The Board of Commissioners of the City of Pharr met for a regular meeting on Monday, April 18, 2022 and considered an agenda that included the following highlights:
Pharr EMS Chief Danny Ramirez Sworn-In as Member of the Governor’s EMS & Trauma Advisory Council
The City of Pharr is proud to announce that Pharr Emergency Medical Services Chief Daniel “Danny” Ramirez has been appointed to the Governor’s EMS & Trauma Advisory Council (GETAC). The governor made the announcement via a news release yesterday, April 7, 2022. GETAC was established in 1999 to advise and make recommendations on the development and implementation of Texas Emergency Healthcare System Rules. GETAC’s mission is to promote, develop, and advance an accountable, patient-centered Trauma and Emergency Healthcare System. Ramirez is one of 15 appointees who serve on the Council; his term will expire on January 1, 2028. Chief Ramirez was sworn in at Pharr City Hall this week by Pharr Municipal Judge Juan L. Villescas. “I am very happy to serve the state of Texas and represent the City of Pharr and the Rio Grande Valley in this capacity, helping shape the future of health care in Texas,” remarked Ramirez. He added, “I thank Governor Abbott for this opportunity, as well as our South Texas state legislative delegation for their support of my appointment, and I look forward to serving on this Council.”
Commission Proclaims April 30, 2022 as Children’s Advocacy Center of Hidalgo County Day
The Pharr City Commission approved a proclamation declaring April 30, 2022, as Children’s Advocacy Center of Hidalgo County Day. The Children’s Advocacy Center of Hidalgo and Starr Counties gives hope, healing, and justice to victims of child abuse by providing immediate crisis intervention, forensic interviews, forensic exams, family advocacy, mental health services, and community education in a child-friendly, non-institutional environment where young victims are not afraid to tell their story. Present to accept the proclamation was Jesus Sanchez, Executive Director of The Children’s Advocacy Center of Hidalgo and Starr Counties, staff members, and law enforcement officers. The Children’s Advocacy Center of Hidalgo and Starr Counties reminded the commission and audience that they are hosting their 12th Annual Vinos! at the McAllen Convention Center on Saturday, April 30, 2022, featuring delicious food, fine wines, and amazing entertainment by Premier Showband Satellite and The Renaissance Rockers. All proceeds will benefit the organization and its mission to support our children.
Commission Declares April 24 – 30, 2022 as National Crime Victims’ Rights Week
The Pharr City Commission approved a proclamation declaring April 24 – 30, 2022 as National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW). National Crime Victims’ Rights Week provides an opportunity to recommit ensuring that accessible, appropriate, and trauma-informed services are offered to all victims of crime. The City of Pharr Texas is dedicated to strengthening victims and survivors in the aftermath of the crime, building resilience in our communities and our victim service providers, and bringing hope and healing to all victims and survivors. The 2022 NCVRW theme is rights, access, and equity, for all victims. The theme underscores the importance of helping crime survivors find their justice by enforcing victims’ rights, expanding access to services, and ensuring equity and inclusion for all. Mario Garza, the Pharr PD Crime Victims Liason also announced that the Pharr PD will be hosting a Crime Victims Awareness Walk on Thursday, April 28th at 9:00 am at the Pharr Nature Trail (1025 S. Richmond Drive) in Pharr – everyone is invited to attend.
Commission Proclaims April 2022 as Child Abuse Prevention Month
The Pharr City Commission approved a proclamation declaring April 2022 as Child Abuse Prevention Month. National Child Abuse Prevention Month recognizes the importance of families and communities working together to strengthen families to prevent child abuse and neglect. Child abuse comes in different forms, it includes physical abuse, neglect and abandonment, emotional abuse, and sexual abuse. Texas law requires that any person suspecting that a child has been abused or neglected must immediately make a report. In Hidalgo County, there were 7,967 reports of child abuse. Of those, approximately 5,895 are child abuse and neglect investigations, and 1,133 were confirmed cases of child abuse. The City of Pharr encourages everyone in the community to become more aware of child abuse prevention awareness by raising and educating our children in a loving and secure environment.
Commission Declares April 2022 as Sexual Assault Awareness Month
The Pharr City Commission approved a proclamation declaring April 2022 as Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Sexual Assault Awareness Month is a time to draw attention to the problem of sexual assault and educate individuals and communities about how to prevent it. Sexual harassment, assault, and abuse can happen anywhere. Now more than ever, with online technologies, individuals engage in cyberbullying, harassment, and sexual abuse, which are unlawful and unwanted behaviors. Each of us has the power to change that. Together we can make a difference to build an inclusive, safe and respectful community that thrives online and offline. This year’s theme is ‘Building Safe Online Spaces Together’ a campaign that highlights the role that each of us can play in creating safe, respectful, and equitable online communities. Sergeant Daniel Garcia with the Pharr Police Department and his staff accepted the proclamation and thanked the Commission for their support. They also shared a brief overview of the many services the Pharr PD offers to the community.
Sales Tax Report for April 2022 Show Increase in Growth
City of Pharr Finance Director Karla Saavedra announced that the City of Pharr Sales Tax Report showed an increase of 22.09% Month-to-Month compared to last year (2021) and overall 16.14% growth compared to last year’s collections.
The Board of Commissioners of the City of Pharr met for a regular meeting on Monday, April 4, 2022, and considered an agenda that included the following highlights:
Commission Proclaims the Week of April 3-9 as National Library Week
The Pharr City Commission joined municipalities across the nation in proclaiming the week of April 3-9 as National Library Week. The theme for National Library Week 2022, “Connect with Your Library,” promotes the idea that libraries are places to get connected to technology by using broadband, computers, and other resources. Libraries also offer opportunities to connect with media, programs, ideas, and classes—in addition to books. The City of Pharr encourages our community to join, visit, and participate in events held by our Pharr Memorial Library. Pharr Library Director Adolfo Garcia and library staff accepted the proclamation. In celebration of the week, the Pharr Memorial Library will host an open house on Thursday, April 7, 2022.
Commission Declares April 10-16, 2022 as National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week
Mayor Dr. Ambrosio Hernandez and the Pharr City Commission approved a proclamation declaring April 10-16, 2022 as National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week. Every year during the second week of April, the telecommunications personnel in the public safety community, are honored for their commitment, service, and sacrifice. This week is a time to celebrate and thank telecommunications personnel across the Nation who serve our communities, citizens, and public safety personnel 24 hours a day, seven days a week providing critical, life-saving emergency services to the public. Sarah Salinas, Assistant Director for Public Safety Communications, and telecommunication staff were in attendance to accept the proclamation. “Our Telecommunications operators are the unseen first responders who keep our 911 center operating and guide our first responders to all scenes,” said Salinas. “We thank them and acknowledge their hard work and sacrifice,” she added. The City of Pharr thanks our outstanding telecommunications team for their service and dedication to our Pharr families.
Commission Declares April 10-16, 2022 as National Animal Control Officer Appreciation Week
The Pharr City Commission approved a proclamation declaring April 10-16, 2022 as National Animal Control Officer Appreciation Week. The week is designed to thank you and show appreciation to all the animal control officers who are dedicated to helping pets and people in the community every day. The City of Pharr recognizes, thanks, and commends all Animal Control Officers for the dedicated services they provide to the citizens, public safety, and public service agencies across the nation. Olga Garza, Public Works Director, and the animal control team accepted the proclamation. “We thank you for your service for taking care of our pets, responding to calls and concerns from our citizens, and being nice to our animals as you work to get them to safety,” said Mayor Hernandez.
Commission Proclaims April 11-15, 2022 as National Community Development Week
The Pharr City Commission approved a proclamation declaring April 11-15, 2022 as National Community Development Week. The objective of National Community Development Week is to educate legislators, officials, and the community on the importance of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program, which funds a myriad of social and public services, community projects, and housing programs. Cindy Garza-Reyes, Director of External Relations (who also oversees the CDBG Program), Chairman Rene Cantu, City of Pharr CDBG Boardmembers, and Sandra Regalado, CDBG Manager were all in attendance to receive the proclamation. In celebration of the week, Pharr CDBG will host a community event on Thursday, April 14th at the Pharr Downtown Park (in front of City Hall). “Thank you for supporting our CDBG efforts, we are proud to continue serving our community and residents,” said CDBG Board Chairman Rene Cantu.
Commission Declares April 2022 as Fair Housing Month
The Pharr City Commission approved a proclamation declaring April 2022 as Fair Housing Month. This year, we celebrate the 54th anniversary of the Fair Housing Act, which prohibits discrimination in housing because of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, and familial status. The Act is intended to provide fair housing throughout the country. “Thank you for acknowledging this month and the important work we do to provide our citizens with housing efforts such as mortgage and rental assistance, utilities, and other important services which fall under these services,” said Cindy Garza-Reyes, Director of External Affairs, who accepted the proclamation during the meeting.
Commission Proclaims April 2022 as Autism Awareness Month
The Pharr City Commission approved a proclamation declaring April 2022 as Autism Awareness Month. During Autism Awareness Month, the City of Pharr honors the contribution of people on the autism spectrum and organizations representing those with autism in our community. The City of Pharr urges all citizens to become educated about autism and supports organizations that bring hope to all who struggle with this disorder. Evelyn Cano, a Pharr citizen who serves on the Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities and is the co-founder/president of the Disability Chamber of Commerce RGV accepted the proclamation alongside her son Orlando Cano. “Thank you to the City of Pharr for recognizing autism, supporting our endeavors, and working to be inclusive, we appreciate your support,” said Mr. Cano.
Commission Authorizes City Manager to Negotiate and Enter into an Agreement with Air Medical Technologies LLC. for Flight Dispatch Software
The Pharr City Commission authorized City Manager Ed Wylie to negotiate and enter into an agreement with Air Medical Technologies LLC. out of Reno, Nevada for flight dispatch software services for emergency and non-emergency dispatching of the Pharr Emergency Medical Services flight resources. Dispatching of flight resources requires specialized software which Public Safety Communications currently does not have. This agreement with Air Medical Technologies will provide access to such software via a web-based portal which will help track all flights.
Commission Approves Amendment to Engineering Services for the Pharr-Reynosa Bridge Expansion Presidential Permit Application
The Pharr City Commission approved Amendment Number 2 in the amount of $50,001 to the Professional Engineering Services Agreement with Structural Engineering Associates, Inc. (SEA) for the Pharr-Reynosa Bridge Expansion Presidential Permit Application. The amendment is for additional services for completion of the environmental phase. The original scope of work for the environmental phase was based on projections. After the Environmental Scoping Meeting with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), and subsequent discussions, it was determined that the following services would need to be added to the scope of work in order to complete the environmental phase: 1. Cultural Resources Field Investigation Existing Scope: Archeological investigation utilizing only pedestrian survey and shovel testing. Addition: Intensive resources survey, including mechanical backhoe trenching. Cost: $35,001 2. Air Quality and Noise Evaluation Existing: TxDOT to provide traffic count values Addition: TxDOT is very delayed in providing traffic information. Instead, SEA’s subconsultant will perform the necessary work to obtain the necessary values. Cost: $15,000. The amendment now brings the total to $50.001.
