A Message From Mayor Chris Riley

LETTER TO LEON VALLEY CITIZENS

From Mayor Chris Riley

 April 4, 2025

CITY COUNCIL MEETING –April 1, 2025

      The following are highlights of council actions from the April 1, 2025    council meeting which began at 6:30 p.m.

Discussion and Direction to Staff on Increasing Water and Sewer Rates: The Council received additional information regarding changing Leon Valley’s water/sewer tier structure to SAWS’ tier structure.  This change would increase the revenue to begin repairing the City’s 50 year old water and sewer pipes. Staff also reports that historically the first 1,000 gallons of sewer has never been charged to the Leon Valley customer (no reason given), but staff now recommends we charge for this service.

     The numbers presented by the consultant to raise $1 million per year for 5 years to begin to address the needed repairs is a flat 2% increase on the base rate (up to 4,000 gallons) and 6.6% increase on usage charge rates annually after first year tier adjustments. Based on a customer’s 5,000 gallon per month usage, the existing rate ($76.08) would increase in year 1 by 4% to $79.32 and in year 5 by 26% to $95.67.

      The consultant stated it was difficult to compare SAWS’ rate structure because it is not a straight comparison.  Council expressed the goal to keep the rate increases reasonable, while raising the needed revenue. A Councilmember expressed concern that some Leon Valley water customers would pay more than SAWS customers. A discussion on possibly selling the water company revealed that the City had an offer to purchase the Leon Valley water company for $12 million many years ago.  This would have required a vote by the citizens and staff said the new company would have raised rates and the city would lose control. The Public Works Director suggested Council re-visit this rate structure in two years after assessing the financial impact the new homes being built in our city will have on the potential revenue of the water company.

        A motion was made to increase water and sewer rates for the next two years and then to revisit rates to assess the impact which the new homes’ additional revenue will add to the water/sewer fund. The vote was 3 ayes and 2 nays. Ms. Moritz will present Council with an Ordinance at the next meeting, requiring two reads.

REGULAR AGENDA

Council Approved an In-Kind Grant to the John Marshall High School Orchestra Band for the use of the Conference Center for their annual banquet.  The grant included waiving rental and deposit fees, with the school covering the cost of cleanup and security.

Council Approved Amending a Subdivision Plat for an Addition to the Home and Granted a Sidewalk Variance in the Linkwood subdivision. Council approved amending the plat which combines the property into one lot. The Council also approved the variance to not require the homeowner to add a sidewalk on two sides of his corner lot. The applicant is able to connect to his neighbor’s sidewalk on the front of this property, but unable to continue the sidewalk due to a slope (needs a retaining wall) and cost, which he stated was a hardship.

Discussion to Rezone 6.8 acres of land on Sawyer Road from R-1 Single Family To a Planned Development District (PDD) with R-3 Multiple Family Zoning – This request by One-Stop Group, LP is to build a 145-165 unit condominium development exiting onto Sawyer Road, which is one of the last remaining rural-like settings in Leon Valley. The applicant is requesting six variances, which means he wants Council not to require compliance with six provisions of the city development code.  Examples are increasing the development from 3 stories (allowed) to 4 stories (needs a variance) and decreasing minimum off-street parking spaces from two per unit (required by code) to one and half.

      Staff and the City Engineer expressed concerns with the proposed development.  Moreover, 13 residents from Sawyer Road and Old Mill subdivision expressed multiple concerns over the development, ranging from safety (ingress/egress onto Sawyer Road along a curve); drainage; increased traffic (with an estimated 300 cars exiting the development and driving down Millstream to Huebner Road to get onto Bandera Road); and not enough parking, causing cars to park along Sawyer Road, which is narrow and partially undeveloped.

       Many citizens who spoke did not get notice of this development (only homes/businesses within 200 feet of the proposed development received notice).  The Planning and Zoning Commission previously voted 5-2 to deny the zoning and variance requests. Councilor Orozco asked the developer to meet with the citizens and come up with a compromise. A public hearing and possible action by Council will take place at the April 15^th meeting.

Discussion to Change Zoning from a Planned Development District

with B-3 Commercial District and no Sustainability Zoning to a

Planned Development District (PDD) with R-3 Multiple Family Base

Zoning on 2.85 acres on Poss Road – The same developer as on the

Sawyer Road proposed development, One-Stop Group, LP,  is requesting

approval to build a 145 unit apartment complex (no more than 155 units) on

Poss Road between Bandera and Grissom roads. 

The developer is requesting 8 variances including landscaping

reductions, parking reductions, floor space reduction, increasing to 4

stories instead of three,  and reducing minimum setbacks between

buildings.  Unlike the Sawyer Road development, this apartment complex is

located in a business district. There were concerns expressed by a local

business owner regarding safety along Poss Road, which has curves and

many 18 wheelers delivering to the businesses in the area. The Planning

and Zoning Commission recommended approval of the zoning change by a

vote of 7-0.  A public hearing will be held at the April 15^th meeting with

possible action by Council.

Council Unanimously Approved Authorizing the City Manager to enter into an MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) with the City of Converse to provide vaccination and Veterinary Services – The city impounded 41 dogs last year.  This MOU will enable our City to vaccinate and spay/neuter impounded dogs through the City of Converse’s animal clinic at much lower rates than a private veterinary.  Providing this service will make it easier to adopt the dog out.  The estimated cost for these services is $7,000 annually.

Council Unanimously Approved Authorizing the City Manager to Enter into a MOU (Memorandum of Understanding ) with San Antonio Pets Alive (SAPA) to Intake Dogs from the City of Leon Valley – Leon Valley lacks a dedicated animal shelter and there are no plans to construct one, so this is an alternative for managing impounded animals. The city is required by state law to hold a dog for 72 hours to try and locate the owner. After the 72 hours, the city has the following options:  return to owner, board the animal (City pays), try and adopt or foster the animal to a loving family. The very last option is to euthanize. For a one-year term, SAPA, a non-profit, will not serve as the city’s primary animal care facility, but as a temporary short-term solution. SAPA agrees to accept up to 25 dogs per year from the City. The city will not accept surrendered, ill or injured dogs from individuals.  When possible, staff will pursue prosecution for dog abandonment.. The City  agrees to pay SAPA a flat fee of $10,000 annually and will be split between fiscal years 2024 and 2025. Either party may terminate the contract with a 30 day notice

Our next city council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 15^th, 2025 beginning at 6:30 pm at city hall.

Please remember the Leon Valley Library is closed for remodeling and will reopen on Tuesday, April 8^th.

The rain we received last week was a welcome relief – but we need more!  We have a good chance of rain on Friday and Saturday. Keep safe!

Please do not hesitate to contact me or any councilmember if we can assist you in any way. We are here to serve you.

Sincerely, Chris

(210) 618-2092