Street Bond Projects Information

• The proposed street projects were identified as a City priority as early as the 20-Year Master Plan for Shavano Park, which was undertaken in 1999. This Master Plan identified 18 key recommendations.  #1 was the need for a new City Hall facility.  #2 was a new Police Department facility.  #3 was to complete Phase 1 of a municipal recreation area.  #4 was, as quoted from the 1999 Master Plan, “A major effort must be undertaken to repair/replace all residential streets East of NW Military Highway within the next 3-4 years.”  #5 was a new fire department facility. 1999 Master Plan – Section 14, pages 1-4
• In 2004, the City issued debt for the streets and “resurfaced” many of the streets (this was a cheaper option than reconstructing them).  Resurfacing streets that were not originally built to standard is a short term solution and, unfortunately, those streets are already beginning to fail.  Proper reconstruction will include new and a greater amount of base material and ribbon curbs flush with the road which should result in streets that last 50-60 years as opposed to 15-20 years. 
• The City is responsible for the maintenance of 20 miles of public streets.  The reconstruction and resurfacing of these streets, if done over time will smooth the financial burden on the City and its taxpayers and address street projects as they arise.  The City has identified a phased-approach to address street projects. The proposed street projects represent the first phase and include the streets on the east side of NW Mil Hwy, which are beginning to fail.  The second phase of street projects are anticipated to start in [2027].  Undertaking more than one phase of street projects at a time would impose a much higher financial burden on the City and its taxpayers. 

• The Pavilion, Playscape and walking trail have long been an objective of the City.  As mentioned above, key recommendation #4 from the 1999 Master Plan stated, “Phase 1 of a municipal recreation area should be developed … at the 3-4 year point following the completion of the new City Hall / Police facility.  Jogging/walking/biking paths/trails, minimal restroom facilities and a picnic area or areas with at least one medium sized open-air pavilion should be incorporated into the design.”  1999 Master Plan – Section 14, page 3-4
• From 2009 to 2019, citizens and City Councils considered improvements to the property adjacent to City Hall.  Both the 2010 and 2018 Town Plans called for improvements to the property.  In 2019, a citizen’s amenities committee was formed and they recommended building a Pavilion, Playscape, Bathroom and trails.  City Council approved these improvements, which they considered a high impact project for the entire community at a relatively low cost.  The facilities together offer a gathering place and assists in creating a sense of community.  They are enjoyed by 100’s if not 1000’s of folks.
• The costs to build the Pavilion, the Playscape, the bathroom and all supporting equipment was $569,936. 
• The cost to build the walking trails, benches, and Kiosk was $28,076.
• Total funds spent on these projects ([$598,012]) may have offset some of the street maintenance costs, but were not enough to address the proposed street projects, which are anticipated to be $10 million.

• Each year the City levies an interest and sinking fund tax rate (“I&S”) from the property taxes that is sufficient to generate funds to repay the debt coming due in such year.  Such I&S tax rate is imposed equally on each resident in the City regardless of the over 65 tax freeze. Note:  although the same amount of property tax is allocated for those properties over 65 tax freeze to pay debt, those properties will not see an overall tax increase.   
• The 1999 Master Plan called for an increase in Ad Valorem taxes to pay for all the recommendations and improvements.  The plan also urged the Council to pass an over 65 tax freeze.  Below is an excerpt from the plan:

“While the recommended tax rate is significant, it would still be one of the lowest rates in the area.  That does not mean, however, that such an increase will not have an adverse impact on some members of our community, such as the elderly who are living on fixed incomes.  In that regard, the committee strongly urges that the Mayor and City Council adopt an ordinance that exempts/freezes taxes for property owners, age 65 years and older, at the existing 22-24 cents per $100 in valuation.  The committee strongly feels that our senior citizens should not be burdened with having to pay for the improvements that will largely be of benefit to the more youthful members of the community who still have their peak earning years in front of them.”  1999 Master Plan – Section 14, page 2

• Road maintenance has been a long-term priority of City. The streets have been identified as a major issue since the 1999 Master Plan. In 2005, the City issued debt to inexpensively address the issue by only resurfacing (as opposed to reconstructing) many of the streets.  This was a short-term solution, and streets are again nearing failure. 
• Road maintenance has been a long-term priority of City Council. In 2015, City Council adopted in the 2016 Budget the objective of: “Develop / maintain a city-wide street assessment, maintenance, and replacement schedule.” This objective was adopted again in the 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021 budgets.
• Road maintenance has been a long-term priority of City Staff. In 2019, the City purchased an industry-standard software tool for street analysis. In 2021, the City trained an intern to gather the data under the supervision of the Public Works Director and the City Engineer. 
• The proposed Street projects in the Bond Election came into focus in 2021 with the completion of the street assessment. It was briefed to City Council on July 17^th Council’s guidance was to adopt a plan to fully reconstruct the streets projects in the Bond Election.  Council designated Alderman Konrad Kuykendall to work with city staff to develop potential funding solutions and present options at the beginning of 2022.
• On January 10^th, Alderman Kuykendall presented the work of his informal working group between himself and staff. The funding options presented were 5- or 7-year plans paid in two ways: 1) with Certificates of Obligation (debt) issued each year; or, 2) use existing funds until depleted and then issue Certificates of Obligation (debt) for remaining costs.  Because of the projected escalating costs, at this meeting Council gave guidance to consider a 1-year ($10 million) debt option (as opposed to 5 or 7 years of debt from $1.1 to $2 million each year)
• On February 3^rd, Staff presented and City Council considered the 1 year debt option. After discussions with the City’s Bond Attorney and Financial Advisors, City Council gave guidance to consider a Bond Election where residents would vote to approve or disapprove.
• By law, the window City Council is authorized to call the Bond Election is only 12 days – this translates from Sunday, February 6th to Friday, February 18^th. Staff worked with the Bond Attorney to prepare for a Special Meeting to call the Bond Election.  Preparations were extensive and completed February 17^th – just in time to conduct the meeting prior to the deadline to call the election. 
• While the decision to call the bond election happened in about 15 days, 78 days remained before the election, which allows City Council and the Staff to implement an information campaign to inform voters prior to the election.

Note:  The City has/had the option the finance these street improvements with non-voted debt but City Council determined that the bonds should be issued only if approved by the voters so that discussions, such as those which will happen tonight, between the City and its residents occurred before the debt was issued. 

Construction begins June 5th on Wagon Trail Road. Starting point will be from NW Military moving east along the road.

Street Projects Phase 1 is the planned reconstruction of the following streets: Bent Oak, Chimney Rock, Cliffside, End Gate, Fawn, Saddletree, Shavano, Wagon Trail, Windmill and the five cul-de-sacs sacs of Elm Spring, Honey Bee, Hunters Branch, HUNTERS BRANCH SOUTH, AND Turkey Creek.

De Zavala Road and Post Oak Way are separate projects still in planning phase. More information to follow on these streets.

No culverts are planned to be constructed as part of this project.  Previously, the city identified a number of areas of safety concern and addressed the three areas that were supported by residents.

No, storm water drainage is not part of this project. The original development did not fully account for heavy storm water drainage to be managed by a storm water gutter and pipe system.  In areas that present a Health, Welfare and Safety hazard, the City has identified potential projects to mitigate storm water.  Three under road culverts were constructed in the three most concerning locations in 2020-2021.  In other select areas, we may consider a low-water concrete section if we can move water and prevent it from standing.  Residents should inform City Staff if they want this to be considered. 

The pressure will not be impacted as it is regulated at the gas main. However, the contractor will consult with each customer before starting work. If you have appliances that consume a large volume of gas (or if you simply would like to maintain your current gas line diameter), please be sure to notify the contractor and your gas service line diameter will be maintained. Please be aware that the contractor will need to trench from the gas main to your meter in order to install a new plastic gas service line greater than ½” diameter to your home.

The contractor will consult with each customer before starting work to ensure that your gas service will not be impacted. If you have a gas generator, tankless water heater, pool heater, and/or any other appliances that consume a large volume of gas (or if you would simply like to maintain your current gas line diameter), please be sure to mention this to the contractor and your current gas line diameter will be maintained. Please be aware that the contractor will need to trench from the gas main to your meter in order to install a new plastic gas service line greater than ½” diameter to your home.

It is likely that cut through traffic will not find it convenient to use Wagon Trail once the construction begins on Wagon Trail.  Moreover, construction on NW Mil Hwy is expected to be complete by the end of 2023.  There should only be a small overlap in time where both construction projects are ongoing at the same time.

Not as part of this project.  The City has established trails and sidewalks as a focus area within the 2010, 2018 and draft 2023 Town Plans.  This trail improvement may be addressed in the future. 

Water line replacement parallel to the existing roads will not be part of this project.  For Water Mains that cross under the existing roads, Public Works will relocate any lines that are in conflict with the construction project and a number of the oldest water lines prior to the road construction.  As part of the relocation, a metal conduit line will be installed under the road and new water lines will be slipped inside the conduit for protection and to facilitate further work without tearing up the new roads.

• Shavano Park water crew has completed upgrades to all service lines crossing the roadways.
• Shavano Park Water crew is also replacing a number of water main crossings in conflict with the project (9 of 17 completed).

No, the old trench that is failing will be recompacted to standard and reconstructed over the trench.

New sidewalks and bike lanes are not part of this project.  There will be new bike lanes and sidewalks constructed on both sides of NW Military Hwy.

Contractors will be able to use the right-of-way between the edge of asphalt and the property line.  This is usually about 10 feet off the edge of the right-of-way and there are not supposed to travel beyond the right-of-way.  Experience tells us that this will likely happen, but the project manager and staff will work closely with the contractors to minimize this.  Plastic edging or other storm water pollution prevention measures may be emplaced by the contractor (TBD’ed), but as a general rule this will not be throughout the project. 

The ground will be disturbed approximately 2 to 3 feet beyond the proposed back of curb.  There are approximately 279 mailboxes within the project area and the City Engineers have identified 135 that are potentially in conflict and will likely need to be moved.

Where possible, old mailboxes will be temporary relocated out of the construction zone and replaced after the project.  If they are damaged, the contractor is required to rebuild them to existing conditions (photos have been taken to record all mailbox conditions).  Temporary mailboxes will be emplaced to allow mail delivery.  These mailboxes will be movable.  Where special mailboxes exist and are in conflict contractor will attempt to salvage existing brick/stone material to be reused.

No, CPS Energy does not plan to replace any gas service lines west of NW Military Hwy.

The City does not authorize speed “bumps” for traffic control.  In 2019, the City authorized speed “hump’s with City Policy #16 – Speed Humps.  This policy promotes reasonable opportunities for residents and property owners most affected by a proposed speed hump to participate together in the process that leads to its installation.  Should residents want a speed hump installed after construction, they will need to follow policy guidance.