A Message From Mayor Chris Riley

LETTER TO LEON VALLEY CITIZENS

From Mayor Chris Riley

February 21^st, 2025

HAPPY FRIDAY!

Basura Bash Cleanup of Zarzamora Creek (in front of H-E-B Marketplace) – has been rescheduled due to the freezing weather,  from Feb 22^nd to March 8^th.  Volunteers are needed to help clean up the creek.  Call Dave Dimaline, Public Works Assistant Director at (210) 681-1232 if you can help. Thanks!

Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (AAMPO)- needs to hear from you on the future of transportation in our region. Please take a five minute survey on the draft Public Participation Plan at alamoareampo.org/PPP to share your feedback. Comments are open until March 15^th. 

35^th annual Earthwise Living Day – Saturday, March 1^st from 9:00 am to 1 pm at the Irene Baldridge Community Center. A fun, free family event with exhibitors and vendors demonstrating how to live sustainably.  For every 5 booths you visit, you will receive a free reusable Leon Valley water bottle!  Door prizes include (2) Spurs tickets with a parking pass and (5) $100 H-E-B gift cards! SA3 Recycling will also be collecting your E-Waste and clothes, shoes, blankets, pillows, rugs, dishes, glassware and metal/aluminum items, as well as books and old tools and workout equipment. An opportunity to spring clean and declutter! Hope to see you there!

CITY COUNCIL MEETING –February 18^th,  2025

      The following are highlights of council actions from the February 18^th     council meeting:

PRESENTATIONS

Council Approved the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for Fiscal Year 2024 – Debbie Fraser, CPA, summarized the audit for City
Council. She stated we had a clean opinion, which means after adjustments, the financial statements are fairly stated and materially correct. There were no material findings and one suggestion on accounting as it related to the now discontinued Lift Fund (contract was not renewed). In FY 2024, total revenues spent were $12.9 million ($13.5 million was budgeted) coming in $615,854 under budget. Total expenditures, including grants, were $13.2 million ($17.8 budgeted) with the Hike & Bike project ($2.4 million total, including $1.5 million in grants) delayed by TXDOT to FY 2025, and Fire Protection capital not spent.  The ending fund balance in the General Fund as of 9/30/24 was $9.4 million. After subtracting committed funds for PEG (public, educational & governmental), inventory (public works), other ($7,000), emergency reserve ($1 million), tree mitigation ($391,475), & economic development fund balance ($925,274), the fund balance drops to $6.832 million. Current FY 25 capital budget expenditures of $2.826 million will reduce our reserve fund balance to approximately $4 million, representing over 3 months of operating capital. Council did increase the disaster emergency fund by $250,000 for FY2025.

       In the Enterprise Fund (Leon Valley water company), total revenue for FY 24 was $5.9 million with expenditures of $3.3 million. $1.06 million was transferred to the General fund. Ending working capital for the water company is $3.61 million. Special thanks to Carol Goering, Finance Director for her work on the audit and for receiving a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting on behalf of the City.

REGULAR AGENDA

Discussion of an Ordinance Amending Chapter 6 Health & Sanitation Smoking Regulations to Add Electronic Smoking Devices (ESDs – vaping) – The amendment will add a definition of ESDs and require posting of signs, along with the traditional cigarette icon, for every public place and place of employment where smoking is currently prohibited.  Our ordinance already had the age of 21 years to sell tobacco products and no change is needed. A fine from $25-$200 may be assessed for any business not displaying this new sign, 90 days after final council approval. The consensus from Council was to place this agenda item on the March 4^th consent agenda for final approval.

Council Authorized the City Manager to Expend $17,500 for Maintenance of Zarzamora Creek from the Stormwater and Economic Development Funds – This area is consistently overgrown and trashed out. There are 15 businesses in the area who provide sales tax to the city and have complained that this area impacts their businesses because of its unsightly mess.  The legal owner of the creek is a corporation which is no longer in business and has been unresponsive to the city’s certified mail letters to clean up the area. The economic development director stated the city has a duty to maintain the waterway under our stormwater permit and this is also a best practice to keep a waterway clean/flowing. The city has been cutting this area two times per year. The request for $17,500 will cover between 9-11 mowings, as needed, lasting between 18-24 months. Other area businesses have expressed willingness to support this program with additional funds for creek cleanup. The council unanimously authorized the city manager to expend these funds for maintenance of Zarzamora Creek since it serves a public purpose.

       Our next city council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 4^th beginning at 6:00 p.m, rather than 6:30 p.m., due to an executive session.

FOLLOWING UP

May 3^rd City Council Elections: Congratulations to Mayor Pro

Tem Philip Campos, Place 3 and Beth Mursch, Place 5. Both were elected without opposition in the May 3^rd city election. Beth is the Chair of Earthwise Living Committee and alternate member of the Planning & Zoning Commission.  In Place 1, incumbent Benny Martinez will face Danielle Bolton, who serves on the Park Commission and Board of Directors for the Leon Valley Historical Society.  Last day to register to vote is April 3^rd  and the last day to request a mail in ballot is April 22, 2025.

Brush Pick Up begins on Monday, February 24^th at 7 a.m. There is a limit of 8 cubic yards, which equates to 6ft x12 ft x 3 ft. If you are over this limit, you may be charged extra by Tiger. Together we can keep Leon Valley clean and beautiful!

Have a wonderful weekend! Stay warm.  Do not hesitate to call or email with any questions or concerns. 

Sincerely, Chris

mayorriley@leonvalleytexas.gov; (210) 618-2092