News and Announcements

• PSA: On Friday 08-25-23 a demolition project will commence at the intersection of Chihuahua St and Seguin St. The work will begin around 9 a.m. and should end approximately 3 hours later. In an effort to help the community plan ahead, we have prepared this detour map. Should the times, routes, or conditions change. We will inform via our app, website, and socials. Thanks! - City Hall 
• CITY OF LA VERNIA DECLARATION OF LOCAL DISASTER  WHEREAS, pursuant to Texas Government Code Section 418.108, the mayor of a municipality may declare a local state of disaster; and, WHEREAS, La Vernia, Texas has not had an extensive amount of rainfall for an extended period of time; and WHEREAS, these hot, dry conditions pose the threat of large, dangerous, and fast-moving wildfires: and, WHEREAS, such fires have the potential of endangering lives and damaging property on a large scale; and WHEREAS, the magnitude of the potential damage and the rapidity at which such a fire could escalate to major proportions constitute an imminent threat of disaster; and WHEREAS, declaration of such disaster authorized the imposition of controls on activities that tend to increase the likelihood of fires; WHEREAS, such controls, once implemented, have the potential to protect lives and property by mitigating the threat of dangerous fires; and WHEREAS, on July 17, 2023, the Wilson County Commissioners Court approved a Burn Ban asserting that while the burn ban is in effect, all outdoor burning, except for agricultural purposes, is prohibited in all areas of Wilson County, Texas, which remains in effect and is incorporated by reference herein; and WHEREAS, Wilson County has indicated that when a Declaration of Disaster regarding fire danger is in effect, no burning, for any reason may be conducted outdoors; and WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of La Vernia feels that it is in the best interest of the city and its residents to declare this local Declaration of Disaster; NOW, THEREFORE, A LOCAL DISASTER DECLARATION IS HEREBY DECLARED BY THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF LA VERNIA: pursuant to the authority granted in the Texas Disaster Act of Chapter 418 Texas Government Code, the following regulations shall take effect immediately upon issuance of this Order and shall remain in effect until the state of disaster is terminated or extended:

   

  ORDERED this 23rd day of August 2023.

  The exercise and use of outdoor welding and/or other activities utilizing explosives or combustible materials is prohibited unless prior approval of a fire safety plan for the said welding or other activities is obtained from the city of la Vernia and its designated fire inspector prior to engaging in such activity. Said fire safety plan may include but is not limited to the following fire safety measures: saturation of the surrounding ground area with adequate moisture, utilization of adequate personnel to observe and handle the resulting effects from the use of explosive or combustible material, preparation of the ground area to prevent and remove large amounts of cured grass, and fire suppression devices. The fire marshal shall have the final determination as to the necessary fire safety measures for the said welding or other activities. The exercise of outdoor cooking with open flame is prohibited unless using a barbeque pit or similar device, which is manufactured with a lid that when closed will contain all open flame and with legs to keep it off the ground. Said barbeque pit or similar device must be used only for cooking purposes. The following fire safety measures should be implemented for outdoor cooking with open flame, including, but not limited to: saturation of the surrounding ground area with adequate moisture, constant supervision and observation of the barbeque pit or similar device, and fire suppression devices.

  1. Pursuant to §418.108(b) of the Government Code, the state of disaster Declaration shall continue for a period of not more than seven days from the date of this declaration unless continued or renewed by the City Council.

      

  2. Pursuant to §418.108(c) of the Government Code, this declaration of a local state of disaster and public health emergency shall be given prompt and general publicity and shall be filed promptly with the City Secretary.

      

  3. The City Secretary is directed to give prompt and general publicity of the issuance of this DECLARATION and place same before the City Council for consideration for continuation at its next regular meeting.

      

  4. This proclamation shall take effect immediately from and after its issuance.

      

  5. As Mayor, I further reserve all other authority and powers conferred by state law to respond as necessary to this situation.
• ATTENTION LA VERNIA WATER CUSTOMERS: We are now in Stage 2 Water Restrictions.
  Stage 2 – Restrictions - MODERATE Water Shortage Conditions
  2. Supply Management Measures: The Director of Public Works shall see reduced or discontinued flushing of water mains, reduced or stopped irrigation of public landscaped areas, blending an alternative supply source(s), and use of reclaimed water for non-potable purposes.
  3. Water Use Restrictions for Demand Reduction: Under the threat of penalty for violation, the following water use restrictions shall apply to all persons:
  Goal: Achieve a twenty percent (20%) reduction in daily water demand.
  Irrigation of landscaped areas with hose-end sprinklers or automatic irrigation systems shall be limited to Sundays and Thursdays for customers with a street address ending in an even number (0, 2, 4, 6, or 8, and Saturdays and Wednesdays for water customers with a street address ending in an odd number (1, 3, 5, 7 or 9), and irrigation of landscaped areas is further limited to the hours of 12:00 midnight until 10:00 a.m. and between 8:00 p.m. and 12:00 midnight on designated watering days. However, irrigation of landscaped areas is permitted at any time using a hand-held hose, a faucet-filled bucket or watering can of five (5) gallons or less, or a drip irrigation system.
  Water use to wash any motor vehicle, motorbike, boat, trailer, airplane, or other car is prohibited except on designated watering days between 12:00 midnight and 10:00 a.m. and between 8:00 p.m. and 12:00 midnight. Such washing, when allowed, shall be done with a hand-held bucket or a hand-held hose equipped with a positive shutoff nozzle for quick rises. Vehicle washing may be done at any time on a commercial car wash or service station's immediate premises. Further, such washing may be exempted from these regulations if the public's health, safety, and welfare are contingent upon frequent vehicle cleansing, such as garbage trucks and vehicles used to transport food and perishables.
  Use of water to fill, refill, or add to any indoor or outdoor swimming pools, wading pools, or Jacuzzi-type pools is prohibited except on designated watering days between 12:00 midnight and 10:00 a.m. and between 8 p.m. and 12:00 midnight.
  Operation of any ornamental fountain or pond for aesthetic or scenic purposes is prohibited except where necessary to support aquatic life or where such fountains or ponds are equipped with a recirculation system.
  Water from hydrants shall be limited to firefighting, related activities, or other activities necessary to maintain public health, safety, and welfare, except that use of water from designated fire hydrants for construction purposes may be allowed under a special permit from the City of La Vernia.
  The following uses of water are defined as non-essential and are prohibited:
  wash down of any sidewalks, walkways, driveways, parking lots, tennis courts, or other hard-surfaced areas;
  use of water to wash down buildings or structures for purposes other than immediate fire protection;
  use of water for dust control;
  flushing gutters or permitting water to run or accumulate in any drain or street.