[{"_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",6486915,"mediaKeyId","5567084-1a9faec8d5cd7141fe43e5527acb9150","parentId",5567084,"title","Council orders review to tighten security conditions at downtown lounge after parking-lot attack","audioSeconds",2643,"startMs",4407000,"endMs",7050000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5567084-1a9faec8d5cd7141fe43e5527acb9150&start=4407&end=7050","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5567084-1a9faec8d5cd7141fe43e5527acb9150/thumbnail_4407000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6486915/Midland/Midland-County/Texas/Council-orders-review-to-tighten-security-conditions-at-downtown-lounge-after-parking-lot-attack","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6486915-e08078c476b3758bb27d363f47c79c00/orig.mp4?Expires=1770607974&Signature=aeCPwaskvADqkLX7QUW1hsHb-OP06TmDJdCoyj526DVQrxwmFO-DqV2J4ZPgClvW21XY0~TXPYc7x80dDcnzwHENAaWLMwlzZrE5FGRtgWNfx-1wfE4XP1qamF3RU5FRyNm~Yi37RvtVkk6UXyBStmdAqplYfP7lFL43aPLE4kbOG5zocGxPRgqfbuhE7rtADFrLNCKnuBnhWXtDaN5OUq50HqomqRNG9-Gt9i3uu1LobMNOtB1WHJIm9uEhDa9cgb68E~3aVzL-mtvaPd1u6fsW8IaipuMByDWvn98tMo1pWiZYSs3eDyA2nVIXlyzViTSDdZEe6dcWWmoI8JAdqg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Midland","date","2025-08-12T00:00:00Z","article","The Midland City Council directed staff to begin the process of amending the specific-use designation (SUD) for Hotshots, a downtown lounge, to strengthen security conditions following a violent, unreported assault captured on video in a parking lot behind the business.

Staff and council recapped that the SUD had been approved on June 10 with several conditions, including a unique 60-day and 7-month review requirement and a condition that required two certified security guards on Friday and Saturday nights. Staff presented incident data for 2024 and 2025 (through July), noting that since the SUD's security requirement went into effect there were 11 reported incidents attached to the property during the review period. Staff cautioned, and council agreed, that incident reports alone are an imperfect metric because some events go unreported or are handled by security and therefore do not generate police incident reports.

After council and community discussion, staff recommended—based on an incident captured on video that occurred outside the Friday–Saturday security window—that the council initiate an amendment to require certified security guards on every night the lounge is open (Tuesday through Saturday) and to extend security coverage after the end of alcohol service (staff suggested extending the post-service period to 2:30 a.m.). Council voted 7\u0000to\u00000 to direct staff to begin the SUD amendment process; the existing SUD remains in effect until any ordinance change is adopted through the zoning process.

Why it matters: Council members and nearby business owners said the area has experienced recurring violent incidents, drug paraphernalia and safety concerns in the alley and parking areas. The council asked staff to examine broader, consistent policies for SUDs and downtown safety measures, including lighting, camera systems, and coordination with the police department and TABC (Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission).

Key details: Staff noted one violent incident in the parking lot behind Hotshots that was not reported to police and which became part of the council\u0000record through video evidence. Staff recommended the change in part because many incidents occur as patrons exit—after service hours—and some occur outside Friday/Saturday. Councilmembers also requested staff explore city-funded measures to improve safety (street lighting, AI-enabled cameras, possible TERS funding) and asked for a consistent, citywide approach to conditions on alcohol-serving businesses based on incident data and objections from neighboring properties.

Ending: The motion to direct staff to begin the ordinance amendment process for the SUD carried 7\u0000to\u00000. Staff will prepare an amendment for Planning & Zoning review and subsequent council action; the council also asked staff to provide a broader plan for consistent SUD enforcement and public-safety investments downtown.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Midland - Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The Midland City Council voted 7\u0000to\u00000 to direct staff to begin amending the Hotshots specific-use designation to require certified security guards on every night the lounge is open and to extend post-close security coverage, following a violent, unreported assault in a nearby parking lot.","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},6486920,"Council narrows proposed purchasing-policy delegation; keeps $100,000 council review threshold",1143,1255000,2398000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5567084-1a9faec8d5cd7141fe43e5527acb9150&start=1255&end=2398","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5567084-1a9faec8d5cd7141fe43e5527acb9150/thumbnail_1255000.jpg","/articles/6486920/Midland/Midland-County/Texas/Council-narrows-proposed-purchasing-policy-delegation-keeps-100000-council-review-threshold","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6486920-64f6b25a98eb4f2620c0f40919e51956/orig.mp4?Expires=1770607974&Signature=Y33I4EY2Toccs~niR5-QwODhmArSukJNz9VElfDK3~BFVxP2SQPGSkD8N493E6nVrWbckltoOhgUVtXeaMXH~snfxrnKcUUiiel2Giqnwywy~0b7FcOd8MwFBXRSPlqFHN2pC5WHlwdjNhaQWfOk-YBBVAILmlHLqKTWhc6mQUK~MZgVzQnYUF77NzJOE3zb7esBgVBYABxaqBZ21HGir-ApVbdaMl-5pzIkaljbjfqN9RgiYBiTRXFD6eRW09g6i5PUzO~SSSACXUpWixpYiEynIh5k2LYVas~JuqwTpm0YC2BJ9cr3eWz-0M3vRV0k2T4X6fIleuMDBWKoGDemcQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff presented a proposed revision to the city's purchasing policy to streamline procurement timelines and reflect recent state law changes that raised sealed-bid thresholds. The staff package proposed: raising the sealed-bid limit from $50,000 to $100,000 (to match recent legislation), moving the general services approval threshold from $15,000 to $30,000, and increasing the city council approval limit from $100,000 to $200,000. Staff said the changes would cut average requisition-to-award cycle time from roughly 78 days to as little as 23 days for some procurements, driven by Lean Six Sigma process improvements.

Council members said they supported most efficiency changes, but several said a $200,000 delegation away from council was too high. Multiple council members asked staff for the historical contract-size analysis presented in the packet and backed keeping the council review threshold at $100,000 to preserve elected oversight for larger contracts. After an amendment to strike or revise the $200,000 threshold, council voted unanimously to adopt the new purchasing policy as amended.

Why it matters: Staff said council agenda scheduling is the single largest delay for many low-risk procurements. Officials argued that modest delegation plus value-based procurement (awarding for best value, not lowest price) would improve project delivery times for capital work and maintenance projects that affect residents. Council members insisted on preserving fiduciary oversight for higher-dollar contracts.

Key details: Staff reported a 60% reduction in requisition-to-award cycle time after process improvements. The move to allow value-based procurement (rather than strictly lowest-price) was highlighted as a central change to allow the city to consider contractor quality, not price alone. Council ultimately amended the proposal to keep council approval for items above $100,000 and approved the policy revisions with that amendment.

Ending: Council directed staff to implement the revised purchasing policy with the $100,000 council approval threshold and to report back on implementation metrics. The motion to adopt the policy as amended carried unanimously.","City staff proposed increasing administrative procurement thresholds and raising the council approval limit to $200,000 to speed projects. After debate, council amended the ordinance to retain the $100,000 council approval threshold and approved other purchasing-policy changes to speed procurement.",{"_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},6486925,"Council approves Midland Development Corporation budget amid public concerns over downtown hotel and transparency",961,272000,1233000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5567084-1a9faec8d5cd7141fe43e5527acb9150&start=272&end=1233","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5567084-1a9faec8d5cd7141fe43e5527acb9150/thumbnail_272000.jpg","/articles/6486925/Midland/Midland-County/Texas/Council-approves-Midland-Development-Corporation-budget-amid-public-concerns-over-downtown-hotel-and-transparency","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6486925-1a82b2f643a9023d03b0ee7b2517732a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770607974&Signature=I2BKFoMMsAlIIkG7y8xD0oJGB-~Mktq2Fp4J0zxf5ZoKcbBDcJhHztLEiZSROLVOQ7YsftROzQOs0Op6aycREfW7sroljWYZsITZGUnB0u77HXFWILUza3bOIVJXxr8iLMlG9QkVshzze8bkV3kCx11c1VADQ5Q-lqvafoUX8tldGSs2S3Opn8en6GkYBBBKfX~H73kUp-fT13SPdT3gcRRkjHzdQn7lLkroBPLFn4UNfmltMrJ9oNWD2fqyhWFKsrYfYlOkVbPCTZeullSh7MiEUgTUAddjfzQuGGtlPzC~fnNaMJtnT4DYtmNWnh14mTDonvEj15XndoojSehwiQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Midland City Council voted 6–1 to approve the Midland Development Corporation\u0000(MDC) fiscal year 2025\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u000026 budget after a public comment period that raised questions about MDC\u0000operations and the financing and oversight of a downtown hotel project.

The vote came after more than an hour of council discussion, public comments and answers from city staff. Residents and activists asked for clearer accounting of MDC expenses, questioned whether the hotel project should have been presented to voters and said residents were being \u0000\u0000stonewalled\u0000when seeking records. The council majority approved the budget after staff said MDC commitments are structured to be payable over a multi-year timeline and certain budget line items match audited financial statements.

Why it matters: The MDC is a city-authorized type A economic development corporation (Texas Local Government Code, Ch. 504). Its budget and projects can involve large sums and multi-year commitments. Speakers at the meeting warned citizens that the MDC had committed projects that exceed current cash and asked the council to press MDC for better transparency and accounting. Council members said they wanted to preserve oversight while allowing the MDC to continue economic development work.

Key facts: The council considered the MDC budget after the item was deferred from the July 22 meeting. Public commenters highlighted a line item in the MDC budget they said listed $90,000 in \u0000government expenses\u0000that they felt should be classified differently (administrative vs. government expense). City staff responded that the budget presentation was formatted to match the audited financial statements. A public speaker estimated MDC had roughly $67 million in committed projects that would be paid out over a multiyear period.

Council reaction and next steps: Several council members said they want to review MDC line items individually and voted to approve the budget while reserving the right to scrutinize specific requests that come before the council. One council member said she would not support the budget in a block in the future until she saw changes in MDC governance and clearer answers about the hotel and accounting entries. The mayor and staff said they had offered meetings to community members and would forward FOIA requests to the city office when appropriate.

Ending: The motion carried 6 to 1. The council directed continued oversight of MDC items when they return to council for separate approvals, and staff said they would continue to respond to records requests and follow-up questions from council and the public.","The Midland City Council approved the Midland Development Corporation (MDC) fiscal 2025–26 budget 6–1 after public comment that pressed the council and MDC for more transparency about the downtown hotel project and certain accounting items in the MDC budget.",{"_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},6486910,"Votes at a glance: Midland City Council actions (Aug. 12, 2025)",598,2481000,3079000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5567084-1a9faec8d5cd7141fe43e5527acb9150&start=2481&end=3079","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5567084-1a9faec8d5cd7141fe43e5527acb9150/thumbnail_2481000.jpg","/articles/6486910/Midland/Midland-County/Texas/Votes-at-a-glance-Midland-City-Council-actions-Aug-12-2025","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6486910-81dac4979fe81e4b36d9752fbe991200/orig.mp4?Expires=1770607974&Signature=ltWQVNuHKDLlWjKSdI2-aP3oclapDBVkdxdeEmd7PJpNTEvmOUVBZieh5vMPy-b29mcFsqfaz9FbA-YXQKV3QvooBmaWoLLhadPlFyZ8GOLbkDoh6H48YXrtSqRvainqKCDSv4MFxhdFdy3jp2TsUP66V37GNuU9dwFOFDmihimuBOdYCzLQynYsMzWkAnKOdhB2mSLBn5jF6yXQ1LKJB4G0mtp1FeT-vHIpz3noi8TA~aHV7WNQz~7t86k5dGRPY1fzRIqeo~YYyX6BfM9on57QlSSu8r0LjFqOBd7qs31wNbG7VCxXZVhBHfYiC8-72VUJFb0cY5PEo1ffB0XE4A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Midland City Council handled a broad set of routine and substantive items on Aug. 12, 2025. Below are the principal formal actions and outcomes recorded on the public agenda.

Key outcomes (selected):
- MDC budget (Item 4): Approved (motion carried 6\u0000to\u00001). See separate coverage for details and public concerns.
- Purchasing policy (Item 5): Adopted as amended to retain $100,000 council review threshold (unanimous).
- Purchase of 2026 International chassis and Salt Dog municipal dump spreader (Item 6): Approved (unanimous); cost $229,730.95.
- Dunaway Associates professional services for Wildcatter Trail phase 1 (Item 7): Award approved (unanimous); contract not to exceed $640,600; design funded in part by TxDOT Transportation Alternatives grant.
- Construction-manager-at-risk specifications for Beal Park Phase 2 (Item 8): Approved to advertise RFP (unanimous); project estimated at $15,600,000.
- GPS paving system purchase for transportation division (Item 11): Approved (unanimous); cost not to exceed $241,346.56 to GeoShack Incorporated.
- Decorative lighting lease at Midland International Air and Spaceport (Item 13): Discussed and pulled for further review; staff to return with priorities for spending time-limited funds (council did not take action on the item at this meeting).
- Oil and gas permits (Items 18, 35-37): Multiple permits presented in public hearing format; Item 18 (Pioneer Natural Resources well permits) was approved (motion carried 6\u0000to\u00001); other permit hearings were concluded as public hearings only per agenda.
- Donation from Yarbrough Foundation for police vests (Item 19): Accepted and appropriated $10,000 for bulletproof vest project (unanimous).
- Zoning and land-use actions (Items 23\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u000029, 33, 34): Multiple rezonings, special exceptions and second readings were approved (unanimous votes where shown); notable items included SUD approvals for entertainment/alcohol uses and rezones for local retail or commercial uses.

Process notes: Several items were deferred in whole or in part for additional review (notably the airport decorative lighting item). For zoning changes and SUD amendments, council generally directed staff to route changes through Planning & Zoning for public hearings and then return to council for readings and ordinances.

Ending: Where council approved contracts and purchases, staff were authorized to execute agreements and proceed with procurement or design. Where items were pulled, staff are to return with additional information for council consideration.","Summary of key votes and approvals taken by the Midland City Council on Aug. 12, 2025, including purchase authorizations, contracts, zoning actions, gifts and oil-and-gas permits.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council orders review to tighten security conditions at downtown lounge after parking-lot attack

Council narrows proposed purchasing-policy delegation; keeps $100,000 council review threshold

Council approves Midland Development Corporation budget amid public concerns over downtown hotel and transparency

Votes at a glance: Midland City Council actions (Aug. 12, 2025)