By Karen Gleason
The 830 Times
Long-time city employee Gregory J. Velazquez II has been named as the city’s new public works director.
Velazquez’s appointment to the position was approved by a resolution passed by the Del Rio City Council during its regular meeting on Tuesday.
Mayor Al Arreola said before he called for a motion, he wanted to recognize Human Resources Director Mario Garcia.
Garcia told the council, “It gives me great pleasure to introduce Mr. Gregory J. Velazquez to the position of public works director. Mr. Velazquez has over 26 years experience in public works, having worked in the capacity of water production and wastewater superintendent for a number of years. Then in 2021, he was promoted to the position of assistant public works director and oversaw the operation of all utility divisions and the landfill.
“Most recently, in 2024, he was assigned as interim public works director and has been in the forefront of multiple city capital improvement projects and many municipal infrastructure improvements. His knowledge of regulations as they apply to road development, environmental regulations, emergency response, traffic control, water management, is of great value to the city.
“He is a Texas Commission on Environmental Quality A-licensed operator, a backflow prevention assembly tester and a certified instructor for the Texas A&M Engineering Extension. With these qualifications, Mr. Velazquez is well-qualified for the position, and having reviewed his experience and his qualifications, our City Manager Shawna Burkhart has made the recommendation for Mr. Velazquez to assume the position of public works director, which is presented to you for approval.
“So again, it gives me great pleasure to introduce Mr. Velazquez. He has been a friend for a while. . . He’s a great guy,” Garcia finished.
Burkhart also spoke to the council about her pick for the position.
“If you all reflect back on the budget, this position was originally a city engineer/public works director. After much review and after consideration of applications and applicants that did file for that position, we went through two different types of searches, and we were able to come to this conclusion easily after weighing it with Greg’s experience.
“But with that said, one of the things I have done in many cities, is contracted out the engineering services, so at this time, this reflects the notion that the city will contract out engineering services, but we cannot contract out that public works knowledge and experience, and we certainly appreciate that Mr. Velazquez is willing to bring that experience to the table for us and also transfer that knowledge to the next generation that comes after him, and so I present to you Mr. Velazquez,” Burkhart concluded.
Arreola then said he wanted Velazquez to speak, but first wanted a motion and second and a vote on approving the resolution.
Councilwoman Carmen Gutierrez made the motion to approve the resolution, and Councilwoman Ernestina “Tina” Martinez gave the second. Gutierrez included as part of her motion that Velazquez would be paid a base salary of $111,000 per year. The motion passed unanimously.
Arreola then recognized Velazquez, who first thanked the mayor, city manager and council members.
“It is an honor. I’m very humbled, very privileged. I started (working for the city) in 1998, and here I am today. This was a dream of mine, many, many years ago when I first started as an operator for the city of Del Rio. I am continuing with my education as well.
“I want to prove to you all that things need to get done and will get done. We need to see a lot of these projects come to fruition. I explained to Ms. Burkhart that we need to set goals as public works. We need to show you the vision for the city of Del Rio, where we need to be, where we should be and where we need to go.
“Infrastructure is very important for the city, for its economic growth and its future development, and one of the things my dad taught me was about the people you work for, your constituents, they’re what make you, don’t forget where you came from.
“My dad was from San Felipe, and he was very proud of San Felipe. I care about San Felipe, and I care about all of the neighborhoods. Thank you. I’m very honored, and I thank God for His blessing; number one, because he gives me life, and I appreciate it. Thank you all very much,” Velazquez finished.
The mayor then led the council and audience in a round of applause for Velazquez, with Councilman J.P. Sanchez jokingly calling out, “Get to work.”
The writer can be reached at delriomagnoliafan@gmail.com.
