MINUTES OF THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING APRIL 7, 2025 1. CALL TO ORDER AND CONFIRM A QUORUM Mayor Billings called the Regular meeting of the Fate City Council to order at 6:00 p.m. on the 7th day of April 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 Jennifer Richie, City Attorney Victoria Raduechel, City Secretary Leigh Corson, Director of Human Resources Lyle Lombard, Director of Public Safety Jordan Pope, DPS Public Safety Officer Steve Gilbert, Director of Community Services and Building Safety Scott Monaghan, Director of Public Works Teresa Stevens, Accounting Manager Matt Wavering, Economic Development Director Yvonne Lane, Economic Development and Community Development Specialist Shelbi Stofer, Public Engagement Coordinator Ryan Wells, Director of Planning and Development Services Omar Williams, Assistant to the City Manager Michael Wright, IT Manager 2. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE AMERICAN AND TEXAS FLAGS April 7, 2025 Council Meeting Minutes Page 1 of 9 Daniel Ledford with Calvary Baptist Church gave the invocation, after which the Council led the Pledge of Allegiance to the American and Texas Flags. 3. PRESENTATIONS A. Recognize Javier Gonzalez for achieving Class C-Level 2 Wastewater Certification Scott Monaghan, Director of Public Works, recognized Javier Gonzalez for achieving Class C-Level 2 Wastewater Certification. B. Earth Day Proclamation Mayor Billings read aloud a proclamation declaring April 22nd as Earth Day in the City of Fate. C. Quarterly Report on Public Communications Shelbi Stofer, Public Engagement Coordinator, provided a quarterly report on public communications. D. Quarter 1-2025 Economic Development Update Matt Wavering, Economic Development Director, provided a Quarter 1-2025 Economic Development Update. 4. 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. Autumn Lobinsky, 114 Valen Dr., spoke to the Council regarding a sown complaint she made to the Texas Ethics Commission regarding Campaign Finance violations. April 7, 2025 Council Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 9 James Goodman, III, 1628 Ravello Rd., spoke to the Council asking questions about the Monterra Development being discussed in Executive Session. 5. CONSENT AGENDA All items under Consent Agenda are considered to be routine by the City Council and will be enacted by one motion. City Staff may answer questions from the City Council regarding Consent Agenda items. However, if discussion is desired, that item will be removed from the Consent Agenda and will be considered separately. A. Consider approval of minutes of the Council meeting held March 24, 2025. B. Consider approval of Financial Report for February 2025. C. Consider approval of Resolution No. R-2025-017- approving a contract agreement with Randall Scott Architects, Inc., for architectural services for the 2024 DPS Bond Building Projects; And authorizing the City Manager to execute said contract agreement. D. (This is an ordinance defining when Backflow Assembly Inspections are required) Consider approval of Ordinance No. 0-2025-013- amending section 30- 170 of article "Water" of Chapter 30 "Utilities" of the City of Fate Code of Ordinances to clarify the requirement of annual inspections of backflow prevention assemblies; providing for a savings and severability clause; providing for a repealer clause; providing for a penalty; and providing an effective date. E. Consider approval of Resolution No. R-2025-018- approving and adopting the City of Fate 2025 Strategic Plan. F. (This is an approval of a Fire Lane and Mutual Access for Pinnacle Retail - Fate located west of the intersection of SH66 and Abelia Drive) Consider approval of Resolution No. R-2025-019- accepting a Fire Lane and Mutual Access Easement from Corvus Development LLC, to allow for public safety as well as public access on the development. G. (This is an application for a special sign permit for The Fate Food Haul) Consider approval of Resolution No. R-2025-020- approving a special sign permit for The Fate Food Haul, located at the intersection of S W E Crawford Ave and Fate Main PI. Mayor Billings announced that item 5C is removed from the Consent agenda and considered separately. Mayor Billings announced Consent agenda item 5F was withdrawn by the applicant. Therefore, no action was taken on item 5F - Consider approval of Resolution No. R-2025- April 7, 2025 Council Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 9 019- accepting a Fire Lane and Mutual Access Easement from Corvus Development LLC, to allow for public safety as well as public access on the development. Council Member Harper made a motion to approve the consent agenda. (City Secretary's Note: Items 5C and 5F were removed from the consent agenda before the consent agenda was approved). 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 unanimously. 5C. Consider approval of Resolution No. R-2025-017- approving a contract agreement with Randall Scott Architects, Inc., for architectural services for the 2024 DPS Bond Building Projects; And authorizing the City Manager to execute said contract agreement. Council Member Kelley requested to delay action for this item for a week to gather more detailed information about the other 18 companies that responded to the RFQ (Request for Qualifications), to ensure transparency and provide the public with more insights into the selection process. Discussion ensued among the Council and City staff regarding the criteria for selection at which time staff reported the RFQ process does not involve pricing upfront, as state law prohibits asking for pricing at that stage. Council Member Robbins made a motion to postpone this agenda item to next week. Council Member Kelley 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 unanimously. 6. ACTION ITEMS A. Discuss, consider, and take any necessary action toward support for an Emergency Services District in Collin County (City of Fate ETJ). April 7, 2025 Council Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 9 Michael Kovacs, City Manager, reported that the City received a letter from Collin County Administrative Services as a legal requirement for notification that the citizens of Collin County have filed a petition with the County Judge to create an Emergency Services District (ESD). The City of Fate was notified because its extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) extends into a portion of Collin County. Currently, the portion of Collin County that falls within the ETJ of the City of Fate receives fire protection services from either the Nevada Volunteer Fire Department or the Royse City Fire Department. Resources from the City of Fate are only utilized under a mutual aid agreement. Mr. Kovacs, and Chief Lyle Lombard, Director of Public Safety, answered questions from the Council regarding this agenda item. Council Member Robbins made a motion to approve supporting an Emergency Service District in Collin County (City of Fate ETJ). Council Member Kelley 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 unanimously. B. Discuss, consider, and take any necessary action to implement a general homestead exemption. Michael Kovacs, City Manager, reported that this agenda item was requested by Council Members Kelley and Chinn. Council Member Kelley reported he requested this agenda item and proposed implementing a 20% homestead exemption for homeowners in the city as a way to provide tax relief. The proposal would offer a 10% tax cut to the average taxes paid for homeowners, but it could raise the effective tax rate for non-homestead properties, including businesses and multi-family units. Council Member Robbins made a motion to table until another date for more information regarding state law on the exemption process. Council Member Megyesi seconded the motion. Discussion ensued among the Council and City staff regarding the following topics: the impact on senior homeowners who currently receive a $50,000 exemption. whether this senior exemption should be repealed or adjusted in conjunction with the proposed 20% homestead exemption, as it could lead to "double exemptions" that might not be fair or in line with state law. April 7, 2025 Council Meeting Minutes Page 5 of 9 Possible state law limitations on how exemptions could be changed or removed. Selecting a date to bring the item back SO that the City Attorney and City staff can gather more information. Council Member Robbins amended his motion to postpone to May 5, 2025 for more information regarding state law on exemption process. Council Member Megyesi seconded the amended motion. There was no discussion and the vote on the motion was as follows: Ayes: Mayor Billings and Council Members Harper, Robbins, Hatley, and Megyesi. Nays: Council Members Chinn and Kelley. Mayor Billings declared the motion carried. 7. MAYOR, COUNCIL, AND CITY MANAGER REPORTS Regarding items of Community Interest = Pursuant to Texas Government Code Section 551.0415 the Mayor, Council and City Manager may report on the following items: (1) expression of thanks, congratulations or condolences; (2) information about holiday schedules; (3) recognition of individuals; (4) reminders about upcoming City Council events; (5) information about community events; (6) announcements involving imminent threat to public health and safety. A. Mayor's Report Mayor Billings reported the following: Expressed thanks to Matt Wavering for the Economic Development Update. Expressed thanks to Shelbi Stofer for the update to the city website. Expressed thanks to City staff and Fate DPS for their hard work during recent storms. B. Council Reports Council Member Hatley reported the following: Expressed thanks to City staff for their service. Expressed thanks to Matt Wavering for the Economic Development Update. Expressed thanks to Fate DPS for their service. Council Member Megyesi reported the following: Expressed thanks to City staff for their service. Council Member Robbins reported the following: Expressed thanks to City staff for their service. April 7, 2025 Council Meeting Minutes Page 6 of 9 Expressed thanks to Shelbi Stofer for the Public Communications Quarterly Report. Expressed thanks to Matt Wavering for the Economic Development Update. Expressed thanks to Fate DPS for their service. Council Member Kelley reported the following: Expressed thanks to City staff and Fate DPS for their service. Expressed thanks to the Public Works Department for their hard work during recent storms. Council Member Chinn reported the following: Reported early voting starts April 22, 2025. Encouraged citizens to attend Candidate Forums to meet the election candidates. Council Member Harper reported the following: Expressed thanks to Matt Wavering for the Economic Development Update. Expressed thanks to Shelbi Stofer for the update to the city website. Expressed congratulations to Javier Gonzalez for receiving his wastewater certification. Expressed thanks to City staff and Fate DPS for their service. C. City Manager's Report Michael Kovacs, City Manager, reported the following: Expressed thanks to Mayor Billings for his work with the state legislature. Next City Council Meeting - April 14, 2025. 8. EXECUTIVE SESSION: In accordance with Texas Government Code, Section 551.001, et seq., the City Council will recess into Executive Session (closed meeting) to discuss the following: A. In accordance with Texas Government Code, Section 551.087, to discuss or deliberate regarding commercial or financial information that the City has received from a business prospect that the City seeks to have locate, stay, or expand in or near the territory of the City of Fate and with which the City is conducting economic development negotiations; and to deliberate the offer of a financial or other incentive to the business prospect: 1. Project Cactus B. In accordance with Texas Government Code, Section 551.072, to deliberate the purchase, exchange, lease, or value of real property: April 7, 2025 Council Meeting Minutes Page 7 of 9 1. to consider the purchase of Blackland Water Supply Corporation Property located on N. Ben Payne Rd. C. In accordance with Texas Government Code, Section 551.071, consultation with attorney on possible litigation or a matter in which the duty of the attorney to the governmental body under the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct of the State Bar of Texas clearly conflicts with the Texas Open Meetings Act regarding: 1. Monterra Development The items were read and Mayor Billings recessed the Council meeting at 7:33 p.m. and convened Executive Session at 7:42 p.m. City Secretary's Note: Council Member Megyesi recused himself from discussion on Executive Session item 8C1 and left the Executive Session meeting at 7:56 p.m. 9. REÇONVENE INTO REGULAR SESSION: In accordance with Texas Government Code, Chapter 551, the City Council will reconvene into Regular Session to consider action, if any, on matters discussed in Executive Session. The Executive Session was adjourned 8:09 p.m. and Mayor Billings reconvened the meeting of the City Council at 8:15 p.m. City Secretary's Note: Council Member Megyesi returned to the meeting, when the meeting was reconvened into open session at 8:15 p.m. No action was taken on items discussed in Executive Session. 10. ADJOURNMENT There was no further business before the Council and Council Member Harper 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 8:15 p.m. April 7, 2025 Council Meeting Minutes Page 8 of 9 APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL ON THIS THE 14th DAY OF APRIL 2025. TY OF FAFE APPROVED: * * * * * * * * David * * Billings, Mayor * * 1o 9 ATTEST: SOBPORATED) 1iclouh Daduchl Victoria Raduechel, TRMC City Secretary April 7, 2025 Council Meeting Minutes Page 9 of 9