Page/118  CITY OF FORT STOCKTON, TEXAS  MINUTES OF: DATE OF MEETING: TIME OF MEETING: PLACE OF MEETING:  SPECIALJOINT CITY COUNCIL AND PECOS COUNTY  COMMISSIONERS COURT FEBRUARY 6, 2024 12:00 PM  PECOS COUNTY COURTHOUSE 103 W. CALLAGHAN FORT  STOCKTON, TX 79735  ROLL CALL WAS ANSWERED BY:  CITY COUNCIL: PAUL CASIAS, JAMES WARNOCK, RUBEN. J. BERNAL, PAUL JEROME  CHAVEZ, RUBEN FALCON, DARREN HODGES  PECOS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT:JOE SHUSTER, TOM CHAPMAN, ROBERT  GONZALES, MICKEY JACK PERRY,NATHAN REEVES  CITY MANAGER: CITY SECRETARY: CITY ATTORNEY: quorum present.  FRANK RODRIGUEZ III MARINA CANTU PUJA BOINPALLY  County Judge Joe Shuster called the Special Joint Meeting to order at 12:04 p.m. after declaring a  Pecos County Commissioner Mickey Jack Perry gave the invocation.  SPECIAL BUSINESS:  1. City Council to Convene in. Joint Special Session.  Mayor Paul Casias called the Special Joint Meeting to order at 12:05 p.m. after declaring a quorum  present.  2. Public Testimony There was not public testimony.  3. Discuss Water Solution for Rooney Park.    Page/119  Council Member Jerome Chavez suggested opening the 2 existing wells located at Rooney Park to  avoid utilizing R.O. Water to irrigate the park.  City Manager Frank Rodriguez III explained the purpose of the meeting was to discuss possible water solutions for Rooney Park as the existing agreement ends December of2025. Once this agreement ends  Pecos County is subject to pay water fees for irrigating the park.  Pecos County Judge Joe Shuster explained one of the options would be for the City to continue to provide water for the Park and Pecos County would continue to maintain the Park.  He explained in exploring their options it was estimated to cost approximately $500,000 to $750,000 to bring in two water wells for Rooney Park. This would require Pecos County to go through the Water  District to permit these wells.  He further explained it was the County's intention to keep the Small Community Hall, the Large Community Hall and the Swimming Pool on the R.O. Water. They would drill the wells to water the  park.  He explained the R.O. Water is a better quality ofwater which would require less chemicals to treat the  swimming pool.  He advised everyone that we need to start planning now to get the wells drilled by the time the Interlocal  Agreement ends in 2025.  Council Member Darren Hodges voiced concern about the costly expenses the City is already incurring with the water well that will provide water for human consumption and the easement. He stated it just makes sense to water the park with untreated water which would yield less of an expense.  Pecos County Commissioner Nathan Reeves said it makes sense to have a well to water the yard and trees. Hei further stated he was aware that it would be costly to either re-enter the existing wells or drill new wells. He explained it isa County Park, but everyone benefits from it; therefore, he inquired ift the City would be willing to contribute to the expense. He stated he did realize that the total cost is unknown  at this point.    Page(120  Council Member Ruben Falcon advised everyone that he would like to see water running through the  canal.  Pecos County Commissioner Nathan Reeves explained the ability to have water flowing in the canal would be determined by the amount of water permitted by the Middle Pecos Groundwater District. He explained that there may not be enough water to irrigate the park and allow for water to run through the  canal.  Pecos County Commissioner Robert Gonzales explained that the canal itself would have to be  rehabilitated to allow water to continuously flow through it.  Pecos County Judge Joe Shuster explained that the well would be drilled further than Edwards Trinity into Trinity Sands. Itisu unknown how much water Trinity Sands yields; therefore it may be a hit or miss situation. He explained he would like to install an irrigation system that would allow the County to connect to the City Water as a back up plan when the well water is not available. He explained Pecos  County would pay for any R.O. Water utilized should this occur.  Council Member Ruben J. Bernal inquired how deep the existing wells are.  Pecos County Judge Joe Shuster responded that the existing wells are approximately 100 -200 feet  deep.  Council Member Ruben J. Bernal inquired how deep the wells would need to be drilled to reach the  desired depth.  Pecos County Judge Joe Shuster explained they would need to drill approximately 400 - 600 feet to  reach the desired depth.  Pecos County Commissioner Nathan Reeves inquired if we would be able to re-enter the existing wells. Pecos County Judge Joe Shuster explained that the wells are not big enough to produce enough water;  therefore. it is recommended that new wells be drilled.    Page 121  Council Member Paul Jerome Chavezi inquired ifaj permit would need to be obtained prior to drilling  the wells.  Pecos County Judge Joe Shuster explained a permit would need to be obtained prior to drilling the new wells. He further explained that option was available to the County as they have two existing wells. He inquired if anyone has reviewed the City Charter pertaining to wells being drilled within city limits. City Secretary Marina Cantu responded that the City Charter does not address water wells being drilled  within City limits; however, our city ordinance does.  Pecos County Judge Joe Shuster requested that the City of Fort Stockton grant Pecos County  permission to drill two water wells for the purpose ofirrigating the park.  He inquired ift the City of Fort Stockton would be willing to contribute to the project.  City Manager Frank Rodriguez and Director ofl Finance Maria Rodriguez provided everyone with  information pertaining to the annual water usage at Rooney Park.  Council Member Ruben Falcon reiterated he would like water running in the canal.  Pecos County WCID #1 General Manager Billy Gonzales advised everyone ifv water was to run in the  canal the water would need to be circulated.  Council Member Paul Jerome Chavez asked Pecos County WCID #1 General Manager Billy Gonzales ifhe could come up with a plan. He expressed he would like to see flowing water in the canal. However, he explained the wells being drilled was the priority and flowing water ini the park was secondary. Pecos County WCID #1 General Manager Billy Gonzales advised everyone a separate line would have to be run for the well water. He explained that well water and the City Water cannot run through the same  line.  Council Member Ruben Falcon inquired who had the water rights to Rooney Park.    Page/122  Pecos County WCID #1 General Manager Billy Gonzales advised everyone that Pecos County has the water rights to Rooney Park; however, the Pecos County WCID #1 has the rights to the water that flows  through the canal.  The consensus of the governing bodies agreed that once numbers were gathered this project would be  revisited.  4. Questions from Media. There were no questions from the Media.  5. Adjourn.  Motion was made by County Commissioner Tom Chapman, seconded by County Commissioner Robert Gonzales and carried unanimously to adjourn the Special Joint Meeting at 12:51 p.m. Motion was made by Council Member Ruben J. Bernal, seconded by Council Member Darren Hodges and carried unanimously to adjourn the SpecialJoint Meeting at 12:51 p.m.  Panl COxar  Paul Casias, Mayor  ATTEST: AL  X  CMAu  Marina A. Cantu, City Secretary