Pharr, Texas – City of Pharr officials are pleased to announce the launch of the city’s new 311 mobile application, which will give citizens easy access to government services at their fingertips and the touch of a button. The new Pharr 311 is an interactive mobile application that will allow citizens to easily access critical information from the City of Pharr, including news, calendar of events, online payments, and more.
An exciting feature of the app is the capability to have Pharr citizens become active participants in government services – citizens will be able to report issues of concern in a wide variety of issue areas. Their requests will be tracked and addressed accordingly, and the citizen user will be notified as to the status, and ultimate resolution, of their request.
City officials will host a press conference to unveil the application to the public immediately following the City Commission meeting scheduled for 4 pm on Wednesday, December 18, 2019, at the City Commission meeting room on the second floor of Pharr City Hall (118 S. Cage) in Pharr.
Pharr 311 App Home Screen
“In an effort to encourage civic participation among Pharr residents, we wanted to be proactive and effective in communicating with our constituents and addressing their needs,” said Pharr Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D. “We decided to utilize technology through this mobile app that could provide government services in the palms of our citizens’ hands,” Hernandez continued.
“Through the app, Pharr residents can easily report issues that need addressing while being able to remain updated and informed on all city news, events, and activities,” Hernandez added.
Online Payments (for water bills and municipal court fees)
Police Patrol Request (for citizens leaving out of town for a specific time period that would like extra police patrol)
Camera Surveillance Registration (register your video surveillance system in the event of a crime committed in the vicinity)
Alarm Registration (register your alarm system for your home or business)
Code Red Registration (register to receive news alerts in emergencies)
Pharr Live TV (watch the city’s public access channel live stream)
and more!
Pharr’s 311 app is available for download on any mobile device (smartphone or tablet) from the Google Play Store (for Androids) or Apple App Store (for Iphones and Ipads).
At the press conference, attendees will be given an overview and demonstration of the application and its features.
All media and the public are invited to attend.
DETAILS
WHAT: Press Conference Unveiling Pharr’s New 311 Mobile App
WHEN: Wednesday, December 18, 2019, at 4 pm
WHERE: Pharr City Hall (118 S. Cage, 2nd Floor, in Pharr)
Pharr to Host Press Conference on 25th Anniversary and to Commemorate Bridge Now Ranking 3rd in Texas TODAY, Wed., 12/11 @ 11 am
Pharr, Texas – Pharr city officials and the Pharr International Bridge will host a press conference to announce major accomplishments and news as the bridge celebrates its 25th anniversary and commemorates the bridge’s new ranking as the No. 3 land port in Texas, according to WorldCity, a publication that tracks trade data for every airport, seaport and border crossing in the United States. Among the largest ports for produce in the nation, the Pharr International Bridge has much to celebrate on its anniversary and the city is proud to share an update on its growth, initiatives, and future plans.
The press conference will take place TODAY, Wednesday, December 11, 2019, at 11 am at the Pharr International Bridge (9900 S Cage Blvd).
“Our Pharr Bridge has accomplished so much in such a few years through our dedicated efforts, strategic partnerships at the federal and state levels, and especially through sound fiscal and infrastructure planning,” said Pharr Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D. “We have invested in our bridge by focusing on its growth and capitalizing on our ripe international trade location, our planning is paying off and we could not be prouder of the success and growth our Pharr International Bridge has experienced within the last few years,” he added.
Among the bridge’s most celebrated accomplishments is its consistent ranking as the #1 Port of Entry in the U.S. for fresh fruits and vegetables. The city, EDC, bridge staff, and board have worked together to advocate for needed funding, infrastructure improvements, cold storage development, and cross-border planning which have resulted in new upgrades, faster crossing times, and cold storage growth in the city, all of which help the bridge remain attractive to produce growers, importers, distributors, and consumers from the United States and Mexico.
“Our efforts have been carefully planned and strategically implemented,” stated Pharr Bridge Director Luis Bazan. “Our success is all in the numbers, the leadership, the work, the drive, and the results as we aim to continue being the leader in cross-border trade,” he continued. “We are extremely proud of how far we have come as we celebrate our silver 25th Anniversary and are thrilled to share exciting news and future plans with our citizens, clients, customers, and partners during our press conference,” Bazan said.
All media and the public are invited to attend.
DETAILS
WHAT: Pharr Bridge Press Conference
WHEN: Wednesday, December 11, 2019, at 11 am
WHERE: Pharr International Bridge (9900 S Cage Blvd., Pharr, TX 78577)
RCPSE interim Chief Administrator Sgt. Jose Moroles (above) addresses law enforcement in attendance at STC’s President’s Advisory Council Committee luncheon Nov. 19. More than 1,400 law enforcement officers have participated in training at South Texas College’s Regional Center for Public Safety Excellence (RCPSE) in 2019, Moroles confirmed.
MCALLEN, TEXAS – More than 1,400 law enforcement officers have participated in training at South Texas College’s Regional Center for Public Safety Excellence (RCPSE) since January 2019, according to RCPSE interim Chief Administrator Sgt. Jose Moroles who spoke at STC’s President’s Advisory Council Committee on Nov. 19.
STC is the first border community college in the nation to establish integrative training for local, state and federal professionals in law enforcement, public safety, fire safety, and homeland security along with the US/Mexico border.
The President’s Advisory Council meeting was organized to identify strategies that will be used in the development of the college’s 2020 RCPSE training implementation plan. The Council serves as the principal means to develop advanced training programs at the RCPSE and to ensure that those programs remain current with evolving technology.
Moroles said the College has embarked on a training program to develop courses most needed by law enforcement. This includes additional training in digital technology and DNA testing in the coming year, he said.
“The whole point of the (President’s Advisory) meeting is to come together and share ideas and talk about the priorities for law enforcement, and I think that at the end of the day, there were some suggestions and training that they would like to see,” Moroles said. “We are going to go forward with that and see if we can find the right instructors and bring those courses to our law enforcement professionals.”
Over the course of one year STC’s RCPSE trainings included basic TCOLE mandated courses and specialized courses in interview and interrogation, media and public relations to help PIOs, advanced communication for hostage negotiators, and a collaboration with FBI LEEDA which brought two supervisory courses for law enforcement.
Current goals of the RCPSE include prioritizing the most sought after instruction required by federal, state, county, municipal, and school district law enforcement, further developing partnerships with the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC), and assisting agencies in recruiting future law enforcement officers.
“This has not been an easy adventure,” said STC President Dr. Shirley A. Reed who addressed members of the Advisory Council and guests at the Nov. 19 meeting. “It has been about developing our vision based on what law enforcement feels is really needed in our region.”
In 2018, STC President Dr. Shirley A. Reed extended an invitation to regional leaders in the law enforcement community to participate on the Advisory Council in order to provide recommendations for professional continuing education and college degree programs.
Attendance at the Advisory Council meeting included law enforcement from various federal, state, and local agencies. Key guests at the meeting included Frank Stewart, division chief for mission readiness operations with the U.S. Border Patrol – RGV sector; Cesar Zambrano, resident agent in charge for ATF; and Victor Escalon, regional director for DPS.
The $71.28 million long-range master plan is on a 64-acre site, in Pharr, Texas with additional acres available for future expansion. The Master Plan includes 534,385 square feet of buildings, target range, emergency vehicles operational course, and fire science structures to be completed in three phases over the next decade.
A partnership with Texas Workforce Commission and Workforce Solutions will help employees seeking industry-recognized certificates; City-funded program to assist employees with the cost of obtaining degrees.
Pharr, Texas – In an effort to support the educational aspirations of employees seeking to pursue their professional growth, the City of Pharr is proud to announce the launching of the city’s first-ever Employee Development Pilot Program through two separate educational pathways. The Employee Development Pilot Program I (EDP Program I) will consist of a partnership with both the Texas Workforce Commission and Workforce Solutions and will assist employees in earning an industry-recognized certificate.
Through a separate city venture, Employee Development Pilot Program II (EDP Program II) will provide assistance to employees pursuing associate’s, bachelor’s or master’s degrees. Professional development is pivotal to improving the workforce and quality of life, and Pharr hopes to encourage its employees to continue working toward pursuing their professional educational goals.
“Opportunities for collaboration ultimately strengthen our entire community,” said Frank Almaraz, Chief Executive Officer, Workforce Solutions. “Not only will this partnership offer City of Pharr employees training towards industry-recognized credentials, but it will also encourage job satisfaction and upward mobility within city departments that could lead to positions with higher pay,” he added.
According to data provided by the City of Pharr Human Resources Department, the city currently has 606 Full-Time Employees (FTEs). Of these FTEs, only 48 employees (7.9%) have at least 60 hours of college or an associate’s degree and 72 employees (11.9%) have a bachelor’s degree or above. Among the FTEs in the Fire and Police Departments, about 65 employees (10.7%) have some sort of education who are civil service employees. In total, only about 185 employees (30.5%) have pursued some sort of education. Through both Employee Education Pilot Programs, the city hopes to improve the number of employees with industry-recognized certificates and professional degrees.
“We want our employees to excel in the workplace, at home, and in our community,” said Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D. “There are many employees who would like to pursue higher education, but because of financial or other reasons, have been unable to do so,” continued Hernandez.
These programs will also be in alignment with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board’s “60x30TX” Higher Education Strategic Plan, which states that by 2030, at least 60 percent of Texans ages 25-34 will have a certificate or degree. Pharr is excited to contribute to this strategic plan through its Employee Development Pilot Programs.
As part of this $100,000 grant from the Texas Workforce Commission and Workforce Solutions, the City plans to promote learning and educational advancement while helping employees seek industry-recognized certificates.
For those employees interested in pursuing higher education, the City has committed funding that will be used to assist employees enrolling in associate’s, bachelor’s, or master’s degree programs as long as the program aligns with their career path in the City.
“The City of Pharr is committed to helping our employees improve their educational attainment level, which will ultimately improve their quality of life and serve as an inspiration to their families and our community; creating a culture of lifelong learning amongst our community,” said Hernandez. “We are excited about these two new Employee Development Pilot Programs and partnership and would like to especially thank our partners at the Texas Workforce Commission, Commissioner Julian Alvarez, and Frank Almaraz, CEO, Workforce Solutions for making this possible for our employees,” he continued.
“Together we are transforming our community and workforce through education!” he added.
The Board of Commissioners of the City of Pharr met for a regular meeting on Monday, November 18, 2019, and considered an agenda that included the following highlights:
Pharr Proclaims Nov. 30 as Small Business Saturday
The Pharr City Commission approved a proclamation observing Saturday, November 30, 2019, as Small Business Saturday. Created by American Express in 2010, Small Business Saturday was started to encourage shoppers to buy local and make holiday purchases at homegrown small businesses. Receiving the proclamation were Rebecca Arizmendi, President/CEO of the Greater Pharr Chamber of Commerce, Karina Lopez, Pharr EDC Business Retention & Expansion Manager, Mario Lizcano, Greater Pharr Chamber of Commerce Chairman and Vice President of the Pharr EDC, and Alma Caso, Board member of the Greater Pharr Chamber of Commerce and Co-Founder and CEO of Plaza Sports Center. “We are proud to join communities, cities, chambers of commerce, and economic development corporations across the country in proclaiming Saturday, November 30, 2019, as Small Business Saturday in Pharr,” said Arizmendi while receiving the proclamation. “The City of Pharr has many great small businesses and we encourage our community to shop local this holiday season,” she added.
Featured Events:
City of Pharr Christmas Lighting Ceremony – Monday, December 2, 2019, at 6 pm in front of City Hall.
Join Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D. and the Pharr City Commission on Monday, December 2, 2019, at 6:00 pm at Pharr City Hall for our Christmas Lighting Ceremony!
City of Pharr Christmas Posada – Saturday, December 14, 2019, from 6 – 11 pm in Downtown Pharr.
Kick-off your Christmas festivities in Pharr as we celebrate our annual Christmas Posada. There will be plenty of activities for families including pictures with Christmas characters, carolers, food booths, snow, ice skating, and much more!
