The Ledger

Fate City Council Regular Meeting - November 21, 2022

Fate Gazette

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The Fate Gazette — Ledger

Meeting

City of Fate City Council Regular Meeting
Date: November 21, 2022
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
  • Heather Buegeler
  • John Brandt, Deputy Mayor Pro Tem
  • Scott Kelley
  • Allen Robbins, Mayor Pro Tem
  • Jim Deland
  • Lance Megyesi

Council Members Absent

  • None

City Staff Present

  • Michael Kovacs, City Manager
  • Justin Weiss, Assistant City Manager
  • Jon Thatcher, City Attorney
  • Victoria Raduechel, City Secretary
  • Spencer Foster, Assistant to the City Manager
  • Lyle Lombard, Director of Public Safety
  • Ryan Wells, Director of Planning and Development Services
  • Steve Gilbert, Director of Community Services and Building Safety
  • Raju Anthony, Director of Finance
  • Teresa Stevens, Accounting Manager
  • Suzy Lawrence, Community and Economic Development Manager
  • Michael Wright, IT Manager

Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance

  • Invocation delivered by Daniel Ledford, Calvary Baptist Church.
  • Council led the Pledge of Allegiance to the American and Texas flags.

Presentations

  • Proclamation recognizing Ewan Flisowski for achieving Eagle Scout ranking, presented by Council Member Robbins.
  • Employee Spotlight Award presented to Teresa Stevens by Raju Anthony, Director of Finance.
  • Safe City recognition presented to the Fate Department of Public Safety; Mayor Billings reported the City of Fate was ranked the 8th Safest City in Texas for 2022 and presented a certificate to Director of Public Safety Lyle Lombard.
  • Texas Downtown Association awards presented by Mayor Billings, including:
    • President’s Resiliency Award (Under 50,000 Population) – Fate Local Business Action Team
    • People’s Choice Award – Best Economic Game Changer Award (Food Haul)
  • Texas Economic Development Council Merit Award presented to Justin Weiss and Suzy Lawrence.

Public Comment

  • Kerry Wiemokly, 392 Phillips Ct., spoke regarding agenda item 6B related to donation box regulations.
    • Mr. Wiemokly described collecting food, blankets, and coats during the holidays.
    • He expressed support for the proposed ordinance and requested consideration of a temporary residential permit with a nominal fee.

Approved by one motion:

  • Minutes of City Council meetings held October 3, October 11, October 17, and November 10, 2022.
  • Financial Report for September 2022.
  • Financial Report for October 2022.
  • Investment Report for the quarter ending September 30, 2022.
  • Mayor travel expenses related to attendance at the Texas Downtown Association President’s Awards Gala and the North Texas to Washington, D.C. Fall Advocacy Fly-In.

Motion: Council Member Deland
Second: Council Member Megyesi
Vote: Unanimous approval (Ayes: Billings, Buegeler, Brandt, Kelley, Robbins, Deland, Megyesi)

Action Items

A. Ordinance No. O-2022-044 — School Zone Speed Limits

  • City Attorney Jon Thatcher presented the ordinance as a restatement and memorialization of existing school zone speed limits for public schools and Pioneer Technology & Arts Academy.
  • The ordinance authorizes appropriate signage in accordance with Section 28.42 of the Fate Code of Ordinances.

Motion: Council Member Robbins
Second: Council Member Megyesi
Vote: Unanimous approval

B. Ordinance No. O-2022-045 — Donation Box Regulations

  • Steve Gilbert, Director of Community Services and Building Safety, presented the proposed ordinance establishing permit and maintenance regulations for donation boxes on private property.
  • Discussion included temporary donation boxes, permit duration, permit fees, residential versus commercial distinctions, and possible exemptions.
  • City Attorney Jon Thatcher recommended revisions and returning the ordinance for future consideration.

Action: No action taken.

Mayor, Council, and City Manager Reports

Mayor’s Report

  • Mayor Billings expressed congratulations to the business community and appreciation to City staff, the Department of Public Safety, first responders, veterans, and active military.
  • Remarks included recognition of the Joe Burger Park ribbon cutting and Thanksgiving greetings.

Council Reports

  • Council members provided remarks recognizing City staff, the Department of Public Safety, recent awards, community events, and upcoming holiday activities.

City Manager’s Report

  • City offices closed November 24–25 for Thanksgiving.
  • Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony scheduled for December 2 at 6:00 p.m.

Executive Session

  • Recessed into Executive Session at 7:07 p.m. pursuant to Texas Government Code Sections 551.072 and 551.071 to discuss:
    • Real property (Rockwall County Appraisal District Property ID 59874)
    • Legal matters related to interim use agreements, event locations, and a compromise settlement agreement

Reconvene into Regular Session

  • Reconvened at 8:11 p.m.
  • No action taken on matters discussed in Executive Session.

Adjournment

  • Meeting adjourned at 8:11 p.m. following a 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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