Funding for Old Fitzhugh improvements
Tigers track road to the playoffs
page 2
DSISD gets new trustee
page 3
News-Dispatch Volume XXXVIII No. 46
Serving Western Hays County, Texas since 1982
Minimal communication with citizenry is leading some residents to allege a lack of transparency on the part of Wimberley city leaders; all the while, the fight over the city’s wastewater woes marches on.
Jury clears deputies in 2017 Wimberley ‘ambush’ BY MOSES LEOS III A Hays County Grand Jury Aug. 15 found law enforcement officers who shot and killed a Wimberley man in a 2017 shootout did so in self-defense. The ruling came as the result of a months-long Hays County Sheriff’s Office internal investigation into the incident, which was deemed an “ambush,” as well as an inquiry by the Texas Rangers, according to a press release. Wes Mau, Hays County district attorney, said in a statement evidence “conclusively establishes” the shooting death of Rocky West was “justified as both self-defense and defense of other officers,” with the jury finding no wrong doing on the part of law enforcement. On Nov. 24, 2017, HCSO deputies were dispatched to a residence along Spoke Hollow in Wimberley for a suspicious person with a handgun. The call reported they heard breaking glass in the area of Jean’s Antiques and saw someone with a flashlight in the business. The call disconnected and didn’t answer attempts call back, according to the release. When deputies arrived, they did not find evidence of broken glass or forced entry. However, deputies learned the phone number was associated with
DEPUTIES CLEARED, 2
Residents are concerned about the lack of a public hearing during the proposed August 16 meeting, leading some to organize a protest.
Those claims came as the result of a canceled Aug. 16 Wimberley City Council special meeting to
further discuss and consider action to modify the scope of the city’s downtown wastewater plans.
Some Wimberley residents fear city leaders could be more interested in third-party provider
75¢
Thursday, August 30, 2018
Wimberley residents say transparency with wastewater issue poses problem BY EXSAR ARUGELLO
page 4
Aqua Texas, which they believe could be detrimental to the environment, as opposed to an in-house system. Wimberley property owner Rebecca Minnick opposes the Aqua Texas plan, citing the potential
WIMBERLEY WASTEWATER, 6
Fire Hazard
Dripping Springs opposes concrete plant BY EXSAR ARGUELLO Citing major concerns over public health and safety, Dripping Springs city leaders Aug. 21 passed a resolution in opposition to the construction of a proposed concrete batch plant near Henly. The move, which was the result of a 5-1 Dripping Springs City Council vote, came after residents voiced their concerns during the Aug. 14 meeting. Dripping Springs City Council member Travis Crow cast the lone dissenting vote.
BATCH PLANT OPPOSED, 6
Tempers flare over budget Belterra Village overrun BY EXSAR ARGUELLO PHOTO BY MOSES LEOS III
A North Hays County Fire Rescue firefighter examines the burned landscape behind ProStar Water Inc. after a small grassfire charred roughly eight acres of land Aug. 23. No one was hurt, but at least one structure was damaged after sparks from a power pole failure created a grass fire in the 4600 block of west Highway 290. Scott Collard, North Hays County chief, said high winds and dry conditions helped the rapidly spread.
Texas rated as third worst state in regards to women’s equality BY EXSAR ARGUELLO
Texas is ranked 47th in the political representation gap, despite women comprising a little over 50 percent of the population. Additionally, Texas is ranked 45th in women’s education and health.
to no impact on him and that his accusers Despite nationwide were easily dismissed efforts for equal repreas disgruntled women, sentation, Texas is still as were the accusers of behind the curve in Roy Moore.” providing equality for According to the women, according to a National Conference new Wallethub study. of State Legislators, Texas is ranked 47th Texas has a total of 181 in the political reprewomen in the state sentation gap, despite legislature, or 20.4 perparticularly responsive en in the U.S. Senate, women comprising a cent, which is almost and very few in the to change.” little more than 50 per5 percent under the House of Representa“To focus on one cent of the population. obstacle, the obstacle national average. tives, State Legislature Additionally, Texas is Twenty-nine of those or among state-elected of economic indepenranked 45th in women’s dence and professional executives,” said Jill women are in the Texas education and health. Gonzalez, an analyst for House, while the reviability, we still very Historically, women Wallethub. “This could maining eight serve in much operate in a in Texas have not rebe because women are the State Senate. world where getting ceived the legal protec- pregnant or having Additionally, Texas is not encouraged to get tions that men have. ranked 42nd in educainvolved in politics, children is often a Legal loopholes tion attainment gap in and it’s hard for them practical obstacle to stayed in place until higher education for employment or promo- to find support if they the 1990s in regards to women, according to decide to pursue a tion,” Menchaca-Bagcases of marital rape. In nulo said. the study. political career.” addition, , Texas does And other western Bagnulo said she Although Texas is not have the same pol- required to follow the countries are ensuring feels that Americans icies for maternity leave 1993 Family and Medi- have a difficult time that women receive as other states do. the same opportunities cal Leave Act, the state accepting women Ashleen Menchaas men. Gonzalez said has no laws that require in leadership roles, ca-Bagnulo, assistant which she believes was more countries offer employers to give professor of Political evident during the 2016 grants and financial aid parental or maternity Science at Texas State United States Presiden- to women who wish to leave. University, said it takes pursue higher educatial election. For Menchaca-Bagenerations for attition. “Whatever one gnulo, the issue stems tudes and questions of “Special financing thinks of Hillary Clinfrom the culture of accessibility to change. the state ranging from opportunities exist for ton, there is no doubt She also said it takes women who want to that her gender was a medical protections to women who are workbecome entrepreneurs, political representation. liability for her,” Baging as professionals or as well,” Gonzalez said. Around 2,000 women nulo said. “Whatever in the political realm “There is equal pay one thinks of Trump, currently serve in state generations to build for men and women there is no doubt that legislatures across the resumes and make doing the same job, and the fact that several country, about 24 perconnections. women are offered the women spoke out cent of the legislators Overall, Bagnulo against him for alleged nationwide. believes Texas is “not WOMEN’S EQUALITY, 4 sexual assault had little “Texas has no wom-
A $637,369 overrun in development of the Belterra Village retail site is leading Dripping Springs leaders to allege an Austin real estate group responsible for its construction breached contract. As a result, the Dripping Springs City Council postponed an item that could reimburse Endeavor Real Estate group for the project’s construction. In 2010, the city of Dripping Springs and Endeavor signed a contract that granted the real estate company an economic development grant of $2,261,480 to construct the commercial site. But on Aug. 21, Endeavor officials said the company spent $2,898,849 to build the retail site. Daniel Campbell, principal at Endeavor, cited a 3.5 percent annual increase in costs for the overage. However, according to the agreement, spending toward the development must have been approved by the city. Dripping Springs Mayor Todd Purcell said it was his understanding Endeavor breached contract. Purcell said the city’s legal team informed him there was a provision in the contract that any possible deviations “were supposed to come back to council,” which did not happen. Councilmember Wade King said Endeavour tried to pull a “fast one” with the city like a weasel by not following through with the contract. Endeavor officials insisted that the company made a mistake; however, increased costs in labor and construction was a factor in the overspending. Campbell said common labor, skilled labor and construction costs have increased by
BELTERRA OVER BUDGET, 6
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Funding next step for improvements on Old Fitzhugh Road BY EXSAR ARGUELLO
Plans for improving and remodeling Old Fitzhugh Road in Dripping Springs is starting to move forward. On Aug. 21, the Dripping Springs City Council unanimously approved the concept plans for Old Fitzhugh, which will connect the historic Mercer Street with the road. The project, seven years in the making, aims to continue the aesthetic downtown on Mercer Street through Old Fitzhugh Road by adding shared-use trails, pedestrian amenities and street improvements. “We’ve already been
The project, which is seven years in the making, aims to continue the aesthetic downtown on Mercer Street through Old Fitzhugh Road by adding shared-use trails, pedestrian amenities and street improvements.
Easement Consulting.” Currently, Old Fitzhugh Road does not have walkable sidewalks for residents nor does it have adequate lighting. The city is also looking to enhance the two-lane road. Based on stakeholder input, highly sought-after items in the project through the Tax Increnary estimates, the project funds, including possible include a paved sidewalk, ment Reinvestment Zone will cost an estimated CAMPO grants. along with the preser(TIRZ) board, transpor$4,822,652.97. The next Additionally, TIRZ has vation of existing trees, tation committee and step for the TIRZ board requested $20,000 from Mercer Street lighting planning and zoning will be to seek and identify the city in the 2019 fiscal fixtures and structured commission,” said Keenan funding sources for the year budget. rain gardens near sewage Smith, TIRZ project project. If approved in the bud- lines. manager. “Your approval Funds may come from get, $10,000 would be alloThe project, an initiative tonight will put us in good a wide variety of options cated to the “Right of Way spurred by the city and shape to start looking at including a combinaDedication Surveying,” Hays County, will continue funding opportunities for tion of county, state and $5,000 to “Implementathe downtown aesthetic the project.” federal transportation and tion Funding Support” outlined in the city’s ComAccording to prelimiroadway improvement and $5,000 to “Drainage prehensive Plan.
Deputies Cleared
Police Blotter
Continued from pg. 1
PROOFREADER
Thursday, August 30, 2018
West, who lived nearby, but the caller gave a different name and address. “Given the suspicions raised by the call, and the officers’ prior knowledge of Mr. West, the officers determined to approach West’s residence with caution,” Mau said in a statement. Five law enforcement officials, driving clearly marked vehicles, approached West’s home, which was completely dark, according to the release. When an officer pulled to the roadside near the driveway entrance, West fired “six shotgun blasts” from behind one of the rock walls framing the driveway entrance. Officials believe West fired 11 shotgun rounds in total. Deputies then exited their vehicles and exchanged gunfire with West for just over 30 seconds, according to the release. During the shootout, one HCSO deputy was evacuated after receiving serious, but non-life treating injuries from shotgun pellets that hit his upper legs, torso and arms. Deputies saw West drop behind the rock wall, and remained at the scene believing he had been struck, but were unsure of his status. Officers did not discover West was deceased until a robot was brought in and found his body. According to the release, deputies were unable to approach the area behind the rock wall without exposing themselves to fire. An autopsy determined West died from a gunshot wound to the head. Mau said no deputy fired prior to West opening fire; evidence at the scene, including positions of the vehicles and spent shell casings, indicated deputies never entered West’s property prior to being fired upon. Mau said West fired without warning, doing so from darkness and a concealed position. Vehicle damage and the type and amount of ammunition at the scene indicated West
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District Attorney Wes Mau said West fired without warning, doing so from darkness and a concealed position. Vehicle damage and the type and amount of ammunition at the scene indicated West attempted to inflict “lethal damage to the deputies.” attempted to inflict “lethal damage to the deputies,” Mau said. “The Hays County Criminal District Attorney agreed that all of the officers who employed deadly force in this case did so justifiably under the law and reasonably with respect to the circumstances,” Mau said.
The following highlights are reports from Hays County law enforcement as well as local police between Aug. 24 and Aug. 27. Discharged firearm – Aug. 24, 5:09 p.m. at Neiderwald Strasse, Kyle Terroristic Threat – Aug. 24, 8:45 a.m. at Logans Run, Wimberley Terroristic Threat – Aug. 24, 8:12 pm. at Camino Real, Kyle Narcotics information – Aug. 24, 3:02 p.m. at Palomino Road, Kyle Criminal Mischief – Aug. 24, 1:18 p.m. at Pleasant Valley Road, Wimberley Criminal Mischief – Aug. 24, 3:40 p.m. at Pleasant Valley Road, Wimberley Suspicious package – Aug. 24, 9:51 a.m. at Evergreen Way/Nutty Brown Road, Austin Assault – Aug. 25, 9:32 p.m at La Toya Trl, Wimberley Burglary-building – Aug. 25, 5:40 p.m. at La Buena Vista Drive, Wimberley Disturbance-phys/fight – Aug. 25, 9:50 a.m. at Overpass Road, Buda Driving While Intoxicated – Aug. 25, 7:43 p.m. at RR 12/Lone Man Mountain Road, Driftwood Disturbance-verbal – Aug. 25, 7:54 p.m. at Old San Antonio Road, Buda Disturbance-verbal – Aug. 25, 10:52 p.m. at Robert S. Light Blvd, Buda Disturbance-verbal – Aug. 25, 4:23 a.m. at Blossom Valley Strm, Buda Harassment – Aug. 25, 5:08 p.m. at Valley View Road, Wimberley Discharged firearm – Aug. 25, 8:02 p.m. at Shady Acres Drive, Buda Discharged firearm – Aug. 25, 9:56 p.m. at Benito Lane, San Marcos Suspicious package – Aug. 26, 6:36 p.m. at RR 967, Buda Criminal mischief – Aug. 26, 1:56 p.m. at Stonewood Lane, Buda Death Investigation – Aug. 27, 4:08 a.m. at RR 12, Dripping Springs Disturbance-noise – Aug. 26 at 10:58 p.m. at Santa Fe Run, Kyle Distrubance-phys/fight – Aug. 26, 10:59 p.m. at Cabelas Drive, Buda Disturbance-phys/fight – Aug. 26, 9:28 p.m. at Climbing Way, Wimberley Vehicle theft – Aug. 26, 6:55 p.m. at Wimberley Square, Wimberley Accident-hit and run – Aug. 26, 8:27 a.m. at Rohde Road, Kyle Accident-Hit and Run – Aug. 26, 3:19 p.m. at Vermillion Marble Trl, Buda Discharged firearm – Aug. 26, 8:30 p.m. at Country Ln, Kyle Loose livestock – Aug. 27, 8:40 p.m. at Cement Plant Rd/S Loop 4, Buda Loose livestock – Aug. 27, 5:23 p.m. at Old Black Colony Road/S FM 1626, Buda Burglary-habitation – Aug. 28, 12:43 a.m. at Cabela’s Drive, Buda Criminal mischief – Aug. 27, 8:21 a.m. at Green Meadows Lane, Buda Criminal mischief – Aug. 27, 1:11 p.m. at RR 967, Buda Criminal mischief – Aug. 27, 6:19 p.m. at Prairie Ave, Buda Criminal mischief – Aug. 27, 7:18 a.m. at Hoffman Drive, Buda Disturbance-Phys/Fight – Aug. 27, 4:36 p.m. at Caliche Road, Wimberley
Thursday, August 30, 2018
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Sports
Tiger football’s road to the playoffs
Teams the Tigers will face this season
With the football season only a few days away, we at the News-Dispatch offer a breakdown of who the Dripping Springs Tigers will face in 2018. Below is this season’s schedule and a little info about the opponents the Tigers will face. Keep in mind this year’s bye, or open, week is Sept. 28. Some information gathered for this piece derived from maxpreps.com and Dave Campbell’s Texas Football magazine. (* denotes district game)
vs. Kerrville Tivy (Aug. 31, 7:30 p.m. at Tiger Stadium) Last season – 10-3, 6-1 in 26-5A Playoffs? Yes – L to Corpus Christi Calallen in regional quarterfinal Dripping Springs will get an early-season test when it hosts an experienced Kerrville Tivy team that’s slated to be a contender in the new 5A, Division II. Tivy returns dual threat quarterback Karson Valverde, who accounted for 1,988 of Tivy’s 5,398 all-purpose yards. Surrounding Valverde will be junior wide receiver Jacob Vela and sophomore Taylor Pannell. On the defensive side, Tivy will have to fill the gaps for a defense that last season limited opponents to 22 points over the course of 12 games. According to Dave Campbell’s Texas Football, Tivy will only have two starters return from last season’s team.
@ Hays Rebels (Sept. 7 at Bob Shelton Stadium, 7:30 p.m.) Last season – 4-7, 3-3 in 25-6A Playoffs? Yes – L to San Antonio Reagan in bidistrict Change is the operative word for the Hays Rebels, who not only welcome a new head coach, but also a new system on offense. Les Goad, who led Geronimo Navarro to success in 4A, brings to Hays the use of the run-oriented Slot-T offense. Guiding the Rebels will be senior quarterback Xavier Martinez, who will have various weapons helping him out, including running backs Sam Scott and Nate Tate. The Rebel offense will look to find answers on the offensive line, which returns only a handful from last year’s team that rushed for over 2,500 yards. However, Hays will work with a defense that could be inexperienced. Only two starters return from last season’s team.
vs. New Braunfels Canyon (Sept. 14 at Tiger Stadium, 7:30 p.m.) Last season – 2-8, 2-5 in 27-6A Playoffs? No For a second straight week, Dripping Springs will take on a team working through a coaching change. Joe Lepsis, who led Wylie East a year ago, takes over the Cougar football program and inherits a team that returns roughly half of its starters from 2017. Included in that list is quarterback Zavier Perez and wide receiver Callon Farr, who were the one-two combination for Canyon last season. Canyon will also have Seth Haney in the backfield, along with running back Owen Worley. Canyon will attempt to fix a defense that conceded 32 points per game. @ McCallum Knights (Oct. 5 at House Park, 7:30 p.m.)* Last season, 14-1, 6-0 in 25-5A Playoffs? – Yes, L to College Station in state semifinal Not much returns for the McCallum Knights following last season’s amazing playoff run. But even with a new head coach and a practically new roster, McCallum stands to be one of several critical district tests for Dripping Springs. One of the primary challenges for the Knights will be finding answers to an offense that lost most of its potent weapons. Wide receiver Deron Gage, who collected over 1,000 yards and ten touchdowns receiving, could be an anchor for McCallum’s offense. The same could be said for a defense that returns only a handful of athletes.
@ Travis Rebels (Sept. 21 at Burger Stadium, 7:30 p.m.)* Last season – 1-9, 0-6 in 25-5A Playoffs – No The Tigers begin district play against a Travis Rebel team looking to rebound from a one-win season in 2017. They’ll hope to do so with an offense that brings back most of its starters, including running back Darian McFerrin, who rushed for 495 yards and four touchdowns last season. However, last season’s team only tallied 66 total points in ten games. They’ll also bring with them a defense that conceded 44 points per game.
vs. LBJ Jaguars (Oct. 12 at Tiger Stadium, 7:30 p.m.)* Last season – 7-5, 4-2 in 25-5A Playoffs? Yes, L to Dripping Springs in the bidistrict round A perennial first-round playoff opponent for Dripping Springs in recent years will now become a formidable district foe for the next two seasons. With half of its starters coming back for 2018, LBJ stands to be another major district hurdle for the Tigers. Dripping Springs will contend with an LBJ offense that’s historically been explosive. They’ll have to do so with several new pieces, which includes finding a new quarterback. In the backfield, LBJ returns Brian Batts, who led the team with 779 yards and 8 touchdowns. It could also be an emotional season for LBJ, which will play in honor of late head coach Andrew Jackson, who passed away due to cancer in late 2017.
@ Seguin (Oct. 26 at Matador Stadium, 7:30 p.m.)* Last season – 2-8, 1-6 in 26-5A Playoffs? No The third year for Seguin head coach Travis Bush could be one of his best yet as he tries to turn around a Matador program that’s only won seven games over the past three seasons. Leading that charge could be senior quarterback Aaron Gonzalez, who amassed over 1,600 yards passing in eight games last year and finished with 13 touchdowns. But also in the mix could be junior Jhared Mickles, who played in ten games and threw for 910 yards with six scores. But the Matadors will be tasked with finding answers in the backfield, as the majority of production from a year ago has graduated. Mickels and Gonzalez could be called upon to run the ball this season as well. On defense, Seguin returns eight players from a group that gave up over 40 points per game.
vs. Lanier (Oct. 19, 7:30 p.m. at Tiger Stadium, 7:30 p.m.)* Last season – 2-8, 1-5 in 25-5A Playoffs? No A challenging road might get a little tougher for Lanier, which will try to put a dismal two-win season in 2017 behind them. They’ll try to do so with several returning pieces, including running back Khile Shores, who rushed for 205 yards and two scores, along with sophomore linebacker Victor Evans, who recorded 22 total tackles in 2017. It could be a tall task for Lanier, which gave up 39 points per game, while only scoring 12 last year. vs. Reagan Raiders (Nov. 2 at Tiger Stadium, 7:30 p.m.)* Last season – 2-8, 2-4 in 25-5A Playoffs? No Following a woeful 2017 campaign, Reagan aims to improve with a roster that returns half of its returning players. Junior quarterback David Rivera leads an offense that also brings back senior running back Vontrey Harper. The duo accounted for 611 of the team’s 1,410 all-purpose yards last year. But can the Raiders put points on the board? Last season’s team scored a paltry 55 total points on the year, while giving up 36 points per game.
@ Crockett Cougars (Nov. 8 at Burger Stadium, 7:30 p.m.)* Last season – 3-8, 3-3 in 25-5A Playoffs? Yes, L to Kerrvile Tivy in bidistrict round Despite some bumps in the road, Crockett did just enough last season to warrant a playoff spot, due in part to key wins over Reagan and Travis. The Cougars will try to replicate the same success with a team that returns a majority of its players in 2018. Finding a new quarterback, however, will be imperative as the team tries to replace the output of dual-threat quarterback Ryan Waugh, who graduated this summer. Senior Nick Baca, who rushed for 535 yards and three scores in 2017, will lead the rushing offense. On the defensive side, Silvestre Lopez, who accounted for 22 tackles last year, leads the Cougar defense in his senior season.
Dripping Springs Mountain Biking Club extends open invitation to first meeting of the season The 2018 Texas Mountain Bike State Champions will hold their “kick off the season” meeting Sept. 19, 6 p.m., at the Dripping Springs High lecture hall. Come and learn about the lifelong sport of mountain biking and meet some team members. Racing ages start at 3rd grade and go up to the senior level. This is a family sport and parents are encouraged to ride as well. Practices start Sept. 22 and racing begins Feb. 16. The season’s race schedule can be viewed at https://www.tmbra.org/calendar/tcalendar. htm. The teams host rides for all skill levels. Beginners are welcome.
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Thursday, August 30, 2018
Education Dripping Springs ISD appoints new trustee STAFF REPORT
A longtime educator with ties to the community was selected to fill a vacant Dripping Springs ISD board of trustees seat last week. Marisa Grijalva, a current part-time reading intervention teacher in Austin ISD, will serve the remainder of the atlarge seat’s term, which
expires May 2019, as part of a unanimous DSISD board of trustees vote. Grijalva takes over GRIJALVA for Shelly Reeves, who resigned her position in June due to
an illness. Grijalva is a Texascertified educator who has spent 11 years as a teacher, including four at Dripping Springs Elementary from 2012 to 2016. She currently works part-time as a reading interventionist at Baldwin Elementary in Austin. She currently has two children in
DSISD, including one at Sycamore Springs Middle School and a student at Dripping Springs High. The position was filled through an application process which, according to a district press release, is a common practice used by school boards throughout the state when a vacancy on the board occurs near the
end of a term. Twenty members of the Dripping Springs community expressed interest in the position and six were selected for interviews. “The DSISD Board is grateful for the number of people who raised their hands to volunteer for this interim position,” said Board President Carrie Kroll. “Please join
us in welcoming Ms. Grijalva to the board, whose background as an educator will bring a unique perspective to this role. We are confident she will do a great job representing the voices in our community and advocating for our students.” Grijalva was sworn in to the dais Monday.
Shift use today, save on bills tomorrow Shift energy use away from peak times between 2-6 p.m. to save on bills next year. Your 2017 efforts helped avoid $1.4 million in costs this year — let’s shift, reduce use during Power Rush Hour and save even more! COURTESY PHOTO
Wimberley artist Jennifer Ober presents a $500 check to Jacob’s Well Elementary teachers.
Local artist donates to Jacob’s Well Elementary art program STAFF REPORT A local artist’s donation of $500 to Wimberley elementary art teachers is expected to go a long way for students, according to a press release. Jennifer Ober, a Wimberley area artist, presented the donation to Jacob’s Well Elementary teachers Aug. 20. Ober, a certified teacher and owner of an area art studio, shared proceeds of her summer camp earnings in the form of a scholarship or donation to further arts in the community. “Art teaches history. Art teaches math … Art teaches students how to verbalize their thoughts, ideas and processes when they speak about their work,” Ober said in a statement. “It nurtures an out-of-the-box way of thinking that is so valued in the workplace today. Art makes lots of kids excited to go to school.” Ober said she believes art and music are a fundamental part of a well-rounded education and the “soul of a school.” According to the release, Jacob’s Well educators will continue to raise funds for a kiln which will be used for firing the students’ clay creations.
“Art teaches history. Art teaches math… Art teaches students how to verbalize their thoughts, ideas and processes when they speak about their work,” Ober said in a statement. It nurtures an outof-the-box way of thinking that is so valued in the workplace today. Art makes lots of kids excited to go to school.”
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“We are very grateful for Jennifer’s generous support of our arts program at Jacob’s Well and for her enthusiastic mentorship of our students. We look forward to really firing up our art classes through the addition of a kiln on our campus,” said Mary Grace Barbee, Jacob’s Well Elementary School Art Teacher.
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in Texas through education. Bagnulo said she believes people recognize women need more encouragement when entering politics and public administration. “A lot of the female students in this group told me what a gap this fills for them and how grateful they are for this network. It’s definitely meeting a need,” Bagnulo said. “They also said they didn’t realize how many female professors our department had, and that that has been encouraging to them. Things are changing every day.”
Mass Schedule
Garza, pastor Saturday: 5 p.m. Located at the Sunday: 8:15 a.m., 11 a.m., 5 p.m.
Women’s Equality same career advancement opportunities as men are.” Discrepancies aside, more people are vying to balance gender equity in the state. Bagnulo has teamed with a group of female political science students to form the “Supporting Women in Politics” group at Texas State University, which is supported by a number of students and professors throughout the school. The organization is a grassroots initiative to help change the perception of women in politics
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TexSCAN Week of August 26, 2018
SMALL TAXING UNIT NOTICE
The Village of Bear Creek will hold a meeting at 7:00 PM on September 17, 2018 at Driftwood Volunteer Fire Department, 15850 FM 1826, Austin, TX 78737 to consider adopting a proposed tax rate for tax year 2018. The proposed tax rate is $0.0900 per $100 of value. The proposed tax rate would increase total taxes in Village of Bear Creek by 2.16%.
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Page 6
News-Dispatch
Thursday, August 30, 2018
Batch Plant Opposed Continued from pg. 1
Approving the resolution was one initiative Dripping Springs city leaders were able to take on the proposed plant, which is to be located in the 4900 block of west Highway 290. The city is limited in how it can regulate the facility, owned by Lauren Concrete, Inc., as it is located beyond Dripping Springs extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ). “The City Council is concerned about the suggested location of the proposed Concrete Batch Plant in terms of its compatibility with surrounding uses, consistency with the Comprehensive Plan, future annexation plans and suitability for the purpose identified,” according to language in the resolution. Additionally, the Dripping Springs City Council was concerned about a
potential risk to water quality, air quality and light pollution. Tim Cooper, a resident near the location of the proposed plant, thanked the council for its support. He said concerns over the proposed batch plant has brought the community together within the past two weeks. “That’s how fast this has come along. We have around 900 signatures on our petition. We thank you for the support even though your hands are tied,” Cooper said. Lauren Concrete Inc. applied for a permit through the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) that could authorize construction of the plant. TCEQ is scheduled to have a public hearing on the permit in September. Mayor Todd Purcell
said he wants the community to stay vigilant and vocal against the concrete plant. “In order for Lauren Concrete and TCEQ to feel pressure, you need to show up to these meetings and let your presence be known,” Purcell said. “As you know, we are limited with what we can do outside of our ETJ, but we are in support of what you are doing.” If enough opposition is vocalized to TCEQ, there could be contested case hearing through the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH) over the proposed concrete plant. According to the resolution, the Dripping Springs city council also requested the Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District (HTGCD) conduct a public hearing on the proposed plant.
Continued from pg. 1
“Not having a town hall (meeting), no public comment periods at meetings and restrictions on who can speak to the council at meetings is not good, transparent government. I sat up there for six years and listened to speakers for hours on end. It’s hard to do, but you have to do it. It’s the people’s government. It’s their city.” –Steve Klepfer, former Wimberley mayor
er modifying my grant for use for an alternative plan. This is off the table,” Way said in his letter. “I respect that you have been working hard searching for an alternative. But at this stage, we don’t have a viable alternative, and I do not see a path forward in any realistic time frame.” But Klepfer believes the city’s transparency woes go beyond just the recent canceled meeting. Klepfer believes the city set the stage for transparency problems after they fired former City Administrator Don Ferguson and the city’s former attorney “in the middle of one of the most divisive issues in the city’s history. “ With less than five years of experience on the dais, the current council may not have been prepared for the public’s concern, Klepfer said. “Not having a town hall (meeting), no public comment periods at meetings and restrictions on who can speak to the council at meetings is not good, transparent government,” Klepfer said. “I sat up there for six years and listened to speakers for hours on end. It’s hard to do, but you have to do it. It’s the people’s government. It’s their city.” Klepfer and Minnick also cited a document obtained by the News-Dispatch in which Scott Johnson, a donor to Jaggers’ campaign, emailed current and soonto-be city leaders the day after the May 5 election with a demand to “stop sewer project immediately,” and amend collection system to connect to Aqua Texas. His email to the current council and mayor requested that the city compare costs between an Aqua Texas-run plant and a cityrun plant, including debtpayback.
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Wimberley Wastewater for a pipeline to be constructed under Cypress Creek. “We don’t want to repeat what happened in Kyle at Plum Creek where Aqua Texas was responsible for the 100,000-gallon sewage spill,” Minnick said. But Minnick also believes the city is not communicating with its citizens and that lack of transparency is a growing issue. Minnick said at several meetings, the city council had cut off Woodcreek residents from speaking during public comment period, citing they were not Wimberley residents. She also said residents have had trouble scheduling meetings with Wimberley Mayor Susan Jaggers, as well as with city staff members. Residents are concerned about the lack of a public hearing during the proposed Aug. 16 meeting, leading some to organize a protest. Worries are growing about exactly what is in the future regarding the Wimberley’s wastewater system . On Aug. 11, four former Wimberley mayors – Bob Flocke, Mac McCullogh, Steve Klepfer and Steve Thurber – voiced their collective opposition to the direction the city and town are taking with the plant. The News-Dispatch reported that Jaggers and other city officials were eyeing the possibility of using Aqua Texas to manage its wastewater treatment plant. The decision came as Wimberley projected the city would be nearly $400,000 in debt by 2020, should it move forward with a city-owned wastewater system. Peter Way, whose family bought property along Cypress Creek close to the downtown Square in the 1940s, told Jaggers in a letter about his concern about a lack of progress being made in regard to the sewage system. Given the delay with the project, Way told the mayor his $1 million grant for the project will only be available if the city decides to opt with a city-owned system. “Therefore, given the lack of concrete progress on an alternative plan and my concerns for our city, I want to now make it clear that I will no longer consid-
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Johnson writes in his email that city leaders should “move forward decisively with the expected savings (affordability) as your guide.” “When you get sued, that will be the delay, not the actions you are taking to get our Village back on an appropriate financial footing,” Johnson said. In addition, Jaggers also sought to amend the city’s $1 million grant with the Economic Development Administration (EDA) to pay for an Aqua Texas system, which was denied. In a letter sent to Jaggers, Jorge Ayala, Director of the EDA Austin Regional office, said changing to include Aqua Texas would require new legal, environmental and engineering analyses beyond a “simple grant agreement.” The EDA’s grant was based on the Wimberley’s original plan, as well as a subsequent amendment, which dictated city ownership of the facility. Ayala said the only two options for Wimberley are to continue with its city owned plan, or pursue Aqua Texas without the EDA’s grant. “Taken together, these significant changes to the approved EDA project are so substantial from EDA’s legal perspective that it’s an entirely new project that cannot be approved as a grant amendment,” Ayala wrote in his letter. The News-Dispatch has reached out to the city of Wimberley officials multiple times over the past few weeks for comment on this and other wastewater related stories. The News-Dispatch has also reached out to members of the Wimberley City Council for comment. Officials and leaders did not respond to requests for comment as of press time.
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Belterra Over Budget Continued from pg. 1
over 15 percent from 2011 to 2016. According to the contract, Endeavor estimated that Belterra Village would create around 800 jobs and generate $793,125 per year in new sales tax revenue. “We built one heck of a project and I don’t feel we tried to pull a fast one on the city,” Campbell said. “We aren’t asking for
more money. We want to continue with the $2.2 million grant.” Dripping Springs city staff recommended council postpone the motion to consider the reimbursements of the project, citing that there is still more administrative work that needs to be done. Council unanimously voted to table the item for the September 18
council meeting. “You should have known better. It’s frustrating when big developers come in here and ask for forgiveness – you all are big boys,” Purcell said. “You’ve done a wonderful job with the project, but this was a contract. We’ll hold up our end. You bet we will. And we are going to be cautious with the public’s dollars.”
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