Photos by Jessica Nohealapa’ahi
June 28, 2024
Notes from Bandera City Council
Council considers City Park accessibility and the municipal court security plan, forms a committee to oversee the city’s branding, and receives a presentation on 3D printed homes.
By Jessica Nohealapa’ahi
The Bandera Prophet
Asking whether the benefits of closing the gates to the Bandera City Park when it rains outweigh the disservice to those in wheelchairs or pushing baby strollers, Josie Evans prompted City Council members to reconsider leaving the gates open.
“There is no way for a disabled person to enter the park after it rains. You have to cross the fence to get into the park. People in wheelchairs can’t do that. People with strollers can’t do that,” Evans said.
Council Member Lynn Palmer said conversations were held a year ago to improve accessibility, however those changes had not been made. Public Works Director Terry Wells said when it rains, “it becomes a mudfest,” adding people who have driven ATVs in the park on wet grounds have caused damage and chaos.
Indicating the item should be placed on a future agenda for discussion, Palmer said council should at least consider widening the walk-thru openings to accommodate strollers and wheelchairs.
~ In other business, Municipal Judge Mike Towers reported Bandera Marshal Nancy De Foster found discrepancies with the court’s security plan, a state-mandated objective. A committee, comprised of himself, City Administrator Stan Farmer, Court Clerk Jannett Pieper, Deputy Clerk Allyson Wright, De Foster and Code Enforcement Officer Jon Davis prepared a revised plan with new safety recommendations, including a walk-through metal detector, hand-held metal detector, additional duress/panic buttons, an emergency exit door, and additional security cameras.
Towers said the expenses would be paid for by the court security fund - $4.90 collected per conviction as a court cost.
“This is not an ask for today. It’s just a presentation,” Towers told council on Tuesday. “I urge you to read this plan carefully.”
~ Chase Whittaker, president of Davinci 3D Tech, presented the benefits of 3D printed homes, seeking a potential partnership with the city.
“We are builders. We print homes out of concrete. We want to help,” Whittaker said, claiming 3D homes are the answer to an affordable housing deficit. “For those earning $25,000 to $55,000 [a year], for those people in a debt situation, for those who can’t put money down on a $300,000 home.”
Whittaker said Davinci 3D Tech has begun Phase 1 on a 3.6-acre tract in Luling, on which they are printing 10 homes. He said an 1,100-square-foot home can be printed in 11 hours, move-in ready within 20 days, and sell for around $150,000. More than cost, speed and efficiency, he said the concrete homes are energy efficient and block more radiant sunlight.
“Fannie Mae all but deemed 3D printed homes equivalent, if not superior, to traditional stick frame construction. They don’t lose their value. They’re less expensive to insure,” Whittaker said. “This is the Tesla, this is the iPhone, this is the bottled water idea.”
Council Member Tony Battle said 3D printed homes are a “great product,” and asked if Davinci would expand its floor plans beyond the two currently used, which Whittaker said could be done.
“In the last two years, 10 million people have moved to Texas. We have more than 30 million in Texas right now,” Whittaker said. “There’s a need. We’re looking for communities willing to partner with us.”
~ Council agreed to form a committee and hold workshops to plan and discuss the city’s branding, logo and image.
“Bandera as Cowboy Capital of the World is both our brand and our logo. We live that brand so well,” Bandera Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Patricia Moore said. “Visitors come here from all over the world because we’re the Cowboy Capital of the World.”
Evans, Moore, Palmer and Council Member Debbie Breen volunteered to be committee members. Breen said she would like to extend an invitation to more community members once workshops are scheduled.
“There is no way for a disabled person to enter the park after it rains. You have to cross the fence to get into the park. People in wheelchairs can’t do that. People with strollers can’t do that,” Evans said.
Council Member Lynn Palmer said conversations were held a year ago to improve accessibility, however those changes had not been made. Public Works Director Terry Wells said when it rains, “it becomes a mudfest,” adding people who have driven ATVs in the park on wet grounds have caused damage and chaos.
Indicating the item should be placed on a future agenda for discussion, Palmer said council should at least consider widening the walk-thru openings to accommodate strollers and wheelchairs.
~ In other business, Municipal Judge Mike Towers reported Bandera Marshal Nancy De Foster found discrepancies with the court’s security plan, a state-mandated objective. A committee, comprised of himself, City Administrator Stan Farmer, Court Clerk Jannett Pieper, Deputy Clerk Allyson Wright, De Foster and Code Enforcement Officer Jon Davis prepared a revised plan with new safety recommendations, including a walk-through metal detector, hand-held metal detector, additional duress/panic buttons, an emergency exit door, and additional security cameras.
Towers said the expenses would be paid for by the court security fund - $4.90 collected per conviction as a court cost.
“This is not an ask for today. It’s just a presentation,” Towers told council on Tuesday. “I urge you to read this plan carefully.”
~ Chase Whittaker, president of Davinci 3D Tech, presented the benefits of 3D printed homes, seeking a potential partnership with the city.
“We are builders. We print homes out of concrete. We want to help,” Whittaker said, claiming 3D homes are the answer to an affordable housing deficit. “For those earning $25,000 to $55,000 [a year], for those people in a debt situation, for those who can’t put money down on a $300,000 home.”
Whittaker said Davinci 3D Tech has begun Phase 1 on a 3.6-acre tract in Luling, on which they are printing 10 homes. He said an 1,100-square-foot home can be printed in 11 hours, move-in ready within 20 days, and sell for around $150,000. More than cost, speed and efficiency, he said the concrete homes are energy efficient and block more radiant sunlight.
“Fannie Mae all but deemed 3D printed homes equivalent, if not superior, to traditional stick frame construction. They don’t lose their value. They’re less expensive to insure,” Whittaker said. “This is the Tesla, this is the iPhone, this is the bottled water idea.”
Council Member Tony Battle said 3D printed homes are a “great product,” and asked if Davinci would expand its floor plans beyond the two currently used, which Whittaker said could be done.
“In the last two years, 10 million people have moved to Texas. We have more than 30 million in Texas right now,” Whittaker said. “There’s a need. We’re looking for communities willing to partner with us.”
~ Council agreed to form a committee and hold workshops to plan and discuss the city’s branding, logo and image.
“Bandera as Cowboy Capital of the World is both our brand and our logo. We live that brand so well,” Bandera Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Patricia Moore said. “Visitors come here from all over the world because we’re the Cowboy Capital of the World.”
Evans, Moore, Palmer and Council Member Debbie Breen volunteered to be committee members. Breen said she would like to extend an invitation to more community members once workshops are scheduled.