UTRGV alumni Louie Alamia thanks the City of Edinburg for recognizing his baseball achievements and recognizes his parents during the March 5 meeting. “I’d like to dedicate this to my father and to my mother for all the sacrifices and leadership they provided to me throughout the years growing up,” Alamia said. Eduardo Escamilla/THE RIDER
The Edinburg City Council grappled with the issue of selecting project management firms for two upcoming capital projects March 5.
Councilmembers considered three options presented by City staff: a rotation list, project scope or requests for proposals. They also discussed funding sources and qualifications for potential firms.
“Whatever we do, we just want to make sure we are fair to the whole process … because this is the first time we go about this,” said Mayor Ramiro Garza Jr.
Concerns regarding additional costs associated with hiring project management firms were raised.
Myra L. Ayala, city manager, said the cost for the two projects currently under consideration, a new service center and a parking garage, would be an added expense, but future project costs could incorporate project management fees.
The council ultimately decided to forego a project management firm for the service center due to budget constraints.
However, for the parking garage project, they opted for a rotation system, starting negotiations with the first pre-aligned firm, Brownstone Consultants.
Councilmembers emphasized the importance of experience and qualifications throughout the discussion, regardless of the chosen method. They acknowledged the need for a system that ensures competent project management while remaining fair and cost-effective.
“I wouldn’t want to see additional costs,” said Councilmemeber Place 2 Jason De Leon.
Mardoqueo Hinojosa, City of Edinburg engineer, presents the option of awarding project management services from a pool of seven qualified firms, previously selected and approved by the City Council. Eduardo Escamilla/THE RIDER
Mayor Pro Tem Daniel “Dan” Diaz clarified that Brownstone Consultants would be the first to negotiate the scope of services, but they are not guaranteed the project.
“Ultimately, the city council is going to need to approve the contract with the project manager,” said City Attorney Omar Ochoa.
In other news, the city council presented a proclamation recognizing March 5 as K9 Officer Rasco Day.
During his six-year tenure, he has served the Edinburg Police Department of Public Safety, the Federal Bureau of Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Border Patrol, the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) and U.S. Marshals.
During his career, Rasco assisted in the seizures of over 3 kilos of meth, 40 kilos of cocaine, and 50 pounds of marijuana, according to the agenda packet from the meeting.
Due to his age, he retired from the Edinburg Police Department Feb. 29.
The City Council also recognized Louie Alamia, a UTRGV Athletic Hall of Fame inductee, for all of his achievements in baseball.
“I’d like to dedicate this to my father and to my mother for all the sacrifices and leadership that they provided to me throughout the years growing up,” the UTRGV alumni told councilmembers.
Alamia tied up his baseball career his senior year as the record holder in hits (267), at-bats (762) and tied in triples (13), according to the packet.
“I played softball with this hall of famer last season, and I wish he would have transferred all those [267 hits] to this season as well,” Diaz said jokingly.
Councilmembers recognized March 5 as K9 Officer Rasco Day for his loyal service to the City, Police Department, SWAT team and handler. Rasco’s resume includes serving the Federal Bureau of Investigations and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Photographed are Mayor Pro Tem Daniel “Dan” Diaz (from left), Councilmember Place 4 David White, Officer David Santivanez, K9 Officer Rasco, Mayor Ramiro Garza Jr., Councilmember Place 3 David Salazar Jr., Councilmember Place 2 Jason De Leon and City Manager Myra L. Ayala. Eduardo Escamilla/THE RIDER
