Harlingen — The Harlingen City Commission on the evening of a November 2025 meeting approved a slate of ordinances, resolutions and purchases, including two first-reading rezonings, an amendment to permit model homes and several municipal equipment purchases.

Commissioners voted to approve an ordinance on first reading to rezone Lot 9, Medical Subdivision (1616 and 1620 N. Ed Cary Drive) from office to general retail (applicant RGB Plaza LLC) and to rezone 13.58 acres out of Survey 140 L.L. Adams Subdivision (south of Wilson Road) to general retail. Planning staff said the second rezoning was for "commercial" uses but had not yet been tied to a specific tenant or plaza.

The commission also approved an ordinance amending Chapter 111 of the city code to authorize model homes, model home sales offices and home identification signs in single-family and planned development zoning districts. Staff framed the change as a code clarification and commissioners approved it on first reading.

On procurement, the commission approved: the purchase of one truck for Planning and Development (Item 10e); a replacement vehicle for downtown maintenance operations (Item 10f); and a not-to-exceed $49,990 purchase for 24 solar-powered trail lights at City Lake Park (Item 10g) with a direction that staff pursue cheaper alternatives if they are found. Parks staff confirmed the fixtures will be solar-powered.

The commission authorized the interim city manager to execute a memorandum of understanding with the Rio Grande Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization for distribution and maintenance of bicycle and pedestrian counters (Item 10h) and approved an advanced funding agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation for the Arroyo Colorado Phase 4 project (Item 10j). Staff said the Arroyo project work would occur within the arroyo corridor and, as presented, would not require property takings.

Several board appointments and votes were also completed: the city allocated all 98 ballots for the Cameron County Appraisal District to Commissioner David Garza to keep him on the appraisal district board; Chief Alviad was appointed to the Cameron County Emergency Communication District board; and representatives were named or reappointed to a range of local advisory boards.

Most measures were carried by voice vote with commissioners indicating approval; several motions passed unanimously where "motion carries" was recorded in the minutes. Where the transcript did not provide individual vote tallies for roll-call, the record says motions carried or were unanimous. One item that involved an appeal to allow a second detached dwelling (Item 10c) resulted in a motion to uphold the Planning and Zoning Commission denial with one abstention recorded (Cavazos Gomez).

The commission adjourned after taking action on executive-session items related to real property.