Agendas for Highland Lakes government meetings are posted 72 hours before a meeting so are not always ready by the time this story is published. Check the links for more information.
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The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is drilling several new monitoring wells in Kingsland to study a decades-old contamination site where a former laundromat dumped toxic chemicals that leached into the surrounding area’s groundwater.
TCEQ and Llano County officials said there is no evidence the contamination has reached Lake LBJ or potable groundwater sources. The state commission wants to determine the extent of the contamination before initiating a cleanup plan.
“(The TCEQ) doesn’t want to start (the cleanup) process until they know how far out and how far down (the contamination) goes,” Llano County Precinct 3 Commissioner Brent Richards told the audience at the Commissioners Court meeting Monday, Feb. 10. “If (the tests) come back negative, then they’ll start to mitigate and try to pull that stuff out.”
During the meeting, the Llano County Commissioners Court approved allowing the TCEQ to drill seven new monitoring wells near the contamination site, continuing research that has been ongoing since at least 1989.
The site in question is near 2101 RR 1431 in Kingsland, where This-R It Thrift Store now sits. The building was a laundromat from 1968-88. A coin-operated dry cleaning machine reportedly released toxic chemicals directly onto the ground beside the structure from 1968-79.
The area in yellow on this map is the general dimensions of an inferred contaminated groundwater plume that the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has been studying for decades.
In 1989, the Texas Department of Health detected dangerous levels of the volatile organic compound tetrachloroethylene in Kingsland’s public groundwater supply. The chemical likely came from the dry-cleaning fluid used by the laundromat. The public water supply provider switched from groundwater to surface water to avoid contamination. More contaminants were detected in private wells in 1998, and homes within the impacted area were connected to the Kingsland water supply to avoid the toxic groundwater.
“The TCEQ has conducted numerous site investigations since the late 1990s to better understand site conditions and define the (contaminated) groundwater plume boundaries, including the collection and analysis of soil, groundwater, and surface water samples on on-site and off-site properties,” reads a statement from TCEQ Media Relations Specialist Ricky Richter to DailyTrib.com.
Richter went on to say that no current home in Kingsland is using the potentially contaminated groundwater as a potable source.
“Residents are connected to the public water supply and the contamination is not discharging to Lake LBJ (the source of the public water supply),” he wrote. “All off-site affected properties are connected to the public water supply for potable water, which is not impacted by contamination at the site.”
The new monitoring wells are part of a current feasibility study to determine the best course of action for a potential cleanup. They will be drilled in strategic locations within Llano County right-of-ways to get a better idea of the extent and dimensions of the contaminated groundwater plume.
“The TCEQ is delineating the lateral and vertical extent of the groundwater plume, conducting routine monitoring of the groundwater, and conducting a Feasibility Study to develop and evaluate alternatives to address the impacted groundwater at the site,” Richter wrote. “The additional monitoring wells along the Llano County right-of-way are needed to delineate the southern boundary of the groundwater contamination.”
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South of Here Co. is bringing handcrafted goods and artisan workshops to the Burnet courthouse square. The new shop and creative space at 310 N. Main St. celebrates its grand opening from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Feb. 15.
Shoppers attending the Saturday ribbon-cutting can enjoy live music, wine tastings, a coffee bar, and arcade games as well as live leatherworking demonstrations that showcase the passion of owners Kamille and Jacques Deysel.
“We’ve always wanted to build something like this: a creative space where people can connect with the art of making,” Kamille said. “We hope South of Here becomes a special part of the Burnet community.”
The Deysels have spent years refining their craft, specializing in leatherworking, candlemaking, and silversmithing. What began as an online business and weekend market booth has grown into a brick-and-mortar space.
“We wanted to create a space where people don’t just shop; they experience the craftsmanship behind every product,” Jacques said.
South of Here offers hand-tooled leather goods, hand-poured candles, pottery, jewelry, and more, all made by the Deysels and other independent artisans.
The shop’s name holds a special meaning to the couple, who both grew up in Texas.
“He’s from South Africa and I’m from South Texas, and anytime someone says, ‘Where are y’all from,’ we both just say, ‘South of here,’” Kamille said.
“Friends of ours helped with the branding, ‘Texas made goods, made by good Texans,’ and we’re the good Texans,” Jacques added.
In the shop’s interactive workshop space, visitors can take classes on leather stitching, candle pouring, and silversmithing.
“We love the idea of people making something themselves,” Jacques said. “It’s one thing to buy a handcrafted wallet, but it’s another to make one with your own hands.”
The shop also offers kid-friendly craft activities and plans to host community events like movie nights and private workshops in its outdoor space.
For more information about South of Here Co. or to sign up for workshops, visit southofhereco.com.
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Texas state Rep. Ellen Troxclair sent out an “action alert” against a proposed rock-crushing facility just outside of the Burnet city limits. In a Feb. 12 media release, Troxclair of House District 19, which includes Burnet County, took an open stance against the planned quarry and pledged to support legislation aimed at preventing similar developments in the future.
Austin-based Asphalt Inc. is seeking state permits to build the rock crusher at 3221 FM 3509 in Burnet County. Residents and county officials have been protesting the facility since plans were announced, citing safety, noise, and environmental concerns. The quarry would be built near Inks Lake and Longhorn Cavern state parks and Camp Longhorn, a youth summer camp.
“Camp Longhorn has open-air cabins, and the dust and noise that this facility will bring will put campers’ health at risk,” Troxclair wrote in her email. “Additionally, it is near Longhorn Cavern State Park and Inks Lake, which will also be negatively impacted.”
Asphalt Inc.’s proposed rock quarry, which would be located south of Burnet and near Camp Longhorn and Longhorn Cavern and Inks Lake state parks. Image courtesy of Randy Printz
The quarry would span about 200 acres off of FM 3509, better known as Hoover Valley Road, between the city of Burnet and Park Road 4. It would be less than 2 miles from each of the aforementioned parks.
Both Troxclair and state Sen. Pete Flores (District 24) have been critical of the quarry for months, each issuing letters of concern in September 2024.
Rep. Troxclair called on residents to voice their opposition and urge the Lower Colorado River Authority to conduct environmental studies. You may comment online or email hlwo@LCRA.org with your concerns, referencing permit #2024-5606. Troxclair asked those who email the LCRA to “cc:” (carbon copy) her office at ellen.troxclair@house.texas.gov.
“Note that you oppose this application—add in your personal reasons … (and) request hydrological and geological studies before the permit is approved,” she wrote.
“While we have secured a public meeting, thousands more comments are needed urgently, to increase odds that LCRA will do further hydrological and geological studies, and hear our opposition,” her statement continued.
Learn more about Rep. Troxclair’s legislative actions during the 89th Texas Legislature on her office webpage.
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Members of the Friends of the Marble Falls Library stuck their shovels in the future site of a major expansion to the Marble Falls Library Thrift Store on Wednesday, Feb. 12, kicking off construction that should be completed by 2026. Plans include renovating the existing store and building another structure.
The thrift store, 300 Avenue J, is a major source of funding for the Marble Falls Public Library. The expansion will open up more floor space for more inventory and more revenue.
“The community is very generous, and we are busting at the seams (with donations),” store assistant manager James Jamail told DailyTrib.com. “There is just merchandise everywhere that we don’t have the room to process.”
The Library Thrift Store project will bring the total space from around 8,000 square-feet to about 15,000 square-feet. The existing building will be gutted and completely renovated.
Thrift store revenues go to the Friends of the Marble Falls Library group, which makes major contributions to the library, assisting with maintenance, new books, community programs, and more.
“Generous donations lead to increased shopping, which enables us to pour more funds back into the library,” said Friends group President Deann Randle. “I think we can all agree the library provides essential services, now more than ever. The Thrift Store expansion is a win-win for all citizens of the Highland Lakes.”
According to Randle, Marble Falls Library usership is growing, and along with that is the need for more funding.
“Our community is growing rapidly,” she said. “New cards are issued daily, so our fundraising efforts have to expand as well.”
The Marble Falls Library is part of the Burnet County Library System, so it receives some money from the county. However, it is heavily reliant on funding from the Friends group.
“The Marble Falls Public Library is a successful collaboration between the city of Marble Falls, the county of Burnet, and the Friends of the Library board,” Randle explained. “Each of these are vital contributors to its success.”
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Construction crews are installing electrical conduit for the incoming TownePlace Suites by Marriott in Burnet, according to the city manager’s weekly report sent out Feb. 7. The hotel is scheduled to open in the fall of 2026 near the Burnet Municipal Airport. It will serve a growing demand for overnight accommodations in the Bluebonnet Capital of Texas. A formal groundbreaking ceremony is set for 11 a.m. March 26, 2025, at 1750 Cary Johnson Parkway. Photos courtesy of the city of Burnet
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The Meadowlakes City Council will appoint someone to fill the Place 1 seat left open following the death of Councilor Don Wheeler. The Meadowlakes Property Owners Association Board of Directors also selected a new member to take Wheeler’s place.
The council will make its appointment during its regular meeting Feb. 18 at 6 p.m. in Meadowlakes City Hall, 177 Broadmoor St.
Wheeler reportedly died from a severe heart attack Feb. 3, halfway through his 2024-26 term on the Meadowlakes City Council. His replacement will finish out the term, and the seat will be up for election in 2026, per the rules and processes laid out in the city’s charter.
“Don was a valuable member to the council because of his expertise in construction,” Mayor Mark Bentley told DailyTrib.com. “His efforts will be missed.”
According to Bentley, Wheeler will leave a lasting impact on the city with his major contributions to the design of the new community center, which is expected to be completed by 2026.
Wheeler also served as a director for the Meadowlakes POA board and managed the front gate operations for the gated city, which is within Marble Falls but a separate entity. The board met Tuesday, Feb. 11, and elected former City Manager Johnnie Thompson to finish out Wheeler’s term as director.
“Don gave selflessly to our community,” wrote Meadowlakes City Manager Will De Roos in a weekly city update Wednesday. “As the POA director for the security gate, Don dedicated countless hours managing the security staff and dealing with the issues associated with hundreds of vehicles entering our city. His presence will be missed by all that knew him.”
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Waste Management has promised to increase its local workforce and streamline communication after the Marble Falls City Council admonished the company for a perceived “breach of contract” over lapses in garbage pickups and customer service this past holiday season.
According to council members, some residents reportedly had lengthy interruptions in their trash collection following Christmas and prolonged challenges in communicating with Waste Management to report the issues.
“I want to recognize our failure,” Jason Kjar told the council during its Feb. 4 meeting. Kjar is the director of Collections and Operations Texoma for Waste Management. “Our service lately has not been up to your standards and ours either, and we take that seriously.”
According to Kjar, Waste Management has brought in outside drivers to smooth out operations until permanent drivers can be hired. In addition, the company will add two more employees to ensure lapses in service don’t happen in the future, even during the holidays.
Matt Myers, Marble Falls’ Waste Management public sector representative, explained that three drivers were out during the Christmas holiday, leading to service interruptions.
“If any resident, any commercial owner has any concerns with service, they can call me. I can immediately get with my operations team and my customer service team to get service recovery,” Myers told the council.
While the meeting ended amicably, Mayor Dave Rhodes expressed his frustration with Waste Management services.
“It’s our responsibility to do the best we can to contract with someone who can address those issues,” he told WM representatives. “This is a real challenge. .. You really want to take a hard look at that if you want to keep our account.”
Following the meeting, Rhodes told DailyTrib.com the reason behind his strong words was that he had been contacted by several residents who had their trash picked up one to two weeks late in some cases and was told Waste Management was too difficult to get ahold of.
“I gave (Waste Management) a letter that said they were in breach of contract,” Rhodes said. “An anomaly here and there is OK, but it has been consistent and persistent.”
During the meeting, Councilor Craig Magerkurth said he personally experienced service interruptions and challenges in contacting Waste Management through its customer service line to report the issue, waiting on hold for up to 30 minutes and never receiving a call back or confirmation of his complaint.
“We realize that the fate of being your vendor hangs in the balance of how we react to this, and we take it very seriously,” Kjar said.
Marble Falls residents pay $28.86 a month for once-a-week curbside trash collection. Waste Management has handled the city’s refuse since December 2018, when the company bought out Republic Services Inc. and took over many of the collection routes in the Highland Lakes.
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The Burnet City Council approved an updated city seal Tuesday, Feb. 11. The new design modernizes the previous seal, which was created in 2001, while maintaining its core elements.
The redesign is part of the city’s rollout of its new website, which is scheduled to launch this summer.
“The seal needed to be modernized and also the resolution of the previous one that was created in 2001 needed to be updated so it could look clear and crisp on the new website,” said city airport manager Adrienne Feild, part of the administrative team overseeing the seal’s redesign.
The old Burnet city seal, designed in house in 2001, was a community effort involving city staff, the Chamber of Commerce, and other local participants.
City administration worked with a graphic designer to create the new seal, preserving key elements of the previous one.
“One thing we did want to ensure is maintaining all the core elements of the previous seal,” Feild said. “The hills, the lakes, the bluebonnets, the historic date, and, of course, the city motto.”
The updated seal highlights Burnet’s identity as the “Bluebonnet Capital of Texas.”
“What do we want people to see first when they look at the seal? Obviously, ‘Bluebonnet Capital, Texas,’” Feild said. “It’s a big deal to us, so we wanted to maintain that,”
The new design features larger bluebonnets and bolder text to enhance clarity. The seal’s colors will be used throughout the new city website.
During the redesign process, the team also discovered an older version of the seal.
An old version of the Burnet city seal, thought to have been designed in the 1940s.
“When we were working on this project, it was cool to find the really, really old seal, and we believe it was created back in the 1940s,” Feild said.
Burnet’s updated seal will be displayed on city communications and facilities, including the new City Hall.
“It’ll be on our email signatures, new City Hall—it’ll be on everything,” Feild said.
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