The Board of Commissioners of the City of Pharr met for a regular meeting on Monday, June 3, 2024, and considered an agenda that included the following highlights:
Pharr Proclaims June 2024 as “Alzheimer’s Brain Awareness Month”
The Phar City Commission approved a proclamation declaring June 2024 as “Alzheimer’s Brain Awareness Month.” The City of Pharr acknowledges the devastating impact of Alzheimer’s disease, which affects around 7 million people in the United States, including 459,300 in Texas. As the sixth leading cause of death nationally and the fifth among the elderly, Alzheimer’s imposes substantial costs on society, with direct care valued at $347 billion. In Texas alone, 1.1 million caregivers provide 1.8 billion hours of unpaid care, worth $25.8 billion annually. The proclamation was presented to Maxine P. Vieyra, Program Manager, Alzheimer’s Association. “This year we are encouraging everyone to take care of their brain health by building healthy habits such as exercising, not smoking, and changing their diets to help improve brain function,” announced Vieyra. “We are thankful to the City of Pharr for supporting this proclamation and helping us spread awareness throughout the month and we hope you will also join us in wearing purple to highlight this important cause,” she added. The city recognizes the Alzheimer’s Association’s efforts to raise funds and awareness to combat this disease and encourages residents to support and enhance care for those affected by Alzheimer’s and other dementias.
City Approves Resolution Designating the City Clerk’s Office to Receive Requests for Information
The Phar City Commission approved a resolution designating the City Clerk’s Office to receive requests for information. The City of Pharr is governed by Chapter 552 of the Texas Government Code and may designate the appropriate official for information requests. The City Clerk’s Office will now be assigned to receive all requests for information via email and fax.
City Reappoints/Appoints Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Members
The Phar City Commission approved the reappointment of current Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Members Ben Cantu II, Bobby Carrillo Jr., and Mario Guajardo. New appointments to the board include Carlos Alanis and Jose Quintanilla.
City Appoints New Board Member to the Keep Pharr Beautiful Committee
The Phar City Commission approved the appointment of Jessica Trevino to the Keep Pharr Beautiful Committee.
Pharr Reappoints/Appoints Pharr Memorial Library Board Members
The Phar City Commission approved the reappointment of current Pharr Memorial Library Board Member Olga Cardoza. New appointments to the board include Cristina Espinoza and Rosana Gutierrez.
Featured Events:
Night Under the Stars – Children’s Edition – Friday, June 7, 2024, Doors Open at 7:30 pm
Children’s Edition
Get ready for a magical “Night Under the Stars” hosted by the City of Pharr!
Bring your family and friends to enjoy awesome music under the open sky at the City Hall Amphitheater. This special concert is just for you, and the best part? It’s totally FREE! Come join the fun and make some unforgettable memories!
Splash-A-Palooza – Monday, June 10, 2024, from 12 pm to 6 pm
Dive into summer with Splash-A-Palooza! Join us on June 10th for the grand opening of the Pharr Aquatic Center! Get ready for a splashing good time with kayak races, live music, cannonball competitions, water balloon fights, and more! Plus, be one of the first 100 attendees and enjoy FREE entry! Don’t miss out on the fun – mark your calendars now!
Independence Day Festival – Thursday, July 4, 2024, from 7 pm to 11 pm
Celebrate our nation’s independence with the City of Pharr!
Our annual Independence Day Festival is happening Thursday, July 4th at Allen & William Arnold City/School Park!
Bring the family to enjoy food, live music, a carnival, petting zoo and of course a spectacular fireworks show!
Save the date for this celebration! Admission is FREE!
MEDIA ADVISORY
Media Contact: Yuri Gonzalez
Phone: (956) 310-2139
Email: yuri.gonzalez@pharr-tx.gov
City of Pharr Invites Community, Business Owners to Hurricane Preparedness Panel Discussion on Wed., 6/5 @ 10 AM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 2024
Pharr, Texas – Join us for the next session of the “Work Mode: On” Business 101 series, hosted by the City of Pharr. This installment will focus on crucial hurricane preparedness strategies for residents and businesses in Pharr and the Rio Grande Valley.
Two panels comprising representatives from various city departments including fire, police, public safety communications, building and code, emergency management, public works, engineering, and public health will share practical steps for storm readiness and collaborative approaches to post-storm recovery.
The panel discussions will take place on Wednesday, June 5, 2024, from 10 AM to 12 PM at the Pharr ONE Building (1121 E. Nolana Loop, Pharr, TX 78577). Registration to the public, business, and media is FREE.
Additionally, esteemed partners such as AEP Texas, TDEM (Texas Division of Emergency Management), and Karen Gonzalez, a meteorologist from KRGV, will provide expert perspectives.
Attendees will be entered into a raffle drawing for prizes including a generator, emergency backpack kit, and other helpful hurricane supplies.
The public and media are invited to attend. To RSVP, please click here.
DETAILS
WHAT: “Work Mode: On” Business 101 – Hurricane Preparedness Panel
WHEN: Wednesday, June 5, 2024, 10 AM – 12 PM
WHERE: Pharr ONE Building (1121 E. Nolana Loop, Pharr, TX 78577)
Cynthia Garza-Reyes Appointed as Assistant City Manager for the City of Pharr
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, May 28, 2024
Cynthia Garza-Reyes
Pharr Assistant City Manager
Pharr, Texas – The City of Pharr proudly announces Cynthia Garza-Reyes as the new Assistant City Manager. The appointment was made on May 2, 2024. For the past 15 years, Cynthia Garza-Reyes has played a pivotal role in spearheading regional initiatives spanning infrastructure, healthcare, immigration, transportation, education, and international trade. With a distinguished career spanning both the federal and municipal levels, Garza brings an unparalleled wealth of experience and expertise to her new role.
Garza’s journey in public service began with United States Congressman Ruben Hinojosa (TX-15). Her dedication and leadership were evident as she managed critical policy matters in Washington D.C. and later while serving as the District Director in South Texas, overseeing a vast constituency of 500,000 residents across 8 counties. During her tenure with Congressman Hinojosa, Garza played a pivotal role in executing significant initiatives, notably the rollout of the Affordable Care Act in underserved communities. Her visionary leadership not only garnered national recognition but also set a benchmark for congressional districts nationwide. Garza also served on his congressional campaign, demonstrating her leadership as the campaign manager for his final three congressional campaigns, highlighting her significant contributions to shaping political discourse and advocacy efforts.
Transitioning to municipal governance, Garza’s impact continues to resonate within the City of Pharr, where she has served the city and its constituents as the Director of External Relations since August 2015. In her capacity, Garza actively engages in all special capital projects, fostering partnerships with private, public, and higher education entities to advance the commission’s objectives. Through her dedicated efforts and fierce commitment, Garza has spearheaded critical infrastructure projects, securing over $450 million in federal and state funding. She also led policy initiatives which resulted in over $40 million in state funding for critical Pharr International Bridge projects. Her work on capturing funding has also left an indelible mark on all bridges along the Texas-Mexico border which have also been recipients of increased funding through her advocacy efforts and initiatives. Notably, she helped secure a federal Presidential Permit Amendment within 60 days under a 2019 Executive Order, making it possible to later create policy on the state level that helped all ports of entry along the Texas-Mexico border. Under her guidance, Pharr has witnessed remarkable progress, particularly with the Pharr International Bridge, where she continues to play a key role in policy advancements and securing substantial funding.
She has also established herself as a voice for the City of Pharr in the Texas State Legislature, collaborating with legislators to secure funding for projects like the I-69 expansion and the International Border Trade Corridor, while also influencing policy initiatives. Additionally, Garza led the creation of PharrConnect, a pioneering first-of-its-kind internet broadband network implemented to provide high-speed affordable internet to all Pharr families and businesses. Her work on this project has been instrumental and she has helped transform its success into a national model for other municipalities.
Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D., expressed his contentment with Garza’s contributions to the city, stating, “Cynthia Garza’s knowledge and experience have been instrumental in propelling Pharr to new heights. Her unwavering commitment to the city’s development is exemplary, and I have full confidence in her ability to continue driving positive change as our new Assistant City Manager.”
Garza’s leadership extends beyond professional realms as she is also an active member of various important organizations, including the Texas Border Coalition, the Texas Department of Transportation Border Trade Advisory Committee, and a member of the Texas I-69 Alliance.
Additionally, she co-manages Double G Farms, a renowned Santa Gertrudis purebred cattle operation founded in 1960 by her grandfather, Gilberto Garza. Double G Farms is one of the longest-standing Santa Gertrudis operations in the Rio Grande Valley and is a staple on both the state and national levels.
“I am deeply honored to serve as the Assistant City Manager for the City of Pharr,” Garza remarked. “I look forward to collaborating with Mayor Hernandez, the commission, and the community to advance our shared vision of prosperity and innovation.”
Garza holds a bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University and resides in Edinburg, Texas, with her husband Gabriel, and their two children, Sophia and Andres Reyes.
City of Pharr Awarded $3.12 Million Texas A&M Forest Service Grant
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, May 28, 2024
Pharr, Texas – The City of Pharr was selected to receive a $3.12 Million Texas A&M Forest Service Grant for Schoolyard Forests. This grant is part of a historic $15.4 million grant disbursement by the Texas A&M Forest Service.
The City of Pharr is one of 22 Texas cities, neighborhoods, non-profit organizations, and schools to receive a grant. The grants will directly fund recipients’ tree planting, maintenance, and community forestry planning and education efforts as part of their larger, unique urban forestry solution campaigns.
Additionally, the program places a strong emphasis on increasing schoolyard tree canopy coverage by 30% to create accessible community treescapes.
“We are ecstatic to be recipients of this grant and look forward to partnering with PSJA ISD to increase schoolyard tree canopy coverage, which will not only create healthier more sustainable environments but help improve the quality of life for out students,” said Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D.
See the full Press Release from Texas A&M Forest Service below (Courtesy Forward):
NEWSROOM: TEXAS A&M FOREST SERVICE AWARDS HISTORIC $15.4 MILLION THROUGH FORESTRY GRANT PROGRAM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 10, 2024
Texas A&M Forest Service awards historic $15.4 million through forestry grant program
COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Twenty-two Texas cities, neighborhoods, non-profit organizations and schools received grant funding through the Texas A&M Forest Service Community Forestry Grants Program, totaling $15.4 million.
The grants will directly fund recipients’ tree planting, maintenance and community forestry planning and education efforts as part of their larger, unique urban forestry solution campaigns. The program also places a key emphasis on increasing schoolyard tree canopy coverage to 30% of a school’s campus to create accessible community treescapes.
“We are overjoyed with the number of communities receiving grants this year,” said Gretchen Riley, Texas A&M Forest Service Forest Systems Department Head. “We received many wonderful grant applications that meet several urban forestry needs. Beyond applications, organizations and communities across the state expressed interest in learning more about how to advance community forestry. These applications are a testament to the demand for a program such as this.”
The goal of the Community Forestry Grants program is to build healthier urban and community forests throughout the state which are essential for the economic, environmental, physical and mental well-being of all Texans. The strategy of these grants is to spearhead local programs across the state in addressing nature-based solutions to issues facing communities today.
“The impact that trees have on our mental and physical health is astounding,” said Riley. “Coordinating with schools across the state to focus efforts on increasing tree coverage at schools will positively impact the mental and physical health of students as well as provide them with hands-on forestry education and appreciation.”
The 2024 Community Forestry Grants Program awarded grants for eight categories.
Awarded in the category of climate resiliency was Ecology Action of Texas, Austin, $50,000.
Awarded in the category of geospatial analysis was Texas Trees Foundation, Dallas, for a statewide project, $550,000.
Awarded in the category of human health equity and accessibility was city of Lewisville Parks and Recreation Department, $50,000.
Awarded in the category of municipal forester was city of Duncanville, $100,000.
Awarded in the category of schoolyard forests was city of McAllen, $2,730,000; city of Pharr, $3,120,000; Rio Grande International Study Center, Laredo, $3,120,000; and Texas Trees Foundation, Dallas, for projects in Donna and Mercedes, $5,460,000.
Awarded in the category of Tree City USA was city of Ennis Parks and Recreation, $10,000; city of Lewisville Parks and Recreation Department, $10,000; and town of Flower Mound, $10,000.
Awarded in the tree planting category was Alief Super Neighborhood Council #25, Houston, $20,000; city of Denton, $20,000; city of Kaufman, $16,200; city of Laredo Environmental Services, $16,000; city of McAllen Parks and Recreation Department, $15,000; city of North Richland Hills, $20,000; city of Socorro, $14,374; Eco El Paso, LLC, El Paso, $20,000; and Lubbock Memorial Arboretum Foundation Inc, Lubbock, $20,000.
As a bonus award, due to previous unallocated funding and the applicant’s unique landscape scale solution proposal, a project partnership between Texas Tech University, city of Lubbock and Heart of Lubbock Neighborhood Association, Lubbock, was awarded $50,000.
Grant recipients will receive funding and begin their initiatives in June 2024.
The Texas A&M Forest Service Community Forestry Grants program was established in 2022 to address Texas communities’ needs for urban forestry investment. Previous recipients of this grant include City of College Station and Bexar Branches Alliance, a San Antonio non-profit.
Funding for the grants program is provided through federal and state funding and was significantly increased from $100,000 in 2022 to $16.65 million in 2023, in part due to the USDA Forest Service and the Inflation Reduction Act.
“These grants are critical to communities and organizations throughout the state in continuing proactive forestry practices,” said Al Davis, Texas A&M Forest Service Director. “By investing in our communities today, we are ensuring healthy forests and communities for all to benefit from.”
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Contacts:
Gretchen Riley, Texas A&M Forest Service Forest Systems Department Head, (979) 458-6663, [email protected]
Kate Faris, Texas A&M Forest Service Community Forestry Grants Specialist, (979) 458-6630, [email protected]
Texas A&M Forest Service Communications, (979) 458-6606, [email protected]
City of Pharr Introduces Cutting-Edge Video to 9-1-1 Service Powered by Carbyne
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2024
Pharr, Texas – The City of Pharr proudly unveiled its latest advancement in emergency response technology with the launch of the Video to 9-1-1 service, developed in collaboration with Carbyne. As the first of its kind in the Rio Grande Valley, this innovative software provides an unparalleled level of support to individuals in distress.
The Video to 9-1-1 service is designed to complement traditional emergency protocols by offering callers the ability to transmit live video footage directly from their cellphones to dispatchers. Any cellphone equipped with a camera will be able to use this service. Upon initiating a call, individuals will receive a secure link granting access to their cellphone camera, enabling dispatchers to assess the situation in real-time and relay critical information to first responders traveling to the scene.
Funded by the City of Pharr‘s general fund, the implementation of this software represents an investment of $49,900.
“We’re always looking at new ways to progress the city and provide residents with a better quality of life, and a safer community,” Director of Public Safety Communications Kenneth Ennis said. “We’re able to provide a better outcome for them when they have their emergencies,” Ennis added.
Following a period of soft launch on May 1st, during which the software underwent rigorous trials and testing, the official launch occurred on Thursday, May 16, 2024.
A video explaining how the software works can be found below:
Celebrate our nation’s independence with the City of Pharr! 
