Taylor City Council Regular Meeting: Police Contract Rejected, Marijuana Ordinances Advance - April 4, 2023

The Taylor City Council met on April 4, 2023, at 6:30 PM in the Taylor Municipal Building. The agenda included approval of previous minutes, a public hearing for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, approval of several routine items, and first readings of two ordinances related to adult-use marijuana. A key item was the proposed tentative agreement with the Taylor Police Command Officer Association, which failed to pass. Lengthy public comment and council debate occurred on the marijuana zoning and business ordinances, both of which passed their first reading with amendments.

Consent Calendar

• Motion to approve the agenda, which included swapping items 7.9 and 7.10 and removing item 7.11. Approved unanimously.
• Motion to approve the minutes of March 21, 2023, and dispense with oral reading. Approved unanimously.
• Motion to approve education reimbursements to police department members through Cleary University for bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business administration, totaling $36,796 funded by ARPA. Approved unanimously.
• Motion to approve KCI Printing for final postage and processing costs for 2023 Assessment Change Notices, not to exceed $2,706 from the General Fund. Approved unanimously.
• Motion to approve fiscal year 2022/23 budget amendment 2023-006, which included a $40,000 increase in motor vehicle pool expenditure offset by revenue and a $100,000 increase for water main break supplies. Approved unanimously.
• Motion to approve a purchase agreement with Sketchers, USA for Taylor Meadows Golf Course, not to exceed $3,000. Approved unanimously.
• Motion to approve 2023 summer golf rates for Lakes of Taylor and Taylor Meadows Golf Clubs. Approved unanimously.
• Motion to approve Community Publishing and Marketing for the Taylor Today Magazine, a three‑year agreement with two one‑year renewal options, not to exceed $37,100 per year. Approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

CDBG Public Hearing

Chris Klimchak, Community Development Director, presented the proposed CDBG budget for Program Year 2023‑2024, totaling $483,580 in available funds ($433,580 allocation plus $50,000 estimated program income). Proposed allocations include: $33,513 for housing rehabilitation, $39,393 for senior services, $30,000 for the Good Neighbor demolition program, $10,000 each for Fish and Loaves (food pantry), Guidance Center (support services), and Senior Alliance (senior activities), $105,000 for boiler/water heater replacement at Ford Senior Center, $148,958 for West Point Street resurfacing, and $96,716 for administration. A 30‑day public comment period opened April 5 through May 5.

One public speaker expressed support for the proposed uses but asked about park improvements and ADA accessibility. The mayor responded that funds are already available for park projects including ADA-compliant features at Heritage Park.

Marijuana Ordinances

Numerous residents and advocates provided comments both for and against the proposed marijuana ordinances.

Supporters emphasized that 56% of voters approved the ballot proposal and called on the council to honor that vote. Speakers such as Alex Garza (former council member and state representative) argued that the council must implement the voters’ will and praised the current ordinance for respecting the 2,500-foot buffer. Others, including Amanda Ray (Bison Enterprises) and a previous speaker, noted the first reading is only an introduction and that details would be refined before the second reading, and urged the council to proceed.

Opponents raised concerns about proximity to schools, churches, and residential areas, and questioned the need for dispensaries given that marijuana is already accessible in neighboring communities. Some speakers expressed disappointment that the council was considering changes to what was originally on the ballot, and argued that any significant change should be returned to the voters. Others worried about the impact on children and neighborhoods.

Discussion Items

Police Command Officer Association Contract (Item 6.1)

Mayor Woolley presented the tentative agreement. Councilwoman Brandana moved approval, seconded by Councilwoman Winton. After brief discussion, a roll call vote was requested. The motion failed 3‑4: Yes – Winton, Johnson, Geis; No – Brandana, Rose, Ramick, Slavin. Later in the meeting, Lieutenant Nick Hill (union president) and the mayor explained that the contract had been negotiated in good faith, included a DROP program, and was based on comparables. Councilman Ramick’s questions about the DROP program were clarified. A motion to go into closed session to discuss the contract passed 4‑3 (yes: Winton, Johnson, Slavin, Geis; no: Brandana, Rose, Ramick). After a brief closed session, the council reconvened and adjourned without further action on the contract.

First Reading: Marijuana Commercial Businesses Ordinance (Chapter 11) – Item 7.10 (originally 7.9)

Councilman Johnson moved approval, seconded by Councilman Ramack. The council discussed several administrative details, including the application process, clerk’s authority to promulgate rules, and tie-breaker procedures (first-come, first-served via online timestamp). City Clerk noted that 34 references to the clerk’s office required careful implementation. The ordinance will not take effect until October 1, 2023. The motion carried on a voice vote.

First Reading: Adult-Use Marijuana Zoning Ordinance (Article 11) – Item 7.9 (originally 7.10)

Councilman Johnson moved approval, seconded by Councilman Ramack. Councilwoman Brandana raised concerns that an earlier draft contained provisions that effectively undermined the 2,500-foot buffer (e.g., exemptions for four-lane divided highways and 500-foot distances). The council debated and agreed to several amendments: changing “divided highway” to “interstate highway,” removing exemptions for major thoroughfares, changing distance measurement from “door to door” to “front main entrance to front main entrance,” and removing sections that allowed 500-foot buffers. Councilwoman Winton requested additional data on eligible parcels before the second reading. After extensive public comment, the motion passed on a voice vote.

Key Outcomes

• Police command contract rejected (3‑4); council later voted 4‑3 to enter closed session to discuss the matter, but no further action was taken.
• CDBG public hearing closed; 30-day public comment period opened.
• First reading of the marijuana zoning ordinance approved with amendments to maintain a consistent 2,500-foot buffer and remove exemptions for divided highways.
• First reading of the marijuana commercial businesses ordinance approved; implementation starts October 1, 2023; clerk to develop rules.
• Routine items (education reimbursement, budget amendment, golf contracts, etc.) all approved unanimously.
• City Clerk announced events: Shred Day (April 15), cemetery cleanups (April 22 and 29), and open house at the Historical Museum (April 15).
• A noise complaint from a golf course resident was noted; the mayor agreed to investigate.