By Karen Gleason
The 830 Times
All five members of the Del Rio City Council were present.
Here’s what happened at the meeting:
Citizen asks city to re-examine fluoridation of drinking water
Del Rioan Rick Martinez spoke to the city council during the citizen comments portion of Tuesday’s meeting. Martinez said he “found it kind of interesting” that the city of Del Rio “hadn’t caught on” to removing fluoride from the city’s drinking water.
Martinez also claimed adding fluoride to the water exposed citizens to elevated levels of aluminum and “the propensity to end up with Alzheimer’s and neurological degenerative diseases.”
Martinez said he would send council members a packet with additional information and asked the council to take the issue into consideration.
Mayor, council members make public announcements
Mayor Al Arreola thanked Scot Carcasi, the city’s operations and compliance manager; Interim City Manager Manuel Chavez; the city’s parks department; the streets department; fire department; and police department for their work dealing with the aftermath of a recent thunderstorm.
“I applaud you guys for doing 110 percent,” Arreola said.
Councilwoman Elsa Reyes said she, too, wanted to thank Chavez, Carcasi and the streets and parks departments for working to remove a large tree that fell on Park Avenue during the storm.
Councilwoman Carmen Gutierrez also thanked city administrators and staff who responded to the storm. Gutierrez invited Del Rioans to a town hall meeting she will host at the municipal court building on June 29 regarding “changes and improvements the city has made” recently. She reminded Del Rioans to fill out the city’s budget survey and to vote in Saturday’s mayoral runoff election.
Councilman LeRoy Briones said he has begun an initiative to promote small businesses called “Friday Local Love.”
Interim city manager gives update on projects
Interim City Manager Manuel Chavez thanked the mayor and council for recognizing the work of city administrators and staff.
Chavez singled out Scot Carcasi, the city’s operations and compliance manager; Gilbert Macias, who heads the streets department; and Miguel Rodriguez, who heads the water department, for special kudos for their work on emergencies caused by recent storms.
Chavez also said the police and fire departments had extra personnel on the streets.
Chavez announced there would be a meeting of vendors who want to participate in the city’s July Fourth celebration at 5:15 p.m. June 16 at the Spark Lab, located in the city’s transportation depot, 100 W. Ogden St.
Chavez reminded citizens to participate in the upcoming mayoral runoff election and said work on the Highland Park Subdivision began last week. He said the work will include repaving and placement of some sidewalks.
Finally, Chavez announced there will be a town hall meeting dealing with the San Felipe Drainage Project at 6 p.m. June 22 at the Texas Community Bank community room, across from the county courthouse.
Economic development director gives presentation on Del Rio’s economy
Economic Development Director Orestes Hubbard gave a presentation titled “State of the Del Rio Economy: Economic Overview and Strategic Direction.”
Hubbard told the city council the city’s economy is “stable but under-diversified.”
He said the city’s major economic strengths are its strategic location on the U.S.-Mexico border, Laughlin Air Force Base, an affordable business environment and available land and development opportunities.
Among the city’s economic challenges are a lower-than-average median household income, limited economic diversification, a shortage of skilled workers, a limited industrial base and no commercial air service.
Council members asked a number of questions during the presentation.
Council hears update on city’s neighborhood services department
Scot Carcasi, the city’s operations and compliance manager, gave a presentation on the city’s neighborhood services department.
Carcasi reviewed the department’s organizational structure, as well as its core operations and responsibilities.
Carcasi also provided the council with an overview of the number of restaurant inspections, overgrown lots, junk vehicles, substandard structures and other enforcement actions taken by the department.
Council members asked numerous questions during the presentation but took no formal action.
New council members head to training sessions
City council members voted 7-0 to approve Councilman LeRoy Briones, Councilwoman Elsa Reyes and Councilman Leon Hernandez Jr. to travel to San Antonio July 29 and July 30 to attend the Texas Municipal League’s Newly Elected Officials’ Orientation.
The council also approved the total expenditure of $2,961.24 for the expenses to be incurred by the three new council members.
Mayor Pro-tem J.P. Sanchez urged the three new members to take advantage of as many seminars at the orientation as possible, saying the information they will gain there will be invaluable to their futures on the council.
Council approves next steps in Blue Wall stabilization project
City council members voted 7-0 to move forward with efforts to stabilize the Blue Wall along the San Felipe Creek.
Interim Assistant Finance Director/Purchasing Agent Luis Menchaca said the project requires coordination with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
He said the project will require a biological opinion to be prepared by the Fish and Wildlife Service before construction bids are sought.
The council voted to move ahead with the project as recommended by city staff, meaning construction may begin in early 2027.
Council approves seeking RFPs for civic center fire safety system
City council members voted 7-0 to approve a resolution authorizing and directing Interim City Manager Manuel Chavez to advertise and give notice of requests for proposals for an upgraded fire safety system for the Del Rio Civic Center.
The selected company will evaluate the facility, provide recommendations and install a new fire alarm sprinkler system.
Council approves two measures to renew Placer.ai for visitor information
City council members voted 7-0 to approve a memorandum of understanding between the city, county, Del Rio Chamber of Commerce and Del Rio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce for payment and subscription to Placer.ai services.
The service will cost $20,396, divided equally among the four entities. The city’s share will be $5,099.
Council members also approved the use of hotel occupancy tax funds to pay for the service.
Placer.ai provides geofencing information about the number of visitors who attend local events.
Council approves grant writing services for Del Rio Economic Development Corporation
City council members voted 7-0 to approve a resolution authorizing the Del Rio Economic Development Corporation to award a contract to NCB Incorporated for grant writing, administrative and consultant services.
According to information presented to the council, the contract will cost $30,000 and will be paid by the EDC.
Council postpones EDC request for RFQs for legal services
City council members voted 7-0 to table action on a request for qualifications for legal services for the Del Rio Economic Development Corporation.
Council members said they wanted to wait until the city hired a full-time city attorney before acting on the request.
Council cancels purchase of prefabricated restroom for golf course
City council members voted 7-0 to cancel a resolution authorizing the purchase of a prefabricated restroom for the San Felipe Springs Golf Course.
The purchase would have cost $198,980.
Information provided to the council noted the golf course’s needs will continue to be met through rented portable restrooms.
City council approves submitting grant to assist firefighters
City council members voted 7-0 to approve a resolution authorizing and directing Interim City Manager Manuel Chavez to submit a Fiscal Year 2025 Assistance to Firefighters Grant to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
The city will apply for the maximum award amount of $1 million to purchase a pumper truck.
If approved, the city will provide a 10 percent match.
Council approves updated building codes
City council members voted 7-0 to approve an ordinance amending Chapter 8 of the city’s code of ordinances to adopt the 2024 International Building Codes.
The update replaces the 2015 International Building Code currently used by the city.
City Planning and Zoning Director Janice Pokrant said city staff has been working with local developers to share information about the new codes.
Pokrant said the new codes will affect any building project started after July 1.
The writer can be reached at delriomagnoliafan@gmail.com.
