SPECIAL MEETING

CITY COMMISSION                                                                                                                                                  HARLINGEN, TEXAS     
                                                                                                 
                                                                                                   MARCH 22, 2004

A Special Meeting of the Harlingen Elective Commission was held on Monday, March 22, 2004 at 12:00 noon at City Hall, Town Hall, 118 E. Tyler Street, Harlingen, Texas. Those in attendance were:
 

Mayor and City Commission
C. Connie de la Garza
Frank Puente, Jr.
J. J. Gonzalez
Jay Meade
Chris Boswell

Absent:
Rick Rodriguez

Staff Present:
Brendan Hall City Attorney
Sylvia R. Trevino City Secretary

Mayor de la Garza called the meeting to order stating a quorum was present and that notice of the meeting had been duly posted.

Commissioner Puente made a motion to go into Executive Session under Government Code Section 551.074: personnel matters to deliberate the employment, evaluation and selection of a new City Manager. Commissioner Gonzalez seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.

EXECUTIVE SESSION UNDER GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 551.074: PERSONNEL MATTERS; TO DELIBERATE THE EMPLOYMENT, EVALUATION AND SELECTION OF A NEW CITY MANAGER

The Executive Session convened at 12:06 p.m. and concluded at 12:45 p.m. with no action taken in Executive Session.

CITY MANAGER APPOINTED AND CITY ATTORNEY AUTHORIZED TO NEGOTIATE THE TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

Mayor de la Garza announced that the entire Commission, including Commissioner Rodriguez, had reviewed the qualifications of the candidate for City Manager and found him to be extremely good and comes with very high recommendations. The new City Manager, Tommy Gonzalez, will start his employment with the City of Harlingen on April 12 at an annual salary of $132,500, plus $600/month car allowance, relocation and expenses up to $7,500. An employment agreement will be drawn up by the City Attorney. Should the City terminate him he will receive six months of severance pay plus unused vacation and sick leave. Mr. Gonzalez will also be paid 15 days of military pay should he be called to active duty.

Commissioner Puente made a motion to appoint Tommy Gonzalez as Harlingen’s new City Manager on the terms as stated by the Mayor. Commissioner Gonzalez seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.

For the record, a letter (as shown below) from Commissioner Rodriguez was read in his absence.

                                                                                                                                                                                                 March 19, 2004

Mayor and City Commissioners:

Due to a pre-arranged deposition, I will be unable to attend Monday’s special meeting. (My deposition is set in San Antonio, at 1:30 p.m. at the Law Offices of Brock and Person.)

It is my understanding the Mayor and Commission will be interviewing Tomas Gonzalez for the City Manager’s position. I want to go on record that I have interviewed Mr. Gonzalez, and have spoken at length with him. I am very impressed with his credentials and believe he is an excellent choice to fill the vacancy for City Manager.

Should the City Commission decide to enter an offer to Mr. Gonzalez, then let it be known, and read into the record that I will endorse and support efforts by the Mayor, City Commission, and staff to negotiate a term of employment with Mr. Gonzalez. If a vote is taken, then please accept this letter as a substitute for my vote. I wish to go on record as having my voted recorded as an affirmative or yes, to offer the position of City Manager to Mr. Gonzalez.

I will also go on record that I will agree to the terms and conditions the Mayor and Commissioners offer to Mr. Gonzalez.

Should you have any further questions, please feel free to call me at 561-4992.

Thank you.

                                                                                                                                                               Sincerely,

                                                                                                                                                               signature)
                                                                                                                                                               Richard R. Rodriguez
                                                                                                                                                               City Commissioner, Pl. 5

Mr. Tommy Gonzalez thanked the Commission for the confidence bestowed upon him and stated he chose to come to Harlingen because it is a growing community and many positive things are happening.

The Commission was very complimentary of Mr. Gonzalez and were of the opinion that Mr. Gonzalez has the background and expertise to get the job done.

BOARD APPOINTMENTS

Commissioner Gonzalez appointed Ann Shepard to the Development Corporation of Harlingen. Commissioner Meade made a motion to accept the appointment and Commissioner Boswell seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 12:55 p.m.



                                                                                                                                   __________________________
                                                                                                                                   C. Connie de la Garza, Mayor


Attest:


__________________________
Sylvia R.Trevino, City Secretary

City Secretary     Minutes