By Karen Gleason
The 830 Times
Six of the seven members of the Del Rio City Council were present for Tuesday’s meeting.
Mayor Al Arreola was absent.
Here’s what happened at the meeting:
Council hears from United Civic Organization members
• Grant Weiland and former Del Rio Mayor Roberto “Bobby” Fernandez, both leaders in Del Rio’s United Civic Organization (UCO), spoke to city council members during the Citizen Comments portion of Tuesday’s meeting. Both men addressed a proposed increase in the rental rates the city will charge for the organization’s use of the Del Rio Civic Center. Both also pointed out the contributions UCO makes to the community, saying UCO bingo provides an entertainment option for citizens who can’t afford to travel out of town and gives more scholarships to graduating high school seniors than any other group.
Mayor, council members make announcements
• Mayor Pro-tem Randy Quinones thanked city staff for their work on the recent Fourth of July celebrations, noting the events “had a great turnout.” Councilwoman Carmen Gutierrez thanked city staff for organizing the July 4 celebration, adding she believed the turnout was the best it has been in many years. Gutierrez reminded citizens to sign up for Regroup emergency notifications and said information can be found on the city’s website.
Interim city manager gives informational update
• Interim City Manager Manuel Chavez said a lot of rain fell on the city earlier Tuesday and asked citizens to be alert, as more rain is expected Wednesday and Thursday. Chavez thanked city staff for responding to problems caused by the rain and urged citizens to stay informed about the weather. Chavez also praised all city staff who put together the city’s Fourth of July celebration, adding he plans a comprehensive report on the celebration to council in early August and public recognition of organizers and sponsors.
• Chavez said the city’s water aerobics classes would be canceled for the rest of the week because of the anticipated bad weather and will resume their regular schedule next week. He said the Early Bird Walkers who walk at the golf course also will be canceled for the rest of the week. Chavez said effective July 10, the city has lifted its Stage 2 drought restrictions, but city staff will continue to monitor spring flow.
Council authorizes interim city manager to negotiate civic center lease
• City council members voted 5-0-1, with Councilman J.P. Sanchez abstaining, to “authorize and direct the interim city manager to negotiate a 12-month lease agreement with the option to renew for one additional 12-month term with the United Civic Organization (UCO) for bingo operations at a City of Del Rio facility and bring to council for approval.”
• The council approved the motion following a 30-minute discussion. At the outset of the discussion, Councilwoman Carmen Gutierrez asked one of the city’s contracted attorneys, who was available via Zoom, if Sanchez had to leave council chambers during the discussion since he sits on the UCO board of directors. Sanchez agreed to step out and returned after the council voted.
Council hears presentation on gas system study
• City council members took no action after hearing a presentation on the City of Del Rio gas utility rate study by Collin Drat, project manager with Raftelis, the company contracted to conduct the study. Drat discussed the scope of work and the study’s focus areas. The council also heard from Interim Finance Director Roxy Soto, City Public Works Director Greg Velazquez and Daniel Jalomos, superintendent of the city’s gas division, during the presentation. The study is expected to be completed later this year.
Council hears presentation on citywide budget survey
• City council members took no action after hearing a presentation on the citywide budget survey conducted as part of the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 budget development process. Interim Finance Director Roxy Soto said the survey was conducted between May 19 and July 5 and was intended “to give citizens a platform to voice their opinions and to align their priorities with the budget.” Soto said a total of 269 responses were received, and she went over all of the questions in the survey and discussed the responses with council members.
Council hears presentation on capital improvement plan
• City council members took no action following a presentation by Interim Finance Director Roxy Soto on the proposed Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). Soto reminded council members the CIP is preliminary and includes estimated costs, funding sources and priority projects identified during the budget process. Soto went over capital improvement projects planned in each city department and said a final version of the CIP would be presented during a future budget workshop.
Council authorizes issuance of $11.8 million in refunding bonds
• City council members voted 6-0 to approve the issuance of “one or more series of City of Del Rio, Texas, General Obligation Refunding Bonds in a combined aggregate principal amount not to exceed $11,805,000.”
• Council voted after hearing a presentation on the refunding bond process from Tony Jaso of the city’s financial advisors, Estrada Hinojosa & Co. Inc. Jaso discussed with council members the possible savings the city might realize through the process.
Council approves submission of grant application for body-worn cameras
• City council members voted 6-0 to approve a resolution amending a previous resolution to authorize the submission of a grant program application to the Office of the Governor of the State of Texas, Public Safety Office, for the purchase of body-worn cameras. If awarded, the grant will allow the city to purchase 12 body-worn cameras for police officers with a total project cost of $65,000.
Council approves funding agreement with TxDOT for sidewalk project
• City council members voted 6-0 to approve a resolution authorizing and directing Interim City Manager Manuel Chavez to execute an advanced funding agreement of $2.3 million with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) for a 2025 transportation set-aside project. The project will allow the city to construct 1.3 miles of five-foot-wide sidewalks on the east side of North Bedell Avenue and Braddie Drive.
The writer can be reached at delriomagnoliafan@gmail.com.
