City Manager Updates Del Rio on Moore Park, Water Line Replacement, and More

Interim City Manager, Manuel Chavez provided community members, the mayor, and council with updates on existing projects, funding and grants, and current community events, during the first portion of Tuesday, July 23, 2024’s Regular City Council Meeting. 

He began by reminding citizens that Stage 2 of Water Conservation is still active, followed by these updates: 

– The Del Rio Northside Sewer Line Project is still ongoing, currently at 90% design

– Water Line Replacement Project in Phase 2, at 60% design through September 2024, final design to be completed around December 2024 - January 2025 with the construction phase between February 2025 to January 2027 through the Texas Water Development Board, Clean water SRF Funding of $10 million with the rest coming from city matched funds 

– The San Felipe Bank Improvement Project was put aside a year ago and the city staff has been working with engineers to return with a new design, plans to meet with engineers in August to come back and present to city council for future consideration 

– Two grants submitted with council approval under the Rural Business Development Grant for Revolving Fund and the Business Incubator were approved and the City of Del Rio was selected to receive funding through those two grants to be brought to the City Council for approval at a later council meeting 

– The Moore Park Pool issues will likely be resolved within the next few days as a new vendor works to resolve the existing pool pump issues that caused the closure of the pool. The city is looking to extend the pool season to the end of August with plans to reopen the pool by the end of this week 

–The DRPD currently has a “Christmas in July” toy drive available at the DRPD station for any children to receive some gifts as well as the Tip A Cop Event at Texas Roadhouse from 5-9pm on Thursday, July 25, 2024 to raise funds for the Special Olympics

Delbert Hill (center) poses with City Council Members (left to right) Jesus Lopez, Jr., James DeReus, Interim City Manager, Manuel Chavez, Andres Quinones, Mayor Al Arreola, Ernestina "Tina" Martinez, JP Sanchez, Carmen Gutierrez, as he accepts his certificate celebrating 34 years of service with the City of Del Rio.

The updates ended with recognition of City Staff celebrating 20+ years with the city. For the month of July, four city employees were honored with certificates during the meeting, though only one of the city employees was in attendance: 

– Celebrating 21 years of service, Soledad Gutierrez (not present)

– Celebrating 22 years of service, Ruben Veliz (not present)

– Celebrating 23 years of service, Rebecca Acosta (not present)

– Celebrating 34 years of service, Delbert Hill (pictured above)