The Ledger

Fate City Council Regular Meeting - June 3, 2024

Fate Gazette

— 3 min read

The Fate Gazette — Ledger

City of Fate

Regular City Council Meeting
Date: June 3, 2024
Location: Fate City Hall, 1900 CD Boren Parkway, Fate, Texas
Time Called to Order: 6:00 p.m.

1. Call to Order and Confirmation of Quorum

  • Mayor David Billings called the meeting to order.
  • Victoria Raduechel, City Secretary, confirmed a quorum.

Council Members Present:

  • David Billings, Mayor
  • Mark Harper
  • Scott Kelley
  • Allen Robbins, Mayor Pro Tem
  • Mark Hatley
  • Lance Megyesi, Deputy Mayor Pro Tem

Council Members Absent:

  • Heather Buegeler

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
  • Ryan Ragan, DPS Captain, Police Operations
  • Jordan Pope, DPS Lieutenant, Police Operations
  • Steve Gilbert, Director of Community Services and Building Safety
  • Scott Monaghan, Director of Public Works
  • Raju Anthony, Director of Finance
  • Ryan Wells, Director of Planning and Development Services
  • Justin Weiss, Economic Development Manager
  • Michael Wright, IT Manager

2. Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance

  • Invocation given by Robert Box, Life Spring Church.
  • Council led the Pledge of Allegiance to the American and Texas flags.

3. Presentations

  • Film Friendly Texas Certificate
    • Presented by Janie Havel, North Texas Regional Representative for the Office of Governor Abbott in Economic Development and Tourism.
  • Texas State Comptroller’s Traditional Finances Transparency Star Award
    • Council Member Lance Megyesi presented the award to Raju Anthony, Director of Finance.

4. Public Comment

The following individuals addressed the Council:

  • Joann Yott, 808 Horton St., Fate, Texas — budget considerations, concerns, and questions.
  • Randy Long, 2263 Bryant Ln., Fate, Texas — opposition to consent agenda item 5D (Focused Advocacy contract).
  • Autumn Lobinsky, 114 Valen Dr., Fate, Texas — City Council Code of Conduct.
  • David Compton, 988 Carriage Loop, New Braunfels, Texas — support for item 5G (Alamo Fireworks Interim Use Agreement).
  • Allison Lewis, 394 Florence Dr., Fate, Texas — opposition to consent agenda item 5D.

Items listed under the Consent Agenda were considered routine.

Items Included:

  • Approval of minutes from April 29, May 6, and May 13, 2024.
  • Ordinance No. O-2024-023 — appointment of municipal court judge.
  • Ordinance No. O-2024-024 — rental registration fee increase.
  • Resolution No. R-2024-032 — Focused Advocacy legislative liaison contract.
  • Resolution No. R-2024-033 — public drainage easement acceptance.
  • Resolution No. R-2024-034 — preliminary plat approval (commercial development).
  • Resolution No. R-2024-035 — Alamo Fireworks interim use agreement.
  • Resolution No. R-2024-036 — annexation petition acceptance and public hearing scheduling.
  • Financial report for April 2024.

Action:

  • Council Member Hatley requested removal of item 5D.
  • Consent Agenda approved excluding item 5D by unanimous vote.

5D. Resolution No. R-2024-032

Focused Advocacy, LLC — Legislative Liaison Services

  • Overview provided by Michael Kovacs, City Manager.
  • Motion to approve made by Council Member Megyesi, seconded by Council Member Robbins.
  • Vote:
    • Ayes: Billings, Kelley, Robbins, Megyesi
    • Nays: Harper, Hatley
  • Motion carried.

6. Action Items

A. Ordinance No. O-2024-025 — Zoning Change (Agriculture to Residential Estate)

  • Staff presentation by Ryan Wells.
  • Public hearing opened and closed with no speakers.
  • Approved unanimously.

B. Ordinance No. O-2024-026 — Specific Use Permit (Tattoo Studio, Iron Ranch Development)

  • Staff presentation by Ryan Wells.
  • Applicant representatives Madison Owens and Dakota Wooldridge answered questions.
  • Public hearing included one speaker in support (Autumn Lobinsky).
  • Approved with condition limiting the site to one tattoo parlor.
  • Approved unanimously.

C. Resolution No. R-2024-037 — Ben Payne Road Improvement Agreement

  • Presentation by Steven Downs, Assistant City Manager.
  • Approved unanimously.

D. Promotional Video Series for the City of Fate

  • Informational update provided by Justin Weiss, Economic Development Manager.
  • No action taken.

7. Mayor, Council, and City Manager Reports

Mayor’s Report — David Billings

  • Expressed thanks to DPS, city staff, emergency management, and power companies for storm response.

Council Reports

  • Mark Harper: Concern for residents affected by storms.
  • Scott Kelley: Thanks to DPS and city staff; prayer request for Royse City United Methodist Church.
  • Allen Robbins: Use of See-Click-Fix app; early voting reminder; prayer request; condolences to the Billings family.
  • Mark Hatley: Prayers for Royse City United Methodist Church; neighbor assistance; support for Fate Food Haul businesses; thanks to DPS and Fire Department; runoff election reminder.
  • Lance Megyesi: Echoed council sentiments; brush drop reminder; thanks to DPS and staff.

City Manager’s Report — Michael Kovacs

  • Announced upcoming meetings and events, including Parks Board meeting, county meeting, brush drop-off, and Fate cleanup.

8. Adjournment

  • Motion to adjourn made by Council Member Harper, seconded by Council Member Megyesi.
  • Approved unanimously.
  • Meeting adjourned at 7:53 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