[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6495408,"mediaKeyId","5489738-48f89ca94275bd38fdd3a36ea4adf5bc","parentId",5489738,"title","Votes at a glance: Decatur council approves CO authorization, Fire Station 2 contracts, utility design contracts and other items","audioSeconds",335,"startMs",2085000,"endMs",2420000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5489738-48f89ca94275bd38fdd3a36ea4adf5bc&start=2085&end=2420","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5489738-48f89ca94275bd38fdd3a36ea4adf5bc/thumbnail_2085000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6495408/Decatur/Wise-County/Texas/Votes-at-a-glance-Decatur-council-approves-CO-authorization-Fire-Station-2-contracts-utility-design-contracts-and-other-items","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6495408-7157b518b009b8e45c7cb27ac29adc51/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437669&Signature=JH-sQh581E20JsJ8BPQGVKB3GalIBYBUeYOEIq~o1gBrC8Ky-6T8iYQxam0LpE6oK1iiNYyvfQKpMlc8yHvCI-XFDkwAqMR55zdzVvUKTgifb4KewbAzM1Q8CW8xKPlK6xyA2eeSeiKziH-Xk0PZnQwOvxXMsy6BK0ulOTLu7ZLlgUSm1KvKyJy5NZ3WaCAdkDCo~lZZoZXttYKAkNO9oCZma853uBvaj4rpdgx76ntVfPgl36adRQhGnwlMel4BYU5V868TlD2pCoGLQ8R2rL-LN~a4PuRhxA-sozHShszxxeAvPuRvKaB~O9LBTMxe99D4nV-UFpKhHggo-rGZlg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Decatur","date","2025-07-28T00:00:00Z","article","The City of Decatur City Council on July 28 took action on multiple agenda items. Below is a concise list of motions the council approved, with the motion text as recorded in the meeting, the mover/second if stated, and the outcome as noted on the record.

All votes listed were taken by voice vote and were recorded in the meeting transcript as \"all those in favor say aye\"; the transcript does not include individual roll-call tallies.

Votes at a glance

- Approve the city manager to move forward with the next certificate of obligation bond process. Motion moved by a councilmember; second stated. Outcome: approved (voice vote). (Agenda item 4)

- Approve an addendum to the construction-manager-at-risk agreement regarding Fire Station 2 entered into on 11/25/2024 (Key Construction Texas LLC) to identify a guaranteed maximum price. Motion moved and seconded on the record. Outcome: approved (voice vote). (Agenda item 5)

- Approve an exhibit to the agreement regarding Fire Station 2 (owner's agent Fitzpatrick Design Construction Services LLC) to authorize the second phase of professional services; staff stated an upper limit for the services in the exhibit presented. Motion moved and seconded on the record. Outcome: approved (voice vote). (Agenda item 6)

- Approve agreement between the City of Decatur and Kimley-Horn and Associates for continuing professional services in the amount of $413,000 related to the Northside gravity sewer line (30% design). Motion moved and seconded. Outcome: approved (voice vote). (Agenda item 7)

- Approve agreement between the City of Decatur and Kimley-Horn and Associates in the amount of $4,125,000 for continuing professional services related to a 1 MGD North wastewater treatment plant (30% design). Motion moved and seconded. Outcome: approved (voice vote). (Agenda item 8)

- Approve agreement between the City of Decatur and Kimley-Horn and Associates for $1,830,000 for continuing professional services related to a 3 MGD water treatment plant expansion (30% design). Motion moved and seconded. Outcome: approved (voice vote). (Agenda item 9)

- Approve contract renewal with GovWell/GoWell Technologies Inc. (three-year renewal; planning module added at $26,000 per year; price held constant for three years). Motion moved and seconded. Outcome: approved (voice vote). (Agenda item 11)

- Approve resolution R2019 to suspend the effective date of an ENCORE rate change filing with the PUC to allow the city and steering committee time to review (90-day suspension request). Motion moved and seconded. Outcome: approved (voice vote). (Agenda item 12)

- Approve annual renewal of school resource officer (SRO) contract between the City of Decatur and Decatur Independent School District; existing cost-sharing arrangement described (DISD pays 70% of five SROs; two other officers are cost-offset). Motion moved and seconded. Outcome: approved (voice vote). (Agenda item 13)

- Approve quarterly investment report (item presented for situational awareness; no vote required). (Agenda item 14)

- Approve an infill procedure for certain underutilized, vacant or blighted properties (incentives: inspection/permit fee reimbursement up to 50%, impact-fee reimbursement up to $25,000 per lot with justification, lien forgiveness where applicable). Motion moved and seconded. Outcome: approved and effective immediately (voice vote). (Agenda item 15)

- Approve request from The County Seat to hold an event in the parking lot behind 107 South Trinity on Sept. 12, 6 p.m. to midnight, with an adjustment to barricade method as discussed. Motion moved and seconded. Outcome: approved (voice vote). (Consent agenda item C)

What to watch for: for several of the larger projects (CO package and Station 2), staff indicated follow-up items including second readings, bond-counsel work and refined schedules and GMP documentation. For professional-services agreements that fund 30% design work, staff said additional authorizations will be needed as design and permitting progress.

Provenance (selected):
- Motion to approve CO process: meeting transcript at s=2085.8901 where staff presented the CO concept and at s=2095.33 where a councilmember moved the motion; the mayor called for the voice vote and recorded the item as passing.
- Key Construction addendum motion: presentation and discussion at s=2128.64's=2226.96; motion and voice vote recorded at s=2406.545's=2415.825.
- Kimley-Horn agreements: discussion at s=2539.42 (items 7'9) with motions, seconds and voice votes recorded for items 7 (s=2659.865), 8 (s=2727.1602) and 9 (s=2842.22).
- GovWell renewal: presentation at s=2914.1848 and motion/voice vote recorded at s=3221.72.
- ENCORE suspension resolution: presentation at s=3245.255 and motion/voice vote at s=3287.53.
- SRO contract renewal: discussion at s=3315.2 and motion/voice vote at s=3519.825.
- Infill procedure: discussion at s=3635.0051 and motion/voice vote at s=3766.0898.
- Consent item C (event permit): discussion at s=3875.01 and motion/voice vote at s=3957.33.

Speakers (representative list for votes):
- Mike McQuiston, Mayor — City of Decatur
- Nate, City Manager (first name given in transcript)
- Chief Bennett, Fire Chief
- Wayne (staff; presented GovWell item)
- Jen (Director of Finance; referenced in investment report)

Notes on vote records: The meeting transcript records votes as voice votes; it does not include recorded roll-call tallies or named yes/no votes for each council member. Where the council asked for additional information (for example, second readings, refined GMPs or bond-structuring advice), staff committed to returning with formal documentation at future meetings.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Decatur - City Council","oneSentenceSummary","A single-day roundup of formal council actions on July 28, including authorization to pursue a CO bond package, approvals for Fire Station 2 contracts and multiple professional-services agreements for water and wastewater projects; all listed items were approved by voice vote unless otherwise noted.","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},6495411,"Decatur council completes first reading of ordinance to place Charter Review Commission proposals on November ballot",302,432000,734000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5489738-48f89ca94275bd38fdd3a36ea4adf5bc&start=432&end=734","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5489738-48f89ca94275bd38fdd3a36ea4adf5bc/thumbnail_432000.jpg","/articles/6495411/Decatur/Wise-County/Texas/Decatur-council-completes-first-reading-of-ordinance-to-place-Charter-Review-Commission-proposals-on-November-ballot","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6495411-429245d5286e4f7e7d26a7728e20099c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437669&Signature=VfMo-5kZvNSOMJaFy3T9yhlXUyu1kSoQTfwqLbtnewWXT5MKkoV0YfNhx8zhZo-RazbqpzDo5rtKXXFFlS8kn4s4aLy3DiKBLhuiHEoM0KlIcWGNwE3O0nGKuOAALT5bSSTw2q0jOdqenwHbErtzFnj1XsoHdUdURIFyn2BI9s1~7~4U0GOEUuV-HxAUJp7NCl-sEXoOHwlES7~1m-O2RRDG7GF3CRzIwCC6ZvVWcur~J9V1EGeySPCjICQ9GuwIUxcvcIZuWMp3UnyBNcbPFThchkCO5NujtixIosn2HaaYxcPSA1HdwR0Tzgu~KwaHek2Yf79oHdsX-91R92VFTA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Decatur City Council on July 28 opened and closed a public hearing and completed the first reading of an ordinance to move recommended Charter Review Commission amendments toward placement on the November ballot.

Staff asked council to review a redline exhibit prepared by the Charter Review Commission (CRC) and called attention specifically to a clarification on page 19 that would expressly permit council members to serve on certain boards such as the Economic Development Corporation (EDC) and advisory boards. Staff also noted a carryover CRC recommendation (referred to as item \"W\") that would clarify a forfeiture-of-office vote: the CRC language would require a three-quarter vote of the council's full membership but exclude the council member who is the subject of the forfeiture effort.

There was no public comment on the item during the hearing. Staff told council that tonight's action constituted the ordinance's first reading and reminded members that the second reading and a formal call to place the items on the ballot are scheduled for the council's Aug. 11 meeting. Staff asked members to submit any suggested cleanups to staff before that second reading.

Why this matters: Charter amendments placed on a municipal ballot change the rules that govern how a city operates; council action to proceed toward a ballot requires careful wording and timing for voter clarity.

What was discussed: The item chiefly involved technical edits and ballot-language preparation; staff emphasized that one technical clarification will allow elected council members to hold positions on certain boards, and a separate CRC-added clarification refines the procedure for a forfeiture-of-office vote.

Speakers (as identified in the meeting):
- Mike McQuiston, Mayor — City of Decatur (government)
- Pam (name referenced as staff supporting charter work; full name not given in transcript) — City staff (government)
- Chris Forbes — Chair, Charter Review Commission (referenced as present)
- Brad Morgan — Charter Review Commission member (referenced as present)

Authorities referenced (as recorded in the meeting):
- Decatur City Charter (proposed amendments and redline exhibit presented to council)

Clarifying details extracted from the discussion:
- CRC item 7.06 (referenced on meeting packet page 19) will be edited to explicitly allow elected council members to serve on boards, EDC and advisory bodies once elected.
- CRC carryover item \"W\" clarifies that a three-quarter requirement for a forfeiture-of-office vote \"excludes the council member who is the subject of the forfeiture effort.\" Staff indicated that text is included in the redlines sent to council.

Process and next steps: Staff said the ordinance was on its first reading; council was told to send any cleanup language to staff before the Aug. 11 second reading. No public speakers addressed the item during the meeting.

Provenance:
{\"transcript_segments\":[{\"block_id\":\"block_432.95502\",\"local_start\":0,\"local_end\":67,\"evidence_excerpt\":\"This, item is for recommendations of the Charter Review Commission for amendments to the Decatur City Charter. Do we have any presentation on this?\",\"reason_code\":\"topicintro\"},{\"block_id\":\"block_731.505\",\"local_start\":0,\"local_end\":90,\"evidence_excerpt\":\"Before you before you move on to the next item, sir, just a reminder, this is an ordinance. Tonight takes care of your first reading. If something should come to mind over the next few days, please expedite getting that to Pam or myself so we can work through that. At your next council meeting, I believe, August 11, we will need to have the second reading of this ordinance and then also call for these items to be placed on a ballot.\",\"reason_code\":\"topicfinish\"}]}
","Council held a public hearing and completed first reading of an ordinance that would place recommended amendments from the Charter Review Commission on the November ballot; staff flagged language clarifications and a second reading on Aug. 11.",{"_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},6495416,"Decatur council green-lights city manager to pursue next CO package; approves Fire Station 2 construction steps",1434,746000,2180000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5489738-48f89ca94275bd38fdd3a36ea4adf5bc&start=746&end=2180","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5489738-48f89ca94275bd38fdd3a36ea4adf5bc/thumbnail_746000.jpg","/articles/6495416/Decatur/Wise-County/Texas/Decatur-council-green-lights-city-manager-to-pursue-next-CO-package-approves-Fire-Station-2-construction-steps","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6495416-f9e59c9e9ba0888e711b43ed95c81490/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437669&Signature=an6dWB2qRn8CVm3ITUTDEkcmKjvg0lZ~uEM9dz40Infkz-OOa8HIlzo~EmYxb2~GVRxMBBcaYrPacMxaj028YTuzYmECkR6IN9tdcL3o~okVnnyboPq3jOytbLuVxADXITFcQnyNpFg96BHR7VLwipHWy3kdgGh-VYTQBqDjnFCZSnJS0ztkDFi-LA1Slj72KL3uOBoFOjO0G2Zg5~uVOVOST5G4icdmZDLAF0-MD8Lzp4Ez-LFLZr5-D8GwGtZA0vyIPQNKqOwgdZVLKAhUV37APr9KA1zQiGL9ch6WqrrSx4KaKNTmz6RKCd3EK6X5rCFKQBw06B-UIqqlGj6wwg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Decatur City Council on July 28 authorized the city manager to proceed with the next certificate of obligation (CO) bond process to fund a package of capital projects, and approved contract addenda and professional-services exhibits for the city's planned Fire Station 2.

The action came after a detailed presentation from city staff laying out an outline of projects the CO package would support, including a new Fire Station 2 (land and construction), a planned rehabilitation of Fire Station 1, facility repairs across city buildings, and water/wastewater expansions. City Manager Nate (name provided in meeting as Nate) told council the package would be supported by a mix of ad valorem (property) tax, impact fees and water/wastewater revenues and that staff will work with bond counsel to match loan terms to project useful lives.

The vote to let the city manager proceed passed by voice vote.

City staff framed the CO approach as a way to combine issuance costs while segmenting repayment terms appropriately. \"You shouldn't be paying 35 years for an air conditioning system,\" the city manager said, urging shorter-term debt for short-lived assets and noting the packaging is intended to save on issuance costs while using appropriate repayment schedules.

Fire Department leaders reviewed the immediate needs that partly motivated the CO package. Fire Chief Bennett described repeated roof and HVAC problems at Fire Station 1, saying the building \"is still leaked\" despite prior repairs and that water would collect and run down interior walls during storms. He described the station's aging equipment and nine original rooftop air-conditioning units, and said the station needs interior reconfiguration and envelope fixes to protect vehicles and personnel.

Chief Bennett also presented the project-level contracting decisions for Station 2. Council approved:
- An addendum to the construction manager-at-risk agreement with Key Construction Texas LLC to identify a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) for Station 2. In the meeting the GMP figure was read aloud in the transcript as \"15 8 98 60,\" and the city manager and construction team said the GMP and related numbers had been vetted by the project team and estimator.
- An exhibit to the city's owner-agent agreement with Fitzpatrick Design Construction Services LLC (FDCES) for the next phase of construction services; staff described the exhibit as authorizing the second phase of professional services for construction and stated an upper limit on those services in the document presented to council.

On staffing, council and staff outlined how the new station and apparatus additions will affect personnel planning. Chief Bennett said staffing the new ladder truck will require 12 personnel (four on duty per shift) and that the department \"asked for 11 this time along with 4 communications\" positions; during the meeting staff summarized that about 15 additional personnel were expected by January 2027 for public-safety needs discussed, and council and staff later referenced a combined need of roughly 27 additional firefighters and police officers across the near-term staffing plan. The chief also said the department had applied again for a SAFER grant and that, if awarded, the grant could cover the first three years of new firefighter salaries.

On schedule, staff said grading and site utilities for Station 2 were planned to start in about five weeks, permitting and building work to start in November, and a notional finish date read aloud in the staff presentation as \"11/08/1926\" (the date as spoken in the transcript appears garbled); staff indicated the project team would provide updated construction schedules and clarified that key contractors and the city's senior estimator had been working to tighten completion dates.

Council members asked about insurance and whether roof damage could be covered; Chief Bennett said hail and the building's membrane roof characteristics made insurance claims unlikely to cover the current deterioration and that prior \"envelope specialists\" had improved but not eliminated leaks.

Why this matters: The CO package and Station 2 work are central to Decatur's near-term capital plan. The projects affect public-safety response capacity and the city's water/wastewater infrastructure, and they will require managing finance structures to limit long-term costs while supporting anticipated growth.

What passed: Council approved a motion delegating authority for the city manager to proceed with the CO process; it also approved the construction-manager addendum (GMP presented in the meeting) and the FDCES exhibit for professional services. Staff said parts of the CO package will be supported by impact fees and utility revenues, which can help separate infrastructure-paying stakeholders from general tax obligations.

Additional details and clarifications:
- Funding mix: staff said the next debt package would be supported by the ad valorem tax (debt-service side), impact fees for public-works projects and water/wastewater revenue for utility facilities.
- Staffing costs: staff offered an example per-FTE cost figure from the meeting, stating roughly $92,000 per FTE including benefits (presented by staff as a planning assumption).
- Construction approach: staff said Station 2 design was revised to lower cost from earlier design sets and to add a training tower; turf and rock finishes were chosen to reduce maintenance burdens.

Speakers (as identified in the meeting):
- Mike McQuiston, Mayor — City of Decatur (government)
- Nate (City Manager) — City of Decatur (government; first name only given in transcript)
- Chief Bennett — Fire Chief, City of Decatur Fire Department (government)
- Chief Campbell — (title not specified in transcript; government representative)
- Brad Tatum — Senior estimator (contractor representative)
- Representatives from Key Construction Texas LLC (contractor; names not specified)
- Representatives from Fitzpatrick Design Construction Services LLC / FDCES (owner-agent; names not specified)

Authorities and key documents referenced (as recorded in the meeting):
- City of Decatur Charter amendments packet and council packet (exhibit references)
- Construction manager-at-risk agreement for Fire Station 2 (original contract dated 11/25/2024)
- Exhibit to agreement with Fitzpatrick Design Construction Services LLC (agreement dated 07/08/2024)

Clarifying details extracted from the discussion:
- Staffing: the ladder truck staffing need cited as 12 personnel (four per shift); the department requested \"11 this time along with 4 communications\" in the staffing request; staff later summarized a rough combined need of about 27 new firefighters and police officers in near-term planning remarks.
- GMP: the addendum identified a GMP number read in the meeting as \"15 8 98 60\"; staff said the GMP had been refined by the estimator and project team.
- Construction phasing: Phase 1 (grading/utilities) planned to start in ~5 weeks; building work and permitting planned to begin in November (dates as presented in the meeting). Staff noted construction schedule details would be refined by the contractor and owner's agent.

Community relevance: Projects affect City of Decatur residents, public-safety personnel, property owners on the north side (water/wastewater), and builders/developers. Funding sources discussed: ad valorem taxes (debt service), impact fees, water/wastewater revenue, and potential SAFER grant funding for firefighter hires.

Provenance:
{\"transcript_segments\":[{\"block_id\":\"block_746.64\",\"local_start\":0,\"local_end\":171,\"evidence_excerpt\":\"Discuss and take action to approve the city manager to approve move forward with the next certificate of obligation bond process.\",\"reason_code\":\"topicintro\"},{\"block_id\":\"block_2415.825\",\"local_start\":0,\"local_end\":122,\"evidence_excerpt\":\"Alright. That item passes. Item 6, discuss and take action to approve an exhibit to an agreement regarding Fire Station 2.\",\"reason_code\":\"topicfinish\"}]}
","City council authorized the city manager to move forward with a certificate of obligation (CO) debt package tied to multiple capital projects, and approved construction agreements and cost-control steps for the new Fire Station 2; council and staff discussed staffing needs and a conservative financing approach.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Decatur council approves CO authorization, Fire Station 2 contracts, utility design contracts and other items

Decatur council completes first reading of ordinance to place Charter Review Commission proposals on November ballot

Decatur council green-lights city manager to pursue next CO package; approves Fire Station 2 construction steps