Weatherford Economic Development Board Regular Session – August 7, 2026
Weatherford Economic Development Board Regular Session
The Weatherford Economic Development Board met in regular session on August 7, 2026, at 8:15 AM CDT (13:15 UTC) in City Council Chambers. All members were present except Council Member Matt Ticzkus. The board approved a Chapter 380 agreement for a new child care center, revised the Downtown Restaurant Incentive Policy, and elected new officers.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Minutes (May 15, 2026): The board unanimously approved the minutes from the previous meeting. Motion by Luke Williams, second by John Hinton. Vote: all in favor.
Discussion Items
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Appointment of Chair and Vice Chair: Outgoing Chair Ken Davis nominated Luke Williams as incoming Chair. The board seconded and unanimously elected Luke Williams as Chair. John Hinton then nominated Ken Davis as Vice Chair; seconded by Chandler Lacefield. The motion carried unanimously. Ken Davis will remain on the board.
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Chapter 380 Economic Development Agreement – Weatherford PCC LLC: Ashley Seiler, Director of Economic Development, presented a proposed agreement for a new Learning Experience early childhood education center. The project includes a minimum $5 million private investment, a ~10,000 sq ft facility, capacity for 180 children (ages 6 weeks to 6 years), and creation of at least 17 new jobs. The center will operate 6:30 AM to 6:30 PM Monday–Friday. Staff noted that Parker County is a child care desert (three children per licensed opening) and Texas lost nearly 75,000 licensed child care seats in the past year. The developer has built over 100 similar centers nationwide. City participation: ~$148,000 in water/wastewater infrastructure improvements plus fee reimbursements totaling ~$228,000, including $48,121 in impact fees. The property is currently outside city limits; the agreement is contingent on annexation, zoning, and plating approvals. Discussion focused on impact fees: board member Ken Davis moved to approve the agreement but exclude the impact fees (i.e., not waive them), arguing the project would increase roadway traffic. John Hinton seconded, noting the need for child care seats but concerns about infrastructure impact. The motion carried unanimously.
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Revisions to Downtown Restaurant Incentive Policy: Ms. Seiler reviewed program success since 2024: two destination restaurant projects approved with $563,874 committed, including retaining an existing restaurant. Council directed transferring remaining facade improvement grant funds ($200,000) to the restaurant incentive program, increasing total funding from $200,000 to $400,000. The revised policy ties city investment to private investment (minimum $50,000 private investment, but discussion clarified that effective minimum should be $400,000 to qualify for any incentive; a chart in the policy showed incentive tiers starting at $400,000 private investment). Clawback provisions: a UCC filing ensures kitchen equipment funded by the city remains in the building if the restaurant leaves; other eligible items (e.g., HVAC) stay affixed. Board members questioned the $50,000 minimum and suggested changing it to $400,000 to avoid confusion. Staff agreed to adjust the language. Discussion also covered tracking ROI (staff will provide annual reports on payback). Board members expressed concern about oversaturating the downtown restaurant market; staff confirmed they evaluate market absorption. A motion to approve the revised policy (with the chart correction) was made by Luke Williams, seconded by Chandler Lacefield. Passed unanimously.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Citizen Comments on Non-Agenda Items: No members of the public spoke. Board member John Hinton requested a future recap of the facade grant program (status of payments, outstanding amounts). Staff noted the request.
Key Outcomes
- Elected Officers: Luke Williams as Chair, Ken Davis as Vice Chair (effective immediately).
- Approved Chapter 380 Agreement (Weatherford PCC LLC): The board approved the agreement with the amendment excluding impact fees from the city’s incentive package. Final approval requires City Council action, contingent on annexation, zoning, and plating.
- Approved Revised Downtown Restaurant Incentive Policy: The board approved the policy as presented, with staff to correct the minimum private investment threshold from $50,000 to $400,000 in the incentive chart. The policy will be forwarded to City Council for final adoption.
- Adjournment: The meeting adjourned without further business.
Meeting Transcript
Development board meeting of August the 7th. Call the meeting to order. Let the record reflect that all members are present. Second item on the agenda is approval of the amendments. Consider the approval of minutes of the Weatherford Economic Development Board meeting held May 15th, 2026. What's your pleasure regarding that? Motion by Luke Williams, second by John Hinton. Any discussion? If not, please vote now. Motion carries. Discuss and consider the appointment of a chair and vice chair. It's been my great privilege to serve as chair of this group for many years. I believe it's time to turn over the helm to a younger contingent. That's almost everybody here. In fact, it is everybody here. I'm willing to continue to serve at the council's prerogative on the board, but it's time for me to turn over the chairmanship. If the board will allow me the courtesy, I'd like to nominate Luke Williams to be the incoming chair. I like your report, your your choice, and I support it. I'll take that as a second. So we'll motion to second. Is there discussion further nominations? Mr. Davis, I would say that I'm honored and really appreciate your confidence and suggestion. You did mention that you are still have the intention of remaining on the economic development board. Okay. We we currently you mentioned a vice chair as well. Um in the event and assuming that this were to go forward accordingly. Would you have interest in remaining as vice chair in in the event of an absence for myself or at the board's pleasure? I'd be happy to do that. Yes, sir. Okay. So we have a motion and a second further discussion. If not, please vote now. Stand by vote now, please. Motion carries. And with that, I'll turn over the chair. Mr. Davis, I think you're a little taller than I am. All right, with that, we will move on to item 3b. Consider approval of a chapter 380 economic development agreement between the city of Weatherford and Weatherford PCC L C. Yes, sir. I think the motion is just chairs by selecting the outer requirement by so we will back that up. Um go to 3A. Uh previous item was voted on, simply covering the appointment of a chair. With that, we will move into discussion or questions of a vice chair. We'll open that up for questions or discussion. I would make a motion for Ken Davis to be vice chair. Thank you. All right, do we have second? Second by Chandler Lacefield.
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