by media | Nov 17, 2021 | Featured News, Media Releases, News
The Board of Commissioners of the City of Pharr met for a regular meeting on Monday, November 15, 2021, and considered an agenda that included the following highlights:
Pharr Sales Tax Continues Healthy Growth Trend
Pharr City Manager Ed Wylie announced that the Sales Tax Report for the City of Pharr shows an increase of 21.96% year-to-date true growth compared to last year (2020) and 24.85% compared to last November 2020 Payments.
Commission Approves Contracts with Local Hospitals for Ground Ambulance, Rotor-Wing, and Fixed-Wing Transportation Services
The Pharr City Commission approved several agreements allowing City Manager Ed Wylie to enter into a contract with South Texas Health System, Knapp Medical Center, Mission Regional Medical Center, and to amend a contract with Doctors Hospital at Renaissance for ground, rotor-wing, and fixed-wing transportation services. These contracts will allow Pharr EMS to provide non-emergency ground services to the participating hospitals. As part of the individual contracts, South Texas Health System will receive five ambulances, Knapp Medical Center will receive one ambulance, Mission Regional Medical Center will receive one ambulance, and the city has amended a contract with Doctors Hospital at Renaissance stipulating Medicare/Medicaid payments.
Commission Approves Contract with Elite Medical Air Transport, LLC Fixed-Wing Transportation Services
The Pharr City Commission approved an agreement allowing City Manager Ed Wylie to enter into a contract with Elite Medical Air Transport, LLC for fixed-wing transportation services. Currently, Pharr EMS is using McCreery aviation to conduct fixed-wing flights. McCreery aviation does not always have a pilot, therefore we lose flights for this reason. The contract would allow Pharr EMS to have a dedicated aircraft in the RGV for twenty-four-hour use whenever there is a request for a fixed-wing flight.
Commission Approves Lease Agreement with the City of Brownsville for Ambulances
The Pharr City Commission approved authorization for City Manager Ed Wylie to enter into a lease agreement for two (2) ambulances with the City of Brownsville. The City of Brownsville Fire Department is in need of 2 ambulances due to vehicle breakdowns and a new order being delayed due to supply chain issues.
Commission Approves Proclamation Declaring November 5, 2021 as Arbor Day in Pharr
The City Commission approved a Proclamation declaring November 5, 2021, as Arbor Day in Pharr. The official Texas State Arbor Day is held on the first Friday in November. This Arbor Day, as we emerge from a year like no other, the City of Pharr joins in the state’s efforts to encourage all Texas communities to celebrate trees and to Turn Over a New Leaf. The theme highlights making a fresh start in life by planting a tree. The City of Pharr has a tradition of supporting and encouraging the planting, care, and health of trees throughout the community. The Arbor Day Foundation has named the City of Pharr a 2020 Tree City USA for the fourth consecutive year in honor of its commitment to effective urban forest management. As part of our efforts to celebrate this day, the City of Pharr held an Arbor Day event on November 5, 2021, to encourage the community to expand and appreciate our green footprint. Residents who participated received one of five native trees given away during the event including Anacua, Mexican Olive, Mexican Ash, Texas Ebony, and Red Mulberry. Sergio Alanis, Pharr Parks, and Recreation Director, and Lilly Martinez, Urban Ecologist accepted the resolution.
Commissioners Recognize the Pharr Memorial Library’s Spooky Monster Story Contest Winner
Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D., and the Pharr City Commission approved recognized Kadir Alarcon, the Pharr Memorial Library’s Spooky Monster Story Contest Winner. The Pharr Memorial Library held the contest in October to encourage literacy and writing by asking interested participants ages 4-12 years old to submit a story they wrote about the monster that lives under their bed. Kadir, a kindergarten student at Vanguard Academy, used his creative imagination and unique storytelling style to earn the top prize for the contest which garnered numerous exceptional original story submissions. An avid library enthusiast and reader, his phenomenal short story I Have Adopted a Monster! has been published by the Pharr Memorial Library and is available to read. Adolfo Garcia, Pharr Library Director introduced Kadir and his family for the recognition and highlighted his amazing work. The family thanked the Pharr City Commission and library for their outstanding service, dedication to literacy in the community, and for continuing to foster enriching library programs that help students excel. Kadir also presented and signed a copy of his book for Mayor Hernandez. Congratulations from the City of Pharr!
Update on the Pharr-PSJA ISD Natatorium
The Pharr City Commission received an update on the progress of the Pharr – PSJA ISD Natatorium located near the intersection of Sioux Road and Highway 281 which is nearing completion. A $26 million dollar project, this state-of-the-art facility will be used for recreational and sports competitions and is slated to be the biggest aquatic facility in the region. As part of the agreement, both PSJA ISD and the City of Pharr will share usage and costs of maintenance and repairs of the facility. PSJA ISD recently presented a check for $12.225 million to the city for the agreement, which was unanimously approved by the board in late October. The commission received an overview video update of the during the city meeting.”We are proud to bring this caliber state-of-the-art facility to our region and are especially ecstatic to collaborate with our local district to bring these new opportunities to our athletes and community members all while not raising taxes,” said Mayor Hernandez. “This is a wonderful project to bring to our community and our students and we are thrilled to also be collaborating with our partners at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley,” added Dr. Jorge Arredondo, PSJA ISD Superintendent. The natatorium is expected to be completed in December 2021. “This is truly a unique partnership that you will not find anywhere else in the state,” continued Mayor Hernandez. “This is a first for our region having a city, school district, and university partner on a project of this caliber which will benefit our entire region,” said Hernandez.
City Commission Recognizes Telecommunications Officer Dora Medina for Heroic Actions
The City Commission joined Kenneth Ennis, Public Safety Communications Director in recognizing Telecommunications Officer (TCO) Dora Medina for her heroic actions while receiving an emergency call. On Tuesday, November 9th at around 8:15 am, TCO Medina received a frantic 911 call from a soon-to-be father asking for an ambulance for his wife who was going into labor. TCO Medina, a certified emergency personnel medical dispatcher, went into action providing the father with step-by-step instructions and guidance which ultimately led to the delivery of a healthy baby boy at home before ems arrived. The calm and quick actions of TCO Medina led to the successful delivery and she was presented with a blue stork by Director Ennis for her remarkable actions. “We are proud to have outstanding personnel such as TCO Dora Medina representing and working for our city as we continue to expand and improve our Public Safety Communications,” said Mayor Hernandez. “Thank you for your dedication and congratulations on helping deliver a healthy baby boy!”
Pharr EMS Recognized for Saving Pharr Man
The Pharr City Commission and Danny Ramirez, EMS Chief for the City of Pharr recognized three Pharr EMS medics who assisted with a life-saving effort. On October 15th the Pharr Public Safety Communications Center received a call for a medical emergency involving a Pharr resident who was experiencing a stroke. Quickly recognizing the signs of a stroke and that time was of the essence, the responding medics went into action delivering the highest quality care to ensure the patient arrived at the hospital with the proper treatment. The patient has been successfully treated thanks in large part to the quick actions of the Pharr EMS and is now safely at home making a full and healthy recovery. The entire team was recognized for handling the transfer and treatment of the patient with the highest expectations, care, and speed. Recognized during the meeting with a plaque were Pharr EMS medics Andrew Castellano, Dinora Mendoza, and Shift Captain Ryan Zweygardt. Also, present to be recognized were members from South Texas Health System in McAllen including Alejandra Ayala, Stroke Program Manager, Dr. Khan, Emergency Room Director, Dr. Alexandros Georgiades, Neurovascular Physician, and Erlinda Avantado, Nurse Practitioner who treated the patient and took over his transfer of care. Pharr EMS is proud to deliver the highest quality care to patients and collaborate with local physicians and hospital systems to save lives! “Building this successful Public Safety Communications department and adding the infrastructure for Pharr EMS has been a great vision for Pharr and we are proud to see the fruits of our labor in the actions and life-saving services that our personnel provide to our community every day, said Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D. “We praise the work of our personnel and we look forward to continuing to grow our services,”he added.
by media | Nov 9, 2021 | Featured News, Media Releases
City of Pharr Announces Pre-Registration Now Open for New Broadband Internet Service TEAMPHARR.NET
The City of Pharr is now taking pre-registrations for their new fiber-optic broadband internet service TEAMPHARR.NET. Interested Pharr families can begin the pre-registration process by visiting www.teampharr.net to reserve their spot for the new high-speed internet service starting at only $25 per month.
“The City of Pharr is proud to announce that the pre-registration process for our new internet service TEAMPHARR.NET is now open to our Pharr families,” said Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D. “We have been working on this project diligently and we are excited to launch the first phase of the service in the south zone of Pharr,” he continued. “The affordable broadband service will be available to every Pharr resident and business owner and requires no contract or installation fee,” added Mayor Hernandez.
As part of the project, TEAMPHARR.NET, the city will install 2.1 million feet or 398 miles of fiber-optic cable to 24,000 residential and business accounts. The network will provide an internet speed of up to 1 gigabyte, depending on the plan chosen, which will provide fast, reliable, accessible, and affordable internet for Pharr families.
“These days, the internet is our lifeline; It connects us to the everyday world, it keeps us teaching and learning through virtual means, and it gives us access to opportunities that are beyond our normal reach,” said Mayor Hernandez during the press conference announcing the project earlier this year. “As your city leaders, we have found a viable solution and are proud to soon be offering affordable high-speed broadband Internet to within our community,” Hernandez added.
The project has been taking shape in phases starting with building the network in the south part of the city, then moving into the mid part of the city, and finally the north part of the city. Eventually, the entire city will be lit up and “ready” for use by June of 2022.
For more information or to pre-register for the service visit https://old.pharr-tx.com/teampharr-net/.
by media | Oct 28, 2021 | Featured News, Information, Media Releases, News
City of Pharr to Host Municipal Drainage Committee Meeting Monday, 11/1 @ 9 am
The City of Pharr will host a Municipal Drainage Committee Meeting in collaboration with members from the cities of McAllen, Mission, and Edinburg to discuss drainage issues impacting Hidalgo County and will be presenting a model ordinance. The meeting is open to all cities in Hidalgo County and has been rescheduled to take place on Monday, November 1, 2021, from 9-11 am at the Jose “Pepe” Salinas Civic Center (1011 W. Kelly Ave.) in Pharr.
The meeting will include Mayors, City Managers, and City Engineers from within Hidalgo County. With input gathered from previous meetings and with the growth of the committee, a model ordinance will be discussed among members during this meeting.
The Municipal Drainage Committee, which has been meeting frequently over the past few months, was created to coordinate efforts to mitigate stormwater drainage events in Hidalgo County.
All media are invited to attend.
DETAILS
WHAT: Municipal Drainage Committee Meeting
WHEN: Monday, November 1, 2021 from 9-11 am
WHERE: Jose “Pepe” Salinas Civic Center (1011 W. Kelly Ave, Pharr, TX 78577)
by media | Oct 26, 2021 | Featured News, Media Releases, News
City of Pharr to Host Municipal Drainage Committee Meeting on Friday, 10/29 @ 8 am
The City of Pharr will host a Municipal Drainage Committee Meeting in collaboration with members from the cities of McAllen, Mission, and Edinburg to discuss drainage issues impacting Hidalgo County and will be presenting a model ordinance. The meeting is open to all cities in Hidalgo County and will take place on Friday, October 29, 2021, from 9-11 am at the Jose “Pepe” Salinas Civic Center (1011 W. Kelly Ave.) in Pharr.
The meeting will include Mayors, City Managers, and City Engineers from within Hidalgo County. With input gathered from previous meetings and with the growth of the committee, a model ordinance will be discussed among members during this meeting.
The Municipal Drainage Committee, which has been meeting frequently over the past few months, was created to coordinate efforts to mitigate stormwater drainage events in Hidalgo County.
All media are invited to attend.
DETAILS
WHAT: Municipal Drainage Committee Meeting
WHEN: Friday, October 29, 2021 from 9-11 am
WHERE: Jose “Pepe” Salinas Civic Center (1011 W. Kelly Ave, Pharr, TX 78577)
by media | Oct 19, 2021 | Featured News, Media Releases, News
Registration is Now Open for the City of Pharr Salute to Veteran’s Parade & Fireworks Event
The City of Pharr has announced that registration is now open for the city’s annual Pharr Salute to Veteran’s Parade and Fireworks event. The parade will take place at 4:30 pm on Saturday, November 6, 2021, in Downtown Pharr (118 S. Cage Blvd) and the Fireworks Show will begin at 8 pm.
If you have a business or organization and would like to participate in this year’s parade you are encouraged to register as soon as possible. You can register online today at https://pharr.jotform.com/212834336361049.
Don’t miss out on being a part of this great event as we show our gratitude and honor the men and women who have valiantly served our nation. Participants are encouraged to sport their stars and stripes with pride and display their best red, white, and blue!
The parade lineup will start at the intersection of Cage and Polk and end at Sam Houston. Should you have any questions or concerns regarding registration, please contact Adolfo Garcia at (956) 402-4650 or [email protected].
by media | Sep 23, 2021 | Featured News, Media Releases, News
Pharr City Report for September 20th, 2021
The Board of Commissioners of the City of Pharr met for a regular meeting on Monday, September 20, 2021, and considered an agenda that included the following highlights:
City Approves Proclamation Declaring September 20th as Joyce Mitchel Vaughn Day in Pharr
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Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D. and Pharr City Commissioners approved a Proclamation declaring September 20, 2021, as Joyce Mitchel Vaughn Day in Pharr in celebration of Pickle Ball Day. A dedicated Parks and Recreation staff member, she is responsible for introducing the popular sport of Pickle Ball to the city’s Parks and Recreation Department. “I am honored by your recognition today and for the ability to be able to play, promote, and teach an activity that I feel very passionate about,” said Vaughn during the recognition. “To start a program from nothing and build it to what is now, the premier program in the valley for players of all ages and all skill levels, took some support from our officials, the Parks and Recreation Department, our local residents, and so many others,” added Vaughn. “I thank you for this support and am proud to see how much our program has grown.”
Commissioners Recognize Assistant City Attorney Kriselda Hinojosa who has been Appointed Associate Judge of Title IV-D Master Court I in Hidalgo County
City Attorney Patricia Rigney announced to the City Commission that Assistant City Attorney Kriselda Hinojosa has been Appointed Associate Judge of Title IV-D Master Court I in Hidalgo County by Presiding Judge Missy Medary. “Kris has served an instrumental role to the City of Pharr as an Assistant City Attorney and we are incredibly proud to see her grow in her career through this appointment,” said Rigney. Hinojosa has served as the Assistant City Attorney in Pharr and also previously served as the city’s Deputy Prosecutor at the Pharr Municipal Court since 2018, where she investigated and reviewed Class C citations, negotiated cases, and plea agreements, and conducted bench and jury trials. Hinojosa’s previous experience includes working as Assistant District Attorney for the Hidalgo County District Attorney’s Office. In her earlier career, she worked as a Juvenile probation officer for both Hidalgo and Travis County. In Her new role as Judge of the Title IV-D Master Court I, she will hear cases that the Texas Attorney General has provided services under including locating an absent parent, determining parentage, or the establishment, modification, or enforcement of child support or medical support. “It has been a great pleasure having you here and it gives us great pride to see you move up in your career,” said Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D. “We wish you nothing but success, congratulations!”
City Sales Tax Highlights Growth
City Manager Ed Wylie announced that the sales tax activity for September 2021 continues to see a positive growth increase. The report shows an increase in sales tax of 22.9% true growth compared to last year (September 2020) and a 17.85% growth in sales collections compared to last year. Pharr continues to be ranked #2 compared to neighboring cities.
Commissioners Approve Ordinance amending Appendix A, Zoning, Article VII, Section 1.70, A(7), to the Code of Ordinances
Pharr City Commissioners approved Ordinance amending Appendix A, Zoning, Article VII, Section 1.70, A(7), to the Code of Ordinances. The City finds that the current building setbacks along Interstate corridors put a burden on new construction developments and therefore should be reduced to help attract new commercial projects. As stated in the ordinance, the following will now apply to building setbacks. The minimum building setback along Interstate Highway 2 and Interstate Highway 69C shall be 50 feet. If the distance between the right-of-way line and property line most nearly parallel to the right-of-way line does not exceed 150 feet at any point for properties 2 abutting Interstate Highway 2 or Interstate Highway 69C, then the minimum setback shall be 35 feet. If the distance between the right-of-way line and the property line most nearly parallel to the right-of-way line does not exceed 100 feet at any point for properties abutting Interstate Highway 2 or Interstate Highway 69C, then the minimum setback shall be 20 feet.
Commissioners Approve Ordinance amending Ordinance 0-2021-27 SEC. 50-96. -ALLOWABLE CHARGES, adding the charges for fixed wing and for special event services
Pharr City Commissioners approved Ordinance amending Ordinance 0-2021-27 SEC. 50-96. -ALLOWABLE CHARGES, adding the charges for fixed wing and for special event services. This new amendment to the current ordinance will allow the EMS department to bill for fixed wing (airplane) services and special events (football games).
Commissioners Approve Ordinance adopting Tax Rate for FY 2021-2022
Pharr City Commissioners approved an Ordinance adopting the Tax Rate for FY 2021-2022. The property tax rate will be increased by the adoption of a tax rate of ¢.7176, which is effectively a 1.92% percent increase in the tax rate.
Featured Event: Pharr Public Works Fall Sweep – September 11- November 20, 2021
The Pharr Public Works Department is holding a Fall Sweep event for the community in an effort to Keep Pharr Beautiful. Fall Sweep will be held from September 11th to November 20th where Pharr Public Works will be providing the following items (while supplies last) to groups of 10 or less for their own neighborhood/park clean-up: Trash Bags, Litter Pickers, Vests and Gloves. Make sure to use the hashtag #PharrFallSweep to show everyone your clean up! For more information call our Pharr Public Works Department at (956) 402-4350.
