Contrasting the Brownsville Metro Advisory Board with the Greater Brownsville Incentives Corporation Board

Board Member Francisco Flores

After Brownsville Metro Advisory Board Chairman Daniel Lenz carefully swore in new member Francisco Flores at the 8/20/ 2014 meeting, Board member Roman Perez asked that a minor correction be made in the minutes of the last meeting. 

Information flows in this meeting, not primarily from prepared comments, but, in response to astute questions from board members actually concerned about bettering the city.

My wish would be for at least 4 members of this board

Board Members Roman Perez,
Teresa Saldivar

to replace the Greater Brownsville Incentives Corporation board, where agenda items involving hundreds of thousands of dollars are rubber stamped without discussion.  I guarantee that would not be happening with Daniel Lenz, Teresa Saldivar, Roman Perez and Viola Currier, all who consistently, meeting after meeting, ask probing, hard questions that get to the root of issues.  Carlos Marin would not slide his hey boy Oscar Garcia, Jr. by this foursome as "project manager" of a $180,000 plan to "implement" another $454,000 study of the industrial corridor.  Not happening, Marin.  Sorry!

Brownsville Metro Fleet
Contract Manager, James Campbell

James Campbell, who oversees the maintenance of the Brownsville Metro fleet, was asked about mileage between major breakdowns.  He did not have numbers, but felt things were improving.  Nine buses manufactured in 2001 were being retrofitted with the compressors, plumbing and fittings to accommodate R-407 freon, as opposed to the old R-22.  Four of these retrofits have been completed.  Campbell, when asked, admitted that only this Monday did the shop get an 8th mechanic as specified in the contract.  Campbell has been foreman since April 1.  

Grant, Outreach Manager,
Sarah Dziubanek

Sarah Dziubanek was introduced as the new manager of grants and community outreach. After being asked to raise her voice a little, Ms. Dziubanek explained that her background was with a non-profit dealing with domestic violence.  She mentioned experience in grant writing.

Assistant Brownsville Metro Director Andrew Munoz gave an update on the Multi-Modal Parking Garage Project.  Munoz explained that ground water had been discovered after excavating just 12 inches.  The ground was allowed to dry, then covered with a caliche cap, plus 6-8 inches of limestone.

Board Member Viola Currier

Board Member Viola Currier asked if Munoz was certain no water leaks had contributed to the moisture. She also asked if the City of Brownsville was protected from future water damage, should ground or other water seep in later.

Munoz explained that no plumbing existed currently on the property and that, yes, the city was protected.

Board Member Teresa Saldivar

When Teresa Saldivar asked about the construction of more bus stop stations, Munoz provided some detail. Brownsville Metro has 714 bus stops.  A fully furnished, covered stop, he stated, costs between $20,000 and $32,000 with ADA sidewalk for wheel chair access, six inch slap and a shelter able to withstand a Category 3 hurricane.  Shelter construction is based primarily on ridership.  Because of the wording of certain grants, Brownsville Metro has constructed 20 miles of sidewalks in Brownsville.  Bus shelters, for example, must have sidewalk access.  

Chairman Daniel Lenz suggested contacting the Brownsville Beautification Committee to see if shade trees could be planted at bus stop locations.  

I have two more handwritten pages of notes, but you get the point.  While GBIC board meetings could actually be eliminated, because there is no discussion, no questioning, just rubber stamping what Carlos Marin told them to do over lunch.  The Brownsville Metro Advisory Board actually serves the community.

Jim Barton

Lives in Brownsville, TX

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