WIMBERLEY — At its March 20 meeting, Wimberley City Council did a mid-year review of goals and priorities for Fiscal Year 2025.
The city’s core values, which reflect the priorities of its citizens and the issues that are important to the community, according to agenda documents, include the following: quality of life, health and safety, sustainable economy and relationships.
In his presentation to council, city administrator Tim Patek presented eight goals for FY 2025 and the current status of each.
Water Conservation Partnerships
The city aims to establish a comprehensive program to incentivize water conservation partnerships with key stakeholders — local businesses, community organizations and residents — looking to reduce water usage by 20% over the next two years through collaborative initiatives and innovative conservation strategies. Examples of this include no pools in new construction, air conditioning condensation, rainwater collection, on-site water system, xeriscape and no sprinkler systems.
The city hopes to achieve the 20% reduction in water usage by September 2026.
City council and staff are working with water conservation partners, like David Baker, executive director of The Watershed Association, and Texas Water Trade Net Zero Water Engineer Chandler Crouch to create a balance between conservation of the water resources and the population and applying onsite water reuse and conservation technologies. Also, they are working with Hill Country Alliance Water Program Manager Marisa Bruno “to help advance water supply resilience and protect groundwater and surface water flows through collaborative initiatives and strategies,” said Patek.
Council member Rebecca Minnick also requested to include Jonas Rosenthal, watershed coordinator for Hays County, on the list as the city has worked with him, as well.
Youth Advisory Council
The city has onboarded two practicum students from Wimberley ISD — one is with both the Parks and Public Works departments and the other is just with the Parks Department — as a way to develop a Youth Advisory Council consisting of ninth through 12th grade students to involve them in the city of Wimberley government process, according to Patek.
“Richard Shaver, our Parks and Recreation director, is kind of spearheading that and so, they are strengthening the partnerships with the school district and then, also, they are growing relationships, laying the foundation for broader student engagement, supporting our efforts through recruitment and involving ninth through 12th graders in civic activities,” Patek explained.
Council member Chris Sheffield asked if the city will bring in students annually every school year to participate in the program.
“I would think so … You may have some that repeat if they are juniors. I don’t know, but if they are all seniors, then definitely, you would definitely have to have new ones come in year after year,” Patek responded, adding that there would be some kind of limit on how many students would be involved.
The goal is to have the Youth Advisory Council conduct monthly meetings and have the council participate in at least three city council meetings and two community projects by June 2025, according to agenda documents.
Increase Alert System Subscribers
While the goal to have 1,000 new subscribers on the city of Wimberley’s Alert System — which informs citizens of important updates via text — by the end of the year has not been reached, there has been an increase of more than 100 new users.
The city will continue to promote sign-ups through social media outreach, at the emergency preparedness fair, other city events and on the city’s website.
Increase Training Opportunities
The city has had a goal to develop and implement a communication strategy to promote training programs and certification opportunities to all city council members and staff. A measurable goal listed is to achieve a 50% increase in the number of council members and staff who register for training programs and certifications within the next six months.
Staff members are encouraged to attend trainings and courses to improve their on-the-job knowledge and skills. The city has also increased funding in the FY 2025 budget for staff, council and board member training. Board liaisons regularly inform their board members of potential training opportunities that could be beneficial in their respective roles.
Technology Infrastructure at City Hall and Community Center
In his presentation, Patek shared that the Wimberley Community Center has upgraded its projector, screen and sound on time and within budget. Technology at city hall was also reviewed and the encoder, cameras and equipment are still in good working condition.
However, staff will be meeting with a company to do a comprehensive review of equipment that will improve the quality and sound for those who view meetings from their homes.
Minnick said that she thought that they had more in mind for technology upgrades than what was listed and presented to council.
“I think one of the things we had talked about, you know what I would put in this category, but it happened before, was electronic check signatures and things that have to do with online permitting and that sort of thing. I think those are the technology things that really help you all a lot,” she said. “I don’t know if we can afford it. I don’t know what’s out there, but that’s what I had in mind when we talked about this.”
She went on to say that she still gets a physical paper bill for sewer services in the mail, when a paperless option could be offered.
Update the city of Wimberley’s Website on FAQs
The next goal is to develop and publish comprehensive Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) sections on the city of Wimberley's website covering Dark Sky regulations, water conservation guidelines, approved building materials and permitting processes.
A FAQ section has been added to the website with information on building permits. Staff has also created a draft “Development Services” page that is nearing completion; the page includes a drop down, menu style list of all of the city’s permits and applications. Selecting each permit or application will provide information on city regulations, a flow chart and timeline of the permitting process, and links to relevant applications, documents and Dark Sky requirements.
Additionally, staff has recently contracted with a permitting software to host a web portal for permitting at www.wimberleypermits.com. This web portal will allow staff and applicants to track permits as they move through the permitting process. Staff and applicants will have access to all documents and information relating to the permit in one location, streamlining communication between ATS, staff and the applicant. The goal is to have the portal operational in the next three months.
Charging Stations, Pushbutton Crosswalks and Interactive Kiosks
The city has also wanted to install three charging stations, three pushbutton crosswalks and two interactive kiosks in designated park areas.
According to Patek, staff is working with Kirby Atwell on three different locations within Wimberley for charging stations: Oak Drive parking lot, Welcome Center on Old Kyle Road and Blue Hole Regional Park. Each charging station will have one pedestal with two chargers.
“I did happen to go out to Blue Hole and we looked around. On that one, we may want to look at when the Nature Center gets done to try to incorporate something in with that. Because of the amount of power that we have in different locations, there’s not a whole bunch there so, you’ll have to do some upgrades,” Patek said. “So, I am thinking that one [may need] to be done at that time.”
The other two locations — Oak Drive and the Welcome Center — will need to have conduit installed as well, Patek said.
Staff is working with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) on the Transportation Alternative Grant Program for sidewalks and crosswalks from the square to RM 3237. The crosswalk proposed for Ranch Road 12 by Wimberley Christian Church would be a HAWK beacon pushbutton, but the other crosswalks will depend on funding and approval from TxDOT.
Staff is working with vendors on the interactive kiosks within city facilities; the timeline for these is September 2025 or sooner.
Upgrade Lighting for Dark Sky Compliance
Finally, the city has wanted to install lighting in designated locations downtown and at the Oak Drive parking lot.
As part of the mid-year review, Patek said that seven solar lights were installed in August and September 2024 for the entire square and four solar lights were installed in February 2025 for the overflow parking lot at Oak Drive. All solar lights that have been installed are Dark Sky — geared to minimize light pollution — compliant.
Wimberley City Council will meet next at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 3.
