A Message From Mayor Chris Riley

LETTER TO LEON VALLEY CITIZENS 

From Mayor Chris Riley  

April 24, 2026 

 CITY COUNCIL MEETING –April 21, 2026 

The following are highlights of council actions from the April 21st council meeting which began at 6:00 p.m. and ended at 9:10 p.m. 

PRESENTATIONS 

Presentation of a Proclamation in Recognition of Jimmy Wells, Leon Valley Police Department, for 40 years of Service! Jimmy began his tenure in Leon Valley in 1985 and was promoted to the rank of Detective in 1997.  He has exemplified the highest standards of professionalism, integrity and public service while serving as a Detective, as well as responsibly managing the Leon Valley Police Department Impound Lot.

Recognition and Badge Pinning of Newly Hired Leon Valley Police Officers Guillen, Mendez, Reyna, Nunez and Faulks- Assistant Police Chief Brian Sullivan introduced the new hires and gave the badge to a family member to pin on their uniform. These officers represent the future of our department and they have accepted the responsibility to serve with integrity, courage and professionalism.  Thank you to these and all the LVPD officers who keep our community safe!

Presentation and Discussion of the Monthly Financial Report ending March 31, 2026 -  Carol Goering, Finance Director summarized the financial status of the city.  We are six months into the FY 25-26 budget and revenues and expenditures are tracking appropriately. For more information, view the meeting on YouTube or review the council packet for the April 21^st meeting.

Presentation, Discussion and Action on a Multiple-Use Agreement with TXDOT Allowing the Installation and Operation of Automated License Plate Recognition Cameras in TXDOT’s Right-of-Way – Council approved a Resolution authorizing the Leon Valley Police Department (LVPD) to enter into this agreement with TXDOT for the installation of 13 cameras on TXDOT’s rights of way. Last year, the LVPD was awarded a grant of $49,950 for one year of the camera service from the Office of the Attorney General. The cameras are an investigative tool to help identify suspects by license plate.

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Discussion and Direction to Staff Regarding the Frequency of Citywide Garage Sales – The question came up from the neighborhood after the March city-wide garage sale whether the city could sponsor two city-wide garage sales, one in the spring and one in the fall.  The council  agreed to add an additional city-wide garage sale (no permit fees).  The ordinance will be amended to reflect this change.  There is a limit of 4 total garage sales per year, per household.  Additionally, the council will amend  the ordinance to charge a $5 permit fee for the other two sales.  The budget will increase from $200 to $400 for the advertising of the city-wide garage sale in the Express News. The change in this ordinance will be on the May 5^th council meeting for the first reading.

REGULAR AGENDA 

Discussion and Action on an Application for a BYOB permit for Staging Post, located at 6150 Wurzbach Road – Staging Post, which recently opened, reminds me of an indoor flea market.  Individuals rent spaces and sell their wares.  The owners would like to expand the offerings to the public by hosting classes, like painting or crafts, to interested persons, and they wanted participants to be able to bring their own libations. This BYOB permit application is good for 90 days only and to continue must reapply for another 90 days.  The maximum renewals for a BYOB permit is 4 after the initial permit is granted.  The applicant has met all the requirements needed and the planning and zoning director approved the application.  Council unanimously agreed to issue a BYOB permit to Staging Post.

Discussion and Direction to Staff on the July 4^th 250th Celebration -The day will start with the Leon Valley Historical Society Pioneer Run at 7:30 am along the Huebner Creek Greenway, at Crystal Hills Park on Shadow Mist Drive. From 9:30 am – 12:30 pm, following the run, the activities will move to Veterans Park and the Community Center area for speeches, presentation of the colors, pledge of allegiance, reading of the Declaration of Independence by Tom Jackson, Flag Raising and National Anthem ceremony, ending with Moment of Reflection:  250 Year’s

 of Freedom. There will be children’s activities (balloon artist, face painting, inflatable interactive games), food vendors, and music by DJ’s. Council discussed decorating the city with flags and/or a city wide decorating contest with an incentive to win a HEB gift card. A raffle to give away HEB gift cards was also discussed as a way of enticing more citizen participation. The police chief and staff reports that weighted barriers (which are safety measures) will need to be added to the budget. Staff will come back on May 5^th with a proposed final agenda and budget for the 4^th of July, based on tonight’s discussion.

Presentation, Discussion and Possible Action on a Request for a Variance to the Leon Valley Tree Ordinance to Allow Removal of 6 heritage trees, 3 medium trees and 6 large trees, and requested the fee be reduced from $18,800 to $3,000 in tree mitigation fees on the property at 5307 Wurzbach Road. After a lengthy discussion, which included a motion to deny both the variance and reduced fee, the city manager requested the council move to executive session for consultation with the city attorney.  Returning from executive session, Council moved to table this item and requested the staff to work with the applicant and bring back this item at a future date.

Presentation and Discussion on an Ordinance Authorizing a Budget Adjustment for the FY 2025-2026 to the General Fund Budget in the amount of $49,950 for the purpose of providing funding of the safety camera program funded through a grant from the Attorney General’s office. The Council directed staff to place this agenda topic in the Consent Agenda for approval on the May 5^th council meeting.

Presentation and Discussion on an Ordinance Authorizing a Budget Adjustment from the Enterprise Fund Reserve, in the amount of $612,334 for the Castle Estates Neighborhood Sewer Main (CDBG grant) and to award the contract to the lowest qualified bidder, Sovrex, LLC- Council agreed with this action and requested this agenda item be placed in the Consent Agenda on the May 5^th council meeting for final approval.

Discussion on an Ordinance Authorizing the City Manager to Enter into a Development Agreement between the City of Leon Valley and developer RC Bandaru for the sale of .552 acres of land, known as the Silo Property on Huebner Road– The draft agreement  was reviewed in executive session with the city attorney.  After returning into open session, a motion was made to table this agenda item for city manager to discuss with the developer the following points to be changed in the draft agreement; a) increase the term of the development agreement from 20 to 50 years; b) the City will bear the costs to obtain a survey of the fenced in area around the silos, so the city would be able to claw back the property, if needed in the future; c) maintain permanent access to the easement on the property. Council requested this be placed on the May 5^th council agenda for further discussion. 

     The next City Council meeting is on Tuesday, May 5^th at 6:30 p.m. Join the Council, the Planning and Zoning Commission, and a consultant from Ardurra Engineering, for the kickoff meeting to amend the Master Plan for the City of Leon Valley, at 5:30 pm in the Council Chambers.

       UPCOMING EVENTS 

Saturday April 25^th – Coffee with the Mayor and Council at the Conference Center from 9-11 am.  In addition to Citizens to Be Heard, there will be presentations on the Proposed Capital Plans for FY 2027 by City Manager Caldera; Water Capacity and Conservation:  Current Status and Future Outlook by Public Works Director Dimiline; and reviewing an online survey for citizens to fill out prioritizing their top budget items to fund for FY 2027. A light breakfast will be served.

April 25-28^th – Early Voting Continues for the May 2^nd City Election at the Conference Center.

April 28^th – Joint Special City Council and Planning and Zoning Commission meeting, 7 pm in Council Chambers. A discussion will occur on updating and amending Chapter 15 Zoning, Permitted Use Tables.  An additional public hearing on amending a PD Planned Development District with R-3 Multiple Family Dwelling Base to a PD Development District with R-6 Garden House Base Zoning will also be discussed.

The recent rains we received were such a welcome relief to the 7-year drought we have been experiencing! Enjoy the rest of the Fiesta events.

Please do not hesitate to call me or any of the councilors is we can assist you in any manner. 

Sincerely, Chris  

(210) 618-2092 (cell);  

mayorriley@leonvalleytexas.gov