City of Alton Commission 6 City Regular Meeting 7:30 pm March 25, 2025 Minutes ST 1978 Members Present Mayor Salvador Vela Mayor Pro Tem Arturo Galvan Jr. Commissioner Ricardo Garza Commissioner Emilio Cantu Jr. Commissioner Richard Arevalo City Staff Present Jeff Underwood Baudelia Rojas Ricardo Gonzalez Janie Flores Cecilia Sanchez Janie Gaytan Kristian Galvan Roel Garza Mark Perez Gus Ramirez Rosie Tello I. CALLTO ORDER AND ANNOUNCE A QUORUM IS PRESENT With a quorum of the Alton City Commission present, Mayor Salvador Vela called the meeting to order at 7:34 p.m. II. CERTIFICATION OF POSTING III. PUBLIC COMMENT Cynthia Pacheco, Representative of the Office of Sergio Mufioz Jr., provided a brief update on the 89th Legislative Session, noting that the filing deadline has come to an end. She inquired about any bills we are currently tracking that may require additional information or follow-up. Additionally, she asked if there are any plans to visit the Capitol. If SO, she requested to be informed SO that their office can assist in coordinating meetings with other key stakeholders. IV. CONSENT AGENDA 1. Approve the minutes of the City Commission Meeting of March 11, 2025. 2. Discuss and consider approval of Ordinance 2025-06, to rezone two (2) tracts of land at 1209 S. Alton Blvd from "C-3" Heavy Commercial District to "C-2" General Commercial District & "R-2" Single-Family Residential-Large Lot District requested by M2 Engineering, PPLC on behalf of owners, Ovidio C. Gonzalez and Josefina Gonzalez and waiving second and third reading. Motion to approve the Consent Agenda was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Arturo Galvan Jr and seconded by Commissioner Ricardo Garza. Motion carried 5-0. Alton City Commission Minutes Regular Meeting March 25, 2025 V. NEW BUSINESS 1. Discuss and consider approval of the City of Alton's Audit Financial report for the year ended September 30, 2024. Alfred Vera, Manager and CPA at Cascos & Associates, thanked the City for the opportunity to serve as the City's auditors again this year. He also expressed gratitude to Mrs. Tello and her staff for their cooperation in providing the necessary information to complete the audit. Mike Merta, Auditor with Cascos & Associates, provided an overview ofthe Independent Auditor's Report, stating that their review found no material misstatements in the City's financial statements. He highlighted key financial details, noting that the City's unrestricted fund balance stands at $2,689,029, serving as a financial cushion. Mr. Merta stated that the City's total expenditures for the year were $8,196,509, averaging $22,456 per day to operate. The City's unassigned fund balance now supports 120 days of operations, an improvement from 110 days last year. Mr. Merta emphasized that their firm typically recommends maintaining 60 to 90 days of operating reserves, meaning the City is in a strong financial position. Staff recommends approval. Motion to approve was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Arturo Galvan Jr. and seconded by Commissioner Richard Arevalo. Motion carried 5-0. 2. Discuss and consider the approval of Resolution 2025-15 related to the City of Alton Investment Policy 2025. Jeff Underwood, City Manager, stated that the Investment Policy requires annual adoption and no major changes were made this year. Staff recommends approval. Motion to approve was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Arturo Galvan Jr. and seconded by Commissioner Richard Arevalo. Motion carried 5-0. 3. Discuss and consider approval of Resolution 2025-14, granting authority to apply for a grant to fund the Operation Lone Star Cardiac Arrest Survival Program and naming the Deputy City Manager as the authorized official. Gus Ramirez, Fire Chief, stated that the department is seeking approval to apply for a grant to acquire automated CPR devices. He explained that these devices would enhance patient care during cardiac arrest by automatically delivering CPR while awaiting EMS arrival. Although our current protocols include manual CPR, BBM, and AED use in our brush truck, this grant will enable us to take a significant step forward in treatment when EMS response is delayed. There is no matching contribution. Staff recommends approval. Motion to approve was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Arturo Galvan Jr. and seconded by Commissioner Richard Arevalo. Motion carried 5-0. 4. Discuss and consider approval of a Cooperative Working Agreement between the Rio Grande Valley Empowerment Zone Corporation (RGVEZC and the City of Alton (CITY). Jeff Underwood, City Manager, stated that the Rio Grande Valley Empowerment Zone previously occupied office space at the Development Center but due to organizational growth, they were asked to relocate to the former Public Works Administration Building Page 2 of 4 Alton City Commission Minutes -Regular Meeting March 25, 2025 at 220 W. Dawes Ave. As a result, the agreements must be updated to reflect a revised charge of $250, reduced from the previous $350, to align with the smaller size oft the new facility. Staff recommends approval. Motion to approve was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Arturo Galvan Jr. and seconded by Commissioner Richard Arevalo. Motion carried 5-0. 5. Discuss and consider the approval of Change Order #2 for the Sanitary Sewer Trunk Line Relocation Project. Jeff Underwood, City Manager, stated that this project involves the sewer widening along 5-Mile Line Road (E. Main), extending from Alton Blvd to Shary Road. Change Order #2 includes the addition of two manholes, an 8-inch service line to mobile homes on "J" Rock St., and other service connections along Bluebonnet St. This $53,928.55 change order remains within the allowable 25% limit per change order. Staff recommends approval. Motion to approve was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Arturo Galvan Jr. and seconded by Commissioner Richard Arevalo. Motion carried 5-0. 6. Discuss and consider the adoption of Proclamation 2025-01, proclaiming April 2025 as National Distracted Driver Awareness Month Cassandra Bravo, Trauma Prevention Coordinator at DHR Health, presented Proclamation 2025-01, reaffirming Alton's commitment to community safety and well- being. April marks National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, highlighting the dangers of preventable crashes. In 2023, nearly 1 in 6 Texas crashes were linked to distracted driving, causing 399 deaths and 2,793 serious injuries. Since 2017, Texas law has banned texting while driving, yet distractions such as eating, grooming, and conversations remain hazards. DHR Health's Level 1 Trauma Center Injury Prevention Division collaborates with Mission CISD, the Alton Police, and the Alton Fire Department to enhance road safety. New to the area, Bravo praised Alton's proactive safety measures, including local ordinances and signage, and commended first responders for their dedication to community safety. Gus Ramirez, Fire Chief, shared that last year, he and Mark Perez, Police Chief, partnered with Driscoll Children's Hospital, DHR Health, McAllen Medical Center, the District Attorney's Office, Alton Police, and Alton Fire to host an event at Mission Collegiate. The event, Impaired Driving Simulation, I used special goggles to mimic the effects of alcohol impairment while performing tasks like shooting basketballs. TXDOT also participated, demonstrating a rollover simulator to highlight the importance of seatbelt use and the dangers of impaired driving. This year, the event will take place again on April 11 at Mission Collegiate High School in the morning for students and later in the evening at the Rec Center for the community, allowing parents to understand the dangers ofimpaired driving. Mark Perez, Police Chief, thanked the Mayor and Commissioners for recognizing this important issue and reaffirmed the Police Department's commitment to keeping Alton's streets and residents safe through proactive and visible enforcement. Staff recommends approval. Motion to approve was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Arturo Galvan Jr. and seconded by Commissioner Ricardo Garza. Motion carried 5-0. Page 3 of 4 Alton City Commission Minutes -Regular Meeting March 25, 2025 VI. EXECUTIVE SESSION: Pursuant to Government Code Section 551.0718551.072 a) Pending and/or potential litigation b) Personnel c) Real Estate At 7:35 p.m., Mayor Vela called for a motion to go into Executive Session. Motion was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Arturo Galvan Jr. and seconded by Commissioner Ricardo Garza. Motion carried 5-0. VII. RETURN TO OPEN SESSION FOR POSSIBLE ACTION a) Pending and/or potential litigation b) Personnel c) Real Estate At 7:39 p.m., Mayor Vela called for a motion to return from Executive Session. Motion was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Arturo Galvan Jr. and seconded by Commissioner Ricardo Garza. Motion carried 5-0. Ricardo Gonzalez, City Attorney recommended to allow staff to enter into contract for an inspection period of the property as discussed in Executive Session. Motion to approve was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Arturo Galvan Jr. and seconded by Commissioner Ricardo Garza. Motion carried 5-0. VIII.CITY MANAGER'S REPORT Jeff Underwood, City Manager, announced that the upcoming opening ceremony for baseball will take place on April 9, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. and reminded everyone about the Pavo Real 5K Run/Walk, scheduled for April 5, 2025. Mr. Underwood also extended his congratulations to Fire Chief Ramirez on obtaining his Master's Degree in Public Administration. IX.ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:01 p.m. was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Arturo Galvan Jr. and was seconded by Commissioner Ricardo Garza. Motion carried 5-0. CITY OF ALTON a6 Lh Salvador Vela, Mayor ATTEST: OF ALIE Dul Hersr Janie flores, CPM * * City Secretary * * APPROVED BY CITY COMMISSION ON APRIL 8, 2025 Page 4 of 4