Caldwell City Council will have two seats up for election at the upcoming May 2 election: those currently held by Jessie Enrique, Jr. and Lee Glidewell.
Both Enrique and Glidewell have filed to retain their seats, joined by challenger Thomas Trnka.
Enrique has served on the city council since 2022 and said he is running for reelection to continue the work he has helped complete as an alderman already. “I believe in the good of this community,” he said.
Glidewell has also served on the council since 2022.
“I am running for reelection because there are specific projects and issues I would like to see to completion,” he said.
“I want to continue the momentum we have built and attained the last several years.”
As the sole newcomer to the race, Trnka said his motivation to run is centered around serving the town he calls home.
“In short, I am running for city council because I genuinely care about the City of Caldwell, its citizens and employees, and I would like to continue to serve and do my part to make Caldwell the best it can be,” he said.
All three candidates discussed the issues facing the city with the Tribune for a candidate forum.
Candidates were asked: What will be our most pressing future needs (streets, drainage, water and sewer) through the decade to prepare us for future growth?
Candidates were also asked about funding and financing for these endeavors.
“Our most pressing future needs, through the decade, to prepare us for future growth is water and sewer,” Enrique said. “Once this is completed further progress on drainage and streets will follow.”
He said financing would depend on the size of the project, with smaller works coming out of the budget and larger projects “financed through certificate of obligation, grants or a bond.”
Glidewell also cited infrastructure as a pressing concern.
“Firstly, a main portion of the city’s sewer line needs to be immediately addressed and replaced, probably in several other locations from what I’ve recently heard, but especially on the southeast side of town,” he said.
“Secondly, there are numerous locations across town to which drainage infrastructure will need to be upgraded,” Glidewell continued.
He said the city has already completed or is in the process of completing drainage projects on the west side of town, but identified several other areas, such as State Highway 36 N. in the Sunny Street area and State Highway 36 South south of the railroad tracks that need additional work.
“Both water and streets will also come into play soon and continue to be discussed,” he said.
“Financing wise, there are multiple options that we have available and have used in the past with success” Glidewell said, citing grants and low interest loans as two possibilities.
Trnka said that with the growth the city is experiencing, wastewater treatment is a priority.
“In my opinion, the most pressing infrastructure need would be a new wastewater treatment plant,” he said. “The City’s current plant still has the capacity to handle some existing growth, but it is almost 50 years old.”
Trnka said the average life of an oxidation ditch plant is 30 years.
“The City’s Wastewater Department spends a tremendous amount of time and money maintaining and repairing the existing plant, but a catastrophic failure could occur sooner or later, resulting in major problems,” he said.
“A new wastewater plant, with modern and more efficient technology, would provide the capacity to serve the City well into to the future.”
Trnka said a new wastewater treatment plant that would serve the city through future growth would cost approximately $20-25 million.
“There are two ways that most cities pay for wastewater treatment plants,” he said. “The first is a low interest loan through the Texas Water Development Board.”
“The city may use reserve money, if available, to lower the borrowed amount, and there is also the possibility of finding a grant to help with the cost.”
The second option for funding, Trnka said, is a bond issue.
“Instead of paying upfront, bonds are issued to investors, who are then repaid with interest over a period of 20 to 30 years,” he said.
“This would require a considerable amount of public input and approval from voters.”
Next, candidates were asked: What are your street and drainage priorities for the next two years? Be specific.
Glidewell reiterated the need for drainage projects along State Highway 36 and on the west side of Caldwell.
“I couldn’t tell you what type of project is needed at each of these locations, each are more than likely different, that is a study for a street or drainage engineer to perform to give the council members options,” he said.
“I will say, my job is to review the studies, ask questions, discuss the options and weigh the pro’s and con’s of each. That information and process allows me to make the best judgement for our town and citizens, both for today and for the future.”
Enrique said street and drainage priorities will mirror where city water and sewer lines are upgraded.
“The streets and drainage priorities for the next two years are O’Neal, MLK, Broadway, Temple and North Gray streets,” he said.
Trnka said his experience in public works taught him that selecting where to conduct upgrades and repairs is always “a sensitive issue.”
“While there are many streets and drainage issues in need, the council must always be fair and try their best to include all citizens and all areas of the city,” he said.
Trnka said he believes the west and southeast parts of the city have the highest need.
“There are some drainage issues on the West side of town from Broadway to O’Neal Street, and on the Northeast side of town from Porter to Main to Sunny Street that need to be addressed, as well,” he said.
Trnka said the council should defer to the city engineer on these matters to create “a comprehensive street and drainage reconstruction plan.”
He said there are many factors that go into this plan, including topography for a correct drainage design, geological testing, pavement structural design, utility replacement of aging sewer and water lines and hydrologic analyses.
“It is also imperative that newly developed areas -- residential, commercial and industrial -- include detention to prevent flooding downstream or on nearby properties,” Trnka said.
“These projects must be meticulously planned and efficiently executed the first time.”
Finally, candidates were asked: Now that the city has approved zoning, do you favor creation of a planning and zoning board to address the issues or do you support allowing the city council to address zoning issues on a case-by-case basis?
“I do definitely support a Planning and Zoning Board to address zoning in the City of Caldwell,” Trnka said. “Planning and zoning should be based on planning and not on politics.”
He said the planning and zoning board should consist of experts in the field, business people and residents.
“This board must be fair, well-organized and have a long-term plan and shared vision of Caldwell’s future growth,” Trnka said.
“A Planning and Zoning Board should never reject public participation, abuse their legal authority, make unsupported decisions and engage in anything that may be a conflict of interest. The board must realize the city council makes the final decision, so that the citizens are represented through their elected officials.”
Glidewell also supported the creation of a Planning and Zoning board.
“We need a board to interpret regulations, build relations with commercial/residential developers and obviously address any zoning issues,” he said.
“In addition, the zoning board is also responsible for granting/ denying variances, oversees appeals, granting/denying exceptions and enforcing zoning ordinances.”
Enrique said at this time, he feels the city council can address planning and zoning issues.
“In the future, the council may work together to create a planning and zoning board as the city continues to grow,” he said.
All of the candidates closed with statements as to why they feel they are qualified for a position on the city council.
“In my time in office, I have worked along Mayor Easter and fellow councilmen for positive improvements,” Enrique said, listing the completion of millions of dollars in grants, transition of the city’s energy to ERCOT, three new lift stations and multiple street and sewer line completions.
“I have a listening ear and am available to the citizens of Caldwell. I believe in the good of this community,” he said.
Glidewell said he believes he has a lot to offer the city in its continued work.
“I also believe my professional background, work ethic and experiences have a lot to offer Caldwell and our citizens,” he said.
“We are expanding in many aspects and I want to ensure the city’s infrastructure, its employees and citizens are prepared for what is to come.”
Trnka said his lifetime spent in Caldwell and 44 years of service have qualified him for a position on the council.
“I recently retired from the City of Caldwell after 44 years of service. During my tenure, I worked for five mayors, seven city administrators and many council members,” he said. “Through the years, I learned a great deal about city administration.”
Trnka added that his time as Director of Public Works gave him experience in streets and drainage, solid waste, parks and recreation, maintenance and the airport.
“My knowledge in city government is extensive and covers a broad range, which is definitely an advantage when making decisions that affect the city and its citizens,” he said.
“If elected to the city council, I would like to use my experience and my leadership abilities to move Caldwell in the right direction, making it the best it can be.”