Harlingen commission approves 3.22-acre annexation, emergency permit-fee waiver and park contract; grants one paid day to employees

HARLINGEN, Texas — At its April 16, 2025 meeting, the Harlingen City Commission voted unanimously to annex a 3.22-acre tract along FM 675, approved first readings of two ordinances including a temporary waiver of certain permit fees tied to the recent state of emergency, authorized a contract award for the Roosevelt Park Phase 2 roadway entrance project, and granted one additional paid vacation day to eligible municipal employees.

The actions, taken after staff presentations and public comment, affect development rules, downtown business permitting and recovery-related relief for residents and city staff. The commission also heard the city’s annual comprehensive financial report, accepted proclamations and recognitions, and received public comments about storm damage and loose dogs in neighborhoods.

The annexation approved on second and final reading adds 3.22 acres identified as Block 164, San Benito Land and Water Company subdivision, to the city for full municipal purpose and binds the property to city ordinances and services under an annexation services agreement. Emiliano Roselle was identified in the record as the applicant for the annexation. The ordinance passed unanimously.

The commission approved on first reading a special-use permit to allow a bar/lounge at 119 West Van Buren Avenue, Suite 7, in the downtown retail district; the applicant, Gilberto Lucio, said the business would hire five to ten employees and bring wine and coffee offerings to downtown Harlingen. The proposal now returns for a second reading and final action at a later meeting.

On first reading the commission also adopted language to amend the City of Harlingen Code of Ordinances (chapter 103) by adding section 103-6 to allow waiver of certain building permit fees for rehabilitation work undertaken during the declared state of emergency. City staff said the waiver is intended to reduce costs for repairs and rehabilitation caused by the recent emergency; the ordinance passed its first reading unanimously.

The Development Corporation of Harlingen, Inc., was authorized to award a contract to H2O Construction Services, Inc., for the Roosevelt Park Phase 2 roadway entrance project. The motion to award the contract carried unanimously. City staff noted the project was coming in under budget.

The commission approved a one-time allocation of one additional paid vacation day for all eligible municipal employees. City staff clarified eligibility as full‑time employees who have been employed more than 90 days; the commission stated the allocation is a one-time measure to make employees whole for time lost during the emergency.

During citizen communications, resident Raymond Reyes thanked city staff and the streets-and-lights crew for addressing outages and damage downtown after the emergency. Resident Connie Reese recounted multiple incidents of dog attacks affecting her safety and said, “They’re out of control,” asking the commission for help; the mayor and staff indicated they would follow up using the contact information provided.

Finance staff and the city’s external auditors presented the annual comprehensive financial report for the year ended Sept. 30, 2024. Alfred Vera, the auditor who presented the report, said the audit opinion was “unmodified,” the cleanest opinion an external audit can render. The presentation cited the general fund totals the report lists: revenues of $62,153,000, expenditures of $62,953,000, and an unassigned fund balance of approximately $36,558,000, which the auditor calculated as roughly 212 days of operations.

Other meeting items included proclamations recognizing Penn Aluminum’s 20th anniversary, National Healthy Homes Month (community development staff noted the city’s Healthy Homes program received “over a million dollars” in grant funding and that 45 applications had been approved so far), the mayor’s business-of-the-month award to Desiree Spa and Massage, and several board reappointments and one new appointment to local advisory boards.

Votes at a glance

- Annexation (Ordinance, second and final reading): annex 3.22-acre tract (Block 164, San Benito Land & Water Co. subdivision) — outcome: approved unanimously; applicant Emiliano Roselle; motion and second not specified in record.

- Special-use permit (Ordinance, first reading): allow bar/lounge at 119 W. Van Buren Ave., Suite 7 (Lots 1–4, Block 69, Harlingen original town site) — outcome: approved on first reading unanimously; applicant Gilberto Lucio; returns for second reading.

- Waiver of certain building permit fees (Ordinance, first reading): add section 103-6 to Code of Ordinances to waive permit fees for rehabilitation during declared state of emergency — outcome: approved on first reading unanimously; motion/second not specified.

- Contract authorization: allow Development Corporation of Harlingen, Inc., to award contract to H2O Construction Services, Inc., for Roosevelt Park Phase 2 roadway entrance project — outcome: authorized unanimously; motion/second not specified.

- Employee benefit: allocation of one additional paid vacation day for eligible municipal employees (full-time, employed >90 days) — outcome: approved unanimously; one-time allocation.

- Board appointments: reappointments and appointment approved unanimously (reappointments: Trey Peacock to Economic Development Corporation board; Delia Gomez to Library Advisory Board; Eric Zapulveda to Healthy Harlingen Advisory Board; reappointment/appointment of Steve Ritter to Utilities Board/other advisory board as recorded).

What’s next

The special-use permit and the emergency permit-fee waiver ordinance will return for additional readings as required. Staff said they will follow up with residents who raised public-safety concerns and will post town-hall scheduling information at least 30 days before events, as required by city practice.

Ending note: The commission recessed into executive session on legal and economic development items and returned to open session at 8:46 p.m., then voted to proceed with the actions discussed in closed session; motions and votes were recorded in open session as unanimous.