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AGENDA HIDALGO COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT EMERGENCY MEETING July 9, 2020 9:30 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, 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: www.hidalgocounty.us/HClive
To participate in public comment, please call: (956) 292-7630 and you will be given further instruction at that time.
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: www.hidalgocounty.us/HClive
To participate in public comment, please call: (956) 292-7630 and you will be given further instruction at that time.
EMERGENCY MEETING
1.
Roll Call (Audio Reference 01m:23s)
Judge Cortez called the meeting to order at 9:32 P.M.
All members of the court were present, with the exception of Commissioner Flores during the roll call.
Judge Cortez called the meeting to order at 9:32 P.M.
All members of the court were present, with the exception of Commissioner Flores during the roll call.
2.
Pledge of Allegiance (Audio Reference 01m:35s)
Judge Cortez led the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance.
Judge Cortez led the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance.
3.
Prayer (Audio Reference 01m:51s)
Judge Cortez offered the prayer.
Judge Cortez offered the prayer.
4.
Open Forum (Audio Reference 02m:58s)
There were no Open Forum participants.
The court proceeded into item 6 - Closed Session. (Audio Reference 03m:10s)
There were no Open Forum participants.
The court proceeded into item 6 - Closed Session. (Audio Reference 03m:10s)
5.
Discussion, consideration and possible action regarding:
A. County response to disaster/health emergency: (Audio Reference 04m:08s)
1. CARES Act Funds
Valde Guerra stated that no action was to be taken on item 5.A.1.
B. Measures necessary to preserve public health and safety
1. Discussion, consideration, and action authorizing the Commissioners Court by and through the Hidalgo County Emergency Management Director to designate CARES Act Relief Funds for expenditure, to cover costs not accounted for in the current budget and cannot be lawfully funded by line item, allotment or allocation in connection with the ongoing COVID-19 public health emergency, for the purpose of addressing medical expenses related to the establishment of temporary public medical facilities and/or other measures necessary to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and to increase COVID-19 treatment capacity; the Court herein finds that such expenditures are reasonable and necessary to facilitate the County’s ongoing response to the COVID-19 public health emergency. (Audio Reference 04m:25s)
On motion by COMMISSIONER PCT. 4, ELLIE TORRES, seconded by COMMISSIONER PCT. 2, EDUARDO “EDDIE” CANTU, the Court made a UNANIMOUS vote of approval on item 5.B.1.
Vote: 3 - 0 – Unanimously
2. Discussion, consideration, and action authorizing the Commissioners Court by and through the Hidalgo County Emergency Management Director to utilize available exemptions under the Texas Local Government Code including but not limited to LGC
262.024 (a)(1) and (2) in the case of a public calamity to relieve the necessity of the citizens and to preserve and protect the public health and safety of the citizens of Hidalgo County, for any and all expenditures necessary to address the public health emergency as authorized in item 1. (Audio Reference 05m:46s)
On motion by COMMISSIONER PCT. 2, EDUARDO “EDDIE” CANTU, seconded by COMMISSIONER PCT. 4, ELLIE TORRES, the Court made a UNANIMOUS vote of approval on item 5.B.2.
Vote: 3 - 0 -Unanimously
C. Direction regarding County government operations, including but not limited to essential functions (Audio Reference 06m:35s)
Valde Guerra stated that the county will continue to sanitize their buildings, and maintain the proper procedures to ensure the safety of all constituents and Hidalgo County employees during this pandemic.
No action was taken on item 5.C.
The court proceeded to item 7.A. (Audio Reference 07m:22s)
A. County response to disaster/health emergency: (Audio Reference 04m:08s)
1. CARES Act Funds
Valde Guerra stated that no action was to be taken on item 5.A.1.
B. Measures necessary to preserve public health and safety
1. Discussion, consideration, and action authorizing the Commissioners Court by and through the Hidalgo County Emergency Management Director to designate CARES Act Relief Funds for expenditure, to cover costs not accounted for in the current budget and cannot be lawfully funded by line item, allotment or allocation in connection with the ongoing COVID-19 public health emergency, for the purpose of addressing medical expenses related to the establishment of temporary public medical facilities and/or other measures necessary to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and to increase COVID-19 treatment capacity; the Court herein finds that such expenditures are reasonable and necessary to facilitate the County’s ongoing response to the COVID-19 public health emergency. (Audio Reference 04m:25s)
On motion by COMMISSIONER PCT. 4, ELLIE TORRES, seconded by COMMISSIONER PCT. 2, EDUARDO “EDDIE” CANTU, the Court made a UNANIMOUS vote of approval on item 5.B.1.
Vote: 3 - 0 – Unanimously
2. Discussion, consideration, and action authorizing the Commissioners Court by and through the Hidalgo County Emergency Management Director to utilize available exemptions under the Texas Local Government Code including but not limited to LGC
262.024 (a)(1) and (2) in the case of a public calamity to relieve the necessity of the citizens and to preserve and protect the public health and safety of the citizens of Hidalgo County, for any and all expenditures necessary to address the public health emergency as authorized in item 1. (Audio Reference 05m:46s)
On motion by COMMISSIONER PCT. 2, EDUARDO “EDDIE” CANTU, seconded by COMMISSIONER PCT. 4, ELLIE TORRES, the Court made a UNANIMOUS vote of approval on item 5.B.2.
Vote: 3 - 0 -Unanimously
C. Direction regarding County government operations, including but not limited to essential functions (Audio Reference 06m:35s)
Valde Guerra stated that the county will continue to sanitize their buildings, and maintain the proper procedures to ensure the safety of all constituents and Hidalgo County employees during this pandemic.
No action was taken on item 5.C.
The court proceeded to item 7.A. (Audio Reference 07m:22s)
6.
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 Reference 03m:10s)
The court proceeded into Closed Session at 9:34 A.M.
On motion by COMMISSIONER PCT. 4, ELLIE TORRES, seconded by COMMISSIONER PCT. 1, DAVID FUENTES, the Court made a UNANIMOUS vote of approval to proceed into Closed Session.
Vote: 4 - 0 - Unanimously
A. Real Estate Acquisition
Reference item 7.A.
B. Private consultation and advice of counsel concerning pending, potential and/or contemplated litigation, settlement offers, and/or legal matters subject to the attorney-client privilege under the authority of the Open Meetings Act Section 551.071, Government Code.
Reference 7.B.
C. Consultation with Legal Counsel regarding Legal Action due to emergency situation
Reference 7.C.
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 Reference 03m:10s)
The court proceeded into Closed Session at 9:34 A.M.
On motion by COMMISSIONER PCT. 4, ELLIE TORRES, seconded by COMMISSIONER PCT. 1, DAVID FUENTES, the Court made a UNANIMOUS vote of approval to proceed into Closed Session.
Vote: 4 - 0 - Unanimously
A. Real Estate Acquisition
Reference item 7.A.
B. Private consultation and advice of counsel concerning pending, potential and/or contemplated litigation, settlement offers, and/or legal matters subject to the attorney-client privilege under the authority of the Open Meetings Act Section 551.071, Government Code.
Reference 7.B.
C. Consultation with Legal Counsel regarding Legal Action due to emergency situation
Reference 7.C.
7.
Open Session: (Audio Reference 03m:49s)
The court returned from Closed Session at 12:15 P.M.
Commissioner Fuentes did not return from Closed Session.
The court proceeded to item 5. (Audio Reference 03m:55s)
A. Real Estate Acquisition and appropriation for same (Audio Reference 07m:22s)
Valde Guerra stated that no action was to be taken on item 7.A.
B. Pending and/or potential litigation (Audio Reference 07m:38s)
Valde Guerra stated that no action was to be taken on item 7.B.
C. Discussion, consideration and possible action regarding response to public health emergency (Audio Reference 07m:42s)
Reference item 5.
The court proceeded to item 10 - Adjournment.
The court returned from Closed Session at 12:15 P.M.
Commissioner Fuentes did not return from Closed Session.
The court proceeded to item 5. (Audio Reference 03m:55s)
A. Real Estate Acquisition and appropriation for same (Audio Reference 07m:22s)
Valde Guerra stated that no action was to be taken on item 7.A.
B. Pending and/or potential litigation (Audio Reference 07m:38s)
Valde Guerra stated that no action was to be taken on item 7.B.
C. Discussion, consideration and possible action regarding response to public health emergency (Audio Reference 07m:42s)
Reference item 5.
The court proceeded to item 10 - Adjournment.
8.
Closed Session: (Audio Reference 07m:59s)
Commissioners Court may reconvene into Closed Session for the discussion regarding the agenda items listed
The court did not proceed into item 8 - Closed Session.
Commissioners Court may reconvene into Closed Session for the discussion regarding the agenda items listed
The court did not proceed into item 8 - Closed Session.
9.
Open Session: (Audio Reference 08m:00s)
Commissioners Court may reconvene into Open Session for the discussion regarding the agenda items listed
The court did not proceed to item 9 - Open Session.
Commissioners Court may reconvene into Open Session for the discussion regarding the agenda items listed
The court did not proceed to item 9 - Open Session.
10.
Adjourn (Audio Reference 08m:44s)
Judge Cortez adjourned the meeting at 12:20 P.M.
Before adjournment, Judge Cortez stated that the reason for the emergency meeting was to expedite the requests made by the hospitals due to the rapid growth of individuals contracting the COVID-19 virus in Hidalgo County.
On motion by COMMISSIONER PCT. 4, ELLIE TORRES, seconded by COMMISSIONER PCT. 2, EDUARDO “EDDIE” CANTU, the Court made a UNANIMOUS vote of approval to adjourn the meeting.
Vote: 3 - 0 – Unanimously
Judge Cortez adjourned the meeting at 12:20 P.M.
Before adjournment, Judge Cortez stated that the reason for the emergency meeting was to expedite the requests made by the hospitals due to the rapid growth of individuals contracting the COVID-19 virus in Hidalgo County.
On motion by COMMISSIONER PCT. 4, ELLIE TORRES, seconded by COMMISSIONER PCT. 2, EDUARDO “EDDIE” CANTU, the Court made a UNANIMOUS vote of approval to adjourn the meeting.
Vote: 3 - 0 – Unanimously