On March 19, San Antonio City Council amended an agreement with the Phil Hardberger Park Conservancy, assigning the Voelcker Dairy Barn to the conservancy’s premises.

The gist: The amendment modifies the existing caretaker lease agreement with Dale Chumbley, the live-in steward and caretaker of the historic Voelcker farmhouse. The modifications only remove the dairy barn from his leased premises, and Chumbley will continue to reside at the historic Voelcker farmhouse, according to city documents.

The conservancy’s key responsibilities under the new agreement include operations, maintenance of interior structures and programming within the designated premises. They will also be allowed to keep bees and farm animals per city code regulations. Additionally, the conservancy will be allowed to operate revenue-generating events and concessions, with proceeds used to offset operations and maintenance costs, according to city documents.

The agreement will begin upon City Council approval and expire Dec. 31, 2046, with two 10-year renewals. In lieu of rent paid to the city, the conservancy will be responsible for operations, maintenance and programming.

On March 19, the San Antonio City Council approved a $799,967 contract with Triton Design and Construction to build a series of park improvements at Lady Bird Johnson Park.

The gist: Located in District 10, Lady Bird Johnson Park is a large urban park located on the north side of Salado Creek at Nacogdoches Road, according to city documents. Current amenities include baseball fields, a community center with a gym, a pavilion, picnic tables, a playground, a softball field complex, a skatepark, soccer fields, a swimming pool and bathhouse, and a trailhead for Salado Creek Trail.

Improvements include 88 parking spots, including Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant parking, cyclocross bike improvements and an access route to the cyclocross bike improvements. 

District 10 council member Marc Whyte said the 2022 bond program project will enhance residents' experience with the park.

The project is funded by the 2022 General Obligation Bond Program and is included in the fiscal year 2025-26 capital budget. Construction is estimated to begin spring 2026 and be completed by winter 2027. 

A new mobile coffee cart service is now open and serving residents across the Greater San Antonio area.

Some details: 1996 Coffee Co. launched Jan. 4, co-founders Jared and Kelsie Tooker told Community Impact.

The Cibolo-based business services the following areas, according to its website:

• San Antonio
• Boerne
• New Braunfels
• San Marcos
• Kyle
• Buda
• Austin

From Bluebonnet Volkswagen to the Hampton Inn, check out six of the latest filings to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation in the San Antonio area. These listings are preliminary and subject to change.

Monkee's of Fair Oak Ranch
The clothing brand has filed to finish out a new 1,244-square-foot retail space.

• Location: 10049 Lemon Creek Blvd. Ste. 115, Boerne

• Location: 283 S. I-35 South, New Braunfels

• Location: 17702 N. I-35, Schertz

Beginning April 1, Texans can no longer use food stamps to purchase sweetened beverages and candy.

How we got here: During the 2025 legislative session, Texas lawmakers passed Senate Bill 379, which prohibits Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits from being used to purchase candy and sweetened drinks. In August, the federal government approved a waiver allowing Texas to implement the prohibition beginning April 1.

Texas will be the ninth state to prohibit SNAP benefits from being used on sugary items, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

How it works: Under SB 379, Texans will not be allowed to use their SNAP benefits to buy sweetened drinks containing any artificial sweeteners or at least 5 grams of added sugar, according to the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. SB 379 also bans the purchase of candy with Lone Star Cards.

It is up to Texas businesses to determine which items are no longer SNAP-eligible, update their store purchase systems and train staff to recognize the newly restricted items, according to the HHSC.