By Karen Gleason
The 830 Times
Six of the seven members of the Del Rio City Council were present. Councilwoman Elsa Reyes was absent.
Here’s what happened at the meeting:
Citizens speak out for increased police, fire pay; call for transparency on bridge routes
- Three citizens addressed the city council during “Citizen Comments.” Linda Guanajuato Webb and Amanda Martinez called on the council to more carefully consider raises for police officers and firefighters, with Webb decrying the council’s approval of its new budget without first finalizing negotiations with police officers’ and firefighters’ associations. Martinez urged council members to go on ride-alongs with police officers and firefighters to learn more about the work they do for the community. Jon Grace, a resident of Val Verde County, called on the council to be more transparent about the routes being proposed between area highways and a planned second international bridge. Grace said the city is weeks away from submitting its presidential permit for the second bridge but has yet to make public the routes being proposed.
Mayor proclaims October 2026 as “Breast Cancer Awareness Month”
- Mayor Al Arreola asked Councilwoman Carmen Gutierrez to read the proclamation designating October 2026 as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Gutierrez was joined by several city staff members and Miss Del Rio Princess Sian Kamilla and Preteen Miss Fourth of July Madeline Torrez.
Mayor, council members make announcements
- Mayor Al Arreola asked everyone to keep Councilwoman Elsa Reyes in their prayers. Councilwoman Carmen Gutierrez announced the meeting of a local women’s cancer support group at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15, at the Texas Community Bank meeting room, 401 Pecan St. Gutierrez also invited the community to participate in all the Fiesta de Amistad events Friday through Sunday. She said most of the events for this year’s Fiesta de Amistad will be held on the grounds of the Val Verde County Fairgrounds off North Main Street.
Interim city manager gives update on projects, honors long-time employees
- Interim City Manager Manuel Chavez made several announcements and gave updates on city projects during the “City Manager’s Informational Update.” Chavez said breast cancer “has touched us all in one way or another” and for two Fridays during October, the city will hold a bake sale and all proceeds collected will be donated to a local organization. He invited everyone to attend the city’s annual Monarch Butterfly Festival, on Saturday, Oct. 23, from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Brown Plaza. Chavez also recognized city employees who have reached the “20 year plus milestone” working for the city. These included Maria Perez, assistant city planner with development services, celebrating 33 years; Patricia Rodriguez, municipal court supervisor with municipal court, celebrating 43 years; Clint West, Del Rio Fire Department lieutenant, celebrating 24 years; Steven Gladson, Del Rio Fire Department firefighter, celebrating 28 years; Victor Rocha, Del Rio Fire Department assistant fire chief, celebrating 28 years; Valentin Martinez, Del Rio Police Department captain, celebrating 24 years; Guillermo Ortiz, parks and recreation department carpenter, celebrating 29 years; Daniel Jalomos, gas department superintendent, celebrating 31 years; Jimmy Crane, Del Rio Fire Department captain, celebrating 32 years; and Clay Sinclair, Del Rio FireDepartment captain, celebrating 30 years. Chavez also debuted a video on a project to outfit the city’s water and wastewater operations with generators to allow the city to operate those services even during breaks in electrical service, as occurred during the winter storm in February 2021.
Council approves early pay-off of some debt
- City council members voted 6-0 to approve a resolution “authorizing defeasance and redemption of certain outstanding obligations.” Interim Finance Director Roxy Soto told the council the approval of the resolution would allow the city to pay off some of its tax-supported debt.
Council approves maintenance agreement for emergency generators
- City council members voted 6-0 to approve a resolution authorizing Interim City Manager Manuel Chavez to enter into a five-year maintenance agreement with Holt Power Systems for scheduled service of the city’s water emergency generators in the amount of $246.428.55. The maintenance agreement will cover servicing emergency generators for the city’s water procurement and treatment and for the wastewater system. The city purchased and installed those generators following outages on both systems during a winter storm in February 2021. The emergency generators have been placed at both the East and West Springs, the sources of the city’s drinking water; at its water treatment plant and at three wastewater pump stations.
Council makes no decision on company to reconstruct Buena Vista Pool
- City council members voted 3-2 on a motion to approve a resolution authorizing Interim City Manager Manuel Chavez to execute a contract in the amount of $941,000 with Connected Home Solutions doing business as Stella’s Pools for design-build services for the Buena Vista Pool Rehabilitation Project. Councilman Randy Quinones excused himself from council chambers at the start of the discussion of the resolution, as he is involved with Stella’s Pools. Mayor Al Arreola said during the discussion he did not know if the council had ever had to make a decision on a company directly owned by a council member. City Attorney Ana Markowski Smith said Quinones had followed all the correct laws, policies and procedures for a conflict of interest. The council spent some time discussing the situation, then Councilman Leno Hernandez, Councilman J.P. Sanchez and Councilman LeRoy Briones voted in favor of the motion to approve the contract, while Arreola and Councilwoman Carmen Gutierrez voted against it. Measures must have at least four council members voting in favor to pass, so the motion to approve did not pass, and the resolution will be presented again at a future meeting.
Council approves sale of three properties struck off for delinquent taxes
- City council members voted 6-0 to approve three separate resolutions approving the sale through the sealed bid process of properties located at 819. E. Garza St., 210 Frausto St. and 702 Brodbent St. The three properties were previously struck off pursuant to the Texas Property Tax Code for delinquent ad valorem taxes owed the city, the county and the local public school district.
Council approves resale of certain properties struck off to the city at tax foreclosure sales
- City council members voted 6-0 to approve a resolution authorizing the resale of certain properties struck off to the city at a tax foreclosure sale. The resolution deals with 20-odd properties and had been ordered sold at judicial tax foreclosure sales. The properties failed to receive qualifying bids and resulted in the properties being struck off to the city. Information provided to the council indicates that returning the parcels to private owners can support redevelopment, increase the tax base and may help recover some of the delinquent taxes owed on the properties. Interim City Manager Manuel Chavez said the city may pull some of the properties on the list, as they are located in a floodway.
Council authorizes issuance of $7.8 million in debt for new municipal well
- City council members voted 6-0 to approve an ordinance authorizing the issuance of Combination Tax and Surplus Revenue Certificates of Obligation (COs) Series 2026C in the principal amount of $7,830,000. The COs will be sold to the Texas Water Development Board after the city submitted an application for financial assistance through the State Water Implementation Fund for Texas (SWIFT) for the drilling, equipping and integrating of a new groundwater well. The new municipal well will be used to provide an alternate water source for drinking water for the city and Laughlin Air Force Base.
Council authorizes issuance of $3.1 million in debt for water system
- City council members voted 6-0 to approve an ordinance authorizing the issuance of Combination Tax and Surplus Revenue Certificates of Obligation (COs) Series 2026D in the principal amount of $3,190,000. The COs will be sold to the Texas Water Development Board after the city submitted an application for financial assistance through the State Water Implementation Fund for Texas (SWIFT) for additions, extensions and improvements to the city’s water treatment plant.
Council approves folding golf course, creek commissions into parks board
- City council members voted 6-0 to approve three ordinances dealing with two city advisory commissions and extending responsibilities of the city’s Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. The first ordinance repealed an article establishing the City of Del Rio Golf Commission, an advisory board overseeing the San Felipe Springs Golf Course, and the second ordinance repealed an article establishing the San Felipe Creek Master Plan Commission. The third ordinance added revisions to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, including adding oversight responsibilities for the golf course and the creek master plan. Council members spent some time discussing doing away with the two commissions, especially the golf course commission, with council members saying they wanted representatives of the golf course to sit on the parks board. Council members made the change with the understanding the commissions can be reinstated if the new arrangement is unsatisfactory.
Council names Manuel Chavez new city manager
- City council members voted 6-0 to appoint Interim City Manager Manuel Chavez as the new Del Rio city manager. Chavez has worked in various positions with the city for 26 years. He was serving as the assistant city manager when he was named interim city manager. Chavez was appointed following an executive session at the end of the city council meeting.
The writer can be reached at delriomagnoliafan@gmail.com
