REGULAR MEETING - FEBRUARY 27, 2023
BE IT REMEMBERED, that on this 27th day of February A.D., 2023, there was begun and held a REGULAR MEETING of the Honorable Commissioners’ Court of Hidalgo County, Texas, wherein the following members thereof were present, to-wit:
| HONORABLE DAVID FUENTES HONORABLE EDUARDO "EDDIE" CANTU HONORABLE EVERARDO "EVER" VILLARREAL HONORABLE ELLIE TORRES |
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 FEBRUARY 27, 2023 9:30 A.M. |
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NOTICE is hereby given in accordance with Chapter 551, Texas Government Code, that a REGULAR 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 551.127, NOTICE is hereby given that a physical quorum, including the presiding officer/member, will be present at the specified meeting location. Some members of the governing body and/or government officials may participate via videoconference.
Members of the public are encouraged to watch the meetings online, at: www.hidalgocounty.us/HClive
1.
Roll Call (Audio Reference :09s)
Commissioner Cantu called the meeting to order at 9:33 A.M.
All members of the Court were present during the roll call, except Commissioner Torres.
Commissioner Torres joined the meeting at a later time.
Commissioner Cantu called the meeting to order at 9:33 A.M.
All members of the Court were present during the roll call, except Commissioner Torres.
Commissioner Torres joined the meeting at a later time.
2.
Pledge of Allegiance (Audio Reference :24s)
Commissioner Villarreal led the Court in the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance.
Commissioner Villarreal led the Court in the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance.
3.
Prayer (Audio Reference :41s)
County Executive Officer, Valde Guerra, offered the prayer.
County Executive Officer, Valde Guerra, offered the prayer.
4.
Open Forum (Audio Reference 01m:20s)
There were no Open Forum participants.
Commissioner Torres joined the meeting at this time.
There were no Open Forum participants.
Commissioner Torres joined the meeting at this time.
5.
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 01m:30s)
The Court proceeded into closed session with a vote of approval at 9:35 A.M.
On motion by COMMISSIONER PCT. 1, DAVID FUENTES, seconded by COMMISSIONER PCT. 3, EVERARDO “EVER” VILLARREAL, the Court made a UNANIMOUS vote of approval to proceed into closed session.
Vote: 4 - 0 - Unanimously
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 01m:30s)
The Court proceeded into closed session with a vote of approval at 9:35 A.M.
On motion by COMMISSIONER PCT. 1, DAVID FUENTES, seconded by COMMISSIONER PCT. 3, EVERARDO “EVER” VILLARREAL, the Court made a UNANIMOUS vote of approval to proceed into closed session.
Vote: 4 - 0 - Unanimously
A.
Real Estate Acquisition
Reference agenda item 6.A.
Reference agenda item 6.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 agenda item 6.B.
Reference agenda item 6.B.
C.
Consultation with Legal Counsel regarding Legal Action due to emergency situation
No action was taken on agenda item 5.C, as it was a closed session agenda item.
No action was taken on agenda item 5.C, as it was a closed session agenda item.
D.
Pending/potential litigation - New Courthouse Construction
Reference agenda item 6.C.
Reference agenda item 6.C.
6.
Open Session: (Audio Reference 02m:38s)
The Court returned from closed session at 10:20 A.M., and proceeded to all agenda items under Open Session.
Commissioner Cantu did not return from closed session.
Valde Guerra presented all agenda items under Open Session.
The Court returned from closed session at 10:20 A.M., and proceeded to all agenda items under Open Session.
Commissioner Cantu did not return from closed session.
Valde Guerra presented all agenda items under Open Session.
A.
Real Estate Acquisition and appropriation for same (Audio Reference 02m:52s)
No action was taken on agenda item 6.A.
No action was taken on agenda item 6.A.
B.
Pending and/or potential litigation (Audio Reference 02m:59s)
No action was taken on agenda item 6.B.
No action was taken on agenda item 6.B.
C.
Discussion, consideration and action to pursue any and all claims and available remedies under New Courthouse Construction Contract(s) (Audio Reference 03m:07s)
Legal Counsel, Josephine Ramirez, stated that a motion was needed to proceed as discussed in executive session.
The Court proceeded with a vote of approval to proceed as discussed in executive session.
On motion by COMMISSIONER PCT. 3, EVERARDO “EVER” VILLARREAL, seconded by COMMISSIONER PCT. 4, ELLIE TORRES, the Court made a UNANIMOUS vote of approval on agenda item 6.C, as stated above.
Vote: 3 - 0 - Unanimously
Legal Counsel, Josephine Ramirez, stated that a motion was needed to proceed as discussed in executive session.
The Court proceeded with a vote of approval to proceed as discussed in executive session.
On motion by COMMISSIONER PCT. 3, EVERARDO “EVER” VILLARREAL, seconded by COMMISSIONER PCT. 4, ELLIE TORRES, the Court made a UNANIMOUS vote of approval on agenda item 6.C, as stated above.
Vote: 3 - 0 - Unanimously
7.
Closed Session:
Commissioners Court may reconvene into Closed Session for the discussion regarding the agenda items listed
The Court did not proceed to agenda item 7 - Closed Session.
Commissioners Court may reconvene into Closed Session for the discussion regarding the agenda items listed
The Court did not proceed to agenda item 7 - Closed Session.
8.
Open Session:
Commissioners Court may reconvene into Open Session for the discussion regarding the agenda items listed
The Court did not proceed to agenda item 8 - Open Session.
Commissioners Court may reconvene into Open Session for the discussion regarding the agenda items listed
The Court did not proceed to agenda item 8 - Open Session.
9.
Adjourn (Audio Reference 04m:00s)
Commissioner Fuentes adjourned the meeting with a vote of approval at 10:21 A.M.
On motion by COMMISSIONER PCT. 3, EVERARDO “EVER” VILLARREAL, seconded by COMMISSIONER PCT. 4, ELLIE TORRES, the Court made a UNANIMOUS vote of approval to adjourn the meeting.
Vote: 3 - 0 - Unanimously
Commissioner Fuentes adjourned the meeting with a vote of approval at 10:21 A.M.
On motion by COMMISSIONER PCT. 3, EVERARDO “EVER” VILLARREAL, seconded by COMMISSIONER PCT. 4, ELLIE TORRES, the Court made a UNANIMOUS vote of approval to adjourn the meeting.
Vote: 3 - 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 27th day of February 2023
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 February 27, 2023.
Signed this 27th day of February 2023
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 27th day of February 2023
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 February 27, 2023.
Signed this 27th day of February 2023
ATTEST:
ARTURO GUAJARDO, JR.
County Clerk and Ex-Officio Clerk
Of the Commissioners Court of
Hidalgo County
By: ____________________________
(Seal) Carolyn Thornton, Deputy