MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING - STRATEGIC PLANNING WORKSHOP FEBRUARY 24, 2025 1. CALL TO ORDER AND CONFIRM A QUORUM Mayor Billings called the Special meeting - Strategic Planning Workshop of the Fate City Council to order at 6:00 p.m. on the 24th day of February 2025, in the Fate City Hall 1900 CD Boren Parkway, Fate, Texas. Victoria Raduechel, City Secretary confirmed the presence of a quorum. Council Members Present: David Billings, Mayor Codi Chinn Mark Harper, Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Scott Kelley Allen Robbins, Mayor Pro Tem Mark Hatley Lance Megyesi Council Members Absent: None City Staff Present: Michael Kovacs, City Manager Steven Downs, Assistant City Manager Victoria Raduechel, City Secretary Leigh Corson, Director of Human Resources Lyle Lombard, Director of Public Safety Ryan Ragan, DPS Captain, Police Operations John Taylor, DPS Captain, Fire Operations Steve Gilbert, Director of Community Services and Building Safety Scott Monaghan, Director of Public Works Raju Anthony, Director of Finance Teresa Stevens, Accounting Manager Matt Wavering, Economic Development Director Ryan Wells, Director of Planning and Development Services Omar Williams, Assistant to the City Manager Michael Wright, IT Manager February 24, 2025 Council Meeting Minutes Page 1 of 7 2. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE AMERICAN AND TEXAS FLAGS Lance Megyesi, Council Member gave the invocation, after which the Council led the Pledge of Allegiance to the American and Texas Flags. 3. PUBLIC COMMENT This is an opportunity for the public to address the council on any matter, except public hearings that are included on the agenda. Comments related to public hearings will be heard when the specific hearing begins. Public comments are limited to three (3) minutes per speaker, unless otherwise required by law. To address the governing body, each speaker must complete a Public Comment Form and present the completed form to the City Secretary prior to the start of the meeting. Each speaker shall approach the podium and state his/her name and address before speaking. Speakers shall address the governing body with civility that is conducive to appropriate public discussion. Speakers can address only the governing body and not individual city officials or employees. The public cannot speak from the gallery but only from the podium. Per the Texas Open Meetings Act, the governing body is not permitted to take action on or discuss any item not listed on the agenda. The council may: (1) make a statement of fact regarding the item; (2) make a recitation of existing policy regarding the item; or (3) propose the item be placed on a future agenda. There was no one present wishing to speak. 4. STRATEGIC PLANNING WORKSHOP A. Introductions and Plan of Work Hilary Shine, Leadership Development Coordinator with Strategic Government Resources (SGR) reviewed the plan of work for the workshop. B. Good Governance and Effective Policy-Making Hilary Shine, Leadership Development Coordinator with Strategic Government Resources (SGR), made a presentation on good governance and effective policy-making, at which time she answered questions from the Council regarding the same. The presentation included the following information: How are City Council Dynamics? Principles of Good Governance (Good governance should) Consider all stakeholders Create community engagement Set the organization's priorities and goals Ensure the financial health of the organization Set expectations for efficient and effective management systems Enable the delivery of quality projects and services February 24, 2025 Council Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 7 Ensure access to quality services Hold the organization accountable for its promises Good Governance and helps: Eliminate ambiguity Set standards and expectations Focus on common issues and not personal interests Speed the process and reduce the time spent inefficiently Enhance the quality of decisions made Move the community into the future Good Governance Leaders are: External communications Internal communications Fiduciary overseers Policy developers Information system overseers Priority setters Strategic visionaries Good Governance Requires: Focusing on the future Understanding our roles Respecting each other Adopting and upholding policies and processes Thoughtful deliberation Teamwork Trust Good Governance Principles: Base my decision on the next generation not the next election. Focus on the mission, vision, and values when making decisions to do the greatest good for the entire community. Embrace my responsibility to govern rather than manage. Protect the integrity of the process over the rightness of my position. Be a role model for civility. Never forget = it is not about me = it is not about now - and it never is. Successful Leadership Strategies: Know what you don't know. Walk the talk of a genuinely humble spirit. Know Yourself. - Listen More, Talk Less. Ask good questions. Know and honor the structure and processes. - Know the dynamics influencing the issues. Develop your position thoughtfully. Develop your position with integrity. February 24, 2025 Council Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 7 Deliberate with integrity. Communicate your goals and priorities clearly. Lose gracefully and win gracefully. Build trust constantly. Strategic Visioning Loop Governance is a System: Council's vision is key to the governance system. Establishing and adopting that vision creates transparency, clarity and continuity. C. Current Strategic Plan Report Michael Kovacs, City Manager made a presentation on City of Fate Strategic Priorities from last year, at which time he answered questions from the Council regarding the same. The presentation included the following topics: Public Safety Fiscal Resiliency & Accountability Sense of Community Recreation & Events Sustainable Infrastructure & Services Stabilize the Workforce Resilient Business Environment D. Individual Perspectives and Group Priorities Hilary Shine, Leadership Development Coordinator with Strategic Government Resources (SGR), reported she pre-interviewed City Council Members at which time members offered insights into what they view Fates strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats to be today. Ms. Shine reviewed the following lists of council members' views: Strengths: Desirable Community Able to grow Prepared for growth Good Infrastructure Talented People Public Safety, safe community Strong Finances Low tax rate Well-run services Weaknesses: Divisive Council Communicating with residents February 24, 2025 Council Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 7 Promoting Fate Limited tax base Taxing restraints Revenue Source reduction Traffic Feels Overcrowded Citizens Understanding, perceptions Listening Opportunities: Attractiveness to businesses Diversifying the tax base Better planned, smart development Open Land Keeping Tax Rate low Hotel More Community-Duilding events Creating Fate Identity Strategic Public Relations Staying ahead of service demands Threats: Legislature, loss of local control Poor Council dynamics Short-Term focus Competition from neighboring cities Uncontrolled population growth Losing touch with resident desires Personal interest over community need Allowing minor opinion too much influence Keeping up services, public safety with growth Focus Areas: Economic Development Comprehensive Plan Zoning decisions Future Public Safety Growing the sales tax base Infrastructure Standing up for local decision-making Reputation building Bringing community together February 24, 2025 Council Meeting Minutes Page 5 of 7 Hilary Shine, Leadership Development Coordinator with Strategic Government Resources (SGR), led the Council in a discussion regarding the current strategic priorities/pillars and if they remain priorities for the Council. Discussion ensued regarding the following priorities/Pillars: Public Safety Fiscal Resiliency & Accountability Sense of Community Sustainable Infrastructure & Services Service Excellence and Economic Growth Discussion ensued regarding adding Good Governance as a priority/pillar. E. Workshop Recap and preview of workplan for second strategic workshop Hilary Shine, Leadership Development Coordinator with Strategic Government Resources (SGR), reported the following next steps: Next meeting March 24, 2025 Follow up from first session Strategic Pillars review/revision (do these remain or do some take greater priority) Establish strategies for the upcoming budget and beyond 5. ADJOURNMENT There was no further business before the Council and Council Member Robbins moved to adjourn. Council Member Hatley seconded the motion. There was no discussion and the vote on the motion was as follows: Ayes: Mayor Billings and Council Members Chinn, Harper, Kelley, Robbins, Hatley, and Megyesi. Nays: None Mayor Billings declared the motion carried and the meeting adjourned at 7:36 p.m. APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL ON THIS THE 13th DAY OF MARCH 2025. TY OF FAP APPROVED: * * * * * * * * * * David Billingg, Mayor * * 9 CSEere February 24, 2025 Council Meeting Minutes Page 6 of 7 ATTEST: Cnantr Aau Vietoria-Raduechel, TRMC DeputyCity Secretary Sanantha Harris February 24, 2025 Council Meeting Minutes Page 7 of 7