Edinburg City Council

City manager talks through local events

The Edinburg City Council discussed updates on community events, a misdemeanor amnesty program and recognized employees of the month for December 2024 and January 2025 during Tuesday’s meeting.

In the community

The City of Edinburg will host the 12th annual FridaFest from 5 to 11 p.m. Saturday at the Arts Cultural Events Center, located at 315 W. McIntyre St.

“This free event is a vibrant celebration of art and music, inspired by the legacy of Frida Kahlo,” Edinburg City Manager Myra Ayala said. “It will feature live performances, food vendors, [an] art exhibit, interactive activities and much more.” 

Ayala said the festival will feature two performance stages headlined by Alejandra y Sus Diamantes, La Gran Sonora, and Tejano Queen Forever: A Selena Tribute Band. 

For more information, visit the FridaFest website.

Parks and Recreation will host the ninth Annual Cardboard Boat Regatta from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Edinburg Municipal Pool, located at 125 Mark S. Peña Drive.

“This exciting event invites participants to construct and raise their own cardboard boats in one of three divisions: adults, teens and children,” Ayala said. 

According to the City of Edinburg website, boats may not exceed 6 feet in length and 4 feet in width and must be built entirely from corrugated cardboard and duct tape only.

“The community is encouraged to register or to attend the event to cheer on the contestants in this unique and entertaining event,” Ayala said.

Amnesty program

The Edinburg Municipal Court is offering an amnesty program until March 31. People with outstanding class C misdemeanor fines, which includes traffic citations, have the opportunity to pay their fines without incurring additional fees, according to the city manager.

“Failure to appear charges will be waived for those who voluntarily come in to resolve their cases,” Ayala said. “This initiative aims to provide residents with a chance to settle their legal obligations while avoiding extra penalties.”

For more information, contact the Edinburg Municipal Court.

City Employees of the Month

The city recognized the recipients for Employee of the Month award for December 2024 and January 2025: Elisa Figueroa and Diana Ramos.

“[Elisa Figueroa] is the administrative specialist in the police department,” said Belinda Torres, director of Human Resources. “She’s been with the City of Edinburg since 2007.”

Figueroa said she was thankful and honored to receive the recognition. 

“[Diana Ramos] is our permit supervisor with [the] Building Safety Department,” Torres said. “She has been with the city since 1996.”

Natalia Velasquez, chief building official for the department of Building Safety, said Ramos has been the glue holding together the permits and inspections division for years.

“She’s a mastermind behind the process of the permitting,” Velasquez said. “… She’s the go to person and she ensures communication with applicants, with examiners, with inspections, while keeping everything running smoothly.”