Weslaco commission approves multiple plats and contracts; tables recycling rate decision

WESLACO, Texas — The Weslaco City Commission on Feb. 19 approved a series of development plats, procurement actions and contract renewals and took initial votes on two new ordinances while deferring a decision on a voluntary curbside recycling program pending a rate study.

The commission approved final plats for multiple subdivisions inside and outside city limits, authorized staff to solicit bids and qualifications for several infrastructure and service projects, accepted financial and investment reports and approved multiple equipment purchases. It also approved a professional services agreement for an enterprise assessment of water and wastewater systems and voted to reject all bids on a drainage improvement project after staff and legal review raised concerns.

Why it matters: The votes move forward infrastructure and permitting steps required for industrial and commercial development while advancing several utility- and public-safety-related purchases. The decision to wait on the recycling ordinance signals the commission wants a cost analysis before setting a fee for voluntary curbside pickup.

Key outcomes (selected)

- Consent agenda: Commission approved the consent agenda with items K and L pulled for separate discussion. (Motion carried.)

- Item K (consent): Authorized staff to solicit bids for a secondary garbage disposal site to supplement the city’s primary landfill option. Staff said alternatives include Brownsville and a La Feria transfer station; the solicitation will consider distance, turnaround time and wear-and-tear costs. (Motion carried.)

- Item L (consent): Authorized staff to solicit requests for qualifications for an architect to design rehabilitation of the city’s recycle center at 2900 S. Border. Planning staff said the previously developed preliminary design placed the project over the administrative approval threshold, so a formal solicitation is required. (Motion carried.)

- Plats: Final plats approved included Mid Valley Industrial Park (five lots at Sugar Sweet Ave. & Votec Dr.), R & S Subdivision B (resubdivision east of Tipsy Monkey), and DG Llano Grande (Dollar General site). Planning staff and P&Z recommended approval. (Motions carried.)

- Resolution 2025-23: City approved participating in a planning study (planning/environmental linkages) for extension of State Highway 495 and agreed to share study costs as part of a regional effort; the total construction estimate cited in the presentation was $53 million. (Motion carried.)

- Ordinances (first readings approved): The commission approved first readings for an ordinance creating a Weslaco Beautification Committee and an ordinance establishing procedures to name donated property and recognize donors. Both are advisory/administrative in scope and will return for final readings. (Motions carried.)

- Resolution 2025-24: The commission adopted a resolution opposing Texas House Bill 1683, a measure that would mandate adoption of a centralized county road system for counties on the international border and with a population threshold; the city joined other regional governments in opposition. (Motion carried.)

- Ambutech/Phase 1 services: The commission approved negotiated fees ($96,555) with Ambutech Civil Group for a consolidated Phase 1 enterprise assessment of the city’s water and wastewater systems. The consultant will identify needs and help prepare three funding applications. Staff recommended prompt approval to begin the work. (Motion carried.)

- Drainage project (Kansas/Los Doritos): Staff recommended rejecting all bids for the Kansas Los Doritos drainage improvements after finding discrepancies in the apparent low bidder’s estimate for box culverts and receiving legal advice; the commission followed staff and legal recommendation and rejected all bids to allow re-solicitation. (Motion carried.)

- Library change order: The commission approved a decrease (change order No. 1) of $427,308 to the mayor Joe V. Sanchez Public Library contract by omitting two bid alternates (extended east colonnade and a north outdoor children’s area), with staff saying the omitted work can be added later by grant or future project. (Motion carried.)

- Recycling ordinance (final reading deferred): The commission took no action on the final reading of the voluntary curbside recycling ordinance, directing staff to add recycling and sanitation services to an upcoming utility rate study before returning with recommended pricing. (No action taken.)

Other routine items approved included renewal of a loss-control/risk management contract (staff said prior work produced a dividend), acceptance of quarterly investment and unaudited financial reports, several sole‑source equipment purchases for water/wastewater operations, and the purchase of a patrol vehicle to be 80% reimbursed through a motor-vehicle-crime grant. A motion from the commission approved appointments to the Mayor Joe V. Sanchez Public Library Board.

The meeting included multiple other presentations and staff reports; the full list of motions and roll-call outcomes is available in the meeting minutes.

What’s next: The commission asked staff to include the recycling curbside service in the upcoming rate-study scope and return with a detailed cost/revenue recommendation before finalizing an ordinance or fee schedule.