Gonzales City Council approves Charter Amendments

The Gonzales City Council approved Propostions A, B, E and F, amendments to the city’s charter which were passed in the May 1 election, at its meeting on Thursday, May 13.

These amendments will limit how a Council member or Mayor may gain a seat on a city board or commission, defines the timeframe in which a vacant seat on the council must be filled, removes the requirement that the city’s attorney must live in the city, and brings guidelines for the expenditure of Economic Development Corporation funds into compliance with state law.

Additionally, Council approved permits for multiple events, including the Battle Rod car show on Nov. 20, Preservation Gonzales DeWitt Colony Muster on Sept. 11, and God’s Iron Fitness Fit-OPS: Movement for Mental Health on June 26.

Council also approved the use of Texas Heroes Square for its inaugural Memorial Day Service and Banner Recognition set for Monday, May 31.

In public comment:

• Glenda Gordon spoke about Preservation Gonzales’s DeWitt Colony Muster Event and provided an update on the interpretive panel project for Independence Square. She said the materials for the panels, such as mounts and frames, were well on their way and that things were on track for installation in time for Juneteenth.
• Johnny Perales spoke to the council about his event, Battle Rod, a family-friendly classic car and hot rod show which he has taken to Luckenbach and New Braunfels.
• Betty Vaughn and Dennis Kaiser shared with the council possible plans for a new roof on the historic Eggleston House. No action was taken by Council.
• Brad Cox of the Chamber of Commerce spoke in favor of the Battle Rod event, pointing to Luckenbach and New Braunfels as markers of the event’s success, bringing in 300-350 cars to each town and stimulating local business with new visitors.
• David Tucy asked that the city add an item to its next agenda to approve city street closures for the Edwards Association Freedom March set for June 19, Juneteenth. The march will proceed from the Edwards Center to Independence Square, and back to the Edwards Center for a Community Love Luncheon.
• Rev. Charles A. Roaches thanked Mayor Connie Kacir for participating in a last-minute parade celebration of his marriage anniversary held through his church, Mt. Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church.
• Barbara Crozier, Director of the Young Texians, a youth theater organization, brought Young Texians Arabella Reyna and Miguel Moreno to share a portion of their “Letters and Remembrances” performance for the council.

In other business:

• An update on Capital Improvements was provided by City Engineer Keith Schauer. Schauer shared that many projects begun in 2019 had been completed, while some 2020 projects were still in progress. Schauer said these projects are currently on budget, but he is concerned due to rising costs of materials.
• Council approved a resolution awarding a contract for 2021 Street Improvements projects to Diamond X Contracting.
• A resolution approving a recommendation from the Convention and Visitors Bureau Advisory Board to supply $25,000 in funding to Main Street for its Summer Concert Series was approved by Council.
• The Council appointed Mayor Connie Kacir and District 3 Councilman Bobby O’Neal as its representatives to the Golden Crescent Regional Planning Commission General Assembly. This appointment lasts from Sept. 1, 2021 to Aug. 31, 2022.
• A lease agreement for the Roger M. Dreyer Memorial Airport Hangar was approved. This lease agreement will be utilized for any who want to lease a hangar in the city’s airport.
• Council approved the Tax Resale of two properties, 905 Kleine St. and 917 Pecan St. These sales were pre-approved by the County.
• An ordinance closing and abandoning portions of unimproved city streets to an abutting property owner was approved.
• Four budget amendments were approved. One was for the purchase of a new digital marquee sign at J.B. Wells Arena, Park and Expo, a funding request for the Chamber of Commerce approved by the CVB, purchase of a city vehicle, and a donation for the repair of facilities at the Independence Golf Course. The total budget amendment approved was for the amount of $240,585.05, with $7,000 of that being an addition to the Golf Course’s Maintenance to Grounds line item.
• A financial report for the month of April 2021 was presented by Finance Director Laura Zella.
• Reports for the Jim Price Cleanup, LCRA transmission lines and Certified City Manager certification were provided by City Manager Tim Patek.
• The council had no announcements following closed session, where they discussed continuing J.B. Wells litigation and considered an offer to purchase unopened streets in original out town of Gonzales, east of Water St. adjacent to lots 27 and 28, range 13 and lots 25-28, range 14.