REGULAR MEETING - September 24, 2013
BE IT REMEMBERED, that on this 24th day of September A.D., 2013, there was begun and held a REGULAR MEETING of the Honorable Commissioners’ Court of Hidalgo County, Texas, wherein the following members thereof were present, to-wit:
| HONORABLE RAMON GARCIA HONORABLE A.C. CUELLAR, JR. HONORABLE HECTOR "TITO" PALACIOS HONORABLE JOE M. FLORES HONORABLE JOSEPH PALACIOS |
HIDALGO COUNTY JUDGE COMMISSIONER, PRECINCT NO. 1 COMMISSIONER, PRECINCT NO. 2 COMMISSIONER, PRECINCT NO. 3 COMMISSIONER, PRECINCT NO. 4 |
and ARTURO GUAJARDO, JR., COUNTY CLERK & EX-OFICIO CLERK OF THE COMMISSIONERS’ COURT of Hidalgo County, Texas, wherein the following proceedings were had, to-wit:
 |
AGENDA DRAINAGE DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS September 24, 2013 9:00 A.M. |
NOTICE is hereby given in accordance with Chapter 551, Texas Government Code, that a REGULAR MEETING of the Drainage District #1 Board of Directors will be held at the Edinburg Council Chambers 415 W. University Drive, Edinburg, Hidalgo County, Texas. Discussion and possible action relating to the following business will be transacted:
1.
Roll Call - All members of the Board were counted present.
2.
Open Forum - No open forum discussions.
3.
Approval of Consent Agenda
The Court Moved to approve the Consent Agenda.
The Court Moved to approve the Consent Agenda.
4.
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A. Public Hearing on the 2014 proposed budget.
Judge Garcia opened the Public Hearing and opened the floor for discussion.
Godfrey informed the Court and Audience that there would be no increase in the budget and the tax rate would increase by two cents due to debt service being sold on a new bond referendum.
Virginia Townsend commented that the bond referendums do work and referred to the drainage in San Carlos and the pond Oscar had built.
B. Discussion, consideration and action or changes, "if any", and the Adoption of the 2014 Annual Budget.
On motion by COMMISSIONER, PCT. 2, HECTOR "TITO" PALACIOS, seconded by COMMISSIONER, PCT. 1, A.C. CUELLAR, JR., the Board made a UNANIMOUS vote of approval.
Vote: 4 - 0 Unanimously
Commissioner Joseph Palacios stepped out.
C. Approval to set salaries for District Employees and Travel Allowance for Board Members.
Godfrey explained that some positions were reclassified. There was only one position which included a raise for an engineer which was previously a technician.
On motion by COMMISSIONER, PCT. 1, A.C. CUELLAR, JR., seconded by COMMISSIONER, PCT. 2, HECTOR "TITO" PALACIOS, the Board made a UNANIMOUS vote of approval.
Vote: 3 - 0 Unanimously
Commissioner Joseph Palacios returned to the meeting.
D. Adoption of the 2013 Tax Rate.
On motion by COMMISSIONER, PCT. 2, HECTOR "TITO" PALACIOS, seconded by COMMISSIONER, PCT. 4, JOSEPH PALACIOS, the Board made a UNANIMOUS vote of approval.
Vote: 4 - 0 Unanimously
Commissioner Joe M. Flores joined the meeting.
Judge Garcia opened the Public Hearing and opened the floor for discussion.
Godfrey informed the Court and Audience that there would be no increase in the budget and the tax rate would increase by two cents due to debt service being sold on a new bond referendum.
Virginia Townsend commented that the bond referendums do work and referred to the drainage in San Carlos and the pond Oscar had built.
B. Discussion, consideration and action or changes, "if any", and the Adoption of the 2014 Annual Budget.
On motion by COMMISSIONER, PCT. 2, HECTOR "TITO" PALACIOS, seconded by COMMISSIONER, PCT. 1, A.C. CUELLAR, JR., the Board made a UNANIMOUS vote of approval.
Vote: 4 - 0 Unanimously
Commissioner Joseph Palacios stepped out.
C. Approval to set salaries for District Employees and Travel Allowance for Board Members.
Godfrey explained that some positions were reclassified. There was only one position which included a raise for an engineer which was previously a technician.
On motion by COMMISSIONER, PCT. 1, A.C. CUELLAR, JR., seconded by COMMISSIONER, PCT. 2, HECTOR "TITO" PALACIOS, the Board made a UNANIMOUS vote of approval.
Vote: 3 - 0 Unanimously
Commissioner Joseph Palacios returned to the meeting.
D. Adoption of the 2013 Tax Rate.
On motion by COMMISSIONER, PCT. 2, HECTOR "TITO" PALACIOS, seconded by COMMISSIONER, PCT. 4, JOSEPH PALACIOS, the Board made a UNANIMOUS vote of approval.
Vote: 4 - 0 Unanimously
Commissioner Joe M. Flores joined the meeting.
5.
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Approval of Hidalgo County Drainage District #1 Investment policy.
On motion by COMMISSIONER, PCT. 2 HECTOR PALACIOS, seconded by COMMISSIONER, PCT. 3 JOE M. FLORES, the Board made a UNANIMOUS vote of approval.
Vote: 5 - 0 - Unanimously
Attachments:
6.
AI -40793
Approval to submit letter to TWDB (Lower Rio Grande Valley Regional Water Management Program) as it relates to funding for Delta Watershed Project.
Godfrey informed the Court that there will be funds available in the new referendum in November for the Texas Water Development Board in which there will be money reserved for reclamation and reuse of water. Those funds would be intended for the Delta Project with the support from the Board.
Godfrey informed the Court that there will be funds available in the new referendum in November for the Texas Water Development Board in which there will be money reserved for reclamation and reuse of water. Those funds would be intended for the Delta Project with the support from the Board.
On motion by COMMISSIONER, PCT. 1 A.C. CUELLAR, JR., seconded by COMMISSIONER, PCT. 4 JOSEPH PALACIOS, the Board made a UNANIMOUS vote of approval.
Vote: 5 - 0 - Unanimously
7.
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A. Requesting approval of Work Authorization No. 8 from TEDSI Infrastructure Group, Inc. in the amount of $1,642,465.48 as it relates to GCM, Planning and Preliminary Engineering for the Lower Rio Grande Valley Regional Water Management Program (formerly Delta Watershed Project) Under the Pct.1 2012- Bond Referendum Improvement Agreement.
On motion by COMMISSIONER, PCT .4, JOSEPH PALACIOS., seconded by COMMISSIONER, PCT. 2, HECTOR “TITO” PALACIOS, the Court made a UNANIMOUS vote of approval.
Vote: 5 - 0 Unanimously
B. Requesting approval of Work Authorization No. 9 from TEDSI Infrastructure Group, Inc. in the amount of $94,069.25 as it relates to QA/QC Program and Right of Way Services for the East Lateral Project under the Pct.1 2012- Bond Referendum Improvement Agreement.
On motion by COMMISSIONER, PCT. 1, A.C. CUELLAR, JR., seconded by COMMISSIONER, PCT. 4, JOSEPH PALACIOS, the Court made a UNANIMOUS vote of approval.
Vote: 5 - 0 Unanimously
C. Requesting approval of Work Authorization No. 10 from TEDSI Infrastructure Group, Inc. in the amount
of $63,503.65 as it relates to Construction Management Services, Construction Survey and Right of Way Services for the Adams Black Project under the Pct.1 2012- Bond Referendum Improvement Agreement.
On motion by COMMISSIONER, PCT. 4, JOSEPH PALACIOS., seconded by COMMISSIONER, PCT.1, A.C. CUELLAR, JR., the Court made a UNANIMOUS vote of approval.
Vote: 5 - 0 Unanimously
D. Requesting approval of Work Authorization No. 11 from TEDSI Infrastructure Group, Inc. in the amount of $1,083,176.76 as it relates to Environmental Services for the Lower Rio Grande Valley Regional Water Management Program (formerly Delta Watershed Project) Under the Pct.1 2012- Bond Referendum Improvement Agreement.
On motion by COMMISSIONER, PCT. 4, JOSEPH PALACIOS., seconded by COMMISSIONER, PCT.1, A.C. CUELLAR, JR., the Court made a UNANIMOUS vote of approval.
Vote: 5 - 0 Unanimously
E. Requesting approval of Work Authorization No. 14 from TEDSI Infrastructure Group, Inc. in the amount of $215,993.06 as it relates to Field Surveying, Water Quality and Architectural Services for the Lower Rio Grande Valley Regional Water Management Program (formerly Delta Watershed Project) Under the Pct.1 2012- Bond Referendum Improvement Agreement.
On motion by COMMISSIONER, PCT. 1, A.C. CUELLAR, JR., seconded by COMMISSIONER, PCT. 2, HECTOR “TITO” PALACIOS, the Court made a UNANIMOUS vote of approval.
Vote: 5 - 0 Unanimously
On motion by COMMISSIONER, PCT .4, JOSEPH PALACIOS., seconded by COMMISSIONER, PCT. 2, HECTOR “TITO” PALACIOS, the Court made a UNANIMOUS vote of approval.
Vote: 5 - 0 Unanimously
B. Requesting approval of Work Authorization No. 9 from TEDSI Infrastructure Group, Inc. in the amount of $94,069.25 as it relates to QA/QC Program and Right of Way Services for the East Lateral Project under the Pct.1 2012- Bond Referendum Improvement Agreement.
On motion by COMMISSIONER, PCT. 1, A.C. CUELLAR, JR., seconded by COMMISSIONER, PCT. 4, JOSEPH PALACIOS, the Court made a UNANIMOUS vote of approval.
Vote: 5 - 0 Unanimously
C. Requesting approval of Work Authorization No. 10 from TEDSI Infrastructure Group, Inc. in the amount
of $63,503.65 as it relates to Construction Management Services, Construction Survey and Right of Way Services for the Adams Black Project under the Pct.1 2012- Bond Referendum Improvement Agreement.
On motion by COMMISSIONER, PCT. 4, JOSEPH PALACIOS., seconded by COMMISSIONER, PCT.1, A.C. CUELLAR, JR., the Court made a UNANIMOUS vote of approval.
Vote: 5 - 0 Unanimously
D. Requesting approval of Work Authorization No. 11 from TEDSI Infrastructure Group, Inc. in the amount of $1,083,176.76 as it relates to Environmental Services for the Lower Rio Grande Valley Regional Water Management Program (formerly Delta Watershed Project) Under the Pct.1 2012- Bond Referendum Improvement Agreement.
On motion by COMMISSIONER, PCT. 4, JOSEPH PALACIOS., seconded by COMMISSIONER, PCT.1, A.C. CUELLAR, JR., the Court made a UNANIMOUS vote of approval.
Vote: 5 - 0 Unanimously
E. Requesting approval of Work Authorization No. 14 from TEDSI Infrastructure Group, Inc. in the amount of $215,993.06 as it relates to Field Surveying, Water Quality and Architectural Services for the Lower Rio Grande Valley Regional Water Management Program (formerly Delta Watershed Project) Under the Pct.1 2012- Bond Referendum Improvement Agreement.
On motion by COMMISSIONER, PCT. 1, A.C. CUELLAR, JR., seconded by COMMISSIONER, PCT. 2, HECTOR “TITO” PALACIOS, the Court made a UNANIMOUS vote of approval.
Vote: 5 - 0 Unanimously
8.
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Requesting acceptance and completion of the repairs of three project locations at a cost of $588,032 - District's cost is 25% or $147,008.00 as per agreement with Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) for Emergency Watershed Program (EWP) Project Agreement No. 69-7442-12 approved by the Board on April 4, 2012 for stabilization of slopes and removal of sedimentation from the flooding cause by Hurricane Alex.
On motion by COMMISSIONER, PCT. 4 JOSEPH PALACIOS, seconded by COMMISSIONER, PCT. 1 A.C. CUELLAR, JR., the Court made a UNANIMOUS vote of approval.
Vote: 5 - 0 - Unanimously
Attachments:
9.
AI -40834
Discussion and possible action on a Resolution authorizing the Resale of Foreclosed Real Estate Properties for failure to pay ad valorem taxes.
John David Franz, representing Perdue, presented the properties which were sold at a Tax Sale Auction (Sheriffs Resale) on June 22, 2013. There were 104 properties in total were sold and eight were removed because the bids were rejected by certain taxing entities. If the resolution is approved, the Drainage District #1 will receive a total of $17,434.49.
John David Franz, representing Perdue, presented the properties which were sold at a Tax Sale Auction (Sheriffs Resale) on June 22, 2013. There were 104 properties in total were sold and eight were removed because the bids were rejected by certain taxing entities. If the resolution is approved, the Drainage District #1 will receive a total of $17,434.49.
On motion by COMMISSIONER, PCT. 4 JOSEPH PALACIOS, seconded by COMMISSIONER, PCT. 1 A.C. CUELLAR, JR., the Board made a UNANIMOUS vote of approval.
Vote: 5 - 0 - Unanimously
Attachments:
10.
Closed Session:
Board of Directors may go into Closed Session pursuant to Chapter 551, Texas Government Code, Sections 551.071 & 551.072 to discuss the following:
No Executive Session; the Board proceeded to Adjourn.
Board of Directors may go into Closed Session pursuant to Chapter 551, Texas Government Code, Sections 551.071 & 551.072 to discuss the following:
No Executive Session; the Board proceeded to Adjourn.
A.
Real Estate Acquisition
B.
Pending and/or Potential Litigation
C.
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Claim of Dannenbaum Engineering
NO ACTION taken on Items 10.A - 10.C.
NO ACTION taken on Items 10.A - 10.C.
11.
Open Session:
A.
Real Estate Acquisition
B.
Pending and/or Potential Litigation
C.
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Claim of Dannenbaum Engineering
NO ACTION taken on Items 11.A - 11.C.
NO ACTION taken on Items 11.A - 11.C.
12.
Closed Session:
Board of Directors may reconvene into Closed Session for the discussion regarding the agenda items listed
Board of Directors may reconvene into Closed Session for the discussion regarding the agenda items listed
13.
Open Session:
Board of Directors may reconvene into Open Session for the discussion regarding the agenda items listed
Board of Directors may reconvene into Open Session for the discussion regarding the agenda items listed
14.
Adjourn
On motion by COMMISSIONER, PCT. 1 A.C. CUELLAR, JR., seconded by COMMISSIONER, PCT. 3 JOE M. FLORES, the Court made a UNANIMOUS vote of approval.
Vote: 5 - 0 - Unanimously
There being no further business to come before said
Court, the meetings of the Commissioners' Court and the
Drainage District #1 Board are now hereby adjourned.
Dated this the 24th day of September, 2013
ARTURO GUAJARDO, JR., County Clerk
Hidalgo County, Texas
By: ______________________________
Virginia Jones, Deputy
I, ARTURO GUAJARDO, JR., County Clerk attest that this is an accurate accounting of a proceeding of the Commissioners’ Court held on September 24, 2013.
Signed this 24th day of September 2013
ATTEST:
ARTURO GUAJARDO, JR.
County Clerk and Ex-Officio Clerk
Of the Commissioners’ Court of
Hidalgo County
By: ____________________________
(Seal) Virginia Jones, Deputy
Court, the meetings of the Commissioners' Court and the
Drainage District #1 Board are now hereby adjourned.
Dated this the 24th day of September, 2013
ARTURO GUAJARDO, JR., County Clerk
Hidalgo County, Texas
By: ______________________________
Virginia Jones, Deputy
I, ARTURO GUAJARDO, JR., County Clerk attest that this is an accurate accounting of a proceeding of the Commissioners’ Court held on September 24, 2013.
Signed this 24th day of September 2013
ATTEST:
ARTURO GUAJARDO, JR.
County Clerk and Ex-Officio Clerk
Of the Commissioners’ Court of
Hidalgo County
By: ____________________________
(Seal) Virginia Jones, Deputy