The Edinburg Police Department receives a $503,000 donation from the U.S. Border Patrol during Tuesday’s Edinburg City Council meeting. Shown (from left) are Border Patrol RGV Sector ACTT Director Hector Moreno Jr., Chief Patrol Agent Gloria Chavez, Edinburg Chief of Police Jaime Ayala, Police Officer Omar Pacheco, his K-9 Tina, and Assistant Chief of Police Michael Cerda. Aura Velasquez/THE RIDER
The Edinburg City Council formally retired Call Sign Eagle 1 900 during its meeting Tuesday, honoring the late Fire Chief Shawn Michael Snider.
“I just wanted to thank the council for doing this … I just can’t see anyone else being called Eagle 1,” Edna Snider, the fire chief’s wife, told councilmembers. “[The Fire Department] retired his number, but that wasn’t official for me.”
Chief Snider, a 30-year veteran of the Edinburg Fire Department, died of cancer in May 2023, according to a city news release.
Snider’s family and fire department colleagues accepted the resolution in his honor. The council chamber filled with applause as the resolution honoring Snider was passed.
The resolution, read by Mayor Ramiro Garza Jr., states that “Shawn Snider demonstrated unwavering commitment to the safety and well-being of others, a true leader who inspired his team to be the best that could be, leaving a lasting impact on the department and the community.”
In other business, the U.S Border Patrol presented an allocation of $503,024.49 to the Edinburg Police Department in forfeiture funds.
The Edinburg Police Department seized $711,240 during a traffic stop on April 5, 2023, after receiving a report from the Border Patrol of a vehicle suspected of transporting currency.
Edinburg Police received the funds under the Equitable Sharing Program, according to the agenda packet. The program, designed to encourage collaboration among law enforcement agencies, allocates seized assets for public safety initiatives.
The Edinburg Rotary Club donated $6,500 to the Edinburg Arts Foundation. The funds will support the Missoula Children’s Theatre summer program.
Councilmember Place 4 David White challenged the purchase of an electric 4×4 truck for $51,090.
“I was reading through the packet. … I have no clue what vehicle we’re buying,” White said. “It doesn’t say a Ford, Chevy, Dodge, Japanese, Chinese. … The company that submitted it doesn’t tell us what type of vehicle it is.”
Councilmember Place 4 David White challenges the proposed purchase of an electric 4×4 truck for $51,090 during Tuesday’s Edinburg City Council meeting. Aura Velasquez/THE RIDER
Jaime Acevedo, director of Planning and Zoning, clarified that due to bidding regulations, the department could not specify a particular brand when seeking an electric pickup truck.
The Ford F-150 is currently the only commercially available electric pickup and all eight bids received matched this model, according to Acevedo.
White raised concerns about the lack of a specified brand or comparable models, making it difficult to research options and ensure competitive pricing.
He compared the situation to weapon procurement within the police department, where specific models and features are outlined to ensure best value.
Councilmember Place 3 David Salazar questioned the rationale behind the electric truck purchase, asking, “Why are we looking for an electric vehicle?”
The growing popularity of electric vehicles and their potential environmental benefits is one of the original reasons, said Councilmember Place 2 Jason De Leon.
The focus was on exploring electric options as a potential cost-saving and eco-friendly solution, according to De Leon. This initial trial aims to assess the feasibility and value of integrating electric vehicles into the fleet for the future.
White made the motion to deny awarding the bid. No one seconded the motion.
De Leon then made a motion to award the bid, but no one seconded it.
“We don’t have a motion, so we’re going to move on,” Garza said.
During the public comment period, Viviana Caballero, assistant director of the Dustin Michael Sekula Memorial Library, invited the council and the community to join the library at 6 p.m. Saturday to celebrate “Día de los Niños, Día de los Libros,” when it will offer free books and activities to promote literacy.
Edinburg residents can celebrate Earth Day, Arbor Day and National Community Development Week at the city’s “Cool City” event, which will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday in the Edinburg City Hall courtyard. Attendees will receive information and resources promoting sustainability.
Edna Snider speaks about her late husband, Fire Chief Shawn Michael Snider, during last Tuesday’s Edinburg City Council meeting. The Edinburg City Council formally retired Call Sign Eagle 1 900, honoring the late fire chief. Aura Velasquez/THE RIDER
