[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6244926,"mediaKeyId","3228322-80c9ccd5cf644cc481f9c528186916da","parentId",3228322,"title","Council holds first reading, public hearing on adding bail-bond facilities to zoning code; action set for May 20","audioSeconds",838,"startMs",4437000,"endMs",5275000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3228322-80c9ccd5cf644cc481f9c528186916da&start=4437&end=5275","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3228322-80c9ccd5cf644cc481f9c528186916da/thumbnail_4437000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6244926/Leon-Valley/Bexar-County/Texas/Council-holds-first-reading-public-hearing-on-adding-bail-bond-facilities-to-zoning-code-action-set-for-May-20","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6244926-0022de3502ea13369397ea47b26ef236/orig.mp4?Expires=1773583852&Signature=nUKmGVW1bPlxB-WfJ03oH5HDRwZhLF9L7zm30Bf1ZBhWe5VRxleMArIfytYHClnxABwK0Kegp1G2UE7-NQ~T8BA8o9ANIZllSlNBNQZrN1OAaGEGUr6AYYVNRclj4gakpgI2T~rBIWFEIWkrgnzQvefzMeopmjReS8GD2UDf6ll2nUi1Njvkv8enTIHcUW2CudZOxOiQDt5syHgH9eqKQ58SXxv0t1PVTMS9wFSJuJDBeI66vBAPXWhIvbqxKHRh-cyOho-H9c8P2F0O4jQVIgBYPWuLgeJ9WU7MRUDpl1V8E8aBwnblVa7uXmu9hdwibfLbNAxGunFT034n085Kbw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Leon Valley, TX","date","2025-05-07T06:05:13Z","article","The City Council on May 6 conducted a first reading and public hearing on an amendment to the zoning ordinance to include a defined \"bail bond facility\" use and assign zoning districts where the use would be allowed. No final action was taken; the item will return to the council on May 20 for further consideration.

Planning and Zoning Director Susanna Huerta explained that the proposed definition describes a bail bond facility as \"a business that provides bail services ... posts a bond with the courts guaranteeing a defendant will appear for scheduled court dates\" and that Texas licensing for bail-bond agents is governed by the occupations code referenced during the presentation. Staff recommended that a bail-bond facility require a Specific Use Permit (SUP) in B2 Retail zoning and be permitted by right in B3 Commercial and I1 Industrial districts. The Planning & Zoning Commission recommended approval 5–1.

At the public hearing several residents urged denial or said they preferred such businesses locate in commercial/industrial areas rather than B2 retail zones that typically generate sales tax. One resident noted existing activity near the downtown/comal corridor where bail-bond offices already cluster and said such uses can bring occasional disturbances; the applicant described local business and community contributions and said he would not necessarily operate 24 hours and would follow safety and operational requirements.

Outcome: Item heard and public hearing closed; council directed staff to place the matter on the May 20 regular agenda for final action and to allow incoming council members an opportunity to consider the request.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Regular Meeting 5/6/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The council held a first reading and public hearing May 6 on a proposed zoning amendment to define and place \"bail bond facility\" in the zoning table; Planning staff recommended allowing the use by SUP in B2 and by right in B3 and I1, and the item was continued for final action on May 20.","taxTitle","Leon Valley, Bexar County, Texas","taxId",69409,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6244940,"Council grants variance to remove heritage trees at 5305 Wurzbach, negotiates mitigation payment",351,5287000,5638000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3228322-80c9ccd5cf644cc481f9c528186916da&start=5287&end=5638","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3228322-80c9ccd5cf644cc481f9c528186916da/thumbnail_5287000.jpg","/articles/6244940/Leon-Valley/Bexar-County/Texas/Council-grants-variance-to-remove-heritage-trees-at-5305-Wurzbach-negotiates-mitigation-payment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6244940-6dafae01113bcfb32d3b7566f47ad611/orig.mp4?Expires=1773583852&Signature=gFrAS7hZnM9NDqch0IKwWNAgpjYJd8Taan~-flyl3cf1NcpAL5omGFA0xeW3BeQiJb8H2qiwKVmVXLTGgL9O8m24jVZCGFvIgVXYfaW~7hmQLhu8PTJisaZA8Wyv4E~WJHgCAISfXK~HnuKmxqc~Cy80oZvzKTBwqsyfwzH9vY9M~mcG8xkcbmpX4HWP6nloHDjSY35mfn2nlurq2s4KrC8vOnAXDY52QnngOz9xX0iNacq5L81R~ZyWrkMk2SZRHCX~24NnB4KQ5zpmAMF0fIg1I~G~RennBQT7S1oFe~x2xAWea3XXfC4ebBzfrxn7dpseknlMBx8wpNEbAl~TlQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Council on May 6 approved a variance to the tree preservation ordinance allowing the removal of three heritage trees and one large tree at 5305 Wurzbach Road, with a negotiated mitigation payment instead of the full fee-in-lieu.

Planning staff said the 1.43-acre lot is L-shaped and the trees slated for removal are in the building footprint or the proposed parking expansion. The applicant proposed retaining roughly 70% of the site’s existing trees and asked the council to reduce the fee-in-lieu from $10,600 to $1,500 because the physical tree removal and site clearing would itself cost roughly $10,000, the applicant said.

Council members said they value mature canopy but also noted the applicant’s plan to expand a Leon Valley business and the potential for new tenants to generate sales tax and property tax revenue. After discussion, Councilor Roscoe proposed a compromise to split the mitigation amount; Councilor Heil seconded. The council approved the variance and the adjusted mitigation payment, which the motion set at $5,300 (split between the city and the applicant per council motion).

Staff noted that the mitigation fee will be paid into the city’s tree mitigation fund, a restricted account used for tree planting at approved sites in Leon Valley. Staff recommended approval because the lot’s configuration makes it difficult to preserve all trees while accommodating the proposed building expansion.

Outcome: Council approved the variance and set the fee-in-lieu at $5,300 after a motion by Councilor Roscoe and a second by Councilor Heil; the motion carried (recorded as carried in the meeting transcript). The applicant will proceed with development per the approved site plan and the city will receive the revised mitigation payment for the tree-mitigation fund.

","The City Council on May 6 approved a variance to allow removal of three heritage trees and one large tree on a 1.43-acre site at 5305 Wurzbach Road and negotiated a reduced mitigation payment to support development.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6244944,"Leon Valley council approves water-rate hike, agrees to revisit in two years",930,2473000,3403000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3228322-80c9ccd5cf644cc481f9c528186916da&start=2473&end=3403","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3228322-80c9ccd5cf644cc481f9c528186916da/thumbnail_2473000.jpg","/articles/6244944/Leon-Valley/Bexar-County/Texas/Leon-Valley-council-approves-water-rate-hike-agrees-to-revisit-in-two-years","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6244944-9e00e63b6942f7b8e3a4e3548a5c84b0/orig.mp4?Expires=1773583852&Signature=MmM7nGS0M4avd-ayenAQvm26DDINmBxZXUyi2H8lcJW-39HAA0JhR4q67c5UC-rQTQ0BXK3MKNel1Kfcy3TJJuAYcR2pYrfIDex9ntVtR26vc5uN1~iyBZt1IU4FCf76NqAo9aH7BA2w3t61sCfg8bJlvnFu6Bq8qsevlLFE34XKyKpLrttcRJ1zKjlpDdDGMUKUMTxqUsOyRJNm0pv8qeIF0Tuv4WsLv59lgA-eImPix3z6Gy7XNi~JIBs5-A8BLheCit~bUe8n9j3MSofCaU5OGXouTgZTqaGWEJRbxKfH~tRVR126UqFjYxVd5Wgqr7biaUc6ZuVUvCKqGU6vvA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Leon Valley City Council on May 6 approved an ordinance to raise water and sewer rates and revise usage tiers, citing aging pipes and sewer failures that staff says require capital investment.

Council members said the increases are intended to fund a multi-year infrastructure program; the ordinance passed on a 3-2 vote with a commitment to revisit the rate changes in two years.

Public works staff and city leaders told council members that many elements of the city’s water and sewer system are decades old, with visible evidence of leaks and raw sewage entering the ground. City staff presented a prioritized list of water and sewer projects and said the original plan contemplated borrowing up to $10 million to address the most urgent work, though staff said the amount could be reduced if council prefers.

Council discussion centered on fairness to customers served by the city’s utility system compared with customers served by the San Antonio Water System, and on past uses of the city’s water fund. Councilor Benny Martinez, who made the motion to adopt the ordinance, said residents on Leon Valley water are already paying substantially more than neighbors on SAWS and expressed concern about past transfers from the water fund; Martinez said he wanted transparency and a firm two-year reassessment timeline. Public works staff and the city manager said the city has limited options short of borrowing or cutting other services, and that planned borrowing levels could be reduced if council chooses.

The ordinance is an amendment to the Leon Valley Code of Ordinances Appendix A Fee Schedule, Article A.11 Water and Sewer Rates (second read and adoption). The council directed staff to re-evaluate rates after two years and to pursue grants where possible to mitigate costs.

Outcome: The motion to approve the ordinance was made by Councilor Benny Martinez and seconded by Councilor Roscoe; the roll call recorded at the meeting showed Councilor Roscoe voting \"yes,\" Councilor Bradshaw voting \"no,\" and the mayor casting a tie-break (\"yes\"); the motion passed 3-2. Council stipulated a two-year review of the rate structure.

What happens next: Staff will proceed with the adopted rate structure and include the two-year review on the council’s calendar; staff said it will also continue to pursue grant funding and can scale borrowing to reduce immediate rate pressure.

","The City Council voted 3-2 on May 6 to adopt an ordinance increasing Leon Valley water and sewer rates and revising tier structures, with councilors saying the funds are needed to repair aging water and sewer infrastructure. The council set a two-year review to reassess rates after new development and grant opportunities are better understood.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6244930,"Council approves $8,500 transfer from Economic & Community Development reserve to police forfeiture fund for animal-control vehicle",242,3647000,3889000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3228322-80c9ccd5cf644cc481f9c528186916da&start=3647&end=3889","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3228322-80c9ccd5cf644cc481f9c528186916da/thumbnail_3647000.jpg","/articles/6244930/Leon-Valley/Bexar-County/Texas/Council-approves-8500-transfer-from-Economic-Community-Development-reserve-to-police-forfeiture-fund-for-animal-control-vehicle","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6244930-b41ce0c07517af37a1697be2028aa3e7/orig.mp4?Expires=1773583852&Signature=GbSrl0Th5Mo~jh6BSSVuotFbjSZRUlUoK8sGI7imLES4qkbAJ2k7SvwzDWZFB~svUN88N0fonvvTEz1hVHUCv5Suhhlnir4sluBr~4kz1dpFp2r0y4jD4ePZ~njxvDmQY09K03SMWQ9jzOIq11iSjtAM7Parw2QwGESrScYOywkdccvFdsXoc6nlpASUd0OC2paK9CdQxJTTEoDY0LsdcpImVAOd4I0pjP7Itw~6tkkMTVnQVUUp51p3mfWgcL3NofPZbAJYJojMcomL1t1EN7YWMUEdQtLUmIbdSu2DqoHb9y6yLIhaocT-fbWvplbec1cnWb-SHLXoYn8K42P3Hg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Council on May 6 approved a budget adjustment to move $8,500 from the Economic and Community Development reserve fund into the police forfeiture fund to provide funding for an animal-control vehicle capital acquisition.

Staff explained the transfer reimburses the forfeiture fund for a vehicle purchase that will be used by animal-control operations. One councilor argued that the Economic & Community Development reserve should not be used for such purchases, warning the move could set a precedent for using the reserve as a de facto slush fund. That councilor attempted a motion to deny the transfer; the motion failed for lack of a second. Another motion to approve passed with a recorded vote: the motion carried on a majority vote with one opposed.

Staff also told council the Economic & Community Development ordinance was recently amended and that staff had provided an updated ordinance to council members; staff said the new language allows certain uses for EDC funds tied to community and economic development objectives.

Outcome: Motion to approve the budget adjustment passed (motion by Councilor Bradshaw; second by Councilor Roscoe). The funds will be transferred and used to cover the police forfeiture account payment for the vehicle; staff will reflect the transfer in the fiscal records.","The council approved a budget adjustment moving $8,500 from the economic and community development reserve fund to the police forfeiture fund to pay for a vehicle used by animal control. One council member objected to using EDC funds for the purchase but the motion carried.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6244935,"Council adopts updates to Leon Valley personnel policy manual including cybersecurity, leave and device rules",148,6848000,6996000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3228322-80c9ccd5cf644cc481f9c528186916da&start=6848&end=6996","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3228322-80c9ccd5cf644cc481f9c528186916da/thumbnail_6848000.jpg","/articles/6244935/Leon-Valley/Bexar-County/Texas/Council-adopts-updates-to-Leon-Valley-personnel-policy-manual-including-cybersecurity-leave-and-device-rules","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6244935-3e76ffbbd35cb8fcc83ff60983648e96/orig.mp4?Expires=1773583852&Signature=oE5I~mhmGAodMI0SIfUlJIbgXthCMiASnvoQ9puJOqV8brLo5tQKd-ji0BFbhXch90935LawhWe2l8knKF1EpR3O3vApOJlrGEj2Z63de8zp9rhSx6uzO9odI7drfErpU4QxZfSGaydEy-OwqNPuP~WJGDYMpGuKXP-afUSB7vCYf6NEiNnjciE8DlYt2I0ar0Y-HZuLTNPnV6Z00bwkx3QZdj8VusEtk4dmP78IDMlyuPaXMC3KAF2MAWjgNcyyu6ZsgP8XYv2Ix2Nc3gl05Do7pvxP6MPPFNX~DT13BMk2B2xrceiTYdunY3zIrAm6wMo051uBb06EbNSmr5QDRg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Council on May 6 approved a set of updates to the City of Leon Valley’s personnel policy manual that clarify employee rights, electronic communications and device use, probationary periods, and several leave policies.

Human Resources Director Lisa Hernandez told the council the changes compile existing practices and add clarifying language recommended by legal and risk-management guidance, including rules to restrict use of city electronic systems for personal social media and to require cybersecurity training for employees. The manual also formalizes a one-year probationary period for new hires and for employees promoted or transferred to positions with different duties, and clarifies how workers’ compensation supplements interact with accrued leave.

Other items approved include a clarification that employees may use personal time to vote, restrictions on outside employment while on Family and Medical Leave unless approved by the city manager, and a modest budget impact associated with providing bereavement leave to three library part-time employees (staff estimated the additional cost at about $293.50 annually based on current hours and pay rates).

Councilor Orozco moved to adopt the revisions; the motion passed by recorded vote (motion and vote recorded on the May 6 agenda). Staff will distribute the updated manual to department directors and employees and implement required cybersecurity and training elements.

","Council adopted a revised personnel policy manual that updates rules on electronic communications and device use, clarifies probationary periods, adjusts leave provisions (including bereavement for part-time library employees), and codifies existing practices for workers' compensation and military leave.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council holds first reading, public hearing on adding bail-bond facilities to zoning code; action set for May 20

Council grants variance to remove heritage trees at 5305 Wurzbach, negotiates mitigation payment

Leon Valley council approves water-rate hike, agrees to revisit in two years

Council approves $8,500 transfer from Economic & Community Development reserve to police forfeiture fund for animal-control vehicle

Council adopts updates to Leon Valley personnel policy manual including cybersecurity, leave and device rules