when you're HOT . . . you're HOT

City of Kyle

Recognized as

#1 Hotspot
in Austin/San Antonio Corridor

Well fellow Kyle-stonians, our secret that Kyle is a great place to be is out. Who told??

The Austin and San Antonio Business Journals have recognized the City of Kyle as the 2007-08 No. 1 “Hot Spot” in the Austin/San Antonio Corridor for commercial investment and development. The announcement was made at the Austin/San Antonio Growth Summit in San Marcos on Friday September 21st.

Joseph R. Krier, President of the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce said, “In June, HEB opened one of its largest stores ever in Kyle, a testament to the area’s potential, But the big business news for Kyle of late revolves around a new hospital Seton will build there and a 1-million square-foot retail center — tantamount to a regional mall — that is to go next door.”

“Kyle, like many of our other hot spots, proved recently that it can play ball in the big leagues,” said Krier. “Thanks in part to incentives offered by the city, a promising computer manufacturer in Austin called RSI is in the process of packing its things to move into a $3.5 million plant its building in Kyle.”

Kyle is currently the 5th fasting growing city in Texas according the United States Census Bureau. The City’s population in 2000 was just over 5,000. The Kyle City Council set the population at just over 25,000 in May 2007. Some estimates have the City rapidly closing in on the 30,000 population mark.

So how did we accomplish this as a community?

We did this by focusing on the often "un-glamorous" work of building up our roads, water and sewer systems. We also continued to strengthen the city's financial position of the to successfully fund and sustain our growth.

So what does this mean for Kyle?

Talk about an economic development weapon. This distinction firmly, and loudly proclaims that Kyle is the place to be on the IH-35 corridor. Simply put - It will help us recruit more quality developments and employers by validating Kyle as a strong market.

1. Kyle

2. New Braunfels
3. Seguin
4. San Marcos South
5. Schertz
6. San Marcos Downtown
7. Buda

Kyle the TV Show???

A little sense of humor goes a long way . . .

Comming soon to a Kyle near you: Seton Hospital

The most important city council vote in Kyle’s history? . . . Possibly

With a 7 – 0 vote in favor, Seton receives the green light and Kyle is firmly established as a primer community in Hays County and central Texas.

But a project of this size is not the result of any one individual. Indeed, many hands make a light load.

Naturally, we thank the Seton / SCC partnership for recognizing the true potential of our city. The Hays county commissioners played a vital role in our partnership. Several Kyle staff members including Tom Mattis, City Manger; Charles Cunningham, Director of Finance, and Diana Blank, Director of Economic Development worked tirelessly on this project. Our active Kyle Chamber came out in full force to show the support of the local business community. And of course the city that sat in the “hot seat” and gave the green light to this project.

But I firmly believe that it is our Kyle citizens that were the key to the success of this project. Our citizen’s support for the various infrastructure improvements made over the last several years was critical in attracting Seton to Kyle. While a small minority cried out that the city was not doing enough, the overwhelming majority understood the long range vision for our city. They knew that we would have to be a little patient and first do the “unglamorous” work first such as roads, sewer and water; before we can bring in quality projects like RSI, HEB plus, and Seton.

Thank you,

Mayor Mike Gonzalez

GOT WATER . . . . . . PROBLEMS???

Again, thanks to everyone from the Amberwood HOA that joined me on that August 31th, evening meeting. I know that it was on short notice, and a true sacrifice to give up your Friday evening, but I greatly appreciated it.

Well, as many of you have heard, the city council voted unanimously to approve a resolution denying the rate increases proposed by Monarch Utilities. While the legal process moves actively forward, I did want to address another issue related to this matter.

While visiting with everyone, their were several prominent concerns regarding the quality of both the water and service received from Monarch Utilities. The concerns ranged from inaccurate billing, to brown water, to foul smelling water, to possible discharge from the Monarch water tower.

While the city continues to work on the rate issue, I feel it is imperative that residents of both Amberwood and Indian Paintbrush (or any Monarch Utilities CCN customer) have the proper authorities look into your quality concerns.

After a few phone calls, I was able to identify the most appropriate contact for residents with such issues and concerns. Residents that believe they may have quality concerns should contact: TCEQ Consumer Assistance Hotline 512.239.6100 or Utility District Section 512.239.6947.

I will continue to update you on our progress.

Thank you,

Mayor Mike Gonzalez

Seton Update

Back in May of this year, the city council ratified a letter of intent or “LOI” with Seton Hospital and SCC development for the construction of a 210 bed medical facility along with a retail and professional office complex.

So what exactly is an LOI. Simply put, it is a document where all parties agree to the overall general agreement for a project. It allows the different parties to openly say – we agree to the concept of this project.

The LOI is the foundation on which a more specific agreement is formed; this is referred to as the Development Agreement “DA”. The DA details exactly, what is to be built, when it will be built, who will build it, and who will pay for it?

I’m encouraged that the overwhelming majority of Kyle citizens see Seton Hospital / SCC project as a real benefit to the city and the greater Hays County area.

Since May 2007 representatives from Seton, SCC, and the city of Kyle have been meeting regularly to get a final DA drafted that mirrors the LOI. As you can imagine, getting so many parties to agree to specific contractual language can be time consuming. My goal is to have the final DA agreed to this week, and ready to be presented to Council for approval at our next council meeting on September 18, 2007.

Our proposed FY 07 – 08 annual budget, that forecasts a reduction in the property tax rate, allows the ability to meet our financial commitments to the Seton Hospital/SCC project.

In short - If at the September 18^th meeting at least 4 of the 7 council members agree with the proposed DA and Annual Budget, the city of Kyle will have a green light for the Seton Hospital/SCC project and a FY 07 – 08 budget that allows for a reduction in the city’s property tax rate.

Local Public Servants, Serving up Blizzards, Serving up up Miracles

August 9th, 2007 was a day local citizens made it a miracle day in Kyle.

On that day our local Kyle Dairy Queen participated in the DQ Miracle Treat Day, where all proceeds form the sale of Blizzards® Treats were donated to the Children’s Miracle Network.

Children's Miracle Network is a non-profit organization dedicated to saving and improving the lives of children by raising funds for children’s hospitals across North America.

The 170 Children’s Miracle Network hospitals are there 24 hours a day to help kids of every age and background overcome every imaginable disease and injury—from asthma and broken bones to cancer, heart defects, pediatric AIDS, muscular dystrophy and serious injuries.

As a show of local support for this great cause, we were fortunate enough to recruit a great “Blizzard Team” of local officials to help raise awareness for the event.

Your Kyle Dairy Queen Blizzard team include: Justice of the Peace Beth Smith, 428th District Court Judge Bill Henry, Miss Kyle Teen Taylor Cripps, Councilmember Michelle Lopez and Mayor Mike Gonzalez.

A special thanks goes out the Kyle Dairy Queen management and staff and to the Smith Dairy Queen Corporation that operates 32 Dairy Queens in Texas.

In 2006, Smith Dairy Queen Corp. was the largest Children’s Miracle Network contributors among all Dairy Queen Franchise owners.

Thanks for joining us on this day and making this a true Miracle Treat Day for local children in need.

Thank you.