The 830 Times
All seven members of the Del Rio City Council were present.
Here’s what happened at the meeting:
Council approves ordinances okaying replat requests
City council members voted 7-0 to approve three ordinances dealing with property replat and revision requests. The first dealt with approval of a replat for the property located at 101 Rusty Drive, vacating setback lines and creating Lots 1A and 1B out of Lot 1. The second ordinance dealt with amending the existing plat and reconfiguring the property lines at 404 Ave. K. The third ordinance dealt with platting 2 Buena Vista Circle into three lots.
Former councilman speaks out on trio of issues
Former Del Rio City Councilman Jesus Lopez Jr. spoke to the city council during the “Citizen Comments” portion of the meeting. Lopez said he was concerned whether the appropriate state laws were followed in an item later on the evening’s agenda, the awarding of a construction contract to a company owned by a member of the council. Lopez also expressed his concerns about the proposed abolition of the Del Rio International Airport Commission and the abolition of the San Felipe Springs Golf Course Commission, which the council approved during a previous meeting.
Mayor proclaims Nov. 6, 2026, as ‘Texas Arbor Day in Del Rio’
Mayor Al Arreola read a proclamation designating Nov. 6, 2026, as “Texas Arbor Day in Del Rio.” Arreola’s proclamation noted, in part, “Trees – wherever they are planted – are a source of joy and spiritual renewal.” He called on citizens to support efforts to protect trees and woodlands. Following the reading of the proclamation, Community Services Director Esme Esparza said on Nov. 6, city staff will begin an ongoing tree-planting initiative. Communications and Marketing Director Peter Ojeda said city staff is working with nonprofits and local businesses to sponsor the planting of a tree or trees. He said the Nov. 6 event will be the kickoff of the initiative, and the trees will be planted along the hike-and-bike trail adjacent to San Felipe Creek between the Joe Ramos Center and Camp Del Rio.
Mayor, council members announce events
Mayor Al Arreola praised the recent Fiesta de Amistad events, calling them “tremendous.” He also said he was honored to attend a BCFS candlelight vigil for victims of domestic violence on Monday, Oct. 26. Councilwoman Carmen Gutierrez reminded everyone to pay their property taxes before the end of October to receive the largest discount being offered for early payment. Councilman LeRoy Briones thanked the city and the citizens for supporting recent events, especially the Fiesta de Amistad Parade, and reminded citizens that “our spending habits do impact the city of Del Rio, so please shop local and invest in our small businesses.” He also asked everyone to be careful while trick-or-treating on Halloween, which is Saturday.
Councilman Leno Hernandez said he was happy to see so many events in the city recently and singled out the car show held as part of Fiesta de Amistad as particularly well-attended. He also lauded KWMC and Mike Andrade for putting together a “trunk-or-treat” event and thanked city staff for organizing the Monarch Festival on Friday, Oct. 23. Finally, Hernandez reminded everyone to vote.
City manager gives updates on projects
City Manager Manuel Chavez began his “City Manager’s Informational Update” by speaking about a breast cancer awareness bake sale by staff members, with proceeds going to the Mary Pierce Cancer Resource Room at Val Verde Regional Medical Center. Chavez said there will be a seminar titled “Understanding Texas’ New Mobile Food Vendor Law” at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 28, at the Spark Lab in the city’s transportation depot, 101 W. Ogden St.
Chavez said there will be trick-or-treating for kids of all ages at City Hall, 109 W. Broadway St., from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 30. He announced a change in dates for the council’s meetings in November. The council’s first November meeting will be on Nov. 9, and the second meeting of the month will be on Nov. 17. Chavez said the city staff will have a tree-planting event at 11:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 30, beginning at the Joe Ramos Center. Finally, the city manager thanked Community Services Director Esme Esparza and other staff members for their work on the recent Monarch Festival.
Council approves Roxy Soto as city finance director
Following the “City Manager’s Informational Update,” the city council moved into executive session at 7:08 p.m. and returned to open
unanimously to confirm Soto’s appointment during the city council meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 28.
Soto, who has worked for the city for 12 years, has been serving as interim finance director.
(Photo by Karen Gleason)
session at 7:51 p.m. Mayor Al Arreola announced no action had been taken while the council was behind closed doors. City council members first voted 7-0 to approve a motion by Councilman Leno Hernandez that the council “approve the contract as written and as agreed-upon with the City Manager Manuel Chavez.” The council then voted 7-0 to approve a motion by Councilwoman Elsa Reyes “to confirm the appointment of Roxy Soto as our finance director for the city of Del Rio, effective Tuesday, Oct. 27.” Council members congratulated Soto, who has been with the city for 12 years.
Council approves execution of contract with councilman’s pool company
City council members voted 4-2-1, with Mayor Al Arreola and Councilwoman Carmen Gutierrez casting the two opposing votes and Mayor Pro Tem Randy Quinones abstaining, to approve a resolution authorizing and directing City Manager Manuel Chavez to award and 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.
Prior to considering the item, City Secretary Mari Acosta announced Quinones has filed conflict-of-interest paperwork with her office as required by state law and which is available for public review. Quinones also read a statement announcing his conflict of interest, noting he has a “substantial interest” in Connected Home Solutions, doing business as Stella’s Pools, and adding he has filed the required paperwork with Acosta. He also announced he would abstain from discussion of and voting on the item.
The council went into executive session. After the closed-door session, the council took up consideration of the pool reconstruction contract, with several council members voicing their opinions on the contract award.
Council approves agreement for nutrition services for the elderly
City council members voted 7-0 in favor of a resolution to approve the fiscal year 2026-2027 contractor agreement between the city of Del Rio and the Middle Rio Grande Development Council (MRGDC)/Area Agency on Aging to provide nutrition services. The agreement affirms the city’s role as the provider of nutrition services for seniors in Val Verde County, including congregate meals, home-delivered meals, nutrition education, participant assessments and transportation. The agreement allows the city to be reimbursed for the cost of the program, which is about $143,248. The program provides about 46,000 meals a year to eligible residents.
Council approves resolution on airport runway redesignation
City council members voted 7-0 to approve a resolution authorizing submission of a formal letter of intent to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Aviation Division for the runway redesignation project at Del Rio International Airport. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has determined the magnetic variation at the airport is out of tolerance and must be updated. Runway 13/31 at the airport will be redesignated as Runway 14/32. An engineering firm contracted by the city has estimated the total cost of the redesignation project at $379,000 to $389,000. The letter of intent allows the city to seek federal funding for the project.
Airport improvement grants require a 10% cost match from the city, with the FAA’s Airport Improvement Program paying the 90% share.
Council approves negotiating contract for vending services
City council members voted 7-0 to approve a resolution authorizing and directing City Manager Manuel Chavez to negotiate a contract with Amistad Snacks, a Del Rio company, for vending machines in various city buildings. City Purchasing Director Luis Menchaca said the city had advertised twice for vending machine services. He said during the first round of requests for proposals for the service, no vendor responded. Menchaca said Amistad Snacks, a Del Rio company, was the only vendor that submitted a proposal during the second round of advertising for the services. He said once negotiations are complete, the contract will be brought back to the council for approval.
Council amends Code of Ordinances dealing with dangerous dogs
City council members voted 7-0 to approve an ordinance amending a chapter in the Del Rio Code of Ordinances dealing with dangerous and aggressive dogs. The changes will allow the city’s animal services division to address dangerous dog determinations, aggressive dog classifications, enforcement procedures, owner responsibilities and “costs associated with impoundment and compliance.” The council also unanimously approved an ordinance amending the city’s fee schedule to reflect costs associated with the dangerous and aggressive dog designations.
Council abolishes Del Rio International Airport Commission
City council members voted 7-0 to approve an ordinance abolishing the city’s airport commission, an advisory board made up of citizen volunteers to make recommendations to city council on projects and issues related to the airport. The council also approved a related ordinance removing the phrase “airport commission” from the Del Rio Code of Ordinances.
Airport Manager Juan Onofre told the council the airport commission met most recently in January. Onofre said in 2025, the commission met six times, and the commission met three times in 2024. Onofre said sometimes he cannot wait on the next commission meeting to bring projects and issues to the city council. City Manager Manuel Chavez said the commission “hasn’t been fully working as intended.”
The writer can be reached at delriomagnoliafan@gmail.com.
