By Karen Gleason
The 830 Times
Here’s what happened at the meeting:
Six members of the city council were present. Mayor Pro-tem Jim DeReus was absent.
Council hears update on repairs needed at city’s East Spring
• Council members listened to an update on the repairs/reconstruction needed for a
retaining wall at the city’s East Spring, one of the city’s two current sources of drinking
water. Jesus Jimenez, an engineer with the city’s consulting engineering firm on the
project, told council members the existing retaining wall around the East Spring pool can
be repaired for an estimated cost of $1.47 million or a new wall system can be
constructed at a cost of $1.96 million. Jimenez recommended the construction of a new
wall system, and several council members seemed to agree, though no formal action was
taken.
Council hears update on Paul Poag Theatre Rehabilitation project
• Council members heard an update on work being done to rehabilitate and reopen the
Paul Poag Theatre for the Performing Arts in the city’s historic downtown district. Victor
Montes, project manager for the architectural and design firm hired by the city to plan the
rehabilitation, told council members his company is now recommending the city focus
first on addressing immediate needs to reopen the facility, including fire suppression
system repairs, electrical and HVAC repairs and fire code and ADA compliance issues.
Jimenez told council construction could begin as early as October, with a reopening
possible in April 2026.
Council members approve water rates for Laughlin Air Force Base
• Council members unanimously approved a resolution authorizing City Manager
Shawna Burkhart to enter into a contract for payment of water services between the city
and Laughlin Air Force Base. In 2013, the council adopted a 10-year agreement with the
base that included rate increases of $0.05 per year. That contract expired in September
2023, and since then, the city and the base have been operating on a month-to-month
agreement with a rate of $2.48. As part of the city’s ongoing water rate study, its
consultants are working on an updated analysis with rate recommendations for water
services for the base; until the study is completed, the city will execute a six-month
agreement for the $2.48 rate.
Council rejects all bids received for police department vehicles
• Council members unanimously rejected two bids received for vehicles for the Del Rio
Police Department. Council authorized the city manager to advertise for bids for patrol
vehicles for the department in October 2024. City officials posted an addendum to the bid
request in February, and the city had received two bids by the end of February. It was found both bids were for a truck rather than a sport utility vehicle, and city staff asked
council to reject the bids.
Council approves resolution allowing county fire department use of facility
• Council members unanimously approved a resolution approving a memorandum of
understanding between the city and Val Verde County for the use of the City of Del Rio
Fire Department’s training facility. City officials said the city and county fire
departments always work together to back each other up on fires in their respective
jurisdictions.
Council approves purchase of vehicles for police department
• Council unanimously approved a resolution authorizing City Manager Shawna Burkhart
to purchase three 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe PPV 4x2s with CAP fleet outfitting for the
police department in the amount of $291,880 from Caldwell County Chevrolet in
Caldwell, Texas. The purchase is being made through one of the city’s buyboard
contracts.
Council approves procurement of shade structures for Star Park and Skate Garden
• Council unanimously approved the procurement of a turn-key solution for shade
structures at Star Park off North Main Street and at the Del Rio Skate Garden off West
De La Rosa Street in the amount of $125,706.85 from Exerplay, Inc. The cost includes
one shade canopy structure for recently-installed playground equipment at Star Park and
four shade canopies at the skate park.
Council approves expenditures for golf course improvements
• Council unanimously approved the purchase of a prefabricated restroom in the amount
of $195,980 from Public Restroom Company for installation at the San Felipe Springs
Golf Course. The council also unanimously approved the purchase of three prefabricated
bridges in the amount of $124,956 from Roadrunner Bridge for the golf course. The three
bridges will replace existing bridges that “are showing significant wear and tear.” The
three bridges to be replaced will be a cart bridge at Hole #1 and pedestrian bridges next to
Hole #4 and Hole #5.
Council accepts donation of materials for park from Del Rio Rotary Club
• Council members unanimously accepted the donation of fencing materials, an irrigation
system, grass seed and dirt, valued at a total of $21,237.33, for installation at Rotary Park
along the San Felipe Creek from the Del Rio Rotary Club. Council members publicly
thanked the Rotary Club for all of the volunteer efforts and donations by the club to
improve the quality of several parks in the city.
Council approves purchase of restroom for Del Rio Lions Park
• Council unanimously approved the purchase of a prefabricated restroom in the amount
of $195,980 from Public Restroom Company for installation in the Del Rio Lions Park
off Fox Drive. The council has received several complaints over the years about the lack
of restrooms in the park, which is utilized daily by runners and walkers on a track at the
park.
Council approves expenditures of HOT funds for Devils River Run for Hope, Cinco
de Mayo
• Council members unanimously approved a request for $10,000 from the city’s hotel
occupancy tax (HOT) funds to be used for advertisement for the Devils River Run for
Hope on April 12, an annual event by Brooke’s Blossoming Hope for Childhood Cancer
Foundation. The event raises funds for childhood cancer research. Brooke’s Blossoming
Hope Executive Director Jessica Hester told council members the event draws runners
from around the state and nation, as well as from other countries. The council also
approved a request for $10,000 from HOT funds for advertisement by the Brown Plaza
Association of its annual Cinco de Mayo events May 3-5 on Brown Plaza. The event
traditionally draws attendees from throughout the region.
The writer can be reached at delriomagnoliafan@gmail.com.
