Leon Valley council approves $17,500 to clear Zarzamora Creek after repeated complaints

The Leon Valley City Council on Tuesday authorized the city manager to expend $17,500 from economic development and stormwater funds to hire contractors for additional maintenance of Zarzamora Creek near the H‑E‑B shopping center.

The move followed extended discussion about overgrown vegetation, accumulated trash, and the presence of people camping in the creek corridor. Roke Salinas, Economic Development executive director, told the council the creek’s poor condition has generated repeated complaints from businesses and the nearby School of Technology and impedes stormwater flow when vegetation is tall.

Salinas said the parcel is privately owned by a defunct trust the city has been unable to contact and that staff already has followed code‑enforcement steps, including certified notices. He described the maintenance plan as a contractor package that could yield roughly nine to 11 cuts at current prices, with the first cut costing as much as about $3,200 and follow‑up cuts around $1,400 to $1,600 depending on trash and growth. He said the city expects to schedule roughly five to six cuts during an active growing season and that the $17,500 would cover multiple cuts spread over the coming months.

Council members questioned ownership and long‑term responsibility. Councilor Benny Martinez and Councilor Orozco urged staff to begin a condemnation review so the city could consider taking ownership; the council asked legal and staff to return with options and cost estimates. City staff confirmed TxDOT had recently performed limited work at the bridge where erosion threatened the structure, but said TxDOT has not indicated it will assume ownership or long‑term maintenance responsibilities for the creek.

Jennifer Vireo, operations leader for H‑E‑B Marketplace adjacent to the creek, submitted a written statement and addressed the council in support of the cleanup, saying the creek routinely harbors litter and hazardous items and that stagnant runoff becomes a public‑health concern. She said store staff regularly pick up litter but the business cannot resolve vegetation and long‑term sanitation alone.

After discussion, Councilor Orozco moved to authorize the expenditure and Councilor Martinez seconded; the mayor called for the vote and the motion carried.

Council members also directed staff to pursue additional outreach to property owners, document the city’s due diligence, and return with a recommendation on condemnation and estimated costs and liabilities to inform future budget planning.