The Laredo Center for Urban Agriculture and Sustainability (LCUAS) board met Feb. 20 and reviewed a proposed capacity-building budget and a list of needed repairs at the organization’s facility, heard progress reports on community events and student-led website work, accepted financial statements for January and voted to table several contract- and hiring-related decisions pending further review.

Board members heard that the organization submitted a funding request described in the meeting materials as “a hundred and 60 per year for 3 years” to support capacity building; staff presented a program-by-program breakdown showing seven core functions the entity is responsible for. Interim presenters stressed the budget is meant to support capacity-building activities rather than cover all future revenues or program spending.

The board was given a facilities report that listed immediate concerns including needed ADA access (a lift), roof leaks, damaged window caulking and localized water intrusion tied to split HVAC units. Presenters said restrooms are ADA compliant but the second floor has not been renovated and multiple roof repairs are needed. City staff said a building inspection will be scheduled to determine what the city must repair versus what the local government corporation can address with its own funds or grant support.

In financial reporting, Treasurer Oscar Lechuza presented the statement of financial position and the statement of activities. He reported the bank balance on Feb. 20 as $28,502.77. Lechuza said revenues for January included deposits from local nonprofits and that a net surplus for the month was $18,680.17. (Lechuza presented the month-end balance and the surplus figure during the meeting.)

Executive Director Jose Moreno reported increased volunteer participation and recent outreach events, including school visits and participation in local farmers markets. Moreno said a March 4 urban-farming workshop is planned in partnership with the public health department. Representatives from Laredo College described a multi-cohort student partnership: an earlier student cohort built the LCUAS website and current cohorts are focused on driving traffic to the site, recruiting volunteers, and developing a volunteer/waiver portal. Staff said a QR-code sign-in is in use now but that a clearer volunteer-tracking system (for waivers, hours and email lists) is being pursued.

Board members discussed how facility repairs could be funded. Presenters noted the local government corporation structure allows the organization to apply for capital-improvement grants independently and that the city would remain responsible for major structural items per the draft contract language, while the organization could be allocated up to $10,000 a year for smaller repairs and operating needs.

On formal actions, the board approved meeting minutes from Jan. 16, 2025, and accepted the treasurer’s report. Several agenda items were tabled for follow-up: discussion and possible action on the multi-year contract with the City of Laredo (both the three-year and a referenced two-year contract matter were deferred), posting or hiring for a program coordinator position, and other contract-related actions until staff returns with inspection results and updated contract language. The board was told staff expects to complete a building review and provide a response within roughly one month.

During the meeting, staff also reported a grant application had been submitted to CenterPoint Energy.

Why it matters: LCUAS operates as a local government corporation tasked with seven core functions tied to the city’s food-system goals. The board’s decisions about the contract and facility readiness will determine whether and how the organization can expand programming, host workshops for elderly and other community members, and pursue grant-funded capital improvements.

Votes at a glance

- Motion to approve minutes from the Jan. 16, 2025 meeting: moved and seconded; no opposed votes; motion carries.

- Motion to accept the treasurer’s report (January financials): moved and seconded; no opposed votes; motion carries.

- Motion(s) to table discussion/possible action regarding the multi-year contract(s) with the City of Laredo (three-year and later referenced two-year contract): moved and seconded; no opposed votes; motions carry.

- Motion to table posting/hiring for the program coordinator position until contract/funding is resolved: moved and seconded; no opposed votes; motion carries.

All formal votes recorded during the meeting were taken by voice; no roll-call tallies with named aye/nos were recorded in the meeting transcript.

Context and next steps

Presenters asked the board to use the program-tracking spreadsheet provided as an ongoing reporting tool for events, volunteer hours and program categories; staff said they will circulate editable copies for 2025 and recommended entering each event immediately so metrics align with the city’s food-system plan. City staff will perform a facility inspection to confirm what the city must address before the lease or contract is executed; staff indicated they expect to report back within about one month. The board also plans to continue developing the website’s volunteer/waiver workflow with student partners and to pursue grant opportunities for capital improvements.

No executive session was announced or convened during this meeting. The meeting concluded with routine administrative business.