Supporting Documents for Agenda Items can be found HERE.
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Attendance: Present: Mayor John Escoto, Mayor Pro Tem Charlie Bradt (Position 4), Mike McLeod (Position 5), Jim Pollard (Position 3), Ted Fletcher (Position 2) Absent: Ron Raymaker (Position 1)
ITEM 6: Capital Projects Report - No Council action needed; report only.
ITEM 7: IDC Revision Update - City Attorney Ferebee updated the Council on the Planning and Zoning (P&Z) Commission's progress on the Integrated Development Code, commonly called the IDC. The almost year-long review of the 13-chapter code is nearly completed when it will be brought to Council for approval. Ferebee highlighted that one area of change has been regarding home occupations, now called home businesses, which will not include short-term rentals. No action needed; presentation only. ,
ITEM 8: November and December Council Meeting Dates - Council typically meets on the second Wednesday of the month in November and December because of holidays, but has the option to choose alternative dates. Council voted 4-0 to meet on the third Wednesday in November and December.
ITEMS 9-10: Special Use Permit (SUP) for a Medical Services Restricted Permit - Lone Star Foot and Ankle has requested a Special Use Permit (SUP) at 118 Shenandoah Drive to allow for the operation of a foot and ankle medical office. A special use permit is required to allow for the operation of a medical office within the Neighborhood Service “NS” zoning district. The requested SUP will allow for services including prevention, diagnosis and treatment or rehabilitation services. A public hearing was held and the owner introduced himself to Council. Council voted 4-0 to approve the SUP.
ITEMS 11-12: Special Use Permit for Medical Services Restricted Permit - Health Source Chiro has requested a Special Use Permit (SUP) at 1500 Research Forest Drive, Suite 235, to allow for the operation of a Chiropractic office. A special use permit is required to allow for the operation of a chiropractic office within the Neighborhood Service “NS” zoning district. The requested SUP will allow for services including prevention, diagnosis and treatment or rehabilitation services. A public hearing was held and the owners introduced themselves to Council. Council voted 4-0 to approve the SUP.
ITEMS 13-14: Special Use Permit for Mixed Beverage Permit (On-Premise) Permit Without Late Hours - Adriatic Café Italian Grill is requesting a Special Use Permit (SUP) at 17825 IH 45, to allow for a Special Use Permit for a Mixed Beverage (On-Premise) Permit without late hours. A public hearing was held with no comments. Council voted 4-0 to approve the SUP.
ITEM 15: Extension of Special Use Permit (SUP) for Mixed Beverage Permit Without Late Hours - Gloria’s Latin Cuisine located at 18484 IH 45 was issued a special use permit for Mixed beverages without late hours on September 28, 2022. Based on the City of Shenandoah's special use permit requirements, Gloria’s Latin Cuisine would lose its SUP if an extension was not granted. Council voted 4-0 to approve the extension.
Item 16: Official Newspaper for the City- The City is required by Section 52.004 of the Local Government Code to contract with a public newspaper to be the
official newspaper for publishing ordinances, notices or other matters required by law. The Courier’s publication schedule provides the City with ample opportunities to publish notices within our required timeframes. Council voted 3-1 to designate the Courier as the official paper. (Fletcher voted nay.)
Item 17: Appointments to Municipal Development District (MDD) Board- Terms for Directors Raymaker, Wallace and Fletcher have expired and the attached Resolution is to reappoint them to the MDD Board of Directors. They are eligible to continue serving. Per the Ordinance, the presiding officer of the Board, President Bevers, makes the recommendation for final approval by City Council. Council voted 3-0-1 to reappoint the three directors. (Fletcher abstained.)
Item 18: MCAD Board of Directors for the 2023-2024 - In accordance with the provisions of Section 6.03 of the Texas Property Tax Code, each jurisdiction entitled to vote in
the election of the Montgomery County Appraisal District’s Board of Directors may nominate a candidate for each of the five positions to be filled. Council voted 4-0 to nominate Councilmember Ron Raymaker.
Item 19: Engineering Services Agreement - The last contract renewal with Bleyl Engineering was in 2007. Since then, the retainer and fee schedule have changed, and the contract was never updated to reflect those changes. The revised version shows the updated retainer and fees. Council voted 4-0 to approve the agreement.
Item 20: 2023 Investment Policy - Staff recently worked with Hilltop Securities to do a review of the current investment policy to guarantee the policy is
in compliance with the Government Financial Officers Association (GFOA) investment policy best practices and the Public Funds Investment Act (PFIA) Council tabled.
Item 21: Approve the Funding for the 180-Day General Fund Reserves - Per the general fund reserve policy adopted in August 2020, the City must hold a minimum of 180 operating days of costs in reserves. The estimated dollar amount to cover the 2023-2024 general fund operating budget is currently $31,285.71 per day. The amount required for reserves will be $5,631,429.20. The difference between the balance in the fund currently and what is needed is $443,321.75. Council voted 4-0 to approve the funding.
ITEM 22: Fiscal Year 2023 Budget & Spending Amendments - Council previously requested that all budget and spending amendments be brought back at year-end for final review and funding approval. Staff presented an estimated budget surplus of $22,214.00. Council voted 4-0 to approve the amendments.
ITEM 23: Adoption of July 26 and August 9, 2023 Minutes - Council voted 4-0 to approve as written.
ITEM 24: Ratification of Accounts Payable for August - Council voted 4-0 to approve the accounts payable.
Development Updates
- Residential Construction: The last houses are under construction in the Centro (8) and Boulevard Green (2) subdivisions. Both builders expect to be finished by the end of this year or early 2024.
- Hoho's Holiday Treasures will open as a temporary store in the Portofino Shopping Center in October. The store will be in the space that was initially designated Bye Bye Baby. An October opening is expected.
- The P&Z Sign Committee has finalized changes to signage for Lifetime Fitness which is planning for a fall opening.
Civic Club Updates
- National Night Out will be held Monday, October 2, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the City Park. Sponsored by the Shenandoah Police Department, the event provides the opportunity for residents to visit the first responders who serve them. Join the responders for an evening of food and fun for all ages.
- "Fall" Into Fun will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. October 28 at the City Park. This event will feature fun, games, activities and fellowship. Civic Club sponsors this event.
City Attorney Updates
- City Attorney Ferebee updated Council on the transfer of the Certificates of Convenience and Necessity( CCN) of the Old Tamina Water Supply, an early process in the Tamina Water and Sewer Project. Ferebee said the project is on schedule. The Administrative Law Judge has set November 6 as the final date for parties to ask for a hearing. If no requests for a hearing are received, the Public Utility Commission has a deadline of December 20 to make a decision on the sale.
City Administrator Updates:
- On Friday, September 20, the City experienced a water line blowout on Vision Park. Public Works was quick to arrive on scene and was able to isolate the blowout and maintain safe pressure until it was repaired.
- Home Depot will soon have a new entrance on Alexandra Drive. The new driveway should be available for use in the near future as they finish all the final requirements.
Executive Session: Started 7:47 p.m. Ended 8:49 p.m.
Executive Session – According to the Texas Open Meetings Act, Chapter 551 of the Texas Government
Code as follows:
- Tex. Gov't. § 551.087. Deliberation Regarding Economic Development.
• ETJ Discussion
• IDC Application
• Developers Agreements
• David Memorial Drive
Consideration and, if determined appropriate, take action resulting from the item(s) listed under Executive Session.
No action was taken in the Executive Session.
After returning to the open session, Councilmember McLeod made a motion to accept the offer of $283,420; Councilmember Fletcher seconded the motion. Council voted 4-0 to approve the sale of Property R47283 to DJ Business Loans, LLC for $283,420.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:01 p.m.
Upcoming Events/Meetings
October 2: National Night Out, 6-8 p.m.
October 11: City Council, 7 p.m. CANCELED
October 14: Fall Community Garage Sale, 9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
October 17: Planning and Zoning (P&Z) Commission, 6 p.m.
October 21: Fall Trash Bash, 8 a.m.- noon
October 25: Municipal Development District, (MDD), 6 p.m.
October 25: City Council, 7 p.m.
October 28: "Fall" Into Fun, 6 - 8 p.m.