Apr 07, 2025 EEDC Meeting

OH NO, OH NO MO MO MO MO MO

[00:00:11]

AND IT JUST. IT IS ALSO AN ECONOMIC DRIVER WITH THE PEOPLE THAT COME, STAY, SPEND THE WEEKEND, LEARN ABOUT EDINBURGH, BEING ABLE TO RENT THE FACILITY SO MANY DIFFERENT WAYS THAT THIS IS JUST GOING TO SPARK A NEW ERA IN THE CITY OF EDINBURGH.

TWO ONE. WE HOPE THAT THE ACE BECOMES A MAGNET, REALLY A MAGNET FOR ARTISTS, ARTISTS AND RESIDENTS FROM PAINTERS, DESIGNERS, MURALISTS, DANCERS, CINEMATOGRAPHERS.

WE WANT THIS TO BE A PLACE WHERE CHILDREN GROW UP AND HAVE ARTS AS A PART OF THEIR EVERYDAY LIFE WHERE THEY'RE SAYING, YOU KNOW, PLEASE TAKE ME TO THE ACE, PLEASE TAKE ME TO THE ACE.

COME AS FAST AS YOU CAN, BECAUSE THIS IS GOING TO BE THE PLACE TO BE.

YOU KNOW, IT DOESN'T MATTER IF YOU'RE 555 OR 105, THE ACE IS GOING TO HAVE SOMETHING FOR YOU.

THERE WILL BE CLASSES.

THERE WILL BE OPPORTUNITIES TO COME TOGETHER, MEET PEOPLE, FORM NEW COMMUNITIES, MAKE NEW FRIENDS AND BECOME A PART OF OUR CITY AND BECOME A PART OF THE FABRIC THAT IS THE EDINBURGH ARTS COMMUNITY.

[00:05:29]

WE CONDUCT DAILY INSPECTIONS FOR FOOD BUSINESSES, FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS, DAYCARES, SCHOOLS, RESTAURANTS, JUST KEEPING FOOD SAFE FOR THE PUBLIC.

THERE'S A FORM WE USE 47 ITEMS, WHICH GOES FROM THE ESTABLISHMENT EMPLOYEES SAFE FOOD, HANDLING TEMPERATURES, DISHWASHING, PEST CONTROL, THE LIGHTING, THE THE HOT WATER.

IT COVERS EVERYTHING AND EVERY ESTABLISHMENT GETS THE SAME FORM.

ALL THESE ITEMS ARE COVERED IN THE FORM, AND WE JUST.

THAT'S WHAT WE DO EVERY DAY, BUSINESS TO BUSINESS.

WE'LL GO THROUGH THE FORM, AND WHAT YOU WANT TO END UP HERE IS A00 DEMERITS. IF YOU HAVE TEN OR MORE, WE HAVE TO BREAK IT DOWN AND DO ANOTHER FORM AND YOU'RE ON A CORRECTIVE ACTION LIST AND WE'LL COME BACK WITHIN A FEW DAYS.

AND THOSE ITEMS NEED TO BE CORRECTED.

TRY TO INSPECT EVERY BUSINESS TWO TIMES A YEAR, A YEARLY INSPECTION, SIX MONTHS, AND ANY COMPLAINTS WE MIGHT GET FROM THE PUBLIC. WE ADDRESS THOSE IMMEDIATELY.

SO THIS IS DONE. TO JUST TO KEEP FOOD ESTABLISHMENT SAFE.

WHERE YOU EAT, WHERE I EAT, WHERE OUR FAMILIES EAT, WE WANT IT TO BE IN GOOD CONDITION AND SAFE.

WHAT WE WANT THEM TO KNOW THAT IF AN ESTABLISHMENT IS OPEN IN OUR CITY OR FOR THE MOST PART, IN ANY PLACE IN TEXAS.

IF THEY'RE OPEN AND THEY HAVE A PERMIT, THEY ARE INSPECTED AND HOPEFULLY THAT THERE IT'S TO THEIR SATISFACTION.

SOMETIMES A RESIDENT WILL CALL US, HEY, I SAW THIS OR I SAW THAT, AND THAT HELPS US BECAUSE WE CAN'T BE IN EVERY BUSINESS EVERY DAY.

SO THAT HELPS US BE OUT AND MAYBE VISIT THEM.

[A. Pledge of Allegiance.]

YOU MIGHT EITHER. I MIGHT EAT THERE. MY FAMILY, YOUR FAMILY, OUR COWORKERS EAT AT THESE ESTABLISHMENTS.

SO WE WANT THEM TO BE NICE, CLEAN AND SAFE FOOD.

IF IF YOU VISIT A RESTAURANT AND YOU SEE SOMETHING THAT MIGHT YOU MIGHT THINK IT'S NOT RIGHT OR YOU SEE SOMETHING THAT'S NOT RIGHT, GIVE US A CALL.

THREE, EIGHT, EIGHT, 18, 64.

WE'LL BE GLAD TO COME OUT THERE AND VISIT.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO GIVE YOUR NAME.

IT'S JUST ANONYMOUS. OR YOU CAN GIVE YOUR NAME.

[3. DISCLOSURE OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST]

SOMEBODY JUST SAW THIS, AND WE JUST WANT TO VERIFY IT AND WE'LL COME OUT AND DO IT. IF WE DO A COMPLAINT, IT'S A FULL INSPECTION AND WE MIGHT CATCH SOMETHING ELSE THAT WAS MISSED.

BUT WE WE'RE OUT HERE DOING OUR JOB EVERY DAY.

THERE'S THREE OF US THAT ARE TRYING TO INSPECT EVERY BUSINESS TWICE A YEAR.

AND ANY COMPLAINT IN OUR CITY.

HI THERE. EDINBURG. INTERESTED IN MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN OUR ENVIRONMENT? WELL, YOU CAN JOIN US FOR COMMUNITY PLANTING DAY ON SATURDAY.

HERE ARE SOME HELPFUL TIPS AND TRICKS FOR PLANNING YOUR TREE.

HI, MY NAME IS LEO DURAN.

I AM THE EDINBURG CITY FORESTER.

TODAY I'LL BE TEACHING YOU HOW TO PLANT A TREE, GIVING YOU SOME HELPFUL TIPS AND

[4. PUBLIC COMMENTS]

SO THE FIRST STEP IN PLANTING A TREE IS DIGGING THE HOLE.

YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE THE HOLE IS AT LEAST 2 TO 3 TIMES WIDER THAN THE ROOT BALL OF THE TREE, AND ABOUT THE SAME DEPTH AS THE BASE OF THE TREE WHERE THE BASE OF THE TREE MEETS THE

[5. AGENDA ITEMS]

[A. Consider approval of Minutes for the Special Board meeting held on March 25, 2025. B. Consider approval of Sponsorship for "Lucky Maverick Casino Night" by AltaCair.]

SO WE WANT TO LAY THE TREE ONTO ITS SIDE AND GENTLY ROLL THE CONTAINER TO LOOSEN UP THE THE ROOT BALL. FROM THERE, WE CAN EXTRACT THE TREE FROM THE CONTAINER AND LIFTING IT UP FROM THE BASE, NOT FROM THE STEM.

PUT IT GENTLY INTO THE HOLE.

ONCE THE TREE IS IN THE HOLE, THAT'S WHEN WE START TO BACKFILL IT WITH THE ORIGINAL SOIL DUG FROM THE HOLE.

YOU DON'T WANT TO USE ANY FILLERS.

YOU WANT TO USE THE SOIL FROM THE SITE.

AS YOU'RE FILLING UP THE HOLE, YOU WANT TO STEP ON IT TO COMPACT THE SOIL A LITTLE BIT AND SPRINKLE SOME WATER SO THAT YOU GET RID OF SOME OF THE AIR POCKETS THAT ARE IN THE SOIL THAT WILL KEEP THE ROOTS FROM DRYING OUT.

SO ONCE THE HOLE IS FILLED, YOU WANT TO USE THE EXCESS DIRT TO MAKE A RING AROUND THE HOLE AS A WATER BASIN.

SO WHEN YOU WATER THE TREE, IT'LL KEEP THE WATER IN THE ROOT BALLS AREA.

AFTER THAT, WE WOULD WANT TO PUT ORGANIC MULCH OVER THE TOP, AT LEAST A 2 TO 3IN DEEP AND KEEPING ABOUT AN INCH OR TWO AWAY FROM THE STEM OF THE TREE YOU DON'T WANT THE MULCH TO BE UP AGAINST THE TREE.

THAT CAN CAUSE LOTS OF PROBLEMS LATER ON.

TREES HAVE A LOT OF BENEFITS TO OUR COMMUNITY. FOR STARTERS, THEY MAKE THE THEY MAKE THE COMMUNITY LOOK BETTER.

ADDING A LOT OF GREENERY TO TO OUR LANDSCAPE.

THEY CAN BEAUTIFY THE AREA AND RAISE PROPERTY VALUES.

IT'S GETTING HOTTER EVERY DAY, SO HAVING TREES FOR SHADE IS IMPORTANT.

SO HAVING TREES IN CITIES CAN BENEFIT AIR QUALITY CARS DRIVING AROUND.

[00:10:05]

WELL THERE YOU HAVE IT. WE HOPE TO SEE YOU HERE AT THE COMMUNITY PLANTING DAY AT THE PROMENADE PARK AMPHITHEATER.

REPORTING A PROBLEM OR CONCERN YOU SEE IN THE CITY OF EDINBURGH JUST GOT EASIER.

DOWNLOAD THE EDINBURGH 311 APP ON YOUR SMARTPHONE TO REPORT ISSUES THAT NEED OUR ATTENTION. THIS CAN INCLUDE POTHOLES, STREET LIGHTS THAT ARE NOT WORKING, LITTERING AND MORE. IT IS AS EASY AS TAKING A PICTURE OF YOUR CONCERN TELLING US WHERE IT'S AT AND SUBMITTING A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF WHAT YOU SEE.

SEND IN YOUR REQUEST AND YOU'RE ALL SET.

CITY STAFF WILL TAKE IT FROM THERE.

THIS INNOVATIVE TOOL ALLOWS OUR RESIDENTS TO VOICE THEIR CONCERNS AND HELP KEEP OUR CITY RUNNING SMOOTHLY. BOW BOW BOW BOW BOW BOW BOW. BOW, BOW. HEY HEY HEY HEY HEY HEY HEY HEY! HEY! CALM DOWN. HEY.

I'M HERE, I'M HERE, I'M HERE, I'M HERE.

I HAD ABOUT TWO YEARS BEFORE HE WENT MISSING.

I LET BOBO STAY BY A FRIEND, AND FROM THERE, I DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED.

I NEVER THOUGHT IT WOULD TAKE THIS LONG AND NEVER KNEW THAT, LIKE, I WOULD EVER SEE HIM AGAIN, YOU KNOW? FROM THERE, I JUST. WE MADE ARRANGEMENTS TO COME AND GET HIM.

ALL I KEPT THINKING ABOUT EVEN AFTERWARDS WAS HOW DID HE GET HERE? WHERE WAS HE GOING? OR ACTUALLY, HOW DID YOU GET FIVE HOURS AWAY? THAT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE TO ME.

THAT'S WHAT MADE ME GO ONLINE AND GO AHEAD AND PUT IN THAT HE WAS MISSING.

I SAID, SO WHOEVER HAS HIM, I'LL BE ABLE TO GET HIM BACK SOME KIND OF WAY. I DON'T CARE WHO IT IS, HE'S MINE.

I CAN GET HIM BACK. GO AHEAD AND GET YOUR PET.

MICROCHIP DOESN'T COST THAT MUCH.

WE CAME ACROSS BOTH. WE RECEIVED A CALL FROM A CITIZEN REGARDING A LOOSE DOG, AND WE WERE ABLE TO SEND OUR OFFICERS OUT THERE.

THEY WERE ABLE TO LOCATE THE ANIMAL AND WERE ABLE TO SCAN THEM AS WELL.

FOR MICROCHIP, OUR OFFICERS WERE ABLE TO LOCATE THE ANIMAL, THE ANIMAL'S OWNERS WHICH WERE SEVEN HOURS AWAY FROM HERE IN HUMBOLDT, TEXAS. THE OWNER WAS SURPRISED BECAUSE SHE DID MENTION THAT THE DOG WAS LOST FOR ALMOST A YEAR. AS A RESPONSIBLE PET OWNER, ONE OF THE MAIN THINGS YOU SHOULD DO IS ONE GET A MICROCHIP. GET IT AS VACCINATIONS.

IT NEEDS, YOU KNOW, GIVE IT THE PROPER CARE, THE MEDICAL CARE IT NEEDS BECAUSE IT'S LIKE A CHILD. SO THEY DESERVE THE MOST, THE MOST LOVE, THE MOST RESPECT THAT THAT YOU COULD GIVE THEM.

I APPRECIATE THE CITY OF EDINBURG FOR BEING ABLE TO.

I MEAN, CONTACT ME, FIND ME.

I APPRECIATE IT 100%. I THANK YOU.

[C. Consider approval of Sponsorship for "Dinner & Auction Scholarship Gala" by IDEA Public]

[D. Discussion and possible action on attending ICSC Las Vegas May 18-20, 2025.]

[00:15:03]

THE CITY OF EDINBURG PROUDLY PRESENTED A PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING RAYMUNDO RENDON, A DEDICATED GROUNDSKEEPER WITH THE PARKS AND RECREATION SLASH LOS LAGOS GOLF DIVISION FOR HIS 20 YEARS OF EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE THROUGHOUT HIS TENURE.

MR. RENDON'S HARD WORK, COMMITMENT AND ATTENTION TO DETAIL CONTRIBUTED SIGNIFICANTLY TO THE BEAUTY AND UPKEEP OF THE CITY'S PARKS AND GOLF COURSE.

HIS UNWAVERING DEDICATION TO HIS ROLE HAS MADE A LASTING IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY.

LIBRARY DIRECTOR LOTILLA TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE AN UPDATE ON EDINBURG'S PARTICIPATION IN THE ONE NATION ONE PROJECT INITIATIVE, A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES AIMED AT PROMOTING COMMUNITY HEALTH AND EQUITY THROUGHOUT INCLUSIVE ARTS PROGRAMS. LEIJA EXPRESSED HER EXCITEMENT ABOUT THE PROGRESS MADE SO FAR.

22 NEW ART CLASSES HAVE BEEN LAUNCHED TO DATE, SERVING OVER 1600 PARTICIPANTS, AND THE CITY HAS ALSO FEATURED FIVE GALLERY EXHIBITS, CREATED THREE COLLABORATIVE MURALS, AND PROVIDED EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR 75 LOCAL ARTISTS.

ALSO, OVER 300 ARTISTS HAVE BEEN REGISTERED IN A NEW ARTIST DIRECTORY FOSTERING A STRONGER CREATIVE COMMUNITY.

LEIJA EMPHASIZED HOW THESE EFFORTS NOT ONLY SUPPORT LOCAL TALENT, BUT ALSO BUILD CONNECTIONS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY, FOSTERING A GREATER ENGAGEMENT.

CITY MANAGER INVITED THE COMMUNITY TO JOIN IN THE FESTIVE ACTIVITIES AT THE UPCOMING MIRACLE ON MCINTYRE, INCLUDING THE HIGHLY ANTICIPATED NIGHT OF LIGHTS PARADE HAPPENING THIS FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6TH.

PARADE GOERS WILL ENJOY A DAZZLING DISPLAY OF FLOATS AND CHRISTMAS LIGHTS,

[6. EXECUTIVE SESSION]

AFTER THE PARADE, EVERYONE IS ENCOURAGED TO HEAD OVER TO SIRENS WITH SANTA, HOSTED BY THE EDINBURG FIRE DEPARTMENT.

THEY WILL BE HAVING A PETTING ZOO, MOON JUMPS AND FREE KIDDY CARNIVAL RIDES.

IT PROMISES TO BE A FUN FILLED EVENING FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY.

OUR REGULARLY SCHEDULED CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS FALL ON THE FIRST AND THIRD TUESDAY OF EVERY MONTH. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ATTEND THE NEXT ONE, YOU CAN JOIN US IN PERSON AT CITY HALL OR TUNE IN LIVE AT CITY OF EDINBURGH AND ON SPECTRUM CHANNEL 1300.

THANK YOU FOR TUNING IN TO THE EDINBURG RECAP.

AS.

LONG AS YOU COME TO MY MIND THAT.

I'M MONKEY MAN. WELL.

IT'S GONNA BE A LONG, LONG TIME.

COME WITH ME. I'LL GET YOU HIGH.

I GOTTA. GO! I'M COMING.

ROCK AT NIGHT.

ALL.

YVETTE.

GOOD MORNING. YEAH. LISTEN, WE GOT WE GOTTA BE WITH THE TEAM.

[00:20:04]

GOOD MORNING. PEACE. IT'S FRIDAY.

ALWAYS A GOOD DAY. LONG TIME COMING.

I'M. SORRY.

GOOD MORNING. GOOD MORNING EVERYONE.

ONE FINAL REMINDER. IF YOU CAN PLEASE SILENCE YOUR CELL PHONES DURING OUR PROMOTIONAL AND LIFE SAVING AWARD CEREMONY.

I THINK WE'RE READY TO GET STARTED. GOOD MORNING.

WE THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TODAY AS WE CELEBRATE THE PROMOTION OF ONE OF OUR DEDICATED OFFICERS TO SERGEANT, AND THEN HONOR SOME REALLY TRUE HEROES IN EDINBURG WITH LIFE SAVING AWARDS.

WE ARE HERE TO RECOGNIZE THE OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS AND THE BRAVERY OF THOSE WHO HAVE GONE ABOVE AND BEYOND IN SERVICE TO OUR GREAT COMMUNITY.

LET US BEGIN THIS MORNING IN PRAYER.

PLEASE STAND FOR THAT.

WILFRIDO CONTRERAS OF THE EDINBURG CLERGY AND POLICE PARTNERSHIP WILL LEAD US IN THE INVOCATION. AND THEN PLEASE REMAIN STANDING AFTER THAT FOR THE PRESENTATION OF THE COLORS LED BY OUR EDINBURG POLICE DEPARTMENT HONOR GUARD.

FATHER, WE THANK YOU FOR TODAY.

WE JUST THANK YOU, FATHER, FOR ALL THE OFFICERS, ALL THE PEOPLE, FATHER, ALL THE CITY OF EDINBURGH THAT CONTINUE BEING LIGHTS IN A DARK WORLD, FATHER.

BUT I THANK YOU, FATHER, THAT EDINBURGH IS LIKE THAT CITY ON A HILL.

FATHER. THAT WILL ALWAYS SHINE THE LIGHT, FATHER.

UPON ALL DARKNESS. FATHER.

AND WE THANK YOU, FATHER, FOR THE MEN AND WOMEN, FATHER. THAT SACRIFICE EVERY SINGLE DAY, FATHER, THAT RISK THEIR LIVES.

FATHER. FATHER. THANK YOU FOR THE LEADERSHIP. THANK YOU FOR THE MAYOR. THANK YOU FOR ALL THE PEOPLE IN THE CITY OF EDINBURGH.

FATHER. WE CALL THEM BLESSED AND HOLY AND PROTECTED.

FATHER. AND WE AGAIN THANK YOU, FATHER, FOR ALL THE MEN AND WOMEN THAT RISK THEIR LIVES DAILY, FATHER, TO PROTECT US, FATHER.

AND WE APPRECIATE THAT.

LORD AND FATHER, WE PRAY THAT YOU CONTINUE BLESSING THEM, FATHER, ALL THE DAYS OF THEIR LONG LIVES.

FATHER, IN THE NAME OF JESUS, WE THANK YOU, FATHER.

AMEN.

OH, YEAH. GREAT. PERFECT COLOR.

AND NOW OUR PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, LED BY ACTING ASSISTANT CHIEF REYNALDO REYES.

I PLEDGE OF 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. GREAT. LORD MARK.

YOU MAY BE SEATED. BEFORE WE CONTINUE WITH OUR PROGRAM, I DO WANT TO TAKE A QUICK SECOND TO RECOGNIZE OUR ENTIRE EDINBURGH CITY COUNCIL.

OUR MAYOR, RAMIRO GARZA, JUNIOR.

[00:25:07]

HE IS OUT OF TOWN FOR A CONFERENCE, BUT HE REACHED OUT TO ME LAST NIGHT AND HE WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT I EXTENDED CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF THE HONOREES.

SO HE IS HERE IN SPIRIT.

ALSO, COUNCIL MEMBER JASON DE LEON, COUNCIL MEMBER DAVID SALAZAR, COUNCIL MEMBER DAVID WHITE, AND OUR CITY MANAGER, MISS MYRA AYALA. AND NOW, PLEASE WELCOME OUR MAYOR TO THE PODIUM FOR THE OFFICIAL WELCOME REMARKS.

GOOD MORNING EVERYONE.

IT'S AN HONOR TO STAND BEFORE YOU TODAY AS WE COME TOGETHER TO RECOGNIZE, AS ROXANNE MENTIONED, AND CELEBRATE THE EXTRAORDINARY MEN AND WOMEN WHO MAKE UP OUR EDINBURG POLICE DEPARTMENT.

YOU KNOW, WE ARE GATHERED HERE TO SHINE A LIGHT ON THE BRAVERY, THEIR DEDICATION THAT OUR OFFICERS DEMONSTRATE EACH AND EVERY DAY.

ON BEHALF OF MYSELF AND OUR CITY COUNCIL, I AM INCREDIBLY, INCREDIBLY PROUD TO SAY THAT WE HAVE THE BEST OFFICERS IN SOUTH TEXAS.

THIS IS NOT JUST A STATEMENT.

IT IS A TRUTH THAT IS EVIDENT IN THE ACTIONS OF THOSE WHO WEAR THE BADGE WITH HONOR.

OUR OFFICERS ARE NOT JUST PUBLIC SERVANTS, THEY ARE TRUE HEROES.

THEY ARE THE ONES WHO KEEP OUR COMMUNITY SAFE, NO MATTER THE PERSONAL COST.

TONIGHT WE ALSO. TODAY WE ALSO HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF RECOGNIZING ONE OF OUR OWN WHO HAS GONE ABOVE AND BEYOND IN SERVICE TO OUR CITY.

IT IS WITH GREAT PRIDE THAT WE CELEBRATE THE PROMOTION OF OFFICER MORENO TO THE RANK OF SERGEANT. THIS PROMOTION IS NOT JUST A REFLECTION OF THE HARD WORK THAT HE HAS SHOWN THROUGHOUT HIS CAREER, BUT ALSO A TESTAMENT TO THE CALIBER OF LEADERSHIP THAT WE ARE FORTUNATE TO HAVE WITHIN OUR DEPARTMENT.

TO ALL OUR OFFICERS TODAY, KNOW THAT YOUR COURAGE DOES NOT GO UNNOTICED.

AND TO ALL THE FAMILIES OF ALL OUR OFFICERS, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF OUR OFFICERS.

AS I ALWAYS LIKE TO SAY SERVING OUR CITY IS A FAMILY AFFAIR, AND WE KNOW THERE'S A LOT OF SACRIFICES AND THE OFFICERS SERVING OUR CITY.

AND FOR THAT I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU.

THE SACRIFICES THE OFFICERS MAKE AND THE RISK ARE DEEPLY APPRECIATED BY EVERY RESIDENT OF OUR CITY. YOU ALL ARE THE HEARTBEAT OF OUR CITY, AND WE ARE FOREVER GRATEFUL FOR THE WORK THAT YOU DO TO KEEP OUR COMMUNITY STRONG AND SAFE.

THANK YOU AND CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF TODAY'S HONOREES.

THANK YOU. MAYOR. OUR NEXT SPEAKER, NONE OTHER THAN THE LEADER OF OUR EDINBURG POLICE DEPARTMENT, OUR CHIEF JAIME AYALA.

GOOD MORNING. WHAT A GREAT DAY IT IS FOR US TO BE ABLE TO PROMOTE ONE OF OUR OFFICERS INTO A LEADERSHIP POSITION.

SOMEONE WHO'S BEEN ACTING FOR SOME TIME AND VERY, VERY HAS DONE A VERY GREAT JOB AT AT HIS POSITION.

I WANT TO THANK MAYOR DANIEL GARZA JR AND THE CITY COUNCIL FOR THEIR CONTINUED SUPPORT, AND MISS MYRA AYALA AS WELL FOR THE CONTINUED SUPPORT THAT YOU PROVIDE, NOT ONLY PUBLIC SAFETY IN OUR CITY, BUT ALL OF OUR CITY AND ALL OF OUR CITY DEPARTMENTS ACCEPTING THE RESPONSIBILITY OF A LEADERSHIP ROLE IS IS A VERY, VERY IMPORTANT MATTER.

THERE ARE PEOPLE IN OUR LIVES WHO, AS FIRST RESPONDERS, STAND BEHIND US, AND THEY WATCH US LEAVE AND GO TO WORK EVERY DAY.

I DON'T NORMALLY DO THIS, BUT I WANT TO.

TODAY I'M HERE SUPPORTED BY MY WIFE, JANET, WHO IS ALWAYS BEEN SUPPORTIVE OF ME THROUGHOUT MY ENTIRE CAREER AND TRAVELED HERE WITH ME HOME TO BE HERE.

AND I DON'T RECOGNIZE HER OFTEN, BUT I WANT TO RECOGNIZE HER TODAY.

SO THANK YOU, JANET, FOR BEING HERE FOR ME AND SUPPORTING ME AND EVERYTHING WE DO.

AND I SAY KNOWING THAT EVERY ONE OF OUR FIRST RESPONDERS, OUR POLICE OFFICERS, HAVE SOMEONE AT HOME, WHETHER IT'S A PARENT BECAUSE YOU'RE YOUNG IN YOUR CAREER, A BROTHER OR SISTER OR A SPOUSE THAT IS THERE TO UNDERSTAND THE THINGS THAT YOU EXPERIENCE AND THE THINGS THAT YOU BRING HOME AND SOMETIMES WEIGHS VERY HEAVILY ON YOU. AND SO THANK YOU TO ALL THE SPOUSES AND THOSE THAT SUPPORT US EVERY DAY AND EVERYTHING THAT WE DO. WE ARE DEALING WITH CHALLENGING TIMES IN OUR PROFESSION.

WE WE HAVE TO RECOGNIZE WHAT IS OCCURRING AS TIME GOES ON.

WE'VE HAD DECADES OF CHANGES IN LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND AS OUR GENERATIONS CHANGE, PERSONALITIES CHANGE.

AND WHAT WHAT OUR YOUNG OFFICERS ARE, WHAT IT MEANS TO THEM TO DO THIS JOB.

IT USED TO BE THE THE SWAT AND THE K-9 AND ALL THE FANCY TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT THAT WE HAVE, BUT IT'S REALLY NOT THAT ANYMORE.

IT'S ABOUT PURPOSE. AND WHAT IS MY PURPOSE AND WHAT I DO AT WORK?

[00:30:01]

COURAGEOUS LEADERSHIP IS NOT EASY.

DOING THE RIGHT THING AT THE RIGHT TIME FOR THE RIGHT REASON IS SOMETIMES DIFFICULT, BECAUSE IT IS WITH THE PEERS THAT YOU GREW UP WITH IN THE DEPARTMENT.

BUT IT'S EXPECTED. IT IS EXPECTED OF OUR LEADERS THAT WE'RE DOING THE RIGHT THING EVERY DAY AND TREATING OUR PEOPLE THE WAY WE WANT OUR CHILDREN TREATED WHEN THEY ENTER INTO THE WORKFORCE. WE WANT SOMEONE TO COACH THEM.

WE WANT SOMEONE TO MENTOR THEM. WE WANT SOMEONE TO GUIDE THEM.

AND THAT IS WHAT WE HERE IN EDINBURG EXPECT OF OUR LEADERSHIP.

AND I KNOW YOU'VE HEARD ME SAY IT MANY TIMES, SARGE, BUT AS YOU STEP INTO THIS NEW ROLE, AS YOU WEAR THOSE STRIPES NOW JUST KNOW TO HE WHOM MUCH IS GIVEN, MUCH IS REQUIRED.

YOU'RE ACCEPTING A LEVEL OF RESPONSIBILITY FAR ABOVE THAT OF THE LINE OFFICER, ONE WHO OVERSEES THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO SERVE UNDER YOU.

SO KEEP THEM SAFE. I HAVE ALL THE CONFIDENCE IN THE WORLD, IN YOU AND WHAT YOU'VE DEMONSTRATED TO US THUS FAR.

NOW, TODAY, WE ALSO GET TO RECOGNIZE SOME HEROES, SOME PEOPLE THAT WENT ABOVE AND ABOVE.

ABOVE AND BEYOND THE CALL OF DUTY AS THEY SERVE THIS COMMUNITY.

AS I MENTIONED, POLICING HAS CHANGED IN SO MANY WAYS.

OUR TACTICS HAVE CHANGED.

WE LEARN FROM MISTAKES THAT OTHERS MAKE AROUND THE COUNTRY SO THAT WE DON'T MAKE THEM AGAIN. THIS YEAR, 90 OFFICERS HAVE LOST THEIR LIVES IN THE LINE OF DUTY.

AND SO AS WE AS WE TAKE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF WHAT WE DO WHEN WE PUT THIS UNIFORM ON AND WHEN OUR OFFICERS GO OUT INTO THE FIELD, THEY KNOW THERE'S RISK, BUT THEY ARE WILLING TO TAKE THAT RISK TO PROTECT EACH AND EVERY CITIZEN WHO LIVES IN OUR COMMUNITY OR IS VISITING OUR COMMUNITY.

IT'S A TOUGH JOB, BUT IF NOT ME, THEN WHO? SOMEONE HAS TO STEP UP AND DO IT.

I AM PROUD OF OUR OFFICERS.

TODAY WE WILL RECOGNIZE SOME WHO HAVE SAVED THE LIVES OF OTHERS.

AND IF YOU REALLY LOOK AT THE NUMBER OF AWARDS THAT WE'RE GOING TO GIVE OUT TODAY FOR LIFE SAVING, IT'S REALLY ABOVE THE NORM.

IT'S NOT COMMON TO BE PUT IN A POSITION TO TAKE RISK, TO SAVE SOMEONE'S LIFE, WHILE YOU PUT YOURS AT RISK.

I'M PROUD OF THIS DEPARTMENT.

I'M PROUD OF US BEING A FOUR TIME ALL-AMERICA CITY.

I'M PROUD OF EACH AND EVERY MEMBER WHO COMES TO WORK EVERY DAY AND SERVES AS LEADERS.

IT'S OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO RECOGNIZE THE GOOD WORK, AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO TODAY IN OUR MIDYEAR CEREMONY.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. AND IT IS MY HONOR TO SERVE IN THIS CITY.

THANK YOU SO MUCH, CHIEF.

OKAY. TIME FOR OUR PROMOTION.

I'M SURE THE FAMILY HAS BEEN ANXIOUSLY WAITING FOR THIS.

OFFICER JORGE MORENO WAS BORN AND RAISED IN EDINBURG.

OFFICER MORENO GRADUATED FROM EDINBURG NORTH HIGH SCHOOL IN 2002.

HE PURSUED HIGHER EDUCATION AT TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY, WHERE HE EARNED A BACHELOR'S DEGREE IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE, THEN DEMONSTRATING A COMMITMENT TO FURTHERING HIS EXPERTISE, HE RETURNED TO HIS ALMA MATER AND COMPLETED A MASTER'S DEGREE IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE IN 2009.

OFFICER MORENO BEGAN HIS LAW ENFORCEMENT CAREER WITH THE HARLINGEN POLICE DEPARTMENT IN 2010, AND IN 2016 HE TRANSITIONED TO EDINBURG PD, AS HE SHOULD, WHERE HE HAS CONTINUED TO SERVE WITH DEDICATION THROUGHOUT HIS CAREER, OFFICER MORENO HAS SPENT MORE THAN HALF HIS TIME AS A FIELD TRAINING OFFICER, SO HE'S TEACHING OTHER OFFICERS AS WELL.

HIS PROFESSIONAL CREDENTIALS INCLUDE A MASTERPIECE OFFICER CERTIFICATION.

AND BEYOND HIS PROFESSIONAL LIFE, OFFICER MORENO MET HIS WIFE, CLARISSA, IN 2013, AND THEY ARE THE PROUD PARENTS OF TWO BEAUTIFUL BOYS, AGE TEN AND THREE. CHIEF, WE CAN HAVE YOU JOIN US AGAIN IN FRONT TO LEAD US IN THE OATH OF OFFICE FOR OFFICER MORENO, FOLLOWED BY THE OATH OF HONOR THAT WILL BE LED BY ASSISTANT CHIEF CHAD DEFFNER.

IF YOU STAND RIGHT HERE AND FACE THE AUDIENCE. PLEASE RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND.

I STATE YOUR NAME. I DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY EXECUTE.

DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY EXECUTE THE DUTIES OF POLICE SERGEANT.

[00:35:03]

HIDALGO COUNTY, TEXAS.

CITY OF EDINBURG, HIDALGO COUNTY, TEXAS.

AND WILL DO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY.

WILL DO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY TO PRESERVE, PROTECT AND DEFEND, PRESERVE, PROTECT AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION AND LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION AND LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES AND OF THIS STATE.

AND I FURTHER SOLEMNLY SWEAR, SOLEMNLY SWEAR THAT I HAVE NOT DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, NOR DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY PAID, OFFERED OR PROMISED TO PAY, PAID, OFFERED OR PROMISED TO PAY OFFERED OR PROMISED TO PAY CONTRIBUTED CONTRIBUTED, NOR OFFERED TO CONTRIBUTE, NOR OFFERED TO CONTRIBUTE ANY MONEY, ANY MONEY OR VALUABLE THING, OR PROMISED ANY PUBLIC OFFICE OR PROMISED ANY PUBLIC OFFICE OR EMPLOYMENT AS A REWARD FOR THE CONSIDERATION TO THE OFFICE OF WHICH I WAS APPOINTED TO THE OFFICE OF WHICH I WAS APPOINTED.

SO HELP ME GOD. SO HELP ME GOD.

CONGRATULATIONS. THANK YOU.

NOW WE'LL DO THE OATH OF HONOR.

PLEASE RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND AND REPEAT AFTER ME.

ON MY HONOR. ON MY HONOR.

I WILL NEVER BETRAY MY INTEGRITY.

I WILL NEVER BETRAY MY INTEGRITY, MY CHARACTER OR THE PUBLIC TRUST.

I WILL TREAT ALL INDIVIDUALS WITH DIGNITY.

I WILL TREAT ALL INDIVIDUALS WITH DIGNITY AND RESPECT AND RESPECT AND ENSURE THE SAFETY AND ENSURE THE SAFETY OF MY COMMUNITY, OF MY COMMUNITY, AND THE PRESERVATION OF HUMAN LIFE AND THE PRESERVATION OF HUMAN LIFE.

I WILL ALWAYS HAVE THE COURAGE.

I WILL ALWAYS HAVE THE COURAGE TO HOLD MYSELF AND OTHERS.

HOLD MYSELF AND OTHERS ACCOUNTABLE FOR OUR ACTIONS.

ACCOUNTABLE FOR OUR ACTIONS.

I WILL ALWAYS MAINTAIN THE HIGHEST ETHICAL STANDARDS.

I WILL ALWAYS MAINTAIN THE HIGHEST ETHICAL STANDARDS AND UPHOLD THE VALUES AND HOLD THE VALUES OF MY COMMUNITY, MY COMMUNITY, AND THE AGENCY I SERVE.

CONGRATULATIONS. THANK YOU.

OKAY, WE KNOW THAT HE WANTED TO COME UP HERE, SO WE NEED THE FAMILY TO COME TO THE FRONT AND OFFICIALLY PIN SERGEANT MORENO.

CONGRATULATIONS.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. AND CONGRATULATIONS.

YOU GUYS CAN BE THE MINI SERGEANTS.

CONGRATULATIONS, BOYS.

HE WANTS TO STAY UP HERE.

CONGRATULATIONS, SARGE.

OH, ABSOLUTELY. WE NEED MORE PHOTOS.

HE'S READY, I LOVE IT.

HERE IN LONDON. WE DEFINITELY WANT TO GET MORE WITH CHIEF AND MAYOR AND EVERYBODY AFTER. OKAY. DON'T LEAVE.

DON'T GO ANYWHERE. AND NOW, MOVING ON TO SOME OF OUR OTHER RECOGNITIONS.

I'M PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT THE FOLLOWING LIFE SAVING AWARDS HAVE BEEN SELECTED AND APPROVED BY THE CHIEF'S ADVISORY BOARD.

AFTER VERY CAREFUL CONSIDERATION, THE BOARD HAS APPROVED A TOTAL OF NINE LIFE SAVING AWARDS. THE MEMBERS OF THE CHIEF'S ADVISORY BOARD WHO PARTICIPATED IN THIS RIGOROUS SELECTION PROCESS ARE AS FOLLOWS.

LIEUTENANT ORLANDO GARCIA, PATROL SERGEANT JAIME RAMIREZ, CID. SERGEANT CARLOS ROMERO, PATROL OFFICER TRICIA WATNEY.

PATROL OFFICER ISAMAR OCHOA.

CANINE OFFICER JUAN BALDERAS.

INVESTIGATOR OMAR LONGORIA.

INVESTIGATOR. CLARIBEL VALLEJO.

SERGEANT JESUS GAITAN.

DETENTION SPECIALIST. SUPERVISOR ARTURO RINCON,

[00:40:01]

WE THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO RECOGNIZE THESE ACTS OF VALOR.

AND NOW LET'S FIND OUT THE RECIPIENTS OF THESE WELL-DESERVED HONORS.

OUR FIRST LIFE SAVING AWARD GOES TO PATROL OFFICERS FERNANDO CERVANTES, DANIELA GALVAN, AND EDGAR PEREZ.

CONGRATULATIONS. IF WE CAN HAVE YOU ALL JOIN US UP FRONT, THAT WOULD BE GREAT. ON MAY 17TH, UNITS WERE DISPATCHED TO A SCENE INVOLVING A SIX YEAR OLD CHILD FOUND UNRESPONSIVE AND FLOATING IN A POOL.

OFFICER CERVANTES, GALVAN AND PEREZ RESPONDED IMMEDIATELY, AND WHILE EN ROUTE THEY RECEIVED AN UPDATE THAT THE CHILD HAD NO PULSE AND WAS CHANGING COLOR. UPON ARRIVAL, OUR OFFICERS SWIFTLY INITIATED CHEST COMPRESSIONS.

OFFICER CERVANTES, GALVAN AND PEREZ THEN TRANSPORTED THE CHILD TO EMS, ALL WHILE CONTINUING THOSE LIFE SAVING MEASURES THROUGHOUT THE RIDE TO THE HOSPITAL.

THANKS TO THEIR RELENTLESS EFFORTS AND UPDATE FROM DAHER CONFIRMED THAT THE BOY HAD BEEN REVIVED. THESE OFFICERS DISPLAYED EXCEPTIONAL DEDICATION GOING ABOVE AND BEYOND THE CALL OF DUTY. SO PLEASE, A ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR OFFICER CERVANTES, GALVAN AND PEREZ. CONGRATULATIONS.

YOU ALL ARE ABSOLUTELY AMAZING.

DID YOU GUYS GET THE PHOTOS? OKAY. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH.

OUR NEXT LIFE-SAVING AWARD IS FOR OFFICER VICTOR DUVERNAY.

ON JANUARY 18TH OF THIS YEAR, OFFICER DUVERNAY RESPONDED TO A CALL REGARDING AN UNRESPONSIVE MALE THAT WAS LYING ON THE ROADWAY.

UPON ARRIVAL, HE IDENTIFIED THE SIGNS OF AN OPIOID OVERDOSE AND IMMEDIATELY ADMINISTERED HIS DEPARTMENT ISSUED NARCAN.

AFTER SEVERAL DOSES, THE MALE BEGAN TO SHOW SIGNS OF LIFE.

EMS ARRIVED SHORTLY AFTER AND TRANSPORTED THE MAN TO DHR, WHERE HE ULTIMATELY RECOVERED.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, OFFICER VICTOR DUVERNAY.

CONGRATULATIONS. OUR NEXT AWARD IS PRESENTED TO PATROL OFFICERS ROBERT GARCIA, WHO UNFORTUNATELY IS NOT PRESENT TODAY, AND JOSE RAMOS THE THIRD.

ON MARCH THE 9TH, OFFICERS RAMOS AND GARCIA RESPONDED TO AN EMERGENCY CALL REPORTING A FIRE WITH A CHILD THAT WAS TRAPPED INSIDE THE RESIDENCE.

UPON ARRIVAL, THE OFFICERS QUICKLY ENTERED THE BURNING HOME, WHICH WAS ENGULFED IN THICK BLACK SMOKE, SEVERELY IMPAIRING VISIBILITY AND MAKING IT REALLY DIFFICULT TO BREATHE.

BOTH OFFICERS INITIATED A SEARCH FOR THE CHILD AMIDST THESE HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS.

OFFICER RAMOS THEN LOCATED THE CHILD HIDING IN A CLOSET, AND HE IMMEDIATELY INFORMED OFFICER GARCIA OF THE CHILD'S LOCATION.

THE OFFICERS SAFELY EVACUATED THAT CHILD FROM THE BURNING HOME, AND ONCE OUTSIDE, THEY QUICKLY ASSESSED THE CHILD FOR ANY BURNS OR INJURIES, ENSURING THE CHILD'S IMMEDIATE SAFETY.

THE BRAVERY AND QUICK ACTIONS OF OFFICERS RAMOS AND GARCIA WERE CRUCIAL IN SAVING THE CHILD'S LIFE. IT IS WITH VERY DEEP GRATITUDE THAT WE NOW WELCOME CAROLINA CATALINA HERRERA AND HER BRAVE SON, SERGIO LOPEZ HERE THIS MORNING.

TRULY HONORED TO HAVE YOU BOTH WITH US, AS WE RECOGNIZE THE HEROIC ACTIONS OF OUR EDINBURG POLICE OFFICERS.

AND AFTER THEY MEET, I UNDERSTAND THAT LITTLE SERGIO HAS A FEW WORDS FOR US, TOO.

MOM, DO YOU WANT TO CARRY HIM? YEAH. ONE, TWO. WE. THANK YOU FOR SAVING ME FROM THE FIRE.

AND THANK YOU FOR PUTTING OUT THE FIRE.

AND THE ONLY ONE WHO WAS THERE WAS OF HOMER AND HIM.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. CAN YOU GIVE HER A.

SEDATIVE. YOU'RE AWESOME.

THANK YOU. OFFICER. YOU'RE PRETTY AWESOME, TOO.

[00:45:02]

WE'RE RECOGNIZING INVESTIGATOR JOSUE HERNANDEZ.

ON MARCH THE 10TH, POLICE OFFICERS WERE DISPATCHED TO A MOTEL IN RESPONSE TO A SHOOTING INCIDENT. INVESTIGATOR HERNANDEZ ARRIVED AT THE SCENE AND PROCEEDED TO THE SECOND FLOOR, WHERE HE FOUND A FEMALE VICTIM WHO HAD BEEN SHOT IN THE LEG.

THAT VICTIM WAS BLEEDING PROFUSELY AND IT WAS PRETTY EVIDENT THAT IMMEDIATE ACTION WAS NECESSARY. INVESTIGATOR HERNANDEZ PROMPTLY APPLIED A TOURNIQUET TO THE VICTIM'S LEG, EFFECTIVELY STOPPING THE BLEEDING.

ANOTHER INVESTIGATOR LATER FOLLOWED UP WITH MEDICAL STAFF THERE, WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE VICTIM HAD BEEN SHOT IN THE FEMORAL VEIN AND HAD LOST A VERY SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF BLOOD.

SO, THANKS TO INVESTIGATOR HERNANDEZ'S QUICK AND DECISIVE ACTIONS, THE VICTIM'S LIFE WAS SAVED.

HIS EFFORTS WENT ABOVE AND BEYOND THE CALL OF DUTY.

ROUND OF APPLAUSE, PLEASE, FOR INVESTIGATOR HERNANDEZ.

OUR LAST AWARD OF THE MORNING IS A CERTIFICATE OF MERIT.

AND IT GOES TO ISAAC RENDON OF OUR EDINBURG FIRE DEPARTMENT.

RENDON, AN OFF DUTY FIREFIGHTER, ASSISTED LAW ENFORCEMENT DURING A SUSPECT STRUGGLE WHEN OFFICERS WERE IN THE PROCESS OF SUBDUING THAT SUSPECT.

FIREFIGHTER RENDON THEN INTERVENED BY GETTING ON TOP OF THE SUSPECT AND SECURING HIS ARM, ALLOWING POLICE OFFICERS TO SUCCESSFULLY HANDCUFF THE SUSPECT.

HIS QUICK THINKING AND WILLINGNESS TO ASSIST WERE INSTRUMENTAL IN ENSURING THE SITUATION WAS BROUGHT UNDER CONTROL.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, A ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR FIREFIGHTER ISAAC RENDON. CONGRATULATIONS! OUR POLICE OFFICERS AND FIREFIGHTERS GET ALONG VERY WELL IN THE CITY OF EDINBURG.

AS WE COME TO THE CLOSE OF THIS SPECIAL CEREMONY, I WANT TO EXTEND MY HEARTFELT THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO TOOK THE TIME TO JOIN US THIS MORNING. TO THE FAMILIES, THE OFFICERS, FIREFIGHTERS AND CITY EMPLOYEES THAT ARE IN ATTENDANCE.

YOUR SUPPORT AND YOUR PRESENCE MEANS SO MUCH.

IN MOMENTS LIKE THIS, TODAY WE HONOR EXTRAORDINARY INDIVIDUALS WHOSE BRAVERY HAVE REALLY MADE A LASTING IMPACT ON OUR FOUR TIME ALL-AMERICA CITY.

AND THEIR ACTIONS REMIND US OF THE COMMITMENT THAT EACH OF OUR FIRST RESPONDERS BRINGS TO WORK EVERY DAY. THEY ALWAYS GO ABOVE AND BEYOND THE CALL OF DUTY.

I ALSO WANT TO TAKE THE TIME ONCE AGAIN TO CONGRATULATIONS TO CONGRATULATE SERGEANT MORENO. CONGRATULATIONS.

BEAUTIFUL FAMILY. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE TO CELEBRATE THESE REMARKABLE ACHIEVEMENTS. WE INVITE YOU NOW TO JOIN US FOR SOME LIGHT REFRESHMENTS.

ALSO WANT TO TAKE PHOTOS OF ALL OUR HONOREES WITH MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS FAMILIES, OF COURSE, IF YOU WANT TO TAKE SOME PHOTOS, NOW IS THE TIME TO DO SO.

THANK YOU. AND ONCE AGAIN, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING WITH US.

HAVE A WONDERFUL REST OF THE MORNING.

AND.

[00:50:06]

GOOD EVENING. EDINBURGH.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I CAN'T HEAR YOU GUYS.

COME ON. AT LEAST A LITTLE CLAP OR SOMETHING.

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR JOINING US FOR OUR ANNUAL CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY.

WE HAVE GOT TO KICK THINGS OFF IN OUR FOUR TIME ALL-AMERICA CITY WITH A LITTLE BIT OF CHRISTMAS MAGIC. SO WE'RE GOING TO DO A BIG COUNTDOWN, AND THEN WE'RE GOING TO TURN ON THE LIGHTS ALL TOGETHER. IT'S GOING TO BE AWESOME. WE ALSO HAVE LOTS OF PERFORMANCES TONIGHT.

WE HAVE A PETTING ZOO OUT THERE, SOME FREE KIDDY CARNIVAL RIDES, LOTS OF AWESOME VENDORS, AND WE'RE GOING TO GET TO THAT IN JUST A LITTLE BIT. BUT FIRST, I DO WANT TO TAKE A SECOND TO INTRODUCE OUR AMAZING EDINBURG CITY COUNCIL, OUR MAYOR, RAMIRO GARZA JUNIOR.

OUR MAYOR PRO TEM, MR. DAN DIAZ, AND HIS BEAUTIFUL FAMILY, COUNCILMAN JASON DE LEON AND HIS BEAUTIFUL FAMILY. WE EVEN HAD A NIECE JOIN US TODAY.

OUR COUNCILMAN DAVID SALAZAR, AND HIS GORGEOUS CHILDREN, COUNCILMAN DAVID WHITE AND OUR CITY MANAGER, MISS MAYRA AYALA.

DON'T HIDE. I STILL SEE YOU BACK THERE.

SO BEFORE WE GET TO THE FESTIVITIES, LET'S HEAR A LITTLE BIT FROM OUR CITY LEADERS. IF WE CAN HAVE MAYOR RAMIRO GARZA JR.

FOR THE OFFICIAL WELCOME.

THANK YOU. GOOD EVENING.

EDINBURG. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING OUT FOR OUR 2024 LIGHTING OF THE TREE CEREMONY.

THIS STARTED YEARS AGO AND I'M SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS BECAUSE THERE'S NO BETTER WAY TO KICK OFF THE HOLIDAY SEASON THAN COMING TO OUR LIGHTING OF THE TREE TO SEE ALL THE BEAUTIFUL DECORATIONS THAT OUR CITY STAFF HAS BEEN WORKING REALLY, REALLY HARD TO COME TODAY.

SO LET'S GIVE OUR CITY STAFF A HAND, BECAUSE THEY'VE BEEN DECORATING EACH AND EVERY DAY FOR THE LAST FEW WEEKS.

LET'S GIVE THEM A HAND. YES.

FOR ALL THAT THEY'VE DONE.

AND YOU'RE GOING TO APPRECIATE RIGHT NOW THE WORK THAT THEY'VE DONE, BECAUSE YOU'RE GOING TO SEE IT ALL LIT UP. I JUST WANT TO TELL YOU THAT ON BEHALF OF MY FAMILY WHO'S AT A CHRISTMAS CONCERT NOW, I'M GOING TO GO JOIN THEM, THEN COME BACK OVER HERE WITH THEM AT A SCHOOL.

WE WANT TO WISH EVERYONE A HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON A MERRY CHRISTMAS WISH EVERYONE OF YOU ALL THE BEST THIS HOLIDAY SEASON, AND WE ENJOY IT WITH YOUR FAMILIES AND HAVE A BLESSED 2025. SO THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR BEING WITH US TONIGHT.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU. AND NOW WE CAN HEAR FROM OUR MAYOR PRO TEM DAN, WE'RE GOING TO PUT YOU ON THE SPOT, DAN DIAZ OKAY.

GOOD EVENING EVERYONE. THANK YOU FOR JOINING US. GRACIAS POR ACOMPANARNOS AQUI ESTAMOS PARA EL EL ARBOL. MAS DE TODO VAYA.

NO, NO. JUST KIDDING. IT'S A VERY, VERY LARGE TREE.

PLEASE TELL ALL YOUR FAMILY, FRIENDS, EVERYBODY GET ON YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA.

SHOW THEM THE TREE ONCE IT'S LIT.

LET'S GET EVERYBODY TO DO THEIR CHRISTMAS PICTURES HERE.

THAT'S WHY WE'RE DRESSED. BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO KNOCK OUT THE CHRISTMAS PICTURES HERE.

TELL THEM TO COME AND JOIN US HERE. WE HAVE A LOT OF EVENTS, BUT LIKE THE MAYOR SAID, NONE OF THIS COULD BE POSSIBLE WITHOUT ALL THE EMPLOYEES, THE CULTURAL ARTS, ALL THE PEOPLE ON THE BOARDS. THANK EVERYBODY FOR JOINING US.

ON BEHALF OF MYSELF AND MY FAMILY.

THANK YOU EVERYBODY. HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS. Y PROSPERO ANO NUEVO.

GRACIAS. THANK YOU. MAYOR PRO TEM COUNCILMAN JASON DE LEON, DO YOU WANT TO SAY A FEW WORDS FOR US? I KNOW YOUR NIECE WANTS TO BECAUSE SHE WAS STEALING THE MIC. NO. JUST GOOD EVENING, GUYS.

A MERRY CHRISTMAS ON BEHALF OF THE DE LEON FAMILY.

ENJOY THIS. MEMORIES TAKE AS MANY PHOTOS AS YOU POSSIBLY CAN.

I KNOW LIFE IS TOO SHORT.

ENJOY IT. MAY GOD BLESS EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN DAVID SALAZAR, YOU'RE UP NEXT. HELLO.

I JUST WANT TO SAY HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO EVERYONE.

AS WE CELEBRATE LINING THE STREET, LET IT REMIND US THE LIGHT THAT WE CAN SHARE WITH EACH OTHER WITH THIS HOLIDAY SEASON, BUT NOT ONLY DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON, THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU TOO, COUNCILMAN DAVID WHITE.

I GUESS THAT LEAVES ME. YES, IT DOES SAVE THE BEST FOR LAST.

WELL, I'D LIKE TO JUST LET EVERYBODY KNOW EDINBURG IS A WELCOMING CITY.

THIS IS YOUR COMMUNITY.

THIS IS ALL FOR YOU. REALLY HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH US OTHER THAN ENJOY IT, ENJOY THE CHRISTMAS SEASON.

AND LIKE A COUNCIL MEMBER DE LEON SAID, I MIGHT BE UP HERE ALONE.

MY KIDS ARE GROWN AND THEY'RE ALL IN SCHOOL OR GONE TO WORK AND ALL THAT STUFF.

SO ALL OF YOU JOINING WITH YOUR, YOUR, YOUR LITTLE CHILDREN, ENJOY THESE MOMENTS, ENJOY THESE TIMES.

I HAVE ALL MY PICTURES FROM THE PAST.

MY GRANDKIDS WILL COME IN THE FUTURE.

MAY YOU HAVE A VERY BLESSED MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM ME AND MY FAMILY.

GOD BLESS EVERYONE. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

OKAY, ARE YOU GUYS READY FOR THE BIG MOMENT? I IT'S TOO DARK. RIGHT? WE'RE READY FOR THE BIG MOMENT. I THINK WE NEED OUR COUNCIL AND THEN WE NEED LITTLE SANTA'S ELVES. THEY'RE GOING TO COME TO THE FRONT AND HELP US.

WE'RE DOING THINGS A LITTLE DIFFERENTLY THIS YEAR IN EDINBURGH.

OUR AWESOME CREWS EVEN PUT TOGETHER A LITTLE BOX, AND WE'RE GOING TO, YOU KNOW, COUNT DOWN.

I'M GOING TO NEED YOUR HELP AS WELL, KIDDOS.

[00:55:02]

Y'ALL WANT TO DO THE COUNTDOWN? OKAY, GUYS, CAN EVERYBODY PLEASE I GET A MIC TO HELP ME? YEAH. YEAH, SURE.

I THINK MAYOR HAS THE OTHER HANDHELD.

OH, OKAY. HE'S GOT IT.

YEAH, THEY ALREADY THOUGHT OF THAT, TOO. OKAY, EVERYBODY HAS TO HELP ME. WE'RE GOING TO COUNT BACK FROM FIVE.

READY? HERE WE GO. IN FIVE, FOUR.

THREE. TWO. ONE.

NOW! WE EVEN HAVE FIREWORKS, I LOVE IT.

NOW YOU HAVE TO DANCE.

OUR CITY MANAGER LOVES TO DANCE.

THAT'S WHAT I'M TOLD. OH, OUR CHEERLEADERS ARE DANCING.

THERE YOU GO. AND THEY'RE ILLUMINATED BOWS.

THANK YOU.

OKAY, CAN WE TAKE A REALLY QUICK GROUP PHOTO BEFORE YOU HEAD OUT? MAYOR AND COUNCIL. YOU GUYS ARE AWESOME.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR KICKING OFF OUR CHRISTMAS SEASON HERE IN OUR FOUR TIME ALL-AMERICA CITY OF EDINBURGH.

QUICK PHOTO. AND THEN WE'RE GOING TO HAVE CANTERBURY ELEMENTARY ENTERTAIN US WITH SOME AMAZING VOCALS. WE HAVE THEIR CHOIR HERE TONIGHT WITH A BEAUTIFUL INSTRUMENTAL FOR US.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. WE APPRECIATE YOU.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE TONIGHT. THE FUN CONTINUES UNTIL 9 P.M..

ALRIGHT CANTERBURY, YOU CAN HIGH FIVE OUR CITY COUNCIL AS THEY HEAD OUT.

AND NOW YOU GUYS GET TO BE THE SUPERSTARS NEXT UP ON STAGE.

THANK YOU COUNCILMAN. THANK YOU MAYOR.

WE'LL SEE YOU A LITTLE LATER.

[7. OPEN SESSION]

ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR CANTERBURY ELEMENTARY.

THIS IS WHAT THE PARENTS HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR.

AND THE TREE LIGHTING.

[8. ADJOURNMENT]