2026-09-08 - City Council
Summary
Built from the official minutes (printed 9/9/2026). No video is posted, so there is no transcript or timing.
- Called to order 11:39 a.m.; all nine members present. Lunch recess 1:50 to 3:08 p.m.; adjourned 6:25 p.m.
- Mayor Guajardo abstained on almost every recorded vote; the minutes give no reason.
- Operating budget adopted 8-0-1 only after reconsideration and a Hernandez amendment (1 percent COLA plus 2 percent merit pay).
- Tax rate of $0.599774 first failed 4-4, then passed 7-1 on reconsideration.
- Airport long-term parking rate failed 4-4; the ad hoc procurement committee resolution failed 2-7.
- Eighteen speakers in public comment (positions not recorded); no comments on budget or consent items.
Fiscal Year 2027 City Budget
- Operating budget: first vote 5-3-1, reconsidered, amended 5-3, passed as amended 8-0-1. Capital budget passed 5-3-1.
Property Tax Rate Increase
- Failed 4-4-1, reconsidered, passed 7-1-1 (Cantu no).
Municipal Court Judges Compensation
- Second reading passed 8-0-1.
Airport Long-Term Parking Rates
- Failed 4-4-1 (Paxson and Cantu switched to no).
City Fee Schedule Revisions
- Solid waste 7-1, recreation 7-1, fire 7-1, street fees 7-1, annexation fee 6-2; Paxson the usual no vote.
Homewood Suites Incentive Disapproval
- Passed 5-2-2 on second reading.
Professional Services Procurement Ad Hoc Committee
- Failed 2-7 after a presentation by Villasana and two speakers.
La Palmera Mall Incentive Extension
- First reading passed 8-0-1.
Weber Road Annexations
- Both annexations passed second reading 8-0-1 after being pulled.
Greenwood Drive Rezonings
- Hearings with no speakers; both cases passed first reading 9-0 (Cantu moved).
Palo Verde Senior Apartments Loan
- Second reading on consent.
Port Authority Interlocal Agreements
- Floodwall (up to $13.85 million) and Sam Rankin Street utilities (to $4.5 million) approved on consent.
TCEQ Agreed Order Suspension
- City Manager's update by Winkelmann.
Human Resources Recruiting Audit
- Annual audit plan briefing (item 31) by Joseph Lopez.
Recreational Sports Complex Incentive
- Executive session item 32.
Evangeline Groundwater Program
- Executive session item 33.
Other business
- 9/11 remembrance and 25th anniversary presentation by Chief Wade. Arts and Cultural Commission appointments (Ernest De La Garza and Melina M. Gosa reappointed, Adam Rios appointed). Consent also approved the Title VI plan, a sodium permanganate supply agreement (up to $2,324,334.60), ESO Solutions software ($141,868.32), three zoning second readings (Old Brownsville Road, Stillwell Lane, 2nd Street) and earlier minutes.