By Karen Gleason
The 830 Times
All seven members of the Del Rio City Council were present.
Here’s what happened at the meeting:
Mayor, councilwoman make announcements
• Mayor Al Arreola welcomed the newly seated members of the council, Councilman LeRoy Briones and Councilwoman Elsa Reyes. Councilwoman Carmen Gutierrez thanked the two members who left the council Monday, Ernestina “Tina” Martinez and Jesus Lopez Jr., and also welcomed the two incoming members. Gutierrez said in the recent city election “there were a lot of complaints from our citizens” that voting hours were 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., adding she circulated a petition in an attempt to extend the hours, but learned although she had enough signatures, the state has changed its rules about extending voting hours by petition. Gutierrez said she will continue working with election officials to extend voting hours. Gutierrez said last week she attended the Eagle Pass Border Trade Summit, whose keynote speaker was former Mexico president Vicente Fox Quesada. She said she attended a talk by Texas Department of Transportation officials, adding city and county elected leaders must “reach consensus” on border transportation projects.
City manager gives updates
• Interim City Manager Manuel Chavez gave an update on several ongoing projects and made announcements. Chavez congratulated the city’s animal services department, which was recently recognized by the Best Friends Animal Society with the “Transformational Change” award for 2025, given in part for the department’s efforts to reduce the number of animals euthanized at the facility. Chavez said the city began vector spraying for mosquitoes May 1. He said spraying is being carried out on weekdays from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., with additional spraying for major events. The spraying will continue for the remainder of the spring and through the summer. Chavez announced a promotions ceremony will be held at the Del Rio Police Department on Thursday and congratulated Del Rio Fire Department Engineer Ariel Falcon, who is retiring after 30 years of service to the city.
City project volunteers honored
• Community Services Director Esme Esparza and Emergency Management Coordinator Amanda Aldaco presented certificates to dozens of student volunteers who participated in city projects. Certificates were awarded to Del Rio’s Trail Life troop, Garfield Middle School National Junior Honor Society, the school district’s Student Guidance Learning Center and Heritage Academy National Junior Honor Society. The volunteers participated in initiatives to keep Del Rio beautiful and enhance city parks.
Council hears update on Fourth of July celebration plans
• Community Services Director Esme Esparza presented city council members with an update on plans for the city’s annual Fourth of July celebrations. Esparza said this year’s celebration will again include the Miss Fourth of July Pageant, which this year will expand to include a male division for boys who want to participate. The pageant will take place Thursday, July 2. On Saturday, July 4, the city will host its annual Fourth of July Parade, themed “America’s 250th/Stars and Stripes.” At 9 a.m. on July 4, the “Chalk the Walk” event will be held. Later that day, there will be a skate competition, a wrestling match, hot dog- and watermelon-eating contests and rock painting for youngsters. Esparza also said the city will bring “a major headliner” for the entertainment portion of the celebration. Events will also include a kayak night parade on the creek and the traditional fireworks display at 10 p.m. July 4.
Council approves contracts for state, federal lobbying
• A majority of city council members voted to approve four resolutions dealing with contracts for state and federal lobbying efforts. The resolutions were approved despite pointed questions from several council members. The council voted 5-2 to approve a resolution directing Mayor Al Arreola to enter into a memorandum of understanding with Val Verde County and the local public school district for state advocacy services. The council also voted 5-2 to approve a resolution authorizing Interim City Manager Manuel Chavez to approve a contract in the amount of $66,000 with Andrade Van De Putte for state lobbying services. The council also voted 6-1 to direct the mayor to enter into a memorandum of understanding with the county and school district for federal advocacy services, and council members voted 6-1 to approve a resolution authorizing Chavez to approve a contract with Lone Star Consulting in the amount of $48,000 for federal lobbying services. Mayor Pro-tem Jim DeReus voted against all four resolutions, and Councilwoman Carmen Gutierrez voted against the first two.
Council approves memo with county to alleviate flooding
• City council members voted 7-0 to approve a resolution authorizing and directing Interim City Manager Manuel Chavez to enter into a memorandum of understanding with Val Verde County to collaborate “on a drainage improvement project aimed at alleviating local flooding issues.” Details of the drainage improvement project were not included in the council’s informational packet.
Council postpones vote on approving contract for Paul Poag Theatre rehab project
• City council members voted 7-0 to postpone action on a resolution authorizing and directing Interim City Manager Manuel Chavez to award a contract in the amount of $2,529,960 to Jose Ernesto Salazar LLC, doing business as JESCO, for the Paul Poag Theatre Rehabilitation Project. When the resolution came up on the council’s agenda, Mayor Al Arreola announced the council would go into executive session to discuss the contract. The council went into executive session at 7:31 p.m. and stayed behind closed doors until 8:07 p.m. After reconvening into open session, Arreola announced no action was taken while the council was out of the public’s eye. Councilman J.P. Sanchez then made the motion to delay action on the resolution, saying there are “questions that need to be addressed.” Arreola called the postponement “a small delay.”
Council accepts donation of surveillance camera system for Joe Ramos Center
• City council members voted 6-0-1 to approve a resolution authorizing Interim City Manager Manuel Chavez to accept a donation of a surveillance system for the area around the Joe Ramos Memorial Youth and Elderly Center. Mayor Pro-tem Jim DeReus and Councilman LeRoy Briones thanked their colleague, Councilman Randy Quinones, for donating and installing the system. According to the council’s informational packet, the closed-circuit television system will be installed between the Joe Ramos Center and the Del Rio Skate Garden, an area that has suffered a number of instances of vandalism. The estimated value of the surveillance system is $2,400. Quinones abstained from voting on the resolution.
City to seek qualifications, bids for major sewer line upgrade, brush mulching
• City council members voted 7-0 to approve resolutions authorizing Interim City Manager Manuel Chavez to give notice of a request for qualifications for the Northside Sewer Line Project, a major effort to upgrade the size of the sewer outfall line serving the city’s growing north side. The council also voted 7-0 to approve a resolution authorizing Chavez to advertise and give notice of a request for bids for brush mulching at the city’s landfill.
Council seeks state financial assistance to complete watershed study
• City council members voted 7-0 to approve a resolution to submit an application for financial assistance from the Texas Water Development Board. Information included in the council’s packet indicates the city will seek financial assistance in an amount not to exceed $407,105 “for the preparation and completion of the addendum to the Master Watershed Study.”
The writer can be reached at delriomagnoliafan@gmail.com
