SPECIAL MEETING - September 10, 2015
BE IT REMEMBERED, that on this 10th day of September A.D., 2015, 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 EDUARDO "EDDIE" CANTU 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:
 |
AGENDA DRAINAGE DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS September 10, 2015 9:00 A.M. |
NOTICE is hereby given in accordance with Chapter 551, Texas Government Code, that a SPECIAL 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 in attendance.
All members of the Board were in attendance.
2.
Prayer
Mr. Raul Sesin led the Board and Audience in prayer.
Mr. Raul Sesin led the Board and Audience in prayer.
3.
Open Forum
No comments under Open Forum.
No comments under Open Forum.
4.
AI -51239
Discussion, consideration and action on Interlocal Agreement among Hidalgo County Drainage District #1, Hidalgo County, Willacy County and Delta Lake Irrigation District regarding application for funds under the RESTORE Act trust funds allocated to the State of Texas
Mr. Sesin mentioned the consideration for the interlocal agreement between Hidalgo County Drainage District number 1, Hidalgo County, Willacy County and Delta Lake Irrigation District. Judge Garcia stated that the funds for the improvements come from the RESTORE Act trust funds allocated to the State of Texas, from the British Petroleum disaster. He explained that the state had issued a compensation of about $800 million for states with coastal counties to or within 30 mile radius from the bay into inland. The projects under this grant would have to be for water conservation or water projects. Judge Garcia indicated that so far the Raymondville drain project will supply the best benefits to the region and county. So far Hidalgo County has been able to participate in an agreement with Willacy County and the Delta Lake Irrigation District to be able to put the money for Raymondville project.
Board member A.C. Cuellar questioned the possibilities of having the monies be utilized for other projects as well. Nonetheless Mr. Sesin explained that at this time the main and best benefiting project will be the Raymondville project and although others can participate and apply this could impact the amount of money that could be supplied for the Raymondville project. Board member Joseph Palacios expressed his position for the Raymondville project, explaining that it will be best to focus on one main project and show priority for that specific plan. In addition Mr. Sesin explained to the Board that regardless of the possibilities, the word Interlocal puts limitations for the other potential projects. In consideration of the issues Board member A.C. Cuellar voiced that his position is not to block or interfered with any money going into specific projects and if it’s best to just maintain a single strong project then he agreed. Attorney Cazo approached the Board to address the issue of funds for the whole costal side of Texas. He encouraged the Board to choose one unified single strong project to present and to demonstrate the importance of the project. Hence Hidalgo County will be going up against other strong cities all the way from Galveston, Houston, Corpus Christi and Brownsville. He added that the Raymondville Project meets the most criteria under the RESTORE Act. Once again, Board member A.C. Cuellar restated that his intention is not to take away from projects and agrees to have one strong unified project.
On motion by BOARD MEMBER PCT. 4, JOSEPH PALACIOS, seconded by BOARD MEMBER PCT. 1, A.C. CUELLAR, JR., the Board made a UNANIMOUS vote of approval.
Vote: 5 - 0 - Unanimously
Mr. Sesin mentioned the consideration for the interlocal agreement between Hidalgo County Drainage District number 1, Hidalgo County, Willacy County and Delta Lake Irrigation District. Judge Garcia stated that the funds for the improvements come from the RESTORE Act trust funds allocated to the State of Texas, from the British Petroleum disaster. He explained that the state had issued a compensation of about $800 million for states with coastal counties to or within 30 mile radius from the bay into inland. The projects under this grant would have to be for water conservation or water projects. Judge Garcia indicated that so far the Raymondville drain project will supply the best benefits to the region and county. So far Hidalgo County has been able to participate in an agreement with Willacy County and the Delta Lake Irrigation District to be able to put the money for Raymondville project.
Board member A.C. Cuellar questioned the possibilities of having the monies be utilized for other projects as well. Nonetheless Mr. Sesin explained that at this time the main and best benefiting project will be the Raymondville project and although others can participate and apply this could impact the amount of money that could be supplied for the Raymondville project. Board member Joseph Palacios expressed his position for the Raymondville project, explaining that it will be best to focus on one main project and show priority for that specific plan. In addition Mr. Sesin explained to the Board that regardless of the possibilities, the word Interlocal puts limitations for the other potential projects. In consideration of the issues Board member A.C. Cuellar voiced that his position is not to block or interfered with any money going into specific projects and if it’s best to just maintain a single strong project then he agreed. Attorney Cazo approached the Board to address the issue of funds for the whole costal side of Texas. He encouraged the Board to choose one unified single strong project to present and to demonstrate the importance of the project. Hence Hidalgo County will be going up against other strong cities all the way from Galveston, Houston, Corpus Christi and Brownsville. He added that the Raymondville Project meets the most criteria under the RESTORE Act. Once again, Board member A.C. Cuellar restated that his intention is not to take away from projects and agrees to have one strong unified project.
On motion by BOARD MEMBER PCT. 4, JOSEPH PALACIOS, seconded by BOARD MEMBER PCT. 1, A.C. CUELLAR, JR., the Board made a UNANIMOUS vote of approval.
Vote: 5 - 0 - Unanimously
5.
AI -51251
Request approval of Work Authorization #19 to S & B Infrastructure for Engineering services relating to the management of the Raymondville Drain, of the District's Master Drainage System Phase II.
Board member Joseph Palacios questioned the funding or fee that is tied to the project, Raul Sesin mentioned that the fee is tied to the existing contract and there is no impact to the current action. Judge Garcia explained that there is fee however; nothing has to be provided at this time.
On motion by BOARD MEMBER PCT. 4, JOSEPH PALACIOS, seconded by BOARD MEMBER PCT. 3, JOE M. FLORES, the Board made a UNANIMOUS vote of approval.
Vote: 5 - 0 – Unanimously
Board member Joseph Palacios questioned the funding or fee that is tied to the project, Raul Sesin mentioned that the fee is tied to the existing contract and there is no impact to the current action. Judge Garcia explained that there is fee however; nothing has to be provided at this time.
On motion by BOARD MEMBER PCT. 4, JOSEPH PALACIOS, seconded by BOARD MEMBER PCT. 3, JOE M. FLORES, the Board made a UNANIMOUS vote of approval.
Vote: 5 - 0 – Unanimously
6.
Adjourn
On motion by BOARD MEMBER PCT. 1, A.C. CUELLAR, JR., seconded by BOARD MEMBER PCT. 3, JOE M. FLORES, the Board made a UNANIMOUS vote of approval.
Vote: 5 - 0 - Unanimously
On motion by BOARD MEMBER PCT. 1, A.C. CUELLAR, JR., seconded by BOARD MEMBER PCT. 3, JOE M. FLORES, the Board 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 10th day of September, 2015
ARTURO GUAJARDO, JR., County Clerk
Hidalgo County, Texas
By: ______________________________
Norma G. Cantu, Deputy
I, ARTURO GUAJARDO, JR., County Clerk attest that this is an accurate accounting of a proceeding of the Commissioners’ Court held on September 10, 2015.
Signed this 10th day of SEPTEMBER 2015
ATTEST:
ARTURO GUAJARDO, JR.
County Clerk and Ex-Officio Clerk
Of the Commissioners’ Court of
Hidalgo County
By: ____________________________
(Seal) Norma G. Cantu, Deputy
Court, the meetings of the Commissioners' Court and the
Drainage District #1 Board are now hereby adjourned.
Dated this the 10th day of September, 2015
ARTURO GUAJARDO, JR., County Clerk
Hidalgo County, Texas
By: ______________________________
Norma G. Cantu, Deputy
I, ARTURO GUAJARDO, JR., County Clerk attest that this is an accurate accounting of a proceeding of the Commissioners’ Court held on September 10, 2015.
Signed this 10th day of SEPTEMBER 2015
ATTEST:
ARTURO GUAJARDO, JR.
County Clerk and Ex-Officio Clerk
Of the Commissioners’ Court of
Hidalgo County
By: ____________________________
(Seal) Norma G. Cantu, Deputy