Texas Border Business
San Juan, Texas – The Board of Commissioners of the City of San Juan met for a regular meeting on Tuesday, January 8, 2019, and considered an agenda that included the following highlights:
Update on the New City of San Juan Transit Terminal/City Hall
The City Commission was updated on the status of the New Transit Terminal Building/City Hall. The proposed budget for the Transit Terminal facility is estimated at $4.165 million for professional services and construction, with approximately $480,000 from local, in-kind match and nearly $2 million in agency funding from the Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council (LRGVDC). The city proposes adding an additional $2 million for facility improvements. Phase 1 of the project includes the procurement, approval and selection of professional services, and is expected to commence by February 2019, and the project end date is scheduled for mid-year 2020, contingent on agency approvals.
First Reading on Ordinance to Provide for the Regulation of Food Establishments
A First Reading was held on an Ordinance Amending the Code of Ordinance by adding an article for the regulation of food establishments, including food service establishments, retail food stores, temporary food establishments, and food handlers. The San Juan City Commission approved a Health Department under the Planning Department supervision. The adoption of the Health Ordinance is to establish permits and fees for food establishments inside the city limits of San Juan. The adoption of these rules is done to facilitate the proper inspection activities of food service and retail food store establishments within the corporate limits of San Juan and to protect the public safety, health and general welfare of the community. Any person desiring to operate a food establishment must make a written application for a permit from the Health Department. Renewals of permits are required on an annual basis. When approved, the following fee schedule will apply to permits issued under this article:
1. Temporary permit, not to exceed 14 days – $25.00
2. Establishments employing (10) ten employees or less – $100.00
3. Establishments employing eleven to twenty employees – $125.00
4. Establishments employing twenty-one or more employees – $150.00
5. Follow up Inspection Fee – $25.00
The ordinance will need to be read passed and approved in second reading at a future meeting of the San Juan City Commission before it can be implemented.
City Discusses Enforcement of Brush Pick-Up Ordinance
The City Commission discussed Ordinance No. 15-14 which was approved in September 2015 and provides for brush pick-up, among others. The ordinance established the location and placement of brush for collection services and outlined the fines for violations. City Planner Roberto Escobar explained that while the ordinance had been in place, it had never really been enforced, and the City will now begin to enforce the ordinance to ensure that it is being followed.
City Approves Inter-Local with Hidalgo County Precinct 2 for Construction of Moore Road
Hidalgo County Precinct 2 Chief Administrator Armando Garza presented on behalf of Precinct 2 Commissioner Eddie Cantu in regard to a project to jointly undertake the reconstruction and construction of certain portions of Moore Road. The City of San Juan participation is $65,000 and Hidalgo County Precinct 2 will provide all labor, machinery, and materials necessary to complete construction of this project.
City Authorizes Police Chief to Enter into Agreement with City of Mercedes Police Department
The City Commission authorized Police Chief Juan Gonzalez to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the City of Mercedes Police Department to establish operating procedures for the Law Enforcement Emergency Regional Response Team (LEERRT). This is the 25th city that the San Juan Police Department currently has such agreements with; under the agreement, the agencies cooperate and assist each other in providing certain specialized police services.
City Approves Interlocal Agreement with Hidalgo County for Rural Emergency Services
The City Commission approved an interlocal agreement with Hidalgo County to set reimbursement rates for all county calls in which the fire department responds to and provides services in rural areas outside San Juan city limits.
UPCOMING EVENTS
The City of San Juan will host the 2nd Annual San Juan Friendly City 5K and Super Kids Fun Run/Walk and invite the public and all outdoor enthusiasts to participate in the event. Registration is $15 for adults and $5 for kids. The event will take place on Saturday, January 26, 2019, from 8 am – 12 pm at Mayfield Park (1419 S. San Antonio Ave.) in San Juan.
The Super Kids Fun Run begins at 8 am and the Friendly City 5K starts at 8:30 am. Registration is available at the San Juan Parks & Recreation Office located at 316 E. 8th St., San Juan, TX 78589 or online at https://endurancesplits.webconnex.com/2ndAnnualFriendlyCity5kRun/Walk.
Participants who want to receive a Friendly City 5K t-shirt must register before midnight on January 26th. For more information call (956) 223-2350.Â
