[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,86],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6369283,"mediaKeyId","2154918-1286842835cb25b9c7675c828fb8237a","parentId",2154918,"title","Mission council approves rezoning, conditional-use permits, grant and appointments; denies subdivision variance — votes at a glance","audioSeconds",5129,"startMs",2313000,"endMs",7442000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2154918-1286842835cb25b9c7675c828fb8237a&start=2313&end=7442","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2154918-1286842835cb25b9c7675c828fb8237a/thumbnail_2313000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6369283/Mission/Hidalgo-County/Texas/Mission-council-approves-rezoning-conditional-use-permits-grant-and-appointments-denies-subdivision-variance-votes-at-a-glance","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6369283-f84517d7c88a4267e037979af34908e4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771145992&Signature=EKZ2nPQp-Qa56wTKRRWDr7KyyFPaCw3UuIXGQNPUW4i-4HlbIMcHP8~dbQtXsDb4fftxvq~kQu7Jc~ev2IyTjPXx~~vuE-kh~Jw8iF4~OKUeajKmR~TVPecQqbIfK1T1Exi8iB9R0uEbiItZwx12zG~In5szBinlKu0fzKuoNV-RxX8qlq2nIjwisaYXoDJmixqA038qQ2mHJ4iQUFFXZ4xON6vMrqUTsskR9DcI5fQsnaNdzpBc49zGmgpzzBAt2xOh5Byy6HBxdvwESHhUushmn~u0tiGNlIoa5cRZGh-EafdxXziSWi3szSBcu-6teYchymdH~p5xRQfYi3Fs~g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Mission TX","date","2025-01-27T20:26:42Z","article","Mission City Council recorded several formal votes Jan. 27, approving rezoning, conditional-use permits (CUPs), grant awards and fleet/equipment purchases; denying a subdivision variance; and appointing a permanent fire chief. Where named, outcomes and ordinance numbers are listed below.

Votes at a glance

- Rezoning at Bellwood subdivision (Item 22) — Approved unanimously, ordinance No. 5587. Motion carried 5-0.

- Conditional-use permit for an indoor/outdoor sports complex at 18056 W. Expressway 83 (Item 23) — Approved unanimously, ordinance No. 5588.

- Conditional-use permit to place a mobile food truck at 3314 N. Conway Ave. (Item 24) — Approved unanimously, ordinance No. 5589; council added requirement for additional parking and landscaping before permit issuance.

- Conditional-use permit to extend hours and allow live music at a restaurant (Item 25) — No action taken; council indicated the applicant should obtain any required late-hours liquor permit and the matter will return to a public hearing with appropriate notices.

- CUP renewal for on-site alcohol sales at a bar-and-grill at Expressway 83 (Item 26) — Approved unanimously, ordinance No. 5590; council required quarterly sales-tax backup reporting and requested the business include \"Bar and Grill\" on signage to reflect food-sales requirements.

- Variance request for Papillon Square subdivision / Bridal Road improvements (Item 28) — Denied by motion following executive-session consultation; council directed staff and the developer to pursue alternative solutions with the economic-development department.

- Department of Energy EECBG grant acceptance (Item 29) — Council authorized acceptance of the awarded grant, described in the staff presentation as in the amount of 140,140,450 with no match requirement. Staff recommended approval and council approved unanimously.

- MPO advance-funding amendment for Inspiration Road / Military Parkway (Item 30) — Approved unanimously; council authorized Amendment No. 2 to advance-funding for project phases and related budget adjustments.

- Purchase of firefighter-alert learning system (Item 31) — Authorized unanimously; staff presented the EAS Alert system purchase for $108,086.85 under the referenced cooperative contract.

- Lease-purchase of five Chevy pickup trucks for the police department (Item 32) — Authorized unanimously; total purchase amount $246,000.00+ (detailed in packet); funding to come from Lone Star grant and forfeiture account as identified by staff.

- Acceptance of quarterly investment report (Item 34) — Council accepted the quarterly report for the period ending Dec. 31, 2024; staff noted no increase in balances over the quarter and summarized interest earned.

- Appointment of permanent fire chief (executive session item) — Council voted to appoint Michael Silva as permanent fire chief; motion carried unanimously.

- Termination of Rio Grande Valley Humane Society contract (executive session item) — Council voted to give a 60-day notice to RGVHS and directed staff to coordinate a smooth transition; motion carried unanimously.

Why it matters: The approvals clear land-use applications, fund energy-efficiency projects and add city fleet/equipment; the variance denial and contract termination address longer-term infrastructure and service-provider issues raised by residents and staff.

Council process notes: Most votes were recorded as unanimous (5-0). Several items included conditions or follow-up reporting requirements (for example, added parking/landscaping for the food-truck CUP and quarterly sales-tax backup for the bar-and-grill CUP). Item 25 (live-music hours) was returned without action pending the applicant obtaining late-hours licensing and a subsequent public-hearing notice.

Ending

Staff will implement the council's directives, bring back required documentation for conditioned approvals and coordinate contract-transition activities and any required public notices for items returned to a future hearing.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting January 27, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Mission City Council recorded several formal votes Jan. 27, approving rezoning, conditional-use permits (CUPs), grant awards and fleet/equipment purchases; denying a subdivision variance; and appointing a permanent fire chief.","taxTitle","Mission, Hidalgo County, Texas","taxId",2803,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":46,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6369287,"Mission council votes to terminate Rio Grande Valley Humane Society contract after residents allege animal mistreatment",5608,1834000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2154918-1286842835cb25b9c7675c828fb8237a&start=1834&end=7442","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2154918-1286842835cb25b9c7675c828fb8237a/thumbnail_1834000.jpg","/articles/6369287/Mission/Hidalgo-County/Texas/Mission-council-votes-to-terminate-Rio-Grande-Valley-Humane-Society-contract-after-residents-allege-animal-mistreatment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6369287-e847bbdc957182b1599bca58747c2683/orig.mp4?Expires=1771145992&Signature=cjn27o7TzT1DtyrkAVXJXmfbRzdmosh6sh3mrW65yiuHDkgA6cd3HbcO2KyRsCKjoIp9C2pYPIawhoPd2iEwWgy5BmGhCA5OyjhBYFRQYdStBIgdAatNnRFPOk1oa0VdNeKGF0fiwXXWktQN4sXMh07FtUlG2HO6GQF0BhGsb6WREQFTQlob6Zmkj51pzZUFj7IcODgywxBfW-AhhKNFODHmq9ecR5dEeIP4FrXTvqul-aO5k2cRovgiCawfEOg6nYjvj4G7WehYEs6Zi0G-yqeIU2ZysnvYFJOWpPtmy1onx3hmoSFCA8Nq2Aa0gr8oQIewx9nCmOypXnYNmCtdpQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mission City Council voted unanimously Jan. 27 to terminate the city's contract with the Rio Grande Valley Humane Society (RGVHS), giving the organization 60 days' notice after several residents and animal-welfare advocates described alleged inhumane shelter conditions and management problems.

Residents and a local rescue group presented photographs, medical letters and testimony alleging unsanitary conditions, weight loss, open wounds and other mistreatment of animals kept at the RGVHS facility. Dandy Abayee, executive director of the nonprofit Paws for Help, told the council her organization has documented months of what she described as “inhumane treatment,” fraudulent reporting and shelter hygiene problems and urged the city to end the partnership.

Why it matters: The city provides funding and relies on contracted partners for animal-control and shelter services. Council members said those responsibilities require an organization that meets licensing and care standards; after the public comments and a related executive-session review, the council directed staff to end the contract and to plan for a smooth transition of services.

What residents told the council

- Resident Mandy Dye said she visited the Mission shelter and found animals “sitting in filth in feces,” and that staff were not properly trained. She said she bought elevated beds and brought them to the facility after seeing the conditions.

- Dandy Abayee, executive director of Paws for Help, said her group has hundreds of photos and videos and alleged animals were sent sedated to a partner facility for euthanasia without proper assessment. “They are a failure,” Abayee said. “They have lost all of their employees and recently made a desperate attempt to bring in a national organization to help them.”

Council action and transition planning

Following public comment and an executive-session review, a councilmember moved to give the Rio Grande Valley Humane Society 60 days' notice to terminate the contract and directed city staff to work with the organization for a smooth transition of services. The motion carried unanimously.

Council members said the city will coordinate alternative arrangements for animal care during the transition and that staff will manage operational details, including continuity of intake, medical care and sheltering. The council did not place responsibility for staffing or interim shelter operations on any single external provider in the motion; instead, it directed city staff to organize the transition.

Ending

Councilmembers said the decision was motivated by public testimony, ongoing concerns about shelter operations and the need to ensure humane, licensed care for animals the city is responsible for. The council did not vote to immediately assume shelter operations; staff were directed to manage the 60-day transition and report back to council as needed.","After multiple public commenters alleged poor conditions, abuse and mismanagement at the Rio Grande Valley Humane Society shelter, Mission City Council voted unanimously to give 60 days' notice to terminate the city's contract and to direct staff to ensure a smooth transition.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6369293,"Mission to bill missed utility charges back up to 12 months after audit; workshop scheduled",1603,1691000,3294000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2154918-1286842835cb25b9c7675c828fb8237a&start=1691&end=3294","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2154918-1286842835cb25b9c7675c828fb8237a/thumbnail_1691000.jpg","/articles/6369293/Mission/Hidalgo-County/Texas/Mission-to-bill-missed-utility-charges-back-up-to-12-months-after-audit-workshop-scheduled","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6369293-aaa6332f589e2b5c2f319381652f8ad0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771145992&Signature=j-NBP2E1X7lbQbV79LKyFOgvLOyETmAmuflhefdLjrj3gUQguHU6Y8rLinuSswDveyETdvjcG4nYBsfvQLzjlsOqhlAIsOWS0Bs57mCRKxQO1ArN6NPdKuvGFZL72HP3uNYHvfZ7DPK5A96E8QuFoCklldeo05aS4daFnS0QZyYYtiJJDxQ0zPfBq0t-C1FydJuu0JkeslOpfuGa2rmqB3JR9V4eZEEoSuGSLwx~42-q5YJG1FxM3358Nw7lbvVUmvR2nmbpVensGag90RL1nhOnd8CI6Mwsg9npLizSqUFZ3PEPoi7QHzGemmor1FMJXlpzJYddewrmFdZ5gOqtfg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mission City Council voted Jan. 27 to pursue collection of utility charges that were not billed to some residential, commercial and institutional accounts after an internal audit identified gaps in billing controls.

City staff told the council the review found roughly 900 accounts missing one or more service charges — primarily sewer, trash and brush pickup — and estimated the one-year unbilled receivable at about $300,000. Staff said state law limits retroactive collection to 12 months, and the city will start sending bills in staggered batches this week.

The findings first surfaced during public comment, when resident Virginia Townsend urged council members for a workshop and clearer answers about whether utility bills include water, sewer and trash and how the city identified missed charges. A staff member replied, “We actually sent somebody out to check every place where there was a water meter … What we found is some people were not paying for sewer. And we found a lot of people who were not paying for garbage. And all of those we’re putting back in.”

Why it matters: The unbilled charges affect the city’s revenues and many customers who will receive retroactive bills. Staff emphasized the city has limited legal authority to collect beyond 12 months and will offer payment plans for balances over $25.

What staff told the council and public

- Staff said accounts were checked physically at meter locations and that the city will send billing notices in six batches to avoid overloading city hall with inquiries. “Anyone who did not — that they were receiving services for the last 12 months — are gonna get charged,” a staff member said on the record.

- The staff estimate to recover from the prior 12 months is “around — probably close to $300,000,” according to the presentation. Staff said they expect to collect most of the amount but could not guarantee a precise collection rate; one staff speaker estimated “a good 98%” as a working expectation but acknowledged errors are possible.

- Staff told the council the lapse likely occurred during a system conversion two years ago and when sanitation services moved from contractor to in-house operations; reconciliation between utility-billing and sanitation accounts broke down during that transition. The council was told city ordinance also requires sewer charges for properties within 80 feet of a sewer line even if the property is not connected.

Council direction and next steps

Councilmembers asked for more detail and requested a follow-up workshop. Staff agreed to provide a summary and the individual-account backup that will show the accounts and amounts being billed. The council scheduled a workshop on the issue for the 6th at 4:00 p.m. to review the accounts, the audit results and newly implemented internal controls.

City steps to prevent recurrence

Staff said new controls require supervisor signoff from both utility billing and sanitation when accounts are opened or changed. The city also contracted an internal auditor and will have the audit committee — which includes two councilmembers — review the new processes after implementation.

Ending

Councilmembers said they want to recover as much revenue as possible while giving customers due process to challenge erroneous charges. Staff said residents who dispute a charge will be able to meet with billing staff; any requests for lists of account-holders will be handled through public-information channels and may require review by the Texas Attorney General’s office.

","City staff told Mission City Council an audit identified about 900 utility accounts missing sewer, garbage or brush charges. Council instructed staff to begin back-billing up to 12 months and scheduled a follow-up workshop to review accounts and controls.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Mission council approves rezoning, conditional-use permits, grant and appointments; denies subdivision variance — votes at a glance

Mission council votes to terminate Rio Grande Valley Humane Society contract after residents allege animal mistreatment

Mission to bill missed utility charges back up to 12 months after audit; workshop scheduled