Roberto J. Salinas

Key discussions included public comments regarding unsafe sinkholes and potholes on a road near La Homa, which staff indicated would be addressed with contractors. The board addressed Item 4 concerning the selection of a contractor for waterline relocation due to Texas Department of Transportation road reconstruction efforts on State Highway 107 (FM 2221). RV Welding Services was recommended as the lowest responsive bidder. Item 5 involved discussing the appointment of an advisory committee, as required by Texas Local Government Code 395.058, to review and update impact fees due to significant development growth, with proposed appointments including retaining John Warmack as chairman and making changes to other member positions. Item 6 detailed recommendations from a committee to amend various fee schedules, including preliminary graduation fees, sewer connection fees, construction inspection fees (proposing new geotechnical fees), return check fees, meteorology fees for delinquent accounts, after-hours service fees due to new smart meter components, and service printing trip fees.

The Special Board Meeting commenced with a roll call and invocation. Public comments were noted as having zero submissions. Key agenda item two involved the discussion and possible selection of an engineering firm for Engineering Services related to planning, consulting, and soliciting bids for the design and construction of a groundwater desalination facility to meet growing water demands. Based on an evaluation matrix, the committee recommended hiring Norris Leal Engineering, which scored 98.4 out of 100, over EMPower and Guzman and Munoz Engineering. Agenda item three addressed the approval of an agreement for consultant services between the entity and M2 Engineering PLC for consultation and litigation support concerning the PMW Sanitary Sewer Project, specifically related to depositions and inspections arising from litigation. Following these discussions, the board moved to enter an executive session to deliberate on matters including consultation with an attorney, real property acquisition offers (Veterans Boulevard Road Widening project), and personnel matters.

The board meeting included discussions and possible actions on several service agreements and operational items. Key discussions involved a non-standard service agreement for water service to the Buddy Boulevard subdivision, and another for water and wastewater service to Reyna's Crown subdivision, noting a conflict of interest disclosure for one director on the latter item. The board also addressed the award of contracts for liquid aluminum sulfate and liquid ammonium sulfate water treatment chemicals, recommending the lowest responsible bidders. Furthermore, the selection of an energy provider was discussed extensively due to fluctuating market rates, leading to authorization for the General Manager to secure a fixed-rate contract for 24 or 36 months. Finally, the board approved the sale of district property to the County of Hidalgo for the Veterans Boulevard FM495 construction project, and considered the renewal of the contract for M2 Engineering services as the district engineer, with a proposed reduction in the monthly retainer fee.

The special board meeting addressed key agenda items, including a resolution to update the authorized representatives for the reserve fund account with Techstar, removing the previous General Manager and Chief Accountant in favor of the current General Manager and Finance Director. The board also discussed and approved a non-standard service agreement for water and wastewater services to be submitted to Crossroads Two Enterprises Inc. related to the Coastal King Ltd subdivision. Furthermore, approval was granted for a non-standard service agreement for water service to SSI Penitas Village LLC concerning the Saint Ives Benita subdivision, which consists of six commercial lots.

The special board meeting addressed several agenda items. Discussions included the amendment of the nonstandard service agreement for water service to P Chapa Development regarding the El Cordo subdivision, involving a reduction in lots from 34 to 33 and a corresponding credit of $2,750. The board also considered the award of a contract for sodium chloride solution for water treatment chemicals, recommending the award to WWA Technologies as the lowest responsible bidder. Further discussion involved the selection of a medical insurance agent of record, which was moved to executive session for deliberation on scoring. Another item involved the approval of a contract for Engineering Services with Sam's Engineering for the relocation of water and sanitary sewer lines related to the Texas Veterans FM 495 widening project, which resulted in a reduction of soft costs from over $700,000 to $565,000 plus $77 for specific services. The meeting concluded with a motion to enter executive session to discuss consultation with counsel regarding a purchase offer, RFQ procedures, the La Hoya CCN, and fire suppression system capacities.