By Karen Gleason
The 830 Times
All seven members of the Del Rio City Council were present for the meeting.
Here’s what happened:
Council conducts public hearing on plat request
City council held a public hearing on a plat request by Ken Dirksen, P.E., representing Alan Saddler, for approval of Saddler Subdivision out of a 1.35-acre tract located in J. Mitchell Survey 183, Abstract 1295, and a 0.96-acre tract located in J. Mitchell Survey 183, Abstract 1295 (512 Johnson Street and 404 Borroum Street).
Mayor Al Arreola opened the public hearing at 6:38 p.m. and asked if anyone wished to comment for or against the plat request. When no one indicated they wished to speak, Arreola closed the public hearing at 6:39 p.m.
Citizens address council about firing of city attorney
Six citizens spoke to the city council during the “Citizen Comments” portion of the agenda.
Bea Vallejo spoke about her belief that council members have been receiving misinformation from some city employees.
Patricio Garza of The Border Organization (TBO) asked whether the rain event that occurred about an hour before the council meeting had caused the sewer line on the city’s north side to overflow or if the current system had proved sufficient. Garza also asked the council to be transparent about the dismissal of former City Attorney Ana Markowski Smith.
TBO leader Eddie Cortez spoke to the council about growing problems caused by an ongoing shortage of Del Rio police officers.
Gage Brown, a TBO organizer, said she believed the city should have postponed the meeting because of the problems caused by severe weather that struck the city about an hour before the meeting.
The final two speakers, TBO leader Irma Cardenas and Sara Winters, also spoke to the council about the recent firing of Smith.
Mayor, council make public announcements
Mayor Al Arreola announced he recently met with the mayor of Ciudad Acuña, Coahuila, Mexico, and Del Rio Port Director Liliana Flores to discuss traffic and delays at the Del Rio International Bridge.
Councilwoman Carmen Gutierrez also addressed the council about her decision to make the motion to proceed with the dismissal of former City Attorney Ana Markowski Smith.
Interim city manager gives project update, recognizes employees
Interim City Manager Manuel Chavez briefed the council on ongoing city projects and said he hoped residents made it safely through the storm that passed over the city before the meeting.
Chavez said there had been “an event” at City Hall caused by heavy rains and recognized several people who assisted with cleanup, including Councilwoman Ernestina “Tina” Martinez, Councilwoman Carmen Gutierrez, Scot Carcasi, Selena Mendoza, Roxy Soto, Leo Cavazos, Ricardo Aguilar and Ruben Veliz.
Chavez also reviewed progress on several public works projects, announced upcoming events and publicly recognized several city employees who have worked for the city 10 years or longer.
Council hears presentation on city debt
Tony Jaso of the city’s financial advisors, Estrada Hinojosa, gave council members an overview of the city’s debt portfolio.
Jaso told the council the city’s total principal debt stood at $114,023,580 at the end of February. He noted that amount will decrease when the city makes its annual principal payment at the beginning of June.
Debt supported by the city’s property tax-supported debt equals $46,486,898, Jaso said.
Debt supported by the city’s enterprise funds currently includes $64,211,201 for the water and sewer department; $1,475,000 for the landfill; and $1,615,069 and $235,000 for streets.
In response to a council question, Jaso said the city currently has $42,228,312 in interest, with total debt outstanding at $156,251,892.99.
Council members asked several questions but took no action following the presentation.
Council authorizes lease with Hispanic Chamber
City council members voted 6-1 to approve a resolution authorizing Chavez to execute a 12-month lease agreement, with the option to renew for one additional 12-month term, with the Del Rio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce for office space in the San Felipe Springs Event Center.
Councilman Jesus Lopez Jr. cast the lone vote against the motion.
Council approves aviation consultant contract
Council members voted 7-0 to approve a resolution authorizing Chavez to exercise the first of four optional one-year renewals with Volaire Aviation Inc. for aviation consultant services beginning May 1.
Chavez told the council Volaire has been “very proactive” in helping the city restore commercial air service at Del Rio International Airport.
Councilwoman Carmen Gutierrez said she would like more frequent updates on the work Volaire is doing for the city.
Council rejects bids for Paul Poag Theatre renovation
City council members voted 7-0 to approve a resolution authorizing Chavez to reject all bids received for the Paul Poag Theatre Rehabilitation Project Phase III and to re-advertise the request for bids.
Architects working on the renovation said they contacted contractors they believed were qualified to do the work but noted there were errors in some contractors’ paperwork submitted with the bids.
In response to questions, the architects said if the second round of bidding is successful, renovation work would take about six to eight months. They said they hope the renovated theater can open by the end of the year.
Council approves grants for police, fire departments
City council members voted 7-0 to approve a resolution authorizing Chavez to submit an application for the Fiscal Year 2027 Operation Lone Star grant program to the Office of the Texas Governor, Public Safety Office.
Council members also voted 7-0 to ratify the submission of an application for a Fiscal Year 2027 Border Zone Fire Department grant to the Office of the Texas Governor’s Homeland Security Grants Division in an amount up to $250,000.
Council approves HOT funds request
City council members voted 7-0 to approve an ordinance authorizing an expenditure not to exceed $10,000 in hotel occupancy tax (HOT) funds for the ARA Promotions LLC Border Classic Cookoff/Team Roping, scheduled for March 27-28 at the county fairgrounds.
The writer can be reached at delriomagnoliafan@gmail.com.
