By Karen Gleason
The 830 Times
All seven members of the Del Rio City Council were present.
Here’s what happened at the meeting:
Citizen calls for higher pay for police officers
- Linda Guanajuato Webb, an elected member of the local public school district’s board of trustees, spoke to city council members about the chronic shortage of police officers here and about the low pay Del Rio police officers receive compared to salaries paid to officers in other departments in the region. Webb, whose husband Steve Webb formerly served as a Del Rio police officer and as an elected member of the Del Rio City Council before his recent death, urged the council “to do what is right and necessary” to increase local police officers’ salaries.
Mayor Pro-tem Jim DeReus announces year’s first town hall meeting
- Mayor Pro-tem Jim DeReus announced he will host the first town hall meeting of the new year beginning at 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 22, at the Del Rio Civic Center. Councilwoman Carmen Gutierrez wished Del Rioans a Happy New Year and thanked citizens for “working with us, engaging with us” in 2025. Gutierrez encouraged everyone to remain engaged, to call their council representatives, to attend town hall meetings and city council meetings and voice their concerns. Councilman Randy Quinones reminded citizens there will be opportunities this year for them to serve their community and encouraged anyone wishing to run for a seat on the city council to call the city secretary for more information. Councilman Jesus Lopez Jr., too, reminded citizens that this year they have the opportunity “to vote the right people into office” in the city and the county, as well as cast ballots for their state and federal representatives.
City manager gives informational update
- City Manager Shawna Burkhart thanked members of U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales’ office for visiting with city staff on Friday (Jan. 9). Burkhart said she and other city staff shared “all of our needs, including water and sewer infrastructure” with Gonzales’ staff, as well as funding needs for stormwater drainage projects and support for the city’s efforts to restore commercial air service. Burkhart reminded everyone the city will be hosting its annual MLK Day March beginning at 9 a.m. Monday, Jan. 19. The march begins at Star Park off North Main Street and ends at the county courthouse. Everyone planning to march is asked to begin lining up at the park about 8:30 a.m. “Signs are permitted, but they must be respectful,” the city manager said, adding transportation will be available at the courthouse to ferry marchers back to the park. Burkhart also said Texas Rep. Eddie Morales’ office has acknowledged Michael Garcia, assistant to the city manager, for the eight times he has been recognized by the White House for his volunteer efforts in the community.
Staff gives update on Medicaid contract for transportation
- Community Services Director Esme Meza gave the city council an update on progress city staff has made toward restoring Medicaid certification for the city’s transportation system. Meza said the city offers non-emergency medical transportation to citizens and noted the city’s enrollment in the Medicaid system expired in October 2024. Meza said the lapse was due partly to a “transition in staff, and when the Medicaid (certification) lapsed, we weren’t getting those notifications.” She said current staff submitted a revalidation application in October 2025, but told council the revalidation is a process, as the application is currently being reviewed at the federal level. Meza said she will let council members know as soon as the city receives its recertification.
Staff shows off new “Turtle Top” bus for city’s transportation fleet
- Community Services Director Esme Meza and Rosa Cruz, transportation superintendent, gave city council members an update on the city transportation department’s new Turtle Top Terra Transit bus. Meza said the city has been waiting for the new vehicle for more than a year. She said the bus is the first of its kind in the region and features 20 cushioned seats with head supports, USB charging ports for each passenger, drop-down TVs so a movie can be played for passengers on longer trips and foldable seats so the bus can accommodate two wheelchairs. Meza said the city used funds from the 5339 Discretionary Rural Bus and Bus Facilities Program to purchase the bus, which will allow the city to soon begin offering transportation to San Antonio to the general public, a program slated to begin in February. Meza said the bus cost $277,773.75, but noted the city had a total award amount of $309,908. She said the remaining balance of $32,034.25 was used for transmission and bus repairs, with money left over to go toward the purchase of a new bus. Instead of cash, the city used 56,000 TDC credits, which are paid from highway toll fees, Meza said.
City eyes proposed updates to vendor regulations
- City Planning and Zoning Director Janice Pokrant gave city council members an update on a review being made of the city’s ordinances regarding “peddlers, solicitors, vendors and special events,” noting the initial ordinance was adopted in 1984 and has had only limited updates through the years. Pokrant identified several concerns about the existing ordinance, including inconsistent definitions and lack of clarity between mobile food vendors, special events and temporary permits and conflict with recently-adopted state laws, including Texas House Bill 2844. Pokrant presented the council with goals city staff has for the revision and outlined a public engagement process that includes public meetings and work sessions and a public hearing before the new ordinance is adopted at the end of May. The first public meeting on the changes to the vendor ordinance has been set for Feb. 19 in the city’s multi-purpose facility at the golf course. Council members asked a number of questions following Pokrant’s presentation.
Council hears plan for updating city building codes
- City Planning and Zoning Director Janice Pokrant gave city council members an update on plans to update the city’s building codes. Pokrant said she and other staff members have discussed the proposed code updates with local builders and developers at recent roundtable meetings. She said the stakeholder consensus was for the city to adopt the 2024 versus the 2021 codes. Pokrant also presented the council with an implementation plan, noting the city will host another question-and-answer session for local builders and developers and hold two public hearings before adopting the new codes in March.
The writer can be reached at delriomagnoliafan@gmail.com
