[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-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",[32,76,88],{"_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":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6654737,"mediaKeyId","5448783-6a14abb8ff32910b714753ddf96005a0","parentId",5448783,"title","Boerne council approves contract increase for code consultant, expands historic‑preservation grants and accepts council resignation","audioSeconds",290,"startMs",1490000,"endMs",1780000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5448783-6a14abb8ff32910b714753ddf96005a0&start=1490&end=1780","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5448783-6a14abb8ff32910b714753ddf96005a0/thumbnail_1490000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6654737/Texas/Boerne-council-approves-contract-increase-for-code-consultant-expands-historicpreservation-grants-and-accepts-council-resignation","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6654737-74d63cf46e93dc9b5fa66fa193040908/orig.mp4?Expires=1775029268&Signature=HtY-zklm75ejSDeEHlFj8up5Gz3Hmi7ipSikYJVl7Qfo4Lmn-Z3BuRpZ6J3lQhA41SuoAyxcpaESTIDTHb1fSXKpzES2ojHIDJHbLdZUukK-vC0iPSJt2ct1DMUidtkOo5NDhVnehjtKcq6xsAxueAySh8OU5Yfrg~u3eyYJiIVCxvbBXSzSbTmlHgesDpCDzhd4o~y~6uKj24yPf1BSkN30Xk8gYXcUVam5OCtzjfKzgAR-GQAr6G-~3hNFjqma51iwGlrHhmTeYzadzmdLEf-txmR1P~b6--KpR3FFhzatTSX-HxRH3k-iXU2yzPpxR8e0A-hMw5E1JGqoHrclsw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Boerne","date","2025-07-22T00:00:00Z","article","The Boerne City Council approved several measures on July 22 during a routine meeting that included both policy updates and personnel procedural items.

Resolution to increase AOKA contract limit

The council approved Resolution No. 2025‑R‑49 to increase the fiscal‑year 2025 budget cap for the city’s third‑party plan‑review and inspection consultant from $50,000 to an amount not to exceed $80,000. Staff explained the city uses the contracted firm for plan review and inspections and that year‑to‑date costs had exceeded the budgeted amount due to higher permit volume and several unexpected circumstances. Nathan Crane presented the item and Councilman Scott moved approval; Councilman Bunker seconded. The council voted to approve the resolution.

Historic District Improvement Program amendments

Council approved amendments to the city’s Historic District Improvement Program to expand eligibility beyond the downtown historic district to include historic structures throughout the city limits, to add a scoring preference for designated historic landmarks and to rename the program the Historic Preservation Grant Program. Nathan Crane said the Historic Landmark Commission supported the amendments. Councilman Bunker moved approval and Councilmember Macaluso seconded; the motion passed.

Acceptance of District 3 resignation and vacancy declaration

City Secretary Laurie (last name on file) informed council that District 3 Councilmember Quentin Scott submitted a signed resignation on July 8 and publicly announced his move out of city limits at that meeting. Under the city charter (charter section 3.08) staff outlined the appointment timeline: applications will be accepted through Aug. 15, interviews will be conducted in executive session and, if council selects a candidate, the oath of office would be administered at the Sept. 9 meeting. Councilman Bunker moved to accept the resignation and declare the vacancy; Councilman Willison seconded. The council approved the resignation and declared a vacancy.

Consent agenda

Council approved the consent agenda (items 4a and 4b) by motion of Councilmember Macaluso with a second from Councilman Scott; the chair called the vote and the consent agenda passed.

Votes and motions at a glance

- Resolution No. 2025‑R‑49 (increase contract limit for AOKA Engineering LLC d/b/a AOKA Code Consulting to not exceed $80,000): Moved by Councilman Scott; second Bunker; outcome: approved (vote recorded as affirmative).
- Historic District Improvement Program amendments (rename to Historic Preservation Grant Program; expand eligibility; revise scoring): Moved by Councilman Bunker; second Macaluso; outcome: approved (5–0).
- Acceptance of resignation and declaration of vacancy for District 3 (Quentin Scott): Moved by Councilman Bunker; second Willison; outcome: approved (5–0).
- Consent agenda (items 4a, 4b): Moved by Councilmember Macaluso; second Scott; outcome: approved (5–0).

Several items were informational only and will return for ordinance or budget action at later meetings.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Boerne - City Council on 2025-07-22 6:00 PM - Jul 22, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Boerne City Council on July 22 approved a contract spending increase for its third‑party code consultant, expanded the historic‑preservation grant program, accepted a councilmember’s resignation and approved the consent agenda.","taxTitle","Boerne, Kendall County, Texas","taxId",63804,"location","Texas","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6654741,"Boerne presents five‑year capital improvement plan; water projects top 2026 list at $19.7 million",899,332000,1231000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5448783-6a14abb8ff32910b714753ddf96005a0&start=332&end=1231","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5448783-6a14abb8ff32910b714753ddf96005a0/thumbnail_332000.jpg","/articles/6654741/Texas/Boerne-presents-fiveyear-capital-improvement-plan-water-projects-top-2026-list-at-197-million","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6654741-18d069cd538675b8596fb08d54827d32/orig.mp4?Expires=1775029268&Signature=AJkm5mpe0WYsq3c7V4~qk9Wdn5tfGqPSSXMelrKOcndEZE6hN9-GobNBgwstOBBDRY2Hx8qrLv3ZA6Utq1iGaKjoBd27x6fttPqGK~muOSnZJPC1VC8r8UqF2AjP80qkX4AlBIEFQyNgaCnN13Dv261yF~61VouMmvRVGsOL8Ov9JBVkM4l6oYKCd-jG1hkJCYhQeT~0sWAj8sOSmefYGUS3i8pDZlOEm-gYxDG~gwrvzw74DJzhK2qm~R0aa6tkQiIO0wAhsHhXp2jTNNA2Q4LCiIOgr1tQBcr~lQ9vW7iVAn7ZtGfbxLw8NWTPIvkRu0UZAJwkK11DdGzLgQS00A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff presented the City of Boerne’s five‑year capital improvement plan (CIP) and the utilities component of the proposed budget during the July 22 council meeting, outlining project priorities, funding sources and upcoming rate actions.

Sarah Bacalu, who led the presentation, described the CIP as the city’s long‑term (five‑year) plan used to prioritize major capital investments and align with Boerne’s 10‑year rolling plan. \"The first year of the CIP is actually this year's budget and the following subsequent years of the plan are used as a planning tool,\" Bacalu said.

Key utility highlights for fiscal 2026 included a combined $19.7 million list of water, sewer and reclaimed projects. Bacalu said staff expects to use about $15 million in impact fees for those projects, roughly $3.9 million from capital reserves and approximately $650,000 from developer contributions. The presentation also noted that the city’s 2025 water rate study recommends gradual increases; Bacalu said the scheduled increase for 2026 is 7 percent and would take effect Jan. 1 if adopted alongside the budget ordinances.

Bacalu said gas and electric utilities are also in active rate studies. The gas CIP was described as roughly $1.4 million for next year, funded from capital reserves. Regarding gas system operations, Terry Nolan, the city’s operations manager for utilities, told council staff expects the perimeter trailers used in past winters may not be needed this coming winter because recent improvements reduce that need, but staff is budgeting for them as a contingency.

On electric service, staff said the city entered a financial swap to mitigate a portion of variable congestion costs tied to demand, and that mitigation will remain through the expiration of the city’s BP contract. \"We implemented a swap that helps mitigate that risk significantly so we shouldn't have those spikes,\" Bacalu said.

Stormwater projects highlighted an Adler Road culvert completion at just under $2.8 million; Bacalu said part of that work was funded with American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds and included contributions from Kendall County. Governmental projects across the city were listed at about $34 million, with $24 million coming from capital reserves; staff noted $6.5 million of the 2022 bond issuance would be applied to two bond projects and a $750,000 Texas Parks and Wildlife grant is allocated to Northside Community Park work.

Bacalu reminded council that the proposed budget will be filed with the city secretary on Aug. 8 and that the council will continue review in subsequent budget workshops ahead of final adoption on Sept. 9. Several councilmembers asked technical and accessibility questions, including whether a planned Main Street stairs project would meet full current Americans with Disabilities Act standards; Director Jeff Carroll said the retrofit will install a ramp but will not meet today’s full slope standard because of site constraints, and staff is using PROWAG guidance for retrofits.

Staff did not seek a vote on the CIP at the July 22 meeting; council members were told the next budget workshop will cover governmental budget details, debt issuance plans and compliance items tied to truth‑in‑taxation laws.","City staff presented a five‑year capital improvement plan and the utilities portion of next year’s budget, including a $19.7 million water/sewer/reclaimed project list, a scheduled 7% water rate increase effective Jan. 1, 2026, and planned use of $15 million in impact fees to fund utility projects.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6654747,"Boerne staff say demolition bid being solicited for fire‑damaged house at 217 Sophia Circle",110,144000,254000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5448783-6a14abb8ff32910b714753ddf96005a0&start=144&end=254","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5448783-6a14abb8ff32910b714753ddf96005a0/thumbnail_144000.jpg","/articles/6654747/Texas/Boerne-staff-say-demolition-bid-being-solicited-for-firedamaged-house-at-217-Sophia-Circle","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6654747-7569771bba2b0e976bd562682a7e87bf/orig.mp4?Expires=1775029268&Signature=eAPP5gb2CKFsukH65qrp5CZm7fWSYIBgi53ja8s-lUZ0Pc9FOXX2SqJh2ATnUcGb7-DPGz0ZvB1wJ9lZA8P08KSRHMvppLelV203WY4Q4Y5a9f1sFa3YIEkt5f2UyCUYY6wlXICPTKo3NBN79l~rGFXR8eyAGVPRuhqhNCVfQseIBOeB5hbvhn-zxdBTBY68x5ctwyG7q9TWDrbwW0Wozp0~LFSyH5x8-2C-f69s9w5x5crdvzmlsW6wB08hOqUgrlwMJ7U~yLupxf0X3OCLDNjwKSjOSvlfUuOzc7NJVnS8GIlvBwYRuQfAKAxMpQmIGmf5Ny~dCjW~D5S4L5nXog__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff updated the Boerne City Council on July 22 about the status of the structure at 217 Sophia Circle, which the city placed under a 60‑day demolition notice after a March shooting and subsequent damage.

The update came from Nathan Crane, who said the mortgage lien that had been on the property was released shortly after the council’s May public hearing on demolition and that staff believes ownership now rests with the former owner’s son, identified in the meeting as Adrian Lidsma (name spelling uncertain in the record). Crane said the city issued a demolition order to the apparent owner and has been coordinating with the neighborhood homeowners association.

Crane said staff has started soliciting demolition bids after a family member told staff the household lacked resources to pay for demolition. \"We believe that the cost will be between $40,000 and $60,000 depending on what we do,\" Crane said, and added that if the city proceeds it would place a lien on the property to attempt to recoup expenses.

Crane told council staff and a title company attempted to verify ownership but were unable to complete a full chain‑of‑title search. He said the family reported insurance funds had been used to satisfy the mortgage lien.

Councilmembers asked staff to confirm legal ownership and title information before any further action. Crane said once demolition bids are received staff will return to council if council approval of an expenditure is required.

The item on the agenda was an informational update; no action was taken at the July 22 meeting. The city will continue coordinating with the HOA and the property’s family representatives as it pursues bids and title clarification.","City staff told the Boerne City Council the property at 217 Sophia Circle remains subject to a demolition order, ownership appears to have transferred after a mortgage was paid, and preliminary demolition cost estimates are $40,000–$60,000 with the city planning to place a lien to recover costs if it proceeds.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Boerne council approves contract increase for code consultant, expands historic‑preservation grants and accepts council resignation

Boerne presents five‑year capital improvement plan; water projects top 2026 list at $19.7 million

Boerne staff say demolition bid being solicited for fire‑damaged house at 217 Sophia Circle