Census counts 2,626 Wimberley residents; water main on the Square to be replaced

Six Wimberley streets are on the fast track for repaving and reconstruction before the end of the current fiscal year which ends on September 30. Mill Race Lane, Cliffview road, Malone Drive, Rockwall Road, Smith Creed Road and Twilight Trail

City Hall Briefs is written and edited by Bob Flocke to inform the citizens of Wimberley about city activities. It is neither an official nor an authorized publication of the City of Wimberley. The Briefs is distributed by e-mail to anyone who wishes to receive it. If you wish to receive a copy, email Flocke at rflocke@austin.rr.com or call 512.847.5421.

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2010 Census figures are in – Wimberley has 2,626 residents

The local results for the US Census Bureau's 2010 census were released Friday. In its first official count since incorporation, Wimberley has 2,626 residents. That number is up from the Census Bureau's 2008 estimate of 2,610. The 2010 Census shows there to be 1,482 housing units in the city and that 83 percent of Wimberley residents are 18 years old or older. The 2010 Census lists the population of Woodcreek as 1,457, down from a 2008 projected population of 1,600. Wimberley incorporated in 2000 with an estimated population of some 5,000 people.

The question will no doubt be asked, with the 2010 Census count for Wimberley coming in below the estimated population at the time of incorporation, does that impact the legal status of the City and the size of its extraterritorial jurisdiction? The answer to both questions is no.

WWSC to replace water main on Square this week

The Wimberley Water Supply Corporation will be replacing an existing 2 inch water main with a 6 inch main on the Square starting February 21 and ending on February 27. Construction will begin on the west side of the Square in front of Blue Bacon Toys and run along the north side the Wimberley Café, extending approximately 375 feet to the corner property line between Chick-A-Dees and Wimberley Log Homes. This line is being replaced due to age, its limited size and the problems with the location of the existing line.

The work will be done during the overnight hours to minimize the inconvenience on merchants and their customers. As such, water outages should not be a problem. Along with replacing the existing main, a new fire hydrant will be installed during construction to enhance fire protection in the merchant district. The merchants have been notified of the planned work.

TML supports Wimberley's request for AG opinion on discharge of firearms in city limits

The Texas Municipal League has filed a brief supporting Wimberley's request for a Texas Attorney General's opinion regarding the city's ordinance prohibiting the discharge of firearms within the city limits. State Senator Jeff Wentworth made the request of the attorney general's office on behalf of the city of Wimberley following a municipal court case in which the judge decided a case in favor of a citizen who had been charged with discharging a shotgun on property within the city limits.

The judge cited a state law which prohibits cities from regulating the discharge of firearms on tracts of 10 acres or more in areas that had been annexed. In his decision, the judge said that there was no difference between incorporation and annexation. The defendant's property was part of Wimberley's original 2000 annexation. An attorney general's opinion should be forthcoming within 180 days.

No candidates have filed for city council election

As of close of business Friday, no one had filed as a candidate for Wimberley's May 14 city council election. Three council seats are up for election, and the filing period began on February 14 and runs through March 14. The seats to be filled in the election are Place 1, currently held by Marilee Wood; Place 3, currently held by Bill Appleman and Place 5 which is held by John White. The city is holding a joint election with the Wimberley Independent School District and the Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District.

Sheriff favorable to Wimberley using off-duty deputies for local traffic enforcement

In a meeting last week with Wimberley officials, Hays County Sheriff Gary Cutler indicated that he was in favor of the city hiring off-duty deputies on a part-time basis to enforce local traffic laws. Cutler met with Mayor Bob Flocke and City Administrator Don Ferguson to discuss city-county law enforcement issues. The deputies would be paid $35 per hour by the city, and their patrol cars would be an additional $10 an hour. Citations written by the deputies while they are being paid by the city will be adjudicated in Wimberley's municipal court, and any fines would be paid to the city's general fund. The city and county attorneys will draw up an interlocal agreement which must be approved by the city council and Hays County Commissioners Court.

Council approves first reading of water quality ordinance

The Wimberley City Council at its regular meeting last week approved on first reading a water quality protection ordinance to control potential pollution of groundwater and surface streams. The proposed ordinance was developed by the Planning and Zoning Commission with a goal to maintain or enhance the existing water quality of the groundwater and surfaced water within the city and its extraterritorial jurisdiction. The ordinance contains a series of general prohibitions relating to the discharge of certain wastes, substances or materials such as oil, anti-freeze and sediment into a storm water drainage system.

In addition, the ordinance establishes a series of pollution controls for new subdivision development and new commercial development including pollutant loading performance standards, setbacks from streams and critical environmental features, erosion control requirements and impervious cover limitation for such new development in the city's ETJ.

The pollution controls are intended to address larger scale developments and do not impact individuals seeking to build single-family residences on existing platted lots. For those individuals, the most notable impact of the proposed ordinance is a requirement that an erosion control plan be submitted with their plans for a building permit which shows the steps to be taken to provide erosion and sediment control during construction.

To encourage water quality protection, the proposed ordinance offers impervious cover incentives such as rainwater harvesting and transferable development rights. Also, the ordinance provides a process to seek a waiver from the regulations in those cases where a hardship may exist. If the council passes the ordinance on its second reading at the March 3 meeting, it becomes law as part of the city's code of ordinances.

Council sets priorities for street repair

City council action placed six Wimberley streets on the fast track for repaving and reconstruction before the end of the current fiscal year which ends on September 30. Mill Race Lane, Cliffview road, Malone Drive, Rockwall Road, Smith Creed Road and Twilight Trail. The council allocated $201,000 for street repair in this year's budget. The estimated cost for the work on all six streets is $235,830. Malone Drive ($17,400) and Rockwall Road (23,730) are at the bottom of the FY 2011 priority list and will be repaired this year if the other projects can be done for less than the estimates. If those two streets are not paved this year, they will be at the head of the priority for repair for FY 2012. The city's Transportation Advisory Board and the city staff developed a priority list for Wimberley's 88 streets, and the council decided to try to repair and repave them over a ten year period. The process started last year with the paving of three streets in the northern part of the city.

2011 Blue Hole admission fees established

The city council approved Parks and Recreation Commission recommendations for the 2011 swimming season at Blue Hole. The fees for daily admission will remain the same as for the 2010 season with several changes to the age group categories. Children three and under are free. Children ages four to 12 will pay $3 each and all children 12 and under must be accompanies by an adult. Juniors from 13 to 17 will pay $7.00 as will adults 19-59. Seniors 60 and over will pay $3 for admission. Season passes are $30 for ages 4-12 and 60 and older. Ages 13 to 59 will be charged $50 for season passes. New this year is a 10-admission punch pass that is transferable. These passes may be used for up to 10 admissions by anyone in the appropriate age groups in possession of the pass. The cost for the punch passes are $24 for ages 4-12 and 60 and older. Ages 13-59 can get a punch pass for $56. The swimming hole is scheduled to open on Memorial Day weekend provided that Blue Hole Regional Park development construction is completed in the swimming hole area.

City accepts Wood, Grinstead $30,000 Blue Hole Contribution

The city council accepted a donation of $30,000 from Marilee Wood and Tevis Grinstead for planned improvements at Blue Hole Regional Park. The Wood-Grinstead donation is dedicated to the development and maintenance of a small amphitheater at the park. In accordance with the city's naming policy for Blue Hole, the amphitheater will carry the name of the donors or another name designated by the donors for the life of the improvement. Wood is a member of the Wimberley City Council, and Grinstead, a local attorney and member of the Wimberley Board of Adjustment, is her husband.