Council approves water-plant contract changes, fire apparatus purchase, annexations, insurance renewals and appointments

The Odessa City Council on Jan. 14 approved a set of contracts, purchases, annexation petitions and administrative renewals covering water-infrastructure work, zoning, equipment for public safety, insurance renewals and board appointments.

Water treatment contract modification: The council approved a modification to the consulting contract for the water treatment plant rehabilitation and miscellaneous upgrades project, adding $1,250,100 and six months of continued professional services so the city retains the project management team on-site during construction. Utilities staff said the allocation will come from the project contingency account. City staff noted the current contingency balance cited in the meeting of "4.9" (units not specified in the transcript) would be reduced by this amendment, leaving approximately "3.6" (approximate figure reported during discussion). The motion passed unanimously.

Zoning amendment to allow restaurants (no alcohol): Council opened and closed a public hearing on a request to amend a plan-development retail (PD-R) zoning designation for a property at the northeast corner of East Ridge Road and Route 338 (building C of the referenced site). Planning staff told the council the planning and zoning commission voted 4–0 to approve the change on Dec. 5, 2024, and staff recommended approval, stating a restaurant with no alcohol sales is compatible with the location. The owner requested the no-alcohol condition; any change to allow alcohol would require a new application to planning and zoning and subsequent council action. Council approved the amendment unanimously.

Police equipment emergency repair: Council approved a transfer of approximately $394,000 from the general fund to replace boilers, pumps and a tank at the Odessa Police Department after staff described repeated failures of the existing units. The motion passed by voice vote.

Fire apparatus purchase: Fire Rescue presented a request to purchase two Spartan pumpers and one Spartan ladder truck at a total cost of $4,330,000, funded from the equipment services fund and a capital outlay account. Staff said delivery is expected under current vendor timelines of roughly a two-year build and described a fleet-replacement plan to order on a recurring cycle; council approved the purchase unanimously.

Archery lease amendments: The council amended a lease with the West Texas 4-H Junior Olympic Archery Development Club to allow the Permian Basin Archers Association access, remove a 90-day notice requirement for events, and provide for automatic one-year renewals. The agreement requires the lessee to maintain insurance (a $1,000,000 general-liability policy was described) and to provide notice if an accident occurs. Council approved the changes unanimously.

Insurance renewals and stop-loss coverage: The council approved renewals for property, automobile, cyber and workers' compensation coverage through the Texas Municipal League (TML) program and approved related budget adjustments. Staff said workers' compensation contributions will increase and that the city expects to need an additional appropriation of $220,996 for workers' comp this fiscal year. Staff also noted that the self-insured retention for law-enforcement coverage had been increased industry-wide and that the city had raised the SIR for police coverage earlier. Separately, the council approved renewal of medical stop-loss coverage (which protects the city for individual medical claims above $400,000) including a new gene-therapy stop-loss component; staff presented a figure for the gene-therapy component of $60,363 and a total stop-loss premium shown as $429,149 as presented in the meeting packet. Both insurance-related items were approved.

Annexation petitions: The council accepted petitions to begin annexation proceedings for three parcels: a 12.83-acre tract submitted by Maverick Engineering on behalf of Heavy Estate LLC and Covington Brothers Property LLC; an 11.425-acre tract submitted on behalf of Itt and Bauch Companies PBC; and a 24.5-acre tract submitted by LCA on behalf of Pilar Clarksville Ranch LLC. Staff noted the county/city tax-sharing memorandum of understanding applies where relevant; all petitions were accepted unanimously to begin the annexation initiation process.

Professional services agreement for water distribution: The council approved a professional services agreement with Parkhill for replacement of water infrastructure along County Road West from 13th Street to Kermit Highway. The contract amount presented was $373,500 and staff said the amount is within the project budget. The motion passed unanimously.

Boards and commissions appointments: Council approved a slate of reappointments and new appointments across municipal boards and commissions, including reappointments to the Capital Improvements Advisory Committee, Planning and Zoning Commission applicants and numerous advisory boards. Several council members and staff confirmed members had agreed to reappointment; the council approved the list by voice vote.

Most items discussed at the meeting passed on unanimous voice votes; where staff provided cost figures, council accepted staff's recommendations and directed appropriate budget or implementation follow-up.