Pecos Council approves handbook change, infrastructure purchases and membership; mixed vote on SS4A consultant

Pecos City Council on Oct. 25 voted on several administrative and capital items, approving an amendment to the employee handbook to add three months of city‑paid COBRA coverage for retirees and surviving dependents, authorizing purchases for a booster pump station, and approving a three‑year AirMed membership for city employees. Council also approved first reading of an update to the master fee schedule and adopted a Vision Zero resolution. The council’s decision on awarding a consultant for a federally funded Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) planning contract was contentious: an initial voice vote produced a tie and was recorded as not carrying; after further discussion council ultimately approved the contract award.

The most consequential personnel benefits change was the handbook amendment to create temporary city‑paid COBRA support for retirees or survivors for three months to give families time to enroll in Medicare, Medicaid or private coverage. Joe Denton, an insurance consultant appearing by phone, told the council that Blue Cross/Blue Shield can add a formal “retiree class” only at the plan renewal (Oct. 1, 2026), but the city can subsidize COBRA in the interim. Councilwoman Trujillo moved the handbook amendment; Councilman Arona seconded. A voice vote was recorded and the motion carried.

On infrastructure and procurement, the council approved a purchase agreement with Core & Main for material needed to repair a booster pump station at a contract amount of $201,043.31. Utilities Director Jose Luis Delgado explained the parts are decades old and replacements are budgeted this fiscal year; the vendor selection excluded an unfamiliar low bidder and used vendors known to staff. The resolution was moved and the record shows the motion carried.

Council authorized a three‑year city membership with AirMed Care Network covering domestic medical flights and related services for all city employees and council members for a total cost stated in the meeting packet (the staff figure given was $52,800). Supporters said the program removes financial risk for employees who need emergency air transport and that it extends coverage to the entire household. Opponents raised budget and duplication concerns because employees can individually subscribe to an existing payroll‑deducted provider. A motion to approve the membership passed by voice vote.

Council also approved a contract with a consultant, 4 Foresight Group, to develop a comprehensive safety action plan tied to an SS4A grant application. The contract price and match were discussed at length; staff said the project must be completed on a tight federal timeline. A voice vote initially resulted in a tie and did not carry; after additional discussion council voted again and the contract passed.

Other votes at the meeting included rescheduling the Nov. 27 council meeting to Nov. 20 and approving first reading of an ordinance amending the master fee schedule (business fees). Council adopted a Vision Zero policy declaring a goal of eliminating traffic deaths and serious injuries by 2050 and directing staff to complete a comprehensive safety plan to support future grants.

Because many of the votes were taken by voice without roll‑call tallies, the record preserved in the meeting minutes lists motions, movers and seconders where stated and notes voice outcomes rather than numeric tallies. The council regularly instructed staff to return to council with required implementing language and to notify employees about benefit changes.