McAllen News, McAllen TX News, City Commission, infrastructure
Arnoldo Mata
McAllen, TX - The McAllen City Commission on March 9 approved several infrastructure and development actions, including a street repaving contract, interlocal agreements with Hidalgo County and zoning matters, while also entering a partnership to improve a hockey facility at McAllen Sports Park. The commission also issued proclamations recognizing a high school football coach and the city’s grant administration team.
Proclamations and recognitions
The meeting began with proclamations recognizing community achievements and city staff.
Commissioners honored McAllen Memorial High School football coach Moses Patterson after he was named Region 7 Head Football Coach of the Year by the Texas High School Coaches Association. The proclamation cited Patterson’s 172–74 record and his leadership in guiding student athletes to 65 athletic scholarships.
“This is a testament to the entire team,” Patterson said after receiving the honor. “Our kids, our coaches, our administration, the community — this is all for you all.”
Commissioners also proclaimed March 11 as Grant Professionals Day, recognizing the city’s grant administration department for managing more than $70 million in active funding.
“These achievements reflect the expertise, diligence, accountability, and commitment of our grant professionals whose work ensures that taxpayer resources are maximized and community priorities are advanced,” the proclamation stated.
A department representative said the work of the grant staff directly supports city services.
“Every grant award represents more than just funding,” she said. “It represents safer neighborhoods, enhanced public safety resources, expanded community programs, improved infrastructure and critical support for families in need.”
Planning and zoning actions
Commissioners approved several zoning matters that were previously reviewed by the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission.
The commission approved three customer-initiated items, including a rezoning request at 1604 Frontera Road that will allow a property owner with approximately seven acres to convert the land to agricultural open zoning.
Another approved rezoning at 802 Orange Avenue will allow the property owner to take advantage of accessory dwelling unit provisions instead of applying for a conditional use permit.
Commissioners also approved a conditional use permit for an event center at 5245 North 23rd Street.
In addition, the commission approved a city-initiated rezoning affecting 42 parcels.
One rezoning request at 1708 North Eighth Street was tabled after the applicant requested additional time while out of town. A separate zoning ordinance amendment connected to an AEP substation proposal will remain pending until after a public meeting scheduled for March 25 at the Boys and Girls Club.
Street repaving contract discussion
During discussion of the consent agenda, commissioners examined a proposed contract for a single-machine street repaving project.
Commissioner Omar Quintanilla questioned why University Drive appeared on the repaving list despite being resurfaced only a few years ago.
“If my memory serves me right, that street was built curb to curb, asphalt laid just within the last three years,” he said. “I’m trying to figure out why that would be on the list to repave so soon.”
City staff said sections of the pavement were already showing deterioration and may be related to soil conditions and a fluctuating water table in the area.
“The water table is really variable in that part of town,” a city engineer said. “Sometimes it’s carrying water, sometimes it’s not.”
Commissioners also discussed the cost of asphalt, noting that petroleum-based materials used in hot-mix asphalt have increased in price.
“It’s priced a little high because right now petroleum basis is high,” one commissioner said. “If it comes down later, we should have a savings.”
Despite concerns about pricing, commissioners approved the repaving contract.
City officials noted the contractor has historically performed the specialized repaving process used in the project.
“They’ve done a great job for years and years,” a commissioner said. “Nobody’s been able to beat them.”
Sports park partnership
The commission approved a memorandum of understanding between the city and the Dallas Stars Elite Hockey Club to upgrade the hockey pavilion at McAllen Sports Park.
Under the agreement, the hockey club will repaint the pavilion and replace rink boards, while the city will install new flooring.
City officials said the partnership will also introduce youth hockey programs to McAllen.
“The club will also provide hockey equipment to the city of McAllen after-school program and evening programs to highlight hockey here in South Texas,” staff told commissioners.
County partnerships and infrastructure
Commissioners also approved an interlocal agreement with Hidalgo County Precinct 4 to install outdoor fitness equipment in several city parks.
The equipment will be placed at the McAllen Youth Baseball Complex, Camp McAllen, Garza Park, Morris Park and the planned La Floresta Park.
Officials described the agreement as a benefit for city residents.
“It’s another great deal for the city,” staff said during the presentation.
The commission also approved another interlocal agreement with Hidalgo County Precincts 3 and 4 to reconstruct sections of Mile 9 Road and North Shary Road.
The project will reconstruct missing roadway sections with rural-style pavement and drainage swales.
Utility easements and development variances
Commissioners approved two requests to abandon utility easements to allow development projects to proceed.
One request will remove a 10-foot utility easement at lots on Umar Avenue to allow construction of a home that will span two lots.
Another easement abandonment in the McAllen Nearshore Industrial Park will allow construction on a commercial property near South Ware Road.
The commission also approved development variances for two proposed subdivisions.
A variance for the Zuma subdivision near State Highway 107 allows the project to exceed the city’s maximum block length requirement due to nearby irrigation lines and existing subdivision layouts that limit street connectivity.
Another variance approved for the Mediterranean subdivision on North Ware Road allows lots to front an internal access drive instead of a public street. The project was originally proposed as residential townhomes but has been revised to include storage units.
Future agenda request
Before adjournment, Commissioner Omar Quintanilla requested a future report on the city’s Metro McAllen transit system, including bus ridership trends and progress on bus stops and sidewalk access.
“I’d like to have an updated report on Metro McAllen in terms of the progress with our bus routes, passenger count, bus stops and finishing the last mile with sidewalks getting to the bus shelter,” he said.
Executive session and adjournment
The commission later entered executive session to discuss legal and information technology matters before voting to authorize city officials to proceed as discussed in executive session without a public explanation of the details.
Source -- City of McAllen.