San Benito commissioners approve multiple development, repair and small-business measures; several items tabled

San Benito commissioners approved a series of motions at a June 2025 City Commission meeting, voting to move forward on a subdivision, several economic-development agreements, engineering work on water towers and an emergency utilities repair while tabling a pair of traffic-board reappointments.

The commission voted to approve the consent agenda (items 1–10) with item 2 pulled for separate consideration. Commissioners then approved the preliminary plat and master plan for the Los Cielo Subdivision, a 29.76-acre project by Spirit 2 Family LLC, and ratified an amended performance agreement for a San Benito Economic Development Corporation project involving a Huddle House franchise. The commission approved a small-business investment agreement with Reach for the Sky Bakeshop, LLC, authorized KLM Engineering, Inc. to prepare engineering specifications for rehabilitation of two city water towers ($264,750 contract), and ratified an emergency repair payment to OMT Utilities for a collapsed manhole and associated lift-station repairs ($42,750).

Officials also made appointments to the San Benito Economic Development Corporation board: Mayor Guerra was appointed to place 1, Mayor Pro Tem Galvan to place 2, Commissioner Deborah Morales to place 3, and Hector Gomez Jr. was reappointed to place 4. The commission voted to table reappointment decisions for two seats on the Traffic Safety Advisory Board; the seats will hold over until the commission takes further action.

Why it matters: the actions advance development and infrastructure projects that city staff say are funded through existing capital allocations including ARPA dollars and EDC resources, and authorize engineering and emergency repairs city staff described as necessary to maintain system safety and service.

Key approved items and formal outcomes - Consent agenda (items 1–10, with item 2 pulled for discussion): approved (motion by Commissioner Goodman; second by Commissioner Morales). Note: item 2 was pulled from consent and considered separately as the Los Cielo preliminary plat. - Los Cielo Subdivision preliminary plat and master plan (Spirit 2 Family LLC; 29.76 acres): approved (motion by Mayor Pro Tem Galvan; second by Commissioner Morales). - Resolution 2024201217-002R — amended performance agreement for a Huddle House development handled by the San Benito Economic Development Corporation: ratified/approved (motion made and carried; amendment accepts performance measures tied to employees as described in the agreement). The agreement includes a one-time $5,000 business payment tied to verification of 10 employees (document language in the agreement clarified during discussion to permit currently employed part-time staff to meet the metric as amended). - Small-business investment agreement with Reach for the Sky Bakeshop, LLC (flood-affected downtown business): approved (motion by Commissioner Morales; second by Commissioner Navarro). - KLM Engineering, Inc. — engineering services to rehabilitate the U.S. 77 (Freddy Fender) and Oscar Williams water towers: contract for $264,750 approved to prepare design/specs and bid documents; staff estimated combined construction/rehab costs north of $1.5 million and said work will be phased across fiscal years and scheduled to minimize disruptions. Motion to engage KLM approved. - Ratification of emergency payment to OMT Utilities for repair of a collapsed manhole and related Rose lift station work: $42,750 approved as emergency repair expense. - San Benito Economic Development Corporation board appointments: Mayor Guerra (place 1), Mayor Pro Tem Galvan (place 2), Commissioner Deborah Morales (place 3), Hector Gomez Jr. reappointed (place 4): approved. - Traffic Safety Advisory Board reappointments (places 3 and 4): tabled (motion to table carried); current members will hold over until reappointment/removal is decided.

What commissioners and staff said: city staff described the water towers as long overdue for rehabilitation and said KLM’s inspection work (which included an ROV and climbers) supported the engineering recommendation. Staff indicated funding for the engineering phase is available through ARPA and that the construction phase would likely span multiple fiscal years. On the Huddle House agreement, staff explained the amendment was intended to allow the performance payment to be met with currently employed part-time workers rather than full-time hires, and commissioners moved to approve the amended language.

Next steps: staff will proceed with the engineering procurement for the water-tower rehabilitation, coordinate the emergency repairs documentation, implement the approved small-business assistance, and process required follow-up filings for the EDC appointments. Ordinances that were presented for first reading (fire-hydrant installation fees and speed limits on FM 2520) remain at first reading and will return for final consideration at a subsequent meeting after additional staff follow-up and public notification.

Votes and formal records: the motions and approvals described above were taken on the record during the meeting; the transcript records commissioners’ motions and votes as described. The commission adjourned following appointments and executive-session follow-up.