Thel Board of Commissioners for the City of Alamo, Texas met for the Regular Meeting held on Tuesday, January 16, 2024 at 6:00 p.m., at the City of Alamo Municipal Building.  COMMISSION: PRESENT: Mayor. J.R. Garza Okie Salinas, Mayor Pro-Tem Pete Moreles, Commissioner (Via Zoom) Roel Leonl Moreno. Jr., Commissioner Arturo "AJ" Garcia, Commissioner STAFF PRESENT: Robert] L. Salinas, City Manager Sergio Zavala, Planning Director Alicia Cano, HRI Director Julio Villareal, Public Works Director Roy Contreras, Fire Chief Adela Perez, Purchasing Agent Yvette Mendoza, Finance Director Lori Solis, Library Director Alejandro Oyoque, Museum Director  COMMISSION, ABSENT:  Alexandra Rangel, Assistant City Manager Rick Palacios, City Attorney Lya Yllades, Public Information Director Saul Solis, Interim Police Chief Sandra Chavez, Parks and Recl Director Michael Torres, ITI Director Ronnie Cruz, City Engineer Isauro' Trevino, AEDC Director Melissa Leal, Utilities Billing Supervisor  CALLI MEETINGTOORDER  Mayor. J.R. Garza called the regular meeting held on Tuesday. January 16, 2024 to order at 6:00 p.m. at the City of4 Alamo Municipal Building. City Manager Robert L. Salinas led the Pledge of  Allegiance and Pastor Tuttle ledi the Invocation. Presentation and Announcements  Commissioner AJ Garcia announced that PSJA will have a Miss Alamo Scholarship Pageant at Mayor Pro-Tem Okie Salinas announced that this Thursday. January 18, 2024 starting at 71 p.m. Palazzo. Event Center will be hosting "The Taste of4 Alamo" tickets are still available.  PSJA Memorial High School this upcoming February.  D. 2024. carried. E. Celebration Kear.  Consideration and Action to Approve the minutes for a regular meeting on January 2, Mayor Pro-Tem Okie Salinas motioned. to approve, Commissioner AJ Garcia seconded. Motion  Consideration and Action to Approve a Proclamation Honoring of Alamo' 's Centennial City Manger Robert L. Salinas announced. a video presentation of our Mayor JR. Garza inviting Mayor. J.R. Garzaz readi the Proclamation. Honoring City ofA Alamo' 's Centennial Celebration Year. City Manger. Robert. L. Salinas stated that the crowing, for Mrs. Wanda. Boush will have to be put on hold due to Ms. Boush being ill. She will be crowned once shej feels better. Mayor Pro-Tem Okie Salinas recognized the Centennial Committee that were present. Commissioner AJGarcia motioned: to approve, Mayor Pro-Tem Okie Salinas. seconded.. Motioned  everyone to be part of our Centennial Celebrations.  carried.    F. Consideration and Action to Appoint Alamo Police Chief.  Mayor. Pro-Tem Okie Salinas stated that) he would like to seek some legal council andj for the item Commissioner Roel Leon Moreno motioned to Appoint Saul Solis for Alamo Police Chief compensation to be decidedby City Administration, Commissioner. AJGarcia. seconded. Motioned  tog go to Executive Session.  carried.  Mayor. J.R. Garza congratulated our new. Alamo. Police Chief, Saul Solis Thursday. January 18, 2024 at 10a.m. in Alamo City Hall.  City Manager Robert L. Salinas announced that we will be having a Swearing in Ceremony this  G. Board.  Consideration and Action to Appoint members to the Keep Alamo Beautiful Committee Planning Director Sergio Zavala stated that Jamuary 2, 2024, the Board of Commissioners approved a new committee to be incorporated into Title 2 oft the City's Code of Ordinances, ie., 'Boards, Commissions and Committees! At this time, the Commission is to appoint the KABC. At  their first meeting, the KABC willi review the draft Bylaws. Mayor. JR. Garza motioned. to appoint Janie Morales Mayor. Pro-Tem Okie Salinas motioned to appoint Tom Moncivais Commissioner Roel Leon Moreno Jr. motioned to appoint Gloria Alvarez Commissioner AJ Garcia motioned: to appoint Kristina Espinoza Commissioner Pete Morales motioned. to appoint Leo Alvarado  Mayor Pro-Tem Okie Salinas motionedi to approve, Commissioner. Pete Morales seconded. Motion H. Consideration and Action to Appoint members to the Traffic Safety Committee Board. Planning Director Sergio Zavala stated that On January 2, 2024, the Board of Commissioners approved a new committee to be incorporated into Title 2 of the City's Code of Ordinances, ie., 'Boards, Commissions and Committees! At this time, the Commission is to appoint the Traffic Safet Committee (TSC). At their first meeting, the TSC will review the draft. Bylaws.  carried.  Mayor Pro-Tem Okie Salinas motioned to appoint Rick Write Commissioner Roel Leon Moreno. Jr motioned to appoint Armando Cano MayorJ.R. Garza motioned to appoint Gloria Espinoza Commissioner AJ Garcia motioned. to appoint Eric Gibson Commissioner Pete Morales motioned. to Appoint Maritza Gutierrez    Commissioner AJGarciai motionedi to approve, Mayor Pro-Tem Okie Salinas seconded. Motioned  carried. I.  Consideration and Action on an Ordinance to Amend Title 2 "Board  Commission and Committees Replacing the Advisory Committee. Board'in Chapter 7with the "Festival, Arts, Recreation and Entertainment (FARE) Committee, providing the following Planning Director Sergio Zavala stated that as requested on 1-12-24, to create an ordinance that creates the Festival, Arts, Recreation & Entertainment (FARE) Committee which includes policies to provide its intent and structure. Be advised that in 1995, an. Advisory Committee Board was established by the City Commission; however, viewing their lack of structure, this committee is  sections regarding the FARE.  being replaced by FARE. Regarding FARE, please see my comments below:  Deletes the dormant Advisory Committee Board  5members appointed for 3-year terms; requires residency & to be a qualified elector. Duties include discussing, assessing and recommending various cultural arts events, recreational activities, festivals, etc. to enhance the overall quality of life for all facets of Staff liaison will be the Public Information. Department and any assigned designee as staff Attached is a DRAFT set of Bylaws that FARE will entertain at their. first meeting afier Mayor Pro-Tem Okie Salinas motioned to approve, Commissioner AJGarcias seconded, Motioned  Alamo's population. support their appointment  FARE to1 review and adopt Bylaws to provide administrative structure.  carried. J.  Consideration and Action to rename. Ridge Rd. between Alamo Rd. and Tower Rd. City Manager Robert L. Salinas stated that we had a request submitted: to change the Ridge Rd. name between Alamo. Rd and Tower Rdi to Wolverine Way. Hei is requesting that ifthe request is approve to change the road name in an honorary state. It will still be name. Ridge Road or use Wolverine Way. The street signs will) have the name Ridge Road' and above that street sign will be Wolverine Way! This change will not affect the residents and or businesses in tha Commissioner AJGarcia motioned to approve, Mayor Pro-Tem Okie Salinas. seconded. Motion K. Consideration and Action to update the Emergency Management. Director/ Coordinator City Manager. Robert L. Salinas statedt that the Texas Department of Emergency Management Form 147 updates. Updates on City Emergency Contacts for State Emergency Management Personnel to make contact with the city for major weather events such as State disasters. Mayor Pro-Tem Okie Salinas statedi that) he would like for this upcoming, year to be a preparation year' for Assistant City Manager. Alexandra Rangel andi then take over next year 2025 as the new Mayor Pro-Tem Okie Salinas motioned: to approve, Commissioner AJ Garcia seconded. Motion  troad. carried.  for Texas Division of Emergency. Management (TDEM)  Emergency Management Director/ Coordinator.  carried.    Consideration and Action to Approve the Purchase ofa Breathing Air Compressor with a Fill Station and Cascade for the Alamo Fire Department on Collaboration with Fire City Manager Robert L. Salinas stated that The City of4 Alamo Fire Department was granteda total of830,000 by the Hidalgo County Fire DistrictNo. 4. The only cities that arej fundedi through this district are San. Juan, Alamo, and Donna. The district chose to give each city $30,000 for Fire equipment. The Alamo Fire Department needs a new breathing air compressor w/fill station and cascade which comes to at total of $58,084.58. This is a request for the remaining balance to be  Districtl No. 4  paid using City funds. The remaining balance is $28,084.58 Mayor Pro-Tem Okie Salinas askedi where the Compressor will be located? Fire Chief Roy Contreras answeredi that in Fire Station #1  Mayor Pro-Tem Okie Salinas motion to approve, Commissioner Roel Leon Moreno. Jr. seconded.  Motion carried. PUBLIC HEARING  Public Hearing Public Hearing to receive input regarding the application to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Community Facilities Program for the AEDC Director Isauro Trevino. stated that as per Mayor's instructions and working closely with the City Manager' 's Office, we are commencing the preparation and creation ofa Congressional Report via the Community Grants Program for District 15 on the consruction'removation of! New Police Station/Fire Stations. Our project is eligible under the USDA Community Facilities Program and its guidelines requires a public hearing to be held for public input. Public hearing Police Chief Saul Solis stated that the Police Department has outgrown the existing building and that they need more office space for staff storage space as well as renovations to name aj few needs. He is hoping that this new construction/ renovation becomes a reality blessing for tour Commissioner, AJGarcias statedi that AEDC Director Isauro Trevino is trying to. safe the city money  construction/renovation ofl New Police Station/Fire Stations  notice was publishedo OnJANUARYST  beloved City of Alamo. and help our community. PUBLICI HEARING purposes.  Public Hearing to receive input regarding the application to the Federal Emergency ManagementAgengy's (FEMA's).for Flood Mitigation Assistance for drainage improvements AEDC Director. Isauro Trevino stated that as per Mayor 's instructions and working closely with the City Manager' 's Office, we are commencing the preparation and creation ofa Congressional Report via the Community Grants Program for District 34 for Flood Mitigation. Assistance for drainage improvements purposes. Our project is eligible under the FEMA's Programs and its guidelines requires a public hearing to be held for public input. Public hearing notice was  published on. JANUARYSTH  City Engineer Ronnie Cruzj further explain the proposed project.  Mayor Pro-Tem Okie Salinas stated how this issue has been going on for a long time as well as  jis approval for this project.    Commissioner, AJ Garcia clarified to the public that) we are trying toj fix issues like this one for our M. Consideration and action on adopting written policies and procedures in alignment with 2CFR 200 Title 25 Subtitle A (Office of1 Management and Budget Guidance for Grants and Agreements) Chapter IIj for Hidalgo County compliance fOrARPA Funded. Street Overlay Projects including but not limited to thej following: (1) Elhics/Professional. Conduct; (2) Conflict of Interest Policy; (3) PurchasingPocureme: (4). Segregation of Duties; and (5) AEDC Director Isauro Trevino. stated that The City of Alamo has been working with Precinct 1 to assist our community with $150,000 of Streets Overlay. Project using ARPA Funds. In order to be compliant with Hidalgo County Community, Service Agency, an ARPA Subrecipient Risk Assessment Tool questionnaire is required to be completed ands submitted for their review and approval. Risk Assessment Tool recommends mentioned above policies be in place before approval oft the project. In order to be compliant and maximize the $150,000 funds that has been allocated for the City of Alamo, the City Manager's Office is recommending approval of this Mayor JR. Garza motioned. to approve, Mayor Pro-Tem Okie Salinas seconded. Motion carried. N. Presentation of the 2023 Annual Report regarding the City's Right-of-Way Conveyance. Process and Policy as required by. Section 7-1-4(A)(3) oft the City's Code of Planning Director Sergio Zavala stated that Alamo has aj protocol when property owners request to buy (surplus) city ROW. After assessing ift the proposed. sale will not inhibit the city's use ofit, then Management either approves or disapproves the request. The policy requires an annual report back to the Commission. Pursuant to Section 7-1-4 (A)(3) of the City's Surplus ROW Conveyance Process andl Policy, "It is further ordained that on all conveyance applications, the City Manager's office shall submit an annual report to the Board ofCommissioners with Staff's specifiedj justifications to either approve or deny the request. The report, reflecting full transparency and accountability, shall be provided within the first quarter of each calendar year at ai regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners. Ifthere are no requests for partial ROW conveyance in the previous reporting. year, then Management. shall so indicate this in) his/her annual report.' "In 2023, there were 2 applications from neighboring property owners. Both O. Discussion and Possible. Action on an Ordinance to Amend, Section 7-1-4 (A)(3) to allow the City Manager the option to appoint a 'Designee' to Prepare/Present. the Annual Report on applications under the City's ROW Conveyance. Process and Policy Planning Director Sergio Zavala. stated that in Planning's reflection of how toj possibly improve this 2021 policy, we discerned that the City Manager's Office may be too occupied in other personnel or administrative matters; especially at the outset ofe each calendar. year. Tol help in this time-sensitive reporting process, Planning determined that amending the code to allow the option to the City Manager to appoint a designee to help him/her prepare/present this Mayor Pro-Tem Okie Salinas motioned: to approve, Commissioner AJ Garcia seconded. Motion  belovedc city.  Monitoring the use ofs grantfunds.  item.  Ordinances  applications were approved byl Management.  annual report may be prudent.  carried. P.  Presentation of Annual Report of Preceding Year's Events Authorized by the City City Manager Robert L. Salinas stated that as per our Civic Use of Public. Facilities ordinance, the City Manager is required to give an annual report regarding the events that were permitted using the City's facilities. There were only. 3 events ofv which one oft them was canceled due to weather issues. There were no issues and or concerns with the other two events that took place in  Manager Utilizing City Facilities  The Central. Park.    Commissioner. Pete Morales Stated toi make sure that business get notify when events are Q. Consideration and Action Regarding the Approval of an Entertainment Mayor Pro-Tem Okie Salinas stated that! he would like tos seek legal council for this item. Mayor. J. R. Garza announced. that at 7:171 they have returned from Executive session. Commissioner. AJ Garcia motioned. to approve the entertaimment contract andj for the City Manager Robert L. Salinas to start the negotiation with Bobby Pulido! 's representatives, Commissioner. Pete Morales seconded. Mayor Pro-Tem Okie Salinas motioned to dissent.  scheduled.  the 20241 Watermelon. Festival.  Contractfor  MayorJ.R. Garza stated that at 6:40 they will go tO executive session  Motion carried.  R. Presentation of Departmental Reports No comments or concerns. Commission. Noc citizen participation  CITIZEN PARTICIPATION: Five minutes per person with no response from the  City  Residents must sign up prior to the city meeting.  I.  ADJOURNMENT  Citizens are encouraged tos sign the attendance sheet.  There being noj further business, MayorJR. Garza adjourned the meeting at 7:21PM  FL  ATTEST:  City Manager  SNb