By ARABELLA SERRATA
editor@sbnewspaper.com
San Benito City Commission held a regular meeting on Nov. 19.
The meeting opened with proclamations. La Vaquita-San Benito was honored for their recognition in Texas Monthly for having one of the top 50 tacos in Texas. The Children’s Bereavement Center–Rio Grande Valley proclaimed November as Children’s Grief Awareness Month.
City officials announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation awarded San Benito with $232,000 in grant money. The funds will be used to “develop a Comprehensive Safety Action Plan to improve safety for all roadway users,” according to the meeting’s agenda. The San Benito Bullies football team for ages five and six received a certificate of participation for their progress in the current season.
As reported in depth in last week’s edition of the NEWS, public comments opened with Andrea Palacio of Dolcefino Media, who asked the commission to release the inspection of the signed petition to recall city officials.
“The public has a right to know, and the longer these petition signatures are held from public view, the longer you will be considered hiding the records,” said Palacio.
Resident Mike Travis acknowledged public works for shoveling and mowing areas around the City. He thanked the San Benito Police Department for their “presence.” He also commented that the City had ten business days to respond with the official documents regarding the recall election petition.
Stephanie Sarrionandia, the City’s finance director, presented September 2024’s financials. The City’s total assets were $18,122,678 compared to last year’s $17,549,156. The total liabilities were $2,323,225. Last year’s liabilities were $2,171,678. Total liabilities and fund balance for September 2024 are $18,122,678, compared to the previous year’s $17,549,156. Sarrionandia also presented the key performance indicators, which will inform citizens about work completed by the City throughout the year. It will be published every three months. The public will see the work done by the individual City departments.
A public hearing was held regarding the City’s decision to either abandon or open a 20-foot-wide alleyway by relocating the fire hydrant adjacent to Owens Subdivisions. Melissa Cortez, manager at Fun and Sun RV Resort, spoke against the rezoning on account of the residents who live near the area.
“This alley has been abandoned for many years. [It’s] where my residents have built structures which are their homes. They’ve invested monetary value into their sites,” said Cortez.
Matthew Jones, an attorney with Jones, Galligan, Keon, and Loano in Weslaco, called for the City to consider making the alleyway open to the public. “I would like you to consider the impacts that this could have on the people and the community,” said Jones. He also offered to work with the City’s legal counsel to reach an agreement. Kenneth Roberts, a resident of Fun N Sun, spoke about a citizen who lives in the alleyway and how people like her could be at a massive disadvantage.
Martha Ano spoke against opening the alleyway, because, according to her, her mother who also lives in the area, could be negatively affected. Barbara Betton, a longtime resort resident, recalled a time when kids and other people caused issues at the park. One encounter allegedly resulted in a robbery at knifepoint. Eddie Loa, meanwhile, voiced support for the opening of the alleyway and cited others as using it, pushing its usefulness to the community.
A permit request was approved for a bar and grill on 236 West Robertson. Minutes for various meetings and workshops were approved. The second and final reading of an ordinance requesting the rezoning of a property located at Yost and FM 732 was approved. Proposed projects for the San Benito Economic Development Corporation [EDC] were approved.
Services to Texas Regional Bank and the authorizing of the mayor to execute contracts and necessary agreements were approved. The ratification of amendment one to the professional services agreement between the City of San Benito and CSRS, LLC was approved. The performance agreement between the San Benito EDC and L&L Residences was approved. The City of San Benito’s investment policy was approved.
The final plat of Southern Stone and Soil was approved, alongside the preliminary and final plat of Liberty Estates Subdivision and the preliminary plat for Cielo Vista Subdivision.
Payment to GDJ Engineering for the San Benito drainage, water and sewer system survey, and Geographic Information Systems Dashboard Development was approved. The second payment to Cornett Construction Company for the Alamo Lift Station Number Six Improvements Project was approved.
A contract for the 2024 San Benito annual report and the mayor’s state of the city address photo project and payment was approved to Abel Riojas Photography. Payment to Ferguson Service Systems, inc., for the 925 West Stenger Number Two Surge Tank Improvement Project was approved. The change of an approval request form and payment for Landrum Lift Station improvements were approved. Two sets of Hurst Rescue Tools for the San Benito Fire Department were approved for purchase.
New surveillance cameras were approved for purchase and installation at various city buildings. Five Zoll Full Auto Automated External Defibrillators to be installed on City buildings were approved. The purchase of four Ford F-150 trucks for the San Benito Meter Readers Department and the installation fee for the National Fitness Campaign Fitness Court studio were approved.
The meeting went into executive session. The commission decided to reject all submittals and proceed with amending Chapter VI as discussed in the executive session. Candidate nomination for the five open positions for the Cameron County Appraisal District was tabled.
The decision to abandon or open the 20-foot-wide alleyway was tabled. There was no action to amend ordinance number 2252 to add requirements for a flea market business. The first reading for an ordinance establishing an economic development plan was held.
As reported in depth in last week’s edition of the NEWS, San Benito City Manager Fred Sandoval clarified that the petition for the recall election needed 761 signatures per elected individual and could not be a cumulative total. “Contrary to some people’s opinion, these are individuals. You cannot recall an election.
You recall the individual elected official,” said Sandoval. He continued to apologize for his comments made in a segmented video produced by Dolcefino Media where he said he would “never” move to San Benito. “I apologize to the mayor, this commission, and I most of all apologize to the citizens of San Benito because that was never my intent. My intent is to work for this city and do the best job I can. And if the city charter requires me to live here, then I will,” said Sandoval.
Legal advice and counsel in connection with the lawsuit Julian Rios v San Benito was approved as discussed in the executive session. The meeting was adjourned.