Devine City Council Meetings – Page 2

Emergency repair to aging Edwards water well

By Anton Riecher
Taking emergency action, the Devine City Council authorized the possible replacement of the wellhead and pipe for the city’s number two Edwards Aquifer water well after damage from a major break in a 12-inch water main reported April 27.

City Administrator David Jordan asked for an emergency authorization during the council’s regular session May 20, stating that if the city’s sole remaining Edward Aquifer well goes down “we’re in trouble.”

A preliminary inspection of the 2,000 feet of pipe beneath the wellhead revealed major corrosion at the 300 foot level, City Public Works Director Pete Sanchez told the council. The pipe and wellhead have been in place since 1990.
“We’re thinking that if it’s like that upstairs it’s going to be like that downstairs,” Sanchez said.

On a motion by District 3 Alderman Jeff Miller, seconded by District 1 Alderman Ray Gonzales, the council voted 4-0 to approved pulling the well to inspect the pipe and, if necessary, replacing the pipe and wellhead at a cost of $127,000.
District 2 Alderman Michael Hernandez was absent for the council meeting.
Sanchez told the council that he suspects an air pocket in the water main damaged the pipe at the bottom of the well.

“The whole column lifted and broke the wellhead,” he said.
In answer to a question by Mayor Butch Cook, Sanchez said he thought the price quoted for the entire project, including replacement of the wellhead, was reasonable given the age of the well. Pulling the entire length of pipe for inspection will cost $13,000 alone, Sanchez said.

“It’s been a while since we pulled it,” he said.
Miller asked if the expense would come from the water utility since it is not included in the city budget. Jordan replied that would come from the water fund since “in preparation to rehabilitate the groundwater storage tank (near Warhorse Stadium) we have found many situations like this.”
When Miller offered his motion, City Attorney Thomas Cate interjected that unless the council declared the situation an emergency any such project costing more than $50,000 would need to go out for bids.

“If we are going with these people tonight we need to have the finding of an emergency,” Cate said.
Miller amended his motion to include an emergency declaration.

4 leaving City… Devine is looking for new Secretary, PD Chief, Treasurer and Clerk

The City of Devine now has four positions open in the city office and is hiring a firm to handle the application process called Clear Career Professionals after learning of four position retirements or resignations.

City Secretary Dora Rodriguez just turned in her retirement on Wednesday, May 21 after 41 years. She will continue until the end of July 2025. Rodriguez has held many positions in the past 41 years serving Devine since graduating from Devine High School in 1984 to even include the Interim City Administrator position on several occasions to keep things going.

Police Chief Kandy Benavidez first announced her retirement a few weeks ago after 40 years of service. She will continue until the end of June 2025.
Next, in the finance department Denise Duffy turned in her resignation in May, working until the end of May. She has worked in the Treasurer/Accounting department in Devine for 13 years and 20 overall career. Her husband recently retired as well.

Court Administrator/ Utility Clerk Supervisor Alma has been working at the City of Devine for the past 16 years, she gave her two weeks notice for another job opportunity, her last day was May 17.

“At the beginning of the month I had one position to fill. By the end of the month I now have four, “ said City Administrator David Jordan. “It’s going to be a busy summer and we have a lot of projects going on too.”
First review deadline for applications is June 13, 2025 as listed on clearcareerpro.com.

City of Devine looks to hire Police Chief, Finance Director and Court Admin./Utility Clerk Supervisor

The City of Devine has three positions open and is hiring a firm to handle the application process called Clear Career Professionals after learning of three position retirements or resignations.
Police Chief Kandy Benavidez announced her retirement a few weeks ago after 40 years of service. She will continue until the end of June 2025.
In the finance department Denise Duffy turned in her resignation, she has worked in the Treasurer/Accounting department in Devine for 13 years and 20 overall. Her husband recently retired as well.
Court Administrator/ Utility Clerk Supervisor Alma has been working at the City of Devine for the past 16 years, she recently announced her resignation.

Consumers confront Devine council on 48.2 percent rate hike

Public response to a 48.2 percent hike in water and sewer rates partially implemented beginning in January ranged from challenging the Devine City Council for past management errors to congratulating it for its current transparency.
Without appropriate water/sewer rate increases the city could find itself struggling with growing debt, said City Administrator David Jordan during an April 15 public hearing. He presented an in-depth analysis of service rates over the last two decades cited as the foundation for the proposed rate increases.
“Without appropriate water/sewer rate increases, the city of Devine could find itself nearly…LOGIN TO CONTINUE READING AT www.devinenewsmembers.com. You will get INSTANT online access to our full E-edition, and begin getting the newspaper delivered to your home next week for $36 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!

Devine “Water & sewer rate increases to be discussed”, another increase to hit in the fall

The Devine City Council will host a Public Hearing to discuss “Water & Sewer Rate Increases” next Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. at the Dr. George S. Woods Community Center, 200 E. Hondo Avenue in Devine.
City leaders want to hear from the citizens and update the citizens on their options and plans.
“At a public hearing people are able to talk and the council and I too. We can have conversations,” said David Jordan, City of Devine Administrator.
“They will not be limited to 3 minutes per topic like a regular meeting. This will be a public hearing; it is called to hear from the citizens. They can ask questions of any of us and we can talk to them,” said Jordan.
“It’s a time to listen to the public and a time for us to explain how we got to this point, where we are trying to get to, why, the lack of small incremental raises in last 7 years that could have elevated the need for these bigger increases, and our deteriorating infrastructure. I was able to get a grant to cover the cost of a rate study from an outside professional source, Community Underling, instead of using our office staff so it would be unbiased and not look like we were just doing this because we wanted to,” said Jordan.
“The results of the study suggested we needed to do a onetime jump in rates, but the council voted to spread it out over two increases to help make it a easier on the customers. This was just to break even, not to gain momentum,” he said.
All interested parties, groups, or individuals are encouraged to attend this public hearing and participate in the discussion.
For more information, please contact the City of Devine at (830) 663-2804.
This Notice of Public Hearing comes after an outcry by citizens on the high rate increases that took effect in February and are set to increase again in the fall or October 1 of this year.
“We can take as long as we need for the public hearing. The regular meeting will begin immediately afterwards since it’s in the same location since it is the third Tuesday of the month,” said Jordan. More info in notice on page 5.

Devine tackles challenging water system upgrades

On March 19th, 2024, the Devine City Council approved a $2.5-million-dollar Certificate of Obligation to build a new $750K ground water storage tank. After further consultation it was decided to refurbish the existing 500k ground water storage tank, by replacing the roof, pressure washing, sand blasting and painting the tank.
Taking the time to rehab the existing tank rather than spending $2.5 million on a replacement, will allow the City to make much more progress and upgrades to water infastructure in Devine.
However, City administrator Jordan noted, “Due to their not being any concrete drawings of the existing infrastructure, the process to get this project started has been challenging…Our Public Works crews worked tirelessly using the hydro-vac machine to locate and expose all existing pipes, valves and connections entering the Warhorse ground water storage tank site.”
“This process has allowed the city to install inserta-valves and isolate the ground water storage tank and bypass into the elevated storage tank.”
The new system will now allow better control of water pressure with cut-off valves.
All city water will be redirected and flowed through the other water tower near the golf course for approximately four weeks until the tank and pumphouse project below the Warhorse tower is complete.
“The city has consulted with its engineers and tank specialist to identify any concerns. Our goal is taking all necessary precautions to avoid any interruption in water service to the community during this rehabilitation process.
The expected completion for this rehab project is at the end of June 2025.

City of Devine invites you to public hearing on Water & Sewer Rate Increases

“Another increase” to hit in fall

The Devine City Council will host a Public Hearing to discuss “Water & Sewer Rate Increases”. They want to hear from the citizens and update the citizens on their options and plans.
They will hold a public hearing on this matter on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. at the Dr. George S. Woods Community Center, 200 E. Hondo Avenue in Devine, and precede the regular monthly meeting.
“At a public hearing people are able to talk and the council and I too. We can have conversations,” said David Jordan, City of Devine Administrator.

Continue reading “City of Devine invites you to public hearing on Water & Sewer Rate Increases”

City authorizes $11.5 million in obligations to secure grants to replace lead water lines

By Anton Riecher
In other action, the Devine City Council voted to adopt ordinances authorizing the issuance of certificates of obligations covering the city’s application for $11.5 million in low interest loans through the Texas Water Development Board for federally mandated replacement of lead water service lines.
“Tonight’s action is selling those certificates of obligation and locking in the interest rates and proceeding closer to the bond closing next month for these loans and securing the grants,” said Andrew Friedman of SAMCO Capital, financial adviser to the city.
Also, the council named City Administrator David Jordan to represent the city as a director on the Medina County Regional Water Alliance. The alliance is seeking to create a 50,000 acre-foot freshwater storage and recovery project in the brackish Trinity aquifer using water saved over time from the Edwards aquifer.
Incoming District 5 alderman Hal Lance Jr., who replaces Randall in May, will serve as alternate on the alliance board of directors.

Devine council tables action on code enforcement contract, citing DVF&R controversy

By Anton Riecher
Action on continuing a contract with Devine Volunteer Fire & Rescue to handle code enforcement for the city of Devine was tabled by the city council at its March 18 meeting after questions from council members about recent DVF&R legal controversies.
The council voted 3-2 on a motion by District 1 Alderman Ray Gonzales to table action on the continuation, with District 3 Alderman Jeff Miller and District 5 Alderwoman Debbie Randall opposing.
Mayor Butch Cook said he had hoped for a vote of confidence for the DVF&R in support of the code enforcement contract.
“My position on it is we are not doing business with an individual, we’re doing business with an organization,” he said.
Presenting the measure for consideration, City Administrator David Jordan explained that the city has a special services agreement with DVF&R to handle local code enforcement.
“Most of you are aware there has been a transition in fire department personnel,” Jordan said. “I met with the new interim leadership, interim chief Jessica Martinez, and the president of the fire department board as well as the president of the ESD (emergency services district) board.
“The fire department desires to continue with the code enforcement contract,” he said…LOGIN TO CONTINUE READING at www.devinewsmembers.com. You will get INSTANT online access to our full E-edition, and begin getting the newspaper delivered to your home next week for $36 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!

City authorizes $11.5 million in obligations to secure grants to replace lead water lines

Continue reading “City authorizes $11.5 million in obligations to secure grants to replace lead water lines”