The Ledger

Fate City Council Regular Meeting - July 15, 2024

Fate Gazette

— 3 min read

The Fate Gazette — Ledger

City of Fate

Regular City Council Meeting
Date: July 15, 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
  • Jordan Pope, DPS Public Safety Officer
  • 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

Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance

  • Invocation given by RJ Nanny of Fate First Church.
  • Council led the Pledge of Allegiance to the American and Texas flags.

Presentations

  • GFOA Distinguished Budget Presentation Award
    • Presented by Council Member Scott Kelley to Director of Finance Raju Anthony and Senior Accountant Teresa Stevens.
  • Quarterly Report on Public Communications
    • Presented by Shelbi Stofer, Public Engagement Coordinator.
  • Gala at Fate Presentation
    • Presented by Amy Dasen of Gardner Capital, covering project overview, operations, resident services, safety, amenities, and testimonials.

Public Comment

  • No individuals addressed the Council.
  • Resolution No. R-2024-045
    • Accepting offsite easements from Fate 1-30 Commercial, LP (Lightbridge Academy).
  • Resolution No. R-2024-046
    • Authorizing submittal of a grant application to Texas Parks & Wildlife Department for a full-size soccer/sport field at Joe Burger Park.
  • Approved unanimously.

Action Items

Annual Board and Commission Appointments

Planning and Zoning Commission

  • Resolution No. R-2024-047
    • Appointed:
      • Autumn Lobinsky (term expires July 2026)
      • Ashley McDaniel (term expires July 2026)
      • Kerry Wiemokly (term expires July 2026)
    • Vote: Approved; Council Member Hatley opposed.

Fate Municipal Development District No. 1 Board of Directors

  • Resolution No. R-2024-048
    • Appointed:
      • Place 4: Cheyenna Tellez (term expires July 2026)
      • Place 5: Todd Crabtree (term expires July 2026)
      • Place 6: Bob Chambers (term expires July 2026)
      • Place 7: Erin Penney (term expires July 2026)
    • Vote: Approved unanimously.

Parks and Recreation Advisory Board

  • Resolution No. R-2024-049
    • Appointed:
      • Michelle Dominique (term expires July 2026)
      • Tiffany King (term expires July 2026)
      • Ryan Strobel (term expires July 2026)
      • Barry Brafman (term expires July 2026)
      • Gregg Rauwolf (term expires July 2025)
    • Vote: Approved unanimously.

Zoning Board of Adjustment

  • Resolution No. R-2024-050
    • Appointed:
      • Logan Wallis, Place 1 (term expires July 2026)
      • Rick Donaldson, Place 5 (term expires July 2026)
      • Michael Ruby, Alternate 2 (term expires July 2026)
    • Vote: Approved unanimously.

Proposed Fiscal Year 2024–2025 Budget

  • Presentation by City Manager Michael Kovacs on the proposed FY 2024–2025 Annual Operating and CIP Budget.
  • Topics included strategic priorities, revenues, expenses, staffing, capital projects, and budget calendar.

Resolution No. R-2024-051

  • Placed adoption of the proposed FY 2024–2025 budget on the August 19, 2024 agenda.
  • Called a public hearing for August 12, 2024.
  • Required publication of notice.
  • Vote: Approved unanimously.

Proposed 2024 Tax Year Property Tax Rate

Resolution No. R-2024-052

  • Designated the Rockwall Central Appraisal District Chief Appraiser to calculate tax rates.
  • Vote: Approved; Council Members Chinn and Megyesi opposed.

Resolution No. R-2024-053

  • Adopted a maximum tax rate of $0.264000 per $100 valuation for consideration.
  • Called a public hearing on August 19, 2024.
  • Required publication of notice.
  • Vote: Approved; Council Member Chinn opposed.

Ordinances

Ordinance No. O-2024-035

  • Granted Farmers Electric Cooperative a franchise to use public rights-of-way for an electric power utility system.
  • Vote: Approved; Mayor Billings and Council Members Chinn and Harper opposed.

Mayor, Council, and City Manager Reports

  • Mayor Billings
    • Expressed thanks to City staff and DPS.
    • Recognized finance award recipients.
  • Council Members
    • Expressed thanks to staff, DPS, and board/commission applicants.
    • Expressed condolences related to a nationally reported incident.
  • Council Member Chinn
    • Addressed community relations following recent elections.
  • City Manager
    • No report.

Executive Session

  • Convened at 8:17 p.m. under Texas Government Code Sections 551.087 and 551.071.
  • Topics included:
    • Economic development negotiations.
    • Public safety facilities and costs.
    • Annexation matters.
    • Municipal Utility Districts.
  • Reconvened at 9:29 p.m.
  • No action taken.

Adjournment

  • Meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m.
  • Approved unanimously.

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

Read more