A Message From Mayor Chris Riley

LETTER TO LEON VALLEY CITIZENS

From Mayor Chris Riley

April 19, 2024

ANNOUNCEMENTS – UPCOMING IMPORTANT EVENTS

• Grand Opening of POPPY’s CAFÉ on Saturday, April 20^th from 9 am to 3 pm. The Café is located in the city-owned Kinman House, next door to the Leon Valley Library (6425 Evers Rd.). Welcome to the café!
• Early Voting runs from April 22 through April 30^th at the Conference Center (and other locations) for the May 4^th election.  The Leon Valley city election for Mayor, and three seats for the Bexar County Appraisal District will be on the ballot.  (Leon Valley Council Places 2 & 4 are uncontested).
• Leon Valley Job Fair – April 23^rd at the Leon Valley Community Center beginning at 9 am.  There are over 30 potential employers to meet with persons seeking employment. Thanks to Economic Director Roque Salinas for spearheading this event!
• Coffee with the Mayor and City Council  will be held on Saturday, April 27^th from 9 – 11 am at City Hall (not the Conference Center).Topic for discussion:  Bexar County 911 Dispatch.  Eddie Taylor, from 911 Dispatch Center and City Manager,  Dr. Crystal Caldera will give a presentation on the overall program.  We will also have Citizens to be Heard. Hope to see you there!
• Household Hazardous Waste Collection: Saturday, April 27^th from 8 am – 1 pm at the Leon Valley Fire Department, 6300 El Verde Rd. This drop off is for Leon Valley residents only (proof of residency is required).  There is no charge.  Acceptable items are:  Auto-Waste – Antifreeze, motor/gear oils; Batteries – lead acid, alkaline, NICAD; Cleaners – water & ammonia based, packed cleaners, loosepack; Corrosives – liquid,solid; Flammables – liquid, solids; Lights – Flourescent, Ballasts; Oxidizers, Paint, Pesticides, Electronics (t.v., computers, cell phones, etc.) and Toxic Liquids/Solids/Aerosols. This event was made possible by a grant awarded by the San Antonio River Authority, written by Crystal Miranda, Community Relations Director.
• Friday, April 26^th – City Hall offices will be closed for Fiesta!

CITY COUNCIL MEETING –April 16, 2024

The following are highlights of council actions from the April 16^th council meeting, which began at 6:30 p.m.:

PRESENTATIONS

Presentation on Amending the Leon Valley Sign Ordinance.  On December 21, 2021, the City Council removed all sign provisions from the sustainability overlay ordinance.  The Economic and Community Development committee has reviewed the remaining provisions and recommended the following changes:

1. Allow wind flags (which were prohibited), but none allowed in the right of way.

2. Add a set back requirement for new multitenant signs for public safety.

3. Add distance regulations for the use of billboard signs at Bandera and Loop 410.

The recommended sign ordinance is comparable to the sign ordinances of the cities of San Antonio, Live Oak, Cibolo, and Universal City. The second read and vote by Council will take place at the May 7^th meeting.

Presentation of the 2^nd Quarter Monthly Financial Report (Jan – March 31, 2024). The City is currently at the 50% target for the fiscal budget.

Six separate funds were reviewed by our Finance Director, Carol Goering:

General Fund – Total revenue is tracking at 61.7%.  Total expenditures are tracking at 36.3%.

Water/Sewer/Stormwater Fund – Total revenue is tracking at 19.9%.  The explanation was most of the water revenue comes during the summer months.  Total expenditures are tracking at 44.7%. 

Community Center Fund -Hotel/motel tax revenue is tracking at 17.1%, but staff noted that the 2^nd quarter revenue had not been booked yet. Total revenue is at 33.3%.  Total expenditures are tracking at 30.3%.

Economic/Community Development Fund – Sales tax revenue and interest is budgeted at $420,000 annually.  Current revenue is tracking at 35.1%. Expenditures are tracking at 27.9%.  Please note  Sales tax revenue for the fiscal year is collected through November, even though the fiscal year ends September 30^th.

Impound Lot -  Revenue collected to date tracks at 62.8% with expenditures at 46.9%.  The impound lot will be moving to Jeff Loop Drive next to the police department in the coming months.

Red Light Cameras -Total revenue budgeted for FY24, including fines, late fees and interest is $2,120,872. Revenue collected to date is $1,289,201, or 60.87% of the budget.  Expenditures are broken into two tiers: Tier One includes 6 employees salaries, supplies and contractual fees for an annual cost of $1,289,201.  Currently expenditures in this category is $1,009,436 or 53.8%. Tier Two is Traffic Safety. This includes employees, supplies and contractual fees  and is budgeted at $954,592 for this fiscal year.  Current expenditures in this fund is tracking at 29.3% or $279,260.

REGULAR AGENDA

Discussion and Action for a Request to Postpone Rezoning of Approximately 27 acres of land from R-1 Single Family Home to a Planned Development District (PDD) with R-6 Garden Home District Base Zoning at 6518 Samaritan Drive. The Planning and Zoning Commission had denied the developer’s request to rezone.  Because of high neighborhood interest, the City provided notification to more citizens and conducted an extra public hearing. This land is zoned R-1 in the City’s Master plan.  Citizens who spoke or wrote to council opposed this change, but supported R-1, single family homes (less dense than R-6). The developer requested a postponement because his plan lacked the rough proportionality costs which he would be responsible for. (streets, water, sewer).

     The developer expressed to the council that he had listened to the citizens and wanted to bring back a new compromise development  plan for 7,000 sq. ft. lots rather than 4600 sq ft. lots (R-6), but less than 8400 sq ft. lots ( R-1 single family lots). Council did receive legal advice from the city attorney in closed session.  Council again heard from the citizens who overwhelmingly opposed the postponement request.  If the postponement was denied by council, the developer would be required to wait 6 months before submitting another proposal to the zoning commission. The council, by a 3-2 vote, approved the postponement, with the requirement that the developer start the zoning process from the beginning,  However, he does not have to wait 6 months to resubmit his proposal. When this issue will be heard by the Zoning Commission and City Council is unknown at this time, but will be communicated as soon as a date is certain.

        Our next city council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 7, 2024 at 6:30 p.m. at city hall.

      Wishing everyone a safe, fun and Happy Fiesta!  If you’d like a Fiesta medal from the city, please let me know since.  Please do not hesitate to call me or any councilmember if we can assist.  It is an honor and privilege.

Sincerely, Chris

(210) 618-2092 

mayorriley@leonvalleytexas.gov