City Council gives City Manager Gloria Barrientos a positive evaluation
By: Jose G. Landa, Copyright 2014, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc.
The Eagle Pass City Council held their regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, April 1, 2014, at 5:30 P.M., at City Council Chambers in City Hall, 100 S. Monroe Street, in Eagle Pass, Texas, addressing four items in Executive Session and later in Open Session including giving City Manager Gloria Barrientos a positive job evaluation to date.
Eagle Pass City Manager Gloria Barrientos was initially hired as the Interim City Manager on September 12, 2012 by the City Council and subsequently named the permanent City Manager on June 18, 2013 by the City Council. Previously, Barrientos served 17 years as a City employee with her last position being Finance Department Director before named Interim City Manager.
One of the items on the Agenda was an Executive Session evaluation of City Manager Gloria Barrientos. Upon returning to Open Session, Mayor Ramsey English Cantu stated that the evaluation of City Manager Gloria Barrientos was done according to several performance measurements and criteria such as policy execution, professional skills, supervision of employees, reporting system relations, staffing, fiscal and community management, and status supervision. Mayor Cantu stated that “I think that Council has come to a consensus as discussed with Ms. Barrientos in executive session and we commend her for the work that she has done and we look forward to working with her in her professional capacity.” Mayor Cantu added that the City Council looks forward to working with Ms. Barrientos as City Manager for the betterment of the community and congratulated her on her positive evaluation.
Other items discussed in Executive Session included the City’s 2013 Audit Management Letter, Single Audit Supplement, and Governance Letter by independent auditor Maritnez, Rosario & Company LLP of San Antonio, Texas; the C. C. Winn Family’s donation of real estate property for the Airport Feasibility Study Report and possible discussion with Maverick County regarding the Maverick County Airport; the Dos Republicas Coal Mine permit case hearing status.
After a marathon Executive Session which lasted over three and a half hours until approximately 10:40 P.M., the City Council returned into Open Session and took certain actions. The City Council approved unanimously the City of Eagle Pass 2013 Financial Statements and Audit, the Audit’s Management Letter, Single Audit Supplement, and the Governance Letter by Martinez, Rosario LLP. Certified Public Accountant Milo Martinez of Martinez, Rosario LLP presented the City’s 2013 Audit and findings.
The City Council approved a motion to authorize the City Manager and City Attorney to meet with Maverick County Judge David R. Saucedo to discuss certain issues regarding the Maverick County International Memorial Airport and the City’s Municipal Airport Feasibility Study.
The City Council also approved a motion authorizing the City Attorney Heriberto Morales of Langley & Banack to speak to the parties in the Dos Republicas Coal Mine permit case and report back to City Council. status.
Other agenda items addressed during the regular portion of the meeting, City Council declared the month of April 2014 as Fair Housing Month. Eagle Pass Mayor Ramsey English Cantu read a proclamation which was accepted by Eagle Pass City Planning Director Bryan Shea. Mayor Cantu stated that the City of Eagle Pass annually grants this Fair Housing Month proclamation to comply with the Community Block Grant Program funds and the City Charter.
Also discussed and approved was the selection of an Architectural/ Engineering firm for the City of Eagle Pass Public Safety Complex. During discussion, City Manager Gloria Barrientos recommended the City to retain the architectural services of Gignac and Associates LLP for the City Public Safety Complex. The Public Safety Complex consists of the construction of the new Eagle Pass Police Department and Fire Station located at the Old National Guard Armory Building on Monroe Street near International Bridge II.
After a brief discussion by City Council into what the negotiations would entail and a recommendation by City Councilwoman Gloria Hernandez to allow the negotiations to occur, the City Council approved to authorize City Manager Gloria Barrientos to negotiate with Gignac and Associates LLP to become the architects for the Public Safety Complex.
Another item discussed was amending Section 2-222(b)(3) Article VI of Chapter 2, of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Eagle Pass, by deleting in its entirety; and adopting New Section 2-222 (b)(3) for supervision of relatives. This ordinance amendment discussed was set in place to address issues with the appointment of persons who are relatives to non-paid boards and committees. After discussion and a legal recommendation by legal counsel, the City Council unanimously approved the amendment allowing a city official to appoint any relative within the third degree within consanguinity or affinity to any non-paid City board or committee, except Councilman Billy Davis abstained as he was not present during discussion of the amendment to the ordinance.
