UPDATE: DEL RIO, Texas – The Del Rio City Council on Tuesday, Oct. 27, approved a $941,000 contract to rebuild the Buena Vista Pool, two weeks after the same contract failed to get the four votes it needed.

The resolution, R:2026-140, authorizes City Manager Manuel Chavez to award and execute a design-build contract with Connected Home Solutions, doing business as Stella’s Pools, for the Buena Vista Pool Rehabilitation Project, according to the meeting agenda.

Mayor Al Arreola announced the result as “four to two” on the city’s meeting video. Arreola and Councilwoman Carmen Gutierrez cast the two votes against the contract and Mayor Pro Tem Randy Quiñones abstained, according to The 830 Times. The city has not yet posted official minutes for the meeting.

Council member discloses interest and steps away

Before the item was taken up, Quiñones announced a conflict of interest on the record.

“I have a conflict of interest under Texas Local Government Code Chapter 171. I have substantial interest in Connected Home Solutions, DBA Stella’s Pools, which submitted an RFQ for this item,” Quiñones said, according to the city’s meeting video. He said he had filed the required conflict of interest affidavit with the city secretary and would abstain from all discussion and voting on the item.

The council then discussed the item in a closed executive session before voting in open session.

Why it came back

On Oct. 13, the same resolution received three votes in favor and two against, according to the official minutes of that meeting. Councilmembers JP Sanchez, LeRoy Briones and Leno Hernandez voted yes, Arreola and Gutierrez voted no, Quiñones recused himself and Councilwoman Elsa Reyes was absent. The city charter requires four affirmative votes to pass a resolution, so the item failed.

What the contract covers

According to the agenda packet, the council set aside $1.5 million in December 2025 from 2023A certificates of obligation to demolish and renovate Buena Vista Pool. The council authorized a request for qualifications in February 2026 and in August voted to negotiate a design-build contract with Connected Home Solutions.

The company’s estimate in the packet totals $941,000, which is $559,000 less than the $1.5 million budget. It includes design and engineering, demolition of the pool floor, a new pool structure and deck, plumbing and filtration for both pools, a pavilion, ADA access and water features such as a slide, a diving board and spray fountains for the kids pool.

What council members said

Hernandez said the project was advertised for six weeks with no responses and then for another six weeks, drawing two responses, one from a San Antonio company and one from the local company. He said he was satisfied with the procurement process after the executive session discussion.

Briones said the process was handled properly and that the city should support local small businesses that follow the same rules as everyone else. “This project is expected to save the city $600,000,” he said.

Gutierrez said she was confident in the process and was not against awarding the contract to the company. But she said she would have liked to defer the award until the council had a written legal opinion that all documents had been reviewed, instead of advice given verbally, so the public could see it.

Other business

The council voted to confirm Roxy Soto as the city’s finance director, effective Oct. 27. Soto told the council she has worked for the city for 12 years. The council also approved City Manager Manuel Chavez’s contract. Both votes were 7-0, according to The 830 Times.

Council members also voted to abolish the Del Rio International Airport Commission, a seven-member advisory board created in 1981. According to the staff report, the commission has had recurring trouble reaching a quorum, has met infrequently and is not required by state or federal law. Staff said airport matters can be handled by city staff, the city manager and the council. The vote was 7-0, according to The 830 Times.

The council also approved a letter of intent to TxDOT’s Aviation Division to redesignate Runway 13/31 at Del Rio International Airport as Runway 14/32 because of an update to the magnetic variation. The project is estimated at $379,000 to $389,000, with the federal Airport Improvement Program covering 90% and the city 10%, according to the agenda packet.

The council’s November meetings will be held Nov. 9 and Nov. 17, Chavez said, according to The 830 Times.

Read our earlier coverage: Del Rio City Council Set To Vote Again On Buena Vista Pool Contract

Sources: City of Del Rio meeting video, Oct. 27 | Oct. 27 agenda packet | Del Rio City Council roster | The 830 Times council roundup