Edinburg City Council Appoints City Attorney, Rejects Racetrack Bid, Denies Rezoning, and Issues Proclamations at May 21 Meeting
Edinburg City Council, Ben Alonso, Edinburg Motorsports Park, West Palm Drive Rezoning, ALS Awareness, Stroke Awareness, Solid Rock Volleyball, Cultural Arts District, Delinquent Tax, Edinburg TX
Arnoldo Mata
EDINBURG TX – The Edinburg City Council covered significant ground at its May 21, 2026, regular meeting, appointing a permanent city attorney, rejecting a racetrack lease bid for re-bidding, denying a residential rezoning request, honoring a championship volleyball team, issuing two health awareness proclamations, and approving applications for a cultural arts district designation and a federal street safety grant.
City Attorney Appointed
The council’s most significant personnel action came out of executive session. Upon returning to open session, the council voted without objection to appoint Ben Alonso as the city’s permanent city attorney, removing the interim designation he had been carrying.
“Congratulations, Ben,” Mayor Ochoa said after the motion passed. “Thank you for wanting to serve.”
Alonso thanked the council following his appointment. The council also approved a separate action item from executive session identified as Project Flip 3.0, though no details about the project were disclosed in open session.
Racetrack Lease RFP Rejected for Re-Bid
The council voted to reject RFP No. 2026-011 for the lease and operation of the drag strip race park at South Texas International Airport, with staff asking for the opportunity to fine-tune the contract terms before going back out for bids.
Assistant City Manager Tomas Reyna explained the reasoning. “We had two bidders for that, but we would like to add some additional clauses to the existing RFP, just to make some of the requirements, additional requirements for the property as we had seen some of our previous complaints in the past,” Drayna said.
Mayor Ochoa sought clarification on the status of the current operator. “At this time there’s a current operator of the racetrack. Are they in compliance with the lease as of today?” he asked.
“As of today they are, sir,” Reyna confirmed, adding that the operator would remain on a month-to-month basis while the city prepares a revised RFP.
“The city’s interested in continuing this to operate as a racetrack,” Ochoa said. “The staff in what was accepted was just unable to make a recommendation on what we have. So this is to get that opportunity to fine-tune, to receive additional proposals.”
Earlier in the meeting, during public comments, representatives of Edinburg Motorsports Park addressed the council directly. Ray Chavez, speaking alongside business partner Albert Rodriguez, outlined the company’s decade-long investment in the facility.
“For nearly 50 years, Edinburg has maintained the tradition of providing a safe, legal place for racing,” Chavez said. “Throughout that time, the city and its track operators have shared the same goal — keeping street racing off public roads while creating a positive space for the community.”
Chavez noted the company had invested heavily in the facility despite operating under a year-to-year lease, including a new track timing system, LED lighting, specialized equipment, and a recently completed resurfacing of the main track at a cost of over $250,000.
“We made those investments despite operating under a year-to-year lease because we believe in being responsible stewards of this facility and continuing the partnership that benefits the community,” Chavez said. He added that EMP had already begun discussions with Judge-elect Catherine Garcia-Perez and District Attorney Terri Palacios about programs aimed at guiding street racers toward the racetrack as a safer alternative.
Paul Abram, a racer who said he has participated at the track for more than 50 years since it first opened in 1976, also addressed the council. “Having a racetrack is very important to any auto enthusiast as well as any sports enthusiast,” Abram said. “We would love to see the racetrack continue.”
West Palm Drive Rezoning Denied
The council denied a request by Gerardo Aleman Trevino and Veronica Aleman to rezone the west half of a lot at 513 West Palm Drive from residential suburban district to industrial light district for the purpose of operating an air conditioning business.
During the public hearing, neighbors came out in force against the proposal. Dr. Marcelino Cuellar, who lives at 608 West Palm Drive, told the council he was there to protest. “He may claim that he’s got good intentions, but again, as far as I know, I’ve seen that he already has some of those steel containers, which my understanding is against city code,” Cuellar said. He noted the applicant had removed one of three containers on May 8 but that two remained on the property.
Roberto Cuellar of 600 West Palm Drive raised infrastructure concerns. “We’re taking a residential street and trying to make it into a commercial street when right just north of there you got all the infrastructure,” he said, adding that the street in front of his home is only 17 feet wide. “How is an 18-wheeler or any other commercial trucks gonna make it through there? They can’t.”
He also pointed out the area lacks adequate utilities. “We don’t even have sewage out there. We’re still on sewage tanks,” Roberto Cuellar said. “This is a residential area, and it’s zoned that way.”
Planning and Zoning Director Jaime Acevedo confirmed during council discussion that the only access to the property is off Palm Drive, with no entry available from the adjacent industrial area. One council member suggested the applicant could potentially explore purchasing adjacent vacant land to create a separate entrance from the industrial side, but noted the residents’ traffic concerns were valid.
The council voted to deny the request in line with staff’s recommendation.
Cuellar had also raised the issue of how many times an applicant can withdraw and resubmit a rezoning request, referencing a different rezoning case at the same address listed as item 9B on the agenda, which had been withdrawn multiple times. The city attorney clarified there is no legal limit on how many times an applicant can withdraw and resubmit, but said the council has the authority to take up a matter even if the applicant requests otherwise. “Just like you, we don’t want this to keep coming back on and off,” the city attorney said.
ALS Awareness Month Proclaimed
The council proclaimed May 2026 as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Awareness Month at the request of resident Joe David Garza, who accepted the proclamation in memory of his father, who died from the disease in 2018.
The proclamation noted that every 90 minutes someone in the United States is diagnosed with ALS and someone dies from it, and that military veterans are approximately twice as likely to develop the disease as the general population.
Garza addressed the council and audience after the proclamation was read. “Watching him battle this horrible disease was the hardest thing my family had ever gone through, but it showed us the vital importance of community, support, and hope,” Garza said. “By dedicating the month of May to ALS awareness, our city is sending a powerful message to every family currently facing this fight. You’re not alone, and you’re not forgotten.”
He called awareness the starting point for a cure. “ALS is a devastating diagnosis, but awareness is where cure begins. It drives funding, fuels research, and brings us closer to a world without the disease,” Garza said. “I accept this proclamation in loving memory of my dad and on behalf of every warrior and caregiver in our community dealing with ALS.”
Mayor Ochoa responded warmly. “ALS is a terrible disease, you’re right. But everybody needs to be aware of it. It affects more people than we give it credit for,” Ochoa said. “I really appreciate you bringing this issue forward and allowing us this opportunity to bring recognition to this disease. Thank you so much for sharing your personal story.”
Stroke Awareness Month Proclaimed
The council also proclaimed May 2026 as Stroke Awareness Month at the request of South Texas Health System.
The proclamation cited CDC data indicating that every 40 seconds someone in the United States experiences a stroke, more than 795,000 people suffer a stroke each year, and stroke is the fourth leading cause of death nationwide with more than 165,000 stroke-related deaths annually. It also noted that up to 80% of strokes are preventable through healthy lifestyle choices and regular medical screenings.
A representative from South Texas Health System accepted the proclamation and offered prevention guidance to the public. “80% of strokes are preventable, so please manage your chronic conditions, especially high blood pressure, which is the leading cause of stroke,” the representative said. “Make healthy diet choices. Lead an active lifestyle. That means 150 minutes of moderate intense aerobic exercise a week. Quit smoking, maintain a healthy weight, and limit your alcohol intake.”
The representative encouraged the community to make prevention a year-round effort even as Stroke Awareness Month comes to a close. “While Stroke Awareness Month is coming to a close at the end of May, we should make prevention a year-round effort,” the representative said.
Mayor Ochoa praised South Texas Health System for its ongoing community engagement. “You all are always so engaged in the community, from 5K events to flag raises to bringing these events right to our awareness,” Ochoa said. “I agree, diet choice is important. It’s really hard in this region, right? We all know how good our food is.”
Edinburg Solid Rock 12U Volleyball Team Recognized
The council honored the Edinburg Solid Rock 12U volleyball team with a proclamation recognizing the team as the 2026 Lone Star Regional Championships Tournament champions.
The proclamation noted that the team competed in the elite division of the Lone Star Regional Tournament, a premier event drawing more than 600 teams from across the region, and went undefeated to claim first place.
The team roster includes: Peyton Cavazos, right side hitter; Aisa Esparza, libero; Rosalie Espinoza, defense specialist; Isabella Garcia, outside hitter; Madison Garza, outside hitter; Romina Guevara, setter/hitter; Renata Martinez, middle blocker; Ari Salinas, middle blocker; and Neysa Trevino, setter/hitter. The team is led by Head Coach Lisbeth Getter and Assistant Coaches Diego Arenas and Mayra Cavazos.
Coach Getter addressed the council, players, and their families with an emotional statement about what the season meant.
“When we started this journey, we set an impossible goal: to win the gold medal,” Getter said. “But you didn’t just want it. You worked for it. You held each other accountable when things got tough. You picked each other up when we were down, and you trusted the process even when it felt too difficult at times.”
Getter credited the parents as essential to the team’s success. “To the families who support us behind the scenes, this medal belongs to you just as much as it belongs to us,” she said. “Without these incredible parents, these girls would not be here today.”
She closed by addressing the players directly. “You didn’t just play for a gold medal, you played for each other, and you played to represent the Edinburg Solid Rock volleyball team with pride. Thank you for an unforgettable season, and I’m so proud to be your coach.”
Mayor Ochoa singled out the team’s identity as a point of community pride. “I am very excited that you’re not just Solid Rock, you are Edinburg Solid Rock,” Ochoa told the players. “So that when you win that state title, everybody knows where you come from and who you represent. Thank you all so much for representing our community so well.”
Cultural Arts District Application Approved
The council approved a consent agenda item authorizing city staff to submit an application to the Texas Commission on the Arts for designation as a cultural arts district, covering an area from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley campus to Veterans Boulevard.
Letty Leija, Director of Library and Cultural Arts, described the designation as a priority that has been in development for 15 years and was also recommended by an outside consultant. “This would establish us as a hub for arts and culture here in the city, but also have a great economic impact,” Leija said.
She outlined the benefits of receiving the designation, which carries no application fee and no fiscal impact to the city. Benefits include increased access to grant opportunities, inclusion in a statewide tourism and cultural marketing campaign, technical assistance and resources, and support for local businesses and creative industries.
Leija described the geography of the proposed district as ideal. “It connects us perfectly with our arts complex, the EMA, the Edinburg Municipal Auditorium, the ACE auditorium, then we just walk a few blocks and there’s the museum, Citrus Live, Sidebar, and it’s just a beautiful walkable area that promotes economic impact here in our city, in our downtown area,” she said.
An annual report to the council will be required as part of maintaining the designation.
Safe Streets Grant Application Approved
The council also approved a consent agenda item authorizing the city manager to submit a grant application to the U.S. Department of Transportation for fiscal year 2026 Safe Streets and Roads for All funding.
City Engineer Mardoqueo Hinojoa explained that the grant would fund a Vision Zero action plan aimed at eliminating traffic fatalities and serious injuries and, more importantly, position the city to pursue future federal construction dollars.
“This plan would allow us to go for future funding for actual construction dollars,” Hinojosa said. “So that’s the whole intent of the project. It’s a plan, but to be able to apply for future funding for construction.”
Mayor Ochoa summarized the two-step value of the grant. “It’s outside grant funding so that we can get a plan to make our streets safer, and then once we get that, we can check a box that now opens up additional grant funding to make our streets safer,” Ochoa said.
Hinojosa confirmed that without the plan in place, the city would be ineligible for construction-level funding in future rounds. “In this round, we couldn’t really apply for construction funding because we do not have a plan in place,” he said.
Delinquent Tax Collections Up
Kelly Salazar of the law firm Linebarger Goggan Blair & Simpson presented the city’s semi-annual delinquent tax and municipal court collection report covering October 1, 2025, through March 31, 2026.
“I’ll lead with the collections are up this semi-annual report,” Salazar told the council.
Over the six-month period, the firm reported the following activity on behalf of the city:
- More than 3,400 demand statements mailed to delinquent taxpayers
- More than 1,400 phone calls made or received
- 120 doors knocked on
- 71 payment agreements reached
- 167 payoff agreements completed
- More than 3,200 text messages sent to delinquent taxpayers
- 54 lawsuits filed; 55 disposed of
- 230 cases currently pending, representing more than $885,000 in delinquent base penalty and interest owed
- Five properties placed for tax sale; all five sold
- More than $2,400 collected in mowing liens
Total collections for the period came to more than $872,000, including $614,000 in base taxes, $39,000 in homestead exemption-related refunds recovered, and $218,000 in penalty and interest.
On the municipal court side, the firm collected more than $97,000 in delinquent fines and fees during the period, mailing more than 6,100 letters, making or receiving 712 phone calls, and updating more than 2,900 addresses. Since the firm began representing the city on municipal collections, it has collected more than $3.1 million, representing a resolution rate of more than 57%.
Salazar highlighted the firm’s emphasis on personal contact over litigation. “We find this to be the most compassionate and effective method of collections to have a one-on-one communication with an individual,” she said.
Mayor Ochoa closed the presentation with a word of appreciation. “Thank you very much for your diligence and your compassion,” he told Salazar.
Upcoming Community Events
Mayor Ochoa opened the meeting by highlighting two upcoming community events.
A Memorial Day commemoration ceremony is scheduled for Wednesday, May 22, at the Edinburg Municipal Auditorium, with doors opening at 9:30 a.m. and the ceremony beginning at 10 a.m. “I invite all of the community to come out so that we can reflect on Memorial Day, on the sacrifices of those who have given the ultimate price for our freedoms that we enjoy here every single day,” Ochoa said.
The Edinburg Chamber of Commerce will host the Edinburg Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast on Friday, May 29, at 9 a.m. at the Regional One Service Education Center. The event is open to the public. “Anybody is welcome to make it to that event,” Ochoa said, noting that National Prayer Day was observed earlier in the month.
Public Comments: Taxes, Water Rates, and Bond Concerns
Several residents used the public comment period to raise concerns about city finances, tax burdens, and water rates.
Fern McClarty addressed what she described as a long-standing concern about the cost of city bonds and the impact on low-income residents. “We live in one of the largest counties in the state and one of the largest populations of poor people. We cannot afford to pay more,” McClarty said. She also raised questions about a newly hired golf director at a reported $100,000 salary, a $6 million parking garage, and the proposed $275 million bond issue, which she said would carry total payments over time approaching $3.86 billion. “Do you think this is going to make us happy?” she asked.
Diane Teeter framed the city’s financial challenges within the context of state-level restrictions on local government. “Texas law caps cities at 3.5% annual property tax revenue growth without voter approval, even though the cost of public safety, water treatment, and infrastructure rises way faster. That is effectively an unfunded mandate,” Teeter said.
She defended the city’s planned water rate increases as necessary rather than optional. “Water rates are increasing, but they are increasing because the alternative is unacceptable, unreliable water, failing pipes, and a city unprepared for the climate realities of South Texas,” Teeter said. “You cannot have growth, safety, or economic stability without a dependable water system.”
Teeter also praised the city’s grants department as a critical tool for funding major infrastructure projects when local tax revenue is capped by state law. “Edinburg Grants Department is that lifeline,” she said.
Edinburg Public Works representative Lazaro Ayala addressed the council in recognition of National Public Works Week 2026, thanking city leadership for its support. “Public works is the backbone of any community,” Ayala said. “Many times, the work performed by these departments happens behind the scenes and outside of normal business hours.”