DÉCIMA SEGUNDA SESIÓN EXTRAORDINARIA

12th Extraordinary City Council Session - March 23, 2026

Attendance and Quorum Confirmation

• The session commenced at 19:01 on March 23, 2026, with the attendance of all eleven council members confirmed by the interim president, Lorena Marisol Rodríguez Rivera.

• Each member present was called out individually to establish a quorum for the meeting.

Agenda Reading and Approval

• The next agenda item involved reading and potentially approving the agenda while considering omitting previously circulated documents. Members were invited to raise any observations.

Concerns Over Session Format

• Regidora Luelena Aguirre Sandoval expressed concerns that the lack of regular sessions hinders discussions on urgent municipal issues, suggesting that extraordinary sessions limit transparency and control over the agenda. She emphasized that this could conceal important information from public scrutiny.

• Síndico Fernando Javier Contreras Salazar raised legal considerations regarding the validity of the session's call, highlighting deficiencies in notification and documentation required for informed decision-making among council members. He pointed out specific legal principles that must be adhered to during such meetings.

Legal Validity Issues Raised

• Contreras Salazar detailed several legal shortcomings in the session's organization:

• Lack of clarity in the agenda and necessary documentation undermines members' rights to participate informatively in decisions. This could lead to potential invalidation of decisions made during this session due to procedural flaws.

• Specific points discussed included:

• A proposed purchase of a truck lacked supporting documents or competitive bidding processes.

• Modifications to income laws are outside city council authority; only Congress can amend these laws.

• No clear plans or budgets were provided for road rehabilitation projects discussed during this meeting.

Documentation and Transparency Concerns

• There was an acknowledgment from another member about previous efforts made to ensure timely distribution of documents related to sessions but noted challenges when some documents were not sent as planned, which should have been communicated effectively during meetings. This highlights ongoing issues with document management within council operations.

• The discussion also touched upon responsibilities regarding legislative proposals needing approval from both local councils and state congresses before implementation can occur, emphasizing procedural compliance as essential for governance integrity.

Discussion on Municipal Budget and Extraordinary Sessions

Modifications to the Income Law and Budget

• The document outlines reasons for proposed modifications to the income law and budget, which will be discussed and approved later.

• There is a need for more information regarding the individual who will oversee the municipal court; their curriculum vitae will be shared at an appropriate time.

Justification for Extraordinary Sessions

• The speaker acknowledges concerns about extraordinary sessions but emphasizes that recent events in the municipality warrant such meetings. This is only the second extraordinary session since the interim mayor was appointed.

• The necessity of these sessions is reiterated due to ongoing extraordinary circumstances affecting municipal operations.

Concerns Regarding Legislative Procedures

• A council member raises issues with how modifications to the income law are presented, noting that they cannot be altered by the full council without proper documentation from the Municipal Finance Commission. This commission's input appears absent from current discussions.

• It is highlighted that there are multiple points needing consideration within proposed changes, suggesting each should have its own justification rather than being bundled together for approval.

Need for Transparency and Documentation

• Members express concern over insufficient time provided to review documents before voting, emphasizing that all council members should have adequate opportunity to understand proposals fully. Proper legal documentation must also accompany any nominations or appointments made during these sessions.

Critique of Current Practices

• A council member criticizes early morning convocations as inappropriate, arguing they lack necessary documentation and transparency regarding new judicial appointments, indicating a continuation of previous problematic practices in governance.

• Another member stresses respect for legislative processes, asserting that all representatives deserve a fair chance to contribute meaningfully without obstruction from leadership strategies aimed at limiting participation in decision-making processes. They call for better practices moving forward concerning budgetary decisions and legislative amendments without clear data or context provided beforehand.

Discussion on Economic Support for Tequila

Addressing the Economic Situation

• The speaker emphasizes the dire economic conditions faced by workers in Tequila and expresses commitment to support them. They are collaborating with the State Congress's Finance Commission to formalize initiatives aimed at addressing these issues.

Call for Joint Sessions

• A call is made for a joint session between different factions to address pressing matters affecting the residents of Tequila, highlighting the urgency of the situation. The speaker stresses that it is critical to move forward without delay.

Proposed Modifications to Revenue Law

• A council member questions proposed changes to income law regarding water and property taxes, seeking clarification on intentions behind these modifications. The response indicates a desire to lower tax amounts in accordance with legal minimums, aiming for compliance rather than significant alterations.

Concerns Over Session Convocation

• Another council member raises concerns about who is responsible for calling sessions, noting a lack of documentation confirming such requests from the president. This highlights procedural transparency issues within municipal governance.

Importance of Pre-session Discussions

• It is pointed out that Article 34 of local regulations allows the president to discuss agenda items with council members before sessions, emphasizing that all representatives should have their voices heard as they represent constituents' votes and interests. This underscores a need for collaborative dialogue prior to official meetings.

Urgent Community Needs and Budget Allocation

Immediate Community Issues

• A council member stresses that waiting for formal sessions may hinder timely resolutions to community needs, advocating for proactive measures using available funds designated for urgent repairs like water pump maintenance which has been problematic recently.

Financial Resources Available

• Reference is made to an existing revolving fund exceeding one million pesos authorized at the start of administration, suggesting this could be utilized effectively without bureaucratic delays in addressing community concerns such as road repairs and infrastructure improvements.

This structured summary captures key discussions from the transcript while providing timestamps linked directly back to specific moments in the conversation, facilitating easy reference and study.

Discussion on Municipal Issues and Urgency

Concerns Over Information Omission

• The speaker expresses dissatisfaction with how meetings are conducted, highlighting the lack of seriousness in addressing urgent issues. They emphasize that this is not a rejection of proposals but rather a concern over omitted information that limits effective participation.

Public Service Crisis

• Regidor Jesús Durán Magallanes stresses the urgency for municipal officials to address ongoing public service crises, particularly regarding water supply and waste collection services. He urges colleagues to remain after the session to form a working group focused on these pressing issues.

Water Supply Issues

• Ana Isabel Loreto Castañedo echoes concerns about water availability, noting public frustration due to inconsistent access. She emphasizes the need for immediate action regarding both water supply and waste management as critical community welfare issues.

Legal Framework for Municipal Governance

• Discussion shifts towards the necessity of establishing a municipal court to handle administrative violations effectively. The importance of having an appointed official is highlighted, as it would ensure proper legal processes are followed for local infractions.

Call for Transparency in Decision-Making

• A regidor raises questions about procedural transparency during sessions, suggesting that all members should have opportunities to propose agenda items openly without fear of hidden agendas or illegality in discussions. This reflects a desire for more inclusive governance practices within municipal operations.

Urgency for Municipal Judge

Discussion on the Need for a Municipal Judge

• The speaker emphasizes the urgency of appointing a municipal judge, highlighting that it has taken over a month without resolution, which raises concerns about governmental efficiency.

• A call is made to end government simulations and address pressing issues affecting the community, indicating frustration with delays in governance.

• Questions are raised regarding the previous appointment of a municipal judge, specifically addressing whether there was an acknowledgment of need during the prior selection process.

• The speaker points out that Leones Camilla Paredo remained on payroll despite not fulfilling duties as a municipal judge, questioning accountability and transparency in local governance.

• A direct inquiry is made to the president about recognizing that Paredo was on payroll for over a month without performing his role, emphasizing the need for clarity in administrative actions.

Voting Process and Outcomes

• Following discussions, the session moves towards voting on agenda items. Members are asked to raise their hands to indicate support or opposition.

• The results show four votes in favor but also highlight significant opposition from several council members, indicating division within the group regarding agenda approval.

• The session concludes due to insufficient support for moving forward with agenda items, marking an end to discussions at 19:44.