[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6657885,"mediaKeyId","5065361-17d465f6e7e34aeb5503ea61d0fde844","parentId",5065361,"title","Council awards Ammon Road water tank and pump station contract; bids come in above engineer estimate","audioSeconds",514,"startMs",4398000,"endMs",4912000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5065361-17d465f6e7e34aeb5503ea61d0fde844&start=4398&end=4912","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5065361-17d465f6e7e34aeb5503ea61d0fde844/thumbnail_4398000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6657885/Texas/Council-awards-Ammon-Road-water-tank-and-pump-station-contract-bids-come-in-above-engineer-estimate","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6657885-d3806c00cb4609d7efdf0413447d71c9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770431950&Signature=W5zdZexaw4ka2iaDcIA5-OmAFekko8DXd2fjIg60NYkVqlPae-A3h8a6B1qjZRpwnoDZHNKr1wJ99~j3vOxVrnXd4iTDlHlxdymSZopoTVNCI8e2aQ4ThpiSJZ65V~UQz3IitbndfHeY7L~mMSasctCK5K85spNQPvSg4Z4ENEiLXVHBXEK-pYgAWappdK3SYjDCkInylFZ9qWzfdb-klaSRhdeLbutuFWL8ofAlnSGKdySK4oWw6pUaTg2c6gxbvbMi81lSC2VY-f6P1spFXD4PwEoZOtjux-w~e2C0V1IKeLEXf4wLCpCz2zA19M-7fKN7hCvDTi7ikas880E4sg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Boerne","date","2025-06-24T00:00:00Z","article","The Boerne City Council on June 24 authorized award of the construction contract for the Ammon Road ground storage tank and pump station project to the apparent low bidder and approved a not-to-exceed authority for change orders. The motion passed 5-0.

Utilities Director Mike Mann presented the bid results and project purpose: the project provides a GBRA delivery point on Ammon Road north of Fair Oaks and a high-service pump station (approximately 3,604 gallons per minute capacity) to better serve the eastern portion of the city distribution system for firefighting capacity and redundancy. The engineer’s estimate of probable cost was about $7.7 million; seven bids were received and the low base bid reported on the agenda was $8,907,229. Staff noted bid spreads ranged from $8.9 million to about $10.5 million and identified electrical and site-preparation costs as major drivers for the bids exceeding the estimate.

Andrew Wilkinson, utilities engineer, told council the largest discrepancy from the engineer’s estimate came in electrical improvements and internal distribution associated with high-horsepower pumps; staff also cited heavy statewide demand for electrical contractors that can serve such projects. The project will include a decorative rock exterior on the pump-station building facing Ammon Road and a security fence; staff said design choices could be altered but the incremental savings were estimated to be modest compared with the overall project cost.

Council discussion touched on right-of-way smoothing and coordination with adjacent jurisdictions to adjust intersection radii and on the city’s funding approach. City staff said the project will be funded from accumulated water impact fees and that no debt issuance is necessary to pay the construction costs.

Councilman Scott moved to receive and approve the resolution awarding the contract (resolution 2025-R41); Councilman Willison seconded. The motion passed 5-0.

Why it matters: The project increases firefighting flow capacity and provides redundancy for the city’s water deliveries. The bids arriving above the engineer’s estimate and the identified electrical-contractor cost pressure are relevant for budgeting and may affect future project timelines and specifications.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Boerne - City Council on 2025-06-24 6:00 PM - Jun 24, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The council awarded a construction contract for the Ammon Road ground storage tank and pump station project after bids exceeded the engineer’s estimates. The base bid accepted was about $8.9 million; the engineer’s estimate had been $7.7 million. Funding will come from water impact fees; staff said no debt issuance is required.","taxTitle","Boerne, Kendall County, Texas","taxId",63804,"location","Texas","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6657890,"Boerne presents design and estimated $20M probable cost for new Fire Station No. 2",920,2800000,3720000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5065361-17d465f6e7e34aeb5503ea61d0fde844&start=2800&end=3720","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5065361-17d465f6e7e34aeb5503ea61d0fde844/thumbnail_2800000.jpg","/articles/6657890/Texas/Boerne-presents-design-and-estimated-20M-probable-cost-for-new-Fire-Station-No-2","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6657890-1c591d3afc36c32ffe2e24a0a11319fc/orig.mp4?Expires=1770431950&Signature=i-Ss-coueC5wRcM5PuWKjCucvpnJV3TZczCHRvlu-B2fsCa8yn0DbMk9UZVQYZi2Gm6NmZGiN6TdoRssfHMPh~L6eIDBcKfQ21SKUh2WXYJix1jpsInHi4XQHxYbTo5f-mytxmRbaVRHoemgk5Bue7Ax9QjsZIXOg515swdoRLfog2Ts8DOuh12S-hBWZfli-QTuVGTNG3PIxQPksofkXjPDylg9ddzFQU5mCMSIx0YJwaWtGg-AlkWx2gUc~kfaJ4mo0ubyh3Et6B~7oAIUrEa-9PWSluQKcuVsxe40Los7y~NqeWaHm1~UD2yhFl13l19H5QM0G1bcqirIN-Loqg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff and the Boerne Fire Department presented a project design update on June 24 for Fire Station No. 2 in the Esperanza area, including conceptual drawings, program elements and a preliminary cost estimate.

Danny (city project lead) and Fire Chief Manny (presenting for the department) described an 11-month design effort led by Hafer Welker (architect) and a cross-departmental committee. The design emphasizes three guiding principles: future-proofing, functionality and culture. Features include separated “dirty” and “clean” areas for decontamination and gear laundering; a community-facing meeting room and library kiosk; training-oriented exterior façades and rooftop training features; a museum room for a historic 1929 American LaFrance fire truck; fitness spaces with indoor/outdoor artificial turf; and built-in provisions for one-water initiatives, bioswales and sustainability elements.

Chief Manny summarized program and capacity: the station includes nine dorm rooms (to provide capacity as staffing grows) with an initial planned crew of four personnel assigned to the new station at opening; the department intends operational staffing to adapt with call volume and apparatus needs. The design incorporates training elements across the “dirty” side of the building, anchor points for rappelling and simulated windows for victim removal and rescue practice.

The architect and staff presented conceptual costs: a building probable cost of just over $15.5 million, site probable cost approximately $3.5 million, and contingencies/fees bringing the current conceptual estimate to about $20 million. Staff noted site unknowns — topography and subsurface rock — that contribute to the site-cost estimate and that final costs will be refined when Esperanza Boulevard redesign and detailed civil work are complete. The donated land reduces land acquisition cost; site-work and infrastructure (cut/fill, access turns on Esperanza Boulevard) remain to be finalized.

Next steps identified by staff include completing the Esperanza Boulevard design, finishing civil and site cost estimates, finalizing construction documents and soliciting bids for a general contractor. Staff projected an updated timeline and said they would bring cost refinements and a procurement schedule back to council.

Why it matters: The new station is intended to expand fire-department capacity, add training infrastructure and provide a community meeting space. The presentation lays out program needs, shared community uses and a conceptual budget for council consideration and future budget/contract decisions.","City staff and the fire department presented an 11-month design for Fire Station No. 2 featuring training facilities, community meeting space with library kiosk, decontamination and sustainability features; conceptual probable cost is roughly $20 million (building ~$15.5M, site ~$3.5M).",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6657895,"Boerne council approves first-reading updates to drought contingency ordinance to meet TCEQ requirements",403,2412000,2815000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5065361-17d465f6e7e34aeb5503ea61d0fde844&start=2412&end=2815","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5065361-17d465f6e7e34aeb5503ea61d0fde844/thumbnail_2412000.jpg","/articles/6657895/Texas/Boerne-council-approves-first-reading-updates-to-drought-contingency-ordinance-to-meet-TCEQ-requirements","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6657895-6b6dc489d249af9a62391b46042a0b82/orig.mp4?Expires=1770431950&Signature=Mp0boC2FGRZyIOTWqyN2PffslnUrQJm7Q8FDMNhPiZLDkGqgVUcfgC6e-7hn4y~tV-HjInh1CmYBqCqhDKmMk35T2SbwllqlDobulJ3uToruHJUqT7E8y-gLOJx-76IR2Zl4F0nO9WglpH9GWUZNn2CCw37mzhWjVbI2A8yhlA3~G1Tr8BDbf~DDVM7oJfYffoiV~WG~tShWVsq7GCdnU~lY9O4lmmvIdzHS7~LPFQbaNfjaUEeFkFTMZD3mue4TU1BNympyg3jYvU2uMqe7f~vSnkq2d74nrWX4YPHeKx9UAqzE5cv8JN1dQPZrJUJOmfNrZi-472WqW1mZsL4LPw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Boerne City Council on June 24 voted 5-0 on the first reading of ordinance 2025-08, which updates the city’s conservation and emergency drought management ordinance (the drought contingency plan) to meet Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority (GBRA) requirements.

Utilities staff member Andrea Snoffer presented the update, describing the changes as largely regulatory housekeeping required for consistency with TCEQ and GBRA. The ordinance adds quantified trigger criteria for initiating and terminating drought stages, specifies percentage water-demand reduction targets for each stage, designates a drought coordinator and formalizes procedures for granting variances.

Snoffer told the council the city retained its existing water allocations and monthly distribution approach (one-twelfth of the annual commitment per month) and that the changes do not change the city’s actual annual allotment from GBRA. She said the utilities regulatory services administrator is designated in the ordinance as the drought coordinator.

In response to a question from Councilman Scott about whether the new trigger language would automatically move the city to a higher stage given current reservoir levels, Snoffer and other staff answered that the plan’s operational trigger is the city’s ability to meet demand with available production. The staff explanation emphasized that Boerne uses multiple potable sources and that the written triggers include qualifying language; staff stated the city will not advance drought stages solely because statewide numeric triggers are met if city production can meet demand.

Councilman Bunker moved and Councilman Willison seconded approval on first reading. The motion passed 5-0.

Why it matters: The ordinance update implements TCEQ-mandated plan features — triggers, reduction targets and variance procedures — and clarifies operational decision-making that ties drought-stage activation to local supply-and-demand conditions rather than a single lake-level metric. The changes are intended to ensure regulatory compliance and to provide clearer operational guidance during water shortages.","On June 24 the City Council approved on first reading ordinance 2025-08 updating the city's conservation and drought contingency ordinance to add quantified triggers and reduction targets, designate a drought coordinator and add variance procedures as required by TCEQ and GBRA.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6657900,"Boerne council approves special-use permit for drive-through at Herff Road shopping center",2204,158000,2362000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5065361-17d465f6e7e34aeb5503ea61d0fde844&start=158&end=2362","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5065361-17d465f6e7e34aeb5503ea61d0fde844/thumbnail_158000.jpg","/articles/6657900/Texas/Boerne-council-approves-special-use-permit-for-drive-through-at-Herff-Road-shopping-center","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6657900-b8c99ec20bead2fce0af7c5d10d65716/orig.mp4?Expires=1770431950&Signature=f~v7NQ~90PUWPtYBfYsnfMpVrDdPKksKeqgq-l1cEqR9BU7TFr~R0OXGfuqnEq8uXdmH1qUK493NdIoAIG9E-IH-vg4~r4Ezga7gyhkNnttSs3Tn01HdR-wDzobPnZ9Yu474PehFCX8flw17xsiWDr3ElK~V1xRi-q0c6s1ourJezt1Wel4KhB6CXXsezZ1u9nOCFvvd1q80x9oLSR7PBt2ISKOS4Ge9~DAg3tvFja3FxTVSeXZETopq~sm5Nq96wVR0dBuDaK9WzTbVxkdGsjRHuoG3oXENbVIuMuKs0ff8BaR~yQ9k~79fglaHd4ycgmrLqtQfyYTpRL7e8boeBg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Boerne City Council on June 24 approved on first reading ordinance 2025-07, granting a special-use permit to allow a drive-through in the C-2 transitional commercial zoning district within the SOBO (South Boerne) overlay at Commons of Manger Unit 11A, a parcel near the northeast corner of Gallant Fox and Herff Road. The motion passed 5-0.

The proposal before the council is a site plan for a 6,300-square-foot building with two tenants: a 2,400-square-foot coffee shop (presented in the meeting materials as Starbucks) and an adjacent 3,900-square-foot retail space. Nathan Crane, a city planner, told the council the applicant proposes the coffee shop would operate 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week and that the drive-through stacking lane measures for approximately 26 cars from the pickup window to the point measured by staff (not counting the deceleration taper).

Council members discussed traffic, the road network, and what the SUP allowed the city to require. Multiple council members said the SUP gave leverage to require site improvements they would not otherwise obtain for a permitted restaurant use. The council’s final approval included the following stipulations (as read into the record by the motion-maker): (1) plan conformance with the site plan and stamped renderings, (2) secondary access (cul-de-sac connection), (3) construction of a deceleration lane on Herff Road, (4) directional signage, (5) landscape plan enhancements and increased tree plantings where feasible, (6) HVAC and rainwater condensation collection systems, (7) enhanced Herff Road frontage landscaping, and (8) additional handicap parking (stipulation text required two additional accessible spaces beyond the code requirement as read during the meeting).

Justin, the developer who spoke at the meeting, told the council the deceleration lane and the ride-in/ride-out configuration would help traffic flow: “It allows someone to pull off in the taper and essentially do all the deceleration in the decel lane. Hence, the traffic flow on Herff is unimpeded.” City staff and council members also noted the project will be reviewed by the fire marshal for first-responder access and that no permits will be issued without those approvals.

Council members debated traffic counts for Herff Road. Jeff Carroll, mobility director, told the council that near this intersection Herff Road carries roughly 13,000 vehicles per day (other higher counts referenced in earlier meetings apply further west near River Heath). Several council members said that even if a drive-through increases trips, the engineering measures proposed — the deceleration lane, cross-access and other improvements — would mitigate impacts compared with vehicles slowing to enter or exit via a cul-de-sac-only arrangement.

Developer testimony in the public portion committed that Phase 2 (which would include a pocket park and additional retail) is contingent on completion of Phase 1 and that the developer has the adjacent parcel under contract and intends to develop it. The council noted that, per stipulation discussion, there will be no business occupancy until the cul-de-sac/secondary access (Gallant Fox connection) is complete.

Councilman Scott moved to approve ordinance 2025-07 with the listed stipulations; Councilman Woodlandson seconded. The motion passed 5-0.

Votes at a glance: ordinance 2025-07 (special-use permit for a drive-through at Commons of Manger Unit 11A) — motion to approve with stipulations by Councilman Scott; second by Councilman Woodlandson; vote 5-0.

Why it matters: The SUP process allowed the council to secure multiple infrastructure and design commitments (deceleration lane, landscaping, rainwater capture, additional accessible parking and cross-access) that staff and council said would not automatically be required for a permitted restaurant use. The item also highlights continuing concern among council members about traffic on Herff Road and the role of supplementary site improvements in mitigating impacts.","The Boerne City Council voted 5-0 to approve an ordinance (2025-07) granting a special-use permit to allow a drive-through at a new two-tenant retail building (including a coffee shop) near the northeast corner of Gallant Fox and Herff Road, with eight stipulations including a deceleration lane, enhanced landscaping and rainwater capture.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council awards Ammon Road water tank and pump station contract; bids come in above engineer estimate

Boerne presents design and estimated $20M probable cost for new Fire Station No. 2

Boerne council approves first-reading updates to drought contingency ordinance to meet TCEQ requirements

Boerne council approves special-use permit for drive-through at Herff Road shopping center