Council removes one EDC member, keeps another

The Bandera City Council discussed and voted on removing up to two members of the Bandera Economic Development Corporation board last week, one of whom was removed unanimously and another was not in a tie vote decided by the mayor.

During the Sept. 20 regular meeting of the council, EDC President Jared Wilcox presented information and recommendations.

Councilwoman Toni Kunz reviewed the information about several EDC members, noting specifically Lauren Ojeda had missed eight of 15 meetings held since November 8, 2021, and Lindsay Barnett had missed four of nine meetings since she had been appointed. Kunz added the EDC typically meets once a month and occasionally has workshops.

“I think these are excessive absences, and I’d like to make a motion to remove Lauren Ojeda and Lindsay Barnett,” said Kunz.

After Mayor Suzanne Schauman asked for the two members be addressed separately. Kunz amended her motion to remove Ojeda, after which the council voted unanimously in favor to remove her.

Following Kunz’s motion to remove Barnett, Wilcox stated Barnett had called in advance of her absence.

“I will say that the meetings that she has missed, she has called to let us know that she was going to miss them specifically for her son’s football games, for the games when her husband could not be there,” he said. “She has at least called with what her reasoning was.”

Kunz asked, “Have you discussed changing the day of the meeting, or has she asked for it to be on the agenda? Because I don’t see the football schedule changing anytime soon?”

Kunz stressed people who have issues should be able to find solutions. There was a split vote to remove Barnett, and Schauman broke the tie by voting to keep Barnett.

There is now an open call for applicants for a seat on the EDC board.

Applicants are qualified if they are a city resident, business owner or county resident.

Leaving one vacancy on the EDC board, the council moved on to consider appointing a new board member. Applications are available at cityofbandera.org/administration or by hard copy at City Hall.

Completed applications can be returned to the City Secretary’s office.