City Council - Regular Meeting

Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. N. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat.

Hello, my name is Isabella Pettis. recreation leader for the city of Sakuro. Thank you for joining today's meeting. Before the meeting begins, we would like to remind our guests to remove all hats and silence all electronic devices. No disruptive behavior or outbursts will be tolerated and vi subject to ejection and possible prosecution. is Judy Rodriguez. Uh, good evening everyone. I want to welcome you all to the city of Sakoro's regular council meeting for April 2nd, 2026. It's 6:03 p.m. and I call this meeting to order. As always, uh, we begin our meetings with the pledge of allegiance. And uh today we have a very special guest with us here on behalf of the Ernesto Cerna Fine Arts Academy. We have more than one guest and there's there's the group is much larger, but I know that they're uh they're representing their school right now and they're representing the city right now in one of our sports activities. So we wish them the very best of luck. Um and today our these ladies will be uh leading us in the pledge of allegiance and a a brief moment of silence if if you would all please stand. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and

justice for all. And now the Texas flag. Honor the Texas flag. I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one state under God, one and indivisible. Please join us for a moment of silence. Thank you. You may be seated.

Thank you. I want to give you all Can we microphone again? You can say the first.

So on behalf of the city of Sakoro and the city council, we want to present uh Sello Gail here with a certificate of recognition. But we want to do something special today because her teammates are out there playing and she's going to recognize her teammates today by naming u calling out their names. But Sello, this is your certificate and we want to thank you on behalf of the city of Sakoro. Thank you Denise Delerte, Jayen Via Toro, Jayen Diaz, Leah Casteda, Julie Medina, Zoe Caro, Just Brooklyn Nunes, Isella Veerano, Carly Bry, Fernanda Miraontes Alivado, Mire Anilles.

So, you want to take this to your teammates here? Okay. and let them know that the YouTube video is live right now. So when they get they when they get home from the game, they can log in there and they can check it out and they can hear you calling out all their names. Okay. Thank you so much, yellow.

Thank you. want to take a quick shake everyone's hand. Thank you so much. At this time, we're going to go ahead and establish quum. Ruben Rees,

yes. Cis Navarez is absent. Alejandro Garcia here. Mayor Rudy Cruz here. Gina Corddero here. And Irene Roas, present. Mayor, we have a quorum. Thank you, Miss Navaro. We're going to go ahead and move into the public comment uh section of our meeting. Mayor, we have no speakers today. No speakers today. Would you like to speak? Mayor, I'd like to make a motion to move item 24 after presentations. Okay, there's second. Second. There's been a motion, a second, and a third to move item 24 uh after item seven. All those in favor say I. I. I.

All right, that motion carries. Uh we're going to move on to agenda item number five. And this is a uh a very very special recognition. And today we're going to be honoring Carlos Epulva Sior, who was a United States Marine veteran and valued member of the Sakoro community. And um I just want to give a a brief background and summary on this item here. This was a uh a council and and I requested the consideration and approval for this memoriam recognition honoring Mr. Seulva and um he was a United States Marine Corps veteran and a dedicated member of our community. He honorably served in the United States Marine Corps, achieving the rank of Corporal E4 and serving during the Vietnam War. During his service, he was awarded several commendations, including the National Defense Service Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Purple Heart Medal, Vietnamese Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnamese Cross and Gallantry Medal, and Rifle Sharpshooter badge. Following his military service, Mr. Mr. Sepulva continued his commitment to public service through his involvement with the city of Sakoro Parks and Recreation Commission where he served from October 17 to 2013 through July 21st of 2016. Mr. Sbulva was a valued and respected member of the community whose contributions helped enhance the quality of life for residents. His passing is a significant loss to the city of Sakoro. This and memoriam recognition serves to honor his service to our nation, his sacrifice, and his dedication to the community. I know that some of his fellow fellow veterans are here with us today. I want to thank you all for your service and commitment to this great country. And to all of our Vietnam veterans, welcome home. Our staff has uh uh created a a short video here for the

the family members of Mr. Sepulva. At this time, we're going to go ahead and and showcase that video and his memory. A memorial recognition speech for honoring Carlos Seorva Senior. Mayor, members of council, and members of our community, tonight we gather in solemn reflection and deep gratitude to honor the life, service, and legacy of Carlos Seulva Senior. A proud United States Marine Corpse veteran and deeply respected member of the Sororo community. Born on May 22nd, 1950 and passed on March 6, 2026, Mr. Mr. Pua lived a life defined by courage, sacrifice, and an unwavering commitment to service. During the Vietnam War, he answered our nation's call with honor, rising to the rank of corporal, and serving with distinction in the United States Marine Corps. His bravery and dedication were recognized through numerous commendations, including the National Defense Service Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Purple Heart Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, and the Ripe Sharpshooter badge. These honors stand as an enduring symbol of his valor, resilience, and steadfast defense to our freedom that we hold so dear. Yet his service did not end upon returning home. Mr. Sepulva continued to embody the values of duty and community here in Sakoro. From October 17th in the year of 2013 through July 21st, 2016, he served on the city of Sakoro Parks and Rec recreation commission where he contributed his time, insight, and leadership to enhancing programs, improving public spaces, and enriching the quality of life for our residents. His efforts helped strengthen not only our parks and services, but the very fabric of our community. Mr. Sepurva was more than a decorated veteran. He was a neighbor, leader, and a man of integrity and quiet strength. He gave of himself not for recognition but out of a genuine love for his community and a deep sense of responsibility to others. He represented the very best of Sakoro. Resilient, compassionate, and committed to leaving a lasting positive impact.

His passing is a profound loss to his family, his loved ones, and to the city of Sakoro. However, his legacy endures in the freedoms he helped protect, in the community he helped strengthen, and in the example he leaves for all of us to follow. On behalf of the city of Sakoro, we extend our deepest gratitude for his honorable service to our nation, our city, and our heartfelt appreciation for his lasting contributions to this community. May we honor his memory not only in words, but through continued service, compassion, and dedication to one another. At this time, we'd like to play a brief video honoring the life of Mr. Sepa.

At this time, I uh I I want to open up the floor to any of the family members of Mr. Seulva or any of his fellow veterans. If you would like to speak uh on this item here today, you're more than help. You're more than welcome to. No. Okay. Well, as far as as as what I have to say, I I can I can only share with you the little that I knew about Mr. Sepula. When I would I call it jogging, it was probably more than it was probably more like speed walking in front of his house. He'd be out there always doing something either on the tractor or he was out there doing yard work and he'd wave to me. He was a really good guy. And what my family uh has told me about Mr. Seula, he was he was a very very good football player and he was a really good-looking guy in his younger years and I just wanted to share that with all of you today. He was uh very well loved not only by his family but his community and we appreciate the men and women in uniform and it's because of you all we have the freedoms that we have today and we're able to sit here today and speak about it. So I want to thank you all. So, at this time, we're going to go ahead and um and move into the the next item. Also, did we have Mr. Shepula's uh image displayed uh out in the

Okay. Okay. Good. Good. All right. Thank you. Thank you for doing that. We will make sure the family gets the

Great. I appreciate that. Thanks so much. Um, we're going to move into agenda item six and this is the uh recognition of the 2026 campus teachers of the year and 2026 campus school support employees of the year for the Sakoro High School feeder area schools. And these items that uh always come to the table when it's recognizing our students and our teachers a lot of times comes from Mr. Garcia, who is also an educator and and he's very passionate about what he does. I hear the way he speaks about his work and him being a member of this community. He always feels that it's important to recognize our teachers and our students and all of their accomplishments. So, I want to thank Mr. Garcia for for placing these items on the table and I want to go ahead and hand it off to you, Mr. Garcia.

Thank you, Mayor. I appreciate that. Yeah, as a as an as a teacher, I know how it is. Uh, yeah, I'm not going to leave work and get in a suit. That's not me. So, I get off work and I come straight over here, do what I got to do because we're tired and and that's what teachers have a lot to do. And what is it now? Is star crunch and it's star review. I get it. I get it. It's really rough. But uh I hope this little bit can uh recognition uh uh just brighten up your day. I know that the city is always looking out for you guys. Okay. So each school year uh every elementary and secondary campus within the Sakor Independent School District selects his representative teacher of the year and school support employee of the year. The nomination of the selection of these individuals determined by their colleagues. The city of Sakor would like to recognize the 2026 2026 I'm sorry campus toy and the 226 uh support staff of the year for each school in the in the Sakoral feeder pattern. These individuals assure commitment, perseverance, leadership within 13 their roles working directly or indirectly with students. The following are the teacher support employees to be recognized. And I really like the support staff of the year. I was an aid for 13 years before I became a teacher. So everybody knows how much aids work and so I'm really grateful for that recognition for them. So we're going to start with compestre. Our teacher of the year is Arias Aguila, fourth grade teacher. Mayor.

Oh, he's going to read the names. He'll read the names. Okay. So, when I read your name, please go ahead and come forward. This lovely lady in the pink blazer will give you your certificate and then we'll invite you to shake hands with our council and also take some photos. Please remain signing a pair at the DAS and I'll also take a group picture after. I'm going to go in the order that they gave me the certificates. So, please listen for your name. I'll announce your title and your school. We're going to start with Secretary for Sakoro Middle, Marcela Mahes. Instructional aid for physical education from Robert A Roas. Aruro Galindo,

security guard for WCO Elementary. Dominic Roas,

nurse for HD. Hilly Graciella Esca,

physical education aid for Esontria's Steam Academy. Alexis Mansera,

campus clerk for Campestre Elementary School. Helen Cerna.

Do you want to do it in two groups or one group picture? Uh let's do Yeah, let's do each uh because that was the first group completed. First group. They're going to be kind of big, right? So should we let's do individual. Okay. So can this group go ahead and stand in the middle so we can do a group photo? We're going to take a photo here. Ma'am, come back. And the next time I get a certificate, I want the same crowd to come over here and clap and cheer for me. Right.

Principles, if you're in the audience, you're more than welcome to come up with Miss Sochi and take a photo. principles, if you want to get in the photo, you're more than welcome to. Let's make sure you're holding your certificates right side up. There you go.

Thank you. from Sakoro High School. Assistant Principal Clerk Denise Castillo

from Salvador Sanchez, Instructional Aid at Risk. Carla Ruiz. from Ernesto Cerna Fine Arts Academy parent liaison Yam Gonzalez. That is the second group. Principles, if you're in the audience, you're more than welcome to take a photo. And then the second one will be you in the photo as well. Thank you

from Campestre Elementary School. Fourth grade teacher of the year. I Aguilar from Esontria Steam Academy. First grade teacher Roxan Pretzer from HD Hilly Elementary School. first grade teacher an Canola from Robert from Robert Aro Roas Elementary School. Third grade teacher Brandy Galindo from WCO Elementary School. First grade bilingual teacher Vanessa Parra from Ernesto Cerna Fine Arts Academy special education co-teer Hilda Duran principles if you're in the audience that want to take a photo now's your moment to come up here with Miss Sochi Wait until we start talking about energy.

Principles, do you want to be in the photo? You're more than welcome.

So, are they okay?

You need them to shift. Okay. Awesome. Oh, wait. One more. One more with the phone. One more with the phone. Thank you. We have one more group

from Sakoro Middle School special education 6th through 8th grade teacher. Suri Rodriguez from Salvador H. Sanchez Middle School special education 6th through 8th grade teacher. Pamela de Laator. Last but not least from Sakoro High School, graphic arts and athletic coach Javier Esparsa. Ask Dr. Sora if he wants us to use this one.

That's the last group. Big smiles.

Thank you. Yes, sir. Wait, I want to

with her little I want to add that um I am extremely honored and proud to be sitting here and just sharing these congratulations with you because I've worked alongside with you guys. You are my partners. You're my colleagues and I am truly proud to be here and seeing you. the dedication it takes, the the changes you make in the students lives. It is amazing and it is a very difficult job that not very many that are not educators know. So, with my heart, I tell you, I thank you for everything that you do. You're all amazing. You've gotten here. It's it's truly a blessing to have you in in our field. Thank you all. Thank you, Miss Rojas. Before um before our teachers head out to the dusty tap or windown, I I do want to say this. uh this administration that that I that I'm currently working with on the table right now has has made it has made a strong effort and and bringing this community close together because that's one of the things that Sooto has here is we have we have a culture we have a culture of being a tight-knit community and I want to keep it that way. So, I'm telling all of our teachers, our educators, please take this back to your your um educational institutions, and let your principles know, the teachers know, the parents know. If there's any student that we

need to recognize here, by all means, reach out to our staff, and we'd be more than happy to because those are our residents, those are our community members, and they attend the schools, and you teach them, and they're with you guys for so many hours every day. So, uh we we appreciate that, and we thank you all. So, um, without further ado, we're going to go ahead and move into our next agenda item at this time. This is agenda item number seven. This is also a presentation to honor the 2026 Manas speakers. Good evening, mayor and council. Victor Reta, your director of communications. Uh, before you is a presentation put together by our new multimedia specialist, Miss Sochi Marquez. Uh, before we start, I just want to say that this is our fourth year doing. Armanas is an annual conference that we do in-house for our staff, which is a women's empowerment and leadership series. However, I make sure to keep my hands out of it. It's run by women for women to empower women. Um, based for all of our staff to grow, learn, and lean on each other. With that, I'd like to welcome our multimedia specialist to the podium, Miss Soi Marquez. Hello. Okay. Hi, Mayor and Council. I'm on the flip side of things today, so it feels kind of weird. Um, I wrote So, hello, mayor and council. Um, I'm Soi Marquez, multimedia specialist for the city of Zakoro. Um so during the month of March, the city's sakor recreation department proudly celebrates um women's history month by hosting our annual edmana's empowerment series. So throughout this monthlong series um influential women from across the borderland representing a variety of industries were invited to speak to city coral staff. Each speaker shared Oh, we're flipping.

Each speaker shared her personal and professional journey, highlighting the challenges she has overcome, the lessons she has learned, and the motivations that continue to inspire her. This series provides a meaningful opportunity to reflect on the strength, resilience, and the impact of these remarkable women inspir and the inspiration that they bring to our community. At this time, we will play a short video introducing the AMA speaker series, followed by the presentation of certificates of appreciation to our 2026 speakers. Thank you. Hi, I'm Crystal Sedra and I am the deputy assistant to Mayor Renard Johnson at the city of El Paso.

Hi, my name is Valerie Agra and I'm with UTEP Institutional Advancement and I'm happy to be here.

Hi, my name is Lauren Masia Servantes. I'm a public information officer with with the text El Paso District. My name is Monica Reyes and I'm the judge for the district court 327 district court. Being an MMA in my industry is extremely important because I believe that we have a powerful place to stand in rooms that probably don't have people that look like us. So it's very important because I want to make sure that I not only open that door and create a path but make sure I hold the door open for a future at Manas to be able to do the same thing that I have been able to do in my life. Uh being at Mana to me means um representing my culture with pride and leading with a authenticity and courage and paving the way for for others and um having our voices heard and making space for others who deserve um a seat at the table and also just remembering, you know, where I've come from and how much I've grown. um and just remaining grounded in my roots.

I think it's really uh great to be a woman in the uh field that I'm in because yes, there's a lot of public information officers in many different industries, but uh within construction, you know, that's sometimes an industry that women perhaps may not think about. They may be a little bit uh intimidated because there are uh it is a male dominant uh industry. uh it does have a lot to do with engineering and you have to you know uh understand construction um understand those engineering terms and so I think um it's really great uh to share those stories and to show others that yes you can be part of a male dominant uh industry. The position that I'm in is unique in that there's not that many people in this type of position. So when I was young looking up to uh my role models, it we didn't have that many. And now knowing that there are more women in these types of positions, it's wonderful to know that hopefully I can serve as a role model to others behind me. At this time, I'd like to welcome two of the featured speakers which are here today, Miss Joselyn Ortega and Miss Crystal Seedra to the podium to share a few words before we do photos with council and give you your uh awards. Joseline Ortega Yeah.

Yes. Hi. Uh, my name is Crystal. Thank you guys for this recognition. Thank you for the opportunity to come and speak to the staff. I had an amazing opportunity. Um, for me it's very special because I actually went to Sakura High School. So, I'm an alumni of Sakura High School. Um, and my heart has always been in this city and I do work for Mayor Johnson and so it's just an honor to come back to here. Um, I was just telling especially it's like weird to be on this side of of it and also speaking at a podium. music behind the scenes, but I just want to say thank you. Your staff is amazing. Um, it's great to work with all of you all. I hope I get to come back and continue to share my story and contribute to a city who truly built me back when I was in high school. Um, it's an honor to to come back and just show a product of truly what this community has done. Um, to be able to represent at the city and in DC when I worked at the White House, it's just amazing to come and see what Sakuro has done from back when I was a little teenager. So, thank you.

Thank you. Thank you, ladies. Um, I'm not sure if Mr. wanted to add anything. I know you were attending all of the sessions. Me. So, for me, it's it's great to hear other women in um positions that empower us, and it's it's very interesting to hear your story. Right. I um I think that sometimes you share a story and we live our lives without ever experiencing what you've experienced. So it's it's great to hear that and it's great motivation. So thank you.

At this time we'll call your name. I'll have council women uh Gina and also Irene Roas and Miss Gordo sorry uh present you with your award if we can also take a group photo and then we'll be on our way. for certificate. Thank you. And congratulations to Joselyn Ortega.

And also we have Crystal Sedra. So you will not Yes, we'll take a group photo. If I can get our awardees in the middle with our mayor and then council around them. Hold it a little bit.

Get some people. Thank you so much.

Thank you again. Good to see you again. Thank you. get a motion to

at this time. We're going to go ahead and move into agenda item uh 24. And this is the discussion and action regarding support for national health and nutrition nutrition examination survey and to approve an agreement to use city facilities for NHANES operations. Am I pronouncing it correctly? Yes, you are. Okay. Okay. Um, we need a motion, right? Motion to approve. Second. Good evening, mayor and council. Thank you so much. Thank you.

Victor Orta, your director of recreations. Before you is an agenda item for consideration to bring a program to the city of Sakura. Uh without giving too much of stealing their thunder, I want to introduce Alexa Ortiz and Ronnie Eline from uh the NHANES program who will present this opportunity for us to see some really cool opportunities regarding data sets uh research and also public health. So without further ado, I'd like to welcome to the podium and then I'll go ahead and share your presentation. Just let me know when to change slide. All right. Thank you so much, Mayor and Council. Uh, I really appreciate you all letting me come here and speak today. My name is Alexa Ortiz. I'm with the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Um, we can go ahead and move to the next slide. So, the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, more commonly just known as NHANES, uh this is a survey that's run by the National Center for Health Statistics, which is part of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And the really neat thing about this survey is it takes a snapshot of the health of the United States. So, it's a great resource for uh looking if people are getting healthier, less healthier, and looking at emerging issues. So it's a really good just overall view of how the health of the US is looking. Uh and we've been doing this for more than 60 years. So for more than 60 years we've been collecting data through uh interviews in participants homes both also by telephone interviews as well as we ask folks to come to our mobile exam center uh which we are asking to place at the uh civic center across the street. Uh you can go ahead and move to the next slide. So, uh, as I said, it lets, uh, NHANES allows us to take a look at if people are getting more healthy, less healthy, how common certain diseases are, as well as if there's any new health issues that are emerging that we should be concerned

about. Uh, so the example I like to give here is in it was in the 70s that it was NHANES that was responsible for flagging that Americans had rising lead levels. And then it was and hints also that went on to track that uh the policy that removed lead from paint and gasoline then had an impact and actually resulted in lowering lead levels. Uh and today also and Hannes data is contributing to uh data sets that inform blood pressure guidelines, cholesterol guidelines. Um, so it really allows folks to know if they're going to the doctor, hey, the do the blood pressure that the physician is telling me that I should reach is actually a healthy blood pressure and it's representative of the data or representative of the United States and the health of the US. So you can move to the next slide. And so we, as I said, the NHANES collects data from a couple different thing a couple different ways. We uh we have interviewers that go to people's homes. We uh have a mobile exam center that actually does health exams. Participants are selected to participate in NHANES. Their household is actually selected uh it's random from it's randomous selection through census data. Um but we recognize that this is if people go out of their way to participate this is a burden on them. So we do offer them a token of appreciation for the interviews for the mobile health exam as well as we offer a token of or we off also offer coverage for both child care and adult care costs as well as transportation costs and folks get the results of their exams back. Um they get exam they get results that they can take with them that day of the exam as well as they get results that are mailed afterwards. Um all right, next slide. And the other question we always get alongside uh what do you guys do with the data is how do I know my data is actually secure? Um we always tell people your data is deidentified.

There's no data that we give out that people would be able to look at to see someone's name or any other personally identifiable information. All of the NHANES data that we collect through interviews through those health exams are all kept private. personal information isn't shared and it's always deidentified before it's shared with any researchers or anyone else who wants to use the data set. All right, next slide. And so the reason I'm here today is to kind of to not only ask if we can use the civic center parking lot for the mobile exam center, I did want to I wanted to share information with you all about NHANES. So we like to let folks know that we're coming to your community because inevitably you all get questions from community members. What are these mobile exam centers? What is this field interviewer that's showing up at my house? You get questions. So, we want to let you know that we're who we are, what we're doing, that we're working in the community. And we also look to you all and other community organizations to help us point to referral clinics that we can share with participants in NHANES when they come to our mobile exam center and they might not have a regular source of health care. Uh we also look to identify other community organizations that we should reach out to to share information about NHANES and we also look to you all to uh help promote NHANES. So share information through your social media newslet social media newsletters those those uh channels that you already have. Uh and all of that is really just to provide reassurance to the community that we're a legitimate credible initiative. we're not going to steal their data, that they can trust us when they get a letter in the mail saying their household has been selected, and not only that, they understand the important uh effort their data is being contributed toward. Um, so with that, that's that's it. Uh, thank you so much for your time. I really appreciate it. And I'm also happy to answer any questions you all might have.

Thank you. Uh, do any members of council have any, uh, questions on this item here? No, sir. We are going to pass out to you the presentation in print as well as the copies of what the actual mobile unit looks like because that wasn't included. Oh, perfect. Thank you. Should should it be the desire of council to approve this item today and we do move forward with it after the survey is conducted, will there be a period for reporting back uh to this body just showing us what the outcome looks like within our community? Uh

uh no, unfortunately not. That that is also a question that we commonly get. Uh so all the data that we Oh, can you hear me? Okay. Uh all the data that we collect is going toward a nationally representative sample. So the nationally representative data is going to be made available uh through is going to be a publicly available data set, but you would not be able to look at it to see like okay this is the data for the specific city or any other location that we're at. Okay, just at a national level overall. Okay, understood. Okay, I I do have a a quick question. is do do you have a is there a limit on how many participants are allowed to to participate and also is there an age group?

Um so for the number of participants we uh we're trying to target or we work to recruit about about let's say a 500 about 500 uh households in the area will be eligible to participate. So as I said that's selected through census data and the households are randomly selected. Sometimes it might be one member at a household, sometimes it might be multiple members that are selected to participate. But then each location we're at throughout the United States, it's that same about 500 households that get randomly selected. Um and then as far as the age range for folks participating and hannes uh is birth to death. So the because the day we also along with adults we also uh recruit or we also ask uh children to participate obviously with the consent of their parent. Um but then like the data that we collect from them would go toward updating pediatric growth charts and and other data that's for informs healthcare for children.

Right. Thank you. Is this uh just basically to collect data uh from different homes? Are you providing a personal care at all? No, it's just to collect data. Um there's no follow-up care, but we do have a chief medical officer who calls uh participants if their data does flag something abnormal, and that's why we ask for the referrals to uh local healthcare providers because we provide those with two participants uh should they need to follow up for medical care afterwards. Thank you. Any other questions or comments on this item? No.

Prior to the vote, I'd like just to clarify because I think it was a little hard to hear with the audio. So whoever does come will receive care there. There are options for child care. I think is that that's what you might have been asking, Miss Roas. So they do have those partnership programs in place to provide that as well as some type of compensation depending on if you get selected, but you will walk out with your actual health screening. So they will provide that service if that was the question. And and these health screenings, for example, are are constituents with insuranceances that that you're just selecting.

Uh insurance isn't factored into it. Um so there's we don't collect their insurance data. We don't submit anything to the insurance agencies and no economic uh for um cost for our constituents. Cost cost no cost to con uh constituents. Thank you. will uh and if we get selected, we would be the only site in the county that would service uh random zip codes that the census data gives them. So, they would come to us. Thank you. There was a motion and second on this item. All those in favor say I. I. Any oppose or abstain? That motion carries.

Thank you. Thank you so much, everybody. Look forward to working with you all. I know my mom's going to be the first to line up for the $100 gift card. Uh, moving on to consent agenda. Motion to approve consent agenda. There's a motion and second to approve the consent agenda. All in favor say I. I.

That motion carries. Moving on to the regular agenda. This is the agenda item number 18. This is a public hearing on ordinance number 695, amendment number one, decreasing the fiscal year 2025 to 2026 budget by $13,949. Motion to approve. Public hearing is now open at 6:52 p.m. Sorry about that, guys. No speakers. Mayor,

as there are no speakers, we're going to go ahead and close the public hearing at 6:52 p.m. as well. Agenda item number 19. So the second reading and adoption of an ordinance number 695 amendment number one decreasing the fiscal year 2025 20226 budget by $13,949.

Good evening, mayor and council. This item is requesting approval on the budget amendment decreasing the fiscal year 2025 2026 in the amount of $13,949. The attached spreadsheet in your backup materials outlines the specific department budget line items that are being adjusted, reflected, updated, and accurate allocations. This amendment ensures that the city budget remains aligned with current expenditures and financial activity. Staff is available to answer any questions. Do any members of council have any questions or comments on this item here? No. No. There was a motion and second. All those in favor say I. I.

I. And that motion carries. Thank you. We're moving on to our grants department. This is agenda item number 20. This is the discussion and action to approve a proclamation declaring April 2026 as fair housing month in the city of Sakoro, Texas. Motion. Motion to approve. Second.

Good afternoon, Mayor and Council. Alejandra Lades, city development director. We are here requesting your approval for this proclamation. This is an opportunity for us to get the word out on fair the fair housing act to inform our residents about their rights under this federal law and state law. And uh without much further ado, if I may read the proclamation for you all. So proclamation declaring April 2026 as fair housing month in Sakoro, Texas. Whereas the Fair Housing Act, enacted on April 11th, 1968, enshrined into federal law the goal of eliminating racial segregation and ending housing discrimination in the United States. And whereas the Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing based on race, color, religion, sex, familial status, national origin, and disability, and commits recipients of federal funding to affirmatively further fair housing in their communities. And whereas the city of Sakoro is committed to the mission and intent of Congress to provide fair and equal housing opportunities for all. And whereas our social fabric, the economy, health, and environment are strengthened in diverse, inclusive communities. And whereas more than 50 years after the passage of the Fair Housing Act, discrimination persists and many communities remain segregated. And whereas acts of housing discrimination and barriers to equal housing opportunity are repugnant to a common sense of decency and fairness. Now therefore, be it resolved that the city of Sakoro does hereby declare the month of April 2026 as fair housing month. In the city of Sakoro, an inclusive community committed to fair housing and to promoting appropriate activities by private and public entities to provide and advocate for equal housing opportunities for all residents and future residents of Sakoro.

Thank you, Miss Valadez. Thank you. I believe there was a motion and second on this item. All those in favor say I. I. Any oppose or abstain? That motion carries. Thank you. Agenda item number 21. This is the discussion and action to enter into a memorandum of understanding with the workforce solutions borderlex to advance mutual objectives by supporting workforce development, business growth, community engagement and service delivery at the EG Chayopaka Community Center in Sakoro, Texas. There is no financial impact as a result of thisou. Motion to approve. Second.

Good afternoon, Mayor and Council Alejandra Vlades. We are requesting your approval on thisou to continue our collaboration with workforce solutions borderlex. Um and I would like to um invite Mr. Jose Kinyones up to give you a little bit more information about the wonderful work that work for solutions borderlex does in our community and to encourage our residents to visit. Good evening, Mayor Council. Jose Kyon, very quickly, um the um this is the second time that we come to you with Workforce Solutions Borderlex. About three years ago, we signed a first agreement and it's really a first for Sakoro because before that, they never had a permanent site here in this area. and uh very happy that as part of our building uh the Soro small business entrepreneurial community we have a partner and there were one of the first ones we now have three partners there uh at at the child community center workforce solutions borderlex we have project vita and we also have border plex community capital we're working on a fourth one and it's all part of that that idea of building support building partnerships with uh regional agencies agencies that can provide reliable services that are needed in this community and those are providing job placement assistance as well as providing services to employers when they're looking for employees. Workforce is a place for them to start because they provide all these services at no cost to the public. So, it's a great partnership that we have. Any questions?

No. Any questions for Mr. Kenyon? No, sir. No. All right. Well, um, we appreciate you all bringing these resources to, uh, to the center and we appreciate you working with the small business committee and and also just the committee in general in order to bring these these services here. U, there was a motion and second on this item here for theou. All those in favor say I. I. Any oppose or abstain? That motion carries. Thank you. Thank you and valade. Thank you for all that you do. Greatly appreciate it.

The next item is agenda item 22. This is the discussion and action to approve an addendum to the foreign trade zone distribution site operator agreement with Pilot Air Freight LLC to recognize the entity consolidation and name change of Pilot Air Freight LLC into the parent company Marisque Logistics and Services USA, Inc. Motion to approve. Second. Second.

Good afternoon, Mayor and Council. We are requesting your approval of this addendum with uh incorporating the feedback from legal. Um and with without much further ado, I'll let Jose Kyones talk a little bit about why this uh amendment is needed for our FTZ operator.

All right, Jose Kyones again, Marian Council. Um I'm very happy that uh we continue to support this great uh company. They came to us two years ago. It was basically two years ago that we approved the first foreign trade zone in Sakoro under its uh grant of authority number 302. But more importantly all this is is a change of names. Um years ago they started working to as they merged pilot into its parent company which is mayor uh logistics and services USA that is the American the US company here globally. I mean, we're very fortunate because they're part of a one of the largest uh global companies in the world with over 100,000 employees in represented in 130 countries. And what I like about this company is that they bring a corporate culture of family of contributing to f to communities. And they're already showing that in this two years that they've been here, they become a partner in supporting uh the small business community programs. and they do that in in various ways. They provided their their place for one of our key events which is the women's conference that we had uh just a month ago as well as uh as well as sponsoring some of our successful uh small business programs such as the Soo Soo breakfast. So uh with no further ado, I really just want to thank you for for uh allowing this to go forth. In terms of compliance, I mean it's a no-brainer. We have to do this because they they need to be able to get approval not only from the city of Sakoro but also US customs and border protection and the US foreign trade zones board. So we have to sign off on this to make sure it's done right. Thank you.

Thank you Mr. G. Thank you. Any uh questions or comments on this item? No sir. Uh there was a motion. Yeah, misses. Uh, we'd like to request the motion to approve the addendum with feedback from legal. I believe they had some additional comments on that uh addendum. Um, so that would be the request for the motion. Uh, I'd like to amend my motion to motion to approve with the feedback from legal. Feedback from legal. A second. Okay, there was a motion and second on this item here. Uh, all those in favor say I. I I thank you.

Thank you. That motion carries. Moving on to our recreation center. This is agenda item number 23. This is the discussion and action regarding Lupita Infante at the Independence Day Extravaganza performance contract for the 2026 index event. Motion to approve. Second.

Good evening, Mayor and Council. Before you was an agenda item for consideration to bring our headliner to this Fourth of July event. We did reach out to several artists. One of the main headliners that was in our budget which is lower than last year is Miss Rupita Fante who will be bringing her mariachi with her if selected. Um as mentioned the cost of this performer is lesser than last year. As always the city does go out for sponsorships to cover costs not only for the performer but also for the fireworks which council has previously passed. So we are working on getting a portion of that covered if not all of it. I'm happy to answer any questions you might have. Is this the only uh artist that we that we are looking at?

The only large artist that has a management team that would need a contract. Yes. Uh but we do have uh DJs locally that will uh play beforehand. So there will be other music as well. Can you speak a little bit on the um the relationship to the famous artist Pedro Infante and this one?

Yes. So Lupita Infante is Pedro Infante's granddaughter. Uh she is a Grammy nominated artist and does fall within the text mix Latino um genre. She has been well known. Her uh Instagram and social media accounts have over a million plus followers. And um the actual management group is familiar with our region. They actually do work with speaking rock as well and they're familiar with what our audience tastes uh tend to be which is why they were recommended uh Missing Vente. Perfect. Very cool. Very nice. Um there was a motion and second on this item. All those in favor say I. I. And that motion carries. Thank you.

We've already discussed agenda item number 24. We're now on agenda item 25. This is the discussion and action to approve the sale of alcohol for the Independence Day Extravaganza and allow up to two qualified vendors to apply for the permit. Motion to approve. Second.

Second. Good evening, mayor and council. Um, as within regulation compliance for not only TABC but also city charter, it is required for me to come before you to ask permission for alcohol sales to be approved within a city park. And TABC also needs it on record that you are approving the sale as well. Uh, we are opening up to two vendors this year so that way there's a little bit more accessibility for our patrons to go ahead and get service. I know last year that was a concern. So, we did listen and we expanded that into our amenities this year for the event. As always, any applicant would have to comply with CABC and then follow up with our city clerk, Miss Olivia, for her letter so that way it's documented. Once they have their permitting and applications in place, they will go with PNZ to take out the city's permit as well. Happy to answer any questions you might have.

Does any member of council have any questions or comments on this? I want to know how many vendors total will we have for alcohol? We're asking for you to approve two and but that's that's all that has approached us. No. No. So you need to approve it before we can ask anyone to apply. So right now the request from staff is for council to approve the permit for two vendors. If you want to increase it, that would be this this time to go ahead and discuss that. Okay. And I'm only asking because last year I think we ran out although it wasn't needed and everybody had an amazing time. Um, I I do know that it was early on in the day when when we ran out. So, just make it last a little bit longer.

That's why we're increasing. That's why this year we're not allowing Miss Roas to stand in the line. I went to try and buy my I do also want to make note that we are complying with the police request that we stop the sale of alcohol one hour before the event ends. So, we are doing that as well. Perfect. Thank you, Mr. that when when uh when staff seeks the the the vendors, um I think what we're used to seeing is like the the traditional sale of of alcohol through the um you know like the small trailers and and stuff like that. Is that something being considered this year or

so? Since the city doesn't purchase or sell alcohol, it's up to the vendor. We do provide them the contact with LNF distributors and do encourage them to buy more than what they expect due to the demand of our audience. Um, but that's something that we connect them not only with Vencio's ice for the ice trailer every year, but we also connect them with LNF to get their product. We do encourage them to take other people's tastes into account to make sure that there's a variety of flavors and options. Uh, but ultimately comes out to the vendor to decide how they price point their products and what they uh what they sell. It just needs to be in compliance with federal and state law for the sale of alcohol. It's allowed. Okay. Okay. Thank But I will encourage that when they come and apply.

Oh, thank you for the clarification. Okay, I believe there was a motion and second on this item. All those in favor say I. I. And that motion carries as well. Thank you. Thank you. We're moving on to the planning and zoning department with agenda item number 26. This is the discussion and action regarding the petition to release the following real property from the city of Sakoro's ETJ approximately 0.0115 0115 square miles, 7.357 acres. Uh the El Paso Central appraisal district property IDs are 617067, 73607,255687, and 206098. Motion to approve. Second.

Thank you, Mayor and Council. Loren Kimito, city planner. Uh the item for your consideration is a release of uh from the city of Sakoro's ETJ. Recent legislation has changed uh local government code to provide property owners with an avenue to release property from the ETJ. As long as the property owner follows the process, there is very little uh requests for the city other than to just allow them to be released. And with that, staff can answer any questions.

Um, Miss Kimo, this uh current release from the ETJ, is this tied to the the one in prior months with that large group? No. In the prior in recent meetings, you've had two large requests that have uh been in the area of Darington. And on two separate occasions, you you approved releases from the ETJ in the Darington area and then um larger one for the Pican Valley Estates area. These are uh three pro uh three properties all under one ownership and they are within different they are scattered around in different areas of the ATJ.

This is for commercial development, huh? Uh, it appears so the owner is uh I wrote it down. Mr. W. Fireworks. Yeah. Okay. Okay. Well, any other questions or comments on this item? No, sir. No. I took it a What's What's the question on on this action? I mean, what's the purpose of this action? to not follow

just to release them from the ETJ, which would then allow them to not have to follow any of the city's subdivision requirements. Pretty much that's the only uh item that the city can have jurisdiction over in the ETJ. Okay. And at the same token, if the city were to provide a ser a specific service around that area, they would not qualify for it. That would be correct if the city provided any services, but this is area that is outside of the city limits.

So, anything within two mile radius of the cities in our ETJ and any type of development that occurs, they have to comply with the city of Sakoro's regulatory subdivision standards both within our two-mile ETJ and our five mile ETJ. So pretty much they can build however they want, whatever they want, and they're in the county, right? Correct. Yeah. Okay. Wow. Uh there was a motion and second on this item. All those in favor say I. I. I. And that motion carries. The next item is 27. This is the discussion and action to direct staff to prepare an inventory of city-owned real property to identify parcels that may be declared surplus and considered for sale or other disposition.

Motion to approve.

Second. Thank you, mayor and councel. An interested party recently approached the city regarding the purchase of a property that the city owns, and this is an opportunity to process what uh to follow that process and see if there's any other property that the city may have that is eligible for sale or disposition. The first step would be to inventory all of that property to define and determine which of that is surplus that the city does not need for any future project that the city may need, a future recreation center, a future uh site for any other service that the city may provide. Uh but with this uh request, it seemed like a good opportunity for the city to look into what resources the city has and might be able to um put back out into the tax room.

Any uh questions or comments by council on this item here? No, sir. Miss Kimito, with what you've been able to see just right now, I know that you you still need direction from staff, but does does the city own I mean, I'm sure it's very little property. It would be difficult to say, but once we go in there and look, there already just that one example of this property out in the ETJ that one wouldn't think the city owns. But are are you able to Yeah, I'm sorry to interrupt. Are you able to share the property that um of interest? I don't have the address off the top of my head. Okay. But it but it is in the ETJ out in the Darington area.

Oh, okay. Okay. On Fortuna Street. Thank you. Yeah. Yes, I remember that. See, we own property out there. All right. Any uh comments or questions on this one? Okay, that was a motion and second. All those in favor say I. I I and that motion carries. The next item is 28. This is the discussion and action to approve an event permit for the St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church 2026 bazaar to be held from June 26, 2026 through June 28th, 2026 and wave the associated event permit fee. Motion to approve.

Second. Thank you, mayor and councel. This item is an event permit and request from St. Peter and Paul Church to conduct their annual church bazaar. The event would be held Friday, June 26th through Sunday, June 28th. The request is also for a waiver of the permit fee. And with that, staff can answer any questions. Any questions or comments on this item here? No, sir. There's a motion and second. All those in favor say I. I. And that motion carries.

Thank you, Miss Kamito. The next item here is agenda item number 29. This is uh by our city manager. The discussion and action to approve the purchase of a quick ship playground unit for the Bulldog Championship Park from Craftsman in the amount of $27,319.91 through the byboard contract number 781-25. Motion to approve. Second.

So, good evening, mayor and council. This item is requesting approval for the purchase of the playground unit for Bulldog Championship Park. This equipment will replace the existing climbing rope structure, improving safety, functionality, and overall usability of the park for our residents, particularly for children ages 5 to 12 years of age. On the screen, you can see a visual of the equipment along the location within the park where it will be installed to give you a better idea of the improvement. The vendor is part of a byboard cooperative which meets all procurement requirements. Funding is available in the park maintenance line item at the parks and public works budget. So staff is recommending approval and we're here to answer any questions.

Council have any questions or no sir concerns? Trying to see there's an image of the uh in the backup, but there's no image right of Oh, yeah, there it is. In the backup. Yes. Yeah, there it is. Okay. Okay, that was a motion and second. All those in favor say I. I. That motion carries. Thank you, council.

Thank you. The next item is agenda item 30. This is the discussion and action and ratification of the March 19, 2026 letter of support signed by me, Mayor Grus, for the El Paso County Housing Authorities request for fiscal year 2027 community project funding. Motion to approve.

Second. Um, so the reason why we have to bring these items to council is a lot of times similar to our sister cities like Sanio, the county, the El Paso County Sheriff's Office, they ask for letters of support, uh, sometimes these requests fall and need a meet a deadline before we can actually meet and bring it to the table for for approval. So what I do is I sign and I I kind of ask you all for forgiveness later. But these letters of support are the requests for funding so that they can help bring the resources not only to our committee but the surrounding committees and that's what this item here is for. Um we also have um some members here in the audience. Mr. Mr. Martinez, are they allowed to speak on this item just to share some information or or do we just need to be cut and dry and to the point?

Dis it's discussion on the ratification for the support letter. If they've signed up, they can certainly speak. If they haven't and council suspends the rules, they can speak. Would you like to speak on this item? If not, we can. We're just here in case anybody had any questions. Okay. Well, the support letter was for some housing units to be built within city limits but on county property for for veterans. And I think that there's there's nothing wrong in that. But if you all have any questions or or concerns, uh they can they can answer these questions. Any members of council have any questions on this item here? We're good.

No. Okay. Um there was a motion and second. All those in favor say I. I. And that motion carries. Do we have any items for 31, 32, and 33? Motion to delete items 31, 32, and 33. Second. There's a motion and second to delete items 31, 32, and 33. All those in favor say I. I. Do I have a motion to adjurnn the meeting? Motion to adjurnn. Second. A motion and second to adjourn the meeting. All those in favor say I. I. This motion adjourns at 7:17 p.m. Thank you. Thank you.