[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6605323,"mediaKeyId","2987066-83dfe443d3d49906771e00084165813d","parentId",2987066,"title","City council approves routine reports, plats, variances, leases and grant resolutions","audioSeconds",342,"startMs",5202000,"endMs",5544000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2987066-83dfe443d3d49906771e00084165813d&start=5202&end=5544","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2987066-83dfe443d3d49906771e00084165813d/thumbnail_5202000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6605323/Decatur/Wise-County/Texas/City-council-approves-routine-reports-plats-variances-leases-and-grant-resolutions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6605323-1cedcbeefd395707d287a4fe81cf8bdf/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440668&Signature=C9sZCGEIdfC5RbiQUHJey5qS3rTahxexVazou8aWQ1jdKV~gUYtVDakFK1DnFp1P8PlMuxFNo3ICx4GSttsARgVXRvh0wL0XZ2tL~sWzPoxh7IlBctvq-cNt27HsFIxSnEHe5SRq5PbodTAJrlW2dyX4fZPrHKQlkR9bYkSCZcnkRzUvmC~vmCtO08AZIkyfOTtowFg3ryM4u9UGukDSs0zIUbhe9QAISDftN95HC5degpYYaJhweMura2U66hYScxHyY0mHsbSOCDrWKkEkCj2kjeM3OlYxIm4unazOsqRNRHkHNhJ76AWZeCwu09oFNeh8F-Y5XjQrbMCM-kv2rw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Decatur","date","2025-04-14T00:00:00Z","article","The Decatur City Council approved a series of routine and action items during its meeting, including financial reporting, planning approvals, a sign variance, lease-purchase agreements for city vehicles, and authorizations to pursue federal grants and participate in a regional utility steering committee.

Key outcomes at a glance:
- Acceptance of quarterly investment report: Motion to accept the quarterly investment report (item 2) was made by Councilmember May and approved by voice vote.
- Replat approval (120 Tilden Street): Council approved the replat (item 5) after a public hearing; Planning & Zoning had recommended approval 5–0 and the Board of Adjustments granted a lot-size exception; final council vote recorded as approval (five in favor, two opposed).
- Preliminary plat extension (Meadow Creek, PP2023-11): Council granted a six-month extension so the applicant can continue work with an oil/gas utility (EnLink) on relocation design; staff recommended approval.
- Sign variance (500 N US Hwy 287, roof sign for People To People Motor Homes): Council approved a variance to allow replacement of an existing roof sign structure that is nonconforming; the owner said the sign structure was already in place and the business recently executed a lease.
- Airport Advisory Board call for applicants: Council directed the city manager to post a 30-business-day call for applicants to reconstitute an Airport Advisory Board.
- Resolution to apply for USDOT Safe Streets and Roads for All grant: Council approved a resolution authorizing staff to submit an application and to commit up to $50,000 in matching funds if required.
- Resolution to join an electric-utility steering committee (Encore/OCSC): Council approved joining the consolidated-cities committee to participate in rate-case advocacy and agreed to pay an $800 membership fee (chiefly to cover legal representation costs).
- Transfer of public roadway negotiation with TxDOT: Council authorized staff to pursue negotiations seeking transfer of a stretch of East Business route from FM 51 to the Highway 380 intersection so the city may assume future responsibility and design authority.
- Lease purchase agreements: Council approved multiple government lease-purchase agreements included in the FY2025 budget — a Public Works pickup (2024 Ford F-250), and three police Tahoes for the police department — and authorized the city manager to execute the agreements.
- Seasonal/mobile food permit extension: Council approved a temporary extension to a seasonal health permit for a mobile vendor (Pelicans Snowballs) for an additional 180 days while the vendor works on a food truck permit.

Why it matters: These approvals address routine governance (investment reporting), land-use decisions that affect infill housing and signage, short-term vendor accommodations, and capital-asset financing included in the adopted budget. The resolutions on federal grants and utility steering-group membership position Decatur to pursue external funding and to join regional advocacy on utility rates.

Votes and documentation: Motion text, mover and second are recorded in the council minutes for each item; council used voice votes for most actions. Staff will follow up as required for FAA/TxDOT steps on airport matters, grant-application deadlines, land-transfer negotiations and vehicle procurement.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Decatur - City Council - Apr 14, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","At the April meeting council approved the quarterly investment report, several planning items (a replat and a preliminary-plat extension), a sign variance, multiple lease-purchase agreements and resolutions authorizing a Safe Streets grant application and membership in an electric-utility steering committee.","taxTitle","Decatur, Wise County, Texas","taxId",52370,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6605328,"Municipal court reports rising caseload, online payments near $350,000 for quarter; clerks pursue higher certification",329,291000,620000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2987066-83dfe443d3d49906771e00084165813d&start=291&end=620","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2987066-83dfe443d3d49906771e00084165813d/thumbnail_291000.jpg","/articles/6605328/Decatur/Wise-County/Texas/Municipal-court-reports-rising-caseload-online-payments-near-350000-for-quarter-clerks-pursue-higher-certification","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6605328-685738d5b4ebcaca9b2a695bd0d02631/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440668&Signature=F-MMZLdKdJ0qkJiYGMYyKFGfEb4v5NV6WgoGyJTOBHRfMlIkLT9n4HZaREeFQai8HfhJxBcRdLtrZR7ObhiTmbfKNXv~yG~VLYX9eHiVEp4Fl~JQCVSKjtTq4q926WVpMi-K5wwUjZIn1Al7YF0b3yOPpGZ1fxkFqjfSXZMhU8PE4sh7p5bH7F9goFjSs6ZIDA21e2OHrdUsjYXRUSi6uxvQWXZYFl~MohnzktDZM9FWXHFBCM6wF6WTgpwyBOhiCxdagF6fA5HeRJq3GFxL7QfCvjgtNakxTZqwDbE1wnDZbnkL6-r6afh1RaLDnP-dl-wQqgeJEbvt-GU2MWYDxA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Decatur Municipal Court presented its quarterly report covering January through March and told council the court has seen increased citations and more online payments in the quarter, alongside ongoing clerk professional development.

Court staff reported 97 driver-safety course completions, 614 deferred dispositions, 18 dismissals (including compliance dismissals), 659 closed cases with convictions, and 1,118 online payments plus 504 in-person/mail payments during the quarter. The court issued 308 warrants (unfundable by failure to appear), cleared 598 warrants and served 42 times. Court staff said the online payments received over the three-month period totaled about $350,000. The court also reported a modest docket workload including three trials, 14 show-cause hearings, 23 juvenile hearings and more than 120 attorney and plea-docket matters.

Clerk professional development was a topic of the presentation: staff are participating in the Texas Clerk's Association/Texas Municipal Courts Education Center certification program. The program has three levels, annual continuing-education-hour requirements and comprehensive exams; presenters said they currently have staff at progress levels from Level 1 through Level 3 work-in-progress.

Why it matters: The increase in online payments and caseload changes affects court revenue flows and operational staffing; clerk certification supports long-term administration and compliance with judicial and recordkeeping requirements.

Next steps: Court staff offered to provide a breakdown of the online payment totals in a follow-up slide and said they will continue clerk certification efforts and share additional revenue breakdowns on request.","Decatur Municipal Court reported increased citations and collections for January–March, described warrant and case closure activity, and outlined staff progress in the Texas municipal court clerk certification program.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6605333,"Decatur police report first-quarter call increases, new public safety building timeline set for summer",317,5000,322000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2987066-83dfe443d3d49906771e00084165813d&start=5&end=322","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2987066-83dfe443d3d49906771e00084165813d/thumbnail_5000.jpg","/articles/6605333/Decatur/Wise-County/Texas/Decatur-police-report-first-quarter-call-increases-new-public-safety-building-timeline-set-for-summer","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6605333-a37e9963a6106a4a40c4b6baa534a3c9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440668&Signature=d-PcgWxo2tslsss6wvx2iryZgpnIKk6F0Uxvk5aG2i-sjmcuGW0KKTTaT~gCtGqgDbEB2Loj3MgKWzrRuShXt8Kv5tfHRaOiIK-dX~K8FHvylOua3EoxpUeYuj2cRty0zNQitB7YOXlJrF3ZCWOhIzRbz0-D7BhRQqWQkeYTFEH-PJJ8l-drqCzDtsv0FrhZPjbwsTq1354UUaT8RJ6l-SpGJMfvMHE-q69yDUKTO8vX293--JZnTYlgZ8GM2OmKeHKFAfw3C7upLK4gIZ6o2rVn8JsHySbv7nvpPWECGltgDPWIQZjbKHROLeDTfV~tCPY5bRlQ6G8qndWOTL6KXw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Decatur Police Department presented its first-quarter activity report to the city council, reporting 10,364 calls for service in Decatur for the quarter and providing staffing and construction updates for the department's new public-safety facility.

Police staff reported quarterly totals for calls for service (Decatur 10,364; Boyd 1,658; Rome 1,950) and noted the department completed 771 hours of training during the quarter. The department investigated 62 crashes, issued 2,119 citations, recorded 59 arrests and issued approximately 861 warnings in the quarter. The presenter said calls for service in the first quarter increased by 4,226 compared with the same period in 2024, while the department logged eight fewer crashes and seven fewer arrests; citation and warning counts were higher compared with last year.

Staff described the new public-safety building as under construction: interior finishes and tile work are underway, major building construction is projected to be complete in June, dispatch furniture arrival in July, an August 2 open house and a planned move-in on August 4. On staffing, council asked about dispatch coverage for Decatur and neighboring jurisdictions; police staff said current arrangements have one dispatcher covering Boyd, Rome and EMS and that a third full-time dispatcher may be needed by year-end if call volumes continue to grow. The presentation also noted community engagement events, including the department's involvement with local leadership programs and a 'pizza party' community event.

Why it matters: The report gives council an operational snapshot and a near-term timeline for the department's facility that will centralize dispatch and other services. Staffing projections will affect operating budgets and service levels if additional dispatcher positions are authorized.","Police reported 10,364 calls for service in Decatur for the first quarter, noted increases in citations and online activity, and outlined a public-safety building construction schedule with an anticipated open house in August and move-in soon after.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6605338,"Parks board outlines completed projects, pushes for sports complex and 'poor farm' parkland",1302,3446000,4748000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2987066-83dfe443d3d49906771e00084165813d&start=3446&end=4748","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2987066-83dfe443d3d49906771e00084165813d/thumbnail_3446000.jpg","/articles/6605338/Decatur/Wise-County/Texas/Parks-board-outlines-completed-projects-pushes-for-sports-complex-and-poor-farm-parkland","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6605338-b589e946d61797be0e91335b3e9cf37d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440668&Signature=C-7JQP~K2KBXS9JcY-8-zc~trTdRFwQrgjfkesIS5yX4Jhn6pYHM70vCGLyQFUlKC1gkr6B00avOZMNPlY~nlB5zVDXUe34NbFBabIqqsI9gPo4ARlKgrOhK2m3~Od1SY8TYXn-hhQ6Yi8Vtn85wONUtc6jRkEMCf7qr~GNNQsihcs44SqXwYE3O3N-jPWOC~-k~z1Y~G~A~nMmP-q3AzoFek9sTzeoaKEzTMiB~24X17pd9A09jHm2NyNkJUviH~NZYNquRSxUWlY42RHaml92DnJRsleIFKQuD1ZzKg~8qfXPSqjU6VZpruxAzS6uE3pJAt8ESeKsOq4eVtSv0BA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Decatur Parks Advisory Board delivered a review of completed projects from the past five years and presented current priorities that include finishing a splash pad, developing the county 'poor farm' property for trails and a dog park, and planning a sports complex to meet fast-growing youth sports demand.

Parks Chair Carrie Vaughn told council the board has coordinated with Decatur's 2050 comprehensive plan and a 2006 parks master plan. Over the past five years, the board and staff completed playground replacement at Renshaw Park, added a walking trail, upgraded Harmon Field, rebuilt ballfields with new turf and facilities, added pickleball courts, installed fitness stations at Tornell Park (funded in part by Blue Cross Blue Shield), and created improved amenities at Jones Park. The board said completed projects were funded through a mix of grants, private contributions, EDC support and previously approved bond funds.

Current priorities include a splash pad adjacent to the new police station (staff said designated bond funds will be largely used to finish that project), improvements at Big Mama Park (water, electricity, a new pavilion in design), and a proposed park on the county 'poor farm' property. The County provided a long-term lease to the city for the 'poor farm' parcel; the parks board envisions bike trails, food-truck hookups and a dog park on the site and estimated a preliminary cost of roughly $500,000 for initial improvements.

The board also outlined demand for a regional sports complex. Using figures supplied by the Decatur Baseball Association, youth baseball participation grew from roughly 225 players in 2023 to about 500 in 2025. The board presented a conceptual double-quad (eight fields) model requiring about 80 acres; cost estimates in the presentation included roughly $1 million per quad (two quads shown at about $2,000,000), $500,000 for lighting and concessions, plus the farm acquisition/improvements, yielding an approximate total need of $4,500,000. Parks staff noted there is approximately $2,300,000 in parkland dedication funds accruing, which can be used to buy land but is not enough alone to cover a full complex.

Why it matters: Councilmembers said parks are central to quality of life and economic growth; with rapid population increases and heavy youth-sports usage, the Parks Board argued for including a sports-complex land acquisition and development plan in future capital planning or bond considerations.

Next steps: The Parks Board requested council keep the sports-complex need in mind during bond planning. Board members said they will continue fundraising, seek grants and present detailed project scopes and cost breakdowns for council consideration.","The Parks Advisory Board reviewed five years of projects—playground replacement, Harmon Field upgrades, new ballfields, pickleball courts and a planned splash pad—and asked council to consider a roughly $4.5 million sports complex and use of a county 'poor farm' site for trails, dog park and other amenities.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6605342,"Decatur reviews 20-year airport layout plan; council directs city to form advisory board",1163,2326000,3489000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2987066-83dfe443d3d49906771e00084165813d&start=2326&end=3489","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2987066-83dfe443d3d49906771e00084165813d/thumbnail_2326000.jpg","/articles/6605342/Decatur/Wise-County/Texas/Decatur-reviews-20-year-airport-layout-plan-council-directs-city-to-form-advisory-board","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6605342-1d4999e1b2979b14379133dcdd1360a7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440668&Signature=Cp9BLdgRsAnau3D5uBzDYnGqcNoKb9IvJZ5meRbkkjjTC3P6iK-UUyqUhJROlXAvyzgbU4Uy-jm9z8Drg1525fOf7X3mKYiCmzL03~aXrWV8EVrjyZSnEzNyh0sYAWMPpwjo3FGlZbrW1-VtMIa9K5N0jEyxvi7p-zBOuaOugBNcUDEkrQh6cD7nOnRb7yiRmWsdmDkdzwJBAfbOG-8ieHAEvPbovQfoi9zifLmQGrUr5UdRY435Hv1Z26UIXqcl3oK~tc3iqUgk4e~MlOe~2nyhE8-3JwnWejgSI5B4jK8gI7tHY-5Y84nqjoLunA1qsq6-qQNhYGApcRpe5YSHXg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Consultants from Wolpert presented a 20-year Airport Layout Plan (ALP) to the Decatur City Council and said the plan is intended to guide runway, taxiway and hangar development and to support a future design standard upgrade from B1 to B2.

The plan calls for a runway widening and extension (paving over portions of runway safety areas to increase takeoff length without changing the landing surface), completion of a full parallel taxiway, phased hangar development including T-hangars and larger box hangars, and relocation of the AWOS. Consultants said the design aircraft used for future planning is a midsize business jet (a Citation family model) and that the runway improvements would reach a useful threshold of about 5,000 feet for certain operators. Much of the proposed work will be phased; consultants said some runway and taxiway rehab is already included in an imminent project but runway extension work was not included in that contract.

City Manager Nate told the council the ALP will go next to TxDOT and the FAA for review; the consultant said it has been to TxDOT with minor comments and was in FAA review. Once FAA and TxDOT review are complete, staff plans to return the ALP to council for formal adoption so the city can use it as a blueprint when hangar developers or other private parties approach the city. Council then considered the airport's governance structure and agreed to re-establish an Airport Advisory Board. Councilmember Jake moved that the city manager open a call for applicants and proceed with an application and review process; the motion passed. The city manager said staff would post the call for applicants for not less than 30 business days with the goal of presenting candidates to council in May.

Why it matters: Council and staff said having an adopted ALP positions Decatur to guide private hangar development, to prioritize FAA- and TxDOT-eligible projects, and to be ready for developer requests and grant funding. An advisory board, officials said, will provide ongoing technical and stakeholder review as airport activity and development interest increase.

Details and next steps: The ALP document includes a narrative report, drawings and a phased capital improvement program with project cost estimates. Consultants recommended identifying a critical aircraft and runway design code (the plan identifies a move from B1 to B2), addressing airfield obstructions, adding taxiway connector realignments to remove direct apron-to-runway connections, and preparing pad sites for private hangar construction. Staff said TxDOT will complete some repairs on the corridor before any transfer/maintenance decisions and that FAA review timing is not yet determined. The city will return to council for formal adoption of the ALP and to appoint the airport advisory board once the application period closes.","Consultants presented a phased 20-year Airport Layout Plan that would lengthen and widen the runway, add taxiway and hangar development, and accommodate midsize business jets; council directed staff to open applications for an airport advisory board.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

City council approves routine reports, plats, variances, leases and grant resolutions

Municipal court reports rising caseload, online payments near $350,000 for quarter; clerks pursue higher certification

Decatur police report first-quarter call increases, new public safety building timeline set for summer

Parks board outlines completed projects, pushes for sports complex and 'poor farm' parkland

Decatur reviews 20-year airport layout plan; council directs city to form advisory board