City Council - Regular Meeting

Good evening, everyone. Muy buenas tardes. I want to welcome you all to the October 15, 2026 Socorro Regular City Council meeting. It's 6.08 PM, and I call this meeting to order. As we do in every single meeting, we begin our meetings with the Pledge of Allegiance. And we have a very special group with us here today. And before we stand for the Pledge of Allegiance, I want to let everybody know about this very special group that we have here today. This is the Ernesto Serna Fine Arts Academy. And I wanna tell you all a little bit about who they are and what they represent, not only for the Ser

Thank you. Before you all head out, because I know you guys have a lot of homework to do when you get home. And some of you have dishes to wash and weeds to pull, right? On behalf of the city of Socorro and the city council, we want to provide you all with a certificate of recognition. And as we call your name, we'd like to shake your hand and receive this certificate. And once we've called out all the names, if it's okay, we'd like to take a photo with you all, if that's all right. Yeah? Okay. And we'll begin on this side with Ms. Rojas.

Sofia Chavez. Ariadna Urrutia. Jaylene Kellogg.

Are we missing anyone else in the photo? I need to also acknowledge Mr. Jim Vasquez is also with us today. Mr. Karnas is right here.

Michelle. Only you can call her Michelle. Her students have to call her.

At this time, we'll go ahead and establish quorum.

Thank you. Do we have any speakers signed up for public comment? Okay. We're gonna go ahead and move in to agenda item number five. This is also a presentation. This is a recognition honoring Giselle Gandara and Jenna Gandara for the outstanding achievements in volleyball and recognition of their athletic accomplishments. And I know that there's some more details that we also want to share with our community and the public this evening.

Thank you. We have something very special that we also want to provide you all with here today. And I know that you all attend Eastlake, and there's a bunch of Bulldogs in here, but you all are still members of this community, and we're very proud to say that, and we're very proud of your achievements this evening. And on behalf of the city of Socorro, we'd like to recognize you all with some beautiful plaques here, and we have our two city representatives that are going to give them to you.

I see Eastlake's poaching our residents here in Socorro, and that's okay. We'll move into agenda item number six. This is also a recognition of partner agencies in 2026 emergency preparedness response collaboration. American Red Cross, Socorro Independent School District, and Socorro Volunteer Fire Department.

I want to add, sir, that it makes me extremely proud to serve this community in both capacities. Socorro is my home. I grew up here since the age of two. and going to all the schools here and being an employee of SISD as well as an assistant principal, it brings me so much joy to see our community, our entire community, come together and partner with our district. So it's just an overwhelming feeling. Thank you, it's amazing. Thank you for those comments.

Yeah, I was gonna just add to that, Ms. Rojas, you're absolutely correct because We drive past these elementary schools and middle schools and high schools every day and we think all that happens there is education takes place, athletics take place there, but when these real things happen to our community and we activate our emergency management system, we know that we can't do it all on our own. We have our police department, we have our resources, our school districts and also the Red Cross and stuff like that, so I appreciate all that work and I know Chief also has some words he'd like to s

Thank you, Chief. I got to ride around with our public works director that night. We didn't get home till 11. And we pulled up to a neighborhood. And that water was almost getting into those homes. And I see Chief out in the distance. Let me place the scene for you. He's escorting an elderly woman, and he's walking, and I see the water up to his ankles, and he keeps walking, and then the water's up to his knees, and he keeps walking. And I said, man, if Chief keeps walking, it's going to be up to his waist. But that just goes to show that we really truly have people that work for the city that

Okay, moving on. We're gonna go ahead and move into the consent agenda.

All right, motion carries. All those in favor, say aye. Aye. Okay, we're gonna move into our regular agenda now with agenda item number 13. This is a discussion and action to ratify the reclassification of the accreditation manager position from grant funded to general fund with the police department.

Do any members of council have any comments or questions for Ms. Candelaria at this time?

No. I believe there was a motion and a second. All those in favor, say aye. Any opposed or abstain? And that motion carries. We move into agenda item 14 with the discussion and action to ratify and approve the job description for the field operations director in the parks and public works department.

Do any members of council have any questions for discussion? Does our city manager have any details that she'd like to provide at this time?

Yes, ma'am. There was a motion and second on this item. All those in favor, say aye. Any opposed or abstain? And that motion carries as well. We move into agenda item number 15. This is also a discussion and action item on approving the job description for the field operations foreman position in the Parks and Public Works Department.

Any members of council have any questions for Ms. Candelaria? Any further discussion on this item? There was a motion and second. All those in favor, say aye. Any opposed or abstain? And that motion carries as well. We move into agenda item number 16. This is the discussion and action to ratify and approve the job description for planning technician positions in the planning and zoning department.

Ms. Candelaria, I have a question. Yes, sir. Is this one position, or is it multiple? It's for one? Yes, sir. Okay. Any further discussion or questions on this item? No? There was a motion and a second. All those in favor, say aye. Aye. Any opposer abstain? And that motion carries. And I believe Ms. Candelares got one more item tonight. 17 is a discussion in action on approving the job description for the Public Affairs Coordinator position in the Recreation Department.

Any questions or further discussion on this item? No? There was a motion and second. All those in favor, say aye. Any opposed or abstain? And that motion carries.

We appreciate all of your items this evening. We move into the grants department with agenda item number 18. This is the discussion in action to approve resolution 864 regarding civil rights policies and commitments for the city of Socorro in connection with the Texas Community Development Block Grant Program.

No, there was a motion and a second. All those in favor, say aye. Aye. Any opposed or abstain? And that motion carries. We move into agenda item number 19. This is the discussion and action to approve resolution 865, authorizing the city of Socorro to submit a Texas Community Development Block Grant application to the 2027-2028 Texas Community Development Fund and commit up to $112,500 in matching funds. Motion to approve. Second.

Are we able to bring up those images from the backup? Ms. Rorte.

It's page 8,322 from the... It's page 151. That one sounded more reasonable.

Sometimes our packets have a lot of pages.

but I think it's important to share with our community and the public why we go after this funding, and I wanted to see how fast our staff acts. This happened this year, you can see, this is Nancy Road, so if you're traveling upward towards Horizon, you'll pass the McDonald's, it's on the right-hand side, This is the type of damage that we see with the rains that come from the upward in the county and horizon area. This water will always find its way. And this year it found its way and it destroyed and it exposed, I believe, I'm not sure that's a sewer, but I know there's also a gas line that

If I'm not mistaken, we received a year's worth of rainfall within days. And our infrastructure, and we saw this throughout the entire county and region, we can prepare as much as we want. But it's just, we can only do so much. The earth can only absorb so much rainfall.

Well, thank you, Ms. Valadez, for presenting this. There was a motion and a second on this item. All those in favor, say aye. Any opposed or abstain? And that motion carries as well. We move into agenda item number 20. This is the discussion in action to approve the annual update to the City of Socorro's Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan in compliance with the Federal Transit Administration's Public Transportation Safety Program requirements.

Any questions, concerns, or any further discussion on this item? No. There was a motion and second. All those in favor say aye. Any opposed or abstain? And that motion carries as well. We move into agenda item number 21. This is the discussion and action to approve the proposed updates to the City of Socorro's 2025 through 2028 Transit Development Plan.

You too. Any further discussion on this item, or any questions?

Yeah, I didn't see an ounce of fear in anybody's eyes. Honestly, I was the one that was nervous and I'll be the first to admit it. But just after seeing all the white hairs it gave all of us and the amount of work that you put into it and just the ability to come back with all of the data, that's important when we're trying to seek funding is we need to be able to prove the need. And you guys have done an excellent job of that because that's one thing that I know our counterparts weren't able to provide us when they came to us with this sales pitch. But now the ability for us to tap into this

You guys did awesome. There was a motion and second on this item. All those in favor say aye. Any opposed or abstain? And that motion carries also. Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you for all your work. Amazing.

We're moving into the most expensive part of our meeting with the police department. This is agenda item number 22. This is the discussion and action to authorize the chief of police to execute a memorandum of agreement with the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Any further discussion or questions for Chief on this item? No, sir. No? I think it's without a doubt that this council looks at public safety as being top priority for our community, so there was no, there was a motion and second on this item. All those in favor?

No abstains or abstentions. Chief, thank you.

Well, these are the doors that you've opened becoming an accredited agency, so we look forward to the partnership with the DEA. Thank you, Chief.

We move into agenda item number 22, I'm sorry, 23. This is the discussion in action to approve the Municipal Court Judge Independent Contract Agreement with the Honorable David Nevarez at a monthly compensation of $6,000 for a total annual amount of $72,000.

Any questions or comments? No? Judge, would you like to share a few words before the council takes action on this item?

Thank you, Judge Nevarez. We appreciate the kind words, and as you heard, we've all heard here today, our staff has also expressed their gratitude because, as you all know, you're not an 8 to 5, and we appreciate that.

Thank you. We haven't signed your certificate yet. Ms. Rarte, you have nothing else to share on this item? And counsel, do you have any questions or further discussion on this item here? No, sir. No? I believe there was a motion and a second. All those in favor, say aye. Aye. Any opposed or abstain? No, and that motion carries. Judge, we'll see you tomorrow at 8 a.m. on Sharp.

We're going to go ahead and move into agenda item number 24. This is the discussion and action to approve Un Corazon, a community faith event at Bulldog Park by New Life Faith Center on October 17th, 2026 to approve a permit fee waiver request for the event and allow the use of the city's speaker and sound equipment for the event.

Before we take action on this item, I'd like to invite the pastor to the microphone and share a few words.

Thank you, Pastor. I believe on this item, there was a motion and a second, unless we have any further discussion or questions from any members of council. All those in favor, say aye. Any opposed or abstain? That motion carries as well. Thank you. Thank you, Pastor. Should I say aye? If you want, we...

We'll go ahead and move into the next agenda item, number 25. This is the discussion in action to approve the bylaws and the youth membership application for the Socorro Mayor's Youth Advisory Council, also known as the CIMAC.

The reason why this item has to be brought to the table for discussion and action is to approve the bylaws of the membership application, and I'm sure you all have had time to look at the backup agenda item, the backup for this agenda item. What we're requesting today is the approval of the bylaws so that way the CIMAC can go ahead and establish itself in providing the young people in Socorro and the Socorro Independent School District with a structured opportunity to have a voice in their community. I do want to make one thing clear. This does not close the doors to any interested youth membe

Any opposed or abstain? And that motion carries. Thank you. Thank you for being here with us tonight. I know you didn't have to sit through all this, but we had to get this item approved so that you can start moving forward and knocking it out. But thank you for taking this head on. Appreciate you. All right, good stuff. Thank you. All right. Thank you. We move into agenda item number 26 with the discussion and action to direct staff to prepare an amendment to chapter 28 noise regulations of the city of Socorro code of ordinances to review and revise residential noise standards including dayti

Is it the type of music that you're not liking, or is it just?

bigger areas can or something like that i guess communities that are neighborhoods that are more dense than others we understand and i and i understand what what you're looking at and we can definitely have have staff look at that maybe you know maybe not throughout the entire city would apply i know um we're about to play some loud music here in a few weeks at our fight farm so But, no, I understand what you're getting at. Some of these properties are smaller and they're a lot closer, and we want to be respectful to each other. We know folks got to wake up to go to work in the morning.

Mr. Garcia is that neighbor. Now, is there any further discussion or questions on this item? I believe there was a motion and a second. All those in favor, say aye. Any opposed or abstain? And that motion carries.

We move into agenda item 27. This is the discussion and action to direct staff to prepare an amendment to the City of Socorro's Unified Development Code Ordinance number 764 to revise the minimum lot area requirements for duplex, triplex, quadplex, and other multi-unit residential development within the R2 medium density residential district.

This is my item. I requested this item because I would like council to revisit the minimum lot area requirements for multi-unit residential development with our R2 medium density residential district. As our city continues to grow and develop, I believe it's important that we evaluate whether our development standards are appropriate for our existing neighborhoods and the type of residential growth we want to encourage. One of my concerns is the number of dwelling units that can potentially be constructed on a relatively small property. While I recognize the importance of providing different h

Yeah. Any further discussion on Ms. Rojas' agenda item or questions?

So for a duplex, it's 10,000 square feet. For a triplex, it's 15,000. And for a quadruplex, is it a quadplex? Quadplex is 20,000 square feet.

Well, that is what we proposed. So this would be a minimum. The ones that I mentioned would be a minimum. So the proposed would be the ones on the backup, which would be the 10,000 square foot, which is approximately a little bit less than quarter acre for a duplex. and so the minimum would be 10,000. I'm proposing 11, but the minimum would be 10. So we would follow on the backup.

Okay, so we're wanting to propose the amendment using the language that's in the backup. Correct. That's showing the 10, the 15, and the 20,000 square feet.

All right. Any other questions or discussion on that item? Okay. There was a motion and a second. All those in favor, say aye. Aye. Any opposer abstain? And that motion carries as well. Thank you. The next item that we are going to discuss and take action on is agenda item number 28. This is the discussion in action to consider... Consider and take action on the removal of David Estrada from the City of Socorro Planning and Zoning Commission, place four.

This item is also mine I am requesting the City Council consideration of a change to the district for appointment on the Planning and Zoning Commission Mr. David Estrada has served on the Planning and Zoning Commission since 2018 I would like to provide an opportunity for another resident to become involved and serve the community through participation on the Commission Mr. David Estrada has faithfully served on the Planning and Zoning Commission since 2018 dedicating many years of his time and service to the city of Socorro and its residents. The city is sincerely appreciative of Mr. Estrada'

Any questions or comments or further discussion on item 28? No, sir. No? There was a motion and a second. All those in favor, say aye. Aye. Any opposed or abstain? And that motion carries. We move into agenda item 29. This is the discussion and action to consider and take action on the appointment of Roger Corral to the City of Socorro's Planning and Zoning Commission, place four.

I am requesting City Council consideration of the appointment of Roger Corral to the City of Socorro Planning and Zoning Commission as a District 4 appointment. Mr. Corral has expressed an interest and willingness to serve the City of Socorro and contribute his time to the community. His appointment will provide an opportunity for a resident to become... for our resident to become actively involved in the city's planning and development process and provide input on matters related to zoning, land use, subdivisions, and the future growth of the community. I appreciate Mr. Corral's willingness t

Thank you. There was a motion and second on this item. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed or abstain? And that motion carries. We're going to go ahead and swear the newly appointed commissioner in at this time. Yes. Mr. Corral. And who's going to do the swearing in?

Can we have our city clerk do the swearing in? because I know she wants to speak.

Do we have any items posted for 31, 32, or 33? No, sir. No, okay. I need a motion to delete those items.

There's been a motion and a second to delete those items. All those in favor, say aye. Aye. Any opposed or abstain? That motion carries. Motion to adjourn. There's been a motion and a second to adjourn the meeting. Motion and second. All those in favor, say aye. We adjourn this meeting at 7.50 p.m. Thank you.