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Leon Valley council backs tougher traffic and code enforcement after resident complaints

5829177 · August 20, 2025
AI-Generated Content: All content on this page was generated by AI to highlight key points from the meeting. For complete details and context, we recommend watching the full video. so we can fix them.

Summary

Following direction from a recent council retreat, the City of Leon Valley will continue a more aggressive enforcement approach for traffic and code violations; staff reported a rise in citations for sidewalk blocking during the enforcement period and councilors acknowledged public concern while affirming enforcement within legal limits.

The City of Leon Valley signaled continued emphasis on traffic and code enforcement at the Aug. 19 council meeting after staff briefed the council on recent enforcement activity and public reaction.

Dr. Crystal Caldera said the council provided direction at a recent retreat to increase visible enforcement — including more patrol activity and a higher tendency to issue citations rather than warnings for violations such as blocking sidewalks and speeding. Caldera noted the city cannot direct officers to convert lawful discretionary warnings into fines; officers retain discretion under policy and state law.

Caldera reported enforcement figures for one category: 76 citations and 16 warnings for blocking sidewalks during the most recent enforcement period. Several residents spoke at the meeting, some expressing frustration at receiving citations and asking about consistency; others supported enforcement as a way to improve safety and neighborhood appearance. Councilors emphasized they had asked for a firmer enforcement posture to address speeding, blocked sidewalks and other recurring public‑safety and quality‑of‑life concerns.

Why it matters: Enforcement policy affects resident perceptions of fairness, neighborhood safety and city code compliance. Councilors and staff acknowledged the need for consistent application of rules, training and public communication to avoid perceived selective enforcement.

Next steps: The council directed staff to continue enforcement within legal limits and to emphasize public education avenues; staff said it will apply the city code and state law consistently and provide information on citation and court options for residents.