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Minutes for DD-REGULAR AGENDA SPECIAL MTG

SPECIAL MEETING - MARCH 17, 2026

BE IT REMEMBERED, that on this 17th day of March A.D., 2026, there was begun and held a SPECIAL MEETING of the Honorable Board of Directors 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
DRAINAGE DISTRICT 
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
MARCH 17, 2026
9:30 A.M.
                                          

NOTICE is hereby given in accordance with Chapter 551, Texas Government Code, that a SPECIAL MEETING of the Board of Directors 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 00m:03s)

Judge Richard F. Cortez called the meeting to order at 9:31 A.M.

All members of the Board were present at roll call, with the exception of Commissioner Everardo Villarreal and Commissioner Ellie Torres. Commissioner Everardo Villarreal was absent from the meeting.
 
2.
 
Prayer (Audio Reference 00m:18s)

General Manager of the Hidalgo County Drainage District No. 1, Raul Sesin, offered the prayer.
 
3.
 
Open Forum (Audio Reference 02m:15s)

There were no public participants for Open Forum.
 
4.
 
Approval of Consent Agenda (Audio Reference 02m:20s)

The Board proceeded to the Drainage District - Consent Agenda.

See Drainage District - Consent Agenda for the action taken.
 
5.
 
Discussion and update by HCDD1 General Manager as it relates to pending construction and HCDD1 projects. (Audio Reference 03m:24s)

General Manager of Hidalgo County Drainage District No. 1, Raul Sesin, provided an update on pending construction and ongoing HCDD1 projects. He also reported that he and Commissioner Fuentes will be traveling to Dallas at the end of the month to receive an ASC award for their Delta Reclamation Project, which also earned an honorable mention at the national level. Mr. Sesin and Commissioner Fuentes expressed their pride in the district’s accomplishments and the progress of its projects.
 
6.
 
General Operations:
 
A.
AI -102770
Approval of the 2026 Hidalgo County Drainage District No. 1 Investment Policy. (Audio Reference 05m:43s)

On motion by COMMISSIONER PCT. 1, DAVID FUENTES, seconded by COMMISSIONER PCT. 2, EDUARDO “EDDIE” CANTU, the Board made a UNANIMOUS vote of approval on agenda item 6.A.
                                          
Vote: 4 - 0 - Unanimously
 
B.
AI -102692
Requesting authority to advertise and approval of the RFB packet (i.e., requirements, specifications and plans, etc.) for the project ''Mayberry Rd to Glasscock Rd Phase II Drainage Improvements Project'', RFB No. HCDD1-26-008-04-08, including the re-advertisement of the project if no bids are received or rejected and project is still required. (Audio Reference 06m:26s)

On motion by COMMISSIONER PCT. 1, DAVID FUENTES, seconded by COMMISSIONER PCT. 4, ELLIE TORRES, the Board made a UNANIMOUS vote of approval on agenda item 6.B.
                                                          
Vote: 4 - 0 - Unanimously
 
C.
AI -102752
Requesting approval to accept bids to the most responsive and responsible bidder who meets or exceeds all bid specifications to SAMES McAllen Ford., for the "Purchase of (7) Pickup Trucks", RFB No. HCDD1-26-001-02-18-AG, with a total purchase amount of $394,617.00 for all the listed trucks below.
 
QUANTITY MODEL COST
(2) 2026 3/4 TON REGULAR CAB PICKUP TRUCK $89,578.00
(2) 2026 1 TON 4DR CAB & CHASSIS 4X4 $133,164.00
(2) 2026 1.5 TON EXT. CAB & CHASSIS DUALLY 4X4 $118,550.00
(1) 2026 1 TON REG CAB & CHASSIS DUALLY 4X4 $53,325.00
  TOTAL COST $394,617.00

(Audio Reference 06m:49s)

On motion by COMMISSIONER PCT. 1, DAVID FUENTES, seconded by COMMISSIONER PCT. 2, EDUARDO “EDDIE” CANTU, the Board made a UNANIMOUS vote of approval on agenda item 6.C.
                                          
Vote: 4 - 0 - Unanimously
 
7.
 
2018 Bond Referendum Projects:
 
A.
AI -102775
Requesting approval for entering an Agreement for Possession and use with Gabriel Aguirre Lugo, as it pertains to our 2018 Bond Hidalgo Drain Project, and authority for the Chairman of the Board to execute documents. (Audio Reference 07m:50s)

On motion by COMMISSIONER PCT. 1, DAVID FUENTES, seconded by COMMISSIONER PCT. 2, EDUARDO “EDDIE” CANTU, the Board made a UNANIMOUS vote of approval on agenda item 7.A.
                                          
Vote: 4 - 0 - Unanimously
Attachments:
 
B.
AI -102764
Phase 1 Flood Control Segment 21 - Budget 521
Approval of Application for Payment No. 2 in the amount of $100,980.00 from Gonzalez Engineering & Management pertaining to Construction Contract C-HCDD1-25-029-06-10 Phase 1 Flood Control Segment 21. Project Engineer Javier Hinojosa PO#651664 (Audio Reference 08m:06s)

On motion by COMMISSIONER PCT. 2, EDUARDO “EDDIE” CANTU, seconded by COMMISSIONER PCT. 1, DAVID FUENTES, the Board made a UNANIMOUS vote of approval on agenda item 7.B.

Vote: 4 - 0 - Unanimously
Attachments:
 
8.
 
2023 Bond Referendum Projects:
 
A.
AI -102765
Panchitas Outfall -Budget 706
1. Approval of Application for Payment No. 1 in the amount of $197,482.50 from Synergy Development & Construction pertaining to Construction Contract C-HCDD1-25-037-09-30 Panchitas Outfall. Project Engineer HCDD1 Omar Anzaldua, Jr., PE, CFM. PO#651829

Reference Agenda Item 8.A.2., for action taken.

Pharr McAllen West - Budget 709
2. Approval of Application for Payment No. 6 in the amount of $20,481.95 from Construx Enterprises pertaining to Construction Contract C-HCDD1-25-013-04-15 Pharr McAllen West. Project Engineer Izaguirre Engineering Group PO#650877 (Audio Reference 08m:25s)

On motion by COMMISSIONER PCT. 1, DAVID FUENTES, seconded by COMMISSIONER PCT. 4, ELLIE TORRES, the Board made a UNANIMOUS vote of approval on agenda items 8.A.1&2.
                                                          
Vote: 4 - 0 - Unanimously
 
West Main Drain III Extension- Budget 714
3. Approval of Application for Payment No. 3 in the amount of $247,354.92 from Renoworks pertaining to Construction Contract C-HCDD1-24-058-11-06 West Main Drain III Extension. Project Engineer B2Z Engineering PO#650376 (Audio Reference 08m:58s)

Commissioner David Fuentes abstained from any discussion and/or action regarding Agenda Item 8.A.3.

On motion by COMMISSIONER PCT. 4, ELLIE TORRES, seconded by COMMISSIONER PCT. 2, EDUARDO “EDDIE” CANTU, the Board made a UNANIMOUS vote of approval on agenda item 8.A.3.

Vote: 3 - 0 – Unanimously

West Main Drain III Phase 1 - Budget 714
4. Approval of Application for Payment No. 9 in the amount of $125,324.35 from E-Con Group pertaining to Construction Contract C-HCDD1-24-061-12-17 West Main Drain III Phase 1. Project Engineer L&G Engineering PO#650460

Reference Agenda Item 8.A.9, for action taken.

PD Lateral Extension 4 - Budget 715
5. Approval of Application for Payment No. 5 in the amount of $262,068.30 from Synergy Development & Construction pertaining to Construction Contract C-HCDD1-25-015-06-24 PD Lateral Extension 5. Project Engineer Izaguirre Engineering Group PO#651274

Reference Agenda Item 8.A.9, for action taken.

Raymondville Drain - Budget 010
6. Payment approval of Invoice No. 17 2025 RD in the amount of $80,304.39 from Hidalgo County Precinct 4 pertaining to work performed on Raymondville Drain for Pay Period 17 2025.

Reference Agenda Item 8.A.9, for action taken.

7. Payment approval of Invoice No. 21 2025 RD in the amount of $76,734.03 from Hidalgo County Precinct 4 pertaining to work performed on Raymondville Drain for Pay Period 21 2025.

Reference Agenda Item 8.A.9, for action taken.

8. Payment approval of Invoice No. 22 2025 RD in the amount of $71,887.93 from Hidalgo County Precinct 4 pertaining to work performed on Raymondville Drain for Pay Period 22 2025.

Reference Agenda Item 8.A.9, for action taken.

9. Payment approval of Invoice No. 2326-2025 RD in the amount of $111,524.94 from Hidalgo County Precinct 4 pertaining to work performed on Raymondville Drain for Pay Periods 23, 25, and 26 of 2026. (Audio Reference 09m:28s)

On motion by COMMISSIONER PCT. 1, DAVID FUENTES, seconded by COMMISSIONER PCT. 4, ELLIE TORRES, the Board made a UNANIMOUS vote of approval on agenda items 8.A.4-9.
                                                          
Vote: 4 - 0 - Unanimously
 
9.
 
Budget Amendments:
 
A.
AI -102774
Request approval of a Budget amendment to transfer funds from Fund 130, received from the city of McAllen into the Capital Projects Construction Fund (137) for the Mayberry and Glasscock Project. (Audio Reference 11m:02s)

On motion by COMMISSIONER PCT. 1, DAVID FUENTES, seconded by COMMISSIONER PCT. 2, EDUARDO “EDDIE” CANTU, the Board made a UNANIMOUS vote of approval on agenda item 9.A.
                                          
Vote: 4 - 0 - Unanimously
 
10.
 
Right of Way Acquisitions:
 
A.
AI -102766
Requesting approval for entering an Agreement for Possession and use with Lien Yoder and Santo Rodriguez, as it pertains to our Mayberry & Glasscock Drainage Improvement Project, and authority for the Chairman of the Board to execute documents. (Audio Reference 11m:16s)

On motion by COMMISSIONER PCT. 1, DAVID FUENTES, seconded by COMMISSIONER PCT. 2, EDUARDO “EDDIE” CANTU, the Board made a UNANIMOUS vote of approval on agenda item 10.A.
                                          
Vote: 4 - 0 - Unanimously
 
B.
AI -102759
1. Requesting approval of closing documents for Parcel 2 as it relates to the Mayberry & Glasscock Drainage Improvement Project and authority for the Chairman of the Board to execute documents, pending final legal review. (Audio Reference 12m:42s)

On motion by COMMISSIONER PCT. 1, DAVID FUENTES, seconded by COMMISSIONER PCT. 2, EDUARDO “EDDIE” CANTU, the Board made a UNANIMOUS vote of approval on agenda item 10.B.1., pending final legal review.
                                          
Vote: 4 - 0 - Unanimously

The Board proceeded to Agenda Item 13.

2. Approval of payment and issuance of a manual check to Valley Land Title Co. for $41,400.00 upon execution of closing documents. (Audio Reference 11m:36s)

On motion by COMMISSIONER PCT. 1, DAVID FUENTES, seconded by COMMISSIONER PCT. 4, ELLIE TORRES, the Board made a UNANIMOUS vote of approval on agenda item 10.B.2.
                                                          
Vote: 4 - 0 - Unanimously
Attachments:
 
11.
 
Closed Session: (Audio Reference 11m:50s)
Board of Directors may go into Closed Session pursuant to Subchapter D of Chapter 551 of the Texas Government Code to discuss the following:

The Board proceeded into Closed Session with a vote of approval at 9:44 A.M.

On motion by COMMISSIONER PCT. 1, DAVID FUENTES, seconded by COMMISSIONER PCT. 2, EDUARDO “EDDIE” CANTU, the Board made a UNANIMOUS vote of approval to proceed into Closed Session.

Vote: 4 - 0 - Unanimously

No action was taken on Agenda Items 11.A-C, as they were items discussed in Closed Session.

Reference Agenda Items 12.A-C, for action taken.
 
A.
 
Real Property (Tex. Gov't Code 551.072)
 
B.
 
Personnel Matters (Tex. Gov't. Code 551.074)
 
C.
 
Consultation with Attorney Regarding:
a) Pending or Contemplated Litigation: b) a Settlement Offer: or c) a Matter in Which the Duty of the Attorney to the Hidalgo County Drainage District No. 1 under the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct of the State Bar of Texas Clearly Conflicts with Chapter 551 of the Texas Government Code (Tex. Gov't. Code 551.071)
 
12.
 
Open Session: (Audio Reference 12m:26s)

The Board returned from Closed Session at approximately 9:59 A.M.
 
A.
 
Possible Action of Real Estate Acquisition (Audio Reference 12m:30s)

Legal Counsel, Ivan Perez, recommended a motion to authorize Raul Sesin to proceed as discussed in Closed Session.

On motion by COMMISSIONER PCT. 1, DAVID FUENTES, seconded by COMMISSIONER PCT. 2, EDUARDO “EDDIE” CANTU, the Board made a UNANIMOUS vote of approval on agenda item 12.A.

Vote: 4 - 0 - Unanimously

The Board proceeded to Agenda Item 10.B.1.
 
B.
 
Possible Action on Pending and/or Potential Litigation

No action was taken on Agenda Item 12.B.
 
C.
 
Possible Action on items discussed during Closed Session

No action was taken on Agenda Item 12.C.
 
13.
 
Adjourn (Audio Reference 13m:00s)

Judge Cortez adjourned the meeting with a vote of approval at 10:00 A.M.

On motion by COMMISSIONER PCT. 4, ELLIE TORRES, seconded by COMMISSIONER PCT. 1, DAVID FUENTES, the Board 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 17th day of March, 2026

ARTURO GUAJARDO, JR., County Clerk
Hidalgo County, Texas


By: ______________________________
Daniela E. Zedillo-Hinojosa, Deputy


I, ARTURO GUAJARDO, JR., County Clerk attest that this is an accurate accounting of a proceeding of the Commissioners Court held on March 17, 2026.

Signed this 26th day of March 2026




ATTEST:
ARTURO GUAJARDO, JR.
County Clerk and Ex-Officio Clerk
Of the Commissioners Court of
Hidalgo County


By: ____________________________
(Seal) Daniela E. Zedillo-Hinojosa, Deputy