The Ledger

Fate City Council and Planning & Zoning Commission Joint Meeting - August 21, 2023

Fate Gazette

— 2 min read

The Fate Gazette — Ledger Entry

Meeting

City Council and Planning & Zoning Commission Joint Meeting
Date: August 21, 2023
Location: Fate City Hall, 1900 CD Boren Parkway, Fate, Texas

City Council — Call to Order and Quorum

  • Mayor David Billings called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
  • City Secretary Victoria Raduechel confirmed a quorum.
  • Council Members Present:
    David Billings (Mayor); Heather Buegeler; Mark Harper; Scott Kelley; Allen Robbins (arrived at 6:02 p.m.); Jim Deland; Lance Megyesi.
  • Council Members Absent: None.
  • City Staff Present:
    Michael Kovacs (City Manager); Steven Downs (Assistant City Manager); Jon Thatcher (City Attorney); Victoria Raduechel (City Secretary); Justin Weiss; Spencer Foster; Shelbi Stofer; Lyle Lombard; Ryan Wells; Steve Gilbert; Scott Monaghan; Raju Anthony; Teresa Stevens; Leigh Corson; Michael Wright.

Invocation and Pledge

  • Invocation delivered by Greg Bradford of Lake Pointe Church.
  • Pledge of Allegiance to the American and Texas flags led by the Council.

Presentations

  • Jon Thatcher Day Proclamation:
    Mayor Billings read and presented a proclamation recognizing Jon Thatcher for his service as City Attorney.
  • Updated Fiscal Analysis Checklist:
    Presented by Ryan Wells (Director of Planning and Development Services), with Felix Landry (Texas A&M). Topics included background of the fiscal analysis tool, methodology revisions, cost and revenue factors, removal of annualized road depreciation from revenue-to-cost calculations, and summary of proposed updates. Council and staff discussed road liabilities, property types, valuation sources, and comparison of models.

Public Comment

  • Speaker: Mark Hatley, 267 Callaghan Drive, addressed the Council regarding the reduction of the Over 65 homestead exemption to $25,000.
  • No other speakers.
  • Approved minutes from July 17 and July 31, 2023.
  • Approved ordinances and resolutions including fee schedule amendments, impact fee hearing notice, fire lane and access easements, developer participation agreement for a 16-inch water line, repeal of curfew ordinance, negotiated gas rate settlements, and establishment of a senior/disabled homestead tax freeze.
  • Vote: Approved unanimously.

City Council Action Items / Public Hearings

  • Public Improvement District (PID) Items (Williamsburg PID No. 2; Williamsburg East PID; Monterra PID):
    Annual service plan updates and assessment actions approved. Mayor Billings voted against several PID items; motions carried.
  • Tax Rate and Budget:
    Public hearing held; no speakers.
    • Adopted FY 2024 budget.
    • Ratified property tax increase reflected in the adopted budget.
    • Levied ad valorem tax rate of $0.26421 per $100 assessed valuation.
  • Solid Waste Rates: Approved updated rates.
  • Street Maintenance Fee: Approved $3 monthly fee for both single-family and multi-family residential units.
  • Street Renaming: Approved renaming Water Tower Road to Fate Village Drive.

Recess and Reconvene

  • Council adjourned at 7:16 p.m. and reconvened at 7:23 p.m.

Planning & Zoning Commission — Call to Order and Quorum

  • Chairman Steve Dann called the meeting to order at 7:25 p.m.
  • Quorum confirmed.
  • Commissioners Present: Steve Dann; Kerry Wiemokly; Jeffrey Rathje; Karen Kiser; Tyler Bushman; Daryell Harmon; Aaron Jackson.
  • Commissioners Absent: None.

Joint Work Session

  • Stevenson Property (approximately 97 acres near SH 66 and Ben Payne Road):
    Presentation by Kendra Stevenson covering current conditions, prior zoning application details, infrastructure considerations, residential density options, and development goals.
    Discussion topics included mixed-use concepts, neighborhood services, wastewater capacity, traffic impacts, park configuration, multifamily quantity, and construction timing.

Planning & Zoning Commission Adjournment

  • Adjourned at 8:20 p.m. by unanimous vote.

Mayor, Council, and City Manager Reports

  • Expressions of thanks and recognitions were made by the Mayor, Council Members, and City Manager.
  • Upcoming City Council meeting announced for September 5, 2023.

Executive Session

  • Convened pursuant to Texas Government Code Sections 551.076 and 551.071.
  • Topics: Security matters and consultation with attorney regarding Blackland Road (2342 Blackland Road).
  • Action Taken: Authorization for the City Manager to execute a settlement agreement with Mike and Betty Talley, in a form approved by the City Attorney.

City Council Adjournment

  • Meeting adjourned at 9:47 p.m.

Record Note
This Ledger entry records the publicly observable proceedings of the meeting listed above. It does not offer analysis or commentary.

Read more