[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-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],{"_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",6552191,"mediaKeyId","5127768-ad8319c62622c3e02c68b1bbe8852263","parentId",5127768,"title","Commission delays vote on ordinance to prohibit on‑street parking on Barton Avenue after extended debate","audioSeconds",263,"startMs",3757000,"endMs",4020000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5127768-ad8319c62622c3e02c68b1bbe8852263&start=3757&end=4020","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5127768-ad8319c62622c3e02c68b1bbe8852263/thumbnail_3757000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6552191/Harlingen/Cameron-County/Texas/Commission-delays-vote-on-ordinance-to-prohibit-onstreet-parking-on-Barton-Avenue-after-extended-debate","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6552191-768cb67dc831188921b5e241a2da567a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771169868&Signature=fDfZeRyhcGfMSz44QX2F~lEl9V2vc1hUQ3E-V3XqwTmnSP~KvyklxRISfvqZus~pJN4yrdoks~lniQAXSHC2wGWxF9CpVPJDv~qM0SdAxwD0x25lwpFKdX92TMaK~H0jC8PPTe0LH-a-niBUPfB2Eilryp8lCNXkIMia9IYnTRkWEuvWQqxZH8OE1S79~qHUKIG8ZVYTZxj8Lnya8J-BlLFoeQTr3Kz1WnH1iypPz7TSXo0Sq5xD2JybVHTA2sAgs5meqyD63QRmiKhcjN0EDpauBau8bKHq5M7Z5LVDW7ESrsspi9BkaNMs0eJsg8eF0RfimROgQ2Cmd1QU15AtEQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Harlingen","date","2025-07-03T13:05:40Z","article","A proposed ordinance to prohibit on‑street parking on Barton Avenue drew extended discussion at the Harlingen City Commission’s July 1 meeting and was tabled so staff could draft alternative language addressing mixed‑use zoning and business parking.

Commissioner Lopez presented the ordinance, saying residents had submitted a petition asking for a parking prohibition because commercial businesses and mechanic shops in the area were leaving vehicles on the street for long periods and creating neighborhood problems. \"They're, like, commercial mechanic shops that park their cars in front of people's houses and leave them there for weeks and months at a time,\" Lopez said, and added he had a petition signed by residents.

Commissioners and staff discussed enforcement limits on public streets, the consequences of setting a precedent for single‑street parking bans, and how mixed‑use zoning complicates enforcement. Staff noted that some businesses in the area lacked the required certificate of occupancy and that in those cases enforcement actions, including towing of inoperable vehicles and requiring on‑site parking for new businesses, can address the issue. Commissioner Lopez said the neighborhood was elderly and that the petition contained 18 signatures.

Several commissioners suggested a broader, citywide approach that targets businesses in mixed‑use areas rather than forbidding parking on an individual street. \"If you have an ordinance that speaks to mixed use areas and saying that you can't do it anywhere in the city where you can't because there's a difference between the neighbor or somebody visiting..., then anyone that is having that problem within the city no longer becomes a problem because we have an ordinance that speaks to that,\" the mayor said during the discussion.

After the discussion, the commission voted to table the ordinance and directed staff to draft language that would limit commercial use of public street parking in residential areas abutting businesses and to return with a proposal at a future meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Commission Regular Meeting | 07-02-25","oneSentenceSummary","Commissioners debated a proposed ordinance to prohibit on‑street parking at Barton Avenue following a petition from residents; concerns about mixed‑use zoning, enforcement limits and precedent led the commission to table the item for staff rewrite.","taxTitle","Harlingen, Cameron County, Texas","taxId",3687,"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},6552195,"Resident alleges nepotism at Harlingen Water Works; mayor’s family ties raised during public comment",194,2196000,2390000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5127768-ad8319c62622c3e02c68b1bbe8852263&start=2196&end=2390","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5127768-ad8319c62622c3e02c68b1bbe8852263/thumbnail_2196000.jpg","/articles/6552195/Harlingen/Cameron-County/Texas/Resident-alleges-nepotism-at-Harlingen-Water-Works-mayors-family-ties-raised-during-public-comment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6552195-1e1f56019ed85eae3dc6b2d1c7737d36/orig.mp4?Expires=1771169868&Signature=YBnE1FzBVrg84oyWWfXLYzT7xayzgBsbYKLflwaPXxze8mtH3zuOb870yB9e5olwCMZsaUx8x5qmBZAtM9MjqgGK-KMC~qM6D-bQrHDAUVMQbazQc6lgZ0s0l0uM3TVaoNyCwnV-13U-2d1rYk74QnsRfpeqe9NrpSY1tFPAgDSVxVkFIYwz57R1zuAgCXnophTr4qekboGK2o3oWJ4u98lUWx5joLdokQeyU7IrCwoHO3PEgyPmT9rHLr-jq~XvizsVc5thzM3okQpkpMwl80ulk7D0hk3sh8btgEQjcPYCjxNjF1sLrxwx4ivWc4rJvJQoZx2~AyZEa353sXR0YA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","During the public‑comment period of the Harlingen City Commission meeting on July 1, resident Robert Leftwich told the commission he believed nepotism influenced a recent Harlingen Water Works hire and cited city and state rules that he said the appointment violated.

\"He's getting paid $20,000 a month at the Harlingen Water Works,\" Leftwich said, referring to the mayor’s uncle. Leftwich said the mayor was involved in the hiring after the prior manager was fired and argued that the city’s hiring policy, the city charter and a local government code carry criminal ramifications for nepotism.

Leftwich described what he said were consequences of nepotistic hiring: reduced employee morale, decreased productivity, talent drain and reputational damage that would make prospective skilled candidates less likely to seek employment with the utility. He contrasted the consultant’s $240,000 annual compensation with typical utility director salaries listed in a municipal association salary survey for larger Texas cities.

The commission did not take formal action on Leftwich’s comments during the meeting. No city staff or commissioner response to the alleged personnel matter is recorded in the public transcript; the item remained a public comment and was not placed on the agenda for discussion or investigation during the session.

The resident’s remarks were part of the meeting’s public‑comment period, for which commissioners may not respond or deliberate on topics, as stated in the agenda notice read into the record.","A Harlingen resident told the commission the mayor’s uncle was hired as a consultant at Harlingen Water Works at $20,000 per month and raised concerns about local hiring rules and reputational damage; no formal action followed during the meeting.",{"_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},6552200,"Harlingen unveils redesigned city mobile app with citizen request tracking and notifications",354,2745000,3099000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5127768-ad8319c62622c3e02c68b1bbe8852263&start=2745&end=3099","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5127768-ad8319c62622c3e02c68b1bbe8852263/thumbnail_2745000.jpg","/articles/6552200/Harlingen/Cameron-County/Texas/Harlingen-unveils-redesigned-city-mobile-app-with-citizen-request-tracking-and-notifications","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6552200-32f59c89db24dbe178284062184ba6c6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771169868&Signature=JdJ70miUdNCqZFf4wX6rXvViB340MjRIUTatdLaGUT1ZYtPN~0vkGwOViNLN2epFHEphXijQf4jM99-xRZH6XhewOFRn796tMFhu18KTeQKiYvZ9vrY9dX6iJPSoNQ~gejXXL9BmH68Kq8jnV9WxdL46TGPTh2hPW-jH~zcZDql3PWA-OKPpHuQxQACPWGbnw96Ri1K4UL3R5HTeYhxOfNse-NTurrlxi-WbKANTfYLuC-RdvuVi84Vp59L6rl2yAITOZkcW-yEvrn5ZIL0Ma52jqB1hRx7T8l66qckdtS003q7sjoPM7YKkdHOTqHD8mq1MtnbRkm5GD~qcSsN91Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff on July 1 presented a redesigned Harlingen mobile application that adds account sign‑in, request tracking, push notifications and quick links to city services, and includes a points system to encourage resident engagement.

\"The purpose of city, city app is to, enhance communication between the city and its residents and by actively engaging the community and local events,\" said Sergio Mojica, a city staff member who led the presentation. Mojica demonstrated features that allow users to sign in with social accounts, submit and track service requests, receive notifications when requests are in progress or completed, and view quick links for parks and recreation, the animal shelter, building permits and other city pages. A short promotional video produced by the media department was shown during the presentation.

Mojica said the new app supports account recovery, stores a user request history, and will enable mass notifications to registered users. He described a points system tied to citizen requests — \"for each request, you get 10 points\" — and said the city plans incentives once users accumulate points.

On usage, Mojica told commissioners that the new app has fewer than 100 downloads to date but that the combined total across the old and new apps is more than 5,000 downloads and roughly 350 registered users on the new platform. He said the older app (launched in 2018) remains available and staff plans publicity campaigns, QR codes at town halls and City TV messaging to encourage migration to the new version.

Commissioners praised the app’s functionality and urged more outreach. Commissioner Perez said the app would solve many phone‑based service calls if more residents used it. The commission asked staff to coordinate QR codes for town‑hall events and to work with the media department to publish periodic notices and tutorials to increase adoption.

City staff also noted the online building‑permit system launched in August of the prior year: since that launch, staff reported 164 registered accounts and more than 2,156 logins through May of the current year. Mojica said staff will add more quick links over time, including reservations for city building rentals.","City staff demonstrated a new Harlingen mobile app that adds sign‑in, request tracking, push notifications, quick links and a points system; staff reported fewer than 100 downloads for the new app and asked commissioners to help promote adoption.",{"_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},6552206,"Harlingen commission approves annexation, several administrative items; multiple ordinances tabled",0,4702000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5127768-ad8319c62622c3e02c68b1bbe8852263&start=4702&end=4702","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5127768-ad8319c62622c3e02c68b1bbe8852263/thumbnail_4702000.jpg","/articles/6552206/Harlingen/Cameron-County/Texas/Harlingen-commission-approves-annexation-several-administrative-items-multiple-ordinances-tabled","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6552206-26804734b5514a3c36df941786cd6dbf/orig.mp4?Expires=1771169868&Signature=U3YBcG9ykOjbNYDO6FQEaWu~YCz3m2UIkdhahTGduXsnoSnvoK8O~9TagoBhAAGIsN8-jknDYbywfJG2y3iJH02JT9S0heBy6Lg54ShMT1U2DQvxaQqyaEC17XOK4cVaVyYep-6h7f8i~5ZBcBXzzreW-aEQgBk96Ip8OP2~Qj92yQapcvZ3zbOqrX5omuNGDCQLh9pCWZ-u8y8nNLuV4sviemqLmYu2T~WHWXpdVCjvgFvqdNG03XOgpclP6YHkoFa53qctRzb256HoeFHkTXcA-QFddPBNVqiFUuzmblyEFhLYgFSwwGNYl4Rdrj4jgZn3CI5H-52JEQT1Ob2Thw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Harlingen City Commission at a July 1 meeting approved a first‑reading ordinance annexing a 10‑acre tract, authorized payment of two invoices from the Cameron County Elections Department, approved a $21,000 matching grant request for a paraprofessional teacher certification program and took a series of consent actions. Two city ordinances — a proposed historic‑preservation ordinance and a proposed on‑street parking ordinance affecting Barton Avenue — were tabled for further revision.

The annexation ordinance approved on first reading extends the city's corporate limits to include a 10‑acre tract described as part of Block 3 of the F. H. Hanley Subdivision along Paloma Lane and adjacent right‑of‑way; the ordinance binds the property to city acts, ordinances, resolutions and regulations and includes a standard severability clause. The commission voted by voice to approve the measure.

The commission approved two invoices from Cameron County Elections Department covering costs from the November 5, 2024 regular city election and the December 14, 2024 runoff. The amounts presented to the commission were $168,623.70 for the November election and $111,834.51 for the runoff. City staff explained the countywide voting transition, higher turnout for the presidential election and increased personnel and supply costs as drivers of the total county election expense; the county and city negotiated reductions applied before the city share was billed. The commission voted to pay the invoices.

The commission approved a $21,000 matching‑funds request from Region 1 Education Center to support a teacher‑certification program for paraprofessionals. The item was presented by city staff and approved by voice vote.

On the consent agenda the commission approved an agreement with Cameron County for an update to the county hazard‑mitigation action plan; approved routine minutes; and approved other routine consent items. Commissioner Lopez abstained from the hazard‑mitigation agreement vote, noted in the record.

Two ordinance items were not advanced. The commission tabled an ordinance providing for historic preservation in Harlingen to allow language adjustments; Mayor Norma Sepulveda asked commissioners to submit language concerns to staff for “fine tuning.” Commissioners also debated a proposed amendment to the city code to prohibit on‑street parking at Barton Avenue. After extended discussion about mixed‑use zoning, enforcement limits, and a resident petition, the commission voted to table the Barton Avenue parking ordinance and asked staff to draft alternative language addressing mixed‑use areas and business parking allocations for a future meeting.

Other formal actions included approval of routine board appointments and tabling of a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) one‑year action plan budget item for fiscal 2025–26. The meeting concluded after an executive session; the commission subsequently voted in open session to proceed as discussed in executive session on the listed matters.","At its July 1 meeting the Harlingen City Commission approved an annexation ordinance and several administrative items, voted to pay two county election invoices and approved a matching grant request; the commission tabled proposed historic‑preservation and on‑street parking ordinances for further revision.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission delays vote on ordinance to prohibit on‑street parking on Barton Avenue after extended debate

Resident alleges nepotism at Harlingen Water Works; mayor’s family ties raised during public comment

Harlingen unveils redesigned city mobile app with citizen request tracking and notifications

Harlingen commission approves annexation, several administrative items; multiple ordinances tabled