Weatherford City Council Regular Meeting Summary

The Weatherford City Council held its regular session meeting on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at 6:01 PM in City Council Chambers. Mayor Pro Tem Zack Smith presided in the absence of Mayor Paul Paschall, with all other council members present. The meeting opened with an invocation, pledges, and community interest reports (including recognition of Police Chief Jason Hayes’ 25 years of service, Battalion Chief Wilson’s fire chief academy graduation, and animal shelter achievements with 2,195 adoptions over the past year). The council then proceeded to agenda items, including consent agenda approvals, a major pavement resurfacing contract, an update on short-term rental regulations, and an executive session regarding a property purchase.

Consent Calendar

• Items 6D through 6I were approved together by a single motion (motion by Councilmember Ticzkus, second by Councilmember Wilder). These included: final plat for Heritage Hills (89 lots); authorization for up to $60,000 in additional legal services from TOASE; acceptance of the FY25 Q4 Investment Report; purchase of a 2025 John Deere 320P backhoe loader ($151,392); purchase of a 2026 Kenworth T880 dump truck ($219,655); and renewal of janitorial services contract ($276,084).
• Items 6A, 6B, 6C, and 6J were pulled for separate discussion and voted on individually.

Discussion Items

• University Hills Subdivision Plats (6A‑6C): Development Services Director Scott McDonald presented a request for preliminary plat approval for University Hills Phases 3 and 4 (97 residential lots on 39.61 acres) and final plat approvals for Phase 3 (55 lots on 25.00 acres) and Phase 4 (42 lots on 14.61 acres), all located along Ric Williamson Memorial Highway. The property will receive city water and sewer service but electric service from Tri‑County Electric (outside Weatherford’s certified area). The Planning & Zoning Commission had recommended approval (6‑0). After brief discussion and confirmation that all lot sizes and drainage requirements were met, the council voted to approve each plat individually.
• 221 North Main Plaster Removal Project (6J): Public Works Director Matt Leppla presented a request for $155,000 in construction services through the TIPS program (total aggregate fiscal year expenditure $780,910) to remove remaining plaster and repoint mortar on the 1880s‑era building, which had been left exposed after asbestos abatement. Assistant City Manager/CFO Dawn Brooks reported total investment in the building, including this contract, would be $875,000, with an estimated resale value of $400,000–$600,000 (though assessed value was approximately $1.4 million). Councilmember Wilder noted the property was originally purchased for potential road improvements but is now managed as an investment to enhance downtown. The contract was approved.
• Pavement Resurfacing Services (7A): Director Leppla recommended authorizing procurement from Reynolds Asphalt and Construction Company through an existing interlocal agreement with Grand Prairie, not to exceed $1,900,000 (the third year of the thoroughfare maintenance initiative). Proposed projects include resurfacing of East Bankhead Drive (deferring a segment due to an upcoming utility project), Foster Drive, Hilltop Drive, Adams Drive, and several residential streets in the Bedinger subdivision plus Grant Drive. A portion of Bankhead will be deferred until after a water/wastewater project in fiscal year 2026. The contract also includes a residential component to supplement in‑house crews. The motion passed unanimously.
• Short‑Term Rental Update (8A): Development Services Director McDonald provided a timeline update since the ordinance adoption in January 2025, including software launch, notification letters, and direct contact with property owners. As of October 2025, there are 31 short‑term rentals in Weatherford with a 47% occupancy rate; two applications have been approved, one denied (in a commercial district), and two are in process. Staff has contacted 99% of owners in person; over 80% were not previously aware of the registration requirement. A compliance deadline of December 1, 2025, was set, after which citations may be issued. The council requested a follow‑up report in three months.

Key Outcomes

• Votes on Consent Items:
  • Items 6A (preliminary plat): Approved (motion by Ticzkus, second by Wilder).
  • Item 6B (final plat Phase 3): Approved (motion by Ticzkus, second by Wilder).
  • Item 6C (final plat Phase 4): Approved (motion by Ticzkus, second by Williams).
  • Item 6J (plaster removal contract): Approved (motion by Wilder, second by Ticzkus).
• Regular Agenda Item 7A (pavement resurfacing): Approved (motion by Wilder, second by Ticzkus).
• Executive Session Action (Item 11): After a 15‑minute executive session under Texas Government Code §551.072 to deliberate on the purchase of real property at 613 N. Alamo Street, the council approved a motion (by Wilder, second by Williams) to authorize the city manager to sign a contract of sale for the property and all closing documents, including a temporary residential lease‑back to the seller for up to 90 days.
• Future Meeting: The next regular council meeting will be on November 18, 2025 (skipping the usual November 11 date due to Veterans Day).
• Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 6:45 PM.