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Home My WebLink AboutPR 25020: RENEWAL OF THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACT BETWEEN THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR AND KRISTOPHER DELA CRUZ, M.D., FOR SERVICES AS THE CITY'S HEALTH AUTHORITY AND SUPERVISING PHYSICIAN FOR THE EMPLOYEE HEALTH SERVICES CLINIC c I)r /'1 rl 1, ' www.PortArthurTx.gov INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM Date: July 9, 2026 To: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Through: Ron Burton, CPM, City Manager From: Judith Smith, BSN, RN, Director of Health Services RE: (P. R#25020 Authorization to approve 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, 2026,to September 30, 2027. Background: A local health department must have a Local Health Authority to provide the medical oversight and public health expertise necessary to protect the community's health. The Local Health Authority ensures that the department's programs and activities comply with state public health laws, provides medical guidance during disease investigations and public health emergencies, and supports evidence-based decisions that safeguard the health and well-being of the population. 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 we now request that the contract be renewed for a year. Budget Impact: Funds totaling $37,200 are budgeted in the Proposed Health Department's FY 2027 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$55,200 annually, subject to the City Council's appropriation and approval of the FY 2027 budget. Recommendation: It is recommended that the City Council approve P.R. No. 25020, 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 as 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. 25020 07/09/2026-js tnr RESOLUTION NO. A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE RENEWAL OF THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACT BETWEEN THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR AND KRISTOPHER DELA CRUZ,M.D.,FOR SERVICES AS THE CITY'S HEALTH AUTHORITY AND SUPERVISING PHYSICIAN FOR THE EMPLOYEE HEALTH SERVICES CLINIC; AND PROVIDING FOR FUNDING IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $55,200.00. FUNDING HAS BEEN BUDGETED IN THE PROPOSED FY 2027 GENERAL FUND OTHER CONTRACTUAL ACCOUNT 001-23-061- 5470-00-50-000 ($37,200) AND THE EMPLOYEE HEALTH PROFESSIONAL SERVICE ACCOUNT 001-23-063-5420-00-50-000 ($18,000). SUBJECT TO CITY COUNCIL APPROPRIATION AND APPROVAL OF THE FY 2027 BUDGET. WHEREAS, Sections 121.021 through 121.029 of the Texas Health and Safety Code authorize a municipality to appoint a licensed physician to serve as its Local Health Authority for the purpose of providing medical oversight, public health expertise, and professional guidance concerning matters affecting the public health within its jurisdiction; and WHEREAS, the appointment of a qualified Local Health Authority is essential to the operation of the City's Health Department by ensuring compliance with applicable state public health laws, providing medical oversight during disease investigations and public health emergencies, and supporting evidence-based public health practices that protect the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of Port Arthur; and WHEREAS, Dr. Kristopher Dela Cruz, a licensed physician specializing in Internal Medicine, has satisfactorily served as the City's Health Authority since May 2025 and has also served as the Supervising Physician for the City's Employee Health Services Clinic; and WHEREAS, based upon Dr. Dela Cruz's satisfactory performance and continued qualifications, the City desires to renew the Professional Services Contract for an additional one- year term to continue providing Health Authority services for the Health Department and supervisory physician services for the Employee Health Services Clinic; and WHEREAS, funding for the renewed contract is budgeted in the proposed FY 2027 General Fund Other Contractual Account No. 001-23-061-5470-00-50-000 in the amount of $37,200.00, and the Employee Health Professional Services Account No. 001-23-063-5420-00- 50-000 in the amount of$18,000.00, for a total annual amount not to exceed $55,200.00, subject to the City Council's appropriation and approval of the FY 2027 Budget. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF PORT ARTHUR, TEXAS: SECTION 1. That the facts and preamble are true and correct. P.R. No. 25020 07/09/2026-js tnr SECTION 2. That,the City Council of the City of Port Arthur hereby authorizes the City Manager to execute a contract with Kristopher Dela Cruz, MD, to act as the City's Health Authority and supervising Physician for the Employee Health Services Clinic. SECTION 3. Funding has been budgeted in the proposed FY 2027 General Fund Other Contractual Account 001-23-061-5470-00-50-000 ($37,200) and the Employee Health Professional Service Account 001-23-063-5420-00-50-000 ($18,000) for a total not to exceed $55,200, subject to the City Council's appropriation and approval of the FY 2027 budget, in substantially the same form as attached hereto as Exhibit"A." SECTION 4. That a copy of the caption of this Resolution be spread upon the Minutes of the City Council. READ,ADOPTED AND APPROVED THIS day of July,A.D.,2026,at a Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Port Arthur, Texas,by the following vote: AYES: Mayor: Councilmembers: NOES: Charlotte M. Moses, Mayor ATTEST Christe Whitley Ned, TRMC, City Secretary APPROVED AS TO FORM: Roxann Pais Cotroneo, City Attorney P.R. No. 25020 07/09/2026-js APPROVED FO VAILA O 0_40: 1�' Lynda Boswell, MA, IC A-CM Director of Finance APPROV D FOR ADMINISTRATION: 911aA . ry Ron Burton, Juditv A. Smith, RN, BSN City Man er Director of Health Services P.R. No. 25020 07/09/2026-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, 2026, and shall remain in force through September 30, 2027, subject to the City Council's appropriation and approval of the FY 2027 budget. Thereafter, this Agreement shall be renewed annually at the discretion of the parties. II. PROFESSIONAL SERVICES This Contract will allow Dr. Kristopher G. 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 One Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($1,500) per month for services provided for the Employee Health Services Clinic in addition to the Three Thousand One Hundred Dollars ($3,100) per month for professional services performed as the Health Authority. The hours of work shall be mutually agreed upon by the Director of Health of the City of Port Arthur and the City's Fire Chief 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. Dr. Kristopher Dela Cruz acknowledges that he meets the qualifications set forth in Chapter 121 of the Texas Health and Safety Code: • Qualified to Practice Medicine in Texas • Resident of Texas • Take and Subscribe to Official Oath • File copy of Oath and Appointment with the Department 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 , 2026. CONTRACTOR Dr. Kristopher G, Dela Cruz SIGNED AND AGREED TO on the day of 2026. CITY OF PORT ARTHUR Ron Burton, CPM, City Manager