By Karen Gleason
The 830 Times
Interim City Manager Manuel Chavez provided an update on several ongoing city projects and honored city workers who have served the community for more than 20 years.
Chavez gave his update and recognized the long-time city employees during the council’s most recent meeting on Aug. 27.
Chavez told the council, “A few updates here this evening: First an update on the outfall line project, which is also our (sewer) trunk line that we’ve been working on for a couple of years. Currently we’re at the 90 percent of the design plans. Our contracted engineers are currently working with the Union Pacific Railroad for a permit, and at the moment, that’s the delay. It is going to take some time to get that approved and finalized with Union Pacific.”
The interim city manager also provided an update on several other projects.
“The next update is the San Felipe Creek bank stabilization project. As we had previously discussed, we did go ahead and reject the previous contract. We’re coming with a new contracted engineer, and we should have some more information here shortly,” Chavez said.
“Another project is the Carranza Park Detention Pond. Back on Aug. 2, we had selected the engineers, and currently we will present at the Sept. 10 city council meeting to award the negotiated contract and that should help with the entire drainage situation we have here within the city.
“Some projects that we’re close to completing: We have, under the Middle Rio Grande Development Council, a regional hazard mitigation plan project. This was awarded through TDEM (Texas Department of Emergency Management), again through the Middle Rio Grande Development Council. This is a mitigation plan for the region and this should be completed by Dec. 31.
“Another project that we’re close to completing is the CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) Downtown Revitalization Project, and that’s to install sidewalks and lighting. The project is near completion. We’re expecting a walk-through sometime in the next two weeks, and the project should be completed within that timeframe as well,” Chavez said.
Chavez also reminded council and audience members about the time capsule unveiling from the Flood of 1998.
Finally, as he does during the council’s second regular meeting every month, Chavez recognized the employees who have worked for the city for 20 years or longer.
Chavez then left the dais and read out the names of the employees, giving each one present a certificate of appreciation and a city pin.
The employees honored included the city’s longest-serving worker: Antonio Partida, a traffic signs and markings supervisor, who has been with the city for 58 years. Partida was not present at the meeting, but the announcement of his years of service drew an enthusiastic round of applause from the council and audience.
The other employees honored included Evangelina Palacios, 33 years, administrative assistant in the Del Rio Police Department; Lt. Daniel Young, 29 years, Del Rio Fire Department; Lt. Jimmie L. Parrack, 29 years, Del Rio Fire Department; Lt. Donald Merkle, 27 years, Del Rio Fire Department; and Jaime Flores, 27 years, light equipment operator in the streets and drainage department.
The writer can be reached at delriomagnoliafan@gmail.com.
