Minutes ofJ June 16, 2020 Pagel 1  Thel Board of Commissioners fort the City of Alamo, Texas met for the Second Regular Meeting on Tuesday, June 16, 2020 at 7:00p.m, at the City of Alamo Municipal Building.  COMMISSION: PRESENT: Mayor Dianal Martinez Robert Del La Garza, Mayor Pro-Tem Okie Salinas, Commissioner Pilar Garza, Commissioner Petel Morales, Commissioner STAFF PRESENT: Robert L. Salinas, City Manager Rick Palacios, City Attorney Alexandra Rangel, City Secretary Richard Ozuna, Police Chief Roy Contreras, Fire Chief Rafael Tapia, AEDCI Director  COMMISSION, ABSENT:  I.  CALL MEETING TO ORDER and Cris Palacios led the Invocation. C.Presentation: and Announcements  Mayor Diana Martinez called the regular meeting held on Tuesday, June 16, 2020t to order at 7:00 p.m. at the City ofAlamo Municipal Building. Mayor Diana Martinez ledi the Pledge ofAllegiance  Mayor Diana Martinez asked Chief Ozuna how many cases do we have currently Chief Ozuna responded we currently we have 151 within the city results, my question is how are we monitoring these individuals?  Mayor Diana Martinez stated she received a call this morning ofaj family of 10 and pending ChiefOzunai responded with the updated budget we will have funds for officers toj provide officers overtime toy monitor these individuals to help. We have al list oft the individuals that tested positive City Manager. Robert Salinas statedt to. specify through as grant by the state we are givenj fundsj just Commissioner, Pete Morales askedi ifthe officers have tos signaf form tonot disclose any information ChiefOzunan respondedn no, sincei it'safé federal Lawi through HIPPA not to disclose any information D. Consideration and action to approve the minutes fort the first regular meeting of. June 02, Commissioner Pete Morales motioned to approve, and Commissioner Pilar Garza seconded. E. Updated Mayoral Declaration ofLocal State ofl Disaster Due to Public Health  which is confidential for COVID purposes.  2020. Motion carried. Emergency.  City Manager Robert Salinas stated the diffèrence is based on Governor Abbots Order GA26, basically giving certain limits to businesses. For example, on religious services and local government, as for gathering do not exceed more than 500 people and must be approved by the Mayor. Thej following outdoor stablis'mentsenues shall operate at noi more than 50 percent of  thez normal operating limits as determined by the owner: Professional, collegiate, or similar sporting events  1)  2) Swimming pools 3) Water. Parks    Minutes ofJ June 16,2020 Page2 2 4) Museums and libraries 6) Rodeos occupancy.  5) Zoos, aquariums, natural caverns, and. similar facilities; and  Barbershops, cosmetologists, nail salons, and tanning salons may also open at 50 percent The only ones who will increase are dine-in restaurants that have less than. 51 %! percent of their gross receipts from the sale of alcohol. Ifit's a true restaurant then they can operate at d75% occupancy. Schools are still closed; nursing homes are. still closed other than that is it. We have heard about other cities doing curfew, but we willl leave our order to mirror to Governor Abbotts.  Mayor Diana Martinez asked the time of Missions curfew City Manager Robert Salinas responded from 12am-5am Mayor Diana Martinez asked is this targeting parties  City Manager Robert Salinas responded he believes SO, Ibelieve it targets the bars and parties Chief Roy Contreras provided an update on the nursing home, all patients have been moved back  tot their room.  Mayor Diana. Martinez stated she has seen many individuals without masks  City Manager. Robert Salinas responded the masks are not required, but iti is up to the business to  require them.  Commissioner Pete Morales asked the status on the baseball fields been utilized  City Manager Robert Salinas responded we will open the tennis courts soon, we can look into Commissioner Pete Morales stated in McAllen there are banners stating social distancing and City Manager Robert Salinas responded later in this meeting we will discuss signage throughout Commissioner Pete Morales. statedi in San. Juan are limiting the amount ofkids per coach, he asked  opening them up. capacity the city  the City Attorney does the city) have al liability  City Attorney Cris Palacios responded no, as long they arej following, your rules Commissioner Pete Morales asked do they have to signaform City Attorney Cris Palacios responded you can  Mayor. Pro-Tem Robert De La Garza motioned to approve, and Commissioner Pete Morales F. Consideration and action to enter into an interlocal agreement with the County of City Manager Robert Salinas stated Iams sure many ofs you all have heard regarding, funding from the county ini regards ofthe CARES Act, this agreement has been issued by the county. The county stated this agreement is to obtain funding, funding will be reimbursed. after purchase. They are utilizing the population estimate of 19,910 from. July 2019. Once the agreement along with the budget are approved, they willj forwarda 20% per capita amount. The county has  seconded. Motion Carried.  Hidalgo in regards to the CARES. Act.    Minutes ofJ June 16, 2020 Page3  submittedi instructions on the application, this was, given to us on. June I1h it will be ai lot of City Manager Robert Salinas continued to state, currently but we have to indicate COVID related, for example signage. He stated he has been in communication with other cities regarding how they wills spendi the money, one thing he proposed ifall the cities submit a similar proposal it) will be difficult for the county to reject it. The budget has 60 different categories medical expenses, public health expenses, payroll, expenses of actions toj facilitate compliance with COVID-19, expenses associated: with economic support in connection with COVID19, and Mayor Diana. Martinez asked ifv we approve this today can we. submit invoices already?  paper work but all the cities are ini the same boat.  any other COVID-19, related to the function of government. City Manager Robert Salinas responded that is correct money be used for the glass and! plexi glass?  Commissioner Pete Morales asked ifhe can give them a recap on1 what has been spent, can this City Manager. Robert Salinas responded that is correct, we are finding ways to prevent as much physical contact with customers. For example, using technology such as zoom meetings and Commissioner Okie Salinas stated it was mentioned: this will consist of more paper work, will City Manager Robert Salinas responded Idon' 't2 believe extra personnel is needed but it will burden us a little, this will be added on towards COVID. Ihave not heard any staff yet ask for more help. We have been doing the paper work very early on, which we are as step ahead. The  thermal temperature readings.  this be ani issue to our staff will this take extra personnel?  first submission will be the biggest we can get after that will be minor. Commissioner Pete Morales asked what are we doing for our City Secretary  City Manager Robert Salinas responded as much as possible we are minimizing public contact. Commissioner Okie Salinas asked have we come across anyone not wanting to wear ai mask Mayor Diana Martinez. stated shej just receiveda call from Mr. Eddie Olivarez and now has Mayor Pro-Tem Robert De La Garza motioned to approve, and Commissioner Pete Morales G.Consideration and action to approve the City of Alamo COVID-19: Budget. City Manager Robert Salinas stated this form was created by Palmview's, Michael Leo who is the City Manager and) he is familiar with county. forms. As we go through Public. Health, Ihave listed the amount utilized and proposed utilized for the last 3 months for example; thermal biometrics, cameras for parks, disinfectants, building modifications, inj payroll expenses, city attorneyfees. Next is payroll expenses this will bej for PD, FD officers and employee repurposed. We have included medical expenses for our employees to get tested, but Alicia has stated TML does cover the testing. Remote technology has been added to provide all department. heads with as surface proj for zoom meetings. Ididi meet withs someone to provide wifi, they can do it inj parks such as al hots spot or such as antennas and can reach a mile long, roughly it will be $300,000.1 will be approaching the county ifthey are still moving, forward with wifi initiative and we can  The majority is through phone calls.  City Manager Robert Salinas responded everyone has been cooperative reported. 1401 new cases ini the county and 9 cases in Alamo  seconded. Motion Carried.  piggy back.    Minutes ofJ June 16, 2020 Page 4 partner with us. already  Mayor Diana Martinez asked have we reached out to the. school district and see ifthey will City Manager. Robert Salinas responded we have not, Iknow Donna. ISD with working with them Commissioner Pete Morales asked can some ofthe money be utilized for translators City Manager Robert Salinas responded that will be difficult toj justify through the COVID. side. City Manager. Robert Salinas respondedIbelieve the commissioner is asking in general for the public. The next item is for economic. support it the next item on the agenda as well. Basically 25% of8132 per capita whichi is $651,882, that's 25%. Total is. 3.81 million, which is al little over Commissioner Pete Morales motioned. to approve and Mayor Pro-Tem. Robert De La Garza H.Consideration and: action on a rental, mortgage and small business assistance program City Manager Robert Salinas stated he advise Mr. Rafael Tapia to create a proposal to help our community with rental, mortgage and. small business assistance. Before when the city was allocated 880 per capita, the county had. set aside money to utilize for this program but since they went up, it was removed now the city is responsible for the program. Mr. Tapia stated the purpose oft the COVID-19/ Assistance Recovery Program ("CARP"or "Program"? is to assist int the recovery, from financial hardship due to the adverse economic impact as az result of Federal, state, county and local government eforts to protect the public  Mayor Diana Martinez asked is that! part oft the county  buti iti is better to be over thant under. seconded. Motion carried.  for) business and citizens affected by COVID-19.  from the COVID-191 Pandemic. Objective 1:  To assist Alamo. residents with financial assistance fori rent/mortgage, payments  Objective 2: To assist Alamo small businesses withj financial assistance for operating expenses. Mayor Diana Martinez askedi what about the individuals who applied through the government Mr. Tapiai responded thati is up to the commission, for example the City of Weslaco started the program with $2,000 and gave $5,0001 to nonessential business addition to their loan.  We are expecting over. 1,000 applicants  Section. 2  This program is being created by the City ofAlamo, Hidalgo County, Texas. As such CARP falls a) The Commission. shall have the right to establish and amend these program policies b) The Commission, shall have the right to establish ar review process for award of financial c) The Commission shall have the right to appoint a program manager or program  under the authority oft the City of Alamo Commission ("Commission".  assistance under this program.  management team to manage the program.    Minutes ofJ June 16,2020 Pages  d) The Commission. shall have the right to determine final approval ofo an award or to delegate this authority to another party such as a program review board  Program Management  The daily program management of the CARP shall be the responsibility oft the Program Manager. The Program. Manager shall be designated by the City Commission or aj program review board acting on behalfo oft the City Commission. The Program Manager shall be  responsible, for: b) d) e) A g) h) Section. 3 a)  a) Marketing the Program  Explaining the Program to prospective applicants c) Providing prospective applicants with application materials  Reviewing and analyzing submitted application for completeness and eligibility Ensuring eligible applications go through the review process in a proper fashion  Supervise the distribution offunds Maintenance of Program, files  Monitoring and reporting on the progress oft the Program  Applicants must reside within the City of Alamo city limits  b) Applicant must provide proofofresiding in qualify location on or before March. 1, 2020 c) Applicant must demonstrate need for assistance (.e. loss ofjob, laid off reduce time, loss  ofincome, etc.) d) e) f  Qualifving location must be the applicants primary place ofresidence Only one award per qualifying location will be allotted  Applicants can: submit for up to three months ofi mortgages or rents with a maximum of $5,000, after thinking of this Ibelieve its should be 41 months. Ifsomeone hadd ai rent of8900a Commissioner Pete Morales asked is this only for those behind on their rent? Mr. Tapia responded since itis ai working progress it is up to the commission on how to  month then they will be short oft the maximum.  distribute thej funds.  Commissioner Pete Morales asked what ifthey did pay the rent?  Mr. Tapia responded perhaps they did, but to do so they gave up something along the way to City Manager. Robert Salinas stated for example they paid the rent, but perhaps that owner Commissioner Pete Morales asked ify you are a business owner but do not live in Alamo, do they Mr. Tapiar responded this one is just) for residents, but there is one for business owners. He  make up the rent  misseda a car payment or groceries just to make a payment on time.  count continued:    Minutes ofJ June 16, 2020 Page6 6 less eligible  g) Qualifying applicants will be limited to households earning a combined $60,000/year of City Manager. Robert Salinas stated that is both combined ift the husband and wife work they are Mayor Diana Martinez asked about as single personj for $30,000 will they qualif  Mr. Tapial responded) yes, he continued:  h) Applications will be approved on thej first come basis and while funds remain available.  Application Documents a). Application Form b) W-9 Form c) d) etc.) Section 4 operating expenses. a)  Proof fofresidency (Water Bill, Driver License, ID Card, etc.)  Proof of need (Letter lerminationfulough TWC letter qualifying for unemployment,  e) 2019 or 2018 income tax return  This section describes the eligibility, for applications seeking assistance for small business  Business must be located within the City of Alamo city limits  b) Business must be located in a commercial. setting (ie.) freestanding commercial building, shopping center/plaza, office complex, etc.); home-based businesses will not be considered Business must be in good standing with the City, compliant with City codes and  c) ordinances d) e) Status)  h)  Business must be current on all property ands sales tax due  Business must be engaged in business that is legal under City and State Law (Franchise Business must be an established. business with ai minimum of6c of operations  g) Business must be locally owned and operated  Business must have been in business in the City of Alamo on or before March 1, 2020  Eligible Use ofl Funds  Commercial Operating Expenses; this includes but is not limited toj payroll, commercial  mortgage/rent, utilities, supplies, inventory, etc.  a) Application Form b) W-9. Form  c) Proofo ofl Business Ownership and Good Standing (franchise status, business permit, etc)  d)  Proof of Business Location (Certificate ofOccupancy lease agreement)    Minutes ofJ June 16, 2020 Page7  e) Sample of Expenses to be paid (payroll record, utility payment, receipt of commercial  mortgage/rent, invoices, etc.) Section 5 Review Process  a)  Applications are. submitted: to the Alamo Economic Development Corporation  b) Only completed applications will be considered  c) Applications will be considered on af first come basis and while funds remain available e) EARC wills select applications for consideration and final approval by [Program Review A [Program Review. Board/City Commission) will have final approval/ denial on applications From application submission toj funding process. should take approximately 30 to 45 days g) Applications are. submitted. to the Alamo EDC by predetermined deadline Review committee vetted applications shall proceed to al lottery pool j) Program Review Boards shall select applications via lottery selection until funds are exhausted; no later than. 15 days from) predetermined. deadline. Commissioner Pete Morales stated when you do your presentations on the monthlyreports, you  d) Applications will be review by the AEDC project review committee  Board/City Commission)  or  h) Applications reviewed for completeness and eligibility  can give us updates on the monthly reports.  Mr. Tapia responded well these applicants will go through the commission  City Manager Robert Salinas we are going to set it up where people are applying through the EDC and bring it forth to the commission, for approval. My question is what type ofinformation Mr. Tapia. stated) he can present an excel sheet with the company name and aj few details, once the details become finalized it will bey presented to the EDC board afterwards it1 will be presented  is the commission wanting to be presented?  tot the commission.  Mayor Diana Martinez asked will this information be on the EDC website  Mr. Tapiai responded we will post the Advance and Valley Business Report, as well we have a  call list to ask to spread the word.  Commissioner Okie Salinas askedi is this lottery orj first come first serve Mr. Tapia responded right now it'saf first come firsts serve Commissioner Okie Salinas stated because iti is highlighted: in the document  City Manager. Robert Salinas responded the highlighted; portions are the questions Mr. Tapia  had.  Mr. Tapia stated this is up to the commission, this is still upj for review  Commissioner Pete Morales motioned to approve, and Commissioner Pilar Garza seconded.  Motion carried.    Minutes of] June 16, 2020 Page8   Consideration and: action on an emergency collapse sewer line repair on FM9071 between City Manager Robert Salinas stated on. June 3th, we received. several complaints regarding sewer issues from residents.. Itturned out it was al large. sewer: stoppage along our 18" sewer main line on Alamo Rd. from Crockett Ave. to Ellis Ave. After further investigation, wej found large amounts of debris caused by broken manhole covers that were left in the sewer line. Due to the depth oft the line and the amount of sewage building up in the system, we contacted, Saenz Brothers to remove the debris using required. sqfety masks for confined spaces. They ended up clearing out debris from three different manholes. The total cost for this project was $19,000. Mayor Diana Martinez stated the employees have been out there since. 5am, and she received Commissioner Pete Morales motioned to approve, and Commissioner Oscar Salinas seconded.  Crockett St: and Ellis Ave.  This itemi is before you. since the costs to repair was over $15,000.  several calls to thank the workers  Motion carried.  J.C Consideration and: action to approvea Census commercial by Maverick Media. City Manager. Robert Salinas stated he asked Gilbert to do a census commercial, He mentioned thati it would be $2,700 per month) for the next three months ($8,100) and another $1,500to produce the commercial for a total of89,600. In reviewing the existing contract, we have with Maverick Media there is still $3,0000 available. Ifthe wishes ofthe Commission are to move forward with the Census commercial, Iwould need an approval oft the additional $6,500. Mayor Diana Martinez. stated we are at a 38%1 response rate, Ihave also seen the Royal Court produce a video and Ithanked: them. She asked Gilbert, doy you think this will help? Mayor Pro-Tem Robert De La Garza asked ift there is $3,000 available and the bill $9,600,  Mr Gilbert Saenz responded) yes shouldn'tit be $6,600 instead of $6,500.  City Manager. Robert Salinas responded Ijust rounded off on the amount  Commissioner Pete Morales motioned to approve, and Commissioner Pilar Garza seconded. K.Consideration and action to approve the 2020 population estimate for wrecker services. City Manager Robert Salinas statedi in the past) few weeks we have received great interest regarding our wrecker service list. From what Iunderstand, iti is due to the upcoming U.S. Census numbers and the increase in our population. Ini looking into how many ofwrecker companies can be placed on rotation, the last time it was updated was in 2010. According toi the July, 2019 Census Estimates for the City of Alamo, there were a total of 19,910 people within our City, an 8.4%i increase from April, 2010. Using the same formula on aj yearly average, the population from. July, 2019 to. July, 20201 is estimated to be 20,077. 20,000 inj population allows for at total of1 101 wreckers to be oni rotation. According to the PD, there are currently 81 wreckers on rotation-see wrecker's list. This allows 2 additional wreckers to be placed int the list, he asked  Motion carried.  Chief! Richard Ozuna ift there are two applicants. Chief Richard Ozuna responded thati is correct Mayor Diana Martinez do they have their ownj facility    Minutes of] June 16, 2020 Page9  City Manager Robert Salinas respondedy yes, that is required by the state; they need to have a  vehicle storage facility.  Mayor Diana Martinez asked Chief Ozuna ifeveryone complies  Chiefl Richard Ozuna respondedj yes, Ihave a designated officer who checks in a monthly and  quarterly basis  Mayor Diana Martinez who are the new 21 wreckers  Chief Richard Ozuna responded Towing Express and the other is Auto. Rescue  Commissioner Oscar Salinas motioned to approve, and Commissioner Pete Morales seconded. L. Consideration and action for: a change order toi increase the capacity of the electrical City Manager Robert Salinas stated we received a letter from George Garcia in regards to the Youth Center A/C project. Apparently, there isai need to increase the capacity oft the electrical systemj for the new equipment. A new 75Kva step down transformer and a new 208/3 phase panel needt to be added to the project. The contractor has submitted a quote for the transformer in the amount of87,800. According to George there is al betterment allowance that was budgeted into the project for cases like this that could be utilized for this transformer upgrade. The betterment allowance isi in the dmount of82,000. Ifwe utilize the $2,000 allowance, we would still have a remaining balance of85,800.00.. Since this is an increase to the project budget, we are looking for approval for the remaining 85,800 cost to complete the A/C project. Iwant to make sure the funding is still available since the project was not underfunded, and we do not have to comeback Commissioner. Pete Morales motioned. to approve, and Commissioner Oscar Salinas seconded.  Motion carried.  system for the Alamo Youth Center A/C project.  again ini the next meeting. Motion Carried. PUBLICHEARING No citizen participation  Public Hearing on a re-zone from a C (Commercial District) to al R-1 (Single Family Dwelling District) physically located 1103 Nogal Ave., legally described asl Lot 2, Southwind M.Consideration and action on a re-zone from a C( (Commercial District) to a R-1 (Single Family Dwelling District): physically located 11031 Nogal Ave., legally described as Lot2, City Manager. Robert Salinas stated the site is located approximately. 130' west of Alamo Rd. and on the south side of Nogal Ave. The applicant is currently attempting to refinance their home; however, the bank is requesting that the property be zoned properly, for a single family residential home. This area was part of the mass re-zoning the City did backi in 2009 along Alamo Rd. which convertedsevera. existing homes to commercial. The majority ofthe re-zoning had a depth of150' Staffs spoke to the applicant regarding his request to change the zone from Commercial to R-1 to try and convince them to simply apply for a conditional use permit for a single family home in a commercial zone which is permitted by code. However, the applicant stated that the bank was holding off on the refinancing of the home until they receive the actual change ofzone. Staffi is recommending. for the change to revert back to R-1 in order to allow the applicant to be able to refinance his home. This item was approved by the P&Z Commission on May 20,2020. Mayor Pro-Tem Robert De La Garza motioned to approve, and Commissioner Oscar Salinas  Subdivision forl Robert & Jennifer Rodriguez.  Southwind Subdivision for Robert & Jennifer Rodriguez.  from SH 495 south to Rancho Blanco Rd.  seconded. Motion Carried.    Minutes ofJ June 16, 2020 Page 10  CITIZEN PARTICIPATION: The city will be accepting public comments from 8am-5pm on the day of the meeting to be announced during the meeting. Email comments to rangelgalmotesasorg. Five minutes per person with no response from the City Commission.  Residents must sign up prior to the city meeting.  Commissioner. Pete Morales suggested. to promote this on the website  No citizen participation I. ADJOURNMENT  Citizens are encouraged to sign the attendance sheet.  There being noj further business, Mayor Diana Martinez adjourned the meeting at 8:11 pm  Aui Spaly  TTEST  psl