By Karen Gleason
The 830 Times
Three former Del Rio City Council members spoke to their former colleagues on Tuesday, variously praising the work of the interim city manager and criticizing recent actions and proposed actions by the city economic development corporation and a proposed incentive payment to a local restaurant.
The former council members all spoke during the citizen comments portion of the city council’s regular meeting.
Former Councilperson At-Large, Place A, Steve Webb, a retired Del Rio police officer, spoke first.
Webb said, “I want to thank (Interim City Manager) Mr. (Manuel) Chavez for the job that he does. It’s not easy to take
colleagues during the citizen comments portion of Tuesday’s council meeting. Webb
praised the work of Interim City Manager Manuel Chavez. (Photo by Karen Gleason)
over for someone else and try to run the city the way he’s been doing. He follows policy, and he follows the rules, and he makes sure that everything gets done the right way.
“My big question, and I put this before the whole dais, what I want to know, is why every time (Chavez) tells somebody ‘no,’ he ends up on the agenda? This is not the first time. Every time he tells the mayor ‘no,’ he ends up on the agenda. Why?
“It’s not right. (Chavez is) doing what’s right. I told you the last time I spoke, we’ve got to follow the rules. That’s why they’re there. We have to do the right thing for the right reasons, and the people that we serve are the reasons we do what we do. If you start backtracking and doing whatever the mayor wants or what anybody else wants, it’s wrong,” Webb said.
“Mr. Chavez, you are doing a tremendous job. It’s not easy. I know that. I wish you would have thrown your hat in the ring (for the city manager position), but other than that, keep up the good work. You’re thinking of the community and not the self. Some people think of the self and that’s wrong. They’re here for the wrong reason. Know your role. I told you that the last time I was here (at the podium). And some people still haven’t learned that. Thank you,” Webb finished.
The next former council member to address the council was former District III Councilperson Alexandra Falcon Calderon, a small business owner.
Calderon said, “Good evening, council, Ms. City Attorney, Mr. Chavez and Mayor Arreola. Yes, I’m going to start with some items you guys have in executive session. There’s three pertaining to the EDC (economic development corporation). A reminder for those that do know and those that don’t. Please look at what Type B and the EDC are all about because it was voted (on by) the community during the election of May 2022.
“For any Type B (economic development corporation) project, there always needs to be a public hearing. Always. That’s against state laws if not done. At least one. Was it done for the Texas Roadhouse? Was it done for (the) Mondragon (property)? Was it
council colleagues during the citizen comments portion of Tuesday’s council meeting.
Calderon spoke about the necessity of council following the by-laws set up for the city’s
economic development corporation. (Photo by Karen Gleason)
done for Molcajetes? So that’s to think about when you go into executive session, also.
“And as for the EDC by-laws, in Section 3.06, for those that have not looked at those by-laws – the EDC does have by-laws – I suggest you obtain a copy. Conflict of interest is there. You have items in executive session that pertain to a local area here in Del Rio, and that is the Plaza Del Sol Mall.
“‘They both shall abstain from discussion and voting thereof.’ And who are those? The city, Mayor Al Arreola and the EDC Director Jorge Ramon. That’s also to consider when you go to executive session,” Calderon said.
“Now, with the Interim City Manager, Mr. Chavez, you came in when there was and still is a mess in the EDC. I left council in May 14 of this year, and I was very aware of all of the things that have been and still continue. Unfortunately, John Sheedy, our former city manager, is not here to have those, but we have Mr. Chavez, who has done a tremendous job to try to do the right thing by not breaking laws, and I am grateful that I know Mr. Chavez for many years and worked with him, so I freely saying that because that has been my experience working with him. Now, this is in also the by-laws of the EDC, it’s Section 6.01. Look at it, because that tells you what Mr. Chavez should do,” Calderon said as the three-minute timer sounded.
The third and final former city council member to address the council was former Mayor Bruno Lozano.
Lozano said, “Good evening mayor and distinguished council members. I’d like to just first and foremost thank Mrs. Esme (Meza) and Mr. (Peter) Ojeda for being at the 5K that was collaborated with the city of Del Rio. We had an excellent turnout, and we look forward to collaborating on behalf of PTSD awareness for next year’s 5K.
“Most importantly, the reason why I’m here is, as previously mentioned in citizens’ comments, is the concern I have about the distribution of $80,000 to a private entity here in Del Rio. As stewards of public funds, having served on council for four years, it is imperative that we properly vet the distribution of public funds, and I want to reiterate the fact, the importance of the processes that are in place to properly vet these funding sources.
comments portion of Tuesday night’s council meeting. Lozano lauded the work of
Interim City Manager Manuel Chavez and cautioned against a proposal to make an
$80,000 payment to a local business. (Photo by Karen Gleason)
“If we do not properly vet these funding sources and end up distributing funds, there are severe consequences to be had. I want to reiterate for those members of the council who haven’t gone through a budget cycle yet; you might have a feel-good moment, temporarily, if you so-called ‘do the right thing’ and protect an individual who was given improper information to access these funds. I think Christian (Mtanous, owner of Molcajetes Restaurant) is a great person, and he’s very advantageous for advocating for his own personal business, but you are the stewards of public funds,” Lozano said.
“If you make a consequential decision today, you may not see the repercussions in this budget cycle. But as previous cycles can attest, if you’re not looking three, four, five, 10 years down into the pipeline, you’re going to send the city to a cliff, and we’re all going to jump onto that cliff and be on that cliff together, as a society.
“It is imperative that you are prudent and understand what previous (council) members in citizen comments just mentioned, as to the dire consequences and the severity that this will cause and the repercussions that could be at hand if you continue this path.
“And Mr. Mayor, I was here a year ago, asking . . . what your vision is for the community. As mentioned, $80,000 could go directly to the San Felipe Creek. When I was on the dais, we funded $1.5 million for the improvement of that creek.
“I ask you, council, what is the vision that you carry forth? Especially to the newcomers. It is imperative that you vote consciously and not just through feelings. They may feel good but they’re very fleeting. Take it from somebody who’s sat on that dais before, and I am not above the law. I have served and I have understood every single one of us in elected positions to carry that as well. Thank you,” Lozano finished.
The writer can be reached at delriomagnoliafan@gmail.com.
