By Don Bommer
Contributing Writer

The Bulverde City Council on Sept. 23 passed a resolution requesting CPS Energy to fund an electrical lighting project to put up street lights on Cougar Bend from Bulverde Road to City Hall. The resolution also asked for lights on Bulverde Road from Cougar Bend through downtown Bulverde.

The project would be paid for by CPS Energy using the 1 percent holdback from the franchise fee paid to the city on revenues collected.

Public Works Director John Nowak said the holdback is put in a separate fund to be used for various projects, however, if no request is made by the city the money is put into a maintenance fund that CPS Energy can use wherever they wish within their entire service area.

Nowak also noted the lights would be approximately 15 feet tall and would be fashioned after antique street lights with a weathered brass finish.

Councilman Michael Sorbera voiced his concerns saying, “What would the residents say about lighting up Cougar Bend and Bulverde Road? Personally, I don’t want street lights. We have a dark sky ordinance.”

Mayor Ray Jeffrey responded by saying the lights would be designed to comply with the dark sky ordinance.

Sorbera cast the only descending vote for the project.

According to Nowak, CPS Energy has already done the engineering and design work for the street light project and is ready to proceed although a start date is not known at this time.

Nowak also asked council to consider installing lighting in the City Hall parking area to be paid for by the city, but no action was taken.

In other business, the council unanimously approved the establishment of municipal court fines and fees and made provisions for fines and fees to be paid by credit card.

Representatives of the Crisis Center of Comal County, Jo Marie Montague and Karen McDonald, made a presentation to council on domestic violence. Jeffrey issued a proclamation declaring October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

An Awareness Vigil in honor of victims of domestic violence will be held on Thursday, at 10:30 a.m. at Pavilion 16 in Landa Park. The public is invited to attend.