Bandera Equine Posse seeks lease of Cedar Street hangar for covered hitching area

Tony Strampley, president of the Bandera Equine Posse, and board member Diana Walters told the City of Bandera council they are seeking a lease of the city‑owned Cedar Street hangar to create a covered, secure hitching area so riders can visit downtown businesses.

"Our whole purpose is to ... make Bandera a lot more horse friendly," said Tony Strampley, president of the Bandera Equine Posse. Diana Walters described the proposal as "a new equine support facility that we'd like to put in town to safely accommodate horses and riders," saying the project is essentially a covered hitching rail with access to water and electricity rather than a full livery.

The group said the hangar, located on the edge of the EDC parking lot between Main Street and Eleventh Street, would require limited modifications: removable front panels, internal hitching rails, an exterior three‑inch pipe rail with a spring‑loaded gate, a reinstated spigot for water (they propose buckets rather than a permanent trough), and electrical service for fans. Hours would be dawn to dusk. The Posse said it would fund construction and ongoing minor costs through membership dues, volunteer labor and voluntary parking donations; the group requested a seven‑year lease at $1 per year and access to the city's water and power.

Council members raised legal and operational concerns. Councilmember Debbie Breen asked about liability and whether the city or the Posse would carry general liability insurance; staff advised the group to work with the city attorney to determine acceptable insurance and bond requirements. The council noted that state law requires performance or payment bonds when lessees make certain alterations to city property, and the council asked that requirement be addressed before work begins. The council also suggested checking whether the hangar or adjacent water tower has historic designation before making modifications.

The Posse proposed several operational controls: a posted farm‑animal liability notice, a Coggins test requirement for horses that use the facility, volunteer monitoring at startup, a plan for manure collection, and camera access via a QR code so owners can view their animals remotely. Presenters said they would not keep animals overnight and that owner responsibility and signage would be central to operations.

Council members praised the proposal’s alignment with Bandera’s "cowboy capital" identity but asked the Posse and staff to resolve outstanding issues, including insurance, utility cost estimates, storage of removable panels, enforcement of health requirements, and potential EDC involvement in contracting. The council suggested forming a small committee of residents, business owners and Posse representatives to refine the plan and directed staff to coordinate with the city attorney on contract and bonding terms.

The council did not take a final vote on a lease at this meeting and asked the Posse to return after resolving the outstanding items.