Gateway Feature project moves forward in Fair Oaks Ranch
A new gateway feature is coming to Fair Oaks Ranch off Fair Oaks Parkway following approval from City Council on April 17.
In the works since 2019, the gateway feature construction comes at a cost of $199,840, bringing the total cost to around $224,840 for the design and construction.
Funding for the project is provided through grant funds from the Municipal Development District, which raises money through city sales tax. AAA Time Saver Services was recognized as the lowest bidder on the project, and will be awarded the contract for the project.
During the meeting, resident Kevin Cox spoke against the construction of the gateway feature, raising concerns about the cost of the project, the necessity of an entry sign and community involvement in the project.
Councilmembers Keith Rhoden and Jonathan Swarek alongside Mayor Greg Maxton supported the project, highlighting the lengthy process to bring the gateway feature to fruition.
Boerne City Council moves forward with Safety Action Plan update
Boerne City Council on April 8 approved a resolution for an update to the Safety Action Plan. The resolution authorizes the city manager to enter into an agreement with Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. to complete the plan for a cost of $300,000. City staff said 80% of the $300,000 is expected to be reimbursed through federal grants.
The goals of the project will be:
- Update the city’s existing Safety Action Plan to comply with all federal requirement
- Conduct a downtown pedestrian safety action plan to address pedestrian fatalities and serious injuries near the city center
- Conduct intersection-focused road safety audits at intersections identified as crash hotspots
Fair Oaks Ranch moves forward with land purchase for elevated water storage
Fair Oaks Ranch is in the process of constructing an elevated water storage tank, which would be the first water tower in the city.
On April 3, City Council approved a resolution for the city manager to enter an agreement for the purchase of land from the city of Boerne, in the amount of $543,628. City Manager Scott Huizenga said the plans for an elevated water storage have been in the works since around 2008.
“This is a really big day for us,” he said. “A project that has been in the works for nearly 20 years from concept to where we are now. We are really excited to have the identified site in place that we can finally proceed on this project and work on a long term pressure and storage solution for the city.”
Design on the project is expected to take around six months, and the aim is to have construction begin in the next fiscal year.
Mowing services contract approved by Boerne City Council
A new mowing service will take care of landscaping and maintenance in the city of Boerne following the City Council approval of a mowing contract on April 22. The city has been using a contractor for mowing since 2022, city staff said.
City Manager Ben Thatcher said utilizing third party services for mowing around the city helps take the pressure off city staff, allowing a focus on streets and other maintenance. Contracting is also cheaper than hiring full-time staff positions, he said.
The contract will be awarded to Brightview Landscape Service in an amount not to exceed $98,010 alongside a 15% increase for a total construction cost of $113,500. In the Fiscal Year 2024-25 budget, $192,879 was allocated for this service, meaning the contract came in under budget.
Fair Oaks Ranch council approves list of cities to be compared in compensation study
The city of Fair Oaks Ranch is in the process of a compensation study to evaluate the city’s presence in the job market. City Council on April 17 approved a resolution listing 20 cities to pull data from for the purpose of comparing compensation and benefits.
Karl Fuchs, senior consultant Evergreen Solutions, LLC, said by comparing with cities such as Schertz, Selma, San Antonio and 17 other cities across the state, Fair Oaks Ranch can evaluate employee compensation and benefits to see if the city is competitive with other markets. The utilization of this study can give city leadership direction on attracting top talent to fill open city positions.
