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MERCEDES CITY COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
APRIL 1, 2025 – 6:30 PM
MERCEDES CITY HALL – COMMISSION CHAMBERS
400 S. OHIO AVE., MERCEDES, TX 78570
MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Oscar Montoya
Commissioner Joe Martinez
Commissioner Jacob Howell
Commissioner Armando Garcia
Mayor Pro-Tem Ruben Saldana
MEMBERS ABSENT:
STAFF PRESENT: Alberto Perez, City Manager
Joselynn Castillo, City Secretary
Martie Garcia Vela, City Attorney
Patricio Avila, Assistant City Manager
Meredith Hernandez, Interim Finance Director
Francisco Sanchez, Police Chief
Michael Rocha, I.T Director
Tom Villagomez, Public Works Director
Kristine Longoria, Human Resources
Javier Campos, Fire Chief/EMC
Richard Morin, Recreation Director
Armando Villela, Parks Director
OTHERS PRESENT: Juan Vasquez,
1. Call Meeting to Order
Mayor Montoya welcomed everyone and called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
2. Establish Quorum
All members of the Commission were present, which constitutes a full quorum.
3. Invocation by Commissioner Howell
4. Pledge of Allegiance by Commissioner Garcia
At this time, Commissioner Howell motioned to move to item 6 for the proclamation.
Commissioner Garcia seconded. Upon a called vote, the motion passed unanimously. After
this item, they would move back to item 5, Open forum.
5. Open Forum
Ms. Yolanda Molina addressed the commission about concerns with the city. Ms. Molina
informed the commission about her history as a leader and representing the people. She
stated she applied to run for commission and was told she couldn't. Ms. Pena played a
recording of a conversation with Mr. Andre Montgomery from TML. She expressed her

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disappointment with city professionals.
Ms. Jessica Zuniga addressed the Commission regarding speeding concerns on Mile 2 W.
Ms. Zuniga stated their signatures were considered after the permanent residents that live
there requested the speed bumps. She added that the cause of the road damages are due to
the semi trailers driving. Ms. Zuniga also expressed her gratitude for the Mayor,
Commission and the Police Department for taking her calls.
Mr. Luis Saldana addressed the Commission regarding the recent rain event on March 27,
2025. He stated they have 52 acres of their property submersed with water at the Rio
Grande Valley Livestock Show. He stated that Texas Ave. and Vermont Ave. were clear of
water the next day. He appreciated all the phone calls answered. It cost them $3,000 per
day. Mr. Saldana thanked the City for what they are doing.
6. Presentation
a. Proclamation for Mercedes ISD Powerlifters
Mayor Montoya said a few words and read the proclamation. No action required. Coach
Brigido Gonzalez thanked the community, staff and commission for the recognition. At this
time, they moved to open forum.
7. Consent Agenda
a. Approval of Minutes for Meeting(s) held March 18, 2025
b. Approval of Interlocal Cooperation Agreement between the County of Hidalgo, Texas
and the City of Mercedes, Texas on behalf of Dr. Hector P. Garcia Memorial Library
Commissioner Martinez motioned to approve items A and B. Commissioner Garcia
seconded. Upon a called vote, the motion passed unanimously.
8. City Manager Comments
a. Assessment of the rain event on March 27, 2025
Fire Chief/EMC Campos informed the Commission about the rain event that occurred on
March 27, 2025. He played some videos of Capisallo Terrace and Valle De Palmas which
were severely impacted. The NWS stated it would be 2 to 4 inches of rain. They received
alerts at 3:00 p.m. that a large storm cell was headed to the Mercedes area. EOC was
established and activated by 3:30 p.m. They worked closely with the school district to keep
the children safe from the storm. They had 4 pumps that were pre-deployed to the storm
and had a pump in the staging area. At around 5:00 p.m. they began receiving water rescue
calls. At this time, they activated the shelter operations. They utilize star request to request
the proper equipment for the city. The city received 13 inches of rain from 3:00 p.m. to
11:00 p.m on March 27, 2025. He added that they rescued 188 people. That night they
sheltered over 200 residents. The county CSA department also assisted in placing some
families in hotels. From 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. the city received between 18 and 21 inches
of rain, which equates to a year's rainfall for the city. The water plant was fully operational
and did not shut down. On March 28, 2025, the Mayor signed the disaster declaration. Staff
were deployed to do damage assessments. He stated he would be meeting with FEMA
tomorrow morning and would continue to meet with first responders regarding the

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assessments. Chief Campos added that 10 inches of rain is expected over the weekend and
will continue to operate. He stated that in 2018 the city received about 18 inches of rain and
took about two weeks to drain and this year the city received 18 to 21 inches of rain and the
city drained in 3 days. Mr. Perez stated there is a lot of improvement and will continue to
look at further improvements to the areas that are still being flooded. Commissioner Howell
stated that the flooding could have lasted between 30 to 50 percent longer without the
detention ponds. The Commission thanked the first responders. Mr. Perez stated that USW
played a key role and thanked them for working through the storm to keep the water and
sewer plant operational. Mayor Montoya thanked the cities and counties that assisted
Mercedes during the storm. Mayor Montoya stated it's imperative that the community
report their damages on the ISTAT system.
b. Commending the Fire/EMS Department for their service to a resident in need
Mr. Perez read a letter received by a resident recognizing staff at the fire department due to
their assistance. Paramedic Sean Casarez is the paramedic that assisted this elderly resident.
He stated he has been a paramedic for 11 years and has only worked with Mercedes for 7
months and this is the first time he being recognized.
9. Management Items: Present, discuss, consider and possibly take action regarding:
a. Approval to Extend the Declaration of Local State of Disaster
On March 28, 2025 the Mayor signed a declaration and by law the Commission need to
extend it if needed. Mayor Pro-Tem Saldana motioned to approve extending the
declaration. Commissioner Martinez seconded. Upon a called vote, the motion passed
unanimously.
b. Approval to select a bidder for the Mile 2 E Sanitary Sewer Expansion Project
Mr. Avila stated the City went out for bids for sewer extension for a subdivision that self
annexed on Mile 2 E. City Engineer Ivan Garcia recommended Valley Urban Works.
Mayor Pro-Tem Saldana motioned to approve the recommendation of Valley Urban Works.
Commissioner Garcia seconded. Upon a called vote, the motion passed unanimously.
c. Approval of appointment(s) to the Building & Standards Commission
Mayor Pro-Tem Saldana motioend to approve the reappointments. Commissioner Martinez
seconded. Upon a called vote, the motion passed unanimously.
10. Executive Session: Chapter 551, Texas Government Code, Section 551.071
(Consultation with Attorney), Section 551.072 (Deliberation regarding Real Property),
Section 551.074 (Personnel Matters) and Section 551.087 (Economic Development)
Commissioner Howell motioned to go into executive session. Mayor Pro-Tem Saldana
seconded. Upon a called vote, the motion passed unanimously. The meeting went into
executive session at 7:26 p.m.
a. Discussion with City Manager regarding personnel matters - Section 551.074
b. Consultation with Attorney regarding update on litigation - Section 551.071
c. Consultation with Attorney regarding Project Updates and Project M30 - Section

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551.087
11. Open Session
a. Possible Action pertaining to executive session item A
Mayor Montoya called the meeting back to order. No action.
b. Possible Action pertaining to executive session item B
c. Possible Action pertaining to executive session item C
12. Adjournment
Commissioner Martinez motioned to adjourn. Commissioner Garcia seconded. Upon a
called vote, the motion passed unanimously.
[MIN_SIGNATURES]