The Ledger

Fate City Council Special Workshop - October 16, 2023

Fate Gazette

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The Fate Gazette — Ledger Entry

Special City Council Workshop

Date: October 16, 2023
Location: Fate City Hall, 1900 CD Boren Parkway, Fate, Texas
Time: 5:00 p.m. – 5:55 p.m.

1. Call to Order and Quorum

  • Mayor David Billings called the special City Council workshop to order at 5:00 p.m.
  • City Secretary Victoria Raduechel confirmed the presence of a quorum.

Council Members Present:

  • David Billings, Mayor
  • Heather Buegeler
  • Mark Harper
  • Scott Kelley
  • Allen Robbins, Mayor Pro Tem (arrived at 5:02 p.m.)
  • Jim Deland (arrived at 5:22 p.m.)
  • Lance Megyesi, Deputy Mayor Pro Tem

Council Members Absent:

  • None

City Staff Present:

  • Michael Kovacs, City Manager
  • Steven Downs, Assistant City Manager
  • Victoria Raduechel, City Secretary
  • Spencer Foster, Assistant to the City Manager
  • Shelbi Stofer, Public Engagement Coordinator
  • 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
  • Leigh Corson, Director of Human Resources
  • Michael Wright, IT Manager

2. Public Comment

  • The public comment period was opened.
  • No members of the public were present wishing to speak.

3. Workshop Item

A. Potential Fate Department of Public Safety Bond in May 2024

  • Lyle Lombard, Director of Public Safety, presented information regarding Department of Public Safety facilities and responded to questions from the City Council.

Existing Facilities:

  • 128 E. Fate Main Place
    • 9,200 square feet
    • Constructed for fire service operations
    • Utilized for fire services operations, police patrol operations, records and evidence storage, and report writing
  • DPS Administration – 104 E. Fate Main Place
    • 2,100 square feet of office space
    • Offices for the Chief, Fire Captain, Police Captain, Detectives, and Administrative Assistant

Identified Facility Deficiencies:

  • Armory
  • Evidence and property storage
  • Training room / Emergency Operations Center
  • Patrol storage
  • Patrol briefing area
  • Fitness room
  • Juvenile holding

Coverage Information:

  • Fire response: 1.5 road miles primary response district
  • Police response: two patrol districts with no specific mileage criteria

Stated Goals and Objectives:

  • Reduce response times
  • Provide equal protection in all neighborhoods
  • Manage overlapping incidents
  • Improve ISO grading

Priority Station Areas Identified:

  • South #2
  • North #1
  • West #3
  • Possible North/West #4 if the area is developed

Conceptual Facility Planning:

  • South Side Building
    • Approximately 5,000 square feet
    • Identified as the first project need
    • City-owned land and building
    • Remodel anticipated in late 2024
    • Occupancy anticipated mid-2025
  • South Side Station (Concept)
    • Assignment of one engine and one brush
    • Hiring of three engineers and three firefighters
    • Lobby for visitors
    • Report writing area for officers
  • North Side Station #1 / Administration (Concept)
    • Approximately 25,000 square feet
    • City-owned land
    • Design and construction required
    • Intended to house administration, patrol, fire crews, and detectives
    • Planned vacation of downtown facilities
    • Timeline discussed:
      • Design: 2024–2025
      • Construction: 2025–2026
      • Occupancy: 2027–2028
  • West Side Station #3 (Needs Assessment)
    • Land purchase discussed for late 2024
    • Design, construction, and occupancy dates to be determined
    • New design and build
    • Apparatus needs identified
    • Hiring of three engineers and three firefighters discussed

Discussion Topics Noted:

  • Potential tax rate impacts associated with a bond and additional staffing
  • Staffing growth
  • Apparatus replacement
  • Possible separation of the Department of Public Safety into Fire and Police
  • Timing considerations for calling a bond election
  • Possible impacts to bond ratings

4. Adjournment

  • Council Member Allen Robbins moved to adjourn.
  • Council Member Mark Harper seconded the motion.
  • Vote:
    • Ayes: Mayor Billings; Council Members Buegeler, Harper, Kelley, Robbins, Deland, and Megyesi
    • Nays: None
  • The motion carried unanimously.
  • The meeting adjourned at 5:55 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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