[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6310687,"mediaKeyId","2398964-7e2b2da05eeb979141ff4a258460776f","parentId",2398964,"title","Votes at a glance: council approved procedural moves to reorder agenda and adjournment (Feb. 25 work session)","audioSeconds",4370,"startMs",49040,"endMs",4420000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2398964-7e2b2da05eeb979141ff4a258460776f&start=49&end=4420","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2398964-7e2b2da05eeb979141ff4a258460776f/thumbnail_49040.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6310687/Odessa/Ector-County/Texas/Votes-at-a-glance-council-approved-procedural-moves-to-reorder-agenda-and-adjournment-Feb-25-work-session","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6310687-4551e4403099d5db61fb3c8df37c6793/orig.mp4?Expires=1771170305&Signature=czE2xDMeDHYq-rV6QsuAmewu-dIz91Z3pj2IXRuXbdEYf9tOUisCuBBgkNfmvhMJUHzbzPek3aQXsUHSJ-pk3d954UeCWfmtsuji9XUbZagTBixQ8aqXGhs24Md05Y-Ai~rPgzFK1vtJ8Xwfz2gXlNmqjxrfdvmIrvEPdl179yRCy5cByVrIVGs2j6VEYUtybzFSq1OtGwXmV3uA4cpdbmccMiDFQyLAWeWZSDM2tvGccLn1JRqAE4vh4hndbzWgmC3gERcbX9hiGwMv3KxT3mVIefGkslUcRpAPP2enm7jLpTQTK4oh6e1zQ6jNdxVcc4XBPfi-1bmq6kWXa4Q0yA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Odessa, Texas","date","2025-02-25T22:21:58Z","article","Two procedural voice votes were recorded during the Feb. 25 Odessa work session.

Council voted by voice to suspend the rules and take up agenda item 4 (Hydromax presentation) before item 3. The motion to suspend the rules was moved by Councilman Velasquez and seconded by Councilman Mitchell; the presiding officer called for ayes and members responded in the affirmative.

At the end of the session the council voted by voice to adjourn. The motion to adjourn was moved by Councilman Vasquez and seconded by Councilman Stoker; the presiding officer called for ayes and members responded in the affirmative.

These were procedural voice votes recorded during the work session; the transcript does not show a roll‑call tally or individual named yes/no votes beyond the mover/second and the presiding officer’s request for an ‘aye.’","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Work Session February 25, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The council approved a motion to take up agenda item 4 before item 3 by voice vote and later approved a motion to adjourn by voice vote. No roll‑call tallies were recorded in the transcript; both actions were recorded as voice votes with ‘aye.’","taxTitle","Odessa, Ector County, Texas","taxId",2791,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6310692,"City manager search: Morton says 43 applications so far; council weighs outside recruiter and a $250k–$300k salary range",415,3917470,4332540,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2398964-7e2b2da05eeb979141ff4a258460776f&start=3917&end=4332","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2398964-7e2b2da05eeb979141ff4a258460776f/thumbnail_3917470.jpg","/articles/6310692/Odessa/Ector-County/Texas/City-manager-search-Morton-says-43-applications-so-far-council-weighs-outside-recruiter-and-a-250k300k-salary-range","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6310692-10473a55c2b39a951aaae9bf0525354a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771170305&Signature=HWkazRub634wmsnMULiXBHeud9xihecmT--oXOSLBnpwPTrsYkTlm9Um9fvTKlg6ooMR-6e-uUU7VQ~TIYejes0xRhcxYwqCSU-eTM0DXLXTsZ6guuvc~TEZAFrL9t3Ylkm6tJl3Fq0LENAqHGrwV~B1xDsKYZqiiNsLUby5zTd97W6eelq-HbugESR1CJsJhE55bFQM5XGWbAO6K7bouRFW2P23u2qOXpybHPBd~zjGcXCfb81MQfH8FxP8H3-6Xv9bvgeGIHzx~ibLFsMDpsduAY6otDCiANYke79qDsemRWAGalpOmdQULcRAHt1VaZQ6O99Whzcnxo6-7egFCg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City Manager Richard Morton updated the Odessa City Council on Feb. 25 about the ongoing national search for a new city manager: he said the city has received 43 total applications and that roughly 21 of those applicants have previous city‑manager experience while 22 do not.

Morton said the posting remains open and that many experienced city managers wait until a search closes to apply because they are employed elsewhere. He said staff and HR are screening resumes and that he has asked HR to flag candidates by experience, current employer, the population served by their current jurisdiction and tenure so the city manager’s office can do a focused review.

Morton said he has used SGR’s a la carte services for outreach, including a mass email to the profession paid by the city, and that the city can engage a recruiter if desired. He told council an outside executive search firm (SGR was discussed as an example) quoted a fee in the $25,000 to $30,000 range to run a national recruitment. Morton said he has already paid roughly $500 for targeted outreach via a database service used to notify potential candidates.

Council members discussed salary and recruitment strategy. Morton said the posted salary range has been set at $250,000 to $300,000 to be competitive and that he will continue to use targeted outreach and screening; he also said he can perform much of the screening and initial vetting in‑house. Morton flagged that an outside recruiter has broader reach as a potential benefit but said he has experience successfully managing such searches for other cities.

Ending: Morton said he will continue screening applicants, return with a narrowed list when the posting closes, and that he can use a recruiting firm on an as‑needed basis if council requests that option.","City Manager Richard Morton updated the council that 43 people have applied for the open city manager position, about half have prior city‑manager experience, and staff will continue screening. Morton said an outside search firm could be retained for roughly $25,000–$30,000 if council wants that service.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6310696,"Council asks staff to research 311/app options to route nonemergency requests, reduce 911 load",770,3071470,3841690,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2398964-7e2b2da05eeb979141ff4a258460776f&start=3071&end=3841","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2398964-7e2b2da05eeb979141ff4a258460776f/thumbnail_3071470.jpg","/articles/6310696/Odessa/Ector-County/Texas/Council-asks-staff-to-research-311app-options-to-route-nonemergency-requests-reduce-911-load","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6310696-78fcbb048687114be3198c7617423912/orig.mp4?Expires=1771170305&Signature=KAzT7TSslPJj-52lfurR378~zpwtL6Buaab3GuI7Hi3-W49x-pXb1lOnoa9Up0Lrq38tUkyLI4aCZ4dcJvk-FVdSLF36sJ72QaQkOnqkiYj9nkQINiIag2ihxf9xtf9APn6BXJiuQlxxZBK4D4zdMLfN2u5Kacfv~3gSU9hs8yWqNcSatdTxMJd5WUVsIi4LqaYgLF~HdWOtRahDRWSa-gOwjYhB-gZ9bc--GW-drSwa86of01A9tIkkyY0-~8c5fvPBB3jra4cUzfatH0A1j6BIwAaYytiiP~WbYs5tUzl0d-X2lDLTqU7Ll59J6dGBzbh1klpbZF5IO6FEUCPAYw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Councilman Stoker asked the Odessa City Council on Feb. 25 to direct staff to research implementing a 311 system or a SeeClickFix‑style app to let residents report nonemergency issues and receive status updates.

Stoker said the idea is intended to make it easier for residents to report problems — potholes, broken park equipment, trash issues — without tying up 911 dispatch. “When I was visiting their retreat, they did an update about their SeeClickFix,” Stoker said, adding that an app provides transparency because users can receive updates on department assignment and completion.

City manager Richard Morton, staff member Monica and IT/operations staff Edgar (city staff) said they have started preliminary research. Monica told council the city currently hosts a “Citizen Problem Reporter” form on its CivicPlus website but acknowledged that the existing form does not show real‑time status updates. She said staff have contacted other Texas cities that employ 311 or SeeClickFix solutions and will examine options, including CivicPlus modules, third‑party vendors, app interfaces and potential staffing models to operate a 311 center.

Council and staff discussed implementation choices and costs: options range from a staff‑run 311 center (staffed seven days a week in some cities) to lower‑cost app integrations that forward reports to existing departments. Council members and staff noted any chosen system would require decisions about whether existing staff would handle ticket intake and routing or whether additional personnel — or a contracted third‑party call center — would be needed. Chief Cotton (public safety) and council members also noted a potential operational benefit: redirecting nonemergency calls could shorten dispatch handling times and improve emergency response metrics.

Morton and staff said they will return with a recommendation report that outlines vendor and in‑house options, cost estimates, staffing implications and examples of how peer cities are running similar systems.

Ending: Council directed staff to research 311/app options and return to council with costs and implementation recommendations so members can choose between a phased approach or a broader rollout.","Councilman Stoker asked the city to study a 311 or SeeClickFix‑style app and staff indicated they will research options, costs and staffing. Staff noted the city already has a ‘Citizen Problem Reporter’ form but the requested systems can provide real‑time tracking and department assignment.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6310700,"Odessa reports $20.33M ARPA award; $14.4M expended, small return to Treasury, premium‑pay transition noted",911,2156410,3067470,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2398964-7e2b2da05eeb979141ff4a258460776f&start=2156&end=3067","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2398964-7e2b2da05eeb979141ff4a258460776f/thumbnail_2156410.jpg","/articles/6310700/Odessa/Ector-County/Texas/Odessa-reports-2033M-ARPA-award-144M-expended-small-return-to-Treasury-premiumpay-transition-noted","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6310700-6eb300d9cb08f1a777a85aad2e42bff0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771170305&Signature=QGB191VGJYVCPoRt~kuhvE1l6xIbJ~bZrTiu3n-0rEDDmhsf5bZvaTHVkmE7MM~Vl2hNgiKX9Xu5xlrBM6IhbhU4nqOZtwpcTgtO1jqC5EKUyhvjyLyqCyHyO8ZdtjSytc4XTAv3wsdM4n8jw6BIX19KlHdkV-r0~BsPCvvJWRaUFePXnTQKV2GBOt6dmJ5qpGKz2nPNNhUhk7PvxfMMgM4A4YxxVLiWtPi7RrTterSkEcvnZkn8sD-qiha8Cj3m0ZoMM4-thjrmki8tU~AzKYOiBFu~N52akekmHelwPfWH-BjPvzEvyFWATqs6oO6RS9pZ~uXqknjpcBNqutjDkA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City finance staff briefed the Odessa City Council on Feb. 25 on the status of the city’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, reporting a total award of $20,332,959, expenditures to date of about $14.4 million, and an expected return to the U.S. Treasury of roughly $18,325 because some projects came in under budget.

Finance presenter Kayla summarized how ARPA money arrived in two tranches and how council decisions and subsequent project changes reshaped allocations. She said the first tranche arrived in July 2021 and the city received the second tranche in June 2022; the council subsequently revisited and reallocated earlier awards. Kayla told council that city departments have identified and encumbered funds for ongoing projects and that encumbered funds remain in purchase orders until invoiced.

Kayla explained the city used ARPA for a mix of priorities, with public safety, utilities and public works among the expenditures cited. She said the city purchased emergency equipment (for example, striker cots and tenders ordered for emergency services), funded projects at the Darrington plant, and allocated funds for street and public‑works projects that are in design or procurement. Kayla said the police restroom and parking lot projects and several Darrington work items are in various stages of completion or encumbrance.

Council members pressed on questions about premium pay for first responders. Kayla said the original premium‑pay allocation for first responders totaled $10.6 million and that approximately $2.267 million remains in that pot, which the city expects will fund roughly two more quarters of the premium payments this fiscal year. She explained that once those ARPA funds are exhausted, the general fund will assume the ongoing premium‑pay cost and that finance staff will perform journal entries to reconcile payroll expenses to ARPA while ARPA monies are available.

Councilman Thompson and others raised historical questions about prior allocations to medical providers; Kayla said some previously proposed allocations were never expended and were returned to the ARPA pot for reallocation. Kayla also told the council the city must meet appropriation and spending timelines set by the federal program; she said the council had a December 2024 deadline to appropriate certain funds and that some projects have later expenditure timeframes tied to federal guidance. Kayla said from the city’s accounting perspective roughly $18,325 will be returned to the Treasury because a few projects closed under budget.

On timing and oversight, Kayla said the finance office is creating a project and grant accountant position to better manage incoming federal funds and ensure the city meets program deadlines and reporting requirements.

Ending: Council asked additional budgeting and reconciliation questions and Kayla said staff will complete required journal entries to allocate payroll costs, continue oversight of encumbered projects and return the small unspent balance to the Treasury as required by the program.","City finance staff told council the city received $20,332,959 under ARPA, has expended about $14.4 million to date with encumbrances for ongoing projects, and expects to return roughly $18,325 to the Treasury. Staff warned that premium pay for first responders funded with ARPA will shift to the general fund after remaining ARPA balances are used.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6310705,"Hydromax: Odessa valve assessment about 63% complete; frozen and paved‑over valves are largest problems",2080,61450,2142140,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2398964-7e2b2da05eeb979141ff4a258460776f&start=61&end=2142","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2398964-7e2b2da05eeb979141ff4a258460776f/thumbnail_61450.jpg","/articles/6310705/Odessa/Ector-County/Texas/Hydromax-Odessa-valve-assessment-about-63-complete-frozen-and-pavedover-valves-are-largest-problems","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6310705-21bee3c978205dc26505e4ba08b4ac79/orig.mp4?Expires=1771170305&Signature=G6DxYkTAvXKPe3jgx2pqam3ckApJA1zZzK9oTKg~CGyFZCsjEVgXVbDVrisDCSuZXWUzUUa1HF8gw3pplQB1nIsON5EpO~7a-nXhvNoWyuoeb0dBfzJiUA0FkxoMqEa1xODrrAroPPV58jG3Wtf~8jDgwBS2QC5zk76QEhL-Wz0uG3hC-lovD1yKmvm6Zz-JrwxERIaC-I5YfgT1hHOCcKmul2sT-IV6aiv5GlVc1wRFqMs9jdtubBAS7~g4jmyn-Ahagne9u~SlOokfs-9eTlQ9iTHRlVd2L42jmKhDMOTl~py8QyOgzGKCqGeYkI~VzK3vbsTgSFjqZaoiVYViGw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Hydromax USA representatives reported to the Odessa City Council on Feb. 25 that the contractor has completed roughly 63% of the city’s valve assessment and that about 66% of inspected valves were operable on a first pass.

That assessment matters because the information will let the city target capital and rehabilitation work, improve water quality and pressure in parts of town, and help staff decide whether to repair valves or replace them. Hydromax and city staff said the data are being delivered in a live dashboard the city owns while the contract is in force and will receive monthly data exports for integration into city systems.

Hydromax project manager Austin Jordan and Hydromax operations director Russ Jackson walked council members through the dashboard during a presentation. Jackson said the firm classifies nonoperable valves into several categories: frozen (cannot be actuated up to the contractor’s torque limit), “spins free” (the stem turns but the valve does not open or close), missing operator nuts (no mechanism to turn the valve), and valves that could not be located in the field. “The largest portion” of nonoperable valves the team has found are frozen, Jackson said.

Jackson and Jordan demonstrated filters on the dashboard that show where specific categories of problem valves are located and details about pipe size, number of turns and other attributions acquired during inspection. Jordan said Hydromax’s deliverables “give you exactly that capability” to prioritize sections of the system if the city has a fixed capital budget.

Hydromax gave several quantitative updates as part of the presentation: the contractor said it is “roughly 63%” through the mapped assets provided by the city, reported about “66% operable” on inspected valves on a first pass, and cited an inoperable‑assets count in the 300s (the speaker alternated between figures presented as “about 320” and “327”). The team also identified smaller counts of specific subcategories during the live demonstration (for example, the contractor highlighted roughly 83 assets that appeared to be unable to be turned and about 33 valves missing an operator nut on the map filters during the presentation). Hydromax cautioned these figures are first‑pass counts and that some locations flagged as “cannot locate” may be operable once pavement or obstructions are removed.

Jackson described Hydromax’s operating procedures for frozen valves: crews ramp torque in stages, typically stopping at a pre‑set limit (Hydromax described machines with typical arm torque up to 750 foot‑pounds and a slide‑out unit rated to 1,500 foot‑pounds). If Hydromax reaches the agreed torque limit without success, staff will notify the city to decide whether to continue attempts on safety or service‑impact grounds. Jackson said attempts to free valves beyond the standard limit are usually charged hourly and that some valves can take prolonged effort to restore operation.

City utilities staff and Hydromax also discussed repair and budgeting options. Alex (utilities staff) said Hydromax’s deliverables will be integrated into an interactive map for field crews and into the city’s MGO planning system. City staff noted the council previously set aside funds for valve work: speakers described an account “a little bit over $9 million” and later referenced $9.5 million in a valves account during the meeting. City staff also said the current assessment contract was projected to come in under the originally budgeted million‑dollar line for the inspection phase, with the in‑house replacement work to be planned strategically.

Council and staff discussed operational benefits they have already observed: opening closed valves and locating problem valves has reportedly improved chlorine residuals and leveled tower supplies in some pressure planes. Utilities staff said plant chlorine residuals are currently being run at a “4” and that the department expects to reduce that setting to 3, which the presenter estimated could save “somewhere between $200,000 to $300,000 a year” at the treatment plant.

City staff outlined next steps: finish the remaining inspections, export and integrate Hydromax data into the city’s Esri‑based systems, and use the dashboard to prioritize repairs. Staff said they plan to maintain an in‑house crew to exercise valves going forward, and they have a new valve truck and mobile exercising trailers placed at city facilities. Hydromax said the city will own the inspection data; the dashboard remains live while Hydromax is under contract and monthly shapefile exports will be provided for the city to integrate.

Council members asked about costs for replacement versus repair; Hydromax and staff gave example orders of magnitude from the presentation — the speakers described a rough replacement‑cost example of about $10,000 for an 8‑inch valve and “30 plus” thousand dollars for a 24‑inch valve — and reiterated that smaller repairs or operator replacements can be much less expensive than full excavation and replacement.

Hydromax representatives emphasized that the principal value the firm delivers is the data about valve condition: “All of our clients basically pay us for information,” Jackson said, adding that the dashboard enables strategic capital planning and quicker, lower‑impact responses to line breaks.

The council did not take formal action on the presentation; staff said they will return with integrated map access, a plan for prioritized repair and a report on how remaining repair work will be scheduled within existing valve funds.

Ending: City staff said the assessment will continue through the summer and that the Hydromax dashboard and data exports will be used to guide both short‑term repairs and longer‑term capital projects. If the council wants to pursue repair or replacement beyond what staff can perform in‑house, staff said they will bring cost options back to council for approval.","Hydromax USA told the Odessa City Council on Feb. 25 that its contracted valve assessment is roughly 63% complete and that about two‑thirds of inspected valves appear operable. The contractor and city staff said the work is producing a dashboard of valve condition data the city owns and can use to prioritize repairs and capital spending.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: council approved procedural moves to reorder agenda and adjournment (Feb. 25 work session)

City manager search: Morton says 43 applications so far; council weighs outside recruiter and a $250k–$300k salary range

Council asks staff to research 311/app options to route nonemergency requests, reduce 911 load

Odessa reports $20.33M ARPA award; $14.4M expended, small return to Treasury, premium‑pay transition noted

Hydromax: Odessa valve assessment about 63% complete; frozen and paved‑over valves are largest problems