Del Rio Residents Raise Concerns Over School Zone Traffic, Street Maintenance, Junk Vehicles and More At Town Hall Meeting

Councilperson James DeReus begins his Town Hall Meeting held at the Civic Center on Thursday, August 8, 2024.

About a dozen Del Rio residents gathered in the Cottonwood Room at the Civic Center on Thursday, August 8, 2024 for a Town hall meeting held by District II Councilperson James DeReus. 

The meeting began with words of welcome from Councilperson DeReus, thanking everyone for attending and inviting them to voice their questions and concerns. “I want to hear from you, what’s going on, what your concerns are, what you think we need to focus on.” 

Concerned citizen, and resident of North Del Rio, Amy Morecraft, asked the councilperson what could be done about the lack of street paving and pothole filling on her street, citing that the road at the end of her driveway was “nothing but bumps and patchwork” but nothing else had been done to repair the core issues in the road. 

She also asked what could be done about the lack of street lights in her neighborhood, telling Councilperson DeReus, “I’m an elderly person, I can’t walk in the daytime, it’s too hot, I like to walk at night and I can’t because it’s pitch black, dark.” Councilperson DeReus and City Manager Manuel Chavez responded by telling citizens that the city is looking into installing solar lighting in areas across the city to address this issue. 

Several residents, including Morecraft and current Republican Party nominee for County Commissioner Pct. 3, Fernando Garcia, asked what could be done about traffic, street blockages, and student street crossing safety, on streets near local schools, including Amistad Blvd, ahead of the start of the school year on Monday. 

Councilperson DeReus suggested issuing warnings and more police patrolling as a means of preventing congestion, speeding, and illegal parking issues in neighborhoods and properties near the schools. 

City of Del Rio Operations and Compliance Auditor, Scot Carcasi, assured residents that meetings are planned between city officials and school district personnel to address these issues. 

After several questions about how the city handles potholes, street paving, grass growing in the middle of city streets, abandoned properties and junk vehicles, including a concern raised by South Del Rio resident, Debbie Nieto, about keeping elderly residents without access to social media informed about how to report issues on their streets, Councilperson DeReus and Interim City Manager, Mr. Chavez, revealed that the city is in the process of conducting a city-wide street survey to identify areas in need of reconstruction and repaving.

They also brought attention to the “830Go” mobile app available for android and iOS users, where residents can geotag and report issues in their area including potholes, junk vehicles, and loose animals, among other things. 

Following a question from resident George Solis, Councilperson DeReus told those in attendance that a proposed property tax rate increase would be up for discussion at next Tuesday’s city council meeting, and will likely be approved upon the recommendation of city staff. 

The meeting concluded once all questions and concerns were addressed, with Councilperson DeReus thanking everyone for attending, going on to follow up individually with concerned citizens and assuring that more town hall discussions would be held in the future.