By Karen Gleason
The 830 Times
All seven members of the Del Rio City Council were present.
Citizens address council on a variety of topics
Four Del Rio residents addressed the council during the Citizen Comments portion of the meeting.
Bea Vallejo said, in her opinion, the mayor and council members have allowed items to be placed on the agenda that should not have been included and permitted behavior “beyond assigned duties.” Vallejo said the mayor and council members should be reprimanded because they are responsible for the behavior of persons who work for the city.
Linda Webb spoke about her husband, the late Steve Webb, a former city council member, and reminded the council he established the constituent office at the city’s transportation center as a place for council members to meet with citizens. She asked that the office not be converted into space for the city’s economic development department.
Juan Carlos Alatorre addressed concerns about the safety of persons visiting the Joe Ramos Center, the need for more lights along trails and in parks where citizens walk and run, and problems with noisy cars and drivers in the area. He also praised Mayor Al Arreola, saying, “He is doing the best he can.”
Lori Reyes asked questions about an agenda item dealing with additional payments to consultants on the proposed second international bridge.
Mayor, council members make announcements
During the Mayor/Council Public Announcements agenda item, Mayor Al Arreola asked City Manager Shawna Burkhart for an update on the progress of the planned renovation of the Paul Poag Theatre no later than March 10. Arreola also wished the school district’s varsity basketball team good luck as it competes in a bi-district tournament.
Mayor Pro-tem Jim DeReus announced the Feb. 24 meeting would be the last for Human Resources Director Mario Garcia, who is retiring after 18 years of service. Burkhart noted Garcia is one of two city management-level employees retiring soon, adding Assistant Public Works Director Roger Sanchez is also retiring after 39 years with the city. The council and audience applauded both men, and the mayor and council members left the dais to take a photo with them.
Councilwoman Carmen Gutierrez announced February is Heart Health Month and urged residents to get their hearts tested regularly. She also said she has cards available for agencies and organizations to display as part of a suicide prevention effort.
City manager gives update on ongoing projects
City Manager Shawna Burkhart updated the council on several projects. She said there will be a meeting on the city’s proposed new vendor ordinance March 19. The repaving of Strickland Street is complete, and a final walkthrough of the Carranza Pond Detention Pond project is scheduled for March 13.
All prefabricated bridges have been installed at the San Felipe Springs Golf Course. Burkhart also thanked more than 50 National Guard members who worked with Community Services Director Esme Meza to clean a portion of San Felipe Creek on Feb. 23.
Burkhart said the city received three bids for the Paul Poag Theatre renovation project, two of which exceeded the budget. Engineers are reviewing the third bid. She also announced the city’s Transportation Depot has been designated a historic site and a St. Patrick’s Day/World Autism Day family event will be held at the civic center March 14.
Council hears update on efforts to restore commercial air service
Mike Mooney of Volaire Aviation Consultants gave an update on efforts to restore commercial air service at Del Rio International Airport.
Mooney reviewed meetings between city officials and Contour Airlines in July 2025 and SkyWest Airlines in January. He said maintaining contact with SkyWest officials and seeking support from United Airlines representatives will be necessary to allocate an aircraft for Del Rio service. He added government leaders must also support efforts to re-establish commercial air service.
Council receives budget calendar for Fiscal Year 2026-2027
Assistant Finance Director Roxy Soto presented a calendar outlining key events in preparation of the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 budget.
Meetings with council members to discuss budget goals are scheduled for mid-March, along with meetings between the finance department and department heads. Preliminary property values will be discussed in April, and the proposed property tax rate will be discussed in May. The proposed budget will be filed in August, and council will take its first record vote on the tax rate that same month.
No action was taken.
Council hears presentation on funding needed for two major sewer projects
Assistant City Manager Roxy Soto presented funding needs for upgrades to the Silverlake Wastewater Treatment Plant and the Northside Sanitary Sewer Trunkline project.
The city currently has $2 million available for the treatment plant upgrades and $10,406,000 for the trunkline project. The city still needs an estimated $2.9 million for the treatment plant and about $22 million for the trunkline project. Staff will likely recommend issuing certificates of obligation to cover the shortfall.
No action was taken.
Council hears update on transportation rates
Community Services Director Esme Meza and Transportation Superintendent Rosa Cruz updated the council on transportation fares and non-medical transport services to San Antonio and other regional cities.
Cruz said the city will begin offering non-medical trips to San Antonio at a cost of $30 round trip. Meza said the department was recently recredentialed by Medicaid and expects an increase in ridership and revenue. No fare changes are recommended at this time.
No action was taken.
Council hears plans for economic development office move
Council members considered a recommendation by Burkhart to move the economic development director’s office from City Hall to the transportation depot building on Ogden Street.
City Attorney Ana Markowski Smith said office assignments fall under the city manager’s authority and require no council action. Economic Development Director Orestes Hubbard and Burkhart said they will review whether to move Hubbard into the constituent office or partition space within the building’s Spark Lab.
Council approves Main Street board appointments
Council members voted 7-0 to appoint Julio Gonzalez and Eileen Morales to the Del Rio Main Street Program board of directors and reappoint Mario Sanchez and Pepper Bernal. The recommendations were made by Main Street Manager Jorge Garza.
Council confirms appointment of Scot Carcasi
Following an executive session lasting more than three hours, council members voted 7-0 to reclassify the operations and compliance manager position to operations and compliance director and confirm the appointment of Scot Carcasi to the role.
Council approves additional funding for bridge consultant
Council members voted 5-2 to approve a resolution authorizing supplemental agreement No. 4 with R.R.P. Consulting Engineers LLC for an
environmental study related to the second international bridge project and the federally endangered Tobusch fishhook cactus. The agreement totals $55,683.
Mayor Pro-tem Jim DeReus and Councilman Randy Quinones voted against the resolution.
Council votes to proceed with dismissal of city attorney
After an executive session lasting about three hours and 15 minutes, council members voted 5-2 to proceed with the dismissal of City Attorney Ana Markowski Smith.
Before the executive session, Smith said she had requested information about the agenda item regarding her employment but did not receive a response. She also requested the matter be handled in open session. The council returned from executive session without discussion and approved the motion. Councilman J.P. Sanchez and Councilman Randy Quinones voted against it.
Council approves mutual separation agreement with city manager
Following another executive session lasting more than three hours, council members voted 7-0 to accept a mutual separation agreement with City Manager Shawna Burkhart. The agreement became effective Wednesday, Feb. 25, and no interim city manager was appointed. Assistant City Manager Manuel Chavez will likely serve in the role until an appointment is made.
