By Louis Zylka
The 830 Times
The city council approved new members and alternate members to the city’s board of adjustment and the building standards commission.
During their July 8 regular meeting, city council members discussed two resolutions for the appointment of members to two of the city’s committees. The first resolution was for a
discussion and possible action to appoint and confirm George Salinas for a two-year term on the BOA as an alternate member.
Alternate members “are called upon when needed in the absence of a board member,” according to information presented to the council.
Councilman J.P. Sanchez made the motion to approve the resolution, and Councilwoman Carmen Gutierrez gave the second.
As mentioned in a memo submitted by City Planner Eivon Garcia, the BOA is a group tasked with making decisions on “variances, special exceptions and administrative reviews” pertaining to the city’s zoning ordinances. The group meets once a month and consists of five members.
The memo also says that Salinas has “expressed interest in serving the community on the board” and is able to “fulfill the time commitment associated with the BOA.” Salinas is a retired real estate agent and has served as the Val Verde County Precinct 2 justice of the peace.
As mentioned in his board and commission committee application, which was provided to the council during the meeting, Salinas stated his experience in real estate can “help with the construction phase and the building phase (plans)” of the BOA.
The second resolution was for the discussion and possible action to appoint one regular member and two alternate members to the city’s building standards commission. Sanchez made the motion to approve the resolution, and Gutierrez gave the second.
As mentioned in a memo submitted by Operations and Compliance Manager Scot Carcasi, the building and standards commission is required by ordinance to “provide notice and conduct a hearing to order the securing, repair, removal and demolition” of any building in the city not meeting specific safety standards.
The new member of the building and standards commission is Eduardo Venegas, who will be serving a term ending on Oct. 31, 2025. In his board and commission committee application, which was included in the council’s agenda packet, Venegas mentioned he is a veteran of the Air Force and added he would “like to bring both personal and professional experiences to the city of Del Rio to assist in (its) growth and development.”
The two new alternate members are Jimmy McDonald, whose term expires on Oct. 31, 2025, and Felisa Martinez, whose term expires on Oct. 31, 2026.
The council unanimously approved both resolutions before moving on to the next topic on the
agenda.
