The Windcrest City Council on an evening meeting in January tabled an ordinance first reading on changes to Chapter 103 of the city building code pending the outcome of related litigation, approved two transfers of municipal funds into TexPool investment accounts, renewed the Windcrest Little League contract for 2025, adopted a multi-jurisdictional hazard mitigation plan with Bexar County and accepted City Manager Rafael Castillo’s request to retire effective Jan. 10, 2025, appointing Finance Director Natalia Whitmer as interim city manager.

The action to table changes to Chapter 103 — the city’s building-code chapter governing accessory buildings — was made by Councilmember Adam Astelphur and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Cindy Stracelecki; the council voted to table the item “until closure on pending litigation,” as the motion states. Council members did not take up the ordinance on first reading during the meeting.

The council approved a resolution to transfer $4,740,000 in MEIA cash proceeds into a TexPool investment account and separately approved transferring up to $2,000,000 from the general fund into a taxable TexPool investment account; council members described TexPool as an investment vehicle that typically yields higher rates than the city’s bank accounts and said funds can be withdrawn if needed. The council also approved a one-year renewal of the Windcrest Little League contract covering Jan. 1–Dec. 31, 2025, and adopted a multi-jurisdictional hazard mitigation plan with Bexar County — a recurring plan required to remain eligible for FEMA funding.

In executive session the council moved to accept City Manager Rafael Castillo’s request for retirement effective Jan. 10, 2025, and then moved to appoint Natalia Whitmer, the city’s finance director, as interim city manager. The retirement motion referenced an amendment to Castillo’s current contract and was followed by the appointment motion. Council members spoke in public session to thank Castillo for his service before voting.

Votes at a glance

- Ordinance (Chapter 103 building code) — Motion to table pending closure of litigation; mover: Councilmember Adam Astelphur; second: Mayor Pro Tem Cindy Stracelecki; outcome: tabled.
- Resolution — Transfer MEIA cash proceeds to TexPool ($4,740,000); mover: motion to approve made from the dais; outcome: approved.
- Resolution — Transfer from general fund to taxable TexPool (up to $2,000,000); outcome: approved.
- Contract resolution — Windcrest Little League contract (01/01/2025–12/31/2025); outcome: approved.
- Resolution — Implement multi-jurisdictional hazard mitigation plan with Bexar County; outcome: approved.
- Personnel action — Accept City Manager Rafael Castillo’s retirement effective 01/10/2025 (amendment to contract); outcome: approved.
- Appointment — Appoint Natalia Whitmer as interim city manager; outcome: approved.

The council recorded votes by voice/hand; individual roll-call tallies were not read into the record in the transcript. The council discussed the TexPool transfers in the context of earning higher interest than bank accounts and clarified that MEIA funds are not city general funds. Several motions were opened for discussion before the council voted by raised hands.