MARFA — Marfa City Council members met Tuesday to discuss next steps regarding the vacant city manager position, raising police officer pay, the El Cosmico expansion project and the reopening of the Marfa Activities Center (MAC) pool for the summer months.
Mayor Manny Baeza, Mayor Pro Tem Raul Lara and council members Mark Morrison and Mark Cash were present. Council members Travis Acreman and Eddie Pallarez were absent. Council voted to approve a two-month leave of absence for Pallarez, who will miss four consecutive meetings because his wife is hiking the Camino de Santiago, a pilgrimage through Spain.
City manager
Council discussed next steps for filling the city manager position, which was left vacant in mid-April after the firing of Andrea Walter, who spent just over a month in the role.
They tabled an item “regarding an ordinance updating the name reference of City Manager back to City Administrator” due to pending correspondence from their attorney. Under state law the City of Marfa is a Type A General Law city, which may operate under a council/mayor form of government or a city manager form of government. In Marfa, the city manager, previously called the city administrator, has generally operated under the guidance and instruction of the mayor and city council, rather than acted as the city’s chief executive officer.
Baeza alluded to some confusion between Walter and the city regarding the hierarchy, stating there was a need to set the record straight about Marfa’s form of government. “We’re planning on doing this just so that way there’s no confusion going forward because we are not a city manager type of government,” Baeza said.
Council voted to advertise the city administrator job opening for 45 days in local postings and on the Texas Municipal League website. City Secretary Kelly Perez will once again serve as interim city manager in the meantime, per Baeza’s request, and will receive a stipend for doing so. “Light a candle people,” Lara said of the city administrator search.
Marfa Police Department pay
The issue of pay for Marfa Police Department Officers was hashed out in executive session, a private portion of the meeting the public is not privy to. According to the agenda, Lieutenant Nichole Fuentes, as well as officers Ian Martinez, Emmanuel Garcia and Jose Perez were involved. Council approved a motion to increase peace officer pay, beginning on May 20, in order to match the pay of surrounding law enforcement agencies of similar size and based on a payscale for beginner, intermediate and master officers provided by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement.
Chief Gilberto Carrillo told The Big Bend Sentinel raises will apply to MPD officers excluding him and Lt. Fuentes. He said MPD’s starting pay was $3 to $5 below other area agencies’ starting pay, which is why they pursued raising rates. “We couldn’t compete,” he said. “Additionally, the cost of living and lack of available housing in Marfa caused bigger issues for us when offering such a low rate.”
El Cosmico expansion
The El Cosmico relocation and expansion project, a 2023-announced plan that involves developing 61 acres in the Antelope Hills area of East Marfa, was also discussed in executive session. El Cosmico and the city have been in talks regarding extending water and sewer services to the site for some time. The city is legally required to extend services because the property is located within their “certificate of conscience and necessity,” a Public Utilities Commission designation.
El Cosmico has agreed to foot the bill for the water and wastewater extension. City officials have stated that their primary concern is ensuring the extension does not overtax existing systems city residents rely on, leading them to have a water and wastewater feasibility study done.
Council voted to approve a motion allowing El Cosmico to engage a utilities surveyor of their choice, as long as it is also approved by the city’s engineer, with El Cosmico to pay for the entirety of the survey and the city’s engineering fees relating to the project moving forward.
MAC pool
Council voted to approve the same hours of operation and admission prices as last year for the MAC pool this summer. The pool could open as early as the first week of June if the city receives and can train enough lifeguards in time. Lifeguards must be 16 years or older and pass a swimming test. Standard job applications for the role can be found on the city’s website. Perez encouraged anyone who is interested to call or come by City Hall, or reach out to her.
The pool will be open from Wednesday to Sunday from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m. Daily fees are $4 for adults, $2 for children under 18, and $1 for seniors 65 and older. Season passes are $75 for adults, $35 for children under 18 and seniors, and $100 for families (up to five members). Private event requests will be assessed on an as-needed basis.