[This transcript was generated automatically from audio using AI and hasn't been reviewed by a person -- it can contain mistakes, including plausible-sounding sentences that were never actually said. Treat it as a starting point, not a verbatim record.]

[0:47] On ECN, a regularly scheduled meeting of your Edinburgh City Council. On the Council, Mayor Omar Ochoa.
[0:56] Mayor Pro Tem David Salazar,
[1:01] council member Dan Diaz,
[1:05] council member Jason Delion,
[1:10] and council member Jerry Los Angeles,
[1:15] setting in as advisors, city manager, Mayor Ayala,
[1:19] and City Attorney Ben Alonso and now live from the Edammerk City Hall the Edammerk City Council.
[1:33] Time is 6 p.m. on September 15th, 2026. We're calling this regularly scheduled City Council meeting to order.
[1:41] I do see that we've got all members of Council presence so we do have a quorum.
[1:44] If we could, please rise and start with a prayer. We'll be led by Pastor David Alexander.
[1:49] afternoon
[1:56] Mr. Mayor, council, residents, let's pray.
[2:01] A Lord of Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth.
[2:06] We recognize you as the Almighty sovereign whom we are dependent upon when we thank you
[2:14] for a city that still recognizes this dependency.
[2:18] We thank you for a country whose motto is in God we trust.
[2:22] It's a war tonight we are trusting you to lead with wisdom, the affairs of this evening,
[2:28] granting wisdom to our council and those who are speaking, or it may this chamber be an
[2:34] evidence of the unity of this community as we converse and dialogue, the matters in which
[2:41] you've entrusted to us in orderly fashion, looking for peace, and looking for movement
[2:47] forward rather than argument, or thank you for just an incredible place in which we live.
[2:54] Thank you for the blessing of this area, the blessing of our leadership, and when we just
[2:59] thank you for the peace that comes here in Jesus' name. Amen.
[3:08] Yes, sir, with honor. I'd ask you if I'm going to please stand, if you are able, remove
[3:12] your head here, trace your right head over your heart, and let's say to get a point of
[3:34] The next item is the certification of public notice of Adam Secretary.
[3:37] Yes, Samarra, the meeting is posted in accordance with Texas Open Meeting
[3:39] sack of September 9, 2026 at 8.40 pm.
[3:43] And the next item is the disclosure of COVID-19 of interest, Mr. City Attorney.
[3:46] Mr. Mayor, under state law and local government official is required to disclose a substantial
[3:50] interest for themselves or certain family members and abstain from voting on matters related
[3:54] to such conflict.
[3:55] Are there any conflicts to disclose or related to the pending matters on today's agenda?
[4:00] Thank you.
[4:01] All right.
[4:02] Next item are City Highlights, a few events coming up that I did want to bring to the public
[4:07] attention.
[4:08] It is on the agenda, which is a bit of a long line if you'd like to read off of it yourself.
[4:12] But coming up September 24th, so it'll be next Thursday, the Edinburgh Municipal Court
[4:18] is having a car seat, check-up, and give away.
[4:22] Is anybody from the court here?
[4:24] Bodybell?
[4:25] This is actually a super cool.
[4:28] I don't even, I wasn't even aware about the details.
[4:31] Could you tell us about this?
[4:32] So we're giving away car seats.
[4:36] Bodybell Velasquez.
[4:38] Municipal court court data.
[4:40] Yes, we are.
[4:41] On that day, we are giving away some car seats.
[4:45] It will be checking car seats also.
[4:47] It's exclusive for any of our residents.
[4:49] And it's from six to eight that we're having it. We do have a couple of agencies that are assisting, which is getting bird PDs, a fire department, and then also, I believe far and DPS, that are assisting with that. So it'll be there at the municipal court.
[5:05] Awesome. Yes.
[5:06] Thank you. Thank you. Thank you so much for that.
[5:08] And I know the, the court's doing this as a priority because, you know, it is the law. You are supposed to have a car seat, right? If you've got children under a certain age or under a certain height.
[5:16] And so you will get ticketed from it, I've seen it happen.
[5:20] So the courts doing what it can right now to assist in checking those car seats and giving away some free car seats to people who come out also, but more than anything to raise awareness about this issue.
[5:29] Exactly.
[5:29] It took me to prevent any accidents.
[5:31] We've seen a couple of activities within the last few years and that's one of the reasons that we stepped up and that we could do this for our community here in Edinburgh.
[5:39] Excellent. Thank you.
[5:40] You welcome.
[5:42] We also have some exciting celebration coming up for a fire department celebrating 100 years of history in our city.
[5:50] We are going to have a 5K on Saturday, October 3rd at 730.
[5:55] It'll be starting right here outside of the main fire station.
[5:59] We're really, really cool event to come out here and say thank you to all of the people that have ever been involved in the fire department from the paid staff,
[6:06] to the volunteers, to the ladies' auxiliary, on down the line, all kinds of history celebrating
[6:12] a hundred years of that. And then that evening, that Saturday evening, our Edinburgh Fire
[6:17] Shopper's Festival will be occurring at promenade park, music, games, food for the families
[6:23] to come out and enjoy, so please join us for those as well. Next item on the agenda is the Mayor's
[6:30] So tonight is a very exciting night.
[6:34] It is budget night.
[6:35] We have a city budget that we are presenting to the residents tonight.
[6:41] And is up for discussion and ultimately adoption by the city council.
[6:47] I did want to go through some of the highlights of this budget.
[6:49] And I wanted to take the mayor's report opportunity to do that.
[6:53] In case there are citizens who are coming up,
[6:56] planning to speak about it during public comments.
[6:58] I want you to at least have the benefit of my remarks.
[7:00] as well. There's a public hearing section later, so you can come up and speak on that also.
[7:05] So plenty of opportunity to come and give your opinions on that. But I just want to say that I'm
[7:09] very proud of this city budget that's being presented this evening. City management, the
[7:15] finest department, all city directors have worked incredibly hard to create a balanced budget.
[7:21] And we are doing it without raising taxes at all. And it's a remarkable thing, honestly, because
[7:28] there have been some
[7:30] The changes in state law that have increased exemptions, home state exemptions, disability, over 65 military veterans, all great things.
[7:38] But what that does is it reduces the city's ability to collect additional revenue through property taxes.
[7:44] Despite that, despite that, the city of Edinburgh is not raising property taxes to be able to collect more.
[7:51] As a matter of fact, the property tax rate that is being proposed and that I anticipate will be adopted tonight is lower than the no new revenue tax rate.
[7:59] What that means is because the city is keeping it at its current rate, we will actually be generating less property taxes from the same taxpayers last fiscal year.
[8:10] So it is a remarkable thing. The city of Edinburgh has never done this adopted a tax rate.
[8:14] That's below the new revenue rate, but it was an important thing to be physically responsible.
[8:20] We've made this promise along and we're delivering on it.
[8:24] Some of the things that we've done in terms of financial management, we've also reduced our solid waste transfers.
[8:31] There's been some issues in the past with transferring millions of dollars.
[8:35] I know that solid waste had to go out for bonds for equipment this past year, right?
[8:38] For example, but we're reducing the amount that's being transferred out of our solid waste fund.
[8:43] And at the same time, still being able to finance almost $2 million in additional heavy machinery for our solid waste,
[8:49] So that we don't fall behind on our trash collections and trash processing.
[8:54] At the same time, we are reducing the airport and the golf courses reliance.
[9:01] On transfers from solid waste, meaning that they are now generating more revenue
[9:05] and relying less on the taxpayers to fund gaps and operations.
[9:11] And we are looking to have both our golf courses and our airport break even
[9:15] so that they're at the very least, if not in the future, start making money.
[9:18] so that our taxpayers don't have to put the bill for any of those operations.
[9:23] We've also been able to tighten our belts and trim administrative costs by a million
[9:27] dollars through a variety of savings, findings, things that we can cut, and provide
[9:33] more services for you, the residents.
[9:36] So all of these fiscal management have been an essential pillar.
[9:39] Along with that, another essential pillar is infrastructure investments.
[9:44] And for this, we are stepping up, like I said, despite the fact that we're not raising taxes.
[9:49] A million dollars for our utility systems to improve water lines throughout the city of Edinburgh.
[9:55] Two million dollars to do revitalization for our downtown water treatment plant,
[10:01] so that we can continue to provide clean water to our residents.
[10:05] Over two million dollars, to modernize our wastewater system.
[10:08] So all of our sewer infrastructure, lift stations will be rehabilitated throughout the city.
[10:14] The city setting aside money is to be able to do all of these infrastructure investments at the same time.
[10:20] We are also enhancing the quality of life.
[10:22] We've got $250,000 of reporting to upgrade playground equipment throughout the city.
[10:28] On top of that, we are setting aside another $233,000 to upgrade playground equipment specifically at Edinburgh Municipal Park.
[10:36] making sure that all of our equipment out there is safe and is able to be used.
[10:44] We're doing upgrades to the Chapin Street Hiking Bike Trail.
[10:47] We are building brand new public restrooms for that trail out there as well.
[10:52] It's a beautiful trail and we want everybody to be able to enjoy it.
[10:56] And we are continuing to invest in our cultural arts and our festivals here in Edinburgh.
[11:03] we've got. We call ourselves the City of Festivals. We just wrapped up our international film festival,
[11:09] where we had directors, movie producers, submit films from all around the world. It was a fantastic
[11:16] weekend highlighting our city of Edinburgh to visitors far and wide. And so these cultural arts
[11:23] is an important investment both to increase tourism to track people to Edinburgh, but also to enhance
[11:31] the quality of life for all of us through arts and culture.
[11:35] We are also investing in public safety, including over half a million dollars for modernizing
[11:42] our police feet, patrol units, investing in drone and police technology so that we can
[11:49] continue our first responder program, which Edinburgh was the first city in the Rio Grande
[11:53] Valley to have a drone as a first responder program.
[11:56] We are also investing in police officers safety protective gear as well as new equipment and gear for our fire department also.
[12:05] And so just one of the highlight that this budget truly reflects our core values, fiscal management and investment in real services towards the city of Edinburgh infrastructure, public safety, cultural arts on down the line.
[12:22] So I just want to say one more time, thank you very much to our city management for being so responsible with this budget.
[12:29] To all of our city departments for stepping up to find these administrative cuts that are allowing us to do these investments without having to raise your taxes in the process.
[12:38] It's a pledge that we made when we started this process and it's one that we are delivering on tonight. So Council, thank you also for your work throughout this budget process.
[12:50] All right, that concludes my long-winded mayor's report.
[12:54] Moving on now to proclamations and recognitions.
[12:57] First item A is a proclamation recognizing the national day
[13:02] of remembrance for murder victims.
[13:04] If the secretary could please read the caption,
[13:07] and then the secretary will read the proclamation.
[13:09] CD Council will come down with the proclamation if we could
[13:12] take some pictures with you all.
[13:13] And then if you can stay to say some comments, please.
[13:16] Yes, for me.
[13:19] Presentation of Proclamation, recognizing September 25, 2026 as National Day Remembrance for Murder Victims as Requested by Robert Garcia.
[13:27] National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims, whereas the National Parents of Murder Children established September 25 as a National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims due to the unanimously passed resolutions by the United States Senate on October 16, 2007.
[13:41] On the United States House of Representatives on May 14, 2007, and whereas POMC is dedicated
[13:47] to honoring the memory of those lost to violence and recognizing the profound and lasting
[13:51] trauma that families and communities endure alongside the work of the real-can Valley families
[13:55] and friends and murdered children, which has served more than 2,400 families in a region since
[14:00] 2013.
[14:02] On words in 2025, 39 lives were lost to homicide across the real-can Valley, affecting an estimated
[14:07] 390 surviving family members and loved ones, demonstrating the impact of homicide, extends far beyond each individual victim.
[14:15] And whereas behind every statistic is a name of faith, a life of family and the legacy of love them has never been forgotten.
[14:21] And whereas survivors of homicide victims, channel their pain and grief into powerful stories of courage, their rejection and isolation,
[14:28] instead embracing compassion, peace and justice for others.
[14:31] Whereas families in our community remind the city that behind every statistic is a face, a name, and a legacy of love that must never be forgotten.
[14:39] And whereas surviving families demonstrate extraordinary courage as they transform grief into remembrance, advocacy, compassion, violence, prevention, and a continuing pursuit of healing and justice.
[14:49] And we're on September 25th, 2026, RGV-F-F-O-M-C will host this 14 annual candlelight
[14:56] vigil at the Josep Episolinez Memorial Recreation Center in Fartek.
[15:00] Under the message, every candle tells the story, bringing families and the community together to honor the lives and legacies of those laws to homicide.
[15:08] And whereas the city of Edinburgh joins surviving families in declaring that every name matters, every life has a story, every legacy deserves to be remembered.
[15:16] Now, therefore, the mayor and city council of the city of Edinburgh, taxes by a power vested in them by law,
[15:21] to hear by proclaim September 25, 26, as national day remembers for murder victims in the city of Edinburgh,
[15:26] and encourage our community to remember those whose lives were taken by violence, to support
[15:31] the surviving families and the loved ones, and to reaffirm our collective commitment
[15:34] to compassion, healing, remembrance, public safety, and justice.
[15:57] Yes, if you could, if you could, please.
[16:05] Thank you for having us.
[16:07] My name is Robert Garcia, I'm the founder and CEO of the Rugged Valley Family and Friends
[16:11] of Murder Children, and I have a distinguished family that are very privileged, very courageous,
[16:18] resilience that is so we unconditional love, some have been with me for 12 years and some
[16:26] of you as of November of this past year. So, Majorini started on September 13, 2011 when my brother
[16:34] Rohit Arajr Murciyak was murdered by her late wife and a murder suicide in Hardington, Texas.
[16:43] I received a piercing phone call out of Rio Grande City, well I was born and raised, my mother Dalia Rosarzia called and said they take a tormano al-Ole Paso.
[16:57] I took off to the heart engine as the first responders were put in the crime scene.
[17:05] I saw an ambulance to my right living and I asked the officer who is that individual and the ambulances.
[17:15] Well, there was a lady talking going on the ambulance.
[17:18] So I asked him, where's my brother?
[17:21] Is that your brother?
[17:22] There was somebody in the house in there.
[17:25] I understand it's a raw reaction.
[17:29] I went under the crime scene.
[17:30] And I immediately saw my brother in a blue blood.
[17:36] That forever changed me.
[17:38] And that's forever changed my family.
[17:41] And I made a promise.
[17:42] Just like the oath that any police officers or military service,
[17:46] or anybody in the oath of office of service in civic service,
[17:49] I made that promise to my mom and my brother in dining room.
[17:53] We will proceed just as we will seek and remember the memories of each life.
[17:59] At that time, there was no services.
[18:01] National parents are murdered children,
[18:03] which I'm a contact person here for South Texas,
[18:06] has been with me for 15 years.
[18:09] So when we talk, and I say, we, all my victims,
[18:14] we want the leadership, not only in this community,
[18:17] that I represent, and I live, and I pay taxes myself,
[18:20] is to seize us as individuals,
[18:23] a human beings, not necessarily as victims.
[18:26] victims were projected by the death of a victim that is 6,800, but when you see us, you tell
[18:34] us, you stand with us, you hear us, and you will be with us.
[18:39] That's the message of the proclamation you did today, Mayor, and city council members.
[18:44] That is to remind of for them, I carry that torch, I carry those innocent lives that
[18:51] were taken by violence.
[18:52] And as I remember, I'm going to mention in recognition their names that are here.
[18:58] Some families have two members that have died of victims of violent crime.
[19:02] Some have had three.
[19:03] I have had three and an unfortunate and my family.
[19:07] Rojelio Raju Garcia was my brother, a friend Garcia and Dan Ovega.
[19:12] Jolisa Raquel, Eric Sanchez,
[19:16] Ralcensio Sanchez, Wendy Escovedo,
[19:21] Julio Soto-Junior, Julio Vierreal,
[19:25] Freely, Otiveros, Kevin, Gonzales,
[19:28] Austín, Molina, Ever, Islas,
[19:34] Junior, Juanava, and Sintia Chavez,
[19:38] Did I meet anybody?
[19:41] Did I live anybody out?
[19:43] Those are the victims.
[19:45] We are asking for you all's help and support to go out there on September 25th.
[19:52] Isn't it Friday?
[19:53] We understand that it's Friday night lights, but for us is one special day.
[19:58] If you all can attend and see the testament of the courage,
[20:02] of voices, the battle crimes of the families that you see, the authors that were made there,
[20:08] it is an amazing, and it's a resilience that gives me the power of the energy and the
[20:14] passing to continue the fight. Because the honor that we have, the memory that they instilled
[20:20] us, it is a pleasure of us for you to remember who is, Roger and who are the other families in
[20:28] We're looking at about 275 to 300 people that show up or victims that show up.
[20:34] This morning I did the county commission's court yesterday I did my calendar last Thursday
[20:39] or last Tuesday I did the city of Far. The event is going to be at the PEP Salinas Memorial
[20:44] at 10 13 kelp West Kelly. They're being the whole city for the last 10 years, so I appreciate
[20:52] the mayor and also the commission there to take it as under the wing in helping us in obtained
[20:58] that pavilion, the moral center, and with y'all in the past of helping, I would love to see one
[21:05] of y'all merit, as does Cortez this morning, to do the proclamation, Renda. He said that he was
[21:13] going to get in his calendar because he wasn't aware. Just as an alternative, I'm going to
[21:18] have you, if you're not doing busy in that day, to see if you can do the proclamation
[21:23] for the city as we would love your company to be there or any other city council members.
[21:30] Thank you for listening, thank you for seeing the hurt, but the resilience and the courage
[21:34] of the families, God bless you and hopefully we will see you there.
[21:50] Is there anyone else who would like to say anything?
[21:53] Floor is yours if you would like.
[21:56] Anyone else?
[22:03] I just want to say thank you to the families for being here this evening.
[22:08] It shows true courage to be here tonight.
[22:12] It is unimaginable what it is that you all have gone through.
[22:15] Murder is a terrible crime that rips apart families, splits, communities and leads a lasting
[22:22] impact on you for the rest of your lives.
[22:25] and I just want to tell all of you thank you so much for being here tonight.
[22:30] This is a subject that we need to talk about. We need to remember the families of the victims who are left behind.
[22:38] And do know that the Edinburgh Police Department does provide services. There is a crime victim liaison position at our police department that provides a variety of services.
[22:48] Helping you get grant funding, helping you track down information, keeping you informed of what's going on with the case.
[22:55] Because at the end of the day, you're not just dealing with the tragedy of what occurred, you're fighting for justice.
[23:01] And so we recognize the struggle that is that you all go through, we're very, very, very sorry for what it is that you have had to live through, but please know that there are people who see you, who love you, and then we are here for you.
[23:14] So thank you again for being here tonight.
[23:19] The next item that we have on the agenda is a proclamation recognizing the 1977 Edomberg high school boys cost cross country UIL state champions for their induction into the Rio Grande Valley sports hall of fame
[23:35] So if the secretary could please read the proclamation city council will come down with the proclamation if the members you would like to come up so we could take a couple of pictures
[23:46] 1977 State Champion Enembroke High School Boys Cross Country Team Day,
[23:51] where a supportive cross country running demands,
[23:53] extraordinary speed endurance discipline and set fast education
[23:56] to triumph over rigorous courses and elite competition.
[24:00] And where's the fall of 1977 the Enembroke High School Boys Cross Country Team,
[24:05] comprising of Armando Reina, Bernice Alas, Richard Garcia,
[24:09] Rolando Perez, Ricardo Perez Junior, Mario Romero, in Isaías Coronado,
[24:13] that by head coach Homer Martinez embarked on an unforgettable athletic journey.
[24:19] And whereas the vodka's established early dominance by capturing the district 285A championship with 44 points,
[24:25] and went on to claim the original championship crown in San Marcos with 71 points.
[24:29] And whereas on December 10, 1977, competing in freezing conditions,
[24:34] on a grueling two-mile course in Georgetown Texas, the vodka swords scored 79 points to defeat defending state champion El Paso Austin,
[24:41] and when the U.I.L. State Championship.
[24:44] And where is this monument to victory,
[24:45] marked the first time in history that any athletic team
[24:48] from Edinburgh High School or any high school cross-country team
[24:51] from the Rio Grande Valley won a Texas State Championship.
[24:54] And where is the enduring legacy
[24:55] of these student athletes and Coach Homer Martinez
[24:57] was formally honored on June 28, 2025,
[25:03] where their induction into the Rio Grande Valley Sports Hall
[25:05] of Fame team Hall of Honor.
[25:07] And where their historic feat continues to serve
[25:09] as a beacon of pride, resilience, and inspiration for Edinburgh City, and the entire city of
[25:14] Edinburgh community.
[25:16] Now, therefore, the Mayor and City Council of the City of Edinburgh, Texas by the
[25:19] power of a city in Denmark, due here by proclaims September 16, 2026 as 1977, State Champion
[25:25] Edinburgh High School Boys Cross Country Team Day in the City of Edinburgh, and encourage
[25:29] our residents to join in recognizing the legendary achievements teamwork and lasting
[25:33] sports heritage of this championship team.
[25:45] All right, gentlemen, there's been a long time coming, but congratulations, would you like to say a few words, please?
[25:52] Sure, you know, we always want to represent the city of Edinburgh and the Edinburgh School District.
[25:56] We do have a legendary coach, Homer Martinez, who is our coach in 1977, contains it to be a coach with the Edinburgh School District.
[26:05] It's an honor to be here by you Mayor and the City Council and our citizens.
[26:10] you know, we work very hard. People don't know that to become a state champion, even a district
[26:14] champion or regional champion or state champion, our team has to run between 50 to 75 miles a week.
[26:21] And you're talking about running five minutes or sub five minutes miles to train to accomplish
[26:27] this huge accomplishment. And we call it winning the trifecta, you know, when you win district,
[26:33] regional is a state, you know, the significance that everybody should know is that it was done with
[26:39] three seniors, two freshmen and two juniors on the team. And we beat a defending powerhouse
[26:46] of El Paso often, El Paso Riverside, where they have mountains of weather here, which
[26:52] is a flat land. But, you know, it's great coaching by Coach Martinez, and he's been
[26:57] a successful coach throughout his career, and when he's a chaplain, you know, building
[27:02] stage champions in Bergaz, Dean representing in our city, because, you know, when we go
[27:08] that, you know, Edinburgh exists, and we are a powerhouse of runners.
[27:13] Edinburgh is a running community, and it's, you know, we've got the number 10K, and all these 10Ks that are 5Ks that we do every year, and, you know, I want to pass on my gore to our legendary Coach Omar Martinez.
[27:30] It's much more, I can say, after a break, but it is an honor for me to have Bander Coach, to say that
[27:42] being a state champion, it's big, it's really something that rarely happens with the only one and a big division that is ever one, the state championship and not only that but we also have some individual champions throughout the time that we've been here with the program and
[28:07] And I'm sure most of them have been recognized, but to go in as a team is very hard to say that
[28:16] you're the top one and the state of Texas, as you know, is the top on everything in the
[28:23] country.
[28:24] So, so for it, it's been an honor to have worked with this young man, and it's something
[28:31] that is a title that they earn, the state champions, and it's something that will always
[28:37] be with them. I want to thank the council and Mayor Schoaf for our runs to take a little bit of
[28:45] time to recognize this young man and I'm very proud of him because this is what I saw
[28:51] about. And I always tell him, we don't go to school to participate in sports. We'll go to school
[28:59] to become better people. And that's what they did. And that's why they're at where they're at
[29:05] And I'm very proud of all of them.
[29:09] Rick B. and the chief of police for the district,
[29:12] it means a lot, it keeps all of us in line.
[29:17] So thank you very much, and I appreciate everything.
[29:30] I just want you all to notice one thing
[29:32] about this picture from the front is the uniforms.
[29:37] And I have a professor.
[29:40] He was Dr. Samper, and he had a picture of a P class
[29:44] with kids who were in 1922 and he said,
[29:48] what can anybody say about this picture?
[29:51] And we're all battling, what the difference?
[29:54] It's the same kids, it's just a different uniform.
[29:57] But the people are still there, just like us.
[30:00] At this time, thank you very much.
[30:02] Amazing.
[30:04] Gentlemen, thank you all so much. Thank you so much for what you've done to
[30:11] highlight Edinburgh through your career here in cross-country, but that you all continue.
[30:17] You all continue to be engaged citizens giving back. You are exactly the types of role models that we want.
[30:22] Our young kids to know about. So highlighting these stories from the past of what's occurred.
[30:27] we did it recently also with the 1980s State Baseball Championship for the American Legion.
[30:32] These are stories that we can't forget because they mean something they're impactful.
[30:37] And the more we repeat them and the more we tell people about them, the kids today will
[30:41] know that they can do it too.
[30:43] And that they can not only achieve the top level of success in sports now but that they can
[30:48] go forward and achieve the top level of success in their careers even after that, that even
[30:55] And if you're a state championship, that is not the end of life.
[30:58] There are more and bigger things set out for them too.
[31:01] So thank you, gentlemen, for setting that wonderful example.
[31:12] Where did the picture go?
[31:13] You all can have the picture.
[31:15] If anybody wants it, you're more than welcome to take it.
[31:19] Yes, thank you.
[31:21] All right.
[31:21] Next item on the agenda are the public comments, Madam Secretary?
[31:25] Yes, sir.
[31:26] Good evening, everyone.
[31:27] The ed.
[31:28] The ed.
[31:29] of the City Council meeting with dedicated to public comments.
[31:32] Public comments are limited to three minutes.
[31:34] I'll be taking time.
[31:35] Please note the public comment producer
[31:37] not interacted with the council
[31:38] and not responsible for the comments.
[31:40] At this time, we're in Council there are three public comments.
[31:42] The first one is Ms. Firmacherity regarding taxpayers' money.
[31:52] I just wanted to know which ones they were in the order,
[31:57] but, gentlemen, every time I come here,
[32:00] I feel like I am singing the same song.
[32:03] And this council gives me the same answer.
[32:06] Don't worry. It's COVID money. Don't worry. It's EDC money. So I want to say this as clearly as I can.
[32:16] All the money that this council has comes from the people and is there for public money.
[32:25] COVID money is either federal money taken as taxes or money borrowed by the federal government
[32:31] to address an issue and reference to the Edinburgh Economic Corporation all of its money comes
[32:37] from the city of Edinburgh. The return on money invested by the Edinburgh EDC is public money.
[32:46] Please don't tell me not to worry because if you're operating this as a private sector like you
[32:53] do the city you'd be out of business in no time. This council is going to build a facility on the
[33:00] Browns of a golf course and called it a job resource center.
[33:05] So when your husbands say he's going to look for a new job, you know he really might be going
[33:12] out to play golf.
[33:14] Gentlemen, I am getting calls saying that the water bills have doubled and people are not
[33:19] happy.
[33:20] I think it is because when you raise water rates, it increase treatment costs, and before you
[33:26] know it, your utility bill has doubled.
[33:28] I did not know that the new water connection requires a $100 deposit and proof of property ownership.
[33:39] I think this is a result of new renters finding out how much utilities cost are in Edinburgh.
[33:46] The city has benefited from the growth of multi-family housing, but this is a very mobile population.
[33:53] Just like they came into the community, they can easily move to a bigger and better place
[34:00] depending on the lease agreement.
[34:03] I was suggest that the city establish encouragement packages for single-family homeowners
[34:09] as they mean of lowering their cost, how recycling pickup and lowering cost of water
[34:16] conservation would be helpful.
[34:19] These are the long-term pairs of the utility bills.
[34:24] And I also have an item tonight.
[34:28] 10A, I believe I gave each of you a copy of it.
[34:33] And my question is, it's a variance again.
[34:36] And here we go.
[34:39] They are the developers requesting to
[34:42] It's not wanting to widen the additional 10 foot or right away along Chapin Road.
[34:49] They're talking about, it's going to cost them, but my thing is when y'all have the rules,
[34:56] everyone should abide by it.
[34:58] Now keep asking y'all, but it's the good old boys' club, and we know whose property and things
[35:04] are out there and what happens.
[35:06] And so we're, and on the, the staff has recommended that denying of this variance.
[35:13] So I'm hoping the public are watching, and some of y'all are up for election.
[35:18] And these variances are the people call me, and that's why I asked you.
[35:23] And my thing is, why do you have the, what is it, planning and zoning commission?
[35:30] And then you have your own staff, and they ask you to deny it.
[35:34] So we'll watch tonight to see how you do.
[35:38] Thank you.
[35:41] The next public comment is Ms. Deborah Gomez regarding item 12A.
[35:53] The mayor, good evening council.
[35:56] My name is Deborah Gomez and I'm here on behalf of the Museum of South Texas History,
[36:00] regarding ordinances 12A and regards to consideration.
[36:06] I all we are asking is our event,
[36:09] which is our largest fundraiser on site,
[36:12] Van Dango, 2026 will happen on October 3rd, we are asking is to help with the special
[36:19] use permit to be able to close off the streets which is low in 12 and it's blocked 209
[36:24] lots one and 24. We're asking for the help because we will be using the county parking
[36:32] lot and in order to do that we would have to cross the street and to keep everybody safe.
[36:38] We will have a vehicle, but we will have a lot of people walking.
[36:42] It's only in the essence to keep everyone safe.
[36:45] So I also have Ferdinandah here with facilities who helps run the facilities.
[36:49] He's walked it through.
[36:50] We did have a meeting with the city.
[36:52] I just want to follow up and let you all know that we would highly consider,
[36:56] or highly ask that you consider this,
[36:59] so that we can be able to have a safe event that evening.
[37:04] Thank you so much for your time.
[37:05] And thank you for all you do for our city.
[37:07] Thank you. The next public comment is Ms. Diana Teter regarding taxes and budget.
[37:23] Thank you, Diana Teter. I'd like to talk about one cent or one penny.
[37:30] It can't find much in our individual lives, but one cent can impact the entire future of Edinburgh,
[37:37] because an municipal government at its best is a rising tide that lifts all boats.
[37:43] And while 20% to 25% of our families live below the poverty line, the majority live above it.
[37:51] Every single household, every single neighborhood depends on the exact same essential services
[37:57] to keep this city strong.
[38:00] For years, Edinburgh has held its tax rate at 63 cents per 100 valuation, and tonight you
[38:06] were proposing to maintain it again at that rate.
[38:11] But the full context is our calculated, no new revenue rate is 6303 cents.
[38:20] Employee in terms of Edinburgh just choosing to collect less than what is required just
[38:25] to keep our revenue flat.
[38:26] This is structural bell tightening.
[38:30] Are we entirely depending on new development you carry the load?
[38:34] What about our one small library, parks, green spaces, and more?
[38:41] Which lag behind and need improvement and growth?
[38:45] So I would like to request a one cent increase to our tax rate
[38:49] because that single cent acts as a powerful money multiplier.
[38:55] One cent is an investment that multiplies our collective resources of one cent.
[39:03] It turns a small fractional contribution into hundreds of thousands of dollars that go directly into safer neighborhoods and structural longevity.
[39:14] holding a tax rate flat does not hold inflation flits.
[39:22] In the past, we funded new police units, fire trucks,
[39:26] of 3% pay plan for first responders,
[39:28] and a steady push toward a $15 hour minimum wage.
[39:34] These are not luxuries. These are the basic fundamental costs
[39:37] of keeping a city safe and functioning.
[39:40] And here's the fiscal truth we cannot ignore.
[39:43] maintenance postponed is maintenance multiplied. When we refuse to leverage that money
[39:50] multiplier, we face immediate consequences. Recent spikes and employee health care
[39:56] are set for the city to curtail its street-paving program. A one-cent investment
[40:03] today in our municipal government triggers the money multiplier that's stringent, the rising
[40:08] time lifting all our boats tomorrow. Gentlemen, you're all business people. Wouldn't you
[40:16] invest one penny in your business in order to get the same rate of return we get here? Thank you.
[40:26] Thank you.
[40:30] Any other comments? No, say me. All right. Next item is public hearings.
[40:38] Let me see.
[40:39] once I get it.
[40:41] So for items A and B, my understanding on these two items is that there is a development
[40:48] agreement that the city is working on with this particular landowner in which we're trying
[40:55] to get a lift station that will bring sewer to West O'Wasa.
[40:59] Yes, Mayor, that is correct.
[41:02] We're still not an agreement on that development agreement.
[41:05] As of right now, the agreement is still being reviewed.
[41:08] So it's still pending.
[41:10] That being the case, I would propose to city council that we table items A and B until we are able to finalize the development agreements so it's all presented at the same time.
[41:29] There's a motion and a second to table items A and B any discussion.
[41:34] All is in favor of the motion raise your right hand, all is opposed motion passes.
[41:39] A and B are table.
[41:40] Next item is item C. Secretary could read the caption.
[41:47] Here's your mayer.
[41:48] Who will public hearing consider the sign variance requested city of
[41:51] NMG development code as follows?
[41:53] One article four section 4.302 E4B.
[41:57] Sites and report to allow an electronic message area exceeding 50% of the total
[42:01] sign area.
[42:02] Number two article four section 4.303-3 permanent free standing sign to allow
[42:06] next to him. Maximum permitted sign area and height for a pool sign. As described located
[42:12] in 503 Conquest Boulevard, as requested by A.J. Fedora.
[42:15] All right. The public hearing is now open on this item. Anybody you wish in the speak for
[42:20] or against can come forward?
[42:30] Hi, good evening. My name is Joe Hubu. I'm General Council of the Verdogan Auto Group. I want
[42:35] to say first thank you to Mr. Acevedo and his staff. It's been very helpful in this process.
[42:40] The variance of pin, in this instance, is for a new sign.
[42:44] It's going to be the first stage in several million
[42:47] dodgeworth of development in the Edinburgh area for those
[42:50] dealerships.
[42:51] I have Mr. Ferrari here who can answer any questions about the
[42:54] specifics of the sign, and then Mr.
[42:56] Vacker would like to address the overall development,
[42:59] giving an idea of what's going to happen in that area.
[43:11] I'll make sure you put on the contacture of the sign
[43:13] developer and this sign is the electronics sign it's a state of the art
[43:19] latest it is in a vertical cell phone ratio which makes a different most
[43:26] digital science or horizontal so that's the future that's what's coming and
[43:31] it is just part of the product and development as far as any type of
[43:37] Demi, every follows any state laws, automatically dims down as the light comes up, and so everything is
[43:49] State of the Earth is not going to be signed that you're going to have problems with or blinking or anything like that.
[43:56] Do you have any questions for me?
[43:59] Yes, or I have a question, compared to the large attorney sign next to how do you compare both signs?
[44:05] So it's very similar, it's the format of more vertical, and it's the same technology, in fact, it's the same company that I know that their sign is also a tectonic sign.
[44:19] That's all right.
[44:22] This is off of the expressway, right?
[44:26] By conquest in the expressway.
[44:30] I don't know, I think Mr. Becker was going to speak on this.
[44:33] What is going on out there at that specific area?
[44:49] what we're proposing but what's going to happen is this is phase one of a
[44:54] multi-phase project. That sign will go up on that location.
[45:00] That will become a huge carlop for the Cadillac leadership, because we're running out of room there on the freeway.
[45:06] So, once we do that, it will move south on the other side of the Nissan store, Fiesta Nissan, and we're developing all the way down to the point if you try and boundary, you see those red rails.
[45:17] Okay, that's all going to be developed. And then we've already done the permission from the State of Texas to adopt that curve and clean that up on that far end.
[45:26] Then we come back on the backside and as you come off to South Closers right there, you see that mechanic shop there.
[45:37] We've already terminated their lease and that'll all be cleaned up and it'll go away.
[45:42] And then we come on down and we'll clean up there behind the Nissan store.
[45:47] So what we're looking at is about what we do.
[45:54] the last week, we ordered 200 palm trees, so we're going to start landscaping all the way down
[46:00] the free away from the school where this property is all the way around the curb and back, and then once
[46:07] we get this project complete there, our plans are to take the Fiesta Chevrolet store and we're going to move
[46:23] GMC store and where we are right now that GMC, the store-book, the South part of that by the Chick-fil-A will become a GMC truck center.
[46:33] What's now the answer to the Chevrolet will become Buick.
[46:37] So that whole thing right there, you're talking somewhere close to close to $45 million.
[46:44] And that's if we get a permission to get General Motors to approve it, we'll start immediately.
[46:48] But then also we've also in negotiation with Greater Hartford.
[46:54] We own the property right at the entrance right behind the academy into the shops of
[46:58] the Regrim.
[46:59] We finally got them to agree to not put in one of those huge signs like to have on the
[47:04] Trenton.
[47:05] So we've already agreed to some monuments on it and they've given us the traditions that
[47:10] look really good.
[47:11] So once they're agreed to that, we'll have to give them some footage and they can complete
[47:16] that interest there.
[47:17] and then we'll take that piece of property and we're going to put something there and I don't
[47:22] know exactly what would be some development on that property. So when we get through with this whole
[47:27] thing, you're probably talking $15 million dollars and you're probably talking 7500 new jobs.
[47:35] So it's going to be a long process. I'm hoping this link will get the jump so we're going to jump start it.
[47:41] As far as the sign, how much is it going to cover the actual, the building, or I've decided that
[47:48] low is office, how much is it going to cover it in any way?
[47:51] I'm sorry what?
[47:52] The sign is going to cover that building in any way because it's a vertical?
[47:57] No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.
[48:01] If you drive that front edge road, no, it's a whole line.
[48:05] And what it will give it, what it's going to give us some visibility is that building is
[48:10] covered our Cadillac side.
[48:12] So if you're coming from the north, you can't see that at all.
[48:16] So what we're having to do actually is put a sign there
[48:19] to alert people.
[48:21] Hey, there's a Cadillac store right here.
[48:24] So, but no, you won't haunt her sign.
[48:28] Excellent.
[48:29] A lot of activity out there.
[48:30] Yeah, and we got out some other stuff
[48:33] but I don't want to talk about it.
[48:35] But we're doing a lot with Edinburgh.
[48:37] We just keep pushing, pushing, pushing.
[48:39] Our big holder will have believe it or not.
[48:40] I was on the telephone with General Motors today.
[48:44] They want to do a market study.
[48:46] I said, boy, you know, I said, let me get you to talk
[48:49] this kind of this medium, Edmer, they can tell you what's
[48:52] going on with.
[48:53] I want to get moving, which you know how corporations
[48:55] work, large corporations like that.
[48:57] So they're doing a market study on that, just making
[48:59] the move, doing a washer.
[49:01] We're trying to keep everything in Edmer.
[49:03] So if we get to the North side of the washer,
[49:06] everything stays in Edmer, and then what
[49:08] We'll do also once we get the Chevrolet down there, we'll take the Subaru store and we'll move
[49:16] it down on a wasp also.
[49:18] So it's going to change that whole set up there, trim, and what is that closure?
[49:25] Yeah.
[49:25] Excellent.
[49:26] I was one of those being counters at GM once upon a time.
[49:29] Oh, sorry.
[49:30] Something you want to talk about.
[49:31] Yeah, but no, that Edinburgh is growing.
[49:34] So yes, I agree.
[49:35] Well, I have to go back to you guys and say, hey, if we need to get some numbers together to show
[49:41] on, but I think we've got all the pieces put together.
[49:44] All right.
[49:45] Thank you.
[49:46] Yes, sir.
[49:50] Hi, man.
[49:55] So on this particular sign, why is it requiring a variance?
[49:58] Because of the size mirror, what they're proposing is a 30 by 65 square foot sign.
[50:04] It's going to have a component of an LED screen that's going to be 45 by 25.
[50:09] Now, currently, that's 1125 square feet.
[50:16] What's allowed there on the expressway is 200 square feet.
[50:21] Now, that's the current UDC.
[50:23] The new UDC is going to be a little bit more flexible,
[50:26] but this would still require a variance, even under the new UDC.
[50:31] The actual LED sign, it's a portion of what's
[50:35] being proposed is not the entire monument sign
[50:38] is not a digital sign correct.
[50:39] Right, it's a portion.
[50:41] It's about 58% of the face is going to be LED.
[50:45] And the height of it currently along the expressway,
[50:49] we allow 40 feet, and what's being proposed
[50:51] is 65 feet.
[50:54] So those are the two variances on the square footage
[50:56] and on the height.
[50:58] Yeah, and I remember, we've had some issues with the sign
[51:01] ordinance right in the past.
[51:02] There's a little bit of things that we need to look at.
[51:05] For example, it allows for a percentage of a wall, right, not necessarily looking at the
[51:12] size of the sign itself, so I just feel like there's some things that we need to tweak
[51:16] on it.
[51:17] What's being addressed in terms of the expressway signs in the proposed eddy?
[51:20] We're going to be going a little bit higher along the expressway, because generally it's 40
[51:24] and along the expressway, everybody does 60 or 80, and we're proposing 60.
[51:30] So this would still be on a five feet over, but it'd be close to what is being proposed.
[51:37] Any other questions?
[51:39] Okay.
[51:40] Thank you.
[51:42] Public hearing is still open.
[51:43] Anybody wishing to speak for against the item can
[51:45] come forward?
[51:47] All right.
[51:47] Seeing none.
[51:47] Public hearing is now closed.
[51:49] Is there a motion?
[51:49] Move to approve.
[51:51] Motion the second to approve any discussion?
[51:54] All right.
[51:54] All is in favor of the motion.
[51:55] Raise your hand.
[51:57] All is opposed.
[51:58] Motion passes.
[52:00] Next item.
[52:01] The secretary can read the caption.
[52:02] Mr. Mayor.
[52:03] Hold public hearing concerns of the time variance request to the city of Edinburgh Ginniff
[52:06] I.
[52:07] Dimitann McClub, Article 4, Section 4.305-B18, prohibited signage that are located on or extended
[52:13] over any public sidewalk street alley or other public property.
[52:17] As described, located at 5502 South McAll Road, as the request by Wilburts of One
[52:21] Salis.
[52:23] All right.
[52:23] The public hearing is now open on this item.
[52:25] Anybody wishing to speak for or against can come forward.
[52:32] All right. Seeing none, public hearing is closed. There are motion on the side of the question to prove. Second.
[52:43] There's a motion to prove it in a second. On this particular item, I did have some questions. So this is a, is it over at just school?
[52:52] Yes, mayor, this is at the Driscoll Hospital.
[52:54] And so I know there's a sign already existing, right, where they want to put this new sign. Is that correct?
[52:59] Actually, that same sign is going to be refaced.
[53:03] So what they're doing is the cabinet on top is going to change in dimensions.
[53:07] It's going to be a 10 by 10 now.
[53:09] I think the one that's there is probably like 6 feet tall by about 12 feet wide.
[53:14] Okay.
[53:15] They're just changing it to more of a square sign.
[53:17] Okay.
[53:18] And why does it require a variance?
[53:19] It requires a variance for me because when we got the building permit for that sign,
[53:24] we noticed that it's on state right away.
[53:26] It's not on their property per se, so any sign that's not on their property requires a variance.
[53:35] I see, so a portion, are we talking about like the overhang of the sign?
[53:39] I'm talking about the sign.
[53:40] The sign itself.
[53:41] Okay, so the sign itself is within state right away.
[53:46] Now, I will say that when they got their signage permit for the whole entire fiscal hospital,
[53:52] this sign was excluded, it wasn't in there.
[53:54] It wasn't until they came in to re-face it, is that we noticed?
[53:57] Okay.
[53:58] All right.
[53:59] So then that being the case, aside from that, the dimensions of the sign, the sign itself,
[54:03] would it have a required variance?
[54:05] It's just based on the location.
[54:06] Okay.
[54:08] I mean, I imagine if you're even able to speak to this, maybe you're not.
[54:12] It's still subject right to all of the requirements of being in the right way.
[54:15] If some issue were to come up, then they've got to deal with it, right?
[54:18] Because the state owns the right way ultimately.
[54:20] Correct.
[54:20] and likely that is that text out may come to just go one day and tell them that it's on
[54:24] the right away.
[54:25] All right.
[54:26] Okay.
[54:27] Straight forward enough.
[54:28] So the sign itself right doesn't have the issues, it's just the placement of it being
[54:31] in state property.
[54:32] That's correct.
[54:35] Okay.
[54:36] Any other questions or discussion?
[54:38] Okay.
[54:39] All right.
[54:39] There's a motion in a second.
[54:42] All those in favor, raise your right hand.
[54:44] All the posts?
[54:45] All right.
[54:46] Motion passes.
[54:48] But next items are the public hearing routine items.
[54:52] There's only one, as a reminder, these routine items,
[54:55] the recommendation from the Planning and Zoning Commission.
[55:03] Oh, it is.
[55:04] To be a loss.
[55:04] OK.
[55:05] Well, thank you.
[55:07] Thank you for pointing that out.
[55:08] All right.
[55:08] So same treatment on this would be my recommendation,
[55:10] then, is that this one be table as well,
[55:13] since the previous A and B items are table,
[55:15] so that we can finalize the development agreement.
[55:18] Motion to table.
[55:19] Motion in a second, any discussion?
[55:21] Hearing none, all the favor of the motion
[55:23] raise your right hand, all the posts, motion passes.
[55:26] Okay, next item is 10A of the secretary of the caption.
[55:30] Yes, Mayor.
[55:31] Consider the variance request to the city's unified development code as follows.
[55:34] Number one, Article 5, Section 5.301, Dedication of Improvements, A, Street, and
[55:39] Right away, three permanent streets payment, IRFE and Lou required A and two Article 5, Section
[55:44] 5.2, 10, get to the DCE, E, Sanitary Source, two requirements for Sanitary Surve for
[55:50] I want the Mayor of the State's subdivision, as is described.
[55:53] Located at 32, 20 West-Japan Road,
[55:55] as we can speak in Tania, Haley and Associates.
[55:58] All right.
[56:00] Is there a motion on the side?
[56:02] A motion approved.
[56:04] A motion at a second, any discussion?
[56:06] My understanding that the owners are willing to give up the right
[56:09] away to the city in case it needs to be utilized.
[56:15] Good afternoon. Mr. Mayor of council members.
[56:17] I want to keep Tania here from Tania.
[56:20] I am represented in the families of the existing homes, but to attest to your questions,
[56:27] they have agreed to dedicate the additional right away around shape and as required by the
[56:31] cities and people.
[56:34] Thank you.
[56:35] That's part of it already though, right?
[56:36] They're going to dedicate it.
[56:38] They're going to donate it through the plant.
[56:40] It's already shown on the plant.
[56:42] That is here on the city.
[56:43] Because the houses are already there.
[56:44] It's not like they're not building a new subdivision or anything like that.
[56:47] The homes are there.
[56:48] It's a family matter, it's a long story, but the original parents passed away along the way,
[56:55] but they had gifted their sons and daughters each and they saw all built their homes.
[56:59] But the mom was the one that passed away in recent times, and now the families that are there
[57:06] consultable in a turn, so you need to file a plan to rectify all of these. So he's just for that purpose.
[57:12] I wrote the home to them.
[57:13] And I saw that there was an earlier variance before they actually give up the frontage of that property.
[57:17] that's correct. Thank you. Thank you.
[57:24] Okay, sorry. I'm not following. So what now?
[57:28] There were the city is getting, the city is getting. So do we need the variants? What's going on?
[57:34] Sorry. Let me just tell you a little bit. This is two variants. One of the variants is to not
[57:41] to connect to the existing sewer that's in the area. Okay. Because these homes are existing homes.
[57:46] They're on septic tanks already. So they want to remain on septic tanks. The other
[57:50] part is they're dedicating by the plat, an additional 10 feet of right away along
[57:57] Chapin. It's 264 feet along Chapin that they're dedicating via the plat. So we're
[58:04] okay with that, but what they don't want to do is pay the additional street-wide
[58:08] in-cost along Chapin. That's the other variance that they're seeking.
[58:12] I see. Okay, they're only going to do this because of the passing of, I guess,
[58:17] the grammar, or the parents' arts, yes.
[58:22] It's an existing condition like that.
[58:24] But the rules don't distinguish them.
[58:26] That's why they require us.
[58:29] So both homes are there, right?
[58:31] So both homes.
[58:32] Now, the fact that it's six homes, there are six homes.
[58:35] Since we became, when Mayor came on shortly after.
[58:45] OK, so the city will be getting the right away then, right?
[58:49] Yes, Mr. Mayor.
[58:50] It's just, but we, the city will not be getting the escrow or the road built out.
[58:54] That's right.
[58:55] Okay, got you.
[58:57] So, uh,
[58:59] Chapin, um, somebody could speak to this.
[59:01] I know, I know we're in the process right now, right, of obtaining federal grant money,
[59:06] to be able to do the design to widen Chapin completely, right, from,
[59:11] I think, the expressway to the West City limit.
[59:13] Can someone speak to this?
[59:20] Good evening, Mayor.
[59:21] So, the Council of Tolerary and Assistant City Manager.
[59:23] Yes, sir, we were a recipient of the Rice Grant for the Federal Government to do our planning
[59:29] and engineering study to improve that thereofer from, again, expressed from my 169C to
[59:35] West City Limits.
[59:37] We have not, we've, we're awarded, but we have not received a grant funding as of yet,
[59:41] we're still pending those releases of those funds.
[59:44] And yes, this would be one of them for us to do the study and the engineering design for
[59:48] that area of Chapin, and yes, it's very important for us to secure that right away.
[59:55] So that's one that we will have to acquire in the future.
[1:00:00] We won't have to spend the money right to acquire the right away on this particular property.
[1:00:03] That is correct.
[1:00:03] If they weren't dedicating it, we would have to do that.
[1:00:05] Correct.
[1:00:08] The grant funding is to the engineering and the design.
[1:00:12] For the planning of that roadway expansion.
[1:00:15] We will still need funding to actually build the road.
[1:00:17] Yes, sir.
[1:00:18] And where are we planning to get that?
[1:00:20] We'll still put that on our imperial list.
[1:00:24] This would be making much more viable to be a shovel ready project that we can move up on.
[1:00:29] are there for plans and our MPO funding requests?
[1:00:35] So the design portion of it is getting funded by the federal government
[1:00:40] ideally, right, if we can finalize the actual grant of the award.
[1:00:43] That is, Crom, if we move forward this, we don't have to pay for the...
[1:00:49] That section of right.
[1:00:50] For that section of the right away, but then I guess the final potential
[1:00:54] cost, right, is the actual construction of the road on that portion.
[1:00:59] That should be covered by MPO money.
[1:01:03] Yes, there will have to request those funds through the MPO for their construction until.
[1:01:08] I imagine it would be a very expensive project.
[1:01:11] There's probably no way this city could do it on our own.
[1:01:13] That is correct.
[1:01:16] All right.
[1:01:17] Did you have something to add?
[1:01:20] No.
[1:01:22] Okay.
[1:01:23] So, I mean, that's helpful to know that we've got money already for the design.
[1:01:29] We don't necessarily need the escrow about for that.
[1:01:33] We are saving on the right-of-way acquisition
[1:01:37] because you're donating it, or I guess providing it, right, in the process of the plat.
[1:01:42] Is that something that they're required to do?
[1:01:45] Yes, Mayor, typically they're required to do both.
[1:01:47] They're required to give up the right away and give up the escrow for the pavement.
[1:01:52] But, correct me if I'm wrong for the variance, they wouldn't have to give up any land.
[1:01:56] If they were granted the variance,
[1:01:58] That's they're doing that voluntarily well whether it's voluntarily or through the planning process
[1:02:05] We're going to ask for it and the variance the variance is because they could pay the fee and it would but that wouldn't that exclude them
[1:02:13] Or they wouldn't have having the
[1:02:15] Still put money right now as far as the right away technically they could have asked for a variance, but I explain to them
[1:02:23] Not to do it because the reasons that we are discussing correct that right away needs to be
[1:02:29] dedicated to the city, so like I said, it's several of them, but they understood and they said,
[1:02:35] that's fine, we need to do that. Right. So they we didn't ask for a variance on dedicated in
[1:02:41] the road.
[1:02:43] Okay, I think you know that helps out on that specific issue. Now on the sanitary
[1:02:49] sewer one, why don't they want to plug in? Well, it's like I said, they've lived there for
[1:02:56] on time, there's that tick-tons are working fine.
[1:02:59] They actually, the lot sizes are about three quarters of an acre,
[1:03:02] which is way, way above the state required,
[1:03:05] and the CD encounter requirement, which is have an acre.
[1:03:08] They're working fine, obviously, it will be a substantial cost
[1:03:11] for them to do that.
[1:03:15] But they did, but they did a degree to install
[1:03:18] of our hydrant, which was required.
[1:03:20] By the further part, I told the families that we need
[1:03:22] to do for protection is extremely vital.
[1:03:25] So we're doing that and also the far department as for a turnaround on the south end and they also agree to that
[1:03:33] So they are doing things just you know, I don't obviously, which is it's because here. What
[1:03:38] The way I read it in essence, they were asking to be grandfathered in because of the property vendor
[1:03:42] In essence, yes, but we but they are doing some improvements as to how they are right now
[1:03:50] Are they are the owners intending to hold the property or they're intending to do the subdivision
[1:03:55] and so. No, they stood for them to live there. But because when the mom passed away,
[1:04:01] you cannot let that, you know, the deed was not prepared so we need to do all of this process
[1:04:07] by the attorney that they consulted with. I know we are able to put conditions on variances.
[1:04:15] I might be even a question for you. Is it would it proper to be to put some kind of a condition
[1:04:19] where if these properties are conveyed through a sale that the buyer would have to extend
[1:04:25] sewer.
[1:04:26] I'm just concerned right that if we leave it on septic, somebody buys this in the future
[1:04:32] now, you know, they're going to be stuck with having to do it or they're going to be expecting
[1:04:37] the city to pay for it at some point in the future because we're excusing it today.
[1:04:42] I mean, I think the variance goes with the land.
[1:04:45] correct me from wrong pen. That's correct, Mayor. They would, the variance itself would run
[1:04:51] with the land. So I understand what you're, you're attempting to do with the condition
[1:04:55] if any subsequent sale is done, but the very nature of the variance would be that it would
[1:05:00] continue with the land.
[1:05:04] All right, so no conditions allowed on this one. Fair enough, it is what
[1:05:07] it is. All right, any other discussion questions? So I know there was a motion to approve. There's
[1:05:14] two variances. The motions to approve both variances. We're not taking them one at a time. Just
[1:05:18] be clear on that. So there's a motion to approve both variances. There's a second. All those
[1:05:23] in favor. Raise your right hand. All the posts. Motion passes.
[1:05:31] Okay. Next item are the budget items.
[1:05:36] The first two items are to hold a public hearing on both the proposed budget and the proposed
[1:05:40] tax rate. I would like to open the public hearing on both items at the same time. So anybody
[1:05:45] come up and speak on either and or the budget as proposed or the proposed tax rate.
[1:05:54] All right, public hearing is now open.
[1:05:55] Anybody wishing to speak for against or otherwise can come forward?
[1:06:02] I'm glad to hear y'all are cutting things.
[1:06:05] I was wondering and I'd gotten a couple of phone calls about the fuel for the police department.
[1:06:11] Is that anywhere in the budget that y'all are looking at?
[1:06:15] So I'd like to find out because I understand because the price is high, there is some pullback
[1:06:22] on using the cars and stuff.
[1:06:25] So I just wondered if the fuel was put in there to help the police department.
[1:06:30] All right.
[1:06:30] I know we do have our finest director here.
[1:06:35] But if you're a mayor in council, as I said, I'll also do a clarifying as, yes, that
[1:06:39] is included in our budget.
[1:06:41] Okay.
[1:06:41] Great.
[1:06:41] Thank you.
[1:06:44] Public hearing is still open.
[1:06:46] Anybody wishing to speak for against or otherwise may come up.
[1:06:50] and do so.
[1:06:54] Good evening again. Thank you to Mayor for his explanation of the budget and its
[1:07:02] allocations, but I have to question the following. The library, our library, strength by and they need
[1:07:14] more of a budget. It's inadequate for a city of our size.
[1:07:25] Sequitment. Yes, thank you for the park's equipment that has
[1:07:30] And allocated. But what about the green spaces? What about native trees?
[1:07:42] We are all proud of
[1:07:43] Edinburgh's recreation as to what is possible, but think what could be even more possible with
[1:07:52] more of a bunch of street paving. I attended the UDC meeting this afternoon, and
[1:08:02] To my layman's look, it seems that we're being more reactive to builders but not to residents.
[1:08:15] It seems that the construction is driving the roads instead of the roads driving the construction.
[1:08:25] EC, the Enberg Economic Development Corporation.
[1:08:36] A member of the Leadership Enberg 36 class.
[1:08:40] It is a wonderful program that tuition-based course,
[1:08:44] but we have to realize that Enberg EDC is for business
[1:08:51] and here is for essential services that are supposed to serve all of us.
[1:09:00] Now,
[1:09:07] it's going to cause a lot of discernment, let's say, discussion and controversy, but I think we should be paying
[1:09:18] or in Bergmeyer and Councilman.
[1:09:21] I see businessmen up here all men, but where are the women?
[1:09:28] Where is the over 50% population of women?
[1:09:32] Maybe it's time to think about allowing a salary in order for others besides those who are just in finances to go ahead and serve.
[1:09:46] These people are important.
[1:09:50] So, thank you.
[1:09:52] I appreciate you listening to me.
[1:09:54] I know I swim upstream most of the time, but consider this and remember that we're thinking
[1:10:01] about the future and that future includes all of us.
[1:10:06] Thank you.
[1:10:11] Public hearing is still open, anybody who is speaking for against or otherwise may come
[1:10:15] forward.
[1:10:19] All right.
[1:10:19] Seeing none, public hearing on both of us are now closed.
[1:10:22] So we will now move into considering the ordinance adopting the budget for the city
[1:10:29] Itemberg, is there a motion?
[1:10:33] Motion approved?
[1:10:36] All right.
[1:10:36] Motion approved in a second.
[1:10:38] Council is there any additional.
[1:10:41] So I spent some time at the very beginning where I go into a report,
[1:10:45] because I'm really proud of this budget.
[1:10:46] I think it's a great budget.
[1:10:48] Are there any particular items that this council would like to get their
[1:10:50] highlight or discuss?
[1:10:58] I have something that I would like to raise.
[1:11:03] So Mr. Lundz, you should be wearing a cape.
[1:11:05] You along with city management like as you all have been really going at it literally up until the last
[1:11:12] Second before adopting this budget and so I'm very appreciative of all the work. You the finance staff
[1:11:19] Along with city management has been doing all along the way
[1:11:22] Just as I forget actually the mentioned this from my my opening report. I should have
[1:11:27] But I know there had been some discussion and I think I had you know
[1:11:31] Release the video and people were talking about this which I'm really glad that people were talking about it
[1:11:35] But we had reduced our proposed street program from two and a half to one and a half so that we can cover some of the increases and employee premiums.
[1:11:45] But with some additional work putting pen to paper, we have actually found additional resources to be able to put at least that million dollars back into street improvement programs.
[1:11:55] So, even with this budget, we are anticipating to be able to fully fund that originally proposed
[1:12:02] two and a half street improvement program.
[1:12:04] And to be absolutely clear, this is the first time in over a decade that the City of
[1:12:10] Edinburgh has a budgeted street improvement program.
[1:12:13] This past year, we used ARPA money to do that.
[1:12:16] We were able to get through a lot of different neighborhoods, but it was not actually built
[1:12:22] within the city budget.
[1:12:23] And so we are very proud, I particularly am very thankful and grateful to the finance
[1:12:28] staff and the city management for carving out this two and a half million, not once, but twice
[1:12:33] to make sure that we can service this street improvement program throughout the entire city of Edinburgh.
[1:12:40] So thank you so much for doing that.
[1:12:43] One additional item that I do want to discuss is the pay adjustment proposal.
[1:12:49] So I know, for example, that the City Manager's proposed pay proposal was for a 2% salary increase across the board for all employees.
[1:13:02] What has been discussed in the past is being able to raise the minimum wage of those earning under $15 to $15 to provide them that living wage.
[1:13:15] And so as a counter proposal to the city manager's budget of 2% increase, I would like to consider,
[1:13:25] instead, reallocating that amount so that we can increase the workers who are under 15 to 15.
[1:13:36] And then the rest of the staff receiving a one-time, one-person retention incentive payment.
[1:13:46] My understanding is that that particular set of numbers, right?
[1:13:50] If we were to move forward with doing that, the budget as provided, there's a line item, right?
[1:13:55] That allocates for some type of pay plan adjustment, that that number, it's neutral, right?
[1:14:01] is not. We won't have to pull any money from any of the programs. It's already provided for
[1:14:05] in the budget. That is correct, sir. Okay. So at this point, we could either give a 2% pay increase
[1:14:12] across the board to all employees, or we could do a 50, bring everybody under $15 to $15,
[1:14:20] and then every other employee besides that receives a 1-time 1% of their base salary retention
[1:14:29] incentive payments.
[1:14:30] We have both of those options.
[1:14:31] Yes, Mayor.
[1:14:32] Council, we do.
[1:14:33] Well, I would urge the alternative option.
[1:14:38] Looking through the numbers, what I see is that we have 182 positions in the city of Edinburgh,
[1:14:45] where their base rate is under $15 an hour.
[1:14:49] And when you look at them, it's ground skippers, sanitation workers, custodians, building
[1:14:57] maintenance park rangers
[1:15:00] Maintenance operators, and street maintenance text. And so these are frontline workers right
[1:15:05] who are out in the sun, who are literally working with trash, but are providing a very important
[1:15:11] service to the city of Edinburgh. And I know this has been under discussion for a couple of
[1:15:15] years to try to get that under 15 to 15. There was some litigation over this. There was a
[1:15:22] resolution over this. And in my opinion, it's time to do that. So I would encourage that we move
[1:15:29] forward with an alternative paid plan proposal where we raise anybody under 15 to 15 and then
[1:15:35] the remainder of the city employees receive a one-time 1% retention incentive pay.
[1:15:43] John, this is really the first on her. Where do we find the extra money to help? Where
[1:15:49] did that come from?
[1:15:50] That came. We looked at our, we had already on August 14, we had included the 2% already.
[1:15:57] So that was already included.
[1:15:59] The additional funds we looked at at all our revenues as we do in our budget process.
[1:16:05] And the last two months, our sales tax revenue has increased.
[1:16:11] We were budgeting that 5% increase for the last two months.
[1:16:15] It's gone to 9.47 and then this last, just this month, we got an increase of 10.40.
[1:16:23] So the trend is trending. The sales taxes is increasing. We re-valuated that line those two line
[1:16:30] items for sales tax and we feel comfortable presenting at 5.5% increase for our budget. So it's
[1:16:38] still a comfortable revenue projection that we feel very comfortable that we will obtain that.
[1:16:45] So it came from a sales tax increase.
[1:16:49] But when was this discovered about this proposed text?
[1:16:54] I guess the money that we found.
[1:16:56] When was this?
[1:16:56] When did you all figure this part out?
[1:16:59] Because this, the person I heard from y'all, the staff about finding this kind of money?
[1:17:03] Yeah, it's for a budget process.
[1:17:05] Any kind of, there's any changes, additions, or decreases from our upper management.
[1:17:12] From our binary council, through our upper management, we do follow a chain of command.
[1:17:15] We do look for funding any sources.
[1:17:18] We are aware of any additional grants coming in.
[1:17:21] Before we adopt, we do recommend, we make a recommendation to
[1:17:25] a permanent management and my own council to look at those.
[1:17:30] But it is a process that we do with the revenues.
[1:17:33] As you know, budget is projected for next year
[1:17:37] of what we anticipate getting.
[1:17:40] So it's an ongoing thing that we look at a month by month,
[1:17:44] our revenues, and that's when it came up, that when it was determined that there was a possibility
[1:17:53] of increasing that paper and adjustment or plan. This is just a recommended from our sales
[1:18:01] tax and we feel comfortable increasing that to 5.5% over last year because of the two months
[1:18:09] that we got this last two months.
[1:18:12] And because of the increase in the trend that we're seeing,
[1:18:15] we feel very comfortable if Mayor
[1:18:17] Council would just choose to do that.
[1:18:20] Are you, so you're asking about the difference
[1:18:22] in cost between the two percent across the board
[1:18:25] pay increase and the larger?
[1:18:27] I just didn't, this is the first time I heard from staff
[1:18:31] about having extra money to cover certain expenses.
[1:18:35] So I don't heard about it from the staff.
[1:18:36] Well, just to be clear, the two percent pay plan that was built into the original proposed budget.
[1:18:43] That is correct.
[1:18:44] That was where both our city manager included on August 14th when we presented that budget.
[1:18:50] So the extra money to do some type of a pay is not money that was found.
[1:18:58] It's money that was already there in the proposed budget.
[1:19:01] It was adjusted, but was there we had projected a 5% increase because of the trend we were seeing
[1:19:08] But this last two months we seen an increase
[1:19:12] Which is above what we were projecting like I said we were projecting about a 5% increase
[1:19:18] We this last two months we we had a 9.47% increase for one month and then a compared to last year and then this just this this month
[1:19:27] We had 10 points, I think it's 10.64 increase, 10.5 sales tax increase, so we feel comfortable
[1:19:36] that we're going to continue, so we feel comfortable, yeah, we project revenues, we're very
[1:19:42] conservative because we need to resource revenue projections because of that we'll have a short
[1:19:47] fall, so but we do feel comfortable with this at this time.
[1:19:53] Where do we find that extra milling of the back end streets?
[1:19:58] That's a work in progress, I think we've been looking at that.
[1:20:01] I can speak to that.
[1:20:05] Part of it, a chunk of it is a deferred payment for purchase of property from the EDC.
[1:20:12] We were budgeted to make a payment this year.
[1:20:14] The board discussed it last night and is allowing a deferment of that payment.
[1:20:18] So that's a chunk right they could go back into the Street Improvement program and then aside from that
[1:20:23] There's additional bonds savings. They can be a applied for street improvements. That's the first time I'm hearing about that too
[1:20:29] So it's just
[1:20:31] I was just cognizant concerned about that because we've been trying to help out with everything else and taking away and we actually put it back in
[1:20:38] That's that's news to me
[1:20:40] My concern is that why is this the first time we're hearing about this?
[1:20:43] So we just heard as the mayor stated that the EDC allowed for the
[1:20:51] deferment of the payment. That's not something that was communicated
[1:20:55] until last night, actually today. So during this public hearing, we figured
[1:21:02] that it would be discussed. I did not get confirmation until like earlier this
[1:21:11] So I've just heard it so now the council is hearing it as well.
[1:21:15] That's why it's being communicated during this public hearing.
[1:21:20] Yeah, literally working on it until the last minute.
[1:21:26] I think two other kind of points of clarification.
[1:21:29] What we're talking about on the pay plan on any type of pay plan,
[1:21:33] whether it's the 2% or it's the alternate pay plan proposal.
[1:21:36] This is for non civil service correct.
[1:21:38] Not civil service, yes, fire, a medical firm that they already have a 2% built in.
[1:21:47] And right now, what they're supposed to mount for, that's a proposal to still, I think there's
[1:21:52] a negotiation going on and I don't know if I can discuss any of that for the police officers.
[1:21:57] But right now there's a 3% budget for a proposal for the police officers.
[1:22:06] And I think the other point, right, to raise is, so the way that this is budgeted, there is
[1:22:12] an amount, right, that's allocated within the budget for some type of a pay plan adjustment,
[1:22:19] right, or pay plan incentives, correct?
[1:22:21] Right, the way it's budgeted right now is one line item, depending on what's decided
[1:22:26] as far as the pay plan, whether it be a 2% or
[1:22:30] It's alternative pay plan. We will distribute that within the funds and within the departments.
[1:22:37] It has not been distributed. It's a one-line item without a amount allocated, so we could adopt the budget.
[1:22:43] So it's a one-line item to be distributed, depending on what is decided as far as which plan or what adjustments are decided.
[1:22:53] And then we'll allocate that.
[1:22:56] We do need to keep in mind that we can't go over if the budget is adopted,
[1:23:02] we can't go over that amount.
[1:23:05] So if it's less than it's budgeted,
[1:23:08] but does not need to be spent.
[1:23:11] So that's what we have right now being proposed to Mayor and Council.
[1:23:17] So if approved, if the budget is approved, there is an amount available for some type of a pay plan, incentive pay, allocation,
[1:23:29] however, it ends up being that doesn't necessarily need to be decided tonight.
[1:23:34] That is correct. The plan does not need to be decided tonight, just to keep in mind that we add the amount budget that we don't go over that amount.
[1:23:43] Because that's what's been approved by if it is approved will be approved, and that's the number we need to work with either that amount or less.
[1:23:59] And if it's an increase over that, then they would have to come back to amend the budget.
[1:24:06] If this budget is adopted today, we would need an amendment to the budget ordinance.
[1:24:16] Other discussion? Other questions?
[1:24:18] So, Mayor, my question is on the million that's been added to the street-paving.
[1:24:23] When did that happen and how did that get allocated there and not somewhere else?
[1:24:29] Well, it was literally just now, as EDC discussed it last night, and allowed for the deferment of the payment.
[1:24:38] And so, what I understand is we can adopt the budget as long as we don't go over the proposed line item, let's say, for the raises.
[1:24:46] So we could say 2%, and be under that, but if we say 1%, we can't go over that.
[1:24:52] We can't go over it.
[1:24:54] We have to need to amend it.
[1:24:56] We have to stay within what's that line item, which is, we can need to stay within that.
[1:25:03] If it's less, it's budget, it doesn't need to be spent because it'll be allocated according to what you all propose.
[1:25:10] Whatever is approved, whether it be Mayor and Council or city management,
[1:25:14] We'll adjust everything, but right now the dollar amount is budgeted, we go above that, we'll
[1:25:22] need to come back.
[1:25:23] If it's a dot that we'll need to come back and amend the budget.
[1:25:26] If there's money that's not used, it's budgeted, but it does not need to be used, it says
[1:25:32] within our budget, it doesn't need to be spent just because we budget an amount, doesn't
[1:25:37] mean that we have to pay that out.
[1:25:38] Okay, and for the record, I'm for raising the minimum, the lowest paid in our, in our city to $15.
[1:25:47] I'm just wondering if there's a way that we can find a happy median between, because when I understand if we allocate more money to this street payment program, we need extra more employees to make sure that that happens.
[1:25:59] And so I just want to discuss that.
[1:26:02] But I want to make sure that we don't have to come back.
[1:26:04] So, I understand, I understand, thank you.
[1:26:10] Other discussion?
[1:26:11] Other questions?
[1:26:14] I do want to mention that at the end of the day our fund balance did not, there
[1:26:19] was no net change in our fund balance.
[1:26:22] We did not use any additional fund balance amounts, and we did not increase any transfers
[1:26:27] in for general funds.
[1:26:29] So, fund balance is that net, no net change from what we proposed on August 14 or 18.
[1:26:37] So basically your projections doubled on the sales tax from 5% to almost 10%.
[1:26:42] 5.5, we went up to 5.5%.
[1:26:44] Half a percent.
[1:26:45] Half a percent.
[1:26:46] That's percent.
[1:26:53] No other questions or discussion, there's a motion in a second to adopt the budget as presented.
[1:26:58] Always in favor of the motion, raise your right hand.
[1:27:00] Always pose.
[1:27:02] All right.
[1:27:02] Motion passes.
[1:27:03] I'm going to go ahead and take a record boat.
[1:27:06] Oh, yes.
[1:27:11] Yes, yes.
[1:27:12] Yes.
[1:27:14] Mayor of Chau?
[1:27:16] Yes.
[1:27:16] Mayor Delio.
[1:27:19] And Mayor Pritim Sassat?
[1:27:25] Next item is the ordinance adopting the tax rate and letting for the city of Edinburgh for the tax year 2026.
[1:27:33] My understanding is there is a very specific way that this motion must be made.
[1:27:39] Mr. City Attorney?
[1:27:46] Mr. Mayor, I have had a discussion with the Finance Department for the tax rate.
[1:27:52] So I believe what's being proposed currently is a no-new tax revenue rate.
[1:27:56] So because of that, after looking at the statute and case law, the statute under the
[1:28:02] tax code section 26 or chapter 26, I believe in this one there is not any specific language
[1:28:08] that is required.
[1:28:09] I believe the Finance Director may be able to speak more to that, but for because there
[1:28:14] is a proposed no new tax revenue rate.
[1:28:17] There would not need to be any specific language
[1:28:19] that's required.
[1:28:22] That is correct.
[1:28:22] We do have them recommend that language, not required,
[1:28:25] because we are below the no new revenue tax rate.
[1:28:34] Is there a motion?
[1:28:36] Would you like to read out the motion, please,
[1:28:38] Mr. Zidia, turning just so that we're familiar with it?
[1:28:49] Mr. Mayor, so it would be my recommendation,
[1:28:52] City staff recommendation for a motion to adopt the ordinance for
[1:29:00] the City Council.
[1:29:01] I'm sorry of the City of Edinburgh to adopt the property tax rate of .06300 per
[1:29:07] hundred dollars of taxable value consisting of a maintenance and operations tax rate of .5243 per
[1:29:17] of taxable value and interest in sinking debt service tax rate of 0.1057 per $100 of taxable
[1:29:28] value.
[1:29:28] So moved.
[1:29:30] Motion of a second.
[1:29:31] Any discussion on this item?
[1:29:34] Seeing none.
[1:29:35] All is in favor of the motion or do we need a roll call on this?
[1:29:37] How did this go ahead?
[1:29:39] Customer does Anna?
[1:29:41] Yes.
[1:29:41] Yes.
[1:29:42] Miro Chora?
[1:29:43] Customer?
[1:29:43] Delion?
[1:29:44] Yes.
[1:29:45] Next item.
[1:29:45] I'm sorry.
[1:29:46] Just.
[1:29:59] The next item.
[1:30:00] Ladies and gentlemen, our ordinances, let's see 12A, the Secretary of State, read the caption.
[1:30:07] Consider ordinance providing for a temporary special use permit for Fandango 2026 to be held Saturday
[1:30:11] October 3, 2026 as described, located two, two, four, north-class, north-class, north-western boulevard,
[1:30:16] as you can request it by Francisco Guajardo, P.H.D.
[1:30:20] So, it's like a motion, the second in discussion. Hearing none, I was in favor of the motion, raise your right hand,
[1:30:25] I was opposed, motion passes. Item B, Secretary of State, read the caption.
[1:30:30] Consider ordinance and many in the court of warnings of the city of Edinburgh Texas at Title 3 administration
[1:30:33] Chapter 30 administrative code section 30.021 to update the structural organization of the city.
[1:30:40] Is there a motion?
[1:30:43] Motion approved.
[1:30:44] Second.
[1:30:44] Motion in the second.
[1:30:45] Any discussion?
[1:30:47] Hearing none all of the bearer of the motion raise your right hand?
[1:30:49] All of the post.
[1:30:50] Motion passes.
[1:30:51] Item C.
[1:30:52] Consider ordinance and many in the court of warnings of the city of Edinburgh Texas at Title 3 administration
[1:30:56] Chapter 30 administrative code sections.
[1:30:58] 30.071, 30.072, and 30.075 provide a change to the city's current classification compensation plan for non civil service employees.
[1:31:08] So move a second.
[1:31:10] All right.
[1:31:10] Motion in a second to approve any discussion?
[1:31:14] What does this do?
[1:31:24] After the American Commission, Erica Bay, Director of Human Resources.
[1:31:28] So your question was, what is the compensation being changed to?
[1:31:32] So normally every year, if there's any type of adjustment on the compensation plan,
[1:31:37] this is where we would amend the ordinance. So for example on this one there's
[1:31:42] being a change in the rate of paint for one grade and then we're adding one position to one
[1:31:50] grade.
[1:31:57] Yeah so it's adding the director of public facilities to grade one. That is correct. And then
[1:32:02] the rate of change for grade 250 I believe.
[1:32:13] Any other questions? All of us at the
[1:32:16] the motion raise your right hand, all the posts, motion passes, item D.
[1:32:21] Consider, ordinance, amended the code of ordinances of the City of Edinburgh, Texas,
[1:32:23] a title of three administration, Chapter 30 administrative code section, 30.073, to provide
[1:32:28] changes to the Civil Service classification compensation pass.
[1:32:34] Motion in a second, any discussion?
[1:32:37] Hearing none, all the favor, the motion raise your right hand, all the posts, motion passes.
[1:32:47] Next item, the awarding of Bids, 13A.
[1:32:51] Consider awarding RFP, number 2026,
[1:32:53] statutory 1,6,
[1:32:54] development, impact fee,
[1:32:56] next-study,
[1:32:57] for the city of Edinburgh,
[1:32:58] Texas 2, World,
[1:32:58] and Financial Services.
[1:33:00] That has rank in proposal
[1:33:01] and authorized city manager
[1:33:02] to enter into professional service
[1:33:03] contract,
[1:33:04] pursuant to the city's
[1:33:05] orances and procurement policies.
[1:33:07] Is there a motion?
[1:33:08] Motion approved?
[1:33:11] Motion approved?
[1:33:12] Motion approved in a second.
[1:33:12] Any discussion?
[1:33:15] Hearing none?
[1:33:18] All, all is a favorite
[1:33:19] of the motion, raise your right hand?
[1:33:20] All is opposed?
[1:33:21] All is opposed?
[1:33:21] All right, motion passes?
[1:33:22] Item B?
[1:33:23] Consider awarding RFP number 2026-020,
[1:33:26] but answer for the large drainage improvement space
[1:33:28] to blue dot site and utilities LC for the amount of not to exceed 760,000,
[1:33:33] and otherwise the city manager to enter into professional services,
[1:33:36] contract and execute any documents related there too,
[1:33:39] pursuant to the city's ordinances and procurement policies.
[1:33:42] Is there a much improved motion?
[1:33:45] Is there a second?
[1:33:47] Second.
[1:33:48] All right, there's a motion in a second, any discussion?
[1:33:52] All right, all is a favor of the motion raise your right hand, all is a post, motion passes.
[1:33:57] All right, item 14A.
[1:33:58] Consider approval of the Edinburgh EDC fiscal year 2026, 2027 program work and budget.
[1:34:14] Good evening, Mayor and City Council.
[1:34:16] When I'm so that I've got to say, I'm the executive director for Edinburgh Geck and I'm a Devon Corporation.
[1:34:20] And I'd like to thank you on behalf of the Edinburgh Geck and I'm a Development Corporation for all the support that you have provided to the EDC.
[1:34:29] and to the surrounding businesses as well.
[1:34:32] At yesterday's board of directors meeting the board
[1:34:34] approved the budget for fiscal year 27,
[1:34:37] 2627, and the program of work associated with that budget.
[1:34:41] And at 7-0 vote, both the program of the work
[1:34:43] and the budget are included in your packet,
[1:34:45] and I would like to review some of the highlights
[1:34:47] from that packet.
[1:34:49] The program of work comes from the strategic plan.
[1:34:51] That was adopted several years ago,
[1:34:53] and it's a continuation of that plan.
[1:34:54] It's year three of that plan, and it focuses
[1:34:57] of various priorities to encourage private investment, job creation and improvement of quality
[1:35:03] of life. Our focus is upcoming year. We'll be to continue to work on attracting new businesses,
[1:35:10] including retail, commercial and industrial entities, who create opportunities for large job
[1:35:15] creation, working within existing industries and with local companies, small businesses, to help them
[1:35:21] be more profitable and, of course, in creating a better quality of life for our citizens. Some of
[1:35:26] Programs and incentives which we will continue to use include
[1:35:30] lift fund, flip, commercial recruitment program, investment grants,
[1:35:35] infrastructure grants, job creation grants, and others that qualify
[1:35:40] businesses are eligible for.
[1:35:43] We will continue to invest in our city's infrastructure at the airport,
[1:35:46] imports of downtown, and some of the commercial areas that we have to
[1:35:50] continue to boost our tax fate.
[1:35:52] Our budget has a total of over $13.3 million in revenues, and
[1:35:56] 11.3 and reserves that we're going to be using for some of these projects.
[1:36:01] We will be expanding well over $7.5 million in various parts of the city in infrastructure
[1:36:06] and, of course, finishing off our Workforce Resource Center and Pro Shop at Ebeding Hills
[1:36:11] as well.
[1:36:12] These are some of the top priorities they include investments in downtown, in midtown,
[1:36:18] which is between basically city hall and the courthouse in the university and near the
[1:36:24] in Arena and of course the airport are targeted and industries continue to be health care,
[1:36:29] advanced manufacturing tech companies, retail, family and attainment, logistics, food processing,
[1:36:36] and others. Now be happy to answer any specific questions on the budget.
[1:36:46] All right, Eric, no questions, thank you. Do we need action on this item?
[1:36:54] As per the bylaws, we would need action from the City Council to adopt the budget and program work.
[1:36:59] Okay. So, requesting a motion to approve the EDC's program I work in, but is there a motion?
[1:37:09] Motion to approve? Second? Motion to the second. Any discussion?
[1:37:14] All right.
[1:37:15] I was a favor of the motion raised right in. I was opposed. Motion best.
[1:37:18] Thank you.
[1:37:21] Consent agenda. Can I get a motion to approve items A through E?
[1:37:25] So move second
[1:37:27] Hold on just one with a nio one, right?
[1:37:30] That's right. Thank you. Which one is that one? C. I believe? Yes. Okay. Okay. So then items A, B, D, and E, excluding C, can I get a motion to approve?
[1:37:45] So move. Second. All right. Motion to the second. Any objection to the motion?
[1:37:49] All right. Hearing none. Those items are approved. Is there a motion to table item 15 C?
[1:37:57] Motion? Second.
[1:37:57] In a second, any objection to the motion, hearing none that motion passes, item C is
[1:38:02] tabled.
[1:38:04] 16 other business A, any future items requested by the council.
[1:38:11] Item B, Secretary of the Court of the Caption.
[1:38:13] Discussion of possible action regarding resetting the time and place of public hearing
[1:38:16] to be held jointly by the City Council on the Planning and Zoning Commission regarding
[1:38:20] the City's unified development code and prescribing the type of notice to be given
[1:38:23] of the time and place of the joint to public hearing.
[1:38:29] So on this particular one, I know there's a particular motion that we need on
[1:38:32] this one. Mr. City Attorney, what would that motion be? Mr. Mayor, I would be recommending
[1:38:36] a motion by Council prescribing that notice of the time and place of the Joint Public
[1:38:40] Hearing with the Planning and Zone and Commission on Proposed Amendments to the City's
[1:38:44] Unified Development Code be given by publication in a newspaper of General Circulation stating
[1:38:49] that the hearing will be held on October 6, 2026 at 5 p.m. at Edinburgh City Council Chambers.
[1:39:00] Is there a motion?
[1:39:01] So I'll move back in.
[1:39:02] Motion in a second and any discussion.
[1:39:06] All is in favor of the motion, raise your right hand.
[1:39:08] All is opposed, motion passes.
[1:39:12] Item 17 is executive session again,
[1:39:13] and get a motion to enter executive session.
[1:39:16] Motion in a second and any objection.
[1:39:18] Hearing none, the motion is adopted.
[1:39:20] We are now in executive session.
[1:39:22] Time is 738 p.m.
[1:39:25] Item A, constitutionally city attorney.
[1:39:26] Item B, constitutionally city attorney,
[1:39:28] regarding person and matters.
[1:39:29] IITFC discussion in possible action regarding the commencing change or lease and real property.
[1:39:33] IITAMD discussion in possible action regarding economic development matters.
[1:39:36] Number one project face.
[4:06:25] Time is 10.05. We are exiting executive session. Can I get a motion to enter into the open?
[4:06:30] So, we're second. All right. Any objections to the motion hearing? None. Motion passes.
[4:06:35] We are back in the open.
[4:06:38] Mr. City Attorney. I believe we do need action on an item.
[4:06:42] That's correct, Mr. Mayor. There is one item needing action for item 17D. At this time, I recommend a motion to approve the action of the EDC Board of Directors.
[4:06:51] approving project is as to the terms discussed in executive session.
[4:06:56] Is there a motion motion motion in the second in the objection hearing none motion passes any other business no further items needed for action at this time there okay no action required all business done this meetings adjourned time is ten o six
[4:08:12] In the valley, this culture is very rich. And with a lot of global movement and a lot of other genres, we need to make sure that we don't forget what are true traditions and heritage is down here, which is going on until Nathaniel and Fahano, making sure that we archive from all and also get as much as the youth to get involved as much as possible will help push things forward.
[4:08:36] So today we are celebrating our 20th anniversary of our big squeeze of my finals here in Edinburgh Texas Texas
[4:08:44] Folklife is a 41 year old non-profit where statewide organization that's committed to the Folk
[4:08:50] and Traditional Arts that's presentation preservation and documentation. We work with a variety of communities across the state
[4:08:58] The city of Edinburgh has been great. They're wonderful community partners with Texas Folklife
[4:09:03] We've enjoyed bringing the competition year after year. It's a beautiful city. The staff is very welcome me every time we hear we're here
[4:09:12] We feel like we're family and we never want to leave
[4:09:15] Everything from opening up their facility to connecting us with community vendors so that we can give back to the community
[4:09:23] Add to the economic ecosystem as well and they open a door for Texas Folklife and so they're just a phone call away
[4:09:30] and we've really appreciated the partnership that we've had.