Staff Report
CUERO -- John Swanson, who has owned a mobile home park in Cuero for 50 years, offered to donate his land to the city during the regular meeting of City Council on February 10. Swanson brought up concerns about “hitting a brick wall” with the city's five-year rule restricting the relocation of manufactured homes. Mayor Emil Garza asked Swanson to meet with him and other city officials to work on resolving the issue.
Other business included the final reading and passage of the Golf Cart ordinance and discussion of amended hours and collection fees at the solid waste disposal center. Council also heard about appointments to the Cuero Development Corporation and reports from Tri-City Empowerment as well as the DeWitt County Livestock Judging Team.
During the public comment period, Swanson introduced himself, saying he lives in Victoria but has owned a mobile home park in Cuero for 50 years.
“These are people who are working poor, and they own their home,” Swanson said. “I just provide the lot for them to to be on. And it's worked for 50 years.”
He said because he has hit a brick wall with the city on its five-year rule restricting the relocation of manufactured homes, he will no longer do business in Cuero. But he made the offer of giving the city the land to see if they could provide affordable housing there.
“If you'll take care of those people because they own their home,” Swanson said. “Yes, sir, I appreciated them doing that.”
He said the five-year rule says if the home is older than five years, it can't brought into the city. “Poor people live in older homes than five years. Okay?” he said. “So, I mean, that's a challenge. Now, I don't know how I got away with it for years before with the code, but it's in the people who make the interpretation they want to help you.”
Mayor Garza thanked Swanson for what he had done for the city all these years and said that he was sad to see him leave. He asked if Swanson could meet with him and the council member whose district he’s in “to put eyes on it.” Swanson said that was music to his ears and looked forward to a meeting.
Golf Cart Ordinance
Council approved the second and final reading of Ordinance 2025-01, which establishes regulations for the use of golf carts, recreational off-highway vehicles, and utility vehicles on city streets. The ordinance adds new provisions to the City Code of Ordinances, Chapter 11, Article 11, outlining operational and safety requirements.
The Cuero Police Department website lists the regulations under their “click it or ticket” page.
Mayor Emil Garza announced Upcoming Events and Items of Public Interest for the City, which include:
● Holiday Schedule: City offices, including the Cuero Utility Office and City Hall, will be closed on February 17, 2025, in observance of President’s Day. The Collection and Recycling Center will also be closed. Trash and recycling services will run as scheduled with no changes.
● 2025 Budget Schedule: Council was provided with an updated budget schedule, with upcoming budget workshops to be scheduled. Staff will coordinate with Council to confirm workshop dates, including rescheduling the previously postponed TDS trip.
● 2025 Spring Cleanup: Council announced that the 2025 Spring Cleanup will take place from March 17-22, 2025.
In the Presentations and Recognitions section, Council acknowledged the reappointments of Tyler McClellan, Constance Donels, and Brad Kocurek to the Cuero Development Corporation board. Tyler, who has served as board president for six years, begins a new two-year term, with board members allowed to serve up to ten years.
Council recognized Nathan Oakes, Jackie Phinney, Percy Torrez, and Wyatt Luddeke, members of the local livestock judging team, who have qualified for an international competition in Scotland and Ireland. The team will visit various farms to learn about livestock, farming, and agriculture in those countries while continuing to refine their judging skills.
In the Reports section, Council received an update on Wamsley Performance New Year’s Dyno Day and Car Show, an event that drew significant attention, including coverage from YouTube content creators who rated Cuero highly. Several event videos have been widely shared online, increasing visibility for the city and showcasing Cuero as a destination for automotive enthusiasts.
While no local television or radio media attended, the event had two media professionals capturing video and photography. Organizers noted the unexpectedly large attendance and expressed appreciation for the use of the city park. They also emphasized their commitment to maintaining the park’s condition, with cleanup efforts completed promptly.
Looking ahead, organizers plan to improve logistics for future events, including adding more trash cans and utilizing city-owned portable bleachers.
In a video presentation, Chester D.T. Baldwin shared his experience as a guest at the 2024 Cuero Gospel Fest, hosted by the Tri-City Empowerment Council. He praised the event’s success in bringing together people from all backgrounds to celebrate through music and expressed gratitude for the City’s support.
Event organizer Viola Holman noted the growing popularity of Gospel Fest, with strong attendance and an overwhelmingly positive response from the community. Due to the event's success, future editions may require a larger venue to accommodate demand.
Council received an update on the economic impact of Turkeyfest, noting that local hotels, including the Holiday Inn and Hotel Texas, were fully booked due to the event. Organizers highlighted the festival’s role in attracting visitors to Cuero and supporting local businesses.
In the Resolutions section, Council approved Resolution 2025-03, authorizing the implementation of a new utility metering system. The updated system will provide enhanced monitoring capabilities, allowing customers to set personalized alerts for water and electric usage, including potential leak notifications.
Council approved Resolution 2025-05, authorizing the selection of TSG Architects for architectural services related to elevator improvements at the Pharmacy and Medical Museum of Texas.
In the Reading of The First Ordinances section, Council approved the first reading of Ordinance 2025-03, which adjusts rates at the Collection and Recycling Center to reflect updated pricing structures. The revised rates, developed in coordination with the service provider, break down costs by tire size, allowing for lower fees on smaller tires under 34 inches.
The ordinance will require a second reading and public notice before taking effect on April 1, 2025.
In the Consideration and Action Items section, Council approved a request from the Cuero Sportsman Club to install new light poles and extend business hours at 902 East Bailey until 9 p.m. or other agreed upon hours during summer months.
Council discussed the Turkeyfest panel design and recommended revisions to improve clarity and relevance. Concerns were raised about certain text elements, particularly references to unrelated historical events in Texas, and suggestions were made to enlarge key content and incorporate
additional imagery. Rather than approving the design as presented, Council postponed the item to allow for further updates and refinements. The revised design will be brought back for approval at a later date.
Council approved new operating hours for the Recycling Center to optimize efficiency while minimizing the need for overtime. The adjustment increases operations by extending hours to 8 am – 5 pm on Thursdays, ensuring continued service for recycling, trash collection, and illegal dumping management.
Council concluded the meeting with a reminder about the upcoming trip to the Texas State Capitol, where representatives from Cuero will meet with state legislators. Attendees were instructed to meet at City Hall at 6:30 a.m. and were encouraged to wear matching shirts for group photos with officials.
This Cuero City Council meeting recap is intended to keep Cuero citizens informed and does not reflect all matters currently before Council. For further information, concerns or public input, please contact the office of the City secretary at [email protected] or (361) 275-6114 ext. 101.
