MEETING WATCH

Monthly Meetings for Public Entities

View WCN’s video coverage of these meetings online at wilsoncountynews.com/meeting-coverage for Elmendorf City Council, ESD 2; La Vernia City Council; La Vernia ISD

Wilson County Emergency Services District 2

(North central Wilson County)

Meeting: Regular meeting, July 17, 6:05-9:21 p.m.; executive session, 7:48-8:58 p.m.

Actions:

•Heard comments from district resident Joel Arroyo, who expressed concern over the livelihoods of district employees and the safety of residents, due to potential actions by district board members

•Approved financial report for June 2023, which reflected expenses of $120,093.34 and revenues of $108,977.35

•Ratified the payment of 24 bills paid and approved the payment of 20 bills presented.

•Heard a recommendation from Fire and Rescue Chief and EMS Director Adam Marconi to keep the station on U.S. 181 at Cimarron Drive open, if the district is forced to close one of its stations

•Heard a recommendation from Marconi to place district staff on hourly pay; however, the district counsel said that could not be done

•Tabled action on a reduction of staff, after meeting in executive session

•Took no action regarding a loan from Government Capital

•Tabled action on a purchase of mattresses

•Tabled appointing anyone to a proposed personnel committee

•Approved a motion not to contract with HDL Tax Services

•Scheduled the next meeting for Aug. 21.

Discussion, no action:

•Discussed the command report, presented by Fire and Rescue Chief and EMS Director Adam Marconi

•Discussed the district’s current expenses and budget for fiscal year 2023-24.

In attendance: Commission President John Burleson, Vice President Felitia Rodriguez, Secretary Rudy Cantu, Treasurer David Nieto, and Assistant Treasurer Sherry Heatherly; district fire and rescue Chief and EMS Director Adam Marconi, auditor Brenda Treviño, and board counsel Ken Campbell. Fire and rescue Assistant Chief and EMS Assistant Director Alex Lopez and another staff member participated via teleconference.

District 2 Emergency Services

(North central Wilson County)

Meeting: Regular meeting, July 17, 9:21-9:23 p.m.

Information per board Secretary Rudy Cantu.

Floresville El Camino Trail Committee

Meeting: Regular meeting, July 19, 7:31-8:36 p.m.

Actions:

•Approved hosting an event on the trail for National Trail Day on June 1, 2024.

Discussion, no action:

•Heard an update from Floresville City Manager Andy Joslin regarding planned renovations to the trail, which are being funded by a Texas Department of Transportation grant

•Discussed the possible incorporation of native Texas wildflower species along the trail.

In attendance: Committee members Claudia Garza, Lino Arocha, Annette Wong, Niki Manuel, Rachel Treviño, and Sylvia Arocha; advisor David Regan, and City Manager Andy Joslin.

Information per committee Chairman Claudia Garza.

Wilson County Commissioners Court

Meeting: Regular meeting, July 24, 9-10:45 a.m.

Actions:

•Approved entering into an interlocal agreement with Atascosa, LaSalle, Karnes, and Frio counties so the 81st Judicial District can apply for a $5.3 million grant to fund construction of a regional crime lab (See related story, page 1A)

•Approved the reappointment of JoAnn Brechtel as a trustee on the Camino Real Community Services board

•Approved spending $68,750 to buy a total of 25 radios for the Wilson County Jail, and volunteer fire departments in Three Rivers and Poth

•Approved a $1.25-million employee health-insurance plan for the 2024 fiscal year, for which the county’s cost per employee will increase by 9.65 percent. Retirees under age 65 will now have to pay 25 percent of their insurance premiums.

In attendance: County Judge Hank Whitman and commissioners Gary Martin, Russell King, Jeffery Pierdolla, and John “Scott” Akin; County Clerk Genevieve Martinez, Sheriff Jim Stewart, County Auditor Brenda Treviño, Permitting and Development Director Tammi Burleson, Treasurer Christina Mutz, and Human Resources Specialist Jalyn Bodiford.

Stockdale Independent School District

Meeting: Regular meeting, July 17, 6:30-8:32 p.m., executive session 7:48-8:30 p.m.

Actions:

•Approved an oil, gas, and mineral lease for three years with Firefly Exploration LLC, for 6.25 acres of property owned by the district in Denhawken

•Adopted the 2023-24 Student Code of Conduct as presented by Special Programs and Testing Coordinator Roxanne Moczygemba, who noted that one of the additions includes a mandatory suspension if a student is caught with an e-cigarette

•Approved a 2023-24 appraisal calendar for teachers in the district as presented.

Discussion/no action:

•Heard an informational presentation on facility security assessment from Daniel Perez, a professional planning consultant with Stantec

•Heard updates to the 2023-24 Student Handbook, which has not been finalized; no action was required

•Heard updates to the 2023-24 Athletic Handbook; no action was required

•Heard an update on food service rates for 2023-24 from Business Manager Nichole Gordon; no increase was made, but costs will be monitored for a possible increase in 2024-25

•Heard an update on the 2023-24 Drug Testing Program; no action was taken

•Held an executive session related to personnel, but took no action upon reconvening into open meeting.

In attendance: District trustees Tanner Voelkel, CJ Urrabazo, Teri Dugi, Blaine Akin, Reuben Johnson, Sherry Lambeck, and Mauro Monita; Superintendent Todd Deaver, Business Manager Nichole Gordon, Special Programs and Testing Coordinator Roxanne Moczygemba, and Administration Secretary Erica Haley-Houseton, and Stantec representative Daniel Perez.

East Central Independent School District

Meeting: Regular meeting, July 20, 6:31-7:32 p.m.

Actions:

•Opened up the meeting to public comments regarding the Optional Flexible School Day Program, utilized to retain students that are at-risk attendance candidates; no comments were heard, and the program was approved as part of the consent agenda

•Heard the Personnel report from Superintendent Roland Toscano

•Approved the district’s annual results measures for 2023-24, including attendance figure goals, grade improvements in math, and more

•Approved the architectural, design, and construction administration services and other work related to the outdoor learning spaces at Highland Forest and Pecan Valley elementary schools; the approved vendor is Bender Wells Clark Design of San Antonio

•Approved board trustees Ginger Friesenhahn as the delegate and Emilio Carrasco as the alternate to the 2023 TASA/TASB Convention

*Approved the consent agenda, which included minutes of the June 15 regular meeting; flexible school day program; 2023-24 campus result measures; revision of board policy related to compensation and benefits, leaves, and absences; board resolution for SB 693; 2023-24 adult meal prices; and monthly district financial reports.

Discussion, no action:

•Viewed a presentation on the bond projects being conducted throughout the district; most projects, aside from the new “North Elementary” school, saw updates to the security vestibules, hallways, and restrooms.

In attendance: Superintendent Roland Toscano; board President John Massengale, Vice President Monique Presas, Secretary Dell Braziel, and trustees Emilio Carrasco, Ginger Friesenhahn, and James Mulkey.