Published as text
City Commission — Regular meeting
28 July 2026
This meeting is published as text
Everything below is real text — it can be read by a screen reader, searched, translated, copied and printed. The city's own PDF of this meeting has no text layer on page one: items 1 to 3 are a photograph of a piece of paper.
- When
- Tuesday 28 July 2026, 6:00 p.m. to 9:58 p.m.
- Where
- City Hall Chambers, 5332 E. US Highway 83, Rio Grande City, Texas 78582
- Presiding
- Mayor Gilberto Falcón presiding
- Quorum
- Quorum of five present at 6:03 p.m.
- Interpretation
- A Spanish interpreter was present in the chamber.
Notice and certification
Posted Friday 24 July 2026 at 3:42 p.m. — 98 hours and 18 minutes before the meeting. Texas Government Code § 551.043 requires at least 72 hours.
- Public bulletin board in the City Hall lobby, 5332 E. US Highway 83 — 24 July, 3:42 p.m. (Gov't Code § 551.050)
- cityofrgc.com — 24 July, 4:05 p.m. This one is voluntary: the § 551.056 internet-posting mandate reaches cities of 48,000 and up, and this city is 15,317.
I certify that this notice was posted on the bulletin board at City Hall, a place readily accessible to the general public at all times, on July 24, 2026 at 3:42 p.m. — Ana L. Cavazos, City Secretary
Who was there
| Member | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Gilberto Falcón | Present | — |
| Ediel Barrera | Present | — |
| Benjamín de León | Present | Left the dais 6:41 to 7:02 p.m. for item 4B — recusal |
| Rogerio Olivarez Jr. | Left early | Departed 8:14 p.m. Present for the first ten votes. |
| Eudolio "Nune" Barrera III | Present | — |
The agenda, item by item
1 Call to order, invocation and Pledge of Allegiance
Called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Mayor Gilberto Falcón.
Reconstructed from the approved minutes. Page 1 of the city's agenda PDF, which carries items 1 to 3, is a photograph of paper with no text layer.
2 Roll call and finding of a quorum
Five of five members present. Quorum found at 6:03 p.m.
3 Public forum
Who spoke
- A resident who did not give a name · 800 block of S. Fort Ringgold Rd · 3:00
Asked when the street lights on her block would be repaired. Referred to Public Works.
What happened after: Complete · Public Works · two fixtures replaced 4 August 2026.
- A resident who did not give a name · 800 block of S. Fort Ringgold Rd · 3:00
3B Approval of the minutes of the regular meeting of 30 June 2026
Main motion · Carried
To approve the minutes of the regular meeting of 30 June 2026 as presented.
Moved by Ediel Barrera · seconded by Benjamín de León
Unanimous · Roll call at 18:12
Vote on the motion to approve the minutes of 30 June 2026 Member Seat Vote Gilberto Falcón Mayor Yes Ediel Barrera Place 2 · Mayor Pro-Tem Yes Benjamín de León Place 1 Yes Rogerio Olivarez Jr. Place 3 Yes Eudolio "Nune" Barrera III Place 4 Yes Result All seats Passed 5–0. All members present voted yes. 4A Approval of expenditures and contracts under Local Government Code § 252.0215
- Department
- Finance
- Amount
- $100,000
In plain language
Routine spending between $5,000 and $100,000 that the commission signs off on in one batch.
Main motion · Carried
To approve the expenditures and contracts valued at less than $100,000 and more than $5,000 as presented on the schedule.
Moved by Benjamín de León · seconded by Eudolio "Nune" Barrera III
Unanimous · Roll call at 18:29
Vote on the motion to approve expenditures under § 252.0215 Member Seat Vote Gilberto Falcón Mayor Yes Ediel Barrera Place 2 · Mayor Pro-Tem Yes Benjamín de León Place 1 Yes Rogerio Olivarez Jr. Place 3 Yes Eudolio "Nune" Barrera III Place 4 Yes Result All seats Passed 5–0. All members present voted yes. 4B Ratify the payment under the Economic Development Performance Agreement with La Ganadera Meat Market, LLC
- Department
- Economic Development
- Amount
- $45,000
- Part of
- La Ganadera incentive agreement
In plain language
The city had promised this business an incentive payment if it hired a set number of people and stayed open. It met the terms, the payment went out, and the commission is confirming it after the fact.
One member recused himself
Commissioner Benjamín de León (Place 1) filed an affidavit under Texas Local Government Code § 171.004 stating that his daughter holds an ownership interest of more than ten per cent in La Ganadera Meat Market, LLC. He left the dais at 6:41 p.m., took no part in the discussion, and did not vote. He returned at 7:02 p.m.
Main motion · Carried
To ratify the payment of $45,000 made pursuant to the Economic Development Performance Agreement with La Ganadera Meat Market, LLC, and to adopt Resolution No. 2026-41.
Moved by Rogerio Olivarez Jr. · seconded by Ediel Barrera
Unanimous of those voting · Roll call at 19:02
Vote on the motion to ratify the La Ganadera payment, item 4B Member Seat Vote Gilberto Falcón Mayor Yes Ediel Barrera Place 2 · Mayor Pro-Tem Yes Benjamín de León Place 1 Recused1 Rogerio Olivarez Jr. Place 3 Yes Eudolio "Nune" Barrera III Place 4 Yes Result All seats Passed 4–0. One member recused. 1 Recused under Texas Local Government Code § 171.004 — the affidavit is on file and is published with this item.
What was adopted: Resolution No. 2026-41 — a resolution ratifying payment under the Economic Development Performance Agreement with La Ganadera Meat Market, LLC.
What happened after: Complete · Economic Development · the payment was issued 21 July 2026. The second tranche went to the EDC board on 19 August 2026.
4C Pay Application No. 3, R.P. Constructors LLC — wastewater treatment plant expansion
- Department
- Public Utilities
- Amount
- $1,106,400
- Part of
- Wastewater treatment plant expansion
In plain language
A progress payment to the contractor building the wastewater plant expansion. The state water board lends the city the money and pays it back on these applications.
Main motion · Carried
To approve Pay Application No. 3 to R.P. Constructors LLC in the amount of $1,106,400 for the Rio Grande City Wastewater Treatment Plant Expansion Project, TWDB Project No. 73874 CID 01.
Moved by Ediel Barrera · seconded by Rogerio Olivarez Jr.
Unanimous · Roll call at 19:24
Vote on the motion to approve Pay Application No. 3, item 4C Member Seat Vote Gilberto Falcón Mayor Yes Ediel Barrera Place 2 · Mayor Pro-Tem Yes Benjamín de León Place 1 Yes Rogerio Olivarez Jr. Place 3 Yes Eudolio "Nune" Barrera III Place 4 Yes Result All seats Passed 5–0. All members present voted yes. What happened after: In progress · Public Utilities · Pay Application No. 4 was due in the TWDB portal by 12 September 2026.
5A Medical, life and AD&D insurance, plan year 2026–2027
- Department
- Human Resources
- Amount
- $1,482,600 — The city's share of the premium. What employees contribute does not change.
In plain language
Health, life and accident insurance for city employees next year. The city's broker recommended staying with the current carrier at 6.8 per cent more than this year. Two commissioners wanted to shop it around first.
Who spoke
- Janie Peña · the 2100 block of Pecan Grove Dr · 2:45 of 3:00 · Against · Disclosed that she is a city employee in Utility Billing.
Said the deductible on the recommended plan goes from $1,500 to $2,000, and asked the commission to look at other carriers before deciding.
Substitute motion · Failed
To reject the recommendation and direct staff to solicit competitive proposals for medical coverage and return to the commission before September 1, 2026.
Moved by Eudolio "Nune" Barrera III · seconded by Ediel Barrera
Split vote · Roll call at 20:02
Vote on the substitute motion, item 5A — solicit competitive proposals Member Seat Vote Gilberto Falcón Mayor No Ediel Barrera Place 2 · Mayor Pro-Tem Yes Benjamín de León Place 1 No Rogerio Olivarez Jr. Place 3 No Eudolio "Nune" Barrera III Place 4 Yes Result All seats Failed 2–3. The motion did not pass. Amendment · Carried
To amend the main motion to accept the recommendation for one plan year only, and to direct staff to solicit competitive proposals for the 2027–2028 plan year no later than March 2027.
Moved by Benjamín de León · seconded by Rogerio Olivarez Jr.
Unanimous · Roll call at 20:07
Vote on the amendment to the main motion, item 5A Member Seat Vote Gilberto Falcón Mayor Yes Ediel Barrera Place 2 · Mayor Pro-Tem Yes Benjamín de León Place 1 Yes Rogerio Olivarez Jr. Place 3 Yes Eudolio "Nune" Barrera III Place 4 Yes Result All seats Passed 5–0. All members present voted yes. Main motion · Carried
To accept the agent of record's recommendation and award medical, life and AD&D coverage for plan year 2026–2027 as presented, at an annual city cost of $1,482,600.
Moved by Rogerio Olivarez Jr. · seconded by Benjamín de León
Split vote · Roll call at 20:09
Vote on the main motion as amended, item 5A — employee insurance, plan year 2026–2027 Member Seat Vote Gilberto Falcón Mayor Yes Ediel Barrera Place 2 · Mayor Pro-Tem No Benjamín de León Place 1 Yes Rogerio Olivarez Jr. Place 3 Yes Eudolio "Nune" Barrera III Place 4 No Result All seats Passed 3–2. Eudolio "Nune" Barrera III
I'm not voting against our employees. I'm voting against taking one quote as the whole market.
Original: No estoy votando contra nuestros empleados. Estoy votando contra tomar una sola cotización como si fuera todo el mercado.
What was adopted: Resolution No. 2026-42 — accepting the agent of record's recommendation for medical, life and AD&D coverage for plan year 2026–2027, effective 1 October 2026.
What happened after: Complete · Human Resources · open enrolment ran 1 to 15 September 2026 and coverage took effect 1 October. Competitive proposals for 2027–2028 are due to the commission by March 2027 under the amendment.
5B MASA Access enrolment, plan year 2026–2027
- Department
- Human Resources
In plain language
An optional add-on that covers what an ambulance or an air ambulance bills beyond what insurance pays. The commission approved offering it, with employees paying for it themselves.
Main motion · Carried
To allow MASA Access enrolment opportunities for plan year 2026–2027 as an employee-paid voluntary product, as amended.
Moved by Benjamín de León · seconded by Rogerio Olivarez Jr.
Unanimous · Roll call at 20:12
Vote on the main motion as amended, item 5B — MASA Access enrolment Member Seat Vote Gilberto Falcón Mayor Yes Ediel Barrera Place 2 · Mayor Pro-Tem Yes Benjamín de León Place 1 Yes Rogerio Olivarez Jr. Place 3 Yes Eudolio "Nune" Barrera III Place 4 Yes Result All seats Passed 5–0. All members present voted yes. 5C Landscape architecture services, RFQ 2026-12 — Fort Ringgold Park improvements
- Department
- Parks and Recreation
- Part of
- Fort Ringgold Park improvements
In plain language
Choosing a landscape architect for the park improvements paid for by a state parks grant. Under state law the city picks on qualifications first and negotiates the price afterwards.
Main motion · Carried
To accept the evaluation committee's scoring for RFQ 2026-12, to select Terra Sur Studio, PLLC as the most highly qualified respondent, and to authorise the City Manager to negotiate a contract for a fair and reasonable price and return it to the commission for approval.
Moved by Eudolio "Nune" Barrera III · seconded by Ediel Barrera
Unanimous · Roll call at 20:13
Vote on the motion to select the most highly qualified firm, item 5C Member Seat Vote Gilberto Falcón Mayor Yes Ediel Barrera Place 2 · Mayor Pro-Tem Yes Benjamín de León Place 1 Yes Rogerio Olivarez Jr. Place 3 Yes Eudolio "Nune" Barrera III Place 4 Yes Result All seats Passed 5–0. All members present voted yes. What was adopted: Resolution No. 2026-43 — selecting Terra Sur Studio, PLLC for RFQ 2026-12.
What happened after: In progress · Parks and Recreation · negotiation under way; the contract returned to the commission on 25 August 2026.
Commissioner Rogerio Olivarez Jr. departed at 8:14 p.m. Four members remained and quorum held.
5D Donation of the lot at 307 E. Main Street
- Department
- City Manager
In plain language
Somebody is giving the city a small lot on Main Street. The commission voted to accept it.
Main motion · Carried
To accept the donation of E/25 11' Lot 4 Block 39, known as 307 E. Main Street, and to adopt Resolution No. 2026-44 authorising the Mayor to execute the deed of gift.
Moved by Ediel Barrera · seconded by Benjamín de León
Unanimous of those voting · Roll call at 20:19
Vote on the motion to accept the donation of 307 E. Main Street, item 5D Member Seat Vote Gilberto Falcón Mayor Yes Ediel Barrera Place 2 · Mayor Pro-Tem Yes Benjamín de León Place 1 Yes Rogerio Olivarez Jr. Place 3 Absent1 Eudolio "Nune" Barrera III Place 4 Yes Result All seats Passed 4–0. One member was absent for this vote. 1 Absent for this vote — left the meeting at 8:14 p.m. No reason was stated on the record.
What was adopted: Resolution No. 2026-44 — accepting the deed of gift for 307 E. Main Street.
What happened after: In progress · City Manager · the deed was accepted and recorded in the Starr County deed records on 11 August 2026. The Main Street Advisory Board took up a recommended use on 20 August 2026.
6 Executive session
Convened in closed session at 8:22 p.m., reconvened in open session at 9:41 p.m.
No vote is ever taken in a closed meeting. Texas Government Code § 551.102 requires that any final action, decision or vote on a matter deliberated in closed session be taken in an open meeting. The certified agenda of a closed session is kept for two years under § 551.104(a) and is not public — a court can order it released.
What was discussed behind closed doors, and under which citation Item Subject Citation Action 6A Personnel matters § 551.071 and § 551.074 No action was taken. 6B Arbitration with El Sauz Water Supply over the water loss dispute § 551.071 No action was taken. 6C Participation in the National PFAS Phase 2 Settlement Program § 551.071 Action taken in open session — see the motion below. 6D Various legal and real estate matters § 551.072 No action was taken. 6E Acquisition or sale of real property § 551.072 No action was taken. Main motion · Carried
To authorise the City Manager and the city attorney to complete and submit the City of Rio Grande City's participation and claims materials for the National PFAS Phase 2 Settlement Program before the July 31, 2026 deadline, to preserve all rights available to the city under the court-approved PFAS settlements, and to adopt Resolution No. 2026-45.
Moved by Benjamín de León · seconded by Eudolio "Nune" Barrera III
Unanimous of those voting · Roll call at 21:44
Vote on the motion taken in open session on item 6C — the PFAS settlement Member Seat Vote Gilberto Falcón Mayor Yes Ediel Barrera Place 2 · Mayor Pro-Tem Yes Benjamín de León Place 1 Yes Rogerio Olivarez Jr. Place 3 Absent1 Eudolio "Nune" Barrera III Place 4 Yes Result All seats Passed 4–0. One member was absent for this vote. 1 Absent for this vote — left the meeting at 8:14 p.m.
What was adopted: Resolution No. 2026-45 — authorising participation in the National PFAS Phase 2 Settlement Program.
7 Adjournment
Main motion · Carried
To adjourn.
Moved by Eudolio "Nune" Barrera III · seconded by Ediel Barrera
Unanimous of those voting · Roll call at 21:58
Vote on the motion to adjourn Member Seat Vote Gilberto Falcón Mayor Yes Ediel Barrera Place 2 · Mayor Pro-Tem Yes Benjamín de León Place 1 Yes Rogerio Olivarez Jr. Place 3 Absent Eudolio "Nune" Barrera III Place 4 Yes Result All seats Passed 4–0. One member was absent.
The minutes
These minutes were approved by the City Commission on 25 August 2026.
One correction was made
One correction was made before approval: the draft recorded Commissioner Olivarez as voting yes on item 5D. He had left the meeting at 8:14 p.m. and was absent for that vote. The tally is unchanged at 4–0; the record of who was in the room is not.
What is real here and what is not
The meeting, its date, its body, the items on it and the city's own PDF are real, taken from cityofrgc.com. The motions, the tallies, the speakers, the dollar figures, the resolution numbers and the City Secretary's name are invented, to show what the record looks like when it is published as text.
One legal point, stated straight: Texas law requires the minutes to indicate each vote, but it does not require naming how each member voted. Publishing the roll call is the city's own choice. So is publishing any of this online at all — the internet-posting mandate reaches cities of 48,000 and up. “The city chooses to publish this” is a stronger thing to say than pretending the law compels it.
The original documents
Source: the City of Rio Grande City document centre, retrieved 5 September 2026.
How each member voted
Every member name in every vote table on this page links to that member's own record.