SPECIAL MEETING - August 17, 2021
BE IT REMEMBERED, that on this 17th day of August A.D., 2021, 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 EVERARDO "EVER" VILLARREAL HONORABLE ELLIE TORRES |
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 CC REGULAR HIDALGO COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT MEETING August 17, 2021 10:00 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:
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 video conference. 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 and be provided with a toll free number at that time.
1.
Roll Call (Audio Reference :42s)
Judge Cortez called the meeting to order at 10:01 A.M.
All members of the Court were present for the roll call.
Judge Cortez called the meeting to order at 10:01 A.M.
All members of the Court were present for the roll call.
2.
Pledge of Allegiance (Audio Reference 01m:01s)
Commissioner Villarreal led in the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance.
Commissioner Villarreal led in the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance.
3.
Prayer (Audio Reference 01m:23s)
County Executive Officer, Valde Guerra, offered the prayer.
County Executive Officer, Valde Guerra, offered the prayer.
4.
Open Forum (Audio Reference 02m:10s)
Participants, Laura Gutierrez & Fern McClaugherty, came before the Court to express their concerns on local mask mandates.
Participant, Myra Baker, came before the Court to express her concerns on the ongoing flooding events that transpire at her residence.
Participant, Irma Menchaca, came before the Court to express her concerns on the COVID-19 vaccine and local mask mandates.
No action was taken on agenda item 4 - Open Forum.
Participants, Laura Gutierrez & Fern McClaugherty, came before the Court to express their concerns on local mask mandates.
Participant, Myra Baker, came before the Court to express her concerns on the ongoing flooding events that transpire at her residence.
Participant, Irma Menchaca, came before the Court to express her concerns on the COVID-19 vaccine and local mask mandates.
No action was taken on agenda item 4 - Open Forum.
5.
Executive Office:
A.
AI-82043
1. Discussion, consideration and action to approve the Sale-Purchase Contract between the County of Hidalgo, Texas and the City of Edinburg, pursuant to Tx. Loc. Gov. Code Section 272.001 (l) (1-3). (Audio Reference 15m:57s)
Judge Cortez and Commissioner Cantu explained that this partnership between the City of Edinburg and Hidalgo County was to assist with constructing an additional 200 parking spaces in close proximity of the new courthouse.
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 agenda item 5.A.1.
Vote: 5 - 0 – Unanimously
2. Authorization for the Executive Officer, Mr. Valde Guerra, to sign any and all pertinent documents. (Audio Reference 19m:25s)
On motion by COMMISSIONER PCT. 2, EDUARDO “EDDIE” CANTU, seconded by COMMISSIONER PCT. 3, EVERARDO “EVER” VILLARREAL, the Court made a UNANIMOUS vote of approval on agenda item 5.A.2.
Vote: 5 - 0 -Unanimously
Judge Cortez and Commissioner Cantu explained that this partnership between the City of Edinburg and Hidalgo County was to assist with constructing an additional 200 parking spaces in close proximity of the new courthouse.
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 agenda item 5.A.1.
Vote: 5 - 0 – Unanimously
2. Authorization for the Executive Officer, Mr. Valde Guerra, to sign any and all pertinent documents. (Audio Reference 19m:25s)
On motion by COMMISSIONER PCT. 2, EDUARDO “EDDIE” CANTU, seconded by COMMISSIONER PCT. 3, EVERARDO “EVER” VILLARREAL, the Court made a UNANIMOUS vote of approval on agenda item 5.A.2.
Vote: 5 - 0 -Unanimously
Attachments:
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:
The Court did not proceed into Closed Session - agenda item 6.
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:
The Court did not proceed into Closed Session - agenda item 6.
A.
Real Estate Acquisition
Reference agenda item 8.A.
Reference agenda item 8.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 priviledge under the authority of the Open Meetings Act Section 551.071, Government Code.
Reference agenda item 8.B.
Reference agenda item 8.B.
C.
Consultation with Legal Counsel regarding Legal Action due to emergency situation
Reference agenda item 8.C.
Reference agenda item 8.C.
7.
A. Requesting exemption from competitive bidding requirements under the Texas Local Government Code, Section 262.024(A) (4) "a Professional Service" for the "provision of legal services/representation in connection with litigation."
B. Engagement with the firm of _________________________ for the "Provision of Legal Services/Representation in connection with Litigation" and authority to submit letter of engagement (subject to compliance with HB1295)
No action was taken on agenda items 7.A, nor on 7.B.
B. Engagement with the firm of _________________________ for the "Provision of Legal Services/Representation in connection with Litigation" and authority to submit letter of engagement (subject to compliance with HB1295)
No action was taken on agenda items 7.A, nor on 7.B.
8.
Open Session:
The Court did not proceed to Open Session - agenda item 8.
The Court did not proceed to Open Session - agenda item 8.
A.
Real Estate Acquisition and appropriation for same
No action was taken on agenda item 8.A.
No action was taken on agenda item 8.A.
B.
Pending and/or potential litigation
No action was taken on agenda item 8.B.
No action was taken on agenda item 8.B.
C.
Discussion, consideration and possible action regarding response to public health emergency
No action was taken on agenda item 8.C.
No action was taken on agenda item 8.C.
9.
Closed Session:
Commissioners Court may reconvene into Closed Session for the discussion regarding the agenda items listed
The Court did not proceed into Closed Session - agenda item 9.
Commissioners Court may reconvene into Closed Session for the discussion regarding the agenda items listed
The Court did not proceed into Closed Session - agenda item 9.
10.
Open Session:
Commissioners Court may reconvene into Open Session for the discussion regarding the agenda items listed
The Court did not proceed to Open Session - agenda item 10.
Commissioners Court may reconvene into Open Session for the discussion regarding the agenda items listed
The Court did not proceed to Open Session - agenda item 10.
11.
Adjourn (Audio Reference 19m:53s)
The Court motioned for approval to adjourn the meeting at 10:21 A.M.
On motion by COMMISSIONER PCT. 3, EVERARDO “EVER” VILLARREAL, seconded by COMMISSIONER PCT. 2, EDUARDO “EDDIE” CANTU, the Court made a UNANIMOUS vote of approval to adjourn the meeting.
Vote: 5 - 0 - Unanimously
The Court motioned for approval to adjourn the meeting at 10:21 A.M.
On motion by COMMISSIONER PCT. 3, EVERARDO “EVER” VILLARREAL, seconded by COMMISSIONER PCT. 2, EDUARDO “EDDIE” CANTU, the Court made a UNANIMOUS vote of approval to adjourn the meeting.
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 17th day of August, 2021
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 17, 2021.
Signed this 17th day of August 2021
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 17th day of August, 2021
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 17, 2021.
Signed this 17th day of August 2021
ATTEST:
ARTURO GUAJARDO, JR.
County Clerk and Ex-Officio Clerk
Of the Commissioners Court of
Hidalgo County
By: ____________________________
(Seal) Carolyn Thornton, Deputy