SPECIAL MEETING - August 18, 2020
BE IT REMEMBERED, that on this 18th day of August 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 August 18, 2020 10:45 A.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 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:
1.
Roll Call (Audio Reference #1 - 1h:15m 47s)
Judge Cortez called the meeting to order at 11:02 a.m.
All members of the court were present during the roll call, with the exception of Commissioner Flores.
Judge Cortez called the meeting to order at 11:02 a.m.
All members of the court were present during the roll call, with the exception of Commissioner Flores.
2.
Open Forum (Audio Reference #1 - 1h:16m 45s)
Open Forum participants, Patrick Eronini, Samuel Reyes, Jim Barnes, Robert Vaughns, Norma Ramirez, Adrienne Garza, Cruz Quintana Jr., and Fern McClaugherty came before the court to voice their opinion on the application for ballot by mail to all 65 and older registered voters of Hidalgo County.
No action was taken on item 2.
Open Forum participants, Patrick Eronini, Samuel Reyes, Jim Barnes, Robert Vaughns, Norma Ramirez, Adrienne Garza, Cruz Quintana Jr., and Fern McClaugherty came before the court to voice their opinion on the application for ballot by mail to all 65 and older registered voters of Hidalgo County.
No action was taken on item 2.
3.
Elections Administration:
A.
AI-76868
- Discussion on Election Updates. (Audio Reference #1 - 1h:42m 25s)
- Discussion, consideration and possible approval for the Elections Department to send an application for ballot by mail to all 65 and older registered voters of Hidalgo County. (Audio Reference #1 - 1h:49m 03s)
No action was taken on item 3.A.1.
Item 3.A.2. - Yvonne Ramon, with the Elections Department, gave an overview of the increase of participation of voting in Hidalgo County in comparison to the 2016 general election, how secure the process of application for ballot by mail is up to date, and stated that the recommendation of the County Election Board was for Commissioners Court to approve the mail out of an application to all those that are 65 and older.
On motion by COMMISSIONER PCT. 2, EDUARDO “EDDIE” CANTU, seconded by COMMISSIONER PCT. 1, DAVID FUENTES, the Court made a UNANIMOUS vote of approval on item 3.A.2.
Vote: 4 - 0 -Unanimously
4.
Community Service Agency:
A.
AI-76881
1. Report and update regarding the Hidalgo County Cares Rent and Mortgage Assistance Program. (Audio Reference #1 - 2h:07m 05s)
Jaime Longoria, with the Community Service Agency, came before the court to present an update and current challenges regarding the Hidalgo County Cares Rent and Mortgage Assistance Program. Mr. Longoria reported a 76% denial rate due to the fact that the applicants are living inside corporate limits of a city. Mr. Longoria further stated with the remainder of the applications that qualified, 189 have been processed, and $159,091.81 have been allocated to the families. Lastly, Mr. Longoria presented possible amendments that could increase qualified applications.
No action was taken on item 4.A.1.
2. Discussion and possible action to amend the eligibility requirements for participation in the Hidalgo County Cares Rent and Mortgage Assistance Program. (Audio Reference #1 - 2h:22m 13s)
The court agreed that the lack of marketing of the Rent and Mortgage Assistance Program could be the issue for the low application numbers from the constituents that live in the rural areas of Hidalgo County, and agreed to collaborate in efforts to establish more awareness of the program. The court also agreed to increase the federal poverty line to 225%.
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 amend the federal poverty line to 225%.
Vote: 4 - 0 -Unanimously
Jaime Longoria, with the Community Service Agency, came before the court to present an update and current challenges regarding the Hidalgo County Cares Rent and Mortgage Assistance Program. Mr. Longoria reported a 76% denial rate due to the fact that the applicants are living inside corporate limits of a city. Mr. Longoria further stated with the remainder of the applications that qualified, 189 have been processed, and $159,091.81 have been allocated to the families. Lastly, Mr. Longoria presented possible amendments that could increase qualified applications.
No action was taken on item 4.A.1.
2. Discussion and possible action to amend the eligibility requirements for participation in the Hidalgo County Cares Rent and Mortgage Assistance Program. (Audio Reference #1 - 2h:22m 13s)
The court agreed that the lack of marketing of the Rent and Mortgage Assistance Program could be the issue for the low application numbers from the constituents that live in the rural areas of Hidalgo County, and agreed to collaborate in efforts to establish more awareness of the program. The court also agreed to increase the federal poverty line to 225%.
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 amend the federal poverty line to 225%.
Vote: 4 - 0 -Unanimously
B.
AI-76879
1. Discussion, consideration and possible action to approve the Information Sharing Access Agreement with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for the purpose of providing emergency services to households affected by the disasters of calendar year 2019 .(Audio Reference #1 - 2h:24m 24s)
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 4.B.1.
Vote: 4 - 0 -Unanimously
2. Authorization for Jaime Longoria to sign any and all pertinent documents (Audio Reference #1 - 2h:25m 08s)
On motion by COMMISSIONER PCT. 4, ELLIE TORRES, seconded by COMMISSIONER PCT. 1, DAVID FUENTES, the Court made a UNANIMOUS vote of approval on item 4.B.2.
Vote: 4 - 0 - Unanimously
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 4.B.1.
Vote: 4 - 0 -Unanimously
2. Authorization for Jaime Longoria to sign any and all pertinent documents (Audio Reference #1 - 2h:25m 08s)
On motion by COMMISSIONER PCT. 4, ELLIE TORRES, seconded by COMMISSIONER PCT. 1, DAVID FUENTES, the Court made a UNANIMOUS vote of approval on item 4.B.2.
Vote: 4 - 0 - Unanimously
5.
Adjourn (Audio Reference #1 - 2h:25m 21s)
Judge Cortez adjourned the meeting at 12:11 p.m.
On motion by COMMISSIONER PCT. 2, EDUARDO “EDDIE” CANTU, seconded by COMMISSIONER PCT. 4, ELLIE TORRES, the Court made a UNANIMOUS vote of approval to adjourn the meeting.
Vote: 4 - 0 -Unanimously
Judge Cortez adjourned the meeting at 12:11 p.m.
On motion by COMMISSIONER PCT. 2, EDUARDO “EDDIE” CANTU, seconded by COMMISSIONER PCT. 4, ELLIE TORRES, the Court made a UNANIMOUS vote of approval to adjourn the meeting.
Vote: 4 - 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 18th day of August, 2020
ARTURO GUAJARDO, JR., County Clerk
Hidalgo County, Texas
By: ______________________________
Carolyn Thornton, Deputy
I, ARTURO GUAJARDO, JR., County Clerk attest that this is an accurate accounting of a proceeding of the Commissioners’ Court held on August 18, 2020.
Signed this 20th day of August 2020
ATTEST:
ARTURO GUAJARDO, JR.
County Clerk and Ex-Officio Clerk
Of the Commissioners’ Court of
Hidalgo County
By: ____________________________
(Seal) Carolyn Thornton, Deputy
Court, the meetings of the Commissioners' Court and the
Drainage District #1 Board are now hereby adjourned.
Dated this the 18th day of August, 2020
ARTURO GUAJARDO, JR., County Clerk
Hidalgo County, Texas
By: ______________________________
Carolyn Thornton, Deputy
I, ARTURO GUAJARDO, JR., County Clerk attest that this is an accurate accounting of a proceeding of the Commissioners’ Court held on August 18, 2020.
Signed this 20th day of August 2020
ATTEST:
ARTURO GUAJARDO, JR.
County Clerk and Ex-Officio Clerk
Of the Commissioners’ Court of
Hidalgo County
By: ____________________________
(Seal) Carolyn Thornton, Deputy