February 5, 2019 Meeting Agenda: ACTION ON ITEMS DISCUSSED IN EXECUTIVE SESSION:
A) Consideration and ACTION to Award a Term Contract for Commercial and Industrial Solid Waste Collection Services for the City of Brownsville.
Commissioner Ricardo Longoria, Jr., moved to instruct management as discussed in Executive Session. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Cesar de Leon and carried as follow:
Ayes: Commissioners Longoria, Jr., de Leon, Munguia, Neece
Nays: None
Abstained: Commissioner Tetreau as well as from Executive Session which she was not in attendance of the discussion of the item.
May 7, 2019 Meeting Agenda: 5(m) Consideration and ACTION to award a term contract for Commercial and Industrial Solid Waste Collection Services for the City of Brownsville. (City Manager’s Office)
By Juan Montoya
Back in September 2016, a tape secretly recorded by former City of Brownsville Fire Chief Carlos Elizondo of then-city commissioner was released to the public. At first, only redacted parts were release an no one knows whether they had been edited or comments spliced together.
The release of the selected parts caused a firestorm because in a short 40-second span of time, De Leon, an attorney, was highly critical of two black Cameron County Asst. District Attorneys in regards to their refusal to accept pleas in domestic abuse cases. His use of the "N" word in that private meeting in a secluded ranch resonated across the country and brought the spotlight of the national media to Brownsville and triggered calls for his resignation.
The controversy that erupted soon died down and De Leon submitted his letter of resignation, but withdrew it before the commission formally accepted it.
But others were listening to other parts of the recording. In particular, Brownsville GMS, which had been trying to continue servicing the commercial solid waste contract it had held for more than 30 years, heard him say that GMS gave $15,000 to former city manager Charlie Cabler.De Leon also said that GMS had never given him any money for his campaigns and that if they had offered, he wouldn't have taken it.
Later, it was revealed that the $15,000 De Leon was referring to were the periodic $15,000 donations that GMS had deposited to the city manager's Benefit Youth Recreational Program controlled by former city manager Charlie Cabler. Cabler went to the well multiple times to GMS for contributions, each time at $750 a pop (23 times multiplied by $750= $17,250).
In fact, Republic Services' contributions were of $10,000 each time (2 x $10,000= $20,000) as were PUB's. When Cabler resigned in October 2017, the fund contained in excess of $325,000.
But more importantly, GMS has continued to handle the city's commercial solid waste contract on a month-to-month basis under the terms of the 2011 contract since October 2016.
On Feb. 5, after emerging from executive session, the commissioners voted to award the contract to the "winner." That winner turned out to be Republic.
That Feb. 22, De Leon resigned as city commissioner.
Then, the following April 16, 2019, with De Leon already gone, the commission unanimously voted to vacate the vote on the commercial solid waste contract and authorize city manager Noel Bernal to identify a provider and bring it before the commission for its approval. It is reported that Bernal will recommend that Republic be awarded the contract.
That's what's on the agenda tonight. It is listed as Item 5 (m) of the consent agenda to be voted on without discussion.
But yesterday, at the virtual crack of dawn (Monday 12 a.m.), GMS filed for a Temporary Restraining Order and an injunction to stop the city from awarding the contract to Republic and blamed De Leon and Tetreau for sabotaging their RFP.
But when the commission on on April 16 voted to vacate the Feb. 5 vote and authorize Bernal to find a provider, De Leon was long gone and played no role in the matter and Tetreau, as can be seen in the minutes posted above, abstained from voting on the issue and did not enter into executive session when it was discussed.
Is GMS simply buying time until the runoff elections for mayor between Trey Mendez and Cabler and between Longoria - their longtime supporter - and challenger Nurith Galonsky and see whether they can refrain their majority on the commission?
5 comments:
If Jessica abstained she needs to ask the court for sanctions. But Judge Pate knows it is not so simple. Yes this is an unethical war for control of contracts. No shocker there. But you can abstain and still get your buddies to do what needs to get done.
Also I really doubt the new city commission is going to dig this any deaper by through a contract at someone with ties to commissioners.
That comment was mine not my roommates. I did not realize he was signed on. Now Jessica if this is true can ask for sanctions. But we all know it is not that simple. People can abstain and still have their friends do their dirty work. All I can think is Baker and Botts held the lawsuit to avoid a claim they were trying to influence the election.
I hardly think that the new city commission is going to dig this hole any deaper knowing another lawsuit will follow. There will be a very close analysis of who is tied to whom to avoid any suggestion of holding the contract for another majority. Trey is just not that stupid. Trey will be the first to yell out against such stupidity.
Bobby WC
Trey is not going to stop any stupidity. Trey is pretty stupid himself. Ask him about the 13 million he stuck TSC with. He has a history of making bad decisions. Vote Cabler!
Its my understanding that the newly again dumb ass commissioner Jessica received a contract to have all their vehicles washed. check into it Juan.
What restaurant is that? You ca see the high rise. Yuk its in front of the tax offices look like
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