Mansfield City Council Regular Meeting - April 27, 2026

The Mansfield City Council convened on April 27, 2026, for a regular meeting beginning with a work session at 3:30 PM, followed by executive sessions and a regular business session at 6:10 PM. The council addressed consent agenda items, a civility pledge, a new restaurant site plan, board appointments, and approved an economic development project from executive session. Public comments included a tense exchange regarding civility and a racial slur directed at the Mayor.

Consent Calendar

• Approved 7-0 the routine consent agenda items, including multiple police department grants: $150,000 for a Mental Health Officer Program, $113,000 for a Simunition modular training area, a $536,251 continuation grant for the First Responder Drone Program (with an $89,376 city match), and a $1,085,765 grant to continue a multi-agency Auto Theft Task Force (with a 20% shared match).
• Approved a $241,976.53 construction contract with Oncor to bury overhead utility lines at Julian Field Park (TIRZ #1).
• Approved an interlocal agreement with the City of Arlington to provide water and wastewater services to select properties on Mansfield's outer limits.
• Approved professional services contracts totaling up to $970,900 for the design and surveying of a 12- and 16-inch water line from US 287 to Main Street.
• Approved the minutes of the April 13, 2026 regular meeting.

Item Removed from Consent

• Economic Incentive for Hanna Surveying & Engineering (26-2172): Council approved a $145,000 economic incentive and performance agreement for on-site drainage infrastructure for a new 10,000 square foot building. The vote was 6-1, with Council Member Bounds dissenting, stating she did not recall the council funding retaining walls for other businesses.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Pam Hampton (candidate for Ellis County Justice of the Peace Precinct 4) spoke about a backlog of over two years for small claims court cases, proposing solutions such as night court.
• Tom Corbin requested the council add a reference to the Home Rule Charter in the Civility Resolution and congratulated retiring employee Jeff Price.
• Houston Mitchell accused the council of violating the city charter and questioned subsidies for Geyer Commons.
• Raymond Barlowe made personal attacks against Mayor Michael Evans, including a racial slur ("Uncle Tom"), which the Mayor stated was a "red line" and would not be tolerated.

Discussion Items & New Business

• Civility Resolution (26-2160): Council adopted a civility pledge from the National League of Cities. Following a citizen's request, the resolution was amended to incorporate a reference to the city's Home Rule Charter. The resolution passed unanimously 7-0.
• Hideaway Pizza Site Plan (26-2157): Council approved a detailed site plan for an approximately 7,700 square foot restaurant at The Shops at Broad. Passed 7-0.
• Harvesting Health Initiative (26-2161): Council approved a letter of support for a maternal nutrition research collaboration. The vote was 5-0 with two recusals from members serving on the hospital board.
• Board Appointments: Appointments were made to the Capital Improvements Advisory Committee and the Mansfield Economic Development Corporation. Both approved 7-0.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda: Passed unanimously 7-0.
• Dissenting Vote: The Hanna Surveying incentive passed 6-1 (Council Member Bounds opposed).
• Executive Session Action: Council authorized the City Manager to negotiate Economic Development Project #21-10.
• Staff Announcements: Parks and Recreation named a Gold Medal finalist. City Manager Smolinski defended the council's character following public comments.