The City of Horseshoe Bay City Council meeting was held on March 18 at 3 p.m. in the council chambers. Mayor Elsie Thurman called the meeting to order and welcomed those in attendance. Mayor Pro Tem Jeu Jones gave the invocation.
Proclamations
Thurman declared the week of March 16-22, 2025 as "Sunshine Week." Every year, during the third week of March, “Sunshine Week” is celebrated throughout America to promote transparency and open government. The City of Horseshoe Bay works diligently to enhance the public’s access to government records and information and ensure local government activities are transparent to all stakeholders through regular communication with citizens. For example, the city publishes council comments in the local newspaper, shares a monthly community message from the mayor, hosts biannual Citizens Academy classes, and holds regular community town hall meetings.
Thurman read a proclamation declaring support for the proclamation declaring April 2025 as “Records and Information Management Month.” The City of Horseshoe Bay’s records and information manager is Janet Stehling, who is entrusted with the responsibility for coordinating the careful management, disposition and provision of access to public records on behalf of the citizens.
Thurman renewed the city’s annual proclamation declaring the Mayor’s Monarch Pledge, a national effort by the National Wild - life Federation to preserve the Monarch butterfly, which has suffered a sharp decline in population numbers during the last 25 years. By taking the pledge, the city promises to take part in activities which promote the Monarch's survival, including education of residents, milkweed and nec- tar plant seed giveaways, altered mowing schedules to protect breeding habitat, and the promotion of Monarch- friendly gardens being planted.
Announcements, recognitions
Fire Chief Doug Fowler presented fire engineer Jonathan Morrison with his five-year service award.
Police Chief Jason Graham presented assistant police chief Paul Nelson with his five-year service award. City Manager Jeu Kos ka presented assistant city manager Rick Williams with his ten-year service award.
Koska announced the promotion of Ray Garcia to utilities director and introduced new stau member Cindee Sharp, who is the communications director.
Public comments Dave Page asked about potential solutions to pre- vent cars from speeding
on Stag Street, in order to protect neighborhood children. Carol Rose invited the council and attendees to the groundbreaking ceremony for Horseshoe Bay Mausoleum II, scheduled for Wednesday, April 2 at 3 p.m.
Business
On March 3, LCRA entered Drought Contingency Plan stage two. The city council voted to move to the stage two watering sched- ule, effective April 3. Stage two allows no more than once-per-week watering. Commercial and multifamily customers may water on Tuesdays, odd-numbered addresses ending in 1 and 3 on Wednesdays, even-numbered addresses ending in 0 and 2 on Thursdays, odd-numbered addresses ending in 5, 7 and 9 on Saturdays, and even-numbered addresses ending in 4, 6, and 8 on Sundays. There will be no watering on Mondays or Fridays.
The city has reached out to LCRA to consider adjusting the stage two watering schedule across two separate days; however, the current schedule is now in effect. The city will pro - vide updates to citizens in the Beacon, as well as on its social media channels.
Citizens can visit www.Wa - terSmart.org for water-saving rebates, tips, tools and resources.
The council voted to ap - prove a request made by the Applehead Island POA to waive the annual fees for street maintenance for the portion of Bay West Boulevard, up to but not including the concrete and/ or brick roundabout. The Applehead Island POA will maintain the brick roundabout hereafter, but not to waive fees of $4,189.54 that have accrued over the past three years.
The council voted to amend the code of ordinances to revoke registration privileges for con - tractors with excessive violations using a points- based system. The council also approved an ordinance to adopt the 2021 model building and fire codes, with the exception of the 2023 National Electric Code (NFPA 70), for additional flexibility on kitchen island outlets. The update also adds the previously omitted “Life Safety Code” (NFPA 101), which establishes commercial building exit requirements. Amendments go into effect in 90 days.
The council voted to approve a stau request to enter into a consulting agreement with Freese and Nichols, Inc. for engineering and planning services to address significant deficiencies in local development ordinances, which currently rely on Austin code.
The council voted to ap - prove a variance request by the Pecan Creek POA to replace an existing monument sign perpendicular to Pecan Crossing Drive with a wider one that can be better seen from the street.
The council also voted to approve a sign variance re - quest by the Summit Rock Golf Clubhouse to increase its width to 24 feet.
Thurman introduced a council member engagement initiative, in which members will serve as liaisons with city stau departments.
Stau reports
Koska shared that construction of the new City Center is on schedule. The city is planning a 20th anniversary celebration, and details will be shared soon in the Beacon. Fowler updated council members on the Crabapple wildfire that began on March 15, for which the Horseshoe Bay Fire Department provided mutual aid.
Legislative Services Di - rector Kerri Craig shared that the 89th Texas Legislative Session is underway. At this point, 120 citizens have signed up for the mayor’s “Speak Up” program to be active during the session.
Thurman and some council members, along with city stau, visited the Capitol March 19 to meet with Senator Flores and representatives Virdell, Troxclair and Craddick to discuss bills and issues important to the city.
Thurman adjourned the meeting at 4:39 p.m. The next council meeting is scheduled for April 15 at 3 p.m. in city hall council chambers.
