Weslaco commission appoints mayor pro tem, approves public-safety and equipment purchases and updates towing ordinance
January 07, 2025 | Weslaco, Hidalgo County, Texas
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The Weslaco City Commission on Jan. 7 appointed Commissioner Israel Gonzalez as mayor pro tem and approved a series of equipment purchases, a new emergency medical services (EMS) reporting contract, and an ordinance update for wrecker/towing rotation and fees.
The action items — taken in voice votes during the meeting at Weslaco City Hall — included purchases budgeted or previously authorized by staff and several procurement cancellations prompted by vendor production delays. The commission also accepted grant and community donations for Gibson Park earlier in the meeting during recognitions and presentations.
Why this matters: the purchases and ordinance changes affect core city services including EMS reporting, firefighter protective gear, stormwater and sewer maintenance capability, and the city's towing response and fee structure, which can affect residents who need to recover vehicles after accidents or enforcement actions.
The commission's most notable administrative action was the appointment of Commissioner Israel Gonzalez as mayor pro tem. The motion to appoint Gonzalez was made by Commissioner Rias and seconded by Commissioner Lopez and was approved by voice vote.
On procurement and public-safety items, the commission approved an agreement with ESO Solutions to replace the city's EMS reporting software. Staff said the vendor offered a $10,000 discount on the initial 12-month term; the presented price was $22,932 with the discount reducing the first-year cost to $12,932 and a recurring annual fee of $19,136 thereafter. The fire/EMS chief told the commission the city will retain ownership of its data and that the ESO platform integrates with hospitals and other medical providers, enabling a single-source record for transported patients.
The commission also approved the purchase of nine sets of bunker gear (turnout gear) to replace end-of-life equipment at a quoted cost of $38,213 from Metro Fire Apparatus Specialist under BuyBoard contract 698-23. Commissioners moved and seconded that purchase and approved it by voice vote; two commissioners later stated they would abstain from discussion and consideration of that item for the record (the transcript does not identify those two members by name).
Council members approved a recommendation to amend Chapter 142 (ordinance 2024-38) to increase the number of wrecker services on the city rotation and to raise several towing and storage fees. Staff reported the proposed change raises the rotation cap from 13 to 17 vendors and adjusts per-vehicle, drop, storage and special-equipment fees, and that the proposal was developed after comparing rates and policies in nearby cities and checking state statutory limits. The commission moved to follow staff's recommendation and approved it by voice vote.
The commission voted to cancel purchase order PO-25-1068 for a Vermeer Jetter (quoted at $178,118.82) because of repeated production delays and instead approved purchase of a Vaccon trailer-mounted vacuum and jetter (VACON model V-800) from a Sourcewell contract (contract number 101221) through the vendor (quoted at $166,249.59). Staff said the Vaccon has a slightly smaller tank but meets the city's operational needs and is available on a shorter delivery timeline (about 90 days).
Public works also secured approval to buy two step-down transformers for the South Wastewater Treatment Plant UV disinfection system. Staff recommended purchasing transformers from the same supplier as the UV modules so the parts match specifications and can ship together; the quoted cost was $8,000.
Other formal items approved by motion included final plat approval for the Long John Silver subdivision (0.45 acres inside Weslaco city limits, with water and sewer connections described in staff materials) and routine consent-agenda items. The meeting record shows motions, seconds and voice approvals for each item; the transcript does not give a roll-call tally of yes/no votes.
Votes at a glance:
- Appointment of mayor pro tem: Motion to appoint Commissioner Israel Gonzalez as mayor pro tem (mover: Commissioner Rias; second: Commissioner Lopez) — approved by voice vote.
- Final plat for Long John Silver Subdivision (0.45 acres): Motion to approve (mover: Commissioner Pedraza; second: Commissioner Lopez) — approved by voice vote.
- ESO Solutions EMS reporting software agreement: Motion to approve (mover: Commissioner Farias; second: Commissioner Pedraza) — approved by voice vote. Staff noted a $10,000 initial discount reducing the first-year cost to $12,932; recurring annual fee $19,136.
- Purchase of nine bunker-gear sets ($38,213) from Metro Fire Apparatus Specialist (BuyBoard 698-23): Motion to approve (mover: Commissioner Pedraza; second: Commissioner Lopez) — approved by voice vote; two commissioners later stated they would abstain from discussion/consideration on this item (names not specified in the transcript).
- Ordinance 2024-38 Chapter 142 amendments (towing/rotation/fees): Motion to follow staff recommendation (mover: Commissioner Farias; second: Commissioner Pedraza) — approved by voice vote. Staff described raising the rotation cap from 13 to 17 vendors and increasing several fee categories; changes are within state statutory maximums.
- Cancel PO-25-1068 for Vermeer Jetter (due to production delays): Motion to cancel (mover: Commissioner Pedraza; second: Commissioner Farias) — approved by voice vote.
- Purchase Vaccon trailer-mounted vacuum/jetter (Sourcewell contract 101221) for $166,249.59: Motion to approve (mover: Commissioner Garcia; second: Commissioner Pedraza) — approved by voice vote.
- Purchase of two transformers for South WWTP UV system ($8,000) from same supplier as UV modules (Viola): Motion to approve (mover: Commissioner Lopez; second: Commissioner Garcia) — approved by voice vote.
What commissioners asked for or emphasized: several commissioners pressed staff to continue monitoring rotation responsiveness and to verify that wrecker vendors are not overcharging citizens; staff said complaints are logged and reviewed. Commissioners also sought clarity that data in the new EMS system will remain city property; staff confirmed the city would retain its data and that ESO supports data transfers.
The meeting included ceremonial items and recognitions before business: a proclamation honoring former mayor Hector "Buddy" De La Rosa, a $48,986 grant and donation presentation for an inclusive glider at Gibson Park (Knapp Community Care Foundation and the Weslaco Elks Lodge), and recognition of Captain Dolores Salinas for completing the FBI National Academy program. Those presentations did not require commission action.
The commission moved to executive session late in the meeting and returned without additional formal action before adjourning.
The action items — taken in voice votes during the meeting at Weslaco City Hall — included purchases budgeted or previously authorized by staff and several procurement cancellations prompted by vendor production delays. The commission also accepted grant and community donations for Gibson Park earlier in the meeting during recognitions and presentations.
Why this matters: the purchases and ordinance changes affect core city services including EMS reporting, firefighter protective gear, stormwater and sewer maintenance capability, and the city's towing response and fee structure, which can affect residents who need to recover vehicles after accidents or enforcement actions.
The commission's most notable administrative action was the appointment of Commissioner Israel Gonzalez as mayor pro tem. The motion to appoint Gonzalez was made by Commissioner Rias and seconded by Commissioner Lopez and was approved by voice vote.
On procurement and public-safety items, the commission approved an agreement with ESO Solutions to replace the city's EMS reporting software. Staff said the vendor offered a $10,000 discount on the initial 12-month term; the presented price was $22,932 with the discount reducing the first-year cost to $12,932 and a recurring annual fee of $19,136 thereafter. The fire/EMS chief told the commission the city will retain ownership of its data and that the ESO platform integrates with hospitals and other medical providers, enabling a single-source record for transported patients.
The commission also approved the purchase of nine sets of bunker gear (turnout gear) to replace end-of-life equipment at a quoted cost of $38,213 from Metro Fire Apparatus Specialist under BuyBoard contract 698-23. Commissioners moved and seconded that purchase and approved it by voice vote; two commissioners later stated they would abstain from discussion and consideration of that item for the record (the transcript does not identify those two members by name).
Council members approved a recommendation to amend Chapter 142 (ordinance 2024-38) to increase the number of wrecker services on the city rotation and to raise several towing and storage fees. Staff reported the proposed change raises the rotation cap from 13 to 17 vendors and adjusts per-vehicle, drop, storage and special-equipment fees, and that the proposal was developed after comparing rates and policies in nearby cities and checking state statutory limits. The commission moved to follow staff's recommendation and approved it by voice vote.
The commission voted to cancel purchase order PO-25-1068 for a Vermeer Jetter (quoted at $178,118.82) because of repeated production delays and instead approved purchase of a Vaccon trailer-mounted vacuum and jetter (VACON model V-800) from a Sourcewell contract (contract number 101221) through the vendor (quoted at $166,249.59). Staff said the Vaccon has a slightly smaller tank but meets the city's operational needs and is available on a shorter delivery timeline (about 90 days).
Public works also secured approval to buy two step-down transformers for the South Wastewater Treatment Plant UV disinfection system. Staff recommended purchasing transformers from the same supplier as the UV modules so the parts match specifications and can ship together; the quoted cost was $8,000.
Other formal items approved by motion included final plat approval for the Long John Silver subdivision (0.45 acres inside Weslaco city limits, with water and sewer connections described in staff materials) and routine consent-agenda items. The meeting record shows motions, seconds and voice approvals for each item; the transcript does not give a roll-call tally of yes/no votes.
Votes at a glance:
- Appointment of mayor pro tem: Motion to appoint Commissioner Israel Gonzalez as mayor pro tem (mover: Commissioner Rias; second: Commissioner Lopez) — approved by voice vote.
- Final plat for Long John Silver Subdivision (0.45 acres): Motion to approve (mover: Commissioner Pedraza; second: Commissioner Lopez) — approved by voice vote.
- ESO Solutions EMS reporting software agreement: Motion to approve (mover: Commissioner Farias; second: Commissioner Pedraza) — approved by voice vote. Staff noted a $10,000 initial discount reducing the first-year cost to $12,932; recurring annual fee $19,136.
- Purchase of nine bunker-gear sets ($38,213) from Metro Fire Apparatus Specialist (BuyBoard 698-23): Motion to approve (mover: Commissioner Pedraza; second: Commissioner Lopez) — approved by voice vote; two commissioners later stated they would abstain from discussion/consideration on this item (names not specified in the transcript).
- Ordinance 2024-38 Chapter 142 amendments (towing/rotation/fees): Motion to follow staff recommendation (mover: Commissioner Farias; second: Commissioner Pedraza) — approved by voice vote. Staff described raising the rotation cap from 13 to 17 vendors and increasing several fee categories; changes are within state statutory maximums.
- Cancel PO-25-1068 for Vermeer Jetter (due to production delays): Motion to cancel (mover: Commissioner Pedraza; second: Commissioner Farias) — approved by voice vote.
- Purchase Vaccon trailer-mounted vacuum/jetter (Sourcewell contract 101221) for $166,249.59: Motion to approve (mover: Commissioner Garcia; second: Commissioner Pedraza) — approved by voice vote.
- Purchase of two transformers for South WWTP UV system ($8,000) from same supplier as UV modules (Viola): Motion to approve (mover: Commissioner Lopez; second: Commissioner Garcia) — approved by voice vote.
What commissioners asked for or emphasized: several commissioners pressed staff to continue monitoring rotation responsiveness and to verify that wrecker vendors are not overcharging citizens; staff said complaints are logged and reviewed. Commissioners also sought clarity that data in the new EMS system will remain city property; staff confirmed the city would retain its data and that ESO supports data transfers.
The meeting included ceremonial items and recognitions before business: a proclamation honoring former mayor Hector "Buddy" De La Rosa, a $48,986 grant and donation presentation for an inclusive glider at Gibson Park (Knapp Community Care Foundation and the Weslaco Elks Lodge), and recognition of Captain Dolores Salinas for completing the FBI National Academy program. Those presentations did not require commission action.
The commission moved to executive session late in the meeting and returned without additional formal action before adjourning.
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