TETREAU RESIGNS FROM GBIC, FRONTON STREET RENAMING TO BE RECONSIDERED

Deputy City Manager Helen Ramirez

Deputy City Manager Helen Ramirez and City Manager Noel Bernal represent a dramatic shift in the City of Brownsville from compadrismo to skill set and education.  How well Brownsville accepts being brought kicking and screaming into the modern era or if these kids even stay here remains to be seen.

Ramirez gleefully handed a glossy folder to the mayor and commissioners essentially designed to remove a $34,000 cap on the pay of a part-time planner preparing the way for Freese and Nichols, Inc., a bigtime municipal planning firm from Fort Worth, who stand to make considerably more than $34,000 assisting the city in restructuring its planning and zoning.

Commissioners Neece and Galonsky, after perusing the document for only a minute or two, had questions, as did Mayor Mendez.  That may be the current brain trust of the city commission, especially with Commissioner Gowen a no-show and Commissioner Munguia desperately needing to pick up his game for the good of the city.  Commissioner John Cowen did interject a question tonight, although, from my seat near the lone 4-way speaker, it was inaudible.

Commissioner Jessica Tetreau's participation this evening was largely anecdotal in what must have been a sad night for her.  Seeing mene, mene, tekel, upharsin written on the wall, she chose to resign from the Greater Brownsville Incentives Corporation, citing her 12 year old daughter's health issues and the need to focus more on "being a mother." 

Tetreau was also rebuffed in her efforts to have a District 2 resident replace her on the GBIC, finding little support for her nominees, first Carlos Guerrero, then Erasmo Castro.  The commission instead went with Nick Schaefer.

"It was unfortunate this item(her removal) got placed on the agenda," Tetreau stated, indicating city staff knew of her "plans to step down at the end of July."

Prediction:  The recent decision to rename Fronton Street "McNair Family Street" will be reversed.  After hearing statements on both sides of the issue, Commissioner Neece asked that an item to rescind the name change be placed on the agenda for the next meeting.

The setting up of a newly constituted audit/oversight committee was also tabled, pending the finishing of groundwork by the City Manager.  Bernal indicated the current internal auditors would actually report to the new oversight/audit committee, but continue to provide briefings to the City Manager's office.

If you remember our report from the Airport Advisory Board and Board Member Chris Hughston's persistent questions about change orders for the new airport terminal,  Director of Aviation Bryant Walker presented a change order to the commission for approval in the amount of $218,396.11.  

Mayor Mendez was questioning Walker about the specifics as I walked out to answer Ana's call.

BTW, a City of Brownsville Drainage Forum is scheduled for the Brownsville Event Center on August 1 from 1-5 PM.