A Message From Mayor Chris Riley

LETTER TO LEON VALLEY CITIZENS

From Mayor Chris Riley

December 5, 2025

                           THE GOINGS ON IN LEON VALLEY   

Saturday, December 6^th – Breakfast with Santa, from 9:00 am to 11:30 am in the Leon Valley Community Center.  This is a wonderful event with food, music, balloon artist, visiting with Santa and a silent auction.  All proceeds benefit the Leon Valley Friends of the Library. Hope you can come!

Sunday, December 7^th – Cowboy Christmas on the grounds of the Huebner-Onion Homestead, from 2 – 5 p.m. located at  6613 Bandera Rd. Parking is available at City Hall, 6400 El Verde Road. Free Admission with Games, Tamales and Apple Cider (while supplies last), Carolers, Door Prizes and Pictures with the GRINCH!  Please bring an unwrapped gift to donate to the Blue Santa Program. Hope to see you there!

Saturday, December 13^th Huebner Creek Greenway Trail Canopy Expansion at 5601 El Verde Rd from 8:30 to 11:30 am. This is a partnership with Bexar Branches Alliance and the City of Leon Valley to plant an additional 100 trees along the Hike & Bike trail.  Volunteers are needed.  You can sign up at  bexar branches alliance.com/event. Funding support is from Arbor Day Foundation and International Paper. The City of Leon Valley is committed to watering the new trees until they become established. This will help our city continue to meet its goal of planting 10,000 trees!

Monday, December 15 – 19^th – Leon Valley Fire Department Santa Run, 6 pm to 8 pm in Leon Valley neighborhoods.

Blue Santa Program (on going through December 19^th) was created by the Leon Valley Police Department to assist families in need this holiday season.  Your donation (monetary or unwrapped toy) will provide children with Christmas gifts that they would otherwise not get. For further information, contact Blue Santa at bluesanta@leonvalleytexas.gov or scan the QR Code listed in today’s ENEWS.

                        CITY COUNCIL MEETING –December 2, 2025

          The following are highlights of council actions from the December 2, 2025 council meeting which began at 6:30 p.m. and ended at 8:06 p.m.

PRESENTATIONS

Veteran’s Memorial Park Enhancement Options at the Community & Conference Center area – The City Council budgeted $20,000 towards enhancing an area dedicated to our veterans in Leon Valley.  A Leon Valley monument designating the six emblems of the branches of the military on a monument sign was presented to Council, for an estimated cost of $17,800, including a bench.  The Council requested the Park Commission to review this proposal and make a recommendation for placement, since they have given input over the years.  Staff will obtain the dimensions of the sign for the best placement. This project has been discussed over the last several years and it was a priority of the Council to get it completed to honor our veterans.

                                       REGULAR AGENDA

Discussion on an Ordinance Amending Chapter 15 “Zoning” Planned Development District (PDD) - This was discussed at the October 21^st meeting whereby the city manager presented a set of PDD Criteria with points associated for each element listed and asked for council input. There were 5 Criteria listed:  Open Space & Environment, Community Benefit, Mobility & Connectivity, Urban Design and Quality and Sustainability A minimum of 70 points was necessary in order for a developer to meet the threshold for PDD approval. A PDD provides flexibility to a subdivision site which is a “superior” development. Council was asked to review the proposed criteria and send in any changes.  The Council reviewed the spreadsheet the manager prepared reflecting input from the mayor and Councilors Campos and Mursch.  We were able to come to a consensus on the point system value of each Criteria.  The PDD ordinance changes suggested by the three members of Council were noted and will be reviewed at the December 16^th council meeting. The manager will send the council an updated Criteria Worksheet as well as the suggested changes to the PDD ordinance in preparation for the December 16^th meeting.  Council asked if a water usage requirement could be included in the ordinance.  The city does impose impact fees, which addresses water usage, but this issue will be discussed at the next meeting.

Council heard a citizen’s request from City Secretary Passailaigue to waive $41 for an open record request (body camera video).  After discussion, the Council denied the request.

Discussion to Provide a Fee Waiver for use of the Community or Conference Center if an employee had been employed for 25+ years with the City– the City Manager proposed giving the long termed employee one fee waiver for either center, however they want to use it. Council approved as presented, with the option to allow employee recognition to also be exempt from any fee allocation.

       The next City Council meeting is on Tuesday, December 16^th at 6:30 pm.

        JUST A REMINDER: City Hall offices will be closed December 24^th through January 1^st  for Christmas, Winter Break and New Years Day.  The Library will be closed December 24 – 26^th, but will re-open on December 27^th.  They will be closed on New Years Day.

         Our dedicated police and fire departments will be open 24/7 during the holidays to help keep our city safe.  The January 6^th, 2026 Council meeting has been cancelled.

        The Council and I are here to serve you. Please do not hesitate to contact us if we can help in any way. Please stay safe during this holiday season.

Sincerely, Chris

(210) 618-2092 (cell)

mayorriley@leonvalleytexas.gov