Kerrville City Council Meeting – December 9, 2025

The Kerrville City Council met on December 9, 2025 at 6:00 PM at City Hall, 701 Main Street. The meeting included recognitions for flood response personnel, a financial update for fiscal year ending September 30, 2025, approval of consent agenda items, a disannexation ordinance, creation of a Cultural Arts District Advisory Board, a contentious eminent domain resolution regarding Tivy Mountain, a new management contract for the baseball-softball complex, an airport tractor lease purchase, and several board appointments. Public comments were heard on the Tivy Mountain and baseball complex items.

Consent Calendar

• Ordinance No. 2025-22 (second reading) relocating sidewalk café regulations to Chapter 90 and creating new downtown core sidewalk amenity rules. Unanimously approved on first reading November 18, 2025.
• Ordinance No. 2025-25 (second reading) dissolving the Senior Services Advisory Committee. Unanimously approved on first reading November 18, 2025.
• Resolution No. 38-2025 ordering a General Election on May 2, 2026 for Mayor, Place 3 and Place 4, and authorizing a joint election agreement with Kerrville ISD.
• Joint Election Agreement with Kerr County and Kerrville ISD.
• Commercial Property Lease with Kerrville Cancer Center, PLLC for 218 Sidney Baker Street (first floor of parking garage).
• Purchase of one 2026 International MV-607 Crane Truck not to exceed $300,000 (budgeted in FY2026 Water Fund).
• Payment approval for legal and professional services related to airport land purchase.
• City Council workshop and meeting minutes from November 18, 2025. All consent items were approved by a single unanimous vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

• George Brady (1616 Glen Road) spoke against the city pursuing eminent domain for Tivy Mountain, arguing the city should avoid ownership of a cemetery and instead seek a nonprofit to manage it. He noted the city already maintains the site and questioned the cost and liability.
• Bill Rector (705 Water Street) spoke in favor of the eminent domain resolution, stating Tivy Mountain is a historical asset that has been unused for decades (since at least 1960) and that clearing ownership would allow it to become a park and memorial, showing community pride.
• George Brady also spoke on the baseball complex contract, urging council not to authorize final execution without council review, noting the previous contract was inadequate and the public should see the new contract before it is signed. He questioned the rent structure ($3,000/month) relative to the city's cost of operating the complex (approximately $600,000/year).

Discussion Items

• Recognition of FEMA and TDEM personnel – Julie Behrens (Director of Finance) recognized Matthew Peryl, Ira Guzman, and Angel Carvajal for their support on FEMA public assistance administration following the July 4, 2025 flood. Michael Hornes (Assistant City Manager) recognized debris cleanup partners from Ceres, Ashbritt, Debris Tech, and TDEM. Certificates were presented.
• Christmas Poem Proclamation – Mayor Herring recognized three winning poets: Pauline Rogers, Randy Weber, and Valerie R. Each read their poems. Rogers read "Christmas in Kerrville," Weber read a poem about community resilience, and a staff member read Valerie R.'s poem.
• Citizens Academy Graduates – 16 graduates were recognized. Several shared positive experiences, praising city transparency and leadership.
• Financial Update (FY2025 year-end) – Julie Behrens presented: General Fund had a positive change in net position of approximately $500,000 despite revenue misses in recreation due to flood closures. Water Fund was $380,000 better than budget, with improved water sales model reducing dependence on irrigation. Development Services had a $63,000 positive net position (vs. $300,000 miss last year). Other funds were summarized. FEMA flood reimbursement status: $951,000 pending award for emergency protective measures; $446,000 for Bear Creek Bridge repair (75% reimbursable); river trail repairs estimated $2 million; Louise Hayes Park redesign unknown; Shriner Park $1.5 million; G Street Guardrail contract out. Guadalupe Park fully funded by outside sources, FEMA project closed.
• Cultural Arts District Advisory Board (Resolution 39-2025) – Kelly Hagemeier (Economic Development Manager) presented the creation of the board, authorized by the Texas Commission of the Arts designation. The district covers the downtown core. Grant opportunities include Arts Respond, Cultural District (larger), and Arts Create. Board responsibilities, mission, and bylaws were discussed. Councilmember Sigerman noted the board will have 12 members (instead of 11 as originally drafted), and minor edits were made to the bylaws (changing "culture" to "cultural" and removing property/business owner requirements). Approved unanimously.
• Tivy Mountain Eminent Domain (Resolution 40-2025) – City Attorney Michael Hayes presented: Two tracts (8-acre burial site and 2.67-acre road) on FM 1341 and Loop 534, historically the grave of Captain Joseph A. Tivy and family. Ownership clouded since 1940; no recorded deed, no taxes assessed, city and county have maintained site for decades. Resolution would authorize filing condemnation if needed. Councilmembers debated: Councilmember McKinney opposed spending $230,000+ on appraisal and ongoing maintenance, suggested a nonprofit take ownership. Councilmember Hughes and Sigerman supported proceeding to clear title, noting the property has been in limbo since 1960. After roll call, passed 4-1 (McKinney opposed).
• Baseball-Softball Complex Management Contract – Jay Brimhall (Parks & Recreation Director) presented proposed contract with The Baseball Firm, LP (John Junker and partners). Key points: five-year initial term with two three-year options; rent starting at $2,500/month for nine months in year one, increasing to $3,000/month year-round in year three; tournament team minimums (300 teams year one, 400 teams year two, 4 “stay and play” tournaments); sublease of indoor facility to DBAT corporate; city responsible for HVAC/electrical repairs; enhanced reporting requirements. Public speaker George Brady urged council to review contract before execution. Council discussed authorizing City Manager to negotiate but with council review before execution. Motion passed unanimously. (Current contract ends December 31, 2025.)
• Airport Tractor Lease Purchase – Airport Manager Kurt Griffin requested approval for a lease-purchase of a John Deere 5100E Cab Tractor and Rotary Cutter at $90,000 total (48-month lease, $1,000/month, with $1 buyout). The airport currently contracts mowing for ~$50,000/year. ROI of ownership estimated at 3.5 years. Councilmember McKinney questioned why the city (as owner) must approve items over $75,000 under the interlocal agreement, suggesting the agreement should be updated. The item was approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda – Approved unanimously (all items).
• Ordinance 2025-26 (Disannexation) – Approved 4-0 (Councilmember McKinney recused).
• Resolution 39-2025 (Cultural Arts District Advisory Board) – Approved unanimously with edits to membership and bylaws.
• Resolution 40-2025 (Tivy Mountain Eminent Domain) – Approved 4-1 (Councilmember McKinney opposed). The resolution authorizes the city attorney to proceed with due diligence and possible condemnation, with future council action needed.
• Baseball Complex Contract – City Manager authorized to finalize negotiations and execute the contract, subject to review by council members individually before execution.
• Airport Tractor Lease – Approved unanimously.
• Board Appointments – Planning and Zoning Commission: Abram Bruchet (reappointment) and Katie Howard Thompson appointed. Recovery Community Coalition: Randy Benno and Dale Trees (reappointments) and Julie Ortiz (new member) appointed. Cultural Arts District Advisory Board: 12 members appointed as listed by Councilmember Sigerman (motion and second, passed).