[{"_1":2,"_96":-5,"_97":-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",[32,74,84],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_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":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6542182,"mediaKeyId","3670890-9d3ae86e11d3d99ffc72398a53b1aea5","parentId",3670890,"title","Parks director outlines upgrades: Huntington Fields conversion to soccer, pond improvements, pools and pickleball nearing completion","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",1955000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3670890-9d3ae86e11d3d99ffc72398a53b1aea5&start=1955&end=1955","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3670890-9d3ae86e11d3d99ffc72398a53b1aea5/thumbnail_1955000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6542182/Harlingen/Cameron-County/Texas/Parks-director-outlines-upgrades-Huntington-Fields-conversion-to-soccer-pond-improvements-pools-and-pickleball-nearing-completion","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6542182-6bc0085ada7f5e75f5f6337c71793f89/orig.mp4?Expires=1771164273&Signature=iRWunmgxFy6TL7pG7lxDw2P9Qkmdy8t~DkPMp1W2rqMgBUImmTca3Ks2-YmOBD2ebdo5c0McwoqZoRZS96SYblbiKO-KIHfb7j8PiAcoRkPV4VpUoPL6SvIuRTxTBP0ZGzxzYzO5kq7sy~dLckJPc~JpIAAUqh571owjDuxN0gMAOfUnHwlzi5kS2twMrqZym3daPjdjY4Y7bmRBo~hXf2ecF4bGZ784EfUhVcx7mQrIwLd-4D8IAtjkNjJhByAu0Go7VXquBllWblmESYHo-tMDfmRKbnaI7iXk-NxLvf62r2yzKLGH7HPcYm6zzIvq91gn8vwrQ5QUqteGmXF1Eg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Harlingen","date","2025-06-05T05:30:06Z","article","Parks and Recreation Director Danny Diaz reported a series of maintenance and improvement projects the department has completed or is advancing, including converting Huntington Field from a baseball diamond to a soccer field currently being used by the Red Crown soccer team.

Diaz said the parks maintenance crew includes 29 employees (1 park superintendent, 1 parks ground supervisor, 2 maintenance technicians, 21 groundskeepers and 4 part‑time maintenance workers). He listed the department’s responsibilities: 28 parks, 40 canal banks, 15 right‑of‑way islands, 39 sports fields, 26 miles of multi‑use trails and 20 city buildings.

On Huntington Field staff repaired locker rooms, the press box, merchandise room, VIP area and restrooms; they pressure‑washed the facility and cleared overgrown trees and addressed erosion around the pond. Diaz said staff will install a pond fountain, renovate a pier (currently out of service for ADA reasons) and add shaded structures, benches and duck feeders near the pond. He said the baseball‑to‑soccer conversion began about a month and a half ago and that two soccer games have already been played at the converted field.

Other projects reported to the commission included:
- McKelvey Park: clearing brush at the Business 77 drainage outfall and plans to install a waterfall pump, landscape and shaded seating.
- Punito Pocket Park / Stewart Place Pocket Park: construction and preliminary layout work, including bioswales, native plants, a walking trail and exercise equipment.
- Dixieland Park: new basketball court construction expected to begin next month.
- Pickleball courts: 90% complete at the community center; staff estimated play could begin in about two weeks, weather permitting.
- Pools: pressure‑washing and painting of Victor Pool and Longsy Hill Pool; staff working with aquatic supervisors to promote year‑round use where feasible. Diaz said the splash pad (at the Loxiupa Pool area) and pool were expected to be operational by the following Friday (staff estimate).

Commissioners and other speakers praised the work but raised operational issues. One commissioner commended the Huntington Field conversion and urged a post‑season review to identify improvements needed for continued use by the Red Crowns. Another commissioner and a member of the public noted long concession lines and limited concession supplies at recent games; staff acknowledged the need for better concession support and monitoring. Commissioners also asked about staffing levels; Diaz acknowledged the department is behind on some work and that budget season presents an opportunity to address staffing needs.

Why this matters
The projects affect recreation, youth sports, stormwater and neighborhood amenities across Harlingen. Improvements at Huntington Field create a new venue for soccer and family entertainment; pool and splash-pad openings impact summertime access for residents. Staffing and vendor support (concessions) were raised as near‑term operational concerns.

Clarifying details and timelines
- Parks maintenance staff total: 29 employees (1 superintendent, 1 supervisor, 2 technicians, 21 groundskeepers, 4 part‑time workers).
- Huntington Field conversion: commenced ~1.5 months ago; two soccer matches already played.
- Pickleball courts: reported 90% complete; staff estimated about two weeks to open, weather permitting.
- Pools and splash pad: staff estimated both could be operational by next Friday (staff estimate reported in the meeting).

Speakers and roles
- Danny Diaz — Director, Parks and Recreation (staff report).
- Multiple commissioners and a member of the public offered praise and operational concerns; transcript did not identify every commissioner by name when they spoke during the parks report, so some comments are attributed to \"a commissioner\" or \"a member of the public\" when the speaker was not named on the record.

Next steps
Staff will continue construction and maintenance work; budget‑season discussions were flagged as the moment to consider additional staffing. The commission requested follow‑up on post‑season needs at Huntington Field and on concession support at events.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Harlingen City Commission Regular Meeting 06-04-2025","oneSentenceSummary","Parks and Recreation Director Danny Diaz reported on multiple maintenance and upgrade projects including converting Huntington baseball field to soccer, pond and pier repairs, pool cleaning and opening plans, and pickleball courts nearing completion.","taxTitle","Harlingen, Cameron County, Texas","taxId",3687,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":42,"_43":77,"_45":77,"_46":78,"_48":79,"_50":80,"_52":81,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":82,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":83,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6542186,"Residents accuse advisory-board chair of harassment and urge better oversight; commissioners hear public complaints",931000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3670890-9d3ae86e11d3d99ffc72398a53b1aea5&start=931&end=931","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3670890-9d3ae86e11d3d99ffc72398a53b1aea5/thumbnail_931000.jpg","/articles/6542186/Harlingen/Cameron-County/Texas/Residents-accuse-advisory-board-chair-of-harassment-and-urge-better-oversight-commissioners-hear-public-complaints","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6542186-939a0a01632d1ad6a57d9ef25b59ecda/orig.mp4?Expires=1771164273&Signature=TWm1mFLoaB4Im~aHe~3zFec2EfTuVYIFFtMyFzorT4uLf-TFzPeES5HG7inlwck7u0vm01dGfSKkQHL-ivgjWngPDMFUJC92hdZAZKOYlweu7VbqC8IgYyCaGF6-Y4DLoenIe8HW629FyfyOMXjw~G5BbgfIwpVPukrwMqxBn1eJh7KoeVhchzHsfPggykF3zVkI2w6qXDdEzI0EkMUtzfUSysrcmF7TTqp8Qs7tCYE38WBm3XBZvWrSqPD0cACisFVY9Jwlttp3iaGqWbSX7~BphL7Gpe63gffoZFiwvcqdJ1Rg0djuEUsbEBnOFEKzLzOEgew8q9aij7Kw3yTU1A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several residents used the meeting’s public-comment period to raise allegations of harassment, retaliation and insufficient oversight of city-appointed advisory boards.

Lorraine Galarza told the commission she served on the Community Development Advisory Board as parliamentarian and said she experienced threats and harassment from the board chair, Jim Young, who was appointed by Commissioner Rene Perez. Galarza said she reported an initial instance of harassment to the commission in May 2023 and said similar conduct recurred last week; she said the result was that she was removed from the board. She said the board reviews federal block‑grant applications and recommends allocations to local nonprofit groups and community programs.

Galarza: \"My tenure on the board was marred by unfortunate circumstances due to threats and harassment from Jim Young, the chair of the board, and appointed to the board by you, Rene Perez. This harassment went so far as to include the use of the f word ... Instead of receiving the safeguards one would expect, I now find myself facing retaliation and being removed from this board entirely.\" (Lorraine Galarza, public comment)

Other speakers echoed concerns about transparency and accountability. Robert Leftwich said it is \"appalling\" that a person he described as a victim was removed from a board while the city had taken no apparent public action, and he urged staffing an ethics commission and an avenue for citizens to raise complaints outside the city’s internal reporting structure. He said he had seen two recent board members removed from separate boards and suggested the city needs independent oversight.

Ron Lozano criticized the commission’s conduct in broader terms, calling for change in leadership and criticizing perceived \"appeasement\" of bad actors. Raymond Reyes urged transparency and oversight and said elected officials must be held accountable.

What Galarza said about the advisory board
Galarza described the Community Development Advisory Board as the entity that reviews federal block-grant applications and recommends allocations to local nonprofits (she named Loaves and Fishes and Family Crisis Center as example beneficiaries). In her remarks she identified Sandy Alvarez as the Community Development director and named Assistant City Manager Josh Ramirez as a senior staff contact.

No formal action recorded
The commission did not take formal action on the statements during the meeting. The public-comment period is set aside for remarks; the mayor noted that commission members may not respond or deliberate on topics not on the agenda. Galarza’s remarks and the other speakers’ comments were recorded in the meeting transcript, but no specific investigatory or corrective action was announced on the record.

Why this matters
Citizens’ charges of harassment and retaliation on an advisory board touch on the handling of federal grant recommendations and the integrity of appointed boards. Several speakers urged either that the city staff or commissioners provide independent avenues for complaint and that an ethics commission be actively staffed and available for citizen complaints.

Speakers and roles
- Lorraine Galarza — identified herself as a District 1 resident, former Community Development Advisory Board parliamentarian and current president of a neighborhood watch; she also serves on the CASA board (public comment).
- Robert Leftwich — resident (public comment).
- Ron Lozano — resident (public comment).
- Raymond Reyes — resident and local business owner (public comment).

Follow-up
The transcript shows no immediate commission response other than standard acknowledgment and moving on with the agenda. Commissioners or staff may place oversight or personnel items on a future agenda if the body chooses to act.","Speakers at the Harlingen City Commission’s public‑comment period alleged harassment and retaliation on a city-appointed advisory board and called for staffing an ethics commission and better oversight of appointed boards.",{"_33":85,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":86,"_41":87,"_43":88,"_45":89,"_46":90,"_48":91,"_50":92,"_52":93,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":94,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":95,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6542190,"Harlingen Commission approves annexation, two special-use permits, SRO extension and city street, parks measures",1347,1739000,3086000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3670890-9d3ae86e11d3d99ffc72398a53b1aea5&start=1739&end=3086","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3670890-9d3ae86e11d3d99ffc72398a53b1aea5/thumbnail_1739000.jpg","/articles/6542190/Harlingen/Cameron-County/Texas/Harlingen-Commission-approves-annexation-two-special-use-permits-SRO-extension-and-city-street-parks-measures","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6542190-45abaf2ca51fab2108dad0b5fb7a7eff/orig.mp4?Expires=1771164273&Signature=BzeBnN~R7uXoxWOTO12QYg6ODjXAzaK96glTZRAttgCVsWcAYwzYJlGJm7s5e7ytuybxyfM2bvASSzTMmRD9E56VeDbjbnIBayZoar~YiC6Ah13VIsb2lCjVVoJFv-Okjbc0mFux3rQ5tCiaKcp7SP0O4lC6ZJ7HTlbJUdOLZK65BbNZRa0-9-scvcqHawk-rycksDFxzocPX-LCc51aB4B6EODj0AXpwySR0dSy13Y-L0UrI2u6sAPvLdVzDqh~jJgF-6NPTL4WVsfntO8w2mL1eAcbOEv~tVxAblRV7wfWQ8MVJ53hrl~6-KNoco5pi54j21SsFM5Qcx~z5G3gwA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Harlingen City Commission approved a package of ordinances and land-use items Tuesday evening, voting to annex 88.4 acres into city limits, adopt special-use permits for a tattoo studio and a community residential facility, extend an interlocal agreement with the school district for school resource officers and approve neighborhood speed-hump installations and routine consent items.

The items moved quickly through the agenda. The commission approved on second and final reading an ordinance annexing 88.4 acres out of portions of Blocks 15 and 16 (Harlingen Land & Water Company Subdivision C) located along Kroger and Lafayette avenues west of Chester Park Road. The ordinance binds the annexed land to city acts, ordinances and regulations and approves an annexation services agreement.

Planning staff also presented two separate special-use permit requests. One authorizes an adult-business tattoo studio at 1706 E. Tyler Ave., Suites 8 and 9 (Tyler Place Subdivision). The commission approved the request on first reading. A second special-use permit allowing a community residential facility on about 5.9236 acres at the southeast corner of Breedlove Street and North Loop 499 was taken off the table and approved on first reading.

On a consent/action item, commissioners approved the first extension to the 2023–2025 interlocal agreement between the Harlingen Consolidated Independent School District and the city for the school resource officer program for the 2025–26 school year. The city’s staff recommended renewal; the motion passed with one abstention (Commissioner Renee Bettis).

Commissioners also approved installing speed humps in multiple residential locations requested by Commissioners Renee Perez and the mayor pro tem, with several additional locations added during the meeting. Staff indicated a separate, citywide review of speed limits and thoroughfare amendments is underway and will return to the commission for consideration.

Routine consent items (agenda items labeled a–f) were approved collectively. A separate resolution to amend a city maintenance policy (resolution text not specified in the packet) was also approved by voice vote.

Motions and voting notes
- Consent items a–f: Approved by unanimous voice vote (motion carried).
- Item 7g: First extension of the 2023–2025 SRO interlocal agreement for school year 2025–26 — approved; Commissioner Renee Bettis recorded an abstention.
- Item 7h: Installation of speed humps at multiple residential locations — approved unanimously.
- Ordinance (first reading): Amendments to the City of Harlingen flood-damage prevention code to add definitions for repetitive loss and increased-cost compliance and modify substantial-damage/substantial-improvement definitions — approved on first reading.
- Ordinance (first reading): Special-use permit for an adult-business tattoo studio at 1706 E. Tyler Ave., Suites 8 & 9 — approved on first reading.
- Ordinance (second/final reading): Voluntary annexation of 88.4 acres out of portions of Blocks 15 & 16 (Subdivision C) — adopted on second and final reading (motion carried unanimously).
- Ordinance (first reading, taken off the table): Special-use permit to allow a community residential facility at Breedlove St. & North Loop 499 — approved on first reading.
- Resolution (text/number referenced in meeting materials): Amendment approved by voice vote (details in staff packet).

Why this matters
The annexation expands Harlingen’s corporate limits and subjects the land to city regulations and services; the two land‑use approvals permit new commercial and residential uses that may affect neighborhood character and service demands. The SRO agreement extension maintains the current school safety partnership with HCISD for another school year. The speed-hump approvals respond to neighborhood traffic concerns and will be followed by a broader speed‑limit review, per staff.

What the meeting record shows
The transcript records motions, seconds and voice votes for each item. In most cases the votes carried unanimously; the SRO extension had one recorded abstention (Commissioner Bettis). Specific vote tallies by named commissioner were not read into the record for every item. The meeting did not show any items failing passage or being tabled after the votes taken.

Looking ahead
Staff said it will return with a citywide thoroughfare amendment and proposed speed‑limit changes for commissioners to review. The annexation ordinance and approved special-use permits will proceed under normal implementation steps and any required follow‑up (permits, services agreements) described in staff materials.","The Harlingen City Commission voted on multiple ordinances and land-use requests, approved a voluntary annexation and extended the school resource officer interlocal agreement while unanimously approving neighborhood traffic-calming and park maintenance items; Commissioner Renee Bettis abstained on the SRO agreement extension.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Parks director outlines upgrades: Huntington Fields conversion to soccer, pond improvements, pools and pickleball nearing completion

Residents accuse advisory-board chair of harassment and urge better oversight; commissioners hear public complaints

Harlingen Commission approves annexation, two special-use permits, SRO extension and city street, parks measures