Harlingen commission approves annexation, special-use permit and pays county election invoices; several items tabled

The Harlingen City Commission on Monday approved a set of routine and legislative measures, including a voluntary annexation of roughly 10 acres, a special-use permit for a tattoo studio and payment of two invoices from the Cameron County Elections Department for the city’s recent elections.

The commission unanimously approved an ordinance on first reading to issue a special-use permit for an adult tattoo studio at 602 S. F Street (Lots 1–4, West Harlingen Addition), described in the meeting as Jerry Lopez’s application. The commission also adopted an ordinance to annex a 10-acre tract out of Block 3 of the FH Hanley Subdivision along Paloma Lane into the city’s corporate limits for full purpose.

Commissioners approved two invoices from Cameron County for city election costs: $168,623.70 for the Nov. 5, 2024 election and $111,834.51 for the Dec. 14, 2024 runoff. Remy Garza of the elections office explained the countywide voting system rollout, higher personnel and supply costs tied to the presidential election and county decisions that affected staffing and equipment. Garza said the city’s charges reflect a negotiated allocation rather than the full straight-prorated share of the county’s total election expense.

On the consent agenda the commission approved an agreement with Cameron County for an update to the county’s Hazard Mitigation Action Plan; Commissioner Lopez abstained from that vote. The commission also approved a $21,000 match for a Region 1 Education Center program to support paraprofessional teacher certification, and approved two board appointments: reappointing Joe Wagner to the Downtown Improvement Board and appointing Marcus Cruz to the 4B Board.

Two items were tabled for further work: first-reading consideration of a citywide historic-preservation ordinance and a proposed amendment to on-street parking rules affecting Barton Avenue. Commissioners requested refinements to the parking language so staff could return with a draft that addresses mixed-use and grandfathered commercial situations rather than a single-street prohibition.

The commission recessed to executive session on attorney consultation, real-estate deliberations and economic development (Project Roosevelt) and returned to open session before voting to proceed as discussed in closed session.

Votes at a glance - Special-use permit (602 S. F Street, Jerry Lopez): ordinance (first reading) approved (motion and second recorded; outcome: approved). Provenance: introduction at the public hearing and motion at the action item. - Voluntary annexation (10-acre tract, Block 3, FH Hanley Subdivision): ordinance (first reading) approved (motion and second recorded; outcome: approved). - Agreement with Cameron County (Hazard Mitigation Action Plan update, Consent 7L): approved; Commissioner Lopez abstained. - Cameron County election invoices (Nov. 5, 2024 and Dec. 14, 2024): approved; invoices of $168,623.70 and $111,834.51 were presented and approved. - CDBG/HOME one-year action plan budget (FY25–26): tabled. - Historic preservation ordinance (first reading): tabled after questions and a request for edits. - Barton Avenue on-street parking amendment (proposed ordinance to prohibit parking on Barton Avenue with limited exceptions): discussion held; motion to table and return with revised language passed. - Region 1 Education Center matching funds ($21,000): approved. - Board appointments: Joe Wagner (Downtown Improvement Board) reappointed; Marcus Cruz appointed to 4B Board (approved). - Executive-session actions: commission voted on items from closed session upon return to open session (motions to proceed recorded as approved).

What happened and why it matters The special-use permit and annexation expand the city’s regulatory and geographic responsibilities. The election invoices represent an unusually large expense for the city tied to the countywide voting transition and high turnout during a presidential year; staff described one-time and transition-related costs that elevated the bill. The commission’s decision to send the historic preservation ordinance and the Barton Avenue parking proposal back to staff reflects commissioners’ preference for clearer, citywide language and protections for mixed-use areas rather than narrow, single-street prohibitions.

What’s next Staff will return with revised parking ordinance language and refinements to the historic-preservation proposal. The Cameron County agreement and election invoices have been approved and will be processed per the city’s normal accounts-payable procedures.

For transparency: all motions and outcomes above match the meeting record; counts and named movers were not provided on many roll calls in the public transcript and are recorded here as presented.