The Bandera City Council voted unanimously to officially approve new drought and water restrictions on June 25, with the new changes including allowing citizens to hand-wash vehicles, water gardens and fill pools between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m.
Many citizens took umbrage with these new ordinances, saying they directly contradict the restrictions set by the Bandera County River Authority and Groundwater District despite the previous city restrictions being the exact same.
Mayor Gibson noted there were certain points in the BCRAGD restrictions that did not apply to the city itself, namely the county’s restrictions regarding livestock and wells.
“We can have oversight over things within the city limits,” said Mayor Gibson.
The council voted before any other comments could be made on the matter.
In other business, the council next approved a motion to create a Request for Proposal to hire a public relations firm for marketing and branding.
The council next voted to create a committee to discuss welcome and wayfinding signs. The mayor expressed a desire for a large “Welcome to Bandera” sign, replete with the city’s slogan. The committee is currently being formed and includes council member Tony Battle.
Earlier in the meeting, Public Works Director Terry Wells gave a report on recent projects his department had completed.
In addition to finishing a sewer line at a local RV park and continuing on an underground culvert on Hackberry Street, he also raised some concerns.
The chief concern he mentioned was the streetlights. The fluorescent bulbs they run on now may be more environmentally safe, but they do not emit as much light as the previous sodium light bulbs, he said.
The public raised some other concerns with Mr. Wells, bringing certain items to attention, such as the gate to the park being closed after a rainstorm, preventing certain citizens from being able to use the park.
“It’s a great disservice to disabled people and families with strollers and not let them be able to access the park after a storm,” said concerned citizen Josie Evans.
The council also heard a presentation from Chase Whittaker, President of Davinci 3D Tech.
Whittaker presented the goal of Davinci 3D Tech partnering with the City of Bandera to create affordable housing by 3D printing homes. He cited their partnership with the city of Luling as an example of their success.
Whittaker believed that Davinci 3D Tech would be of great benefit to the city and provide affordable housing, with their houses only costing a penny per square foot to make, he said The houses come in either 800 or 1000 square foot sizes, according to Whittaker. It would allow a wide variety of people to be able to live affordably in Bandera, such as teachers, young families, and college students, he said.
“We have a retiree option that’s perfect for older folks who want to live near their kids,” said Whittaker.
