Happy Holidays Bastrop

Bastrop Middle School Student Council members Ella Griesenbeck and Isabella Molina-Conrardy led the pledges at council this week.  Special thanks to BISD for providing students to lead the pledges. Council is always pleased to see their smiling faces.

You may recall the Mina PE Posse led the pledges in November.  Coach Sunday spearheaded Mina Elementary’s first annual “Run This Town” 5k/1k on December 4^th and it was a great success.  I had the honor of providing Christmas music and traffic guidance at the corner of Pecan and Elm.  Our recreation manager Terry Moore and I worked the corner and were so inspired by the runners we both went to the BollyX class at the City’s Recreation Center.

The agenda for this week’s council meeting was seven pages, fairly long compared to most other agendas.  The consent agenda alone had ten items.  December is that time of year where we get things set up for the following calendar year – staff reports with dates for the Strategic Planning Calendar for Fiscal Year 2022-2023; Universal Submittal Dates for site plans and zoning change requests are required to stay compliant with state law.  We voted on the Board Members for Bastrop Central Appraisal District and approved a budget amendment for fiscal year 2022.  Council is grateful for the department directors that make sure we are prepared for the new calendar year.

Texas Film Commission had two representatives at the meeting to provide information to council regarding the creation of a Media Production Zone.  Created by the state to encourage the film industry to come to Texas, the Media Production Zones allow exemption of certain sales tax for a defined period of time (usually two years.)  Only five Media Production Zones are allowed in the State at any one time.  Council voted unanimously to create a Media Production Zone and nominate the same for consideration at the state level.  The Media Production Zone is the 546-acre track located at 1240 Lovers Lane.

Council received and approved the request of a landowner to be brought into our extra territorial jurisdiction and has indicated an intention to request annexation into the city limits.  The property is 289 acres located along State Highway 304.

Council took action to authorize the engineering design of Agnes Street which will complete the missing link and allow Agnes to serve as an alternate to Highway 71.  You may recall the city was awarded a grant for the Agnes Extension project.

Farm Street Village development had the most interest on the agenda.  Many citizens spoke and many more sent in comment cards not wishing to speak but wanting to share their feedback on the project.  Staff presented the project with respect to the approved codes and the developer presented changes that had been made from last month based on community feedback.  The two main concerns were traffic and drainage.  The agenda item, rezoning from P3 to P4, was denied by council.  The property will remain P3 which allows single family or duplexes but not apartments.  Council appreciated the respectful behavior from both folks in support of and against the project.  Bastrop continues to set the example for the rest of the country on how to have disagree without being disrespectful.

Council approved contracts forwarded by Bastrop Economic Development Corporation which will add two new businesses to the Industrial Park.  Coltzin, LLC will be producing tortilla chips and TA Bastrop, LLC will be manufacturing adhesives associated with the automotive industry.

Partnering with BEDC, council authorized a Memorandum of Understanding with Austin Community College to provide classroom location for welding and HVAC courses.  Classes should start early 2022.  Technical courses for trade certification combined with the classes available from the Art Institute will help keep Bastrop competitive in the workforce for the future.

Council has called a Special Election for January 29^th to elect a new council member to Place 3 to fulfill the unexpired term created by a resignation.  If you are interested in running for council, please pick up and complete the candidate packet by December 20^th.  Our City Secretary will be busy with candidate packets for both this special election and the regular election next May when Places 1 and 5 will be on the ballot.

Chief Nagy tells me we had 12,000 people at the Lighted Christmas Parade this year.  I enjoyed my first time of calling the parade from the best seat in the house – the balcony of the new 921 Main building. Special thanks to Harvey Giblin, President of the Art Institute for allowing use of their balcony.  Their partnership and dedication to the Bastrop community is greatly appreciated.

Happy New Year

Mayor Schroeder

Hello Bastrop,

The Mina PE Posse showed up in full force to lead the pledges for City Council.  This energetic group of kids made their parents and loved ones proud with their recitations.  Special thanks to Coach Sunday Thompson for organizing the posse.

Assistant City Manager Gleason presented the Fourth Quarter Report for FY 2021. Included in the report was not only fourth quarter statistics but also year over year comparisons. For example, in FY 20 the total Building Inspections completed was 2,215, in FY 2021 that grew to 12,878 (more than 500% growth.)  FY 21 had 418 new homes constructed and 66 homes remodeled. Maintenance requests completed, covering everything from potholes to light pole repair, totaled 2,291.  The City’s library had over 51 thousand visitors.  Here’s a link to this fact filled report.

Bastrop Economic Development Corporation is taking steps to provide “shovel ready” property within the Industrial Park. Council unanimously approved the first reading of a resolution that would allow up to $1M to be spent on design and construction of needed infrastructure.

Last week I had the honor of participating in Emile Elementary’s “Career Day” and enjoyed over 250 students in less than three hours.  It was a busy morning.  Bluebonnet Elementary asked me to provide a video of me reading a book, with the help of our stellar multi-media department, I was able to be inside my favorite Dr. Seuss book – “Oh, the Places You’ll Go”

Thanksgiving is around the corner.  Council will not be meeting again in November.  The next council meeting is December 14.  The Christmas Tree lighting in Fisherman’s Park will be Saturday, November 27 at 6 pm, please make plans to attend this fun event and enjoy the River of Lights.

Bastrop Area Cruisers Hot Rods and Heroes Car Show is a highlight for our community.  With 400 cars to choose from, it may be hard to find your favorite so be sure and give yourself plenty of time to stroll around Main Street.  The formal Veterans Day ceremony will begin at 11 am at the County Courthouse at the conclusion of the Veterans March.  It is sure to be a day of fun and an opportunity to thank a Veteran for their service.

Deeply grateful to all our veterans,

Mayor Schroeder

Hello Bastrop,

Council chambers were at capacity this week.  Special thanks to Valentina and Alejandro Irby for leading the pledges.  This brother and sister team bravely led both pledges and took a gracious bow when they received a round of applause.  Not every 2^nd grader and kindergartner would handle such a situation with such grace.  Both children attend Emile Elementary. Their parents were quite rightly very proud of their service.

Farm Street Village requested a revision from P3 to P4 zoning. The majority of folks in attendance were interested in that project, so item 12D, the first reading of the ordinance to revise zoning, was called immediately after the invocation.  Staff presented, council discussed, and a public hearing was held with over 20 participants.  Details of the project can be found here. The second reading of the ordinance is currently scheduled for November 9.

Bastrop is experiencing a record setting season of growth.  In an effort to continue our preparation for growth, city staff and our city attorney presented information on the creation of Municipal Utility Districts and requested policy direction from city council to formalize a process.

Pickleball was a topic during citizen comments.  You may be surprised to learn the pickleball group has 96 members and plays 5 days a week.  If you are interested, you can find games going on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings starting at 7 and again in the evening starting at 6 in Fisherman's Park.

Council approved contracts for funds that were appropriated as part of the fiscal year 2021/2022 budget including a master drainage plan and broadband feasibility study.  Council remains focused on providing critical infrastructure improvements.

November 5 is City of Bastrop Arbor Day and it was great to see city staff and park board members at council to receive the proclamation.

You may have noticed the eCabs around town later in the evening.  Hours have been revised and eCab hours are now 3-9 pm Monday through Thursday and 2-10 pm Friday through Sunday.  The CARTS Now hours remain 7 am to 7 pm Monday through Friday.  People are always amazed to find such great public transportation in a town of less than 10,000 residents.  Another way that Bastrop is leading the way.

The holiday season is upon us.  Halloween brings Thanksgiving and before you know it’s Christmas.  You can enjoy the city sponsored “Boo Bash” on Saturday, October 30 from 5 to 7 pm at Mayfest Park.  There’s no doubt you can find a fun way to enjoy this fall weather.

Be safe,

Mayor Schroeder

Hello Bastrop,

Girl Scout Troop #42805 led the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States and Texas and then shared the Girl Scout Oath.  Having completed their official duties, they rushed back to their scouting meeting to complete their troop t-shirt decorating project.  Special thanks to both the scouts and their leaders for bringing them to council.

The entire council attended the annual Texas Municipal League Conference in Houston.  During council updates, everyone shared their experience and commented on the event as an excellent opportunity for education of elected officials.

The Bastrop Music Festival was a smashing success.  Everyone enjoyed the variety of venues and music genres.  Congratulations to Visit Bastrop for hosting this annual event.  Visitors from near and far enjoyed both the festival and our community.

Austin Title and First Centennial Mortgage hosted the inaugural Chili Cook Off and donated the proceeds to Feed the Need.  The competition was fierce and I enjoyed being part of the five-person judging team.

Chamber of Commerce week is October 18 – 23.  The president and several board members attended council to receive the proclamation.

Congratulations to CC Wine and Company- they have moved just down the street, now located at 904 Main.  CMIT solutions opened their Bastrop office. Welcome to the community.

City council heard a presentation from Joe Esch detailing the process that will be used to establish an economic development policy directive.  State law provides the allowable uses for economic development tax dollars collected and each municipal entity is tasked with defining the specific goals that best serve the community.

The Museum and Visitor Center operated by the Bastrop County Historical Society along with the Bastrop Opera House and the Lost Pines Art Center received unanimous approval of their annual contract for services.  Please support these organizations so we may all continue to enjoy them.

The City’s recreation program is in full swing and offering classes from BollyX to Pickle Ball clinics. Check out October’s schedule.

See you around town,

Mayor Schroeder

Hello Bastrop,

Captain Fletcher with Bastrop High School’s NJROTC invited me to participate in this year’s Patriot’s Day ceremony.  It is hard to believe it’s been twenty years since we all watched in horror as our country was attacked by terrorists.  Patriot’s Day is dedicated to remembering the event and the heroes that selflessly ran towards the danger to protect others.  It is sobering to think the high school students have no memory of life before 9/11.  Bastrop police and Fire Departments were part of the ceremony along with Bastrop Power & Light that provided two bucket trucks to display the 20’ x 30’ US flag.  It was an event that caused all of us to re-think priorities and reminded us to be thankful for our freedom.

Representatives from the NJROTC led the pledge of allegiance to the US and Texas flags at council this week and also recited the Cadet Pledge.  Cadet Lieutenant Commander Priscilla Segura, Cadet Lieutenant (junior grade) Allan Janes and Senior Chief Petty Officer, Mariah Greenlaw did an outstanding job and received a standing ovation.  They gave us all hope for the future.

National Night Out for 2021 will be October 5. To learn more, view the parade route maps.  Every neighborhood is encouraged to participate.  Host a block party, attend a block party or just commit to introducing yourself to a neighbor.  So often we wave and smile, please consider taking the next step toward a new friendship.

October means purple in Bastrop, literally.  Plans are in place to turn Bastrop purple for the month to raise awareness of domestic violence.  At this week’s council meeting, the Family Crisis Center staff, along with Bastrop Police Chief Clint Nagy, shared a short skit to explain the different roles and steps taken when a domestic violence situation is reported. Bernie Jackson accepted the proclamation declaring October “Domestic Violence Awareness Month.”   The statistics are heartbreaking.  Over 5 million children witness domestic violence each year.  Every resident has an oblig

ation to be aware and that includes being educated on what to watch for and how to help in these desperate situations.  Please take time to participate in the Women’s Leadership luncheon on October 28 or visit the Family Crisis Center.

The remainder of the meeting was dedicated to approving the Fiscal Year 2021/2022 Budget and Tax Rate.  Water and wastewater rates were also approved.  Staff and Council have been meeting since May to discuss, prioritize, and finalize the budget.  If you have any questions, please reach out.

Meet your neighbors and watch for the parade,

Mayor Schroeder

Hello Bastrop,

Some of you know that I was a band “nerd” in high school.  I loved being in the marching band, concert band, orchestra, and pit orchestra for the senior plays.  I love music.  It turns out I am not alone, music has been inspiring people throughout history.  “Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything.” – Plato.   If you were one of the lucky people who attended the city council meeting, you received the gift of Hannibal Lokumbe playing his “Hymn for the World” accompanied by Callahan Winkler.  Hannibal sang the hymn he composed before the musical rendition.  The words are soul-soothing and one of my favorite phrases in the hymn are… “hatred requires so little, love the greater test.” If you missed the performance, I encourage you to watch the recording.

Speaking of music, please make your plans to attend the Bastrop Music Festival from Thursday, September 23 through Sunday, September 26.  You will find a variety of venues, music genres, and times which should allow everyone to find something special to start your flight to the imagination.

Much of the meeting focused on the public hearings and first readings for the budget and tax rate for Fiscal Year 2022, which starts October 1, 2022.  The second and final reading will be on September 21, 2021.  New legislation requires the readings to be seven days apart and we always strive to be compliant to legislation.  As a result, we will not be meeting the fourth Tuesday of September.  I realize it can get confusing, but you can always check our website or Facebook page for meeting dates.

Viridian is a project located just north of Highway 71 and west of FM 969.  Council approved the development agreement for this nearly 400-acre project on July 13, 2021.  The next step in the development process is the Financing and Reimbursement Agreement.  Council unanimously approved the agreement.  This mixed-use, master planned community will provide a variety of housing options for our community.

One of the most important duties given to the Mayor by the City Charter is the appointments for Boards and Commissions.  I had the honor of requesting and receiving unanimous approval from city council for my appointments.  Terms are tied to the fiscal year, so the folks confirmed will start their service on October 1, 2021.  Our annual Board and Commission Appreciation dinner will be held on October 14^th this year.  At the dinner we thank everyone for their gift of time and talents for the past year and have a special recognition for the folks who are ending their term of service.  If you are interested in serving there are often opportunities throughout the year, and I encourage you to complete an application.

On that note (pun intended) take time to enjoy the music and I look forward to seeing you at the festival.

Mayor Schroeder

Hello Bastrop,

Weather forecasters are monitoring tropical storm Ida headed for the Gulf, a rather usual occurrence for this time of year.  As August draws to a close, City Council looked towards September and presented two proclamations this week.  One to Fire Chief Rosales recognizing September as National Emergency Preparedness month.  We encourage everyone to register on Warn Central Texas and take some time to evaluate your preparedness.  It is a great time to check batteries, supplies, and review your safety plans.  Thankfully, we have an excellent resource in the Bastrop County Long Term Recovery Team should you have any questions.

On September 4, 2021, the Bastrop County Long Term Recovery Team is hosting the “Perseverance in the Pines” event to reflect and celebrate how our community has recovered and how resilient we have become after the Bastrop County Complex Fire.  Please join the community at the Bastrop Convention Center at 12:30 pm.  Special thanks to Hylea Conti for accepting the Proclamation recognizing the event.

Council received a presentation from BGE, Inc. on two future Municipal Utility Districts (MUDs) located near the intersection of FM 812 an Hwy 21 which, believe it or not, is part of the City’s extraterritorial jurisdiction.  The development group indicated they will be submitting MUD creation documents soon and staff will review before it comes to council for a vote.

Council unanimously approved the Bastrop Economic Development project Moca Ventures which will be located in the Industrial Park.  The property will be purchased for $900,000 which will be returned to purchaser after they meet certain contract requirements including receipt of a certificate of occupancy in a new building.  This project will bring software and financial planning jobs to our community.

Council also unanimously approved the Financial Management Policy, Investment Policy, and Purchasing Policy.  Each of these important financial documents are reviewed on an annual basis to ensure compliance with any new state laws.  They are also reviewed as part of our audit.  We most recently received the highest audit rating possible, reflecting the dedication and hard work of our Chief Financial Officer Tracy Waldron and her team.

See you in September,

Mayor Schroeder

Hello Bastrop,

Summer is coming to a close and that means the end of fun summer camps like the City of Bastrop’s Police Teen Academy.  The City Manager and I had a chance to share what it is like to be a Mayor or City Manager with the cadets.  They had great questions about our responsibilities and the laws governing municipalities.

Speaking of our police force, I shared a response at the council meeting from a citizen who applauded the quick and thorough response from Chief Nagy.  Our police force works diligently to provide good customer service and it is so appreciated when folks take the time to recognize their efforts.

The majority of the city council meeting was the FY21 Third Quarter Report.  Assistant City Manager Rebecca Gleason made a presentation to council covering the highlights of the report.  Information from how many people checked out books at the library to how many building inspections were completed, and everything in between can be found in the report.  The major categories include financial reports, Capital Improvement Projects and operational updates on each of council’s nine focus areas.  The report is full of graphs, tables and great information:

(Click above to view the Q3 Report)

Council unanimously confirmed my appointment of Richard Smarznik to the Zoning Board of Adjustments.  If you see Mr. Smarznik around town, please thank him for volunteering his time to this important Board.

Council approved Grantworks to provide professional services to administer the American Rescue Plan Program.  Council is focused on using the funds on our wastewater and water improvements in an effort to keep our rates as low as possible.

The “Wheeled Sports Plaza” is open!  The ribbon cutting held on July 30^th had attendees from all ages.  If you get a chance to drive by the improvements, you will find it is busy at almost every hour.  Bikes, scooters, rollerblades and skateboards are all welcome and will find something just for them.

Council will be focused on the Fiscal Year 2022 budget in the next weeks.  Our first budget workshop is Tuesday, August 17^th and the public is welcome to come and make comments and suggestions.

Make the most of the rest of your summer,

Mayor Schroeder

Hello Bastrop,

July is nearly over, school is around the corner, and that means budget time for city council.  City Manager Hofmann presented the Fiscal Year 2022 budget, highlighting the changes from previous years, and included a five-year fiscal forecast.  We all know current decisions have a tremendous impact on the future and the best decisions are made when the most information is provided.  The first budget workshop will be held on August 17^th and like all our meetings, the public is certainly welcome.

Since we are at the end of quarter three for Fiscal Year 2021, it was time for updates from our strategic partners and community assets.  Presentations were made by:

• Visit Bastrop
• Bastrop Economic Development Corporation
• Lost Pines Art Center
• Bastrop Opera House
• Museum and Visitor Center of the Bastrop County Historical Society

Each organization did a great job of sharing events that occurred over the last quarter and providing a peek into what’s in store for the final quarter.  Council had a chance to welcome Nicole DeGuzman, new Executive Director for the Museum and Visitor Center.

Early August in Bastrop means Homecoming.  Everyone looks forward to the parade, rodeo, and other festivities.  Lori Chapin spoke during citizen comments and encouraged folks to participate in the Homecoming Celebration.  City Council is honored to be a supporter of this great community event.

If you missed the Board and Commission Open House held on July 15^th, there is still time to get your application submitted. Please give some thought to volunteering your time and talent to the community.  The most important requirement is your willingness and availability to serve, no special skills required.  There are some residency requirements for certain Boards. All that information can be found on the application.

The unusual July rains have certainly kept everything greener than normal, but the normal hot weather has most definitely arrived.  As temperatures increase, electric demand is a concern for ERCOT and for each of us as residents.  Peak demand generally occurs between 4 and 6 PM on days that have experienced over 100 degree temperatures.  None of us want to endure rolling outages and the best way to keep electricity on, rates down, and save on your personal bill is to make a focused effort to conserve power.  Serving on the ERCOT Advisory Board for the Texas Municipal League has given me a new perspective on the far-reaching consequences of exceeding power generation capability with demand.

Finally, please join me in congratulating our city manager in becoming a Grandpa for the first time.  Mr. Hofmann’s family was blessed with the addition of Elizabeth Joy Hofmann on Monday, July 27^th. 

Stay safe and conserve power -

Mayor Schroeder

Hello Bastrop,

The City of Bastrop was recognized as the Government Agency Partner of the Year by BISD.  Dr. Kristi Lee and April Lewandowski both attended the council meeting to present the award.  The City Council and staff are proud of the great partnership.

As part of preparing for the FY2021/2022 Budget, Council heard requests from Community Support Organizations for consideration.  The community is blessed to have so many dedicated non-profit organizations working to meet the needs of our residents.  Each organization submits an application providing details on their budget, other funding sources, how the money will be used, and other critical information.  The applications are part of the council agenda packet if you would like to review more detailed information about our community support partners.  Staff will make a recommendation and funding will be appropriated as part of the budget.

Senior Planner, Allison Land, made a presentation to council on the new FEMA Flood Insurance Study.  The new maps issued by FEMA have the possibility of impacting a number of our citizens.  You can click here to find out if your property is impacted by the new floodplain map by entering your address at the prompt. We are in the initial phase of rollout and we will be having a number of public meetings to make sure property owners are aware if they need to consider purchasing flood insurance.

The River Loop Sidewalk project was awarded to Myers Concrete Construction.  The project will combine existing sidewalks, Highway 71 improvements, and new multimodal infrastructure to provide a safe way for pedestrians to cross the Colorado River twice. The River Loop will provide a literal loop through our historic downtown providing our community a 1.8 mile walking path.

Human Resources Director, Tanya Cantrell, presented the newly revised Employee Handbook.  Ms. Cantrell gave an overview of the changes which included everything from clarifying paid leave to updating the telephone contact requirements.  Council was complimentary to the team who produced the new Employee Handbook, it is a great way to welcome and onboard new members to the team.

Council unanimously approved the Development Agreement with Continental Homes of Texas on 400 acres located just west of FM 969 and north of Highway 71.  This is the first step of many before construction will begin.  The project will be phase to start from FM 969 and move west.

If you see Carol Kysar around town, please congratulate her on being appointed to Place 4 of the Cemetery Board.  Ms. Kysar is a well-known community figure with a heart for the rich history of our area.

Have a great week!

Mayor Schroeder

Hello Bastrop,

Summer is in full swing and we celebrated our commitment to Parks and Recreation by proclaiming July as “Parks and Recreation Month.”  Several of our parks board members joined us at council.  The pool is open at the state park, the city recreation program has 220 members and Birdwatching BIG SIT will be in Delgado Park on June 26^th. 

City Council unanimously voted to accept three unique donations for Bob Bryant Park.  Lost Pines Alliance Golf Club donated 18-disc golf baskets.  Public Works Director, Curtis Hancock, shared with council that one of our residents is the national champion for disc golf so we are hoping for a surge in disc golf participation for the whole community.

Other donations included the Audubon Association’s donation of three Purple Martin Houses and the Bird City Coalition’s donation of $1,990 (grant from Texas Parks and Wildlife) for bird blinds.

Council approved the second reading of two ordinances – scooters and signs.  Our first-ever ordinance regulating “scooters” or as more correctly described as “Motor-assisted Scooters, Electric Bicycles, and Bicycles equipped with GPS.”  Thanks to Chief Nagy, we have identified parking locations, protected our pedestrians and our river.

The second ordinance was “cleaning up” the sign chapter of our Bastrop Building Block Code.  Special thanks to Assistant Planning Director Jennifer Bills and our Planning and Zoning Commissioners for taking the time to analyze issues and propose solutions.

Bastrop Colorado Bend, LLC received unanimous approval on the development agreement for the 554- acre project west of Lover’s Lane and east of the Colorado River.  This is the first step in the development process.

The Patriotic Festival, hosted by Bastrop Chamber of Commerce, is just around the corner and the city is proud to provide the funding for the fireworks show.  You can start your day with a 5K, join in the festivities and top off the celebration by enjoying the fireworks.  Saturday, July 3, the place to be is Fisherman’s Park.

KVUE “Day Break” filming is rescheduled for Friday, July 2.  If you are an early riser, come on down to Museum and Visitor Center on Main Street at 5 am and be part of the live audience.

Stay cool,

Mayor Schroeder

Hello Bastrop,

There were only a few empty seats this week at council.  The vast majority of people attending were there to speak at the public hearing to discuss the Development Agreement with Bastrop 552, LLP.  I exercised the City’s right to realign the agenda and started the discussion right after our opening formalities.  The entire discussion lasted just over three hours and is available for viewing HERE.

Council unanimously approved a drainage easement along Lover’s Lane to allow the County to address drainage issues.  Commissioner Hamner sent his thanks for completing this important step towards resolving the problem.

Summer in the City was postponed due to the weather forecast.  It is now scheduled for June 19^th and will be done in partnership with the Bastrop Juneteenth Committee.  It is going to be a great community-wide celebration, please mark your calendars.

KVUE also postponed their “Day Break” filming based on the weather forecast and has rescheduled for Friday, July 2.  If you are an early riser, come on down to Museum and Visitor Center on Main Street at 4:30 am and be part of the live audience.

Last week I had the honor of reading the Joint Proclamation for Memorial Day at the Fairview Cemetery Event.  This was the 19^th Annual celebration and the Bastrop High School Navy JROTC did a great job representing each of the armed forces, and Cadet Dugger played Taps to close the ceremony.

Registration is open for the summer reading program “Tails and Tales.”  Our librarian, Bonnie Pierson, was thrilled that 117 people registered for the program the first week.  You can join the fun at https://www.cityofbastrop.org/page/lib.programs.SRP.home.

Summer is officially here, so that means the pool is open at the Bastrop State Park until Labor Day Weekend. Check the website HERE for more information and make sure to bring your sunscreen!

Be safe Bastrop,

Mayor Schroeder

Hello Bastrop,

City Council was honored to host Captain Fletcher and the Bastrop High School NJROTC Honor Guard as they rendered the pledge.  These outstanding cadets are looking forward to their senior year at Bastrop High School and already making plans for their future.

The bulk of the meeting was centered on three “S” reports:  Safety, Signs, and Scooters.

Human Resources Director Tanya Cantrell presented the first-ever Safety Manual for Employees of the City.  Each department has always practiced safe procedures and we have a great safety record.  The idea of having a consolidated Safety Manual came from our City Manager.  The Safety Team, composed of employees from several departments, focused on guidelines to ensure every employee makes it home safe at the end of their shift.  We all realize our most valuable resource is our employees and keeping them safe is a top priority.

The second “S” was Signs.  Assistant Planning Director, Jennifer Bills, presented recommendations from staff and our Planning and Zoning Commission on updating our current sign ordinance.  The focus of the presentation was yet another “S” – simplification.  The goal is to provide clear guidelines from permitting to placement.  The proposed revisions will be heard again on June 8 with revisions based on council input. 

Last but by no means least, the final “S” was Scooters.  Police Chief Clint Nagy provided an excellent presentation on the first ever ordinance regarding “scooters” or more accurately “Motor-Assisted Scooters, Electric Bicycles, and Bicycles with GPS.”  The first place to start is the proposed ordinance does not regulate personal scooters or E-bikes.  Council wants to proactively deliberate and decide the policy for commercial micro transportation vehicles to avoid problems experienced by other communities.  The discussion included the number of vehicles to allow, where they can park, what part of the roadway system they can utilize, and even how to address micro vehicles that can potentially end up in the Colorado River.  The second reading of this ordinance will also be held on June 8.

We celebrated the General Land Office Grant award of $4.2 million for the extension of Agnes Road.  This east/west roadway should be complete by the summer of 2023.  I know that seems like a long time, but not when you consider that includes easement acquisition, engineering design, and construction.  We did not receive grants submitted for Gils Branch Drainage or the West Side Fire Station, the City Manager and staff will be reviewing those applications to see how we can improve our efforts in future grants.

KVUE Day Break will be filming their June 4 show from our very own Main Street.  They want to highlight all the great things about Bastrop.  This will require a road closure but it is from 4 am to 7 am so we believe the inconvenience will be minimal.  If you are interested in being in the audience, come on down and join us in front of the museum. 

Summer in the City will be held on Saturday, June 5 from 11 am to 5 pm.  It is going to be a great day for the entire family with a variety of events.  Here’s the link for further details: https://www.visitbastrop.com/event/summer-in-the-city/1250/

Look forward to seeing you all at the Memorial Day event,

Mayor Schroeder

Hello Bastrop,

Council Chamber was the place to be this week.  Election results to thanking our police and public works and fiscal reporting to capital projects, the agenda was packed.

The City Council election was held on May 1.  Councilmember Drusilla Rogers ran unopposed for Place 2 while Place 4 had two candidates: Cheryl Lee and Jimmy Crouch.  On election night the unofficial results reported Mr. Crouch ahead by just FOUR votes.  Ms. Lee formally requested a recount on Thursday, May 6 and as the presiding official of the final canvassing authority, I appointed the recount committee and scheduled the recount to take place on Monday, May 10^th.  The election board met just before the recount committee and as part of their meeting opened two mail-in ballots that were properly postmarked but received after the election.  The election board posted their final unofficial results as Jimmy Crouch 616 and Cheryl Lee 614.  The recount committee worked diligently for nearly three hours and confirmed the vote count resulting in the closest election on record for the City of Bastrop.  One single person could have caused the race to be a tie in which case the candidates would “draw lots” to determine a winner.  We have all heard every vote counts and this election certainly proved that point.

Council canvassed the vote and Judge Duggan did the honors of swearing in Drusilla Rogers as Councilmember for Place 2 and Jimmy Crouch as Councilmember for Place 4. Council elected Lyle Nelson to serve as Mayor Pro Tem for the following year.

Proclamation for National Police Week, May 9-15, was presented to the Bastrop Police Officers that were able to attend the council meeting.  The week is set aside to honor officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.  We are so proud of our City of Bastrop Police force.

Public Works Week is May 16-22 and we took a moment to honor the hard-working men and women that provide essential infrastructure services like water, wastewater, drainage and streets.  The recent winter storm reminded each of us just how critical it is to have these services. 

In 2016, the International Economic Development Council created “Economic Development Week” to bring awareness of the importance of economic development to the general public.  The proclamation was presented to Interim Executive Direction Genora Young, BEDC Chairperson Kathryn Nash and staff, Angela Ryan and Jean Riemenschneider. 

The agenda included two major presentations.  The FY2021 Second Quarter Report by Assistant City Manager Rebecca Gleason and the Draft Five-Year Capital Improvement Program by City Engineering Manager Fabiola De Carvalho.  Both presentations set the stage for the full-day pre-budget workshop meeting that will be held on Friday, May 14^th at the convention center.

Downtown was hustling this past weekend.  The combination of beautiful weather, Bird Lover’s festivities, and Mother’s Day made for a picture-perfect time in Bastrop.

Enjoy!

Mayor Schroeder

Hello Bastrop,

The council agenda this week focused on recognition of people who make our community special.  We had four proclamations and took a moment to reflect on the service of one of our councilmembers.

Councilmember Bill Ennis was presented with an award recognizing his four years of service on City Council.  He joined council on May 16, 2017 and has been an invaluable part of the team.  His dedication to our community ranges from service on the Main Street Board, Historic Landmark Commission to the Fairview Cemetery and everything in between.  If you see him around town, please thank him for his service.

Williams Syndrome was a disease I had never heard of until I received a very sweet email from a mother trying to bring awareness to the community.  They were unable to attend the council meeting, but Curtis stopped by so see me at City Hall and pick up his special proclamation.  Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with this rare disease.

Last year, Bastrop was awarded the State’s Bird City designation and this week we recognized May 8^th as the World Migratory Bird Day.  The Bird City committee has a fun filled weekend planned (see itinerary) from enjoying brews and learning bird calls to bird face painting.  Bird Lover Weekend May 7-8, only in Bastrop.

We also recognized May as Building Safety Month and presented to proclamation to our building official, Shirley Ellis.  Ms. Ellis serves on the International Code Council Board of Directors.  Building officials have one of the most important regulatory jobs, they are responsible for keeping the public, homeowners, tenants, employees, and visitors safe in every situation you can imagine.  We are blessed to have such a knowledgeable official.

May 4, 2021 was declared as Firefighter’s Day in the city of Bastrop.  This is a special day set aside to remember firefighter’s who have given the ultimate sacrifice.  Several of our own firefighters were able to join us and receive the proclamation.

Our meeting included important budget business as well.  At our first council meeting in April, council received the results of the compensation study which included recommendations to allow the city to remain a competitive employer.  The recommendations covered both compensation and benefits.  As a result, this week we approved a fairly complex mid-year budget amendment.  Both the staff report and the presentation by Chief Financial Officer Waldron provide detailed information for full transparency.  The benefits package was addressed by council approving the addition of a floating holiday bringing us in line with other municipal employers for the number of staff holidays.

April was a busy month of fun things from ribbon cuttings to bar association plays.  I even had a visitor from BISD!  You also may have seen the Visit Bastrop logo proudly displayed on one of the Ecabs around town, if you have not had a chance to see it, there is a picture in my Mayor’s report.

Mother’s Day is just around the corner, have fun making memories in Bastrop.

Mayor Schroeder

Hello Bastrop!

It’s hard to believe we are halfway through April and even harder to realize that we are halfway through our fiscal year.  The council agenda this week was driven by March 31 being the end of the second quarter.

Per the Charter, Council is tasked with adopting the budget. Council is diligent in making the best use of every tax dollar collected whether it is property, sales, or hotel occupancy tax. Each and every tax dollar must be leveraged to provide public-safety, essential services, and as a whole used for the greatest benefit to the community.  An example of council’s diligence is the quarterly review of organizations that are tasked with stewardship of those tax dollars.

Presentations from the Bastrop Economic Development Corporation, Visit Bastrop, Bastrop Museum and Visitor Center, Bastrop Opera House, and the Lost Pines Art Center were the majority of the agenda.  Each of the organizations reported on what they accomplished last quarter and what they plan for next, I would encourage everyone to review the posted agenda packet or take a few minutes to watch the presentations.

Salaries for City employees are one of the largest items included in the general fund budget.  When City Manager Hofmann joined the team in August, he requested Council approve a Comprehensive Employee Compensation Study be completed since it had not been reviewed since 2015 and recommended that any salary increases be delayed until the results of the study were available.  Last August, we were dealing with the global pandemic and certainly did not have clarity on the economic impact of it.  The compensation study was presented at this week’s council meeting and there was a robust discussion about the best way to move forward based on the results.  Our goal as Council is to make sure we are competitive with the market so we can attract and maintain the best staff.  Compensation is a complex issue that covers more than just a base salary.  We must also be competitive with our benefits including vacation and health care.  Staff brought forward recommendations from the consultant for the remainder of this fiscal year and items that council will discuss as part of preparation for next fiscal year.

April 18^th is National Lineman Appreciation Day.  The City of Bastrop is extraordinarily blessed to have the dedicated team of Bastrop Power and Light employees that work to ensure power is reliable.  Winter Storm Uri certainly reminded each of us just how important their work is to our personal safety and comfort.  If you see any of these folks around town, please tell them thank you.

Congratulations to Cripple Creek Wine and Gifts, they are expanding their business by moving two doors south and changing their name to CC Wine & Company.  Council unanimously approved their request for the sale of alcoholic beverages so they can make their move.

Next time you are at Fisherman’s Park, take time to check out the Mason Chalmers Fireplace.  You may have wondered why someone built a fireplace next to the pavilion. Actually, the fireplace was there first, built in the 1950’s it is the only remaining portion of the Chalmers cabin.  Another example of the rich history we have here in Bastrop.

Speaking of Fisherman’s Park, the splash pad is officially open for the season.  Stop by and enjoy it from 10 am to 8 pm daily.

Many of you are aware that we had two employees injured by a driver who did not want the inconvenience resulting from an accident.  Sergeant Sanford has recovered after being dragged by the vehicle but Assistant Fire Chief DeArmitt is still weeks away from being able to return to light duty.  So many folks have provided meals, prayers, and support.  Chief DeArmitt’s family is extremely grateful. All of us at the City of Bastrop ask that when accidents occur, please give our first responders the space necessary to serve by approaching the inconvenience with patience and empathy.

Monday, April 19, is the first day of early voting.  Please make your voice heard.

Mayor Schroeder

Hello Bastrop!

The best description of the council meeting held on March 23 is efficient.  Our agenda included three proclamations and five items for “Individual Consideration”, and we adjourned at 7:22 pm – now that’s efficient.

Megan Webb with the Children’s Advocacy Center accepted the Proclamation recognizing April as National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Feel free to wear blue during April to help bring awareness.

Bernie Jackson with the Family Crisis Center made a presentation and accepted the proclamation recognizing April as National Sexual Assault Awareness Month.  Keep an eye out for the exhibit to educate the community that one out of five women and one out of seven men are sexually assaulted in their lifetime.

We also recognized April 4-10 as National Library Week and extended our thanks to librarian Bonnie Pierson and Library Board Members Jennifer Leisure and Sally Keinarth who were in attendance.

I also mentioned the Texas Monthly article highlighting Sonya Cote and David Barrow and their new restaurant on Main St., Store House, and their urban farm which provides produce to the restaurant.

Council approved a Professional Service Agreement with ASAS, LLC on a 552-acre project just outside our current city limit and along the Colorado River.  This agreement ensures the developer pays the costs associated with the financial and legal review of the project.

Council unanimously approved Archer Western Construction as the Construction Manager at Risk for the Water Treatment Plant.  The contract was awarded ahead of final construction plans intentionally as they will help provide value engineering in the final construction design and expedite the project by moving forward with critical path items like digging the water wells.

F.N. Ploch was awarded year 3 of the Streets, Pavement and preventative Maintenance project.  Here is a list of streets included in this next phase of our maintenance plan.

The week is ending with Groundbreaking for Wastewater Treatment Plant #3.  This critical infrastructure investment has been needed for a very long time.  Design started back in 2018 and it’s exciting to see this major milestone completed.

Enjoy your weekend and this lovely weather,

Mayor Schroeder

Hello Bastrop!

The word for this week is service.  At the council meeting held on March 9th, there were several types of services discussed. From the National Guard providing vaccines to the City offering recreation services.  Service to our friends and neighbors is just one of the things that makes Bastrop a special place.

On March 5th, I accompanied “Team Charlie” as part of the “Save Our Seniors” pilot program for Bastrop County.  I had the privilege of accompanying two Air Force and two Army National Guard members to administer 13 vaccines to seniors that would have extra challenges in coming to a HUB clinic.  It allowed me to catch up with some folks I had not seen in a long time and meet new people as well.  Everyone was grateful for the “in-home service.”

As part of my Mayor’s Report, I shared the good work of Bastrop County Emergency Food Pantry.  I thoroughly enjoyed volunteering for their food giveaway event on March 2nd.  People were thankful for the “curb service.”

BISD has a great after school care program, ACES, and the group is still meeting on ZOOM to keep the students engaged and provide some entertainment for them.  I judged my second LEGO contest on March 4th.  The project was to build “a bridge across Lake Bastrop” – the creativity of the students was amazing.  It is fun to imagine how these students will serve their community in the future.

Council received the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report from the independent auditor firm of Belt, Harris and Pechacek.  The audit was “clean” with no findings.  City Council commended the finance department on the results of the audit.  Everyone at City Hall takes the stewardship of tax dollars seriously. Transparency and accuracy of where those dollars go and how they are spent is of paramount importance to City Council.

In accordance with Governor Abbott’s Executive Order 34, you will see “masks recommended” signs when you arrive at a city facility.  Each business has the ability to set their own rules and guidelines.  I encourage you to shop and eat in a manner that you feel is safe while being respectful of each business owner. 

The city manager presented Phase 2 of the recreation program.  Although services will no longer be free, they will be quite reasonable with discounts for seniors, Military, and people with disabilities.  Council approved the Recreation Program membership fee schedule (see attached graphic.) The “old” Senior Center (which we all know was the “old” library) will be utilized as the Recreation Program’s Wellness Center.  Phase 2 is a pilot program that will allow us to gather data and make an informed decision on the future of city programs as part of next year’s budget.

Council approved the creation of a Public Improvement District located just west of FM 969.  The 410- acre tract is called Viridian.  In addition to approving the boundary, council also received an executed dissolution agreement and a professional services agreement.  The professional services agreement ensures that current taxpayers are not funding future development projects and the dissolution agreement serves as prescribed exit path if it is needed.  The property is strategically located and the owners, DR Horton and Continental Homes, expressed their commitment to providing a neighborhood aligned to our Building Bastrop Block code.

Proud to serve our community,

Mayor Schroeder

Hello Bastrop!

One of the things I enjoy most about serving as your Mayor is the opportunity to thank people for a job well done, for going the extra mile, for making a difference in someone’s life.  The council meeting held on February 23 provided several opportunities to do just that.

Bastrop Fire Chief Rosales presented Life-Saving Award Recognitions to Film Alley Manager Mark Tauscher, Assistant Fire Chief Eric DeArmitt, and Bastrop firefighters Ethan Perry and Christopher Stone; all involved in quite literally saving citizen Steve Townes’s life on January 8, 2021 at Film Alley. I am glad I live in a community where employees and first responders are focused on protecting the public.

City Manager Hofmann presented a summary of the events from last week.  City Staff functions as a team and serves as a family.  Everyone stepped up to support one another.  As many of you know, because you called the City, City staff answered over 3,400 calls around the clock last week. That is 3,400 times that a citizen called the City and received a dedicated employee instead of a machine. The team that started out with two people grew to nine in order to cover the phones 24 hours a day.  The public works employees completed their jobs in dire circumstances, many without going home for days at a time.  The police and fire departments did what they do best, keep us safe.

Speaking of our City Manager, Mr. Hofmann has been with the city for six months now.  As a part of his employee contract, city council provided him a six-month review.  Council was unanimous in supporting Mr. Hofmann and the tremendous job he has done for the community.  Communication, filling vacant positions, and reorganizing the city staff with a focus on customer service were accomplishments highlighted by council members in their remarks.

Diana Schulz, our Area Engineer with Texas Department of Transportation, provided an update on the Highway 71 Bridge project.  Did you know the project includes nine new bridges?  The question I hear most is “How long is it going to take to finish?”  The answer is January of 2023 the entire project is scheduled to be completed.

Paul Morales with Halff and Associates reviewed the plans for Gills Branch.  The city is in the process of applying for a Hazard Mitigation grant funded by the General Land Office.  That might sound boring, but when I tell you if the project is approved the grant will provide 90% of the funding and 188 homes currently in the 100-year flood plain will be out of the flood plain I think you’ll agree that’s exciting news.

Spring is nearly here, and construction will start soon on the Wheeled Sports Plaza in Fisherman’s Park.  It has been a long-term project for many who serve on the Parks Board and Council approved the final contract needed to complete the plaza.

Council unanimously approved the appointment of the first Cultural Arts Commission members.  Special thanks to Council Member Ennis for his work in getting this commission implemented.

I know several of you are still dealing with the consequences of the freeze last week. Bastrop County has been approved by FEMA for individual assistance.  I reminded everyone Tuesday night that the most important thing you can do right now is take pictures of the damage and keep receipts for your repairs.  If you have any questions, FEMA has a hotline 844-844-3089.

Thank you,

Mayor Schroeder

Hello Bastrop,

What a week it has been.  In my last update I stated the “arctic blast is upon us” – I guess I’ll claim that as the understatement of the decade!  I’m sure you’ve seen the statistics – 144 hours of below-freezing temperatures, more snow in the last week than the last ten years combined, 5 official storms in 8 days.  The statistics are impressive, but they are not the whole story.  

I am so proud of City Staff and our entire community.  I have witnessed several acts of unprecedented kindness and grace and I wanted to share a few of those stories with you.  Several folks have asked how the Senior Center and the Convention Center have been used during this past week.  The Senior Center has been home for Public Works.  Several employees have not been home since last Sunday, February 14.  Every day of the event that you were able to flush a toilet, drink a glass of water, and have power- it was a result of these dedicated Public Works employees. Every day of the event that you were unable to do those things, I can assure you that you had a team of City of Bastrop employees doing whatever it took to get the issue resolved. The Public Works team utilized the Senior Center which is located adjacent to the public works yard as a basecamp. They would go to the center to catch a few hours of sleep and grab a bite to eat before they went back to work.  They have helped homeowners who did not know how to turn off the water service.  They’ve made repairs in the middle of the night regardless of the freezing temperatures.  The wastewater treatment plant had huge increases in flows as a result of everyone turning on every faucet they have to try to prevent pipes from bursting.  The demand for water to drip every faucet exceeded our ability to produce water and that is why by Wednesday we had to shut off Zone 2 in an effort to maintain pressure for Zones 1 and 3. 

The Convention Center has been serving as a temporary fire station.  When Bluebonnet Co-op started their rolling power outages, that impacted Fire Station 2 in Tahitian Village and so in the middle of the night, the firefighters defrosted their fire truck’s air brake system, which was frozen, with hairdryers and moved the trucks as well as their dorms into the Convention Center so the valves wouldn’t freeze and become inoperable. Chief Rosales has been sleeping in his office when he’s not out with crews on long shifts. Serving as Fire Chief, Emergency Management Coordinator, IT guru, and taking care of his crews- we are honestly not sure how he is surviving without sleep.

The Police Department has been doing wellness checks for medical priority home-bound citizens as well as assisting stranded motorists that slid off the roadway.  They provided supplies from water, fuel for generators, delivered drinking water, and even made runs to the pharmacy to pick up and deliver medications.

Our city electric crews at Bastrop Power & Light (BP&L) have continued their relentless efforts to maintain power.  It was only when mandatory rolling outages were exercised that BP&L had any outages.   Our reliable power service is a result of preventive maintenance that is performed year-round by the crews.

Our communications team has gone without sleep.  The postings, the reverse emergency calls, and answering questions on social media were done to keep everyone informed with the latest, most accurate information.  Several of our employees were answering phone calls from their homes both day and night, often without power and water themselves. 

Please join me in thanking our hardworking staff.

I got to spend today along with many of our Police Officers, volunteers, and some staff members distributing bottled water to our residents east of Highway 95 who still were out of water, as well as to our nursing homes and those on our critical medical needs list. Lowe’s matched the City’s donation of two pallets of water, H-E-B donated bags, and we handed it out until there wasn’t anything left.

My heart is warmed by the many stories I’ve heard of businesses offering free coffee and providing water to fill a bucket for those without water.  Citizens offering the water from their pools to their neighbors so they can flush toilets.  This is what makes Bastrop the special place that it is.

Thank you, Bastrop, for being Bastrop.

Mayor Schroeder

Hello Bastrop!

The council meeting held on February 9^th was full of good news.  I am excited to share the highlights: from restrictions being lifted to appointing a new member to the Main Street Board.

The additional COVID restrictions required by Dr. John Hellerstedt, Commissioner of the Texas Department of State Health Services, on January 10^th were lifted on January 30^th.  Why were they lifted?  The hospitalizations of COVID patients in our region were below 15% of total patients in the hospital for more than 7 days.  In fact, I reported at the council meeting the current rate was 10.6%.  In our great State of Texas, 3.3M doses of the vaccine have been administered, doubling the number of injections given in just two weeks.  Locally, the Bastrop HUB has had four clinics and given 3,515 doses.  I know many of you are still on the waiting list and I appreciate your patience.  Dr. Walkes, Walgreens, and Bastrop County Cares are all working together to get our allocated doses administered and continue to request increased allocations.

Bastrop has been making the news.  On January 28^th, FOX7 featured Sonya Cote and her great new restaurant Storehouse Market & Eatery. Watch Here: https://www.fox7austin.com/video/895527 .  It was an honor to serve as a panelist for Senator Eckhardt later that evening; it gave me a chance to brag about how BEDC distributed COVID Grants to our local businesses within weeks of the stay-at-home orders.  As if that wasn’t enough, the February addition of the Texas Municipal League’s magazine, Texas Town & City, featured a story about our Main Street Rehabilitation Project called “We Are Bastrop.”

City Manager Hofmann presented the inaugural quarterly report.  This 60-page report includes updates on Financials, Capital Improvement Projects, and Council’s Nine Focus Areas.  The report is chock full of facts, graphs, comparison tables and detailed information about every aspect of the inner workings of City government.  Council applauded the tremendous effort to provide transparency for both council and the public.  Please take time to glance through the report.

One of my favorite things to do is appoint dedicated citizens to our Boards and Commissions.  Council unanimously approved the appointment of Sarah Houser to the Main Street Board.  Sarah has given so much to our community it’s no surprise that she’s offered to volunteer her time on this worthy board.

Chief Nagy gave his annual “Racial Profiling Report” and this year he included more data and analysis than ever before.  How many stops were made, what the results were from the stops, but the page we were all the happiest to see was the report on “injury during custody” – nothing but zeros.  We are blessed to have such a dedicated police force in our community.  Thank you for supporting them.

February was recognized as Black History Month and I will once again be attending the BISD Board Meeting on February 16^th to share the City’s proclamation.  Please take time to explore the numerous opportunities to learn more about Black History.

The artic blast is upon us and on behalf of our first responders, I implore you to drive slowly if you have to drive, stay home if you can, and be sure to protect people, plants and pets. Speaking of pets, we had a new addition to our family this week and I couldn’t resist sharing a photo of Buddy since he’s the First Dog of Bastrop!

Stay Warm!

Mayor Schroeder

Hello Bastrop!

The last Council meeting in January was full of presentations which I know might sound boring - but not in Bastrop! Quarterly updates from Bastrop Economic Development Corporation, Visit Bastrop, Lost Pines Art Center, Bastrop Opera House and Bastrop Museum and Visitor Center provided a great summary of what’s going on in Bastrop. From finishing the building at 921 Main to the number of people who went to the Opera House production of “Elf” (839 tickets from 11 sold out performances.)  I think you’ll enjoy watching the presentations and hearing directly from the folks involved with these great community organizations, if you have a few minutes take a look.

Council voted unanimously to approve recommendations from the Cultural Arts Master Plan Ad Hoc  Working Group which included the creation of a Cultural Arts Commission and adoption of the themes, values and priorities document to serve as the foundation of the commission. The implementation recommendations are worth the read. I would like to personally thank the folks involved in the working group: Council Member Bill Ennis, Ms. Debbie Moore, Ms. Maria Montoya Stayton, Mr. Dick Smith, Mr. Luis ‘Chico’ Portillo, Mr. Phil Hurley, Ms. Kaye Sapikas, Ms. Lisa Holcomb and staff liaison Mr. Colin Guerra.  If you see one of these fine folks, please extend your gratitude for their hard work and dedication.  I plan to make appointments to this new commission in the near future rather than wait for the annual appointments in September.

On Thursday, January 14, the Film Bastrop partnered with Film Alley for the Chamber’s Alive After Five January event.  “Why Film in Bastrop Texas?” starring Zachary Levi premiered in one of the newly renovated theatres.  I had a great time at the event and enjoyed meeting industry folks interested in our community.  As part of the event, Bastrop County shared a new initiative called “Crew Guru” which serves as a tool to unite local talent with visiting industry projects.  For more information on Film Bastrop, please visit:  https://www.filmbastrop.com/

Bastrop remains under the additional restrictions resulting from hospitalizations over 15% for our service area, but the great news is we now have five days under 15%.  Please keep practicing social distancing and wearing a face covering to prevent the spread.  Our goal is to reduce the number of cases and increase the number of folks getting vaccinated.  Speaking of vaccinations, I was excited to share Dr. Walkes’ practice has been approved by the Department of State Health Services as a HUB for vaccine distribution in Bastrop.  On Friday, January 22, 1,000 doses were administered and then again on Tuesday, January 26, another 1,000 doses were administered.  Over 30,000 people have completed the pre-registration survey to be added to the waiting list.  Vaccines are given by appointment only and volunteers are working diligently to get folks on the waiting list scheduled.  If you are not one of those that has pre-registered and you meet either 1A or 1B criteria, please visit COVAC.INFO or call 866-268-2289.  As you can well imagine, these HUB clinics take an enormous amount of work and volunteer opportunities exist if you have the time.

Reach out to a friend today, it will do you both good!

Mayor Schroeder