[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] 536, I call this meeting to order. This is a regular meeting of the west local city commission
[0:04] as required by law. The office of the city secretary properly posted a notice of the meeting.
[0:10] The day is Tuesday, August 1st, 2023, and the purpose of this meeting is to discuss the
[0:16] agenda as prepared and presented. During the course of this meeting, the discussion
[0:20] of any item of the agenda should be held in executive or closed session.
[0:29] The city
[0:29] in accordance with Section 551.001 of the Texas Government Code.
[0:33] At this time, there are four executive session items.
[0:37] It is a tradition of this commission to include, in its meetings,
[0:41] a prayer and a pledge of allegiance to our American flag.
[0:45] Tonight, we are pleased to have Pastor Elias Garza from Christian Cavalry Center
[0:50] to lead us in our prayer.
[0:52] And as he comes forward, I ask the audience to please stand.
[0:54] It
[1:03] is an honor to be here. I'm going to ask you about your hands and close your eyes if
[1:06] you can, just a couple of minutes for a few seconds. Father, we come before you this beautiful
[1:11] afternoon again, thanking you for your mercy that are new again today. We thank you Lord
[1:15] for the opportunity we have to serve you through these
[1:19] leadership positions. We ask you for peace, we ask you Lord for protection, and we ask
[1:24] you for wisdom. Lord, as the Psalmist says in Psalm 121,
[1:28] We even look up to the heavens and know that our help comes directly from the Maker of the heavens and the earth.
[1:34] While we thank you for all that you are doing in the city of Westernville, Lord, and all the things that are up ahead,
[1:39] we thank you for it all in the name of Jesus we pray.
[1:42] Amen.
[1:45] I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands,
[1:52] one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.
[1:58] Honour the Texas flag, I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one state, under God, one
[2:05] individual.
[2:16] Madam Secretary, for the record, please conduct roll call.
[2:19] Mayor Suarez, Mayor Pro Temer Rodriguez, here.
[2:25] Commissioner Kerr.
[2:26] Present.
[2:27] Commissioner Gonzalez.
[2:29] Here.
[2:30] Commissioner Padraza.
[2:31] Here.
[2:32] Commissioner Lopez.
[2:33] Present.
[2:37] Mayor Pro Tem Rodriguez let the record show a time of roll call we have the
[2:42] absence of Mayor Suarez and a quorum is present. Thank you ma'am. Next let's go
[2:48] to the any mayoral recognitions? Not tonight sir.
[2:54] Okay thank you.
[2:57] Let's go
[2:57] with public comments. Tonight sir we have two public comments first we have
[3:44] That's for your keeping and we also did this collage on it so y'all could have a reference
[3:49] to reflect back as to what work was done, when, and what type of work was getting done
[3:54] out there.
[3:55] So, if y'all have any questions regarding the means methods, that's basically what
[3:59] we're here for to answer, you know, in conjunction with public works that are David Arsene
[4:05] and Superintendent Marcelo Cosme has been feel verified, working great.
[4:10] Thank you.
[4:11] Thank you.
[4:11] And that collage also for the city, due as you all will.
[4:15] So thank you guys.
[4:16] Thank you very much.
[4:17] Thank you.
[4:17] Thank you, sir.
[4:21] Next, we have Deborah Atkis,
[4:34] State Attorney.
[4:35] Mayor Pro Tem Rodriguez, commissioners,
[4:37] thank you for letting me speak this afternoon.
[4:40] I'm here today as a resident of Westlaco.
[4:43] I'm here today as a proud pet parent.
[4:47] And I'm here today as a longtime supporter
[4:50] of Best Friends Animal Sanctuary.
[4:53] As a resident, I've seen the ever-present problem of strays in our neighborhoods.
[4:59] I see them every day when I walk my dog.
[5:02] I've seen them in my front yard when I walk out the door, which is very concerning.
[5:08] I have also been very aware of the huge job that animal control has in this community.
[5:15] And I've seen the progress that animal control has made in the save rate that they have
[5:21] accomplished, it's steadily going up over this past year, and that's very, very encouraging.
[5:28] I want to acknowledge and thank the city for your commitment to improving the shelters.
[5:34] And I know that you've been in some very productive conversations, some discussions about having
[5:42] animal control officer training and also about establishing a spay and neuter clinic,
[5:47] both of which were they to be in place would make significant difference in this community.
[5:56] I think that your commitment and your dedication is to be applauded.
[6:02] And I applaud the commitment that you have to working with best friends so that you can
[6:09] continue to improve things for this community, for the strays, for all the pets in this
[6:15] community and pet owners.
[6:18] And also to improve the ability of the animal shelter
[6:21] to improve their services for the community.
[6:25] All of that will make a huge difference.
[6:27] I encourage you to continue working
[6:29] with all the partners that you are working with
[6:31] to continue furthering the progress that you're making.
[6:36] And that will make a difference
[6:39] for WESECO, for the stray issue, and also for the animal shelter issues that we're
[6:46] facing now. I thank you very much for all that you're doing and encourage you to
[6:50] continue. Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you ma'am.
[6:57] Let's go with
[6:58] the reports.
[7:01] Tonight we have a report from the WESECO Economic Development
[7:04] Corporation.
[7:11] Good evening. For the record, my name is April Castaneda,
[7:14] director of business development for the Wessico Economic Development Corporation here on behalf of
[7:20] our executive director. Just some quick bullies from the last time we did our report. The EDC staff
[7:27] did, they had a trip up to Austin a couple of weeks ago. They visited the economic development
[7:35] and tourism office at the governor's office and the comptroller's office. That was just to
[7:40] to say hi, you know, establish that relationship with them
[7:44] and then to kind of get a better understanding
[7:46] of the RFI process and the self-tax reports
[7:49] that businesses have to report to the Comptroller's office.
[7:55] The EDC staff will also be presenting
[7:57] the new fiscal year budget at the upcoming city workshop.
[8:01] This was approved by the EDC board of directors
[8:05] during the July board meeting.
[8:09] As well, EDC staff will be presenting at the Industrial Warehouse Summit held at the Far
[8:15] International Bridge on August 24th.
[8:18] If you all would like to join, let me know.
[8:19] We can register you all.
[8:20] It is free and it's going to be held at the City of Far.
[8:24] On the retail development side, something exciting that we're seeing down, a historic
[8:30] downtown is three new developments.
[8:32] We have Casa Kevin that just opened up today.
[8:34] If you all didn't pass by or stop by, it was kind of packed and it was crazy, which is
[8:39] good.
[8:40] That means there's movement downtown.
[8:42] Buzz Bowl Creamery is a new type of ice cream shop that's going to be for adults and for
[8:50] kids, so they're going to have non-alcoholic ice cream for the kids and an alcoholic
[8:54] ice cream for the 21 and over age, which is exciting as well and they're projected
[9:02] to open some type during mid-September of this year and then another one downtown is called
[9:08] senior with bad bus which is an outdoor eatery slash bar type and they're expected to open in
[9:14] October of this year. Additionally a vacant building which is the Wells building that's been bought
[9:21] so we are making plans to have a meeting with the owner just to kind of
[9:25] establish that relationship and see what their plans are for that building
[9:29] And then we're also going to be working on a press release that kind of showcases about
[9:35] a 90% plus occupancy rate in historic downtown, which is something unheard of.
[9:40] So we're looking forward to that type of press release coming out.
[9:45] And then also Texas Roadhouse, I believe, is already in the permitting review process
[9:49] and they should be breaking ground sometime this fall as well.
[9:55] and then some of our EDC staff will be going to retail live in Dallas just to
[10:01] kind of continue that recruitment process and bringing down more businesses
[10:04] here to the city of Westlakel. So a lot of cool things happening on the retail
[10:08] side. On the industrial side for the industrial park out on mile 9 and 10
[10:13] 15 we're about 90% complete on the infrastructure that's all your sewer
[10:18] your water your utilities all of that we're about 90% complete concrete
[10:23] roads are already 100% complete. Utilities are going to be all underground. The only
[10:28] things you're going to see up is the streetlights and the fire hydrants and of course the buildings
[10:33] that those are the only structures you're going to see up on top. And then as well
[10:40] we did a quick little video with glaciers, beer and beverage. I don't know if you
[10:43] all got to see that or not. They kind of explained how their tilt walls are going
[10:47] up a hundred and seventy seven thousand pounds just one tilt wall 14 inches thick 40 to 45 feet high.
[10:55] If you haven't seen it, it's on our social media and it's also on our YouTube. If not,
[10:59] I can email you guys the link. It was pretty it was pretty neat to be out there and you know
[11:04] boots and construction had and recording that video out there. Project Brown out at the
[11:10] industrial park is also going to start construction late fall this year and they're
[11:14] projected to open fall of 2024. So it's going to take about a year long for them to build their
[11:20] site out there. And then we also held our first meeting of the industrial park properties owner
[11:28] association. So we do have a property owners association there at the industrial park
[11:33] and that's just to keep it kind of a class A industrial park that we want. We're going to
[11:37] have restrictions on these businesses, you know, just kind of make it look nice and neat out
[11:41] there. And then last but not least we do want to invite all of you all in the
[11:47] city, your family, the commission, to our Alvresco Wesselgo. It kicks off, the
[11:53] season kicks off this month, August the 17th. It's from 6 to 9 30 p.m. down
[11:58] historic downtown. We are gonna give away about 300 backpacks so I do want to
[12:03] thank all the sponsors and the donors from small businesses to large
[12:07] companies that did donate backpacks. We had a donation from our commissioner here as well,
[12:14] so we do appreciate all of that. It's free for the event, for the community. We have live music,
[12:19] we have vendors, about 90 vendors that will be out there, so I do encourage you all to go,
[12:25] take some photos, eat lots of food, take your family out there, and have fun. Any questions?
[12:33] Thank you, Ms. April.
[12:35] Thank you.
[12:37] Consent agenda?
[12:40] Consent agenda.
[12:41] All items listed under the consent agenda are considered to be routine and the governing body has been furnished with background and support material on each item and will be acted by one motion.
[12:52] Any commissioner may remove items from the consent agenda by making such requests prior to a motion and voting on the consent agenda.
[12:59] A, approval of the minutes of the regular meeting on July 18, 2023.
[13:04] B, approval on second and final reading of the following.
[13:07] One, ordinance 2023-30 to rezone 820 North.
[13:11] International also be in 6.764 acres.
[13:15] Out of farm track 1029, West and Adams track subdivision.
[13:19] West Goadale County, Texas from High Industrial District to R2.
[13:23] Duplex and Apartment District and Authorized Mayor to execute enulated documents.
[13:28] ordinance first reading held July 18, 2023.
[13:31] Two, ordinance 2023-31 to rezone 635 South Airport Drive,
[13:36] also being 0.50 acre, being West Track,
[13:39] East 117 feet, West 470 feet, North 187 feet,
[13:45] South 907 feet, out of Farm Track,
[13:48] 701 West Codale County, Texas from R2 Duplex,
[13:52] an apartment district to be one neighborhood business
[13:55] district and authorized the mayor to execute
[13:57] any related documents. First read and held July 18, 2023. See approval of resolution 2023-46
[14:05] adopting the 2019 updated water conservation plan and drought contingency plan and authorize the
[14:11] mayor to execute any related documents. The approval to accept the negotiated agreement
[14:16] regarding AEP 2024 energy efficiency cost recovery factor application file June 1st,
[14:22] 2023 and authorize a mayor to execute any related documents.
[14:26] E approval of an agreement with South Texas College
[14:29] allowing work study employment
[14:31] at the Mayor Sanchez Public Library
[14:33] and authorize a mayor to execute any related documents.
[14:36] F approval to renew the memorandum of understanding
[14:39] between Texas A&M Task Force One, TXTF One
[14:43] and the City of West Coast Fire Department
[14:45] and authorize a mayor to execute any related documents.
[14:49] G approval of amendment number one
[14:51] to contract number 25-111158-01 between Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service and
[15:00] The Wessico fire department and EMS and authorized the mayor to execute any related documents.
[15:05] H, approval on renewal of the interlocal agreement between the city of Wessico and the city of
[15:10] Mercedes regarding housing prisoners in the city of Wessico, municipal jail and authorized
[15:15] the mayor to execute any related documents. I, approval to apply to the BJA 523 Edward
[15:22] Burn Memorial Justice Assistance Grant JAG Program Award for the amount of $13,371 to be used for
[15:31] the purchasing, law enforcement equipment, and authorized a merit to execute any related documents.
[15:37] J Approval and Resolution 2023-47 regarding the buyout of service agreement between the
[15:43] City of West Dakota and North Elma Water Supply Company and AWSC
[15:47] for Huron's landings subdivision and authorize a merit to execute any related documents make a motion to approve consent agenda as read and second
[15:55] motion and second all those in favor motion passes this quarter new business item D
[16:07] item D discussion consideration to award the group health insurance to the best
[16:14] qualified most adventitious bidder and authorize a merit to execute any
[16:18] related documents, fossil action.
[16:21] Second.
[16:22] Motion on the second discussion.
[16:34] Good evening, Mayor, commissioners, Mr. Garza, Mr. Munoz.
[16:40] So we advertised the RFP for health insurance fully funded
[16:45] for two weeks on May 3rd and May 10,
[16:50] and received three proposals.
[16:52] The proposals received were from UHC,
[16:57] which is our current incumbent and Blue Cross Blue Shield we also received a
[17:02] proposal from I'm sorry Frontier Health Access.
[17:13] The proposals were vetted by the
[17:16] by the I'm sorry the agents the agents were vetted by the carriers and in those
[17:28] will be discussed as we go through the products. The city does prefer a one-year
[17:36] contract with the option to renew for two additional separate one-year terms. The
[17:41] contract will be awarded to the best qualified most advantage advantages
[17:45] bidder. We have Javier with Valley Risk Consulting who will present a
[17:51] discussion on this item.
[17:57] I'll be abstaining from discussion and
[18:00] consideration on this item.
[18:01] Loli Noli.
[18:06] Good afternoon, Honorable Mayor,
[18:08] members of the City Commission and City Manager Garza.
[18:12] For the record, I'm Roger Garza.
[18:13] I'm the Senior Consultant for Valley Race Consulting.
[18:15] I'm here to answer any questions you may have.
[18:18] As you can see, we received a very competitive offer
[18:21] from Blue Cross Blue Shield.
[18:23] The network has offered one extensive offer
[18:25] which is extending coverage to NAP Medical Center
[18:28] which is a target that the City has been trying
[18:31] to obtain for the last three years.
[18:33] Therefore, we're asking that the City Commission consider the Blue Cross Blue Shield proposal
[18:37] as submitted.
[18:38] The rates have decreased at the very competitive, at 1.6 percent above previous year.
[18:44] So it's very, very competitive and we're recommending that the City approve that agreement.
[18:50] I move that we go with Blue Cross Blue Shield.
[18:55] I just want to let me ask real quick.
[18:57] The freestanding ER and the micro-hospital, those are included, those are in the network?
[19:03] That is correct. Yes, sir. That's good. That was my only question.
[19:08] Blue Cross is the recommendation.
[19:11] Yes, sir. Blue Cross is our recommendation. Second.
[19:15] The motion is second. Any discussion?
[19:20] I have a question. On the HMO and the PPO plans on the Blue Cross Blue Shield,
[19:27] the difference is basically $6.59 from going from HMO to PPO.
[19:33] That is correct. Yes, ma'am.
[19:36] And that has been verified?
[19:37] Yes, ma'am.
[19:39] The rates were confirmed with Blue Cross twice, actually.
[19:42] So we actually went back and asked for one additional more negotiations,
[19:47] and they offered to come back with additional reduction in rates.
[19:51] Now, the difference as far as HMO and PPO for the employees would be what?
[19:57] There's a different...
[19:58] As far as the advantages.
[19:59] The advantages of the PPO network is its point of care or point of service, which means an employee can seek care at any facility and they have a copay that they have to satisfy.
[20:13] An HMO requires a primary care physician, which is not a point of contact, but they would have to select one.
[20:19] And then from that point, if the HMO contracted doctor decides to refer or they want to go
[20:27] to a different doctor, they have to get a referral from that primary care physician.
[20:31] Now, I believe that for $6.59 a month difference for employee and the product that they'd
[20:39] be receiving, I mean, I would rather offer that to our base employee as a base plan.
[20:45] Sure.
[20:46] And they don't have that option actually.
[20:48] They'll have the option to enroll in one or the other. They actually have multiple options.
[20:51] Right, but they would be paying, I'm talking about the city paying, right now the city gets paid, pays the employees HMO plan 100%.
[21:00] Correct, yes.
[21:01] And if the employee chooses to go with a PPO plan, what do we do?
[21:07] The, I'm sorry.
[21:09] Right, the employee pays at $6.59. So I'm just thinking that we might as well just, couldn't we just offer just the six, the PPO plan as the base?
[21:18] to everyone instead of taking the reduction you mean instead of instead of
[21:24] getting the same right instead of getting the HMO and we could we have that in
[21:29] the budget budget wise she's not talking to the savings you just talking about the
[21:35] PPO and HMO all between the PPO and the HMO okay I mean because the employee
[21:40] would get more of a product that they'd be using which would benefit their
[21:47] And of course, there's a rationale behind why you're offering two different plans.
[21:54] If you recall about five, six years ago as our rates were escalating,
[21:58] we were trying to attempt to renegotiate rates by being able to split the two programs.
[22:04] In this particular case, what we have to do is look for the trends in the future.
[22:08] Last year, your trends were decreasing, which was great.
[22:10] And you're taking advantage today of that decrease in trend.
[22:13] And what you're trying to avoid is reversing that and going back up again.
[22:18] So we offer the extension to the employee in the event that they want to get on the
[22:22] PPO at their cost, which is not a very significant amount of money today.
[22:27] But in the future, because these are one-year agreements and they're subject to renewals
[22:32] every year.
[22:33] In fact, we cap next year's increase to no more than 9 percent, I believe.
[22:37] So it's very competitive, but it's the third year you've got to worry about.
[22:41] Because once it escalates like that,
[22:43] then it's very difficult to drop the rates back down
[22:46] and then reorganize another HMO program.
[22:49] Well, I mean, to me, I mean, I don't know about you all,
[22:52] the rest of the commission, but if we offer an HMO plan,
[22:56] we pay, let's just say $426.74 a month.
[23:00] And the employee doesn't use it because of the hassle
[23:02] of going through an HMO program versus a PPO,
[23:06] which gives them more flexibility and better healthcare.
[23:10] It's a win-win for both the city because the employees are healthier and then for the employee.
[23:17] Do you make a valid point, ma'am? Yes. And I absolutely agree with you.
[23:21] But we need to keep that HMO option just in the event that, you know, it does a reversal next year.
[23:27] If it does shoot up to 9% in the event that it does, I'm not saying it's going to happen.
[23:31] But you are in a positive track right now where you are decreasing your claims,
[23:35] which is in our world, that's fantastic.
[23:39] So we're very, very proud to be able to say that because it's very few entities that can, you know, relate to that.
[23:46] But in this particular example, we want to keep that HMO option.
[23:49] If you want to offer the PPO option, we can go back and revisit the situation with the city staff
[23:55] and then try to include that as a paid by the city.
[24:00] And you're right. Right now, we're facing 19% increase.
[24:03] And now it's only 1.6, which is way below the inflation rate.
[24:07] But it's a good valid point, and it's something that we can take up as a discussion if that's
[24:14] what you would prefer.
[24:18] Atta Salli, what's your experience on that, and far with other employers?
[24:31] I was reviewing the package that was online, I just wanted to point out something as far
[24:38] as the PPO plan, I believe the PPO plan that was recommended is a $2,500 deductible, versus
[24:45] a $1,500 deductible that's on the original, correct?
[24:48] and I'm not sure that's correct.
[24:51] So you do have that increase in deductibles.
[24:57] So it'll be a higher deductible
[24:59] and your employees are used to obviously
[25:01] just a medium plan for the difference in price.
[25:05] You know, PTO is obviously open network.
[25:08] You have also out of your demographic area.
[25:13] I know a lot of the complaints
[25:14] that we received from your employees
[25:16] was the NAP Medical Center being a network now,
[25:18] that's not a problem even with HMO time.
[25:22] So either one, you know, again, the PPO,
[25:25] it looks very, very lucrative,
[25:28] only like you've mentioned,
[25:30] you did the math, the $6.50 a different employee,
[25:33] but it does have that $1,000 deductible hire
[25:37] that what the HMO time offers.
[25:39] So for some of us, it might not be much,
[25:43] for some of us, it might be a lot.
[25:44] So it's something that you might want to think about and consider for your own fault.
[25:51] As far as other, you know, I do have other entities that do offer HMOs.
[25:59] HMO has been becoming very similar,
[26:04] but I also have entities that offer PTO plan.
[26:07] So, again, it's very competitive to be able to find that it's being presented by the risk
[26:15] consulting at that 438 rate.
[26:20] But you can have that higher reduction.
[26:22] It's just all different from all that.
[26:25] And you're right.
[26:27] And another point to look at.
[26:31] You have 82% of your current population is already in the HMO.
[26:34] So they're very accustomed to the HMO option rather than the PPO option.
[26:42] So have elected to go to the PPO option, but they'll have that option to be able to change
[26:46] that open enrollment as well.
[26:47] And I've seen with that low of a difference, a lot of people will hop on your PPO plan.
[26:54] Even though that, you know, extra $6.59.
[26:59] Right.
[26:59] Unless you want to include a more competitive or lower deductible option, you know,
[27:06] even though it's a little bit higher in cost, maybe it's a $2,500 or $2,000 deductible CCO plan
[27:14] and I think the employees would like that instead of that $2,500.
[27:21] That would be my recommendation.
[27:23] Thank you.
[27:24] Yes, of course.
[27:25] I'm here.
[27:25] Do you have any other questions?
[27:27] Thank you.
[27:28] Thank you.
[27:34] I was going to say, uh, mayor, I wasn't asked, uh, the consultant besides the choosing the
[27:42] carrier is a commission needing to choose a agent of record tonight.
[27:47] Or how does.
[27:49] Well, we would prefer that you had four agents submitted under the new proposal and then
[27:55] the incumbent as well, but the incumbents also submitted under the old incumbent company
[28:01] that's not being recommended.
[28:02] So he had he was in both both proposals. So you have a total of five agents on this
[28:08] Mr. Owens, that is based on the
[28:11] Let the language on the agenda item. Are we okay to?
[28:15] For the commission to to make a determination on that tonight
[28:24] Right now we're wanting to carry it and I think that the RFP was I mean we can choose whatever region we want
[28:31] We're not in the career dictate who the Asian is are we that's great. They just better them for us. That's a yeah
[28:36] But I'm pretty sure, unless any of the agents that are currently agents are working for their
[28:44] volunteer products or the major health, unless the carers say, we don't want you to put,
[28:49] I don't think they put an exclusion of.
[28:51] No, they're all appointed by the group.
[28:53] Okay.
[28:53] All right.
[28:54] So the motion, the floor is to choose blue crab, blue seal.
[29:00] Is the, carry insurance, carry all those in favor?
[29:03] Right.
[29:04] Against motion passes.
[29:07] item E discussion and consideration to award the cafeteria 125 plan services and
[29:13] voluntary supplemental insurance products short long-term disability vision
[29:19] dental cancer accident hospital indemnity critical illnesses flexible spending
[29:24] account basic life and adnd for the city of west of employees at no cost to
[29:29] the city to the best qualified most aventures bidder and authorize the
[29:34] to execute any related documents possible action.
[29:37] Tomor.
[29:39] Second.
[29:40] Martian, second discussion?
[29:43] Part of the papers in recess will be made 3rd and 10th.
[29:48] We received 17 proposals.
[29:52] Proposals were submitted with the vetted agents by the carriers.
[29:58] Thank you.
[29:58] The city requires
[30:00] A one-year contract with the option to review for two additional budget on your contract will be awarded to the best qualifying assessment agent, Mr. Garza, will elaborate on the project.
[30:12] Once again, Mayor and Honorable Commissioners and Mr. Garza, as Ms. Galindo stated, we've received 17 different proposals, one statement of qualification, and 67 different options that were submitted by multiple carriers.
[30:28] In the first option, we have on the dental insurance, we had eight proposals submitted.
[30:37] We vetted the proposals, we evaluated them, and our firm is recommending that you select
[30:43] Delta Dental with the most advantageous submittal.
[30:49] It offers a three-year rate guarantee, and it's the most competitive of all of them
[30:53] at $11.43, employee only.
[30:56] So move with the recommendation.
[31:01] That's my second discussion.
[31:04] Any further discussion?
[31:05] For the record, I'll be abstaining from discussion and consideration on these items.
[31:11] So what was the advantage, Roger?
[31:14] I mean, just the price or what's, it's a 69 cent difference.
[31:19] Yes, sir.
[31:20] We look at the, the one is the price because we have to stay competitive and two is the contract period,
[31:26] the contract time because we don't want to be going out to bet the following year
[31:30] the year after that. But in the history and I'm not for either one but you know
[31:35] in the last three years the Blue Cross Blue Shield Dental had they gone up the
[31:40] last three years? They offered us an extension I believe sir they had a two
[31:45] year at one time and they offered us another year extension. But in the last three years they stayed flat they stayed the same.
[31:51] So, you know, so the rate, I mean, for it's a year or three years, I mean, you know, it's
[31:56] how it is.
[31:56] And if not, we have to go for, for a bit because the rates are higher than that's enough.
[32:02] But outside of the rate, what's, what's the Delta Dental offer that Blue Cross didn't
[32:07] because we're moving 230 some employees from, from Blue Cross Blue Student to, to Delta
[32:15] Delta.
[32:16] And you make a valid point, actually, the network is the same.
[32:19] Actually, Blue Cross uses the Delta Network and Delta Loans out the network to Blue Cross.
[32:25] So all you're going to switch is the card.
[32:28] So it gets you to the driver is being switched, the network is the same.
[32:35] The price will be lower, more competitive, and you can tell probably with the fact
[32:38] that it's the cost of renting out the network to Blue Cross in that exam.
[32:44] So we're just going directly to the source and buying the coverage directly to the
[32:48] It's the same network.
[32:50] And that's good to know because if you disrupt 200 and some employees, they don't like it
[32:54] and you're moving them for 69 cents, it's not worth that.
[32:57] The same Dennis, the same Dennis Clank will be in the same network.
[33:01] It's the same people.
[33:03] No, Roger, if Roger, we're going with Blue Cross Blue Shield on the health care.
[33:08] Couldn't we get them to also extend the three-year rate?
[33:13] Yes, ma'am.
[33:14] And actually we made a diligent effort trying to get that for the for the city and they
[33:21] drew the line in the sand that said they weren't going to go beyond that.
[33:23] So we tried getting that extra year.
[33:26] We tried we tried everything actually.
[33:28] So there was a lot of communication between the city staff ourselves and Blue Cross and
[33:32] they just couldn't get it done.
[33:34] But did they give you a discount if the volunteer part gets chosen?
[33:37] Not in the rate that they were given.
[33:39] We're not the rate to lower the rates and the dental but but what was the there
[33:44] offer if they get a voluntary product it was a two-year I believe or they would
[33:50] have been able to take off 2% if I'm mistaken 2% or 1% from the premium
[33:59] 1% 1% but they did increase their from last year blue cross blue shield they
[34:05] were 1143 and on the proposal they increased to 1212 no I know I know but
[34:09] I'm talking about the major medical, if you choose that, what's the savings to the major
[34:15] medical premium?
[34:17] It's a 1%?
[34:18] I think it has to be two products that they will be awarded before they can touch any of
[34:22] the rates, according to Blue Cross.
[34:24] Well, the part of it would be the major medical and the dental.
[34:28] Let's just assume it's the dental.
[34:30] It would be two ancillary products and then the major medical.
[34:33] It would be two ancillary vision, short-term, long-term, disillusioned.
[34:37] You're sure about that?
[34:38] Yes, sir.
[34:38] It's they actually sent us a letter indicating what it is that they wanted to provide.
[34:43] And they gave us a listing of if you have this many with us, you get this percentage.
[34:48] You have this much, you get this percentage. If you have this much, you get this percentage.
[34:52] They have a scope of. Well, and I'm only asking because I already know the answer.
[34:57] I talked to the accounting secretary. They give you one percent for one product.
[35:00] For one product. It'll go. Yeah. Well, but you tell them you need to answer there.
[35:04] And that's not true.
[35:07] So whatever the premium is $435, they'll get 1% off, which would be $435 per employee
[35:15] of the 300-some employees, which is about $20,000.
[35:20] The premium will be, and you'll be saving, you know, I don't know, with that savings,
[35:26] the 69 cents, you're saving the employee more than you are under 69 cents in the
[35:31] dental.
[35:32] I'm just making the argument.
[35:37] It's in a perfect world, it adds up, but in this particular instance, they start to ask.
[35:42] Well, I'm just making those questions.
[35:44] I mean, of course, there's a motion second to go with the recommendation.
[35:47] Any other further discussions?
[35:50] All those in favor?
[35:52] Aye.
[35:53] I guess the motion passes.
[35:56] Item F, discussion and consideration to award the employer paid life insurance to the best.
[36:02] Oh, I want to eat, I'm sorry.
[36:05] Right in the head of myself.
[36:08] Yeah, one at a time.
[36:11] And once again, mayor and honorable commissioners and we have, again, before you have the vision program,
[36:20] we submit we received a proposal.
[36:23] I'm sorry.
[36:23] I have to put my glasses on.
[36:24] I can't see very well.
[36:25] But we have a recommended firm.
[36:29] We covered all the aspects of this program.
[36:32] Avis is a company that we're recommending, we have three finalists and we recommended Avis as the firm.
[36:41] Again, we compared all the firms together.
[36:44] In this particular recommendation you have 125 otometers in the region.
[36:49] You have 102 on the number two and then you have 131 number three and you can see the price differential.
[37:00] why a visus over Aflac sir why why a visus recommendation over Aflac and in in a lot
[37:09] of the secondary programs like the progressive premium progressive and
[37:14] the polycarbonates they're covered in full where they're listed as a line item
[37:18] under the Aflac but either or you know it's not something that's a deal killer
[37:23] but again because we did the matrix upfront it to us it doesn't matter
[37:27] whether we choose option one or two.
[37:29] Number three is just that that one's with the incumbent company,
[37:32] but it'll be difficult to underwrite.
[37:35] But nonetheless, one or two can be recommended.
[37:38] Our recommendation was one, but if you choose option two,
[37:42] that we're fine with that as well.
[37:44] When I look at the lenses, option one has $20 copay
[37:47] for the first four entries.
[37:50] When it says covered in full on option two,
[37:52] that means there's no copay.
[37:54] Correct.
[37:54] Yes, sir.
[37:56] And the 66 cents difference between the, between those more inexpensive.
[38:02] Yeah.
[38:03] Not by a lot, but it is.
[38:06] That's really the only significant difference that's on there.
[38:09] Again, we just follow a certain matrix that we use internally, and that's, that's how
[38:14] it came out.
[38:14] Other than that, one or two is, is, is perfectly satisfactory.
[38:19] I would move to approve option two.
[38:21] Second.
[38:22] Looks like a better deal.
[38:25] I think so.
[38:31] We have a motion already on the floor
[38:34] with a second on the avesis.
[38:36] I used to recommend that, or what to do with it.
[38:43] There was a motion on the floor already,
[38:45] but you're changing the motion or is it the same?
[38:47] Oh, was there a motion for avesis?
[38:49] I'm sorry.
[38:49] Yes.
[38:50] I didn't realize that.
[38:51] OK.
[38:52] What was the motion you were trying to make?
[38:55] I'm trying to make the motion for Aflac, option two.
[38:59] But did I make the original motion?
[39:01] I don't know who made, who made the motion.
[39:04] I didn't hear a motion because I was reading, I was reading it, I was excited.
[39:08] I did the second, I don't know who did it, this thing came from this side.
[39:11] It may have been me, I might have just motioned after that.
[39:14] But if it was you, you can re-read all that motion.
[39:16] Yeah, I'll withdraw my motion and move to approve option two.
[39:21] Second.
[39:25] There's a motion in second to go with, who are we going with?
[39:29] Option two.
[39:30] Option two.
[39:31] Yeah. But with who? I'm just like, I'm like, I'm like, I'm like, I'm sorry.
[39:37] Option two is Affleck and I'm I'm going that way because I just it's a more
[39:43] inexpensive plan and has some slightly better coverages.
[39:46] So it just the medical contact lenses are covered in full also.
[39:49] It looks like. Yeah. Pretty much.
[39:53] And what was your recommendation?
[39:56] Where did you all keep staying with the races?
[39:58] We have a matrix that we use, sir, and in the plan that we had, we try to keep it as close
[40:04] to the number of automatrists, which in your previous care, you had 131.
[40:09] And this recommended you have 125.
[40:12] And this one, you have 102, which is not a significant because someone can be in Harlingen,
[40:18] someone can be in McAllen, can be scattered all over the place.
[40:20] But nonetheless, that was that's what the matrix brings out.
[40:23] but we're fine with recommendation one which is a visa or a flag in this case
[40:28] but they're both very so close together that that's the only differential we
[40:33] want to stay consistent when we make a recommendation and that's also but but
[40:36] after like the one commercial curse is made a motion and it's still
[40:40] competitive it won't be any disruption I mean I feel it will be a smooth no
[40:44] suit okay any other discussion all those in favor hi hi against motion
[40:53] And
[40:56] once again, Honorable Mayor and members of the City Commission and City Manager Garza,
[41:02] we're looking at the hospital indemnity program, we received nine proposals, we did a top three
[41:07] ranking and we selected the one that we believe offers the best value to the city.
[41:11] In this case it would be option number one, I'm sorry,
[41:20] I beg your pardon, it's option
[41:22] number three with United Healthcare.
[41:25] They offered a plan that offered $500 a day up to 364 days, which is the most that we
[41:32] saw.
[41:33] So therefore, we're making a recommendation that you accept option number three with United
[41:37] Health Care for hospital and community programs.
[41:54] Sorry, say that.
[41:55] What was the recommendation again?
[41:56] I'm sorry, Ron.
[41:56] I'm sorry, sir.
[41:58] We're looking at option number three with United Health Care.
[42:02] It doesn't have any age banding on it.
[42:03] It offers $500 a day on the base plan and I'm sorry, hospital admissions $500 as $100 a day up to 364 days maximum, which is almost a year in total.
[42:17] So moved.
[42:20] Motion in second.
[42:21] Any further discussion?
[42:22] Any discussion?
[42:24] If not, all those in favor?
[42:26] Aye.
[42:26] Aye.
[42:27] I guess motion passes.
[42:37] Once again, Honorable Mayor and City Commissioners and City Manager Gudsham, again we're looking
[42:44] at the ancillary products group accident.
[42:48] We had, once again, we received nine proposals.
[42:50] We vetted all the proposals that were submitted.
[42:53] We selected the top three.
[42:54] In this particular case, we selected Colonial Life which offered the most competitive proposal
[43:00] and I believe that they offered the best price as well.
[43:04] and therefore we're recommending Colonial Life for the Group Accident Insurance.
[43:11] So moved. Check.
[43:13] Motion second. Discussion?
[43:17] Yeah, some questions.
[43:19] This is, where am I seeing the Colonial Life proposal?
[43:24] Is that what's under, okay, recommend?
[43:26] Group Accident. Group Accident.
[43:27] Yeah, it's a small one.
[43:29] Sorry about that.
[43:30] That's okay.
[43:33] I'm just looking at some of the rate comparison on the other plans and what,
[43:36] why
[43:39] is option one advantageous to well if if you look at the option number three
[43:46] with with the blue cross you can see the comparisons across the board at $1500
[43:52] versus 400 or 1200 and the case where are you looking I'm sorry sir I
[43:57] apologize if you look at option number three if you follow the line on line
[44:01] item they offer two plans and this is blue cross and you have three being
[44:06] offered by Colonial in terms of per per accident if you can see the
[44:12] differentials you have 25,000 under the accident death versus 20 if you can
[44:18] continue downward you can see there's a strike difference between one and the
[44:22] other got it I see it I see it now okay thank you okay
[44:30] that's all I ask
[44:33] All those in favor?
[44:35] Aye.
[44:35] Aye.
[44:36] Yes.
[44:36] Motion passes.
[45:12] Once again, honorable mayor, honorable commissioners, and city manager Garza. Again, we received the
[45:18] proposals for cancer coverage, and we evaluated the top three. We had three of them, one from
[45:25] Colonial, one from Sunlife, and one from Wellfleet. We evaluated all three of them,
[45:32] and we are recommending that the commission renew the current coverage that they currently
[45:37] we have with colonial life, they offer the most competitive proposal based on the first
[45:43] occurrence benefits and other benefits including the private duty nurses and the ambulance
[45:49] service.
[45:52] Move to select option one.
[45:54] Second.
[45:56] Motion second.
[45:56] Discussion?
[46:03] All those in favor?
[46:04] Aye.
[46:04] Aye.
[46:05] Against?
[46:06] Motion passes.
[46:15] Once again, Honorable Mayor and Commissioners and Mr. CMajor Garza.
[46:21] Again, we're looking at the critical illness ancillary product that was submitted.
[46:24] We received nine proposals and we evaluated the proposals.
[46:29] We received the top proposal, which was some option number one from Unum Insurance Company.
[46:34] If you look at it, we took it, we had to do it since it's age banded.
[46:37] We had to take a composite age grouping, which was 45, and we arrived with the understanding
[46:43] that Unum offered the most competitive proposals.
[46:46] If you look at the benefits structure, it also offers a lot more benefits.
[46:49] aside from acute respiratory distress syndrome, pardon me, which is now beginning to be a more
[46:56] common problem in due to COVID. So we're recommending that the commission consider unum as our recommendation
[47:05] for critical elements.
[47:07] So moved.
[47:08] Second.
[47:09] Second.
[47:10] Second discussion.
[47:10] Hold on.
[47:12] Mention that again, acute respiratory distress.
[47:15] Yes, sir.
[47:15] It's one of the underlinings of the after effects of COVID if you've probably seen it a lot on TV.
[47:22] So a lot of those conditions are starting to reappear, which is allergens as you can tell.
[47:27] So this is one of those that the critical illness program will not cover.
[47:31] So now they're identifying it specifically.
[47:35] So but I wanted to point that out so that the employees would understand it doesn't cover.
[47:39] It doesn't cover it.
[47:40] Yes.
[48:18] Yeah. And a lot of the rates were a lot more significantly higher.
[48:21] And some of the benefits are a lot more restrictive as well on the other products and
[48:37] they're also the current income, but by the way
[49:14] Any questions?
[49:16] We're good
[49:27] All those in favor all right against motion passes once
[49:36] again mayor
[49:38] Honorable mayor and honorable members of the Commission and city manager
[49:42] I got some again before you you have the disability program
[49:46] them. We received three proposals. We're asking the commission to review our, sorry about
[49:54] that. I needed bigger funds, but we received three proposals and we're recommended that
[49:58] the commission consider option number two with mutual of Omaha. It offered the more
[50:03] competitive rates. We also have a three-year rate guarantee as well.
[50:17] It carries a load
[50:18] loss, no gain provision as well, so there's no, if someone is currently uninsurable,
[50:23] they'll be able to carry our coverage in enrollment.
[50:44] So move to accept option two.
[50:46] Second.
[50:48] Motion second.
[50:51] Any further discussion?
[50:54] All those in favor?
[50:56] Aye.
[50:57] Motion passes.
[51:04] Again, honorable mayor and members of the city commission
[51:07] and again city manager, Garza, before you once again
[51:11] you have group term life available to employees.
[51:14] We currently have the standard insurance, we're currently asking the board to consider
[51:20] option number three, it's a two-year rate guarantee, I'm sorry, we're asking the board
[51:28] to consider the current carrier, which is option number one, with the standard insurance
[51:32] that offer the most competitive rates,
[51:38] pardon me, again, I apologize, let me rephrase
[51:41] that again.
[51:42] Once again, we're asking, I was talking about the wrong one, we're asking the commission
[51:46] to consider option number two with mutual of Omaha, insurance company, who offered the most
[51:50] competitive rates based on a composite age of proofing of 45 to 54. If you look at the rate
[51:57] structure, it's competitive against all the other three, and we're recommending that you consider
[52:02] option number two with mutual of Omaha for the three-year rate guarantee. The coverage is
[52:07] portable, so employees can take it with them once they leave employment.
[52:13] I'm just confirming you're recommending option two, two, I'm sorry.
[52:18] I was in a different page.
[52:19] So I'm going to do it.
[52:20] Mutes of Omaha for the group term life. Yes, sir.
[52:22] So moved to accept option two for group term life and accidental death.
[52:28] So I see motion in second.
[52:30] Any further discussion?
[52:34] All those in favor.
[52:35] All right.
[52:36] Against motion passes.
[52:37] Once
[52:42] more, Honorable Mayor and Honorable Members of the City Commission and City Manager Cubson.
[52:49] Again, we solicit proposals for flexible spending administration.
[52:54] We received an offer, one offer, and that was with currently with Creative Benefit Administrators.
[53:02] They're offering services that include flexible spending account, dependent childcare,
[53:06] Health Administration benefits and HSA administration.
[53:11] We're asking the commission to consider option number two as recommended by us.
[53:18] Do these have rollover?
[53:22] Do these rollover?
[53:25] Yes, sir.
[53:26] What amount?
[53:27] Five hundred.
[53:27] Five hundred.
[53:28] And what's the max that they can, what's the max right now that they can put in there?
[53:34] The max.
[53:37] 27 if I'm not mistaken.
[53:40] Let me move to the second discussion.
[53:43] Continue. Okay. You're good.
[53:45] They've been answered.
[53:47] Any further discussion?
[53:50] If not, all those in favor?
[53:52] All right.
[53:53] Motion passed.
[54:00] And once again.
[54:11] This one is a new agenda item.
[54:15] I had a discussion consideration toward the employer paid life insurance to the best qualified
[54:21] most advantageous bidder and authorizer mayor to execute any documents possible action.
[54:41] We received three proposals, the proposals included the agents being vetted by the carrier
[54:52] and the city prefers a one-year contract with the option to renew for two
[54:57] additional one-year terms contract will be awarded to the best qualified
[55:03] one-step ventilator.
[55:07] Garza, you can go ahead and present. Let me ask a question
[55:10] because with all the products in the major health insurance, when does the
[55:16] contract end?
[55:20] September 3rd. So you all want to I guess the enrollment will
[55:26] start when?
[55:29] No, not that way, but they find they said they're about two weeks away.
[55:46] Proceed.
[55:48] Once again, Honorable Mayor and members of the City Commission and City Manager Garza,
[55:53] again, we've added the submittals that we received. We have a renewal with
[55:57] currently with Dearborn we have a option number one with Unum option number
[56:02] two with Mutual of Omaha and Sunlife we're asking the city we evaluated both
[56:06] of all of them and we we read it the Mutual of Omaha proposal it's a three
[56:13] year agreement offered the lowest competitive rates we're asking the
[56:16] City Commission to consider an award to Mutual of Omaha for a term of three
[56:20] years with the most competitive proposal.
[56:27] Mayor for the record I'll be
[56:29] abstain from discussion and consideration on this item as well.
[56:32] No denoted.
[56:45] Nobody motion, no recommendation.
[56:48] I'm going to motion.
[56:48] Do you accept option two?
[56:50] I second.
[56:51] Motion second.
[56:53] I second option two.
[56:54] Any further discussion?
[56:57] Not all those in favor?
[56:58] Aye.
[57:00] Motion passes.
[57:06] Those are all the products, right?
[57:08] Yes, sir.
[57:09] Just go to water on D and have the commission decide who the
[57:13] agent of work will be for the major medical.
[57:15] Is that the next step?
[57:16] Is
[57:19] that the next day, Mr. President?
[57:20] That's correct.
[57:39] Ms. Luz, do you want to present what we have in place right now with each product?
[57:44] Okay.
[57:47] So currently for the group health insurance, our agent of record is Jeff Everett and Associates.
[57:58] You were provided with the list.
[57:59] It's in pink, a pink sheet.
[58:05] That is our current agent of record for the health insurance.
[58:11] You want me to continue through the rest of the products?
[58:16] Or do you want to do that by section?
[58:18] I'm sure.
[58:19] We can take one by one and we can read the dialogue.
[58:24] I mean, there's a list here of who are the current agents of record,
[58:29] except for the commissioners.
[58:30] They want to do one by one, then your motion will reflect one.
[58:34] If the commission wants to move all at one time,
[58:36] will the commission agency make the motion for all?
[58:43] We'll probably do one at a time.
[58:44] I think that's just my opinion.
[58:50] I move that we go with the recommendation.
[58:52] for the recommendations.
[58:55] The recommendation from staff is to continue service with Jeff Everett and associates.
[59:00] Second.
[59:04] Motion in second.
[59:06] Any discussion?
[59:09] The rates usually were provided with what they're, is this included or how is this?
[59:16] I'm sorry, I mentioned.
[59:18] The agent of record.
[59:19] The rate shouldn't be affected by selecting the agent.
[59:22] Just the agent of record that the important change the amount.
[59:27] The amount. Okay. Yes. Okay.
[59:29] Doesn't change the rates.
[59:34] Any further discussion?
[59:36] Is not all those in favor?
[59:38] Hi.
[59:39] Against motion passes.
[59:45] Okay. The next one we have the dental insurance and our
[59:48] current agent of record is Jeff Everett and associates and
[59:51] the miss financial miss
[59:58] loose.
[1:00:00] Can you elaborate on, because you have two companies here, what's the history on that, how did that come about?
[1:00:11] I would rather that Mr. Garza go ahead and explain how that came about as far as how the agents signed for this account.
[1:00:26] Yes, sir. And again, Honorable Mayor and members of the Commission and City Manager,
[1:00:32] we got to say at the time it was a split that the Commission was trying to afford some
[1:00:37] business across the community. So it offered both services or actually both agencies
[1:00:44] the opportunity to be able to service the same account. So that's how we ended up
[1:00:48] with two agents in the same account. It was kind of like a split. It was something
[1:00:52] for one and half for the other. So it's entirely up to the Commission whether it can continue
[1:00:57] with two or one.
[1:01:01] Thank you.
[1:01:07] I guess it's too late now but what I would have liked to have added here just tells us
[1:01:11] who's the current and you had told us initially that there was others right like for and it's
[1:01:18] too late now. I mean I guess we went with this but with all the ages of records because
[1:01:28] here we have them as United Health. We're going to Blue Cross Blue Shield and we're past that.
[1:01:36] Never mind. I guess for the agent record here we have them there.
[1:01:42] So I think what the commissioners are talking about is the agent records that were vetted is
[1:01:51] what you're asking. Those are listed on the tabulation that was provided.
[1:01:59] It's right below the carrier name.
[1:02:06] Right, and those were vetted not by our consultant, but they were vetted by the carrier.
[1:02:13] Before the carrier.
[1:02:13] Okay.
[1:02:20] Does that answer your question?
[1:02:21] I'm sorry.
[1:02:21] Here.
[1:02:23] Okay.
[1:02:24] So, for example, for Delta Dental, we have Salazar Insurance Group, Jeff Everett and Associates and Texas Insurance Service Center.
[1:02:42] is the option also available to go with who's currently doing it the income now
[1:02:47] even if that wasn't one of the vetted ones I guess I don't know understand
[1:02:51] no it's there I mean you can do whatever you want I mean even if the name of the
[1:02:56] agent is not the one that they need to carry so that you can make you can add
[1:03:00] another agent that's not there that's just the top three that they're
[1:03:04] recommending isn't I asked that question okay to mr. Gasser and I don't think
[1:03:08] none of them are barred or banned from you know the three that were vetted yeah not
[1:03:12] the three I read I'm not any any agent yes and this pink this is just the
[1:03:17] incumbents right just currently who has the agent that type of agent of record
[1:03:22] yes no
[1:03:39] we're in the dental no no no one's made a motion for an agent there
[1:03:45] in the dental I
[1:03:51] like to make a motion to appoint the agent of record on the
[1:03:55] dental as a Yvonne of the one motion
[1:04:04] in the second and discussion many
[1:04:11] for
[1:04:11] discussion not all those in favor I against motion passes vision hey the
[1:04:24] current agent of record for the vision is Jeff Everett and associates and
[1:04:29] Thomas financial with the this is one where we selected athletic is that
[1:04:36] Right. Correct. Yes. I'll move to, to select about benefits group for the vision.
[1:04:42] Second.
[1:04:46] Motion is second. Any further discussion?
[1:04:54] All those in favor?
[1:04:56] All right. I guess motion passes.
[1:05:01] Okay. The next one would
[1:05:07] be the hospital indemnity and the current
[1:05:09] agent of record is Salasat insurance.
[1:05:12] Make
[1:05:17] a motion to keep Salasat insurance.
[1:05:19] Second. Motion is second. Any further discussion? All those in favor?
[1:05:28] For the group accident, we have the current agent of record Texas insurance center.
[1:05:37] But who's going to be the carry on that?
[1:05:38] That would be Colonial.
[1:05:44] Make a motion for Salazar Insurance Group.
[1:05:48] I second.
[1:05:50] Motion second for Salazar Insurance Group.
[1:05:54] Any further discussion?
[1:05:56] All those in favor?
[1:05:57] Aye.
[1:05:59] Against?
[1:06:00] Motion passes.
[1:06:04] The next one, for the cancer insurance, the current agent of record is Salazar Insurance.
[1:06:11] What's the, and what carrier did we select?
[1:06:14] It's Colonial.
[1:06:14] Colonial.
[1:06:18] I'm going to re-keep Salazar Insurance.
[1:06:20] Second.
[1:06:22] Motion in second?
[1:06:23] Any further discussion?
[1:06:25] All those in favor?
[1:06:27] Aye.
[1:06:27] Aye.
[1:06:27] Aye.
[1:06:28] for the critical illness. We have the current agent of record Salazar insurance. I make a
[1:06:37] motion to appoint Asian record of Jeff Efret and associates. Second. Second.
[1:06:45] Motion second.
[1:06:46] All those in favor? All right. Motion passes.
[1:06:52] The next one, the disability. Current agent
[1:06:56] of record is Jeff Everett and associates and Thomas financial make a motion for
[1:07:03] Salasad insurance that's there the motion second and for discussion those
[1:07:13] in favor hi the
[1:07:18] next one for the group term life and a D&D current agent of
[1:07:22] record is Jeff Everett and associates and Thomas financial I make a motion to
[1:07:27] to re-appoint or keep Jeff Everett and associates in Spanish.
[1:07:31] Second.
[1:07:32] Motion second.
[1:07:33] Fair discussion.
[1:07:35] All those in favor?
[1:07:36] Aye.
[1:07:37] Against?
[1:07:38] Motion passes.
[1:07:42] And the next one for flexible spending administration, current agent of record is Salazar Insurance.
[1:07:49] I make a motion to appoint Jeff Everett and associates.
[1:07:59] Motion second.
[1:07:59] Okay.
[1:08:05] There's no agent on it on that. It's just no agent.
[1:08:15] So we don't need to. Okay. So we're done.
[1:08:22] Okay. I guess now we go to the employer paid life insurance.
[1:08:38] to make a correction here for the flexible spending administration, we do have an agent
[1:08:44] of record and it is, um, Salazar insurance with a motion to keep. Yeah, we did a motion
[1:08:50] to keep. No, the motion was motion was for her. That's right. Salazar is the only one
[1:08:59] Yes.
[1:09:00] I make a motion to keep him.
[1:09:02] Well, I had already made the motion too.
[1:09:03] Yeah, there's already a motion and second for Jeff Everett.
[1:09:07] He was invented.
[1:09:11] The fees are going to be paid by the city.
[1:09:14] They're not paid by the agent.
[1:09:15] In the previous account, they were absorbed inside the policy itself,
[1:09:20] but these are straight out fees.
[1:09:22] So there's no agent.
[1:09:23] If you appoint an agent, then the agent is going to have to pay the fees
[1:09:26] on behalf of the city, which is in violation of TDI regulations.
[1:09:30] So I recommend that you just leave that portion out of the Asian connection.
[1:09:34] Yeah, even on the other program, because there was an agent.
[1:09:38] We don't need a record of this.
[1:09:40] That's what you're saying.
[1:09:41] So there's no record of it.
[1:09:42] Okay, let's go to the third party,
[1:09:50] the employer paid life.
[1:09:52] I'm sorry.
[1:09:53] The employer paid term life and ADND that is agent of record Thomas.
[1:09:57] make a motion for Salazar insurance effect a motion in second if I discuss it
[1:10:05] all those in favor I motion passes thank
[1:10:18] you thank you mr. Arson thank you
[1:10:22] guys let's go let's go to item a item a discussion and consideration on the
[1:10:30] notice order of election calling the general election on November 7th 2023 for
[1:10:35] the city of Westaco mayor for city of Westaco mayor single member district
[1:10:40] commissioner commissioner district one and single member commissioner district two
[1:10:45] and authorize the mayor to execute any related documents possible action so
[1:10:49] move second motion second all those in favor hi motion passes mayor we we need
[1:10:57] call the order of election for November 7th 2023 candidate filing period
[1:11:05] started July 22nd and August 21st of 2023.
[1:11:12] So I ask for your recommendation of approval to order
[1:11:16] the election. Is that an item or is it within this item?
[1:11:23] That's the same item mayor order of
[1:11:26] election.
[1:11:27] You know those in favor?
[1:11:29] All right.
[1:11:29] Motion passes.
[1:11:31] Item B, discussion, consideration on resolution number 2023-48, accepting a Texas Department
[1:11:38] of Transportation general aviation on preliminary, primary, entitlement grant, and authorize
[1:11:46] a merit to execute any related documents for a selection.
[1:11:49] So moved.
[1:11:50] Second.
[1:11:51] Motion second.
[1:11:53] Discussion?
[1:11:54] Good evening, Mayor and Commissioners.
[1:11:55] Because this is our CIP funding grant, we're allocated $150,000 every year for the airport.
[1:12:00] We are able to combine four years' worth of funding, which is $600,000, what we're asking
[1:12:05] for is a resolution to accept the non-primary entitlement monies in the amount of $600,000.
[1:12:10] The project is going to be a CIP project, which is the crack ceiling and the re-top
[1:12:15] ceiling of the asphalt taxiway and taxi lanes at the airport.
[1:12:18] The cost is going to be about $1.2 million.
[1:12:20] dollars there is a 10% match of I believe it's $114,000 correct and what
[1:12:29] we did is we asked every year for every time we do a CIP funding we go to the
[1:12:33] EDC for requests to have them pay the local match we have we're gonna have our
[1:12:38] item on their agenda on the 16th meeting so right now we're asking for
[1:12:41] approval on the grant and acceptance of the grant for the CIP for the tech
[1:12:44] stop. Staffs recommending approval.
[1:12:52] All those in favor?
[1:12:53] Aye. Against motion passes. Item C discussion consideration to approve a
[1:12:58] solution number 2023-49 accepting a Texas Department
[1:13:03] Transportation General Aviation Grant unauthorized
[1:13:07] America to execute any related documents possible action.
[1:13:10] So moved. Second. Motion in second discussion.
[1:13:13] Good evening, Mayor and Commissioners. This item is the item that we have
[1:13:16] published for the writer as part of the biennium allocated budget for the state of Texas.
[1:13:22] We asked for $5 million for hangers to be built at the airport. We were awarded those
[1:13:26] $5 million, so congratulations to you and your efforts for obtaining that funding.
[1:13:29] It is a text.grant, which requires a 10% local match, which is about $556,000. That
[1:13:35] is unbudgeted, so we'll have to do a budget amendment at the end of this fiscal year
[1:13:38] for that. We're hoping we already solicited. You already approved us to solicit the
[1:13:42] engineers for this project. So we're looking to break ground next next year
[1:13:46] around spring for these hangers. We do have potential negotiations going on with
[1:13:52] tenants and staff recommends approval. How many hangers are we going to be?
[1:13:57] That's what we're going to work on with the engineers. We have about five
[1:14:00] million. What we did with the EVA grant is we had two hanger buildings
[1:14:04] with six bases allocated that cost us 1.2 million. So we're able to do a
[1:14:07] little bit bigger and a little bit more of hangers with the five million
[1:14:10] dollars that were allocated. We're looking at a much bigger project.
[1:14:13] What we're looking to get the $555,000. That would have to come from the general
[1:14:18] fund. Right.
[1:14:21] And so we'll put it out there in regards to what was it, the doors or the
[1:14:27] windows that was last time? That was only one. We'll go with the different sliding
[1:14:30] doors. Instead of the automated bifold doors, we'll go with sliding doors this
[1:14:33] time.
[1:14:35] There's only like one vendor for that, right? At the end of the day. No.
[1:14:38] What we're going to do is we're going to do custom build. We're going to do
[1:14:39] different. I believe we went individualized when certification three we're
[1:14:44] hoping what the engineers will be able to design those and build those with local
[1:14:47] vendors and go out for more competitive bid on those rather than go after
[1:14:52] erected tube like we did last time. Thank you.
[1:15:02] Any further discussion? All those in favor? Aye. Against motion passes. Thank you. Item G, discussion
[1:15:10] and consideration to accept and file the financial reports unaudited as of June 30th, 2023 for
[1:15:16] the General Fund, Water and Sewer Fund, Solid Waste Fund, and Airport Fund and Authorizing
[1:15:21] Mayor to execute any related documents, possible action. So moved. Second. Motion and second
[1:15:27] discussion. Thank you Mayor and Commission. The general fund had an operating surplus of
[1:15:32] $4.2 million. Sales tax received maintained a 5% increase from fiscal year 2022. The Advilorum
[1:15:40] Taxes collection rate was at 95.89% at the end of June. We continue to maintain a strong
[1:15:47] number of working capital days at 127 days. Water wastewater is showing a 416,000 surplus
[1:15:55] when calculating the net change of revenues over expenditures.
[1:16:00] Currently, we have 85 days in working capital.
[1:16:04] Solid waste fund net change and fund equity reflects a surplus of $370,000.
[1:16:11] We currently have negative 10 working capital days.
[1:16:14] We have decreased that since the beginning of the fiscal year.
[1:16:19] Airport funds still reflects a negative net change.
[1:16:22] staff is recommending acceptance and filing of these reports.
[1:16:31] I have a question. I guess in the solid waste, is it because the other equipment was funded up?
[1:16:38] We're trying to make up the difference on the capital outlay of the capital investment.
[1:16:43] The working capital for solid sanitation includes a $2 million note to the water and sewer fund that hasn't been repaid.
[1:16:54] That's why the working capital is so low.
[1:16:58] So
[1:17:00] you're paying that money back or you're showing it's a debt or is it being paid back?
[1:17:04] That's where the capital...
[1:17:05] The money hasn't been paid back.
[1:17:06] We need to work on a plan to start repaying that debt back to sanitation.
[1:17:11] The plan was to wait for the CDM contract or the lawsuit to repay any monies received from that to the sanitation.
[1:17:22] But we don't receive any money. What's our alternative? What's our plan?
[1:17:26] Start making small dips out of maybe annual payments of $250,000 depending on how water and sewer are doing.
[1:17:37] And this is the solid waste, right? Not the sand too?
[1:17:40] Solid waste sanitation, yes. Sorry, I used them interchangeably.
[1:17:47] The solid waste or the sanitation?
[1:17:49] it's both sir it's either or it's not with we call it solid waste but it's a
[1:17:58] trash yes garbage yes garbage okay sorry okay what
[1:18:07] are the projections are
[1:18:07] they looking good projections for which fund the sewer and who's the second
[1:18:13] one water and sewer yeah water and sewer water is doing well sewer is is
[1:18:22] struggling a little bit with the debt payments. Okay. So right now water is
[1:18:30] keeping both of them afloat.
[1:18:34] But the projection of the solid waste in the
[1:18:37] garbage collection, is it going to increase? Yes. Solid waste is
[1:18:42] increasing. Their projection to end the year at maybe close to a million
[1:18:48] dollars in operating revenues over expenditures after the operations and
[1:18:53] because we're coming to budget here so eventually it'll it'll create you know I
[1:19:01] guess a balance yes the working capital days will will increase but then you can
[1:19:06] amortize or not amortize but pay out the two million that was borrowed I guess
[1:19:12] it was borrowed to buy equipment. We borrowed money from the waste water to go to the sanitation
[1:19:20] or the Southern Waste Fund for what purpose? I would have to research on what the purpose
[1:19:26] of that transfer was. I don't have an answer for you.
[1:19:37] But we need a motion to, I guess,
[1:19:39] a sip. Is the motion I would afford to accept? And for other financial reports, yes, is
[1:19:42] All those in favor?
[1:19:44] Aye.
[1:19:45] Yes.
[1:19:45] Motion passes.
[1:19:47] Item H, discussion and consideration to accept and file the quarterly investment report for
[1:19:53] the period ending June 30th, 2023, and authorize the matter to execute any related documents,
[1:19:58] possible action.
[1:19:59] So moved.
[1:20:00] Motion to second discussion.
[1:20:02] I have submitted the quarterly investment report for the period ending June 30, 2023.
[1:20:08] Interest payments collected continue to surpass the budget in amounts.
[1:20:11] We collected $663,000 in the third quarter of fiscal year 2023.
[1:20:17] Total interest earned to date is $1.4 million, of which $433,000 is allocated to the general
[1:20:24] fund.
[1:20:25] The remaining is distributed to the respected funds.
[1:20:29] Staff is recommending acceptance and filing of these reports.
[1:20:33] And
[1:20:58] is the interest is earned?
[1:20:59] You put it back in the general fund and you said for record or what are we doing
[1:21:02] with the interest?
[1:21:04] The majority of the interest is in the INS funds and the debt funds, so those are being
[1:21:10] used to fund the capital projects, your 400 funds.
[1:21:15] The general fund is being put back to the general fund to invest in parks or streets
[1:21:21] and other projects as they arise.
[1:21:26] All right.
[1:21:27] All those in favor?
[1:21:29] Aye.
[1:21:29] Aye.
[1:21:30] I guess?
[1:21:30] motion passes. Thank you. Item I, discussion consideration of a proposed
[1:21:35] memorandum of agreement MOA with research applied technology education
[1:21:40] service Inc. rates for the preparation of a regional Texas pollutant
[1:21:45] discharge elimination system TT TPDES storm water program plan and permit
[1:21:53] possible action. So moved. Thank you. Motion second discussion. Good evening Mayor
[1:21:59] Mayor, commissioners, and Mr. Garza, and Mr. Muñoz, this item pertains to an agreement
[1:22:04] that's proposed with the, actually it's with the lower Rio Grande Valley TPDES stormwater
[1:22:10] task force partnership Inc. They propose to assist us with the continued compliance
[1:22:17] with the MS4 permits for TCEQ, for phase two of the stormwater management, and they
[1:22:24] They propose to assist us for a fee of $8,000.
[1:22:27] What they will do is apply, do the application, and also prepare the stormwater management
[1:22:34] program plan, and they will also give us the notice of intent that's required as part
[1:22:42] of this TCEQ regulations.
[1:22:44] Staff recommends approval of this agreement.
[1:22:51] All those in favor?
[1:22:52] All right.
[1:22:52] Against motion passes.
[1:22:53] item J discussion consideration of the proposed memorandum of agreement MOA
[1:23:00] with research applied technology education service ink rates for the use of
[1:23:05] city's public works facility located at 1902 North Stevens Boulevard possible
[1:23:11] action so second motion second discussion yes good evening mayor
[1:23:16] Commission. This item is a proposed agreement with rates research applied
[1:23:23] technology education service. They want to use our public works facility to be
[1:23:29] able to assemble some real-time hydrologic stations. These are stations that
[1:23:34] are installed in in ditches and channels and they help give out various
[1:23:40] pieces of information. One of them is the water rising, the level of the
[1:23:45] water rising. They provide some alerts and notifications. They want to assemble
[1:23:50] use of facilities to assemble all these units. In return for the use of our
[1:23:55] facilities, they propose to give us two real-time hydrologic stations at our
[1:24:00] location of our juicings and these will help us to monitor where we select
[1:24:07] them and monitor during a storm event the rising of the channel flows at
[1:24:15] each of our discharge points if that's where we choose them.
[1:24:19] And right now that recommends approval of this agreement.
[1:24:24] What was that?
[1:24:24] No.
[1:24:25] And right now where would you position those?
[1:24:29] Oh, right now we're probably looking at the, over here, station number three.
[1:24:35] We recognize that station number one and number two are more than likely going to
[1:24:40] perform well during upcoming storm events.
[1:24:42] but I think that pump station number three and possibly the new pump house on
[1:24:47] tip 15 I think those would be probably good sites to to look at but we'll
[1:24:54] consider anything that you that you want us to to consider yeah but I'd like to
[1:24:58] consider that one on tip 15 I know a few months ago and from Mark mentioned there
[1:25:04] was some some grease piling up in that area maybe try to look at that in
[1:25:08] address yeah this would be a good location to put this facility and the
[1:25:12] benefit of this of this tool is it'll give us alerts it'll give us a lot of
[1:25:17] information regarding the discharge the stormwater runoff that's going through
[1:25:22] those channels.
[1:25:30] All those in favor? Aye. Motion passes. Motion to go to Executive Session. Second.
[1:25:36] Motion to go to Executive Session. All those in favor? Aye. I guess motion passes.
[1:25:42] It's seven on two and we're in Executive Session.
[1:25:51] Executive Session. A
[1:25:53] personnel discussion regarding goals objectives and evaluation of the city
[1:25:57] manager for the city of Wessec was authorized by section 551.074 of Texas
[1:26:03] government code be personnel evaluation and interview of municipal judges and
[1:26:08] possible selection of municipal judges for the city of Wessec is
[1:26:11] authorized by section 551.074 of Texas government code see legal
[1:26:17] consultation, consultation with city attorney regarding the lawsuit style C-1678-22A Christopher
[1:26:24] Lillian aircraft maintenance, professional versus city of Wessego and Andrew Munoz individually
[1:26:30] as authorized by section 551.071 of the Texas government code, D, real property, consultation
[1:26:38] with city attorney regarding the purchase exchange lease or value of real property legally
[1:26:42] described as lots 18 19 2021 and 22 block 42 west of original town site West
[1:26:49] Godot County Texas as authorized by section 551.072 of the Texas government
[1:26:55] code
[1:27:00] it's a 59 we're back in regular session motion
[1:27:20] in second all those in
[1:27:21] favor I against motion passes motion
[1:27:35] in second all those in favor I against
[1:27:38] motion passes. Motion to adjourn. Motion to adjourn. All those in favor?
[1:27:43] Aye. Meeting adjourned. Aye. Eight o'clock.