The Edinburg City Council conducted its first meeting with the interim city manager Tuesday, after last week’s firing of several officials due to a new majority.
After emerging from executive session, the council voted to approve a $225,000 salary with no benefits, no severance package and a 30-day out clause for Interim City Manager Richard Hinojosa.
Councilmember Gilbert Enriquez made the motion to approve the employment agreement and it passed 5-0.
Enriquez told The Rider it is a good contract since Hinojosa will only get paid for the time he will be working.
“If there’s a new council after Dec. 10, they don’t have to have a severance package or a pay off or anything like that,” he said after the meeting. “So, if they want to move in a new direction, it’s just a 3o-day out clause, so I think that was something that is a benefit to the city.”
The council voted 5-0 to authorize Hinojosa to submit an application for a $1,213,234.44 to the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department for the construction of a hike-and-bike trail in the area of the Chapin Detention Pond at the intersection of Chapin Street and Jackson Road. The grant requires a local match of 50% or $606,617.22.
Javier Garza, director of Parks & Recreation, said the department had conducted a survey for the last 10 years, and one of the main things that the residents asked for was more walking trails. Garza wants to add benches, water fountains and solar-powered lights as well.
“We don’t have to spend any money on electricity,” he said. “It’s going to be solar-powered, so it’s a great thing for everybody.”
Garza said the trail would add to the quality of life of Edinburg residents and for the students of UTRGV.
“Instead of getting on a treadmill, being stationary all the time, [students] get out there and enjoy the scenery, enjoy the nature and just walk with your friends,” he said.
The council also voted 4-0 to submit an application for a grant to the Federal Communication Commission’s Universal Service Administrative Company for internet access, basic maintenance, internal connections and services for the Dustin M. Sekula Memorial Library. The FCC’s E-rate program makes telecommunications and information services more affordable for schools and libraries.
The Sekula library will apply for 12 months of internet access and services at 90% funding, basic maintenance of eligible equipment at 85% funding and internal connections also at 85% funding. The remaining 10% to 15% will be matched with funds from the 2021 library budget.
Letty Leija, director of Library and Cultural Arts, said she is happy that the grant submission was approved.
“It’s just savings for the city,” Leija said. “So, it’s saving the taxpayers money. … It’s always a plus.”
Mayor Richard Molina commented on last week’s termination of Juan Guerra, and the employment agreement for Hinojosa will cost the city about half a million dollars. The motion passed with a 5-0 vote.
