally. Uh so I can present this proclamation to you all at your meeting. Uh so again, apologies for that, but we uh we love our school board. We're very happy to be working with you all. We want a great partnership between the city and the school district, and I apologize for the oversight. All right. So, do we have the proclamation?

Yes, sir. Mayor. Yes. Would you like to read it?

Yes, sir. Mayor, I will now read the proclamation for the record. If you here to receive the proclamation, if you can come to the podium. Edward has holidayed independent school district board of trustees month. Whereas Governor Greg Abbott recently issued a proclamation officially marking January as school board recognition month in the state of Texas acknowledging the importance of school boards. This year's this year's theme is our future is public, highlighting trustes crucial role in public education. And whereas the mission of the Edinburgh Consolidated Independent School District, ECISD, board of trustees, administrators, teachers, support staff, parents, and community in partnership with public and private agencies is committed to provide the support, resources, and academic rigor to ensure all students achieve educational and social excellence. And whereas the ECISD vision is that all students will master the competencies to be lifelong learners to compete, contribute, and succeed in the global community through positive attitudes and high expectations. And whereas the ECISD board of trustees works closely with parents, educational professionals and other community members to achieve the educational vision we want for our students. And whereas the ECISD board of trustees is responsible for ensuring the structure that provides a solid foundation for our school system. And whereas the ECIC board of trustees are strong advocates for public education and are responsible for communicating the needs of the school district to the public and the public's expectations to the district. And whereas the Edinburgh city council recognizes recognizes the ECIC board of trustees members David Torres, Carmen Gonzalez, Letty Flores, Luis Gia, Leticia Garcia, Javier Selenas, Domingella, and the volunteers who work tirelessly to guide the school district in creating a meaningful highquality educational experience and opportunities that prepare our students for college careers and beyond. Now therefore, the mayor and council of the city of Edinburgh, Texas, by power of resident by law, do hereby recognize the Edinburgh Consolidated Independent School District Board of Trustees, and recognize all citizens to join in recognizing the ECIC board of trustees members for the dedication, leadership,

and commitment to improving the education system, and that it meets the needs of both today's and tomorrow's children. [applause] On behalf of the school board and our community, I want to thank the the the mayor for being for being the front runner for getting ahead of himself but with the good thought of the idea of working together because Edinburgh serves all the students from Edinburgh. So we consider ourselves the need to always work together. We want to know what they're doing and they want to know what we're doing. So together we'll do the best for this community. So I'm glad that I think this is the first time that this has ever happened. So we feel very happy. The ladies feel very happy that uh that you recognize that we the board and you the commissioner and and the mayor we need to work together to continue to work together. and uh the better we are, the better our students are going to be. Thank you.

Thank you again. [applause]

Yes. And thank you uh Mayor Cho and city council and everyone that is here. And it is true. We need to work together because at the end of the day, each and every one of you that is sitting here, whether you went to the Edinburgh school district or any other school district in South Texas, you had a teacher, you had a principal, and you had parents and community that supported you. Mayor Ooah is a proud product of Edinburgh North High School. Jerry Losano, are you a bobcat? You are a bobcat. I can see with that red shirt that you're wearing. So that at the end of the day, we produced we and we produce fine young and community citizens that go on to lead the city and this school district and most of all this community that we love so much. So, thank you for joining us and for having us here and honor honoring us on this special day. Thank you.

Thank you again. Thank you. [applause] Yes, I am a very proud product of the public schools uh here in Edinburg all the way from Fred Gonzalez Elementary to sixth grade campus, Memorial Junior High, Edinburgh North. Um, so thank you very much for the sacrifices that the school board makes uh for our kids and for our future. Um, anybody? All right. Thank you all very much. I'm looking forward to your next board meeting and I'll go over there myself to to thank say if I will. I did not graduate here, but my son will. [laughter]

That's right. All right. Okay. Uh, moving on to uh item number seven, public comments. Uh, any public comments, Madam Secretary? Yes, sir Mayor. Uh, good evening everyone. The Edinburgh city council allows for a specific portion of the city council meeting to be dedicated to public comments. Public comments are limited to three minutes. I'll be taking time. Please note the public comment period is not interactive. The council may not respond to public comments. At this time, council, there are five public comments. The first public comment is Pedro Salasad. Uh, regarding follow-up on community concerns on data center. [applause] Good evening, mayor and council members. Thanks for the opportunity to come and speak with you. Um, I'm uh the former uh Edinburgh 2040 chair, former economic development corporation chair back in 2002. I'm the CEO for Red Square Deno and Orthodontics. I've got some prepared comments because I know I'm under three minutes. U I want to start by acknowledging the residents who spoke at the last meeting. To me, they asked some good questions. questions about water, power, public health, grit, reliability, and who ultimately pays the bill. Those are not anti-technology questions. They are responsible community questions. What I want to talk to you about tonight is why we are seeing a growing anxiety about data centers and technology as a whole. Not just in Edinburgh, but in Lafedia, Haringen, and all over the country. I tell my sons this all the time. The future is like a stampede of buffalo. They're coming at you faster than you think. And you really only have two choices. Try to stop them or learn how to run with them. AI, data centers, driverless cars, automation, humanoid robots. This is not science fiction anymore. It's happening now. It's happening everywhere. The pace of change is unsettling, especially for communities that have historically borne the downside of development without always sharing in the benefits. So the

anxiety that we're seeing in in communities like ours, it it deserves respect. But acknowledging anxiety does not mean you say no to everything. What it means is that you don't put your head in the sand. We don't pretend the future isn't coming. We don't let others define it for us. We believe I believe Mayor Ot responded correctly at the last meeting by emphasizing the need for a sincere discussion and a viable plan, not panic and not blinds acceptance. That balance is exactly what we tried to do as part of the Edenberg 2040 economic development campaign. We came to a conclusion that there is three things that will define development in the future. Water, power, and people. Not incentives, not press releases, not wishful thinking. If you can responsibly provide water, power, and people, you will attract investment. If you can't, you won't. No matter how many deals you chase. Here's a part that often gets lost. Edinburgh actually has a real advantage if we plan intentionally. Water. We have access to significant water resources, which are well suited for industrial and non-potable uses when treated properly. that matters in a droughtprone area. And I'm referring to brackish water and reuse water power. South Texas is one of the best regions in the country for on-site power generation, solar, wind, and even geothermal. That gives us leverage to demand grid isolated or grid supportive projects rather than grid straining ones. And then people, we are young, growing, and connected to higher education and workforce pipelines that many cities would envy. But we must align training with where is actually going. Thank you.

The next public comment is Miss Fmer Clarity regarding taxpayers money.

Gentlemen, I [clears throat] am here again to express my concern over your spending. Every 12 months, we have a discussion concerning how the city needs more money. Not once have we heard or have discussions concerning the financial status of the people. Can the people afford the cost or created by the programs that this council creates? It is my understanding that the city has advertised for emergency medical transportation. Don't waste my time. I know how this is going to end. The city council will decide that they can do the job at a lower cost. Y'all look at mission. It doesn't work. and it will expand services into another private sector. Gentlemen, we have been here before and it is always uh way of taking patients to that one place that makes political contributions. I personally uh appreciate and like Medicare. They actually help save my husband to get him from the Edinburgh hospital to the heart hospital while he was having a heart attack. So, I stand with them. About three months ago, I submitted a request for public information concerning the $10 million contribution to DHR for the purpose of creating 300 jobs with a $15 an hour salary. The number of jobs in the salaries were in the contract and a primary basis for the contribution. Well, I received the information finally, but all the salaries were blacked out. My assumption is that the city just gave the money and that no one checked the details. I will remind you that this council sold $9 million in bonds because it did not have the money. I will remind you that this council increased water rates by 67% because it did not have the money. I will remind you that this council is

building a $6 million parking garage because all the other bond line items were over spent. It will be interesting to see what the final cost will be. Families are moving into multifamily housing because every 12 months the city needs more. The American dream does not include multifamily homes. We want a home. We want a yard. We want to enjoy our our children. So again, I am asking y'all when you're looking at the budget, trim it. Act like it's your own budget when you're at home and cut it. And do you want me to discuss my agenda items? Uh yes, please go ahead.

Or do I have to wait? All right. I just wanted I have uh under the ordinance nine uh talking about the code uh Edinburgh talking about title it looks like 15 or whatever. Can you please explain what this is and why? And then the other one is 9, it's 9A, 9B. Same thing. What is this and why are you doing it? I've had a couple of calls and I pulled up the document, but I didn't really understand it. Thank you.

The next uh public comment is Mando Pacco petition to reroute trailer trucks. I'm can't. Sorry. My camera.

Good afternoon. All right. So, good evening, mayor and commissioners. My name is Maria Pacheco and I live here in Edinburgh. My address is 2739 Satin Street uh directly adjacent to Canton Road uh in Los Phase 4. Uh, I am here to formally document and request action regarding heavy semi-truck traffic on Canton Road. Um, and the long-term vibration impacts it has had on my home and my neighborhood. Uh, this issue began uh for my husband and I uh and the rest of our neighbors uh back in January of 2023 2023, I'm sorry. Uh before that we really did not we I mean we saw the trailers passing by but we never felt the vibrations the vibrations really we started feeling them um starting in January of 2023. Uh we let some time passed by until uh we decided it was too much. The vibrations uh do feel like a mini uh earthquake uh inside the home. And so in May of 2023 I contacted the city of Vinberg and was transferred to public works. there. I spoke with Valentine Sanchez and uh mind you, he's a very um welcoming gentleman. He worked with me. Um we had conversations back and forth uh throughout 2023 uh three and 2024. Uh there was only so much he could do. So he then referred me to uh in June of 2024, he referred me to the traffic engineering department. There I spoke to Patricia Longoria. I believe she's no longer working for the city. Um, but during that conversation with Patricia, uh, my concerns were dismissed and I was accused of exaggerating or fabric fabricating the problem. So, no investigation or corrective action followed. In August of 2024, I filed a formal complaint with a city uh, human resources department regarding this

interaction. After that, I was advised that the only possible thing to do uh to mitigate the problem was to contact the police department and ask them to uh send more patrolling to just um be able to I guess have an impact on the speed of the trailer semi-truckss. And unfortunately, several attempts I made with a police department and nothing has actually changed. Um in March of 2025 though I requested to speak with the city engineer and was contacted with um Marado Inosa. Um with conversations with him he uh recommended to build a cinder wall um fence along Canton Road which my husband and I did. It was uh an expense that we cannot afford but we made the uh effort and the sacrifice to actually build the cinder block wall. Uh it cost us over $20,000 and um for a while we thought maybe it would work. Unfortunately, we did finish the construction in August of 2024 2025, I'm sorry. And unfortunately in November 20 uh this year uh between uh the days of 21st and the 30th, my husband and I are both teachers and we had the Thanksgiving uh breakoff. Um

thank you, Miss Pache. Thank you. The next public comment is Mario Selenas regarding awareness.

Thank you. Thank you. Uh sidebar, Edinburgh school district is has been around for more than 100 years and it has produced hundreds of thousands of highly highly successful community members in Edinburgh in in the state of Texas and around the world. The fact in those over 100 years of existence, this these two years, for the first time in history, we have a majority female board. We got three of them here. But that's not what I'm why I'm here tonight. In February, the school district uh promotes uh cancer awareness. And next Saturday on the 31st, uh, we initiate that activity. And before I go over my note here, thank you, uh, Mayor Ooa and the city council for inviting us and letting us uh, talk about this activity. On Saturday the 31st of 2026, Edinburgh will host the first annual cancer awareness event titled hope in all colors at Richard R. Floyd Stadium. This event will bring together students, families, staff, and the broader community in the in for an evening that is uplifting, educational, and meaningful. This this is really not our wheelhouse, but cancer so pervasive in our community, including our school district. We feel that we want to be part of the solution. At this activity, doors will open at

4:30 p.m. with a pre-show performance beginning at 5:00 p.m. including with the release of White Doves. student performances would will lead into the main program at 620. This event is centered on four pillars: awareness, early detection, remembrance, and unity. Cancer affects all families in one form or another. This event creates a space to honor those that are currently fighting cancer, remember those that we have lost, encourage encourage those that are going through the fight, and assist with decision- making with proactive health decisions while demonstrating how education and the arts can bring a community together. For this activity, students will lead will have a leading primary role. Our our fine art students at all grade levels will provide live performances throughout the evening among using music and movement to guide reflection, hope, and inspiration. In addition, our career and technology program students have designed, built, and painted 26 cancer awareness ribbons. each representing a different cancer color. These ribbons will be placed on every five-yard line of the football field. We will hear we will hear testimonials from Edinburg CD staff, from students, from survivors, and from families who have been directly impacted by this disease. We will also hear from medical professionals and others who will speak

on the importance of cancer screenings and early detection and prevention. As most research says, most cancers can be cured if they're detected early. I'm also proud to share that this event is made possible entirely through the generous sponsorship of Blue Cross Blue Shield. We appreciate the city of Edinburgh for their partnership with us and we look forward to the city of Edinburgh and our community to come and visit with us on this very meaningful night. Thank you. [applause] The next public comment is Ian Alfaro regarding ordinances B.

Good evening, city council. Um, my name is Ian Alexander Alfaro and I currently serve as the vice president of the great University of Texas, Rio Grande Valley. Um I represent about 35,000 students and I wanted to bring uh the you all's attention to um the under ordinances number 9b about amending um the chapter 332 boards. Um I think this would be very good for not only the city of Edinburg but for the University of Texas Real Grand Valley. I think it would serve having a a student there at the board of the downtown district board. I think it would be an amazing uh bridge between the University of Texas Real Grand Valley and the city of Edinburg. And I think that the I think Utrgv and the city of Edinburg has a lot of values that align with each other. And I think it would be an amazing opportunity to work and I wanted to thank uh Mayor Omar Choa for coming to our Senate meeting. Senate meeting is bi-weekly. So any anyone from the city council is welcome to join. But I wanted to just comment that I'm very looking forward to ordering the amendments of this and I wanted to recognize and thank the city of Edinburgh for their efforts with working between the University of Texas Granite Valley and the city of Edinburg. Thank you. That's it. There are no further comments made. [applause]

Okay, we'll move on then to uh public hearings. Um we have items A, B, and C. Uh I will now open public hearings uh for any of these items if anyone would like to come up and speak. Good evening, Mayor City Council. Uh my name is Savia Salasad. I currently sit as the president for the parks and recck board. Uh I'm here on item 8 on the agenda. I want you to first understand that this is in line in accordance with uh everything set forth with the mark the parks and recck master plan that was gotten on the feedback of the citizens of the community and it is a recommendation of the parks and w advisory board that we ask that you consider for the approval and requesting authorization for the city manager to submit a grant application to Texas Parks and Wildlife under the 2020 2026 fiscal year. This grant is going to be specifically for the Veterans Detention Pond uh trail project. It's going to be located on the corner of Alberta and uh Veterans Boulevard. This project is going to consist of a half a mile asphalt uh walkway that runs the perimeter of the future detention pond that's going to be expected to be completed by the end of 2026. Uh this trail is going to provide safe accessible. There is going to be a safe accessible facility for walking, jogging, and bicycling uh for the residents of all ages and abilities in this area. It's also going to include ADA compliant accessible ramps, development of uh of a parking lot, solar lighting, benches, trash recepticles, uh safety fencing surrounding the detention pond, uh bike racks, and uh trail signs. We strongly feel that this particular area is greatly underserved. If you're familiar with this particular area, uh I think the furthest thing that goes out there

is uh Escandon. Uh after that, there's really nothing that goes out that way. Uh and with the growing population of the neighborhood surrounding this detention pond, uh we greatly feel that this could greatly improve the quality of life of the residents that live in that area. So again, we ask you for your consideration for approval for this. Thank you for your time. Is there any questions that you may have for me? No questions. All right. Thank you.

I was just looking at Can you explain B exactly what size this sign is? It's only for one company, one person. Can you kind of explain what this is and is it in regulations with what we all have, all the other businesses have? Thank you. Is the uh applicant for item B present? Yes. Do you want to come up and explain the item?

Here. Come on up. come up to the front, please. So, uh, good afternoon, uh, city council and city mayor. Congratulations and nice to seeing you here. Um, we are, uh, if you could just state your name for the record. Oh, is Reyes. Okay. Thank you.

Current owner of the land and operating of the business that we're trying to get the the approval of the LED sign, uh, wall. Um we are requesting this uh because only 50% according to an ordinance you guys have in place. It's only a 50% that we can uh put a a wall of LED and this is just like a partial wall of the business. It's like a cuto off from a corner and we're trying to put that uh as an LED sign for our customers to see the menu. Any signs or anything that probably even I was even offering the city if y'all had any something that y'all want to put up like 10 seconds, 15 seconds, I don't know, we y'all could use it as well. Um I was uh giving this look to to that area. we are the owner of the next property and we also want to give that area a nice look and more of a more I think with a with a sign it will bring it up a little bit more the the vibe on the on the business. We already remodeled it. It was kind of it was an old drive-thru there but we gave it a new look once you pass there on Monte Crisisto Road. It's the address is 3703 Nia Lane but it's on right off Monte Crisisto Road.

Yeah. And uh just for the record what's what's the business? Uh Elono Cicar. Yeah. Great. And it's it'll be located there on Monte Crystal, correct? Yeah. Fast growing area. We just bought that location. We rented uh and we just bought it. So, we're remodeling it. We wanted to give it a nice look to it. So, we were we already put up a sign and everything just in case it wasn't approved. But if it's approved, I'm just going to go ahead and remove the sign and put the LED wall. Yeah. Um and just to be clear, if you can answer the question and Hime can come up and answer if if it's easier. Um, but what I guess what you're looking for, right, is it's not it's not like it's not a flat wall. It looks like it's almost like um like a hexagonal corner. Yeah.

Right. And it's one of the hexagonal panels. Yeah. There you go. And you want to put the LED on the panel. On the panel. Yeah. Right. Just that panel. Okay. And uh if if there was too much square footage, probably we can cut it off around four or five feet up and just get like from the four or five feet all the way to the 20 foot level. Mhm. Yeah. because it's a 20 by8 ground. I have a question. Does that sign face the traffic? No, that one's uh perpendicular to the traffic. If we put on the other walls, it will face towards either east or westbound. That's the only uh obviously the the size and the brightness. If it was higher, I would it would be a concern, but if it faces traffic, it kind of blinds. I've seen some of the bigger signs.

Like if you're driving, you have the wall like right here. Uh if you we put on the other walls, we'll have it like front uh facing the front. Yeah. Thank you. Yeah. Any other questions? Um and just uh h I think you can answer this one. So the tech the technical sign requirement, what is it uh regarding walls or why why is it that this needs a variance? So wall signs are allowed up to 50% of the coverage of the wall. So this one is 8 by 21. It covers that entire 8x21 wall. If you were to put it on the other larger wall, need a variance, but because it covers 100% of that wall, uh, the code only allows up for 50% coverage of a wall. That's why.

Could you repeat that again? I'm sorry. The sign is 8 by 21 8 ft by 21 ft high and it covers an entire wall. It's not the It's kind of like a little corner wall. And if it was on another wall, it wouldn't need it would if it would be on the larger wall, it wouldn't need a variance because it would be less than 50% of the wall size. Yeah. So, right now our sign variant I mean our assigned regulation is dependent on the size of the wall and the percent of coverage of the sign on that wall. Correct. Right. Um and so I guess the reason that this is that he's requesting this is because this the specific wall panel is thin, right? It's a thin wall panel. Yeah, it's only 8 ft wide.

It looks like there's a there's a larger wall once you get past the hexagonal corner, right? So technically under our variance he could cover half of the larger wall and that would be bigger than the sign variance he's asking for. Now the way that the code is written that is correct mayor. Yeah we probably ought to look at that. We are looking at that. Yeah. Yeah. I was I was also looking at that because I was like well how can I cover all this wall with all this LED just to Yeah. Exactly. Like we're just here to

Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, I'm sure there's a there's a better anchor probably for these LED restrictions, whether it's the size, total square footage of it, brightness of it. I'm sure there's a better way to do it than just wall coverage because then we get into these weird situations, right? Where it's a small side of a wall, right? That's he's asking to cover it up because it's technically not in compliance with our percentage requirement, but then he could take a huge wall, right, and make a much larger LED sign and not require a variance, any permission. whatsoever and it's worse of an eyesore. It's brighter to the traffic. Right. So, it just sounds like our variant our our signed LED requirement needs to get tweaked so it's more practical.

Yeah. What we're thinking may is maybe in the future capping it out at at a certain square footage. Yeah. Instead of a percentage of I think this was before all the new technology of brightness and right LED something we had to revamp. Right. And we just uh we just got an approval. We also needed to go through a city commission and everything on the city of mission as well. But they do have like the max square footage. That's your max. We did get approval on it. We're going to we're just installing it. So now we want to we want to do all these to our locations. We have six locations in the valley. Two in Edinburg, one in Mission, one in Macallen, one in Don, and one in West. So we're trying to bring this LED thing to all of our locations. Hopefully we get approved. If not, we'll find another.

Thank you for investing back into the community. Oh yeah, for sure. We are a lot. Thank you. Any other questions? Thank you. Thank you. All right. So, public hearings is still open. If there's any other comments on items A, B, or C, seeing none, we will close the public hearing. Uh, council, uh, items A, B, and C. Is there a motion? Make a motion to approve A through C.

Second. There's a motion and a second to approve items A, B, and C. Any further discussion? Last thing I'll say, just on the record, right? I mean, I am I've said it over and over again. I'm generally not in favor of variances. Um, but when we've got a rule that doesn't make sense, um, and and variances come because the rule doesn't make sense, then what we need to do is revise the rule. And I think this particular one is one that's pretty clear. we need to revise the rule because it because it literally doesn't make sense. You can have a small sign that's uh violating the ordinance and then you can have a like a much larger sign under different circumstance that does not vi violate the ordinance. So I think this is this is a clear indicator right of one that we need to review.

Yeah, we're going to be doing that mayor. We're going to be amending the unified development code and this is on the list. Okay. Excellent. Um, so before before we vote, Hi, Miss So what if what if one of these signs and not this this business in particular, but with with the uh the code and obviously we'll revamp it, but what happens if this ever becomes a nuisance to traffic? Uh, and we've approved it and it and we've we've we you know, business moves on, but well, just because we're approving it, there's still certain conditions that they must follow. Uh, one of them is the brightness. Uh there's certain state standards, state laws and regulations that must be followed when it comes to the brightness of a sign. Uh we'll be monitoring that to make sure that

and that those standards are based on height and and brightness. They're based on brightness. Brightness, but not height. Not necessarily height. Okay. Just a question. Thank you. All right. Any other discussion? No. All right. There's a motion and a second to approve items A, B, and C. All those in favor, raise your right hand. All those opposed. All right. Uh, all items pass. Uh, moving on to uh, ordinances. Item 9A.

Mr. Mayor, consider ordinance amending the code of ordinances of the city of Edinburgh, Texas at title 15, land usage, chapter 150, general provisions, adding section 150.08, Edinburgh durare plan. Is there a motion on item 9A? Motion to approve. Approve. Second. All right. There's a motion to approve in a second. On this one, do you want if uh we could get just a quick explanation on what we're doing here? [clears throat]

Yes, sir. Good evening, Mayor, City Council. Tom Reena, assistant city manager. Yes, sir. This is part of our ultimate our comprehensive plan that we have throughout the city. Uh this is how we determine the amount of rideway that we have throughout the city for each individual road. uh in the past uh the no hidaw county no took care of this uh theare map we would have to submit to them get it approved by the county uh after their certification and their review once they became the real grandm uh it came back under that they do not govern our local governments on what we can designate as right away none this is one that we need to maintain uh so that way we are ensuring that we're planning in the future uh correctly with our comprehensive plan, the UDC on what to do and ask for right away. One of the other big items for this is if anybody does need a variance or uh proposes to change a rightaway, we do have to have a public meeting and I after that I bring it back to you uh to get approved if y'all approve of either uh reducing the rightway or increasing the rightway depending on the situation. Uh so basically this is our one part of our our planning on to securing the rightway throughout the city.

Fair enough. Okay. Let me um I I think I understand it. So let me let me just make sure that I that I can clarify. So the um the measure that's being uh considered is whether to approve this thoroughare plan, right? That's included in the backup documents. You can see the city's thoroughare plan in there. Um prior to today the the MO, right? the Rio Grand Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization. They were the keepers of the Thoroughfare plan, including the city of Edinburgh's thoroughfare plan. And the whole point of the thoroughfare plan is to designate certain streets within the city of Edinburgh, either as major arterial, regular streets, and that helps to plan how big those streets are going into the future. That is correct.

So that we know kind of what to expect on developments along those streets. Um, after a review by the by the Federal Highway Administration, they determined that the MO was not the proper uh organization to to hold the thoroughfare plans because they can't actually enforce planning and zoning rules. And so, as a result, now the city of Edinburgh needs to take that thoroughare plan back and adopt it as our own. Correct. Okay. And what we're doing is basically taking the same thoroughare plan that the MO had. We're not making any changes. the document that's existed with the no, we're taking that and approving it today. Correct.

Okay. So, it's it's the same substance it's always been as far as the thoroughfare plan goes. This is more of kind of an administrative thing because the federal um highway administration has determined that the city needs to be the keeper of the thoroughare plan, not the MO. Correct. And all the same identification roadway classifications remain the same. We're basically bringing it inhouse.

Okay, great. Um that being the case, what I did see in the Thoroughare plan is that there is a suggestion um or I guess loose requirement that the city review it on occasion, but there's no there's no actual timeline u provided for currently in the theory plan. I'm of the mindset, right, that if we have a master plan, it needs to be regularly reviewed uh and not just kind of left to chance. Uh so what I would like to see um I think five years right is a good is a good minimum standard um if we can include that in this thoroughare plan on its adoption now right that there's a requirement that at at a minimum the city has to review comprehensively the thoroughare plan every 5 years

certainly we can what do you think of that sir yes sir we can uh we just need to amend the motion and then add that motion on there and we can certainly add that and then run it uh through legal and then get for your signature file to approve of that condition. Okay, great. And then also just to clarify what I what I did see in there, if there is any changes in the thoroughare plan, right? If we're going to redesate streets differently, um then we we have the authority to do it as a city council, but we have to go through a public hearing process first before we can make that change. That is correct. So, I was uh looking at the same format as the same public hearing that we did uh just now with the the changes or the variances and open it up to the public to make any comments on that portion. Okay. Excellent.

Okay. Mayor, I'm going to go ahead and amend my my motion to approve and and to uh review it every 5 years. Great. Yeah. I do have a question before we vote. Um Tom so so understanding that right it was NO this is kind of handinhand adopting because of the uh opinion from from a a federal highways yeah highway right but does this affect I know that sometimes the no would designate streets and then would prioritize which streets work get worked on uh at time is that am I thinking of something else because we've taken we've taken streets off off lists that we didn't prioritize. That's not

No, this is just our planning document to plan for the width of the rideway and what type of roadway we're going to build. That other process is still uh the same instance where we're going to rank project ready projects, but that will not affect not citywide when they come from from the MO. Correct. Right. Correct. We still have to meet all the requirements that we're going to able to fit that size of roadway within the current right away. Okay. Thank you. Excellent. All right. So there is a motion to approve but with the change of a requirement to review every five years. Is there a second on that motion? Second. All right. Motion and a second. Any further discussion? All right. All those in favor raise your right hand. All those opposed. Same sign. Motion carries.

Thank you, gentlemen. Thank you. Uh next item ordinances is 9B. Mr. [snorts] Consider ordinance amending the code of ordinances of the city of Edinburgh, Texas at title 3 administration chapter 32 boards, councils, commissions, and committee section 32.43 downtown district steering committee by adding subsection A1 to section 32.43. All right. Motion to approve. Second.

Okay. Motion to approve and a second. Uh so on this one, uh quick summary and I'll I'll provide the summary since I'm familiar with it. Uh so the downtown steering committee um is a seven member committee. It was created by the city back in 2024. So it's fairly recent uh uh in terms of it of its existence. Uh and its um uh I guess responsibility its task uh is to give the city input as to the development of downtown. Um to me that seems like a prime um fertile area to have student input. uh Utrgv being just down the street, uh students wanting to have uh cultural entertainment uh uh arts district here in downtown. It seemed to me like it was a really good platform to allow a student voice uh formally onto a city committee uh to be able to provide um that that student perspective uh on what downtown should be. Um but rather than have the city council appoint a student um it seemed like a good idea to allow the student government, right, the elected representation of Utrgv to choose their own representative uh to put on that board. Um this was something that I was familiar with when I was a student government way back in the day in Austin. Uh student government then would have the ability to put students on Austin city boards and councils. Uh and so the um student government association was very enthusiastic about this. Um, and so that's why they are here today to speak in favor of it. Is there anything else you all would like to say? All right. Summarized it. All right.

Okay. Great. Questions, discussions? I still have questions because we don't know. Well, I mean, you've got the young people, which is wonderful, but I don't want it to turn into Mac Allen downtown in the older part there on 15th Street, 17th Street. You know, it's wonderful the young people, but they a lot of times I don't know whether or not they think about the dangers and that really has become really bad over in Mac Allen.

Fair enough. Uh, what I will say is it's one member out of seven, first of all. Second of all, the downtown steering committee doesn't have any formal authority to approve the types of businesses to issue permits. It's an advisory committee to the city. Very important advisory committee to the city, right? So, I'm not downplaying the role. Uh but it doesn't have the ability to decide on behalf of the city what goes downtown, but we really really are looking forward to your input. So, thank you all for stepping up um and being willing to provide this representation to the city. All right. Uh anything else? All right. Okay. Motion in a second. All those in favor, raise your right hand. All those opposed, same sign. All right. Motion passes.

Congratulations, Utrgv. Thank you. [applause] All right. Next item is uh 10A. Consider appointment to the following city advisory board council commission and committee. Airport Advisory Board of South Texas International Airport of Edinburgh. One member. Is there a motion? Yes. So like to make a motion to remove Roland Gomez and appoint Bobby Garcia. All right, there's a motion. Second. Motion and a second. Any discussion?

All those in favor of the motion, raise your right hand. All those opposed. Same sign. Okay. Motion carries. Uh moving on to consent agenda. Uh we have items A through G. Uh to approve A through G. All right. There's a motion.

Second. Motion in a second to approve uh consent items A through G. Any discussion? All those in favor raise your right hand. All those opposed, same sign. Motion carries. Uh item 12, other business. Any future items. Uh this is not a future item, but uh Miss Pacheco um who was here earlier, if we could just make sure to get the information because I know she didn't get to finish what it was that she was trying to say. Yes, sir. I believe um assistant city manager Tom Rea has already uh approached her.

Okay. Excellent. All right. Any other items? No. Okay. Then we'll move uh to item 13, which is executive session. Can I get a motion to enter executive? So moved. Second. All right. Motion in a second. All those in favor raise your right hand. All those opposed, same sign. Motion carries. Uh time now is 6:51 and we are entering executive session. Thank you.

Item eight, consultation with city attorney regarding pending potential and/or contemplated litigation settlement offers and or legal matters subject to the attorney client privilege under the authority of the open meetings act. Item B, consultation with city attorney and possible action regarding agreement with Palm Valley Animal Society. Item C, discussion and possible action regarding the purchase, exchange, lease, or value of real property. Item D, discussion and possible action regarding economic development matters agreement with EDC regarding Ebony Hills development project workforce resource center. This uh item E, discussion and possible action regarding economic development matters. One, project happy Gilmore. Two, project Comeda. Three, project chair.

Time now is 8:37 and we are uh coming back into council chambers. Can I get a motion to um get back into the open? So move. Second. There's a motion in a second to get back into open session. All those in favor raise your right hand. All those opposed. All right. Motion carries. We're back in the open. Uh based on the discussion um is there any action required? Yes, mayor. Um on item 13B, recommend a motion authorizing the approval of an agreement on terms and conditions as discussed in executive session. Is there a motion? So move. Second.

Motion and a second. All those in favor raise your right hand. All opposed. Motion passes. On item 13 C, recommend a motion authorizing the acquisition of real property as presented in executive session and to authorize and direct the city manager to effectuate all instruments, agreements, and documents necessary to accomplish the acquisition of the property in accordance with the terms and conditions as presented in executive session. All right. The only caveat I would put to that is if there is a an agreement, a final agreement uh that council hasn't reviewed, we should review it before that's fully signed. All right. Okay. Um, is there a motion? So move. Second.

All right. Motion and a second. All those in favor raise your right hand. All those opposed. All right. Motion passes. And finally on item 13E2, recommend a motion to approve an agreement with the EDC related to project Ka um on the terms and conditions as discussed in executive session. Is there a motion? So move. Motion in a second. All those in favor raise your right hand. All those opposed. All right, motion passes. Anything else? No further action items at this time. All right, seeing as there's no other business on the agenda, this meeting is adjourned.