Cibolo Council actions and votes, March 25, 2025: utility rate suspension, grant acceptance, plats and preliminaries

The Cibolo City Council took several formal actions at its March 25 meeting. Highlights and formal vote outcomes recorded from the meeting transcript follow.

CenterPoint GRIP rate filing: Council approved a resolution to suspend the effective date of CenterPoint Energy’s Gas Reliability Infrastructure Program (GRIP) rate application for 45 days and to participate in a coalition now called the Alliance of CenterPoint Municipalities — South Texas for special‑counsel review. The motion to suspend carried 7–0.

Budget calendar: Council approved FY26 budget workshop dates (June 17, July 15, July 31 special meeting and Aug. 5) and asked staff to provide more detailed agendas for each workshop; motion passed 7–0.

Consent agenda: The consent agenda was approved at the start of the meeting by a 6–1 vote.

Subdivision plats and infrastructure actions (selected): - Grace Valley Ranch Unit 3A final plat: staff recommended approval contingent on accepted parkland dedication; no motion was made on final plat at the March 25 meeting (no action). - Veil Tract land study (Schmeichel Road): Council denied the land study for the proposed Veil Tract subdivision 7–0 due to missing engineering and parkland information and inconsistencies in easement reporting. - Steele Creek land‑study amendment: Council continued/tabled the item (11i) to the next meeting by motion passed 7–0. - Red River Ranch Unit 6: Council approved final acceptance of public infrastructure for Red River Ranch Unit 6 (developer Continental Homes) following a punch walk; motion passed 6–1. - Buffalo Crossing 2 — Knight’s Crossing (public right‑of‑way): Council granted preliminary acceptance of public infrastructure for Knight’s Crossing; motion passed 6–1. - Buffalo Crossing 2 Unit 5: Council granted preliminary acceptance for Unit 5 (94 lots); motion passed 6–1. - Buffalo Crossing 2 Unit 6: Council denied preliminary acceptance for Unit 6 (71 lots) by a 6–1 vote; Council members raised concerns that the developer is one lot shy of a contractual trigger tied to a bridge project and requested staff follow‑up with the developer.

MVCPA catalytic converter grant: Council voted to accept the Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority (MVCPA) FY25 catalytic converter grant award, which funds two officers, one crime analyst, 41 additional fixed license‑plate‑reader (LPR) cameras and two patrol vehicles; motion passed 7–0. Staff said the grant amount covers most costs but that a 20% local match would be required; staff indicated existing salary savings and forfeiture funds could cover the match in year 1, and that ongoing costs will be addressed in future budget cycles.

Legal services and litigation: Council directed the city manager to release an RFP for legal services (per staff review) and approved interim assignment of special projects to the newly selected firm in the interim; separate action to assign current litigation matters to the new firm was scheduled for the April 8 agenda. Council also voted 7–0 to waive attorney‑client privilege and authorize release of legal memoranda from outside counsel (Messerfort, Hyde Kelly) on charter voting rights per a council motion.

Other: Council approved the staff recommendation to join a coalition to review CenterPoint’s GRIP filing and accepted staff updates on the FY26 process and CIP programming. Several items were continued to allow staff additional review and to ensure proper documentation before final action.

Why it matters: The actions affect how the city participates in utility rate proceedings, public‑safety staffing through grant funding, the timing and scope of capital projects and subdivision infrastructure acceptance, and the schedule for FY26 budgeting.