May 13, 2024 City Council Meeting

[1. CALL TO ORDER, ESTABLISH QUORUM]

[00:01:36]

BY MY WATCH, AND WE'RE GOING TO CALL THIS MEETING TO ORDER.

I DO SEE VISIBLY THAT WE HAVE A QUORUM THIS AFTERNOON WITH ALL MEMBERS OF COUNCIL PRESENT. WE'RE GOING TO START THIS EVENING WITH A PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.

[A. Pledge of Allegiance.]

I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS. ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE,

[2. CERTIFICATION OF PUBLIC NOTICE]

ALL RIGHT. ITEM TWO IS CERTIFICATION OF PUBLIC NOTICE.

YES, SIR. MAYOR. THE MEETING WAS POSTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH TEXAS OPEN MEETINGS ACT ON

[3. DISCLOSURE OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST]

SIR. VERY WELL. WE'RE GOING TO MOVE ON TO ITEM THREE, DISCLOSURE OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST.

UNDER STATE LAW, A CONFLICT OF INTEREST EXISTS IF A COUNCIL MEMBER OR CERTAIN MEMBERS OF THAT PERSON'S FAMILY HAS A QUALIFYING FINANCIAL INTEREST IN AN AGENDA ITEM.

IF THERE IS A CONFLICT, THE MEMBER CAN'T PARTICIPATE OR VOTE ON THE

[4. PUBLIC COMMENTS]

ITEM FOUR IS PUBLIC COMMENTS. DO WE HAVE ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS? THERE ARE NO PUBLIC

[5. EXECUTIVE SESSION]

WE'RE GOING TO MOVE ON TO ITEM FIVE.

WE HAVE ONE ITEM COUNCIL IN EXECUTIVE SESSION. CAN I GET A MOTION TO CONVENE AN EXECUTIVE. SO MOVED. SECOND I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND. ALL OPPOSED? SAME SIGN. MOTION CARRIES.

WE WILL NOW CONVENE INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION AT THIS TIME, 531.

[00:08:04]

MAYOR PRO TEM DANIEL DAN DIAZ, COUNCIL MEMBER JASON DELEON, COUNCIL MEMBER DAVID SALAZAR JR.

AND COUNCIL MEMBER DAVID WHITE SITTING IN AS ADVISER, CITY MANAGER MAYRA AYALA AND CITY ATTORNEY OMAR OCHOA.

AND NOW LIVE FROM EDINBURGH CITY HALL, THE EDINBURGH CITY COUNCIL.

GOOD EVENING EVERYBODY.

BY MY WATCH. 6:00 I'M GOING TO CALL THIS MEETING TO ORDER.

I DO SEE VISIBLY THAT WE DO HAVE A QUORUM.

WITH ALL MEMBERS OF COUNCIL PRESENT, WE'RE GOING TO START OFF THIS EVENING, AS WE DO EVERY EVERY MEETING WITH A PRAYER.

WE HAVE PASTOR ORLAN ROSALES FROM A SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH THAT IS HERE TO LEAD US IN PRAYER. IF YOU COULD STEP UP TO THE PODIUM, IF EVERYBODY COULD PLEASE RISE FOR A START OF THE PRAYER.

LET'S BOW OUR HEADS AND PRAY.

DEAR, LOVING AND GRACIOUS FATHER, WE'RE SO THANKFUL TO BE IN THIS PLACE IN THIS MEETING TODAY. AND LORD, WE'RE ASKING YOU TO BE IN THIS PLACE.

MAY YOU, LORD, SEND YOUR HOLY SPIRIT TO TO BE IN THE HEARTS OF EACH OF THE MEMBERS PRESENT IN THIS PLACE. MAY, MAY YOU, LORD, GUIDE THE CONVERSATIONS.

MAY YOU GIVE EVERYONE WISDOM HERE SO AS THEY THINK, AS THEY DISCUSS, AS THEY TALK ABOUT DIFFERENT MATTERS.

MAY EVERYTHING BE FOR THE BENEFIT OF THIS BEAUTIFUL CITY OF EDINBURGH.

SO, LORD, AS WE ASK FOR THIS, WE ALSO ASK THAT YOU MAY BLESS EACH ONE OF US HERE, AND THAT YOU MAY BLESS AND PROSPER EACH OF THE CITIZENS OF THIS BEAUTIFUL CITY.

WE PRAY IN JESUS NAME.

AMEN. AMEN. THANK YOU PASTOR.

[00:10:02]

I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS. ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.

ALL RIGHT. WE'RE GOING TO MOVE ON TO ITEM TWO.

YES, SIR. MAYOR. THE MEETING WAS POSTED IN ACCORDANCE TO TEXAS OPEN MEETINGS ACT ON MAY 3RD, 2024 AT 5:20 P.M., SIR.

VERY WELL. WE'RE GOING TO MOVE ON TO ITEM THREE, DISCLOSURE OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST.

UNDER STATE LAW, A CONFLICT OF INTEREST EXISTS IF A COUNCIL MEMBER OR CERTAIN MEMBERS OF THAT PERSON'S FAMILY HAS A QUALIFYING FINANCIAL INTEREST IN AN AGENDA ITEM.

IF THERE IS A CONFLICT, THE MEMBER CAN'T PARTICIPATE OR VOTE ON THE ITEM. ARE THERE ANY CONFLICTS TO DISCLOSE? NO, SIR. THANK YOU. THANK YOU COUNSEL.

IF IT'S OKAY WITH EVERYBODY, I'M GOING TO SKIP CITY MANAGER. SORRY TO ITEM FIVE. WE HAVE A LOT OF PROCLAMATIONS TODAY. AND I DO WANT TO SAY THAT WE HAVE THE HONOR OF HAVING SENATOR JUAN JOSE HERE WITH US THIS EVENING TO RECOGNIZE A FORMER CITY COMMISSIONER AND FORMER A LOT OF THINGS, BUT IT'S A LEADER IN OUR COMMUNITY THAT WILL BE RECOGNIZED THIS EVENING BY OUR SENATOR.

SO, SENATOR, THE FLOOR IS YOURS IF YOU WANT TO STEP UP.

I UNDERSTAND YOU HAVE A A RECOGNITION YOU WOULD LIKE TO DO THIS EVENING.

THANK YOU, MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS.

YOU'RE ONE OF THE JOYS OF BEING A STATE SENATOR IS RECOGNIZING OUTSTANDING CITIZENS WHO HAVE MADE A CONTRIBUTION TO NOT ONLY OUR CITY, OUR COMMUNITY, BUT OUR STATE.

AND THIS GENTLEMAN THAT WE'RE HONORING TONIGHT WITH MY PROCLAMATION, LIONEL ARON PENA, SENIOR.

AND IT'S REALLY AMAZING.

IT'S ONLY A LITTLE BIT OLDER THAN ME.

NOT THAT MUCH RIGHT BEHIND HIM.

BUT I HAVE TO TELL YOU THAT WHEN YOU LOOK AT HIS ACCOMPLISHMENTS, WHAT HE'S BEEN ABLE TO DO FOR THE CITY OF EDINBURGH, HE IS RECOGNIZED AS SOMEONE THAT HAS MADE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF THE CITIZENS OF EDINBURGH. THEY POINT OUT HE IS HONORED AND ADMIRED IN THE LEGAL PROFESSION.

WHEN I GO TO THE COURTHOUSE, I'M ALWAYS AMAZED TO SEE HIM RUN AROUND WITH A WHOLE BUNCH OF FILES GOING FROM COURT TO COURT TO COURT.

SO FOR US YOUNGER ATTORNEYS, THERE ARE THINGS RELEVANT IN TERMS OF YOUNGER. IT'S REALLY IN GENERAL SUCH RESPECT AND ADMIRATION FOR SOMEONE THAT HAS HIS ENERGY, SOMEONE THAT MAKES TIME TO TALK TO US, MENTOR US AND TEACH US ABOUT THE DIFFERENT COURTS AND DIFFERENT JUDGES HOW THEY ARE.

BUT IN ADDITION TO THAT, HE HAS DEVOTED HIS LIFE TO PUBLIC SERVICE.

PEOPLE DON'T KNOW THAT HE AT ONE TIME WAS MAYOR PRO TEM OF THIS GREAT CITY OF EDINBURGH. HE WAS ALSO ON THE CITY COMMISSION.

BUT IT'S IMPORTANT. HE WAS ALSO CITY ATTORNEY.

HE WAS CITY ATTORNEY FOR EDINBURGH.

HE ALSO SERVED AS ATTORNEY FOR THE HOSPITAL HERE IN EDINBURGH.

SO HERE'S A MAN THAT'S VERY UNIQUE, VERY SPECIAL TO THIS COMMUNITY.

AND MANY TIMES WE SEE HIM AROUND AND HEY, HE'S JUST ONE OF US AND HE IS.

BUT HE'S GONE BEYOND THE CALL OF DUTY AND GIVING OF HIS LIFE AND GIVING OF HIS EXPERIENCE AND HIS FAMILY TO MAKE THIS CITY A BETTER CITY FOR OUR FAMILIES.

SO FOR ME I WILL NOT READ THE PROCLAMATION, OR MAYBE I'LL LET THE SECRETARY READ IT.

BUT I JUST WANT TO SAY THOSE WORDS ABOUT A VERY SPECIAL MAN WHOM I ADMIRE, HAVE A LOT OF RESPECT, AND I REALLY LOOK UP TO FOR WHAT HE'S DONE AND HIS ACCOMPLISHMENTS.

SO I WOULD LIKE TO CALL MR. JANELLE. I DID NOT KNOW THERE WAS A FIRST NAME, SO I ASKED HIM, JANELLE, I NEVER KNEW YOUR NAME.

COME UP HERE. MR. PENA, THANK YOU.

SANDRA. THANK YOU FOR THOSE KIND WORDS.

NOW, WHEN I FIRST SAW THAT HIS FIRST NAME WAS JANELLE, EVERYBODY KNOWS WAS AARON.

AARON. SO IT'S REALLY AMAZING WHAT YOU LEARN MORE AND MORE WHEN YOU DIG INTO A PERSON'S ACCOMPLISHMENTS. SO ON BEHALF OF THE TEXAS SENATE, I WOULD LIKE TO PRESENT YOU THIS PROCLAMATION.

AND I'M GOING TO READ PART OF IT BECAUSE I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT THERE ARE NOT TOO MANY PROCLAMATIONS AND RESOLUTIONS THAT I PRESENT PERSONALLY, BUT THIS IS VERY SPECIAL TO ME.

THE STATE OF TEXAS HEREBY COMMENDS AARON DON'T PAY A SENIOR.

ON HIS REMARKABLE ACHIEVEMENTS AND MANY CONTRIBUTIONS TO EDINBURGH AND TO THE STATE OF TEXAS, AND EXTEND TO HIM BEST WISHES FOR THE FUTURE.

AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT A COPY OF THIS PROCLAMATION BE PREPARED FOR HIM AS AN EXPRESSION OF HIGH REGARD FROM THE TEXAS SENATE.

WE HAVE A LOT OF RESPECT FOR PEOPLE LIKE AARON PENA JUNIOR ON BEHALF OF THE TEXAS SENATE. THANK YOU. JERRY.

[00:15:03]

ONE. TWO. THREE. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU MAYOR. THANK YOU.

MAYOR. MAY I ASK, WITH YOUR PERMISSION, TO CITY COUNCIL, TO HAVE THE PROCLAMATION READ? YES, I WILL BE READING THE PROCLAMATION NUMBER 97.

WE DO HAVE A PROCLAMATION FOR MR. LIONEL ARON PENA, YEAH, BUT THAT CAN BE FOUND IN OUR AGENDA PACKET.

WHEREAS THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS IS PLEASED TO RECOGNIZE LIONEL ARON PENA SR ON HIS DISTINGUISHED LEGAL CAREER AND HIS OUTSTANDING CIVIC LEADERSHIP IN EDINBURG.

AND WHEREAS MR. PENA IS AN ESTEEMED ATTORNEY AND LEGAL EXPERT WHO HAS MADE EXTRAORDINARY CONTRIBUTIONS TO HIS PROFESSION AND TO HIS COMMUNITY OVER THE COURSE OF HIS CAREER.

FOR MORE THAN 60 YEARS, HE HAS DEVOTED HIS LIFE TO PURSUING JUSTICE AND TO SERVING OTHERS, AND HE HAS LABORED TO REPRESENT THE INTERESTS OF HIS COMMUNITY. HOURS AFTER GRADUATING FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN SCHOOL OF LAW, HE BEGAN HIS LEGAL CAREER AT A LAW FIRM IN EDINBURG, AND SOON AFTER HE BECAME A PARTNER IN A PRIVATE PRACTICE HE HELPED TO LAUNCH.

HE SERVED AS AN ATTORNEY AND COUNSELOR OF THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS AND THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT, AND HAS PRACTICED LAW ACROSS THE NATION.

AND WHEREAS A CHAMPION FOR INCLUSION IN POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT, LEONEL UNDERSTOOD THE VALUE OF PARTICIPATION PARTICIPATORY DEMOCRACY AS A DETERRENT TO SEGREGATION.

HE SERVED SIX YEARS AS MAYOR PRO TEMPORE OF EDINBURG AND HAS SERVED AS PRESIDENT OF THE EDINBURG CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, AND FOR MANY YEARS HE PROVIDED LEGAL REPRESENTATION FOR EDINBURG HOSPITAL.

THE EDINBURG CONSOLIDATED CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL DISTRICT AND THE CITY OF EDINBURGH, AND WAS NOTED FOR HIS GENEROSITY AND COMMUNITY ACTIVISM.

LIONEL HAS CONTRIBUTED HIS TIME TO NUMEROUS NONPROFITS AND PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS.

HE HAS SERVED AS PRESIDENT OF THE EDINBURG LIONS CLUB AND AS PRESIDENT OF THE CORPUS CHRISTI DIOCESE COUNCIL OF CATHOLIC MEN, AND HE HAS BEEN A BOARD MEMBER OF THE SOUTH TEXAS HIGHER EDUCATION AUTHORITY FOR NEARLY FIVE DECADES.

AND WHEREAS A MAN OF WISDOM, COURAGE AND INTEGRITY, LIONEL IS AN EXCEPTIONAL LEADER AND VISIONARY, AND HE IS A SOURCE OF INSPIRATION TO HIS COLLEAGUES, HIS FRIENDS, AND TO THE MEMBERS OF HIS EDINBURG COMMUNITY.

HIS EXAMPLE WILL ENCOURAGE FUTURE GENERATIONS OF YOUNG LEADERS IN THE LONE STAR STATE.

MR. PENA, AS BEFORE YOU SPEAK, WE WILL PRESENT YOU ALSO, AS THE CITY SECRETARY ALLUDED TO, A PROCLAMATION FROM THE CITY AS WELL THAT I'VE JUST SIGNED THIS EVENING NOT TO STEP ON THE SENATOR'S SHOES HERE, BUT IT'S I THINK IT'S ONLY APPROPRIATE THAT WE ALSO PROVIDE YOU AND ISSUE A PROCLAMATION ON BEHALF OF OUR CITY TO ADD TO THE SENATE PROCLAMATION.

AND I DIDN'T I DIDN'T HEAR IT READ.

BUT, YOU KNOW, LOOKING AT YOUR PROCLAMATION, THE SENATOR'S RIGHT.

THERE IS A LOT OF THINGS. ALL I REMEMBER WHEN I FIRST MET MR. PENA, HE SAID, I USED TO BE A CITY COMMISSIONER.

SO IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE REACH OUT TO ME.

SO. AND THAT WAS 24 YEARS AGO WHEN I FIRST MOVED TO EDINBURGH.

SO HE'S ALWAYS BEEN SOMEBODY THAT'S BEEN THERE FOR THE COMMUNITY IN ANY WAY, SHAPE OR FORM WITH OUR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

I THINK HE ALSO HEADED UP THE JAYCEES HERE IN OUR CITY.

AND WHAT A LOT OF YOU MAY NOT KNOW, AND I'M GOING TO HIGHLIGHT THIS, THAT'S IN OUR PROCLAMATION, IS THAT HE ALSO WORKED WITH A BISHOP IN THE TRANSFER OF LAND WHERE THE SHRINE SITS RIGHT NOW.

OKAY, SO HE HAD A HAND ON THAT AS WELL.

SO MR. PENA, THANK YOU FOR YOUR MANY YEARS OF SERVICE HERE.

TO OUR CITY, TO OUR COMMUNITY, TO OUR REGION, AND TO REALLY THE STATE AND OUR WHOLE COUNTRY.

WE SINCERELY APPRECIATE ALL YOU HAVE DONE HERE IN OUR CITY AND FOR HELPING IT BECOME WHAT IT IS TODAY. SO AN HONOR AND A PLEASURE.

THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR. GENTLEMEN.

THANK YOU SENATOR. SO WE'RE GOING TO GO DOWN THERE TO TAKE A PICTURE WITH YOU, IF THAT'S OKAY WITH YOU.

LET'S TAKE A BIG PICTURE. WE CAN'T LET YOU LEAVE WITHOUT THAT ONE MOMENT WHEN YOU DRIVE OR THIS.

IS WHAT YOU DO. IS THAT RIGHT? YEAH. THAT'S RIGHT. OH, THERE'S A LOT.

OF PEOPLE. OVER HERE. YES.

[00:20:14]

ALL RIGHT.

YOU KNOW WHAT? OH, OKAY.

ALL RIGHT. WE'RE GOING TO MOVE ON TO ITEM B OF OUR PROCLAMATION.

SO WE HAVE ANOTHER PROCLAMATION HERE FOR THIS EVENING.

ITEM B IS PRESENTATION OF PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING THE AGE FRIENDLY RIO GRANDE VALLEY INITIATIVE AS REQUESTED BY DOCTOR SUDARSHAN.

POSSIBILITY. PROFESSOR UTRGV SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK.

WHEREAS THE AGE FRIENDLY CITY A.F.C.

INITIATIVE IS AN ALL INCLUSIVE AND ENGAGING, ENGAGING MOVEMENT OF CITIES AND COMMUNITIES FOCUSED ON BUILDING AND SHAPING A PHYSICAL AND SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT THAT FOSTERS FRIENDLINESS AND LIVABILITY WHILE CREATING OPPORTUNITIES FOR ACTIVE AGING AND ENRICHING LIVES. AND WHEREAS RIO GRANDE VALLEY COMMUNITIES ARE STILL YOUNG, BUT THE OLDER ADULT POPULATION INCREASES DURING THE WINTER MONTHS AND ALIGNS WITH GLOBAL PROJECTIONS WHICH ANTICIPATE THE POPULATION AGE 60 AND ABOVE WILL REACH NEARLY 2 BILLION BY 2050. AND WHEREAS THE AGE FRIENDLY RIO GRANDE VALLEY INITIATIVE, LED BY DOCTOR SUDARSHAN PASUPULETI, PROFESSOR OF UTRGV SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK, AND HIS TEAM WITH A SEED GRANT AND IN COLLABORATION WITH RGV AREA AGENCY ON AGING, CONSISTENT WITH WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATIONS AND AARP'S AGE FRIENDLY CITY FRAMEWORK, ENCOURAGES CITIES AND COUNTIES TO PROMOTE AGE FRIENDLY COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT THE RIO GRANDE VALLEY. AND WHEREAS ACTIVE AGING IS A LIFELONG PROCESS WHEREBY AN AGE FRIENDLY COMMUNITY IS NOT ELDERLY FRIENDLY, BUT ALSO INTENDED TO BE FRIENDLY FOR ALL AGES, WHILE FOSTERING ENVIRONMENTS THAT HONOR, SUPPORT, AND INTEGRATE OLDER ADULTS INTO ALL ASPECTS OF SOCIAL LIFE THROUGH ALL INCLUSIVE INFRASTRUCTURE, POLICIES, WORKPLACES, HEALTHCARE AND SOCIAL SERVICES.

AND WHEREAS, THE AGE FRIENDLY CITY COMMUNITY FRAMEWORK ENDEAVORS TO RECOGNIZE AND ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF INDIVIDUALS ACROSS ALL AGE GROUPS, IRRESPECTIVE OF THEIR CAPABILITIES AND CAPACITIES.

THESE COMMUNITIES PROMOTE ACTIVE AGING BY MAXIMIZING OPPORTUNITIES FOR HEALTH, ACTIVITY AND SECURITY WITHIN THEIR LIVING ENVIRONMENTS.

AND WHEREAS THE CITY COUNCIL OF EDINBURGH IS DEDICATED TO ENSURING THE NEEDS AND INTERESTS OF ALL RESIDENTS ARE SERVED AND AS AGE FRIENDLY COMMUNITY, THEY WILL TAKE THE LEAD IN OPTIMIZING OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL AGES.

NOW, THEREFORE, THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EDINBURGH, BY THE POWER VESTED IN THEM BY LAW, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM THAT THE CITY OF EDINBURGH IS AN AGE FRIENDLY CITY COMMITTED TO PROMOTING, CREATING AND SUSTAINING COMMUNITIES FOR ALL AGES AND SUPPORT THE AGE FRIENDLY RIO GRANDE VALLEY INITIATIVE.

THANK YOU. I FIRST OF ALL, I WANT TO THANK THE CITY COUNCIL AND ALL THE COMMISSIONERS AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE CITY WHO HAVE RECOGNIZED THIS EFFORT THAT IS INITIATED A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO IN THE RIO GRANDE VALLEY TO MOBILIZE CITIES AND COMMUNITIES SO THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF AGE FRIENDLY CITY AND COMMUNITY FRAMEWORK AND THEN UNDERTAKE THE EFFORTS TO PROMOTE SUPPORTIVE, ENABLING AND FRIENDLY ENVIRONMENT FOR THE OLDER POPULATION IN OUR CITY.

SO THIS INITIATIVE IS SUPPORTED BY INITIALLY BY OUR SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK WITH A SEED GRANT. AND THE PURPOSE WAS TO ENGAGE THE COMMUNITY.

SO THAT'S WHAT IS HAPPENING ACROSS THE VALLEY.

AND WE'RE TRYING TO WORK WITH THE CITIES AND COMMUNITIES.

SO AND THE DIFFERENT STAKEHOLDERS SO THAT, YOU KNOW, THEY ARE INVOLVED IN THE EFFORT TO PROMOTE AGE FRIENDLY CITY HERE, NOT ONLY IN EDINBURGH BUT ALSO IN OTHER CITIES AS WELL.

THIS IS A VALLEY WIDE INITIATIVE AND I'M GETTING A GREAT RESPONSE AND INCLUDING THE CITY OF EDINBURGH FROM HERE.

THE NEXT DOOR TO OUR UNIVERSITY, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK EVERY ONE OF YOU AND ALSO THE COMMUNITY FOR EXTENDING ITS SUPPORT.

IT IS A COMMUNITY EFFORT.

IT'S NOT A ONE INDIVIDUAL EFFORT, SO ALL NEED TO GET INVOLVED AND THEN SUPPORT IT SO THAT OUR ELDERLY PEOPLE CAN LIVE IN THIS COMMUNITY, IN THIS CITY, HAPPILY AND VERY HAPPILY AND WITH ENJOYMENT.

I WANT TO THANK ONCE AGAIN ALL OF YOU AND AND APPRECIATE FOR YOU RECOGNIZING THIS.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU.

[00:25:03]

A LOT OF THINGS THAT SENIORS CAN DO THERE.

THEIR ACTIVITIES EXERCISES.

CHECK IT OUT. CALL THE PARKS AND REC.

THANK YOU. ARE WE GOING TO MOVE ON TO ITEM C? WE HAVE ANOTHER PROCLAMATION PRESENTATION OF PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING MAY 5TH THROUGH 11, 2024 AS HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS WEEK.

WHEREAS GOVERNOR GREG ABBOTT HAS DECLARED THE WEEK OF MAY 5TH THROUGH 11, 2024 AS HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS WEEK IN TEXAS.

AND WHEREAS IN THE PAST FEW YEARS, CATASTROPHIC HURRICANES HAVE HAD A DEVASTATING EFFECT ON TEXAS AND OUR NEIGHBORING NEIGHBORING STATES, WHEREAS HURRICANES POSE SERIOUS THREATS TO TEXANS PRODUCING HEAVY WINDS, TORRENTIAL RAINS, AND INLAND FLOODING AND TORNADOES.

AND WHY IS IT IMPORTANT THAT ALL TEXANS BE AWARE OF THE DANGERS THEY PRESENT, PARTICULARLY TO COASTAL REGIONS? AND WHEREAS HURRICANES ARE MOST LIKELY TO OCCUR BETWEEN JUNE 1ST AND NOVEMBER 30TH, AND WHEREAS, WE MUST REMAIN VIGILANT AND PLAN AND PREPARE TO LESSEN THE LOSS OF LIFE AND MINIMIZE PROPERTY DAMAGE, WHEREAS BOTH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE ENTITIES SHOULD DEVELOP EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND RECOVERY PLANS IN ACCORDANCE WITH LOCAL JURISDICTIONS AND LOCAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT OFFICES.

WHEREAS, THE GOVERNOR'S DIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE AND THE FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY HAVE JOINED TOGETHER, URGING ALL CITIZENS TO PREPARE FOR HURRICANES AND TO EDUCATE THEMSELVES ON HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS AND SAFETY STRATEGIES. AND WHEREAS THE LEADERS OF THE CITY OF EDINBURGH STRONGLY SUGGEST THAT ALL RESIDENTS AND VISITORS TO THE AREA PREPARE AND EDUCATE THEMSELVES OF THE POTENTIAL DANGERS OF HURRICANES AND TROPICAL STORMS. NOW, THEREFORE, THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EDINBURGH, TEXAS, BY THE POWER VESTED IN THEM BY LAW, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM THE WEEK OF MAY 5TH THROUGH 11, 2024, AS HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS WEEK IN THE CITY OF EDINBURGH, AND ENCOURAGE THE PUBLIC TO PARTICIPATE IN HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS ACTIVITIES TO BE BETTER PREPARED IN THE EVENT OF A HURRICANE. EDINBURG FIRE CHIEF.

THIS PROCLAMATION IS JUST TO BRING AWARENESS TO HURRICANE SEASON, WHICH IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER STARTING JUNE. THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IS ANTICIPATING A PRETTY BUSY HURRICANE SEASON THIS YEAR, SO WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE COMMUNITY IS PREPARED. THEY'RE ANTICIPATING 25 NAMED STORMS, 11 HURRICANES, FIVE HURRICANES BEING ABOVE A CATEGORY THREE AND BETWEEN 5 TO 6 HURRICANES MAKING LANDFALL ANYWHERE AMONG THE MAINLAND UNITED STATES.

SO JUST LET THE COMMUNITY WHERE TO BE AWARE OF START PREPARING FOR HURRICANES, YOU KNOW, GET THEIR EMERGENCY KITS READY, WATER GENERATORS, BATTERIES, YOU KNOW, ESSENTIALS, FIRST AID KITS, FOODS.

AND KEEP AWARE OF THE WEATHER SITUATION, WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE COMMUNITY. WE'LL ALSO BE HAVING A PRESS CONFERENCE AT THE END OF THE MONTH. ALSO ADDRESSING THE HURRICANE SEASON THAT'S COMING UP WITH THE MAYOR AND SOME OTHER CITY OFFICIALS.

SO AGAIN, JUST TO BE AWARE OF THE SITUATION AND BE AWARE OF THE WEATHER, AND IF THE CITIZENS HAVE ANY CONCERNS OF ANYTHING THAT'S IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. SO FEEL FREE TO CONTACT THE CITY AND SO WE CAN ADDRESS THEM.

THANK YOU MAYOR. THANK YOU CHIEF. THANK YOU OMAR.

SO YOU'RE SAYING WE'RE GOING TO FILL UP THE RESERVOIRS THIS YEAR? HOPEFULLY, LIKE JUST THE ONE WITH RAIN, RIGHT? NO WIND, NO, NO DESTRUCTION. BUT WE COULD USE THE RAIN FOR SURE. A LITTLE RAIN EVENT. YES, SIR. YES, SIR. OUR STAGE TWO NOW.

THANK YOU CHIEF. THANK YOU.

ALL RIGHT. ITEM D, WE HAVE ANOTHER PROCLAMATION PRESENTATION PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING MAY 6TH THROUGH 10TH AS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WEEK.

WHEREAS MORE THAN 100,000 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OR RELATED PROFESSIONALS WORLDWIDE ARE COMMITTED TO CREATING, RETAINING AND EXPANDING TOP TIER OPPORTUNITIES TO FACILITATE LONG TERM, EQUITABLE COMMUNITY GROWTH.

AND WHEREAS THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROFESSION CULTIVATES THRIVING NEIGHBORHOODS, CHAMPIONS SUSTAINABILITY AND RESILIENCE, BOOSTS ECONOMIC PROSPERITY, ENHANCES THE QUALITY OF LIFE, AND BUILDS ROBUST TAX BASES.

AND WHEREAS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROFESSIONALS OPERATE THROUGHOUT DIVERSE ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENTS, INCLUDING RURAL, SUBURBAN AND URBAN SETTINGS, LOCAL, STATE, PROVINCIAL AND NATIONAL GOVERNMENTS, PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS, CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE, INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION, AMONG MANY SIMILAR ORGANIZATIONS AND ASSOCIATIONS.

AND WHEREAS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROFESSIONALS SERVE AS STEWARDS, BRINGING BRIDGING CONNECTIONS BETWEEN COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS SUCH AS RESIDENTS, BUSINESS LEADERS, ELECTED OFFICIALS, INDUSTRY EXECUTIVES, AND EDUCATIONAL ADMINISTRATIONS TO COLLABORATE IN PROMOTING JOB CREATION, COMMUNITY INVESTMENTS, INFRASTRUCTURE AND ADVANCEMENTS, AND OPTIMISTIC FUTURE. AND WHEREAS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPERS CONTRIBUTE TO THE BETTERMENT AND PROGRESS OF EDINBURGH WITHIN THE STATE OF TEXAS OF HIDALGO COUNTY, AND WHEREAS, SINCE 1926, THE INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL HAS BEEN A LEADER AND DRIVING FORCE IN ADVANCING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES WITH A STEADFAST COMMITMENT TO FOSTERING GROWTH AND PROSPERITY IN COMMUNITIES OF ALL SIZES WORLDWIDE THROUGH EQUITY, INCLUSION, SUSTAINABILITY, RESILIENCE AND INNOVATION.

NOW, THEREFORE, THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EDINBURG, TEXAS, BY THE POWER VESTED IN ME BY LAW, DO HEREBY RECOGNIZE MAY 6TH THROUGH TEN, 2024, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WEEK AND REMIND THE PUBLIC OF THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS COMMUNITY CELEBRATION, WHICH SUPPORTS EXPANDING OPPORTUNITIES, BETTERING LIVES, AND MOVING SOCIETY FORWARD.

MAYOR COUNCILMAN, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS WONDERFUL PROCLAMATION.

I THINK SINCE 1990, EDINBURG HAS HAD AN EDC AND HAS CREATED THOUSANDS OF JOBS IN THIS COMMUNITY. AND SO THIS WEEK, WE'RE VERY EXCITED TO CELEBRATE THE THE

[00:30:03]

I THINK WE ALL SEE EVERY DAY HOW MUCH EDINBURG IS GROWING.

WE HAD A REALLY NICE MEETING TODAY AND WE HAD PEOPLE, REALTORS AND OTHERS, INVESTORS AND DEVELOPERS HERE TALKING ABOUT WHAT WE CAN DO TO CONTINUE TO GROW EDINBURG IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

AND WITH THE INPUT FROM THE 2040 COMMITTEES AND OTHERS, I THINK WE ARE SEEING EDINBURG ON THE CUSP OF BECOMING AN EVEN GREATER AND MORE ECONOMICALLY VIBRANT CITY OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL YEARS.

WITH US TODAY, WE HAVE OUR CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS, MR. RAUL RESENDEZ, SABRINA WALKER HERNANDEZ.

RICHARD GONZALEZ IS RUNNING HERE.

I KNOW WE HAD SOMEONE ELSE HERE. I THOUGHT WE HAD SOMEONE ELSE HERE. AND OF COURSE, OF COURSE, THE MAN WHO.

THE MAN WHO WEARS TWO HATS, DAN DIAZ.

AND THEN WE ALSO HAVE THE STAFF HERE FROM THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OFFICE.

JACKIE, SAMANTHA, LETTY AND RANDALL.

OF COURSE, WHO WORK DAY IN AND DAY OUT.

VERY HARD TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE GOING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. SO THANK YOU ALL SO VERY MUCH FOR RECOGNIZING THIS WEEK AND LET'S KEEP EDINBURGH GROWING.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. ITEM E PRESENTATION OF PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING MAY 6TH THROUGH 12, 2020 AS NATIONAL NURSES WEEK OF. YOU ARE HERE FOR THE PROCLAMATION, PLEASE STEP UP TO THE PODIUM. REPRESENTING THE PROCLAMATION FOR NATIONAL NURSES WEEK.

DO WE HAVE SOMEBODY HERE? IT WAS.

YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE WORST THINGS THAT CAN HAPPEN WHILE YOU'RE DRIVING THIS.

SCIENTISTS CALL IT A MICROSLEEP A PROBLEM WHEN YOU START TO GET DROWSY.

THERE'S NO WAY TO KNOW WHEN YOU'LL SLIP INTO ONE OF THESE MICROSLEEPS.

BIGGER PROBLEM AT 70MPH.

YOU TRAVEL OVER 100FT EVERY SECOND.

SO IF YOU NOD OFF FOR EVEN A FRACTION OF A SECOND, YOU COULD END UP HERE OR HERE OR HERE.

SO DON'T IGNORE THE EARLY WARNING SIGNS.

WHEN THEY START, IT'S TIME TO STOP.

REVIVE. SURVIVE.

THE PROJECT IS A JOINT PROJECT WITH THE CITY OF MCALLEN.

WE ARE ACTUALLY THE LEAD ON THAT PROJECT AND OUR PARTNER TOGETHER.

WE APPLIED FOR A GRANT FOR FROM THE MPO, WHICH WE RECEIVED $800,000 FOR APPROXIMATELY, AND THE TOTAL PROJECT COST ABOUT 2.7 PER SHARE OF $750,000 FROM THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE, RESPECTIVELY. IT'S A CONTINUATION OF OUR TRAILS. WE CURRENTLY HAVE A TRAIL COMING FROM ALONG JACKSON ROAD FROM CHASING ALL THE WAY DOWN TO WISCONSIN, WHICH IS WHERE WE'RE AT.

BUT WE ACTUALLY EXTENDED IT IN 2021 WISCONSIN ALL THE WAY TO SUGAR ROAD.

[00:35:02]

AND IT'S A GOOD CONNECTIVITY FOR BOTH MUNICIPALITIES.

A CONTRACT HAS ALREADY BEEN AWARDED BY THE COUNTY, AND WE'RE LOOKING AT BREAKING GROUND IN FEBRUARY.

THE PROJECT THAT'S APPROXIMATELY ABOUT 180 DAYS.

WE WANT PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY TO STAY ACTIVE.

WE'VE BEEN EXPANDING OUR TRAILS.

WE HAVE THIS ONE THAT'S COMING UP IN FEBRUARY. WE HAVE A COUPLE MORE THAT ARE IN DESIGN, AND WE'RE LOOKING AT BREAKING GROUND SOMETIME THIS YEAR.

IT'S A CONTINUATION OF AN EFFORT FROM OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS AND OURSELVES AND STAFF TO HELP THE COMMUNITY BE MORE ACTIVE.

OKAY. I THINK WE ARE READY TO GET THIS SHOW ON THE ROAD.

GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE, AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

IT'S ANOTHER WONDERFUL AND AMAZING DAY IN THE CITY OF EDINBURGH.

I'M ROXANNE LERMA, THE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS AND MEDIA FOR THIS AWESOME CITY. AND PROUD TO BE YOUR EMCEE FOR TONIGHT.

SO TODAY WE GATHER TO UNVEIL SOMETHING THAT'S TRULY SPECIAL IN OUR COMMUNITY THIS PARK.

A NEW CITY SCHOOL GREEN SPACE.

THIS IS REALLY TEAMWORK AT ITS BEST BECAUSE THE CITY PITCHED IN AND THEN WE HAD FUNDING THAT CAME FROM THE SCHOOL DISTRICT, AND THEN WE GOT SOME MONEY FROM COUNTY, AND THEN SOME OF IT CAME FROM A GRANT.

AND IT JUST SHOWS WHAT CAN HAPPEN WHEN WE ALL REALLY WORK TOGETHER.

AND THE RESULT IS, IS THIS THIS AMAZING PAVILION, A PARK, A SPLASH PAD, NEW RESTROOMS NEW FIELDS,

[00:40:02]

IT'S OUR COMMITMENT TO A BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE FOR EACH AND EVERY CITIZEN IN EDINBURG, AND WE ARE SO EXCITED ABOUT THAT.

LET'S BEGIN TODAY, AS WE SHOULD IN PRAYER.

IF YOU COULD PLEASE STAND FOR THAT.

MAYOR PRO TEM DAN DIAZ WILL LEAD US IN THE INVOCATION.

IF WE COULD ALL PRAY TOGETHER TO BOW OUR HEADS. DEAR GOD, THANK YOU FOR THIS BEAUTIFUL EVENING.

THANK YOU FOR ALL THE PEOPLE THAT CAME TOGETHER TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN.

I WANT TO ASK FOR YOUR BLESSING ON THESE SCHOOL GROUNDS, ON THIS CITY SCHOOL COUNTY COLLABORATION.

LET THIS PLACE BE ONE THAT CREATES BEAUTIFUL MEMORIES FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.

AND WE ASK ALL THIS IN YOUR NAME.

AMEN. IF YOU COULD PLEASE REMAIN STANDING.

THIS STUDENT COUNCIL PRESIDENT, SOPHIA CANAS, WILL LEAD US IN THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.

I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS.

ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL. HONOR THE TEXAS FLAG.

I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THEE.

TEXAS. ONE STATE UNDER GOD, ONE AND INDIVISIBLE.

PLEASE REMAIN STANDING FOR A MOMENT OF SILENCE.

YOU MAY NOW BE SEATED.

THANK YOU, MISS SOPHIA.

YOU'RE AWESOME. SO, BEFORE WE CONTINUE, I'D LIKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE SOME SPECIAL GUESTS JOINING US TODAY, BEGINNING, OF COURSE, WITH OUR EDINBURG CITY COUNCIL MAYOR RAMIRO GARZA JUNIOR.

OUR MAYOR PRO TEM. YOU HEARD FROM HIM, DAN DIAZ.

COUNCILMAN JASON DELEON.

COUNCILMAN DAVID SALAZAR.

AND COUNCILMAN DAVID WHITE.

ALSO OUR COMMISSIONER.

PRECINCT FOUR, MISS ELLIE TORRES.

EC, ISD BOARD PRESIDENT, MISS CARMEN GONZALEZ.

OUR SUPERINTENDENT. ALWAYS WITH US, DOCTOR MARIO SALINAS.

ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT OF SUPPORT SERVICES, DOCTOR ANTHONY GARZA. ASSISTANT SUPER OF FINANCE ADELE FELIX.

ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT OF CURRICULUM DOCTOR EVA TORRES.

ASSISTANT SUPER OF TECHNOLOGY DOCTOR EDUARDO MORENO.

OF COURSE, WE HAVE SOME SCHOOL BOARD TRUSTEES, MISS LETTY FLORES. MISS MINGA VELA AND MISS LETTY GARCIA.

DAGOBERTO PEREZ FROM RIO UNITED BUILDERS.

RUDY MOLINA, MILNET ARCHITECTS.

OUR EC, ISD POLICE CHIEF, RICK PEREZ.

AND WE CAN'T LEAVE THEM OUT.

OUR DE ZAVALA CHOIR AND CHEERLEADERS.

YAY! THEY GOT THE BIGGEST CHEER.

AND NOW I WOULD LIKE TO WELCOME OUR MAYOR, RAMIRO GARZA JUNIOR, FOR THE OFFICIAL WELCOME REMARKS.

THANK YOU. GOOD EVENING EVERYONE.

WHAT AN EXCITING EVENING, ISN'T IT? LET'S HEAR FOR THE CHEERLEADERS AND THE CHOIR. HERE. LOOK AT THAT.

AWESOME. THAT'S SO EXCITING.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, MY NAME IS RAMIRO GARZA, AND I'M SO PROUD TO SERVE AS MAYOR OF THIS GREAT CITY OF EDINBURGH.

THIS HERE TODAY, WHAT WE'RE CELEBRATING RIGHT NOW IS WHAT OUR COMMUNITY, WHAT EDINBURGH IS ALL ABOUT.

WE HAVE THE CITY OF EDINBURGH THAT THAT IS HERE.

THAT IS COME AND PARTNERED WITH OUR EDINBURG CISD HERE AT OUR DISTRICT AND WITH OUR COUNTY COMMISSIONER, ELLIE TORRES.

THIS WOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED WITHOUT THESE THREE ENTITIES COMING TOGETHER.

YOU DESERVE NOTHING LESS THAN THAT.

OUR ENTITIES WORKING TOGETHER, COLLABORATING,

[00:45:02]

BUT WHEN IT CAME BEFORE US, WE KEPT ON ADDING TO IT, RIGHT? WE KEPT ON SAYING, WELL, WHAT ABOUT THIS? WHAT ABOUT THAT? AND EVERY STEP OF THE WAY, I WANT TO THANK OUR CITY COUNCIL OF COURSE, OUR ADMINISTRATION, BECAUSE WE WANTED TO FIGURE OUT A WAY HOW DO WE MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE HERE IN THIS PARK, WHAT WE HAVE ALL THROUGHOUT OUR CITY BECAUSE OUR RESIDENTS DESERVE THAT.

EVERYONE HERE DESERVES THAT AND WE MADE IT HAPPEN.

THANKS TO THE PARTNERSHIP BY NOT JUST THE CITY OF EDINBURGH, OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT AND OUR COUNTY COMMISSIONER. LET'S GIVE A HAND TO BOTH ENTITIES FOR COMING TOGETHER AS THE WAY THEY DID.

AS WAS MENTIONED. AND WE'RE GOING TO GO OVER THAT.

THIS WILL BE HAVING A SPLASH PAD.

THESE RESTROOMS IS WALKING RUNNING TRAILS.

SO ALL OF YOU SIGNING UP FOR THE 10-K, YOU CAN COME TRAIN HERE.

OKAY. BASKETBALL COURT, THERE'S METAL ROOF STRUCTURE.

THIS IS AMAZING. YOU KNOW, THE LIGHTS THAT COME WITH IT.

THIS COULD BE USED NOT JUST DURING THE DAY BUT AT NIGHT.

SO WE'RE SO EXCITED ABOUT THAT AND THESE MULTI-USE FIELDS.

AND WE WERE SO ALWAYS JAVIER GARZA GOING TO COME BEFORE YOU ALWAYS LOOKING FOR PLACES NOT JUST TO HAVE GAMES BUT WORKING.

OUR KIDS TRAIN WORKING OUR KIDS GO OUT AND PRACTICE.

THIS YEAR THIS PARK WILL HAVE THAT ABILITY JUST LIKE OTHER AREAS IN OUR COMMUNITY.

AND I'M SO GRATEFUL TO EVERYONE THAT TOOK PART.

WE MENTIONED THE FUNDING ENTITIES, BUT YOU KNOW, WE HAVE OUR CITY STAFF.

I DO WANT TO RECOGNIZE TOM REYNA AND ALL OUR CITY STAFF.

LET'S GIVE A HAND TO THEM FOR ALL THE PLANNING AND DESIGN THAT WORSE.

TOM. OH, HE'S OVER THERE.

YOU KNOW, THEY'RE THE ONES THAT YOU KNOW, HAVE TO COME UP WITH THE IDEAS AND HAVE TO MAKE SURE THEY FIGURE OUT A WAY TO HAPPEN. SO ON BEHALF OF MYSELF AND THE CITY COUNCIL, THANK YOU TO THE SCHOOL BOARD AGAIN, IN OUR COUNTY AND RESIDENTS OF EDINBURGH, YOU WILL CONTINUE SEEING MORE OF THESE PROJECTS HAPPEN BECAUSE WORKING TOGETHER WE CAN ACCOMPLISH A LOT MORE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU SO MUCH, MAYOR.

OUR MAYOR PRO TEM REMINDED ME THAT I MAY HAVE LEFT SOMEBODY OUT, AND THAT'S OUR PARKS AND REC BOARD MEMBERS.

WE CAN'T DO IT WITHOUT THEM, SO THANK YOU AS WELL.

SO I THINK YOU'VE HEARD ABOUT IT.

WE KEEP TALKING ABOUT HOW THIS COULDN'T BE POSSIBLE WITHOUT SOME PRETTY AMAZING PARTNERSHIPS. SO ON THAT NOTE, PLEASE WELCOME OUR COMMISSIONER, MISS ELLIE TORRES. THANK YOU FOR THAT.

SINCERELY. I JUST WANT TO CONGRATULATE ALL OF US, THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AND THE CITY, AS WELL AS THE COUNTY FOR THIS GREAT PARTNERSHIP. YOU KNOW, TOGETHER, WE CAN ACCOMPLISH SO MUCH MORE LIKE MAYOR MENTIONED EARLIER.

AND WHEN I GOT CALLED ON AND ASKED IF I COULD PITCH IN SO THEY COULD REALLY SEE THIS PARK TO TO WHAT IT WAS CONCEPTUALIZED TO, I SAID, ABSOLUTELY. WE DON'T HAVE A PARK ON THE WEST SIDE OF THE PRECINCT.

I THINK THE NEAREST PARK FROM HERE IS TRES LAGOS, SO THAT'S QUITE A WAYS.

SO AGAIN, I WANT TO CONGRATULATE EVERYONE THAT HAD A SAY IN THIS AND EVERYONE THAT PARTNERED. AND AGAIN, THE MOST BENEFICIARIES, THE THE PEOPLE THAT ARE GOING TO BENEFIT THE MOST ARE YOU, THE TAXPAYERS, YOU, THE CONSTITUENTS THAT LIVE IN THIS AREA UTILIZE THIS PARK TO BUILD MEMORIES WITH YOUR FAMILIES.

I CAN ALREADY SEE QUINCEANERA PRACTICES HERE.

UNDER THIS PAVILION. I CAN SEE BIRTHDAY PARTIES.

I CAN SEE BASKETBALL GAMES.

I CAN SEE FESTIVALS GOING ON FROM THE SCHOOL.

I MEAN, IT'S IT'S A WIN WIN FOR EVERYONE.

SO AGAIN, THANK YOU. EDINBURGH SCHOOL DISTRICT.

THANK YOU, CITY OF EDINBURGH, FOR LOOKING OVER TO THE COUNTY FOR PARTNERSHIP. AND PLEASE COUNT ON IT.

AND LET'S NOT MAKE THIS THE LAST ONE, BUT THE FIRST OF MANY.

THANK YOU. I LIKE THAT THE FIRST OF MANY.

SO ANOTHER BIG PARTNER FOR THIS GREAT PROJECT IS OF COURSE EC ISD.

PLEASE WELCOME MRS. CARMEN GONZALEZ, OUR ISD BOARD PRESIDENT.

WHAT A WONDERFUL NIGHT.

THIS IS A DREAM THAT STARTED, BELIEVE ME, MANY YEARS AGO.

BUT THE FIRST TO HAVE THIS DREAM WAS THE CITY, AND THE SECOND TO HAVE THE DREAM WAS THE DISTRICT.

BECAUSE WE HAD THE LAND AND THEY HAD A LITTLE GRANT THAT THEY WANTED TO HAVE, SOMETHING STARTED. SO WHEN WE WERE LOOKING AT WHO IN THIS COMMUNITY NEEDS IT THE MOST, BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A LOT OF AREAS THAT BUT THEY DON'T HAVE A PARK SOMEWHERE SOMEHOW. SO HOW CAN WE MAKE THE RIGHT DECISION?

[00:50:03]

AND WHAT YOU SEE HERE IS JUST THE BEGINNING OF WHAT THIS PARK IS GOING TO LOOK LIKE IN FIVE YEARS, BECAUSE THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING.

AND AND IT'S IN THE RIGHT PLACE AT THE RIGHT TIME.

THE STUDENTS OF THE SAVALA ELEMENTARY WILL BE THE FIRST ONES TO REALLY, REALLY BENEFIT FROM THE OPPORTUNITY TO COME AND PLAY IN THIS AREA.

SO WE WANT TO THANK EVERYONE THAT HAS ALREADY BEEN RECOGNIZED FOR HAVING THE EFFORT, THE WANT TO, AND THE DESIRE TO DO WHAT IS BEST FOR EVERYBODY.

AND LIKE LET ELLIE SAID THIS WILL NOT BE THE END.

IT IS THE BEGINNING OF FUTURE THINGS TO COME FOR THE COMMUNITY.

AND IT IT TAKES A GROUP OF PEOPLE THAT KNOW WHAT EDUCATION IS ABOUT TO SEE THE VALUE IN A PARK AT THE BEGINNING.

SOMETIMES PEOPLE SAY A PARK, YOU'RE NOT IN THE BUSINESS OF PARKS.

YOU'RE IN THE BUSINESS OF EDUCATION.

WELL GUESS WHAT? STUDENTS LEARN FROM PARTICIPATING IN A PARK.

ALL THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT THEY HAVE, ALL THE ALL THE CULTURE.

ALL ALL THE. OPPORTUNITIES TO HAVE A PARTY HERE.

LOOK AT THE CHEERLEADERS AND AND AND THE CHOIR.

THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE A LOT OF ACTIVITIES HERE.

AND THEY'RE GOING TO REMEMBER THAT FOREVER.

AND THEY WILL TRANSLATE THAT INTO LEARNING.

YOU CAN'T YOU YOU YOU CAN'T TAKE THAT AWAY FROM EVERY EVENT HERE IS GOING TO TRANSLATE INTO LEARNING OF SOME SORT SOMEHOW FOR EVERY STUDENT THAT GOES THROUGH THIS.

SO FOR THAT, WE HOPE THAT WE WILL CONTINUE WORKING TOGETHER, BECAUSE THIS PROJECT TAKES A COMMUNITY OF PEOPLE COMMITTED FOR THE SAME PURPOSE, WHICH IS TO PREPARE THE FUTURE OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT.

IT'S OUR STUDENTS AND YOU, THE PARENTS.

WE WANT TO THANK YOU FOR BRINGING YOUR CHILDREN TO OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT, AND WE WANT TO ASSURE YOU THAT YOUR CHILDREN WILL BE WELL EDUCATED AND WELL PREPARED FOR THE FUTURE. SO WITH THAT, THANK EVERYBODY IN THIS AREA.

THANK YOU FOR BEING PART OF THIS GREAT PARK.

THANK YOU SO MUCH, MISS GONZALEZ.

AND IT IS AN INCREDIBLE PARTNERSHIP.

AND THE REASON THAT WE'RE DOING THIS AND WORKING SO CLOSELY TOGETHER IS, IS FOR ONE REASON. THAT'S THAT'S THE CHILDREN.

THAT'S THE STUDENTS. AND WHILE I WAS STANDING OFF TO THE SIDE, OUR PRINCIPAL SAID, YOU KNOW, ONE OF OUR STUDENTS WOULD LIKE TO SAY A FEW WORDS. SO PLEASE WELCOME BACK STUDENT COUNCIL PRESIDENT, MISS SOFIA CANAS. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, DISTINGUISHED GUESTS AND OUR INCREDIBLE STUDENT BODY.

TODAY IS A HISTORIC DAY FOR OUR SCHOOL AS WE GATHER TO LAUNCH OUR NEW PARK.

AS YOUR STUDENT COUNCIL PRESIDENT, I'M HONORED TO SHARE IN THIS JOYOUS OCCASION.

THIS PARK SYMBOLIZES OUR SHARED VISION, DETERMINATION AND THE UNITY THAT DEFINES OUR SCHOOL SPIRIT. IT'S MORE THAN A SPACE.

IT'S A CANVAS FOR A VIBRANT, FOR THE VIBRANT TAPESTRY OF OUR SCHOOL LIFE.

AS WE CUT THE RIBBON, ENVISION IT AS A GATEWAY TO ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES WHERE MEMORIES WILL BE MADE, FRIENDSHIPS FORGED, AND JOY EXPERIENCED. LET'S CHERISH, PROTECT AND NURTURE THIS SPACE FOR GENERATIONS TO COME. THANKS TO ALL WHO MADE THIS DREAM A REALITY.

HERE'S TO OUR PAST, FUTURE AND OUR PRESENT.

CHEERS TO A PARK FILLED WITH LAUGHTER, FRIENDSHIPS, AND LIFELONG MEMORIES.

THANK YOU. SOPHIA. YOU ARE AWESOME.

AND I THINK YOU'RE GOING TO BE A FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH. I DON'T KNOW IF ANYBODY COULD HAVE SAID IT ANY BETTER THAN THAT. THAT WAS AWESOME.

SOMEONE THAT'S ALSO SUPER EXCITED ABOUT THESE PARK UPGRADES.

PLEASE WELCOME OUR PARKS DIRECTOR, MR. JAVIER GARZA. GOOD EVENING EVERYBODY.

IT'S A BEAUTIFUL DAY TO DAY. IT'S A HAPPY DAY TODAY.

BUT BEFORE I BEGIN, I WANT TO THANK OUR, OF COURSE, OUR OUR LEADERS FOR ALL THAT YOU DO FOR US, AS WELL AS OUR CITY LEADERS AS WELL.

SO THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING. THIS WOULDN'T BE POSSIBLE WITHOUT YOU GUYS. ALSO, OUR PARKS AND REC BOARD, WE GOT TWO MEMBERS HERE. WE GOT CARLOS ARIZPE. AND FERNANDO DELGADO.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. TOOK SOME POISON, A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY AND SOME OF THE FACTS

[00:55:06]

MY WIFE WAS ONE OF THE FIRST TEACHERS TO TO TO TEACH HERE MANY YEARS AGO.

SHE TAUGHT SECOND GRADE.

SO, IN FACT, ONE OF THE STUDENTS THAT I THAT IS HERE RIGHT NOW WAS TAUGHT BY MY WIFE AND ALSO BY MYSELF. AND I HAVE KIDS IN A IN A SCHOOL DISTRICT AS WELL.

MR. HERNANDEZ, OVER IN THE BACK.

FABIAN. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

GREAT ATHLETE AS WELL.

ALSO, ONE OF OUR EMPLOYEES THAT'S IN CHARGE OF THE WATER PARKS AND ALL THE WATER SYSTEMS. ALSO MY ATHLETE AS WELL IN MIDDLE SCHOOL, NICK VARRIALE.

THANK YOU NICK. THIS WAS ALSO HIS CAMPUS.

SO WE'RE PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THAT NOW WE HAVE A GREAT PLACE TO COME OUT FOR OUR FOR OUR KIDS, FOR OUR CITIZENS TO COME OUT AND AND HAVE A GREAT TIME.

I COACHED DOWN FOR, FOR FOR THREE DECADES, MORE OR LESS.

THE LAST 18 YEARS I COACHED AND ALL THESE KIDS.

AS A MATTER OF FACT, FOR THREE DECADES, I COACHED THE KIDS THAT ALL ZONED TO THIS CAMPUS. BUT THE LAST 18 YEARS THAT I'M DOWN THE STREET HERE AND MY ATHLETES WOULD COME OUT AND ASK ME, COACH, IS THE FIELD GOING TO BE OPEN THIS WEEKEND? I GO, SORRY, I CAN'T, WE GOTTA LOCK IT UP.

AND THEY WERE SO DISAPPOINTED BECAUSE THEY WANTED TO GO CONTINUE TO PLAY, HAVE A PLACE TO GO, HANG OUT AND HAVE A GREAT TIME.

BUT FAST FORWARD TO RIGHT NOW.

MANY, MANY YEARS LATER, WE HAVE THIS BEAUTIFUL CAMPUS, THIS BEAUTIFUL PARK THAT IS WILL WE GET TO ENJOY BY ALL THE CITIZENS OF THIS AREA.

SO GREAT BIG HAND FOR EVERYBODY.

I PRACTICE AND I COACH AND I PREACH GOOD HEALTH, GOOD EATING AND EXERCISE DAILY, OF COURSE.

NOW AS YOU GET OLDER, YOU KIND OF SLOW DOWN, BUT YOU STILL GOT TO GET UP THERE AND DO SOME KIND OF EXERCISE.

AND AS YOU GUYS KNOW, MISS GONZALEZ HIT THE SPOT RIGHT HERE.

IF YOU'RE ACTIVE IN SOME KIND OF ACTIVITY, YOU'LL BE BETTER IN LIFE.

YOU'LL BE THINK YOU THINK BETTER AND DO BETTER IN SCHOOL.

AND OF COURSE, YOU'LL BE A BETTER EMPLOYEE AND A BETTER FATHER AND MOTHER AND SO ON AND SO ON. SO KEEP ACTIVE.

MY WORD TO YOU GUYS. KEEP ON ACTIVE.

MY THE PARENTS ALSO. IT'S A SAFE PLACE TO COME OUT.

USUALLY THEY PLAY IN THE STREETS PLAYING FOOTBALL IN THE STREETS, THE FRONT YARD AND SO ON. BUT NOW WE CAN OPEN HERE, THE PARENTS CAN WALK AROUND THE TRACK, KIDS CAN COME PLAY SOCCER OR BASKETBALL OR THE SPLASH PAD AND HAVE A GREAT TIME.

SO THANK YOU EVERYBODY FOR BEING HERE.

THANKS FOR MANAGEMENT AND ALSO OUR CITY MANAGEMENT AND YOU ALL HAVE A GREAT DAY.

GREAT EVENING GOD BLESS.

THANK YOU HARVEY. IT'S ALMOST TIME.

BUT BEFORE WE GET TO THE OFFICIAL RIBBON CUTTING, PLEASE WELCOME THE CHOIR.

THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE A SPECIAL PERFORMANCE FOR US. THEY'RE GOING TO PERFORM A SONG CALLED HEART OF AMERICA.

WE GET UP EACH MORNING AND WE ARE TODAY.

WE KNOW THAT WE'RE FREE TO BE LIVING OUR WAY.

WE'RE SAYING, GIVE US THIS DAY.

WE'RE HAPPY. WE'RE LIVING IN THIS DAY.

WE'RE LIVING IN THE HEART OF THE HEART OF AMERICA.

WE'RE LIVING IN THE HEART AND THE HEART AND.

THE HEART AND THE HEART OF AMERICA.

AMERICA.

WE LIVE OUR LIVES AND COME TO A COUNTRY WHICH WASN'T FOR ME AND FOR YOU, FOR OUR FREEDOM FOR ALL.

IT'S TIME TO GO BACK TO THE RED, WHITE AND BLUE.

WE LIVE IN THE HEART AND THE HEART OF AMERICA.

IN THE HEART OF AMERICA.

IN THE HEART AND THE HEART OF AMERICA.

IN THE HEART AND THE HEART OF AMERICA.

[01:00:02]

IN THE HEARTBEAT. THIS IS THE HEARTBEAT.

BERLIN IS THE HEART AND THE HEART OF MARY.

COUNTRY IN THE HEART. THE HEART OF AMERICA.

BERLIN. IN THE HEART AND THE HEART OF AMERICA.

IN THE HEART AND THE HEART OF AMERICA.

AMERICA. AMERICA.

AMERICA. THE HEART.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THE AWESOME.

AND I THINK THAT'S AN INTRO.

SO WE CAN GET TO THE OFFICIAL RIBBON CUTTING.

OUR ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT, ALONG WITH THE THE CHAMBER AND PARKS WILL HELP US WITH THIS. TOM, IF YOU CAN WAVE YOUR HAND IN THE AIR.

WE'RE GOING TO DO IT RIGHT HERE IN FRONT. IF WE CAN HAVE OUR CITY LEADERS, OF COURSE, OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT LEADERS PRECINCT FOUR, JOIN US. SO WE CAN OFFICIALLY OPEN UP THE PARK.

YES. OKAY.

WE'LL MAKE. THAT BACK RIGHT NOW.

CHECK THAT OUT. SORRY, BUDDY.

SORRY. FIRST OF ALL. SO MAKE SOME.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE SOME STUDENTS UP.

STUDENTS AND THE CHEERLEADERS.

OKAY, WE CAN GET THE STUDENTS AND THE CHEERLEADERS HERE IN THE FRONT. IF WE CAN IF WE CAN GET. ONE STEP BACK ON THE STAGE JUST A LITTLE BIT SO I CAN GET MORE PEOPLE THE WAY THEY CAN COME OUT IN THE LIGHT.

BRING IT DOWN. A HAIR COVERING HER FACE.

BRING HER DOWN A LITTLE BIT. RIGHT THERE, RIGHT THERE, RIGHT THERE, RIGHT THERE. OKAY, EVERYBODY, LOOK, YOU WANT TO PUT THE SCISSORS AND DON'T CUT IT LIKE OPEN THEM UP AND PUT IT. YEAH. THERE YOU GO. READY? 123.

SMILE, SMILE. RIGHT HERE, RIGHT HERE.

EVERYBODY GET THERE! RIGHT HERE, MAN.

OKAY. COME ON. OKAY. ON THE COUNT OF THREE.

ON THE COUNT OF THREE, YOU'RE CUTTING. READY? LOOK UP WHEN YOU CUT.

GO. LOOK UP WHEN YOU CUT.

LOOK UP. DON'T LOOK DOWN.

READY? ONE. TWO. THREE.

CUT! MY NAME IS GOPAL. TWO YEARS AGO, I RECEIVED A KIDNEY TRANSPLANT.

WHEN I WAS 21 YEARS OLD, I STARTED DIALYSIS, AND FOR SEVEN AND A HALF YEARS, I WAS A PATIENT RECEIVING TREATMENTS THREE TIMES A WEEK FOR FOUR HOURS EACH SESSION.

AND MAN, IT WAS HARD. MY FATHER HAD KIDNEY DISEASE, SO I KNEW WHAT WAS TO BE EXPECTED WHEN MY KIDNEYS FAILED.

AFTER RECEIVING MY KIDNEY TRANSPLANT, I WAS ABLE TO FIND AND MARRY THE LOVE OF MY LIFE. SHE'S JUST SOMEONE I CAN JOKE WITH, SOMEBODY I CAN COOK WITH, AND I APPRECIATE BEING ABLE TO BE THE HUSBAND THAT SHE DESERVES.

WHEN I WAS SICK, I BARELY HAD ENOUGH STRENGTH TO WALK ACROSS THE PARKING LOT, GOING TO THE MOVIES WITH MY BROTHERS.

BUT AFTER MY TRANSPLANT, MY STRENGTH AND ENERGY CAME BACK AND I WAS

[01:05:02]

MY KIDNEY TRANSPLANT GAVE ME MY LIFE BACK.

YOU HAVE THE POWER TO DONATE LIFE.

BE AN ORGAN, EYE AND TISSUE DONOR TO FIND OUT HOW.

GO TODAY TO DONATE LIFE.

HEY, IT SURE FEELS GOOD TO PLAY LIKE A KID AGAIN.

AS WE BEGIN OUR PROGRAM TONIGHT, PLEASE STAND FOR THE INVOCATION.

LED BY ASSOCIATE PASTOR FOR YOUTH KEITH ADAMS OF THE EDINBURG SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH, AND REMAIN STANDING FOR THE PRESENTATION OF COLORS.

GOOD EVENING, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.

IT'S AN HONOR TO BE HERE TO SHARE WITH THIS PROGRAM AND TO HEAR WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE CITY. PRAY WITH ME, HEAVENLY FATHER.

GOOD EVENING AGAIN. WE ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR PRESENCE IN THIS MOMENT, AND THANK YOU FOR BRINGING US HERE SAFELY TO THIS IMPORTANT MEETING.

THANK YOU FOR EACH FAMILY AND RESIDENT OF THE CITY.

PLEASE GUIDE AND PROTECT US FROM ACCIDENTS AND DANGER AND COMFORT THOSE WHO EVEN NOW ARE HURTING. AS WE GATHER HERE TONIGHT, WE ASK FOR YOUR CONTINUED GUIDANCE AND WISDOM TO BE WITH EACH MEMBER OF THE CITY'S LEADERSHIP.

GIVE THEM CLARITY OF MIND AND PURITY OF INTENTION AS THEY DELIBERATE ON MATTERS THAT AFFECT OUR COMMUNITY. PLEASE, LORD GRANT THE MAYOR AND HIS TEAM THE STRENGTH TO FACE THE CHALLENGES AHEAD WITH RESILIENCE AND COURAGE.

REMIND US ALL, AS PROVERBS SAYS, THAT BY THE BLESSING OF THE UPRIGHT.

THE CITY WILL PROSPER.

THANK YOU FOR ALL THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE PAST YEAR, FOR THE SUCCESSES AND FOR THE LESSONS LEARNED.

WE PRAY FOR UNITY AMONG OUR LEADERS THAT THEY MAY WORK TOGETHER IN HARMONY FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF OUR CITY.

HELP EACH ONE OF US TO LISTEN WITH EMPATHY AND TO MAKE DECISIONS THAT REFLECT YOUR WILL AND SERVE THE COMMON GOOD.

PLEASE CONTINUE, LORD, TO BLESS OUR CITY WITH PEACE, PROSPERITY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL ITS RESIDENTS.

MAY WE CONTINUE TO STRIVE FOR EQUITY IN ALL THAT WE DO.

AND AT THE END OF TONIGHT'S PROGRAM, MAY YOUR GRACE BE UPON US AS WE LEAVE WITH A RENEWED COMMITMENT TO BUILD A BRIGHTER FUTURE FOR EDINBURG FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.

WE ASK ALL THIS WITH THANKSGIVING IN JESUS NAME, AMEN. GOD BLESS YOU. THANK YOU KEN.

NOW, EDINBURG POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT HONOR GUARD WILL PRESENT THE COLORS.

DANIELA GONZALEZ OF VANGUARD ACADEMY AND A MEMBER OF OUR MAYOR'S YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL, WILL NOW LEAD US IN THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND THEN PLEASE REMAIN STANDING FOR THE NATIONAL ANTHEM PERFORMED BY UTRGV STUDENT JACOB CONTADOR.

I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.

THANK YOU.

OH, SAY, CAN YOU SEE? BY THE DAWN'S EARLY LIGHT.

WHAT SO PROUDLY WE HAILED AT THE TWILIGHT'S LAST GLEAMING? WHOSE BROAD STRIPES AND BRIGHT STARS THROUGH THE PERILOUS FIGHT.

O'ER THE RAMPARTS WE WATCHED.

WERE SO GALLANTLY STREAMING.

AND THE ROCKETS RED GLARE, THE BOMBS BURSTING IN AIR.

GAVE PROOF THROUGH THE NIGHT THAT OUR FLAG WAS STILL THERE.

O SAY DOES THAT STAR SPANGLED BANNER YET WAVE.

[01:10:11]

AND THE HOME. OF THE.

BRAVE.

OH! PLEASE BE SEATED. THANK YOU.

PASTOR ADAMS, JACOB DARIELA, AND THE EDINBURG POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS FOR HELPING US WITH THAT BEAUTIFUL OPENING TO TONIGHT'S STATE OF THE CITY. WASN'T THAT A GORGEOUS RENDITION OF THE NATIONAL ANTHEM? WOW.

WELL DONE. NOW YOU SEE THOSE CALENDARS ON YOUR TABLE.

I THINK EVERY TABLE HAS AT LEAST ONE.

THEY HIGHLIGHT MONTHLY EVENTS HERE AT EDINBURG. THERE'S A NEW PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION BY EDINBURGH CULTURAL ARTS COMING UP IN THE SPRING.

IT'S OPEN TO EVERYBODY.

AMATEURS LIKE ME OR PROS LIKE THE GUYS WITH THE BIG FANCY CAMERAS.

TONIGHT, YOUNG AND OLD.

JUST CAPTURE THE ESSENCE OF EDINBURGH IN YOUR PHOTO AND IF YOU WIN, YOUR PHOTO WILL BE FEATURED IN THE NEXT CITY OF EDINBURGH CALENDAR.

THERE'S INFORMATION INSIDE THE CALENDAR, SO TAKE A SHOT AT IT.

TAKE YOUR PICTURES. LET'S SEE IF YOU CAN BE FEATURED IN NEXT YEAR'S CALENDAR. NOW, I'D LIKE TO TAKE A SECOND TO RECOGNIZE SOME OTHER SPECIAL PEOPLE WHO HAVE COME IN SINCE WE LAST RECOGNIZED SOME SPECIAL PEOPLE.

SO WE HAVE JUST A COUPLE OF MORE FROM THE CITY OF MISSION COMMISSIONER JESSICA ORTEGA, THE EDINBURG HOUSING AUTHORITY COMMISSIONERS WHO ARE HERE TONIGHT, AND FROM THE OFFICE OF U.S. SENATOR JOHN CORNYN, DEPUTY REGIONAL DIRECTOR CLARISSA CASTRO.

LET'S WELCOME THEM, PLEASE. OH, AND ONE MORE DIGNITARY IN THE HOUSE, MY WIFE, NORA SMITH. ALWAYS SAVE THE BEST FOR LAST, RIGHT? OKAY, LET'S GET GOING.

MAYOR GARZA'S THEME FOR THIS YEAR IS EXPERIENCE EDINBURG.

IT'S ALL ABOUT CREATING UNFORGETTABLE MOMENTS FOR EVERYONE.

WHETHER YOU'RE A LONGTIME RESIDENT OR JUST PASSING THROUGH OR DIVING DEEP INTO WHAT MAKES EDINBURG TICK. IT'S ALL ABOUT THE EXPERIENCES UNIQUE TO THIS CITY.

IT'S THE COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS OF OUR VIBRANT COMMUNITY TO MAKE EDINBURG THE EXCEPTIONAL CITY THAT IT IS TODAY.

AND NOW, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, LET'S DELVE INTO A CAPTIVATING SNAPSHOT OF EDINBURGH AND EMBARK ON AN EXCITING JOURNEY AND EXPERIENCE THE MAGIC OF EDINBURGH.

HI, I'M RON NIRENBERG, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO, AND I'M SO PLEASED TO BE HERE TO WELCOME AND PROVIDE GREETINGS FOR MAYOR MEMBERS STATE OF THE CITY. I WANT TO WISH THEM GREAT LUCK IN THIS YEAR'S ADDRESS.

AND I ALSO WANT TO SHARE WITH THE AUDIENCE HOW PLEASED I AM THAT ROMERO AND I, AND MANY MAYORS IN SOUTH TEXAS THIS YEAR, HAVE FORMED THE SOUTH TEXAS ALLIANCE OF CITIES AS THE MAYOR IN SAN ANTONIO.

IT IS VERY CLEAR THAT WE SHARE SO MUCH IN COMMON.

OUR CHALLENGES, OUR ASPIRATIONS, THE THINGS THAT WE DO ARE VERY SIMILAR.

AND THE WORK THAT WE DO TOGETHER CAN HAVE ADDED BENEFIT FOR OUR COMMUNITIES NOW AND INTO THE FUTURE. VERY FEW CITIES REALLY HAVE A UNIVERSITY LIKE WE DO HERE IN EDINBURG.

VERY FEW CITIES HAVE A MEDICAL SCHOOL LIKE WE DO HERE IN EDINBURG.

EDINBURGH JUST AS IMPORTANT, VERY FEW CITIES SOUTH OF SAN ANTONIO HAVE AN ARENA LIKE THE ONE WE HAVE HERE IN EDINBURGH.

I DON'T KNOW OF ANY OTHER SOCCER STADIUM THAT WILL BECOME A FOOTBALL STADIUM SOON.

IN SOUTH OF SAN ANTONIO.

AND KEEP IN MIND THAT I ALSO REPRESENT CORPUS CHRISTI.

SO WHEN I LOOK AT EDINBURGH AND HOW ATTRACTIVE A CITY IT IS FOR PEOPLE TO COME AND LIVE HERE TO DO BUSINESS HERE, TO GET A JOB HERE.

AND YOU LOOK AROUND THE NUMBER OF SUBDIVISIONS THAT ARE BEING CONSTRUCTED, THE NUMBER OF HOMES BEING BUILT.

THE NEW STARTUP OF BUSINESSES IS REALLY AMAZING AND VERY IMPRESSIVE.

IT'S THE 12TH FASTEST GROWING CITY, I THINK, IN THE NATION, AND THE FIFTH FASTEST GROWING CITY OF LARGE CITIES IN TEXAS.

THAT SHOULD TELL YOU SOMETHING. PEOPLE ARE COMING TO EDINBURGH BECAUSE OF THE QUALITY OF LIFE. YOU NAME IT, EDINBURGH HAS IT.

AND SO YOU HAVE THE HOMETOWN FEEL WITH A SENSE OF FAMILY, A SENSE OF COMMUNITY AND A TRUE SENSE OF SAFETY.

EDINBURGH IS ONE OF THE SAFEST CITIES IN THE NATION.

WHEN YOU PUT ALL THOSE TOGETHER, THERE'S NOT A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE. BUT IN MIND THAT ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE HAVE HERE IN EDINBURGH THAT IS VERY ATTRACTIVE. WE HAVE AN EXPERIENCED LEADERSHIP.

WE HAVE A MAYOR AND A CITY COMMISSION THAT FOCUSES ON THE PRIORITIES OF THE CITIZENS OF

[01:15:07]

THE PARKS THAT WE HAVE ARE THE ENTERTAINMENT THAT WE HAVE.

THEY ARE CONSTANTLY IN AUSTIN, ASKING FOR FUNDING TO MAKE SURE WE GET OUR FAIR SHARE OF FUNDING NOT ONLY FOR TRANSPORTATION, OTHER INFRASTRUCTURE TO MITIGATE FLOODING, BUT ALSO TO INCREASE OUR WATER CAPACITIES BECAUSE IT IS THE ALL AMERICAN CITY. YOU LOOK AROUND, WE HONOR OUR VETS.

WE HONOR OUR WORKERS. WE ARE.

WE HAVE A HUGE SENSE OF COMMUNITY, FROM OUR PARADES TO OUR COOKOUT EVENTS TO THE FESTIVALS THAT WE HAVE.

WE DO IT RIGHT IN EDINBURGH.

WE DON'T CUT ANY CORNERS.

WE TREAT EACH OTHER LIKE FAMILY, AND WE ARE AT THE EPICENTER OF THE FASTEST GROWING REGIONS IN THE UNITED STATES, WHICH IS THE RIO GRANDE VALLEY. THERE'S ACTION ALL OVER THE PLACE.

AND SO IT DOESN'T TAKE MUCH, BUT A VISIT TO REALIZE EDINBURG IS WHERE IT'S AT. GOOD LUCK, RAMIRO, AND THANKS SO MUCH, EVERYONE, AND WATCH OUT FOR THE SOUTH TEXAS ALLIANCE OF CITIES.

WE'RE GOING TO BE FIGHTING FOR OUR COMMUNITIES TOGETHER. AND NOW, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, PLEASE STAND AND WELCOME TO THE STAGE YOUR MAYOR, ROMERO GARZA. JUNIOR.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

LET'S GIVE A HAND TO TIM SMITH.

HE ALWAYS DOES AN AMAZING JOB.

HE JUST RECENTLY WAS RECOGNIZED OUR HOMETOWN HERO.

SO VERY WELL DESERVED.

TIM. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, EVERYBODY, FOR COMING THIS EVENING.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, DISTINGUISHED GUESTS, RESIDENTS AND FRIENDS OF OUR CITY OF EDINBURGH.

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR JOINING US TONIGHT AND GIVING US OF YOUR TIME THIS EVENING AS WE GATHER TODAY TO CELEBRATE AS OUR THEME TONIGHT IS EXPERIENCED EDINBURGH AS YOUR MAYOR, ALONGSIDE OUR CITY COUNCIL, WHICH WERE INTRODUCED AND WILL JOIN ME HERE IN A LITTLE BIT. I'M HONORED TO STAND BEFORE YOU TO REFLECT ON OUR CITY'S JOURNEY.

WE CHOSE THIS EVENING THE SETTING THIS EVENING TO ENSURE MORE MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY CAN PARTICIPATE, TRULY SHOWCASING THE SPIRIT OF EXPERIENCED EDINBURGH. YOU KNOW, EVERYONE WAS INVITED TO COME FREE OF CHARGE.

OUR COMMUNITY, OUR PEOPLE ARE AT THE HEART OF EVERYTHING THAT WE DO, AND IT'S ESSENTIAL THAT EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU KNOWS WHAT THE STATE OF OUR CITY IS.

AND I CAN TELL YOU WITH FULL CONFIDENCE THAT OUR CITY IS BETTER THAN IT'S EVER BEEN.

2023 WAS A BANNER YEAR FOR OUR CITY ON ALL FRONTS, FROM THE ECONOMY TO PUBLIC SAFETY TO QUALITY OF LIFE.

BUT FIRST, I WANT TO RECOGNIZE MY WIFE, MARIA, WHO'S JOINING ME HERE, AND MY KIDS, RAMIRO, GIULIANA.

THEIR THEIR UNWAVERING SUPPORT ALLOWS ME TO FULFILL MY DUTIES AS MAYOR AND ALSO HAVE THIS EVENING, I WANT TO DO A SPECIAL ACKNOWLEDGMENT TO MY MOTHER, ANITA, WHO'S HERE WITH US TODAY.

I WANT TO THANK HER FOR BEING HERE AND ALWAYS BEING THERE BY MY SIDE EVERY STEP OF THE WAY.

AND A SPECIAL THANKS TO ALL THE ESTEEMED LEADERS THAT ARE HERE TODAY, ALL OF YOU THAT ARE ELECTED AND COMMUNITY LEADERS.

AND IF YOU WEREN'T MENTIONED, I WANT TO TAKE THIS TIME TO RECOGNIZE YOU FOR BEING HERE TODAY. I WANT TO TAKE ANOTHER MOMENT TO JUST ONCE AGAIN, THANK ALL OF YOU THAT ARE HERE, THAT ARE ELECTED, THAT ARE COMMUNITY LEADERS.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE. I APPRECIATE IT.

THANK YOU. YOU KNOW, EMBRACING LIFE HERE IN EDINBURG MEANS STRIVING FOR EXCELLENCE, DRIVING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, EMPOWERING OUR COMMUNITY AND ACTIVELY SHAPING A BRIGHTER FUTURE TOGETHER.

YOU KNOW, WITH CLEAR OBJECTIVES GUIDING OUR PATH, WE HAVE REMAINED STEADFAST IN OUR COMMITMENT TO FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY, PROPELLING ECONOMIC GROWTH AND ENHANCING INFRASTRUCTURE TO ELEVATE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ALL OUR RESIDENTS.

TODAY, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, WE PROUDLY ANNOUNCE A POPULATION OF 105,453 RESIDENTS. A TESTAMENT TO THE REMARKABLE GROWTH WE'VE EXPERIENCED WHICH HAS BEEN DOUBLED. WHICH HAS DOUBLED.

EXCUSE ME IN THE LAST 20 YEARS.

CHECK OUT THIS TIME LAPSE ON THE SCREEN ON THE SIDE OF OUR CITY.

JUST TO KIND OF GIVE YOU AN IDEA OF WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT, IT'S IN 2005 AND IN 2023, THAT'S THE SAME AREA THAT HAS JUST GROWN TREMENDOUSLY.

IT'S PRETTY INCREDIBLE. AND YOU SEE THAT IN ALL PARTS OF OUR CITY.

OUR GROWTH EXEMPLIFIES THAT.

WE'RE MAKING THINGS HAPPEN IN EDINBURGH AS WE GATHER HERE TO REFLECT ON THE STATE OF OUR CITY. YOU KNOW, I'M HAPPY TO SHARE ANOTHER REMARKABLE ACHIEVEMENT THAT EMBODIES THE ESSENCE OF THIS YEAR'S THEME EXPERIENCE EDINBURGH IN CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY, EDINBURGH HAS NOT ONLY EMBRACED PROGRESS, BUT IT HAS SET A HISTORIC PRECEDENT WITH RECORD BREAKING GROWTH.

[01:20:01]

YOU KNOW, HERE IN EDINBURGH, WE'RE NOT JUST A CITY, IT IS AN EXPERIENCE.

IN 2023, WE ETCHED A CHAPTER IN OUR HISTORY THAT RESONATES WITH THE THEME OF EXPERIENCING ALL THAT EDINBURGH HAS TO OFFER.

IN 2023, THERE WERE 54 SUBDIVISIONS THAT WERE WERE RECORDED.

THAT INCLUDED OVER 2200 LOTS THROUGHOUT OUR CITY.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT MORE THAN 700 ACRES OF LAND DEVELOPMENT.

WE'RE WELL ON OUR WAY TO SURPASSING THOSE NUMBERS, IF YOU CAN BELIEVE IT OR NOT, BECAUSE HERE IN 2024, WE CURRENTLY HAVE 145 ACTIVE SUBDIVISIONS UNDER REVIEW OR CONSTRUCTION PHASE.

THESE 145 SUBDIVISIONS ARE BRINGING OVER 4000 NEW LOTS ONTO THE MARKET THIS YEAR.

THAT'S ALMOST TWICE THAT WHAT WE REPORTED LAST YEAR IN OUR STATE OF THE CITY.

SO THE RECORD BREAKING GROWTH CONTINUES.

AND AS MAYOR PRO TEM DANIELS TELLS US, THE FUTURE LOOKS BRIGHT HERE IN OUR CITY.

MAYOR GARZA, WHEN YOU EXPERIENCE EDINBURG, YOU EXPERIENCE BOOMING ECONOMIC GROWTH.

WHEN ENVISIONING EDINBURG IN 2040, WE ARE COMMITTED TO ENHANCING OUR CITY TO PROVIDE BOTH LONGTIME RESIDENTS AND NEWCOMERS WITH THE RESOURCES NEEDED TO THRIVE AND CREATE A HOME HERE. EDINBURG REMAINS THE FIFTH FASTEST GROWING LARGE CITY IN THE STATE. THE PROGRESS WE MADE THIS PAST YEAR EMPHASIZES THE NEED TO EXPAND WHAT IS AVAILABLE TO OUR RESIDENTS.

THE EDINBURG ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION STAFF AND EDC BOARD WELCOMED PLENTY OF NEW BUSINESS TO EDINBURG IN 2023.

THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE NORTH INDUSTRIAL PARK MARKED A SIGNIFICANT MILESTONE IN OUR GROWTH BY FACILITATING THE CREATION OF NEW JOBS, HIGHLIGHTING THE EXPANSION OF BUSINESSES LIKE NITRO PRODUCE AND THE ADDITION OF NEW CONSTRUCTION IN THE AREA TO FOSTER A THRIVING ECONOMY. NEW RETAIL AND FOOD SERVICE ESTABLISHMENTS CAN BE SEEN ACROSS THE CITY AS WELL. MICHAEL'S, THE WELL-KNOWN CRAFT STORE, OPENED ITS DOORS AND ON TOP OF THAT, OUR RESIDENTS HAVE EVEN MORE OPTIONS TO ENJOY A MEAL IN EDINBURG WITH THE ADDITION OF DAVE'S HOT CHICKEN, PEDRO'S TACOS, SALAD STATION, AND SO MUCH MORE. THE EDC TEAM ALSO ENSURED THAT FUNDING FOR A NEW 1 MILLION GALLON WATER TOWER ON THE NORTH SIDE OF EDINBURG WAS SECURED.

ON TOP OF THAT, WITH A FOCUS ON OUR PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT AND WHAT OUR COMMUNITY WAS IN NEED OF. THE CITY OF EDINBURGH TOOK A NEW SPIN ON WHAT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT REALLY MEANS. IMPROVEMENTS WERE MADE TO EDINBURGH MUNICIPAL PARK FIELD TWO JUST BEFORE THE SPORTS SEASON IN 2023, ADDING AN ALL WEATHER TURF FIELD WITH ADJUSTABLE BASES AND A DRAINAGE SYSTEM THAT WILL ALLOW OUR YOUTH TEAMS THE ABILITY TO UTILIZE TOP NOTCH FACILITIES.

FINALLY, THE CITY WAS PROUD TO OPEN THE JOSE NIETO AND CONSUELO ALFARO ROBLEDO CENTER, FORMERLY KNOWN AS EL TULE, IN SEPTEMBER.

THE $5.3 MILLION PROJECT FEATURES THREE BASKETBALL COURTS AND A 2000 FOOT WALKING TRAIL AROUND THE FACILITY.

IT HOSTS A NUMBER OF EVENTS AND IS HOME TO THE PARKS AND RECREATION SENIOR PROGRAM, GIVING OUR RESIDENTS AGES 55 YEARS AND UP ACCESS TO AEROBIC ACTIVITIES, ARTS AND CRAFTS, BINGO AND SO MUCH MORE.

VISITORS WILL BE ABLE TO UTILIZE A BEAUTIFUL RECREATION CENTER THAT WILL AMPLIFY HOW THEY SPEND THEIR WELL-EARNED RETIREMENT IN OUR CITY.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IS WOVEN INTO THE FABRIC OF EDINBURG, AND OUR RELENTLESS DRIVE FOR PROGRESS SETS US APART.

WE ARE ACTIVELY MAKING THINGS HAPPEN AS WE CONTINUE TO PUSH FOR ENHANCEMENTS WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY. PRO TEM. AND ALSO THANK YOU TO THE EDINBURG ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, TO ALL THE INVESTORS WHO HAVE CHOSEN TO INVEST HERE IN OUR CITY, AND TO ALL THE SMALL BUSINESSES OUT THERE WHO HAVE CHOSEN TO EXPAND HERE.

THEIR HARD WORK AND COMMITMENT ARE DRIVING PROGRESS AND PROSPERITY HERE IN OUR CITY.

LET'S GIVE THEM ANOTHER ROUND OF APPLAUSE, PLEASE. AND ANOTHER FIRST FOR OUR CITY.

WE PARTNERED WITH LIFT FUND TO ROLL OUT THE INTEREST BUY DOWN PROGRAM WITH SUPPORT AGAIN FROM THE EDINBURG EDC.

THIS PROGRAM IS A REAL GAME CHANGER FOR US FOR OUR SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS.

THEY CAN NOW GET LOANS AT A REDUCED RATE OF 2.5%.

IT'S ALL ABOUT HELPING OUR LOCAL BUSINESSES THRIVE.

LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT SOME OF THE OTHER ECONOMIC INDICATORS HERE IN OUR CITY.

IN 2023, WE CONSISTENTLY HELD THE SECOND LOWEST UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IN THE VALLEY, AVERAGING AT 4.8%. AND WHEN IT COMES TO SALES TAX.

WELL, WE'VE HIT ANOTHER MILESTONE IN 2023.

WE COLLECTED ALMOST 37 MILLION IN SALES TAX REVENUE, WHICH REPRESENTED ABOUT A 6.2% INCREASE FROM THE PREVIOUS YEAR.

THIS MARKED AN ALL TIME RECORD HIGH FOR OUR CITY.

[01:25:03]

ON TOP OF THESE STRONG ECONOMIC INDICATORS, WE ALSO SAW A TOTAL CAPITAL INVESTMENT OF OVER 300 MILLION OF PROJECTS IN OUR CITY.

A BIG PART OF THAT WAS UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS, RIO GRANDE VALLEY, WHERE THERE'S A NEW STUDENT THEATER.

THERE'S ALSO THE ATHLETICS EXPANSION THAT THEY'RE DOING HERE IN OUR CITY.

ALL THAT TRANSLATES INTO JOB CREATION.

WE'VE SEEN AN INCREASE OF OVER 1754 JOBS IN 2023.

EDINBURGHS ECONOMIC SCENE IS BOOMING AND WE ARE PROUD OF OUR PROGRESS.

IN AUGUST, THE CITY OF EDINBURGH COLLABORATED WITH THE RIO GRANDE VALLEY PARTNERSHIP TO HOST THE HISTORIC RIO GRANDE VALLEY ECONOMIC SUMMIT HERE AT OUR BERT OGDEN ARENA.

WE BROUGHT TOGETHER MUNICIPAL POLICYMAKERS, BUSINESS LEADERS FROM ALL OVER SOUTH TEXAS TO DISCUSS THE LATEST ECONOMIC TRENDS AND DEVELOPMENTS IN OUR REGIONAL ECONOMY.

AND THOUGH IT WAS OUR INAUGURAL SUMMIT, WE WANTED TO MAKE THE EXPERIENCE AN UNFORGETTABLE ONE. AND SO WE WERE HONORED TO HAVE GOVERNOR GREG ABBOTT BE OUR KEYNOTE SPEAKER. AND AS PART OF THE SUMMIT, EVERY COMMUNITY OF THE RGV, ALONG WITH GOVERNOR ABBOTT, SIGNED A COMPACT THAT CALLS FOR US TO WORK TOGETHER TO PROMOTE THE RIO GRANDE VALLEY AS ONE.

THIS SUMMIT STANDS AS A TESTAMENT TO THE DRIVING FORCE OF UNITY AND COLLABORATION.

AS ONE UNITED VOICE, WE AMPLIFY OUR IMPACT.

ONE REGION, ONE VOICE.

AND EARLIER YOU HEARD FROM MY FRIEND, SAN ANTONIO MAYOR RON NIRENBERG.

REGIONAL COLLABORATION IS A CORNERSTONE OF MY ADMINISTRATION.

I AM HONORED TO BE THE INAUGURAL CHAIR OF THE SOUTH TEXAS ALLIANCE OF CITIES.

LAST YEAR WE BUILT THIS ALLIANCE WITH SAN ANTONIO, LAREDO, WITH OUR FRIENDS FROM MISSION, MCALLEN, BROWNSVILLE, WESLACO, AND HARLINGEN TO TACKLE THE COMMON ISSUES WE FACE ACROSS OUR REGION.

BRINGING SOUTH TEXAS TOGETHER IS OUR STRENGTH, AND UNITY IS THE KEY TO ADDRESSING THE CHALLENGES OF OUR RAPIDLY GROWING REGION.

AND WE'RE ALREADY STARTED SEEING THE PAYOFF OF WORKING TOGETHER.

JUST LAST WEEK, THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES WAS IN BROWNSVILLE, HERE IN OUR AREA, AS HE VISITED OUR AREA TO LEARN ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING HERE.

AND I'D LIKE TO SAY AND THANK MY FELLOW MAYORS, AND I SEE SOME OF THEM HERE IN THE AUDIENCE AT BROWNSVILLE MAYOR, MCALLEN MAYOR, AND, AND ALL THE MAYORS THAT ARE HERE FOR JOINING US AND WITH THE PRESIDENT TO SHARE WHAT IS HAPPENING AND TO ALSO SHARE WHAT THE OPPORTUNITIES HERE IS FOR OUR REGION.

THERE'S STRENGTH IN NUMBERS, AND THIS PUSH FOR A UNIFIED VOICE IS NOW BRINGING US A NATIONAL ATTENTION.

WE DESERVE TO HELP ADDRESS OUR GROWING NEEDS.

REGIONAL GROWTH IS ALSO A GOAL OF OUR SOUTH TEXAS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, THANKS TO THE HARD WORK OF OUR CHAIRMAN, TERRY CANALES AND SENATOR CHUY HINOJOSA.

THE AIRPORT IN EDINBURG IS POISED FOR A SIGNIFICANT TRANSFORMATION WITH THE ALLOCATION OF $10 MILLION IN STATE FUNDING.

THIS INVESTMENT WILL INCLUDE INFRASTRUCTURE ENHANCEMENTS AND A RUNWAY EXPANSION, FURTHER SOLIDIFYING THE AIRPORT'S IMPORTANT ROLE IN BORDER SECURITY OPERATIONS AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE EFFORTS HERE IN THE VALLEY.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, IN THE SPIRIT OF REGIONALISM, AS WE GATHER HERE TODAY AND AS WE CONTINUE TO TAKE CARE OF OUR CITY, I ALSO WANT TO LOOK BEYOND THAT.

I WANT TO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BRING ATTENTION TO THE PRESSING WATER SHORTAGE CRISIS. THE SCARCITY OF WATER IN THE VALLEY IS REACHING CRITICAL LEVELS.

IT'S CRUCIAL THAT OUR FEDERAL GOVERNMENT VISITS THIS 1944 TREATY WITH MEXICO, AND THAT THERE'S DECISIVE ACTION TAKEN ON THIS MATTER TONIGHT.

I'M ANSWERING CHAIRMAN TERRY CANALES CALL FOR ALL OF US TO COME TOGETHER TO FIND SOLUTIONS TO THIS WATER CRISIS. WE ALSO NEED TO WORK TOGETHER TO BUILD UP OUR WORKFORCE.

WE NEED TO GIVE PEOPLE IN OUR REGION THE TOOLS AND CHANCES TO SUCCEED IN TODAY'S WORLD. WHETHER IT'S THROUGH LEARNING NEW SKILLS FOR GROWING ON THE JOB, OR WHETHER IT'S DEVELOPING OUR WORKFORCE AND MAKING SURE EVERYONE HAS A SHOT AT REACHING THEIR GOALS. AND WE CAN ONLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE BY WORKING TOGETHER.

ONE REGION, ONE VOICE.

NOW LET'S SHIFT OVER TO PUBLIC SAFETY, WHICH IS ALWAYS A PRIORITY FOR US.

YOU KNOW, AT THE END OF 2023, THE CITY HAD A 4.6% OVERALL REDUCTION IN CRIME COMPARED TO THE PREVIOUS YEAR, MAKING OUR CITY ONE OF THE SAFEST CITIES IN THE REGION. I'D LIKE TO THANK OUR EDINBURGH POLICE DEPARTMENT, STARTING WITH OUR POLICE CHIEF, AYALA, TO THE COMMAND STAFF, OUR OFFICERS AND THE SUPPORT STAFF FOR THE INCREDIBLE WORK THAT MAKE THAT HAPPEN.

AS OUR CITY GROWS, WE ALSO ADDED 15 MORE OFFICERS TO OUR FORCE.

AND IN A GROUNDBREAKING DEVELOPMENT THIS LAST YEAR, POLICE DEPARTMENT PARTNERED WITH TROPICAL TEXAS BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND SECURED A $3 MILLION GRANT TO LAUNCH A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS RESPONSE UNIT.

[01:30:01]

EDINBURG PD WAS ONE OF ONLY 12 RECIPIENTS NATIONWIDE OVER THE NEXT FOUR YEARS.

THIS FUNDING WILL HELP TO CREATE THE SPECIALIZED TEAM AND HOPEFULLY DIVERT INDIVIDUALS IN CRISIS TOWARDS APPROPRIATE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES INSTEAD OF JAIL.

DAY AND NIGHT, THE FIRST RESPONDERS OF OUR EDINBURG FIRE DEPARTMENT ALSO BRAVELY SAFEGUARD OUR COMMUNITY.

IT'S WITH HEAVY HEARTS THAT WE CONTINUE TO MOURN THE PASSING OF OUR BELOVED FIRE CHIEF, SEAN SNYDER. A LEADER WHOSE DEDICATION AND EXPERTISE ELEVATED OUR DEPARTMENT TO ONE OF THE FINEST IN TEXAS. CHIEF SNYDER'S LEGACY OF EXEMPLARY LEADERSHIP WILL FOREVER BE REMEMBERED. AT THIS TIME, PLEASE JOIN ME IN A MOMENT OF SILENCE IN HONOR OF CHIEF SNYDER.

THANK YOU EVERYONE. CONTINUE WITH OUR FIRST RESPONDERS.

I'M EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE THAT WE FINALLY FINALIZED A MEET AND CONFER AGREEMENTS WITH BOTH OUR POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS.

THESE AGREEMENTS, SPANNING THREE YEARS FOR OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT AND FOUR YEARS FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, PRIORITIZED PRIORITIZE, IMPROVE WORKING CONDITIONS AND SUSTAINABLE SALARY INCREASES FOR OUR OFFICERS.

IT'S A TESTAMENT TO OUR STRONG PARTNERSHIP WITH OUR FIRST RESPONDERS AND OUR COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY SAFETY. THIS REFLECTS OUR DEDICATION TO SERVING AND PROTECTING EDINBURG. THAT'S WHY WE'VE ALSO BOLSTERED OUR EDINBURG FIRE DEPARTMENT WITH ADDITIONAL MANPOWER. AS COUNCIL MEMBER DAVID WHITE TELLS US, TOGETHER WE'RE COMMITTED TO ENSURING THE SAFETY OF OUR COMMUNITY.

MAYOR GARZA. EDINBURG ENGAGEMENT AND ENGAGEMENT ENSURES THAT WE'RE CONNECTING WITH OUR RESIDENTS ON ALL FRONTS, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO PUBLIC SAFETY.

IN 2023, THE EDINBURG FIRE DEPARTMENT HELD A PUSH IN CEREMONY FOR A BRAND NEW PIERCE PUMPER AND RESCUE TRUCK.

THE INTRODUCTION OF THOSE TWO TRUCKS WILL ALLOW OUR FIREFIGHTERS TO RESPOND TO EMERGENCIES QUICKLY. IN ADDITION, OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS SELECTED FOR THE STAFFING FOR ADEQUATE FIRE AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE GRANT.

THE SAFER GRANT, AN IMPORTANT INITIATIVE OFFERED BY FEMA, WILL WE'LL FORTIFY EDINBURGH FIRE BY ALLOWING THEM TO RECRUIT FOUR ADDITIONAL FIREFIGHTERS, BRINGING THEIR TOTAL TO 85.

THE ADDED MANPOWER WILL IMPROVE RESPONSE TIMES, ENHANCE RESCUE OPERATIONS AND BOLSTER EDINBURGH'S EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS.

FURTHERMORE, AS THE EDINBURGH POLICE DEPARTMENT, OUR OFFICERS CONTINUE TO PUT COMMUNITY POLICING AT THE TOP OF THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES WITH THE LAUNCH OF BUSINESS WATCH, A PROGRAM MODELED AFTER NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH, ANAMARIE PD IS ABLE TO CONNECT WITH LOCAL BUSINESS OWNERS IN AN EFFORT TO BRIDGE THE GAP AND HELP REDUCE CRIME IN OUR COMMUNITY.

THE POLICE DEPARTMENT ALSO CONTINUES TO BUILD A CONNECTION WITH OUR FAITH BASED LEADERS THROUGH THE EDINBURGH CLERGY AND POLICE PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM.

THE SIX WEEK COURSE ALLOWS SPIRITUAL LEADERS TO RESPOND AND HELP OUR OFFICERS DURING TIMES OF CRISIS FOR A WELL-ROUNDED RESPONSE.

AND FINALLY, TO TACKLE THE HEARTBREAKING TOLL OF TRAGEDIES IN OUR COMMUNITY, EDINBURGH PD ROLLED OUT ITS GAME CHANGING MAKE A PLAN INITIATIVE.

THIS CAMPAIGN IS ALL ABOUT SAYING NO TO DRUNK DRIVING AND GIVING FOLKS A FRIENDLY NUDGE TO CHOOSE SMARTER OPTIONS LIKE HOPPING ON A RIDESHARE OR CALLING UP A FRIEND FOR A LYFT WHEN YOU'VE HAD TOO MUCH TO DRINK.

OFFICERS REGULARLY HOST COMMUNITY MEETINGS TO PUSH THIS IMPORTANT MESSAGE.

HERE IN EDINBURGH, WE'RE NOT JUST ENSURING SAFETY FOR TODAY.

WE'RE BUILDING A FOUNDATION FOR A SAFER COMMUNITY THAT WILL ENDURE FOR YEARS TO COME.

PLEASE JOIN ME IN A ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR OUR OUTSTANDING OFFICERS, FIREFIGHTERS AND ALL OUR FIRST RESPONDERS FOR ALL THEY DO.

THANK YOU. TO CONTINUE WITH THAT COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, WE IMPROVE COMMUNICATION WITH CITIZENS BY GOING DIRECTLY TO NEIGHBORHOODS.

WE TOOK CITY HALL TO THE PEOPLE.

IT BEGAN WITH THE LOCAL SUBDIVISION AND A NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH MEETING THAT WAS HELD, AND WE BROUGHT CITY DEPARTMENTS TO DISCUSS SERVICES AVAILABLE IN OUR COMMUNITY THAT QUICKLY BLOSSOMED INTO OTHER NEIGHBORHOODS FOLLOWING SUIT.

LAST YEAR, I'M HAPPY TO REPORT WE ENDED UP VISITING WITH OVER 20 NEIGHBORHOODS THROUGHOUT OUR CITY. IT WAS SO REFRESHING TO MEET WITH OUR RESIDENTS AND HEAR THEIR CONCERNS FIRSTHAND. NOW WE ARE DOING ALL THAT WE CAN TO MAKE THEIR EXPERIENCE IN EDINBURGH BETTER. SO YOU KNOW THAT LITTLE SUBDIVISION I JUST MENTIONED? THAT PROJECT WAS FINISHED LAST YEAR AND THERE WAS MAJOR IMPROVEMENTS THAT WERE MADE THERE.

WE MADE THOSE CHANGES BY ACTUALLY MEETING WITH THE RESIDENTS THERE TO HEAR WHAT THEY NEEDED AND WANTED. IT'S ALL ABOUT MAKING SURE WE'RE ADDRESSING THE ISSUES THAT AFFECT PEOPLE'S DAILY LIVES. THIS $6 MILLION PROJECT FOCUSES ON FIXING UP THE STREETS AND IMPROVING DRAINAGE IN THE SUBDIVISION.

WE REPLACE OLD WATER LINES WITH NEW ONES, ALL NEARLY FOUR MILES OF ROADS, AND MADE IT EASIER FOR PEOPLE TO GET AROUND.

[01:35:04]

IT WAS AN ENTIRE NEIGHBORHOOD TRANSFORMATION.

YOU KNOW, WE'VE BEEN WORKING HARD TO IMPROVE INFRASTRUCTURE THROUGHOUT OUR CITY, AND THE LOWELL SUBDIVISION PROJECT IS JUST ONE EXAMPLE OF PROJECTS WE'RE WORKING ON.

YOU KNOW, IN CASE YOU'RE WONDERING, HOW COMMITTED IS THE CITY TOWARDS INVESTING IN INFRASTRUCTURE? WELL, LET ME TELL YOU, WE ARE FULLY COMMITTED.

WE'RE COMMITTED TO THE TUNE OF $96 MILLION THAT WE'RE CURRENTLY INVESTING THROUGHOUT OUR CITY. THAT'S A COMBINATION OF STREETS AND DRAINAGE, PARK AND TRAIL UPGRADES AND PUBLIC FACILITIES.

I WANT TO THANK OUR ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT, ALL OUR DEPARTMENTS THAT ARE INVOLVED WITH HELPING OVERSEE THESE IMPROVEMENTS. LET'S PLEASE GIVE THEM A HAND. YOU KNOW, WE ALL KNOW THAT DRAINAGE IS A TOP CONCERN HERE IN OUR COMMUNITY.

WE'VE LAUNCHED DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS TOTALING OVER $6 MILLION, WITH THE MAIN PROJECTS BEING THE VETERANS AND SUGAR DETENTION PONDS AND THE CEDAR DRAINAGE PROJECT. AND THAT'S NOT ALL THAT WE'RE DOING.

THESE STREETS THAT WE ARE IMPROVING ARE OVER 18 MILES OF ROADWAY THAT WERE PAVED THIS LAST YEAR. WE COVERED THAT BY SPREADING THROUGHOUT THE CITY, FIGURING OUT WHAT STREETS WERE MOST IMPORTANT, AND MAKING SURE THAT THOSE STREETS WERE FOCUSED ON.

AND YES, I KNOW SOME OF YOU MAY BE SHAKING YOUR HEAD.

THERE'S STILL A LOT OF WORK THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE, BUT REST ASSURED, WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE INVESTING IN STREET IMPROVEMENTS THROUGHOUT OUR CITY.

EXPERIENCING LIFE IN EDINBURGH IS NOT ONLY SYNONYMOUS WITH SOUND INFRASTRUCTURE AND TOP NOTCH PUBLIC SAFETY, BUT IT'S ALSO DEEPLY ROOTED IN EDUCATION.

IT'S WHO WE ARE AND PART OF THE EDINBURGH EXPERIENCE.

WITHIN THE REALM OF EDUCATION, EDINBURGH STANDS UNRIVALED.

CAN ANYONE BOAST OF HAVING A TOP TIER UNIVERSITY WITHIN ARM'S REACH? WE WERE ACTUALLY NAMED THE MOST AFFORDABLE COLLEGE TOWN IN THE UNITED STATES, ACCORDING TO WALLETHUB.

WE TAKE IMMENSE PRIDE IN BEING HOME TO THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS, RIO GRANDE VALLEY REGION ONE EDUCATION SERVICE CENTER HERE, AND FOUR FOR PREMIER SCHOOL SYSTEMS. AS COUNCILMEMBER DAVID SALAZAR TELLS US, EXPERIENCING LIFE IN EDINBURG IS ALSO ABOUT NURTURING THE LEADERS OF TOMORROW.

MAYOR GARZA, WHEN YOU EXPERIENCE EDINBURG, YOU EXPERIENCE THE BEST IN EDUCATION.

WE ARE HOME TO EDINBURG CISD IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

SOUTH TEXAS INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT, VANGUARD ACADEMY, AND THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS RIO GRANDE VALLEY.

WE ARE ALSO THE HOME SEAT TO THE REGION ONE EDUCATION SERVICE CENTER, WHICH SERVES THE EIGHT COUNTY AREAS OF SOUTH TEXAS FROM LAREDO TO BROWNSVILLE, ENSURING THAT SCHOOL DISTRICTS CONTINUE TO OPERATE EFFICIENTLY.

EDINBURG CISD SPANS ACROSS 945MI², MAKING IT ONE OF THE LARGEST SCHOOL DISTRICTS NATIONWIDE. IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS HAS SET NEARLY 100% OF THEIR GRADUATES TO COLLEGE.

VANGUARD ACADEMY BOASTS INNOVATION AND EQUITY AS KEY DRIVERS, AND SOUTH TEXAS ISD OFFERS A PERSONAL ENVIRONMENT WITH A STRONG SCHOLASTIC PROGRAM.

BUT IT DOESN'T STOP THERE.

COLLEGE STUDENTS ALSO RECEIVE A QUALITY EDUCATION.

RIGHT HERE IN EDINBURGH.

UTRGV RANKED AS THE NUMBER ONE UNIVERSITY IN TEXAS BY WASHINGTON MONTHLY, PROVIDES A NUMBER OF DEGREES THAT ARE AVAILABLE TO BOTH THE LOWER AND UPPER VALLEY.

HOME TO THE SCHOOL OF MEDICINE, UTRGV SUCCESSFULLY DEVELOPS MEDICAL STUDENTS, RESIDENTS, AND SCIENTISTS INTO THE FUTURE PROVIDERS AND LEADERS IN HEALTHCARE RIGHT HERE IN THE VALLEY AND ACROSS THE NATION.

IN ADDITION, THEIR PARTNERSHIPS WITH SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN OUR COMMUNITY ARE MAKING A TREMENDOUS DIFFERENCE.

STUDENTS WITH AN ECISD ARE ABLE TO ATTEND A UTRGV LED COLLEGIATE HIGH SCHOOL RIGHT OFF OF FREDDY GONZALEZ DRIVE IN EDINBURG.

WE ALWAYS PRIORITIZE EDUCATION.

THE DUSTIN SEKULA MEMORIAL LIBRARY SERVES AS A VALUABLE RESOURCE.

IT HELPS STUDENTS ACCESS LEARNING BY USING THEIR FREE LIBRARY CARD TO CHECK OUT BOOKS, MAGAZINES, AND NEWSPAPERS, ALL WHILE RECEIVING ASSISTANCE FROM WELL-INFORMED STAFF IN EDINBURG.

WE'RE PROUD TO BE THE EDUCATION HUB OF THE RIO GRANDE VALLEY.

WITH YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT. EDINBURG WILL REMAIN AT THE FOREFRONT OF EDUCATION EXCELLENCE, SHAPING THE FUTURE FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.

THANK YOU COUNCILMAN AND THANK YOU TO ALL OUR EDUCATIONAL PARTNERS.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, I STAND BEFORE YOU TODAY FILLED WITH PRIDE AND EXCITEMENT AS WE EMBARK ON ANOTHER THRILLING EXPERIENCE.

TOGETHER. WE CONTINUE TO MAKE DREAMS A REALITY HERE IN OUR CITY AS WE CONTINUE OUR STRONG PARTNERSHIP WITH UTRGV, I'M PROUD TO HIGHLIGHT AN ELECTRIFYING ADDITION TO OUR COMMUNITY.

THE ULTIMATE EXPERIENCE IS COMING TO EDINBURGH.

AS YOU HEARD JUST LAST WEEK, EDINBURGH WILL BE HOME TO VAQUEROS FOOTBALL.

THIS MARKS A SIGNIFICANT MILESTONE IN OUR JOURNEY TO ELEVATE EDINBURG TO NEW HEIGHTS OF

[01:40:03]

HERE AND SEEING THE GROWTH AND ESPECIALLY EDINBURGH IN THE PAST DECADE OR SO.

IT'S IT'S BEEN FUN TO WATCH AND FUN TO GROW, AND NO ONE COMING DOWN HERE AND SEEING THE UNIVERSITY GROWTH AND THE AND THE ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT GROWTH HERE IN TOWN.

AND NOW TO TO HAVE A COLLEGE FOOTBALL TEAM IN EDINBURGH.

YOU KNOW, THIS IS STILL THE HOME. IT IS THE IS THE VALLEY'S TEAM, BUT WE ARE HOME HOUSED IN EDINBURGH. AND TO BE HERE ON CAMPUS AND THEN BE PLAYING FOOTBALL HERE IN EDINBURGH.

IT'S IT'S GOING TO BE GREAT. IT'S HUGE.

I MEAN, IT'S AND IT'S AN EXPERIENCE NO ONE ELSE CAN OFFER DOWN HERE. AND IT'S, IT IS AND IT'S NOT IT'S NOT JUST A GAME.

IT'S AN ENTIRE COMMUNITY EVENT.

AND IT IS AN EXPERIENCE.

I MEAN, IT'S IT'S NOT JUST THE GAME, BUT YOU'VE GOT THE BANDS AND THE CROWDS AND THE DANCE TEAM AND THE STUDENTS AND JUST THE ATMOSPHERE, THE TAILGATING. AND I CAN'T WAIT FOR THE, THE BUS TO PULL ON FREDI GONZALEZ AND SEE ALL THE SMOKE AND THE PITS.

AND I MEAN, IT'S JUST A IT'S AN ENTIRE EVENT.

I MEAN, YOU LOOK AT COLLEGE FOOTBALL ACROSS THE NATION AND YOU LOOK AT NFL FOOTBALL AND YOU LOOK AT JUST THE, YOU KNOW, THOSE AFTERNOONS AND THOSE EVENINGS AND THE DAYS LEADING UP TO IT AND THE PEOPLE AND THE FAMILY, EVERYBODY COME. NOTHING BRINGS PEOPLE TOGETHER MORE THAN SPORTS, AND NOTHING BRINGS PEOPLE TOGETHER. MORE IN SPORTS THAN FOOTBALL IN TEXAS AND ESPECIALLY DOWN HERE. AND YOU SEE THE WAY THE VALLEY RALLIES AROUND THEIR HIGH SCHOOL TEAMS. THE LAST TEAM THAT'S IN THE PLAYOFFS. AND I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE THE SUPPORT WHEN WE GET ON THE FIELD. THANK YOU. WE'RE SO EXCITED ABOUT THAT.

THIS IS NOT JUST ABOUT EDINBURG, ABOUT THE WHOLE REGION.

AND WE INVITE YOU TO BE PART OF HISTORY.

WHEN YOU WALK OUT TODAY, YOU CAN ACTUALLY BUY YOUR SEASON TICKETS. SO DON'T LEAVE WITHOUT GETTING YOUR SEASON TICKETS HERE TONIGHT. YOU KNOW, DIVISION ONE FOOTBALL WILL PROVIDE RECOGNITION FOR, LIKE I MENTIONED, TO OUR REGION AND JUST CREATE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT FOR OUR AREA FOR YEARS TO COME.

YOU KNOW, THE FAN EXPERIENCE WILL BE EVEN MORE PHENOMENAL WITH THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW UTRGV FIELDHOUSE ATRIUM.

IT WILL INCLUDE A NEW ENTRANCE FOR FANS ATTENDING BASKETBALL AND VOLLEYBALL GAMES WITH A NEW BOX OFFICE, TEAM STORE, CONCESSION STAND, AND EVEN A HALL OF FAME AREA.

IT'S ALL HAPPENING HERE IN EDINBURG, FOLKS, IN 2023.

WE ALSO MADE HEALTH AND FITNESS A TOP PRIORITY WITH OVER 43,000 MINUTES OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY. LOG ACROSS OUR COMMUNITY.

WE TOOK FIRST PLACE IN THE MOVE WITH THE MAYOR CAMPAIGN, A NATIONWIDE INITIATIVE TO PROMOTE POSITIVE HABITS AND A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE.

IT WAS OUR FIRST TIME PARTICIPATING, AND WE MADE THE MOST OF THAT EXPERIENCE BY TAKING THE TOP TITLE. WE ALSO HAVE THE LARGEST LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL PROGRAM IN SOUTH TEXAS. VERY PROUD OF THAT.

THERE'S OVER 1300 CHILDREN AND THE LARGEST RACE EVENT SYSTEM IN SOUTH TEXAS WITH SEVEN UNIQUE RACES WHERE WE HAVE OVER 11,000 REGISTERED RACE PARTICIPANTS EVERY YEAR.

SO WE'RE MOVING, KEEPING OUR KIDS ACTIVE AND MAKING THINGS HAPPEN IN EDINBURGH.

ON THE SCREEN, YOU'RE GOING TO SEE A QR CODE.

IF YOU SCAN IT, YOU CAN STAY UP TO DATE ON ALL THE THINGS HAPPENING IN OUR CITY.

YOU CAN GET ALL THE LATEST UPDATES THROUGHOUT ABOUT OUR CITY, INCLUDING OUR EDINBURGH EDITION NEWSLETTER.

IT'S A NEWSLETTER THAT WE JUST STARTED RECENTLY TO INFORM THE PUBLIC OF WHAT WAS HAPPENING, AND YOU CAN DISCOVER ALL THE EXCITING EVENTS THAT MAKE UP THE EDINBURGH EXPERIENCE. SO ON THAT NOTE, LET'S CONTINUE TALKING ABOUT QUALITY OF LIFE ENTERTAINMENT EXPERIENCES IN EDINBURGH.

THEY DON'T CALL US THE CITY OF FESTIVAL FOR NOTHING IN 2023.

BETWEEN OUR CULTURAL ARTS DEPARTMENT, AMAZING LIBRARY AND AWARD WINNING PARKS AND REC DEPARTMENT, THE CITY HOSTED NEARLY 500 EVENTS HERE IN OUR CITY.

THAT'S RIGHT, 500 EVENTS, BIG AND SMALL.

FROM THE TEN K RUN TO THE VETERANS PARADE, WE HAD AN ATTENDANCE OF OVER 100,000 PEOPLE TO ALL THESE EVENTS. AND, YOU KNOW, A FEW MONTHS AGO WE UNVEILED THE DE ZAVALA PARK ON NORTH MONMOUTH ROAD.

THIS COLLABORATIVE PROJECT STANDS AS ANOTHER SYMBOL OF UNITY, WHICH BROUGHT TOGETHER THE CITY, EDINBURG CISD AND HIDALGO COUNTY PRECINCT FOUR, IN A JOINT EFFORT TO MAKE LIFE BETTER FOR OUR CITY.

I WANT TO TAKE THIS TIME TO THANK EDINBURG CISD AND PRECINCT FOUR, OUR COMMISSIONER, ELLIE TORRES, FOR THEIR PARTNERSHIP.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU. COULDN'T HAPPEN WITHOUT ALL THREE ENTITIES COMING TOGETHER.

I APPRECIATE IT VERY MUCH.

AND WE DIDN'T HAVE A PARK IN THE NORTH SIDE AND WE ALL WANTED TO CHANGE THAT. SO THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH. ON THE NORTHWEST SIDE, EXCUSE ME.

YOU KNOW, WITH A SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENT OF 1.9 MILLION, THIS PARK HAS A SPLASH PAD, NEW RESTROOMS, AND A WALKING TRAIL TO GET PEOPLE MOVING. THE PARK ALSO INCLUDES A BASKETBALL COURT, PAVILION AND A MULTI-USE FIELDS.

DE ZAVALA STANDS AS A TESTAMENT TO OUR ONGOING EFFORTS TO ENHANCE THE OVERALL EXPERIENCE FOR OUR RESIDENTS, UNDERSCORING OUR DEDICATION IN PROVIDING INCLUSIVE RECREATIONAL AREAS AND OUR PUSH TO IMPROVE THE EXPERIENCES HERE IN OUR CITY DOESN'T END HERE. WE'RE PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE FORTHCOMING PLANS FOR AN ALL INCLUSIVE PLAYSCAPE SLATED TO DEBUT THIS SPRING AT DE ZAVALA AT AT ONE OF OUR OLDER PARKS,

[01:45:05]

SO WE MADE LIGHTING IMPROVEMENTS AT THE CANO HIKE AND BIKE TRAIL.

WE ADDED 115 SOLAR LIGHTS TO ELIMINATE SOME OF THE DARK SPOTS ALONG THE TRAIL.

AGAIN, IN THE SPIRIT OF COLLABORATION, WE CAME TOGETHER THE CITY WITH THE RGV, MPO AND TXDOT TO SEE THIS PROJECT HAPPEN.

THIS $483,000 PROJECT EXTENDED USABLE PARK HOURS AND HELP TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF THOSE WHO USE THE TRAIL. CONSTRUCTION IS ALSO NEARING COMPLETION ON THE EDINBURG ARTS CULTURE AND EVENT CENTER, BETTER KNOWN AS THE EDINBURG ACE BUILDING.

THIS 36,000 SQUARE FOOT FACILITY WAS SERVED AS A DOWNTOWN VENUE TO HOST LOCAL CONFERENCES, CULTURAL ART EXHIBITS, LIVE PERFORMANCES, AND COMMUNITY EVENTS. THIS $14 MILLION PROJECT WILL ATTRACT MORE VISITORS TO OUR CITY BY CREATING A DOWNTOWN ENTERTAINMENT AREA DEVOTED TO THE ARTS.

AS COUNCIL MEMBER JASON DE LEON TELLS US, WE WANT ALL THESE QUALITY LIFE EXPERIENCES TO BE THE BEST THEY CAN BE.

JASON, I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS APPROPRIATE FOR A STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS.

MAYOR OF EDINBURG IN THE HEART OF ENTERTAINMENT.

EVERY YEAR, OUR CULTURAL ARTS DEPARTMENT PUTS ON A HOST OF FESTIVALS THAT ATTRACT THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE FROM ACROSS THE RIO GRANDE VALLEY AND THE UNITED STATES.

OUR VENUES MAKE THESE FESTIVALS ACCESSIBLE AND FUN, WITH OUR PROMENADE PARK AMPHITHEATER HOME TO MANY OF THEM AND MANY FREE OF CHARGE EVENTS LIKE THE UFO FESTIVAL, JUNETEENTH FESTIVAL, FRIDA FEST, THE SOUTH TEXAS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL AND LOS MUERTOS VALEN ENSURE THAT EVERYONE AND ANYONE HAS SOMETHING THAT INTERESTS THEM HAPPENING IN OUR COMMUNITY, WHETHER IT'S LIVE MUSIC FROM LOCAL ARTISTS, DANCE ENSEMBLES, DELICIOUS FOOD, OR A GOOD OLD FASHIONED ALIEN EXCURSION.

WE'RE MAKING THINGS HAPPEN IN EDINBURGH. WE BELIEVE IN FOSTERING A VIBRANT COMMUNITY WHERE CREATIVITY THRIVES, ENSURING THAT EVERY EXPERIENCE IN OUR CITY IS UNIQUE AS IT IS ENRICHING.

LAST YEAR, OUR CULTURE ARTS DEPARTMENT EARNED 13 AWARDS FROM THE INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL AND EVENTS ASSOCIATION, THE TEXAS FESTIVAL AND EVENTS ASSOCIATION, AND THE RGV CHAPTER OF THE AMERICAN ADVERTISING FEDERATION.

I'D SAY THAT'S IMMENSE.

EDINBURG SPOT AS A CULTURAL ARTS DESTINATION, BUT IT DOESN'T STOP AT FESTIVALS.

IN 2023, WE UNVEILED PIRATE'S COVE, A BRAND NEW 16,800 SQUARE FOOT INCLUSIVE SPLASH PAD AT THE MUNICIPAL POOL THAT FEATURES AN INTERACTIVE PIRATE SHIP AND AQUATIC WHEELCHAIR RAMP.

IT'S THE ONLY ONE LIKE IT IN THE VALLEY.

ALL RESIDENTS NOW HAVE ACCESS TO ANOTHER SUMMER DESTINATION RIGHT IN THEIR BACKYARDS, AND WE'VE SEEN SO MANY FAMILIES TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT ALREADY.

EDINBURG IS MAKING A SPLASH IN ALL OF THESE EXPERIENCES, AND WE CAN'T WAIT TO SEE WHERE IT TAKES US.

ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER DE LEON.

ON. AND FOR THE RECORD, HE DOES HAVE A FULL SUIT ON HERE TONIGHT.

SO PLEASE JOIN ME IN APPLAUDING OUR CULTURAL ARTS DEPARTMENT, LIBRARY AND ALL OUR CITY CREWS FOR ALL THE AMAZING EVENTS THAT WE PUT TOGETHER.

THANK YOU. YOU KNOW, SOMETHING ELSE THAT WE'RE FOCUSING ON HERE IN OUR CITY IS INCLUSION. ALL OF THESE EVENTS AND FESTIVALS, WE WANT EVERYONE TO EXPERIENCE THEM.

SO WE CREATED AN INCLUSIVITY TASK FORCE AND INVITED ADVOCATES TO JOIN US.

THIS TASK FORCE STANDS AS A BEACON OF OUR COMMITMENT TO EMBRACE DIVERSITY AND BRIDGING, BRIDGING THE DIVIDE IN OUR COMMUNITY. WE'RE WORKING COLLECTIVELY TO ENSURE EQUITY FOR ALL RESIDENTS. WE ARE STRIVING TO CREATE A CITY WHERE EVERY VOICE IS HEARD AND EVERY INDIVIDUAL IS VALUED. OUR PARKS DEPARTMENT WAS HONORED AS WELL WITH AN INCLUSION AWARD BY THE CAPABLE KIDS FOUNDATION.

WE OPENED UP OUR GYMS AND MADE OUR EQUIPMENT AVAILABLE TO THE KIDS, PROVIDING MEANINGFUL EXPERIENCES THAT ALL CHILDREN DESERVE.

WHEN I SAY THE STATE OF OUR CITY IS STRONG, I MEAN IT.

WE CONTINUE TO BE FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE WHILE AT THE SAME TIME MAKING IMPROVEMENTS

[01:50:04]

THIS MAKES IT THE LOWEST TAX RATE SINCE 1991.

AND IN SEPTEMBER, OUR COUNCIL MADE AN EARNEST COMMITMENT TO WORK TOWARDS THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A MINIMUM WAGE OF $15 PER HOUR FOR ALL EMPLOYEES.

IF YOU WORK IN EDINBURG, WE WANT YOU TO HAVE THE BEST EXPERIENCE AND THE BEST OPPORTUNITIES POSSIBLE.

YOU KNOW, BEFORE YOU HEAD OUT TONIGHT, DON'T FORGET TO PICK UP A COPY OF OUR ANNUAL REPORT. IT'S A VALUABLE RESOURCE YOU CAN TAKE HOME WITH YOU, AND IT SHOWCASES ALL OF THE THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING IN OUR CITY THAT HAPPENED THIS LAST YEAR. BUT LET ME REMIND YOU, NONE OF THIS WOULD BE POSSIBLE WITHOUT OUR EXCEPTIONAL EMPLOYEES HERE IN OUR CITY.

THEIR HARD WORK HAVE DRIVEN ALL THE REMARKABLE STATS WE HAVE SHARED WITH YOU TONIGHT. SO AT THIS TIME, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK OUR CITY MANAGER, MISS MYRA AYALA, AND ALL OUR CITY EMPLOYEES FOR ALL THEY DO.

IF YOU ARE HERE IN THE AUDIENCE EMPLOYEES, PLEASE STAND SO YOU CAN BE RECOGNIZED.

ALL THE CITY EMPLOYEES THAT ARE HERE, COULD YOU PLEASE STAND SO YOU CAN BE RECOGNIZED? THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A GREAT TEAM.

LET'S NOW TAKE A LOOK AT SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS ON JUST A FEW OF OUR EMPLOYEES AND DEPARTMENTS THAT ARE MAKING THINGS HAPPEN.

TEAM EDINBURG SHINE BRIGHT.

THE EDINBURG PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT WAS RECOGNIZED AT THE STATE LEVEL AS THE WINNER OF THE 2023 23. EXCEPTIONAL PERFORMANCE AWARD FOR SAFETY IN RECOGNITION OF THEIR REAL TIME HYDROLOGICAL SYSTEM. THIS SYSTEM ALLOWS OUR STAFF TO ACCESS UP TO DATE INFORMATION ON FLOOD RISKS EVERY FIVE MINUTES, ENSURING THAT WE HAVE EFFECTIVE RESPONSE MEASURES IN PLACE IN THE EVENT OF A SEVERE STORM.

OUR PARKS AND REC DEPARTMENT ALSO PICKED UP STATEWIDE RECOGNITION AS THE TEXAS AMATEUR ATHLETIC FEDERATION MEMBER CITY OF THE YEAR.

THAT MEANS WE'RE THE NUMBER ONE CITY IN TEXAS WITH THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS IN THE STATE. AND LET'S TAKE A MOMENT TO RECOGNIZE OUR INCREDIBLE GRANTS DEPARTMENT.

THANKS TO THEIR HARD WORK, WE SECURED A WHOPPING 21 GRANTS IN 2023, TOTALING AN IMPRESSIVE $9.6 MILLION.

THAT'S NO SMALL FEAT AND ALLOWS US TO MAKE A REAL IMPACT IN OUR COMMUNITY.

THE DEPARTMENT OF SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT IS SOARING PAST EXPECTATIONS IN BOTH OPERATION AND COMPLIANCE. THE EDINBURG REGIONAL SANITARY DISPOSAL FACILITY STANDS AS THE LARGEST OPERATIONAL LONG TERM DISPOSAL SOURCE SOUTH OF CORPUS CHRISTI.

AND LET'S NOT FORGET ABOUT OUR LIBRARY AND CULTURAL ARTS DIRECTOR LETTY LEIJA, WHO WAS A RECIPIENT OF THE WOMEN OF DISTINCTION AWARDS.

IF YOU KNOW HER, YOU LOVE HER AND THIS AWARD WAS SO WELL DESERVED.

LETTY ALSO OVERSEES THE DUSTIN MICHAEL SEKULA MEMORIAL LIBRARY.

IT WAS ONE OF ONLY 49 LIBRARIES SELECTED NATIONWIDE FOR THE NASA AT MY LIBRARY PROGRAM, WHICH AIMS TO BOOST STEM LEARNING, ESPECIALLY IN LATINO COMMUNITIES.

THIS OPPORTUNITY ALLOWS US TO ENGAGE OUR COMMUNITY IN SOLAR SCIENCE, SUPPORTED BY A NASA KIT INCLUDING A TELESCOPE AND SUN SPOTTERS, ESPECIALLY DURING AN ECLIPSE AND AT THE PD.

CARLA BAUTISTA, OUR DEDICATED CRIME AND INTELLIGENCE ANALYST, TOOK ON AN INCREDIBLE MISSION TO BECOME AN ARMY WARRANT OFFICER.

HER JOURNEY LED HER TO EXCEL AT THE US ARMY WARRANT OFFICER CAREER COLLEGE, WHERE SHE RECEIVED THE PRESTIGIOUS WILLIAM RUSSELL LEADERSHIP AWARD.

CARLA WAS ONE OF ONLY 11 FEMALES TO GRADUATE FROM A CLASS OF 85 ON THE FIRESIDE.

OUR BELOVED CHIEF SNYDER WAS POSTHUMOUSLY INDUCTED INTO THE TEXAS FIRE SERVICE HALL OF HONOR. WITH 40 YEARS OF DEDICATION, INCLUDING 24 YEARS AS OUR ESTEEMED CHIEF.

HIS IMPACT ON THE TEXAS FIRE SERVICE IS IMMEASURABLE.

AND THEN THERE'S NATALIA VELASQUEZ, OUR DIRECTOR OF BUILDING SAFETY.

SHE'S THE ONLY FEMALE BUILDING OFFICIAL IN SOUTH TEXAS THAT HOLDS THE COMBINATION OF CERTIFIED BUILDING, OFFICIAL LICENSED MASTER ELECTRICIAN, CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER AND PLUMBING INSPECTOR.

SHE'S ALSO ONE OF JUST A FEW WOMEN IN THE ENTIRE STATE TO HOLD THOSE CERTIFICATIONS.

WE'RE MAKING THINGS HAPPEN IN THE CITY OF EDINBURGH.

AND THAT'S JUST A FRACTION OF SOME OF THE THINGS OUR EMPLOYEES HAVE ACCOMPLISHED THIS PAST YEAR. LET'S GIVE THEM ANOTHER HAND, PLEASE. ALL OUR EMPLOYEES FOR ALL THEY DO.

[01:55:03]

HOW'S THIS SHAPING UP? I'LL BE HONEST WITH YOU IF YOU THINK EDINBURGH IS IMPRESSIVE NOW, JUST WAIT UNTIL YOU SEE US. JUST FIVE YEARS FROM NOW, YOU MAY JUST NEED A MAP TO RECOGNIZE OUR CITY. OUR EDINBURGH 2040 COMMITTEES HAVE BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN LOOKING FORWARD TO THE FUTURE. WE'VE BEEN TAKING ACTION ON THEIR RECOMMENDATIONS, AND WE'VE ADOPTED A BUDGET THAT PROVIDES FOR OVER $5 MILLION IN FUNDING COMMITMENTS AS A RESULT OF THE GOALS THAT THEY HAVE.

THAT INCLUDES STREET IMPROVEMENTS AND PARK UPGRADES.

ANOTHER KEY GOAL OF THE COMMITTEES WAS TO UPDATE OUR COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.

THAT'S SOMETHING THAT HAD NOT BEEN DONE SINCE 2005, AND WE ARE IN THE PROCESS NOW OF UPDATING OUR COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.

WE'RE CONTINUING TO MAKE DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS.

WORK IS UNDERWAY AT THE EBONY HILLS GOLF COURSE AT $2.5 MILLION.

THIS PROJECT WILL INCLUDE NEW BRIDGES, SIGNAGE, REPAIRS TO THE CART PATHS, AND A NEW WATER FEATURE AND DETENTION POND IN EDINBURGH. WE'RE NOT JUST TALKING ABOUT GROWTH AND SUCCESS, WE'RE MAKING IT HAPPEN.

WE'RE WORKING ON A NEW $5.3 MILLION SERVICE CENTER.

THIS IS A 24 OVER SEVEN HUB FOR A VARIETY OF ESSENTIAL CITY SERVICES AND DISASTER RESPONSE. FROM THE STREETS WE DRIVE ON TO THE SEWER AND WATER WE RELY ON.

SPEAKING OF WATER, WE'RE WORKING TOWARDS A MAJOR WASTEWATER TREATMENT EXPANSION.

THIS $21 MILLION PROJECT AIMS TO INCREASE THE PLANT CAPACITY TO 13.5 MILLION GALLONS PER DAY. THAT WILL BE A TREMENDOUS DIFFERENCE FOR OUR RESIDENTS.

LOOKING FORWARD, WE'RE ALSO DOING OUR PART TO EXPAND US HIGHWAY 281 INTO AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY BY RELOCATING UTILITIES.

THIS IS GOING TO HELP PAVE THE WAY TO SUPPORT HAVING INTERSTATE 69 EVENTUALLY CONNECT TO INTERSTATE 37, WHICH WILL MAKE OUR AREA JUST THAT MUCH MORE GLOBALLY COMPETITIVE.

AND TO THE DELIGHT OF OUR BASEBALL PARENTS OUT THERE.

WE WILL CONTINUE WITH TURF FIELD IMPROVEMENTS.

WE HAVE PLANS FOR SIX NEW FIELDS TO PUT TURF ON THROUGHOUT OUR CITY.

YOU KNOW, OUR GROWTH IS JUST DOWNRIGHT EXPLOSIVE.

WE'RE TALKING DIVISION ONE FOOTBALL.

THE ACE BUILDING, TOP OF THE LINE MEDICAL FACILITIES UNIT, YOU NAME IT. EDINBURGH HAS GOT IT.

WHERE ELSE CAN YOU GO TO A SEMI-PRO EVENT, A COLLEGE GAME, A HIGH SCHOOL GAME, A CONCERT, A FESTIVAL ALL IN ONE NIGHT RIGHT HERE IN EDINBURGH THROUGH ENGAGED COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT.

THROUGH ENGAGED COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IN STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS, WE'RE TURNING OUR VISION INTO REALITY, ENSURING THAT EDINBURGH RESIDENTS REMAINS A CITY WHERE PROGRESS ISN'T JUST PROMISE. IT IS DELIVERED.

WE'RE DOUBLING DOWN ON OUR COMMITMENT TO FIX STREETS, IMPROVE DRAINAGE, AND HAVE CITY SERVICES THAT ARE SECOND TO NONE.

AND LET'S NOT FORGET ABOUT OUR UNTAPPED POTENTIAL AT THE AIRPORT, WHICH WE ARE WORKING TO EXPAND TO NEW HEIGHTS.

BUT WITH ALL THIS GROWTH COMES GREAT RESPONSIBILITY, ESPECIALLY BEING THE COUNTY SEAT.

THAT'S WHY WE'RE STAYING FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE, BUILDING UP OUR RESERVE FUND AND EARNING OURSELVES A AA BOND RATING ALONG THE WAY AS WE CHARGE FORWARD INTO 2024.

WE'RE ALL ABOUT PROVIDING THE BEST EXPERIENCES FOR OUR COMMUNITY AND DREAMING BIG FOR A BRIGHTER TOMORROW.

BUT YOU KNOW WHAT? I COULDN'T DO ANY OF THIS ALONE.

I CAN'T DO IT WITHOUT OUR INCREDIBLE CITY COUNCIL.

SO LET'S GIVE THEM A HAND. THEY'RE GOING TO JOIN ME HERE ON STAGE RIGHT NOW FOR ALL THE WORK THAT THEY DO. AND JOINING ME, MAKING OUR CITY BETTER.

GOOD JOB. THANK YOU.

AND ALSO SPECIAL THANKS TO ALL THE BEHIND THE SCENES PEOPLE THAT ARE HERE.

YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE. CULTURAL ARTS, OUR MEDIA DEPARTMENT, CITY MANAGEMENT. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR PUTTING THIS TOGETHER AND INFORMING OUR COMMUNITY. SO HERE'S TO ANOTHER YEAR OF GROWTH, EXCELLENCE AND EXCITEMENT IN 2024.

THANK YOU FOR BEING PART OF OUR SECOND STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS, AND I CAN'T WAIT TO CONTINUE THIS JOURNEY WITH YOU.

UNTIL NEXT TIME, EDINBURG.

TOGETHER, WE'RE SHAPING AN UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE.

GOD BLESS YOU ALL AND GOD BLESS.

EDINBURG. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU GUYS.

LET'S GO TO GET SOME FOOD.

ONE MORE ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR THE MAYOR AND OUR CITY COMMISSIONERS. FROM THE CITY OF EDINBURGH. ANY VEHICLE HAS THE POTENTIAL OF BECOMING A DEADLY WEAPON AT A DISTRACTED DRIVER. ANSWERING THE PHONE OR TEXTING WHILE DRIVING.

[02:00:01]

OKAY, WELL, I THOUGHT WE WERE MEETING UP AT FIVE.

AND WHEN THAT DISTRACTED DRIVER ENTERS A WORK ZONE, THE LIKELIHOOD OF A FATALITY IS EVEN GREATER.

I BETTER TEXT JODY. DRIVERS WHO SPEED OR BECOME DISTRACTED CAUSE FATAL INCIDENTS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE WORK ZONE.

GOT ONE COMING THROUGH. ONE COMING THROUGH.

MAYBE TODAY YOU WILL FLY THROUGH THE WORK ZONE UNHARMED.

BUT HOW ABOUT TOMORROW? THE NEXT WORKER YOU DON'T PAY ATTENTION TO MAY NOT MAKE IT HOME TODAY.

WILL YOU EVEN REACH YOUR DESTINATION? MANY WORKERS AND MOTORISTS HAVE NOT.

AT A HIGH SCHOOL FRIEND THAT I GREW UP WITH THAT DID NOT GET TO SEE HIS CHILDREN GROW UP.

A DISTRACTED MOTORIST PULLED INTO HIS LANE AND STRUCK HIM HEAD ON, TAKING HIS LIFE. AND TO THIS DAY, I LIVE WITH THAT MOMENT AND IT CAUSES ME ALSO TO REFLECT BACK ON OUR 11 TEX-DOT TEAMMATES AND OTHER CONTRACTOR EMPLOYEES WHO LOST THEIR LIFE AND WERE UNABLE TO SEE THEIR CHILDREN GROW UP, AND IT ALL CAME DOWN TO A DISTRACTED DRIVER.

TEXAS AVERAGES OVER 3000 DISTRACTED DRIVER CRASHES IN WORK ZONES EVERY YEAR.

ABOUT 14 OF THESE ARE FATAL.

EVERYONE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR SAFE PASSAGE THROUGH A WORK ZONE.

THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, ALSO KNOWN AS TXDOT, ALONG WITH CONTRACTORS THAT WORK WITH THE AGENCY, HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF MAINTAINING A ROADWAY SYSTEM THAT CONNECTS TEXAS COMMUNITIES AND MOVES PEOPLE AND GOODS SAFELY AND EFFICIENTLY.

IT'S YOUR JOB TO REMAIN ALERT AND PAY ATTENTION WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAYS, ESPECIALLY WHILE DRIVING THROUGH WORK ZONES.

THERE ARE TWO SIDES OF THE LINE HERE, AND WE HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF EACH OTHER.

IT TAKES US AS CONTRACTORS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE GUIDE THE PUBLIC THROUGH OUR WORK ZONE.

AT THE SAME TIME, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE PUBLIC IS WATCHING OUT FOR US.

WE'RE WORKERS. WE HAVE FAMILY.

WE WANT TO GO HOME JUST LIKE YOU WANT TO GO HOME.

EACH YEAR IN TEXAS, THERE ARE APPROXIMATELY 15,000 CRASHES AND MORE THAN 100 PEOPLE KILLED IN HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE WORK ZONES.

IF YOU WERE NOT EXPECTING TO DRIVE THROUGH A WORK ZONE TODAY, CONSIDER THIS ROAD BUILDING IN TEXAS IS YEAR ROUND, AND THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION MAINTAINS ABOUT 200,000 LANE MILES OF ROADWAY. OVER 1000 PROJECTS ARE UNDERWAY AT ANY TIME.

TRAFFIC FINES DOUBLE WHEN WORKERS ARE IN SIGHT, AND ON ANY GIVEN DAY, OVER 36,000 WORKERS ARE ON OR NEAR A ROADWAY.

AND IT'S VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE AS DRIVERS ARE FULLY PAYING ATTENTION.

THINGS CHANGE AND IT WORKS.

AND THEY'RE NOT THE SAME AS JUST A BASIC OPEN ROAD.

AND IT ONLY TAKES A SECOND THAT ONE TIME THAT YOU'RE NOT PAYING ATTENTION.

YOU COULD VERY WELL LOSE YOUR LIFE COMING THROUGH THE WORK ZONE.

WHEN APPROACHING A WORK ZONE, PAY ATTENTION TO ENTRANCE SIGNS AND TRAVEL THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT FOR THE AREA.

BE AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS.

YOUR UNDIVIDED ATTENTION IS ESSENTIAL, ESPECIALLY SINCE YOUR VISIBILITY MAY BE LIMITED AND YOUR PATH MAY BE ALTERED FOR YOUR SAFETY AND THE SAFETY OF WORKERS.

PAY ATTENTION TO FLAGGERS, CHANNELIZING DEVICES, BARRIERS, WARNING SIGNS AND PAVEMENT MARKINGS.

THEY ARE THERE TO PROVIDE SAFE AND CLEAR GUIDANCE THROUGH THE WORK ZONE, AND ALERT YOU TO POTENTIAL DANGER.

EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED.

HEAVY CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT AND LARGE EARTHMOVERS MAY BE NEAR THE ROADWAY OR CROSSING YOUR PATH, DEPENDING ON THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC.

STOPS AND WORK ZONES CAN BE SUDDEN AND UNEXPECTED, SO DO NOT TAILGATE. CREATE A SPACE CUSHION BY KEEPING A FOUR SECOND OR GREATER DISTANCE BETWEEN YOU AND THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF YOU, AND LOOK AHEAD.

A TRAVEL DISTANCE OF 15 SECONDS OR GREATER TO HELP SPOT HAZARDS BEFORE THEY BECOME AN INCIDENT. AT NIGHT, WORK ZONES LOOK DIFFERENTLY THAN BY DAY.

OVERNIGHT WORK LOWERS THE IMPACT ON PEAK TIME TRAFFIC, BUT VISIBILITY IS FURTHER REDUCED AT NIGHT OR IN LOW LIGHT CONDITIONS.

WORKERS SEE LESS OF YOU AND YOU MAY SEE LESS OF THEM AND A DRIVER'S EYESIGHT CAN BE TEMPORARILY BLINDED BY BRIGHT WORK ZONE LIGHTS OR BY ONCOMING TRAFFIC.

REMEMBER, AS CONSTRUCTION PROGRESSES, THE WORK ZONE PATH MAY CHANGE.

WORKERS MUST BE ATTENTIVE, BUT DAY OR NIGHT, ENEMY NUMBER ONE IN A WORK ZONE IS A DISTRACTED DRIVER.

WHEN YOU'RE IN A WORK ZONE, DON'T ZONE OUT.

SILENCE THE CELL. TEXT LATER AND KEEP YOUR MIND ON THE ROAD.

THIS IS NOT TIME FOR CHECKING THE GPS, EATING, GROOMING, CHANGING THE RADIO STATION, MP3 OR CD.

DAYDREAMING OR WORRYING ABOUT PERSONAL ISSUES IS ALSO A DISTRACTION.

[02:05:03]

THAT MAY BE ALL IT TAKES TO CROSS THE BARREL AND UNFORTUNATELY, STRIKE A WORKER WHO'S STANDING ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THAT BARREL WORKING FOR YOU TO TRY TO CREATE A SAFE HIGHWAY SYSTEM WHEN BEHIND THE WHEEL.

DRIVING IS YOUR NUMBER ONE PRIORITY.

AND KEEP IN MIND, TEENAGERS MODEL THEIR PARENTS BEHAVIOR.

IF YOU TEXT, YOUR TEENAGERS MAY TEXT EVEN AFTER TELLING THEM IT'S DANGEROUS.

ACCORDING TO DISTRACTION GOV, A TEXTING DRIVER IS 23 TIMES MORE LIKELY TO CRASH. SENDING OR READING A TEXT CAN DIVERT YOUR EYES FROM THE ROAD FOR ABOUT 4.6 SECONDS AT 55MPH. THAT'S SIMILAR TO DRIVING BLINDFOLDED THE DISTANCE OF A FOOTBALL FIELD.

MANY TEENS DRIVE WITH QUICK ACCESS TO A PHONE, AND CONTRIBUTING TO THIS HABIT IS THE QUICK RESPONSE EXPECTED FROM FRIENDS.

TEENS AND PARENTS CAN SET A GOOD EXAMPLE BY PLACING THEIR PHONE OUT OF REACH WHILE DRIVING. GLANCING AWAY FROM THE ROAD TO CHECK A MESSAGE OR TO TAKE A CALL COULD COST YOU YOUR LIFE OR THE LIFE OF ANOTHER PERSON.

NOW THAT YOU KNOW THE DANGERS, WHAT MEASURES WILL YOU TAKE YOUR KEEN AWARENESS OF THE ROAD AND TO CHANGING CONDITIONS IS YOUR BEST DEFENSE.

WHEN DRIVERS SLOW DOWN, ARE AWARE OF THE DANGERS AND ARE PATIENT, THEY REMAIN CALM AND IN CONTROL.

EVERYONE PLAYS A PART IN WORK ZONE SAFETY.

GIVING YOUR UNDIVIDED ATTENTION IN A WORK ZONE SAVES LIVES AND HELPS YOU REACH YOUR MOST IMPORTANT DESTINATION.

HOME.

[02:12:36]

OKAY. WE GOT HAMMERED TODAY, RIGHT? YEAH, WELL, SO DID A LOT OF OUR FANS.

THEY GO TO EACH OTHER'S HOMES AND HAVE GAME WATCHING PARTIES.

WHAT HE'S SAYING IS, WHILE BOB WAS OUT THERE GETTING BLITZED. SORRY, BOB. IT'S OKAY. OUR FANS ARE GETTING BLITZED.

WHAT DO YOU THINK? WE'RE STILL IN THESE PADS. THEY'RE OUT THERE DRIVING HOME NOW TO GAME WATCHING PARTIES CAN MAKE DRUNK DRIVERS PASS UP THAT DRINK OR PASS OFF YOUR KEYS.

[02:19:26]

CAN I GET A MOTION TO RECONVENE? SO MOVED. SECOND. MOTION AND SECOND.

[OPEN SESSION]

747. JUST WANT THE RECORD TO REFLECT.

THERE WAS NO ACTION TAKEN IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.

I BELIEVE WE NEED A MOTION AT THIS TIME.

YES, MAYOR. BASED ON THE DISCUSSION I WOULD RECOMMEND A MOTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY ATTORNEY TO PROCEED AS DISCUSSED.

SO MOVED. SECOND. ALL RIGHT.

WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR, RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND. ALL OPPOSED. SAME SIGN. MOTION CARRIES. IS THERE ANY OTHER BUSINESS?

[6. ADJOURNMENT]

[02:20:02]

SECOND. A MOTION SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR, RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND. ALL OPPOSED? SAME SIGN. WE'RE ADJOURNED.

GOOD NIGHT EVERYONE.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.