Eagle Pass Council approves multiple plats, municipal appointments and administrative measures in unanimous votes

Eagle Pass City Council on Tuesday approved a series of land-use items, administrative measures and agreements in a sequence of unanimous votes that the mayor described as routine but consequential for city operations.

Among the actions taken, council approved multiple final replats and sidewalk waivers, granted a zoning change to B-3 for a childcare developer, approved a master plan for a battery energy storage site (Regis Escondido LLC), ratified an interim police chief appointment, called the May 3, 2025 general election and approved several intergovernmental and internship agreements.

Planning staff walked the council through a string of public-hearing items that the Planning & Zoning Commission had recommended for approval. Council accepted staff and commission recommendations on final replats that included variances or sidewalk waivers when staff found that curb-and-gutter improvements were not present in existing neighborhoods. Each replat motion passed unanimously after a public hearing and a brief staff presentation.

The council also approved a rezoning request from R-1 (single-family) to B-3 (general business) for two parcels on North Veterans Boulevard to regularize existing commercial uses and allow a phase-two expansion of a childcare facility. The motion to rezone the parcels (applicant Omero Morales Jr.) carried unanimously.

On a separate planning item, the council approved a master plan for a 10-acre site proposed by Regis Escondido LLC to host a battery energy storage facility near North Barron Boulevard and Encino. During discussion staff and the developer described the facility as a battery-energy-storage project that would harden the local grid, require fencing and site screening, and typically include a setback and security elements. The council approved the master plan unanimously; the related final plat and several variances were later set for executive-session discussion (no final vote recorded in open session for those items on Jan. 7).

Administrative and operational votes included: - Resolution calling the May 3, 2025 general election and relocating a polling location to Cruz Antonio Munoz Gymnasium at 2086 Roosevelt Street; unanimous approval. Council also set pay rates for election staff in the resolution. - First reading approval of an ordinance amending the 2024–25 budget to reflect additional budgeted personnel positions (two police positions covered by a grant); council approved the ordinance’s first reading unanimously. Staff said the amendment did not change the total budget amount, only the recorded number of full-time equivalents. - Ratification of the city manager’s appointment of Amy Gonzales as interim police chief effective Jan. 1, 2025; unanimous confirmation. - Approval of a partnership agreement with Southwest Texas College for an internship program that will place community college students in city departments for mentorship and administrative experience; unanimous approval. - Approval of a mutual-assistance agreement with GEO Group Inc. to continue fire, EMS and other emergency support for the facility; unanimous approval. - Authorization of a $12,086.24 change order with B Square for a bridge toll-system procurement item to add vehicle-type tracking for buses and tour vehicles; unanimous approval.

Several other final replat public hearings were opened, closed and approved on the council floor after staff reported notices and any letters of opposition. Council approved a motion to appoint three members (Noel Rodriguez, Aaron Valdez and Tiffany Velasquez Sanchez) to the Planning & Zoning Commission for five-year terms ending December 2029. The consent agenda — encompassing routine purchases and permits listed on items 11–17 — was approved unanimously.

Items that council moved to executive session for further legal review included the request for state lobbyist services (RFQ 2025-007) and certain final-plat and variance matters tied to the Regis Escondido battery-storage plat; no public actions on those matters were recorded after the executive session during the Jan. 7 open meeting.

Council votes were recorded as unanimous on items taken in open session and motions were typically moved by Councilwoman Cruz and seconded by Councilman Garcia. Mayor Orlando Salinas presided over the meeting; two council members were absent for roll call.