City Council - Special Meeting

Coming up next on ECN, a regularly scheduled meeting of your Edinburgh city council. on the council. Mayor Omar Ooaha, Mayor Prom Jason DeLeon, Council Member Dan Diaz, Council Member David Salasar, and Council Member Jerry Losano. sitting in his adviserss, city manager Myra Ayala and city attorney Josie Ramirez Solis. And now live from the Edinburgh city hall, the Edinburgh City Council.

All right, time now is 6:00. We will start this uh city council meeting uh regular agenda. Uh if we could on um item one call to order and establish quorum. Miss secretary. Yes. Mayor Choa, Council Member Davis Alasar, and Council Member Jason Deon. Okay, great. Having established a quorum, we'll move to item A, which is a prayer. Uh and for this we have senior pastor David Alexander from First Baptist Church.

Good evening. Let's pray. Father, you tell us to be anxious for nothing, but everything prayer and supplication with thanksgiving to bring a request to you. So, Father, in this season where we intentionally give you thanks, we thank you for a new mayor. We Lord, we pray that you would grant him wisdom as he begins his tenure. And Lord, just new vision, new plans, freshness, and just the council renewed. Lord, just excited to be an a citizen of Edinburgh. We pray your blessing on this meeting that everything be done for your glory and for your honor and Lord that you continue to bless us that we might be a blessing to others in Jesus name. Amen. Uh, next item B. If we u, council member Dan Diaz could lead us in the pledge of

allegiance. I aliance to the flag of the United States of America to the stands one nationy andice for all. Uh, everyone can be seated. Thank you. Uh, item two, certification of public notice. M secretary. Yes, sir. Mayor, the meeting was posted according to the Texas Open Meetings Act on November 12, 2025 at 8:25 p.m. Sir, uh, item number three, disclosure of conflict of interest.

Yes, under state law, local government officials 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 items on today's agenda? No. Thank you.

Thank you. Uh, item number four, mayor's report. So, it's my first one. very exciting to be up here um as city attorney. I actually kept count of all of the uh city council meetings I attended. It was 191. Uh so I'm not new to this, but I am new to the role. So I hope all the city staff members, city management members especially have patience uh as I get through this uh make sure that we are guided through this very carefully. Um and so just wanted to make that clear for the record, right? If there's any flubs along the way, I apologize. It'll get smoothed. Um, so for now, you know, we're going to keep up with a lot of the procedures that we have historically had here in city council, but everything's always subject to change. Uh, and I'm sure we will have some recommendations and suggestions from the city council members and from city staff on how we can make these meetings more efficient, but also informative for the public. Uh, and so that is the goal. So, at the start, uh, that's what I wanted to say and just make sure everybody was aware of. Uh so I'm very excited to be here for my first meeting uh as mayor and thank you to everybody that's here as well.

Thank you. So sweet. Thank you. All right, moving on. Uh item number five, city manager report.

Uh yes, good evening, mayor and council. Uh for the city manager report, I do have an event that I would like to inform the public on, and this is the 2025 UFO conference and festival. The city of Edinburgh invites the community to the 13th annual UFO festival and conference. It's a three-day festival beginning Thursday, November 20th at 6 PM with a free open mic night hosted by RGV MUON. Uh residents are encouraged to share their personal UFO experiences. Then we move on to Friday at 7:30 p.m. Join us for a ticketed presentation of The Ancient Aliens Live Tour featuring leading experts from the show, including famous host Giorgio Suculos. Uh then uh finally, we have an event on Saturday, November 22nd from 1 to 5:00 p.m. Enjoy a free UFO Cosmos panel with Utrgv astronomer Dr. Mario Diaz, followed by a special presentation from Harvard astronomer Dr. Avi lobe, a leading authority on the interstellar object 31 atlas um or 3 I atlas. After the presentations, the festival opens to the public for familyfriendly fun, including a tinfoil hat distribution area, an alien autopsy uh autopsy room, kitty rides, vendors, and plenty of festival foods. So, that's all I have this uh evening um for the city manager report. Thank you.

Thank you. Uh item six, proclamations and recognitions. And we'll start with item A, presentation recognizing HB and the Edinburgh Consolidated Consolidated Independent School District for their support and contributions to Edinburgh Cares.

Please go ahead. Good evening, Hav Garca, director of parks recreation. Welcome, Mayor Oawa for your first uh meeting here. So, congratulations and welcome. Thank you.

And and Councilman Dan Diaz, welcome back. Congratulations. And of course, mayor and council, all the council members as well. Uh it's a very exciting part of the year. Uh Edinburgh Cares was established without a name first at 2008 uh back in the old gym with giving away one turkey. And the gentleman who started that off is here with us right now, M. Master Martine Martinez. Let's go, baby. instrumental in beginning all this. The second year, 2009, three turkeys, 2010, eight turkeys, and then we partnered up with ECISD. And you know the history now. It exploded to 50 turkeys, 250 turkeys, 500. And as of 2021, we've been donating 1,000 turkeys and 1,000 food baskets to needy families around our our city. So, congratulations to our partners and champions. We're here to recognize our our partners. Uh, of course, HB has been with us through many events. One of them is Edinburgh Cares, which is special to our hearts that uh we here with Amanda Aaniano and of course H buddy. Thank you for being here. And of course without ECISD, they're the the engine of this of this uh event here because what we do is we the Dr. Salas, Dr. have gathered all the principles and the PAS and they researched what the needy families are and they give us their locations, their names, their phone numbers. And on Saturday, please join us if you can. This Saturday, November 22nd, 8:30 in the morning is going to be kickoff time. But if you want to come in early, 8:00, bring some coffee and, you know, and mingle with all our volunteers, it' be great. You know, take some pictures with them as well. So,

and get to work.

Yeah. And get to work, too. But thank you, Dr. Mario Salenas and Dr. Anthony Garca. They're two champions of of Edinburg and two champions of Edinburgh Cares. We work real close together on all our events and they're very helpful and we just I mean we we serve as the same kids ECISD athletics and everything else. So, thank you for all you do for us. Uh we want to present of course uh a couple of bells for because they are champions for Vandenberg. So right here and also HV as well. So I I I'm going to put him on the spot. The person who started all this, Master Martine Martinez, say a few words, please. I know he doesn't want to, but Certainly. Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Okay, I'll state my name for the record. Martiniano Martinez Jr. Okay, real quick. Was a full-time employee, retired, got hired, and I'm a part-timer now. But anyway, let me get back to this event. 14 years of progress, 14 years of witnessing what the community is all about. This event defines what the community stands for. It's unity. We don't turn our face and look the other way when people are in need. We group together and we come together. And on behalf of the city of Edinburgh school district and everybody else that sponsors this event, we feed the needy. Thank you very much, gentlemen. If you want to join us for a picture be great.

Sure. I think your brother. Uh, thank you very much again to the parks and recreations department, HB, and to the school district. This um uh community event is a wonderful tradition of the city of Edinburg. We've been doing it for many years. Uh and so thank you for all the staff and everybody that participates in volunteering for it. Thank you all so much. Okay. Um moving on to item B. If the secretary could read the caption and then read the proclamation.

Yes, sir. Mayor Presentation of proclamation recognizing November 2025 as children's grief awareness month as requested by the children's bereavement center real grand valley. If you're here to receive the proclamation if you can come to the podium. Children's grief awareness month. Whereas the death of a loved one is profound and difficult. And children who experience the loss of a loved one face challenges that can affect their hearts, minds, and overall well-being. And whereas many grieving children navigate these difficult experiences quietly, often without the support or understanding they need due to the lack of awareness. And whereas the children's improvement center real Grand Valley in partnership with the community provides compassionate care, guidance, and resources to help children and families heal. And we're recognizing November 2025 as grief children's grief awareness month and November 20th, 2025 as children's grief awareness day. We honor these children, raise awareness, and inspire our community to provide comfort and understanding. And whereas the city of Edinburgh is dedicated to creating a nurturing environment where children feel safe, supported, and encouraged on their journey of healing. Now therefore, the mayor and council of the city of Edinburgh, Texas by power vested in them by law do hereby proclaim November 2025 as g children's grief awareness month and urge everyone to wear blue on November 20, 2025 in support of children's grief awareness day. Let me ask.

Wait. Thank you. Thank you so much. And I would just like to start and say it's such a delight to see you, Mayor Ooa. and that seed. My name is Noelyn. I am with the Children's Bereerment Center of the Rio Grande Valley. And on behalf of the team, I want to sincerely thank you and commissioners for your beautiful proclamation recognizing November as Children's Grief Awareness Month and Children's Grief Awareness Day. Your support shines a light on an issue that often goes unseen here in the Rio Grande Valley. So many children are growing up after the loss of a parent or sibling. These kids are not just facing grief. They are also navigating challenges like limited access to care and financial hardship. At the Children's Berment Center, our mission is simple to make sure no child has to grieve alone. We provide free counseling, peer support groups, and resources for caregivers so that every child and family can find hope and healing no matter their circumstance. We'd also like to invite everyone to join us for our candlelight vigil on Thursday, November 20th at 6:00 p.m. happening both at our Harlingen and Macallen locations. It's a meaningful evening to honor grieving children and families and remind them that they're not alone, that our community stands with them. Thank you again for helping raise awareness and for standing beside us in this important mission of healing and hope. Thank you.

Thank you very much. Okay, next item uh 6C,

presentation of proclamation recognizing Javan Inohosa, image first, heroes first national contest winner. I will now read the proclamation for the record. Javven Inohosa, whereas Javan Inohosa, an Edinburgh native and valued member of the community, has demonstrated exceptional skill and dedication in the healthcare industry. And whereas Mr. Mr. Ino Hosa earned his EMT basic certification while attending Edinburgh High School. He then worked as a first responder for 5 years and later transitioned to nursing where he has spent the last 5 years working as an emergency room nurse at South Texas Health System Edinburgh. And whereas Mr. Inosa recently competed against 600 other healthcare heroes from across the United States to win the prestigious image first heroes first contest which recognizes exceptional healthc care heroes who go above and beyond to positively impact the lives of their patients. Whereas Mr. Inohosa has become the first ever image first heroes first contest winner from the real Grand Valley earning 1,121 votes a record for the nationwide competition currently in its fifth year and whereas Mr. Inosa aligns closely with image first values be safe be honest be respectful and most of all be remarkable and whereas Mr. Mr. Noosa's achievement not only brings honor to himself but also reflects positively on the entire community of Edinburgh and whereas the Edinburgh city council would like to formally recognize Jin Noosa's significant accomplishments and celebrate his success. Now therefore the mayoring council of the city of Edinburgh Texas by the power of resident then by law do hereby proclaim November 15, 2025 as uh JV noa day for his victory as the image first heroes national first contest winner.

Congrats. Thank you. Now, mayor, if I could uh before before he speaks, um just want to say that we uh gave this proclamation to this ER nurse and paramedic at South Texas Health System. He works at Edinburg ER, former paramedic. I met him working in the streets. And this is a huge thing. Um I said it at the ceremony, in the ER, we we're busy saving lives. It's hard to do all the little things. Sometimes upstairs, the nurses paint the toenails and do all that. They usually get all the recognition. It's very hard to get recognized in the ER. So, congratulations. Thank you for being a great example of a paramedic and an ER nurse.

Thank you so much. Yeah, I don't do this uh public speaking so often, but I'm super grateful to be here and to been invited to this council meeting. Congratulations to everybody that got elected this time around and uh it's just an amazing experience entirely. I've been there at Edinberg for like five years and I just go in do my job. I never think about any sort of recognition that comes with it. Um just love working with my team and and the system that I've been with, you know, loyal for 5 years and hopefully in the next couple years I'll be working as an emergency nurse practitioner uh continuing to give uh care to the city that I grew up in.

Absolutely. Thank you. so much. Congratulations on this national recognition, shining a bright light on our hometown. We really appreciate everything you're doing. I appreciate you. Good job, Jeff.

Um, next item is seven public comments. Um, the uh public comments are now open. Do we have anybody who've signed up? Yes, mayor. Uh, good evening everyone. The Edinburgh city council asked 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 two public comments. The first public comment is Miss Maria Kanto regarding employees disregard for UDC.

Good evening and thank you and welcome mayor and welcome to the rest of you. H my name is Maria KTO. I am a multi-propy owner of several sub in two subdivisions here in Edinburgh and during the last six months I have been forced to defend our subdivisions from the very city employees who are supposed to protect them. I have four I have had four meetings with the city top officials and I have delivered almost 100 photos documenting the intense traffic and disruption caused by an illegal beauty salon. a commercial business operating in a small residential area. We the neighbors were never notified of this change. We were totally ignored yet as of today the beauty salon still operating. Nothing well nothing has been done because they haven't stopped her. They stopped me for a sign a yard sign. But this lady gets 15 cars every day and they haven't stopped her. So that's kind of a like pick and choosing solving the problems. I have also sent certified letters, signature return letters to the mayor, the city manager, the assistant assistant manager, the planning and sorting, the code enforcement. I have been here several times. But tonight I must point clearly to the responsible parties. Planning and zoning is giving away easy permits that are prohibited in the UDC, which is the Bible for the city. code enforcement who's not doing their job and the supervising authority for these two which is my madame city manager with all my respect the buck stops with you. You have allowed your own employees to disobey and disregard disregard the ordinances that protect our subdivisions. The UDC is supposed to preserve neighborhoods integrity but under your leadership the opposite has

happened. Businesses continue operating illegal illegally in residential areas. Variances are granted without notifying neighbors even though the UDC requires mail notices to neighbors. Cardboards are popping off of all colors and materials in the in the front area of the houses which is forbidden by the UDC and they don't even tell the neighbors and mistakes and seniors escondos and many other divisions across the city are being left unprotected at the mercy of this lawyer and disobedient employees who ignore the law while the homeowners follow it. We need accountability. DC even from accountability they will keep on doing it. We need great code enforcement. Use the people who live in the subdivisions because those are our properties. Those are our investments and you are destroying them by no by you are the caretakers of the subdivisions. We need leadership and not excuses. I respectfully ask the council for the following. A full review of all components.

Thank you. Thank you. Uh, please let me put a sign. The next public comment is Miss Diane Teter regarding item 9A, water improvements and rates.

Good evening. Diane Teter, professor of merit of biology at STC. And to put it simply, water is life. And I'd like to emphasize why the improvement of the clarifier at our downtown water treatment plant is such an important step for Edinburg's future. Clarifiers are the backbone of a water treatment process. They remove solids and ensure the water that reaches our homes and businesses is safe, reliable, and compliant with state standards. I'd also like to recognize the importance of the city's decision to gradually increase water rates over a period of years to provide the revenue needed to maintain and upgrade our water infrastructure so projects like this can move forward. And our city is not the only one making difficult choices on water rate increases. McGawan recently approved a $14 per month increase in water and sewage rates effective October 2025. The city of Mission has added multi-year search charges to strengthen its system. These actions show that across the valley, cities are facing the same reality. Water scarcity requires investment and investment requires revenue. We're in droughty conditions and the majority of public water comes from the Rio Grande Valley, sorry, Rio Grande River. As water levels at Falcon and Amistat remain dangerously low, every gallon of clean water we reliably produce and conserve matters more than ever. That is why the new Edinburg Water Tower is also so important to infrastructure. By adding 1 million gallons of storage capacity, it stabilizes water pressure,

reduces waste from leaks and line breaks, and ensures that conserved water is delivered efficiently to our residents. I'd like to thank the council city staff for initiating these projects not only as maintenance items, but as investments in the long-term sustainability of our city as well. These and others of the city's capital projects information is on the city's website for public review as part of the improved climate for government transparency as s as suggested by the 20 advisory committees and as recently as councilman daily's Facebook info session today. Congrats to the new mayor, newly reelected commissioner and the runoff councilman. I wish you buou good chemistry in your organization as you make these important decisions. Good evening.

There are no further comments, mayor. Okay. Thank you. Uh we'll move on to item eight, uh public hearings. Um item A, if the secretary could read the caption. Yes, mayor. Hold public hearing. Consider the ordinance providing for the reason request from agriculture and open space district to residential prim primary district as described located at 3817 Dubernet Boulevard as requested by Herardo and Stephanie Ordon. Okay, we will open the public hearing.

Hi, good evening. Good evening. if you could just state your name for the record purposes. Antonio. Thank you. Well, uh I'm just trying to reszone from farm use. Uh it was recently bought back in 2012, I believe. Um and uh well, we're trying to build and build our little house there. So, we're trying to reszone from uh farm use to home use. Um it's it's an old u residential, you know, zoning, but uh we just need to move forward with it. It's going to be a home, sir. It's going to be your home. Yes. Hopefully.

Great. How big How big is the property there? Uh it's the front is going to be 50 ft by 125. Awesome. Awesome. Thank you. All right. Anybody else uh for public hearing? Okay. Hearing seeing none, we'll close public hearing. Um the other item is to consider the ordinance. Is there a motion? Second. I'm sorry. What was the motion? Motion to approve. Okay. Second and a second. Okay. Motion and a second uh to approve the item. Any discussion? Good luck on the building your home, sir. All right. Uh hearing no further discussion. All those in favor, raise your hand.

All those opposed. All right. Motion passes. Congratulations. Um, moving on. Uh, agenda nine, uh, item A. If the secretary could read the caption, consider warning bid number 2025-21, downtown water treatment plant improvements, rehabilitation of existing clarifier number one, TWWDB, project number 62597 to JMJ constructors in amount not to exceed 457,781, and execute any documents related there too, pursuant to the city's ordinance and procurement policies. Is there a motion? Motion to approve. Second. All right. There's a motion and a second. Any discussion?

Hearing none. All those in favor of the motion, raise your hand. All those opposed. Motion passes. Item 10 A. Secretary could read the caption. Consider authorizing the city manager to execute a renewal agreement with Hansen Professional Services based on RFQ number 2021-01 in the amount of 395,000 for fiscal year 2026. semiannual compliance monitoring and reporting for the Edinburgh regional sanitary landfill facility in accordance with the current operational permit obligations and authorize city manage to execute any documents related there too. So move second.

All right, there's a motion and a second. Any discussion? All right, hearing none. Um all those in favor of the motion, please raise your hand. All those opposed. All right, motion passes. Item 11A. Uh secretary could read the caption. Consider resolution casting the votes for candidates to the Iago County Appraisal District's board of directors for 2026 2029. Is there a motion? Move to cast a vote for Richard A. Garza. Second. Um just for clarity purposes, the the city of Edinburgh does have a number of votes. Is the motion for all votes? All the votes. Still a second. Second. Okay.

Any discussion? All right. Hearing none. All those in favor of the motion, please raise your right hand. All those opposed. Motion carries. Uh item B, if the secretary could read the caption. Consider resolution appointing a designated member, a designated alternate member and proxies to the real Grand Valley Metropolitan Organization, RGVO Transportation Policy Committee. All right. Is there a motion on item B? make a motion to appoint uh Mayor uh Omar to the board. Second.

Um so if there's any discussion, I'll go ahead and open up the discussion. There are a number of of appointees here. So there's the designated member, there's an alternate board uh board member, and any proxies. We can take them all in one motion now, or we can go one at a time if you would prefer. Who was the maker of the motion? I made the initial motion. Okay. Jason, you want to make that motion?

Well, I I'll the I'll expand on the motion. Um, Tom, are you the one that always goes also? Yes, sir. Right. It is. Okay. So I I move to make Mayor Omar O Choa the initial member and the was a proxy or the alternate board member, another council member. Yes, it was. Yes. Traditionally that's been the case. Yes. Yes. The proxies are usually uh assistant city manager Tom Reena and we also have attendance by our city engineer Maro Inohosa. And anyone anyone want to add a motion to that? I'll I'll uh I guess retract my motion and then then I would like to add council member Dan Diaz to be uh the alternate

and the proxy uh Tom Reena. Usually the proxy, correct? Yes. Currently we had the mayor and then we had uh the alternate was Dan Diaz council member and the proxy was Tom Reena. Yes. Okay. All right. So, for purposes of this, I will entertain a motion to appoint uh the mayor as a designated member, uh council member Dan Diaz as the alternate, and Tom Rea as the proxy. Is there a second? I'll second that. All right. Uh discussion. Are you good with being the alternate board member? This is not something that we had discussed before. So, uh you're okay with that? Is any good being

Yeah, absolutely. Yes, this is a very important board and I'm excited about the opportunity to be able to jump in there and start working with it. So thank thank you for your confidence in nomination. All right. Any other discussion? All right. Hearing none. All those in favor raise your hand. All those opposed. All right. Motion passes. Uh next item is consent agenda. Traditionally we take all of these in uh one motion. Move to approve. A through F. Second. All right. All those in favor please raise your right hand. All those opposed. All right. Motion passes. Item 13A. Future items requested by the council. Any future items?

All right. Okay. Uh hearing none. Moving on. Uh item 14 is executive session. Do I have a motion to go into executive session? So move. Second. All right. All those in favor raise your right hand. All those opposed. Okay. Time now is 6:32. We are entering executive session. Item A, consultation with city attorney. Item B, consultation with city attorney and possible action regarding city ordinances. Item C, discussion and possible action regarding economic development matters.

All right. Okay. Time now is 8:04. We are uh coming back into the open. Can I get a motion to uh go back into open session? So move. Second. All right. Uh, all those in favor raise right hand. All those opposed. Okay. Uh, motion carries. We are back out in the open. Uh, any action required. There are no action items needed today, Mayor. Okay. That being the case, there's actually no requirement for a motion to adjurnn. You can adjurnn once business is done. So, we are adjourned. Thank you. Okay.