By JACQI LEYVA-HILL
Special to the PRESS
Laguna Vista’s recently approved Beautification Project was discussed during two consecutive Parks and Recreation Advisory Board meetings, where four Town Council members in attendance were unable to participate because a quorum of the Town Council was present.
At the June 18 meeting, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board was unable to conduct official business after only three of its six members attended, leaving the board one member short of the four-member quorum required to take action.
Four Town Council members—Teresa Bryant, Norma Parker, Johvonne Howard and Frank Galvan—were also in attendance.
Before the meeting began, City Manager Victor Treviño explained that because a quorum of the Town Council was present, council members could observe the meeting but could not participate in discussions.
During the meeting, a Parks and Recreation Advisory Board member requested written guidance from the city attorney explaining the rule to help clarify how similar situations should be handled in the future.
A week later, during the board’s June 25 meeting, four council members again attended—Bryant, Parker, Mike Hernandez and Galvan. Treviño again advised that council members would not be permitted to participate because a quorum of the council was present.
Following the meeting, Galvan shared remarks he had prepared but was unable to present.
In his statement, Galvan said he supports beautification efforts but questioned approving the project before additional planning was completed.
“I am not opposed to the Beautification Project,” Galvan wrote. “What I am opposed to is a project with no details, bids or actual plans to complete but has a $100K price tag attached.”
Galvan also questioned whether the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board should have been involved earlier in the planning process and suggested expanding the project into a volunteer-based community gardening initiative involving residents, families and local organizations.
During the June 25 meeting, advisory board members asked how the Beautification Project would move forward and what role the board would play. Treviño said that while the Town Council had approved the project, the advisory board would assist in developing and implementing it.
Treviño also said the city attorney is preparing revised agenda language that could allow a majority of Town Council members to participate in future advisory board meetings when appropriate public notice has been provided.
Prior to publication, Treviño was asked to clarify the guidance provided during both meetings and the proposed procedural changes. He referred to the statements he made during the meetings.
The Beautification Project remains approved by the Town Council. City officials indicated the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board will continue to play a role in shaping the project as planning moves forward, while the city works to clarify procedures governing council participation in future advisory board meetings.