City of Murphy Regular City Council Meeting - May 5, 2026
City of Murphy Regular City Council Meeting - May 5, 2026
The City of Murphy held its regular city council meeting on May 5, 2026, at 6:00 PM. Mayor Scott Bradley presided, with all council members present. The meeting included public comments, proclamations, city manager reports, consent agenda items, and discussion on several resolutions and ordinances. All votes were unanimous.
Consent Calendar
- Items A, B, E, and F were approved unanimously. Items C and D were removed for separate discussion.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Michael Padilla (323 Apache Trail) congratulated Mayor Scott Bradley on re-election and new council members Kevin Kelly and Debbie Ison, and thanked outgoing members Andrew Chase and Laura Deal. He spoke about the U.S. Constitution as the perfect balance between tyranny and anarchy, stated his opposition to communism, socialism, and Islam, and claimed that 60% of the electorate provided a mandate for those who govern.
- Debbie and James Brumit (423 Rocky Glenn Circle) expressed opposition to the planning and zoning commission's 5-2 approval allowing a neighbor to place a metal building 5 feet from their fence, instead of the required 10 feet. They cited concerns about property value, noise from late-night car work, and lack of time to obtain a survey.
- Mary Pat Elage (150 Shelby Trace) provided an update on the Murphy Veterans Tribute, nearly complete, and invited the council and public to the ribbon cutting and dedication ceremony on May 27, 2026, at 11:30 AM.
Presentations & Proclamations
- Proclamation – National Police Week (May 10–16, 2026): Read by Councilmember Scott Smith. Police Chief thanked the council and introduced the police cadet program.
- Proclamation – National Public Works Week (May 15–21, 2026): Read by Mayor Scott Bradley. Public Works Director accepted the proclamation and thanked the council.
City Manager Reports
- Moonlight Movies returns on May 15, 2026, with an adults-only showing.
- Sounds at Sundown will be held every Friday in June from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM at Murphy Central Park.
- Murphy Youth Citizens Academy applications are open; the program runs from June 11 to August 6, 2026, on Thursday evenings from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM, limited to 20 spots.
Discussion Items
- Item 8C – Resolution for FY2027 Catalytic Converter Grant Program (SB 224): Police Chief explained the resolution allows the city to apply for a grant to fund existing flock cameras. Annual city cost is $3,000 from the special investigative fund. Security measures include limiting camera access to Texas only, a 30-day audit, and requiring a case number for officer access. The program is proactive; thefts are low. Councilmember asked about performance metrics; the chief committed to quarterly updates and an annual report. Motion passed unanimously.
- Item 8D – Ordinance amending FY26 General and ARPA funds: Transfer of $37,000 from ARP fund interest to capital outlay for modifying the former Chamber of Commerce space into a public-facing area (safety glass, new counter, furniture). This is a one-time cost; design will not return to council. Cost overruns would require additional budget amendments. Motion passed unanimously.
- Item 9A – Public Hearing for Replat of Lot 3A Block 1, McQuery Marketplace (HEB property): Jerry presented a replat removing existing easements. A pedestrian access easement along the western border is required per site plan conditions, with a development agreement forthcoming. No public comment. Motion passed unanimously.
- Item 9B – Resolution for FY2026 Sidewalk Replacement Project: Approval of low bid from Niam LLC ($279,446.03) and a change order up to 25% ($69,861.51) for a total of $349,307.08, adding about 41 additional locations (total ~2,275 square yards). Priority will be given to the worst trip hazards, starting in South Murphy. The backlog is approximately 460 items, many cosmetic. Funding comes from the street maintenance fund (sales tax reauthorized by voters on May 2, 2026). A new construction inspector will ensure quality. Motion passed unanimously.
Executive Session
- The council recessed into executive session at 6:44 PM under Texas Government Code Chapter 551 for consultation with attorney on pending litigation (code enforcement) and economic development negotiations. Reconvened at 7:09 PM. No action taken on the litigation item. The council approved a financial incentive for business prospect (ARWA coffee) of up to $50,000 based on application. Motion passed unanimously.
Key Outcomes
- Votes: All votes during the meeting were unanimous.
- Consent agenda items A, B, E, F approved.
- Item 8C (catalytic converter grant resolution) approved.
- Item 8D (budget amendment) approved.
- Item 9A (replat) approved.
- Item 9B (sidewalk replacement contract) approved.
- Financial incentive for ARWA coffee (up to $50,000) approved.
- Next Steps: The city manager will bring forward additional proposals for use of ARP funds and a development agreement for the HEB property.
Meeting adjourned at 7:10 PM.
Meeting Transcript
All right, welcome as I call the order the May 5th, right? City of Murphy, regular city council. The time is 6 p.m. Uh rise with me as I offer the indication leave a pledge of allegiance. Our heavenly father, bless us as we consider the agenda in front of us tonight. Give us the wisdom to act with compassion and vision for what is best for the community. Bless and watch over our public safety officers and the community they serve. In your name we pray. Amen. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. To the Republic for which it stands one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Mayor Scott Bradley. Here. Mayor Pro Tim Elizabeth Abraham here. Deputy Mayor Pro Tim Janay Butler. Here. Councilmember place to Scott Smith. Councilmember place three, Andrew Chase. Councilmember place for Ken Oldman. Here. Councilmember place five more deal. Here. Mayor certified the presence of a quantum. Thank you. All right, we're gonna move on to public comments. It's time we set aside on the agenda to allow residents to address council on an item not on the agenda this evening. I do have two public comment forms. Uh the first will be Michael Padilla. Good evening, Council members. Michael Padilla, 323 Apache Trail. I'd like to start off by saying congratulations to Mr. Scott Bradley on his re-election to mayor. Congratulations to Mr. Kevin Kelly and Mrs. Debbie Ison on being elected to City Council. And I also wish to extend my thanks to Mr. Andrew Chase and Mrs. Laura Deal for their many years of public service to the citizens of Murphy. Last but not least, I certainly wish to say thank you to every American citizen in Murphy who voted during early voting by mail and on election day. Your vote is an exercise in political power and governance. Thank you. I like to talk about the perfect balance. Imagine a straight line sitting on top of a fulcrum. On the right on the left-hand side is tyranny, and on the right hand side is anarchy. And right in the middle is the U.S. Constitution. Our founding fathers, when writing the document were inspired by Judeo-Christian values, the tenets of capitalism, and the existing governments at the time. They created a political foundation that is the perfect balance between individual rights and government. That's government with a small G. Remember that.
openpublica.com