By Karen Gleason
The 830 Times
All seven members of the Del Rio City Council were present.
Here’s what happened at the meeting:
Council holds public hearing, approves rezoning for restaurant
• City council members voted 7-0 to approve an ordinance rezoning a property located at the intersection of Wildcat Drive and West Cantu Road from local commercial district (C-1) to commercial first height district (C-2-A).
The city council approved the ordinance following a two-minute public hearing at which no one spoke. According to information provided to the council in its informational packet, the property owner plans to construct a McDonald’s restaurant with a drive-through.
The city’s planning and zoning commission previously recommended approval of the rezoning request.
Council takes no action on rezoning request for events center
• City council members did not vote on an ordinance to rezone the property at 114 Fletcher Drive, the former site of the Cox Funeral Home, from multiple-family district (R-M) to local commercial district (C-1).
During a public hearing prior to considering the ordinance, council members heard from the property owner, Donato B. Guajardo III, who said he wanted to create a venue that could be used by families as a gathering place following funeral services, but which could also be rented as an event space.
The council also heard from a man who lives near the property, as well as the owner of another neighboring property, who both spoke against the rezoning request.
Following some discussion, Councilman J.P. Sanchez made a motion to approve the ordinance, but the motion died for lack of a second. No other motions were made, and the item will likely be brought back before the council sometime in the future.
Council honors 100th birthday of Del Rioan Rodrigo C. Santellanes
• Mayor Al Arreola presented Del Rioan Rodrigo C. Santellanes with the key to the City of Del Rio in a ceremony honoring Santellanes’ long life, U.S. Navy service and the generations of military veterans and community servants in his family.
Santellanes was born in Sanderson, Texas, in March 1926 and enlisted in the U.S. Navy during World War II, serving in the Asia-Pacific Theater from July 1944 until May 1946.
Arreola read a long list of military veterans in Santellanes’ family, including two sons, Lt. Col. Rod Santellanes Jr., who retired from the U.S. Marine Corps after serving 39 years, and SFC Ruben Santellanes Sr., who retired from the U.S. Army after serving 22 years.
Santellanes and his wife, Edelmira Dominguez, had six children. They also have 17 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren.
Mayor, council members make public announcements
• Mayor Al Arreola praised Interim City Manager Manuel Chavez, all city employees and Mayor Pro-tem Randy Quinones, who responded during the storms and flooding earlier this month.
Arreola said everyone “did a tremendous job” responding to the weather emergency, noting he was out of town at the time.
Councilwoman Carmen Gutierrez thanked Quinones, Chavez, “all the city staff, all the first responders, all the law enforcement, everyone working together, state, federal” during and after the flooding.
Councilman Leno Hernandez thanked the city’s emergency management director, and Councilman LeRoy Briones thanked local radio station KWMC for keeping Del Rioans updated on closed low-water crossings.
Interim city manager gives update on projects
• Interim City Manager Manuel Chavez gave city council members an update on ongoing projects.
Chavez echoed the council comments on the flood response, thanking city staff members who “stepped up” during and after the weather emergency.
Chavez said the council will begin workshops on the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 budget with a session at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 4.
Chavez said city administrators will have a pre-construction meeting on the Paul Poag Theatre renovation on Aug. 6.
Chavez also honored city employees who have worked for the city for more than 20 years, including Rebecca Acosta, toll collector/crew leader at the Del Rio International Bridge, 25 years of service; Del Rio Fire Department Assistant Chief Delbert Hill, 36 years of service; Ruben Veliz, head custodian, facility maintenance division, 24 years of service; Soledad Gutierrez, head cook, nutrition division, 23 years of service; Javier Torres, groundskeeper, parks division, 21 years of service; DRFD Deputy Chief Jose De Luna, 21 years of service; and Interim City Manager Manuel Chavez, 26 years of service.
Fire department crew lauded for saving child’s life
• City council members honored the Del Rio Fire Department’s Engine 1 crew for saving the life of a child.
DRFD Chief David Harrison read the commendation letter, which was presented to DRFD Engineer Hector Garcia, Firefighter Randy Rohde and Firefighter Jesus Vasquez.
Harrison said the crew responded to a local medical clinic on July 1 and were told a newborn was not breathing.
Garcia began rescue breathing on the baby, who began to cry shortly afterward.
Harrison said because of the firefighters’ quick response, “a life was saved.”
Council hears presentation on solid waste rates
• City council members took no action following a presentation on solid waste rates by Interim Finance Director Roxy Soto.
Soto told the council the city needs to generate $8 million next year from the city’s solid waste department, which includes paying contractor Platform Waste Services for household trash collection and operation of the city landfill.
Soto told the council staff will recommend a $4.71-per-month increase for each residential customer.
Council members spent time discussing the presentation and asking questions.
Councilman Leno Hernandez Jr. said he would like the city to begin investigating taking over the trash collection and landfill operations when Platform’s contract expires in five years.
Interim City Manager Manuel Chavez said it will take at least that long for the city to adequately prepare for such a switch.
Council hears update on water projects
• City council members heard an update on several major water projects the city is undertaking.
City Public Works Director Greg Velazquez and members of International Consulting Engineers (ICE), the city’s consultants on the projects, gave the briefing.
Among the projects discussed were the East Spring containment wall, the San Felipe Water Treatment Plant, a second municipal well, Bedell-Agarita pressure plane improvements and an update to the Master Watershed Study and Flood Risk Map.
During the briefing, Velazquez also told city council members he will retire from city service in early August.
Council approves hangar, office space lease at airport for DPS
• City council members voted 7-0 to approve a resolution authorizing the execution of a contract amendment to the interlocal cooperation contract between the city and the Texas Department of Public Safety for the lease of a hangar and office space on the grounds of the Del Rio International Airport.
The Texas Department of Public Safety has been based at the airport since August 2008.
The writer can be reached at delriomagnoliafan@gmail.com.
