By Karen Gleason
The 830 Times
All seven members of the Del Rio City Council were present.
Here’s what happened at the meeting:
Council rescinds city attorney termination; accepts resignation
• City council members voted 5-2 to rescind the termination of former City Attorney Ana Markowski Smith and accept her resignation letter and the separation agreement reached with her. Council members took the vote after meeting in executive session for nearly two hours and hearing a statement from Smith. Councilman J.P. Sanchez and Councilman Randy Quinones voted against the motion to accept the letter of resignation and the separation agreement. Sanchez and Quinones had also voted against the initial motion to proceed with Smith’s dismissal during the council’s Feb. 24 meeting.
Citizens speak out about city attorney firing, gas study, water rates
• Seven citizens addressed the city council during the “Citizen Comments” portion of the meeting. Several expressed dismay at the firing of former City Attorney Ana Markowski Smith and chastised the members of the council who voted to dismiss her. Another citizen spoke about the growth of Del Rio. Among those who signed up to speak were leaders of The Border Organization, who read letters they said had been written by other city employees questioning the council’s decision to fire Smith. Another TBO leader addressed the council about a gas system rate study on the agenda later in the meeting, and a final TBO leader spoke about the sharp increase in city water bills, telling council members many Del Rioans will struggle to pay those bills.
Mayor, council members make announcements
• Mayor Al Arreola said he had attended the “Running of the Bulls” event in Ciudad Acuña, Coahuila, Mexico, over the weekend, calling it “pretty successful” and noting it brought visitors from San Antonio, Houston and the interior of Mexico and “helped the economy on both sides.” Arreola said earlier in the day he had attended the grand opening of the Fairfield by Marriott hotel on North Bedell Avenue. Councilwoman Carmen Gutierrez thanked residents for attending the meeting and sharing their opinions. She also urged everyone to celebrate safely in city parks during the upcoming Easter holiday and wished residents “a happy Easter and Resurrection Sunday.” Councilman Jesus Lopez Jr. also asked residents to “be careful with your weekend barbecues.” Councilman J.P. Sanchez requested that items on the council’s executive session agenda be moved up, and Arreola said he would consider the request once the city’s interim attorney joined the meeting.
Interim city manager gives update on projects, makes announcements
• Interim City Manager Manuel Chavez began his update by informing council members about a fire that broke out in a section of Lt. Thomas Romanelli Memorial Park along the San Felipe Creek over the weekend. He thanked the Del Rio Fire Department and the city’s parks and recreation department for responding to the blaze, noting firefighters “acted quickly and kept the fire from spreading.” Chavez also thanked the Val Verde County Fire Department, Val Verde Regional Medical Center’s emergency medical services and AEP Texas crews for their assistance. He thanked the mayor and council for meeting with staff as they begin preparing the city budget for the coming fiscal year and said he will present a report on council members’ budget priorities at the next meeting. He also said he would provide an update on the city’s street paving plan. Chavez told council to “save the date” for the city’s Earth Day celebration on April 11 and provided an update on ongoing efforts to secure a presidential permit for a second international bridge.
Council approves annual comprehensive financial report
• City council members voted 7-0 to approve the city’s annual comprehensive report for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2025. Before approving the report, council heard a presentation from Michael Del Toro of ABIP, the independent auditors contracted by the city. Del Toro said his firm issued “a clean opinion” and found “no material weaknesses or items of non-compliance.” Del Toro and Chavez praised Assistant Finance Director Roxy Soto and Flavio Aguilar for their work on the report.
Council appoints member to airport commission
• City council members voted 7-0 to appoint Jose M. Piña to Place 4 on the Del Rio International Airport Commission, filling a term ending Dec. 31, 2027. Piña, a contracting officer at Laughlin Air Force Base, will serve on the seven-member commission, which advises the council on airport-related issues.
Council authorizes submission of Operation Stone Garden grant application
• City council members voted 7-0 to approve a resolution authorizing Interim City Manager Manuel Chavez to ratify the Fiscal Year 2025 Operation Stone Garden Grant and submit the Fiscal Year 2026 application to the Office of the Texas State Governor, Homeland Security Grants Division, in the estimated amount of $199,970 per fiscal year, with no cash match required from the city. The grant funds will be used for overtime pay, equipment, supplies and direct operating expenses.
Council authorizes submission of state grant for rifle-resistant body armor
• City council members voted 7-0 to approve a resolution authorizing submission of a grant application to the Office of the Texas State Governor, Public Safety Office, for the Rifle-Resistant Body Armor Grant Program for Fiscal Year 2027 in the amount of $5,898.12. The program provides funding to equip peace officers with rifle-resistant body armor.
Council approves contract for rate study for city’s gas utility system
• City council members voted 7-0 to approve a resolution authorizing Interim City Manager Manuel Chavez to execute a contract with Raftelis Financial Consultants Inc. for a comprehensive cost-of-service and rate design study for the city’s gas utility system. The study will cost $59,520 and will be funded from the city’s fund balance.
Council authorizes mayor to execute agreement with AEP Texas
• City council members voted 7-0 to approve a resolution authorizing Mayor Al Arreola to execute an easement and right-of-way agreement between AEP Texas Central Company and the city for electrical distribution at the Silverlake Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Council approves contract for lead and copper service line inventory
• City council members voted 7-0 to approve a resolution authorizing Interim City Manager Manuel Chavez to execute a $963,000 contract with LJA Engineering for Phase 2 of the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements Service Line Inventory and field investigation. The inventory will document every service line in the city’s distribution system, including both utility-owned and customer-owned lines. The work is expected to take four months and will help guide future replacement efforts required to meet federal and state regulations.
Council approves HOT funds for ‘The Wall That Heals’
• City council members voted 7-0 to approve an ordinance authorizing up to $10,000 in hotel occupancy tax funds for F.O.B. Del Rio Inc. to support “The Wall That Heals,” a Vietnam Veterans Memorial replica and mobile education center. The exhibit will be located at 1117 W. De La Rosa St. from April 16 through April 19 and will be open 24 hours a day until closing at 2 p.m. April 19.
Council approves changes to city fee schedule
• City council members voted 7-0 to approve an ordinance amending the city’s consolidated fee schedule by revising certain fees for development services, fire permits and municipal facility rentals. Council members asked questions about the amended fees, which were addressed by Operations and Compliance Manager Scot Carcasi and Chief Building Official Darryl Lane.
