The Board of Commissioners of the City of Pharr met for a regular meeting on Monday, August 3, 2020, and considered an agenda that included the following highlights:
Pharr Sees Increase in Property Tax Values
City Manager Ed Wylie announced that the City of Pharr Property Assessment Value for Tax Year 2020 saw an increase from $3.1 billion to $3.4 billion; an overall increase of 8.6% ($250 million dollars). Wylie mentioned that the city’s goal of increasing the value has been met as a result of giving incentives for building residential subdivisions. “Our strategy has been working and we are proud to continue to see our city grow,” he added.
City of Pharr Extends Declaration of Disaster After Hurricane Hanna
On July 25, 2020, the Mayor Issued a Declaration of Disaster due to the rains and flooding resulting from Hurricane Hanna. The Declaration is valid for only 7 days unless extended or renewed by the City Commission. Due to the extent of flooding and damage to property, the Mayor of Pharr has determined that extraordinary measures must be taken to protect the public health, safety, and general well being of the Citizens of Pharr to alleviate the suffering of people and to protect or rehabilitate property. There are ongoing efforts to assess and remediate damage to areas within the City, and an extension of the Declaration of Disaster is necessary. The declaration will remain in effect until terminated by the mayor and city commissioners.
Commission Adopts Amended Ordinance Creating a $500 Fine for Driving Over Flooded Roads
Adopted on first reading, the Pharr City Commission, approved an Ordinance amending Chapter 126, Traffic and Vehicles, Article IV, Operation of Vehicles Generally, by adding a new Section 126-150, traversing flooded streets with a vehicle. Due to the recent rains and flooding the City has identified the need for an ordinance addressing vehicles traveling through flooded streets that have resulted in damage to surrounding properties as a result of the wake caused by the vehicles. The Commission understands that flooding is a significant concern for many Pharr residents, and despite the City’s continuous flood mitigation efforts over the past several years, heavy rainfall periodically results in flooded street conditions throughout the City. Prohibiting such activity helps with the City’s ongoing flood hazard mitigation efforts to reduce damage to homes and personal property from flooding, and will enhance the City’s continued participation in the Community Rating System and National Flood Insurance Program.
“People need to be mindful that when they are driving through flooded roadways, they exacerbate flooding in nearby homes by creating a wake, which pushes water further into homes and property,” said Commissioner Daniel Chavez. “Unfortunately, we have seen this happen too many times and we want to help protect our citizens and mitigate the damage to their homes,” he added.
Under the new amended Ordinance:
It shall be unlawful for any person to traverse a flooded street in an automobile, truck, boat, or other vehicle or vessel at such speed as to create a wake therein that may or is likely to cause personal injury or damage or increased flooding to the property or premises adjoining such flooded street or streets.
It shall be an affirmative defense to prosecution under this section that the person was performing a rescue operation or was protecting the public order and safety.
Each violation of this ordinance shall be punishable by a fine not to exceed $500.00. Every violation of this Ordinance may occur, shall be considered a unique and separate criminal offense.
Permit Fees Waived Due to Hurricane Hanna
The Pharr City Commission adopted on first reading an Ordinance amending Ordinance No. O-2008-36, creating a temporary sixty (60) day exemption from permit fees for repair and reconstruction of structures damaged due to Hurricane Hanna. This will allow residential and commercial owners the ability to remediate their property in a more efficient and effective manner. “We are sympathetic that our citizens are under extreme stress right now because of the damage caused by Hurricane Hanna and we want to make the process easier for everyone,” said Ed Wylie, City Manager. “We are waiving the fees for 60 days, but citizens still have to submit permits and the city will continue with inspections to ensure everything is done correctly,” added Wylie.
Commissioners approved an ordinance authorizing the issuance, sale, and delivery of City of Pharr, Texas Waterworks and Sewer System Revenue Bonds, Series 2020A in the aggregate principal amount of $18,150,000. As approved by Texas Water Development Board; Waterworks and Sewer System Revenue Bonds Series 2020A will be issued to fund water infrastructure projects.
Commission Approves Revenue Bonds to Fund Water Infrastructure Projects
The Commission also approved an ordinance authorizing the issuance, sale, and delivery of City of Pharr, Texas Waterworks and Sewer System Revenue Bonds, Series 2020B in the aggregate principal amount of $13,880,000. As approved by Texas Water Development Board; Waterworks and Sewer System Revenue Bonds Series 2020B will be issued to fund wastewater infrastructure projects.
Featured Event: Pharr First Responders Festival – Friday, August 7, 2020, from 7 pm to 8 pm
The City of Pharr will be hosting our annual Pharr First Responders event. This event will be transitioning from our typical festival into 2 simultaneous drive-thru events to be held on Friday, August 7th at 7 PM.
Students must be present for free school supplies and to get a ticket for a chance to win one of the 20 laptops to be raffled. The first 2,000 students will also receive a City of Pharr USB wristband.
The City of Pharr and our First Responders support all students and wish them a successful school year.
Pharr Mayor Dr. Ambrosio Hernandez has signed a disaster declaration due to the widespread and severe damage resulting from Hurricane Hanna. The declaration will take effect immediately and will last for seven days unless extended by the City Council of the City of Pharr
City of Pharr and Vanguard Academy to Host Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting for Nature and Birding Center on Thursday, 7/16 @ 11:30 am
Pharr, Texas – Pharr city leaders, in partnership with Vanguard Academy, are proud to announce the Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting of the City of Pharr and Vanguard Academy Nature and Birding Center. The center was made possible by a $250,000 matching grant from Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. The Grand Opening will take place at 11:30 am on Thursday, July 16, 2020, at 1025 S. Richmond Drive in Pharr.
The new center, including a nine-acre park, is expected to be an attraction for nature education and bird watching, as well as the arts. The City of Pharr is committed to working with Pharr families, communities, and local school districts when planning for the development of new city parks and community attractions.
“Not only are we expanding our parks and increasing our green footprint in our city, but we are also working to support and promote eco-tourism and the arts,” said Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D. “One of the most attractive features of this park is its open-air, 500 capacity amphitheater which will allow our Pharr families the opportunity to enjoy many days and nights at this park – watching plays, listening to live music, and much more,” he continued. “This is a great investment in our city, our students, and our community,” he added.
Ideally nestled within the nature and birding center, the amphitheater is a welcomed addition to Vanguard Academy, which is known for its emphasis on fine arts. Students at the academy will have the opportunity to enjoy band and orchestra concerts and plays, while the public will also have access to the amphitheater through city and school district-sponsored events.
The park also includes an information area for nature education, interpretive signage for accessibility, a decomposed granite walking trail, and picnic areas for families to enjoy. Filled with native plants and foliage to attract a wide variety of birds, butterflies, and more, the park also has binocular viewing stations located throughout the park, further aiming to promote eco-tourism by attracting bird watchers, nature groups, educational organizations, and more.
DETAILS WHAT: Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for City of Pharr and Vanguard Academy Nature and Birding Center WHEN: Thursday, July 16, 2020, at 11:30 am WHERE: 1025 S. Richmond Drive, Pharr, TX 78577
Pharr Issues Live Safe, Work Safe Orders, Suspends Construction to Prevent Spread of COVID-19
Pharr, Texas – With the increase in positive cases of COVID-19 in the community, and to protect the health and safety of Pharr residents, Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D. issued Emergency Orders 2020-02 and 2020-03 on Monday, July 13, 2020, aimed to further prevent the spread of COVID-19.
COVID-19 continues to menace the health of Pharr residents and the Pharr economy, and the local Health Authority has advised on the need for increased vigilance by individuals and mandatory health measures from Pharr businesses.
Mayor Hernandez stated, “As city leaders, we felt it was our responsibility to take further measures to ensure the safety of residents in our community, and we need all residents to follow these orders.”
“We were hearing a lot of concerns from parents wanting to ensure that their children would be safe when the school year begins, so we issued guidance that no in-person instruction is allowed,” he added.
“We also noticed upon inspecting construction sites that health and safety measures were not being followed, so we needed to set clear guidance to ensure all businesses, including construction sites, are abiding by the requirements,” Hernandez added.
Suspension of Residential and Commercial Construction
Order 2020-02 suspends the construction of residential and commercial projects until each Site Manager comes into compliance with the City’s Construction Requirements and submits a work safe plan to the city. The order acknowledges that construction sites are inherently difficult environments for social distancing to occur, as they frequently require large numbers of individuals to touch the same surfaces, gather closely in areas, and use common facilities. All physical operations of non-essential construction projects shall cease upon this order taking effect at 11:59 pm on Monday, July 13, 2020. The only work that will be permitted to continue will be essential work, which will need to be approved by the city and will come into compliance with the city’s Construction Requirements and obtaining a work safe plan.
City peace officers, Code Enforcement Officers, and Fire Marshals will be enforcing this order. Any person violating this order may be subject to a fine not to exceed $1,000 or other penalties allowed by law or ordinance.
Construction industry representatives and site managers are encouraged to read the Order in its entirety, along with Order 2020-03 Exhibit D – Construction Requirements.
Live Safe, Work Safe Orders
Order 2020-03 orders households of persons who receive a positive diagnosis of COVID-19 or those who exhibit symptoms to isolate at home for at least 14 days. Social gatherings shall be avoided or minimized, and gatherings of more than ten individuals are prohibited.
As families in Pharr were seeking guidance in regard to whether schools could safely re-open for the upcoming school year, the city felt it needed to act to address this issue. The order prohibits the in-person instruction of public or private schools until further notice.
Businesses are ordered to create and implement an infectious disease response plan and comply with the Texas Governor’s Minimum Standard Health Protocols, checklist for employers. Businesses are also ordered to require face coverings of all employees and patrons entering the place of businesses, and for patrons to practice social distancing protocols.
A first-time violation of this Order regarding social distancing and face coverings is subject to a verbal or written reprimand; a second violation and each subsequent violation shall be punishable by a fine not to exceed $250. A violation of any other section of this Order is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed $1,000.
The orders took effect at 11:59 pm on Monday, July 13, 2020, and remain in effect until further notice. The orders, which include the requirements for Pharr families and businesses can be found on the city’s website at https://old.pharr-tx.com/covid-19/ under the tab Press Releases.
Pharr, Texas – At a special meeting of the Pharr City Commission held today, the City of Pharr announced the selection of Andrew “Andy” Harvey, Jr. as the city’s new police chief. Harvey was appointed by interim City Manager Ed Wylie and confirmed by the Pharr City Commission. He was sworn into office at the meeting by Hidalgo County District Attorney Ricardo Rodriguez.
Chief Harvey has a wealth of military and transformational law enforcement leadership experience, having most recently served as Chief of Police for the cities of Palestine and Ennis, Texas. As Chief, Harvey has transformed agencies into more modern, 21st-century police departments. Harvey’s innovation in policing includes implementing crime-fighting strategies to target drugs and property crimes using covert and other technology and creating a Quality of Life Officer position who works with social services, child protective services, and mental health agencies to provide better quality care to citizens challenged with mental health and drug addiction, among other notable successes.
While heading up the Palestine Police Department, Harvey was named Palestine Difference Maker in 2018 and 2019 by the Herald Press Newspaper. Harvey also serves on the Law Enforcement Immigration Task Force in Washington D.C, as part of a group of police chiefs and sheriffs across the country to have a voice on how immigration reform relates to public safety. Harvey testified in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee last October on this issue.
Prior to his tenure in Palestine and Ennis, Harvey served more than 21 years at the Dallas Police Department, retiring in 2017. Harvey also served as First Sergeant of the 136th Mission Support Group of the US Air National Guard and also served in the United States Air Force Reserve and the Texas Army National Guard from 1987 through 2008, retiring honorably and receiving numerous accolades including the Joint Service Commendation Medal for Operation Iraqi Freedom for deploying to the Middle East.
Harvey received his Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences from Midwestern State University, a Master of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of North Texas, and a Doctorate of Philosophy in Strategic Leadership from Destiny College International. Harvey is certified as a Master Peace Officer and a TCOLE Certified Instructor. Harvey’s leadership philosophy seeks to invoke effective policing by requiring courageous and collaborative leaders at every level of an organization, with officers called upon to think outside of their squad car, and consider the impact their actions may have on the police department, the city, and today’s policing.
A professional speaker and presenter, Harvey has presented Excellence in Policing and Confident Media Relations courses to hundreds of police executives in Texas and throughout the country. As an executive trainer, he has trained many leaders around the state in leadership, community relations, and media relations.
“We are excited to herald in a new era of police leadership with someone as qualified and experience as Chief Harvey,” said Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D. “Our community should feel safe and secure with the new direction our police department is going, and we are happy that Chief Harvey has joined our team,” he added. Harvey was born and raised in the Rio Grande Valley and speaks Spanish. “Having the opportunity to return to the Valley in a fast-growing, dynamic city and region is incredible,” said Harvey. “I look forward to working with the men and women of the Pharr PD to add value to the city,” he added.
Pharr to Host Special Announcement Regarding Police Chief TODAY, Monday, 7/13 @ 12 pm
Pharr, Texas – The City of Pharr officials will host a special announcement regarding the Pharr Police Chief. The announcement will be made at a special meeting of the Pharr City Commission at 12 pm noon TODAY, Monday, July 13, 2020, at the City Commission Chambers at Pharr City Hall (118 S. Cage, 2nd Floor) in Pharr.
DETAILS WHAT: Special Announcement regarding Pharr Police Chief WHEN: Monday, July 13, 2020, at 12 pm noon WHERE: Pharr City Commission Chambers, City Hall (118 S. Cage, 2nd Floor) in Pharr
