Alpine council approves first reading of ordinance on unused streets, hears Dollar General permit and denies GoRail support request

The City of Alpine City Council on Jan. 7 approved its consent agenda and several action items, held a public hearing on a proposed Dollar General store on State Highway 118 (Fort Davis Highway) and denied a request from GoRail for a letter of support for possible funding.

The actions matter because they move forward local land-use and infrastructure decisions — including the first reading of an ordinance that would authorize sale of unimproved city-owned street portions — and signal the council’s stance on outside funding requests that affect local projects.

The meeting opened with a 4 p.m. workshop and moved to the regular session at 5:30 p.m. The city posted the full meeting on the City of Alpine YouTube channel. Council members approved the consent agenda unanimously. During the meeting the council heard a public hearing on a permit application for a Dollar General proposed for State Highway 118 (Fort Davis Highway). The council also advanced the first reading of Ordinance 2024-11-O1, described in the meeting as the sale of unimproved portions of city streets that have never been used.

Council members reviewed and approved an updated water conservation plan. The meeting recap noted the 2025-26 budget process is beginning and that the Mountain Country Christmas sponsorship application process for nonprofits is open. The Alpine Emergency Services Board provided an update through Rusty Moore. The family crisis center did not send representatives to present but provided materials included in the council packets; the Alpine Public Library also gave an update.

The council considered a request from GoRail for a letter of support pertaining to possible available funding; the meeting record states this request was denied. The meeting moved into executive reports and an executive session to consult with the city attorney on pending legal items, including a Customs and Border Patrol airport hangar lease and related litigation, as well as discussions about possible sale and acquisition of property connected to long-term city goals.

The council announced upcoming events including a summit scheduled for Jan. 18–19 at the Granada and a next council meeting on Jan. 19. The meeting recap said there were several public comments during the session but did not list individual speakers or provide full vote counts for the recorded unanimous approvals.

The record available from the city provides more detail in the council packets and the posted video for residents seeking full minutes and presentations.