City Council - Regular Meeting

GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE, AND WELCOME TO OUR REGULAR MEETING, AUGUST 26, 2026. WE WILL START OUR MEETING WITH, I CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER. So, Ms. Dora Barrera, Councilperson Dora Barrera is here, Councilperson Mario Morales is here, Councilperson Jake Lambert is here, Mayor Fulton Francis Flores is here, Councilperson Felix Cantu is here, and myself, Gloria Morales, Council Mayor of the City of Flores. We will start with the invocation following the presentation. Heavenly Father, we ask for your guidance and strength.

At this time, any person wishing to address the City Council on agenda or non-agenda items may be called. Speakers are requested to state their name and address for the record. Public comments are limited to five minutes per individual in accordance with the Texas Open Meetings Act. The city council may not deliberate or take action on any matter that is not posted on the agenda. However, the council may direct staff to place the item on a future agenda.

Yes, this is directed towards our city manager.

Did you take into account you know population tax rate annually

for essential liability about the freedom of speech and charging and all these different things. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Munoz. Do you have any more questions or comments?

I'm not sure who can answer this and maybe y'all can get back to us, but I do want to acknowledge public comments regarding an incident that occurred that we've heard twice before. And I just wanted to know if there's something I MEAN, I KNOW THAT WE CANNOT DISCUSS IT IN OPEN SESSION OR WHAT HAVE YOU ON TRYING TO BE PROTECTIVE OF EMPLOYEES' RIGHTS, BUT I MEAN, IS THERE ANY FOLLOW-UP THAT WE CAN DO?

Yeah, you would do that. Okay. Moving on, public hearing. Do I have any more comments from anyone?

As the attorney, can I say also that when we hire a city lawyer, the lawyer should represent all the council and not just one and say the reason why?

and then immediately got a notification from the city secretary, I think it was not an email, that you were out or something like that. But I cc'd you on the email as well. I don't know, did you receive that email? I did receive the email. Okay, so I wanted it to be an agenda item. What was wrong with it not being put on the agenda?

Next time, do you mind just emailing me back just with what kind of said, hey, you know, hey, Jay or Councilman Lambert, you know, this is not going to meet the deadline for this week. Potentially next agenda. And then I'm super cool with that because obviously I kept looking at my emails like wondering, wondering, wondering, and saw the agenda posted and it wasn't there. So I was like, oh, he's annoying me again. But now thank you for your clarification.

public hearing we'll start our public hearing on proposed property tax rate the time is 6 34. this is notice of a public hearing on a tax increase

Thank you. Is there counsel? Um, you know, it seems to me that, you know, every year we're going up on taxes and taxes and taxes, but, you know, with this economy, all of our citizens are feeling it. You know, they feel it at the grocery store, they feel it at the gas pump, they feel it on the water bill, they feel it on the sewer bill, they feel it on the electric bill, they feel it on the gas bill. And now we're once again going up on taxes. You know, my opinion, you know, our city's going through these so-called budget cuts, you know, and we're hiring people again and cutting people and hir

THANK YOU. CAN WE DISCUSS THAT ALL THROUGH THE BUDGET SEASON?

I GUESS MY QUESTION IS, YOU KNOW, WHEN I LOOK AT THE TAX RATES OR, YOU KNOW, THE HISTORY OF FLORIDA, I MEAN, IT LOOKS LIKE WE HAVEN'T HAD A MEANINGFUL INCREASE. since about six years ago. So while I do understand that rates are going up and it's hard for folks, I also understand the need that we have for our infrastructure. And please correct me if I'm wrong, but when we raise these taxes, you know, these are being used for, I wanna say our streets, our infrastructure, anything else that I'm missing that, I mean, they are in dire need of upgrade. And I don't know how else I do want to say also

I just want to say that I'm glad we have new lawyers because now they're looking into all our policies and all our ordinances. Thank you. Next, public comments? Is that it?

That was pretty rude. That comment you just made.

MOVING ON, THIS MEETING WILL BE ADJOURNED AT 6.54, PUBLIC HEARING. MOVING ON TO PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION, DRAFT BUDGET, FINANCE

7B, HEALTH INSURANCE AND EMPLOYEE BENEFITS.

Sir, I've got a question. What's your firm's name? I'm sorry if I missed it. PWR Strategies. PWR Strategies. Okay, thank you.

Thank you so much. Moving on. Rehabilitation for Watts Park.

and it starts with foundation. A couple of things that I wanted to ask you was, you know, I saw a lot of the graffiti, and I saw a lot of the damage to the restrooms, and it's sad, right? But what is going to be the biggest upkeep maintenance-wise? How are we going to be able to efficiently be able to make sure that this doesn't happen again?

So we have two parts here in the city of Florida. What makes you choose Watts over Cobb Park?

a lot of money, right? You know, what is y'all's plan? Y'all have a plan to ensure that a lot of the maintenance on the tennis, you know, on the tennis courts, the tennis nets, you know, I drive by the tennis nets, it's broken, right? That's something I noticed. That's something our citizens noticed. you know, the tennis courts are gonna be heavily used. You know, is there a way, you know, are y'all gonna limit the hours that they're being able to be used? You know, how is this, how are we gonna be able to take this investment and prolong it as long as possible?

Dr. Gonzalez, thank you for putting this together. It's a great picture of the dire need that Watts Park is just in need of, right?

It's costing us a lot of money. Are we doing anything to recoup those dollars, or are we working with our police department in any way to recoup that money? So I'll answer two questions.

Okay, got it. And then the other question I wanted to ask What about grants? Do we qualify for any grants? I know there was mention of a grant earlier today, so are there any grants that we could utilize or apply for that could go toward this? Because I agree with Councilman Lambert, it's a lot of money.

Got it. Thank you for that. Watts is in the middle of our turning town and so I do cringe that that's the park that we have in the middle of town you know so I do see the importance of recruitment there and hopefully we you know come together and can you know come up with some ideas and we have to be creative but thank you for putting this together thank you Ms. Gonzalez also I was going to ask

Okay, thank you so much. Moving on to Texas Recreation and Parks Society.

YES, MA'AM. OKAY. SO NEXT MEETING I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE IT TO WHERE THERE'S A RESOLUTION TO BE ABLE TO STREAM ON FACEBOOK. AS IT, YOU KNOW, MAYBE POTENTIALLY IN THE FUTURE WHERE A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE, YOU KNOW, MORE EDUCATED ON OUR CITY WEBSITE, BECAUSE I WENT ON PERSONALLY. I KNOW THERE'S SO MUCH WORK TO DO.

Thank you, Ms. Edmond. Item eight, consent agenda. All items listed below are considered to be routine by the city council and will be connected with one motion. There will be no separate discussion of the items unless a council member requests. In which event the item will be removed from the consent agenda and considered in its normal sequence. Approval of the consent agenda authorizes the city manager EACH ITEM IN ACCORDANCE WITH STAFF RECOMMENDATION. ITEM E, CONSIDERATION, DISCUSSION, AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO APPROVE REGULAR MINUTES FOR AUGUST 12, 2026.

YES, MAYOR, I'LL MAKE THE MOTION TO ACCEPT AND FILE THE QUARTERLY INVESTIGATION.

MOTION MADE BY MR. LAMBERT, SECOND BY MR. MORONES. ALL IN FAVOR? MOTION PASSES BY 4-0. MOVING ON TO ITEM B, CONSIDERATION, DISCUSSION, AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO IMPROVE TEMPORARY STREET CLOSURES AND THE USE OF CITY BARRICADES AND TRASH RECEPTICALS AS NEEDED FOR THE LIONS CLUB ANNUAL CAUSE SHOW ON MAY 1, 2027.

Thank you so much. Do I have any citizens comments? Do I have any council comments?

Yes ma'am. Would that affect our election?

YES, MA'AM. DISCUSSION OF POSSIBLE ACTION TO APPROVE TEMPORARY STREET CLOSURES AND THE USE OF CITY BARRICADES AND TRASH RECEPTICALS AS NEEDED FOR THE LIONS CLOTHING AND CAR SHOW.

MOTION MADE BY COUNCILPERSON LAMBERT. SECOND BY MS. MAYOR POTENTIAL. ALL IN FAVOR? THANK YOU. 5-4 AND 0-8. ITEM C, CONSIDERATION, DISCUSSION, AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO APPROVE THE TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF VERBAL STREET FROM THIRD STREET TO THE AREA IN FRONT OF THE TASK OFFICE PRIOR TO THE RENOVATION HOME DRIVEWAY AND THE USE OF CITY BARRICADES FOR THE TRUNKER TREE EVENT ON OCTOBER THE 24TH, 2026.

Mayor, I'll make a motion to approve the temporary closure of Railroad Street from 3rd Street to the area in front of the CAST CAC office prior to the Vineyard Funeral Home driveway and the use of city barricades for the trunk retreat event on October 24th, 2026. Do I have a second?

I'll second. Motion made by Mr. MOTION PASSES 5-4, 0 AGAINST. THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU. ITEM G, CONSIDERATION, DISCUSSION, AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO APPROVE TEMPORARY STREET CLOSURE AND THE USE OF SITTING VERITATES, TRASH, RECEPTICLES, AND DUNSTERS AS NEEDED FOR THE WEEK AND WEEKEND OF THE 32ND ANNUAL CHOREOGRAPHY FESTIVAL.

I have a motion. Mayor, I'll make a motion to approve the temporary street closures and use of city barricades, trash receptacles, and dumpsters as needed for the week and weekend of the 82nd annual Flores Volcano Festival.

Motion made by Mayor Pochette and Flores, seconded by Mr. Felix Cantu. All in favor? I HAVE THE CONSIDERATION, DISCUSSION, AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 2026-017, AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR FROM HER DESIGNATION TO ENTER INTO THE MULTI-UNIT AGREEMENT, USED AGREEMENT WITH THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, TEXDOT, FOR THE INSTALLATION AND OPERATION OF AUTOMATED LICENSED RECOGNITION CAMERAS ON HIGHWAY, ON U.S. HIGHWAY 181, TEXAS,

I'm sorry. This was already brought to you before council approved. So this is just a formality changing from one city manager to the other. Yes, ma'am. Correct.

I think that's the biggest thing they see, the ALPRs, and they're like, oh my God, they're going to track me all the way back to my house. So can you kind of go a little bit more in depth of kind of what we're doing here right with the ALPRs?

So I know that we mentioned grant funding covered some of that. Is there a fee? Mayor, I'll make a motion to approve resolution number 2026-017, authorizing the mayor or her designation to enter into a multiple use agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation for the installation MISSION CAMERAS ON U.S. HIGHWAY 181, TEXAS 97 EAST AND WEST AND ETHAN 536. DO I HAVE A SECOND?

I'LL SECOND. MOTION MADE BY MAYOR POCHIN FLORES, SECOND BY BARERA CANTU, COUNCILWOMAN BARERA CANTU. ALL IN FAVOR? MOTION PASSES. I MEAN, ALL AGAINST? MOTION PASSES, THREE, FOUR, TWO AGAINST. MOVING ON, CONSIDERATION, DISCUSSION, AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO AUTHORIZE THE SEVENTH STREET WATER, WASTEWATER, AND ROAD RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT UTILIZING SEVERAL TRUSHLESS SOLUTIONS THROUGH FIVE-WORD CONTRACT 26-227-527 IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED 571,515. AND AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE ALL NECESSARY DOCUMENTS.

MOTION MADE BY MS. COUNCILWOMAN DORA MARRERO-CANTUL, SECOND BY MAYOR POTENTIAL FRANCIS LORES. ALL IN FAVOR? MOTION PASSES. 5-4-0 AGAINST. ITEM G. CONSIDERATION, DISCUSSION, AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO APPROVE ORDINANCE NUMBER 2026-025, ADOPTING

MOTION TO TABLE. I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO GO AHEAD AND TABLE RESOLUTION NUMBER 2026-018, RESOLUTION TO APPROVE ORDINANCE NUMBER TABLE, ORDINANCE NUMBER 2026-025, ADOPTING A COMPREHENSIVE MASTER FEE SCHEDULE FOR CITY FEES, RATES, CHARGES, PERMITS, LICENSES, SERVICES, AND OTHER MINISTRIAL Municipal fees and if we can table back to the next council meeting, which I believe that takes to September 9th I mean mayor for 10 floors second by council person, um All in favor Motion passes by four zero against

CONSIDERATION, DISCUSSION, AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION NUMBER 20-26-018, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FLORIDA, TEXAS, AUTHORIZING THE USE OF HOSPITAL OCCUPANCY TAX FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF 21,000 BY THE WILSON COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY FOR THE FLORIDA LOCAL EVENT PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 351 OF THE CITY OF THE TEXAS TAX CODE, FINDING THAT THE Expedentia promotes tourism and the conventions and hotel industry and provides for related matters.

Motion made by Councilperson Doral Barguero-Santos, seconded by Councilperson Felix Cantu, all in favor?

MOTION MADE BY MS. DORVALERA-CANTU. DO I HAVE A SECOND? SECONDED BY MS. DORVALERA-CANTU. DO ALL IN FAVOR? MOTION PASSES 5-4, 0 AGAINST. MOVING ON, CONSIDERATION, DISCUSSION, AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO APPROVE ORDINANCE NUMBER 2026.0 VALORANT TAXES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026-2027. I'M ALSO ASKING TO TABLE THIS ITEM UNTIL THE NEXT MEETING.

2026-024, ADOPTING A TAX RATE AND LEVYING AT POLERA TAXES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026 THROUGH 2027 TO THE SEPTEMBER 8TH MEETING.

I'M SECOND. OKAY, THANK YOU, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN. SECOND BY MR. COUNCILPERSON MARIO MORONES. ALL IN FAVOR? Item J, consideration, discussion, and possible action to approve the recommendations for a better work for the installation of water fountains at city parks.

Do I have a motion for this? Mayor, I'll make a motion to go ahead and approve the recommendation for bid award for the installation of water fountains at the city parks. Do I have a second? MOTION MADE BY MAYOR PORTUNE-FLORES, SECOND BY BARRETA-CANTU, COUNCILWOMAN BARRETA-CANTU. ALL IN FAVOR?

Item K, consideration, discussion, and possible action to approve the comprehensive and classification plan for fiscal year 2023.

Thank you for doing that. Do you have any questions from them?

Go ahead. Thank you. Would you recommend this is probably a good idea to adopt this after we approve the budget?

to be able to justify and adopt our budget, get it out of the way. There's no questions, but definitely up to the council. Thank you, sir.

Mayor, I do have a question. Go ahead. So I noticed on section 12 there's an implementation plan. Correct. And I know that we are trying to adopt a classification plan, assign positions to grades, correct salaries below the minimum. Have all the salaries been corrected? Do we have any salaries that are below the minimum, or have they already been corrected?

Sir, I do have another question here. Is there like viral transfers in, like I would say, I use that term in the fire department,

Yes, sir. Another question I have is, um, is salaries, you know, when they interview with you, are they.

MAYOR, I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE COMPENSATION AND CLASSIFICATION PLAN FOR FISCAL YEAR 2027.

DO I HAVE A SECOND? I'LL SECOND. MOTION MADE BY MAYOR POTENTIAL. SECOND BY COUNCILPERSON PURIX. ALL IN FAVOR? ALL AGAINST? MOTION PASSES 3-4, GO AHEAD. MOVING ON, CONSIDERATION, DISCUSSION, AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO APPROVE TASK ORDER NUMBER 004, THE TAP ASSOCIATES FOR PROFESSIONAL PLANNING SERVICES RELATED TO THE F-M 181 PLANNING PROCESS.

Mayor, I'll go ahead and make a motion to approve task order number 004 with Half Associates Incorporated for professional planning services related to the Floresville FM 181 lighting project and authorize the city manager to execute all necessary documents.

Do I have a second? I'll second. MOTION MADE BY MAYOR PUTIAN-FLORES, SECOND BY COUNCILPERSON BARRETA-CANTU. ALL IN FAVOR? MOTION PASSES, 5-4-0 AGAINST. ITEM M, CONSIDERATION, DISCUSSION, AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO APPROVE NEW MEMBER TO THE FIRST EUROPEAN OPEN DEVELOPMENT BOARD TO INCLUDE ANY REAPPOINTMENTS OF CURRENT MEMBERS' APPOINTMENTS TO FILL VACANCIES OR REPLACE EXISTING MEMBERS.

Yes, I would like to acquaint Audrey Clemons. She is the owner of Meany's Country Kitchen Catering Services. She's the vice president of operations for Barnes Staffing, or retired from. This was a national company serving many states, and she did serve as past president of the Floral Peanut Festival, former board member of Purge Ranch, and past president of Insurance Women of San Antonio.

A MOTION MADE BY MAYOR PORCHIN-FOREST, SECOND BY MS. BAGUERA-CANTU. ALL IN FAVOR? MOTION PASSES, 5-4-0 AGAINST. EXECUTIVE SESSION. AT THIS TIME, DO I HAVE A MOTION TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION? THE CITY WILL MEET IN POST-SESSION TO SUIN TO SECTION 551.071, 551.072 OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT TO CONSULT THE DECLINE COUNCIL TO DELIVER A BREAK ABOUT THE CITY COUNCIL MEMBER'S PROJECT FOR LIMITED ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. DO WE DO ALL THREE OF THEM? CAN WE DO ALL OF THEM AT THE SAME TIME? ITEM B, THE CITY COUNCIL WILL ORDER A CLOSED SESSION PURSUANT TO SECTION 551.07 PLANNED TO CARRY RULES OF PROFESSIONAL

Mayor, I'll have a question after this second.

Do I have a motion to go into executive session?

Mayor, I'll make a motion to go into closed session pursuant to sections 551.071, 551.072, 551.087, and section 1.0. to deliberate about a city council matter as follows. One, project building B, city council, pursuant to sections 551071 and section 1.05, Texas disciplinary roles of professional conduct to consult with legal counsel to deliberate about city council matters. One, two, and three, four, do I have to cite them all?

I'll second. Motion made by Ms. Alton-Person-Flores, second by...

Specifically for sections 551.071 and section 105, specifically the number two, grievance filed by the city manager. How is this a legal closed session whenever I haven't been given my right to have a public hearing?

all against motion passes 4-4 and 10 against excuse me can i request no phones go back there