HomeMy WebLinkAboutPR 24503: HEALTH DEPT. CONTRACT WITH DR. KISTOPHER DELA CRUZ City of
1,1 yt\,
ort rthu —
Texas
www.PortArthurTx.gov
INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM
Date: August 25,2025
To: The Honorable Mayor and City Council
Through: Ron Burton, CPM, City Manager
From: Judith A. Smith,RN,BSN, Director of Health Services
RE: Authorization to approve P.R. 24503,the contract between the City of Port
Arthur and Dr. Kristopher Dela Cruz.
Introduction:
The intent of this Agenda Item is to seek the City Council's approval of the contract between
the City of Port Arthur and Dr. Kristopher Dela Cruz, for him to continue to serve as the
health department's Health Authority,effective October 1, 2025,to September 30, 2026.
Background: Dr. Kristopher Dela Cruz, an Internal Medicine Specialist in Port Arthur, has
agreed to continue serving as the health authority for the health department and supervising
physician for the Employee Health Clinic. Dr. Dela Cruz began serving as the health
department's health authority in May of 2025, and now we are requesting for the contract to be
renewed for a year.
Budget Impact: Funds totaling $37,000 are budgeted in the Proposed Health Department's FY
2026 General Fund Other Contractual account,(001-23-061-5470-00-000)account,and$18,000
from the Employee Health's Professional Service account (001-23-063-5420-00-50-000) and
will not exceed $55,000 annually.
Recommendation:
It is recommended that the City Council approve P.R.No.24503, the contract between the City
of Port Arthur and Dr. Kristopher Dela Cruz for him to serve as Health Authority for the City
of Port Arthur Health Department and supervising physician for the Employee Health Clinic.
"Remember,we are here to serve the Citizens of Port Arthur"
P.O.Box 1089 X Port Arthur,Texas 77641-1089 X 409.983.8101 X FAX 409.982.6743
P.R. No. 24503
08/25/2025-js/tnr
RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION APROVING THE CONTRACT RENEWAL
BETWEEN THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR AND KRISTOPHER
DELA CRUZ, MD, TO ACT AS THE CITY'S HEALTH
AUTHORITY AND SUPERVISING PHYSICIAN FOR THE
EMPLOYEE HEALTH SERVICES CLINIC. FUNDING IS
CONTINGENT UPON APPROVAL OF THE PROPOSED FY 2025-
2026 BUDGET. GENERAL FUND OTHER CONTRACTUAL
ACCOUNT 001-23-061-5470-00-50-000 ($37,000) AND THE
EMPLOYEE HEALTH PROFESSIONAL SERVICE ACCOUNT
001-23-063-5420-00-50-000 ($18,000) FOR A TOTAL NOT TO
EXCEED $55,000.
WHEREAS, in accordance with Sections 121.021-121.029 of the Texas Health and
Safety Code, a City,County,or Health District may appoint a licensed physician to serve as Local
Health Authority to advise City Officials about public health issues and serve as a consultant on
issues that impact public health in its jurisdiction; and
WHEREAS,by Resolution No.25-186,adopted in May 2025,the City Council appointed
Dr. Kristopher Dela Cruz as the City's Local Health Authority, succeeding Dr. Oscar Enriquez;
and
WHEREAS, the City Council now finds it to be in the best interest of the City and its
residents to renew the contract of Dr. Kristopher Dela Cruz as Local Health Authority; and
WHEREAS, compensation under said contract shall be in an amount not to exceed
$55,000.00 annually, to be funded as follows: $37,000.00 from the City Health Department's
Other Contractual Account and $18,000.00 from Employee Health's Professional Services
Account.
NOW, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF PORT ARTHUR,
TEXAS:
SECTION 1. That, the facts and preamble are true and correct.
SECTION 2. That, the City Council hereby authorizes the City Manager and Director of
Health to execute said Contract, in substantially the same form as attached hereto as Exhibit"A."
SECTION 3. That, a copy of the caption of this Resolution be spread upon the Minutes
of the City Council.
P.R. No. 24503
08/25/2025-js/tnr
READ, ADOPTED AND APPROVED THIS day of September, A.D.,
2025, at a Meeting of the City of Port Arthur, Texas, by the following vote:
AYES:
Mayor:
Councilmembers:
NOES:
Mayor, Charlotte M. Moses
ATTEST
Sherri Bellard, City Secretary
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Roxann Pais Cotroneo, City Attorney
P.R. No. 24503
08/25/2025-js
APPROV FOR AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS:
; F` 4
Lynda :oswell, MA, ICMA-CM
Director of Finance
APPROVE' • ' ADMINISTRATION:
ma oiNP" uct.4
Ron Bu"C' �� Ju i h A. Smith, RN, BSN
City Manager Director of Health Services
P.R. No. 24503
08/25/2025-js
EXHIBIT "A"
CONTRACT FOR INDEPENDENT PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
This Agreement is made between the City of Port Arthur, Texas hereinafter referred to as
"City" and Dr. Kristopher Dela Cruz,herein referred to as "Contractor."
I. TERM OF CONTRACT
This Contract shall be for a period beginning October 1, 2025, and shall remain in force
through September 30, 2026. Thereafter, this Agreement shall be renewed annually at the
discretion of the parties.
II. PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
This Contract will allow Dr. Kristopher Dela Cruz to serve as the City's Health Authority
and Supervising Physician of the City's Employee Health Services clinic. As the City's Health
Authority,Dr. Dela Cruz shall:
1) Administer state and local laws relating to public health within the City's jurisdiction
in accordance with Section 121.021 Texas Health and Safety Code,as amended.
2) Do all things necessary to implement and enforce the law to protect the public health.
3) Perform each duty applicable to the City's jurisdiction as prescribed by the Texas
Department of State Health Services(DSHS).
4) Establish,maintain, and enforce quarantine in the City's jurisdiction.
5) Aid the Texas Board of Health and other public health officials in relation to local
quarantine, inspection, disease prevention and suppression, birth and death statistics, and general
sanitation in the City's jurisdiction.
6) Report as necessary the presence of contagious, infectious and dangerous epidemic
diseases to the Texas Board of Health in the manner and at the times prescribed by said board.
7) Perform all acts for the Port Arthur City Health Department which are required by law
to be performed by a licensed physician or which if provided by a person other than a licensed
physician would constitute the unlicensed or unlawful practice of medicine.
8) Provide consultant services in policy, planning, procedure, administrative and other
matters to the Director of the Health Department as requested by said Director.
As the Supervising Physician of the City's Employee Health Services Clinic, Dr. Dela
Cruz shall:
1) Function as the supervising physician of the City's Employee Health Services Clinic.
2) Review patient charts as needed and required.
3) Review and approve all protocols and standing delegation orders/guidelines for the
effective operation of the Employee Health Services Clinic to include prescriptive
authority for the mid-level provider.
4) Provide consultation as needed to the Employee Health Services Clinic mid-level
provider and staff.
III. COMPENSATION
The Contractor shall be paid $55,000 annually for services provided for Health
Department and the Employee Health Services Clinic. The hours of work shall be mutually
agreed upon by the Director of Health of the City of Port Arthur.
IV.LICENSURE/LIABILITY INSURANCE
1) The Contractor shall provide proof of licensure for Dr. Dela Cruz to practice
medicine in the State of Texas.
2) The Contractor shall be covered under the City's liability insurance for services
performed as the Health Authority.
4
IV. TERMINATION
This Agreement can be terminated with sixty (60) days prior written notice by either
party.
SIGNED AND AGREED TO on the day of , 2025.
CONTRACTOR
Dr. Kristopher Dela Cruz
SIGNED AND AGREED TO on the day of , 2025.
CITY OF PORT ARTHUR
Ron Burton, CPM, City Manager