By Karen Gleason
The 830 Times
All seven members of the Del Rio City Council were present.
Here’s what happened at the meeting:
Two speak in favor of zoning change during public hearing
• Mayor Al Arreola opened a public hearing for a zoning change request by Gabriel De La Paz, representing De La Paz Cleaning and Rental Service LLC, to change the zoning of a property at 600-602 N. Main St. from multiple family district (R-M) to local commercial district (C-1) for the purpose of building a laundromat. Del Rio residents Hector Montalvo and former City Councilman Jesus Lopez Jr. spoke in favor of the zoning change.
Council approves zoning change request for laundromat construction
• City council members voted 7-0 to approve an ordinance rezoning the property at 600-602 N. Main St. from multiple family district to local commercial district. City staff, including City Planner Eivon Garcia, recommended against making the change, telling council members rezoning the properties as commercial “does not align with the adopted Future Land Use designation.” Garcia told council members the city’s planning and zoning commission had voted 2-1 to approve the request. Representatives of the company seeking to construct the laundromat, De La Paz Cleaning and Rental Service LLC, said the company plans to spend about $300,000 on the construction. Council members asked a number of questions about the proposed change before voting in favor of the zoning change request.
Sisters address council about dog attack
• Sisters Cynthia Williams and Mary Williams spoke to the council during “Citizen Comments,” recounting a graphic, harrowing story about how Cynthia’s small dog was attacked by a neighbor’s pit bull dog, which had been running at large. The Williamses told the council the small dog was grievously injured and despite being rushed to San Antonio for veterinary care, later died of its injuries. Both women, who were still emotional about the loss of the pet, asked why the pit bull was returned to its owner after being placed in quarantine.
Though the council members typically don’t respond to citizens speaking during this part of the meeting, Mayor Al Arreola assured the two women that Interim City Manager Manuel Chavez would get back with them about the incident.
Former council member speaks in favor of citizen committees
• Former Councilman Jesus Lopez Jr. spoke to the council during the “Citizen Comments” portion of the meeting. Lopez, who served as chair of the San Felipe Golf Course Commission, said he believes the council must make sure that “citizens who want to serve” are placed on city committees. Lopez also said he hopes the council will appoint a new chair to the golf course commission, adding the group “has a lot of potential, but they’re being held back.”
Mayor, council members make announcements
• Mayor Al Arreola said he is relieved that “the long campaign for my re-election” is over, adding city officials recently had “a great session” planning for the annual Ports-to-Plains conference coming to Del Rio this fall.
• Councilman LeRoy Briones reiterated he is spearheading a small business initiative, called “Friday Love Local,” to support and promote locally owned businesses.
• Councilwoman Carmen Gutierrez reminded everyone she will be hosting a town hall meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, June 29, at the municipal court building, along with Municipal Judge Kassandra Flores, regarding new initiatives by the court.
• Councilman Leno Hernandez Jr. announced he will host “citizen hours” from 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on the first and third Tuesday of every month at the Del Rio Civic Center, 1915 Veterans Blvd.
City manager reviews projects, makes announcements
• Interim City Manager Manuel Chavez thanked council members for their ongoing support as the city embarks on the planning cycle for the city’s 2026-2027 Fiscal Year budget.
• Chavez invited everyone to the city’s Economic Development Small Business Series workshops. The next one, “Access to Capital for Small Businesses,” will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 30, at the Spark Lab, 101 W. Ogden St.
• Chavez continued with a street paving update, saying Bean Street has been completed, and crews will begin working on Esquivel Street next. He also noted work is ongoing in the Highland Park Subdivision on the east side of the city.
City manager honors employee accomplishments
• Interim City Manager Manuel Chavez announced Deputy Ana Giraldo graduated from the Del Rio Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Del Rio program and led the council and audience in congratulating her accomplishment.
• Chavez also recognized the following long-term city employees who have been with the city for 20 years or longer in the month of June: Thelma Zapata, 30 years, Clerk 4 with the nutrition division; Lorinda Castillo, 26 years, human resources benefits coordinator; Roberto “Bobby” Hernandez, 31 years, lieutenant with the Del Rio Police Department; Jesus Gavia, 43 years, crew leader for streets and drainage division; Mario Hernandez, 25 years, traffic signs and marketing tech, streets department; Josefina Balderas, 34 years, nutrition services director; and Jeff Hartwick, 23 years, lieutenant in the Del Rio Police Department.
• Chavez led the council and audience in a round of applause for the employees’ long service to the city.
Council hears update on city’s July Fourth celebration plans
• Esme Esparza, community services director, presented an update on the three days of festivities for the city’s annual Independence Day celebration. Esparza went over the proposed events, highlighting events that are new to the celebration this year.
• Esparza also publicly thanked the major sponsors for this year’s celebration, including The Khoury Group, whose contribution made it possible for the city to bring headlining act Michael Salagdo for the entertainment portion of the events. She also thanked skateECOSYSTEMS, sponsoring a skate competition at the city’s Skate Garden; George Oliva of Edward Jones, who is sponsoring the hot dog eating contest; PDR Hail Specialists, who will sponsor the inaugural kayak parade; Big Air Del Rio, who will sponsor bouncy castles for children; and H-E-B, which will again sponsor the city’s fireworks display, as it has for many years.
Council approves plan of finance for $3.1 million in revenue bonds
• City council members voted 7-0 to approve a plan of finance for water works and sewer system revenue bonds in the approximate amount of $3.1 million. The council approved the plan of finance following a presentation by Tony Jaso of the city’s financial advisors, Estrada Hinojosa of San Antonio. Council members peppered Jaso with questions about the plan of finance and asked city administrators about the projects to be funded using the revenue bonds. Jaso emphasized the city’s wastewater system generates enough revenues to cover the cost of the revenue bond payment.
Council elects Randy Quinones as new mayor pro-tem
• City council members voted 6-0-1 to approve a resolution electing Councilman Randy Quinones as the council’s new mayor pro-tem. About a month ago, the council had elected Councilman J.P. Sanchez to the position for 30 days, with the caveat that the position would be re-considered following the mayoral election. Sanchez made the motion to appoint Quinones, and the rest of the council concurred, with Quinones abstaining from the vote. The mayor pro-tem carries out the duties of the mayor if the mayor is unable to perform them or is absent.
Council approves MOU for occupational health cancer screenings for firefighters
• City council members voted 7-0 to approve a resolution approving a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the city and Val Verde Regional Medical Center for the services of occupational health cancer screenings for members of the Del Rio Fire Department. Interim Human Resources Director told the council the screenings will allow city to comply with the provisions of House Bill 198, offering annual occupational health cancer screenings to eligible firefighters beginning in their fifth year of employment, with the city absorbing the associated costs.
Council approves three resolutions for water, wastewater systems
• City council members voted 7-0 to approve three resolutions dealing with the city’s water and wastewater systems. The first resolution authorized and directed Interim City Manager Manuel Chavez to advertise and give notice of a request for qualifications (RFQs) for the Silver Lake Wastewater Treatment plant improvements, which will replace brush aerators with disk aerators, along with electrical and chlorination upgrades. The second resolution requests financial participation from the Texas Water Development Board for improvements to the Bedell and Agarita pump stations. The final resolution authorizes and directs Chavez to award a contract in the amount of $5,283,542.77 to Alvin Stock for base bid plus alternates for the water pipe replacement Phase II.
Council approves subdivision plat
• City council members voted 6-0-1 to approve an ordinance approving a subdivision plat establishing 27 lots, Eagle Pass Hill Unit 2 Subdivision. Councilman J.P. Sanchez abstained from the vote, as he is one of the developers involved in the subdivision.
The writer can be reached at delriomagnoliafan@gmail.com.
