By Louis Zylka
The 830 Times
City council members say they will begin planning for an advocacy trip to Washington, D.C., in the fall.
Council members and Mayor Al Arreola discussed the trip during the council’s regular meeting June 27.
Assistant City Manager Manuel Chavez told council members the advocacy trip would be for the purpose of meeting with representatives of federal agencies to lobby for assistance on city projects.
Chavez said city officials haven’t made a lobbying trip to Washington D.C. since 2018. He said the trip will allow city elected officials and administrators to meet face-to-face with representatives of federal agencies like the Pentagon.
During their last trip, city officials went with a delegation from the county and the Del Rio Chamber of Commerce’s Military Affairs Committee to meet with Department of Defense representatives to discuss issues and projects relating to Laughlin Air Force Base.
Chavez told the council the last time the delegation visited Washington, its members also met with representatives of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the National Park Service, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Department of Homeland Security.
Chavez suggested council members should plan a month-and a-half to schedule dates, set up appointments and decide who wants to go on the trip. Chavez introduced the congressional calendar for the council to review and suggested the earliest dates for a trip would be in September.
“The purpose of this item is to raise awareness and narrow down a particular date,” Chavez said. “Whether it is tonight or bringing it back to the next council meeting, we need to start narrowing down a particular date(s) so that our federal lobbyists can start working and setting up appointments for us.”
Arreola asked if the delegation will be able to meet with other local elected and business leaders that might join them on the trip. Chavez said the last trip included delegations from the city, county and the Del Rio Chamber of Commerce’s Military Affairs Committee.
Arreola said city officials should arrive at a consensus for which dates are best. Councilman J.P. Sanchez said he agreed with Arreola’s decision, adding the council should “try and get everyone together” for the trip.
Arreola said he would like representatives from the city, county, school district and hospital district to be a part of the group making the trip.
City Manager John Sheedy said city staff would reach out to other local elected leaders and the chambers of commerce to see if anyone could join city leaders for the trip. After the meeting, Sanchez said the trip will help local leaders advocate for the city and projects that require federal assistance.
“It helps to be in front of some of the agencies and meet with other representatives,” Sanchez said. “It opens doors when we are there, instead of sending letters or emails.”
No action was taken by the council following the discussion. Arreola said he wants to make sure other entities are involved and to discuss the trip again in another meeting.
