Page 1100 CITY OF FORT STOCKTON, TEXAS MINUTES OF: SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE OF MEETING: MARCH: 21, 2025 TIME OF MEETING: 12:00 PM PLACE OF MEETING: 121 WEST SECOND STREET FORT STOCKTON, TX 79735 ROLL CALL WAS ANSWERED BY COUNCIL MEMBERS: PRESENT: COUNCIL MEMBER PAUL JEROME CHAVEZ, MAYOR PAUL CASIAS, MAY YOR PRO-TEM JAMES WARNOCK, COUNCIL MEMBER RUBEN J BERNAL, COUNCIL MEMBER RUBEN FALCON ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBER DARREN HODGES CITY MANAGER: FRANK RODRIGUEZ III CITY SECRETARY: MARINA CANTU CITY ATTORNEY: JESSE GONZALES JR. Mayor Paul Casias called the Special Meeting to Order at 12:09 p.m. after declaring a quorum present. Mayor Paul Casias read the Mission Statement: "The Mission of the City of Fort Stockton Municipal Government is to Promote & Value Public Confidence and Trust by the Accountable and Responsible Use of Community Resources; to Ensure Public Safety; Improve Public Services; Promote Local Recreation and Entertainment; and Generate Economic Development." INVOCATION: PLEDGES: PUBLIC TESTIMONY: 1. Public Testimony. There was not any Public Testimony. Page - 101 2. Discuss/Act upon Ordinance No. 25-107, an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Fort Stockton, Pecos County, Texas, Amending the Order of a Special Election to be held May 3, 2025, in the City of Fort Stockton, Texas, for the Purpose of Submitting Proposed Home Rule Charter Amendments to the Voters of the City of Fort Stockton; Designating Polling Places; Establishing the Election Preçincts within the City; Appointing an Election Judge and Alternate Judge and Setting the Rate of Pay for Election Officials, Setting the Minimum Number of Election Clerks and Designating the Early Voting Ballot Board; Establishing Other Procedures for Conduct of the Election; and Providing for an Effective Date. (City Sec.) Assistant City Manager Jesse Gonzales Jr. explained that on March 10, 2025, the City Secretary was informed that the Order, as approved with the strikethrough language, could not be programmed on the electronic voting machines. He noted that voters would have a different experience when voting by paper ballot instead of the push button method. He further explained after consulting with the Secretary of State's Office and the Texas Municipal League, it was determined that the only solution was to obtain a Court Order, as the deadline to order the election had passed on February 14, 2025. There is no provision in the statute allowing amendments to the Order within 78 days oft the election. Consequently, the Secretary of State's Office recommended seeking a court order to permit the City Council to amend the Order of Election. A hearing was held this morning, resulting in an Order Granting Permission to Amend the Order ofs Special Election, signed by 83rd District Judge Robert Cadena. Motion was made by Mayor Pro-Tem James Warnock, seconded by Council Member Ruben Falcon, and carried unanimously to approve Ordinance No. 25-107, an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Fort Stockton, Pecos County, Texas, Amending the Order of a Special Election to be held May 3, 2025, in the City of Fort Stockton, Texas, for the Purpose of Submitting Proposed Home Rule Charter Amendments to the Voters of the City of Fort Stockton; Designating Polling Places; Establishing the Election Precincts within the City; Appointing an Election Judge and Alternate Judge and Setting the Rate of Pay for Election Officials, Setting the Minimum Number of Election Clerks and Designating the Early Voting Ballot Board; Establishing Other Procedures for Conduct of the Election; and Providing for an Effective Date, as amended. Council Member Paul Jerome Chavez, Mayor Paul Casias, Mayor Pro-Tem James Warnock, Council Member Ruben J Bernal, Council Member Ruben Falcon voted aye. Page 1102 REGULAR BUSINESS: 3. Discuss/Act upon Amending the Order of Election & Notice of Election for the May 3, 2025 City of Fort Stockton Special Election for the purpose of Submitting Proposed Home Rule Charter Amendments to the Voters ofthe City of Fort Stockton. (City Sec.) Assistant City Manager Jesse Gonzales Jr. clarified that the Order of Election and Notice of Election have been updated to include the correct ballot language, with the date reflecting today's date when the amendments were approved. City Council Member Paul Jerome Chavez asked whether this would be published in the newspaper. City Secretary Marina Cantu responded that there is a deadline for publishing the Notice of Election in the local newspaper. Additionally, a letter has been prepared to explain the proposed amendment and its implications ifthe proposition is approved. Motion was made by Council Member James Warnock, seconded by Council Member Ruben J Bernal, and carried unanimously to approve the Amended Order of Election & Notice of Election for the May 3, 2025 City of Fort Stockton Special Elcction for the purpose of Submitting Proposed Home Rule Charter Amendments to the Voters of the City of Fort Stockton. Council Member Paul Jerome Chavez, Mayor Paul Casias, Mayor Pro-Tem James Warnock, Council Member Ruben J Bernal, Council Member Ruben Falcon voted aye. 4. Questions from Media. There was no media present. 5. Adjourn. Motion was made by Council Member Ruben J Bernal, seconded by Council Member Paul Jerome Chavez, and carried unanimously to adjourn the Special City Council Meeting at 12:15 p.m. Council Member Paul Jerome Chavez, Mayor Paul Casias, Mayor Pro-Tem James Warnock, Council Member Ruben J Bernal, Council Member Ruben Falcon voted aye. Page 1103 Paul CAMAE Paul Casias, Mayor ATTEST: 11A y h Marina A. Cantu, City Secretary