Former Del Rio City Council Members Voice Concerns Over City Council Actions

At a recent Del Rio City Council meeting, three former council members expressed their concerns and commendations during the citizen comments portion. They praised Interim City Manager Manuel Chavez and criticized recent actions by the city’s economic development corporation (EDC) and a proposed incentive payment to a local restaurant. Their comments highlighted significant issues within the city council and ongoing challenges.

Praise for Interim City Manager Manuel Chavez

Former Councilperson At-Large, Place A, Steve Webb, a retired Del Rio police officer, was the first to speak. Webb commended Interim City Manager Manuel Chavez for his dedication to following policies and rules. He raised concerns about Chavez frequently being added to the council agenda whenever he denies a request from the mayor.

“I want to thank Mr. Chavez for the job that he does. It’s not easy to take 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,” Webb stated. He questioned why Chavez ends up on the agenda every time he says “no” to the mayor, emphasizing the importance of following rules for the right reasons.

Webb concluded by urging the council to recognize Chavez’s community-focused approach and to distinguish between those serving for personal gain and those serving the community’s interests.

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Criticism of Economic Development Corporation Actions

Former District III Councilperson Alexandra Falcon Calderon, a small business owner, addressed the council next. Calderon focused on the Del Rio Economic Development Corporation (EDC) and the necessity for public hearings for Type B projects. She questioned whether public hearings were held for specific projects like the Texas Roadhouse, Mondragon property, and Molcajetes.

Calderon emphasized the importance of adhering to EDC by-laws, specifically regarding conflict of interest, and reminded the council to consider these laws during their executive session. She praised Chavez for his efforts to maintain legal compliance and transparency within the EDC, despite the challenges left by the former city manager.

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Concerns Over Proposed Incentive Payment

The final speaker was former Mayor Bruno Lozano, who thanked current council members for their participation in a PTSD awareness 5K event. Lozano’s primary concern was the proposed $80,000 incentive payment to a local restaurant, highlighting the need for proper vetting of public funds distribution.

“As stewards of public funds, it is imperative that we properly vet the distribution of public funds,” Lozano asserted. He warned of the severe consequences of mismanaging public funds and stressed the importance of long-term planning over short-term feel-good decisions.

Lozano urged the council to be prudent and consider the broader impact of their decisions on the community. He also questioned the mayor’s vision for the community, suggesting that funds could be better allocated to projects like the San Felipe Creek improvement.

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Executive Session and Ongoing Issues

The meeting’s agenda included several executive session items, indicating ongoing legal and administrative challenges within the city. These sessions covered various topics, including consultation with the city attorney regarding litigation, deliberation of contracts for prospective gifts or donations, personnel matters, and economic development incentives.

Some of the key executive session items included:

• Consultation with the city attorney regarding Cause No. 2020-0073-CIV, Henry Arredondo vs. City of Del Rio.
• Deliberation regarding a negotiated contract for a prospective gift or donation to the city.
• Discussion of personnel matters, including the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline, or dismissal of the City Attorney and City Manager.

These executive session items reflect the complexities and ongoing issues within the city’s governance, further emphasizing the need for transparency and adherence to established policies and procedures.

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