SPECIAL MEETING - March 31, 2020
BE IT REMEMBERED, that on this 31st day of March A.D., 2020, 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 RICHARD F. CORTEZ HONORABLE DAVID FUENTES HONORABLE EDUARDO "EDDIE" CANTU HONORABLE ELLIE TORRES |
HIDALGO COUNTY JUDGE COMMISSIONER, PRECINCT NO. 1 COMMISSIONER, PRECINCT NO. 2 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 CC REGULAR HIDALGO COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT MEETING March 31, 2020 10:00 A.M. |
|
NOTICE is hereby given in accordance with Chapter 551, Texas Government Code, that a SPECIAL MEETING of the Commissioners Court will be held in the Commissioners Courtroom of the Administration Building, 100 E. Cano, 1st floor, Edinburg, Hidalgo County, Texas. Discussion and possible action relating to the following business will be transacted:
In accordance with section 418.016 of the Texas Government Code, Governor Abbott has suspended various provisions that require government officials and members of the public to be physically present at a specified meeting location. As a result, all or some government officials may participate via videoconference. Additionally, members of the public are encouraged to watch the meetings online, at: hidalgocounty.us
To participate in public comment, Please call (956) 292-7630 and you will be given further instruction and be provided with a toll free number a that time.
1.
Roll Call
Judge Cortez called the meeting to order @ 10:00 a.m. All members of the Court were counted present and joined the meeting via Video Conference, with the exception of Commissioner Joe Flores.
Judge Cortez called the meeting to order @ 10:00 a.m. All members of the Court were counted present and joined the meeting via Video Conference, with the exception of Commissioner Joe Flores.
2.
Pledge of Allegiance
Judge Cortez led the Court in recciting the Pledge of Allegiance.
Judge Cortez led the Court in recciting the Pledge of Allegiance.
3.
Prayer (Audio Time: 00:16)
Judge Cortez Prayed for healing, safety, peace of mind and protection for those in our community, for all First Responders and everyone around the world.
Judge Cortez also expressed his condolences to the family of Mr. Mark Pena on their loss.
Judge Cortez then congratulated Commissioner Ellie Torres on the birth of her granddaughter.
Judge Cortez Prayed for healing, safety, peace of mind and protection for those in our community, for all First Responders and everyone around the world.
Judge Cortez also expressed his condolences to the family of Mr. Mark Pena on their loss.
Judge Cortez then congratulated Commissioner Ellie Torres on the birth of her granddaughter.
4.
AI-75032
Approval of check register and payment of claims and bills - (Payments from Juvenile Probation, Adult Probation, LEOSE Fund, DA Motor Vehicle Theft Fund, DA Check Fraud Fund, DA Forfeiture Fund, Sheriff Forfeiture Funds, Constable Forfeiture Funds, HIDTA Forfeiture Funds and VIT Interest Fund are presented for recording purposes only.) (Audio Recording- 2:18)
On motion of Commissioner Eduardo "Eddie" Cantu, seconded by Commissioner David Fuentes, the Court made a UNANIMOUS vote of approval.
On motion of Commissioner Eduardo "Eddie" Cantu, seconded by Commissioner David Fuentes, the Court made a UNANIMOUS vote of approval.
Attachments:
5.
Budget and Management:
A.
AI-75034
Discussion, consideration and possible action, Pursuant to Texas Local Government Code 111.070 (b), approval of emergency appropriation from the General Fund - Fund Balance in the amount of $500,000 for emergency related expenditures related to COVID-19 response. (Audio Recording- 2:32)
On motion of Commissioner David Fuentes, seconded by Commissioner Eduardo "Eddie" Cantu, the Court made a UNANIMOUS vote of approval.
On motion of Commissioner David Fuentes, seconded by Commissioner Eduardo "Eddie" Cantu, the Court made a UNANIMOUS vote of approval.
Attachments:
6.
AI-75035
Discussion, consideration and possible action regarding:(Audio Recording- 4:11)
a. County response to disaster/health emergency
Judge Cortez stated that the Court would continue to evaluate the existing control measures including the possibility of extending the County's Order with additional possible restrictions.
b. Measures necessary to preserve public health and safety
Judge Cortez asked the Commissioner's to work with their municipal partners and request assistance for enforcement of County's Order.
c. Direction regarding County government operations, including but not limited to essential functions
Judge Cortez stated that the County Executive Officer will continue to work with the County Offices to ensure the continuity of operations.
Commissioner Ellie Torres asked the public to stay safe and urged the public to take this (Covid 19 Virus) seriously.
a. County response to disaster/health emergency
Judge Cortez stated that the Court would continue to evaluate the existing control measures including the possibility of extending the County's Order with additional possible restrictions.
b. Measures necessary to preserve public health and safety
Judge Cortez asked the Commissioner's to work with their municipal partners and request assistance for enforcement of County's Order.
c. Direction regarding County government operations, including but not limited to essential functions
Judge Cortez stated that the County Executive Officer will continue to work with the County Offices to ensure the continuity of operations.
Commissioner Ellie Torres asked the public to stay safe and urged the public to take this (Covid 19 Virus) seriously.
7.
Open Forum (Audio Tracking - 6:59)
Valde Guerra, Executive Officer stated that there was no Open Forum.
NO ACTION taken on this item.
Valde Guerra, Executive Officer stated that there was no Open Forum.
NO ACTION taken on this item.
8.
Closed Session:
Commissioners' Court may go into Closed Session pursuant to Chapter 551, Texas Government Code, Sections 551.071, (Consultation with Attorney), 551.072 (Deliberation regarding Real Property), Section 551.074 (Personnel Matters) and Section 551.087 (Economic Development) to discuss the following:
(Audio Recording- 3:16)
On motion of Commissioner David Fuentes, seconded by Commissioner Eduardo “Eddie” Cantu, the Court made a UNANIMOUS vote of approval to go into Closed Session.
Commissioners' Court may go into Closed Session pursuant to Chapter 551, Texas Government Code, Sections 551.071, (Consultation with Attorney), 551.072 (Deliberation regarding Real Property), Section 551.074 (Personnel Matters) and Section 551.087 (Economic Development) to discuss the following:
(Audio Recording- 3:16)
On motion of Commissioner David Fuentes, seconded by Commissioner Eduardo “Eddie” Cantu, the Court made a UNANIMOUS vote of approval to go into Closed Session.
A.
Consultation with Legal Counsel regarding Legal Action due to emergency situation
9.
Open Session:
A.
Discussion, consideration and possible action regarding response to public health emergency
No action taken on this item.
The Court continued with Items 6.A, B & C.
No action taken on this item.
The Court continued with Items 6.A, B & C.
10.
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.
11.
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.
12.
Adjourn (Audio Tracking - 7:29)
On motion of Commissioner David Fuentes, seconded by Commissioner Eduardo “Eddie” Cantu, the Court made a UNANIMOUS vote of approval.
On motion of Commissioner David Fuentes, seconded by Commissioner Eduardo “Eddie” Cantu, the Court made a UNANIMOUS vote of approval.
There being no further business to come before said
Court, the meetings of the Commissioners' Court is now hereby adjourned.
Dated this the 31st day of March, 2020
ARTURO GUAJARDO, JR., County Clerk
Hidalgo County, Texas
By: ______________________________
Priscilla Torres, Deputy
I, ARTURO GUAJARDO, JR., County Clerk attest that this is an accurate accounting of a proceeding of the Commissioners’ Court held on March 31, 2020.
Signed this _31st__ day of March 2020
ATTEST:
ARTURO GUAJARDO, JR.
County Clerk and Ex-Officio Clerk
Of the Commissioners’ Court of
Hidalgo County
By: ____________________________
(Seal) Priscilla Torres, Deputy
Court, the meetings of the Commissioners' Court is now hereby adjourned.
Dated this the 31st day of March, 2020
ARTURO GUAJARDO, JR., County Clerk
Hidalgo County, Texas
By: ______________________________
Priscilla Torres, Deputy
I, ARTURO GUAJARDO, JR., County Clerk attest that this is an accurate accounting of a proceeding of the Commissioners’ Court held on March 31, 2020.
Signed this _31st__ day of March 2020
ATTEST:
ARTURO GUAJARDO, JR.
County Clerk and Ex-Officio Clerk
Of the Commissioners’ Court of
Hidalgo County
By: ____________________________
(Seal) Priscilla Torres, Deputy