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MPO delegates lease‑negotiation authority to executive director as current county lease nears Sept. 30, 2026 expiration
Summary
The Transportation Policy Committee authorized the MPO executive director to negotiate office space procurement and lease terms to replace or extend the county lease that ends Sept. 30, 2026; the motion passed with Judge Parish present and not voting.
The Love MPO Transportation Policy Committee voted to authorize the MPO executive director to negotiate office space procurement and lease terms as the MPO’s current county lease approaches its Sept. 30, 2026 expiration.
Mr. Lucero told the committee the MPO must assess whether its current leased space on the 12th and second floors remains operationally appropriate and to examine cost, contract length, technology support, parking and public access in any new agreement. He noted that past practice had sometimes allowed the executive director or the TPC chair to negotiate and sign leases, and observed a potential conflict because the current TPC chair is a county judge who would be negotiating with himself if the county remained the landlord.
Committee members raised operational concerns: Dr. Wilson asked which entity manages IT, and Mr. Lucero explained the MPO currently pays both the city fiscal agent and the county for overlapping IT and phone support because of physical wiring and hosted services. Dr. Wilson requested assurance that any private facility would meet cybersecurity standards; Mr. Lucero said TxDOT requirements for protecting sensitive DOT information are part of the considerations.
The motion to delegate negotiation authority (mover: Mayor McReer; second: Councilwoman Martinez Garcia) carried. The transcript records the vote as "motion carries 5-0 with Judge Parish present not voting." Staff said it will return with details and recommended terms after negotiations and will prioritize fiscal constraints and IT security requirements.
Why it matters: The MPO must ensure continuity of operations, compliance with TxDOT cybersecurity and data requirements, and cost‑effective use of limited budgeted funds when negotiating its next office arrangement.
Next steps: The executive director will explore public and private lease options, consult with the city fiscal agent on IT and cybersecurity needs, and report options back to the Transportation Policy Committee.
