Eagle Pass City Council Approves New Fuel Services Monitoring Contract

By: Jose G. Landa, Copyright 2014, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc.

The Eagle Pass City Council held a special meeting on Tuesday, January 21, 2014, at 5:30 P.M. at City Council Chambers located at 100 S. Monroe Street, Eagle Pass, Texas.

Among the important items discussed and approved was a new contract with Texas Fleet Fuel for the City of Eagle Pass Fuel Card System.

During the discussion of the agenda item, Eagle Pass City Manager Gloria Barrientos stated that Eagle Pass has utilized the National Fuel Man Company for the city fuel card system for the past three years. Texas Fleet Fuel is based out of San Antonio and Austin,Texas and works under the same fuel man system but provides the benefits of no fees, fast shipping of fuel cards and better reporting. The Texas Fleet Fuel contract was negotiated through the Cooperative Purchasing Network. “We recommend that council approve the agenda item and the proposed contract with Texas Fleet Fuel, said Barrientos.

The term of the new fuel card system agreement is for 60 months. Texas Fleet Fuel will provide commercial, automated fleet fuel services at wholesale cost, contract term payment discounts, and management controls which will allow the city to control and account for fuel usage in a safer and more efficient manner. City Council approved unanimously the new fuel card system agreement with Texas Fleet Fuel after a discussion on the terms and implementation of this new program.
The City of Eagle Pass fuel card system was previously abused by employees of the Public Works Department leading to over $68,000 in unauthorized fuel charges and the subsequent indictment of five individuals and later guilty pleas in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, Del Rio Division, in Del Rio, Texas. Eagle Pass taxpayers hope the new fuel card system agreement has stronger and stricter monitoring regulations to avoid future abuse by City employees and their cohorts within the community.

Also discussed and approved at the January 21st special meeting was an Ordinance amending Section 2-23(i), Article II, Chapter 2 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Eagle Pass, Texas, to provide for updated provisions regarding payment of vacations or sick leave for termination purposes, or in cases of extreme hardship or medical hardship; and providing for an effective date. After a brief summary of the detailed provisions of the amendments to the Ordinance and how it would be implemented,the amendment to the Ordinance was approved unanimously by the City Council.The amended ordinance and its revised provisions will be implemented in full upon two additional readings at City Council and approval in future City Council meetings.

Also on the agenda was the second reading of an Ordinance amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Eagle Pass, Texas, by adding new Section 26-185, Article VII, Chapter 26, to provide for a fee to non-commercial vehicles who use without an authorized VIP Toll Card the VIP lane privileges on the southbound vehicle crossing on both City of Eagle Pass International Bridges. The ordinance was read into the record and is subject for final discussion and changes in the third and final reading before being approved and implemented into the City Charter.

During the discussion of the Toll Bridge VIP Lane fees for violators, City Council members heard a variety of concerns from Eagle Pass International Bridge System Director Mario Diaz regarding the implementation of the ordinance to assure the best outcome for all involved including U.S. Customs and Border Protection and international bridge customers.

The City of Eagle Pass is required to read ordinances or amendments to ordinances three times before final approval, allowing the public to speak and express their questions, concerns, or comments on the ordinance or amendments being proposed at the beginning of each City Council meeting in the Citizens Communication/Visitors Recognition portion of the agenda.

Also approved was a resolution calling for adopting the Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT) Quality Assurance Program for construction. The City of Eagle Pass will adopt the TXDOT Quality Assurance Program for future construction that is required for any project that receives funds from the United States Department of Transportation and /or TXDOT. The City of Eagle Pass receives funds from these two governmental entities from time to time and is required to adhere to the rules and regulations specified in 23 CFR Part 637, Subchapter, B which requires that a local governmental entity have an approved Quality Assurance Program in place. After a discussion on the specifications of what the program entails, City Council the unanimously approved the resolution adopting TXDOT’s Quality Assurance Program.

Also discussed and approved was a Resolution calling for the City of Eagle Pass to participate in the U.S. Communities Government Purchasing Alliance which will grant the City of Eagle Pass access to competitive pricing for various purchases. After discussion, City Council approved unanimously the resolution for the City of Eagle Pass to join the U.S. Communities Government Purchasing Alliance.

Also approved was an intergovernmental agreement between the Eagle Pass Independent School District and the City of Eagle Pass for mutual use of services and equipment. The mutual agreement is pursuant to Texas Government Code, Chapter 791. The Texas State Legislature authorizes intergovernmental agreements between political subdivisions and to provide certain services; and both the City of Eagle Pas and EPISD desire to provide services and equipment to each other. The purpose of this agreement is to provide for the use by EPISD and City of each other’s resources as necessary.

The City Council went into Executive Session regarding the discussion with legal counsel concerning the evaluation of City Manager Gloria Barrientos, the Border Fence eminent domain condemnations by the United States of America in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, Del Rio Division, in Del Rio, Texas, and a proposed development agreement and request for disannexation of 55 acres or more located north of Second Street and east of Veterans Boulevard.

After returning to Open Session, the City Council took no action on the three Executive Session agenda items, including the evaluation of City Manager Gloria Barrientos. The City Council proceeded to adjourn the special meeting.