Weslaco commission approves series of contracts, grants and public‑works actions; tables liquor permit

The Weslaco City Commission on March 19 approved a package of appointments, procurements, grants and construction items and took several administrative actions; the commission also tabled a separate public‑hearing item on an on‑premises alcohol permit at 512 Professional Drive and will revisit it in April.

Major approvals included appointment of seven members to a newly created Westco Beautification Committee; engineering and construction awards for sewer and manhole work; multiple public safety grants and equipment purchases funded through state grant programs; and change orders on ongoing public‑works projects. Most items were approved on unanimous voice votes among commissioners present.

Votes at a glance — key items approved or acted on during the March 19 meeting:

• Appointments: Resolution 2025‑31 appointing seven members to the Westco Beautification Committee (names read into the record). Motion to approve carried by voice vote.

• Variance — Gardens at Via Verde Phase 1: Approved a 10‑foot rear setback variance applying to four cul‑de‑sac lots at the end of the subdivision (staff and P&Z recommended approval).

• Purchase — 2025 Polaris ATV: Approved purchase under contract for use in Lone Star grant operations (department request noted it can also be used for community events when not used for grant activities).

• Grant acceptance — Auto‑theft/LPR program: Accepted an award of $255,412 to purchase license‑plate readers and analytics software; a 20% match was identified to come from asset‑forfeiture funds.

• Procurement — Drone program & seized bid rejection: Commissioners rejected a prior bid for unmanned vehicle technology because tariff‑driven price increases made the bid exceed available funding and authorized solicitation of new sealed bids emphasizing U.S.‑manufactured, cybersecurity‑compliant drones for tactical and search/rescue use.

• Vehicle purchase — 2025 Ford F‑150: Approved a FY25 grant‑funded purchase for catalytic‑converter task force work (grant covers full cost); one commissioner announced an abstention from discussion for the record prior to the vote.

• Employee program renewal — Employee Assistance Program: Approved renewal of the employee assistance program contract with All 1 Health (previously Deer Oaks) for a revised term aligned with the fiscal year; staff said utilization to date has been low and asked vendor to increase internal marketing to city employees.

• Airport stormwater project — Change order: Approved change order No. 1 for the airport stormwater project to add two junction structures needed after unmarked underground utility conflicts were uncovered during construction; project remains covered by ARPA funds.

• Valley Nature Center roof — Professional services amendment: Approved an amendment to the architect’s scope to add electrical engineering work related to a previously installed solar array so the system can be properly reconnected during the reroofing project.

• Manhole rehabilitation (RFB 2024‑25‑15): Awarded contract to Southern Trenchless Solutions for rehabilitation of 15 manholes, including rings/covers and epoxy lining.

• Hidalgo Street sanitary sewer improvements (RFP 2024‑25‑13): Awarded to OMT Utilities as lowest responsive bidder.

• Traffic engineering — Pike Blvd. and Botec Dr.: Approved a negotiated contract with Colliers Engineers for a two‑phase study (existing/future conditions and implementation design) with a negotiated fee.

• Boulder Road sidewalk — Change order: Approved a small change order to add a maintenance access driveway into an RDF site; the change increases the contract and extends the completion date by 30 days.

• Fourth of July drone show: Awarded contract to Skywander (Liverpool, Texas) for an aerial drone show on July 4 with a budget not to exceed $50,000; staff noted last year’s drone show was well received and cited veteran/PSTD and pet considerations as part of the rationale for keeping drone displays in downtown programming.

• Consent agenda: City's routine consent agenda items approved as presented.

Several items included brief staff explanations of funding sources (ARPA, state grants, asset forfeiture) and implementation notes. In at least one procurement the city rejected a vendor offer after the vendor declined to absorb additional tariff‑related costs; staff then authorized re‑solicitation with revised specifications.

What’s next: The commission directed staff to return the tabled conditional use permit for 512 Professional Drive to the April agenda. Several awarded contractors and consultants will begin design or construction work per the contracts approved at this meeting; staff and commissioners asked for timely project starts where applicable.