Special Meeting 08/30/06 1 SPECIAL MEETING ... - City of Harlingen
Special Meeting 08/30/06 1 SPECIAL MEETING ... - City of Harlingen
Special Meeting 08/30/06 1 SPECIAL MEETING ... - City of Harlingen
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<strong>Special</strong> <strong>Meeting</strong><br />
<strong>08</strong>/<strong>30</strong>/<strong>06</strong><br />
<strong>SPECIAL</strong> <strong>MEETING</strong><br />
CITY COMMISSION<br />
HARLINGEN, TEXAS<br />
AUGUST <strong>30</strong>, 20<strong>06</strong><br />
A <strong>Special</strong> <strong>Meeting</strong> <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Harlingen</strong> Elective Commission was held on Wednesday,<br />
August <strong>30</strong>, 20<strong>06</strong> at 5:<strong>30</strong> p.m. in Town Hall, <strong>City</strong> Hall, 118 E. Tyler Street, <strong>Harlingen</strong>,<br />
Texas. Those in attendance were:<br />
Mayor and <strong>City</strong> Commission<br />
Mayor Rick Rodriguez<br />
Eddie Medrano<br />
Larry Galbreath<br />
Bobby Farris<br />
Jay Meade<br />
Chris Boswell<br />
Staff Present:<br />
Craig Lonon, <strong>City</strong> Manager<br />
Brendan Hall, <strong>City</strong> Attorney<br />
Sylvia R. Trevino, <strong>City</strong> Secretary<br />
Mayor Rodriguez called the meeting to order and stated that notice <strong>of</strong> the meeting had<br />
been duly posted according to law.<br />
Commissioner Medrano delivered the invocation.<br />
COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE HEARD REGARDING THE TONY<br />
BUTLER GOLF COURSE<br />
Mayor Rodriguez thanked the audience for being at the meeting. He stated that the topic<br />
<strong>of</strong> the Golf Course is not on the agenda but because <strong>of</strong> the large audience present he<br />
would allow a few persons to speak. Mayor Rodriguez informed the audience that he,<br />
too, was against the idea <strong>of</strong> utilizing the Golf Course for soccer fields.<br />
Ron Lozano stated it behooves us to foster a rewarding sport and stated that golf is the<br />
only sport where ethics is internalized.<br />
Sam Lozano, former Mayor, stated that back in 1962 <strong>Harlingen</strong> was hard pressed for jobs<br />
due to the closure <strong>of</strong> the Air Base. The city leaders saw an opportunity to bring in<br />
tourists and allowed Fun and Sun to locate at the base and Casa de Amistad was also<br />
built. <strong>Harlingen</strong>’s assets were the Confederate Air Force, the Marine Military Academy<br />
and the Tony Butler Golf Course. Mr. Lozano stated that there is plenty <strong>of</strong> land available<br />
for soccer fields and a police station. He stated that he hopes and prays that the<br />
Commission leaves the Golf Course alone.<br />
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<strong>Special</strong> <strong>Meeting</strong><br />
<strong>08</strong>/<strong>30</strong>/<strong>06</strong><br />
Joe Galvan pointed out several reasons why the Golf Course should be left alone: 1) it<br />
operates at a pr<strong>of</strong>it. Without its revenues it would operate at a loss <strong>of</strong> $133,000 and<br />
would eventually have to shut down. 2) the cost <strong>of</strong> leveling the grounds for soccer fields<br />
or a police station would be enormous 3) he stated that Commissioner Medrano opposes<br />
the location across from the landfill due to its stench----then why was the land purchased<br />
by the <strong>City</strong> Mr. Galvan stated that the proposal by Commissioner Medrano has more<br />
‘malodor’ than the sewer plant itself. He stated that the <strong>City</strong> Commission should give the<br />
Winter Texans an opportunity to express their opinions. Mr. Galvan stated that in talking<br />
with Larry Kruse from the School District, Mr. Kruse indicated that the schools would<br />
also be affected. Mr. Galvan stated that the <strong>City</strong> owns 83 acres <strong>of</strong> underutilized land on<br />
Harrison Street. Mr. Galvan pointed out that Commissioner Meade had commented that<br />
the Police Department, if located at Victor Park, could be showcased and be a civic pride<br />
for <strong>Harlingen</strong>----why showcase the Police Department when the existing one has been so<br />
old for many years The Tony Butler Golf Course is the ‘average’ person’s golf course<br />
for those that are on fixed incomes and those that are retired. He stated that proposal<br />
needs to be ‘scuttled’.<br />
John Hukill stated that many people realize the quality <strong>of</strong> this executive golf course. He<br />
will not play golf anywhere else and it is the finest in the Valley. He stated he had asked<br />
around how much it would cost to build a golf course and he stated he had been given a<br />
figure <strong>of</strong> $9 million per hole. “What you are saying is tear up $9 million <strong>of</strong> taxpayers’<br />
monies.” He stated that the Commission does not realize how many Winter Texans come<br />
here to play golf and it would not be good for <strong>Harlingen</strong> to tear up the Golf Course.<br />
Mike Wiggins, referring to holes 19-27, stated that those holes are still available for play<br />
when tournaments are played. This is what those 9 holes are needed for. The <strong>City</strong> has<br />
made major improvements to the Golf Course and it is a very valuable commodity for the<br />
community. <strong>Harlingen</strong> does need a Police Station but not on this land.<br />
Commissioner Medrano told the crowd how pleased he was to have them present tonight<br />
to express their comments and opinions. On the other hand he told the audience that he<br />
had never seen their presence at budget workshops where the Commission is trying to do<br />
many things with only a $4 million budget. He is trying to figure out how to stretch<br />
every dollar. It will take at least $3.5 million to build a Police Station and soccer fields.<br />
He felt that the idea was---why not utilize the land already in existence at the Golf<br />
Course It is an idea that needs to be studied and could be a viable option. The bond<br />
election <strong>of</strong> 2003 was for capital improvements <strong>of</strong> which the voters approved some<br />
projects and others were not. Because the city will be retiring some debt the city will be<br />
able to do some projects with a very small increase to the tax rate.<br />
There were other comments <strong>of</strong> opposition expressed by some members <strong>of</strong> the audience<br />
who did not identify themselves.<br />
Mr. Soultaire <strong>of</strong>fered a public apology to Commissioner Medrano for getting upset<br />
when he spoke to him about the Golf Course. Mr. Soultaire stated that <strong>Harlingen</strong> is a fine<br />
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<strong>Special</strong> <strong>Meeting</strong><br />
<strong>08</strong>/<strong>30</strong>/<strong>06</strong><br />
city and asked that the Commission not destroy it----do what is prudent but the Golf<br />
Course is not the right place for soccer fields.<br />
Mayor Rodriguez thanked everyone for his or her participation.<br />
Commissioner Boswell explained to the audience that this is not an agenda item therefore<br />
the Commission cannot take any action. He stated he wants it to be made clear that this<br />
is a plan that the Commission had been discussing but the Commission has not had a<br />
called meeting on the subject and no one has taken any action. When that occurs<br />
everyone will be invited to attend as well as the Pan American Golf Association.<br />
(1 st ) PUBLIC HEARING TO HEAR COMMENTS FOR OR AGAINST THE<br />
PROPOSED TAX RATE FOR THE CITY OF HARLINGEN FOR FISCAL YEAR<br />
20<strong>06</strong>-07 IN THE AMOUNT OF $0.4<strong>30</strong>154 FOR MAINTENANCE AND<br />
OPERATION AND $0.159846 FOR INTEREST AND SINKING FOR A TOTAL<br />
RATE OF $0.590000 PER $100 IN VALUE<br />
With no further comments on the Golf Course, Mayor Rodriguez declared the public<br />
hearing open to hear comments for or against the proposed tax rate for the <strong>City</strong> <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>Harlingen</strong> for fiscal year 20<strong>06</strong>-07 in the amount <strong>of</strong> $0.4<strong>30</strong>154 for maintenance and<br />
operation and $0.159846 for interest and sinking for a total rate <strong>of</strong> $0.590000 per $100 in<br />
value for a proposed total tax revenue increase <strong>of</strong> 6.986199%.<br />
Craig Lonon, <strong>City</strong> Manager, stated that the proposed tax rate is $0.590000, which is a<br />
lesser rate than the current rate, and this is due to additional properties in the <strong>City</strong> that<br />
generated more revenue.<br />
There being no comments from the public Mayor Rodriguez declared the public hearing<br />
closed.<br />
Craig Lonon reminded the Commission that the next required public hearing would be on<br />
September 6, 20<strong>06</strong> at 5:<strong>30</strong> p.m and the next budget workshop is on September 6 at 3:<strong>30</strong><br />
p.m. The first public hearing on the proposed budget is scheduled for September 19 at<br />
5:<strong>30</strong> p.m.<br />
Commissioner Medrano proposed a joint meeting between the <strong>City</strong> Commission and the<br />
Development Corporation. All were in agreement to have this meeting on September 13,<br />
20<strong>06</strong> at 5:<strong>30</strong> p.m.<br />
There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 6:20 p.m.<br />
__________________________<br />
Rick Rodriguez, Mayor<br />
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<strong>Special</strong> <strong>Meeting</strong><br />
<strong>08</strong>/<strong>30</strong>/<strong>06</strong><br />
Attest:<br />
______________________________<br />
Sylvia R. Trevino, <strong>City</strong> Secretary<br />
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