[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6303904,"mediaKeyId","2470172-e6ddb1e9e73c63f12af553e8b464ed76","parentId",2470172,"title","Commission advances door-to-door solicitation ordinance after public-safety concerns; staff to add vendor ID and hours","audioSeconds",251,"startMs",3548000,"endMs",3799000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2470172-e6ddb1e9e73c63f12af553e8b464ed76&start=3548&end=3799","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2470172-e6ddb1e9e73c63f12af553e8b464ed76/thumbnail_3548000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6303904/Rio-Grande-City/Starr-County/Texas/Commission-advances-door-to-door-solicitation-ordinance-after-public-safety-concerns-staff-to-add-vendor-ID-and-hours","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6303904-1b7087f4ccc546180674557a6e423d38/orig.mp4?Expires=1773589085&Signature=Zuns8bfpXk9vl8igOFFGwPQ3M5AGGuNsR6IWehq9up3gGaOPy57aw-ebcB8ZXrOevQkA9NKp3N7KJ4MzWeWoevPjHH372X8qMVVnI-xMDpExqcE~SgOQl0BB4cUzGCmt8YEMlF0EmVRXeaffnPWTZ-GKPyjMvuVo4ajm4pIWSPP~ghXsLp-Ojn19EHp6Fpo30XRaltDEP8V~e2U-kx2c7NlEgvKXuTdriUwwwj54B56CxO5tnfa1g6vKxoH0AWdWmH~0mGkVboWcuzR9O80N~eJ2iXDjhwrBkdE~lFpj4U21k-3ijFjMX-5R0TCZxxmJXaj7XaHNPF9YBMr9bu69wQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Rio Grande City, TX","date","2025-02-27T21:45:13Z","article","The Rio Grande City Commission advanced on first reading a proposed ordinance that would require permits for door-to-door sales inside city limits and asked staff to add vendor-identification requirements and time-of-day limits before final adoption.

Commissioners, police and members of the public described repeated complaints about aggressive door-to-door vendors who knocked on doors late in the evening. Mayor Falcon and several commissioners said incidents included pushy sales tactics and interactions that alarmed residents, including households with children.

What the ordinance will do
- Require vendors engaging in door-to-door sales to register with the planning department and carry city-issued identification while vending.
- Permit the city to set and enforce permitted hours for solicitation and set penalties (fines, possible towing for associated vehicles) for repeat violations; exact fine schedule to be drafted by legal and finance.
- Provide for public outreach via the city's communications office to inform residents about how to verify permitted vendors and how to report suspicious behavior.

Discussion vs. decision
- Discussion: Police and commissioners described recent calls for service related to door-to-door vendors, including late-evening solicitations and reports of pressure on residents to open doors. Commissioners asked whether permits could include photo IDs, vehicle descriptions and local contact information.
- Decision: The commission approved the ordinance on first reading and directed staff to draft permit forms, identification requirements and outreach materials; those items will return for second reading with suggested enforcement language and a proposed fine schedule.

Ending
Commissioners said they favored a policy that permits legitimate local vendors while protecting residents from intrusive or potentially criminal behavior; they instructed staff to coordinate the ordinance language with the police department and the planning office and to prepare a public-awareness campaign.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","RGC Commission Meeting February 27, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","After multiple complaints about aggressive, late-evening door-to-door vendors, the commission advanced a first reading of a new ordinance requiring permits and vendor identification for door-to-door sales and asked staff to include time-of-day limits and public outreach.","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},6303909,"Commission rejects wastewater-treatment bids after engineers report $6 million shortfall",279,5600000,5879000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2470172-e6ddb1e9e73c63f12af553e8b464ed76&start=5600&end=5879","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2470172-e6ddb1e9e73c63f12af553e8b464ed76/thumbnail_5600000.jpg","/articles/6303909/Rio-Grande-City/Starr-County/Texas/Commission-rejects-wastewater-treatment-bids-after-engineers-report-6-million-shortfall","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6303909-f7a853b9236bcb6ecb962c83865ffbfe/orig.mp4?Expires=1773589085&Signature=ZQyTU8bLJdi5s1YJiujoWjQVQgtKbhdCWWXvfuzptgxMuAdx8DHFLr5Xk-d3DVjlRbAqZR6JnMYgziIyTbL6YP5WTITmC5naGIm~H9gS9jRGQkGmitkqf4OmrgzF2CUY9DR6FVs68Wbj01KmDQC03KLR2oAzCz8EwLc36kkzUfAocJ5nQg3Qw0wB3KpBDj3-Tom-2uZN15vjKJZViFRyPEbSyg9m5~Dq~csXSDCvPOdyQIdcRi3jKPlJQ2hpvGQHADu9U~Gkp-URtKGMPCfGA6dCUSj9FW-XgY4RnhaLCAV1rDY81GY6Esz5DQbnp-o27Vw0DdjMqMU92qWCdCy46Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Rio Grande City Commission voted unanimously to reject all bids for the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) Extension, TWDB project 73874, after engineers said the lowest responsive bids were several million dollars over the city's available funding.

Melvin & Hunt engineers told the commission they opened two responsive bids; the lowest was roughly $12.6 million and a second bid about $14.5 million, while the city's current funding package covered roughly $6.5 million. The engineers said the scope could be pared back by about 25 percent, bringing cost estimates closer to $9.4 million, but that would still leave a shortfall of approximately $2.9 million.

Why it matters: The expansion is intended to increase sewer capacity to serve growing areas; rejecting the bids stalls construction until the city can identify additional grant or loan funding or accept a smaller project scope.

Key points from the discussion
- Timeline and permitting: The engineering team said permitting from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality took about 18 months, longer than typical expectations, which delayed project progress and exposed the design to elevated construction costs.
- Funding options: Staff said the Texas Water Development Board could consider additional funds, possibly on a loan/grant combination depending on competitive scoring; accepting a purely loan-based increase would change the city's fiscal obligations.
- Scope reduction: Engineers listed specific items that could be removed to reduce cost (lift station, belt press, RAS/W pump stations, certain paving) while keeping permit compliance intact; even after reductions there remained a funding gap.

Discussion vs. decision
- Discussion: Engineers explained bid openings, procurement outreach and the effects of delays from state permitting. Commissioners and staff pressed the engineers on timing, reasons for permitting delay and whether additional cost-saving alternatives existed.
- Decision: The commission formally rejected the bids and directed staff to pursue additional funding opportunities and return with options (revised scope, alternate funding mixes or rebidding when funds are available).

What staff will do next
- Pursue additional funding sources with TWDB and other state/federal partners and evaluate possible scope reductions that preserve permit compliance.
- Prepare revised procurement documents or a rebid if supplemental funding is secured.

Ending
Commissioners emphasized the urgency of the project but said accepting a bid that would overextend city finances was not an option. The rejection was unanimous; staff set follow-up tasks to return with funding scenarios and a recommended path forward.
","Engineers told the commission that lowest responsive bids for the Wastewater Treatment Plant extension exceeded available funding by roughly $6 million; the commission voted unanimously to reject the bids and directed staff to pursue additional funding or reduce project scope.",{"_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},6303913,"Rio Grande City Commission approves ordinances, grant applications and contracts; rejects wastewater plant bids",5536,184000,5720000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2470172-e6ddb1e9e73c63f12af553e8b464ed76&start=184&end=5720","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2470172-e6ddb1e9e73c63f12af553e8b464ed76/thumbnail_184000.jpg","/articles/6303913/Rio-Grande-City/Starr-County/Texas/Rio-Grande-City-Commission-approves-ordinances-grant-applications-and-contracts-rejects-wastewater-plant-bids","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6303913-6fa9bb22c5e96ab781d040f9f376da99/orig.mp4?Expires=1773589085&Signature=G9ZyK7roMwPKieGnMEUdnY7YqEiJEExOIyo7bA3qIbyNyvkqqJmcwV7ZHL6RKcbwZUF6Xk2Z1VhYCUgLQAgFTulsYtx5YFwgsOYFbwF0EyDtKLZFUyRUhOYAIQSIrD0qz3Q43s1LnXO3jwpc3odf72H3MFvUvisaYbcQCV2DqMRJHKHOT-Ps97dQKOusLeNNGluiTUl8QiEmy-C5F~EFj0TTWdb7-wlJm227gnEewTHxzDCgeEwdQf3RR1TTrSARo7TWR7InpJI0EHMr65qDY3XuU1ZgJBwJA~uCuk34mnDeVHAKC7INWl3YHXz~JPcam2cPTV92eu8iKO5kqz-yFQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Rio Grande City Commission on Thursday approved a series of ordinances, resolutions, grant applications and contracts and rejected bids for the city's wastewater treatment plant expansion after engineers reported bids exceeded the available budget.

The commission unanimously approved second reading of an amended franchise ordinance with Medina Electric Cooperative and a new ordinance to regulate private use of the name \"Rio Grande City.\" Commissioners also advanced first readings of proposed rules to require permits for door-to-door sales and to regulate parking of heavy commercial trucks in residential and commercial areas. Several grant-authorizing resolutions were approved, covering Department of Justice awards for victim services and interdiction, a Border Zone grant for radios and a drinking-water state revolving fund application amendment.

Why it matters: The package includes multiple grant applications that would fund public safety, water and downtown revitalization projects; the wastewater bid rejection means the city must seek additional funding or reduce project scope before construction can begin.

Most important actions
- Rejected bids for the Wastewater Treatment Plant Extension (TWDB project 73874) after engineers and staff concluded the lowest responsive bids exceeded available funding; the commission voted to reject the bids so staff can seek alternative funding or revise scope. (Unanimous vote.)
- Approved second reading of the Medina Electric franchise ordinance (ordinance cited as \"94 14 o 1\" in the meeting packet). (Unanimous vote.)
- Approved second reading of ordinance 2025-01 to regulate private use of the name \"Rio Grande City.\" (Unanimous vote.)
- Approved first reading of ordinance 2025-02 to require permits for door-to-door solicitation and 2025-03 to regulate commercial truck parking (both advanced on first reading; amendments and timing to be set at the second reading). (Unanimous votes on first readings.)
- Authorized the city manager to apply for and accept several federal grant awards and to submit other grant applications, including: DOJ victim liaison grant (grant number 3087909, requested $45,268.91, local match $11,317.23), the Violence Against Women Act grant (grant number 4050606, requested $60,681.85, match $18,430.16) and a drug/human trafficking prevention grant (grant number 2785012, $53,008.40, no match). (All approved unanimously.)
- Approved application for a Border Zone grant (Waterstone Fire Department RCB grant number 50978022B) up to $250,000 to purchase portable and mobile radios. (Unanimous vote.)
- Authorized revisions and execution of community development agreements for the CDBG downtown/main-street program (CDM240074) and execution of the consulting contract with the previously awarded firm. (Unanimous vote.)
- Authorized staff to execute a professional services agreement to perform a wholesale water-rate study for wholesale accounts (staff recommended contractor referenced in the packet). (Motion approved.)
- Approved miscellaneous departmental renewals and small service contracts (police taser lease, car-wash membership, software subscriptions) and approved donation/surplus transfers for city equipment. (Unanimous votes.)

Background/details
Commissioners said the city's budget constraints and the unexpectedly high construction bids drove the decision to reject the wastewater plant bids. Engineers from Melvin & Hunt reported that the lowest responsive bid came in far above the funding available; they described options for scaling the project back by about 25 percent, which would still leave a funding shortfall. City staff said they have sought additional funding from the Texas Water Development Board but that any extra funding could come as a loan or a mix of loan and grant depending on scoring.

On the ordinances, commissioners emphasized public-safety and consumer-protection rationales: the door-to-door ordinance will require vendors to register and carry identifiers, and staff will consider adding time-of-day limits and a public-awareness campaign; the truck-parking ordinance is intended to reduce street damage and neighborhood impacts while allowing the city manager to designate alternate routes.

Several grant resolutions were routine renewals of long-standing federal grant programs used by the Police Department (victim services, VAWA detective position, interdiction officer). City staff provided amounts requested and noted required local matches where applicable.

What's next
The wastewater project will be deferred while staff pursues additional funding and tries to reduce scope; ordinances on solicitation and truck parking will return for second reading with potential clarifying language on identification and permitted hours; grant applications will proceed as authorized and the city will execute the community block grant agreement so the downtown project can begin design and procurement.

Votes at a glance: motions and formal outcomes listed in the meeting record
(Where tallies were not read aloud the meeting recorded unanimous \"aye\" votes.)
- Consent agenda (minutes and departmental reports) approved as moved and seconded (unanimous).
- Travel requests (planning inspector certification; GFOA conference) approved (unanimous).
- Ordinance second reading: Medina Electric franchise (\"94 14 o 1\") approved (unanimous).
- Ordinance second reading: 2025-01 (use of \"Rio Grande City\" name) approved (unanimous).
- Ordinance first reading: 2025-02 (door-to-door permits) advanced (unanimous); staff to refine identification/time limits for second reading.
- Ordinance first reading: 2025-03 (heavy truck parking regulation) advanced (unanimous).
- Resolutions approving grants (DOJ victim liaison 3087909; VAWA 4050606; drug/human trafficking 2785012) approved (unanimous).
- Border Zone (Waterstone) grant application up to $250,000 (radios) approved (unanimous).
- Drinking Water SRF application revision (application 63011) approved (unanimous recorded roll-call vote noted in the minutes).
- TREP/ledgestation infrastructure resolution (grant advocacy) approved (unanimous).
- CDBG downtown/main-street professional contract and agreement (CDM24074) executed/approved (unanimous).
- Municipal court expansion work: award to Reina Holmes (lowest responsive or recommended bid) approved (motion carried).
- Rate study contract for wholesale water accounts recommended to proceed (motion carried).
- Reject bids for WWTP extension (TWDB project 73874) (motion to reject bids carried unanimously).
- Wastewater residual / sludge service: motion to go out for competitive bids (approved after executive session).
- MOU with Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council for airport use (police academy driving) approved (unanimous).
- Surplus/donation of city property (fire station items and equipment) approved (unanimous).
- Racial profiling report for Police Department (fiscal 2024) accepted and approved for submission (unanimous).
- Preliminary approvals for two subdivisions (Valentin Rancho preliminary and MC Rodriguez preliminary/final as noted) approved (unanimous).

Ending
The meeting concluded after executive session items, with commissioners adopting the executive-session recommendations on authorized items and adjourning the meeting.","At its regular meeting the Rio Grande City Commission approved a package of ordinances and resolutions including franchise and naming rules, authorized multiple grant applications and contract executions, and voted to reject bids for a wastewater treatment plant expansion as over budget.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission advances door-to-door solicitation ordinance after public-safety concerns; staff to add vendor ID and hours

Commission rejects wastewater-treatment bids after engineers report $6 million shortfall

Rio Grande City Commission approves ordinances, grant applications and contracts; rejects wastewater plant bids