[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6052747,"mediaKeyId","3378425-f7136d5b3c302055699485f199aa0e86","parentId",3378425,"title","Commission approves Southbridge final plat; lots will use septic until sewer available, with mandatory future connection note","audioSeconds",472,"startMs",4554000,"endMs",5026000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3378425-f7136d5b3c302055699485f199aa0e86&start=4554&end=5026","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3378425-f7136d5b3c302055699485f199aa0e86/thumbnail_4554000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6052747/Weslaco/Hidalgo-County/Texas/Commission-approves-Southbridge-final-plat-lots-will-use-septic-until-sewer-available-with-mandatory-future-connection-note","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6052747-e4eab4b34f9f4edb5b7c56897df94e4b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771145655&Signature=csV~POrur~7MHvE031pQ7i727wbPvLTdVmyRUTAbqyqKH12ou-elig14LltrzSz0C5fr1GXjGXPDsirxFowJfpDAGpECjYl8nB1OL4SQctSr9iAX~QaMFkMpHwSTkY9PKrhFcbwGaJ08FJ6DuDet1wzQPDYwJ1k0w8b54UizdxrWqxTuqk9HQJsns6QVWzD9D-9Zg9nw7oSA3hr7Zmu3zmy4ivsvBy3pLrKxrsNg1bXFHLKDg1vERb8jOa-ZgmSIaxRiqNrsvxlJnpKJ5AdTC0lBHvL90ESMWNQab--4nmj-BQUdKpCcykHiTR1ivRxiQIJfJ4GzeRiNSL4kauzfhg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Weslaco","date","2025-02-04T00:00:00Z","article","The Weslaco City Commission on Feb. 4 approved the final plat for the Southbridge subdivision, a proposed 18‑lot residential subdivision inside city limits located at the northeast corner of Bridge and Mile 5 North.

Planning staff told commissioners the site will rely on on‑site sewage facilities (OSSF or septic) initially because existing sewer lines are too shallow and the nearby lift‑station lacks capacity to serve gravity sewer at this time. The developer and staff agreed to add a plat note stating that when city sewer becomes available the lot owners will be responsible for connecting and paying associated tie‑in costs. The commission approved the final plat and accepted staff and Planning & Zoning recommendations, including the curb and gutter variance for this area (nearby curb & gutter is not present in the immediate area and the road design is not scheduled for reconstruction in the near term).

Staff said when sewer availability or a larger roadway reconstruction makes curb and gutter feasible, connection and any required changes would be part of a larger reconstruction effort; the commission’s vote authorized the plat with the condition that owners must connect when sewer service is later extended.

The commission also appointed Richard Valdez to a vacant seat on the Planning & Zoning Commission to fill an unexpired term.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Weslaco City Commission meeting - February 04, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","City approved a final plat for the 18‑lot Southbridge subdivision (24.45 acres) on the northeast corner of Bridge and Mile 5 North; staff and Planning and Zoning allowed on‑site septic (OSSF) initially but required a plat note obligating lot owners to connect to municipal sewer when available.","taxTitle","Weslaco, Hidalgo County, Texas","taxId",57351,"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},6052752,"Weslaco selects Raftellus team for zoning, subdivision and impact‑fee work after interviews",2149,3961000,6110000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3378425-f7136d5b3c302055699485f199aa0e86&start=3961&end=6110","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3378425-f7136d5b3c302055699485f199aa0e86/thumbnail_3961000.jpg","/articles/6052752/Weslaco/Hidalgo-County/Texas/Weslaco-selects-Raftellus-team-for-zoning-subdivision-and-impactfee-work-after-interviews","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6052752-79d6610a5631324e36c0e6123837ede9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771145655&Signature=YUQhx2echZWMOAC5j79DFyavPm-jy-0bHaV0olkv5QFFmNGwTz6jD83pDu7zWIIxvhnNORqBZpU4EslQzXEN5wpC9lefWRHdEt61prw1VspFPoHhWXeT3Ypmlz8CqxuvpiTigT~3c7UemZu6OUQRGKy4geCcBdqaLXM2uOj10amjb~gZ2VZTMKmDsGBlz~X6NUomw5Ai9BaHwtM6pVi8CYZjpOFqdigEc0Ll1L1GuSpuv~mr1KHk-UQ2rMKqUO-5gUntdljWsQ1TEsI3y95lU7gg3BWtF~wsytzkziJl09Cq2C5N519ckJgH9Zs9ggIPcU~FWnaEerzoDNeBBO8RiQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Weslaco City Commission on Feb. 4 followed staff recommendations and approved the Raftellus team to perform comprehensive updates of the city’s subdivision, zoning and building ordinances and to prepare a capital improvement plan, land‑use assumptions and impact‑fee analysis.

Two firms interviewed before the commission: Able City (which presented planning and code experience from the border region) and Raftellus (a national firm with local subconsultants and communications capacity). Raftellus’ presentation described a seven‑step impact‑fee process grounded in Texas Local Government Code Chapter 395, an approach that ties land use assumptions to a 10‑year capital improvement plan and an impact‑fee schedule, and a public‑engagement emphasis including simplified, graphic materials and bilingual outreach.

Staff reported that Raftellus received the top evaluation score in the review and interview process; the commission voted to accept staff’s recommendation. Commissioners asked about community outreach and how technical concepts would be explained to nontechnical residents; Raftellus’ team said the firm emphasizes visuals, plain‑language materials, bilingual engagement and interactive workshops to build public understanding of zoning and fee concepts.

Commissioners also discussed potential scheduling conflicts with Planning and Zoning meetings and confirmed internal staff arrangements to keep the planning process coordinated. The contract will require a series of deliverables, public hearings and an advisory committee as part of the Chapter 395 impact‑fee process; staff will bring a scope and contract document for execution.","After interviews with two finalist teams, the commission followed staff recommendation and approved Raftellus (local team) to prepare updated subdivision, zoning and building ordinances, a capital improvement plan, land‑use assumptions and an impact‑fee analysis.",{"_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},6052757,"Commission authorizes bids for sewer, lift station and manhole rehabilitation projects; 15‑manhole and Hidalgo Street work prioritized",756,2611000,3367000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3378425-f7136d5b3c302055699485f199aa0e86&start=2611&end=3367","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3378425-f7136d5b3c302055699485f199aa0e86/thumbnail_2611000.jpg","/articles/6052757/Weslaco/Hidalgo-County/Texas/Commission-authorizes-bids-for-sewer-lift-station-and-manhole-rehabilitation-projects-15manhole-and-Hidalgo-Street-work-prioritized","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6052757-6f3dd9621c626d3b0e37cff0d1f238a2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771145655&Signature=nRzHgApntU4GtkpcHj1M4r62SXjCppkHaHNSnSmDLmBZu~-ofxOqNicStLJOvOTBzJpxCxquQIWRjuCOtBNgoEHQrBOdrkn9wiMHeDN2JaQqCw5y3IXgSbWBsOhzsYUvDyfgzha61bsjmCEb8TcasJiNQVA1sk7~9nniRKQq84b-fkTNBcSHGBXUob6lOPYkb3G-3mqXGD8iMa7TXYoH5N5SgwbVDLWDFqJaw7YZ~qW-Ngz7B06-iM3FCA9qaLAn3dBdo5FDPENwl0NrNgTnXabvp7KCRVV6ZOdPIp4u7PZbVZU8MKhjjMPGwS0XHSxE2eQTp-YnLro2igr8iPHlFA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Weslaco’s City Commission on Feb. 4 approved multiple public‑works procurements to address aging wastewater infrastructure, authorizing bid solicitations for a wet‑well rehabilitation, a sewer reroute near Cavazos Park and rehabilitation of 15 sewer manholes.

Public Works staff described Lift Station No. 2 (at Texas and Augusto) as having a wet well in poor condition; the city has already purchased replacement pumps and asked the commission to authorize bids for wet‑well rehabilitation, epoxy coating and pipe replacement while considering removal of an existing small building in favor of a secured fenced area. Staff said the lift station is one of four flagged for work and recommended addressing them in priority order. The commission approved solicitation for bids.

The commission also approved soliciting bids for a sewer project on the 400 block of West Hidalgo Street to reroute a sewer line around Cavazos Park. Public Works said the work will shift a line from a non‑easement area into the street (city crews will install the water line portion in‑house) and that the city has already purchased manholes and sewer pipe material; the bid will cover labor and aggregate/installation.

For manholes the commission authorized competitive bids for the rehabilitation of 15 brick manholes across older parts of town, noting the program historically rehabilitates 30–40 manholes a year and that addressing the older, higher‑risk manholes now reduces the likelihood of more expensive emergency bypass and collapse repairs later. Staff said travel/traffic considerations and contractor capacity would affect schedules and that the city may repeat the bid for additional sets.

Separately, staff recommended awarding a municipal concrete work RFP to 3E Logistics of Texas LLC (low bid $108,200) for concrete sidewalks, curb and gutter and foundations at various locations; the commission approved that contract award.

Commissioners pressed staff to ensure engineered specs where necessary, to coordinate InfraMark (the operations vendor) on lift‑station work, and to bring cost estimates and engineering plans when projects require it. No construction contracts were awarded at the meeting; commissioners authorized bid solicitations or awarded the contractor list items as noted.","The commission authorized staff to solicit bids to rehabilitate Lift Station No. 2, reroute sewer lines on the 400 block of W. Hidalgo and rehabilitate 15 manholes across the system; staff emphasized staged work, budgeting and avoiding service interruptions.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6052762,"Weslaco approves design and contract steps for Boys and Girls Club expansion; city, county and nonprofit fundraising cited",909,6135000,7044000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3378425-f7136d5b3c302055699485f199aa0e86&start=6135&end=7044","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3378425-f7136d5b3c302055699485f199aa0e86/thumbnail_6135000.jpg","/articles/6052762/Weslaco/Hidalgo-County/Texas/Weslaco-approves-design-and-contract-steps-for-Boys-and-Girls-Club-expansion-city-county-and-nonprofit-fundraising-cited","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6052762-c34c6c734e856a752d6389232459b7ab/orig.mp4?Expires=1771145655&Signature=NpzSMNEafFhSaEUYMqzGCIWN6YgUcMHArmnrgSwm7boiVkozaxOZ4EekZzE5MPc7lJdCPmTRfyU~IQytqI4w4V-gH7u6EvrmXpoU3yB2FznJG4AJScgJ-Z1FM-ZMXuvBMFg~m8X~SbsNQWtbfC1p4EQeJaZDNCj3KJ8ERIxfQdHn9rn1SbnYC3~ZDCrxzQLUhNeFF~OxQEjVvGj3NRtS0eiom7WTcHdba6kpntc03D-8A0Q5DUm-6J8A~CYJvOWU~oQDSdNA0JgDYE3OmYrPxbKa3dXvfS4fvlvo9jRzxvUXGYJuAKWArP0kr-J4aPC8XHqZ2pBS6laqhESqueeaCA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Weslaco City Commission on Feb. 4 approved a series of steps to advance the Boys and Girls Club of Weslaco expansion at Mayor Paulo Pena City Park, authorizing design milestones, an owner’s budget cap for construction, and added scope to redesign a park street and parking.

City staff and the Boys and Girls Club described a program for a new building and an estimated architect’s construction estimate of $2,652,862. The commission approved an owner’s budget not to exceed $2,000,652.62 for the cost of the work and set architect compensation at 7.5 percent of the owner’s budget, with the current contract phase to proceed through design milestones (30%, 75%, 100%) and fundraising checks at each milestone before proceeding to the next phase.

Omar (city staff) said the Boys and Girls Club has a $1.7 million congressional grant already committed and is pursuing additional private and public funding; the city manager has proposed up to $250,000 in city support and Hidalgo County Precinct 1 has committed $150,000 toward the project, but the full funding package must be in place at milestone checkpoints before construction proceeds.

Commissioners emphasized keeping the project ‘shovel‑ready’ so club leaders can pursue additional grant and legislative funding, and asked staff to identify work that city crews could perform in‑house to lower construction costs. The commission approved the program development and authorized the architect’s next phase of work, with the architect’s fee for the immediate authorization about $149,233 (the phased portion of the total design fee).

Staff also asked the commission to authorize Heffner Design to add Utah Avenue (First Street to Airport Drive) and parking area design at Mayor Paulo Pena City Park to the architect’s scope, with an estimated project budget of $750,000 and a $60,000 design fee to address roadway, parking, drainage to the RDF and bus/drop‑off circulation tied to the club and park functions. Commissioners approved that scope.

Mary, a representative of the Boys and Girls Club of Weslaco, spoke about the organization’s need for expanded teen programming, ongoing grant work and prior funding history including reduced United Way allocations in past years; she said the board is pursuing grant and donor fundraising and that the design deliverables will help the nonprofit solicit more funds.

The commission’s approvals require the Boys and Girls Club to present fundraising progress at the benchmarks spelled out in the agreement; staff will bring milestone estimates to the commission for review and approval before advancing to construction.","Commission approved moving the Boys and Girls Club expansion through design milestones, established owner budget caps and authorized added scope to address Utah Avenue and park parking; commissioners and staff emphasized fundraising and phased approvals tied to funding.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6052767,"Weslaco hears quarterly health plan report as medical and pharmacy costs jump",248,941000,1189000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3378425-f7136d5b3c302055699485f199aa0e86&start=941&end=1189","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3378425-f7136d5b3c302055699485f199aa0e86/thumbnail_941000.jpg","/articles/6052767/Weslaco/Hidalgo-County/Texas/Weslaco-hears-quarterly-health-plan-report-as-medical-and-pharmacy-costs-jump","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6052767-5b8fc85dd91d4edaae2761105ce3e7bc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771145655&Signature=I3p7udA8QS9-MUL6Cfh6zP7JBpGQsSNgl3nEQRkbBclcnWqgx2wv0uoyxH9b71PAyYmGNQ50BnSAzmn9yL5tSn-R7X1QLPni3UGDVo04UB4RqyF2jd2laR3ryLmeyl-WYNRxooMcHxaswb2pnL5goWlj1NNeC2zFJB0OtVq2y6V2wDRMOTs~Pa1DQ1Nu4i8r2aa0QQNzlStqnKQnjBpb-nsIZmS~q3uXe09OEYj7peOTk4vJkplge0VoyNx9aOgbIWRaUlEDsLjIcyQbCNkM2XZIa8EUj2R4kxOoKC4k-~hpIO5SOiMArAO0OvR80wu5pzQGlRVsf3ZD9WULVAXGCw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Consultants told the Weslaco City Commission on Feb. 4 that the city’s health insurance plan is seeing a sharp cost increase and recommended seeking bids and boosting wellness offerings.

Roger Garza of Valley Risk Consulting told Mayor Adrian Gonzalez and the commission the city’s combined medical and pharmacy spending rose to $709,854 for October–December 2024, up about 89 percent from $375,682 in the same quarter the prior year. Garza said the plan’s 12‑month loss ratio reached about 124 percent and that high‑cost medications used for diabetes and off‑label weight loss — including Ozempic and related drugs — are a major driver of pharmacy spending.

The consultant said the increase reflected “behavior” in which elective surgeries and higher utilization clustered late in the year and that the city should seek competitive proposals, consider a self‑funded plan to gain more control of benefits and pharmacy costs, and explore on‑site clinic options and an expanded wellness program to reduce reliance on high‑cost drugs.

City staff told the commission that the current wellness program (a Blue Cross Blue Shield product called Well on Target) had only three active participants. Commissioners and staff discussed low enrollment, the enrollment process length (about 25 minutes, according to staff), and steps to boost participation including targeted outreach and offering in‑person help to enroll.

Commissioners asked whether alternatives to Ozempic exist and whether changing plan rules to cover supervised weight‑loss programs rather than high‑cost drugs could reduce costs. Garza said other FDA‑approved drugs exist but are typically approved for diabetes rather than weight loss, and that plan design changes and earlier, supervised weight‑management options could materially lower pharmacy spending.

Garza recommended issuing a request for proposals in the next three months and said a self‑funded structure would give the city more control over pharmacy management, clinic integration and wellness incentives. The commission did not take final action on the report but directed staff to bring more information at the next meeting on property and casualty insurance and on implementation options for wellness outreach.

Looking ahead, commissioners asked staff to increase employee outreach on the existing wellness program, examine incentives that could boost enrollment, and include property/casualty insurance updates at the next meeting.","City consultant reported a nearly 89% year‑over‑year increase in Oct–Dec health plan spending, flagged high‑cost weight‑loss/diabetes drugs and recommended requesting proposals and considering self‑funding and employee wellness measures.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission approves Southbridge final plat; lots will use septic until sewer available, with mandatory future connection note

Weslaco selects Raftellus team for zoning, subdivision and impact‑fee work after interviews

Commission authorizes bids for sewer, lift station and manhole rehabilitation projects; 15‑manhole and Hidalgo Street work prioritized

Weslaco approves design and contract steps for Boys and Girls Club expansion; city, county and nonprofit fundraising cited

Weslaco hears quarterly health plan report as medical and pharmacy costs jump