The Ledger

Fate City Council Special Meeting - January 22, 2024

Fate Gazette

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The Fate Gazette — Ledger Entry

Meeting Information

  • Body: Fate City Council
  • Meeting Type: Special City Council Meeting
  • Date: January 22, 2024
  • Location: Fate City Hall, 1900 CD Boren Parkway, Fate, Texas
  • Call to Order: 6:00 p.m.
  • Adjournment: 9:02 p.m.

Attendance

Elected Officials Present

  • David Billings, Mayor
  • Heather Buegeler, Council Member
  • Mark Harper, Council Member
  • Scott Kelley, Council Member
  • Allen Robbins, Mayor Pro Tem
  • Lance Megyesi, Deputy Mayor Pro Tem

Elected Officials Absent

  • Jim Deland, Council Member

City Staff Present

  • Michael Kovacs, City Manager
  • Steven Downs, Assistant City Manager
  • David Overcash, 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
  • Scott Monaghan, Director of Public Works
  • Raju Anthony, Director of Finance
  • Teresa Stevens, Accounting Manager
  • Michael Wright, IT Manager

Opening Proceedings

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

Presentations

  • Employee Service Awards:
    • Keri Whitted (5 years), presented by Finance Director Raju Anthony.
    • Jay Rotun (5 years), presented by Steve Gilbert.
  • Black History Month Proclamation:
    • February 2024 designated as Black History Month; proclamation read by Mayor Billings.
  • Fate Comprehensive Plan Implementation Update:
    • Presentation by Ryan Wells covering plan adoption (October 2021), implementation framework, 2023 accomplishments across seven value areas, and 2024 goals including Lafayette Crossing, omnibus UDO amendments, proactive zoning, Veloweb coordination, bike/pedestrian connectivity, and infrastructure funding.

Public Comment

  • Richard Bennett, 792 Cauble Dr., addressed pedestrian safety and requested regulations banning motorized scooters on sidewalks.

Items approved by one motion:

  • Financial Report for December 2023
  • Quarterly Investment Report ending December 31, 2023
  • Ordinance No. O-2024-002 (mitigation rates and fee schedule for public safety services)
  • Resolution No. R-2024-005 (Interlocal Agreement with Rockwall County for subdivision regulation and building code enforcement)

Vote: Approved unanimously.

Action Items

Mobile City Consolidation Viability

  • Briefing by City Manager Michael Kovacs on consolidation history, legal framework, fiscal analysis, and petition thresholds.
  • Mayor of Mobile City, Kenny Phillips, spoke in favor of consolidation.
  • Council consensus: wait until after the May 2024 Mobile City election before revisiting.
  • Action: No action taken.

Capital Improvement Plan — Public Safety Building and Bonds

  • Overview by Director of Public Safety Lyle Lombard on facility needs.
  • Financial models (Fully Loaded and Skinny) presented by Finance Director Raju Anthony.
  • Council discussion on costs, timing, facilities, and tax impacts.
  • Action: No action taken; staff to return with additional information during capital budget process.

Uniform Homestead Exemption (FY 2025)

  • Overview by City Manager Michael Kovacs regarding a proposed 20% uniform homestead exemption.
  • Public comments recorded from Mark Hatley (spoke) and Rodney and Marlene Brumlow (opposition on record).
  • Motion: Approve 20% uniform homestead exemption.
  • Vote: Passed (4–2).
  • Next Step: Ordinance to be brought forward at a future meeting.

Alcohol Sales at Celebrate Fate

  • Presentation by Steve Gilbert outlining proposed operational controls.
  • Public opposition recorded from Rodney Brumlow, Marlene Brumlow, and Patty Mattlage-Hatley.
  • Motion: Direct staff to prepare an ordinance regarding alcohol sales at City events.
  • Vote: Approved unanimously.

Complete Streets Policy

  • Presentation by Ryan Wells on proposed policy and implementation framework.
  • Resolution: R-2024-006 adopted.
  • Vote: Approved unanimously.

UDO Amendment — Withdrawal and Reapplication

  • Discussion led by Ryan Wells on Section 2.4.8 and reapplication waiting periods.
  • Council consensus: staff to return with an ordinance addressing “without prejudice” provisions.
  • Action: No vote taken.

Reports

Mayor’s Report

  • Appreciation expressed to Rockwall County for funding South Ben Payne Road.
  • Thanks to City staff and Fate DPS.

Council Reports

  • Expressions of appreciation to City staff and Fate DPS.
  • Recognition of employee service award recipients.
  • Community reminders regarding roads, apps, and local businesses.

City Manager’s Report

  • No report.

Executive Session

  • Topics:
    • Consultation with legal counsel regarding pending litigation.
    • Discussion regarding the City Attorney.
  • Executive Session convened at 8:45 p.m. and concluded at 9:00 p.m.
  • Action: No action taken.

Adjournment

  • Meeting adjourned at 9:02 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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