Although there was standing room only for those supporting Bob Preston, a Bandera resident whose property is included in the proposed site for a wastewater treatment plant, tensions remained surprisingly low at the Bandera City Council meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 10.
After the meeting was called to order, Gary Manning, a resident of the Creek Wood area, opened the public comments by speaking on Preston’s behalf.
“Seventy-four acres seems excessive,” Manning said. “Especially considering that your current plant sits only on three or four acres. Is there not a plot of land that does not include Preston’s property that you can use?”
The council, with newly elected
“SEVENTYFOUR ACRES SEEMS EXCESSIVE”
- Gary Manning, a resident of the Creek Wood area
Mayor Griffin absent due to a planned vacation, listened as another supporter of Preston took the podium—his cousin, Mary Mosely.
“Bob wakes up at night with worry about this,” Mosely said, gesturing to Preston, who sat in the front row. “He has been on this property for 80 years now. His father built this property in 1948, and to ask him to leave after all this time is tremendously stressful. Please consider another property for your wastewater treatment plant.”
Following the public comments, the council held a dedication to former Mayor Rebeca Gibson for her 10 years of service to the city of Bandera and the travel industry.
In addition to routine approvals, motions, and reappointments to civil service positions, the council also heard a presentation by Flock Safety, a company offering camera technology to help reduce crime.
Both Marshal Nancy De Foster and Sgt. Kenneth Morgan spoke in support of Flock Safety, stating that the four main entry and exit points of Bandera would be ideal locations for camera installations.
De Foster, noting that her department recently added a deputy, reminded the council that she remains short-staffed.
“Flock Safety is not exactly a substitute for additional personnel, but it would certainly assist our department,” she said.
The proposed four-camera system would provide 24/7 surveillance, capture still images of vehicle rear plates, and send real-time alerts to law enforcement.
The cameras are compatible with Amber Alert systems.
The cost for the proposed installation is approximately $3,000 per camera.
Hayden Webb, a representative from Flock Safety, emphasized that the existing poles at the proposed locations would reduce installation costs.
He noted that Flock Safety’s systems are already in use in more than 430 cities, including Austin.
The council is expected to discuss the camera proposal, along with the contested wastewater treatment plant project, at its next meeting.
