VOTERS GUIDE
Two Fair Oaks Ranch incumbents are being challenged for their seats on City Council, while two residents jockey for position to succeed a councilwoman whose time on council has come to an end.
Councilman Scott Parker is running for re-election to his Place 5 seat on council, opposed by Fair Oaks resident Kevin Cox. Councilman Ruben Olvera, voted onto council in 2023 to fill the vacated Place 3 seat, is running for re-election against resident Scott Rose.
Two Fair Oaks residents, Dale Pearson and Jim Roff, are running for the Place 4 position to be vacated by current Councilwoman Laura Koerner, who has termed out and will leave after the election.
The Boerne Star asked all six candidates for answers to a series of questions dealing with issues currently facing the city. Here are their answers, accompanied by short biographies of each.
COUNCIL PL. 3
Ruben Olvera
Olvera, 46, a resident of Fair Oaks Ranch for nearly four years, is an attorney with the Farmer, House, Osuna & Olvera law firm. He earned his law degree from South Texas College of Law-Houston in 2005 after obtaining a bachelor’s degree in political science from Texas A&M in 2001.
One of the reasons he is seeking re-election, he said, is to continue the work he’s started since joining the governing body.
“I have served on council for a little over a year after winning the special election in December 2023,” Olvera said. “While I believe I have made significant contributions, I also feel like I’m just getting started in this role and now have a firm grasp of the current and future issues facing our city.”
In addition to serving on council and 19-plus years as a civil litigation attorney, Olvera has served as a director on the city’s Municipal Development District.
Scott Rose
Rose, 71, a 17- year Fair Oaks Ranch homeowner and member of the Fair Oak Ranch Country Club since 2001, said he wants “to be a sounding board for the wishes and feelings of the entire populace of Fair Oaks Ranch.” Rose spent 38 years as a sales executive for 3M Company before retiring, earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing from the University of Texas. He said he will rely on the strategic business planning expertise he gained while ascending to the highest level of corporate sales at 3M. His direct interaction with major manufacturers on critical growth strategies and tactics will help when he is elected.
“I will (serve) with complete transparency and understanding of the actual wants and needs of the community,” he said. “The tax dollars of the city ... should be spent only on the essential projects approved by the citizens by their voices.
“My tagline,” he said, “ is FORGE — Fair Oaks Ranch Government Efficiency.”
COUNCIL PL. 4
Dale Pearson
Pearson, 68, has been a Fair Oaks Ranch resident for the past 16 years. The real estate investment broker earned his master’s degree in business from Elon University in North Carolina.
He served the city’s Planning and Zoning Committee for 10 years, having been appointed in 2018 and reappointed twice since.
“I am proud of the positive impact I’ve had with our city over these years, whether it’s been making P&Z suggestions and recommendations to Council regarding important policies and ordinances, or making sure our citizens needs are represented,” Pearson said.
These experiences, he said, has provided him with a solid foundation to work on council.
“I’ve seen first-hand the excellent work of our professional city management and how they help guide our city with professionalism, responsibility and transparency. I believe I am well prepared to take the next step in serving you as your next Place 4 city councilman.”
Jim Roff
Roff, 80, a Fair Oaks Ranch resident for 17 years, is a retired Eastman Kodak Company employee. He earned a master’s degree in chemical engineering, having attended Bismarck Junior College in Bismarck, North Dakota, and graduated from Ohio State University in Columbus.
Roff kept his reasoning for running, short and sweet.
“I want to represent the conservative goals of the founders of Fair Oaks Ranch with ‘common sense’ government,” Roff said, “and with major decisions based on total community involvement, especially high dollar expenditures.”
COUNCIL PL. 5
Kevin Cox
Cox, 68, a 20-year resident of Fair Oaks Ranch, said he has seen many changes and substantial growth of the city during those two decades.
He obtained a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering from Texas A&M.
He said he will be committed to Fair Oaks resident by stressing citizen involvement and transparency. He will rely on his skills in budgeting and fiscal responsibility, with a demonstrated ability to manage large complex projects.
“I believe the current city leaders approach city growth with the attitude that government should also grow and impose more rules and controls on the citizens,” Cox said.
“I would like to see a more practical approach to our city government, allowing more citizen input and fewer regulations, a much more transparent approach,” he added.
Scott Parker
P a r k e r, the current Place 5 councilman, is a 22-year resident of Fair Oaks Ranch. He said he desires “to continue to serve my community. For four years, the city has managed to keep Ranch taxes low while providing exceptional services to residents,” he said.
Parker is a retired U.S. Air Force official with 26 years of logistics and management experience. He is also a retired federal investigator with a financial fraud background.
“Infrastructure challenges have been met with proper planning and hiring of the right people,” Parker said. “Fair Oaks Ranch is consistently in the top tier of Texas Safest Cities, No. 16 this year — all done while maintaining the beauty and quality of life the residents of The Ranch want.”
Q&A
QUESTION 1
The Fair Oaks Ranch Community Center nears fruition. Have you been a supporter, or opponent, of the center? Are you a fan of the chosen center design?
OLVERA, PL. 3
“There are both pros and cons to the proposed Community Center. The space can be used in a variety of ways for the benefit of the city and community.
“While I do not have any major issues with the design itself, I have raised concerns about its potential cost, funding, cost of future maintenance, spacing/ parking and the need for a detailed plan regarding its use. I would like to see these items addressed prior to being asked to approve such a project.”
ROSE, PL. 3
“I am an opponent of the proposed demolition of the existing buildings in order to build a massive $2.5$3 million ‘Community Center.’ The existing building could be completely remodeled, refurbished and reimagined for any purpose needed, for less than $1 million and provide for a new council chambers, voting location and community functions with no damage to the existing environment. The people of Fair Oaks Ranch largely are not even aware of this exorbitant use of their tax dollars when that money could be used for essential projects, like a water treatment facility or a water tower.”
PEARSON, PL. 4
“The need for a Community Center was started by the city four-plus years ago, to manage future growth. Now it appears the city will receive funding to pay for some, or all, of the center.
“City taxes will not be raised to pay for the Community Center. Based on this, I believe that the center will be a huge asset for all Fair Oaks Ranch citizens.”
ROFF, PL. 4
“I have not been a supporter of the Community Center primarily because of its location, size and timing. The location will negatively affect the neighborhood known as Chartwell.
“The size is very limited, with insufficient parking and capacity. The timing coincides with a time when the community requires costly infrastructure repairs.”
COX, PL. 5
“I am opposed to the Community Center as it is currently proposed. City Council wants to demolish a historic building and build a 5,300-square-foot structure at a cost of over $2.5 million. There are several problems with the site: inadequate parking; risk of damage to heritage oak trees; and traffic problems — all of these problems and cost, for what? Primarily, a larger venue to hold City Council meetings, and a meeting place for other civic organizations.
“I believe the existing building could be renovated at a fraction of the cost and serve the same purpose.”
PARKER, PL. 5
“We are not close to ‘fruition.’ I need more data to see if the proposed design costs make sense.
“Council, boards and commissions utilize meeting space that was never designed for this purpose. The same space is used for elections, municipal court and, when needed, an emergency operations center. It was designed as a police multi-training room.
“I do support a ‘civic center,’ a space that can be used for our city’s multiple needs as well as other Ranch civic organizations.
“Funding from the MDD can be used to help fund the project. But costs still have to make sense.”
QUESTION 2
Fair Oaks Ranch residents love the tranquil lifestyle that attracts so many to the area. As the city continues to grow — population doubled from 2010 to 2020 — how do you plan to help maintain that certain “feel,” given the continuing development in the area?
ROSE, PL. 3
“One of the common reasons people have chosen to settle in Fair Oaks Ranch is the serenity of county like living. Keeping this is a priority for me.
“While we are almost filled out, my requirements for future development with not allow for anything less than 1-acre lots. This will prevent extreme condensed housing neighborhoods that would attract low-cost homes and create unwanted congestion for our community.”
OLVERA, PL. 3
“Although certain growth is inevitable, we can help maintain that certain ‘feel’ with strict adherence to the city’s Comprehensive Plan and Unified Development Code. This should help us limit density in the future and make sure Fair Oaks Ranch maintains its tranquil lifestyle.”
ROFF, PL. 4
“The certain ‘feel’ is generated by the residents. Most want a calm, safe, peaceful family-oriented community. We have that character, and I want to maintain it.”
PEARSON, PL. 4
“The management of our city is a top priority. Citizen-driven mandates include remaining a bedroom community with very little commercial activity. The infrastructure we have put in place ... protects your property values and fosters community relationships.
“This infrastructure also benefits our residents by ensuring public safety, health and quality of life. I have the skill sets to effectively deal with developers who want to work in our city and to make sure that your interests are represented in future development.”
PARKER, PL. 5
“Simple. We manage future development utilizing the tools at our disposal, such as our Unified Development Code, strategic plans, Planning and Zoning Commission, tree mitigation plan, etc.
“We have the tools in place to help manage development and keep the city the way we want to see it grow. We know there are limitations but, moving forward, we can do so in a safe, responsible way that helps us maintain the Hill Country lifestyle.”
COX, PL. 5
“I believe growth within the city should be compatible with existing development. The city should maintain a housing density similar to what currently exists. Commercial and retail development should be considered carefully, so we maintain a primarily residential atmosphere. All development should be evaluated based on traffic impacts, water availability, sewage capacity and other infrastructure issues.”
QUESTION 3
The Noble Lark intersection development is but another symbol of how growth affects quality of life, especially concerning traffic. What aspects of transportation in Fair Oaks Ranch concern you most, and why: Congestion; speed; golf carts; roadway maintenance; cut-throughs; highway expansion; I-10 traffic; etc.?
OLVERA, PL. 3
“Congestion, speeding and road maintenance concern me the most. These are also the concerns that I hear the most from residents.
“We just formed a citizen Transportation Safety Advisory Committee which should help us quickly address transportation and/ or traffic issues as they arise and/or are observed by the citizens. We also have a system in place to routinely monitor our road conditions for ongoing maintenance so that we can plan accordingly.”
ROSE, PL. 3
“Transportation and congestion concerns: One of a city’s biggest priorities should be high-quality roads. We are a large golfing community and the safety of golf carts travelling on the streets should likewise be a priority.
“Wherever possible, an extension of the sides of the main streets would provide adequate safety for carts and bicycles alike.
“Speed limits in neighborhoods, where cut-throughs are used, should be strictly monitored and heavy fines issued for speeders.”
PEARSON, PL. 4
“Our City Council continues to work on the city’s growing traffic issues due to our rapid growth for years, and continues to do so in a professional manner today.
“Also, City Council recently added a new Transportation Safety Advisory Committee to advise and make recommendations to City Council regarding means of transportation involving city-owned roadways, walks, paths, etc.”
ROFF, PL. 4
“I am mostly concerned with the speed limits and enforcement within the community.”
COX, PL. 5
“I don’t think traffic issues have always been carefully considered when approving developments. I don’t think there is a big issue currently with traffic, but as developments continue to go up north of us it could be an issue in the future.
“I would be in favor of continuing to have low speed limits within the city and for an evaluation of the speed limit on 3351 through the city.”
PARKER, PL. 5
“As a city we use and maintain over 60 miles of roadway in the city. This year, City Council formed a citizens’ committee to address and make recommendations to the council when traffic concerns arise.
“As a city, we can control and mitigate roadway issues for roads that belong to us. TxDOT owns responsibility for FM3351. I see the new Transportation Safety Advisory Committee as a positive step forward.”
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