MINUTES-HARLINGEN CITY COMMISSION 11/05/08 AND 11/19/08-WEST SIDE ANNEXATION

NOVEMBER 05, 2008

A Regular Meeting of the Harlingen Elective Commission was held on Wednesday,
November 5, 2008 at 5:30 p.m. in Town Hall, City Hall, 118 E. Tyler Street, Harlingen,
Texas.  Those in attendance were:

Mayor and City Commission

Mayor Chris Boswell 

Jay Meade, Mayor Pro Tem 

Larry Galbreath, Commissioner Place 1 

Robert Leftwich, Commissioner Place 4 

Tom Hushen, Commissioner Place 5 

Absent:   

Bobby Farris, Commissioner Place 2 

City Staff present: 

Craig Lonon, City Manager 

Brendan Hall, City Attorney 

Sylvia R. Trevino, City Secretary

ORDINANCE ADOPTED ON FIRST READING AUTHORIZING THE
ANNEXATION OF 1.039± ACRES OF LAND COMPRISED OF THE
FOLLOWING:
TRACT 1 – A TRACT OF LAND CONTAINING 392± ACRES OF LAND
GENERALLY BOUNDED ON THE NORTH BY DRURY LANE AND
BRENNAMAN ROADS, ON THE EAST OF STUART PLACE ROAD, ON THE
SOUTH BY GARRETT ROAD AND ON THE WEST BY BAKER POTTS ROAD.
TRACT 2 – A TRACT OF LAND CONTAINING 647± ACRES OF LAND
GENERALLY BOUNDED ON THE NORTH BY WILSON ROAD, ON THE
WEST BY ALTAS PALMAS ROAD, ON THE SOUTH BY ORANGE DRIVE
AND QUEEN SAGO DRIVE AND ON THE EAST BY STUART PLACE ROAD
Joel Olivo, Planning Manager, explained that these tracts represent the completion of the
municipal annexation plan adopted by the City of Harlingen on November 6, 2005. The
City Commission has directed staff to amend the boundaries of Tract 2 to reflect only the
area east of Altas Palmas Road. Total land area included in this municipal annexation
plan is 1,039± acres, which includes approximately 1,251 houses and 47 commercial
businesses. Tract 1 consists of 801 single-family homes with 33 commercial
establishments. Tract 2 consists of 450 single-family houses and 14 commercial
establishments. The final step in the process will be the final reading of the ordinance to
officially annex the two tracts of land.
Irwin Sisson, resident of Pinewood Homes MH Park, was present to discuss issues
regarding the proposed annexation on the agenda tonight.  His specific questions were:
How soon will garbage pickup be implemented?  Will the roads be fixed and maintained?
Will the city take over the security lights?
Mayor Boswell explained to Mr. Sisson that under Citizen Communication, there is no
discussion from the Commission.  However, his questions would be addressed when the
annexation agenda item comes up.
Addressing Mr. Sisson’s questions, Craig Lonon explained that garbage collection would
be available upon request within 60 days.
Dan Serna explained that if the roads within the park were not public streets, the City
would not be maintaining them. Mr. Sisson stated that they are public roads but are not
on the County’s maintenance list.
There was agreement that the determination of whether the streets are public or not would
be made prior to the final reading of the ordinance.
Commissioner Hushen expressed concern over police and fire coverage of the proposed
annexed property. He asked if there was sufficient manpower to service the area.
Craig Lonon explained that as the population of the city grows, manpower would be
added. The property taxes from the annexation will not come in until one year later and
staff will analyze the needs during this time.
Commissioner Hushen asked for a written report on how the area will be covered with
the present personnel for fire and police. Commissioner Leftwich agreed that a written
report be provided by staff.
Mayor Boswell explained that this proposed annexation was started in November 2005
and all those issues were addressed at that time. Regular Meeting
Joel Olivo pointed out that the original annexation included a whole more acreage but it
was downscaled to what is being presented tonight.
Motion to adopt ordinance on first reading: Galbreath
Second: Hushen (with the understanding that he wanted a report on how many officers
will be needed to service the area).
Motion carried unanimously.


NOVEMBER 19, 2008
A Regular Meeting of the Harlingen Elective Commission was held on Wednesday,
November 19, 2008 at 5:30 p.m. in Town Hall, City Hall, 118 E. Tyler Street, Harlingen,
Texas.  Those in attendance were:
Mayor and City Commission
Mayor Chris Boswell
Jay Meade, Mayor Pro Tem
Larry Galbreath, Commissioner Place 1
Bobby Farris, Commissioner Place 2
Robert Leftwich, Commissioner Place 4
Tom Hushen, Commissioner Place 5
Staff Present: 
Craig Lonon, City Manager
Brendan Hall, City Attorney
Sylvia R. Trevino, City Secretary
CONSENT AGENDA:
A. ORDINANCE ADOPTED ON FINAL READING AUTHORIZING THE
ANNEXATION OF 1,039± ACRES OF LAND COMPRISED OF THE
FOLLOWING:
TRACT 1: A TRACT OF LAND CONTAINING 392± ACRES OF LAND
GENERALLY BOUNDED ON THE NORTH BY DRURY LANE AND
BRENNAMAN ROADS, ON THE EAST OF STUART PLACE ROAD, ON
THE SOUTH BY GARRETT ROAD AND ON THE WEST BY BAKER
POTTS ROAD.
TRACT 2: A TRACT OF LAND CONTAINING 647± ACRES OF LAND
GENERALLY BOUNDED ON THE NORTH BY WILSON ROAD, ON
THE WEST BY ALTAS PALMAS ROAD, ON THE SOUTH BY ORANGE
DRIVE AND QUEEN SAGO DRIVE AND ON THE EAST BY STUART
PLACE ROAD.
Commissioner Farris made a motion to adopt the ordinance on final reading.
Commissioner Meade seconded the motion.
Under discussion, Mr. Lonon stated that the Commission asked for information at the last
meeting on how this area would be policed.   He asked that Chief Castillo present the
information that he acquired from the County Sheriff’s Department. Information obtained
indicates there is one call every two days in the proposed annexation area.
At this time, Mayor Boswell clarified for the public that the area being considered is not
the area east of the Country Club Estates, west of Expressway 83 and north of Business
83 and south of Wilson Road.  Mayor Boswell  stated that area is on the next proposed
annexation.  He explained the areas on the map as shown on the projector.
Chief Castillo explained that some of the other areas revert back to some other tracts that
he reported on back in 2005 that called for an increase in staffing based not only on land
mass but the projected call load of some of those areas.  He indicated that he had a hard
time getting good stats from the County to determine what their current call loads on the
two tracts of land under discussion.  Commissioner Leftwich asked if he felt comfortable 
with the information as to its accuracy from the County considering he had a hard time 
acquiring.  Chief Castillo replied that was the only information he was able to obtain and 
he could not vouch for the validity of the information that was provided to him by the 
County. Chief Castillo stated he has had more recent conversations with the Sheriff’s
office and he will be looking at the information one more time not only for the two tracts
but some of the other areas as well.  Obviously, this brings to light the greater questions
we have.  When you start annexing that much acreage and landmass we will definitely 
need to look at increasing staffing. After researching the draft models it entails a lot of
outdated approaches. Chief Castillo explained he is in the  process of researching other
recent approaches that have been used by other institutions, such as universities, not only
for these two tracts of lands but for the future growth of the city.
Commissioner Leftwich was of  the opinion that it is kind of  late to be formulating a 
safety plan.  Without a tangible plan in place, to address this area he is not sure sufficient 
police services will be provided while sustaining the same level of police effort that we 
have in the City which currently is in question because of the heightened activities in 
terms of gangs and other activities that are being experienced in the City. The fact is we 
have not been presented with the types of calls that are being answered by the County.  
Commissioner Leftwich commented it is difficult to believe that approximately 1,000 
acres are being taken in without an increase in minimal staffing especially this late in the 
game when the annexation is  being finalized. It proposes a  greater risk to the present 
citizens who could see a diminished service in terms of policing.
Chief Castillo stated that the point he was trying to make is that, relating to earlier
reports, right now we are talking specifically about the smaller tract of lands----1.65 sq.
miles. Referring to the overall projected annexed area back in 2005 it totaled six officers
at that time for some of those land mass areas.
At this time, Craig Lonon stated that there would be no staffing increase.
Chief Castillo continued by stating that based on the credible data received from the
County on the service calls, they are averaging  .4 calls a day which equates to one call
every two days.
Commissioner Leftwich pointed out that this probably does not include their operations
such speed control, illegal dumping, graffiti, and vandalism – not  on an on call basis.
These are just proactive practices that the police officers are expected to do based on new
ordinances.  Commissioner Leftwich stated that he did not feel comfortable just with the
number of calls reported by the County when there is more to  policing than just
answering calls.  He felt that there is not a tangible plan to protect the people that we are 
fixing to annex. 
Mayor Boswell pointed out that these concerns over policing were not expressed at the
time of the workshop and the public hearings that were held.  This is not something new
-it is on our 3-year annexation plan.  Doing this annexation will square up the City limits.
We have police officers going through these  areas anyway. These  areas are not high
crime areas and staff believes that they can provide adequate patrol and police service.
Commissioner Farris stated that he shares the concerns expressed by Commissioner 
Leftwich and that is why a workshop was held to downsize the original tracts. However,
if we were not to annex the  revised tracts, it would be more than five years before we
could do the annexation.  He stated that it appears that annexing the tracts of land is the
prudent thing to do right now and Commissioner Farris was of the opinion that the City
move forward with the annexation.  
Commissioner Hushen asked Chief Castillo what kinds of calls were answered? Chief
Castillo replied that the County was unable to give him a description of the calls.
Chief Castillo affirmed that right now the department is six officers short.  Commissioner
Hushen asked Chief Castillo if we were to add those six officers, would it fill every
district that we currently have?
Chief Castillo replied that it all goes back to technology resources.  Going into January
the system will be able to capture and track data on districts not currently physically
manned by units.  He does not have an answer at this time based on ability.  With the new
system he will be able to reassess the policing as the city annexes property and be able to
make recommendations on staffing to the Commission.
Commissioner Hushen suggested utilizing the officers in a different way to increase
minimal staffing.
Chief Castillo explained that the department has developed a hybrid system to address
peak hours and specialized needs.  The patrolling numbers have not grown in a sense that
has taken away from regular patrol.
Commissioner Hushen again suggested utilizing the officers (minimum staffing)
differently and perhaps entering into an  interlocal agreement with the Sheriff’s
department to assist with patrol.
Commissioner Leftwich again stated that there is not a tangible plan and felt that there 
was questionable confidence that the City is doing a disservice to the community and 
stated that public safety was discussed at the workshop.
Irwin Sisson a resident of The Pines, located in the center of Tract 1, stated this
annexation is a concern of the people.  Mr. Sisson made reference to a newspaper article
from August 07 and referred to quotes by Gabriel Gonzalez, Assistant City Manager.  He
stated that there was word that the residents had not objected to the annexation and Mr.
Sisson stated that this was incorrect.  He stated that a letter had been sent in February 07
from residents who were opposed to the annexation unless they had their questions
answered.  He stated that there was opposition to the annexation.  Mr. Sisson stated that
the only benefit to the annexation is that they will now be able to  vote inside the city
limits for elected officials.  When asked if Mr. Sisson had received a return call from staff
from the last meeting, Mr. Sisson replied he had gotten more answers from Dan Serna,
Director of Public Works, than from any other staff.
Joe Rubio referred to a study he made on the 8 person minimal staffing and stated that it
is time to address the issue. If the Chief were to do the study and he would produce the
numbers he would be astonished at the numbers.
A lady from the audience asked what Commissioner would be representing Tract II if the
annexation were finaled.    She was informed that right now every Commissioner
represents the city at large.
Commissioner Galbreath commented that Highway 83 goes right through east side of
Tract 1 which is the City limits and when  Tract 1 comes into the city, one would get
quicker service/response from a Harlingen police officer than from the County right now.
It seems that the issue of staffing and police officers not showing up, right now they go
right through that tract and  there would be a lot more police awareness than there is
currently.
Voting on the motion was as follows:
 Aye:  Farris, Meade, Galbreath
 Nay:  Leftwich, Hushen 
The motion carried 3 to 2

NOTE: THE WRITTEN REPORT REQUESTED ON NOVEMBER 5, 2008 BY COMMISSIONERS HUSHEN AND LEFTWICH WAS NOT PROVIDED UNTIL NOVEMBER 21, 2008, TWO DAYS AFTER THE VOTE WAS TAKEN TO ANNEX THAT AREA!