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Memorial/Eisenhower Sports Complex, Edinburg Transit Facility, First Hartford Realty, and La Sienna sales tax reimbursement agreement among 20 agenda items to be reviewed by Edinburg EDC Board of Directors beginning at noon Tuesday, February 27, at Edinburg City Hall - Titans of the Texas Legislature

Featured, from left: Isael Posadas, P.E., Secretary/Treasurer, Board of Directors, Edinburg Economic Development Corporation; Edinburg School Board Trustee Miguel “Mike” Farías, who also serves as Vice-President, Board of Directors, Edinburg Economic Development Corporation; Mayor Pro-Tem David Torres; Mayor Richard Molina; Plinio “Joey” Treviño, Executive Director, Edinburg Economic Development Corporation; Councilmember Jorge Salinas; Councilmember Gilbert Enríquez, who also serves as President, Board of Directors, Edinburg Economic Development Corporation; Julio César Carranza, Member, Board of Directors, Edinburg Economic Development Corporation; and Noé Sauceda, Ph.D., Member, Board of Directors, Edinburg Economic Development Corporation. This image was taken on Friday, February 16, 2018, following the announcement by city leaders that Treviño had been selected as the administrative leader of the Edinburg EDC, which is the jobs-creation arm of the Mayor and Edinburg City Council.

Photograph Courtesy EDINBURG PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE

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With their new executive director, Plinio “Joey” Treviño, beginning his first week officially on the job, the Edinburg Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors, starting at noon on Tuesday, February 27, 2018, will take up a full agenda of key issues when they hold their regular monthly meeting at Edinburg City Hall. Familiar names and prospective new projects will be reviewed and acted upon by the five-member governing board of the Edinburg EDC, including: Memorial/Eisenhower Sports Complex; Edinburg Transit Facility; First Hartford Realty; La Sienna sales tax reimbursement; Ed Payne Motors; Inc; Innovation-Based Learning Institute; Greater McAllen Association of Realtors annual TR Leadership Update Mega Regional Meeting; Grindstone; Nu-Co Tool, Inc.; Oceangate; GRH Investments, LLC; 3-0 Ranch Edinburg/RGC Properties LLC; Fazil, LLC; and Edinburg Consolidated Independent School District Baseball Program for the All American Baseball Classic.

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Memorial/Eisenhower Sports Complex, Edinburg Transit Facility, First Hartford Realty, and La Sienna sales tax reimbursement agreement among 20 agenda items to be reviewed by Edinburg EDC Board of Directors beginning at noon Tuesday, February 27, at Edinburg City Hall

By DAVID A. DÍAZ
[email protected]

With their new executive director, Plinio “Joey” Treviño, beginning his first week officially on the job, the Edinburg Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors, starting at noon on Tuesday, February 27, 2018, will take up a full agenda of key issues when they hold their regular monthly meeting at Edinburg City Hall.

Familiar names and prospective new projects will be reviewed and acted upon by the five-member governing board of the Edinburg EDC, including the following items:

• Presentation by Mr. Ron Garza, Executive Director for the Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council, regarding the Edinburg Transit Facility project;

• Presentation update by Mr. Todd Gilliland, Project Director for Burns Brothers, Ltd., regarding La Sienna Sales Tax Reimbursement Agreement;

• Discuss and consider authorizing the Executive Director to enter into an Inter-Local Agreement with the City of Edinburg for Joint Use and Development of Memorial/Eisenhower Sports Complex;

• Discuss and consider authorizing the Executive Director to enter into a Development Agreement with Ed Payne Motors, Inc; and

• Discuss and consider authorizing the Executive Director to enter into a Research Agreement with Innovation-Based Learning Institute.

The Edinburg EDC is the jobs-creation arm of Mayor Richard Molina, Mayor Pro-Tem David Torres, Councilmember Homer Jasso, Jr., Councilmember Gilbert Enríquez, and Councilmember Jorge Salinas.

The Edinburg EDC Board of Directors is comprised of City Councilmember Gilbert Enríquez as President, Edinburg School Board Trustee Miguel “Mike” Farías as Vice-President, Isael Posadas, P.E., as Secretary/Treasurer, and Julio César Carranza and Noé Sauceda, Ph.D. as Members.

The meeting, which is open to the public, will be held in the Council Chamber, located on the first floor of Edinburg City Hall, 415 W. University Drive.

Treviño, whose extensive credentials include many achievements in public service and in private enterprise, was hired by the Edinburg EDC Board of Directors on Friday, February 16, 2018, with Monday, February 26, 2018 being the first day in his influential leadership role for the city.
Treviño has previously served as Mayor Pro-Tem and City Commissioner from 2009 to 2012 in Harlingen, where he led the negotiations and approval for the Bass Pro Shop Major Retail Development.

His many years of experience in economic development also include successful roles as the Executive Director of the Weslaco Economic Development Corporation, and most recently as the South Texas Director of Business Development for Raba Kistner Consultants.

In addition, Treviño has municipality experience having served as the Director of the Planning and Code Enforcement Division for the City of Weslaco.

He has also served on numerous boards and committees. He is currently active in the Red Cross South Texas Chapter, VIDA (Valley Initiative for Development and Advancement), RGV LEAD, and the Rio Grande Valley Partnership.

AGENDA FOR EDINBURG EDC BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

The Texas Open Meetings Act is detailed in Chapter 551 of the Government Code. It states that governmental bodies must hold open meetings unless there is an authorized reason for a closed session, also known as an executive session.

The agenda for the Edinburg EDC Board of Directors meeting for Tuesday, February 27, 2018, follows:

Open Session

• Call meeting to order
• Roll Call and Certification of Posting of Meeting
• Consider approval of Board of Director’s Minutes for January 23, 2018, January 31, 2018, and February 16, 2018 Board Meetings
• Presentation by Mr. Ron Garza, Executive Director for the Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council, regarding the Edinburg Transit Facility project
• Presentation update by Mr. Todd Gilliland, Project Director for Burns Brothers, Ltd., regarding La Sienna Sales Tax Reimbursement Agreement
• Discuss and consider authorizing the Executive Director to hire a forensic auditor to audit transactions for the last three years
• Discuss and consider approval of sponsorship for the Edinburg Consolidated Independent School District Baseball Program for the All American Baseball Classic
• Discuss and consider approval of a sponsorship for the Greater McAllen Association of Realtors annual TR Leadership Update Mega Regional Meeting
• Discuss and consider authorizing the Executive Director to enter into a Research Agreement with Innovation-Based Learning Institute
• Discuss and consider approval of a Travel Policy for the Edinburg Economic Development Corporation’s Personnel Compensation Plan for Fiscal Year 2017-2018
• Discuss the Amended Development Agreement with Fiesta Nissan, Inc.
• Discussion and possible action regarding the Development Agreement with Grindstone
• Discuss and consider authorizing the Executive Director to enter into a Development Agreement with First Hartford Realty
• Discuss and consider possible action regarding the Lease Agreement and Option to Purchase wth Nu-Co Tool, Inc.
• Discuss and consider authorizing the Executive Director to enter into an Inter-Local Agreement with the City of Edinburg for Joint Use and Development of Memorial/Eisenhower Sports Complex
• Discuss and consider authorizing the Executive Director to enter into a Development Agreement with Ed Payne Motors, Inc.

Executive Session

• Deliberate the offers of financial or other incentives to business prospects.
• Deliberate authorizing the Executive Director to enter into a Development Agreement with First Hartford Realty.
• Deliberate authorizing the Executive Director to enter into a Development Agreement with Ed Payne Motors, Inc.
• Deliberate authorizing the Executive Director to enter into a Development Agreement with GRH Investments, LLC.
• Deliberate authorizing the Executive Director to enter into a Development Agreement with Oceangate
• Deliberate authorizing the Executive Director to enter into a Development Agreement with 3-0 Ranch Edinburg/RGC Properties, LLC.
• Deliberate authorizing the Executive Director to enter into a Development Agreement with Fazil, LLC.
• Consultation with Attorney

The Edinburg EDC is the jobs-creation arm of Mayor Richard Molina, Mayor Pro-Tem David Torres, Councilmember Homer Jasso, Jr., Councilmember Gilbert Enríquez, and Councilmember Jorge Salinas.

The Edinburg EDC Board of Directors is comprised of City Councilmember Gilbert Enríquez as President, Edinburg School Board Trustee Miguel “Mike” Farías as Vice-President, Isael Posadas, P.E., as Secretary/Treasurer, and Julio César Carranza and Noé Sauceda, Ph.D. as Members.

PLINIO “JOEY” TREVIÑO CREDENTIALS

Professional Experiences

South Texas Director of Business Development 
Raba Kistner Consultants 
800 Hackberry McAllen, Texas 7850 
(April 2016 to Present)

• Established marketing and business plan strategies for South Texas area
• Prepared long-range and immediate business development activities
• Handled all client relations activities
• Prepared proposals for Geotech, construction material testing, project management and environmental projects
• Implemented weekly business development activity plan
• Coordinate all local government affairs activity
• Scheduled Lunch and Learn Sessions with potential clients

Executive Director
Weslaco Economic Development Corporation  
275 S. Kansas, Suite A  
McAllen, Texas 78596 
(February 2014 to April 2016) 

• Successfully negotiated Memorandum of Understanding with UTRGV School of Business for the formation of new Center for Innovation and Commercialization, and successfully applied and awarded EDA Grant for Center for Innovation and Commercialization
• Prepared initial negotiations for UTGRV School of Business PHD Program
• Prepared initial negotiations with Texas A&M Kingsville School of Engineering to open up school in Weslaco
• Effectively promoted Weslaco for new retail establishments, including Raising Canes, Chick-Fil-A, Applebee’s, Khans Restaurant, Taco Palenque, and Walmart Neighborhood Center
• Prepared long-range and immediate planning activities
• Developed and implemented of strategic plan including the mission, goals, and objectives of the organization
• Prepared budgets of all financial components of WEDC
• Established and maintained relationships with prospects from initial contact throughout their establishment in the city
• Serve as the official spokesperson of the WEDC and was responsible for communications with City Commission and Chamber of Commerce within the boundaries of WEDC, the WEDC Board of Directors, WEDC staff, and the public
• Coordinated all research, assessment of existing programs, and reporting
• Maintained overall responsibility, accountability, and authority for the economic development efforts for WEDC
• Management of all WEDC staff and contractors for WEDC programs
• Identified and pursued businesses and services desired by residents of the city
• Developed promotional materials, pamphlets, giveaways, etc. appropriate for representing the city in a variety of marketing formats
• Participated in national, regional or local marketing opportunities (e.g. trade shows, conferences, significant events, familiarization tours, marketing trips to businesses)
• Coordinated prospect visits, meetings, tours, luncheons, etc. as necessary to market the city.
• Promoted the general public’s impression of the city
• Managed the incentive negotiation process and presented proposals to Board of Directors in a logical and efficient manner
• Performed other duties and tasks as assigned by the Board of Directors
• Maintained confidentiality when desired by potential prospects

Director of Planning, Government Relations, and Business Development 
Halff Associate Inc.  
5000 W. Military Suite 100 McAllen, Texas 78503 
(November 1999 to February 2014)

• Coordinated governmental agency relations strategic plan
• Handled contract sales of over $5,000,000 in contracts for McAllen Halff office
• Established marketing and business plan strategies for local area
• Prepared RFQ’s, RFP’s and Statement of Qualifications for local office of Halff Associates Inc.
• Deputy Project Manager for Harlingen Championship Soccer Complex Master Plan
• Deputy Project Manager for the San Juan Plantation 5,500 Master Planned Community
• Conducted studies for South Padre Island SH 100 Median project that included traffic counts, land use, parking analysis and schematic layouts
• Prepared concepts and cost estimates for EDA grant in regards to the Delta Area Revitalization Corporation Mercado Project.
• Planner for the McAllen Heart of the City Master Plan
• Prepared Harlingen San Benito MPO Sidewalk Study
• Prepared initial land use master plan and TIRZ for Donna Rio Bravo International Bridge Project
• Assisted in the 6,000 acre Master Plan development of Sharyland Plantation

• Project Planner Grant Writer and Community Involvement Liaison for T-21, SAFETY Projects of:

••• City of Pharr Hike and Bike
••• City of San Juan Hike and Bike
••• City of Weslaco Hike and Bike
••• Paseo de Santa Isabella Downtown Master Plan and Design
••• City of Hidalgo Downtown Improvements and Hike and Bike Project
••• City of McAllen Hike and Bike

• Prepared presentations to the Army Corp of Engineers, FEMA, TNRCC, and General Land Office for Cameron County Parks System
• Assistant Project Manager for Garcia Family 4,000 acre Master Plan for Port Isabel Texas
• Assisted in the development of 1,400 acre mixed-use TIRZ Master plan for Madeira Properties-Brownsville, Texas
• Prepared grant applications to various state and federal agencies such as Texas Parks and Wildlife, National Park Service and Texas Water Development Board for over $12,000,000
• Project Manager for the City of Hidalgo Comprehensive Park Master Plan
• Project Manager for the City of Alice Comprehensive and Capital Improvement Master Plan.
• Prepared land use impact study for U.S. Highway 77/83 improvements.

Director Planning and Code Enforcement 
(December 1995 to September 1998)
and
Assistant Director Planning and Code Enforcement 
(August, 1994 to December, 1995)

The City of Weslaco 
255 South Kansas 
Weslaco Texas 78596 

• Directed the City’s Planning and Code Enforcement Division, comprised of 12-15 employees, and supervised all planning and code enforcement staff activities on a daily basis
• Worked with developers to bring in new residential, commercial and industrial development to the city.
• Member of the Hidalgo County Metropolitan Planning Organization Technical Committee
• Successfully implemented customer-friendly subdivision, zoning and code enforcement procedures
• Assisted in the planning development of 800-acre Tierra Santa Golf Club
• Platted over 2,500 residential, commercial and industrial lots in the City of Weslaco
• Developed city’s annexation and capital improvement plans
• Conducted all Traffic Safety Committee Hearings
• Conducted Planning and Zoning Commission, and Board of Adjustments Committee meetings.
• Handled all applications for subdivisions, zone changes, and conditional use permits.
• Developed and implemented yearly work plan for Urban County CDBG funds.
• Prepared city’s plan for transit services through LRGVDC
• Prepared application and received designation as a Texas Department of Commerce Enterprise Zone
• Prepared application and received designation as a Texas Main Street City.
• Prepared grant application for Texas Parks & Wildlife.
• Prepared and maintained annual departmental budget

Public Service Experiences

Elected City Commissioner District 5 
City of Harlingen 
118 E TylerHarlingen, TX 7855 
(May 2009 to December)

• Reviewed and approved multi-million dollar budgets for City of Harlingen, Valley International Airport, Harlingen Waterworks, and Harlingen Economic Development Corporation
• As Mayor Pro Tem, led in the negotiations and approval for Bass Pro Shop Major Retail Developments
• Led in the creation of the Harlingen Outreach Center
• Implemented ordinances for Safe Street Initiative
• Led the charge for a new policy of destruction of dilapidated structures and rebuilding neighborhoods
• Assisted in the creation of the community courts and youth court
• Participated in the National Association of Latino Elected Officials (NALEO) National Emergency Preparedness Conference
• Assisted in the supervision of Commission-appointed city manager, attorney, and auditor
• Instrumental in the creation of new customer service policy for city employees
• Assisted in the development of Veterans Memorial and discussions on establishing New Disable American Veterans (DAV) Center
• Interacted with citizens daily and in scheduled Town Hall Meetings
• Set policies and enacted city ordinances

Committees and Boards

Cameron County Appraisal District Board of Directors 
2010-2012

The Cameron Appraisal District (CAD) appraises property in all of Cameron County. The agency is organized very similarly to a corporation. It has a Board of Directors that represents the governments of Cameron County. The board appoints an Executive Director/Chief Appraiser who is responsible for the daily operation of the district. Staffing of the district varies according to the workload, but is approximately 56 employees.

Red Cross South Texas Chapter 
2012 – Present

The American Red Cross of South Texas serves four counties: Willacy, Cameron, Hidalgo and Starr County. Under the leadership of its board, the organization in deep South Texas continues the tradition of helping Valley residents prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies.

The American Red Cross exists to provide compassionate care to those in need. Our network of generous donors, volunteers and employees share a mission of preventing and relieving suffering, here at home and around the world, through five key service areas: disaster relief; health and safety services; lifesaving blood donations; international humanitarian services; and supporting America’s military families.

Rio Grande Valley LEAD (Linking Economics & Academic Development)
2014 – Present

RGV LEAD is a partnership between education and business that prepares young people for today’s skilled workforce. This partnership involves high schools, colleges and universities, large and small businesses, governmental agencies working together (http://rgvlead.com).

RGV Partnership 
2016 – Present

The mission of RGV Partnership, a nonprofit organization headquartered in Weslaco, is to promote the economic and strategic importance of the Rio Grande Valley as a region, to provide quality research and technical support to business, industry, and government, and to continue an aggressive role in the promotion of Valley agriculture, education, manufacturing, trade and tourism.
(http://rgvpartnership.com).

Amigos Del Valle Board of Directors 
2009 – 2012

The Mission of Amigos Del Valle, Inc. is to positively impact the quality of life in the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas through the provision of diversified and effective human services, community development activities and advocacy, which are directed to low income families; and with special emphasis in assisting the elder population to maintain active, healthy and independent lives.

Lower Rio Grande Development Council Board (Alternate) 
2009 – 2012

The LRGVDC is a voluntary association of local governments formed under Texas Law in 1967 as one of Texas’ 24 regional Council of Governments (COG’s) serving Cameron, Hidalgo and Willacy County. The LRGVDC promotes and encourages cooperation among local units of government in order to improve the region’s health, safety, and general welfare and to plan for future development (http://www.lrgvdc.org).

Texas Tropical Trails Region 
Past Board Chairman

The Texas Tropical Trail Region and its partners identify, preserve, interpret, and promote the natural, historic, and cultural resources of South Texas. The Texas Heritage Trails Program (THTP) is the Texas Historical Commission’s (THC) award-winning heritage tourism initiative. This economic development initiative encourages communities, heritage regions, and the state to partner and promote Texas’ historic and cultural resources. These successful local preservation efforts, combined with statewide marketing of heritage regions as tourism destinations, increase visitation to cultural and historic sites and bring more dollars to Texas communities. This in turn supports the THC’s mission to protect and preserve the state’s historic and prehistoric resources for the use, education economic benefit, and enjoyment of present and future generations (http://texastropicaltrail.com/about).

Rio Grande Valley Tech Prep 
Board Member

Tech Prep of the Rio Grande Valley, Inc. is now known as Rio Grande Valley LEAD (http://www.techpreprgv.com).

Arroyo Youth Soccer Club 
Past Vice President

Arroyo Youth Soccer Club is a 501(3)c located in Harlingen, which provides competitive and recreational teams for ages U4 and up.

VIDA 
Past Board Member 

Valley Initiative for Development and Advancement (VIDA) is a community based, non-profit 501 (c)3 agency. Created in 1995, VIDA was the result of a local effort led by community leaders of Valley Interfaith and private industry business leaders. The impetus was the need to empower the underserved residents of our region with the tools, education and training to become self-sufficient while fueling the growth of the existing employers and increasing the recruitment of new investment to the area by developing a highly skilled workforce. Since its inception, VIDA’s mission remains constant, to formulate new institutional relationships in the Rio Grande Valley that simultaneously address employers’ needs for skilled workers and link the area’s unemployed and underemployed with high skilled, high wage jobs identified in the region. VIDA works closely with the business sector, training providers, and community-based organizations to develop a skilled workforce that will meet the demands of employers in the Rio Grande Valley.

Education 

Texas State University 
(Southwest) Texas State University) 
San Marcos, Texas. 
BA Liberal Arts May 14, 1988

Major: Geography, Urban and Regional Planning 
(1983 to 1988) 

Reynaldo Garza School of Law 
905 N Shore Dr.
San Benito, Texas 78586 
(1992-1993) 

TEXAS OPEN MEETINGS ACT
 
The Texas Open Meetings Act is detailed in Chapter 551 of the Government Code. It states that governmental bodies must hold open meetings unless there is an authorized reason for a closed session, also known as an executive session.

Key provisions of the act are as follows:

Covered Entities

Governing boards, commissions, agencies and other bodies created within the executive and legislative branches of government are subject to the Texas Open Meetings Act. Commissioners courts, city councils, school boards and certain nonprofit corporations providing public services or spending taxpayer money are among the entities covered. Certain property owners’ associations also are subject to the law.

Quorum

A quorum refers to a majority of members of a governing body, unless a quorum is defined differently by an applicable law or rule or charter of the body. A quorum must be present for the body to take action.

Posting of Notice

The governmental body must give the public notice of the date, time, place and subject of an upcoming meeting. The notice must be posted in a place readily accessible to the general public at all times at least 72 hours before the meeting. In case of an emergency or “urgent public necessity,” a meeting notice or addition to a meeting agenda may be posted at least two hours prior to the meeting. The governmental body must clearly identify the emergency.

Other Exceptions to Posting Law

Boards or commissions with statewide jurisdiction must have their meeting notice posted on the Internet by the secretary of state at least seven days before a meeting. Committees of the Texas Legislature are not subject to the meeting notice rules above. Their rules are set by the Texas House and Senate.

Closed Sessions

Closed, or executive, sessions may be held by a governmental body in certain situations. Executive sessions are permitted when a body is meeting with its attorney on litigation or a settlement offer; deliberating personnel matters; deliberating the purchase or lease of property; discussing certain financial contract negotiations; or discussing deployment of security devices. Several other exceptions to open meetings are also contained in the Texas Open Meetings Act.

Deliberations Between Meetings

Under a new provision of the act that took effect Sept. 1, 2013, members of a governing body are allowed to communicate with one another about public business between meetings if they do so in writing and on a publicly accessible online message board. The message board must be prominently displayed and easy for the public to find on the government entity’s website. Officials may not take action on the message board. That must wait for a posted meeting.

Video Conferencing

The Texas Open Meetings Act now allows for members of a governmental body to attend a public meeting via a video conference call. The head of the board or commission must be physically present in the designated meeting place and the public must be given access to that meeting space. The public must be able to witness the comments and actions of those officials attending the meeting remotely via audio and video equipment and be able to participate via the videoconferencing just as they would at a traditional public meeting.

Also according to its website (http://foift.org), The Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas works to encourage a greater appreciation, knowledge and understanding of the First Amendment and helps to ensure that the public’s business is conducted in public. Since its formation in 1978, the Foundation has helped citizens access government meetings and documents.

The Foundation seeks to inform journalists, legal professionals, educators, students, public officials and individual citizens about their rights and responsibilities as participants in our democracy. With the clear objective to protect and preserve the state’s open meetings and open records laws, the non-partisan Foundation acts as a statewide information clearinghouse and offers guidance and assistance on FOI-related issues through a network of attorneys and through public seminars and conferences.

FOIFT is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) supported through grants and tax-deductible donations from individuals, corporations and foundations.

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For more information on the Edinburg Economic Development Corporation and the City of Edinburg, please log on to http://edinburgedc.com or to http://www.facebook

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