Dark skies were once again in the forefront at the City of Alpine council meeting on April 20.

City Manager Erik Zimmer referred to House Bill 4305 and Senate Bill 2133, proposed legislation that would allow the use of hotel/motel occupancy tax funds to help support dark sky initiatives. Zimmer expressed interest in bringing events to Alpine that celebrate the dark skies and attract tourism, similar to McDonald Observatory’s popular star parties in Fort Davis. He stated that 50% of the city HOT revenue goes specifically to advertising, and indicated the proposed legislation for dark sky initiatives would drive additional tourism.

Zimmer said he spoke with Morrison’s True Value owner Bob Ward and McCoy’s Building Supply owner Robert Murphy about marketing and advertising dark sky friendly light fixtures to bring awareness to the community. The limit on potential HOT funding for dark skies promotion and preservation would be capped at 25%, but Zimmer thought it should be 15% since historical preservation was also a driver for tourism in the area.

“People think of Alpine as the wild West, the Cowboy Poetry Gathering, the last frontier,” he said.

Zimmer said the next steps would be for the council to review the proposed dark sky ordinance, and address the issue of affordability for households unable to pay for compliant lighting fixtures. The proposed ordinance will be up for discussion and action during an upcoming city council meeting in May.

Alpine Mayor Andy Ramos singled out a new business, Alpine Laundromat, a 24-hour facility on Fifth Street that had two bright exterior spotlights. Zimmer agreed that several businesses had light trespass issues.

Council, Ward 5, Rick Stephens, said the council should consider new construction, and implications with businesses and residents on costs of retrofitting light fixtures.

“We certainly don’t want to hurt businesses in the process. At the same time, we want to motivate people to eventually replace the fixtures,” said Stephens.

In other business, City Attorney Sandy Wilson brought up the topic of coin operated businesses and possible illegal gambling activities and cash payouts for coin operated gaming activities, which would violate state law. American Legion Post 79 of Alpine was mentioned as one of several places that had games of chance.

“A cash payout is going to go under illegal gambling of the Texas Penal Code, so it’s a fine line,” said Wilson.

Finally, the council approved the second and final reading of an ordinance proposing an amendment to the HOT budget, and a resolution for reducing water costs for city residents who were impacted by the freeze in February.

The next regularly scheduled city council meeting is set for Tuesday, May 4 at 5:30 p.m. via Zoom videoconference.