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[CALL TO ORDER ]

[00:00:15]

A MOVIE OF THE MCALLEN PUBLIC UTILITY BOARD .

>> CALLING THE MEETING TO ORDER. PLEASE STAND FOR THE PLEDGE OF

[PLEDGE]

ALLEGIANCE. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.

[INVOCATION]

>> HEAVENLY FATHER, WE COME TO IN PRAYER TODAY ASKING YOU TO LEAD US IN WHAT WE DO TODAY. MAY BE TO THE WELL-BEING OF THE UTILITY IN THE CITY AND THE COMMUNITY. PRAY FATHER FOR OUR NATION AND PRAY FOR THOSE UNFORTUNATE THINGS THAT HAVE HAPPENED IN THE RECENT WEEKS. PRAY FATHER, FOR THE NATION'S OF ISRAEL AND UNITED STATES. WE PRAY FOR ALL OF THOSE THINGS IN

YOUR NAME. >> AMEN.

>> IF YOU WOULD, . >> YES, MR. CHAIRMAN, BOARD

[EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR - ESTEBAN ROMERO - WASTEWATER PLANT ]

MEMBERS. HE COULDN'T BE HER IN PERSON BUT WE HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF RECOGNIZING OUR EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR . HE ACTUALLY IS ON GRAVEYARD SHIFT BUT HE IS THE EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR OUT OF THE WASTEWATER PLANT. IT IS ESTEBAN ROMERO. VERY HUMBLE YOUNG MAN.

HARD-WORKING YOUNG MAN. EVEN THOUGH HE COULDN'T BE HERE PHYSICALLY, WE WERE ABLE TO PRODUCE A VERY SHORT VIDEO WITH HIM SAYING SOME WORDS. WE WOULD LOVE TO PLAY THAT FOR YOU ALL

RIGHT NOW. >> I WANT TO EXTEND MY GRATITUDE TO MY FELLOW COWORKERS . HOPEFULLY I HAVE THE CHANCE TO CONTINUE WORKING HERE FOR MANY YEARS TO COME.

>> YOU CAN TELL HE IS EXCITED. I KNOW HE IS NOT HERE BUT I WANT

TO HAVE A ROUND OF APPLAUSE. >>

>> I DON'T THINK IT WAS TOO LONG AGO WHEN HE WON THE EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH AND PULLED OUT A LARGE PAPER FOR A SPEECH.

AND SO WE GOT A KICK OUT OF THAT. JUST A GREAT YOUNG MAN AND REALLY EMBODIES THE SPIRIT OF THE EMPLOYEES. SEVERE HONOR TO HAVE CHOSEN HIM AS THE EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR. THAT IS IT MR.

CHAIR. >> WE HAVE TO COMMEND HIM FOR ALL OF HIS HARD WORK AND CERTAINLY TO HAVE BEEN THE EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH AS WE HAVE HAD SEVERAL. MOST IMPORTANTLY, HIS CONTINUED HARD WORK AND BEST THOUGHTS TO ALL THOSE AROUND

[1. MINUTES: ]

[a) Approval of the Minutes for the Regular Meeting held October 24, 2023. ]

HIM. >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR HARD WORK.

>> NEXT ITEM PLEASE. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FOR THE REGULAR

MEETING HELD OCTOBER 24TH, 2023. >> SO MOVED.

>> SECOND. >> ANY CORRECTIONS OR ADDITIONS?

>> ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. >> AYE.

>> OPPOSED. >> AYE HAS IT. NEXT ITEM.

[2. CONSENT AGENDA: ]

[a) Discussion and Approval of The District Phase III Subdivision ]

[b) Discussion and Approval of Victoria's Oaks Subdivision ]

[c) Approval of the Austin 495 Plaza Subdivision ]

[d) Discussion and Approval of Sharpless Square Subdivision ]

[e) Discussion and Approval of Ware Hotel Group LP Subdivision ]

>> MR. CHAIR AND BOARD MEMBERS, ITEMS 2A THROUGH 2I ARE

[f) Discussion and Approval of Harvest Cove Ph.1 ]

ALL CONSENT AGENDA. FEEL FREE TO TAKE ONE OFF IF YOU CHOOSE.

[g) Resolution of the Public Utility Board of Trustees of the Public Utility of the City of McAllen, Texas Designating Maria Chavero as an Investment Officer along with Sergio Villasana, Marco A. Vega, P.E., Valeria Rios, and Roel Rodriguez, P.E. for the McAllen Public Utility of the City of McAllen, Texas ]

[h) Resolution of the Board of Trustees of the City of McAllen Public Utility, Hidalgo County, Texas, Amending TexPool Authorized Representatives and Providing an Effective Date ]

[i) Resolution of the Public Utility Board of Trustees of the Public Utility of the City of McAllen, Texas Appointing Maria Chavero as Treasurer for the McAllen Public Utility of the City of McAllen, Texas]

>> A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF ALL THE ITEMS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA? NO DISCUSSION, ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

[3. BIDS AND CONTRACTS: ]

[a) Purchase of two WEMCO RAS pumps from Vera Environmental Solutions LLC., for the amount of $67,785.04. ]

>> OPPOSED, SAME SIGN. >> MOTION PASSES.

>> NEXT ITEM PLEASE. >> ITEM 3A'S PURCHASE OF 2WEMC OF SCOPE RAS COMES FROM VERA AND NORTH ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS LLC FOR THE AMOUNT OF $67,785.04. WE HAVE OUR

DIRECTOR. >> VOTE FOR APPROVAL.

[b) Discussion and approval of purchase of a 60-Tier Compact Excavator Buyboard Contract #685-22 from Doggett Heavy Machinery, $89,000.00]

[c) Consideration and Approval of Purchase of Heavy Duty Construction Equipment from Doggett Heavy Equipment Machinery, LLC out of San Juan, TX ]

>> MOTION TO APPROVE. SECOND? >> I WILL SECOND. LESSER NEEDS TO BE A DISCUSSION, THESE ARE BUDGET BY BOARD?

>> I WOULD ASK IF THEY COULD INCLUDE 3B FOR APPROVAL. IT WAS

A LOW BID AND UNDER BUDGET. >> AND 3C ALSO?

>> THAT IS HEAVY EQUIPMENT. THAT IS ALSO PURCHASED FROM --

[00:05:05]

IT IS NOT (INDISCERNIBLE) BUT A DIFFERENT ONE. WE WERE ABLE TO PURCHASE THAT UNDER BUDGET AS WELL.

>> WAS IS THE ONE THAT WAS A SINGLE BID?

>> NO. THE PUMPS WERE SINGLE BID. THAT WAS 3A.

>> AND 3C. >> YES.

>> I WILL SECOND. >> MOTION AND A SECOND. AND A CORRECTED MOTION SECOND TO INCLUDE ITEMS 3A, B AND C. ANY

DISCUSSION? >> ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE.

[4. UTILITY LAYOUTS: ]

[a) Discussion and Approval of the Amended Service Area for the Hoehn Lift Station Project. ]

>> OPPOSED, SAME SIGN. >> MOTION PASSES.

>> NEXT ITEM. >> NUMBER A IS DISCUSSION AND APPROVAL OF THE AMENDED SERVICE AREA FOR THE HOEHN LIFT STATION

PROJECT. >> AFTERNOON CHAIRMAN AND

MEMBERS OF THE BOARD. >> HOW ARE YOU TODAY?

>> DOING GOOD. >> THE STATION IMPROVEMENTS WERE COMPLETED IN LATE 2017 WITH THE REIMBURSEMENT SERVICE AREA APPROVED BY THE BOARD IN 2018. THE COST OF THE IMPROVEMENTS TOTALED $528,895.90 AND HAD AN ORIGINAL SERVICE AREA OF 367 ACRES. THE ORIGINAL ASSESSED COST PER ACRE WAS $1441.13. NO PROPERTIES HAVE BEEN ASSESSED AT THIS TIME. RECENTLY, THERE HAS BEEN A PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT BETWEEN 29TH STREET AND MONTECRISTO. THE PROJECT ENGINEER HAS LOOKED AT THE AREA TO SEE HOW IT COULD BE PROVIDED -- HOW SEWER SERVICE CAN BE PROVIDED. HAS ESTABLISHED THAT THE BEST OPTION WOULD BE TO CONNECT TO THE WASTEWATER LINE THAT WAS INSTALLED WITH THE STATION IMPROVEMENTS EXTENSION OF A 12-INCH WASTEWATER LINE ABOUT 4000 FEET TO WHAT IS PROPOSED TO HELP SERVICE THE PROPERTY. FOR THE DEVELOPMENT EXTENDING THE WASTEWATER LINE, IT OPENS UP THE SERVICE AREA THAT WAS ORIGINALLY FOR THE STATION AND WHICH STAFF DETERMINED THE LIFT STATION COULD SERVICE A TOTAL OF 910 ACRES WITH THE PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS. WITH THE CHANGE OF THE SERVICE AREA, THE NEW COST PER ACRE WOULD BE $581.20. STAFF RECOMMENDS APPROVAL OF THE

REVISED SERVICE AREA. >> DISCUSSION MR. CHAIR .

>> A MOTION TO PASS. >> MOTION TO SECOND.

>> WE HAVE A SECOND. >> WE DO.

>> I HAVE NOT SEEN ONE OF THESE BEFORE. I HAVE QUESTIONS. BUT WHENEVER YOU SPEND MONEY TO IMPROVE OR UPGRADE A LIFT STATION, IS THAT UPGRADE OR IMPROVEMENT GOING TO EXTEND THE NUMBER OF ACRES WHICH YOU SERVE, . IS THAT THE PURPOSE OF THE

UPGRADE? >> YES. WE ARE LOOKING AT WHAT THE DEVELOPER IS WANTING TO DO AND EXTEND THE LINE. IT DOES OPEN UP THE AREA THAT IT SERVICES. THAT IS WHAT IS

HAPPENING HERE. >> OKAY. AND IF I'M UNDERSTANDING CORRECTLY, THE LAW ALLOWS THE CITY TO RECOVER THE COST OF THE UPGRADE. IN THIS CASE, THE CITY HAS NOT TAKEN THAT STEP OR ELSE IT WOULD BE IN FRONT OF US TODAY .

>> CORRECT. >> WHO IS PAYING? THE DEVELOPER

KICKING IN FOR COST? >> YES.

>> AS I UNDERSTAND, ALL OF THE IMPROVEMENTS ARE BEING PAID FOR

BY THE DEVELOPER. >> I HAVE GENERAL QUESTIONS.

WHEN I FIRST CAME ON, A LOT OF THE DISCUSSION WAS, AND I REMEMBER THIS FROM MY TIME ON THE COMMISSION TOO, WE HAD BEEN MANNING THE STATIONS AS I RECALL AND THEN WENT TO A MORE GRAVITY BASED -- IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN GRAVITY BASED. BUT WITH UPGRADES, IMPROVEMENTS AND TECHNOLOGY, YOU ARE EXPANDING THAT CAPACITY OF THE GRAVITY BASED. SO HOW DOES THIS FIT INTO THE WHOLE PLAN WE DISCUSSED? IT SEEMS TO ME -- IS BEING EXTENDED JUST TO GET THIS PROPERTY DEVELOPED ON THE MARKET? OR IS THIS PART OF THE ACTUAL -- CAN YOU SAY THIS IS

ACTUALLY PART OF THE PLAN? >> IN THIS CASE, IT IS PART OF THE PLAN. IF YOU LOOK AT THE STATION MAP, YOU WILL SEE THE SUBDIVISION TO THE FAR RIGHT END OF YEARS AGO, THAT WAS ACTUALLY -- TO SEAL THE SEWER COLLECTION SYSTEM THERE.

>> THAT WAS ALL -- MAYBE 4-5 YEARS AGO.

>> SOMEWHERE IN THAT TIMEFRAME. WE PARTNERED WITH THE COUNTY .

[00:10:01]

I FORGET THE PRECINCT NUMBER. BUT WE PARTNERED WITH THE COUNTY TO PROVIDE SEWER SERVICE TO THE SUBDIVISION.

>>

>> THE LIGHT GREEN SHADED CIRCLE OR SQUARE IS THE LIFT STATION THAT WAS NEEDED TO BE CONSTRUCTED TO SERVE THE AREA AND THEN PUMP SELF ALL THE WAY TO THE LIGHT GREEN SQUARE ON THE BOTTOM OF THE MAP. IN THIS CASE, YOU ARE RIGHT. WE TYPICALLY TRY TO AVOID AS BEST WE CAN FOR BUILDING NEW LIFT STATIONS.

HOWEVER, IN THIS SITUATION, WE JUST DID NOT HAVE THE ELEVATION TO GET TO THE SUBDIVISION AND BUILD THE SEWER LINE ALL THE WAY SOUTH. SO IT DID REQUIRE THE LIFT STATION THERE. NOW WE ARE ABLE TO CAPTURE AND THE ENGINEERS DID A GOOD JOB OUTLINING AN AREA THAT NOW WE CAN CAPTURE AND UTILIZE AND THEN IT WILL PUMP SELF TO THE STATION AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE. YOU ARE RIGHT. WE DEFINITELY LOOK FOR THE FIRST OPTION WHICH IS BY GRAVITY. AND IF THAT IS JUST UNFEASIBLE OR NOT PHYSICALLY POSSIBLE BY ELEVATION, THEN WE HAVE TO BUILD ANOTHER STATION.

>> THESE ARE THE STATIONS THAT ARE PART OF YOUR LONG-TERM PLAN?

>> YES. >> THAT IS ONE OF THE CONSEQUENCES OF LIVING IN AN AREA THAT IS JUST SO FLAT. WE

HAVE LITTLE ELEVATION. >> JUST INCONSISTENT WITH WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT. THAT IS WHY I WAS ASKING QUESTIONS.

>> IN THIS PARTICULAR CASE, IT IS THE CONTINGENCY TIME TO SERVE

THE AREA. >> RIGHT.

>> I THINK LOOKING AT IT, LOOKING AT THE IDEA OF AN EXTENSION GRAVITY LINE OUT THAT WAY WOULD TAKE THE ENTIRE AREA BACK INTO AND ELIMINATE. BUT THAT IS YEARS DOWN THE ROAD.

>> I WOULD ASSUME YOU WOULD HAVE TO HAVE A LARGE AMOUNT OF LAND BE DEVELOPED TO MAKE THAT FEASIBLE. BECAUSE YOU ARE GOING DEEPER AND IT IS EXPENSIVE. SO YOU WANT TO MAKE IT AS

INAUDIBLE ] AS POSSIBLE. >> THANK YOU. YOU ANSWERED MY QUESTIONS. I MOVE TO AMEND MY MOTION TO APPROVAL.

>> MOTION TO SECOND. ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? HEARING ON, ALL IN

[b) Discussion and Approval of Las Brisas Phase 1 Subdivision. ]

FAVOR SAY AYE. >> OPPOSED, SAME SIGN. MOTION

PASSES. >> NEXT ITEM.

>> ITEM 4B IS DISCUSSION AND APPROVAL OF THE LAS BRISAS PHASE 1 SUBDIVISION WHICH IS A SUBDIVISION WE JUST SPOKE ABOUT AS PART OF THE SERVICE AREA HERE.

>> THE PROPERTY IS LOCATED ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF MONTECRISTO AND THE WEST SIDE OF 29TH STREET. IT IS LOCATED WITHIN CITY LIMITS AND IS PROPOSED AS THE ONE RESIDENTIAL. THE TRACT CONSISTS OF THREE. -- 33.3074 ACRES OF SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES.

THIS FALLS WITHIN THE WATER SUPPLY CORPORATION, WATER CCM.

THE APPLICANT WILL BE ASKED TO COORDINATE FOR THE WATER IMPROVEMENTS. IT IS REQUESTED THAT THE APPLICANT ALSO FOLLOW THE STANDARD SUBDIVISION REQUIREMENTS PERTAINING TO FIRE PROTECTION AND WILL BE ASKED TO COORDINATE WITH THE FIRE

DEPARTMENT. >> THE APPLICANT IS PROPOSING TO CONNECT TO AN EXISTING -- TO EXISTING IMPROVEMENTS THAT WERE DONE WITH THE WHOLE STATION. IMPROVEMENTS AND EXTENDING TO AN OFF-SITE WASTEWATER. AND EXTEND THE EIGHT AND CHOICE WATER LINE TO AND THROUGH THE PROPERTY. A STAFF RECOMMENDS BOARD APPROVAL OF THE SUBDIVISION SUBJECT TO DEDICATION OF UTILITY EASEMENT POSSIBLY ALONG THE PERIMETER OF THE PROPERTY AND WHERE THE LINES WILL BE INSTALLED. AND THE PROPOSED PUBLIC UTILITY INFRASTRUCTURE BE CONSTRUCTED AS RECOMMENDED. EXECUTION OF THE WATER LINE ACCESS AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE DEVELOPER AND THE CITY OF MCALLEN. PAYMENT OF A WASTEWATER LINE REIMBURSEMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $14,943.47 FOR THE WHOLE STATION. WASTEWATER PROJECT PAYMENT OF A WASTEWATER LINE REIMBURSEMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF 50 7-ELEVEN DOLLARS 53 FOR PARTICIPATION TO THE LIFT STATION WHERE THERE IS WASTEWATER LINE REIMBURSEMENT TO THE DEVELOPER AND THE AMOUNT OF $14,464.46, FOR THE LAPORTA LIFT STATION.

>> YOU HEARD STAFF'S RECOMMENDATION, MOTION TO APPROVE. SECOND. ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING ON, ALL IN FAVOR SAY

AYE. >> AYE.

>> OPPOSED, SAME SIGN. >> MOTION PASSES.

[5. MANAGER'S REPORT:]

>> NEXT ITEM PLEASE. >> MR. CHAIRMAN, THE NEXT ITEM

[a) Public Officials Award - Charles Amos ]

IS ITEM 5A. AND STAFF IS VERY PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THIS ITEM .

[00:15:10]

BOARD MEMBERS AND YOU ALL, ESPECIALLY MR. CHAIR, ARE BOARD MEMBERS AND ARE ALWAYS SO QUICK TO RECOGNIZE THE STAFF AND BELIEVE ME, STAFF APPRECIATES THAT AND HOW YOU ENJOY DOING THAT. LAST YEAR, WE WERE ABLE TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION FOR THE WEB TECH CONFERENCE 2023 WHICH WAS THIS YEAR IN CHICAGO FOR THE PUBLIC OFFICIALS AWARD. THIS IS A NATIONAL AWARD. AND WE SUBMITTED IT FOR OUR VERY OWN CHAIRMAN WHO HAS SERVED VERY WELL FOR 20 PLUS YEARS AND WE RECEIVED WORD A FEW MONTHS BACK THAT CHARLES IN FACT DID WIN. MR. CHARLES AMOS DID WIN THE AWARD AND HE WAS ABLE TO ATTEND THE CONFERENCE. YOU CAN SEE THE PICTURE HERE. WE HAVE A COUPLE OF PICTURES. HE JUST BRINGS THIS A GREAT AMOUNT OF PLEASURE THAT THE CHAIRMAN WON THIS BECAUSE ANY RECOGNITION FOR OUR BOARD FROM MCALLEN PUBLIC UTILITY IS A WIN FOR OUR STAFF AND IT IS A WIN FOR OUR COMMUNITY. THAT IS JUST BIG. IT IS REALLY, REALLY BIG AND IT REFLECTS ON OUR COMMUNITY VERY WELL. OUR CHAIRMAN HAS BEEN PART OF THE BOARD FOR OVER 20 YEARS. HE HAS BEEN PART OF A LOT OF MAJOR DECISIONS IN 20 YEARS. A LOT OF PLANNING. A LOT OF INPUT TO STAFF. A LOT OF FEEDBACK. DEFINITELY A LOT OF FEEDBACK TO STAFF. AND SO THAT IS JUST SUCH -- IT JUST BRINGS US A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF HONOR. AND WE WANT TO SAY WE ARE VERY PLEASED AND GIVE HIM A ROUND OF APPLAUSE.

>> TO PRESENT OUR CHAIRMAN WITH THIS VERY NICE HEAVY AWARD FOR PUBLIC OFFICIALS AWARD. MR. CHARLES AMOS PUBLIC UTILITY BOARD CHAIRMAN TEXAS. WE ARE VERY PROUD OF THAT.

IS DIFFICULT. TO BE RECOGNIZED BY STAFF FOR THIS TYPE OF AN AWARD. AND TO BE AMONG THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT WERE THERE RECEIVING AWARDS FOR DIFFERENT THINGS. A NEW PROCESS TO DO THIS FOR WASTEWATER AND A NEW PROCESS TO DO THIS FOR WATER.

AND TO REMOVE THIS CONTAMINANT FROM WATER AND TO APPROVE ALL OF THESE HUGE THINGS. COMPARATIVELY.

>> BUT MINE IS MOSTLY TIME AND DECISIONS WE MADE FOR THIS UTILITY . I HAVE TO TELL YOU THAT THERE WERE MANY OF BOARD BEFORE I EVER CAME ON THE BOARD AND THE FIRST PROJECT, MAJOR PROJECT, WAS THE NORTH WATER PLANT WHEN I CAME ON BOARD. THE DECISION WAS MADE BEFORE I CAME ON THE BOARD. AND THE VISION WAS MADE BEFORE I CAME ON THE BOARD AND STAFF IN ALL OF THE PREDECESSORS ON THE BOARD MADE THOSE DECISIONS IN PREPARATION FOR WHAT WE FOLLOWED. WE HAVE MADE SIMILAR DECISIONS. NORTH WASTEWATER PLANT. SOUTH WASTEWATER PLANT. AND MANY OF THESE THINGS WERE MENTIONED IN WHAT WAS ACCOMPLISHED. BUT THESE WERE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE UTILITY. NOT ONE PERSON. THIS WAS THE COMPLEMENT OF THE BOARDS BEFORE US ON THE BOARDS WE CURRENTLY HAVE IN THE STAFF THAT CAME BEFORE US AND THE STAFF WE CURRENTLY HAVE. AND IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN BECAUSE WE HAVE BEEN A TEAM. IT IS NOT ONE PERSON. WE HAVE NEW EMPLOYEES IN THE UTILITY WITH US HERE TODAY. THEY WILL BE RECOGNIZED FOR THEIR ORIENTATION. AND IT IS JUST THE BEGINNING. WE ARE A TEAM. AND YOU ARE STARTING ON THE BENCH FOR RIGHT NOW BUT YOU WILL BE A BIG BEFORE THE TIME IS OVER AND DONE WITH. WE WILL NEED TO BE ABLE TO BUILD AND LEARN AND GROW IN THIS UTILITY LIKE WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO FOR YEARS. WE WANT EVERY ONE OF YOU TO BE A

[00:20:04]

SUCCESS LIKE WE HAVE SEEN FOR MANY YEARS OF OTHERS THAT HAVE COME THROUGH. I RECEIVED THIS WITH GREAT PRIDE IN A WORLD OF HUMBLENESS AND WANT THIS UTILITY, NOT ME, NOT JUST ME, THAT THIS UTILITY AND BOARD WHAT THEY HAVE DONE AND ACCOMPLISHED FOR MANY YEARS. I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR PUTTING ME IN A POSITION TO WHERE WE CAN ACHIEVE SOMETHING LIKE THIS. I KNOW

[b) Public Communication and Outreach Program Award - Water Education ]

MARK HAS ONE OTHER AWARD THAT WAS GIVEN TO US AND PRESENTED TO THE UTILITY THAT I WENT AHEAD AND RECEIVED AND BROUGHT BACK HOME AND I HAD TO GIVE IT TO ONE OF OUR ENGINEERS BECAUSE MY SUITCASE WAS TOO SMALL. HE BROUGHT IT BACK FORMING. BUT IT WAS A COMMUNICATIONAL WORD . COMMUNICATION AND OUTREACH.

EDUCATION, REACHING OUT TO THE COMMUNITY . WE RECEIVED AN AWARD FOR DOING SO. HERE'S A CITY OF 145,000 PEOPLE ROUGHLY AND WE HAVE AN EDUCATION GROUP AND COMMUNICATION GROUP THAT EARNED THIS AWARD. IT WASN'T ME. IT WAS THEM BECAUSE OF THE WORK THEY DO AND WE HAVE THE SAME EXPECTATION OF OUR NEW FOLKS. WE WORK TOGETHER. AND WITH THAT, I WILL SHUT MY MOUTH AND TELL YOU ALL THANK YOU AND ASK FOR THE NEXT ITEM PLEASE.

>> YES, SIR. >> STATED, THE NEXT ITEM , WE WERE ALSO FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO PICK UP. THE PUBLIC COMMUNICATION AND OUTREACH PROGRAM AWARD FOR WATER EDUCATION. THIS IS EVEN A HEAVIER AWARD . I KNOW IT DOES NOT SHOW VERY WELL ON CAMERA BUT THAT IS PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS FOR MCALLEN PUBLIC UTILITY. WE ARE JUST SO PROUD OF OUR EDUCATION TEAM WHO ARE BOTH HERE. CAN YOU RAISE YOUR HANDS,

LADIES? >> ACTUALLY, YOU CAN STAND UP.

>> PLEASE. >> YOU DO NEED TO BE RECOGNIZED.

>> THEY DO SUCH A GREAT JOB. >>

>> ABSOLUTELY. THANK YOU MR. CHAIRMAN. A FANTASTIC JOB. TO BE RECOGNIZED AT THE LARGEST, BEST UTILITY CONFERENCE IN THE NATION, EASILY BAR NONE. JUST A LOT OF PRIDE FOR THE MCALLEN UTILITY TO HAVE BOTH OF THOSE AWARDS. THANK YOU, LADIES AND

THANKS TO MR. CHAIRMAN. >> THANK YOU, MARK.

[6. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ]

>> FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS. >> YES. BEFORE THE MEETING, I JUST WANTED TO CALL UP THE NEW DIRECTOR OF FINANCE FOR UTILITIES WHICH IS MISSES MARIA CHAPARRO. AND I CUT YOU OFF GUARD SLIGHTLY. BUT VERY IMPORTANT POSITION FOR THE UTILITY. IF YOU WANT TO COME UP JUST QUICKLY. BUT MARIA CHAPARRO COMES FROM US -- TO US FROM THE CITY SIDE. SHE WAS THE ASSISTANT FINANCE DIRECTOR FOR THE CITY AND CHOSE TO JOIN US AND WE ARE VERY PLEASED. I JUST WANTED HER TO QUICKLY MEET THE BOARD AND SAY H I. AND MAYBE SAY A FEW WORDS, MARIA.

>> THANK YOU MR. CHAIRMAN AND EVERYBODY. DID CATCH ME OFF

GUARD. >> CAN YOU HEAR ME?

>> YOU CAUGHT ME OFF GUARD. >> I AM HAPPY TO BE HERE. I HAVE BEEN WAITING QUITE A WHILE. I DID COME FROM A SMALLER CITY BUT WE DID BIG PROJECTS WITH WATER AND WASTEWATER. I AM FAMILIAR WITH THE PROCESS. AND I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH EVERYBODY. AND KEEP ON GETTING AWARDS.

>> THAT IS RIGHT. THAT IS RIGHT. THANK YOU, MARIA.

>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU AND WELCOME.

[7. EXECUTIVE SESSION, CHAPTER 551, TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE, SECTION 551.071 CONSULTATION WITH ATTORNEY, SECTION 551.072 LAND TRANSACTION, SECTION 551.074 PERSONNEL MATTERS; SECTION 551.087 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEGOTIATIONS ]

>> ITEM SEVEN. COUNSELOR. >> MR. CHAIRMAN, THE AGENDA ITEMS LISTED UNDER SEVEN DO QUALIFY FOR CONSIDERATION IN CLOSED SESSION AND I RECOMMEND THE BOARD RECESS.

>> YOU HEARD COUNCILMEMBER'S RECOMMENDATION. TO BE HAVE A

MOTION TO THAT AFFECT? >> MOTION TO RECESS IS WHAT YOU ARE CALLING FOR FOR CLOSED SESSION.

>> WE SHALL RETURN.

[a) Consultation with City Attorney regarding pending litigation (Section 551.071 T.G.C) ]

[b) Discussion and possible lease, sale or purchase of real estate property: Tract 1 (Section 551.072, T.G.C.) ]

[00:42:15]

[00:42:16]

>> MR.., I RECOMMEND THE BOARD TAKE NO ACTION ON THE EXECUTIVE

[ADJOURNMENT]

[00:42:24]

SESSION. >> NO ACTION TO BE TAKEN.

[00:42:27]

>> MOTION TO ADJOURN. >> ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

>> WE ARE ADJOURNED. THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH. .

>> WITH THAT ACTION, THIS MEETING OF THE MCALLEN PUBLIC UTILITY BOARD IS ADJOURN. REGULAR MEETINGS ARE ON THE

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.