Reporter calls Guerra out at meeting

WAYNE DOLCEFINO

By ARABELLA SERRATA
editor@sbnewspaper.com

The City of San Benito held a regular meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 20.

An announcement was made for Aug. 28. A food distribution event is set to take place from 9-11 a.m. on San Benito Fairgrounds. The grounds are located at 551 Cesar Gonzalez Parkway. The event is open to the public, including non-San Benito residents.

City officials also announced that city offices will be closed on Monday, Sept. 2, in observance of Labor Day.

City Commissioner Deborah Morales announced her invitation to the Deep South Texas State of Water Symposium. She says while she was there, she learned about the drought San Benito is currently facing. She stressed the importance of conserving water. “We all need to come together and do our part,” said Morales.

City Manager Fred Sandoval announced the new Fitch rating is AA, and that the city was no longer being monitored. A press release issued by the City expanded on this. “The rating also considers the City’s long-term liability burden as “strong” compared to other entities within Fitch’s rated portfolio,” read the release.
The release also mentioned Fitch accounts for the challenges in the city’s demographics and economics.

“Despite these challenges, the affirmation of the AA rating highlights the City’s commitment to maintaining financial stability and effectively managing its liabilities.  The City of San Benito is dedicated to sustaining its financial health and addressing the economic factors influencing its future,” read the release.

Public comments were opened with Wayne Dolcefino, of Dolcefino Consulting, and investigative firm which has produced a series of controversial video exposés on a number of issues within the City including its embattled development venture with group called VARCO in relation to the equally embattled Resaca Village. Dolcefino confronted the council on their threats to sue his firm and claims of transparency.

He brought to attention the nepotism claims within the city and the lack of transparency in San Benito regarding a sexual assault case. He then threatened to sue the city if he did not receive the financial records he had been requesting.

Mike Travis came to the podium to speak. He expressed his gratitude for the road paving projects that have been ongoing within the city. He then briefly inquired about the desalination projects in neighboring towns and asked if the dumped tires on Gow Street could be dealt with. He then called Dolcefino a “bully” and stated he fully supports the City. He stressed that he was not representing anyone other than himself.

Consent items one through ten were approved. This consisted of approval of meeting minutes, ratifying a grant, a final reading of an ordinance to rezone a property, approval to renew insurance plans, approval for the National Night Out location, approval for construction of speed bumps, approval of a payment to GDJ Engineering for the San Benito Drainage, Water and Sewer System Survey, and the Geographic Information Systems Dashboard Development, the eleventh payment to Ferguson Service Systems, Inc. for tank

improvements, approval for a tank order, and approval for the creation of the City of San Benito Parks and Recreation Department Pony Baseball and Softball League.

Public hearings were opened with the second official meeting of the proposed Tax rate for the Ad Valorem property; there were no comments or actions on the item.

Next was the first hearing for the adoption of general budget funds. There have been no major changes since receiving the “Budget Bible.” The council then discussed warranties for projects. Currently, the city has a warranty that covers 5% of the fees. According to City officials, progress on projects has been slow due to issues out of the City’s hands.

The council then covered a comprehensive schedule of fees for various projects and establishments around the City. City Commissioner Tomas Goodman stressed the importance of understanding exactly where the fees are coming from. It is explained that the fees are helping break even for the City and its overall expenses. The meeting stressed the importance of citizens acquiring permits for things like fencing.

The meeting entered an executive session. Commissioners exited the session with no motion made. The items discussed were an attorney consultation to discuss the City’s legal duties and obligations for the Collective Bargaining Agreement and negotiations with the San Benito Police Employee Association, and to discuss privileged communication protected by the attorney-client privilege. The meeting was promptly adjourned.