The Ledger

Fate City Council Special Meeting - November 13, 2023

Fate Gazette

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City of Fate — Special City Council Meeting

Date: November 13, 2023
Location: Fate City Hall, 1900 CD Boren Parkway, Fate, Texas
Meeting Type: Special City Council Meeting

1. 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
    • Mark Harper
    • Scott Kelley
    • Allen Robbins, Mayor Pro Tem
  • Council Members Absent:
    • Jim DeLand
    • Lance Megyesi, Deputy Mayor Pro Tem
  • City Staff Present:
    • Michael Kovacs, City Manager
    • Steven Downs, Assistant City Manager
    • David Overcash, City Attorney
    • Victoria Raduechel, City Secretary
    • Lyle Lombard, Director of Public Safety
    • Shelbi Stofer, Public Engagement Coordinator
    • Spencer Foster, Assistant to the City Manager
    • Ryan Wells, Director of Planning and Development Services
    • Michael Wright, IT Manager

2. Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance

  • Invocation delivered by Steven Downs, Assistant City Manager.
  • Council led the Pledge of Allegiance to the American and Texas Flags.

3. Presentations

  • Municipal Court Certificate of Appreciation for Improvements in Traffic Safety
    • The Texas Municipal Courts Education Center (TMCEC) recognized Fate Municipal Court for traffic safety initiatives.
    • Mayor Billings presented the certificate to:
      • Judge Paul Liston
      • Court Administrator Lottie Huffman
      • Court Clerk Keri Whitted

4. Public Comment

  • No speakers were present.
  • Item A: Resolution No. R-2023-082 — Granting a private water and sanitary sewer easement to Infinity Marine Services, LLC/Michael McCrady and acceptance of a public drainage easement to the City of Fate.
  • Item B: Zoning request from Agriculture (A) to Planned Development (PD) for approximately 28.455 acres (Case #ZR-23-004); item postponed to the December 4, 2023 City Council meeting.
  • Action Taken:
    • Motion by Council Member Robbins to approve the consent agenda with modification to Resolution No. R-2023-082 as a single enactment, in a form approved by the City Attorney.
    • Seconded by Council Member Kelley.
    • Vote: Unanimous approval (5–0).

6. Action Items / Public Hearings

A. Ordinance No. O-2023-049 — Zoning Change (Case #ZR-23-006)

  • Request: Agriculture (A) to General Commercial (GC), 13.798 acres (RCAD Property ID 31001).
  • Applicant: Martin Dewitt Morrow.
  • Staff Presentation: Ryan Wells, Director of Planning and Development Services.
  • Public Hearing: Opened and closed at 6:11 p.m.; no speakers.
  • Planning and Zoning Commission Recommendation: Approval (5–0, 2 absent).
  • Action Taken:
    • Motion by Council Member Robbins.
    • Seconded by Council Member Harper.
    • Vote: Unanimous approval (5–0).

B. Ordinance No. O-2023-050 — Zoning Change (Case #ZR-23-005)

  • Request: Agriculture (A) to General Commercial (GC), approximately 6.01 acres across portions of two parcels (RCAD Property IDs 10520 and 61630).
  • Applicant: Fate 130 Commercial, LP.
  • Staff Presentation: Ryan Wells, Director of Planning and Development Services.
  • Applicant Presentation: Matthew Johnson, Petro Hunt.
  • Public Hearing: Opened and closed at 6:25 p.m.; no speakers.
  • Planning and Zoning Commission Recommendation: Approval with conditions (5–0, 2 absent).
  • Action Taken:
    • Motion by Council Member Robbins.
    • Seconded by Council Member Kelley.
    • Vote: Unanimous approval (5–0).

7. Mayor, Council, and City Manager Reports

  • Mayor’s Report: Expression of thanks to DPS and City staff.
  • Council Reports:
    • Council Member Buegeler: Voter participation remarks.
    • Council Member Harper: Water billing concerns, election participation, and support for local businesses.
    • Council Member Kelley: Ride-along acknowledgment.
    • Council Member Robbins: Staff appreciation, safety reminder, and Christmas Tree Lighting announcement.
  • City Manager’s Report: No report.

8. Executive Session

  • Convened under Texas Government Code §551.071 for:
    1. Legal advice regarding consolidation with Mobile City.
    2. Legal advice regarding extraterritorial jurisdiction de-annexation litigation (City of Grand Prairie v. State of Texas).
    3. Legal advice regarding a potential contract for outside legal services.
  • Council recessed at 6:27 p.m.; Executive Session convened at 6:32 p.m.

9. Reconvene into Regular Session

  • Executive Session adjourned at 7:24 p.m.
  • Action Taken:
    • Motion by Council Member Robbins to instruct City staff to enter into an agreement with the City of Grand Prairie regarding litigation.
    • Seconded by Mayor Billings.
    • Vote: Unanimous approval (5–0).
  • No action taken on other Executive Session items.

10. Adjournment

  • Motion to adjourn by Council Member Robbins.
  • Seconded by Council Member Harper.
  • Vote: Unanimous approval (5–0).
  • Meeting adjourned at 7:26 p.m.

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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