By Louis Zylka
The 830 Times
City council recently approved the submission of a grant application to help fund future cleanup,
recycling and beautification events.
During the Aug. 12 regular meeting, city council members discussed a resolution to ratify the submission of a Southwest Coca-Cola Beverages and Keep Texas Beautiful (KTB) grant in
recognition of the city’s cleanup efforts during the second annual sustainability week.
Councilwoman Carmen Gutierrez made the motion to approve the resolution, and Councilman J.P. Sanchez gave the second.
As mentioned in a resolution memo submitted by Esme Meza, the city’s community services director, Del Rio has been named a “Gold Star” affiliate of KTB, a non-profit organization based
in Austin, Texas. City staff and the local Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages distribution facility hosted a sustainability event on June 7 to beautify local areas.
During the Aug. 12 regular meeting, Meza talked about the success of the June 7 event. 65 people attended the event to plant trees and flowers at the Del Rio Skate Garden and to pick up
litter in the areas near the Dr. Alfredo Gutierrez Amphitheater, Moore Park and Memo’s Restaurant.
Meza mentioned the sustainability event is a grant project done in collaboration with Del Rio and Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages. The maximum amount that could be requested under the grant was $1,500, but based on positive reports, Meza said Del Rio is being awarded $4,000.
“We had great participation from different departments, (including) administration, media, fire, parks, gas and transportation, as well as more citizens, some of our queens and the Coca-Cola (staff), our local distributor. So, we had a really successful event,” Meza said. “KTB was impressed.”
Meza ended her presentation by saying she appreciated everyone’s support, and the council members thanked Meza for her hard work and dedication in helping the community.
The council will consider formal acceptance of the grant during the first regular meeting in September. The grant money will go towards plants/trees, tools and merchandise to promote
future KTB events.
Meza talked with The 830 Times on Friday to express her feelings on Del Rio maintaining a Gold Star status, which is the highest ranking offered by KTB. She said affiliates of KTB carry
out the mission of beautifying and preserving their local areas during various community events.
KTB will then evaluate reports and photos of community cleanups during sustainability week and approve grants offered by Southwest Texas Beverages, which supports KTB events held
throughout the year.
“I feel really proud because (the city) worked hard on being a gold star affiliate and maintaining that title. It helps us become eligible for things in the future; it shows that we are serious about
taking care of the environment and doing the best we can,” Meza said.
