Edinburg City Council Approves Hedfelt Drive Rezoning, Honors Soccer Coach, Retiree at July 7 Meeting
Edinburg, Edinburg City Council, Omar Ochoa, rezoning, Hedfelt Drive, Melden and Hunt, Coach Elias Moran, Edinburg North High School, Juan Esparza, Lobos FC, Edinburg Youth Soccer Club, National Night Out, Operation Chill, Movies with a Cop, Texas Cook’Em, public comments
Arnoldo Mata
EDINBURG TX – The Edinburg City Council held its regular meeting Tuesday, July 7, 2026, approving a rezoning request for a townhome development on Hedfelt Drive, honoring a regional soccer coach of the year and a 21-year city employee, and receiving public comments on taxes, ordinance enforcement, and city spending.
Lobos FC Recognized for National Championship Bid
Mayor Omar Ochoa opened the meeting by recognizing the Edinburg Youth Soccer Club Lobos FC 2013 boys soccer team, which he said did not require a noticed proclamation but deserved public recognition. The team is the only U.S. Youth Soccer Association-sanctioned team in the Rio Grande Valley to have competed and obtained regional and state titles at the highest competitive level of play, securing a spot in the USYS National Championships in Salt Lake City, Utah, on July 16.
Head Coach Julio Reyes addressed the council after the proclamation was read.
“Thank you, guys, City of Edinburg, city council members, Mr. Mayor. We’re gonna be representing the valley, not just Edinburg, in this coming 16th of July in Salt Lake City, Utah, and we’re hoping to bring back the National Championship for Division 1 US Soccer.”
One of the players also addressed the council.
“I’m very proud to be representing the Valley, Texas 956 over there in Utah Nationals, and just wanted to say thank you for this opportunity to all of you guys and our team.”
Mayor Ochoa responded to the team’s expressed desire to make the city proud.
“You all need to know that you already have, right? The effort, the time, the sweat that you’ve put in even to get to nationals on its own means a lot. Our youth sports here at Edinburg is second to none. And that’s from sport to sport, whether it’s softball or baseball or boxing or soccer. You’re building life skills, and you’re bringing pride to yourselves, to your family, and to our city.”
Coach Elias Moran Honored as Regional Coach of the Year
The council presented a proclamation recognizing Coach Elias A. Moran as the 2025-2026 Texas High School Coaches Association Region VII Class 6A Boys Soccer Regional Coach of the Year. Moran has served as head boys soccer coach at Edinburg North High School for 17 years. A proud Edinburg North alumnus and class of 2002, Moran arrived in the United States from Mexico at age 15 and learned English at the school he now leads.
Under his leadership, Edinburg North has achieved three district championships, five bi-district championships, three area championships, two regional quarterfinal championships, three regional semifinal appearances, and two regional final appearances. He was also named the Monitor and RGV Sports All-Valley Boys Soccer Coach of the Year in 2024.
Moran addressed the council after accepting the recognition.
“This is a great honor. It’s a privilege. I feel humble, happy. It’s an honor for me to wake up every day and go back to Edinburg North. To go every day inspire the life of young athletes through the sport of soccer, to believe in their dreams, to chase them every day, to get up and practice, and to inspire them to conquer against any opponent in the region. I just want you to see that it’s gonna be one day, one year that Edinburg, some team in Edinburg, whichever it is, gonna be the state champion. So that’s the dream.”
“Thank you, coach,” Mayor Ochoa responded, “for dreaming big, but even more than that, working hard every single day to try to achieve that. More than that, I know you are molding great young people who are gonna go off and use those same discipline skills, teamwork skills to do even better things for themselves, for their families, and for our community.”
Juan Esparza Honored for 21 Years of Service
The council recognized Juan G. Esparza, Inventory Specialist for the Utility Systems Department, who retired May 29, 2026, after 21 years of service. Esparza was hired Dec. 12, 2005, as a Meter Reader I and later transferred to Inventory Specialist in 2015. He held a Class C Water Distribution Operator License and was named Employee of the Month in August 2008.
Gerardo Carmona, Director of Utilities, said, “Juan was truly the backbone of our field operations. Day in and day out, he ensured our water and sewer crews had the exact tools and materials they needed to keep our community running. But where Juan truly shined was during those unpredictable emergencies. When the unexpected hit and supplies were scarce, Juan would work tirelessly to track down the required equipment so service could be restored without delay. Your dedication, hard work, and reliable presence will be deeply missed.”
Esparza addressed the council briefly. “It’s been a journey for all these almost 21 years. Thank you for everything, Mayor, council, everybody. Just good luck. Thank you for everything.”
Mayor Ochoa closed the recognition with his own remarks. “21 direct years of service to the community is something to celebrate. Your utility department, it’s a frontline service. It’s something that people see and feel many times a day. You’re also a first responder. When things go wrong, being there on site to fix things so that people can get their service back is just an amazing thing.”
Mayor’s Report: July 4th Festival Praised
Mayor Ochoa used his report to thank the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce for organizing the Texas Cook’Em: High Steaks in Edinburg Fourth of July festival, held at Ebony Hills Golf Course.
“I don’t know what the final count was, but I’m sure it was a lot. It was a huge success. Double the number of vendors, increased number of rides for all of the kids. A longer fireworks show. Everything about it this year was just really great.”
Ronnie Larralde, Executive Director of the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce and Explore Edinburg, also addressed the council during public comments.
“We were celebrating our 20th anniversary for Cook’Em. However, it was the 250th birthday for America, and we were proud to be the only one in the valley to be an official block party for America 250. There’s not one department that didn’t help with this event, being out there on a holiday and in the hot sun all day. It is a great event that’s been put on, and it’s becoming a huge tradition in the city of Edinburg, and not only that, the Rio Grande Valley.”
Larralde recognized event sponsors including H-E-B, Explore Edinburg, the Edinburg EDC, Jay Gonzalez Law Firm, the Omar Ochoa Law Firm, Bert Ogden Auto Group, L&F Distributors, Vermeer Texas Louisiana, Bobcat RGV, Total Wireless, Linebarger Attorneys at Law, Greater State Bank, IBC Bank, DHR Health, Texas National Bank, Martin Farm and Ranch, and Aguilar’s Meat Market/Vetas King of Meats.
Rezoning Approved for Hedfelt Drive Townhome Development
The council approved a comprehensive plan amendment from General Commercial Uses to Auto-Urban Uses and a rezoning from Commercial, General district to Residential, Urban and Townhome district for 3.056 acres at 2698 Hedfelt Drive, as requested by Melden & Hunt on behalf of a developer.
The item drew public comment both in support and with questions. Richard Rupert, who said he formerly served on the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission and Economic Development board, spoke in favor.
“What’s proposed, a change of usage of land that’s probably bringing twenty dollars for three acres on hay land is now gonna be seven or eight, ten million dollars worth of taxable property with some single-family townhouse lots. They’re gonna be upscale, they’re gonna be very nice. There’s an architect in Mexico that’s putting this project on. We have lots of professionals in Edinburg, and this is just another addition to what’s going on in that part of town.”
Marlon Garza of Melden & Hunt represented the developer and explained the rationale for the rezoning.
“There’s a lot of new commercial development that’s already along McCall. Due to the existing nature of the parking lot, the plaza that’s already in front of this property, it puts it in a really weird position to do more commercial in this portion. It kinda hides it. It doesn’t lend itself to doing a plaza or anything. It’s not very wide. It’s very elongated, but it’s not a very wide property to work with for trying to propose something general commercial.”
Jaime Salcido, Planning and Zoning Director, noted that city staff had recommended denial of the request because the future land use map designated the area as commercial and the property borders a large commercially zoned tract to the south. However, the Planning and Zoning Commission had voted unanimously to approve.
Mayor Ochoa said, “The crux of all of this is that the reason for the request is because it’s not ideal for commercial given what’s in front. And so we might as well do something with it, and they think townhomes could actually be a hit in this area, just given all of the commercial activity that’s going on.”
The council voted to approve the rezoning. Sign variance requests for two properties at 3804 N. I-69C and 3720 La Sienna Pkwy, also submitted by Melden & Hunt, were pulled from consideration at the applicant’s request.
Routine Public Hearing Items Approved
The council unanimously approved three routine public hearing items following a public hearing in which no speakers appeared in opposition. Those items included a public hearing on the proposed Community Development Block Grant Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Annual Action Plan, a rezoning for O’Reilly Auto Enterprises LLC at 1225 E. FM 2812, and a rezoning request for 1.56 acres at 6705 San Francisco Drive.
Consent Agenda and Other Business
The council approved consent agenda items A through F and voted to reschedule the Aug. 4 regular council meeting to Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026, to allow council members and staff to attend the 30th Annual National Night Out on Aug. 4 at Promenade Park.
Police Chief Jaime Ayala addressed the council on the event.
“August 4th is our 30th annual National Night Out, and there’s gonna be so much to do for families and kids, and giveaways and whatnot. It’s at Promenade, so please bring your families and attend.”
Mayor Ochoa added, “We are 100% on board with it, that we are actually moving our city council meeting so that everybody can be there.”
The council also approved the award of Bid No. 2026-08 for annual concrete service to JC Concrete of Edinburg as the lowest aggregate bidder.
Public Comments
Six residents addressed the council during the public comment period.
Leo Longoria, a retired math and chemistry teacher who said he recently moved to Edinburg’s Railroad Estates neighborhood, listed five ordinance violations he said he has observed in the area, including roaming dogs, improperly stored trash containers, bulk trash left outside designated pickup windows, vehicles parked on curbs, and high grass. He also praised several city employees by name for their responsiveness.
Fern McClarty expressed concern about the city’s use of bonds as a financing mechanism, arguing that residents living in poverty would bear the cost. “If you sell bonds, the problem will come in 12 months when the tax bill is due. The city cannot spend its way out of poverty.”
Diane Teeter offered an opposing perspective on the bond debate, arguing that the proposed downtown parking garage represents a sound long-term investment. “Municipal bonds work the same way as a mortgage. The downtown garage is that kind of long-term investment. More parking means higher event attendance, stronger sales tax revenue, and more foot traffic for the businesses that anchor our downtown.” She also praised the Edinburg ACE Center’s arts programming.
John Leal, 86, raised concerns about property tax assessments, saying his tax bill of approximately $6,000 per acre is unmanageable. “Benjamin Franklin said, ‘The only thing you have to worry about is death and taxes,’ and taxes is killing this country. We need to think about it very hard.”
City Events
Mayor Ochoa highlighted upcoming community events hosted by the Edinburg Police Department, including Operation Chill on July 8 at Stripes, 1210 E. Monte Cristo Rd., and Movies with a Cop on July 10 at 8 p.m. at Bicentennial Park, noting both events are part of the department’s community outreach efforts ahead of National Night Out in August.
Executive Session
The council entered executive session at 6:55 p.m. to discuss consultation with the city attorney, personnel matters, a real property item identified as Project 1718, and five economic development matters identified as Project 25, Project Tadpole, Project Comida, Project Happy Gilmore, and a Workforce Resource Center. After returning to open session, the Commission took no action on any items and adjourned.