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>>> and now from mcallen city hall, a meeting of the mcallen

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city commission. >>mayor villalobos:  good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to tonight's city commission meeting. We will begin with a pledge of

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allegiance followed by invocation by commissioner tony aguirre. >> I pledge allegiance tots flag

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of the united states of america. And to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under god, indivisible with liberty and

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just for all. >>commissioner aguirre: thank

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you being here tonight, today, may we bow our heads. God is a generous giver. And he loves to give.

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he will give his wisdom to anyone who humbly asks for it.

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his gift for us that we may do what is right and just so we may

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live successful lives. Elected officials, if they ask

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for wisdom, we will in turn govern our communities with

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delightful hearts and minds to make sound, fair and right decisions for all the people in our region lord, we ask you and

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thank you for all the blessings you have given throughout your

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years. In your name we pray, amen.

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>>mayor villalobos:  okay, we have a presentation, governor's

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community achievement award. >> thank you, mayor.

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thank you, city commissioners. Thank you to the city manager.

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keep mcallen beautiful was recognized by keep texas

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beautiful as one of ten winners for the 2023 governor's community achievement award for our outstanding overall effort

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to keep our community looking beautiful. Judges from across the state chose winners based on their

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achievements. This award is one of the most covet and annual environmental and community improvement awards

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in texas. Last year in 2022, 4800

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volunteers gave 9906 hours to keep mcallen beautiful.

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and their time helped beautify the city through cleanup and

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beautification projects and project clean neighborhoods collecting 543 tons of trash and bulky waste and 9082 tires.

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representing a value of over 299,000 in volunteered time.

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canby helpeded green up our city by distributing 1500 trees and

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planting 100 trees and shrubs in our parks and public spaces. How about those awesome art irrigation pipes.

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award will split $2 million in landscape funding from texas department of transportation. Mcallen will receive $290,000 in

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landscaping for a project along a txdot right-of-way.

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this is a great team effort, and I would like to especially thank

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public works and all the other city departments that are here and helped us throughout the year and also our staff.

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and as well as our board members that are here today,

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representing keep mcallen beautiful.

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join us watching a short video clip created by txdot for our

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restrike justice award. ♪

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>>> mcallen is a thriving city located in the rio grande valley

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and the 21st most populous city in texas. Over 140,000 residents, it takes a lot of work to keep mcallen

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beautiful. The community of mcallen is deeply involved in the city's beautification and cleanup

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efforts thanks to the city and team at keep mcallen beautiful.

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with extensive bilingual outreach campaign, keep mcallen

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beautiful have volunteers and local organizations to care for

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their community. Planted tree across the community including a small grove of citrus trees.

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planting and tree care information to its residents ensuring healthy, successful growth for years to come.

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in addition to anti-hitting and recycling kmb have installed

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netting and drainage inlets and a screening for southwest

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waterway for litter control for clean and safe spaces for people and wild. Life kmb's youth program

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contributes tots mcallen of trash cleanups, adopt a park program, and the paint mcallen beautiful program that low

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incomed, disabled and elderly mcallen residents have their homes painted by volunteers for free.

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the agriculture history of mcallen can be seen by the 200 irrigation pipes located throughout the city.

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local artists have transported many of these pipes through

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artwork through the rich art project adding vibrant colors to

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the cityscape and giving a chance to display their works for thousands of people every day.

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congratulations to mcallen for all you do you to keep mcallen beau beautiful.

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[applause] thank you so much. And I would like to say, we will be proudly displaying this sign

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somewhere in our city. So thank you, again. Thank you very much. >>mayor villalobos:  that is

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awesome.

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anybody sign up for public comment? Next we have our public hearings.

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but before we begin, I think I -- I just want to -- to the

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commission, here in mcallen we have this thing about, weigh do what we think is right and that's it.

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whatever decision we make, we always respect each other and I expect that to be the same this way.

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we have a -- a -- a item that is very contentious which is the reason we have a lot of the community and actually it is

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nice to see a lot of you all here. And I wish I -- we could see this more often whether it is

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because something that is -- I guess, that is controversial as what we have right now. Or even when we are just voting

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because mcallen is very low when it comes to turnout in terms of voting. It is very important that we all

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get involved. Thank you all for being here. Once again, also, one side or the other is not going to be

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happy. Okay. So I ask that please respect each other.

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and that, look, y'all -- you all elected these individuals, a

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representative body of our community. It is my district, yet our decision have to effect the

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whole city. And I ask to you please respect each other. And I think council has a few

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things today how we are going to proceed. >> thank you, mayor. If you signed up to speak this

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evening, please be prepared to approach the designated microphone at the poed yurm in the front of the room when your

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name is called. Please note that at time the

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texas open meeting act generally were exhibits the city

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commission from engage with speakers and should not be determined as disinterest. The public's understand

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something appreciated. To ensure order and efficiency,

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the following rules will be distributely enforced.

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all speaker also have opportunity to speak. You have a maximum of three minutes to speak. The mayor or presiding officer, at his discretion may reduce the

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allotted time for speakers to ensure meeting efficiency. Please note the timer at the podium will guide you through

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your allotted time. The green light will illuminate when your time begins. After two minutes, the why he

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will low light will illuminate and you will hear a audible warning. This is your one-minute warning.

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the time concluded when there is a red light and a continuous

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audible beep sounding. At this point, please stop speaking. The following conduct is

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prohibited. Failure to yield the floor when a speaker's time is concluded. Comments that are not related to

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a city business item. Loud, threatening and hostile,

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vulgar and obscene language. Failure or refusal to comply with an explicit request of a presiding order may result in

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expulsion and may be a violation of the texas penal code.

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if you wish to speak during the public hearing, speaker sign-up cards available in the lobby so you can be recognized and

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provided an opportunity to speak during the public hearing on agenda items one and two under the rezonings.

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please complete the speaker card by listing your name, complete

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access including the city of which you reside and if you speak for or against the items. Only speaker who turned in cards

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will be recognized to speak on these items. Thank you. >>mayor villalobos:  thank you.

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okay. Let's see. What do we have. Public hearing.

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>> mayor, commissioners. Tonight we have one item listed under routine. Conditional use permit for smoke

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shop. Comes with a favorable recommendation of planning and zoning and received no

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opposition. Could be heard in one motion or

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individually. >>mayor villalobos:  anyone to speak against the item. Anyone to speak against the item? >> so moved.

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>> second. >> all in favor, say aye. Against? Motion carries, item b.

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>> mayor, I have a question of the council. Since the -- -- since the majority of the people are here

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for both items one and two, should we take both items together? Or do you want to take one

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-- b-1 or b-2 separately. >> at the discretion of the

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commission, you can consider them together. >>. >>mayor villalobos:  I say we take them together. >> okay okay.

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>> thank you, mayor. The properties located along the

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west side of south ware, south of new k57 house drive.

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the rezoning on the screen 30.18. The one to the south 23.68. Adjacent zoning is ao to the

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west, south and east. R-1 to the north, and the next

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one have ao through all four sides.

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surrounding uses, champion golf course, community center and single-family homes. The properties currently do not

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have buildings on them. C-1 is being proposed for this one and I-1 for the other for a technology office campus.

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envision mcallen at the note these properties with a future land use of employment center which is appropriate for a mix

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of retail, office, industrial and other nonresidential developments. The developments trend along

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south ware has been commercial going north and industrial south

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with residential spread throughout. Staff previously received three phone calls in opposition to the

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rezonings request citing drainage, traffic and a desire to preserve the existing land use.

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the items were presented at the july 12 planning and zoning commission meeting where there were numerous residents to

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showed up in opposition citing the same issue, again, drainage,

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traffic, desire to preserve the existing land use. At that meeting, some residents submitted a petition with 69

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signatures, after the proposed developer presented their mission for the property, p&z recommended disapproval of both

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rezoning requests. Today another petition for the property to the north, which is going to c-1 with signatures

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from owners along new house drive.

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and that petition has triggered a supermajority of all members

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for approval. We are recommending approval.

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>>mayor villalobos:  we heard a little bit with the p-and-delete space>z. Start with who is in favor of

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it. First, we had some issues -- can

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somebody address issue whether this is a park or not or are we going to do that? >> right.

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we actually had several opportunities for the community to come out and have the discussion about this rezoning,

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mayor. And we did a lot more then is

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required by law for a rezoning. One of the reasons was there was

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some concern from members of the community that they didn't know what was going to go on the property.

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that is a not a requirement of the rezoning, but nevertheless, we recommended to the city commission we not take up the

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item a couple of months ago and start over. And we contacted the -- the company that we are proposing to

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locate here and asked if they were following present to the p&z and to a town hall meeting which they did.

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during those meetings, there have been a lot of discussion and I think you are right. We appreciate the fact that the

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community wants to be involved in this issue as they should be with everything that we do here at city hall; however, in having

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those meetings both at p&z and the town hall.

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a lot of information that was just plainly inaccurate. So what I would like to do. A very few things.

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I would like to place into the record facts as we know them.

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you can debate those issues if you would like. But as we know them, here at city hall, these are facts as we

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know it. So part of the process that we have to go through in order for this facility or any other to be

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located in this location, it has to go through a process that

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involves fema. We have been work on this for over a year to ensure that we know what we want to build or

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what they want to build, and it is done properly. Among other things, what fema requires is, number one, that

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the building is out of a flood plain or a flood zone.

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one of the -- another issue that came up was the fact that this property is in a flood way. It is not.

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this is not a property that is in a flood way.

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it is in a flood zone. While they may sound similar, there is a great difference between the two.

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there is a lot of property in the city of mcallen located in flood zones. Many of our citizens in fact

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live in flood zones. They have to do certain issues

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to mitigate that situation. But they are allowed to build.

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and so among other things, fema requires you to it be out of the

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100-year flood plain. In order to it be in the 100

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year flood plain in this location, you must have an

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elevation of 98.8 feet above mean sea level.

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98.8. The 500-year flood plain requires you to be at 100.5 feet above being sea level.

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soho's program to build at 102.5 feet above mean sea level.

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what that has done is raised concern of the very fact that the building is going to be higher than the area around it.

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another thing that fema requires us to -- to confirm is that it

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will not impact the flow of that flood way with this building.

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it requires the engineer, which I am going to have speak here in a minute, show that the impact due to flooding will not impact

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it upstream or downstream. If that study doesn't accomplish

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that, it will not be approved. Another thing that I would like

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to stress is the concern of drainage. I am going to tell you this. I am going to tell the whole

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community that this body has never in my career been so

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focused on improving infrastructure, especially

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drainage. The last five years -- and let me tell you, I want to thank the community for their patience.

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we have got this city all torn up because we are working as fast as we possibly can to ensure that drainage is improved

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throughout the city of mcallen, including south mcallen, balboa

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angers and others. It is imperative -- acres and

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others. It is imperative for this body and city management to do everything we can to do what is

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right for our community, including quality of life, which you cannot have without proper drainage.

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and so I have got a map here in front of you that the public can

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also see. These are projects that we are doing or have already done in south mcallen alone.

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let me tell you, the price tag for the drainage improvements

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that we are doing in the city of mcallen exceed $60 million in

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drainage. Among them in south mcallen is balboa acres, stormwater pump station, the mission inlet

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improvement, balboa improvements, the sierra

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avenue bypass pass. By the way, the timer does not go against me. I am presenting.

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>> this is staff presentation. >> turn that off.

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[laughter] sarah avenue stormwater bypass.

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idela drainage and balboa resources water retention. That is a major, major project we are going to do north of the

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water treatment plant to ensure that we relieve as much as

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possible of the existing drainage problems and improve it moving forward. Another thing that I heard at a

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meeting was the fact that we have inadequate amount of green

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space. And the figure I heard that really shook me up a little bit wases that we have a.1% of green

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space in mcallen, that, my friends and members of my

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community is a gross misrepresentation of what we have in the city of mcallen. We, in fact, have 7.9% or 79

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times what was said at a public hearing in green space.

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however, 7.9% is not enough. In our comprehensive plan, we know that our goal is to almost double it to 15%.

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we also heard that -- that this project will eliminate bird

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sanctuaries, bird life and natural fauna. That is just not the case and certainly not something that this body would ever do. Sfwlshgzoho in fact plans to add

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more -- zoho will give more native trees and attract more

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bids to the location. Further, today in our agenda, we are recommending to the city commission that we award a

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project caquinta mazatlan. Quinta mazatlan is one of the

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favorite places that this community has. It is a jewel. Especially for our young kids.

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our young kids are going to be the biggest benefactor of this

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project, because of the mouu we have with the mcallen

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independent school district, they will be allowed to visit that community, that campus, while in school or not at little

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to no cost to that child. That was something that we worked on years ago before we even contemplated this massive

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expansion, which, by the way, will be over $50 million that we

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will award today. And guess what. The -- the entity that is putting in the least amount of

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money is the city of mcallen. We have got partners from the

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mcallen independent school district. From the united states economic development agency.

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the texas state parks and wildlife.

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from the texas rio grande valley and hidalgo county and many

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others. Something that this community should be have he, very proud of. Another things that I heard, there are no parks around this

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area. I will tell that you we have changed our ordinances specifically in the last several

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years just to ensure that we upgrade parks in south mcallen.

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that is this body and the body that came before them. So in the immediate area of this location is west side park,

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mcallen nature center, uvalde park, south side bark, balboa

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park, cascade park, spring fest park, los encintas, quinta

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mazatlan, airport park, and additionally others. Also heard that -- this is the only place to play disc golf.

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disc golf is popular. We understand that. This is not the end. We continue to continue to look

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at places why we can find location where is disc golf can be enjoyed. I want to quote something from

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the professionaldisc golf association.

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this is not my quote. There are other 11 other disc

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golf location in the rio grande valley. Let's talk of the big topic, the big elephant in the room,

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whether this disc park is a park. You know, we have attempted to be as transparent to be as we

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possibly can. We had two public hearings at a planning and zoning meeting and town hall meeting that is not

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required, we did it anyway, because we wanted to provide the community the information that we had.

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what I will say is from the very beginning. And there is an elected official here or actually a couple of

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them that was here when this discussion happened that this area was always designated to be developed for good jobs.

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okay. For good jobs we need in mcallen. And specifically we need them in

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south mcallen. I have probably heard such criticism that we do not do what we should in south mcallen.

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well, here we are, folks. This one of the greatest

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developments that we have had maybe in decades.

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and it is for the very purpose to ensure that our children, that your children have a place to go and have a great job and

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stay home. Stay here in the rio grande valley and not move away. So I -- I am going to -- for the

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record, mayor, give you a couple of themmos that, among other

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things, show that this -- that this location was, one, never

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intended to be a park. And two, was a deliberate action

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by the administration and the city commission not to make it a

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park, because they knew -- and this was before my time and

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anybody at this table. They knew by designating it a park, this would happen. And so it was a very deliberate

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action. There is a memo dated january 9,

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2010 on your desk that become a public record -- that is a public record that will be part of the record that the then

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parks and recreation director requested through this memo copy

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uploaded here. That says that this site -- and I quote, become a park site. That was the request by the

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parks and recreation director. That that location become a park

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site. End of quote. She goes on to describe why the recommendation is being made.

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among them, that the department would like to add disc golf to

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our programs. The answer was, no. How do we know that? Because three years later, memo

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also on your table through a memo of march 20, 2013, three

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years later, same parks director submitted a memo to the city

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manager to go to the city commission for the same request.

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through that memo and, again, requesting for a -- for a disc

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golf course. And in that memo, and I quote, it says, we could install a course on that site because it

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would not have to be identified as a park.

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so it can be saved for future development.

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end of quote. So before there was ever any

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play of disc golf. Before of any zoho blessing this

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community wanting to come to mcallen, we had made that

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determination. So there is no doubt in our mind

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that we have represented the facts as we know them.

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so, folks, the last thing hail say is that in our comprehensive

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plan, this location is shown as an employment center.

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again, we went through public hearings. We have been working on that for a couple of years.

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never hid that fact from anyone and lastly, I will say that we

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are the applicant of this proposal.

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and so we are prepared for the public hearing. And we recommend approval. Thank you.

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>>mayor villalobos:  I we will begin with individuals. I think we heard quite a bit on the people against it at p&z.

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everybody will have an opportunity to talk for and against. We have quite a bit and we ask

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that you all be respectful of the time. If like council says, if time is over, please -- or if you will

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be speaking regarding the same item. We already know kind of some of the issues for or against.

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so we will begin with that. Mr. Greg wilcox.

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>> you must have a stack of cards. I feel like I just won the lottery.

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councilman rodriguez, thank you for your presentation. I thought that was very thoughtful and interesting.

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I moved to the area about two years ago. My wife and I felt like this was a great place to make an

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investment with our time and money and company. And I think that -- that has paid off in large part because

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of the decisions that are made in this room by people like

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yourself to advance the quality of life for people who live here. And I -- I like to ask people in

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their mid-20s, younger than me, what they think would make this area better and they always say, without a doubt, career

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opportunities, better paying jobs. That is almost always out of their mouth.

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as someone who has a career and doesn't think about that personally as much, the thing I think a lot about is access to

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green space. These are two very important metrics that you think about when you think about advance

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qualities of life. It is extremely rare in my

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limited experience that a company understands both and

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following contribute to both. The hottest place on earth is a walmart parking lo the. No green.

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it's tough there. I think green space is a broad

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topic. My personal feeling about that is a green space is -- I would like to call it a community

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living room. A place where people can get together. Meet strangers. And understand a common culture and disc golf courses do that,

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in large part. ; however, I think that the -- the decisions should be clear that it is so amazing that a

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company will be able to come down and make an investment and understand how to deliver both of those things.

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I am in support of the development. I am excited about it. But I feel acutely the lack of

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access to green space. I am not talking about, you know, a patch of grasses with a jungle gym on it.

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that doesn't really appeal to me. May not surprise you, but I am tall.

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I can reach the rings. I can walk right across. I need something more expansive than that.

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I feel this is a really excellent case study on how to

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make decisions that impact the quality of life of residents that you have a company that is willing to accomplish two of

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those very basic metrics. And I also, according what --

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what city manager rodriguez said, you understand that.

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that is something you want to contribute and advance upon for this community. So if the decision is made to

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bring in zoho, I would hope that the people behind me that are against that don't feel it is a loss.

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that you stated very clearly you understand their concerns and

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following pursue those and make them happy. That is all I have to say about that. Thank you. >>mayor villalobos:  thank you

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so much, mr. Wilcox. Gabriel elisando.

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hello, commission. Thank you. Thank you for this time. I am a mcallen native.

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after living in los angeles and austin for the last -- better part of 15 years, working in marketing and tech, I it he

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sided to move back here in 2018 to perhaps in this community's growth and prosperity. One of my current passions is

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coordinating the marketing for the mcallen heritage center.

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history museum. I reviewed the zoho 31-page

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proposal and urgent to talk to this item. Central striking a balance between promoting economic

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growth and preserving and the social environment of mcallen. You know, it takes a few things. Takes community engagement.

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great to see the community out here. And it takes thoughtful planning.

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consideration of the needs and the concerns for all the citizens, all the stakeholders for this project proposed plans.

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and after analyzing the proposal. I really do not see this as a simple copy and paste of what is

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happening in other tech hubs. I -- I actually might see this as a possible best-case scenario for economic growth and

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innovation. I see within the proposal, opportunities for both individuals coming out of the

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sgrej with degrees and individuals without college

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degrees pursuing their education. I see a maintenance of emphasis of keeping local tall tent home

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instead of them seeking work and opportunities elsewhere.

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I see demonstrations in the past wnl this proposal to preserve

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green space. I see thoughtful strategies to offset environmental and wildlife impacts.

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and I am glad that y'all have talked about those things as well. 36% of our population in mcallen

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is 18 years and younger. 36%.

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yet the median income of our lovely city is $22,000.

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we have a very healthy young population here. And they want and they need options .we really want aspiring

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and innovative jobs. I think this is a very rare opportunity to keep talent here and an opportunity to raise

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successful families and also to invest back in the community. Thank you. >>mayor villalobos:  thank you so much. We have richard -- judge richard

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cor cortez.

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>> honorable mayor and commissioners, I am rich cortez,

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I'm here representing the hidalgo county task forces of task force. Hidalgo county is one of the most populace counties in the state of texas and we have 254.

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I think we are number seven now, and at least a million people

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living in this county. There are many things that we are proud of living here in hidalgo county, but we can not

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be proud of the fact that for the last five decades, and that

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is 50 years, hidalgo county has had a 20% or more poverty rate

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located here in town. In fact, today, we have a 29%

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poverty rate. 37% of our children are food insecure. 15% of our senior citizens are

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food insecure. Our youth ages of 16-19, 9% --

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almost 9%. .9% are classified as disconnected youth, meaning they are neither going to school or

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they are working. The next logical projection for them to go is they are going to have babies.

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so the cycle of poverty continues.

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so who is responsible? Who is supposed to fix these things? Okay. And poverty has been a very complex issue not only here but

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everywhere in the world, especially in the united states. But we have to do something. So I formed this prosperity kav.

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a very complicated issue. And the plan is for human

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capital for training, skilled training, education for higher learning for our people. And at the conclusion of that

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pipeline of training at the end of the day is to match it with a job. In fact, we have been doing a

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pretty good job here. We have ut rvg.

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we have south texas college and texas a&m right now.

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the problem we have though, we continue to have a very high

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migration. Domestic my gracing rate out of hidalgo county because if we created the human capital, you

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can't match it with a job. Even though we are very

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successful of creating the human capital. If we don't keep it, they will lose them and two bad things

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happen. We don't gain from the human capital and we will have to compete with it since it is not

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here. A very critical part of the

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prosperity task force. I see daniel silva from.

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ex-mayor darling with costep. All dedicated to attract

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investment here. You all have been champions for green space. You have been champions for

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everything that is good about a community. You are the leading community of what a community mud is be like.

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you are faced a very difficult decision, but there are times that you have to sacrifice something to gain something.

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when a general sends a soldier up the hill, he knows there will

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be casualties, but the need to attack that hill is there. We are facing some critical issues going forward.

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if we do not fix this problem of losing our more talented people

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somewhere else because the opportunities aren't here, I am sorry, then we are going to lose what we gained.

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thank you. >>mayor villalobos:  thank you so much, judge. We have kim darling, major jim

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darling. There he is. >> thank you. And I am a little nervous. For 45 years I stood on that side of the dias.

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this is the first time I am on this side. I want to thank you for allowing me to be here.

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ex-mayor cortez, what he said, but I am on a couple of economic

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development corporations, and we search and search for opportunities for our young people to stay here.

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I am not going to ask people to raise their hands, it is not appropriate, I bet you if I asked how many people -- parents

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in this room have their kids living in austin, dallas,

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california, new york because their kids can't find the kind of jobs they have either been educated for or desire, because

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we can't do that. So this is an opportunity -- I think a golden opportunity. I have been around for the last

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two years with economic development and environmental matters, by the way, and this is a huge opportunity for us -- to

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me -- for a need that we have. We can educate the kids all you

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want at u of rgv. I work part-time for them and I

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can't speak for them. If you can't find a job at the end of the diploma, you will lose that person.

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medical school is a game changer. It is historical. Another chance to make history

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by having that kind of company that provides job that we are trying to train kids not for this year but the 20 years to

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come. I hope you consider that. I might say I was here when we closed -- railroad went in.

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it didn't exist and stopped on top of the levee. A golf course, and turned it into a 27-hole golf course.

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when the road came kind of separated it. We reduced the golf course to 18.

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and ware road, and we talked of a tunnel underneath the road. We said, no, we don't do that. What did we do?

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we did nothing. The mexican trade and when all that happened we said it will move here.

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move up north. That is why it was reserve and

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we didn't do anything with it. Unfortunately, it looks pretty bad and for that reason, we know what we will do with it.

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the thing that changed five or six years ago.

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change that flood way. You have to provide drainage

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that turns that flowage easement. And so that is what the city is going through that process.

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that didn't exist 10 or 20 years ago. Would do nothing with the land and not put buildings on it or

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anything else. Decided some day that may happen and it was a decision of the commission at the time to leave

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it like it is. And are then, of course, you said the history with the disc golf playing.

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this kind of gives me the goose bumps because thinking of something that happened 35 or 40 years ago that is now coming to

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truth. The opportunity for this is right now. And I hope that you take advantage of it. I understand people are upset.

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I am the monarch mayor, by the way. I have a monarch garden in the back yard.

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they put the plants and gave me a bill for $600. I guess I am the monarch mayor and I had to plan them.

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I have birds and bees in the back yard and my milkweed and all that. I support.

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I understand people about parks and nature, but I know you do too. With a new park coming on board

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and all the rest, you are meeting that need. Thank you. Appreciate it.

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>>mayor villalobos:  thank you so much. Mr. Patel. Barry patel.

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>> thank you, mayor, city council.

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this opportunity to petition our government in this way in a very public way is very fundamental to our democracy as we although

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and thank you very much for that and thank you for the community for showing up. And getting their voice out

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there. I -- I know that several things that I wanted to say have already been said.

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so I will just mention a few things that we come across in

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all businesses every day. And that is training young people and trying to give them opportunities to move forward in

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our industry. Zoho is an unique company.

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we have done much research on it. Since this came on the radar, I have discusseded this with the

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huge family that we have in the rio grande valley and especially

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mcallen. The 52 members of our family and the 16 high school graduates coming out of high school this

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will coming year. They are graduating mcallen. I would like each and every one of them toll have an opportunity to work here in mcallen and stay in mcallen and contribute to

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this community. So I ask respectfully that you

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do everything you can to bring this company here, give them the

402
00:53:48,633 --> 00:53:52,066
opportunity to expand. Give them the opportunity to bring satellite industries that support this kind of business.

403
00:53:58,300 --> 00:54:00,700
and provide this opportunity to our youngsters in the future. I think we are sick and tired of hearing hidalgo county

404
00:54:04,900 --> 00:54:08,433
consistently has five to seven percent higher unemployment than the rest of the state and the country.

405
00:54:11,500 --> 00:54:11,500
we want to be number one. We want to provide job

406
00:54:16,033 --> 00:54:18,233
opportunities. Y'all have done a tremendous job in mcallen. And encouraged people like us to

407
00:54:22,300 --> 00:54:25,500
invest quite a bit here. And we thank you for that. We want that momentum to continue for our youth.

408
00:54:30,700 --> 00:54:32,733
and I have selfish reasons. I have three grandkids that were born right here in mcallen. That -- talking to the doctor

409
00:54:38,033 --> 00:54:41,766
there is, they deliver 1,000 babies a month. 15 to 17 years from now, these kids will be looking for

410
00:54:45,666 --> 00:54:48,033
opportunities. We are a young community. So I hope you all can do everything you can to provide

411
00:54:53,600 --> 00:54:56,300
this opportunity to this company. I think it is important to our future. It is important for our children.

412
00:54:58,000 --> 00:55:00,000
thank you very much. >>mayor villalobos:  thank you, mr. Patel. We have eric kennedy.

413
00:55:13,600 --> 00:55:13,600
>> commissioners, mayor, city manager, eric kennedy, small

414
00:55:19,200 --> 00:55:23,166
glass contractors, division president. For me, my son played for top gun basketball, a select team

415
00:55:28,533 --> 00:55:32,266
here in the rio grande valley and he gets his great skills from his mother, obviously, but he -- he was -- he had -- one of

416
00:55:37,033 --> 00:55:37,033
the players on the team, his father graduated here in the rio

417
00:55:42,100 --> 00:55:44,066
grande valley. He grew up here. And when he graduated, he actually went to nationals and

418
00:55:49,933 --> 00:55:49,933
competed in nationals. We went to tsct, got a plumbing

419
00:55:56,400 --> 00:55:57,766
degree. Went across the united states and got first place representing the rio grande valley in honors

420
00:56:02,100 --> 00:56:02,100
and everything else. He came back to the rio grande

421
00:56:10,066 --> 00:56:12,400
valley. He couldn't get a good paying job. His family lived here 22 years.

422
00:56:14,400 --> 00:56:18,066
he has been commuting back with his family here in the rio grande valley. He has been in pennsylvania.

423
00:56:20,033 --> 00:56:23,800
he has been in austin. He has been in houston. My wife's cousins grew up here in mcallen.

424
00:56:27,966 --> 00:56:27,966
and every single one of them left to go get good paying jobs

425
00:56:34,600 --> 00:56:36,033
instead of staying here in the rio grande valley. One of them was in the tech industry and still in the tech

426
00:56:39,500 --> 00:56:43,066
industry. My uncle left the rio grande valley to get a good paying job. We believe that zoho is

427
00:56:50,100 --> 00:56:51,566
providing great opportunities for our children and grandchildren and for our community here.

428
00:56:54,866 --> 00:56:54,866
and we support this company coming providing these

429
00:57:04,866 --> 00:57:07,200
opportunities. Thank you. >>mayor villalobos:  thank you so much. We have  selva. >> she turned.

430
00:57:15,166 --> 00:57:18,500
a card and I am not sure she wanted to speak. Did you or did you not want to speak, miss sera?

431
00:57:28,900 --> 00:57:32,533
>> I think the other one will be for -- a little bit later on. Mayor, commissioners, elba sera. I was born and raised in this

432
00:57:38,600 --> 00:57:42,366
community. I have been a community volunteer all my life. In hopes of giving back to the community that I love and who has been so good to me and my

433
00:57:45,066 --> 00:57:47,933
family. I would like to state I am in favor of zoh to shgz development that the commission is

434
00:57:51,266 --> 00:57:54,100
considering today. I understand that the development still needs approval from fema and all the other

435
00:57:58,466 --> 00:57:58,466
things roel rodriguez outlined earlier.

436
00:58:04,566 --> 00:58:06,833
I want to make sure people who are here and against understand we elected to you make these decisions.

437
00:58:10,400 --> 00:58:10,400
this community has been divided before on many issues in the

438
00:58:15,100 --> 00:58:18,900
past. Been there and see us go through it. And come together for the betterment of the city and the region.

439
00:58:20,433 --> 00:58:22,733
I want people to understand you will do your best. Try to get another park. You will alleviate the drainage,

440
00:58:26,900 --> 00:58:30,700
all the things. >>done to protect and keep everybody safe and happy. Done to protect and keep everybody safe and happy. And I think we will do it. Thank you for what you do.

441
00:58:35,100 --> 00:58:35,100
>>mayor villalobos:  thank you so much, miss sera.

442
00:58:43,266 --> 00:58:43,266
miss >> hello, thank you for having

443
00:58:52,066 --> 00:58:52,066
me today. I'm here on behalf of

444
00:58:58,900 --> 00:59:02,166
of nedra kinerc who can't be here today. She is in arizona and this is from her.

445
00:59:03,933 --> 00:59:03,933
mayor villalobos and city commissioners I support the

446
00:59:08,033 --> 00:59:10,766
proposal for technology campus for the proposed facilities in mcallen. I ask for the welfare of our

447
00:59:13,800 --> 00:59:13,800
city and economic well being of our citizens that the mcallen

448
00:59:18,766 --> 00:59:22,000
city commission vote for the zoho rezoning request. The zoho proposal is exactly what the hidalgo county kopp

449
00:59:28,866 --> 00:59:30,933
prosperity task force is working to achieve a better economic life for many of our residents. I am a private citizen who

450
00:59:35,966 --> 00:59:37,733
fought for responsible growth in mcallen for many years and you guys know that. Zoho is a responsible company

451
00:59:42,033 --> 00:59:42,033
that will bring high-paying jobs taxes for our schools and city,

452
00:59:46,533 --> 00:59:50,066
and a commitment of preserving and protecting green space in our area. Zoho will develop eight acres

453
00:59:54,133 --> 00:59:54,133
and eventually 25 acres of the 92-acre tracts leaving the regs

454
01:00:00,833 --> 01:00:04,133
as natural as possible with existing vegetation. Zoh locks plant a great many fruit trees and teach community

455
01:00:09,733 --> 01:00:12,100
gardening with excess food going to the food bank. They will add more trees, besides the orchards to add bird

456
01:00:16,466 --> 01:00:16,466
and wildlife habitat and only remove minimal vegetation for

457
01:00:22,333 --> 01:00:26,100
the buildings. An area of growing fruits and vegetable tables. Excess produce will be donated

458
01:00:28,500 --> 01:00:32,066
to the food pantry. Ponds will be stocked with native fish. Several bee lives are planned.

459
01:00:35,966 --> 01:00:35,966
zoho plans to cultivate an overall ecosystem to protects

460
01:00:42,466 --> 01:00:42,466
and it preserving the region especially local and migratory

461
01:00:46,600 --> 01:00:50,000
birds. They will use solar panels and water harvesting to become self-sufficient.

462
01:00:52,500 --> 01:00:54,866
zoho builds with local talent and materials. A review by fema is under way to improve the application to bring

463
01:00:59,166 --> 01:00:59,166
the 25 developable acres out of the food plan -- flood plain

464
01:01:04,066 --> 01:01:04,066
based on improvements to be done to the drainage ways by using

465
01:01:09,766 --> 01:01:09,766
the on-site wetlands to make them bigger and deeper.

466
01:01:14,166 --> 01:01:17,500
a community event center will host education sessions for residents, organic farming, technology, manufacturing, etc.

467
01:01:24,866 --> 01:01:24,866
there will be an outdpavilion f community coding to attend and

468
01:01:32,433 --> 01:01:36,066
learn new skills. Zoho has approach track regard of bringing these benefits to other areas.

469
01:01:39,266 --> 01:01:41,500
zoho talks the tauksz and also walks the walks. I support the zoho proposal to bring improvements, jobs and tax

470
01:01:47,633 --> 01:01:49,733
monies to our neighborhood and city. Please vote to accept the zoho rezoning proposal.

471
01:01:56,500 --> 01:02:00,333
nedra kanerc. And I second it. Thank you very much. >>mayor villalobos:  you also

472
01:02:05,200 --> 01:02:05,200
signed up individual lead. >> she signed up to speak for

473
01:02:10,866 --> 01:02:14,100
her. >>mayor villalobos:  thank you. Talinda canta. >> good afternoon.

474
01:02:27,500 --> 01:02:30,333
I have a prepared statement in collaboration with family, friends and colleagues. Good afternoon, mayor, city

475
01:02:36,366 --> 01:02:37,300
commission. I stand before you as a citizen, a former app developer and a present-day advocate for the

476
01:02:40,633 --> 01:02:40,633
future of our great city, asking that you please consider voting

477
01:02:45,166 --> 01:02:45,166
in favor of zoho technology campus but specifically at the

478
01:02:50,233 --> 01:02:53,066
proposed location in south mcallen. Oftentimes as decision-makers we are forced to choose either

479
01:02:57,166 --> 01:03:00,366
side, but the beauty is that both things can actually exist. We can pave the way for high-tech industry to call

480
01:03:03,733 --> 01:03:06,666
mcallen home. And also paying high-tech jobs while preserving and respecting our green space.

481
01:03:10,800 --> 01:03:10,800
both of those will be true through zoho's commitment to

482
01:03:15,300 --> 01:03:15,300
tech and the environment. A trustee for south texas

483
01:03:20,700 --> 01:03:22,866
college. Privy to the heart of zoho to our region. In a panel, from zoho spoke of

484
01:03:29,033 --> 01:03:31,500
the attraction to our region in the first place. They noticed an uptick of applicants willing to relocate

485
01:03:36,833 --> 01:03:36,833
to work at zoho. It sparked enough interest to

486
01:03:41,133 --> 01:03:44,766
work alongside south texas college. And since then international advocates for the mcallen area.

487
01:03:47,133 --> 01:03:50,266
they understand the great talent we have in our people and you have an opportunity to say yes to reducing the human company

488
01:03:54,500 --> 01:03:54,500
tall export plaguing our region. Median salaries of $100,000 for

489
01:03:59,433 --> 01:04:02,466
our community. And saying yes to the preservation of our land that they are committed to

490
01:04:04,366 --> 01:04:07,133
protecting. As our region comes together to eradicate poverty, it is opportunities that zoho present

491
01:04:11,800 --> 01:04:11,800
us today that give us many steps closer to that eradication.

492
01:04:16,200 --> 01:04:17,033
it is imperative that you vote yes. I understand plenty of other spaces that zoho could cause

493
01:04:21,566 --> 01:04:23,000
home in our region. What is unique to this property in question today is the proximity to south texas

494
01:04:27,666 --> 01:04:27,666
college, built and pecan campus making it an unique corridor for

495
01:04:32,566 --> 01:04:35,666
our future and proximity to our human capital. Today I am not here to ask you for one thing.

496
01:04:40,733 --> 01:04:43,100
I'm here to ask you for three. Why say yes too zoho. Gentlemen pro neglecting the green space.

497
01:04:45,800 --> 01:04:48,600
say yes to our friends in the disc community. All can be achieved today. You can vote yes for zoho and

498
01:04:55,266 --> 01:04:58,166
green space and promising to give our disc golful community a great place to play in another beautiful park in mcallen.

499
01:05:02,966 --> 01:05:06,166
thank you. >>mayor villalobos:  thank you. We have mr. Freeland. >> good afternoon.

500
01:05:21,466 --> 01:05:21,466
my name is mark freeland. I am a mcallen, reside 1319

501
01:05:26,300 --> 01:05:26,300
north 9th. Practices law at 806 pecan here

502
01:05:30,966 --> 01:05:34,033
in mcallen. I am current chairman of the board of directors of both the mcallen economic development

503
01:05:38,466 --> 01:05:38,466
corporation and the mcallen foreign trade zone.

504
01:05:43,200 --> 01:05:43,200
both are nonprofit corporations to encourage the economic

505
01:05:49,266 --> 01:05:52,200
prosperity of mcallen for the benefit of their citizens. In particular, they work closely with the city of mcallen and the

506
01:05:55,333 --> 01:05:57,866
chamber of commerce to track new business to our community. That is why I'm here today as have been pointed out, mcallen

507
01:06:04,066 --> 01:06:07,933
seems to be exporting its talent. And the city in recent years charged them with the task to

508
01:06:12,566 --> 01:06:12,566
target high-tech companies to come to our area that cannot

509
01:06:16,900 --> 01:06:20,633
only invest in building new -- new construction and equipment from a tax base standpoint, but also bring significant

510
01:06:25,366 --> 01:06:28,200
employment opportunities for high-paying technology and technology related jobs. In other words, what I would

511
01:06:31,800 --> 01:06:31,800
call a two-fer. Significant investment plus

512
01:06:35,900 --> 01:06:39,333
high-skilled, high-paying jobs. Consistent with this focus, they have been working closely since 2020 to promote as a viable

513
01:06:45,166 --> 01:06:48,400
facilities location for our high-tech international company. In this regard, the trade zone believed in zoho and made one of

514
01:06:55,266 --> 01:06:55,266
their buildings available to zoho for their start-up area

515
01:07:01,633 --> 01:07:03,133
in mcallen. They outgrew the space in two years. The city made incubator space at

516
01:07:07,166 --> 01:07:07,166
the city main street library for phase two of zoho's expansion.

517
01:07:13,366 --> 01:07:16,466
zoho has decided to invest in mcallen in a big way. It believes it has a bright future in mcallen.

518
01:07:19,400 --> 01:07:19,400
mcallen is proved itself as a good place forzoho's business

519
01:07:25,466 --> 01:07:27,633
model. They want to build an ecologically green campus for up to 500 employees on

520
01:07:30,733 --> 01:07:30,733
approximately 97 acres of marginally developable land that

521
01:07:36,666 --> 01:07:36,666
the city zones and zoned ao. In the city of mcallen and

522
01:07:44,200 --> 01:07:45,900
mcallen independent school district. This property has been held for development for years.

523
01:07:50,466 --> 01:07:52,200
it be not be used inle it is rezoned. The proposed rezoning supports zoho's intended use of

524
01:07:57,300 --> 01:07:57,300
the property and to allow zoh toshgz address the development

525
01:08:02,166 --> 01:08:05,000
issue with locating zoho's proposed campus. No guarantee once the land is rezoned it can be made to work

526
01:08:08,433 --> 01:08:08,433
for zoho, but it can, based on zoho success and track record

527
01:08:16,433 --> 01:08:18,466
for a state-of-the-art neighborhood-friendly technology campus on this site, this could not.be good for mcallen in the

528
01:08:22,400 --> 01:08:26,066
near term. It could very well put mcallen on the map for other technology-related businesses to

529
01:08:29,200 --> 01:08:33,100
come to mcallen. It will prime the pump, so to speak. This is the type of business

530
01:08:34,933 --> 01:08:34,933
that the mbc was tasked to bring to the city.

531
01:08:41,933 --> 01:08:45,833
in my opinion, zoho ecologically green campus will be a better fit for the property. Unlikely that another

532
01:08:49,000 --> 01:08:49,000
prospective user will agreed to preserve so much green area, be

533
01:08:55,033 --> 01:08:56,266
a solution to local drainage issue rather that an cause. A nonpolluting use. Be environmentally oriented.

534
01:09:00,266 --> 01:09:00,266
let alone bring a number of high paying, high-tech jobs to the

535
01:09:05,466 --> 01:09:08,200
community, in particular to south mcallen. I just think it checks all the boxes.

536
01:09:11,466 --> 01:09:14,166
in far of using the property for its highest and best use. I can't think of a better fit for the property than zoho's

537
01:09:19,966 --> 01:09:22,033
proposed use. As I said before, this journey has to start with rezoning the property.

538
01:09:24,666 --> 01:09:27,866
therefore, I urge the city commission to approve both of the rezoning applications. Thank you.

539
01:09:31,666 --> 01:09:34,400
>>mayor villalobos:  thank you so much. Let's mix it up a little bit. Victoria guerra.

540
01:09:47,500 --> 01:09:50,933
>> mr. Mayor, commissioners, thank you for allowing us to speak today. My intention was really to speak

541
01:09:53,800 --> 01:09:57,800
as -- as -- in a public comment before the commencement of the hearing. I just wanted to inform you all

542
01:10:00,200 --> 01:10:03,233
that there was a great confusion today about how it was that we needed to sign up to speak. And I am speaking on behalf of

543
01:10:07,200 --> 01:10:10,800
those in favor against the zoning proposal. One person who brought the petitions over from the

544
01:10:15,200 --> 01:10:19,066
neighboring -- neighboring houses was told that we needed to sign up by 4:00 to speak for public comment.

545
01:10:23,133 --> 01:10:23,133
that in itself is a true -- a true comment by the city

546
01:10:27,600 --> 01:10:27,600
official or the city employee. But it confused us, because we

547
01:10:32,466 --> 01:10:36,100
had previously found out that we needed to sign up at 5:00. Secondly, we -- I found out from talking to two different people

548
01:10:39,700 --> 01:10:42,133
at the city secretary office that we needed to speak -- sign up by 5:00 for the deadline to speak in public comment for the

549
01:10:48,466 --> 01:10:50,966
hearing -- for the hearing. The zoning hearing. Then third, we heard from the city employees.

550
01:10:55,200 --> 01:10:57,766
making 4:00 the deadline because there will be a lot of people here and we are asking that the mayor, commissioners allow all

551
01:11:01,233 --> 01:11:01,233
people to comment as this is their due -- this is -- this is

552
01:11:05,466 --> 01:11:05,466
going to be a long hearing. So what I am asking you today is

553
01:11:09,766 --> 01:11:09,766
allow all people to speak, not just those who signed up.

554
01:11:14,700 --> 01:11:14,700
we don't think -- there may not be that many who haven't signed

555
01:11:18,733 --> 01:11:21,233
up but in the event someone walks in late and haven't been able to sign up, we are asking that you allow everyone to

556
01:11:25,066 --> 01:11:28,866
speak, whether they be for or against. This is -- this is a matter that affects everyone. Not just neighboring homes. Not just the business community.

557
01:11:33,400 --> 01:11:36,200
it affects everybody. This is a due process hearing and, again, we are asking you indulge us and allow us to speak

558
01:11:39,733 --> 01:11:42,266
within the time frame that you allow. Thank you. >>mayor villalobos:  thank you

559
01:11:44,833 --> 01:11:44,833
so much. Madeline crow.

560
01:11:56,833 --> 01:11:56,833
>> she left. >>mayor villalobos:  she left.

561
01:12:01,333 --> 01:12:01,333
okay. We have gabriel elisando.

562
01:12:09,766 --> 01:12:09,766
he already spoke? Okay.

563
01:12:15,333 --> 01:12:15,333
alexis raselies. I am not sure.

564
01:12:31,133 --> 01:12:33,400
alexis? >> if good good afternoon. >>mayor villalobos:  good afternoon. >> alexis raselis. I am a professor at the

565
01:12:38,200 --> 01:12:38,200
university of texas rio grande valley.

566
01:12:42,800 --> 01:12:44,433
I study climate change on urban areas. I spoke to some of you before just about some of the work we

567
01:12:47,166 --> 01:12:49,000
do. I think I would like to clarify a few things. I mean, I have also seen some of

568
01:12:52,666 --> 01:12:55,966
the statistics mr. Rodriguez that you cited. I wasn't quite sure what the actual statistic was.

569
01:12:59,233 --> 01:13:02,466
it is actually quite hard to find. I have heard the.1%. I know that austin is at 10%.

570
01:13:06,066 --> 01:13:06,066
which, you know, I think there is a big gap there between where

571
01:13:10,300 --> 01:13:10,300
we are and where austin is. According a study done in 2015,

572
01:13:16,233 --> 01:13:19,233
published by texas state university, mcallen has a -- has a coverage, a tree canopy coverage of 2.4%.

573
01:13:23,766 --> 01:13:26,666
that is what is published. They don't look at just parks but they look at all the trees in the city.

574
01:13:29,600 --> 01:13:29,600
and they compare that to the -- to the acreage of impermeable

575
01:13:37,500 --> 01:13:41,466
surfaces that include that include -- buildings. And I am doing a study with the texas forest service because

576
01:13:46,866 --> 01:13:50,333
they are -- and they selected the city of texas as a case study because the city of mcallen is diet for number 14 of

577
01:13:54,500 --> 01:13:54,500
all cities in the united states for urban heat island.

578
01:13:58,700 --> 01:13:58,700
what season a urban heat island. The effect of the city and

579
01:14:04,933 --> 01:14:06,866
impermeable services that create a differences in temperatures of the surrounding vegetative area. One of the big things that

580
01:14:17,500 --> 01:14:17,500
ranked mcallen so high the amount of impervious services.

581
01:14:26,233 --> 01:14:26,233
and 7 higher than area with green spaces, can be measured.

582
01:14:33,033 --> 01:14:33,033
people who live by parks and green spaces actually have the.

583
01:14:42,266 --> 01:14:42,266
cooler temperatures than people in mcallen, one of the things I

584
01:14:46,866 --> 01:14:46,866
discovered research from the brook s institute, mcallen the

585
01:14:51,266 --> 01:14:51,266
lowest in the entire country as residents who have access to

586
01:14:55,533 --> 01:14:57,400
parks. They live one mile or less from a park. And not by coincidence as

587
01:15:06,166 --> 01:15:06,166
mcallen is those to exercise less regularly.

588
01:15:11,133 --> 01:15:13,566
they are co-linear and all related. I would also like to add that I am not a native from mcallen

589
01:15:17,766 --> 01:15:20,666
although both my kids are born here. I guess I qualify. But I came to mcallen for a job.

590
01:15:24,500 --> 01:15:24,500
a job that is focused on higher education and on research.

591
01:15:30,533 --> 01:15:30,533
and I think unemployment, as far as I know, is most associated

592
01:15:34,633 --> 01:15:34,633
with education levels and not by coincidence that mcallen has one

593
01:15:39,500 --> 01:15:41,000
of its lowest education levels in the country and those who have the highest employment rates have the highest education

594
01:15:46,266 --> 01:15:46,266
levels. So maybe there was a diff-- a

595
01:15:52,600 --> 01:15:56,300
different connection make for jobs to the rio grande valley and the very little amount of green space that we have.

596
01:15:59,966 --> 01:15:59,966
thank you. >> I greet new my language, the

597
01:16:27,400 --> 01:16:27,400
long of this land right here where you stand, where you live.

598
01:16:33,733 --> 01:16:33,733
this occupied land. Invaded this land.

599
01:16:40,933 --> 01:16:40,933
segmenting it. Tutting it so I believe that the

600
01:17:06,466 --> 01:17:07,700
cement prairies that we call the cities. And I am a native of this land here first generation away from

601
01:17:18,266 --> 01:17:18,266
the rio grande. And I haven't seen anything

602
01:17:23,233 --> 01:17:23,233
about any kind of formation and anything done for the building

603
01:17:31,233 --> 01:17:34,566
of this -- whatever you are trying to do with the -- to destroy more green spaces. If you want jobs, you haven't

604
01:17:37,633 --> 01:17:37,633
even talked to this tribe yet. And we are on our way to get our

605
01:17:42,200 --> 01:17:42,200
federal recognition and we can create those jobs without the

606
01:17:51,933 --> 01:17:55,266
real offensive word. Think of the word, what it means. It is like you are prostituting

607
01:17:57,266 --> 01:18:01,133
land, and that is not what this is about. This is important for us because this is our sacred land.

608
01:18:06,933 --> 01:18:10,166
I can tell you where every village was. Every time I told you there was a village there.

609
01:18:14,300 --> 01:18:14,300
I demand that you look at t the eiss and make those studies

610
01:18:18,600 --> 01:18:18,600
so we can start looking at it. Also I suggest that you -- I

611
01:18:22,633 --> 01:18:22,633
usually don't say this to anybody because I don't think it

612
01:18:26,866 --> 01:18:30,633
is necessary, you should do you are in dna because you are probably part of this land. Some of your ancestors come --

613
01:18:50,966 --> 01:18:53,233
one of the things that is happening right now right here. I think it is time that we as native people of texas the

614
01:19:07,033 --> 01:19:09,966
american indian of texas to stand up what is happening here. I believe without a thought at all, our science was very good

615
01:19:13,666 --> 01:19:16,800
because we didn't have climate change. We didn't have the heating of the area.

616
01:19:19,066 --> 01:19:21,333
we didn't talk about infrastructure. Our infrastructure was the air, the water, the land and human

617
01:19:28,700 --> 01:19:30,500
beings that were on it and included all the animals and I want to thank you for that. >>mayor villalobos:  thank you.

618
01:19:40,866 --> 01:19:40,866
raquel oleva. >> that you are, raquel oliva

619
01:19:54,700 --> 01:19:58,466
newhouse drive and I'm here representing the landowners. We had a pro where everyone signed except for two vacant

620
01:20:02,800 --> 01:20:04,900
lots. I have -- the protest that was -- that was written. Should I read it or just hand it

621
01:20:10,566 --> 01:20:13,400
out or abbreviate or you don't care. >>mayor villalobos:  you can hand it out. >> I will start and I will hand it out at the end if I don't

622
01:20:18,933 --> 01:20:22,900
finish about. We the undersigned owners of the property in the reference file do protest against any change

623
01:20:29,000 --> 01:20:29,000
land development code which will zone other than ao, agriculture

624
01:20:33,600 --> 01:20:37,233
open district. The reason for the protests are, the city of mcallen designated the land as a park since the

625
01:20:43,266 --> 01:20:46,066
champion golf course was established when ware road was extended to military drive. Served as an open space

626
01:20:48,900 --> 01:20:48,900
recreational area since then. Disc golf course was added in

627
01:20:53,766 --> 01:20:56,300
recent years. Chp has insufficient open space for recreational use. The land it a green space and

628
01:20:59,000 --> 01:21:02,266
open to the public for nature walks and recreational activity at no cost. It also serving as a disc golf

629
01:21:06,200 --> 01:21:09,233
course that attracts players from surrounding cities. Mcallen has insufficient green space.

630
01:21:10,833 --> 01:21:10,833
the land is a fema flood zone and the rgv program qualifies it

631
01:21:18,600 --> 01:21:22,166
as an ancient flood plane that from the rio grande river. During heavy rainstorms, the area prevents flooding in low

632
01:21:26,166 --> 01:21:26,166
lying areas. In 2018, the entire land was

633
01:21:30,600 --> 01:21:30,600
flooded and ware road was closed you too to flooding.

634
01:21:34,933 --> 01:21:38,333
stormwater was inches from overflowing on newhouse drive which is on a ridge and mcallen needs to protect its citizens

635
01:21:45,100 --> 01:21:46,766
from flooding. The site includes lake conception. That existed for hundreds of

636
01:21:49,400 --> 01:21:49,400
years. And in 1971, an ancient barrier.

637
01:21:55,033 --> 01:21:58,933
held water for most of the time and gone dry during the past two years because of the city. The western part is called

638
01:22:04,566 --> 01:22:06,900
benson lakes. Mcallen needs to protect one of the few natural lake. The area attracts wildlife and a

639
01:22:12,033 --> 01:22:12,033
top site for bird watchers. Herons, storks, gulls,

640
01:22:21,566 --> 01:22:23,766
spoonbills and sights of the gray hawk. Mcallen needs to support the habitat that attracts wildlife

641
01:22:27,933 --> 01:22:31,833
including birds and butterflies. The rezoning will impact the character of the neighborhood. It is a residential area with

642
01:22:34,633 --> 01:22:36,900
single-family homes. Many of the homes are one-half to one-acre lots or greater. Commercial development will

643
01:22:40,633 --> 01:22:44,300
bring increased noise and light pollution. New house drive is a for that row winding lane and cannot

644
01:22:49,300 --> 01:22:49,300
handle large amounts of traffic. It has already caused increase

645
01:22:54,833 --> 01:22:56,366
traffic. Runoff from post commercial and build with the lakes. Mcallen should protect its

646
01:23:00,366 --> 01:23:03,533
unique neighborhoods. Ware road is a traffic corridor and handles any commercial traffic from military drive and

647
01:23:05,200 --> 01:23:05,200
the express wayway. The proposed site of zoho

648
01:23:11,833 --> 01:23:11,833
located between brown middle school and ideal academy.

649
01:23:16,933 --> 01:23:19,900
adding an entrance may reduce traffic congestion on an already dangerous road. The city may be required to make

650
01:23:23,166 --> 01:23:25,633
expensive improvement where ware road and the zoning facility is built on this site. The zoning change consistency on

651
01:23:30,333 --> 01:23:32,533
spot zoning and devalues the surrounding. >> mayor, I want to be respectful, but that is three

652
01:23:34,833 --> 01:23:36,300
minutes. >> I would like to say that nobody is against zoho. It is great.

653
01:23:40,233 --> 01:23:41,333
economic development is wonderful. We need the job. What we don't want is a it to

654
01:23:46,133 --> 01:23:48,400
say private, do not enter. We want access to this public space and we want to keep it. Thank you.

655
01:23:56,833 --> 01:23:56,833
>>mayor villalobos:  thank you. >> hiloro mccleach.

656
01:24:18,533 --> 01:24:18,533
>> thank you, mr. Mayor and city commissioners for allowing me

657
01:24:22,933 --> 01:24:22,933
this time to speak. My name is laurel macleish and I

658
01:24:29,633 --> 01:24:32,566
am a rer of mcallen, I am opposed to rezoning of this property. While I do support economic

659
01:24:36,400 --> 01:24:40,033
development with everyone else in this room, I have questions as to why this specific property needs to be the property

660
01:24:44,600 --> 01:24:47,400
developed. While this company has told us what it is going to do or what it is planning to do, once they

661
01:24:51,833 --> 01:24:53,966
have the property, it doesn't mean that is what they will continue to do. We need to think about that.

662
01:24:57,633 --> 01:24:57,633
they could change their mind at any time.

663
01:25:02,266 --> 01:25:05,566
and basically what will happen is that they will destroy the natural habitat. It will have already been

664
01:25:08,366 --> 01:25:10,066
destroyed. Even with this company. If they don't do what they say they are going to do.

665
01:25:13,600 --> 01:25:13,600
there are other spaces that could be used for development.

666
01:25:18,000 --> 01:25:18,000
but this is the only space that has all at tributes that this

667
01:25:23,866 --> 01:25:26,433
property has. No one here is saying we don't want zoho, but what we are saying is, not on this property.

668
01:25:31,500 --> 01:25:34,566
I ask that the city commissioners support the decision of the planning and zoning board.

669
01:25:38,366 --> 01:25:41,133
thank you [applause] >>mayor villalobos:  thank you. Will luna. -- mr. Luna.

670
01:25:57,933 --> 01:26:00,833
>> I will approach this a little different. I have been playing disc golf. I am for zoho, just not in this

671
01:26:09,766 --> 01:26:11,866
location. If you like the narrative we will have none of these jobs or resources are coming which I

672
01:26:15,333 --> 01:26:15,333
believe is not the truth. I know at the beginning we

673
01:26:21,333 --> 01:26:25,333
stated -- you stated they were facts misinformed and misinterpreted. I have a couple with a quick

674
01:26:27,733 --> 01:26:31,266
google search can be confirmed. Mcallen metro area has one of the highest rates of diabetes and obesity in the nation, not

675
01:26:35,333 --> 01:26:38,366
in the state, in the nation. Just the fact that y'all are telling us you know what is better for us, taking away a

676
01:26:41,766 --> 01:26:41,766
park is very concerning to that. And then also, I want to talk

677
01:26:46,933 --> 01:26:49,900
about green space. I know people are talking of the more important issues and the flooding and the effects.

678
01:26:53,366 --> 01:26:53,366
I wants to dog of green j, the course.

679
01:26:58,400 --> 01:26:58,400
anybody who has been pla playing disc golf from a

680
01:27:03,700 --> 01:27:07,400
veteran. This is a gem of a course. Wednesday, I am going to a tournament in houston. One of my fellow golfers, right here behind me, just came back

681
01:27:12,133 --> 01:27:12,133
from one in monterey. This weekend another group are

682
01:27:16,833 --> 01:27:18,733
going. Everything know that green j is a special course. It is not any course that you

683
01:27:21,766 --> 01:27:24,100
can just build. It is not a daffodil course. It is not a course in memorial or edinburgh.

684
01:27:30,333 --> 01:27:32,666
another number that was misinterpreted you quoted from the pbj. You say 11 courses are here in

685
01:27:39,266 --> 01:27:42,633
the rio grande valley. That is complete lie. Not 11 courses. I was here with one course.

686
01:27:46,300 --> 01:27:49,300
freddie gonzalez. Then daffodil was one and now we have seven courses in the whole valley.

687
01:27:51,266 --> 01:27:53,833
four of those are nine-hole courses. If you take away green j, we will go to brownsville and

688
01:27:59,500 --> 01:28:03,300
harlingen just to play. For you folks I know there is a lot more at stake than the course. But I beg you to please give a little thought of the agenda you

689
01:28:07,266 --> 01:28:10,533
are taking away that could stay and also have your side of the agenda met as well, which is local.

690
01:28:14,300 --> 01:28:14,300
I want. To say we are not against zoho.

691
01:28:18,366 --> 01:28:18,366
I don't speak for every single golfer but most of them.

692
01:28:24,533 --> 01:28:24,533
wither not against zoho, we are just very, very against that

693
01:28:30,666 --> 01:28:33,100
location. Thank you very much. [applause] >>mayor villalobos:  johosa.

694
01:28:42,133 --> 01:28:42,133
>> for a record, I can provide you a copy of what I quoted.

695
01:28:49,300 --> 01:28:49,300
>>mayor villalobos:  mr. J joe hihosa.

696
01:28:56,500 --> 01:28:56,500
>> good afternoon, mayor, commissioners, mr. City manager.

697
01:29:06,666 --> 01:29:10,500
I am a leader with virgina valley faith and a resident of mcallen. We are not here to change your

698
01:29:17,400 --> 01:29:19,233
recommendations. I am pretty sure you have made up your minds what you are going to be doing here.

699
01:29:21,633 --> 01:29:21,633
we wanted to you to listen top what we have been doing and what

700
01:29:28,166 --> 01:29:29,666
we have been hearing from the citizens of mcallen. You will hear two other leaders from value vis interfaith from

701
01:29:37,300 --> 01:29:40,933
balboa and the flooding concerns we have. City manager rodriguez talked in 2018.

702
01:29:44,800 --> 01:29:44,800
it was not planned to do anything in south mcallen until

703
01:29:49,133 --> 01:29:52,133
valley interfaith got involved and started the drainage over there. We worked with the county in

704
01:29:54,900 --> 01:29:57,700
2018 in the county areas to alleviate some of the drainage over florida. We have no idea what is going to

705
01:29:59,400 --> 01:30:03,266
happen if this is built. The second most important thing that we have got to talk about is the tract.

706
01:30:06,900 --> 01:30:09,866
ware road is a state highway. I don't know if mcallen has the option to do anything with it. All the traffic that is going

707
01:30:14,133 --> 01:30:16,333
through there right now in the mornings and afternoon are really bad. Commissioner castillo knows

708
01:30:22,033 --> 01:30:22,700
that. He lives in the area. Do you have any answer to that? Have anything been looked at?

709
01:30:28,933 --> 01:30:32,266
I guess not. You tell me. Or you can reply, I am not sure. We have -- we are not opposed

710
01:30:38,333 --> 01:30:41,766
to zoho. As valley interfaith we worked over 25 years for economic development and we brought one

711
01:30:44,733 --> 01:30:48,433
of the most important projects in the country for work force development here in mcallen and the county.

712
01:30:52,166 --> 01:30:52,166
and we changed over 3,000, 4,000 lives not opposed to development

713
01:31:05,466 --> 01:31:09,300
and drain all the people through our workforce project. We want to know not here in this specific area. The other question that we have is, we worked against house bill

714
01:31:14,433 --> 01:31:14,433
5 that will -- that will give companies, corporations, 75% tax

715
01:31:19,233 --> 01:31:22,500
abatesment to the school districts. How much tax abate will you give z shgzho.

716
01:31:27,266 --> 01:31:31,266
will had you be selling the land to them or give it to them. Give it on fair market value? Questions we are asking and

717
01:31:36,033 --> 01:31:36,033
apparently again we can't get an answer.

718
01:31:40,166 --> 01:31:41,800
that is something we may talk about leader. >> we will give you a copy of that transaction when it is

719
01:31:46,000 --> 01:31:48,200
done. >> it won't be too late -- dl be after you make up the decision. >> we will give you a copy of

720
01:31:52,066 --> 01:31:54,366
the transaction. >> thank you. Again, I don't think you will find one person here

721
01:31:58,433 --> 01:32:01,200
against zoho. We want that kind of business here. But not specifically there.

722
01:32:03,600 --> 01:32:06,966
so many other options. Thank you. >>mayor villalobos:  thank you, sir.

723
01:32:16,966 --> 01:32:18,966
garza. Can you say where you are from. Because I don't think we have been.

724
01:32:26,300 --> 01:32:26,300
rolando garza. >> yes.

725
01:32:31,266 --> 01:32:33,333
sorry. How are y'all doing. Thank you for having me. I am rolando garza.

726
01:32:39,266 --> 01:32:42,233
I am an archaeologist. I was born here and I grew up in brownsville. I still have a lot of family

727
01:32:44,666 --> 01:32:44,666
here, but today I want to speak for the archaeological record.

728
01:32:48,733 --> 01:32:48,733
that body of water, lake conception is very important to

729
01:32:55,333 --> 01:32:55,333
this region's cultural heritage, prehistoric community.

730
01:33:00,366 --> 01:33:04,166
a lot of people don't know of archaeology. They think we are dinosaurs, we are not.

731
01:33:05,066 --> 01:33:05,066
we study past human culture by the material remains.

732
01:33:09,166 --> 01:33:09,166
here in the rio grande delta covered by meters upon meters of

733
01:33:14,666 --> 01:33:17,100
sediment. We have three manifestation of periods -- cultural periods all based on the archaeology that is

734
01:33:21,100 --> 01:33:21,100
left. In this area, not a lot

735
01:33:25,133 --> 01:33:28,966
survived, mainly stone. We don't see natural stones, so shale tools. We have stone artifacts but

736
01:33:32,300 --> 01:33:35,333
limited. The paleo period which is 12,000 years ago to 8,000 years before the present.

737
01:33:40,433 --> 01:33:44,100
the archaic period which is about 68,000 to 12,000 -- yeah, sorry, 8,000 top about 1200 years ago before the present.

738
01:33:50,433 --> 01:33:50,433
and the lake historic which is 1200 to contact -- I say

739
01:33:56,566 --> 01:34:00,133
contact. Contact with this region not when cortez landed in mexico. But what we are talking about right now, what is close to the surface is a late prehistoric

740
01:34:05,400 --> 01:34:06,766
period. It is unique. It is also one of the most understudied regions in texas.

741
01:34:11,700 --> 01:34:11,700
because we don't have a lot of -- not a lot of big federal

742
01:34:16,700 --> 01:34:16,700
projects have come through and the other thing I would like to

743
01:34:23,300 --> 01:34:23,300
ask. Is fema giving you a permit, 106

744
01:34:27,800 --> 01:34:31,200
of the national historic preservation act that natural resource also have to be dealt with.

745
01:34:32,433 --> 01:34:32,433
and as was mentioned before in 1969, the publication came out

746
01:34:37,666 --> 01:34:41,600
in 1971, a barrel was found in that area. That is how I got involved in it.

747
01:34:45,433 --> 01:34:48,400
one of my old professors had published that paper there. We were having trouble actually getting -- because the data --

748
01:34:52,933 --> 01:34:52,933
difference in data, but on the adjacent property.

749
01:34:57,000 --> 01:35:00,666
and at map toward the end of the page -- let me go back. Three distinct features that -- that separate the brownsville

750
01:35:09,433 --> 01:35:12,900
complex from everywhere else. There was no stone. That is what -- that was their resource.

751
01:35:14,466 --> 01:35:16,900
that was it. There was evidence of trade with meso america. They used the shell ornaments.

752
01:35:25,500 --> 01:35:25,500
shell ornaments for trade. And ceramics unusual for hunters

753
01:35:31,133 --> 01:35:31,133
and gatherers. The thing distinct cemetery

754
01:35:35,400 --> 01:35:35,400
sites which is very unusual for hunter and gatherers.

755
01:35:39,566 --> 01:35:39,566
a paper published in 1947 based on the site and the other work

756
01:35:46,933 --> 01:35:46,933
in cameron county, they determined and they called --

757
01:35:51,400 --> 01:35:54,533
that is when the brownsville are labeled. The cemetery sites are occurring on the north side of the royal

758
01:35:58,600 --> 01:36:02,466
colorado down here where it comes off of the river all the way to the la guna. >> I don't mean to interrupt,

759
01:36:06,800 --> 01:36:10,000
but that is three minutes. >>mayor villalobos:  your time is up. >>city manager rodriguez: your

760
01:36:11,466 --> 01:36:13,833
time has passed. >> I left the sheet. I have a few more. But people's ancestors.

761
01:36:17,466 --> 01:36:17,466
our ancestors. Like florida aguiree said at the

762
01:36:22,500 --> 01:36:25,600
beginning. We need to know where we came from, because that's who we are. >>mayor villalobos:  thank you.

763
01:36:32,166 --> 01:36:32,166
>> very we called mr. J joe hinjosa yet?

764
01:36:43,000 --> 01:36:43,000
vilareal from mcallen. >> buenos tardes.

765
01:39:51,600 --> 01:39:51,600
. [applause]

766
01:40:02,633 --> 01:40:02,633
>>mayor villalobos:  mr. Wayne johnson.

767
01:40:10,066 --> 01:40:13,300
change it up again. >> good evening, honorable major, city manager and commissioners.

768
01:40:16,033 --> 01:40:16,033
my name is wayne johnson. I have been a resident for about

769
01:40:20,433 --> 01:40:24,066
18 years. And I feel like we are very fortunate that zoho is interested in and desires to

770
01:40:29,466 --> 01:40:29,466
expand in mcallen the proposals for this site as we talked about

771
01:40:35,433 --> 01:40:38,900
is very similar what they have done in the outskirts of austin. I think the land is rather unusual land for commercial

772
01:40:42,400 --> 01:40:42,400
development, and yet zoho has expressed interest in this land,

773
01:40:48,433 --> 01:40:50,766
and I think it is because they are not really your average company that is going to put down cement and put up -- they

774
01:40:59,300 --> 01:40:59,300
want to increase the natural plants and plant gardens and

775
01:41:04,633 --> 01:41:04,633
part of their corporate culture that is important to them hand

776
01:41:10,566 --> 01:41:10,566
this land that is special has special concerns for them.

777
01:41:19,433 --> 01:41:19,433
the buildings they want to do are design in an environmentally

778
01:41:23,633 --> 01:41:26,000
friendly manner. They want to include solar power, rain water retention. Using aesthetic architect.

779
01:41:33,566 --> 01:41:37,266
I am a retired plant manager. I moved and transferred to mcallen. And our family was transferred

780
01:41:39,633 --> 01:41:43,400
to mcallen through the corporation that I worked with. We have a 20-year-old son. And we have a teenaged daughter

781
01:41:48,566 --> 01:41:48,566
who soon will be entering the stage of their lives where they

782
01:41:53,000 --> 01:41:53,000
are looking for a professional career and work and as other

783
01:41:58,466 --> 01:41:58,466
have commented here, frankly mcallen lacks tech employment

784
01:42:02,666 --> 01:42:06,333
outside of medical field or higher education. And as people have commented too frequently, people are finding

785
01:42:10,933 --> 01:42:10,933
themselves relocating out side of the area looking for a

786
01:42:16,433 --> 01:42:18,600
professional career opportunities elsewhere. Zoho will increase our city's tax base.

787
01:42:21,966 --> 01:42:21,966
they will create high-paying professional jobs which will

788
01:42:26,900 --> 01:42:26,900
benefit the citizens of mcallen. I hope zoho's leadership will

789
01:42:32,166 --> 01:42:32,166
make mcallen more visible to other technological-based

790
01:42:37,300 --> 01:42:40,033
companies as they might consider expanding and coming to our area. I urge you this vote in favor of

791
01:42:41,733 --> 01:42:43,900
this zoning request. Thank you very much. >>mayor villalobos:  thank you. .

792
01:42:51,400 --> 01:42:51,400
[applause] mr. Daniel silva.

793
01:42:57,500 --> 01:43:01,466
>> good afternoon, mayor villalobos, city commissioners and city manager. Snipe name is daniel silva, the

794
01:43:04,566 --> 01:43:07,566
president of the rio grande valley partnership. I want to thank you for allowing me the opportunity to speak.

795
01:43:12,400 --> 01:43:15,300
civic engagement is important. We will hear comments from both sides. We heard quite a few and very

796
01:43:16,466 --> 01:43:19,933
good on both sides. Our job to bring to you our positions. And your job to decide what is

797
01:43:22,933 --> 01:43:26,233
best for the city. Today, I am going to come, I come to talk to you and take a couple of your minutes and

798
01:43:28,833 --> 01:43:28,833
provide my points from a regional view as well as my

799
01:43:33,466 --> 01:43:33,466
points from nearly 20 years as an economic developer.

800
01:43:39,000 --> 01:43:42,500
the regional goals as we have seen more so in the paper is to come together to try to put ourselves on the map and try to

801
01:43:46,833 --> 01:43:49,966
-- try to compete on a national level. And in 2004, I graduateded from university of texas with

802
01:43:55,033 --> 01:43:57,466
computer information assistance degree. And I ended up in economic development, and in the city's

803
01:44:02,566 --> 01:44:05,533
economic, started to have programs because we saw a need. Needed to create high-paying technology-based jobs.

804
01:44:10,666 --> 01:44:13,733
on the regional level, we have a goal of -- of advancing the region. And competing at the national

805
01:44:16,933 --> 01:44:18,066
level. We want high paying jobs and increased quality of life for our entire region.

806
01:44:21,200 --> 01:44:24,066
and we also need to increase our focus on technology. As you know a lot of our jobs are headed that direction.

807
01:44:27,033 --> 01:44:27,033
in mission, we worked for over a decade to try to create programs

808
01:44:32,633 --> 01:44:32,633
to increase the awareness, increase the knowledge base for

809
01:44:36,700 --> 01:44:36,700
technology for computer-related occupations.

810
01:44:41,400 --> 01:44:45,033
we worked with four-year colleges and community colleges and created programs and created a workforce created individuals

811
01:44:51,233 --> 01:44:54,100
who work in jobs like this and a lot of them left. My fear is that if we say no, we will set ourselves back for

812
01:44:57,900 --> 01:45:00,433
decades. People may not believe that, but when somebody looks and says why is didn't zoho go to mcallen,

813
01:45:06,433 --> 01:45:08,500
they will look back and see the decision that were made. I was vacationing in another state, a couple of states away,

814
01:45:11,766 --> 01:45:11,766
and my waiter told me, it was at -- said there was a egg and I

815
01:45:22,433 --> 01:45:25,233
ran poorly and corporate tried to take it over and didn't succeed. If someone talks about it at a

816
01:45:27,266 --> 01:45:27,266
waiter level, I guarantee such a competitive market, the

817
01:45:31,933 --> 01:45:34,466
technology company will pass up the valley. In mission, we conducteded a charettes for a master plan

818
01:45:41,833 --> 01:45:44,500
community. A charettes is what we are doing here on a larger scale. We brought in individuals from different sectors. We brought in high school

819
01:45:47,966 --> 01:45:50,200
students. We brought in the soccer moms. We brought in the young professionals.

820
01:45:53,166 --> 01:45:54,966
when we brought in the young individuals, schedule them, what is it that you want to see and what you want to see in your

821
01:45:57,933 --> 01:45:57,933
community. They wanted high paying -- they

822
01:46:02,600 --> 01:46:06,500
wanted high caliber jobs. They wanted to say here I sit on the state board for science and engineering fair.

823
01:46:10,500 --> 01:46:10,500
125,000 that made it to the state level came from the

824
01:46:14,833 --> 01:46:17,366
valley. A good portion from brownsville. If we want to keep kids here, we need to have opportunities like

825
01:46:22,933 --> 01:46:22,933
this. >>mayor villalobos:  blanca

826
01:46:28,933 --> 01:46:28,933
cald calderon.

827
01:46:34,566 --> 01:46:34,566
>> good evening, mayor and commissioners.

828
01:46:43,266 --> 01:46:46,633
I handed out some of the folders. In front of you you have 600 signatures of residents and

829
01:46:51,266 --> 01:46:54,700
voterses that live in the south a area, which I am a part of. And here we are just wanting to

830
01:47:00,533 --> 01:47:00,533
let you know that our biggest concern is the flooding.

831
01:47:04,933 --> 01:47:04,933
and in the folder also you will see some pictures.

832
01:47:09,400 --> 01:47:11,500
and I would like for you to see those. It is very hard to live in that area when it is -- when it is

833
01:47:15,700 --> 01:47:19,500
raining because we become prisoners of our own home. It is -- it takes two to three days for flood fog go away.

834
01:47:25,500 --> 01:47:25,500
and building this area that we are all speak of, even if you

835
01:47:29,533 --> 01:47:29,533
build it higher and you -- you don't consider that the rain

836
01:47:37,100 --> 01:47:37,100
water will come back and it has nowhere to go.

837
01:47:41,700 --> 01:47:41,700
currently, the 96 acres holds much of the rain water currently

838
01:47:46,633 --> 01:47:47,900
right now. So where will it go? Where will you put this water? The drainage is not good in

839
01:47:53,533 --> 01:47:53,533
south pecan area. I am not from mcallen

840
01:47:59,966 --> 01:48:02,333
originally. I moved here from los angeles about 30 years ago. When ware road ended at the golf

841
01:48:06,533 --> 01:48:08,966
course area. I have seen a lot of girls. I have seen a lot of growth in mcallen.

842
01:48:11,400 --> 01:48:11,400
and I am proud to be a regulars dent of mcallen.

843
01:48:15,566 --> 01:48:17,866
I can going back anywhere where I want. But this is where I have chosen to have my home.

844
01:48:21,566 --> 01:48:21,566
and our concern is just the flooding.

845
01:48:27,066 --> 01:48:30,400
and if you could consider that. Because it is a bad area. In this aspect. Thank you.

846
01:48:33,666 --> 01:48:33,666
>>mayor villalobos:  thank you so much.

847
01:49:09,233 --> 01:49:09,233
jeff alger, 2201 south benson road a quarter of a mile from

848
01:49:16,300 --> 01:49:16,300
the property being rezoned. I guess tonight I feel like my

849
01:49:21,166 --> 01:49:21,166
job is to represent the park since no one else is really

850
01:49:26,400 --> 01:49:30,166
doing that. Everyone who is affect is an individual and everybody who is affected is a citizen of

851
01:49:33,133 --> 01:49:37,133
mcallen. It affects me personally. And affects all these people personally. And I think that is what you guys are missing.

852
01:49:40,933 --> 01:49:42,633
it doesn't affect any of you personally. You looking at jobs and big picture, but are you telling me

853
01:49:46,933 --> 01:49:50,533
if you locate zoho in that particular place, it is -- you are not going to get any jobs at all?

854
01:49:52,633 --> 01:49:56,066
you are going to lose zoho completely? I don't believe that. I think you can find another

855
01:49:59,566 --> 01:49:59,566
place that is good for them. Besides that place that affects

856
01:50:04,766 --> 01:50:08,500
so many people on a personal level, okay. I want to do a little bit of research.

857
01:50:10,966 --> 01:50:13,900
I wish I had more time l like roel. And I wish I could take you out to dinner like you did w

858
01:50:17,766 --> 01:50:17,766
with zoho, but I can't.

859
01:50:25,400 --> 01:50:25,400
and in my research I -- as -- as they mentioned this lake

860
01:50:33,933 --> 01:50:35,000
conception goes back in millennia. History goes back in millennia. 3,000 years and more.

861
01:50:39,333 --> 01:50:43,266
that has been there. The connection to mcallen itself goes back to early 20th century. When mcallen was first rounded.

862
01:50:47,166 --> 01:50:47,166
founders going out to lake conception for religious

863
01:50:53,566 --> 01:50:57,266
gatherings, sewing gallers. Picnics and all kind of things that continued on from the mid 20th century until it went into

864
01:51:09,666 --> 01:51:10,633
private hands. In 1968, the city of mcallen brought 238 acres for the palm view golf course for public

865
01:51:13,866 --> 01:51:13,866
purposes. That existed until 1959 when

866
01:51:18,566 --> 01:51:18,566
ware road cut through and went to military highway.

867
01:51:23,266 --> 01:51:25,000
property went into limbo until 2015. Ten years, I was working -- pushing to make that property

868
01:51:29,566 --> 01:51:29,566
into a park because I was so familiar with that property.

869
01:51:34,133 --> 01:51:35,700
I knew it had a lake on it. I know it has rolling hills and lot of trees and a completely unique piece of property in the

870
01:51:44,533 --> 01:51:46,933
city of mcallen. Something else like it. That is why zoho wants it. Turn a public accessible park that has a tradition of public service for recreation and you

871
01:51:53,333 --> 01:51:54,833
want to give it to a company, a private company that is going to turn it into a private park for their private consumption.

872
01:51:58,533 --> 01:51:58,533
that is ridiculous. And I can -- I don't think any

873
01:52:04,233 --> 01:52:08,033
of you -- you can correct me if you are wrong. Have any of you ever been out there?

874
01:52:11,266 --> 01:52:14,033
been to the park or been there before it was a park? This -- I mean, there is a lot of history to it.

875
01:52:16,533 --> 01:52:19,133
and I wish. I think -- knowing the history, it makes you appreciate the property.

876
01:52:24,666 --> 01:52:26,000
okay. And -- >> thank you, your time has expired. >> I am sorry. I wish I have more time.

877
01:52:29,166 --> 01:52:32,066
if you would like to talk to me fill in -- I can write a book on the property. >>mayor villalobos:  thank you

878
01:52:34,500 --> 01:52:34,500
so much. [applause]

879
01:52:45,233 --> 01:52:45,233
>>mayor villalobos:  margaret graham, mcallen.

880
01:52:53,333 --> 01:52:55,233
>> good evening. I have some maps for you that I would like to distribute at the end if you may.

881
01:52:57,900 --> 01:53:00,666
and take it over here if you can pass it down. My name is margaret graham and I live with my family in mcallen

882
01:53:05,566 --> 01:53:05,566
district one and professor of anthropology on rgv.

883
01:53:10,633 --> 01:53:14,300
I am going to focus the negative impacts the project will have on our cultural, historical and geological heritage.

884
01:53:17,333 --> 01:53:17,333
I think the framing of our discussion tonight of pro zoho,

885
01:53:22,966 --> 01:53:22,966
anti- zoho is problematicic and incorrect.

886
01:53:27,300 --> 01:53:27,300
okay. I think that as many of my

887
01:53:32,433 --> 01:53:36,133
colleagues have said before me, that I think we are all pro-zoho, pro development, we are pro jobs.

888
01:53:38,000 --> 01:53:38,000
we are pro all of those things. But with community leader and

889
01:53:44,233 --> 01:53:44,233
anthropologists. I am distressed that the last

890
01:53:50,466 --> 01:53:53,166
remaining and terrace will be destroyed by the development process. Our poorly underseafood regional

891
01:53:55,266 --> 01:53:55,266
landscape has been shaped by natural resource over millennia,

892
01:54:00,466 --> 01:54:00,466
hills, dips and what you see on the parcels were created by the

893
01:54:05,400 --> 01:54:09,166
rio grande many channels and part of our geological history and geo heritage. Our river bluffs by hunters and

894
01:54:16,733 --> 01:54:16,733
gatherers used resources for food living in higher areas

895
01:54:22,433 --> 01:54:24,300
outside county threat as mr. Garza has talked about. The two parcels up for rezoning are the city's last remnants of

896
01:54:27,733 --> 01:54:30,833
our deep history and should be something the city wants to preserve, protect and enhance. The chaps program at u of

897
01:54:36,166 --> 01:54:36,166
it willrgv have a new community-based project of

898
01:54:43,200 --> 01:54:43,200
ancient landscapes of south texas hiding in plain site

899
01:54:49,166 --> 01:54:51,633
sight. These are the maps I have for you. Seeks to identify and increase awareness of the natural historical landscapes of the

900
01:54:56,566 --> 01:54:58,933
entire south texas league region. These two parcels are a perfect example of our ancient landscape

901
01:55:02,500 --> 01:55:05,133
in mcallen and they are indeed right before our eyes. They will be destroyed soon and forever by bulldozers and other

902
01:55:09,566 --> 01:55:09,566
human actions when the landscape renovation make this flood zone

903
01:55:14,733 --> 01:55:14,733
safe for habitation. Many prehistoric and historic

904
01:55:19,633 --> 01:55:19,633
sites have been lost through overdevelopment in recent years.

905
01:55:24,100 --> 01:55:24,100
ancient beaches and volcanic ash deposits in rio grande city,

906
01:55:34,933 --> 01:55:38,766
petrified forest in hidalgo county to name a few including this one. They have been working years for

907
01:55:41,966 --> 01:55:41,966
a eco tourism of beautiful, natural and cultural and

908
01:55:47,933 --> 01:55:47,933
historic resources. This location should be part of

909
01:55:52,433 --> 01:55:52,433
the effort and preserved and revitalized and not destroyed.

910
01:55:57,233 --> 01:55:57,233
the planning and rezoning and destruction of this landscape in

911
01:56:02,633 --> 01:56:03,700
a flood zone seems like a very odd move. Makes no sense when there are other parcels available.

912
01:56:06,966 --> 01:56:10,466
why this space. The loss will be permanent. No going back and I believe we can do better.

913
01:56:13,700 --> 01:56:13,700
thank you. >>mayor villalobos:  thank you.

914
01:56:44,566 --> 01:56:46,300
>> thank you. Thank you, mayor and city commissioners and mr. Rodriguez. My name is jose lopez and I have

915
01:56:54,500 --> 01:56:54,500
lived in south mcallen for the past 28 years.

916
01:56:59,266 --> 01:56:59,266
I am a member of diego catholic church.

917
01:57:07,500 --> 01:57:07,500
a member of faith and I'm here representing valley interfaith.

918
01:57:13,833 --> 01:57:13,833
we welcome zoho to expand. Mcallen and we look forward to

919
01:57:18,133 --> 01:57:18,133
more job opportunities for our young people.

920
01:57:22,200 --> 01:57:22,200
we would like to help young adults from a community to work

921
01:57:29,066 --> 01:57:29,066
with for you. But for the new -- we are

922
01:57:36,900 --> 01:57:36,900
against the proposed location for the new office because and

923
01:57:50,600 --> 01:57:50,600
to a private workplace. Flooding problems we have in

924
01:57:57,633 --> 01:57:57,633
mcallen for the past 50 years. You would you increase heavy

925
01:58:04,633 --> 01:58:04,633
traffic and drug traffic. We -- we have a -- in 2019.

926
01:58:24,766 --> 01:58:24,766
we had a lot of rain. One of my grandkids was --

927
01:58:33,866 --> 01:58:33,866
because we could not -- we could not leave the house.

928
01:58:42,566 --> 01:58:42,566
got water in the houses which they have -- they have to

929
01:58:50,633 --> 01:58:52,933
repair. They have prepared -- supported two -- two hidalgo and parking lot on 20 acres of grassy park

930
01:59:08,233 --> 01:59:08,233
through the rain. As for traffic, I am an expert

931
01:59:22,166 --> 01:59:25,833
and traffic. In early morning. 7, rl 8:00 in the morning, cars come from the north.

932
01:59:32,400 --> 01:59:32,400
in the afternoon, the same thing.

933
01:59:38,133 --> 01:59:38,133
the traffic is -- gets very congested.

934
01:59:42,500 --> 01:59:42,500
so -- so what we are going -- what we are expecting to have.

935
01:59:47,933 --> 01:59:47,933
I have seen traffic for -- for -- thank you very much mayor

936
01:59:56,400 --> 01:59:56,400
mayor thank you so much. Laprosa fromrosa fro rosa from

937
02:00:16,800 --> 02:00:16,800
>> I am la rosa from san juan. I was born in san juan and

938
02:00:22,933 --> 02:00:26,600
raised in california for about 20 years or so. I have been a san juan resident for the last 11 years.

939
02:00:29,500 --> 02:00:29,500
and I have been playing disc golf since I have been here.

940
02:00:33,633 --> 02:00:33,633
my uncles invited me to p play disc golf in san juan and

941
02:00:40,933 --> 02:00:40,933
that's where I got hooked. We started playing disc golf and

942
02:00:46,366 --> 02:00:46,366
we built a park in mcallen, daffodil park.

943
02:00:50,766 --> 02:00:53,900
it was great. We came up with green jay park. That park is awesome. There is no park close to it.

944
02:00:57,500 --> 02:00:57,500
there is no park that you can build another one and close

945
02:01:04,633 --> 02:01:04,633
with, this is a gem. You have long technical holes.

946
02:01:08,866 --> 02:01:08,866
we have a lot of water holes, and just -- I mean everything

947
02:01:13,966 --> 02:01:13,966
you need for disc golf in a park, that was it.

948
02:01:18,166 --> 02:01:20,266
we have a lot of nine hole courses. But a eight-hole championship course.

949
02:01:23,700 --> 02:01:23,700
we have been running tournaments there for the past since I have

950
02:01:30,733 --> 02:01:33,200
known, eight, nine years and tournaments at this park. And it brings people from everywhere.

951
02:01:35,266 --> 02:01:37,600
we have people coming from out of state, out of town. I mean, just -- you name it, they come and play this park.

952
02:01:41,766 --> 02:01:41,766
as soon as they get off the airplane and they are a disc

953
02:01:46,500 --> 02:01:49,433
golfer, this is one of the first place they go to because this is the only that one has this type of level of play.

954
02:01:54,366 --> 02:01:54,366
I just really want you guys to think about what you are doing.

955
02:01:58,933 --> 02:01:58,933
and just hopefully we can keep this park going.

956
02:02:04,966 --> 02:02:06,200
maybe put water back in there. Rest rooms. Things like that. Thank you, guys.

957
02:02:33,466 --> 02:02:35,266
>> good evening, commissioners planned mayor. My name is jim chapman. I live in west laco, not

958
02:02:40,500 --> 02:02:44,433
mcallen, and I have experience that hopefully will be useful for to consider before you make your decision.

959
02:02:46,066 --> 02:02:46,066
I have been involved both with nonprofit organizations and with

960
02:02:50,633 --> 02:02:50,633
the u.s. Fish and wildlife service in revegetation,

961
02:02:56,566 --> 02:02:56,566
reforestation efforts going back to the 1980s that was done and

962
02:03:02,800 --> 02:03:06,566
still being done to try to reverse the relentless clearing of our very diminished natural habitat which was estimated for

963
02:03:11,266 --> 02:03:11,266
hidalgo county to be at about 5%.

964
02:03:15,633 --> 02:03:15,633
revegetation, reforestation is very difficult, laborous and

965
02:03:21,166 --> 02:03:24,700
expensive work. From -- from the collecting of seeds to growing plants to planting them and to keeping

966
02:03:28,866 --> 02:03:28,866
them going until they get established, it is -- it is

967
02:03:34,000 --> 02:03:35,233
huge. Most revegetation efforts concentrate on 15 to 20 species, if you take -- if you look at an

968
02:03:40,933 --> 02:03:40,933
acre of native brush, it has hundreds of species.

969
02:03:50,600 --> 02:03:50,600
when zoho talks of fruit trees and garden and ecology, you will

970
02:03:56,666 --> 02:04:00,133
not creating natural habitat. You won't create what you lose when you clear. Somebody -- many years ago --

971
02:04:02,633 --> 02:04:02,633
maybe higher now -- estimated what would it cost to restore an

972
02:04:07,033 --> 02:04:07,033
acre of brush? And the estimate many years ago

973
02:04:12,400 --> 02:04:16,300
was it would probably take -- if you could ever do it, if you could ever find the seed for hundreds of species and grow

974
02:04:19,266 --> 02:04:19,266
them and plant them, it will probably cost $40,000 an acre

975
02:04:25,200 --> 02:04:28,666
and would take 40 years. So before you make your decision, really, to -- to do in green jay park or not.

976
02:04:34,566 --> 02:04:38,533
and I hope that you don't, consider what -- what you would be losing. And you really can't get that

977
02:04:40,933 --> 02:04:44,233
back. You can't re-create native habitat. Fruit trees, gardens, those are

978
02:04:47,733 --> 02:04:50,566
good things. But you are going to be losing much, much more than that. Green jay park.

979
02:04:54,700 --> 02:04:54,700
of course has a lot of grass -- grass habitat and your typical

980
02:05:00,400 --> 02:05:00,400
early succession species like mesquite.

981
02:05:06,366 --> 02:05:06,366
it also on the edges and when you get further back you get

982
02:05:12,200 --> 02:05:12,200
thick brush and you get that incredible diversity and that

983
02:05:16,533 --> 02:05:16,533
atranths and keeps -- attracts and keeps the birds and very

984
02:05:23,233 --> 02:05:26,033
little wildlife. Mcallen has little of that left and you need to promote and protect the very little that you

985
02:05:29,700 --> 02:05:33,633
have. Zoho can do their good work elsewhere. Thank you.

986
02:05:34,766 --> 02:05:34,766
>>mayor villalobos:  thank you so much.

987
02:05:52,533 --> 02:05:52,533
>> hello, commissioners. My name is marlon duran.

988
02:05:57,200 --> 02:05:57,200
I am a remember of the rbg green party and the democratic

989
02:06:06,433 --> 02:06:09,600
socialist of america. I lived in mcallen the majority of my life. I don't like how no one opposed

990
02:06:14,300 --> 02:06:14,300
to this park -- I mean opposed to the tearing down of the park

991
02:06:18,700 --> 02:06:22,600
was allow to speak until an hour into the meeting. And we -- you all talk about jobs and jobs and economic

992
02:06:29,000 --> 02:06:30,033
devel development. But, you know, companies coming here don't bring jobs.

993
02:06:35,033 --> 02:06:35,033
what brings jobs is high paying jobs with an equitable

994
02:06:39,800 --> 02:06:43,300
distribution of wealth. I remember when my grandpa -- when my mom was a kid, my grandpa was a mechanic for

995
02:06:50,766 --> 02:06:53,766
pontiac with just a high school degree and able to afford a big house, two cars, vacations, health insurance.

996
02:06:57,533 --> 02:06:57,533
I am sure some of the older people here remember when only

997
02:07:02,566 --> 02:07:02,566
one person working without a college degree was enough.

998
02:07:07,666 --> 02:07:10,933
and that was because we had strong labor unions who fought for people to have good paying jobs.

999
02:07:13,666 --> 02:07:13,666
and you know, we talk economic development, but these -- these

1000
02:07:18,933 --> 02:07:22,733
big corporations coming here is not going to give us economic development. If anything, they are going to

1001
02:07:24,666 --> 02:07:24,666
push away people who lived here for a very long time through

1002
02:07:29,300 --> 02:07:29,300
gentrification. So I urge you all to oppose the

1003
02:07:33,633 --> 02:07:33,633
tearing down of green jay park. We need to -- as mr. Chapman

1004
02:07:39,800 --> 02:07:43,366
said and the tribal chairman said, we need to preserve this land -- sacred land to the indigenous people, its native

1005
02:07:47,833 --> 02:07:50,200
habitat, and there are other ways to have economic development than sacrificing this beautiful piece of land.

1006
02:07:54,200 --> 02:07:56,700
thank you. >>mayor villalobos:  thank you so much. We have liz barbon, mcallen.

1007
02:08:10,933 --> 02:08:10,933
liz barbon, mcallen. Oh, there you are.

1008
02:08:17,866 --> 02:08:17,866
>> hello, liz barben. I am in mcallen.

1009
02:08:22,933 --> 02:08:22,933
I live on newhouse drive. I have two houses right on

1010
02:08:27,266 --> 02:08:31,266
newhouse on the corner. I talk to almost majority of our neighbors and we are -- a lot of us -- actually I haven't talked

1011
02:08:34,166 --> 02:08:34,166
to one that has not wanted zoho to come back in that piccolo

1012
02:08:39,633 --> 02:08:39,633
occasion. I mean we really don't mind zoho

1013
02:08:44,433 --> 02:08:46,933
coming in. We are very excited. I have three kids. Probably when they come in, we will enroll them in their activities for the kids.

1014
02:08:51,133 --> 02:08:52,400
they love coding and stuff like that. So zoho, yes. Location, no.

1015
02:08:55,833 --> 02:08:55,833
I am very concerned with the flooding.

1016
02:09:02,033 --> 02:09:05,966
and I commented this on the previous town hall meeting and everything. When very the 2018 flood, my

1017
02:09:09,766 --> 02:09:12,566
kids, we went out in the rain and we went to go explore. We sought huge ocean that was there.

1018
02:09:15,400 --> 02:09:19,266
my child walked into it, and he was at about three feet high in the water. And I told him stop, no, I had

1019
02:09:22,300 --> 02:09:26,266
videos of that. I also have video of kids on -- people on jet skis on ware road. It is very concerning where will

1020
02:09:34,566 --> 02:09:36,066
that water go. I am concerned they are going to build and water is coming to my house and my neighbors.

1021
02:09:41,400 --> 02:09:44,266
another concern I have is mcallen is one of the fattest cities in the country. And I saw a youtuber interview

1022
02:09:49,333 --> 02:09:51,633
you, mr. Mayor, so you are aware of this. We need parks. And yes, we have quinta

1023
02:09:54,833 --> 02:09:56,666
mazatlan. We have the state park. They close at 5:00. After 5:00 is when people want

1024
02:09:59,766 --> 02:10:02,333
to go out and walk. It is cooler. Where can we go? Not places that are free for

1025
02:10:05,766 --> 02:10:09,466
people to go and walk and enjoy the nature, birds, everything around us. So I would really please

1026
02:10:11,733 --> 02:10:15,666
strongly consider keeping this park. Because we need this for our community. I see in the mornings a lot of people walking around.

1027
02:10:18,733 --> 02:10:20,766
in the evening, people walking around. It is a very nice place to walk, explore.

1028
02:10:22,933 --> 02:10:25,366
my kids and I go there. We get picnics. We used to go by the lake, but somehow the water is not there

1029
02:10:28,933 --> 02:10:28,933
anymore in that spot. We really need that park for the

1030
02:10:39,800 --> 02:10:40,600
community. We need water. We have birds all the time. That is what I wanted to say.

1031
02:10:44,766 --> 02:10:47,000
thank you so much. >>mayor villalobos:  thank you so much. Juan inmecias.

1032
02:10:53,700 --> 02:10:56,833
>> he already spoke. >>mayor villalobos:  thank you. Louis florez, mission. Jose florez from mission.

1033
02:11:24,500 --> 02:11:24,500
3516 west jonquil. Mcallen.

1034
02:11:29,966 --> 02:11:29,966
>> good evening, gentlemen. As he sated, I lived here for

1035
02:11:37,066 --> 02:11:37,066
the first 23 years of my life. I had family that worked with

1036
02:11:42,066 --> 02:11:44,266
the mcallen chamber of commerce and the city. Growing up here and our programs with elementary, keep mcallen

1037
02:11:49,400 --> 02:11:51,166
beautiful. I always thought that mcallen would stay that way. Whenever I left, I didn't need

1038
02:11:53,733 --> 02:11:56,033
because I neededed a high paying job. I left because -- it is the culture down here in the county,

1039
02:12:00,000 --> 02:12:03,266
the rgv. Almost a rite of passage. They want to get away a little bit.

1040
02:12:06,200 --> 02:12:08,733
higher education. I got a high paying job in san antonio. I left that area, came back,

1041
02:12:11,266 --> 02:12:11,266
because of family, and I always wanted to live in mcallen.

1042
02:12:17,233 --> 02:12:17,233
and the problem with guiltying a high paying job here in mcallen

1043
02:12:22,666 --> 02:12:25,266
it seems like -- anywhere in the valley, the pay rates. Not jobs being available. Plenty available and the pay

1044
02:12:29,500 --> 02:12:31,700
rates. Why are we expecting one company to address that issue. We need more companies to step

1045
02:12:34,100 --> 02:12:36,733
up and carry their part for the city. For the area. Another thing I would like to

1046
02:12:40,233 --> 02:12:44,133
touch on what has been said. Everybody wants zoho here. That is great. That is awesome.

1047
02:12:45,766 --> 02:12:49,533
the city obviously is going to give up a lot and give them a lot of leeway, possible tax breaks and everything to get

1048
02:12:54,266 --> 02:12:56,900
them here. That is awesome. It is needed. But why not ask them to step up and possibly develop and put this beautiful green space that

1049
02:13:00,766 --> 02:13:03,100
they are talking about in an area that is not green at all. Why tear down part of one that is already existing.

1050
02:13:07,766 --> 02:13:07,766
it just doesn't make sense. [applause]

1051
02:13:12,133 --> 02:13:15,300
so, in closing, I would like to he will you about, like, a small thing that happened to me personally growing up.

1052
02:13:17,100 --> 02:13:17,100
when I moved away. Got a high-paying job.

1053
02:13:22,033 --> 02:13:22,033
I saw nationwide. A beautiful green space in san

1054
02:13:26,066 --> 02:13:28,066
antonio. And it was completed in 2011. I ended up being employed there. And they did put this green

1055
02:13:31,366 --> 02:13:33,766
space there. Wasn't available to the public. Only available to employees. Come to 2021, that space is

1056
02:13:37,766 --> 02:13:40,900
noting used by them anymore. They realized we can do work from home. We can work -- you know, get a

1057
02:13:43,100 --> 02:13:45,766
new space in a different city for cheaper. Hand this building is just sitting there.

1058
02:13:47,766 --> 02:13:50,766
and what san antonio can't do anything with it. Is there going to be any kind of safeguards or contracts to put

1059
02:13:55,533 --> 02:13:55,533
and hold zoho accountable and it will be an eyesore if they are

1060
02:14:01,800 --> 02:14:03,033
done tearing it up. I am curious. I would really like to know. In ending, I am proud to be with

1061
02:14:07,266 --> 02:14:10,300
mcallen. Sorry if it sounds like -- I am nervous as heck. But have a great night.

1062
02:14:12,766 --> 02:14:12,766
thank you so much for hearing us.

1063
02:14:28,933 --> 02:14:28,933
marco deana. >> I'm here and just to say

1064
02:14:35,800 --> 02:14:39,266
pretty watch I see. Everyone is here for environment for the history of that piece of land.

1065
02:14:41,633 --> 02:14:44,566
zoh soshgz looking for a piece of land to build something here. You have to look at the numbers. How many jobs will they bring.

1066
02:14:48,733 --> 02:14:48,733
500, $1,000? How many citizens in mcallen.

1067
02:14:54,933 --> 02:14:56,766
144,000. Not even a percent. Other cities around and all that. Are you going to give up something that took decades,

1068
02:15:00,900 --> 02:15:04,566
hundreds of years to grow, to build for something that can literally said somewhere in -- in concrete.

1069
02:15:08,466 --> 02:15:11,700
so that makes me think about the conversation this was -- that was had with this company, with the city.

1070
02:15:17,166 --> 02:15:19,600
they could have easily said we gave you a spot that you couldn't give. Let's give you this one over

1071
02:15:22,800 --> 02:15:25,200
here. Zoho would be, okay, cool. We understand. All that stuff to help you out.

1072
02:15:27,966 --> 02:15:27,966
they could say screw that, you gave us a good -- you want it.

1073
02:15:33,533 --> 02:15:36,800
hold on to the deal. Somebody played a deal with something that wasn't meant to be given. So that is another thing here. That is not being addressed.

1074
02:15:40,366 --> 02:15:40,366
why is it not that easy to just say, we screwed up.

1075
02:15:44,700 --> 02:15:48,700
let's go over here. Let's move on. Let's get past this and start the development. And also I used to work construction will.

1076
02:15:51,266 --> 02:15:51,266
I worked in austin. I built sky rises.

1077
02:15:58,133 --> 02:15:59,900
from sweeping the trash to build the laser to build the walls, to build them. And take them off.

1078
02:16:02,233 --> 02:16:05,266
mcallen needs to build up. Their skyscrapers here already. They need to build up. You have concrete to do it.

1079
02:16:08,100 --> 02:16:10,766
you need a perimeter. Not that big. I have seen the map of mcallen. Another map I have seen, is that

1080
02:16:14,766 --> 02:16:17,800
golf course is green. Very green compared to the rest of the area. And nothing the facts of the

1081
02:16:22,066 --> 02:16:24,800
golf course. A lot of money to upkeep that, making people to spend money to go to.

1082
02:16:26,566 --> 02:16:26,566
same thing with this campus. You will have people spend money

1083
02:16:31,800 --> 02:16:33,733
just to be there. You can have it but to use it, you have to you give us money. What about the people who don't

1084
02:16:36,266 --> 02:16:38,700
have money or can't afford to be money. Somebody needs to be outside in nature space because they have

1085
02:16:40,933 --> 02:16:40,933
the mental health that is not well and they want to be there.

1086
02:16:45,733 --> 02:16:45,733
guess what, will cost them $20, $10d every day.

1087
02:16:49,966 --> 02:16:49,966
they will go there for the peace of mind and go bankrupt.

1088
02:16:55,166 --> 02:16:58,733
don't build a city that looks like a prison because you get out of work and go to prison. Don't build synthetic green

1089
02:17:03,833 --> 02:17:07,266
spaces what you find in prisons and schools. You will drive people insane and kill themselves literally.

1090
02:17:14,666 --> 02:17:18,566
I left innovation. I went to see what it was and to bring back. That is what I brought up.

1091
02:17:20,533 --> 02:17:23,266
they are building up. They are keeping their green spaces. Mental health is a big issue.

1092
02:17:26,200 --> 02:17:28,933
jobs -- they pay you more out there. They go out there, get money and bring it back.

1093
02:17:33,266 --> 02:17:37,200
construction -- half of them are not from the united states. They bring money back. Why? Because they pay them more. Have people over here paying

1094
02:17:40,266 --> 02:17:41,733
more. Stop giving them tax breaks. If anything, make them -- the taxes that are supposed to be

1095
02:17:46,300 --> 02:17:47,500
paying used on the city. A lot of this I think so that can be done. A lot of better ways to do it.

1096
02:17:50,533 --> 02:17:53,900
the lack of effort I am seeing and lack of innovation and wanting to try to do it. Try.

1097
02:17:55,866 --> 02:17:58,366
that's all I want to say. I saw my timer went off. A better way to do it. We can always do it better.

1098
02:18:02,400 --> 02:18:02,400
you just go got to do it and stoop being afraid.

1099
02:18:06,900 --> 02:18:09,500
if you say you screwed up, I messed up. And everyone involved will appreciate that way better.

1100
02:18:12,966 --> 02:18:15,000
those really want help, will help. Those who don't, will show your colors.

1101
02:18:17,233 --> 02:18:17,233
>>mayor villalobos:  thank you, sir.

1102
02:18:22,966 --> 02:18:22,966
we have blanca calderon, mcallen.

1103
02:18:30,700 --> 02:18:30,700
>> already spoke. >>mayor villalobos:  okay.

1104
02:18:40,966 --> 02:18:40,966
>> mayor, commissioners. Citicity manager.

1105
02:18:45,166 --> 02:18:45,166
thank you for the opportunity to speak here.

1106
02:18:50,833 --> 02:18:50,833
pecks candidate for mcallen district 4.

1107
02:18:54,900 --> 02:18:54,900
I just want to say I am opposed to this project.

1108
02:18:59,233 --> 02:19:01,633
I will bring in a political perspective here. I will be very kind. Very respectful.

1109
02:19:04,500 --> 02:19:07,166
commissioner rudy, I want to remind you that you are here to represent your constituents. When you say -- when you said I

1110
02:19:10,933 --> 02:19:14,433
want to run. You are saying I want to represent you, the citizens. This is an american form of

1111
02:19:18,233 --> 02:19:22,166
government. You live in an american democracy. Representative democracy.

1112
02:19:23,833 --> 02:19:23,833
I want to thank the tribe's person and the professors.

1113
02:19:28,200 --> 02:19:28,200
highly educated professors who spoke on the history of the

1114
02:19:34,966 --> 02:19:34,966
location. Guys, this is like hollywood.

1115
02:19:39,066 --> 02:19:39,066
this is like a horror movie. We have a big bad company moving

1116
02:19:43,266 --> 02:19:46,966
in and trying to build on a graveyard, on a burial site. This is a classic hollywood horror movie.

1117
02:19:50,566 --> 02:19:54,166
this is reality, guys. It's interesting to see that a lot of people who were for it do not live in my district.

1118
02:19:58,933 --> 02:19:58,933
you are not from district 4. And just to close, just from a

1119
02:20:06,300 --> 02:20:09,833
political perspective, and being very respectful here, commissioner castillo, de la vaca, villalobos, mayor, city

1120
02:20:19,333 --> 02:20:19,333
commissioner rodriguez and commissioner aguirre.

1121
02:20:24,933 --> 02:20:26,400
now he how difficult election it is. Rudy, you know how difficult. When you vote today, your con

1122
02:20:31,266 --> 02:20:34,700
stitch went also know how you voted .think about that. Look at zoho. Are you going to risk your

1123
02:20:38,033 --> 02:20:39,100
political career for that company. Think of this before you vote. This is reality, guys.

1124
02:20:42,800 --> 02:20:42,800
this is reality. Thank you.

1125
02:20:49,733 --> 02:20:51,000
>>mayor villalobos:  I do need to throw something in. Whenever we make our decisions generally never based on build

1126
02:20:54,633 --> 02:20:57,000
we are going to be reelected or not. Generally at least I know this is what this commission does and

1127
02:20:59,266 --> 02:21:02,900
look at the facts and circumstances of everything and analyze and set forth and tries to make the best decision that

1128
02:21:08,033 --> 02:21:10,666
we can make regardless of political influences. Okay. We have adrian vilareal.

1129
02:21:20,866 --> 02:21:23,800
>> I guess it is -- good evening. Mayor and commission. You know, in my view, what

1130
02:21:28,966 --> 02:21:31,500
really makes a successful community is a community that provides opportunity for good paying jobs and for quality

1131
02:21:35,600 --> 02:21:38,966
jobs. And I think today that is even more important because everything is really expensive.

1132
02:21:42,433 --> 02:21:42,433
and by providing good, quality jobs, what we are seeing is that

1133
02:21:46,933 --> 02:21:50,700
somebody doesn't have to work two jobs just to make ends meet, because that is the reality right now.

1134
02:21:55,100 --> 02:21:56,866
is that people are having to work hard just to provide for their families. City of mcallen always made the

1135
02:22:01,466 --> 02:22:03,266
tough decisions. That is why we are the north star of south texas. When it came to promoting

1136
02:22:08,166 --> 02:22:11,466
retail, when it came to supporting the makila business. When it came to taking advantage of napta.

1137
02:22:15,466 --> 02:22:19,233
when at that came to benefiting and supporting the growth of our colleges, the merging of to our university, and he beginning of

1138
02:22:24,866 --> 02:22:27,300
the medical school. Game-changing supportive initiatives that this commission took and impacted in a very

1139
02:22:31,966 --> 02:22:33,733
positive way this community. I think one of the results we have seen from those decisions have been the investment made in

1140
02:22:38,133 --> 02:22:38,133
the medical sector. And today, the medical sector

1141
02:22:44,433 --> 02:22:47,600
employs more people than anybody else in the city of mcallen. Because of the decisions we make.

1142
02:22:49,400 --> 02:22:49,400
we can't ignore the things that judge cortez said earlier,

1143
02:22:54,766 --> 02:22:54,766
today, our current per capita income is 20% lower than the

1144
02:23:04,966 --> 02:23:06,000
national average. 19% of families with children who still live in poverty. We have a very young work force

1145
02:23:09,800 --> 02:23:12,566
compared to the state and the nation. And we have a growing population.

1146
02:23:15,166 --> 02:23:17,866
we need to make sure that we can continue to invest in the future to provide quality jobs. One way to do that is to try to

1147
02:23:24,266 --> 02:23:27,533
bring tech down here. Very difficult. Because of very, very highly competitive industry that every

1148
02:23:30,233 --> 02:23:30,233
community wants to attract. What zoho does, they give us a

1149
02:23:35,666 --> 02:23:37,600
lane. They want to be partners. They want to grow with the city of mcallen.

1150
02:23:41,600 --> 02:23:44,466
they are gig to give us high paying quality jobs so people can take care of their families. And they are going to mult flewy

1151
02:23:49,600 --> 02:23:50,900
ply. Tech multiplies. And it lasts and grows and grows and grows.

1152
02:23:55,266 --> 02:23:56,366
so there is a ripple effect there. And that is why this decision is so important.

1153
02:24:00,000 --> 02:24:00,000
it is important to provide quality, high paying jobs so

1154
02:24:04,933 --> 02:24:04,933
that people can take care of their families and to grow and

1155
02:24:09,166 --> 02:24:11,200
provide opportunity to future generations. It is a game changer. It is a game changer.

1156
02:24:14,366 --> 02:24:14,366
and for all that, that is why I urge you to you support this --

1157
02:24:19,000 --> 02:24:21,133
this zoning change. Thank you. >>mayor villalobos:  thank you, sir.

1158
02:24:26,166 --> 02:24:26,166
we have miss carol brown of mcallen.

1159
02:24:48,666 --> 02:24:48,666
>> good evening the basis of my objection to the proposed

1160
02:24:53,566 --> 02:24:56,566
rezoning of both of these properties is as follows: the park and green space are a part of the plan set forth in mcallen

1161
02:25:01,933 --> 02:25:05,033
parks and recreation and open space master plan. And they both address the needs of the community.

1162
02:25:10,633 --> 02:25:10,633
green jay park is a park. And both properties lie in the

1163
02:25:17,000 --> 02:25:20,900
protected south mcallen green belt shown in forsythe mcallen and again in the version of envision mcallen 2040 that the

1164
02:25:26,900 --> 02:25:26,900
commissioners approved may 22. The mcallen parks and recreation

1165
02:25:32,933 --> 02:25:32,933
open space master plan there. In the executive summary.

1166
02:25:37,700 --> 02:25:37,700
one of the goals is -- if you look down where the red arrow

1167
02:25:43,266 --> 02:25:46,500
is, protect and sustain value nature area, environmental features and historic and cultural resources.

1168
02:25:51,066 --> 02:25:51,066
can can you imagine a city park in does that benner than green

1169
02:25:56,333 --> 02:25:58,600
jay park? Look at that again. Value nature areas, environmental features, and

1170
02:26:01,633 --> 02:26:01,633
historic and cultural resources. That is green jay park.

1171
02:26:10,266 --> 02:26:10,266
page 2. In the park inventory, the romp

1172
02:26:14,766 --> 02:26:17,533
states the city also owns drainage areas that are maintained by the city. Several of these, are park

1173
02:26:20,800 --> 02:26:23,700
facilities and the remainder could be used for park facilities. Based on the national parks and

1174
02:26:26,100 --> 02:26:28,966
recreation standards, the city of mcallen will have a total park deficit by the year 2025 of 881 acres of parks.

1175
02:26:36,166 --> 02:26:36,166
that is not from anyone else but parks and rec of the city.

1176
02:26:41,366 --> 02:26:44,933
the largest deficit being in community parks. Community parks generally five to eight acres in size.

1177
02:26:51,266 --> 02:26:53,966
so let's see -- master plan recommendations. The two red arrows. The city needs to acquire land

1178
02:26:58,966 --> 02:26:58,966
in the far north and south exceptions of town before the

1179
02:27:03,600 --> 02:27:06,000
land is gone. And we will give it away. Even if it is not developed now. If land is not purchased now, it

1180
02:27:10,433 --> 02:27:10,433
will not be available in the future.

1181
02:27:15,566 --> 02:27:16,833
and we are giving ours away. The city needs to acquire some large tracts of land, 20 to 50 acres, exactly what this is for

1182
02:27:21,933 --> 02:27:23,733
future park development. Next page. It is a park. I don't need to belabor that

1183
02:27:27,266 --> 02:27:30,000
part. If you look at all the city documents, it is a park. Fourth page says the same thing.

1184
02:27:33,433 --> 02:27:33,433
now, the interesting part on page five.

1185
02:27:39,266 --> 02:27:39,266
envision mcallen 2040. Both green jay park and the

1186
02:27:45,433 --> 02:27:45,433
south mcallen green belt remain unmarred by development in

1187
02:27:50,466 --> 02:27:54,200
envision mcallen 2040. In both versions of it. Last page, there are two versions of envision 2040.

1188
02:28:00,633 --> 02:28:00,633
you voted on one that does not have an employment center in it.

1189
02:28:06,166 --> 02:28:10,066
may 10, it was not there. I am on page 6. Then suddenly on july 15 -- yeah, july 15, there was

1190
02:28:15,333 --> 02:28:15,333
suddenly an employment center there.

1191
02:28:21,633 --> 02:28:22,866
the public did not see that and that is not the version you voted on. Therefore this is spot zoning.

1192
02:28:36,633 --> 02:28:36,633
y'all may be disappointed but we only have ten more speakers.

1193
02:28:44,000 --> 02:28:44,000
tracydedmond from harlingen. >> good evening, mayor,

1194
02:28:58,000 --> 02:28:58,000
commissioners. Tracy dedmond and I live in

1195
02:29:04,366 --> 02:29:06,033
harlingen, texas. What I know about high paying jobs. 11 years ago I had two employees

1196
02:29:08,433 --> 02:29:11,266
and my company has grow en in the rgv. 100% I have employees from the rgv.

1197
02:29:14,733 --> 02:29:14,733
I manage over $1.7 billion of as sets in the rgv, out of the

1198
02:29:20,933 --> 02:29:24,400
60,000 employees, they average $90,000 a year. They all live here. They are all from here.

1199
02:29:25,966 --> 02:29:29,633
that was one of the tax abatement agreements that I had when we came here. Now I produce over 1 gigawatt of

1200
02:29:35,266 --> 02:29:35,266
power, wind power in the valley. So in 2017, when my son came to

1201
02:29:40,600 --> 02:29:40,600
me and said I just got accepted to ut rgv, first class, I think

1202
02:29:46,566 --> 02:29:49,166
it was. The very first class when they renamed it to in /* ut rgv. I was excited and anticipates

1203
02:29:56,133 --> 02:29:56,133
track star in the high school. The very next year, he said I am

1204
02:30:00,600 --> 02:30:02,433
not going to college. I said what are you going to do? He said I will be a professional disc golfer.

1205
02:30:11,100 --> 02:30:13,566
he started playing disc every weekend. Had a job during the week. Stayed with a friend of his who

1206
02:30:16,366 --> 02:30:16,366
put him up in his guest house. In 2018, he was the pgga person

1207
02:30:23,133 --> 02:30:26,833
of the year. His name is mason ford. You can look him up as well. 2021 won the first tour event in

1208
02:30:32,933 --> 02:30:32,933
nashville, tennessee, music city open.

1209
02:30:37,133 --> 02:30:40,933
three top ten finishes in the disc tour. Tied for fifth at the pga major, the championship cup in georgia.

1210
02:30:49,000 --> 02:30:52,800
he is a very great athlete that attributes his success from the pamture ranks to the professional ranks to green jay.

1211
02:30:58,966 --> 02:30:58,966
what -- what you have here what you have here in your city is

1212
02:31:05,000 --> 02:31:05,000
the only championship disc golf course anywhere south of

1213
02:31:14,966 --> 02:31:17,733
ingleside texas. The only one with technical water holes, yard bomb. Wind.

1214
02:31:21,200 --> 02:31:23,266
good lord we have wind. The only one like it. I know you say 11 in the valley. There is seven.

1215
02:31:28,400 --> 02:31:30,000
miscommunication. They visit them. And you will see not a disk golf course in several of those

1216
02:31:35,600 --> 02:31:38,966
areas. Also this is only the third -- only three 18-hole disc golf courses in the have ale leave.

1217
02:31:41,833 --> 02:31:45,333
one being in brownsville, not being technical. Dixieland in harlingen, my home course, not very technical and

1218
02:31:50,833 --> 02:31:51,866
this one. I had the pleasure of playing with my son and his wife who is a top ten player in the world.

1219
02:31:55,266 --> 02:31:58,233
my son is ranked 29th in the world. And I had the pleasure of talking with him yesterday.

1220
02:32:00,800 --> 02:32:00,800
he said I wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for green jay park.

1221
02:32:08,700 --> 02:32:11,266
if you put money in baseball fields, football fields, softball, pickleball, tennis courts.

1222
02:32:13,266 --> 02:32:15,300
the second highest growing sports in the u.s. It is a real sport. Kids can do it.

1223
02:32:18,366 --> 02:32:21,000
families can do it together. Adults -- myself, I do it all the time now and it keeps me in shape.

1224
02:32:24,666 --> 02:32:24,666
think about it for a minute. Not only that, ask zoho --

1225
02:32:30,400 --> 02:32:30,400
>> mayor, I don't mean to inte

1226
02:32:34,833 --> 02:32:36,833
interrupt, but that is time. >>mayor villalobos:  thank you so much. We will have jose lewises

1227
02:32:45,033 --> 02:32:45,033
florez, mission. Florez, mission.

1228
02:32:59,066 --> 02:32:59,066
going once. Going twice.

1229
02:33:04,666 --> 02:33:04,666
daniel brook, mcallen. >> hello, mayor, city

1230
02:33:13,733 --> 02:33:16,133
councilmembers. Any name is daniel brook. I own a business disc golf store here on main street.

1231
02:33:22,766 --> 02:33:26,433
I'm here to speak of the disc golf park. Several reasons to keep this park and not rezone.

1232
02:33:29,133 --> 02:33:32,033
one of the most important to me is health benefits. Some others include inclusiveness, fellowship and

1233
02:33:35,400 --> 02:33:39,300
what disc golf gives back to the community. We think of health benefits. The first thing that comes to

1234
02:33:41,700 --> 02:33:41,700
mind is exercise. According a study by wallet hub,

1235
02:33:46,966 --> 02:33:46,966
highest amount of obese, 49.2%. Two times higher than the lowest

1236
02:33:52,800 --> 02:33:52,800
number in the u.s., a number you should be looking to reduce.

1237
02:33:59,700 --> 02:34:03,266
2.4 times higher than the lowest percent. With over 8,000 feet of course to walk, you can get your steps

1238
02:34:06,766 --> 02:34:06,766
in while enjoying a round o of disc golf.

1239
02:34:11,733 --> 02:34:11,733
mental health benefits. If you play disk golf

1240
02:34:18,200 --> 02:34:20,633
consistently you will find you more creative, stronger, healthier and happy. One thing about disc golf of it

1241
02:34:22,900 --> 02:34:22,900
gets you closer to nature at the mcallen golf park.

1242
02:34:27,400 --> 02:34:31,033
your stress and anxiety levels will go down. You will able to sleep better because of the the reduced

1243
02:34:33,966 --> 02:34:36,966
stress. Exercising outdoors is a great mood booster. Playing in nature inspires

1244
02:34:39,833 --> 02:34:39,833
creativity. When talking of mental wellness,

1245
02:34:44,366 --> 02:34:46,966
socialize something one of the most important things to stay healthy and disc golf does this. Fellowship of disc golf I

1246
02:34:53,333 --> 02:34:53,333
is rivaled by one. I met my best friends and spends

1247
02:34:58,966 --> 02:35:01,733
more hours with my oldest friends. Take photos, hike, bird watch and play disc golf.

1248
02:35:05,866 --> 02:35:08,400
many travel together playing courses all over the state. We regularly go out to eat after playing and stop for a cold

1249
02:35:11,833 --> 02:35:15,433
beverage to stay out and talk. Inclusiveness is another one of the benefits of having a 18-goal dic golf.

1250
02:35:21,766 --> 02:35:21,766
you don't have to spend hundreds of dollars and need a disc that

1251
02:35:27,000 --> 02:35:30,000
cost a few dollars. Children under the age of five are playing competitively and tournaments for those over 70.

1252
02:35:34,400 --> 02:35:34,400
to meet the needs of everyone who tries out disc golf,

1253
02:35:39,200 --> 02:35:41,966
challenge themselves on an individual basis and a sensory and tactile experience with a series of goals that are

1254
02:35:45,033 --> 02:35:45,033
realistically achievable which is great for people on the

1255
02:35:50,066 --> 02:35:52,033
autism spectrum. A huge growth of the number of physical and mentally handicapped people playing disc

1256
02:35:57,033 --> 02:35:57,033
golf which is important in an area where one in five adults

1257
02:36:02,400 --> 02:36:03,633
have mentz according the valley legacy foundation. Giving back to the community is another part of disc golf and

1258
02:36:07,966 --> 02:36:07,966
the disc golf community. We work with nonprofits to raise

1259
02:36:14,466 --> 02:36:16,066
money. Host tournaments where proceeds can given to support if nonprofits.

1260
02:36:21,066 --> 02:36:21,066
we have pamper rounds to help expectant parents.

1261
02:36:25,866 --> 02:36:29,200
we work where with veterans giving veterans free entry. My personal favorite toy drives for toys for tots matching every

1262
02:36:35,000 --> 02:36:35,000
toy donate by disc golfers. Up wish I could finish.

1263
02:36:40,300 --> 02:36:41,200
>>mayor villalobos:  thank you so much. >> thank you for your time and I hope I persuaded to you vote no

1264
02:36:45,033 --> 02:36:45,033
or forced your decision to vote no.

1265
02:36:49,966 --> 02:36:49,966
please vote no. >>mayor villalobos:  ken vega.

1266
02:36:55,700 --> 02:36:55,700
ken vega. >> hello, mayor, commissioners.

1267
02:37:04,866 --> 02:37:04,866
ken vega, my father is daniel vega of pharr and I have

1268
02:37:09,466 --> 02:37:13,366
been a native for 30-plus years. Today I come before you not to present any facts or to, you know, argue against any

1269
02:37:17,800 --> 02:37:21,500
accusations that may have been made on this matter but simply to state my own personal problem with the matter at hand.

1270
02:37:26,733 --> 02:37:30,233
one county greatest blessings that I have in life is after a long day of work, I get to come home to my girls who have just

1271
02:37:34,066 --> 02:37:37,566
so happy to see me walk through the door. They still yell "daddy." I am sure many of you relate to

1272
02:37:42,066 --> 02:37:44,900
that. For those of how have older children that is something that doesn't last very long.

1273
02:37:48,233 --> 02:37:49,766
fades away over time. They start to get all these other ideas in their heads, things that just distract them.

1274
02:37:53,000 --> 02:37:53,000
and right now, my five-year-old daughter, josie, I took her out

1275
02:37:59,233 --> 02:37:59,233
one day to play disc golf she loved it so much.

1276
02:38:03,266 --> 02:38:07,033
every day when I come home, she is asking, daddy, we can play disc golf. So proud that my little girl is

1277
02:38:11,133 --> 02:38:13,833
interested in something that I love to do that I can enjoy there time with my own daughter to watch her grow and watch her

1278
02:38:18,033 --> 02:38:19,433
do something that she wants to do. I actually did talk to her about what is happening.

1279
02:38:23,266 --> 02:38:23,266
and though she is five years old, she doesn't grasp the full

1280
02:38:27,533 --> 02:38:27,533
concept of what goes on. It hurt her nonetheless.

1281
02:38:32,066 --> 02:38:34,866
she asked me if I could be here today to do something about it. She said, daddy, will you do something.

1282
02:38:39,266 --> 02:38:39,266
I am hoping that what I bring before you could help overturn

1283
02:38:45,033 --> 02:38:48,066
decision to have so some compassion. Think of the future kids of this city. It may not be that kids want to grasp technology.

1284
02:38:52,533 --> 02:38:55,633
my little girl is a very outdoorsy girl. I am glad that she is not the kid stuck in front of an ipad or

1285
02:39:00,300 --> 02:39:03,333
video game. She wants to get out there to experience life for what is out there, the birds, the wildlife

1286
02:39:06,833 --> 02:39:10,033
and plants. She loves mushrooms. She loves flowers. She loves all that sort of

1287
02:39:14,500 --> 02:39:18,066
thing. It breaks my heart five to go home and tell her I am sorry. But it's gone. I am asking you please, if you can just please have so

1288
02:39:23,000 --> 02:39:23,000
some compassion in your heart and car that my little girl is

1289
02:39:28,033 --> 02:39:28,033
asking, please. Don't get rid of this park.

1290
02:39:32,633 --> 02:39:32,633
thank you.

1291
02:39:47,266 --> 02:39:47,266
>>mayor villalobos:  mr. Herscel patel.

1292
02:39:53,966 --> 02:39:53,966
>> good evening, mayor, city manager and commissioners.

1293
02:39:58,266 --> 02:39:58,266
I'm here to express my support of zoho in mcallen.

1294
02:40:05,200 --> 02:40:07,066
as vice-chairperson of the chamber of commerce. We support the growth of new industries especially those

1295
02:40:09,933 --> 02:40:13,166
paving the way for the future. As a resident of mcallen, I am excited about the potential business diversification

1296
02:40:17,000 --> 02:40:17,000
that zoho will bring directly and through the ancillary

1297
02:40:21,366 --> 02:40:21,366
companies that they will need. Being a mcallen hotel owner, I

1298
02:40:25,600 --> 02:40:25,600
eagerly anticipate the influx of business, tourists, relocating

1299
02:40:30,600 --> 02:40:33,166
family that a company of this magnitude will attract to our city. As a father with three children

1300
02:40:37,000 --> 02:40:37,000
all attending mcallen schools, I am excited of the prospect of

1301
02:40:44,766 --> 02:40:47,500
stem jobs that all cities across america are hungry for right now. Commissioner, it is also crucial

1302
02:40:50,100 --> 02:40:53,733
to recognize that neighboring towns are eagerly awaiting for us to falter, allowing them to seize the benefits of hosting a

1303
02:40:59,000 --> 02:40:59,000
company like zoho. At a time when every community

1304
02:41:03,300 --> 02:41:06,766
in america are struggling to attract future industries and jobs. We have a wonderful opportunity

1305
02:41:08,333 --> 02:41:11,000
within our grasp. Thank you, guys. >>mayor villalobos:  thank you so much.

1306
02:41:17,700 --> 02:41:17,700
hernando oloja. >> hello, good evening.

1307
02:41:25,766 --> 02:41:25,766
I lived here 40-plus years. I -- my mother actually has a

1308
02:41:30,000 --> 02:41:30,000
house which is five minutes away from green jay park.

1309
02:41:34,300 --> 02:41:37,900
lives off of jordan and 29 and a half. So losing this park will be a really big loss and I don't want

1310
02:41:47,500 --> 02:41:50,200
to see that happen. I don't want to go on too further but I want this quote from the great dr. Ron paul. Governments have nothing. They can't create anything.

1311
02:41:54,100 --> 02:41:55,266
they never have. All they can do is steal from one group and give it another at the destruction of the

1312
02:42:00,966 --> 02:42:03,433
principles of freedom and we ought to challenge that concept. And that's what I am doing here. Please vote no on zoho.

1313
02:42:08,966 --> 02:42:12,100
thank you. >>mayor villalobos:  thank you, sir.

1314
02:42:15,066 --> 02:42:15,066
miss gloria galindo. Gloria galindo.

1315
02:42:29,833 --> 02:42:29,833
>> hello. I am going to hand out the --

1316
02:42:34,066 --> 02:42:34,066
the stuff that I brought, the petition, signatures, etc., that

1317
02:42:38,100 --> 02:42:38,100
was asked to bring and copies to you all.

1318
02:42:55,233 --> 02:42:55,233
first first is the park. Second are the signatures, 300

1319
02:42:59,600 --> 02:42:59,600
signatures against. Here are some more signatures.

1320
02:43:35,566 --> 02:43:35,566
>> I am like a bag lady. Good afternoon, my name is

1321
02:43:40,666 --> 02:43:40,666
gloria galindo and I am a citizen of mcallen.

1322
02:43:45,033 --> 02:43:48,400
I'm here because I am a birder. I don't say that lightly. I will put on my glasses because I can't see without them.

1323
02:43:51,466 --> 02:43:51,466
my family and rebirders and naturalists.

1324
02:43:55,966 --> 02:43:55,966
and also citizen scientists. We have participated in hawk

1325
02:44:00,366 --> 02:44:00,366
count where we count migrating hawks at state park for over ten

1326
02:44:05,733 --> 02:44:07,266
years. You can find us on the cover of the state of texas park guide for the entire state of texas.

1327
02:44:10,500 --> 02:44:10,500
and we have been featured in a documentary called birders" by

1328
02:44:17,866 --> 02:44:20,133
netflix. My son was the american birding association young birder of the year for 2021.

1329
02:44:23,800 --> 02:44:23,800
the aba being the standard bearer of serious birding in

1330
02:44:29,933 --> 02:44:29,933
north america. And that honor being young

1331
02:44:36,466 --> 02:44:39,633
birder of the year is a national honor in a national competition. He worked have he closely with bill clark, world renowned and

1332
02:44:50,033 --> 02:44:53,400
leading hawk expert documenting rare breeding raptors in the rio grande valley. And up with of the sites he

1333
02:44:55,300 --> 02:44:55,300
documented and studied was green jay park.

1334
02:45:02,166 --> 02:45:04,100
he documented gray hawks in 2016. They are still there to this day with other rare hawks such as

1335
02:45:09,133 --> 02:45:09,133
the zone-tailed hawk and the gray hawk, and I am always

1336
02:45:15,100 --> 02:45:15,100
looking for that hook kite that I know one of these days will be

1337
02:45:19,266 --> 02:45:22,900
there. If it is still ours, we can still look there. The gray hawk found there is

1338
02:45:25,100 --> 02:45:28,533
only found in the rio grande valley. You have birders from all over the world, all over the country

1339
02:45:32,800 --> 02:45:32,800
who come here just to see that. So green jay park has over 126

1340
02:45:38,866 --> 02:45:41,400
species which I handed to you there. And it has countless animal species.

1341
02:45:44,166 --> 02:45:44,166
for the citizens to lose this park will be a great travesty.

1342
02:45:50,233 --> 02:45:53,133
the birder who come all over the u.s. And the world to marvel at the incredible birds that are found here.

1343
02:45:55,600 --> 02:45:59,000
it will be a great loss. For the city of mcallen, it will be an economic loss since eco tourism accounts for half a

1344
02:46:04,800 --> 02:46:08,800
billion dollars for our region. As we have said again and again, we welcome zoho. God, we need jobs.

1345
02:46:14,700 --> 02:46:18,200
I am an economics major and a previous business owner so I know all about jobs. Jobs are important.

1346
02:46:21,466 --> 02:46:23,000
we don't take anything away from them. In fact we welcome zoho are, but we don't want to lose your park

1347
02:46:29,733 --> 02:46:32,600
over it. What really happened here, the city of mcallen should never have presented the site as

1348
02:46:35,800 --> 02:46:35,800
available because it wasn't. It is a park used by the public.

1349
02:46:43,100 --> 02:46:46,766
the city should have presented another site. And another note, I would say that the zoning process is ft.

1350
02:46:55,266 --> 02:46:58,766
lauderdale. Only 14 notices went out about this park being rezoned. And it is a public place.

1351
02:47:03,900 --> 02:47:05,700
all the citizens should have been notified. And so that -- that -- that really makes me angry.

1352
02:47:08,766 --> 02:47:08,766
hand this needs to be addressed. >>mayor villalobos:  thank you,

1353
02:47:15,300 --> 02:47:15,300
ma'am. Is there anybody here that wants

1354
02:47:23,966 --> 02:47:23,966
to -- that wishes to speak that failed to sign up?

1355
02:47:33,233 --> 02:47:33,233
please go ahead. >> ma'am, when you approach the

1356
02:47:38,466 --> 02:47:40,300
podium, give us your name and full address, please. >> all right, sir. Hi, my name is zola mejia, I

1357
02:47:46,300 --> 02:47:46,300
live in mcallen, jasmine court, 5105 on taylor road.

1358
02:47:52,166 --> 02:47:55,433
I was not expecting to speak today. As a matter of fact, I came here because someone from the mcallen

1359
02:47:57,200 --> 02:48:01,100
nature center asked me and my family to come because we have been birding for a long time. If I am being honest, I didn't

1360
02:48:04,466 --> 02:48:06,066
want to come. I was tired. And I was like, okay, I will just go and support.

1361
02:48:10,166 --> 02:48:13,166
but hearing this is something I care deeply about now. I realize -- I didn't realize what was going on, but this is

1362
02:48:17,000 --> 02:48:20,166
something I care deeply about. I am 15-year-old. Okay. You all are talking of jobs for

1363
02:48:22,633 --> 02:48:25,200
the young people. Here is a young person right now. And I am telling you, what we

1364
02:48:26,900 --> 02:48:29,633
need to do is protect our wildlife. And we need to protect areas that people utilize.

1365
02:48:35,000 --> 02:48:35,000
I am from the first all female bsa troop in the rio

1366
02:48:41,000 --> 02:48:41,000
grande valley. We use green jay park.

1367
02:48:45,100 --> 02:48:45,100
we use green jay park -- I don't have anything prepared to speak.

1368
02:48:49,600 --> 02:48:53,000
I wasn't prepared to speak here, but something I am passionate about. That's why I am speaking, okay.

1369
02:48:57,100 --> 02:49:00,800
we -- we use that park. That park is one of the reasons why our troop is so success self today.

1370
02:49:03,700 --> 02:49:03,700
we go out and we do outdoor activities as many have said

1371
02:49:09,966 --> 02:49:12,333
before. We are one of the most obese counties in america. Okay. We need places like that. Because -- because -- I am sorry

1372
02:49:18,366 --> 02:49:21,633
-- you know what is being built here? Ten different coffee shops. All that is being built.

1373
02:49:25,233 --> 02:49:27,800
why are you building other things when you can be preserving this land. There is so many other places

1374
02:49:30,666 --> 02:49:33,400
you can build. So en many places around where I live which is empty lots and just grass.

1375
02:49:36,500 --> 02:49:40,066
there is no wildlife. No habitat. No birds. I just see grass.

1376
02:49:42,300 --> 02:49:42,300
and so many different places you can be building in instance

1377
02:49:46,766 --> 02:49:48,166
stead -- instead of preserving, okay. You can be preserving a natural area.

1378
02:49:51,200 --> 02:49:54,633
and I don't see how you all don't see this. How so many people go out and use that place.

1379
02:49:59,500 --> 02:49:59,500
just because you all don't. This is affecting so many more

1380
02:50:03,600 --> 02:50:03,600
people than you think. And we can industrial that zoho

1381
02:50:10,066 --> 02:50:10,066
here while keeping green jay park as is.

1382
02:50:14,700 --> 02:50:18,133
as many people have said before, why can't they just go and build somewhere that doesn't have any green space?

1383
02:50:22,933 --> 02:50:22,933
why can't we have more wildlife? Why can't we build somewhere

1384
02:50:27,233 --> 02:50:30,533
that needs it instead of destroying a place and taking out that wildlife. You all don't understand how

1385
02:50:33,766 --> 02:50:36,100
many people come here for wildlife. I have been birding almost my whole life.

1386
02:50:39,433 --> 02:50:41,466
and I have met people who live in connecticut. Who live in kansas. They come down here.

1387
02:50:44,900 --> 02:50:44,900
you know what they see, green jays because the valley is the

1388
02:50:50,666 --> 02:50:54,500
only place to see green jay. I see them and a regular bird. They are lifers. A bird they will see only once

1389
02:50:56,366 --> 02:50:59,900
in a life and they come here specifically to see that bird. Why get rid of a park that has its namesake.

1390
02:51:03,300 --> 02:51:03,300
why get rid of a park so to the community to build something

1391
02:51:10,366 --> 02:51:10,366
that can be built anywhere else.

1392
02:51:18,066 --> 02:51:21,866
you care about young people. You are listening to one right now. Please take that into consideration. Thank you

1393
02:51:24,833 --> 02:51:24,833
[applause] >>mayor villalobos:  mr.

1394
02:51:31,300 --> 02:51:31,300
josh mejia. >> honorable mayor, city

1395
02:51:38,433 --> 02:51:40,000
commission, thank you so much for providing me the opportunity to it be able to provide my public comment as a private

1396
02:51:43,033 --> 02:51:47,000
citizen but also as a representative of the mcallen chamber of commerce. It's always great to be able to

1397
02:51:49,633 --> 02:51:52,466
see this sort of civic engagement. I have been economic developer for the majority of my career

1398
02:51:55,233 --> 02:51:55,233
and I understand the hard work that is put in making sure that

1399
02:52:00,133 --> 02:52:02,133
we have these opportunities considered. I deeply understand the amount of energy and work that it takes

1400
02:52:05,700 --> 02:52:05,700
to be able to sit down where you are and to be able to listen.

1401
02:52:10,933 --> 02:52:12,766
one of the things that I am very blessed to have learned and very blessed to apply is that of inclusive practice, right, to be

1402
02:52:15,766 --> 02:52:15,766
able to understand and listen to a lot of the constituents

1403
02:52:20,200 --> 02:52:24,033
because we are at the front lines of a lot of the development, a lot of the decision making that takes place in our community. I have been to the town halls.

1404
02:52:26,900 --> 02:52:30,166
and I have seen and heard a lot of the commentary both in favor and not in favor of this opportunity that has been

1405
02:52:34,600 --> 02:52:37,433
brought forth, but I do want to highlight two things and highlight them as representative of the organization of the

1406
02:52:41,033 --> 02:52:44,633
mcallen chamber of commerce as well as a private citizen. One is that the tech company that is being considered for

1407
02:52:46,866 --> 02:52:49,566
this expansion opportunity is one that is setting a different standard in the industry. It is one that is coming here

1408
02:52:52,333 --> 02:52:52,333
not in suits and ties but is coming here as ordinary people,

1409
02:52:56,833 --> 02:53:00,600
being able to understand and being able to listen more than anything of what is being considered to they can align

1410
02:53:03,266 --> 02:53:06,900
themselves with the community. It is called integration. It is called being part of the equitable process.

1411
02:53:09,200 --> 02:53:12,000
the other thing that I noticed that I really commend the city of mcallen is the immense work that is done by the

1412
02:53:14,600 --> 02:53:18,033
administration to be able to do the exact same thing and to be able to listen and answer questions.

1413
02:53:21,100 --> 02:53:23,166
one of the concerns I have that heard sit down here have been addressed before. And we are still going to

1414
02:53:25,166 --> 02:53:25,166
continue to address them because this decision up for

1415
02:53:30,200 --> 02:53:30,200
consideration is one of many that are right for the city of

1416
02:53:34,766 --> 02:53:37,100
mcallen. As a representative of the mcallen chamber of commerce. We will advocate for for job

1417
02:53:40,266 --> 02:53:44,133
growth roar more economic activity and economic resiliency. No doubt that the city of

1418
02:53:45,500 --> 02:53:48,066
mcallen will grow. And growing pain also continue to happen not just today but tomorrow as well.

1419
02:53:51,033 --> 02:53:53,966
but, the good thing is that we have of the right mixture here with this one opportunity that we have, people that are

1420
02:53:59,033 --> 02:54:02,233
understanding of what equitable economic development is, what inclusive practices are, and I look forward to the immense

1421
02:54:04,400 --> 02:54:08,000
opportunity and the impact that we are going to have as you all consider this -- in great opportunity.

1422
02:54:13,200 --> 02:54:13,200
and us at the mcallen chamber of commerce wholeheartedly have you

1423
02:54:18,900 --> 02:54:21,333
consider this approval and us to continue this dialogue and step to make this growth happen, not tomorrow but today.

1424
02:54:23,200 --> 02:54:25,500
I appreciate the opportunity once more. And I thank each and every one of you.

1425
02:54:27,266 --> 02:54:27,266
>>mayor villalobos:  thank you so much.

1426
02:54:32,100 --> 02:54:32,100
mr. Ephriam barajas. >> good evening.

1427
02:54:53,033 --> 02:54:56,900
I live balboa and where we are struggling the most is when we have the flooding. This flooding.

1428
02:54:58,766 --> 02:55:01,433
I didn't see any of these people out there walking the streets trying to help out.

1429
02:55:21,533 --> 02:55:21,533
that can handle six to eight to ten inches in six to ten hours.

1430
02:55:26,266 --> 02:55:26,266
no way. Every single city will have

1431
02:55:31,066 --> 02:55:33,700
their faults. Why? Simple, we live in a plain. It is a plain.

1432
02:55:39,233 --> 02:55:43,233
so it doesn't matter if you have the best drainage system in the world, if it gets six, eight, to ten inches, rain within six to

1433
02:55:49,166 --> 02:55:53,033
ten hours, you will get flooding. Believe me, you will. It doesn't matter. I never saw them out there. No.

1434
02:55:57,566 --> 02:55:57,566
when they blef the convention center by didn't see them coming

1435
02:56:06,900 --> 02:56:09,300
to the commissioners, the council. So much wildlife. I didn't see them.

1436
02:56:11,433 --> 02:56:14,666
they built a school on taylor road. How many wildlife we lost as well.

1437
02:56:16,633 --> 02:56:16,633
I didn't see any of them. But now, it is on their back

1438
02:56:23,566 --> 02:56:26,666
patio or because it is touching my personal feelings. My personal life. My personal activity.

1439
02:56:30,100 --> 02:56:30,100
no. Zoho I am not going to say is

1440
02:56:35,366 --> 02:56:39,233
the best in the world, but I saw the video. They are going to bring wild, native and wild plants and

1441
02:56:44,900 --> 02:56:44,900
trees. They will have -- they will work

1442
02:56:49,133 --> 02:56:51,133
with the community and believe me. Everyone needs to understand this, city elected officials in

1443
02:56:55,666 --> 02:56:55,666
mcallen will never -- will never put in jeopardy of any of its

1444
02:57:03,266 --> 02:57:03,266
citizens.

1445
02:57:34,533 --> 02:57:34,533
flooding when get so much rain. Not only that, remember, we live

1446
02:57:38,966 --> 02:57:38,966
in the upper valley. Just think san benito.

1447
02:57:46,966 --> 02:57:46,966
brownsville, los fresnos. They are lower and have more

1448
02:57:53,266 --> 02:57:55,733
problems. Mcallen has the best if infrastructure. City infrastructure.

1449
02:57:58,400 --> 02:57:58,400
east of san antonio. >> sir, be respectful.

1450
02:58:24,766 --> 02:58:24,766
>> you are out of town. >> thank you.

1451
02:58:30,133 --> 02:58:30,133
>>mayor villalobos:  finally, mr. Carlos marco.

1452
02:58:35,266 --> 02:58:39,133
-- margo. He is gone. Mr. Margo is gone. Okay.

1453
02:58:42,566 --> 02:58:45,166
anybody to speak. I guess for -- anybody else that didn't sign up for the rezoning on behalf of the rezoning?

1454
02:58:49,900 --> 02:58:49,900
yes, sir. >>

1455
03:00:40,900 --> 03:00:42,266
>>mayor villalobos:  I believe that is all for and against. So I guess we have a very important decision to make.

1456
03:00:46,233 --> 03:00:46,233
and I hope we. >> hello, my name is zaya

1457
03:00:56,900 --> 03:00:59,266
bourbon and I am 11 years old and I can't just sit here and not do anything. I just want to say, save the

1458
03:01:07,266 --> 03:01:07,266
park

1459
03:01:14,600 --> 03:01:17,766
[applause] I think we have a very important decision to make and analyze and sit down and really think about what we are going to do. We have talked about some pros

1460
03:01:22,966 --> 03:01:22,966
and cons as far as why. One of the biggest questions is,

1461
03:01:27,633 --> 03:01:27,633
well, why there. And, of course, look, we

1462
03:01:32,266 --> 03:01:34,366
received calls like you wouldn't believe. Since my tenure here in my commission, there has never been

1463
03:01:38,700 --> 03:01:40,100
something as controversial as this. Because I know they always ask, well, why there?

1464
03:01:43,233 --> 03:01:47,033
and the response by other people real quick is, why not move the disc park because there are different ones.

1465
03:01:50,233 --> 03:01:52,266
there is an answer to everything. I guess we need to analyze -- one of the things that don't

1466
03:01:58,300 --> 03:02:02,033
necessarily concern me, 2018 we had 28 homes that flooded in mcallen. Floated bonds, $27 million with

1467
03:02:06,700 --> 03:02:06,700
the drainage infrastructure fund or whatever it was two years

1468
03:02:11,733 --> 03:02:11,733
later when we had the same amount of rain, only 200 homes

1469
03:02:15,766 --> 03:02:18,500
flooded. We brought a great effort here in mcallen throughout including the south.

1470
03:02:21,900 --> 03:02:24,133
and there is still some things going on. And one of the things I know everybody here says no matter

1471
03:02:26,766 --> 03:02:30,700
what, we are going to keep on working on the drainage. Doesn't matter what we do, we always are going to have

1472
03:02:33,400 --> 03:02:35,566
problems. Not just in the south, but in the north and everywhere. Mr. Baracas stated sometimes it

1473
03:02:45,500 --> 03:02:49,300
doesn't matter what we do. That is the reason why some of us, the mayor from mission, edinburgh and pharr have been

1474
03:02:54,633 --> 03:02:58,333
talking of regional drainage. Even if we have perfect drainage, if the county does not, guess what will happen.

1475
03:03:02,866 --> 03:03:02,866
we will flood. All of us, not just the south.

1476
03:03:08,366 --> 03:03:11,100
we are work on this not just the city but the county. We have -- one of the this I think so that really concerns me

1477
03:03:13,566 --> 03:03:13,566
-- and I am going at it either wa

1478
03:03:18,400 --> 03:03:18,400
way. I love the fact that hopefully

1479
03:03:26,300 --> 03:03:29,566
children from brown, roosevelt and sam houston will see and look, we too can one day be there. One day be working there. And we have a lot of the times

1480
03:03:32,233 --> 03:03:32,233
-- I know I have received a lot of complaints from -- from

1481
03:03:37,633 --> 03:03:40,200
people, constituents in the south we don't do stuff in the south. Well, here we are -- or at least

1482
03:03:42,000 --> 03:03:44,533
the company is trying to do something. And I think we can do okay with the drainage, with everything,

1483
03:03:48,400 --> 03:03:51,266
giving the children an opportunity to do something that they can probably do in the future.

1484
03:03:55,000 --> 03:03:57,733
and we are very grateful that zoho has told us, look, we want to be in mcallen. If not this place, somewhere

1485
03:04:01,266 --> 03:04:02,866
else. Possibly, but guess what will happen to our children. And I am talking about

1486
03:04:05,866 --> 03:04:08,100
everybody. Because the only other place is what -- the south is always complaining about.

1487
03:04:10,666 --> 03:04:13,700
opinion you only do stuff in the north. Well, if zoho goes to the north, guess what district will get a

1488
03:04:20,133 --> 03:04:22,633
benefit, north of fred ed gonzalez is not mcallen isd. Your kids, your educators will not receive the benefit of

1489
03:04:26,600 --> 03:04:28,333
millions and millions of tax dollars. If it goes north of freddie gonzalez, edinburgh end ent

1490
03:04:35,733 --> 03:04:35,733
school district receives the benefit of what zoho.

1491
03:04:40,300 --> 03:04:43,266
I hope you can chime in and see what we discuss. Traffic is nothing that concerns me here and the north.

1492
03:04:45,733 --> 03:04:45,733
we are always going to have it. Our streets are for the purpose

1493
03:04:50,133 --> 03:04:52,900
of everybody. That's. For the use of everybody and we will try our best and guess

1494
03:04:57,166 --> 03:05:00,900
what, we will never be 100% happy. Because people want to go straight without any red lights.

1495
03:05:02,800 --> 03:05:02,800
I always say people going east and west, want green lights.

1496
03:05:07,766 --> 03:05:10,366
but so do people going north and south. We are never really going to fix the issue 100%.

1497
03:05:14,900 --> 03:05:17,033
it is impossible. One of the other things I think we -- when I talk to rudy. Rudy is always talking about, we

1498
03:05:21,900 --> 03:05:24,066
need to do more infrastructure. The lights. That is what we are looking at. Guess what it starts, with

1499
03:05:28,300 --> 03:05:30,300
rejuvenating area and bringing in new stuff. That is what we are talking about right here.

1500
03:05:34,233 --> 03:05:34,233
but there is -- I -- I heard a lot of talking about different

1501
03:05:39,266 --> 03:05:41,866
things. But a lot of the times what I think about the most, I love my little birds.

1502
03:05:45,733 --> 03:05:49,166
I, myself, I have a 15-acre tract in mesquite. And it is all green and I love it.

1503
03:05:51,266 --> 03:05:55,266
but guess what hi love more than nature, to me is the opportunity of a family. To have food on the table and

1504
03:05:58,600 --> 03:06:00,200
jobs. Like that 14-year-old and 15-year-old young lady, so passionate.

1505
03:06:02,700 --> 03:06:02,700
that is beautiful, but what happens if her parents don't

1506
03:06:07,366 --> 03:06:11,233
have jobs? So -- so there is different things we need to take a look at.

1507
03:06:14,166 --> 03:06:17,800
and commission, I need you all to chime in and see what you all want to do. >> vote no!

1508
03:06:20,800 --> 03:06:20,800
>> mayor, I am going to remind the people in attendance that

1509
03:06:26,233 --> 03:06:29,333
the rules of the decorum we discussed at the beginning of the meeting still apply. >>mayor villalobos:  that is

1510
03:06:40,233 --> 03:06:43,566
where we are at. Balance the interest of disc players, birds, and family and jobs.

1511
03:06:47,266 --> 03:06:47,266
that is what you all need to do. >>commissioner aguirre: so the

1512
03:06:53,966 --> 03:06:57,300
vote needs to be taken now? >> yes. >> mayor, I recommend taking two votes since off petition on the

1513
03:07:00,333 --> 03:07:00,333
first item. The vote standard is slightly

1514
03:07:06,333 --> 03:07:06,333
different. Yes, commissioner.

1515
03:07:17,266 --> 03:07:17,266
because of the petition, one vote requires a 725% majority

1516
03:07:22,100 --> 03:07:25,300
entire commission, the other requires a 75% vote of those present voting. >> we are going to take it

1517
03:07:29,300 --> 03:07:32,966
together is what he said. >> I thnk the discussion was taken together, but the vote should be taken separately.

1518
03:07:46,933 --> 03:07:46,933
>> I would remind the commission that is on the table is only

1519
03:07:53,200 --> 03:07:55,400
rezoning. >> only rezoning and rezonings with the possibility of the sale of the property.

1520
03:08:02,333 --> 03:08:02,333
because ha has to go through fema and the whole process.

1521
03:08:08,233 --> 03:08:09,733
>>mayor villalobos:  correct. >> everything has to be justified that it will not affect the neighborhood that it

1522
03:08:17,833 --> 03:08:17,833
can be rezoned to building purposes.

1523
03:08:26,933 --> 03:08:26,933
we never taken this lightly. We never have taken this

1524
03:08:32,566 --> 03:08:35,600
lightly. We can go through our own dil dilemmas, how and why. I have been here since 1964. An extremely hard decision for

1525
03:08:39,333 --> 03:08:39,333
us. We won't -- nature is important

1526
03:08:45,333 --> 03:08:48,333
to everything. And we will do what we need to think is the best for the whole city.

1527
03:08:55,700 --> 03:08:55,700
I will make a motion to allow the rezoning.

1528
03:09:00,100 --> 03:09:01,533
>>mayor villalobos:  do I hear a second. >> I will second the motion. >>mayor villalobos:  first and a

1529
03:09:05,066 --> 03:09:07,400
second. All in favor. Against? Motion carries. The next item. >> next item -- well, it is

1530
03:09:18,166 --> 03:09:18,166
going to be just real quick -- mcallen has been really pressing

1531
03:09:26,233 --> 03:09:30,200
for more green space. And we have been doing more parks and we are improving more parks in -- in this couple --

1532
03:09:35,166 --> 03:09:35,166
couple of years. Zoho -- real quickly.

1533
03:09:41,533 --> 03:09:41,533
>>mayor villalobos:  go ahead. >> zoho is proposing both jobs,

1534
03:09:48,933 --> 03:09:48,933
business and green spaces. I believe that 20 acres are

1535
03:09:54,266 --> 03:09:54,266
going to be developed, but the rest are going to be still green

1536
03:10:00,233 --> 03:10:00,233
space, which is going to be about 65 -- 65% -- 65 acres of

1537
03:10:11,066 --> 03:10:11,066
green. No one likes change.

1538
03:10:15,300 --> 03:10:15,300
and with change comes fear. It is time to fight that fear.

1539
03:10:22,866 --> 03:10:26,266
and go and do the next step for the city of mcallen. There is -- somebody said that we are ten years back well, this

1540
03:10:33,600 --> 03:10:33,600
is going to help bridge that gap and continue to go into tech.

1541
03:10:38,133 --> 03:10:38,133
the tech is not the future. The tech is the present.

1542
03:10:42,366 --> 03:10:44,900
hand this will help mcallen jump into that and go into the future. That is all I have to say, sir.

1543
03:10:47,800 --> 03:10:47,800
>>mayor villalobos:  at the very end, when we talk of "green.."

1544
03:10:52,166 --> 03:10:53,700
I think green is very important, I really do. We are going in the budget, and I will really suggest at looking

1545
03:10:58,100 --> 03:11:01,566
at -- you know, and into our parks. What a else we can do and acquiring different properties

1546
03:11:03,633 --> 03:11:06,233
to keep on doing. You see the community is demanding more green space. We need to figure it out too.

1547
03:11:15,866 --> 03:11:18,666
>> mayor, again -- >>mayor villalobos:  the public hearing has been closed. >> mayor, a motion on the take?

1548
03:11:25,233 --> 03:11:29,033
>>mayor: there is a motion on the table. >> that's a -- I make a motion for the second vote.

1549
03:11:31,933 --> 03:11:35,266
>>mayor villalobos:  do I hear a second. All against? Motion carries.

1550
03:11:37,800 --> 03:11:37,800
thank you so much. Thank you all so much.

1551
03:12:19,100 --> 03:12:23,033
b 3 is tabled. >> no action. For b-4, 9228 bicentennial boulevard, the applicant

1552
03:12:27,733 --> 03:12:31,200
requested that the full board be allowed to vote since it has a supermajority. >> I apologize.

1553
03:12:33,200 --> 03:12:33,200
I need to abstain from b-4, not b-3.

1554
03:12:42,166 --> 03:12:42,166
>> b-4 stud stay on the table. >> the next would be amending

1555
03:12:51,833 --> 03:12:51,833
the zoning ordinance. >> there a motion to approve the

1556
03:12:58,133 --> 03:12:59,533
amending of the zoning ordinance. >> a motion and a second. All in favor, say aye.

1557
03:13:04,866 --> 03:13:04,866
all opposed, same sign. Motion passes.

1558
03:13:10,533 --> 03:13:12,366
that is the end of the public hearings. We will go to item number 2, consent agenda.

1559
03:13:17,100 --> 03:13:17,100
are there any items on the consent agenda that you want

1560
03:13:21,333 --> 03:13:21,333
heard independently? If not, I will entertain a

1561
03:13:31,266 --> 03:13:31,266
motion tie prove a-12. >> a a 2-k.

1562
03:13:37,700 --> 03:13:41,266
>> a motion and a second to approve the consent agenda. All in favor. Opposed, same sign.

1563
03:13:47,033 --> 03:13:47,033
motion passes. Item 3-a.

1564
03:13:59,266 --> 03:13:59,266
>> item 3-a is award of contract for quinta mazatlan for urban

1565
03:14:06,400 --> 03:14:08,133
ecology. >> mayor pro tem and commissioners, the center for urban ecology include a park and

1566
03:14:12,333 --> 03:14:12,333
ride, center of urban ecology building with a super structure,

1567
03:14:19,633 --> 03:14:21,333
amphi amphitheatre, balm bridge, palm room deck, adventure garden. Proposed project will are

1568
03:14:26,666 --> 03:14:30,066
hands-on work area for the public and students to learn of bio diversity and sustainability.

1569
03:14:34,333 --> 03:14:34,333
after review the guaranteed maximum price, award of the

1570
03:14:39,266 --> 03:14:39,266
contract for quinta mazatlan withalities that the one, two,

1571
03:14:44,366 --> 03:14:44,366
three 5a to 5b thundershower $33,630,000 035.

1572
03:15:01,200 --> 03:15:01,200
and alternate for based on review -- base on a revised for

1573
03:15:12,433 --> 03:15:12,433
guaranteed $51,928,095. And open it up for any que

1574
03:15:22,066 --> 03:15:23,000
questions. >> my laptop -- says alternative but includes all those. >> we are asking for approval of

1575
03:15:26,933 --> 03:15:26,933
the 33 million. And revise the  mou through

1576
03:15:33,166 --> 03:15:36,000
legal. Full project for the building and that it has agreed to pay for in that mou.

1577
03:15:39,833 --> 03:15:39,833
>> splitting out basically the city's portion and its resource

1578
03:15:45,366 --> 03:15:47,633
s to it. >> correct. One of the things that is different than we actually heard

1579
03:15:50,333 --> 03:15:50,333
at the workshop when we agreed and you agreed to move forward

1580
03:15:59,033 --> 03:15:59,033
that ut rgv agreed to allow us to award the entire project and

1581
03:16:08,300 --> 03:16:09,900
through a mou, they will pay their $21 million or so to the city of mcallen. >> a great day today.

1582
03:16:17,666 --> 03:16:21,233
I am so tired, but I should be smiling. >> move to approve. >> second.

1583
03:16:26,833 --> 03:16:30,500
>>mayor villalobos:  all in favor. Against? Motion carries. Counselor just reminded me to make sure that the record was clear that I was in favor of the last items on the rezoning.

1584
03:16:34,866 --> 03:16:36,366
okay. Where are we at. >> thank you, great job. >> appreciate it.

1585
03:16:39,366 --> 03:16:39,366
>> 3-b, consideration approval of change order number 2 for the

1586
03:16:45,400 --> 03:16:48,966
bicentennial blue line bridge improvement project at harveys and bicentennial. >> proposed change order with

1587
03:16:52,200 --> 03:16:55,266
additional materials and work that the hidalgo water irrigation district number 3 for -- for irrigation water line

1588
03:16:59,033 --> 03:16:59,033
crossing over bicentennial blue line ditch as requested.

1589
03:17:04,733 --> 03:17:08,433
existing shallow irrigation ride and water line conflict at harvey avenue and bicentennial is required.

1590
03:17:11,000 --> 03:17:11,000
the project account has sufficient funds to cover the

1591
03:17:15,733 --> 03:17:18,066
additional scope. Staff recommends approval of change order number 154,083.52 with revised $4,853,814.16.

1592
03:17:29,766 --> 03:17:29,766
and no change to contract time and we open it up for any

1593
03:17:34,333 --> 03:17:35,033
questions. >> two quelling. You stated the account has enough to cover, but additional

1594
03:17:39,266 --> 03:17:41,000
money. >> yes, sir. >> the bicentennial blue line project has sufficient funds to

1595
03:17:45,400 --> 03:17:45,400
cover this change order. >> the amount of the bridge

1596
03:17:50,466 --> 03:17:53,266
originally. >> and you have a contingency. >> we do a project estimate. >> okay.

1597
03:17:56,900 --> 03:18:00,400
>> when the project comes in, it came in under and we have the same budgeted amount. When we get this add.

1598
03:18:03,566 --> 03:18:06,933
>> the benefit of them coming under. We lost a little bit. >> this is a change order.

1599
03:18:10,833 --> 03:18:13,400
a change in scope. This wasn't part of the original bid. >> just things that couldn't be

1600
03:18:15,933 --> 03:18:19,266
foreseen with the original engineer. Again, my laptop died and I remember seeing the tail end.

1601
03:18:21,400 --> 03:18:21,400
>> the irrigation line was -- >> irrigation, I think is pretty

1602
03:18:26,666 --> 03:18:29,533
heavy and other stuff. Irrigation was six inches from the roadway when we opened that up.

1603
03:18:32,933 --> 03:18:34,800
way too shallow for us to leave it. So we had to lower that. And we had a conflict.

1604
03:18:41,200 --> 03:18:41,200
>> important question, will it get done by the end of july --

1605
03:18:46,400 --> 03:18:46,400
>> I know I did come the last meeting by president end of

1606
03:18:50,766 --> 03:18:53,100
july. We are working through the second week of august. They are working on the

1607
03:18:56,300 --> 03:18:57,133
concrete. And subgrade. We have been working with the contractor about that and

1608
03:19:00,600 --> 03:19:00,600
getting the cleanup done along bicentennial ditch as well.

1609
03:19:06,300 --> 03:19:09,400
>> if I could get time table, schedule and some details on what -- I know we had some weather delays, but, I promised

1610
03:19:17,066 --> 03:19:17,066
it so some nearby residents. End of may, end of june and

1611
03:19:21,400 --> 03:19:25,100
july, now I am told second week of august to start soul of the subgrade. >> I definitely understand.

1612
03:19:28,266 --> 03:19:30,600
one of the reason we made contractor have no time. They have october with their timeline.

1613
03:19:33,166 --> 03:19:36,633
we don't want to give them more time just because -- because of this additional work. We are conscious of it and

1614
03:19:38,566 --> 03:19:38,566
pushing them to get a time line o

1615
03:19:48,100 --> 03:19:50,933
out. >> thank you. >> we need a motion for 3b. >> motion to approve.

1616
03:19:55,400 --> 03:19:55,400
>> all in favor, say aye, against, motion carries.

1617
03:20:00,500 --> 03:20:03,400
>> 3-c consideration for approval for the anzalduas bridge improvement project. Mayor and commission.

1618
03:20:09,400 --> 03:20:09,400
and the scope for soft soils and the foundation for the inbound

1619
03:20:13,500 --> 03:20:13,500
and outbound facilities. After conducting supplemental

1620
03:20:18,600 --> 03:20:18,600
field and analysis, the recommendation to remove the

1621
03:20:23,266 --> 03:20:23,266
weak soils to the specified depth and suitable materials

1622
03:20:29,300 --> 03:20:29,300
with reinforcement. In order to bring it within the

1623
03:20:33,566 --> 03:20:37,466
toler tole tolerances and additional five feet.

1624
03:20:41,300 --> 03:20:43,466
will have an excavation of one and a half feet. Both require import and placement of the suitable

1625
03:20:49,100 --> 03:20:52,500
material. Rekated cows 607,500. And $142,500 with the court where bound and inbound

1626
03:20:58,933 --> 03:20:58,933
respectively. Our consultant engineer and

1627
03:21:04,200 --> 03:21:04,200
staff recommends approval of change order in the am of

1628
03:21:10,066 --> 03:21:10,066
$750,000 with for additional works days $28,875,000.

1629
03:21:18,933 --> 03:21:22,833
and a unchanged contract of 400 working days subject to budget amendment. We open it up for any questions.

1630
03:21:25,766 --> 03:21:25,766
>> I have got a question. With the contractor for the geo

1631
03:21:34,333 --> 03:21:37,766
tech company, wouldn't they have known that there was an issue there. Why are we getting a change

1632
03:21:40,366 --> 03:21:43,633
order on this issue? >> we do drills. Based on those drills, they do a payment recommendation.

1633
03:21:45,866 --> 03:21:45,866
on top of that recommendation, what it does, it tells you what

1634
03:21:50,433 --> 03:21:50,433
their remediation is. And they do it on the best-case

1635
03:21:55,266 --> 03:21:57,033
scenario. When they opened up that soil, there was pumping. It was back in april.

1636
03:22:00,300 --> 03:22:00,300
we waited almost eight weeks to see if that could dry out for it

1637
03:22:07,200 --> 03:22:11,066
not to pump. If we could get a solid ground to work on, then we can start working up.

1638
03:22:15,066 --> 03:22:15,066
in addition to that the geo tech company went on their own to do

1639
03:22:21,400 --> 03:22:21,400
two additional to supplement and make a better recommendation.

1640
03:22:28,966 --> 03:22:28,966
only esca ventilatoring a foot and a half to get a get a better

1641
03:22:38,066 --> 03:22:38,066
recommendation. We have to go to the worst-case

1642
03:22:42,100 --> 03:22:44,366
scenario and part of the change order and not part of the base bid. >> like $82 -- 8, $81 million

1643
03:22:48,500 --> 03:22:48,500
for the contract and that is an issue that potentially they

1644
03:22:52,733 --> 03:22:52,733
should have known of. I just wonder how many more

1645
03:22:59,100 --> 03:23:00,400
change orders we have ahead of us. I am just bringing up a concern. I don't know what the rest of

1646
03:23:07,433 --> 03:23:08,800
the commission thinks. >> let me say this. I am with you. This has been going on now for

1647
03:23:12,200 --> 03:23:13,933
some time. We have been trying to figure out what is the best course of action here.

1648
03:23:18,866 --> 03:23:18,866
hidalgo is using a term that you may or may not heard before,

1649
03:23:24,400 --> 03:23:24,400
pumping. You know.

1650
03:23:29,033 --> 03:23:31,233
it's -- this weird term that doesn't make any sense, right. But it is a true phenomenon that happens very rarely out in the

1651
03:23:39,433 --> 03:23:43,000
field. Basically, going to try to not get into weeds here, but you have to be able to compact the

1652
03:23:47,066 --> 03:23:51,066
soil, right. What the engineers do. The geotechnical engineer. They tell you how much water

1653
03:23:56,033 --> 03:23:56,033
they need. How much compaction they need.

1654
03:24:00,433 --> 03:24:04,066
when do you that, that soil will be perfectly ready to take the load. When you have bumping, you meet

1655
03:24:06,633 --> 03:24:06,633
all of those criterias and something is still not right.

1656
03:24:13,300 --> 03:24:16,733
the soil is actually -- they call it pumping because it is actually moving and unable to stabilize that soil.

1657
03:24:20,433 --> 03:24:20,433
so what they usually do is rip it up and let air get into the

1658
03:24:27,266 --> 03:24:30,200
soil. Re compact it. They didn't do it this time. Like I said it is very rare that

1659
03:24:33,333 --> 03:24:33,333
this happens, but it does happen and what we are concerned about

1660
03:24:41,500 --> 03:24:45,233
is the magnitude of the dollars here. We have been working on this for weeks. We looked at boring samples. We looked at the bore logs.

1661
03:24:52,233 --> 03:24:54,100
we talked about using lime. Because that someone of the ways to fix this, to stabilize by adding lime.

1662
03:25:01,100 --> 03:25:05,066
with the concrete mixture. Nothing worked. Ultimately we decided for a change order.

1663
03:25:08,466 --> 03:25:11,066
up look at the cross section. They basically have three feet of soil. Remove it with gravel.

1664
03:25:15,333 --> 03:25:17,533
geo tech style. All these things. It is very, very complicated and we feel like we have no other

1665
03:25:21,500 --> 03:25:23,066
alternative. We don't like it. I definitely don't like the dollar amount, but we have been

1666
03:25:26,833 --> 03:25:26,833
dealing with this for weeks. And we just -- we can't do

1667
03:25:31,000 --> 03:25:31,000
anything else. >> to that point success ratio.

1668
03:25:40,100 --> 03:25:43,800
>> it will work. Once they do this new section, it will work because will dewater the soil and that pump

1669
03:25:49,733 --> 03:25:50,700
also stop. >>commissioner aguirre: I missed effort start of it. How big of an area is it?

1670
03:25:54,233 --> 03:25:54,233
>> under they both buildings, inbound and outbound buildings

1671
03:25:58,266 --> 03:26:01,500
and we absolutely have to have a good foundation or we will be in a lot of trouble. >> how much lime percentage?

1672
03:26:05,033 --> 03:26:05,033
>> well, we are not. We are going to move it

1673
03:26:09,566 --> 03:26:12,233
completely. You tried to put lime already? >> we looked at alternative for lime and it won't be enough.

1674
03:26:15,433 --> 03:26:15,433
>>commissioner aguirre: it won't be enough.

1675
03:26:21,533 --> 03:26:24,333
for an engineer. >> thanks for that explanation. It was great. >>mayor villalobos:  do I hear a motion to approve. >> so moved.

1676
03:26:26,533 --> 03:26:29,066
>> second. >>mayor villalobos:  all in favor, say aye. Against. Motion carries. Item d.

1677
03:26:36,466 --> 03:26:36,466
>>d, is consideration of approval for the collective

1678
03:26:45,833 --> 03:26:45,833
bargaining of the mcallen professional law enforcement

1679
03:26:50,533 --> 03:26:51,500
association. We have been negotiating now for several months and we had a tentative agreement here a

1680
03:26:55,266 --> 03:26:55,266
couple of weeks ago. The chief allowed the staff to

1681
03:27:03,333 --> 03:27:06,900
do their voting in the last few weeks. We have an agreement. We think it is fair.

1682
03:27:11,066 --> 03:27:11,066
it puts the police department and our officers -- you know, it

1683
03:27:15,233 --> 03:27:18,666
is never enough, right. Never enough, because there is so many competing parties in the rio grande valley.

1684
03:27:25,066 --> 03:27:25,066
but I want to say for sure that I really respect the the way

1685
03:27:35,333 --> 03:27:35,333
they negotiates. I would like to thank omar

1686
03:27:42,966 --> 03:27:42,966
quintanilla who was on our team. We recommend approval.

1687
03:27:48,633 --> 03:27:52,433
the chief. >> additional information on the tentative agreement that I think you have been briefed on has been voted on by the union. They approved it.

1688
03:27:56,533 --> 03:27:56,533
so if you a I prove this tonight, they are ready to sign.

1689
03:28:00,566 --> 03:28:03,566
>> I make a motion to accept. >> second. >>mayor villalobos:  all in favor, say aye.

1690
03:28:05,333 --> 03:28:07,600
against. Motion cares. Congratulations. >> chief, thank you, and please

1691
03:28:10,666 --> 03:28:10,666
tell everyone thank you. >>mayor villalobos:  item 4-a.

1692
03:28:17,066 --> 03:28:17,066
>> mayor, the next two were resolutions that I could have

1693
03:28:21,500 --> 03:28:21,500
been on consent mayor motion to approve 4a andb.

1694
03:28:25,900 --> 03:28:26,766
all in favor, say aye. Against. Motion carries. Item c.

1695
03:28:30,166 --> 03:28:30,166
>> yes, a resolution for the use of eminent domain for taylor

1696
03:28:34,466 --> 03:28:35,533
road phase 2. Isaac. >> mayor, commissioners, part of the project that mission is

1697
03:28:39,900 --> 03:28:42,266
working on. Although the city of mcallen mission have adopted a similar resolution.

1698
03:28:45,866 --> 03:28:48,300
some county property for the project does involve mcallen land and to make sure there is no question the authority for

1699
03:28:50,933 --> 03:28:54,100
the use of the project is authorized. We brought this resolution to you for your consideration.

1700
03:29:00,333 --> 03:29:03,100
but this is consistent with the other previous eminent domain actions we have taken the last --

1701
03:29:07,566 --> 03:29:10,466
>>mayor villalobos:  one that requires a record vote. >> it would be better if we did. >>mayor villalobos:  a first.

1702
03:29:13,033 --> 03:29:13,033
do I hear a second. >> second.

1703
03:29:17,100 --> 03:29:20,833
>> mr. Castillo, in favor or against? >> favor. >> favor. >> favor. >> favor.

1704
03:29:23,000 --> 03:29:25,266
>> favor. >>mayor villalobos:  motion passes. Next item.

1705
03:29:27,466 --> 03:29:27,466
manager's report. Advisory board appointments.

1706
03:29:35,300 --> 03:29:36,733
>> good evening, mayor and the city commission. This is for advisory board appointment.

1707
03:29:39,533 --> 03:29:42,666
do nominations, one for the golf course. Commissioner aguirre has nominated dr. Rashed sayed.

1708
03:29:48,533 --> 03:29:48,533
and commissioner castillo, alison brevalt to the library

1709
03:29:54,066 --> 03:29:56,800
advisory board. All the nominations highlighted in green are eligible for reappointments and they wish to

1710
03:30:01,566 --> 03:30:05,066
be reappointed in the event that any of you want to reappoint them. >>mayor villalobos:  a motion to

1711
03:30:09,466 --> 03:30:12,100
approve or any other additions. >>commissioner aguirre: so moved. >> second.

1712
03:30:14,566 --> 03:30:18,566
>>mayor villalobos:  all in favor, say aye. >> no, I don't have any. Second. >>mayor villalobos:  all in favor, say aye.

1713
03:30:19,500 --> 03:30:23,000
against. Motion carries. Item 5-b, appointment to t the rma.

1714
03:30:29,666 --> 03:30:29,666
I talked to a lot of different interest from different people

1715
03:30:33,900 --> 03:30:33,900
and one of the ones that I know was -- was michael williamson.

1716
03:30:38,266 --> 03:30:38,266
I talked to mr. Williamson. He works for texas regional

1717
03:30:43,566 --> 03:30:47,066
bank, I believe. He is a very good professional individual who would be worthy of this position.

1718
03:30:49,766 --> 03:30:53,100
and I am asking for the commission to appoint him to the rma. >> he is a good guy.

1719
03:30:54,966 --> 03:30:56,666
I recommend approval. >> second. >> I saw this popped up. One name.

1720
03:31:00,533 --> 03:31:00,533
I don't know -- >>mayor villalobos:  forest was

1721
03:31:05,733 --> 03:31:07,800
moving away. >> great. We want to thank forest reynolds.

1722
03:31:12,333 --> 03:31:16,100
>>mayor villalobos:  for quite a bit, reappointed some time ago and my understanding he was moving me out.

1723
03:31:19,366 --> 03:31:23,033
>> mayor makes a recommendation. >> motion to to approve. >> a second from commissioner castillo.

1724
03:31:28,600 --> 03:31:30,133
>>mayor villalobos:  all in favor, say aye. Against. Congratulation mrs. Williamson.

1725
03:31:35,266 --> 03:31:35,266
future agenda -- respite report. >> mayor, city commission,

1726
03:31:48,300 --> 03:31:51,233
immigration drop-off numbers have remained fluctuating. Sometimes high. Sometimes low.

1727
03:31:52,500 --> 03:31:55,633
this time they are a little bit lower than normal. Over the past few weeks, they -- we made about 370 to 375.

1728
03:32:04,833 --> 03:32:04,833
covid positive average 3.6% over of the last six weeks with a

1729
03:32:10,000 --> 03:32:12,733
notable increase of 7.1% and we are seeing a little less. The covid numbers are a little higher.

1730
03:32:14,866 --> 03:32:18,533
but we know we continue to handle these well. And anzalduas park remains at capacity of 2,000 with less than

1731
03:32:24,566 --> 03:32:24,566
100 people there today. >>mayor villalobos:  any

1732
03:32:29,600 --> 03:32:31,066
questions? Thank you so much. >> thank you. >>mayor villalobos:  future

1733
03:32:34,100 --> 03:32:34,100
agenda items. What do we have?

1734
03:32:42,800 --> 03:32:42,800
>> a short list there, mayor, we will bring back.

1735
03:32:51,000 --> 03:32:54,566
this. >>mayor villalobos:  this is for the budget. See what we can do with a little more greenery and trees throughout.

1736
03:32:59,400 --> 03:32:59,400
where is parks. I was at -- at the girl

1737
03:33:06,766 --> 03:33:09,600
softball. There is an area that used to be a baseball field that is totally open.

1738
03:33:12,066 --> 03:33:12,066
what that for?

1739
03:33:20,666 --> 03:33:20,666
[indiscernible] >>mayor villalobos:  I was

1740
03:33:28,833 --> 03:33:28,833
thinking of a bunch of tree there is, but maybe not.

1741
03:33:34,566 --> 03:33:35,866
okay. Well. >> behind the volleyball courts. >>mayor villalobos:  by the way,

1742
03:33:42,600 --> 03:33:42,600
the philippines took it. Thank you.

1743
03:33:47,266 --> 03:33:50,300
team from the philippines. One from puerto rico and then about 60 teams from mexico. It was amazing.

1744
03:33:54,000 --> 03:33:57,366
>> great job by the boys and girls club. >> it was amazing. The energy.

1745
03:33:59,266 --> 03:34:01,900
it was super. >>mayor villalobos:  and the filipino players were a little surprised I was walking around

1746
03:34:06,466 --> 03:34:06,466
without security. [laughter]

1747
03:34:10,700 --> 03:34:13,166
but that is something different. Okay. Future agenda items. >> third largest -- safest.

1748
03:34:21,866 --> 03:34:21,866
recess in executive session. One item to consider.

1749
03:58:22,800 --> 03:58:24,633
. >>mayor villalobos:  we are back from executive session. >> 6-a-1, the city commission

1750
03:58:29,066 --> 03:58:29,066
authorizing city manager and city attorney to offer the

1751
03:58:33,633 --> 03:58:33,633
economic development incentives described in executive session.

1752
03:58:39,033 --> 03:58:42,566
>>mayor villalobos:  do I hear a motion. >> motion to approve. >> second. >>mayor villalobos:  all in favor, say aye.

1753
03:58:45,633 --> 03:58:48,966
against? Motion carried . >>> -a-2, to negotiate an

1754
03:58:54,100 --> 03:58:54,100
additional year to start the incentive period for the

1755
03:58:59,900 --> 03:59:03,900
economic development incentives described in executive session. >>mayor villalobos:  do I hear a motion to that effect.

1756
03:59:05,033 --> 03:59:07,633
>> so moved. >> second. >>mayor villalobos:  all in favor, say aye.

1757
03:59:10,233 --> 03:59:10,233
against. >> 6-a-3, the city commission

1758
03:59:16,366 --> 03:59:19,400
and city attorney to discuss settlement. >>mayor villalobos:  motion. >> so moved.

1759
03:59:21,033 --> 03:59:23,433
>> second. >>mayor villalobos:  all in favor. Against. Motion carries. >> mayor, I recommend the city

1760
03:59:26,766 --> 03:59:29,166
commission consider a motion to adjourn. >>mayor villalobos:  there being no further business, this

1761
03:59:31,266 --> 03:59:35,066
meeting is adjourned. >> regular city commission meetings are held on the second and fourth monday of each month.

1762
03:59:39,033 --> 03:59:43,000
meetings are rebroadcast on tuesdays, thursdays and saturdays on the mcallen cable network.