City Council

MINUTES REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING RONALD C. BOWMAN CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS 447 North Main Street Boerne, TX 78006 APRIL 22, 2025 – 6:00 PM Minutes of the Regular Called City Council Meeting of April 22, 2025. Present: 6- Mayor Frank Ritchie, Mayor Pro Tem Ty Wolosin, Council Member Sharon D. Wright, Council Member Quinten Scott, Council Member Bret A. Bunker, and Council Member Joseph Macaluso Staff Present: Ben Thatcher, Ryan Bass, Jeff Carroll, Lori Carroll, Nathan Crane, Maria Garcia, Mike Mann, Mick McKamie, Mike Raute, Chris Shadrock, Kristy Stark, Chastity Valdes, and Danny Zincke. Registered/Recognized Guests: Joe Bateman and Susan Friar 1. CALL TO ORDER – 6:00 PM Mayor Ritchie called the City Council Meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Mayor Ritchie provided the Invocation and led the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States Flag and to the Texas Flag. 2. CONFLICTS OF INTEREST No conflicts were declared. 3. PUBLIC COMMENTS: No comments were received. City of Boerne Page 1 City Council Official Meeting Minutes April 22, 2025 4. CONSENT AGENDA: A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER MACALUSO, SECONDED BY MAYOR PRO TEM WOLOSIN, TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED. THE MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: Yeah: 5 - Mayor Pro Tem Wolosin, Council Member Wright, Council Member Scott, Council Member Bunker, and Council Member Macaluso A. CONSIDER THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR CALLED CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF APRIL 8, 2025. THE MINUTES WERE APPROVED. REGULAR AGENDA: 5. RESOLUTIONS: A. RECEIVE BIDS AND CONSIDER RESOLUTION 2025-R26; A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF BOERNE, TEXAS, AWARDING THE CONTRACT FOR CITY OF BOERNE MOWING FY 2025 TO ______________ FOR AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $____; AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO MANAGE AND EXECUTE THE RELATED CONTRACT WITH A NOT TO EXCEED TOTAL CONSTRUCTION COST OF $_____. Mayor Ritchie called on Jeff Carroll, Engineering and Mobility Director, to present the proposed mowing contract. Director Carroll explained the City began contracting mowing services in 2022 to allow the Street Department to focus on street work. The proposed contract would increase mowing frequency, includes optional auto-renewal, and preserves wildflowers until after Father’s Day. Four bids were received, with the low bidder's references checking out positively. The contract amount is within the $192,879.00 budget. It is staff's recommendation to increase the scope of work up to 15% which equals $113,500.20 to include more mowings or additional areas not originally covered. Discussion ensued regarding the mowing quality of TxDOT, concerns with renewal language, parks and streets crews will respond to complaints, and absence of local bidders. City of Boerne Page 2 City Council Official Meeting Minutes April 22, 2025 A MOTION WAS MADE BY MAYOR PRO TEM WOLOSIN, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER MACALUSO, TO RECEIVE BIDS AND APPROVE RESOLUTION 2025-R26; A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF BOERNE, TEXAS, AWARDING THE CONTRACT FOR CITY OF BOERNE MOWING FY 2025 TO BRIGHTVIEW LANDSCAPE SERVICES FOR AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $98,696.00; AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO MANAGE AND EXECUTE THE RELATED CONTRACT WITH A NOT TO EXCEED TOTAL CONSTRUCTION COST OF $13,501.00. THE MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: Yeah: 5 - Mayor Pro Tem Wolosin, Council Member Wright, Council Member Scott, Council Member Bunker, and Council Member Macaluso 6. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT: Mayor Ritchie called on City Manager Ben Thatcher. A. WATER CONSERVATION UPDATE. City Manager Thatcher asked Ryan Bass, Environmental Program Manager to provide an update on the city's three active rebate opportunities and current participation levels. These programs have been promoted through social media, digital outreach, workshops, and training sessions. Two additional workshops are scheduled for this week. He also announced plans to launch a turf grass reduction rebate later this year. Discussion continued regarding exploring HVAC capture opportunities, implementing xeriscaping between curb and sidewalks to support conservation. City Manager Thatcher expressed appreciation for the program's success and outreach efforts. City Manager Thatcher asked Utilities Director Mike Mann to provide an overview of the city’s conservation strategies and drought response efforts. He noted that TCEQ requires all utilities to maintain a drought contingency plan and outlined the city's four-stage drought restriction framework, comparing it to those of other entities. He also presented 2024 annual water demand data, peak day demand, and typical production volumes, and discussed the enforcement process for addressing watering violations. Discussion continued City of Boerne Page 3 City Council Official Meeting Minutes April 22, 2025 regarding the low water levels at Canyon Lake and carbon filtration system and reverse osmosis. B. UPDATE ON THE 89th LEGISLATIVE SESSION. City Manager Thatcher asked Assistant City Manager Kristy Stark to provide an update on the 89th Legislative Session. She noted that nearly 9,000 bills have been filed this session, which is scheduled to conclude on June 2. The Governor retains the authority to veto legislation following the end of the session. C. MONTHLY PROJECTS REPORT. City Manager Thatcher provided an update on various city projects. 7. COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL – No discussion or action may take place. Mayor Pro Tem Wolosin reminded everyone that early voting began today and emphasized the importance of voting. 8. EXECUTIVE SESSION IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE: Mayor Ritchie convened the City Council into Executive Session at 6:52 p.m. A. SECTION 551.071 - CONSULTATION WITH CITY ATTORNEY; CONDEMNATION. No action was taken. 9. RECONVENE INTO OPEN SESSION AND TAKE ANY NECESSARY ACTION RELATING TO THE EXECUTIVE SESSION AS DESCRIBED ABOVE. Mayor Ritchie reconvened the City Council into Open Session at 7:27 p.m. No action was taken. City of Boerne Page 4 City Council Official Meeting Minutes April 22, 2025 10. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Ritchie adjourned the City Council Meeting at 7:27 p.m. Approved: ___________________________ Mayor Attest: _______________________________ City Secretary City of Boerne Page 5