The Edinburg City Council has launched an inquiry into Council Member Homer Jasso’s conduct as it relates to the city charter.
Article 17, Section 2, of the charter states, “No member of the city council or any officer or employee of the city shall have a financial interest, direct or indirect, or by reason of ownership of stock in any corporation … in any matter in which he/she acts for the city.”
In March 2017, Council Members David Torres and Richard Molina, who now is mayor, accused Jasso of violating the charter because of his 15 percent stake in a tire recycling business, Santa Anita Recycling LLC, which was paid $4,233.38 in Fiscal Year 2016-2017, according to the agenda of last Tuesday’s meeting.
The Santa Anita Recycling bid was terminated by the City on Feb. 10, 2017, according to documents provided with last Tuesday’s agenda.
Jasso did not respond to multiple requests for comment.
In the March 21, 2017, meeting, he said the allegations that he violated the charter are false.
“I would like to address the allegation that has been perpetuated against me by Richard Molina and David Torres, who provided half-truths to The Monitor,” Jasso said in the March 21, 2017, meeting. “This is nothing more than a political witch hunt.”
During that meeting, Jasso said his vote was only to approve the awarding of bids, not the selection of the company awarded.
In the same meeting, Torres made a motion, which was seconded by Molina, to launch an inquiry against Jasso. However, the motion failed.
During last Tuesday’s city council meeting, members voted to conduct an inquiry into the conduct of Jasso.
Interim City Attorney Ricardo Gonzalez said there is no way of telling how long the inquiry will take.
“The city council will act as a fact finder,” Gonzalez said. “Once they are presented with all the documents and once there is testimony and evidence, [the inquiry] will be set down the road for a hearing.”
Gonzalez did not specify when or where a potential hearing would take place.
The council also amended the interlocal agreement for the joint use and development of the Memorial/Eisenhower Sports Complex between the City of Edinburg and Edinburg Consolidated Independent School District, which initially stated that the city would pay $1 million toward the project. The amendment changes the figure to $1,434,175.81 and stipulates that the funds will be disbursed in two payments of $717,087.91.
The payment increase was due to the development of the surrounding area near the stadium, including a gravel path around the perimeter of the stadium, as well the construction of basketball courts.
These additional funds are coming from money saved in the Edinburg Economic Development Corp.
Lastly, the council was given a presentation by the city staff on the five-year Capital Improvement Program. The projects include improvements to the drainage system in the area surrounding UTRGV to Expy. 281, as well as new construction projects for roads such as Schunior, Jackson and Chapin. These construction projects include improvements to sewer and water lines, as well as the expansion of Chapin and Schunior in the intersection with University Drive.
In other business, the council:
–added $72,699 to the general fund from the unreserved fund balance. The funds will be used for payment of operating expenditures and capital outlay.
–amended the classification and compensation plan to establish the position of construction manager, who will oversee the aforementioned projects. This position will have a minimum salary of $72,848.47 a year.
