Tuesday’s Brownsville City Commission meeting focused on preventing the spread of the Zika virus, promoting outdoor recreation and ensuring duplex apartments are following city code.
The Public Health Department presented the results of its research regarding the prevention of the Zika virus and the elimination of the mosquitoes that carry it.
“In 2017, we were able to get a lot of research done in Brownsville from our activities to be able to get the City of Brownsville removed from the yellow cautionary zone that had been set up by the Center for Disease Control,” said Arturo Rodriguez, director of Public Health and Wellness. “That was a big first step we did.”
The research they presented showed the national statistics for people affected by the virus.
“Now, data in Zika is still changing every day,” Rodriguez said. “For example, we learned recently that congenital birth defects for people who live in Zika-borne areas are at a 20-fold increase, at risk just by the fact of having localized Zika. This data came out the last week of January.”
He further explained that in Brownsville, people are still suffering from the effects of localized Zika.
“Even with the Center for Disease and having an outreach nurse, that is one of the gaps,” Rodriguez said. “I can tell you that we at least have one baby in Brownsville that was born with congenital birth defects.”
He said the information presented will possibly help an estimated 1.3 million people.
“It’s important because Brownsville is the tip of the spear and the data that we collected in 2017, thanks to [the city’s support], management and city commission, we’re protecting not only our citizens, but we’re the first line of defense protecting those who enter the border, from the north or the south,” Rodriguez said.
In other matters, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service sought to establish a partnership through the Urban Refuge Program to continue promoting active lifestyles, outdoor recreation and environmental stewardship.
Gisela Chapa, coordinator for Community Engagement and Partnership for the Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge in Alamo, spoke at the meeting to propose a partnership between the City of Brownsville and the South Texas Refuge Complex.
Partnering would permit the South Texas Refuge Complex to connect the residents of Brownsville to nature by improving access to national wildlife refuges in Cameron County, enhance existing green spaces in Brownsville, promote sustainability and engage youth and families to spend time outdoors.
“The potential benefits of the partnership are actions and activities that could help promote the quality of life for residents in the City of Brownsville, increase the availability of native habitat that is beneficial for wildlife, as well as the community,” Chapa said.
The commission adopted a memorandum of understanding between the city and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to establish a partnership through the Urban Refuge Program.
Additionally, District 4 Commissioner Ben Neece invited the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to participate in Earth Fest on April 21.
Commissioners also conducted a hearing on the first reading on an ordinance that would rezone Lot 2, Block 1, of the Hutton subdivision located near Lourdes Boulevard, as requested by Fernando Saenz, who wants to build duplexes on the property.
Although the proposal is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan and Future Land Use Plan, the Planning and Zoning Commission denied the request Jan. 4 because members were concerned about the high density of homes and businesses in the area.
The property is next to a Burger King and backs up to a Family Dollar and Dollar Tree. Residential houses are across the street.
City officials said the plan would need the city commission’s unanimous approval.
The owner, Saenz, appeared before the city commission to appeal the Planning and Zoning Commission’s decision.
However, District 2 Commissioner Jessica Tetreau-Kalifa opposed the proposal for reasons similar to that of the Planning and Zoning Commission.
“This is my district. I have a lot of friends in that neighborhood and because of the location with the Burger King, I understand the use for it, but I do not like the crowding,” Tetreau-Kalifa said. “I do not believe you should be building homes like that. I do not like the lifestyles of people having to live in teeny, tiny homes.”
District 1 Commissioner Ricardo Longoria Jr. jokingly asked Tetreau-Kalifa if she had been to China.
“This is not China, this is Brownsville, Texas, and it’s beautiful here,” she said.
The city commission took no action on the matter.
The Rider asked District 3 Commissioner Joel Munguia about the status of the Jefferson Davis Highway Memorial relocation.
Munguia replied, “As of today, there are no updates.”
