[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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],{"_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",6527880,"mediaKeyId","3522291-260d47d1bfa5d2a36d5b20e69ca118b4","parentId",3522291,"title","Council approves multiple contracts, leases and rezones; denies one amended economic development agreement","audioSeconds",337,"startMs",883000,"endMs",1220000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3522291-260d47d1bfa5d2a36d5b20e69ca118b4&start=883&end=1220","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3522291-260d47d1bfa5d2a36d5b20e69ca118b4/thumbnail_883000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6527880/Midland/Midland-County/Texas/Council-approves-multiple-contracts-leases-and-rezones-denies-one-amended-economic-development-agreement","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6527880-2ed878dd5d8c89561bd9961b8d1ee571/orig.mp4?Expires=1771002251&Signature=PSR74lu07vcdNg9s8GLMau-HfmG~BebZ2LeNeW2w5k4qLfaqA~LxpE8Cbshu~rZmcnS9c~0Mq3y-vBDSYmYhjcx8-jH8RRfMftX7li~ahyZvjMrDT63Bd8FS6tQiV60WNZFnwQeGnw3iN3Ky2mxshMnnR01k2KabehIFmmL2jlAsp~OMmGod1axebgzR1oY7rxqvJCZNQJGxDNfAA8N4wOGn~JY9KPv1~jKj9A6fErNLFV~4qJnf8VwSu-zPYA8~7i2TKto3KWjoM7zrJ5TeKwguXkewGJR5D9SYHgzzx7mrUOlQXV0Y5cQ~EwQTxhRTMdlNg6LkoF6oxEbrgDejmg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Midland","date","2025-05-27T00:00:00Z","article","The City Council voted on a slate of consent, contract and zoning items. Key outcomes included approval of on‑call temporary traffic control contracts, approval of a commercial hangar lease at Midland International for Starfighters International, acceptance of a donated cargo trailer for the police negotiator unit, approval of numerous rezones and map amendments, and denial of an amended economic development agreement with Flower Child Baked Goods LLC.

Contracts and donations: The council unanimously approved two on‑call temporary traffic control services contracts (term through Sept. 30, 2025, with up to four one‑year renewal options; maximum $150,000 per vendor per term) and authorized payment (item 6). The council also unanimously approved a one‑year commercial hangar lease with Starfighters International for a roughly 33,700‑square‑foot facility at Midland International Airport; staff described the lease as temporary while a permanent solution is pursued and said it brings an immediate tenant to a long‑vacant hangar (item 10). The council unanimously accepted a donated 2021 Continental 6x12 cargo trailer to be used by the Midland Police Department negotiator unit (item 12).

Economic development agreement (Flower Child): Council considered an amended and restated economic development agreement between the Midland Development Corporation and Flower Child Baked Goods LLC. Staff said the only amendment removed a site‑specific requirement, allowing the company to expand anywhere within city limits while keeping job and capital thresholds unchanged. After discussion and a motion to deny, the council voted 5–2 to deny the amended agreement (item 11).

Rezoning and map changes: The council advanced a large batch of zoning‑map amendments, many on second reading, covering residential and commercial parcels across the city. Sample items approved during the meeting included:
- Rezoning a 5.57‑acre tract from O‑1 (office) to RR (regional retail) at the southeast corner of North Big Spring Street and Solomon Lane (supermajority required; motion carried 6–1).
- Multiple single‑family rezones, townhouse conversions and commercial rezones across Greenwood, Moody, Wilshire Park and other neighborhoods (most carried unanimously, 6–0 or 7–0 where recorded).
- A rezoning and specific‑use designations for on‑site alcohol sales and restaurant uses in the downtown corridor and other commercial locations (individual items included public hearings and were approved as noted by staff).

Other business: Council authorized the city manager to advertise an RFQ for professional services related to the Wildcatter Trail (Champions–Deauville phase) and to negotiate an agreement with the selected firm, with final contract approval subject to council action. Council also approved change orders totaling approximately $4,020,915 for the Northeast Sewer Line project to handle enhanced performance needs and unforeseen field conditions (item 34).

Ending: Staff will proceed with the awarded contracts, lease and project changes; Planning and Development will continue handling zoning matters and follow up where items were deferred or where special conditions (for example, SUD reviews) apply.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Midland - Council Meeting - May 27, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Council approved multiple procurement, lease and zoning items including on‑call traffic control contracts, a temporary hangar lease for Starfighters International, acceptance of a donated trailer for police negotiators, and numerous rezones; council denied an amended economic development agreement with Flower Child Baked Goods LLC 5–2.","taxTitle","Midland, Midland County, Texas","taxId",25227,"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},6527885,"City staff brief council on debt, roads, water resiliency and code‑enforcement reforms",2037,3977000,6014000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3522291-260d47d1bfa5d2a36d5b20e69ca118b4&start=3977&end=6014","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3522291-260d47d1bfa5d2a36d5b20e69ca118b4/thumbnail_3977000.jpg","/articles/6527885/Midland/Midland-County/Texas/City-staff-brief-council-on-debt-roads-water-resiliency-and-codeenforcement-reforms","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6527885-cba5aaa045bd0b9fd4a54309fd8f51e0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771002251&Signature=gcng0hWJmUup1DkpLKkblKH15wk16Jpigq3-UeY2ZXtZxt-IsMLOMTpEMTcuqw8lP4o7XsU6j~XPUwMbLyrHsCVo2x5v2WJwM49Oh9eq9MGgArko~EAmjxNSLtsUd0eqDw~bcZDD4lMg5mAn1jUvUNnuBVTy1C9EIyT94ueshB2rs2vos~kLiFvT2cmqkGSaLYkfR~YWTwoIFxfMJr0L-kzfwyBWhfE-m017vSTRuwhTcz23blzbWyJ~Pyle9hMPWc4PitzuPH6BLf3wMjpRTxpzxic~8buYNkifWKyuY1uuXk5uHGX~lHEnuYRk97C1ME1V2VsFFqMbOT2QeuxDBA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff delivered a multi‑department operational briefing to the City Council that covered recent fiscal activity, the status of road and drainage projects, new water‑system monitoring and leak‑detection efforts, and reforms to the code‑enforcement program.

Finance: Christy Weekland, director of finance, said the city’s total debt is approximately $597 million and that growth‑related borrowing of $112.8 million over two years has funded water, streets, solid waste and parks. Weekland said about one‑third of the city’s total debt is fee‑supported (paid from user or enterprise fees) and two‑thirds is other debt; the city’s tax‑supported debt per capita compares favorably with peer “pure” cities. Weekland also noted earlier actions to restore funding for the firefighter retirement plan and other fiscal measures staff say reduced interest costs and freed resources for capital needs.

Roads and potholes: Staff reported expanded pothole‑repair activity: through May 1 the city had filled about 11,000 potholes year‑to‑date and nearly 2,400 potholes at parks in a targeted program launched in September 2023. The “most visible streets” program has processed about 644 staff‑initiated requests and focuses resources on high‑visibility corridors; staff said 24 of 26 road bond projects are complete and paving is in progress on the last two corridors. Officials noted that utility work—particularly multiple utility trenches in constrained right‑of‑way—was the main schedule driver on the largest bond projects and that the city is conducting after‑action reviews to refine processes for future work.

Water resiliency and leaks: Utilities staff described new technologies and processes to reduce unaccounted‑for water and emergency repairs, including satellite leak‑detection (Astera) and an expanding network of pressure monitors. The satellite program identified 29 non‑surface leaks and staff estimated those discoveries saved about $2.1 million in water value; staff also said emergency repairs during recent freeze events were reduced and credited some of that to proactive monitoring. The city has 30 pressure monitors in the field with plans to expand to 64; staff said near‑real‑time pressure monitoring and targeted leak detection should reduce both lost water and main breaks over the next several years.

Code enforcement and inspections: Elizabeth Triggs, planning and development officer, outlined changes in the code‑enforcement division, which has expanded to 11 officers plus supervisors and staff. Triggs said the department has shifted toward proactive work on the city’s most visible corridors and is resolving a higher share of cases through voluntary compliance. Council adopted an ordinance in March 2024 that allows the city to secure dangerous buildings within two weeks; staff said the city has used that authority on the Vaughn Building and other vacant or unsafe structures. Triggs also described a recent joint inspection campaign involving federal and state partners that inspected 25 massage businesses; one business was subject to an emergency shutdown by the state, and staff said 24 of 25 examined businesses lacked an up‑to‑date certificate of occupancy (CO). Five businesses have since obtained COs and staff are working with the remainder to resolve outstanding violations.

Organizational changes and accountability: Staff discussed measures taken after an April incident in which political signs were mistakenly removed during a legal sign sweep; the city stopped the operation immediately, returned signs within one day, launched an internal review, provided written and verbal discipline to involved staff and scheduled division‑wide training. Human Resources confirmed disciplinary actions followed city policy and that there was no evidence of criminal intent under Texas law; training for involved employees has been completed.

Transparency tools: The city’s chief information officer reviewed public resources that centralize city data and service requests, including the city website, seeClickFix and Ask Jackie (a chatbot), the council operational dashboard (internal now; public version planned within 12–18 months), project trackers and agenda archives. Staff said these resources will be used to keep residents informed about pothole repairs, projects and other service metrics.

Ending: Council members praised staff for the volume of work and the new transparency tools. Staff emphasized follow‑up in areas such as road bond after‑action reviews, leak‑detection expansion and continued code‑enforcement outreach.","City officials presented a multi‑department operational update covering debt levels, major road projects, pothole and pothole‑repair metrics, water leak detection and pressure monitoring work, and code‑enforcement changes including new inspection activity focused on illicit massage businesses and the ability to issue citations.",{"_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},6527889,"Council defers vote on Live Oak event‑center alcohol expansion after nearby resident cites loud music",2885,3312000,6197000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3522291-260d47d1bfa5d2a36d5b20e69ca118b4&start=3312&end=6197","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3522291-260d47d1bfa5d2a36d5b20e69ca118b4/thumbnail_3312000.jpg","/articles/6527889/Midland/Midland-County/Texas/Council-defers-vote-on-Live-Oak-eventcenter-alcohol-expansion-after-nearby-resident-cites-loud-music","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6527889-6cb25c8d43b7ad18d2a247b82d078fd9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771002251&Signature=L4GcBenKru-ciprzJp-4XcotfRQey11kHffImI09Lxw6~UfoJNjzKj2tg1leHMclvfWRLRdJtA~JY~wSAEqiEGEk8gu5FX1UvPHeWpdNHblIZX38k9TgyOhg6UfFTujktqjlYmQXiN2SLefkuLrHB0iHelfkLNL7L19PhiqkM9mx7ieXes~1ZeG34WfSOOY165MBsOAMEYt0PCX9ZzvcvOz1zWI6MeB-iiuyrhJxHaROzPz3vnW3o9Cgg5Wu7mruNFwv1HqY9PXn~bpzzSUYHfXYt30RJmLu8JvlsVwTOmAdTWN1n6MctGQj0VQHq4jmmamwzkE0zluuBgU5vgxhlQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Council deferred action on a specific‑use designation request to expand the area where alcohol may be sold at The Venue at Live Oak (3201 Elkins Road) after a nearby resident told council that live music from the venue had been audible at his home late at night.

Planning staff had presented the application as an expansion of an existing SUD for the event center; proposed alcohol‑service hours were Sunday–Thursday, 10 a.m.–midnight, and Friday–Saturday, 10 a.m.–2 a.m. Elizabeth Triggs, planning and development officer, said staff supported approval and noted two written objections had been filed by property owners near the site. Triggs described the objectors’ concerns as primarily noise related.

During public comment, Joseph Castillo, who lives at 3012 Todd Drive and said his property line is within about 100 yards of the venue, told council the venue’s amplified music had been heard at his home with the windows closed and that music continued “until after midnight” on some nights. Castillo said the venue originally operated as a family facility but has moved toward hosting live music and later‑night events; he asked council to deny the application.

Council members expressed concern about noise impacts, the absence of sound‑attenuation measures around the venue’s newly built stage and the lack of a record of complaints (the resident said he had not previously called police). Given those concerns, Councilman Jack Ladd moved to defer the item so staff could work with the applicant and neighbors to address noise mitigation; the motion was seconded by Councilmember Brian Stubbs and carried (vote count not specified in the record).

Ending: The council deferred action to allow staff, the applicant and nearby residents to pursue possible mitigation (for example, limits on outdoor amplified sound, schedule or layout changes, or physical attenuation). Staff had noted the request met state distance requirements for on‑premises alcohol sales but agreed the noise issue merited additional discussion before council decides.","Council voted to defer consideration of a request to expand the alcohol‑service area at The Venue at Live Oak after a neighbor testified that amplified music was audible at his house after midnight; staff had recommended approval but two objections were on file.",{"_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},6527894,"Midland council renews Double Bar liquor permit with security requirement after review",2422,2779000,5201000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3522291-260d47d1bfa5d2a36d5b20e69ca118b4&start=2779&end=5201","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3522291-260d47d1bfa5d2a36d5b20e69ca118b4/thumbnail_2779000.jpg","/articles/6527894/Midland/Midland-County/Texas/Midland-council-renews-Double-Bar-liquor-permit-with-security-requirement-after-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6527894-43a24e1056d27151abcaa3a62dd5341a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771002251&Signature=IRvFt~DZ44tbNjJWRN4kvc8W5Pl2Fd~Xj-xOMA5Qod51KyT5GW9Q6mc~8aJTgAp-zrKfGY4vwEjx7zjav6AD7tznDq6q8lXz3vJiCyOB11UQrrscDTsOQXU4cf0IZfJS9EsGuNp0ahyGZLnkefREQrSeP74eAoW83Ve9kqIvD5apLymLaYEMMhxYyi1g-CpgC-K4wrglF5vPydHfx-XjoYc3sQvX2FYBhVWGPtoP2XpIr-Qk6BqCB~-XeXRn0OGn~Wl5lu4Q3PGXXudWZdQ83nvAxZaty0EJMTC1VX5cP6MaDyw4xfWYnJ70wobtO0j3yMC4pXm81O27O3PqA~K57A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Council voted 6-0 to renew the specific-use designation (SUD) allowing Double Bar at 621 West Wall Street to sell all alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption, approving the renewal as amended to require certified level-2 security personnel on the busiest nights and a council review in seven months.

Council considered the renewal after staff reported the business applied promptly when the prior SUD briefly lapsed. Planning staff told council the bar’s hours would remain Sunday–Saturday, 12 p.m.–2 a.m., and that the site meets the state requirement that no church, public school, athletic stadium or hospital lies within 300 feet of the property.

The council’s action followed staff testimony and public comment from Double Bar’s security manager and owner describing security protocols already in place. Elizabeth Triggs, planning and development officer, said the city reviewed incident reports for the block of bars on West Wall Street and found that the three establishments in that cluster generated about 64 police calls between 2024 and March 2025; Double Bar and another nearby bar had similar call volumes. Triggs also told council the new owner had reduced calls relative to prior ownership and that staff recommended renewal with two additional conditions: (1) certified peace officers on site Friday and Saturday evenings and (2) a council review in seven months to assess whether conditions should remain.

During public comment, Thomas Sawyer, who identifies himself as head of security for Double Bar, described the business’s security practices and certifications for his staff and emphasized an approach focused on de-escalation. Owner Carlyn Smith said Double Bar has provided security every weekend since opening, offers free Uber rides for patrons judged too intoxicated to drive, and has spent roughly $35,000 on security measures since opening in mid‑2023. Smith said the business had voluntarily closed after the city notified it of the expired SUD and had cooperated with city staff to reapply.

Several council members expressed concern about relying solely on civilian security, the cost to small businesses of hiring off‑duty peace officers and the fairness of imposing different conditions across nearby establishments. Council members moved to amend staff’s recommended condition from “two certified peace officers” to “certified level‑2 security personnel by the State of Texas” on the busiest nights, and the amendment passed 6-0. After that change, council approved the SUD renewal 6-0 as amended. The council also retained the staff-recommended seven‑month review to allow further adjustment if data show the conditions are ineffective.

The renewal reinstates the business’s permission to sell alcohol on-premises under the updated conditions. The city’s planning staff will return to council in seven months with an update on compliance and incident trends.

A handful of council members framed the amendment as a compromise intended to balance community safety and the economic viability of small businesses that cannot absorb the higher hourly cost of hiring off‑duty peace officers.

Ending: The SUD renewal restores Double Bar’s authorization to sell alcohol on site while creating a time-limited compliance check and placing new training/certification requirements on security staff. The council’s seven-month review gives the city a formal checkpoint to revisit conditions based on updated incident data.","The City Council approved a renewed specific-use designation for Double Bar at 621 West Wall Street, imposing a new security requirement (certified level-2 security officers on busier nights) and a seven-month review after council members amended staff’s recommended condition for off-duty peace officers.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves multiple contracts, leases and rezones; denies one amended economic development agreement

City staff brief council on debt, roads, water resiliency and code‑enforcement reforms

Council defers vote on Live Oak event‑center alcohol expansion after nearby resident cites loud music

Midland council renews Double Bar liquor permit with security requirement after review