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

[0:00] May our members hear not this, Commissioner Michael Pacheco, President, May alternate, May our pretend Bobby Caroleo, Commissioner Ramiro Caballero, Commissioner Daniel Chavez, Commissioner Ricardo Medina, and Commissioner its supporters. We do have a quorum.
[0:33] to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which stands one nation
[0:39] under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Let us pray. God you have entrusted us
[0:46] a stewards of your creation. Please guide our hearts as we make our decisions. We seek you first
[0:51] in all we do together. We give you our citizenship, our leadership, our customers, our workforce
[0:57] and our business. May we always be mindful of their service. We confess that we are nothing
[1:02] without you and our trust is in you completely.
[1:05] Amen.
[1:14] Talkalmations.
[1:14] We have a talkalmation.
[1:16] The claimings have 10 or 19, 20, 23
[1:18] is National IT professionals, thank you.
[1:21] Thank you.
[1:31] Good afternoon.
[1:32] Dr. Flores City Commission.
[1:34] Again, I'd like to take this time to first and foremost.
[1:37] Thank you all for the recognition.
[1:40] And I'm going to have some of our staff members here.
[1:42] Join us.
[1:43] We do have a pretty good-sized IT staff
[1:47] from our systems teams, from our fiber teams,
[1:50] from our customer service team, from our cybersecurity teams,
[1:55] and from our networking team, right?
[1:57] So if you all can kind of,
[1:59] what do you want to do with the front?
[2:01] So you all can be recognized.
[2:10] So again, we do have a big team,
[2:12] and this is not half of them, but again,
[2:14] we do strive to make sure, well, I guess, turn on the idea.
[2:19] The cameras in the front, sorry, guys.
[2:22] We'll take the picture and look at the audience here shortly, but just wanted to say,
[2:27] you know, this is the team that makes it happen.
[2:30] This is the team, you know, it's not me.
[2:32] It's really these individuals that, you know, we have very talented, very sharp, very smart employees.
[2:41] And again, they all do the same awesome customer service that we ask of everybody.
[2:47] And again, this is just a little recognition, you know, it's a national day of IT professionals and just letting them know that we're here for everybody.
[2:58] You know, we used to be just here for our staff members.
[3:01] But again, now we are here for every citizen right with a team for our net internet.
[3:06] You know, we are available to help anybody.
[3:08] Thank you.
[3:09] For the approximation, that's one of.
[3:11] Thank you guys because I know we've asked you guys to fill a big task in the past.
[3:16] So, past couple of years getting this broadband together, and I know this is a team that's
[3:23] been getting it done, and so I, for myself, and I'm sure from the rest of the commission,
[3:29] thank you very much.
[3:30] We know it's been a big, big journey, and we're almost there, so thank you very much for what
[3:36] you've done.
[3:37] Thank you.
[3:40] Who's got the...
[3:40] I just thank you for the big job that you guys have been doing.
[3:53] Whereas, at one time business could exist, even Excel with a big chief tablet and a pencil.
[4:02] And for people who don't know what a big chief is, I was a standard when you went to school and elementary.
[4:07] You care your big chief and your pencil to school. That was a big deal.
[4:12] I still remember mine, so.
[4:15] And whereas the big chief tablet gave way to load us one, two, three spreadsheet,
[4:20] and the pencil became a dot-mic trick sprinter.
[4:23] And whereas technology evolved to include mainframes and microcomputers,
[4:28] many computers and personal computers, iPads, iPhones, and droids, and blackberries.
[4:34] and whereas government is specifically city of afar has embraced technology with
[4:39] courts and jail's emergency services, law enforcement, engineers, clerics,
[4:44] attorneys, judges, and accountants, human resources and others not only embrace
[4:49] team but become a dependent upon technology. Whereas behind every technology
[4:54] stands off in silent and invisible IT professionals, I.E. the technicians, analysts,
[5:02] developers, architects, engineers, administrators, managers, and directors, and others who have
[5:08] been content to work behind the scenes in enable innovation and productivity. And we're
[5:13] asked as far city commission, which to show their appreciation for and celebrate the accomplishments
[5:19] of city of hard technology professionals, and encourage all city of farm employees and residents
[5:25] to celebrate an honor and be gentle with the I.T. professionals now, therefore I, if I'm
[5:33] going to cover yet, I'm representing and I'm also having on this mayor of the city of far
[5:37] Texas by the virtue of the authority vested in him. And on behalf of the City Commission,
[5:42] do you hear a vital thing Tuesday, September 19, 2023 as National I.T. professional day. Congratulations.
[6:55] Next,
[7:15] we have a proclamation
[7:16] between September 23 and 23 as
[7:19] Reiner's Legion of Honor and Veterans Day.
[7:22] Please come to the front, please.
[7:41] Good afternoon, committee commissioners. I'd like to introduce our commander for the legions of honor, Lieutenant retired, returned to Colonel Gleis, heard a skip Kirkland and myself as Gilbert Medina. Welcome.
[8:01] I'd like to express my deep appreciation for you taking the time to give us this thought formation today, because it's very important to the trainers.
[8:12] that we keep in tune with all of our surroundings.
[8:18] Thank you all for all what you all do.
[8:21] And do for the community and for everyone around. We're really greatly appreciate that.
[8:26] We also have in a military bond.
[8:28] Yes.
[8:29] We have a military ball here in the schedule for the 23rd of September.
[8:35] We're having a welcoming committee for 530.
[8:38] There's about 630.
[8:40] and then that we're going to sit down and eat and we're having some dignitaries coming in
[8:47] from out of state as to represent all people who serve, but you don't have to be a past military
[8:59] person to come to the ball because it's for everybody.
[9:04] Thank you. Thank you very much for the invitation.
[9:06] I think
[9:30] I'll jump up, we'll do, we'll pass for a month, let you have a couple more, and we can leave some for everybody else, but three more, a four more would be great.
[9:46] Yes sir, definitely.
[9:57] Yeah, one of those, one of these will include the mayor.
[10:07] What's that?
[10:11] We did mail a letter to Mayor in several weeks ago and invited him to it, and everybody they wish to attend.
[10:19] Thank you.
[10:20] Thank you very much.
[10:21] We really appreciate that.
[10:22] Yes,
[10:24] sir.
[10:24] Dr. Mason states, whereas the freedoms we enjoy as Americans have been purchased and
[10:30] maintain it a high price throughout our history.
[10:34] And whereas the city of foreign has a continuing sense of gratitude to those who have given so much
[10:40] in the defense of the freedoms, which we all continue to enjoy, and whereas Americans have
[10:46] an abiding faith in the ideas and strengths of which our great nation was founded in our domestic
[10:53] process, and in the men and women of the armed forces who have served our country so well,
[10:58] and whereas in honor of these dedicated men and women, we pledge our continued defense
[11:03] of our nation so that their sacrifice will stand before the entire world as a tribute to the spirit
[11:09] and determination of the people dedicated to the principles of freedom and democracy.
[11:15] Whereas the Schriners region of honor veterans will be having a military ball honoring and
[11:19] saluting our veterans on Saturday, September 23rd, 2023 at the Nomad Shrine Club located at
[11:27] 1044 Western Alana Loop in far Texas. Now, therefore, I, Bobby Carrillo representing
[11:33] Nambrosia Rondis Mayor of the city of bar Texas do buy virtue of the authority
[11:39] invested in him and on behalf of the city commission to hear by proclaim September
[11:45] 23rd 2023 as Schriners legions of honor veterans day.
[11:52] Thank you.
[12:01] Yes sir please all three of you these other guys come on a pictures all the time.
[12:59] Next
[13:23] we have a proclamation proclaiming September 25th, 2023 as National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims.
[13:58] Thank you for having me, my name is Robert Garcia.
[14:01] The founder of the Ruggedy Valley family and friends of Merituldin.
[14:05] As you on all September 13th of 2011, my brother was murdered in a murder suicide in Hardin's in Texas.
[14:12] At that point, I reached out, there was no services in the valley, so we got affiliated with National
[14:21] Parenthood, I'm going to do not a Cincinnati Ohio, and now after four years, we have learned
[14:26] seven things.
[14:28] With the mothers that are present with me and family members that are present with me.
[14:32] Love never dies.
[14:35] It's shared, bond, unspectable with the national partner of organization, the mothers, of parents,
[14:43] of national parents, and men of children.
[14:45] We grieve for a lifetime together.
[14:49] We aged together.
[14:53] Every time we see a picture when we started this journey in 2011 to LAW, pictures don't lie,
[14:58] you really aged.
[15:00] From here to ahead us to a different, I mean, it just really has ahead the toll on us.
[15:07] To my extended family,
[15:11] our support group members, I will never leave you in this journey of grief and seeking justice.
[15:20] We call the empty chair, the space that never will always be empty during the holidays, birthdays, without our loved ones.
[15:30] because I know deep sorrow, the meaning of it, but I also recognize the unspeakable love
[15:40] and living in the alaves. So I bow my head to each of my support group members that are here with us
[15:48] in attendance. And the ones that could not attend this proclamation and I say thank you. Thank you
[15:55] and thank you for showing me the unconditional love and bond.
[16:03] But I am going to say that I am going to say that I am going to say that once told me before she passed
[16:09] and my inspiration and this journey on the promise that I told her that I will keep my brother
[16:15] member of life. Mikho, Miwisana came out of my life has changed and that September 13th of 2011.
[16:25] I cannot explain the pain in the void that I have in my heart and nobody would ever understand
[16:33] my void unless you are a mother of a murdered child.
[16:38] As I represent an advocate with my mom's and members of my extended family,
[16:46] I read the
[16:47] names to Lisa Rahel, Julio Villarreal, Fernando Garza, Jr. Nagalena in Reveca, Canto,
[16:56] Kavir, Xavier Avitia, Jonathan Alcalar,
[17:03] Angela Lupifranco, Roberto Mendis,
[17:07] Alejandra Ornales,
[17:10] as a parents, and Wendy Escoedo,
[17:14] as a parents and loved ones are here with us
[17:16] on this occasion.
[17:18] And I just want to be half of them,
[17:20] and my entire board,
[17:22] and all the parties that we have
[17:24] that far has been the leader in this 2015 and without,
[17:31] I'm but also in the commission, this journey would not be possible every 25th.
[17:38] And there are about five members here from the city of far,
[17:41] residents that their loved ones were murdered from the age of 17
[17:45] all the way to the age of 45.
[17:48] So with that, thank you for this opportunity to be here with you,
[17:51] and the population, and the continued support that you all have
[17:56] entrusted us to provide a community service to the community.
[18:00] I'm happy to have the commission of the mayor.
[18:02] I know Mayor's not here today, but I just want to send my condolences.
[18:06] I know there's no words can fulfill the emptiness that you are feeling
[18:11] in your hearts.
[18:13] The only thing I can say is something they told me a long time ago.
[18:16] You're only gone when you forget them.
[18:18] No, no, no, no, no, no.
[18:21] The most because there were many things,
[18:23] many, many people in our brothers,
[18:26] one time we were in the family.
[18:27] That's something my dad told me years ago,
[18:31] and I'd like to extend that to you.
[18:32] I know that they're loved, you're loved for them,
[18:36] keeps them alive and spirit.
[18:42] We'll be really not this particular reason for you all.
[18:47] Whereas, the National Parents of Murder Children,
[18:50] The P.O.M.C. established September 25th as National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims
[18:55] as a result of unanimously passed resolutions by the U.S. Senate on October 16, 2007,
[19:02] and the U.S. House of Representatives on May 14, 2007. And whereas the National
[19:07] Parents of Murder Children, the P.O.M.C. believe that honoring the memory of victims who have been
[19:12] killed by violence and acknowledging the resulting long-term trauma for families and communities.
[19:17] This National Remembrance Day is an essential way of promoting public awareness and remembering our loved ones.
[19:24] And whereas in 2022, an estimated 2017 homicides occurred in Texas and over 20, 170 close relatives were affected.
[19:33] The Rio Grande Valley experienced about 40 murders and 400 close relatives were affected.
[19:39] And whereas survivors of homicide transformed their pain and anger into power and action by honoring the memory of their loved ones
[19:47] impacted by the homicide. Through leadership, grief support, and advocacy,
[19:52] survivors are reducing violence and promoting prevention and policy change on a local,
[19:56] state and national level. And whereas we urge all citizens of far, and he다고 County,
[20:02] to join the 11th annual candlelight visual, always on our minds and in our hearts,
[20:07] to be hosted at the Bibles Alina's Memorial Recreation Center from 6pm to 8pm on September 25, 2023.
[20:14] Now, therefore, I, Michael Pachekko, and representation of Ambulance of Nundus, Mayor of the City of Far
[20:21] Texas by virtue of the authority vested in me and on behalf of the City Commission,
[20:26] do hereby proclaim the 25th day of September 23, as a national day of remembrance from
[20:32] murder victims.
[20:37] Thank you.
[20:37] We kill a plow.
[20:47] We kill a plow.
[20:48] We kill a
[20:52] plow.
[21:37] We
[21:41] kill a
[21:59] plow.
[22:19] We kill a plow.
[22:20] Yes, we have Mr. Pedro Garcia.
[22:27] He's going to speak on agenda item 9B.
[22:38] Good afternoon, everyone and thank you very much. I'm Pedro Garcia artistic director and co-founder of our community theater companies since 2008. We are now going in our 16th year and we'd like to thank the city leaders, city administration and all the citizens of far for your support of the arts. And we had a good year and we continue producing theater productions and in classes in the arts.
[23:04] And we have a bunch of people that come to see our productions and also to be a part of our technical crew and cast, and we like that we're providing to the quality of life of the city of far.
[23:17] And we certainly are very appreciative of everything that you all do to help and support us.
[23:22] Lastly, if at every time there would be an interest in speaking of the development of a South Texas Cultural Arts Center or state of the art here in the city of far.
[23:33] I would be more than interested to participate in those kinds of discussions and again, thank you very much.
[23:39] Well, we appreciate it. My door is open. If anybody ever wants to contact me and talk to us,
[23:44] my board of directors and myself, you're always welcome at far community theater company
[23:48] or dream school far. Thank you. Thank you, sir. Thank
[23:54] you, sir.
[23:54] Anybody for public hearing?
[24:00] Under city managers report, we have the submission of sales tax,
[24:03] collection report for September 2023.
[24:06] This one shows a 1.5% of your today true growth
[24:11] and compared to last year and a 2.68% growth
[24:14] compared to last month.
[24:16] You guys have any questions?
[24:17] It's in your packet.
[24:18] God bless your dance, right?
[24:19] If you guys have any questions on that.
[24:24] Good.
[24:25] This time, I'm going to call Yudia to discuss the video.
[24:29] You're going
[24:32] to, oh, I'm sorry, apologize.
[24:33] Yes, we have Andrew Canton in here from the RGVNPO with the presentation of all the guests.
[24:43] Afternoon commissioners, appreciate me in here, city manager.
[24:48] Andrew Canton with the executive director of the RGVNPO.
[24:53] Here to talk to you about some great news that came out of Austin, August 16.
[24:57] and text out past the largest 10-year financial program that they've ever passed before up in Austin.
[25:06] So I'm making a rounds to try to share that good news and also do little emphasis on the local areas and the government,
[25:12] the cities, the county of what is prosperous to them and has been prosperous to them,
[25:17] previously.
[25:19] Through that program, so that's what I'm here to share with you today.
[25:23] briefly please feel free to ask me any questions. And I hope I got this right. I do. I think most of
[25:29] you are aware of the MPO, but for those who may be new to us, we are to planning organization that works
[25:35] with tech start in the federal government and all transportation plans in the two and a half county
[25:39] region. We've taken about half of start county. Three thousand square miles gear were taken about
[25:45] 1.8 million people in total under our planning horizon that we work with on a regular day, on a regular
[25:52] day.
[25:54] So something pretty exciting is that the budget that was approved on August 16 was $142
[26:00] billion for transportation at the highest that it's ever been.
[26:05] Some of the high points for that that I think are really exciting is that 54% of that
[26:09] budget was state funded.
[26:11] A lot of that from Prop 1 and Prop 7 that voters voted on several years ago through a constitutional
[26:16] amendment allowing oil taxes at the
[26:20] spicket additional dollars from
[26:22] sells car sales tax revenue to go
[26:25] over to transportation as well as
[26:26] there's a shift of rainy day funds.
[26:28] Once it reaches a certain level,
[26:30] they shift over the extra rainy
[26:31] day funds that they have over
[26:33] the transportation.
[26:35] There's $7.5 billion in that
[26:37] program for preventive maintenance.
[26:40] So we're pretty happy to see that
[26:42] and about 9,000 total projects.
[26:45] Within that, just hitting a high area for us, about $556 million dollars in what we call
[26:51] category two, which is directly text.fans that come through our area that the board and
[26:56] Mayor Hernandez be in a member of approves, and just one of those projects that we do have the
[27:01] I-69 connector, the Connect I-69C and I-69E, somewhere, because I don't want your phones
[27:08] to ring, but somewhere in the money crystal area, there's no preferred alignment yet.
[27:12] That's a very important project because it would essentially, in the future, connect up with what would be the outer parkway or the outer loop in the Harlingian San Manito area, which we hope would eventually connect to the second causeway over to the island.
[27:28] So that would provide a second means of traveling to the island once all those projects are complete without having to go down to 100 or 550 to make your way over to SBI.
[27:37] We're very excited that there's $150 million on that project that identified to try to get that moving forward.
[27:45] One project that's just some of the preferred linens that are shown, nothing's finalized yet.
[27:51] It's very early in the phases, but for the environmental process, some alignments have to be identified.
[27:58] And then category seven, three hundred and twenty nine million dollars of that allocated and that comes directly through the MPO that the policy board votes on 25 million give or take on no line or loop and then the South parallel corridor six point almost six point eight million in the Cameron County area just a name a few on projects right now we have 52 projects that are funded through the category seven process moving forward on this program.
[28:27] category nine just a little illustration there for you of something that my staff can do if you ever need any work done for future projects.
[28:36] We use this in public involvement because it breaks through all language barriers, so it's really useful tool for us.
[28:43] But what we call the TASA program, this is for non-motorized plans and projects moving forward in the future,
[28:51] 38 million dollars of that. We have eight projects. The board this month will be taken action to
[28:58] approve additional category nine non-motorized transportation projects that we have that will be
[29:03] coming up through the region.
[29:07] I seem to be missing some slides on here, so I'll be talking off the
[29:09] cuff, I apologize. Funding directly to the PSJA area to far. We have $1.8 million on the 2017-2018
[29:19] in category nine program call for some programs and plans that would be taking place there so we're
[29:26] very excited about that. On the 2019-2020 it's $1.3 million for a tricity pedestrian improvement
[29:33] program that's underway phase two. And we're happy to say that over the time span of our pedestrian
[29:41] program the far's received $3 million to go to pedestrian projects over the last since about
[29:48] 2017 so it's it's no small amount at all it's been very worthwhile. So my other programs are
[29:55] finding that's not necessarily part of the UTP process but something that came out.
[30:00] That's transportation bill that we've worked hard on. We've identified almost $11.5 million to go to the far bridge. Well, offsite from the far bridge, should I say, for a parking site? This is carbon reduction program money. We were able to make the pitch to federal highways that if we were able to have our trucks move out there and park and shut down, it would help reduce our carbon footprint to the area. So that's fantastic. About 375 parking spaces will be funding that we're working with your staff diligently.
[30:28] also beneficial to the city of regional signal improvement program. We've done this
[30:32] previously. We have more funds about $1.9 million when we're moving forward with
[30:39] 137 intersections throughout the region. I have the amount of those are in the
[30:43] Brownsville area this time because Brownsville, amazing to us, largest sitting
[30:48] the valley, they had no detection system on their intersections. So it was the
[30:52] same if you were there at five o'clock or two o'clock in the morning. The lights
[30:55] just ran on a tiny, they didn't have any protection for that.
[30:58] We're helping bring them up and correct that for them, the South, oh sorry.
[31:03] The South most nature trail over in the counter county area, about five miles, a trail there,
[31:07] seven and a half million dollars.
[31:09] And then we're doing some bus birth cutouts that the city of Brownsville has identified on
[31:15] two lane roads that are heavily traffic that will allow us to move those buses completely
[31:19] off of the roadway.
[31:21] pick up drop off passenger safely and give them a birth to come back into the roadway but not holding
[31:27] up traffic behind them just sitting there idle. Again looking forward to trying to do carbon
[31:32] reduction through the program. That's all I have on this if there are any questions I'll be glad to
[31:37] ask because I've got a personal slide so before I get to that. This is a failure with a 3.6 billion
[31:44] that the state is giving tax thoughts getting. Is it part of it? Is that part of it?
[31:49] Yes, sir. And you know what? Since you bring that up commissioner, one thing I want to identify.
[31:54] Let me see here.
[31:57] Oh, it's 200.
[32:02] The the mayor worked really aggressively on this. I can't skip it.
[32:06] I. B. T. C. We've got 237.8 million dollars. That we're identified through this program
[32:13] going over to that project to move that forward. And that was the Mayor, of course, Terry
[32:18] Canales, Representative Canales and Chairman working on that Senator Hinohosa. A whole lot
[32:23] of different irons were in that fire that he will secure almost $4 billion coming directly
[32:29] that will impact far, Donna, and the region. Because then that will facilitate getting the
[32:34] trucks off of the bridges onto a high speed arterial connect up the interstate two and then from there they can pick where they're going but we get them away from the far area and away from homes and schools.
[32:47] So that's a tremendous project that we have for that one.
[32:50] That's a lot of people at home know that that's basically to alleviate some of that Jackson road traffic and all that.
[32:58] 21 traffic that everybody's
[33:01] reconcerned about. I know it
[33:03] slows everything down. Yes, I'm
[33:05] real happy about, you know, state
[33:07] getting involved, and I know I am inside a big deal
[33:09] to do with that here. Big push. Yeah, I think
[33:14] Representative Canales and the senator in a Hosa. Yes.
[33:17] Got you. There are big, big players in that part.
[33:19] You know, buddy. Yes, sir. Thank you Andrew.
[33:22] I got one slide. I think.
[33:27] Got it.
[33:28] go.
[33:32] Oh, there it is. Okay. So on a personal note, for the 90 year in the city has helped
[33:39] us previously, and I appreciate that. And that's why I bring this to you now. For a
[33:42] 90 year might club on this Friday, it will be doing our annual backpack and school supply
[33:49] delivery down to Carmen and Naya. I know that's a little south, but we have a lot of students
[33:54] there from the far area. We are meeting if anybody is available and would like to attend,
[34:00] will be meeting at the H-E-B at the corner of Ridge and K-E-H.
[34:05] We're departing at 9 a.m. We do have P-S-J-A school district police,
[34:09] that will be escorting us because we never know sometimes we have six motorcycles,
[34:14] sometimes we have 20.
[34:15] But it's a great program we spent a good part of our day on Saturday,
[34:20] stuffing and I think it was 310 backpacks full of all the school supplies
[34:25] that we got the list that they needed for all the kids.
[34:27] So like I say, this is our ninth year and we're really looking forward to going out there
[34:31] and I didn't want to leave and be remissed in making the invitation to anybody who may
[34:37] like to come out and join us for that because it's about the kids.
[34:39] They just, they have a blast and we appreciate them.
[34:43] I scared my wife because she started this nine years ago with the school and I told her
[34:48] in some of the pictures that we have that I hope she understood that some of those kids
[34:51] were now young adults, I didn't mean to imply she was getting old, but apparently that's
[34:56] take it. So I'm just grateful to be here. No, that's a really good event. I've been there with you.
[35:02] Yes, I have several times. Yes, sir. And, yeah, it is a great event. Thank you very much. No, thank you.
[35:07] I really really appreciate that. All right. Go. Thank you. Appreciate it. Thank you.
[35:15] Now you do. Will come up.
[35:20] Good afternoon, Commission. You do on silence, office of city
[35:23] communications director for the record. Our parks and director, Sergio Lani,
[35:27] is not here today, but we have great representation of system parks and
[35:34] I'm like, where is she?
[35:38] So, again, said he was not here, but this is just a moment that we want to take to wish
[35:41] him good luck and we're excited.
[35:44] They're on their way to Denton, Texas as we speak to pitch for the games of Texas
[35:48] bit.
[35:49] What does this mean?
[35:50] Well, many people consider this to be the games of Texas to be the Texas Olympics.
[35:55] When it comes to youth sports and adult sports.
[35:58] So, said he will be pitching and this video we're about to showcase is just a visual aid or a support to video to his pitch.
[36:27] Welcome to the City of Fire!
[36:30] From the moment you arrive to when you depart,
[36:33] the first community spirit will make you feel right at home.
[36:37] Texan Hospitality is not just the same.
[36:41] It is a way of life.
[36:52] offers a wide range of state of New York facilities that cater to athletes of all ages and
[36:59] scale levels, the far-notatorium. A next-level Olympic-grade facility that can seat more than
[37:06] 1,200 spectators to watch swimmers race down a 50-meter pool with a depth of 70 feet.
[37:14] Athletes can also dive off of platforms ranging from one meter all the way to 10 meters into a
[37:22] the PSJA stadium, a stadium that holds a full-sized football field surrounded by a running track.
[37:30] With a capacity of more than 12,000 seats, this stadium offers a vibrant atmosphere for fans, comfortable top-notch amenities, and breathtaking views.
[37:43] The era of the soul golf club is an 18-hole golf championship course that sits on 145 acres of beautiful scenic landscapes.
[37:53] Stepping up to the point is the far baseball complex, experience the excitement of baseball in
[38:02] multiple well-maintained fields, perfect for tournaments, leagues, and recreational play.
[38:09] Not to mention our modern skate park and soccer fields that are prime for competitive matches.
[38:16] After a day of adventure, it's time to satisfy your hunger and stop by the local favorites
[38:21] such as Junction Cafe or Papadocifood Kitchen, here and far, culinary excellence is an art form
[38:29] in itself. You can also unwind at fan favorite places, like main event for arcade games or
[38:37] enjoy the latest walkbuster with a site of delicious popcorn at the cinema far-town center and
[38:44] XD. Thinking about taking your golfing skills to the next level, unleash your inner pro at
[38:50] hope golf. The only one found in the Rio Grande
[38:53] Valley. Welcome to the city of far we can't wait to have you.
[39:01] This pitch is for 2027, 2028. The city of Brownville is hosting
[39:05] Games of Texas this year next year. And I believe it's
[39:09] College Station after that. So we're trying to
[39:12] pitch and hopefully host these great events.
[39:17] Cynthia, you want to elaborate?
[39:19] I don't know if there's any of you up to anyone, Cynthia Castro. Nice to be here. Thank you for having me and you to you pretty much
[39:28] Set everything that we
[39:30] Reason that we're there this year and hoping to bring back the or to bring the games of Texas to far
[39:37] 27 28 so
[39:40] Hopefully we'll get those people to come over here and visit with us
[39:45] Do you have any questions?
[39:49] No, it's just me.
[39:51] My kids all went to the games of Texas.
[39:53] So I know it's a big big deal.
[39:55] A lot of people travel all over Texas.
[39:57] So I was looking at some statistics from the past and they typically bring in about 7,000 to 8,000 athletes to this event.
[40:08] Not to mention their families and everyone else that comes with them.
[40:11] Yes, thank you and for the record it won't sound like this in Denton I apologize about the sound we will be looking into that
[40:23] Thank you
[40:26] The next we have item six consent agenda all items this and that are consent agenda are considered to be routine and uncontroversial by the governing body
[40:34] And we'll be enacted by one motion
[40:40] Second
[40:41] All the favor?
[40:43] All right.
[40:43] unanimous motion carries.
[40:45] Let's go back for a quick and some events.
[40:47] I just thought to happen this weekend that I've got to call.
[40:50] I'm not a call.
[40:51] Why I got several calls for people about a,
[40:58] some of the food trucks that we've been,
[41:02] that have been popping up left and right around town.
[41:05] And I know our,
[41:08] The court enforcement went out there and was checking up on them and we've got a lot of negative publicity down there and I really didn't appreciate it.
[41:16] So I called Roland Gomes, who's a charge of our court enforcement, that's what was going on.
[41:22] And they explained to me, obviously everybody who opens anything around your house, you have to permit it.
[41:28] And they have to follow the process.
[41:31] You can't do what you want here in the city of far.
[41:35] They should do it anywhere else in the valley.
[41:38] But I'll very upset with people of stating that they
[41:41] how could the code enforcement go trying to shut down the business
[41:46] to try to do this, to try to do that.
[41:49] For people to understand, there's a lot of people who have restaurants
[41:52] and they pay tax dollars to open up a restaurant.
[41:56] They have the facilities.
[41:57] You cannot come into the city of far and pop open up a business without following the procedure and if you're told to do something you have to and heat to it those are the rules and regulations and we do it for the safety of the people.
[42:12] I understand that there was, so I called rolled in and asked, I don't know, rolled in if I called him and he said, well,
[42:18] some of the deal was, these people don't even have hot running water in the trucks.
[42:22] So how does that provide any type of safety for our community, people don't start getting sick?
[42:28] Then the day I know, I mean, we haven't, they are sent into our office, but people were sending me the post saying that we're being so cruel that we should get sued
[42:39] and we should do this. I just want to let the people know that we do it to protect our citizens
[42:43] of fire. You know, if you want to go we're there that's your business but we can't take
[42:49] your responsibility of it. Our responsibility to make sure that we find the best solution to take care
[42:56] of our citizens and code enforcement goes out there and does their job. So I'd then appreciate those
[43:01] people on Facebook, scrutinizing or defamating our core enforcement who are out there doing
[43:08] their job. And all I'm going to say is, Rowland, keep up the good work. I know you're
[43:15] out there giving warnings. Well, these people are going to listen. Well, they may be, you
[43:19] can have to be harsh and cite them. Take it them. Because to me, the safety and the health
[43:27] of our community is more important than somebody trying to make a buck.
[43:33] Thank you all for the great job.
[43:35] And commend your code enforcement officers
[43:38] after doing a great job to keep up the good work.
[43:43] Yeah.
[43:43] This time, we're going to execute a session.
[43:46] The time being 447, the City Commission will be entering into closed
[43:50] session in accordance with chapter 551 of the Texas Government Code
[43:54] to discuss agenda items listed in the public portion
[43:57] of the agenda and pursuant to sections 551.071 to 551.072, 551.074, 551.076, 551.084, and 551.087, all right, okay, it's
[44:19] We're going
[44:26] to move on to regular agenda item 7A consideration and action of any on ordinance adopting an approved budget for the year beginning until the first 2023 ending September 30, 2024.
[44:42] And this one, where we're proud to produce a balanced budget with a $1 million surplus.
[44:49] If you have any questions, Carda from Finance is here to answer.
[44:53] Motion to approve.
[44:56] Second.
[44:58] All of favor?
[44:59] Aye.
[45:00] The next item is motion carries. Next item item 7B consideration, an action of any unordnance adopting tax rate for fiscal year 2023-2024.
[45:10] I move that the property tax rate being increased by the adoption of a tax rate of 0.766, which is effectively a 20.2% increase in the tax rate.
[45:23] taking a motion.
[45:25] All the favor?
[45:26] We all have to individually write it all.
[45:30] No, no, no, no, no.
[45:31] Okay.
[45:33] Inadermist motion carries.
[45:35] I wrote it again.
[45:37] So then it's,
[45:41] yeah, he just wants to get this.
[45:42] It's just one.
[45:44] Okay, so.
[45:44] Yeah, motion, motion passes.
[45:47] All right.
[45:50] I had a major purchasing consideration in action
[45:52] of any authorizing city manager to purchase
[45:54] additional fiber optic data center equipment for teamfart.net from Calixing through a sole source
[45:59] proposal in the amount not to exceed 97,870.
[46:03] Was it true?
[46:05] Well, that favor?
[46:06] All right.
[46:07] You've done it in a special interest.
[46:09] Item 98 contracts and agreements, consideration and action of any on memorandum of understanding
[46:13] between the city of far and South Texas College for continuing education units for emergency
[46:18] medical services and training.
[46:21] Was it true?
[46:23] First of the second, all of favor, in that it is motion carries.
[46:28] Item 9B consideration in action of any on agreement between city of far and the far community
[46:32] theater.
[46:35] All of favor, in that it is motion carries.
[46:40] Item 9C consideration in action of any on renewal of cloud management subscription services for team
[46:45] for.net from Calix Inc.
[46:47] Motion for proof.
[46:48] Take a, all in favor?
[46:50] All in favor?
[46:51] In that of a social carriage.
[46:52] I have a 90 consideration, an action of any authorizing city manager to a new contract with building dynamics for building services provided to the emergency medical services department.
[47:02] Take a, all in favor?
[47:04] All in favor?
[47:05] In that of a social carriage.
[47:06] I have a 90 consideration, an action of any authorizing city manager to enter into an agreement with the Texas Manufacturing Assistance Center team.
[47:14] But the Royal Grand Valley, UGRGB for inventory control, and standardization for the amount of 41,650.
[47:23] taking all the favor and that is what she carries all the favor and what she carries
[47:37] Thank you all for reading this interview.