SPECIAL MEETING - March 21, 2014
BE IT REMEMBERED, that on this 21st day of March A.D., 2014, there was begun and held a SPECIAL 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-OFFICIO CLERK OF THE COMMISSIONERS’ COURT of Hidalgo County, Texas, wherein the following proceedings were had, to-wit:
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AGENDA CC REGULAR HIDALGO COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT MEETING March 21, 2014 1:30 P.M. |
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NOTICE is hereby given in accordance with Chapter 551, Texas Government Code, that a SPECIAL MEETING of the Commissioners' Court 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 Court were counted present.
All members of the Court were counted present.
2.
Purchasing Department - Marty Salazar:
Notes:
A. FOR ANY CONTRACT(S) AWARDED AND APPROVED UNDER THIS AGENDA, EXECUTED COPIES OF THE CONTRACT(S) WILL BE AVAILABLE ON THE COUNTY INTRA-NET WEBSITE AND WILL BE FOWARDED VIA E-MAIL, FAX OR HAND DELIVERED TO HIDALGO COUNTY AUDITOR'S OFFICE.
B. ANY AND ALL REQUESTS FOR PAYMENT(S) APPROVED WILL BE SUBJECT TO COUNTY AUDITORS PROCESSING PROCEDURES INCLUDING AUTHORITY FOR COUNTY TREASURER TO ISSUE PAYMENT(S)/CHECK(S).
Notes:
A. FOR ANY CONTRACT(S) AWARDED AND APPROVED UNDER THIS AGENDA, EXECUTED COPIES OF THE CONTRACT(S) WILL BE AVAILABLE ON THE COUNTY INTRA-NET WEBSITE AND WILL BE FOWARDED VIA E-MAIL, FAX OR HAND DELIVERED TO HIDALGO COUNTY AUDITOR'S OFFICE.
B. ANY AND ALL REQUESTS FOR PAYMENT(S) APPROVED WILL BE SUBJECT TO COUNTY AUDITORS PROCESSING PROCEDURES INCLUDING AUTHORITY FOR COUNTY TREASURER TO ISSUE PAYMENT(S)/CHECK(S).
A.
Hidalgo County:
1.
AI-43645
Discussion, consideration and action to engage a vendor for the purpose of reviewing and conducting a forensic analysis of Hidalgo County election hardware/equipment and software used in the 2014 March Primary, in an amount not to exceed $50K through a purchase order
Mrs. Marty Salazar stated that she assigned two staff members from the Purchasing department to search for cooperative program awarded vendors and found none. The internet search led them to four vendors and distributed detailed proposal requests and only two responded by the deadline. She stated the amount would exceed the competitive bidding requirements of $50,000. Ms. Yvonne Ramon informed the Court that she has a court order signed by Judge Aida Salinas which would allow the removal of the Republican voting machines and there is a reserve of 90 machines. She stated there would be enough machines available for the May election, yet there will be a reduction of poll locations.
Steve Crain, legal counsel, informed the court that the Election Code states that the District Attorney's Office or the Attorney General's Office has authority on the investigation. The Election Code also states that if the allegations are in more than one county, then the Attorney General would have authority, but in this case, the allegations are only in one county in which the District Attorney would have the authority to investigate in this situation. Mr. Crain stated that the Judge ordered the machines to be impounded; therefore the appropriate action is to see what that Judge is going to decide what is just because the machines cannot be investigated while they are impounded.
The court requested for Purchasing to go out for RFP's for an expert to evaluate the voting machines to determine if the they are reliable and safe when operated in accordance with procedures of the Election Administrator. Ms. Salazar stated she would place the item on the agenda for next week.
NO ACTION taken on this Item.
Mrs. Marty Salazar stated that she assigned two staff members from the Purchasing department to search for cooperative program awarded vendors and found none. The internet search led them to four vendors and distributed detailed proposal requests and only two responded by the deadline. She stated the amount would exceed the competitive bidding requirements of $50,000. Ms. Yvonne Ramon informed the Court that she has a court order signed by Judge Aida Salinas which would allow the removal of the Republican voting machines and there is a reserve of 90 machines. She stated there would be enough machines available for the May election, yet there will be a reduction of poll locations.
Steve Crain, legal counsel, informed the court that the Election Code states that the District Attorney's Office or the Attorney General's Office has authority on the investigation. The Election Code also states that if the allegations are in more than one county, then the Attorney General would have authority, but in this case, the allegations are only in one county in which the District Attorney would have the authority to investigate in this situation. Mr. Crain stated that the Judge ordered the machines to be impounded; therefore the appropriate action is to see what that Judge is going to decide what is just because the machines cannot be investigated while they are impounded.
The court requested for Purchasing to go out for RFP's for an expert to evaluate the voting machines to determine if the they are reliable and safe when operated in accordance with procedures of the Election Administrator. Ms. Salazar stated she would place the item on the agenda for next week.
NO ACTION taken on this Item.
3.
Executive Officer - Valde Guerra:
A.
1. Requesting exemption from competitive bidding requirements under the Texas Local Government Code, Section 262.024(A) (4) "a Professional Service" for the "provision of legal services/representation in connection with potential and/or current litigation."
2. Requesting engagement with the firm of _________________________ for the "Provision of Legal Services/Representation in connection with potential and/or current litigation" and authority to submit letter of engagement
NO ACTION taken on Items 1 and 2.
2. Requesting engagement with the firm of _________________________ for the "Provision of Legal Services/Representation in connection with potential and/or current litigation" and authority to submit letter of engagement
NO ACTION taken on Items 1 and 2.
4.
Closed Session:
Commissioners' Court may go into Closed Session pursuant to Chapter 551, Texas Government Code, Section 551.071 to discuss the following:
NO ACTION taken on this Item.
Commissioners' Court may go into Closed Session pursuant to Chapter 551, Texas Government Code, Section 551.071 to discuss the following:
NO ACTION taken on this Item.
A.
Pending and/or potential litigation
NO ACTION taken on this Item.
NO ACTION taken on this Item.
5.
Open Session:
A.
Pending and/or potential litigation
NO ACTION taken on this Item.
NO ACTION taken on this Item.
6.
Closed Session:
Commissioners' Court may reconvene into Closed Session for the discussion regarding the agenda items listed
NO ACTION taken on this Item.
Commissioners' Court may reconvene into Closed Session for the discussion regarding the agenda items listed
NO ACTION taken on this Item.
7.
Open Session:
Commissioners' Court may reconvene into Open Session for the discussion regarding the agenda items listed
NO ACTION taken on this Item.
Commissioners' Court may reconvene into Open Session for the discussion regarding the agenda items listed
NO ACTION taken on this Item.
8.
Adjourn
On motion by COMMISSIONER PCT. 4, JOSEPH PALACIOS, 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 blank day of Month, 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 MONTH DAY, 2013.
Signed this _DAY__ day of MONTH 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 blank day of Month, 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 MONTH DAY, 2013.
Signed this _DAY__ day of MONTH 2013
ATTEST:
ARTURO GUAJARDO, JR.
County Clerk and Ex-Officio Clerk
Of the Commissioners’ Court of
Hidalgo County
By: ____________________________
(Seal) Virginia Jones, Deputy