A Message From Mayor Chris Riley

LETTER TO LEON VALLEY CITIZENS 

From Mayor Chris Riley  

September 4, 2026 

  VOTER SUSPENSE ALERT!

    City Secretary Saundra Passailaigue alerted me this week that my voter registration was suspended!  I was shocked to learn that I and 1,126 other Leon Valley registered voters in our city were on suspended status. How did this happen? In order to put a voters’ registration on suspense, the County elections administrator, Michele Carew, must have “ a reason to believe that voter’s current residence address is different from that indicated on the registration records.” This is 14.6 % of Leon Valley registered voters!  I have not changed my address in 48 years, nor have I failed to respond to a confirmation notice. Furthermore, I have voted in every election.  There is clearly a mistake in my case; how many other errors have been made?

     According to Ms. Carew, voters in suspense category “must complete a Statement of Residence (SOR) before being allowed to vote on a regular ballot.” I have sent a letter to the Bexar County Election Board for some action on this critical matter, with no response to date. There are 1.2 million voters statewide who are currently on the suspense list.

     What can you do?  Call our city secretary at (210) 812-3316  or go to votetexas.gov to confirm your voter status.  To be safe, I am going to fill out a voter registration card before the October 5^th deadline to register to vote for the November 3^rd election.  Tuesday, September 15^th is National Voter Registration Day.  Our city secretary will be at the Leon Valley library that day registering voters.  Voting is patriotic. The City Council has set an initiative in celebration of the 250th  anniversary of the Declaration of Independence to increase our city’s voter participation.  Thank you for your support!

CITY COUNCIL MEETING –September 1, 2026 

The following are highlights of council actions from the September 1^st   council meeting which began at 6:00 p.m. and ended at 9:41p.m. 

 PRESENTATIONS

Updated Presentation and Discussion on the use of Safety Cameras (FLOCK)  in Leon Valley -  In March, 2025, Police Chief Gonzalez gained approval with the Citizens Police Advisory Group (CPAC), and City Council to apply for a one-year $50,000 grant to install 13 license plate surveillance cameras. Public concerns over the FLOCK cameras started later in 2025 and intensified in 2026.  Chief stated these cameras are a tool and that the cameras are in place of police officers (but cheaper). Chief Gonzalez reported that he has developed policies on who can review this footage and with whom the department will share information (very limited).  It will only be provided if needed to prove a criminal case.  The police department deletes the data after 7 days now (instead of 30), unless specifically needed for a case.

      When asked who keeps the data, Chief said it is uploaded to FLOCK, but locally he sets the parameters on who has access to the data.  He is relying on FLOCK ‘s agreement to limit distribution as he instructs. If they don’t, Chief will recommend termination.  The Council has paid for an additional year of the cameras ($50,000 in the FY 26-27 crime control budget). The city can terminate the contract with 30 days notice before the end of the contract in February, 2027. Currently, the police department does not have any data concerning the effectiveness of these cameras; this data will determine whether we continue the cameras. The cameras will be used to “hunt not fish” for information.

Direction to Staff on Informational Voting Signs – Council discussed placing voting signs to inform voters of important dates for the next election and to encourage voting!  Council wanted to continue to use the signs for future elections and asked for a way specific dates could be shown on the signs pertaining to each election. The signs will inform voters of election day, and dates for voter registration, mail ballots and early voting. Council directed Staff to have 10 signs made up with specific dates on each sign that can be changed from election to election.  Staff will research costs and bring back options for council consideration. These signs will be placed strategically in the city for maximum exposure.

Adopting a Succession and Continuity Plan - Dr. Caldera presented a draft document which is a framework for staff leadership continuity, critical function coverage, knowledge transfer and employee development. All directors, including the City Manager, have a backup list of who will take their place in time of an emergency/absence, including how quickly can the function be covered if a director is unavailable. Each position was rated as critical, high or moderate in importance.  All Department Directors were rated critical; the economic development, community relations and library director were rated high. Cross training, mentoring, shadowing and stretch training (two directors covering a vacant department) are methods Dr. Caldera can use to implement this plan.  Council agreed that we should go forward with implementation.  Next steps are to update the ordinance for city manager succession. Costs related to certifications for people in the succession plan will need to be added as a budget line item. Formal adoption will follow.

Zoning for Churches and other assemblies - The Council requested a presentation on alternatives to our current zoning whereby churches are allowed by right in all districts, including residential. There are currently 36 churches in the city, which are tax exempt. This policy was a result of a lawsuit against the city under the federal statute RLUIPA (Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act) because we excluded one non-retail assembly use (Church) and allowed other assemblies along Bandera Road retail corridor. The attorney explained that the City’s exposure to liability comes from unequal treatment, but some regulation is allowed. The  Council directed the city attorney to draft an amended ordinance which is content neutral and fairly addresses items such as traffic and safety for all assemblies, including churches. City staff will incorporate all assemblies into the amended ordinance for Council consideration at a future date.

                                        REGULAR AGENDA 

Approval of an Ordinance Authorizing the City Manager to enter into a 3 year Agreement with BB Inspection Services LLC for Health Inspection Services – The former vendor spoke of his qualifications and reasons why the Council should keep him as the Health Inspector.  The City Manager reiterated this was an objective rating in which BB Inspections had the higher score between the two vendors.  The Council reduced the contract from a 5 year contract to a 3 year contract.  Upon a roll call vote, the agenda item was approved by a 3-2 vote.

Approval of a Lease Agreement between the City of Leon Valley and San Blanc, LLC, DBA Poppy’s Café – The three-year lease expires on January 1, 2027.  Staff recommended no change in the monthly rental fee of $2,200, but added an option to sublease a food truck Friday-Sunday (it will be located in the back parking lot of the building).  A change to a two-year agreement with a 1 year renewal option was recommended. The once-a-month Market Day on the first Sunday of the month will continue. Council expressed appreciation and support for the coffee shop as a great addition to our city.  Additionally, the owner of the Café is looking into renting out the facility for private parties in the future. Council unanimously approved this Lease Agreement which lease date will take effect October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2028, reflecting the fiscal year.

Discussion of an Ordinance Authorizing a Budget Adjustment in the current fiscal year of $109,704 to provide funding for the end of year budget adjustments – The fire department ($11,239), Park Department (74,372), Library Department ($11,700) and Special Events budget ($11,239) had unexpected expenditures which required this budget adjustment from the reserve fund. Council requested this item be placed for approval in the Consent Agenda at the next council meeting.

Public Hearing and Adoption of an Ordinance Approving the FY 2026-2027 Budget and Associated Capital Acquisition Plan – There was no change from the last presentation by the city manager on the proposed budget.  By a recorded vote, all council members voted in favor of the budget.  I will summarize the key points of the budget in the October-November Lions Roar edition.  If you are interested in hearing the shortened version of the budget, please go on You Tube to watch the Leon Valley City Council meeting of September 1,2026.

Public Hearing on an Ordinance Adopting the Property Tax Rate for Tax Year 2026:  Tax Rate for the Maintenance and Operations at $0.497818 and the Interest and Sinking Fund (Debt of City) at $0.047222, for a total Tax Rate of $0.545040.  Council had no questions. The second read of this agenda item will be held on September 15^th for a recorded vote.

Presentation and Discussion on an Ordinance Amending the Rules of Decorum and Conduct –At my request, I respectfully asked for Council consideration to allow a meeting start time of 5:30 pm rather than 6:30 pm, at the Mayor’s discretion.  This is rare, but gives flexibility when the agenda is particularly full. Council requested this item be placed for approval in the Consent Agenda at the next council meeting.

The next council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, September 15^th, beginning at 6:30 pm, unless otherwise noted.

                                     DID YOU KNOW?

Antojo’s Loco’s – an ice cream, drinks, candy and games venue had their grand opening on September 1^st !  They are located at 7500 Eckert Road, Suite 360.  Check it out and thank you for supporting local businesses!

September 5-7 and 12-13 – The Forest Oaks Pool is open from 12-8 pm.  Adult Lap Swim is from 10 am -noon.  Free admission on Labor Day!

September 19, 2026 – 15^th Annual Community Preparedness Workshop from 8 am to 12 noon at the City of San Antonio Emergency Operations Center (Brooks City Base) – Registration is required. Please call Ashley Carter, program coordinator at (210) 371-5807 (cell).  There is no charge to attend this excellent seminar.

On behalf of the city council and city staff, wishing everyone a Happy and safe Labor Day.  City Hall is closed, except for our dedicated emergency personnel.  Please don’t labor too much!

Sincerely, Chris  

(210) 618-2092 (cell);  

mayorriley@leonvalleytexas.gov