[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,110],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6351267,"mediaKeyId","2230509-42188673c8fdab28d2cd67dd86ea4278","parentId",2230509,"title","Votes at a glance: Rio Grande City commission actions on Jan. 31, 2025","audioSeconds",8116,"startMs",2918000,"endMs",11034000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2230509-42188673c8fdab28d2cd67dd86ea4278&start=2918&end=11034","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2230509-42188673c8fdab28d2cd67dd86ea4278/thumbnail_2918000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6351267/Rio-Grande-City/Starr-County/Texas/Votes-at-a-glance-Rio-Grande-City-commission-actions-on-Jan-31-2025","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6351267-8b5034c4cfb8c393f0d28783a5ac9bcb/orig.mp4?Expires=1774978799&Signature=lcO3lbR8nsvfSNPE5yTHomI7Vl~CG5Ycbr5NrGiEqwgIJXz7cfCGpujyFBG~rSnLtP-T42--fbJR4z09yGPbf9tdLB-EntGMp4jBE~gA1kySVady2bXWYexxILfoHFcUBriheEWmSbKPcEMjiKf17GiECcfUZrJWzaOwRrmRRONIDds68gVypVy7geOrd064KkNYx6zjT-6O7Amkao7eqSZdYmanXFTFgakP9DQlvyaFT6YuarBQhWRpFZ3BFgjIuhwAzM-zvku3tNbJMllxmhGdc2I~EDY9K3fKkG0S4pIdLSkjPQ-rHikoNd~Nz1uLozLaHGprTTbzwhppCPWfCw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Rio Grande City, TX","date","2025-02-05T20:59:02Z","article","The Rio Grande City commission took the following formal actions at its Jan. 31, 2025 meeting. Items are listed with the agenda reference where available and the action outcome as recorded on the meeting record.

- Consent items (Item 2 a-f): Approved (minutes and board actions from Nov. 12, Nov. 19, Dec. 3, Dec. 17 and Planning & Zoning minutes). Motion approved by voice vote.

- Travel requests and training approvals (part of Consent): Approved (police training and other staff travel requests).

- Ordinance (4a) Medina Electric franchise: Approved to increase franchise fee by 2% (see separate article). Outcome: approved.

- Ordinance (4b) Regulating private use of the name \"Rio Grande City\": First reading approved; item will return for second reading with amendments as needed. Outcome: first reading approved.

- Kelsey Bass Museum bylaws (Resolution 5a): Approved with amendments. The commission asked legal staff to add explicit removal language allowing the commission to remove advisory-board members by majority vote and clarified the board's advisory role relative to department directors. Outcome: approved with amendment.

- Resolution 2025-02 Operation Stone Garden Grant (5c): Approved; police department to apply for/accept an award cited in the meeting as $290,025 for overtime/border security grant. Outcome: approved.

- Resolution to open a bank account for the TDA downtown Main Street CDBG (5d): Approved. The resolution authorizes the finance director to open an account for grant CDM240074 (downtown rehabilitation/Main Street program), a $500,000 grant discussed in the meeting. Outcome: approved.

- Airport routine maintenance grant (5e): Approved the resolution to apply for routine airport maintenance grant funding (meeting referenced approximately $100,000 with a 10% city match); staff to proceed with application. Outcome: approved.

- Logic account resolutions (5f/5g): Approved closing one legacy logic account and opening a debt-service logic account with the city's authorized financial institution. Outcome: approved.

- Contracts and expenditures (6a): Multiple contract approvals including annual software payment to Tyler Technologies (Encode) (~$46,000), payments for EDC and department invoices, and consultant payments. Outcome: approved.

- Time Clock Plus promotional plan (6b) and Aflac Plus 5-year agreement (6c): Approved 5-year plans that lock rates for the first three years (legal reviewed). Outcome: approved.

- USDA community facilities grant agreement for the Public Safety Building (6e): Commission executed the agreement enabling reimbursement under the awarded USDA grant (amount stated in the meeting as unclear in transcript). Outcome: approved.

- GrantWorks contract for TDA CDBG grant administration (6d): Approved execution of a grant-administration contract so the city can proceed with engineering and procurement for the downtown Main Street project. Outcome: approved.

- Invoice Cloud contract for utility payments (6h): Approved. Outcome: approved.

- Consultant agreement for public utilities (6i): Approved consulting contract with Enrique Catur (consultant) with added language (as amended at the meeting) including termination clauses. Outcome: approved (with amendment).

- Multiple lease agreements (6j/6k): Approved commercial lease with tenant at 410 E. Main Street and renewed a lease with Valley Metro for Tijerina Courtyard space and parking. Outcome: approved.

- Surplus and auction of city property/vehicles (7b): Approved declaring items surplus and using a third-party auction service to remove and sell vehicles. Outcome: approved.

- Certificates of construction completion for public-safety subdivision drainage improvements (7c): Approved final completion certificates. Outcome: approved.

- Sewer extension project on Monroe and Lopez Streets (7d): Approved proceeding with bidding/procurement (engineering estimate cited ~ $187,000). Outcome: approved.

- Property acquisition (7e): Commission voted to send item to executive session and subsequently authorized staff to obtain an appraisal of 0.356 acres adjacent to Silver Star Park from Pena Family Central property; appraisal to be returned for future consideration. Outcome: appraisal authorized.

- Replats and zoning-related items (8a/8b): Planning & Zoning recommendations were approved, including a wine and malt beverage off-premises permit in the one-mile ETJ and replat approvals. Outcome: approved.

- Conversion of one-way streets to two-way in downtown (8c): Approved initiating the process (public notice and striping changes to be handled by staff). Outcome: approved.

- Executive session personnel and legal matters (Item 9/10): The commission met in executive session on personnel and legal/real-estate matters; subsequent actions included tabling the airport advisory board appointment item and approving an EDC executive director appointment subject to legal review of the contract.

- EDC executive director appointment (post-executive session): Commission accepted the EDC board's recommendation and appointed Rosabelle Barrera as Executive Director, subject to legal review of employment contract. Outcome: approved (subject to legal review).

This roundup captures the formal votes and motions recorded in the public meeting transcript. If an item lacked a numeric roll-call in the transcript, the meeting record shows approval by voice vote; specific roll-call tallies were not recorded in the transcript for every item.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","RGC Commission Meeting January 31, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Rio Grande City commission approved multiple ordinances, contracts, grants and administrative items during the Jan. 31 meeting. This roundup lists each action and the recorded outcome.","taxTitle","Rio Grande City, Starr County, Texas","taxId",69600,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6351271,"City approves Invoice Cloud to replace online utility payment system; staff expects lower fees and expanded self-service",900,8460000,9360000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2230509-42188673c8fdab28d2cd67dd86ea4278&start=8460&end=9360","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2230509-42188673c8fdab28d2cd67dd86ea4278/thumbnail_8460000.jpg","/articles/6351271/Rio-Grande-City/Starr-County/Texas/City-approves-Invoice-Cloud-to-replace-online-utility-payment-system-staff-expects-lower-fees-and-expanded-self-service","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6351271-8a5c4fc59fb5bccc8ca8b508db218ec1/orig.mp4?Expires=1774978799&Signature=inLSCjqd8XMk-wHpbNwwvKuaao3vptPLQCPP76aAJJh2fU-5ioUalz9YZZn5cGq~yzdN9Jjs1QxDXg-WXqrlTWzjzY0yONOnsFTttFOxEMguP90PlK6opVN0U9UHYaxPqBm3em11yoQ4NniMEZPFAkvUTTEMoIaPlXSMICwYsAUZGfkKHLVYTQBPoJ6cFS~iSjLPnLT814wAm4GTDbN-3II3zVgPmk1Y1zdBIb6HDXxuzYJPSPIDSDPZQy4v5SPCY4SEbIVoIs0wclL9wSMnvVd29BgjBMlyIRfdRtv4jZnSJAD9HLya56skHZpEIGE40-Yf9t5ukEbb0bVKloXejw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Rio Grande City commission approved a contract with Invoice Cloud to provide the city's online utility-payment platform.

City staff and a company representative said the current vendor required customers to enter their last payment amount and account number, and that the city had been charging a $1.25 convenience fee on online utility payments. Invoice Cloud representatives, including Matt Schall, presented the product's features and said the company charges a flat processing fee (presented as 3% in the demonstration) rather than varying card-rate percentages; staff said implementing Invoice Cloud would allow the city to eliminate the $1.25 transaction charge to customers.

City staff and the vendor highlighted additional features: easier sign-in (service address or account number), text-based payment links for customer service representatives to send to callers, autopay enrollment, paperless billing, and support for e-wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, Venmo). The vendor projected increased paperless adoption (presented as ~25% in year one) and an estimated postage/print savings the vendor quantified during the meeting as approximately $9,400 in year one, as well as reductions in billing-related customer service calls.

Commissioners asked about comparative rates and existing municipal clients; the Invoice Cloud representative said the company serves thousands of utilities and identified nearby customers in Texas including Brownsville and others.

A motion to authorize the finance director and public utilities director to contract with Invoice Cloud passed by voice vote.","The commission approved a contract with Invoice Cloud to replace the city's online payment vendor for utility billing; staff says the move eliminates the existing $1.25 online convenience fee and implements a flat ~3% payment processing arrangement while adding autopay and paperless features.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6351273,"Commission approves moving forward with Monroe and Lopez sewer extension project",520,7146000,7666000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2230509-42188673c8fdab28d2cd67dd86ea4278&start=7146&end=7666","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2230509-42188673c8fdab28d2cd67dd86ea4278/thumbnail_7146000.jpg","/articles/6351273/Rio-Grande-City/Starr-County/Texas/Commission-approves-moving-forward-with-Monroe-and-Lopez-sewer-extension-project","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6351273-af877044239a19e5c20c97bfb994ddb1/orig.mp4?Expires=1774978799&Signature=Gtyjp47MNJ363NvKAqHorMuwS3p502cKCTuqmFiUVHRYWpetgXxkx-GQx4urQNzd-VbwWzgucdfTs2klVTUHKkDamGXmy4BtJiR9DClec--f7o3dzYfcReKIbKh0QwPEfNtTDy8aQmtck24AoSPuoX9s4NPqzVG1dD9B93StIOgld94zUOdi54mp0WCU0Qoy-XSnfSp~JT2jQ42VOJlLP6q1kA1w3gTpF9f3jikzCnDdSuIkWZtGkTI-x4qjkRQdbbOR1NBXn36TX9Q0zY1PJp~oukVFcoR-H2P5GwRKAyqRCVrOxWLBwQU3La1S~nqtfwoAzKqAnzxZttqGI-Amqg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Rio Grande City commission approved moving forward with a sewer extension project on Monroe and Lopez streets that city staff said will add 23 new sewer connections and reconnect 11 existing homes.

Public Utilities Director Flores presented the project and an engineer's estimate: meeting discussion cited a total project cost of about $187,000. Commissioners described the work as part of a multi-phase effort to extend sewer service in older neighborhoods that were previously underserved.

Staff said the project would be bid out; commissioners approved the item to start procurement and bring back contract documents for final award. Flores and other staff also described related projects, including work on Retama Street and Charco Blanco (larger projects to follow), and emphasized the intent to connect more households to sewer service over time.

A motion to approve the bidding and procurement steps for the Monroe and Lopez sewer project was moved and seconded and carried by voice vote.","The commission approved proceeding with the sewer extension project for Monroe and Lopez streets, a project staff said would connect 23 new homes and reconnect 11 existing connections; the preliminary cost estimate cited at the meeting was about $187,000.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6351275,"Rio Grande City commission asks staff to seek bids and financing for street paving equipment and interim repairs",0,9915000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2230509-42188673c8fdab28d2cd67dd86ea4278&start=9915&end=9915","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2230509-42188673c8fdab28d2cd67dd86ea4278/thumbnail_9915000.jpg","/articles/6351275/Rio-Grande-City/Starr-County/Texas/Rio-Grande-City-commission-asks-staff-to-seek-bids-and-financing-for-street-paving-equipment-and-interim-repairs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6351275-84bbe08dadd721127deb94011ffecbcb/orig.mp4?Expires=1774978799&Signature=GfIkLBCVYhrrsH8T~IYlwdDYzEB99R1di1YPgSCvjJBuT2w0XKrsoG8H5fYkQZEy6JRyBVN1XShbjjVixn5qnF1l-vUKCr0wRKoBXQ6A8aYB-YwgEbRmThZ5Nxhr~R1Wn7nUWyZRokH9y8yjqMro5RjLKhCFfFCZtO~6mTh1Zn9VBdIp6vBQjw6B8cfZxLkZzvggM-ON-3cGKhARYgcg26AUp1Q2huUeizM4fhEhf-DmESvAtTFXRLTGw7GHFdpBCFptsnuX9W6FfpdMQ6N6C3xMdb9841lY8S-F9DRNWso7gK5Nk5DXdXZRB5-eS3KESCmetWSBMtRC1jOeRUT4Jw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Rio Grande City commission directed the city manager and public works director to prepare a procurement and financing plan for street-paving and pothole-repair equipment.

Mayor Gilberto Falcon and commissioners said the city should be able to perform routine street repairs in-house rather than relying exclusively on outside contractors. Commission discussion reviewed preliminary equipment estimates (presented in the meeting as roughly $411,000 for a full kit of paving equipment) and one contractor quote of about $85,000 to repave a single neighborhood entrance.

Commissioners agreed the city may not need all equipment immediately but should start by purchasing items that allow professional, durable pothole and entrance repairs (examples discussed: compactor/roller, manual cutter, asphalt patch equipment). The commission asked staff to get additional bids, develop financing options (including multi-year financing), and return recommended packages for approval.

A motion authorizing the city manager and Director Barrera to solicit bids, prepare a financing plan, and return recommendations to the commission passed by voice vote.

The commission said the work is intended to improve the quality of repairs, reduce contractor costs over time and make the city more attractive for businesses and investment.","Commissioners authorized the city manager and public works director to develop a plan to acquire paving and pothole-repair equipment, seek bids, and evaluate financing so the city can perform more of its own street repairs.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6351277,"Rio Grande City commission approves 2% increase to Medina Electric franchise fee",251,3173000,3424000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2230509-42188673c8fdab28d2cd67dd86ea4278&start=3173&end=3424","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2230509-42188673c8fdab28d2cd67dd86ea4278/thumbnail_3173000.jpg","/articles/6351277/Rio-Grande-City/Starr-County/Texas/Rio-Grande-City-commission-approves-2-increase-to-Medina-Electric-franchise-fee","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6351277-5a82d615d90acd7541d8a57c40ea8910/orig.mp4?Expires=1774978799&Signature=Ep3vOp6trMkvFHiNqlG4SAYdCBx28mQu-UyN3PjRnmJmJG07QT-3aUT1ewi2IK4tbQh4d4TaUDfj8DvQwj~dTrKG7BAH7tS9WGMA04NILBhliAbhKIOq9G2iMvIGtAdTrgS0F24ko3EgxsvKdrAXAwhC-BCMPtlSIEJWZznzV1tKjsV3ceWihidLhCudwXq1AUjDK68WeKHR9TyVzOA1dzvHjxwLp6FpwO5pRMebIEuXmpHCT05s2JQiJQrXbUsjxamoCc-5uifeLIOOtWEum9iFCVeVYrdqyn8MGMmKE4~isvU4k8Tl9Y-76XZRZ-T5NqWRpMJc1V5B87qrg~ncWA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Rio Grande City commission voted to amend the city's franchise ordinance for Medina Electric Cooperative, approving a 2% increase to the franchise rate that the cooperative pays the city.

The change was presented as an update to ordinance 94-14-O-1, which the city attorney and staff said has not been adjusted since February 2004. Legal staff explained the franchise contains a clause requiring Medina Electric to apply any city-specific rate change across all municipalities it serves; the cooperative warned that the change would therefore be passed through to its customers. City staff told the commission that a one-cent increase would generate roughly $4,000 in revenue to the city, per a staff estimate cited at the meeting.

Commission discussion emphasized the clause's cross-jurisdictional effect and the small fiscal yield relative to potential customer impacts. Commissioners asked staff whether neighboring jurisdictions had signaled they would raise their rates; staff said no comprehensive outreach had been completed.

A motion to adopt staff and legal's recommendation to increase the rate by 2% was moved and seconded and carried by voice vote.

The ordinance amendment will be finalized in ordinance form and returned for any required follow-up steps.

Details recorded at the meeting indicated staff's estimate that a one-cent increase would yield about $4,000 annually; the commission chose a percentage increase rather than a per-cent increase.

The item was discussed on the record during the ordinance section of the meeting.","The Rio Grande City commission voted to amend the city's franchise ordinance governing Medina Electric Cooperative, approving a 2% increase to the rate the cooperative pays the city.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Rio Grande City commission actions on Jan. 31, 2025

City approves Invoice Cloud to replace online utility payment system; staff expects lower fees and expanded self-service

Commission approves moving forward with Monroe and Lopez sewer extension project

Rio Grande City commission asks staff to seek bids and financing for street paving equipment and interim repairs

Rio Grande City commission approves 2% increase to Medina Electric franchise fee