SPECIAL MEETING - JANUARY 30, 2024
BE IT REMEMBERED, that on this 30th day of January A.D., 2024, 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 JANUARY 30, 2024 9:30 A.M. |
|
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 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 06m:45s)
Commissioner Eduardo "Eddie" Cantu called the meeting to order at 9:41 A.M.
All members of the Court were present during the roll call.
Judge Cortez joined the meeting via videoconference.
Commissioner Eduardo "Eddie" Cantu called the meeting to order at 9:41 A.M.
All members of the Court were present during the roll call.
Judge Cortez joined the meeting via videoconference.
2.
Pledge of Allegiance (Audio Reference 07m:04s)
Commissioner Eduardo "Eddie" Cantu led the Court in the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance.
Commissioner Eduardo "Eddie" Cantu led the Court in the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance.
3.
Prayer (Audio Reference 07m:21s)
General Manager of the Hidalgo County Drainage District No. 1, Raul Sesin, offered the prayer.
General Manager of the Hidalgo County Drainage District No. 1, Raul Sesin, offered the prayer.
4.
Approval of Consent Agenda (Audio Reference 08m:18s)
The Court proceeded with the discussion and approval of the Consent Agenda.
See the consent agenda for the action taken.
The Court proceeded with the discussion and approval of the Consent Agenda.
See the consent agenda for the action taken.
5.
Open Forum (Audio Reference 09m:41s)
Public participant Laura Gutierrez came before the Court to express her concern with the damaging impact to the business community caused by the county's spending. Ms. Gutierrez also stated that the property value in the the county has prevented lending institutions from approving loans.
Jimmy Sanchez came before the Court to reiterate the statements given by Ms. Laura Gutierrez, and encouraged the Court to lower the property taxes in Hidaldo County.
Public participant Fern McClaugherty came before the Court to request an explanation for Agenda Item 23.A.3., from the previous meeting, as to why only the Monitor newspaper was being used for publishing of the public hearing for the Nonala Loop project. She also discussed Agenda Item 25.B., 26.B., and 26.D.1. Agenda Item 27.A.2., Ms. McClaugherty questioned who was paying the expenses for the new courthouse project. Furthermore Ms. McClaugherty requested information for Agenda Item 27.D.1.
The Court proceeded to Agenda Item 11 - Adjournment (Audio Reference 09m:18s)
Public participant Laura Gutierrez came before the Court to express her concern with the damaging impact to the business community caused by the county's spending. Ms. Gutierrez also stated that the property value in the the county has prevented lending institutions from approving loans.
Jimmy Sanchez came before the Court to reiterate the statements given by Ms. Laura Gutierrez, and encouraged the Court to lower the property taxes in Hidaldo County.
Public participant Fern McClaugherty came before the Court to request an explanation for Agenda Item 23.A.3., from the previous meeting, as to why only the Monitor newspaper was being used for publishing of the public hearing for the Nonala Loop project. She also discussed Agenda Item 25.B., 26.B., and 26.D.1. Agenda Item 27.A.2., Ms. McClaugherty questioned who was paying the expenses for the new courthouse project. Furthermore Ms. McClaugherty requested information for Agenda Item 27.D.1.
The Court proceeded to Agenda Item 11 - Adjournment (Audio Reference 09m:18s)
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.
No action was taken for 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.
No action was taken for Agenda Item 6.
A.
Real Estate Acquisition
Reference Agenda Item 7.A.
Reference Agenda 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 Agenda Item 7.B.
Reference Agenda Item 7.B.
7.
Open Session:
A.
Real Estate Acquisition and appropriation for same
No action was taken for Agenda Item 7.A.
No action was taken for Agenda Item 7.A.
B.
Pending and/or potential litigation
No action was taken for Agenda Item 7.B.
No action was taken for Agenda Item 7.B.
8.
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 for Agenda Items 8.A and 8.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 for Agenda Items 8.A and 8.B.
9.
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 9.
Commissioners Court may reconvene into Closed Session for the discussion regarding the agenda items listed
The Court did not proceed to 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 Agenda Item 10.
Commissioners Court may reconvene into Open Session for the discussion regarding the agenda items listed
The Court did not proceed to Agenda Item 10.
11.
Adjourn (Audio Reference 09m:18s)
Commissioner Eduardo "Eddie" Cantu adjourned the meeting with a vote of approval at 9:54 A.M.
On motion by COMMISSIONER PCT. 1, DAVID FUENTES, seconded by COMMISSIONER PCT. 4, ELLIE TORRES, the Court made a UNANIMOUS vote of approval to adjourn the meeting.
Vote: 5 - 0 – Unanimously
Commissioner Eduardo "Eddie" Cantu adjourned the meeting with a vote of approval at 9:54 A.M.
On motion by COMMISSIONER PCT. 1, DAVID FUENTES, seconded by COMMISSIONER PCT. 4, ELLIE TORRES, 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 30th day of January, 2024
ARTURO GUAJARDO, JR., County Clerk
Hidalgo County, Texas
By: ______________________________
Daniela E. Garza, Deputy
I, ARTURO GUAJARDO, JR., County Clerk attest that this is an accurate accounting of a proceeding of the Commissioners Court held on January 30, 2024.
Signed this 31st day of January 2024
ATTEST:
ARTURO GUAJARDO, JR.
County Clerk and Ex-Officio Clerk
Of the Commissioners Court of
Hidalgo County
By: ____________________________
(Seal) Daniela E. Garza, Deputy
Court, the meetings of the Commissioners Court and the
Drainage District #1 Board are now hereby adjourned.
Dated this the 30th day of January, 2024
ARTURO GUAJARDO, JR., County Clerk
Hidalgo County, Texas
By: ______________________________
Daniela E. Garza, Deputy
I, ARTURO GUAJARDO, JR., County Clerk attest that this is an accurate accounting of a proceeding of the Commissioners Court held on January 30, 2024.
Signed this 31st day of January 2024
ATTEST:
ARTURO GUAJARDO, JR.
County Clerk and Ex-Officio Clerk
Of the Commissioners Court of
Hidalgo County
By: ____________________________
(Seal) Daniela E. Garza, Deputy