The Rio Grande City Economic Development Corporation voted on several administrative and project items at its March 17 meeting, approving a construction contract, amending economic-development agreements after executive session and updating bank signatories while tabling a presentation on a proposed downtown refurbishment.

The board awarded a construction contract for the Los Velas (Los Pinos/Los Velas) Road expansion project to the lowest bidder, GA Utilities LLC, following a recommendation from Sam Engineering and Surveying. The contracting discussion included schedule expectations, required bonds, a 60-calendar-day completion target from notice to proceed, and a $250-per-day liquidated-damages clause in the contract. The board voted to approve the award.

After an executive session conducted under the Texas Government Code provisions cited in the meeting (consultation with attorney; economic development negotiations; real estate; personnel matters), the board authorized several financing and contract changes for named business prospects. The board approved: (1) a payment of $31,070 to the State of Texas related to the International Drive project (motion carried; Board member Fred Lopez recorded an abstention); (2) an amendment to the existing agreement for business prospect 2024-1 to add $89,000 to the agreement (motion carried; Board members David Reyna and Lupe Garza recorded abstentions); and (3) an amendment to the agreement for prospect 2023-2 to move forward with up to $300,000 tied to a five‑year tax‑rate schedule and milestone benchmarks (motion carried).

The board also approved an amendment to the corporate bank-resolution signatories, removing one prior signer and adding a newly named signer; the change was approved unanimously and the staff circulated the resolution for signatures. The board approved the previous meeting minutes and moved to table a presentation from Skyview Investments about refurbishing the former WIC building behind the post office; Skyview's presenter was not prepared and the board asked that the item be placed on a future agenda.

Votes at a glance

- Table presentation by Skyview Investments on downtown WIC building refurbishment — Motion to table approved.
- Approval of meeting minutes from the prior meeting — Approved by voice vote.
- Corporate resolution (bank signatories) — Motion to amend authorized signatures approved unanimously; staff to collect signatures.
- Award construction contract: Los Velas Road expansion — Awarded to GA Utilities LLC (lowest bid reported at about $82,000); contract includes bonds and a $250/day liquidated-damages clause; motion carried.
- Executive-session item A: Authorize payment of $31,070 to the State of Texas (International Drive Project) — Motion carried; Fred Lopez abstained.
- Executive-session item B: Amend agreement for business prospect 2024-1 to include an additional $89,000 — Motion carried; David Reyna and Lupe Garza abstained.
- Executive-session item C: Amend agreement for prospect 2023-2 to permit up to $300,000 tied to milestones over a five-year tax schedule — Motion carried.

The board adjourned after the votes. Several items (including the Skyview Investments presentation) were rescheduled for a future meeting and the city council will also consider the road contract on its upcoming agenda, according to the EDC staff comments at the meeting.