Maverick County commissioners unanimously approve CDBG Vanessa Street water project MOUs and clear accounts payable

Maverick County Commissioners Court voted unanimously to approve two memoranda of understanding tied to a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) project on Vanessa Street and to approve accounts payable, during a brief meeting called to order at 10:01 a.m.

Mister Brace, responding to the court, said the CDBG-funded project will repair and improve water and sewer lines on Vanessa Street and include drainage work; he added that Eagle Pass Waterworks will maintain the infrastructure installed as part of the project. "We do have a project going on on Vanessa Street where they are going to repair and, improve the water lines and the sewer lines," Brace said. The presiding Judge noted the county is administering the grant with support from the MRGDC (Middle Rio Grande Development Council).

The court first approved the memorandum of understanding with Eagle Pass Waterworks (Item 1). Commissioner Reese moved to approve Item 1; Commissioner Rios seconded, and the court voted unanimously to adopt the agreement.

The court then considered Item 2, a memorandum of understanding with Empire Industrial Park tied to the same Vanessa Street project. Staff explained that some construction will occur within an easement belonging to Empire Industrial Park, that the park has reviewed the project with the county engineer and granted permission for the grading and drainage work, and that the county will retain ownership of county infrastructure even after the work. Commissioner Munoz moved to approve the MOU; Commissioner Reese seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

During discussion of the accounts payable (Item 3), a commissioner asked about line items tied to Equity CDC and "Presidential Construction and Property Management." Staff replied that the listed subcontractor is being used by Equity CDC for rehabs under the grant and that this should be the final payment to close out that grant. A motion to approve accounts payable was made (recorded as moved by Commissioner Breese and seconded by Commissioner Rios) and passed unanimously. The court also acknowledged last-minute warrants submitted that morning and approved considering them without objection.

The court adjourned after a motion from Commissioner Muriel, seconded by Commissioner Reese, and a unanimous voice vote.

Votes at a glance

- Item 1: Approve MOU between Eagle Pass Waterworks and Maverick County (CDBG Vanessa Street project). Mover: Commissioner Reese. Seconder: Commissioner Rios. Outcome: approved (unanimous).

- Item 2: Approve MOU between Maverick County and Empire Industrial Park (easement for Vanessa Street work). Mover: Commissioner Munoz. Seconder: Commissioner Reese. Outcome: approved (unanimous).

- Item 3: Approve accounts payable (includes final payment to a subcontractor used by Equity CDC). Mover: Commissioner Breese. Seconder: Commissioner Rios. Outcome: approved (unanimous).

What it means

The approved MOUs clear administrative and property-permission steps for a CDBG-funded infrastructure project on Vanessa Street; Empire Industrial Park’s easement agreement allows grading and drainage work on park-owned land while preserving county ownership of county infrastructure. The accounts-payable approvals include final payments tied to a grant rehabilitation contract, which staff said will close out that grant.

Next steps

No additional actions or hearings were scheduled on the record; the court adjourned at the close of the session.