DECEMBER 7, 2022 SECURITY MONITOR EARNS COIN OF EXCELLENCE
THE ADDAMS FAMILY OF HAYS HIGH
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Hays Free Press
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HaysFreePress.com
Vol. 128 • No. 39
Serving Hays County, TX
Kyle council runoff election continues By Brittany Anderson brittany@haysfreepress.com
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO Hays County Commissioners Court approved funds from the Rescue Plan Act to help the Kyle Area Senior Zone acquire a new facility.
County contributes to new KASZ facility By Megan Wehring megan@haysfreepress.com
KYLE – To serve more members of the community, the Kyle Area Senior Zone (KASZ) has been working to acquire a new facility. That dream is one step closer to becoming a reality. On Nov. 22, the Hays County Commissioners Court approved $106,000 of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to be allocated to help KASZ’s efforts in building a new space. City of Kyle staff and planners reviewed and approved shovelready construction documents prepared by an architect. Hays County, the city of Kyle and KASZ are each contributing $200,000 for the total $600,000 cost of the documents. With start-up funds to cover a salary of $60,000 for the first year, KASZ is also
seeking to hire a fulltime director position to help with the facility and programming. Formed in 2006, KASZ continues to operate in the Krug Activity Center, the former Kyle City Hall building, located at 101 S Burleson Street. It’s a place where KASZ members can meet on a regular basis to form relationships with other seniors, enjoy meals together, learn new skills, take trips together and participate in volunteer and job opportunities. But the COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately affected the senior population and caused social isolation by family members and living facilities as a health-protective measure. When the pandemic prevented in-person gatherings, KASZ worked to ensure members maintained social connections
by increasing the use of technology and communication. “Nobody will argue the need that our community has grown so fast and doesn’t really have enough public places,” said Ellen Ermis, communications coordinator for KASZ. “The park remodel is wonderful but it doesn’t have public restrooms and the only building that is on there is shared by people who rent it, the seniors and the city and the different functions they need See KASZ, Page 3
KYLE — The Nov. 8 election results have been all but finalized, with two Kyle City Council hopefuls — Amanda Stark and Bear Heiser — going into a runoff election. Six candidates vied for the vacant District 1 seat on the Kyle City Council during the general election on Nov. 8, with Stark garnering 3,128 votes and Heiser 2,220 votes. A runoff election was called as none of the candidates garnered more than 50% of the vote; Stark and Heiser were the two candidates with the highest number of votes (around 29% and 20% of the vote, respectively), thus
Amanda Stark
Bear Heiser
entering the runoff. Heiser is a small business owner in Kyle whose goals, if elected,
include addressing infrastructure gaps in Kyle and ensuring small businesses are supported and able to succeed. “The only way to effectively represent an entire city is by knowing what its people are thinking, feeling and needing,” Heiser said. “That's why I’ve knocked on more than 2,500 doors this election. I am running to ensure that every resident of Kyle lives in a safe neighborhood, drives on good roads and has access to affordable housing.” Stark has served as a volunteer in various capacities around the city and has also been active in the district’s schools, and said if elected would See RUNOFF, Page 2
City of Buda hires new assistant city manager Wendy L. Smith named Staff Report BUDA — The city of Buda recently hired Wendy L. Smith as its new assistant city manager. Smith began undertaking the duties of her new role with the city on Nov. 28. A native of Austin, she has more than 25 years of city management experience, managing a wide range of local government disciplines. For Buda, Smith will generally oversee the development services and public works departments, as well as capital projects
and other areas. “We are so pleased to have Wendy join Buda’s team,” city manager Micah Grau said in a news release. “She brings a wealth of experience, and we know that she will hit the ground running.” Smith said that she is looking at addressing the long-term needs of growing Buda after voters approved a bond program in 2021. “I look forward to helping deliver quality transportation and park projects identified in these propositions, as well as utility and other infrastructure improvements prioritized by the city council,” Smith See BUDA, Page 3
Hays council denies preliminary plat for development By Brittany Anderson HAYS — Another piece of Hays Commons, a large development proposed in the small city of Hays, has been denied by the city council in the hopes that developer MileStone Community Builders can provide a clearer, more accurate picture of the development’s plans. Hays council members denied the preliminary plat presented “as is” for Hays Commons during a special meeting on Nov. 30. Council members Tony Valdez and Candace Blake and mayor pro tem Roxanne O’Neal voted to deny the plat; council member Glennell Strawn abstained and council member Hannah Ballou was not present during the meeting. Mayor Billy Maphies
OUR OPINION
only votes in the event of a tie. The preliminary plat presented by MileStone for council’s consideration during the meeting showed 290.1 acres with 20 single-family lots, two multi-family/condo lots, three parkland/open spaces lots, three utility lots and one commercial lot. Per Hays city engineer Don Rauschuber, the single-family lots would span 190 acres, multi-family lots would span nearly 88 acres, the parkland/ open spaces lots would span nearly 140 acres and 13 acres are proposed for the commercial lots. Additionally, nearly 10 acres of the commercial lot acreage would be allocated for impervious cover, or man
WHAT ARE THEY TRYING TO HIDE?
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See HAYS, Page 2
COURTESY OF JIM CAMP A map showing the proposed Hays Commons development.
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