[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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],{"_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",6059581,"mediaKeyId","3294163-259d6ab2e9179e6e2116aca7a9a9a148","parentId",3294163,"title","Odessa council approves notice to issue up to $40.5M in certificates of obligation for sports complex project","audioSeconds",2218,"startMs",7827000,"endMs",10045000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3294163-259d6ab2e9179e6e2116aca7a9a9a148&start=7827&end=10045","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3294163-259d6ab2e9179e6e2116aca7a9a9a148/thumbnail_7827000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6059581/Odessa/Ector-County/Texas/Odessa-council-approves-notice-to-issue-up-to-405M-in-certificates-of-obligation-for-sports-complex-project","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6059581-ff72082dd75fd45edae5598d783146dd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771208707&Signature=NRHQYbbvicLTCvZlGT1HNWJo-m1jAi3cgANNImrmh1mfWxLhMAiYXtGR8vleaVhYlmW3aWEKBK7nmBRMJ9gtKFfuTTgzpHO~cQOYC0gAKF7eAyY9QEaUE-Vuow3~A8ggcwhf~X0rzs1oOFx-jf7PZDvnE8H4uDY78cNXZ-9uQYRMbIjyv7zwVbdiHEpy4HmM2VupV7YDf8PdmCqTU9fpPy1GRFZiK41rDwATD4k8ajMw2qwVpbCg7mHABGAFcGerWH3sujhMaLDpCkufExz834FmGJVm2CajUe4BqbPe05y0kGRVsL415Tkd2P7oSw11j27GVgUlnl2BQo0cFI-L9A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Odessa, Texas","date","2025-05-14T02:28:17Z","article","The Odessa City Council on May 20 authorized publication of a notice of intent to issue certificates of obligation up to $40,500,000 to help fund a proposed Odessa Sports Complex, a large multi-field tournament venue planned for the Parksville Ranch area.

Hilltop Securities financial adviser George Williford presented the proposed financing timetable and terms, describing a direct placement structure with Frost Bank. Williford said the lender placement would carry a stated final maturity in 2036 with a financing structure that includes two interest-only years during construction (2026–2027) and principal amortization beginning March 1, 2028; prepayment at par would be permitted beginning March 1, 2028. He described the estimated cost of issuance at roughly $225,000 and outlined possible annual debt-service effects under different amortization scenarios.

City staff described the project's total budget at $130 million and identified about $90 million in proposed city reserves and hotel-occupancy (hot) funds to be applied; the requested certificates would cover the remaining construction financing needs. City Manager Morton and council members said the city has received private donations and commitments in support of the project and is actively soliciting naming-rights and sponsorship revenue. The council also heard financial modeling showing the venue's projected operating revenues and the possibility of refinancing the certificates later under more favorable market conditions.

Questions from council members and residents focused on long-term fiscal risk, refunding assumptions and whether voters should be asked to approve the debt. Financial advisers and staff explained that publishing the notice triggers a 45-day period during which residents may petition for an election; staff said the council could still be petitioned if voters prefer a bond election. The council voted to publish the notice and begin the legal timeline that would allow the city to close on the financing and begin construction this year if approvals proceed.

The action does not itself issue debt but starts the statutory process that would allow the city to proceed with certificates of obligation. Council members emphasized protections in the financing structure — including early prepayment and a short call feature — intended to allow refinancing once the city restores rating access. Council directed staff to continue negotiations, finalize terms and return to council for authorization to sell the certificates after the required notice period.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Odessa City Council Meeting May 13, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Council authorized publication of a notice of intent to issue certificates of obligation of up to $40.5 million to help fund a proposed $130 million Odessa sports complex; staff said $90 million is expected from reserves and other local sources, with COs covering the balance.","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},6059586,"Council approves heavy-industrial rezoning for Imperative Chemical Partners after heated public hearing",3760,2323000,6083000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3294163-259d6ab2e9179e6e2116aca7a9a9a148&start=2323&end=6083","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3294163-259d6ab2e9179e6e2116aca7a9a9a148/thumbnail_2323000.jpg","/articles/6059586/Odessa/Ector-County/Texas/Council-approves-heavy-industrial-rezoning-for-Imperative-Chemical-Partners-after-heated-public-hearing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6059586-1eddfc4108ad4022fe111d6959615ced/orig.mp4?Expires=1771208707&Signature=b33HQ90Kf8H9CF0rZGVFsjaL8AHgjEhRnj16XfJNBn67jm-k0C3WxgWFaFS0Fjz0nhClYcT961Z8Ntbk-UsFYM-ducr53ejTq~F3aVH1vruU4~tr3STApt8TdEdqTTEr9qttssarWvyLe8xRSy5cyrjC6yEldp~Lgikh92G6Dz6SLYkb2uzBG8gckfppd6sre2OVv4zcKsZEA2BOlhsbKH5PyaFUdG0k5J0tme6XC~PaOZI1fH3BelsYc8gzSWJhoJ8AA3n8GKr7EhQJwlI1Rhn~ZoOTf4FPOfTPE4jju4lAgmJphehFB-HPaQkmdQrG2FVTWDBs9gK93ArePk2sug__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Odessa City Council voted May 20 to approve a zoning change from Future Development to Heavy Industrial for a 43.436-acre tract the applicant identified as a future rail-served operations site for Imperative Chemical Partners.

Ryan Havens, chief executive officer of Imperative Chemical Partners, told the council the company intends to use the site's rail spur for transloading and storage tied to regional operations. \"Our first and foremost opportunity to create value for ourselves as well as the community is to utilize the rail, both the spur and the additional lines that are on this property, to transload materials,\" Havens said during the public hearing.

Supporters described Imperative as an established private operator with safety systems and third-party oversight. Jake Watkins, general manager of Impulse Electric and a neighbor, called Imperative \"by far the best company we've had the privilege of working with in over 30 years,\" and said he had seen their safety standards firsthand.

Multiple residents and business leaders urged caution. Donald Murray, vice president of Blakely Construction, cited local environmental data and cleanup sites, saying \"the risk screening environmental indicators... are up 30% in the last 5 years\" and pointing out nearby state cleanup sites. Larry Robinson, who spoke from the public, said the predominant winds and site history of stored chemicals made the location unsuitable for expanded chemical handling without strict limits.

Havens said the company follows standard environmental controls, including SPCC (spill prevention, control and countermeasure) secondary containment, and that his company operates with low incident rates. Havens told council, \"We are fully compliant with EPA's SPCC regulations... we have secondary containment that holds up to 1 and a half times the volume of the largest container in that facility.\" He added the company's internal safety metrics track TRIR (total recordable incident rate) consistently under 1.

Despite public opposition and a Planning and Zoning recommendation to table the request, the council considered the application after the applicant's presentation. Council member Chris Haney moved to approve the rezoning; Council member Connell seconded. The motion carried and the rezoning was approved.

The council's approval clears the way for Imperative Chemical Partners to use the property as heavy-industrial rail-served land; the company said it expects to move operations and create jobs over time. Several residents asked the council to consider special-use conditions to limit particular chemical storage or operations; those conditions were not adopted on the zoning motion recorded at the meeting.

","After a lengthy public hearing with residents and industry representatives raising safety and environmental concerns, the Odessa City Council approved a zoning change to heavy industrial for a property Imperative Chemical Partners plans to use for rail access and chemical handling.",{"_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},6059591,"Odessa resident urges probe after council ordinance said not published as required by charter",192,1012000,1204000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3294163-259d6ab2e9179e6e2116aca7a9a9a148&start=1012&end=1204","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3294163-259d6ab2e9179e6e2116aca7a9a9a148/thumbnail_1012000.jpg","/articles/6059591/Odessa/Ector-County/Texas/Odessa-resident-urges-probe-after-council-ordinance-said-not-published-as-required-by-charter","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6059591-f5a72a655c4da2d0d224fafe04d4a08d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771208707&Signature=ah5TMlbcdD8ByG0I84ZlKWNB4gUyAS6FIC6Q8J9j-2aw5fYZhg-BeJny4nOrjurNAXkZQWtiAOyJ61AwtBpZEAz9GHl~9miBdWWaLVxkow7sNysPeyhB6MUehULuXMN2JkhifyfdTJzaGqyhzR2psVtVL2xZhH5FgcgXW4FMXY9EGuvLlghlfd5SZlUXYWCa8is2KWwN3AO8705aV6OO0jLHBbNvcYRYeD2v9q6s-nPKZ9gLM5roe3VaoEk99588fJJoNKI~tkMU68ffd0YZQ-lV~2aZtKPsZeb50-knpw0sxJYlmAOBez0AHCNL3PcOVmA99THW56pDf096Uu270Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A local resident urged the Odessa City Council on May 20 to investigate why an ordinance approved in November 2024 was not published and therefore did not take effect, saying the omission undermines transparency and the charter.

Jeff Russell said he helped draft Ordinance 2024-46, which he described as intended to \"protect the dignity and privacy of women in public facilities.\" Russell told the council the ordinance was passed by the council by two readings and a final vote on Nov. 14, 2024, but had not been published in the Odessa American as required by the Odessa City Charter, and therefore had not become law. \"We passed a law, but because someone willingly chose not to take the final step, that law was quietly buried,\" Russell said.

Russell asked the council to direct a public investigation and to compel publication; he said he would pursue court action if the city secretary did not publish the ordinance promptly. The speaker framed the matter as one of charter compliance and trust, asking \"who made that decision?\" and whether the omission was an oversight or deliberate.

Council members did not take immediate action during the public-comment period; the comment was recorded during the citizens' comments segment of the meeting. The council did not announce an investigation or a formal direction on the record at the time of the comment.

","A resident told council that Ordinance 2024-46 — intended to protect privacy in public facilities — was never published and therefore never took effect, and called for an investigation and court action if the city secretary did not comply.",{"_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},6059596,"Odessa council declines $10,000 match for Fix West Texas spay-and-neuter voucher program",2321,1267000,3588000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3294163-259d6ab2e9179e6e2116aca7a9a9a148&start=1267&end=3588","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3294163-259d6ab2e9179e6e2116aca7a9a9a148/thumbnail_1267000.jpg","/articles/6059596/Odessa/Ector-County/Texas/Odessa-council-declines-10000-match-for-Fix-West-Texas-spay-and-neuter-voucher-program","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6059596-300ecb5bfc5841c8f6151a850ed7b44c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771208707&Signature=Zv~6x7ryA9i9PtjDqptk-IlX6JJKow8ERMrGXMW7GV2gZ2ctu~VS8JJN7ZOYXaOI54n9mAVT0L~58ZW6ycbP9rxi-g1m-itj5p0kDx9rmKQLFB9FG1KROyLI-PB95bGO7sqY6IHrvj4Dk0IZAE1Ffo1Gl53tNyivhgKcQnPcTnq6oKGbeLyFPWOw8spNtXEd6HQvbiSVjJkV0uGjtxex8bIjD9ztUMUwuwnvesWhuLSkypT4R5jaFPNKfd6QAV5DYbRi6dfYkdwIkn9vs046ejhsGSod4ns5HZs69a1X0pKu22YonCyhqoFH~WClW5MsZXweAIYI3zQW6gu1chDrlA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Odessa City Council on May 20 declined to enter an interlocal agreement with Fix West Texas and denied a requested $10,000 city match for a spay-and-neuter voucher program, after more than an hour of public testimony from shelter staff, veterinarians and animal-welfare groups.

Supporters said the program would expand low-cost surgery access for Odessa residents and reduce the number of animals entering the city shelter. Karen Patterson, founder and executive director of Fix West Texas, told the council \"we serve 52% of all of our clients again from Odessa. That's about 4,000 surgical clients from Odessa each year and about 10,000 vaccination clients from Odessa every year.\" Patterson said the organization had a proposed $10,000 city match that — combined with outside matches — would turn into $40,000 in vouchers, enough to cover about 400 spay/neuter surgeries.

Opponents — including local veterinarians and the chair of the Odessa Animal Advisory Board — raised concerns about transparency, local access, and oversight. Devin Daley of Permian Paws in Need objected to Fix West Texas administering a city-funded voucher program, saying it would \"effectively be choosing winners and losers in our veterinary and nonprofit communities\" and that vouchers should be distributed through an open, competitive process. Lisa Frost, who described herself as a member of the Odessa animal-advisory community, told the council she had seen bookkeeping and operational questions and urged stricter documentation for any vouchers used by residents.

Odessa Animal Services staff and the advisory board also said the city already runs low-cost clinics and vaccination events and urged the council to consider strengthening existing municipal services rather than funding a third-party voucher program. Kelly (Odessa Animal Services staff) told council members the shelter runs a flat-rate clinic and verifies Odessa residency for its low-cost services.

After commissioners and council members debated whether vouchers should be managed by a local entity or by Fix West Texas, a council member moved to \"not enter into an agreement with the voucher program with Fix West Texas and deny the $10,000 match.\" The motion was seconded and the council voted to approve the motion to decline the interlocal and deny the match.

The decision means Fix West Texas may continue to operate and solicit private funds but will not receive the proposed $10,000 city match. Supporters said they will continue to seek other funding sources; opponents urged the city to expand its own low-cost clinic capacity and to require strict documentation if public funds are later allocated to voucher programs.

Looking ahead, council members suggested that any future city funding for voucher programs be routed through the city's animal services with specified reporting, proof of Odessa residency and stronger oversight requirements.

","After public testimony from animal-rescue groups, veterinarians and shelter staff, the Odessa City Council voted to decline entering an interlocal agreement and to deny a requested $10,000 city match for a voucher program run by Fix West Texas.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Odessa council approves notice to issue up to $40.5M in certificates of obligation for sports complex project

Council approves heavy-industrial rezoning for Imperative Chemical Partners after heated public hearing

Odessa resident urges probe after council ordinance said not published as required by charter

Odessa council declines $10,000 match for Fix West Texas spay-and-neuter voucher program