Supporting Documents for Agenda Items can be found HERE.
Missed the Council meeting? Check out our YouTube channel and watch at your convenience.
Attendance: Present: Mayor John Escoto, Mayor Pro Tem Charlie Bradt (Position 4), Mike McLeod (Position 5), Jim Pollard (Position 3), Ted Fletcher (Position 2), Ron Raymaker (Position 1)
ITEM 6: Presentation by Dr. Curtis Null, Conroe ISD Superintendent - No Council action needed; bond election report only.
ITEM 7: Capital Projects Report - No Council action needed; report only.
ITEM 8: IDC Revision Update - City Attorney Ferebee updated Council on the proposed revision of the IDC by the P&Z Commission which had just completed the zoning section and is recommending substantial changes. Proposed changes include the elimination of some of the zones that have never been used because other zones work better for the developers. Ferebee said that he expected that the proposed changes will be presented to Council as early as February. No action needed; presentation only. ,
ITEM 9: Resolution Supporting Curtailment of Illegal Infiltration -The Resolution states the City’s position in supporting Governor Abbott’s efforts to secure the Texas border. Increasing numbers of illegal crossings are straining resources across the country, particularly in Texas and other border states, and presents grave security risks. Council voted 5-0 to pass the resolution.
ITEM 10: Resolution Condemning the Hamas Terrorist Attacks on Israel.- The Resolution states the City’s position on condemning the attacks launched on Israel by Hamas and other terrorists and our support of Israel’s right to self-defense. Council voted 5-0 to pass the resolution.
ITEM 11: Developer’s Agreement with McCowan Industrial Park, LLC - McCowan approached the City about supplying water to its project because the property is within the City’s Certificate of Convenience and Necessity for water and sewer. The City responded by asking McCowan to consider annexing into the City. McCowan has agreed to be annexed into the City on the following terms and conditions:
- McCowan will agree to petition the City to annex its six acres
- The City will zone the annexed property as either Commercial Corridor or Light Industrial, at the option of McCowan.
- The City will grant McCowan two variances, approving a reduced building setback along the east property line from 35 feet to 15 feet, and eliminating the requirement that McCowan comply with Chapter 14-33, which would require complete sprinkling of every building to comply with fire protection. Instead, McCowan will only need to comply with the International Fire Code.
- McCowan and the City will split the cost of water and sewer lines, 50/50 across the City easement.
- McCowan will grant easements to the City over its property for the water and sewer lines.
Council voted 5-0 to approve the Developer's Agreement.
ITEMS 12: 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). The main changes are as follows:
• Added extra approved training resources for the Investment Officers
• Added detailed procedures for Investment Strategies
• Added Fund Strategies for the different types of funds
• Added one type of authorized investment in U.S Treasury & Agencies issues
• Added language for prohibited investments
• Added detailed reporting and review requirement
Council voted 5-0 to approve the Investment Policy.
ITEM 13: Non-budgeted Emergency Expenditure Over $15,000 - Staff authorized an emergency repair on a waterline break located at 120 Vision Park. The call was placed for an emergency repair to a 16-inch line from the City’s water tower that sustained a break. Due to the nature of the call, the amount of work to repair the line, and the cleanup, the price of this repair exceeds the City Administrator’s approval level and must be approved by City Council before payment can be made. Councilmembers asked that a future agenda item raising the city administrator's approval limit be added. Council voted 5-0 to approve the expenditure.
Item 14: City Holidays for 2024 - The City recognizes 11 holidays per year.
New Year’s Day Observed – 01/01/24, Monday
• Good Friday – 3/29/24, Friday
• Memorial Day – 5/27/24, Monday
• Juneteenth – 6/19/2024, Wednesday
• Independence Day – 7/4/24, Thursday
• Labor Day – 9/2/24, Monday
• Veterans Day Observed – 11/11/24, Monday
• Thanksgiving Day – 11/28/24, Thursday
• Friday after Thanksgiving Day – 11/29/24
• Christmas Eve – 12/24/24, Tuesday
• Christmas Day – 12/25/24, Wednesday
Council voted 5-0 to approve the list of city holidays.
ITEM 15: Ratification of Accounts Payable for September - Council voted 5-0 to approve the accounts payable.
Civic Club Updates
- "Fall" Into Fun will be held Saturday, October 28, from 6 -8 p.m. at the City Park. Parking will be at the pool parking lot and the train will be running for anyone who needs assistance in getting to the event from the parking lot.
- Lighting of the Angels (LOTA) preparation will begin Monday, November 27, at 9 a.m. at the Public Works Bay. Civic Club welcomes anyone who would like to volunteer to help transform the PW bays into a winter wonderland. No required amount of hours to help; just show up ready to help get into the spirit.
City Administrator Updates:
- Trash Bash on October 21 saw 168 cars enter the gates, filling up every dumpster and shredding 3,400 pounds of paper. Staff considered it a very successful event.
Executive Session: Started 8:19 p.m. Ended 9:10 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.
• Drainage and Detention - Tex. Gov't. § 551.071. Pending or Contemplated Litigation.
Consideration and, if determined appropriate, take action resulting from the item(s) listed under Executive Session.
No action was taken in the Executive Session.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:11 p.m.
Upcoming Events/Meetings
October 28: "Fall" Into Fun, 6-8 p.m., City Park
November 7: Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z), 6 p.m. (HOLIDAY SCHEDULE)
November 14: Civic Club, 6 p.m., Executive Conference Room
November 15: City Council, 7 p.m. (HOLIDAY SCHEDULE)
November 15: Municipal Development District (MDD), 6 p.m. (HOLIDAY SCHEDULE)
November 23-24: Thanksgiving Holidays City Offices Closed
November 28: Lighting of the Angels, 6-8 p.m., Municipal Complex