City Commission - Special Meeting

Cameron County
Tuesday, September 22, 2026

The Brownsville City Commission approved a collective bargaining agreement with the Police Officers Association, discussed housing and historic design updates, and advanced water security and environmental task force resolutions.

About this meeting

Government Body
City Commission
Meeting Type
City Commission
Location
Brownsville, TX
Meeting Date
September 22, 2026

Published excerpts

Only published remarks appear here. The full transcript is not published.

52 sections (from 54 segments)

26:06 – 26:17•John Cowen, Jr.

Anyone from city that's going to be presented here. Oh, it's online? Okay.

45:26•John Cowen, Jr.

Well, thank you everyone for this presentation. Mayor, I have a quick question.

46:57 – 47:14•John Cowen, Jr.

I want to thank everyone involved. This is, I think, the most, in my opinion, the most impactful plan that we've worked on. You know, it's our goal to make sure Brownsville stays an option for everyone. And we're going to use all the tools at our disposal to make that happen. So thank you. Yes, sir.

1:00:09•John Cowen, Jr.

I'll entertain a motion to suspend the rules.

1:00:23•John Cowen, Jr.

Second. Yeah, we have a second. Any further discussion? If not, all those in favor, please say aye. Aye. All those opposed, say nay. Ayes have it.

1:14:32•John Cowen, Jr.

Yeah, I think you're in violation of our rules, Diablo. Sorry.

1:32:30•John Cowen, Jr.

Second. We have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? If not, all those in favor, please say aye. Aye. All those opposed say nay. Ayes have it. Motion carries.

1:33:13 – 1:33:32•John Cowen, Jr.

I have no problem with it. I know just speaking with with the city management. I believe there's a couple of things that questions to clear up and then we'll we'll bring it back next time. Okay, thank you. I'll entertain a motion to move the table second. We have a motion and a second to table and each other discussion. Not all those in favor please say aye. Aye. All those opposed say nay. I just have a motion carried.

1:36:49 – 1:37:19•John Cowen, Jr.

Questions or comments from the commission? All right, this is a public hearing. So if there's anyone here that wishes to address the commission on this item, please step forward. Move to close. Second. We have a motion and a second to close. Any further discussion? If not, all those in favor, please say aye. Aye. All those opposed say nay. Ayes have it. Motion carries. We have a motion and a second to approve. Any further discussion? If not, all those in favor, please say aye. Aye. All those opposed say nay. Ayes have it. Motion carries.

1:41:15•John Cowen, Jr.

Quick question, um, are we able to prohibit street on street parking?

1:41:26 – 1:41:58•John Cowen, Jr.

Yes, you could restrict on-street parking, but you couldn't do it through this particular vehicle. I know that was a suggestion in this gentleman's letter, right? Because that is right at the entrance of that neighborhood. You know, I'm not, you know, in terms of what if people did park on the street, does that create a safety issue for. For emergency vehicles, I think that's a question for you guys and your experience. Have we ever restricted that or. Is that an issue?

1:43:39 – 1:43:50•John Cowen, Jr.

All right, this is a public hearing, so if there's anyone that wishes to address the Commission on this item, please step forward. Move to close. We have a motion to close in a second. Second.

1:43:53 – 1:44:16•John Cowen, Jr.

If not, all those in favor, please say aye. Aye. All those opposed say nay. Ayes have it. Motion carries. I move to approve. Second. All right. We have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? If not, all those in favor, please say aye. Aye. All those opposed say nay. Ayes have it. Motion carries. Thank you.

1:47:17•John Cowen, Jr.

Questions, comments from the Commission?

1:47:47•John Cowen, Jr.

Any other questions? All right. This is a public hearing, so if there's anyone here that wishes to address the commission, please step forward.

1:49:08 – 1:49:24•John Cowen, Jr.

Second. All right. We have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? If not, all those in favor, please say aye. All those opposed, say nay. Ayes have it. Motion carries. Move to approve. Second. We have a motion and a second to approve. Any further discussion? Not all those in favor, please say aye. Aye. All those opposed, say nay. Ayes have it. Motion carries.

1:53:23 – 1:53:49•John Cowen, Jr.

I just have a quick question on on on this item. I think, um, I don't think this is anything that's been requested by the commission to bring to us. This is more city staff bringing this to the commission based on. Feedback right on development activity in the city and and the concerns around that. So I think I would like to understand more about the concerns. And, uh, what the benefit of of this really is.

1:54:42 – 1:55:16•Pedro Cardenas

I have an issue with it not being allowed to be on primary and secondary. For me, that's kind of like where they're supposed to be is what I would think. I mean, when I go out of town and if I have an emergency and need an oil change, I don't want to be driving around small streets to find it. I mean, I get the reason that you're saying, but if you're adding a separation on foot like we did with the car washes, couldn't you just extend that so you allow them on bigger corridors but not so many? So,

1:55:22 – 1:55:40•Pedro Cardenas

Yeah, because I believe that you said 1,000 feet and then 600 from residential. Why don't you extend that a little further, but allow them to be where I think they should be, right? But again, is this pumping up a lot?

2:02:07•John Cowen, Jr.

Any other questions or comments from the Commission? All right, this is a public hearing if there's, or is there more? There's more.

2:05:00 – 2:05:59•Pedro Cardenas

i don't like that hour at all i think most events go down to two and uh i understand the reason to get it out of the next to neighborhoods i agree with that one 100 but i don't think we should limit it to 12. i think that uh at least down here in the valley right uh everybody has a wedding until like 1 1 30 2. probably later but and and outdoors uh 10 p.m I think we have people playing soccer at the sports park past that time on a Saturday. So I don't agree with that either. I don't know how the rest of the commission feels about it, but for me, those are, I mean, we're already getting them ou

2:06:23 – 2:06:43•John Cowen, Jr.

I have a question on on, uh, downtown. I think 1,000 feet for downtown. I don't know. I think that restricts a lot of what can be developed downtown in terms of event space. Again, it's kind of hard to visualize, but I would imagine it does restrict quite a bit.

2:11:19•John Cowen, Jr.

Any questions comments from the commission.

2:14:32 – 2:15:46•John Cowen, Jr.

with with the basic half mile restriction um how does that allow for more self-storage unit in our city i would think that would that would it would essentially be restricted to to growing that that type of business here that is something we can take into note and edit sir i do think as as we grow as a city um You know, I think there's going to be more dense development, right? Which means smaller. Um, you know, houses and small, smaller units, and I think the need for self storage will probably grow as we grow as well. So I think that's important to. To take take into account. Yes, sir. Yeah,

2:17:35•John Cowen, Jr.

We have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? If not, all those in favor, please say aye. Aye. All those opposed, say nay.

2:21:27 – 2:21:38•John Cowen, Jr.

Thank you. Questions or comments? This is an action item, so entertain a motion. Move to approve. Motion. Do we have a second?

2:21:44•John Cowen, Jr.

If not, all those in favor, please say aye. Aye. All those opposed, say nay. Ayes have it. Motion carried. Thank you. Thank you.

2:24:59•John Cowen, Jr.

It's a quick question. If this test for if we want this task force to become a standing committee in the future, what what is the process for that?

2:25:35 – 2:26:00•Pedro Cardenas

I do have a comment. Why not extend it to 6 months to 3? I know that the. City manager can extend it, but if they're done prior to it, I imagine they turn it in and it still would be over, but you don't have to. Come back to the city manager and extend it. I think 3 months is very quick, especially December coming around and. Thanksgiving and just, you know, I think we should do six months.

2:26:18 – 2:26:56•Pedro Cardenas

Yeah, I would, I would be comfortable if you do 2 to a week right now. I think there's a lot of information. None of us know. So, I think this could actually bring a lot of information towards us, but, um. If we, if we do 3 months, it is, I think it's too fast. And although once a week I do think is too much, I think they should have the option to meet twice a month. And if that's not enough, well, they can make a decision on their own with those seven people that are there. Or they can decide to meet once a month. It's up to them, I guess. I think we should just put a standard and then they c

2:27:20•Pedro Cardenas

Right. So, I mean, I just think that we can, we can, I agree with you. I think they should come in in December 15th, maybe and bring in a, a report of. What they believe is going on.

2:30:50•John Cowen, Jr.

Alright, we have a motion and a second any further discussion. If not, all those in favor, please say aye. All those opposed say nay. I just have a motion carries.

2:41:51 – 2:42:33•John Cowen, Jr.

Yeah, thank you. and i i do know that uh bpub and srwa are working on the sr srwa automation optimization expansion milestones so that we could get that approved as a qualified project as soon as possible i know that's coming shortly right they're meeting i believe in mid-october that's right right right any other questions I'll entertain a motion. Move to approve. Do we have a motion? Do we have a second? Second. We have a second. Any further discussion? If not, all those in favor, please say aye. Aye. All those opposed, say nay. Ayes have it. Motion carries.

2:43:26•John Cowen, Jr.

Second. We have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? If not, all those in favor, please say aye. Aye. All those opposed say nay. Ayes have it. Motion carries.

2:43:38 – 2:44:09•John Cowen, Jr.

I would like to nominate Carolyn Wood. Second. We have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? If not, all those in favor, please say aye. Aye. All those opposed say nay. Ayes have it. Motion carries. I'm going to nominate Lisa Mitchell Bennett. Second. We have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? If not, all those in favor, please say aye. Aye. All those opposed, say nay. Ayes have it. Motion carries.

2:44:09 – 2:44:21•Pedro Cardenas

Counselor, I have a question. I want to nominate Joseph Holman on there, but I see he's a non-voting, but I want him to be allowed to vote. So I would like to nominate him. Can you find somebody else to do the non-official?

2:44:44•Pedro Cardenas

Do we have to make something different if I were to do that? Because it's already been approved with a seven and four

2:45:17 – 2:45:45•Pedro Cardenas

Well, I think what Commissioner Villarreal and this is, I think what he's also what people reached out to us about was We don't want this to be basically a city board. So I think we don't need another ex-officio. I agree with you. I think if he's on there, he brings that expertise that was trying to be brought on, I guess. Yeah, I mean, that's fine. I'd like to appoint Joseph Holdman. Second.

2:45:46 – 2:46:10•John Cowen, Jr.

We have a motion and a second. I do have a comment. I think it might be helpful to have someone from PUB that understands the electrical side as well. I think Joseph really understands the water side very well, but maybe from a staff member's perspective, that can be decided later who can go and fill that. Yeah, we can do that. But I think there's value to be added there.

2:46:19•Pedro Cardenas

We have a first and a second. Can we get a vote? Yeah. Go ahead.

2:46:23•John Cowen, Jr.

We have a first and a second. Any further discussion? If not, all those in favor, please say aye. Aye. All those opposed, say nay. Ayes have it. Motion carries.

2:46:35 – 2:47:21•John Cowen, Jr.

All right. We have a motion. Do we have a second? All right. We have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? If not, all those in favor, please say aye. aye all those opposed say nay i just have a motion carries everybody's done here yeah so for commissioner martinez and commissioner gulaski they'll be for the next we'll bring it back are we going back to actual item number two if if we can reconsider can we have a motion to reconsider item yeah resolution 2026 121a I'll entertain a motion to that effect.

2:47:22•Pedro Cardenas

I'd like to make a motion to leave the position.

2:47:34•John Cowen, Jr.

We have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? If not, all those in favor please say aye. Aye. All those opposed say nay. I just have a motion carries.

2:47:44 – 2:47:56•Pedro Cardenas

So I'd like to make a motion. Okay. to approve as is with the exception of the P. U. B. A representative to be determined later date.

2:48:04•Pedro Cardenas

Yes, sir, including the recording of the 15th of December and I don't remember the March 16 15 of March to have the final report you.

2:48:14 – 2:48:39•John Cowen, Jr.

All right. We have a motion to be the second. 2nd, a motion and a 2nd, any further discussion. If not all those in favor please say aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye

3:49:25 – 3:49:42•John Cowen, Jr.

Thank you. Thank you guys for all your hard work and for you to for our city and all the police officers. I agree. This is a great day for our community. And again, I thank you for your partnership and your collaboration. And again, city team as well for all the hard work and effort here. Thank you.

3:51:47 – 3:51:58•John Cowen, Jr.

Second. We have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? If not, all those in favor, please say aye. Aye. All those opposed say nay. Ayes have it. Motion carries. Thank you, guys.

3:52:12•John Cowen, Jr.

Move to proceed. Well, I think that was for number three, no?

3:52:26•John Cowen, Jr.

Yeah. Move, proceed as discussed. Second. All right. We have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? If not, all those in favor, please say aye. Aye.

3:52:40•John Cowen, Jr.

Second. Second. All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Ayes have it. Meeting adjourned, everyone.

These excerpts are remarks by officials whose identity a person confirmed, from a transcript generated automatically from the official public meeting video and presented unedited. Accuracy may vary; view the original recording for reference.