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HARLINGEN WATERWORKS BUILDING
BIG TROUBLE IN RIVER CITYby Salis Ochoa, Freelance Reporter
by Salis Ochoa, Freelance Reporter
Apparently, we had dueling board meetings occurring simultaneously at the City of Harlingen Commission meeting on Wednesday April 6, 2011. At least 4 of the current Harlingen Waterworks Board members and their Attorney were in attendance at the meeting at the same time as 5 City Commissioners, the Mayor, and their City Attorney. When that happens, a "quorum" of both boards is considered present. When this occurs certain rules and regulations for meetings come into play.The Waterworks board must post a notice at least 72 hours prior to an official meeting of its board. Otherwise, they are holding an illegal meeting. They did not make that public posting 72 hours prior to the meeting last night! It was reported that a quorum of the Waterworks Trustees were seen discussing the Reese Project parking lot issues and viewing a map of the various parking lot properties being discussed by the City Commission in the hallway directly outside of the City Commission meeting that was holding an executive session to discuss the very same parking lot properties. Later on in the open portion of the City Commission meeting, when these issues were up for a vote, several members of the Waterworks Board spoke publicly before the City Commissioners on the various parking lot issues. At least 4 of those Waterworks Board members were present and/or spoke publicly in the open meeting at the same time along with the Waterworks Attorney. It would have been much simpler for the Waterworks Board Trustees to have called for a legal meeting jointly with the Harlingen City Commissioners meeting last night. That way both board meetings would have been legal. Now, everything that was discussed and/or voted on by both boards could be declared illegal and made to be done over again at a later date. What say you on the subject, Harlingen City Attorney?The Waterworks Board (Utility Board Of Trustees) has 5 appointed members. Each City Commissioner was assigned an appointment which they get to replace or re-appoint. The current members may or may not have been appointed by the current City Commissioners but when their individual Utility Board members term expires that particular Commissioner will be allowed to re-appoint or appoint a new member to the Utility Board. So, currently, the Utility Board Trustee members and their corresponding City Commissioner are as follows:
Utility Board Trustee Neil Haman——-----—--——–Commissioner MarraUtility Board Trustee Kevin Campbell——------Commissioner PrepejchalUtility Board Trustee Richard Uribe———----—–Commissioner LeftwichUtility Board Trustee Cristian Villarreal—-----—–Commissioner TrevinoUtility Board Trustee Richard de los Santos—-------—Commissioner RuizREAD: Paving way for completion - Valley Morning Star
Utility Board Trustee Kevin Campbell——------Commissioner Prepejchal
Utility Board Trustee Richard Uribe———----—–Commissioner LeftwichUtility Board Trustee Cristian Villarreal—-----—–Commissioner TrevinoUtility Board Trustee Richard de los Santos—-------—Commissioner RuizREAD: Paving way for completion - Valley Morning Star
Utility Board Trustee Cristian Villarreal—-----—–Commissioner Trevino
8 comments:
And then you have the idiot bloggers that defend the likes of Boswell, Marra, City Hall and the Establishment complaining about the negativity of Harlingen? The DA needs to take a stand and finally put some of these people in their place. I guess Mr. Rubio is not "blowing, huffing or puffing" smoke when he trying to take down the brick house or renovate it?
That's right, I want to know what the city is going to do about this major mess up at the meeting.
Who is in charge down there at city hall. This is getting downright embarrassing. This is not professionalism. We pay these officials big salaries to get things done right. The city manager and the city attorney each make well over $140,000 a year with very liberal benefits. We expect you to do it right the first time, not the 3rd, 4th, or 5th time. Shame on you!
According to the Texas Open Meetings Handbook there was no violation by the Waterworks Board members since the took no official action, nor agreed to take a specific action in the future at a posted meeting.
I agree with Anonymous, there was no violation. The trustees did not discuss Waterworks business. The aerial photos of the area were shown to several people who asked about them. Answering questions from the public does not constitute a meeting. Refusing to answer questions would be almost as rude as this blog.
Anonymous II
According to the Texas Attorney General’s Office:
A meeting occurs and the Open Meetings Act applies whenever a quorum of a governmental body is present and discusses public business, regardless of whether any action is taken!
As usual the ones that say nothing is wrong are those with their heads up their asses. Rude as this blog? Truth hurts doesnt it.
I just want to know who is above the Harlingen Waterworks. I went to connect water and we needed a new meter. They are charging me almost 3,000. Another lady was complaining because she was being charged 4,000. Who came up with these ridiculous fees. In a few years the fee for new meters went from 200 to 3000!!! They didn't even know what to say. They said because Harlingen is growing too much. Excuse me, look around but Harlingen is not growing at all. A lot of bussiness are closing down. Now I know why they don't want to invest there. I moved to another city but we always visit harlingen at least 3 times a month. It is embarrasing how the city mayors don't do anything about the city.
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