Athens City Council
Regular MeetingAthens, TX · September 25, 2025
Minutes
WORK SESSION
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2025
The City Council of the City of Athens, Texas, met in a Work Session on Thursday, September
25, 2025, at 5:30 p.m., in the Civic Hall, Room 216 of the Cain Center, 915 S. Palestine Street,
Athens, Texas with the following members to wit:
Aaron Smith, Mayor
SyTanna Freeman, Mayor Pro-Tem
Bryan Barker
Katha Lawyer
Bill Priestley
Elizabeth Borstad, City Manager
Bonnie Hambrick, City Secretary
Staff Present: Mandie Quigg, Assistant City Manager; Randy Williams, Utilities Director; Alan
Anderson, Director of Development; Donna Meredith, Community Development Manager.
Others present: Jordan Sawyer, Monish Challagondla, Edgar Bobadilla.
Constituting a quorum at which time the following proceedings were enacted, to – wit:
1) CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Smith called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
2) DECLARATION OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST
No Conflict of Interest was declared.
3) PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS
There were none.
4) DISCUSS THE PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT PROCESS
INCLUDING THE ADVANTAGES AND USES OF PUBLIC
IMPROVEMENT DISTRICTS WITHIN THE CITY AND ITS
EXTRATERRITORIAL JURISDICTION.
Elizabeth Borstad, City Manager, stated that P3 Works has presented information on Public
Improvement Districts (PIDs) in the past and Council has not acted on it, however, there is the
potential for a PID and Jordan Sawyer will present how the PIDs work.
Jordan T. Sawyer, of P3 Works presented a comprehensive discussion concerning Public
Improvement Districts. He explained that PIDs are created under Chapter 372 of the Local
Government Code.
Mr. Sawyer described the creation process of PIDs presenting the following:
Considerations of PIDS
Why utilize a PID
How Does a PID Work
PID Creation and Levy Overview
Types of PIDS
Operations & Maintenance (O&M) PID
City Obligations for PIDS
Financial Implications for the City
Weighing PID Benefits and Challenges
City Council Work Session
September 25, 2025
Page 2
Throughout the presentation, discussion occurred, and questions were answered.
Discussion occurred regarding development of Cardinal Estates on Mill Run, comprising of 33
lots.
Mr. Bobadilla did express concerns regarding detention areas and retaining walls. Mr. Sawyer did
discuss that detention ponds could be funded through PIDs, however, cities typically avoid
ownership of retaining walls due to liability concerns.
The City Council asked about various aspects, including the timeline (with the developer
indicating readiness to sell lots within six (6 months), the necessity of advertising PIDs to buyers,
and comparisons to HOAs.
Mr. Sawyer identified the next steps are a professional services agreement, escrow check from
developer and begin work on a development agreement.
5) DISCUSS THE CITY OF ATHENS HOUSING STUDY.
Ms. Borstad presented findings from the housing study conducted by HDL, she stated that the final
revised version was not yet complete.
The study revealed a median household income of $54,000 from the community survey, however
our own survey showed $46,000. She stated, "I feel like our survey information is much more
accurate." Even with the higher figure, Athens still qualified for Texas Water Development Board
funding as a disadvantaged community.
Throughout the presentation, discussion occurred, and questions were answered.
Ms. Borstad stated that the City Council would need a work session to discuss the three proposals
received for the Fisher property, with the developers presenting to Council.
6) ADJOURN.
The meeting adjourned at 7:09 p.m.
PASSED AND APPROVED THIS THE 13th DAY OF OCTOBER 2025.
______________________________
Aaron Smith, Mayor
ATTEST:
____________________________________
Bonnie Hambrick, City Secretary
Agenda
NOTICE TO PUBLIC
Notice is hereby given that the City Council of the City of Athens, Texas, will meet in a Work
Session on Thursday September 25, 2025, at 5:30 p.m., at the Athens Partnership Center, Derek
D. Daniels Conference Room located at 201 W. Corsicana Street Athens, Texas to consider the
following:
1) Call to Order
2) Declaration of Conflict of Interest
3) Public Communications
“Pursuant to Texas Government Code section 551.007, members of the public may
speak on an agenda item during the public communication section of the meeting,
or at the time the agenda item is called for discussion by the Mayor. Speakers shall
be given three (3) minutes to speak. A speaker needing a translator and/or
interpreter may be given six (6) minutes to speak. Members of the public wishing
to address the Council on non-agenda items may do so pursuant to the same time
constraints as agenda items. The Council will not comment on items not on the
agenda; however, the Council may refer the item to City Staff for research,
resolution or referral of the matter to the Council as a future agenda item.”
4) Discuss the Public Improvement District process including the advantages and uses
of Public Improvement Districts within the City and its Extraterritorial Jurisdiction.
– [E. Borstad, City Manager and Jordan T. Sawyer, P3 Works]
5) Discuss the City of Athens Housing Study. – [ E. Borstad]
6) Adjourn.
Executive Session (Closed Meeting): Pursuant to the Open Meetings Act, Chapter 551, Texas
Government Code, Sections 551.071, 551.072, 551.073, 551.074, 551.076, 551.087, 418.183(f),
and 418.106(d) & (e). Refer to posted list attached hereto and incorporated herein.
If, during the course of the meeting covered by this notice, the City Council should determine that
a closed or executive meeting or session of the City Council or a consultation with the attorney for
the City should be held or is required, then such closed or executive meeting or session or
consultation with attorney as authorized by the Texas Open Meetings Act, Texas Government
Code § 551.001 et. seq., will be held by the City Council at the date, hour and place given in this
notice as the City Council may conveniently meet in such closed or executive meeting or session
or consult with the attorney for the City concerning any and all subjects and for any and all
purposes permitted by the Act, including, but not limited to, the following sanctions and purposes:
Texas Government Code Section:
§ 551.071 - Private consultation with the attorney for the City.
§ 551.072 - Discussing purchase, exchange, lease or value of real property.
§ 551.074 - Discussing personnel or to hear complaints or charges against personnel or
officials.
“PURSUANT TO SECTION 30.06, PENAL CODE (TRESPASS BY LICENSE HOLDER
WITH A CONCEALED HANDGUN), A PERSON LICENSED UNDER SUBCHAPTER H,
CHAPTER 411, GOVERNMENT CODE (HANDGUN LICENSING LAW), MAY NOT
ENTER THIS PROPERTY WITH A CONCEALED HANDGUN.”
“DE CONFORMIDAD CON LA SECCIÓN 30.06, CÓDIGO PENAL (ESTAR EN ESTA
PROPIEDAD POR TITULAR DE LA LICENCIA CON UNA PISTOLA OCULTA), UNA
PERSONA CON LICENCIA BAJO EL SUBCAPÍTULO H, CAPÍTULO 411, CÓDIGO DE
GOBIERNO (LEY DE LICENCIAS ARMA DE FUEGO), NO PUEDE ENTRAR EN ESTA
PROPIEDAD CON UNA PISTOLA OCULTA.”
"PURSUANT TO SECTION 30.07, PENAL CODE (TRESPASS BY LICENSE HOLDER
WITH AN OPENLY CARRIED HANDGUN), A PERSON LICENSED UNDER
SUBCHAPTER H, CHAPTER 411, GOVERNMENT CODE (HANDGUN LICENSING
LAW), MAY NOT ENTER THIS PROPERTY WITH A HANDGUN THAT IS CARRIED
OPENLY"
“DE CONFORMIDAD CON LA SECCIÓN 30.07, CÓDIGO PENAL (ESTAR EN ESTA
PROPIEDAD POR TITULAR DE LA LICENCIA CON UNA PISTOLA EN PLENO VISTA),
UNA PERSONA CON LICENCIA BAJO EL SUBCAPÍTULO H, CAPÍTULO 411, CÓDIGO
DE GOBIERNO (LEY DE LICENCIAS ARMA DE FUEGO), NO PUEDE ENTRAR EN
ESTA PROPIEDAD CON UNA PISTOLA EN PLENO VISTA”
This facility is wheelchair accessible and accessible parking spaces are available. Requests for
additional accommodations or interpretive services must be made 48 hours prior to any meeting.
Please contact the City Secretary’s Office at (903) 675-5131 or by FAX (903) 675-7562 for
further information.
_________________________________
Bonnie Hambrick
________
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