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AGENDA HIDALGO COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT EMERGENCY MEETING May 28, 2020 10:00 A.M. |
NOTICE is hereby given in accordance with Chapter 551.045 (b)(1) (media has been contacted), Texas Government Code, that an EMERGENCY MEETING of the Commissioners Court will be held due to the COVID-19 public health emergency which continues to pose an imminent threat to the public health, safety and well-being of the citizens of Hidalgo County, at the Edinburg Conference Center at Renaissance, 118 Paseo Del Prado, 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) 362-3144 and you will be given further instruction at that time.
EMERGENCY MEETING
1.
Roll Call (Audio Reference :14s)
Judge Cortez called the meeting to order at approximately 10:05 A.M.
All members of the court were present during the roll call.
Judge Cortez called the meeting to order at approximately 10:05 A.M.
All members of the court were present during the roll call.
2.
Pledge of Allegiance (Audio Reference :33s)
Commissioner Torres led the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance.
Commissioner Torres led the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance.
3.
Prayer (Audio Reference :55s)
Commissioner Cantu offered the prayer.
After the prayer, Judge Cortez gave an opportunity for open remarks from the board. Judge Cortez commenced with an overview on how the COVID-19 virus has affected Hidalgo County, and gave a summary as to how the dollar amounts were generated per capita in efforts to benefit both the county and the municipalities with the CARES Act Funds. Commissioner Cantu stated the importance of preparing for future outbreaks including preparation for more testing, accommodation and application for possible vaccines, instituting internet access county wide, and the current funding of the mortgage and rental assistance program. Commissioner Fuentes continued stating the importance of unity with all local government leaders, and how crucial compliance with federal guide lines will be in the stage of disbursement of CARES Act Funds. Commissioner Flores expressed his stance in favor with the cities requesting $175 per capita. Lastly, Commissioner Torres emphasized the importance of investing in a manner that would leave assets to aid the community in the event of a future pandemic.
The court proceeded to item 5.A.1.
Commissioner Cantu offered the prayer.
After the prayer, Judge Cortez gave an opportunity for open remarks from the board. Judge Cortez commenced with an overview on how the COVID-19 virus has affected Hidalgo County, and gave a summary as to how the dollar amounts were generated per capita in efforts to benefit both the county and the municipalities with the CARES Act Funds. Commissioner Cantu stated the importance of preparing for future outbreaks including preparation for more testing, accommodation and application for possible vaccines, instituting internet access county wide, and the current funding of the mortgage and rental assistance program. Commissioner Fuentes continued stating the importance of unity with all local government leaders, and how crucial compliance with federal guide lines will be in the stage of disbursement of CARES Act Funds. Commissioner Flores expressed his stance in favor with the cities requesting $175 per capita. Lastly, Commissioner Torres emphasized the importance of investing in a manner that would leave assets to aid the community in the event of a future pandemic.
The court proceeded to item 5.A.1.
4.
Open Forum (Audio Reference 1h:44m 40s)
Valde Guerra stated that there were two participants, in which one participant retired from the meeting.
Participant Fern McClaugherty expressed her concern as to when the county will be in full operation, and the disbursement of the CARES Act Funds to the municipalities.
The court proceeded to item 6.A.
Valde Guerra stated that there were two participants, in which one participant retired from the meeting.
Participant Fern McClaugherty expressed her concern as to when the county will be in full operation, and the disbursement of the CARES Act Funds to the municipalities.
The court proceeded to item 6.A.
5.
Discussion regarding:
A. Measures necessary/undertaken to protect public health and safety
1. County of Hidalgo (Audio Reference 39m:30s)
Eddie Olivarez from the Health and Human Services Department gave an overview as to how to protect the public health and safety of the constituents of Hidalgo County with the following investments; accommodating a vaccine program, implementing an IT infrastructure, access to electronic medical records, disinfectant components for large areas/buildings, protective equipment, and available testing sites that would total an amount of approximately $4.1 million to fund these necessities county wide.
No action was taken on item 5.A.1.
2. Municipalities (Audio Reference 48m:25s)
Honorable Mayors Ramiro Rodriguez of the City of Palmhurst, Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez of the City of Pharr, Mayor Jim Darling of the the City of McAllen, Mayor Rodrigo Lopez of the City of Penitas, Mayor Sergio Coronado of the City of Hidalgo, Mayor Armando O'Cana of the City of Mission, Mayor Richard Molina of the City of Edinburg, Mayor Henry Hinojosa of the City of Mercedes, and Mayor Salvador Vela of the City of Alton, came before the court expressing their concerns with the dollar amounts decided per capita, and the process as to how to collaborate with the county auditor in a timely manner.
City Manager of Weslaco, Mike Perez and City Manager of Edinburg, Ron Garza came before the court with recommendations on how to quicken the process with the county auditor to expedite reimbursement of funds to the cities.
The court took into consideration a possible formation of a committee that would revise all COVID-19 virus related expenditures submitted by the cities to make certain the expenditures are in compliance with federal guidelines.
Lastly, Commissioner Cantu requested that all cities submit their budgets for the CARES Act Funds to start working with the county auditor's office to accelerate the process.
No action was taken on item 5.A.2.
The court proceeded to item 4 - Open Forum
A. Measures necessary/undertaken to protect public health and safety
1. County of Hidalgo (Audio Reference 39m:30s)
Eddie Olivarez from the Health and Human Services Department gave an overview as to how to protect the public health and safety of the constituents of Hidalgo County with the following investments; accommodating a vaccine program, implementing an IT infrastructure, access to electronic medical records, disinfectant components for large areas/buildings, protective equipment, and available testing sites that would total an amount of approximately $4.1 million to fund these necessities county wide.
No action was taken on item 5.A.1.
2. Municipalities (Audio Reference 48m:25s)
Honorable Mayors Ramiro Rodriguez of the City of Palmhurst, Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez of the City of Pharr, Mayor Jim Darling of the the City of McAllen, Mayor Rodrigo Lopez of the City of Penitas, Mayor Sergio Coronado of the City of Hidalgo, Mayor Armando O'Cana of the City of Mission, Mayor Richard Molina of the City of Edinburg, Mayor Henry Hinojosa of the City of Mercedes, and Mayor Salvador Vela of the City of Alton, came before the court expressing their concerns with the dollar amounts decided per capita, and the process as to how to collaborate with the county auditor in a timely manner.
City Manager of Weslaco, Mike Perez and City Manager of Edinburg, Ron Garza came before the court with recommendations on how to quicken the process with the county auditor to expedite reimbursement of funds to the cities.
The court took into consideration a possible formation of a committee that would revise all COVID-19 virus related expenditures submitted by the cities to make certain the expenditures are in compliance with federal guidelines.
Lastly, Commissioner Cantu requested that all cities submit their budgets for the CARES Act Funds to start working with the county auditor's office to accelerate the process.
No action was taken on item 5.A.2.
The court proceeded to item 4 - Open Forum
6.
CARES Act Relief Fund (1287):
A. Discussion, consideration, and action to approve the ratification of necessary CARES Act Relief Fund expenditures to cover costs not accounted for in the current budget and cannot be lawfully funded by line item, allotment or allocation, for the following: health expenses for communication and enforcement of public health orders
(exhibit A), public health expenses for acquisition and distribution of medical and protective supplies, including sanitizing products and personal protective equipment
(exhibit B), public health expenses for disinfection of public areas and other facilities
(exhibit C), public health expenses for public safety measures
(exhibit D), expenses to improve telework capabilities for public employees
(exhibit E) and other related expenses reasonably necessary to the function of government
(exhibit F) in connection with the ongoing COVID-19 public health emergency; the Court having reviewed the Agenda Item Briefing, herein finds that such expenditure is reasonable and necessary for the intended use.
B. Approval of intradepartmental transfer.
(Audio Reference 1h:49m 05s)
No action was taken on item 6.A & B.
The court proceeded to item 7 - Adjournment.
A. Discussion, consideration, and action to approve the ratification of necessary CARES Act Relief Fund expenditures to cover costs not accounted for in the current budget and cannot be lawfully funded by line item, allotment or allocation, for the following: health expenses for communication and enforcement of public health orders
(exhibit A), public health expenses for acquisition and distribution of medical and protective supplies, including sanitizing products and personal protective equipment
(exhibit B), public health expenses for disinfection of public areas and other facilities
(exhibit C), public health expenses for public safety measures
(exhibit D), expenses to improve telework capabilities for public employees
(exhibit E) and other related expenses reasonably necessary to the function of government
(exhibit F) in connection with the ongoing COVID-19 public health emergency; the Court having reviewed the Agenda Item Briefing, herein finds that such expenditure is reasonable and necessary for the intended use.
B. Approval of intradepartmental transfer.
(Audio Reference 1h:49m 05s)
No action was taken on item 6.A & B.
The court proceeded to item 7 - Adjournment.
7.
Adjourn (Audio Reference 1h:55m 10s)
Judge Cortez adjourned the meeting at 11:57 A.M.
On motion by COMMISSIONER PCT. 2, EDUARDO “EDDIE” CANTU, seconded by COMMISSIONER PCT. 1, DAVID FUENTES, the Court made a UNANIMOUS vote of approval to adjourn the meeting.
Vote: 5 - 0 -Unanimously
Judge Cortez adjourned the meeting at 11:57 A.M.
On motion by COMMISSIONER PCT. 2, EDUARDO “EDDIE” CANTU, seconded by COMMISSIONER PCT. 1, DAVID FUENTES, the Court made a UNANIMOUS vote of approval to adjourn the meeting.
Vote: 5 - 0 -Unanimously