District 4 Council Member· 2024-2028
Ricardo "Rick" Garza
Laredo
About
Ricardo 'Rick' Garza's platform centers on essential infrastructure improvements, specifically focusing on water utility upgrades and road maintenance within District 4. His priorities reflect a commitment to addressing the immediate physical needs of his constituents through active project oversight and community engagement.
Campaign promises (2)
- infrastructureGarza is committed to overseeing the completion of the Jefferson water line project to improve local utility infrastructure.Related votes
- infrastructureGarza supports the ongoing road improvement efforts on Kearney Street to enhance neighborhood connectivity and safety.
Voice
- Meetings spoken in
- 25
- Total speaking time
- 3:28:17
- Avg per meeting
- 8:20
- Segments
- 4907
Want every word Garza has said?
The OpenCity MCP for Claude.ai answers questions like “what has Garza said about housing this year” with one prompt — full speaking history, with YouTube timestamps.
Top issues during term (20)
emergency preparedness
The city's spending on emergency services will go up to keep these shelters running.
Animal Welfare and Cruelty Enforcement
Potential future resource allocation for shared databases or training programs.
mayoral election
City spending will likely shift toward massive infrastructure and water system overhauls if his platform gains traction.
Police Surveillance Technology
An $11.1 million federal grant with no local match requirement.
Water Service Reliability
Substantial capital and operating expenses associated with pipeline infrastructure and reverse osmosis water treatment.
Residential and Commercial Subdivisions & Master Plans
Not specified in the posted materials.
election turnout
None directly, though high voter turnout can sometimes lead to future adjustments in election administration budgets.
Water Infrastructure and Public Communication
Requires funding allocations for infrastructure replacement and potential software or communication tools.
emergency declaration
City resources will take a hit responding to the emergency, and local businesses near the downtown closures could see a dip in customers today.
Border Wall and Buoy Safety
Financial impact is currently unknown pending expert selection and contract authorization.
Health Insurance Sustainability
Involves a projected $12.4 million healthcare cost increase and adjustments to employee premium contributions.
Hamilton Hotel Infrastructure
Generates approximately $4 million annually in federal grant funding for local housing and infrastructure projects.
water main break
Repairs will likely cost taxpayers some money, but it's a necessary fix for our water system.
Water Quality and Infrastructure
Involves multi-million dollar water infrastructure and potential future pipeline and treatment costs.
Data Center Development
Potential long-term impacts on industrial tax base versus municipal resource consumption.
facility assessment and repairs
Taxpayers could be on the hook for unexpected repair bills depending on what the inspectors find.
City Facility Climate Control
Property-specific improvement costs borne by the applicant.
bulky item clean-up
It's a free city service, meaning your tax dollars are already covering the cost to haul away your heavy junk.
Border Infrastructure and Flood Safety
Potential costs associated with independent flood studies and mitigation measures.
Pediatric Hospital Advocacy and Healthcare Access
Potential future healthcare facility investments or regional partnership funding requirements.
Moved or seconded (27)
Motions Garza personally put forward or seconded. Attribution comes from the minutes; where the minutes name somebody we cannot match to the roster we leave it out rather than guess, so this is a floor, not a total.
- secondedpassed 7-02026-07-27
Motion to approve Final Reading of Ordinances 45-52.
- secondedpassed 0-02026-07-27
Motion to deny.
- movedpassed 7-02026-06-26
Motion to approve.
- movedpassed 7-02026-06-26
26-C-106 Discussion with possible action to allocate $150,000 from District 4 Priority Funds to the Lupita Cortez Memorial Community Wellness & Recreation & Complex at the Lyon Water Tanks; and any matter incident thereto
Title matched to the agenda, not quoted from the motion
- secondedpassed 9-02026-06-15
Motion to table and bring back on the following City Council meeting.
- secondedpassed 5-02026-06-15
Motion to approve Appointments 9-16, while amending number 12 to read " Municipal Hospital Authority Ad-Hoc Committee.
- secondedpassed 9-02026-06-01
Utilities Compliance Measures
Title matched to the agenda, not quoted from the motion
- secondedpassed 6-02026-06-01
Motion to adjourn at 9:48 p.m.
- secondedpassed 6-02026-06-01
Motion to send this letter with these points to Commissioner.
- movedpassed 6-02026-06-01
Motion to table and bring back on the following City Council meeting.
- secondedpassed 6-02026-06-01
Motion to approve.
- secondedpassed 6-02026-06-01
Motion to table items 62-63 and bring back on the following City Council meeting.
- secondedpassed 7-02026-05-04
Motion to close and introduce and bring back on the following City Council meeting.
- secondedpassed 7-02026-05-04
Motion to table and bring back on the following City Council meeting.
- secondedpassed2026-05-04
Motion to approve.
- secondedpassed 7-02026-05-04
Motion to approve final reading of ordinances #19-33 with the exception of #32.
- movedpassed2026-05-04
Motion to approve.
- secondedpassed2026-05-04
Motion to approve the Consent agenda items 35-56, with the exception of items 48, 49.
- secondedpassed 7-32026-05-04
Motion to deny.
- secondedpassed 8-02026-04-20
Motion to approve 60-61.
Decisions during term (433)
Recorded while Garza was in office — not necessarily decisions they moved, spoke to, or voted on.
Approval of September 16, 2026 Minutes
Adoption of Resolution MPO 2026-09 (UPWP Amendment for CMP)
Approval of Minutes
Approval of Minutes and Excused Absences
Appointment to Arts and Culture Commission
Update of Veterans Affairs Committee Roster
Approval of Zoning Conditional Use Permit for McPherson Road Bar
Approval of Zoning Amendment for San Dario Avenue Auto Body Shop
Approval of Consent Agenda Items
Ratification of TSA Grant for Airport Law Enforcement
Ratification of Texas Anti-Gang (TAG) Program Grant
Authorization of Cellebrite Software Purchase for TAG Centers
Direction on Regional Park Connectivity and Trail Integration
Authorization to Explore Economic Development Corporation Tools
Direction on City Debt Write-Off Policy and Payment Fees
26-1925 Public Hearing and Introductory Ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance (Map) of the City of Laredo by rezoning Lot 4, Block 1343, Eastern Division, located at 2319 Market Street, from R-3 (Mixed Residential District) to B-1…
26-1842 Authorizing the City Manager to ratify the execution of legal documents conveying to AEP Texas Inc., a 10-foot-wide easement. Said easements lie wholly within a portion of 18.0357 acres or land, more or less, being out of Abstract…
26-1843 Authorizing the City Manager to execute legal documents conveying to AEP Texas, Inc., two, 10-foot-wide easements for electric distribution lines at properties located in the Cheyenne Subdivision. These easements will facilitate a…
2026-O-205 An Ordinance amending the City of Laredo’s Code of Ordinance Chapter 20, Municipal Court, Article I, Establishment of the Court, Page 8 of 19 City Council October 19, 2026 A-2026-R-17 Article II, Presiding Municipal Court Judge,…
26-1686 Consideration to approve the renewal of contract FY24-097 RFP MX Tourism Agency of Record to Ariel Agustin Rodriguez, d.b.a. ADS Comunicación in an annual amount not to exceed $164,598.80 for Mexico marketing services including…
Voting record (273)
Oldest to newest — hover a bar for the item.