The Ledger

Fate City Council Regular Meeting - July 1, 2024

Fate Gazette

— 3 min read

THE FATE GAZETTE — LEDGER

City of Fate

Regular City Council Meeting
Date: July 1, 2024
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: Fate City Hall, 1900 CD Boren Parkway, Fate, Texas

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
  • Mark Harper, Deputy Mayor Pro Tem
  • Allen Robbins, Mayor Pro Tem
  • Codi Chinn
  • Scott Kelley
  • Mark Hatley
  • Lance Megyesi

Council Members Absent

  • None

City Staff Present

  • Michael Kovacs, City Manager
  • Steven Downs, Assistant City Manager
  • Cynthia Kirchoff, City Attorney
  • Victoria Raduechel, City Secretary
  • Leigh Corson, Director of Human Resources
  • Lyle Lombard, Director of Public Safety
  • Ryan Ragan, DPS Captain, Police Operations
  • Alan Sandlin, DPS Public Safety Officer
  • John Taylor, DPS Captain, Fire Operations
  • Steve Gilbert, Director of Community Services and Building Safety
  • Scott Monaghan, Director of Public Works
  • Ryan Wells, Director of Planning and Development Services
  • Shelbi Stofer, Public Engagement Coordinator
  • Raju Anthony, Director of Finance
  • Teresa Stevens, Accounting Manager
  • Justin Weiss, Economic Development Manager
  • Isaiah Tackett, IT Systems Administrator
  • Michael Wright, IT Manager

Invocation and Pledge

  • Invocation delivered by Christopher Ash, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
  • Council led the Pledge of Allegiance to the American and Texas flags.

Presentations

  • Park and Recreation Month Proclamation: Mayor Billings proclaimed July as Park and Recreation Month.
  • National Community Survey Results: Presented by Brandon, National Community Survey.
  • Meals on Wheels: Presentation by Margie VerHagen, Executive Director, Meals on Wheels Senior Services of Rockwall County.
  • NCTCOG Area Agency on Aging: Presentation by Dani Green, Director, introduced by Karen Kiser.
  • City Council Roles and Responsibilities Training: Council reached consensus for training to be provided via email by the City Attorney.

Public Comment

  • Randy Long, 2263 Bryant Ln., spoke regarding neighborhood integrity.
  • Autumn Lobinsky, 114 Valen Dr., spoke in support of Agenda Item 6F (Micro-Transportation Ordinance).
  • Steve Huffman, 6824 SH 66, spoke in support of Agenda Item 6F and in opposition to Agenda Item 6D (downtown zoning request).

Approved unanimously:

  • Minutes of June 17 and June 24, 2024 meetings.
  • Ordinance No. O-2024-028 appointing Jeffrey J. Beltz as Associate Judge, Municipal Court of Record No. 1.
  • Resolution No. R-2024-042 approving a Type III site plan for an 11,910 sq. ft. daycare on Ben Payne Rd.
  • Resolution No. R-2024-043 accepting a special warranty deed for open space lots in Monterra Phase 1 (11.415 acres).

Vote: Unanimous approval.

Oath of Office

  • Presiding Judge Paul Liston administered the oath of office to Associate Judge Jeffrey J. Beltz.

Action Items / Public Hearings

Ordinance No. O-2024-029 – Zoning Change (Agriculture to Residential Estate)

  • Location: Two approximately 3-acre parcels (RCAD IDs 44445 & 51632).
  • Public hearing opened and closed with no speakers.
  • Action: Approved unanimously.

Ordinance No. O-2024-030 – Unified Development Ordinance Updates

  • Amendments to Articles III, IV, V, VIII, and XII.
  • Public hearing included one speaker in support.
  • Action: Approved unanimously.

Ordinance No. O-2024-031 – Proposed Annexation (14.38 Acres)

  • Location: South of I-30, west of FM 548, east of FM 551 (RCAD ID 12857).
  • Public hearing included comments from property owner Ash Boulos and attorney Robert Miklos.
  • Action: Council postponed action to August 5, 2024, unanimously.

Ordinance No. O-2024-032 – Downtown Zoning Change (Agriculture/PD to Neighborhood Transition)

  • Case #ZR-24-007, approximately 4.71 acres.
  • Public hearing included multiple speakers in opposition.
  • Action: Ordinance denied unanimously.

Ordinance No. O-2024-033 – Adoption of 2021 International Codes

  • Amendments to Chapter 6, Buildings and Building Regulations.
  • Public hearing opened and closed with no speakers.
  • Action: Approved unanimously.

Ordinance No. O-2024-034 – Micro-Transportation (Golf Carts)

  • Amendment to Chapter 28, Traffic and Vehicles.
  • Motion amended to set maximum golf cart speed limit at 25 mph.
  • Action: Amended ordinance approved; one dissenting vote (Hatley).

Property Tax Rate Discussion – FY 2025 Proposed Budget

  • City Manager reviewed estimated tax rate information.
  • Action: No action taken.

Resolution No. R-2024-044 – MUD Board Meetings

  • Request for Municipal Utility Districts to hold meetings within the City of Fate.
  • Action: Approved unanimously.

Reports

Mayor’s Report

  • Expressed appreciation to City staff and Fate DPS.
  • Extended Fourth of July holiday wishes.

Council Reports

  • Council members expressed thanks to staff, presenters, and residents; shared holiday safety reminders and community notes.

City Manager’s Report

  • Announced City offices closed July 4.
  • Noted upcoming MUD meeting on July 9, 2024.

Executive Session

  • Entered executive session at 8:56 p.m. under Texas Government Code §551.087 regarding economic development negotiations.
  • Reconvened at 9:37 p.m.
  • Action: No action taken.

Adjournment

  • Meeting adjourned at 9:37 p.m. by unanimous vote.

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

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