Athens City Council

REGULAR SESSION MONDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2025 The City Council of the City of Athens, Texas, met in a Regular Session on Monday, December 22, 2025, 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; Capt. James Graham; David Jones, Interim Fire Chief; Randy Williams, Utilities Director; Shannon Easley, Public Works Director; Alan Anderson, Director of Development; Michael Hannigan, Social Media Manager; Donna Meredith, Community Development Manager; Shawn Ruff, HR Director; Ronda Cockerham, City Planner. Others present: Pastor Mark Allen, Ed McCain, Debra Wilson, Kelly Townsend, and Pastor Bill Burton. 1) CALL TO ORDER Mayor Smith called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. 2) INVOCATION – PASTOR MARK ALLEN, LIFE FELLOWSHIP CHURCH The Invocation was led by Pastor Mark Allen, Life Fellowship Church 3) PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. 4) DECLARATION OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST There were none. 5) PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS There were none. City Council Regular Session December 22, 2025 Page 2 6) MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL AND/OR CITY MANAGER UPDATES INVOLVING COMMUNITY EVENTS AND ISSUES OF PUBLIC SAFETY. • ANNOUNCEMENT OF COMMUNITY EVENTS Bonnie Hambrick, City Secretary, read the following Community Events: • Cowboy Headquarters will host a blood drive from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 27, with Carter BloodCare. • CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic Athens will host a blood drive from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 30, with Carter BloodCare. • Stage Notes Academy of Performing Arts will hold auditions for Little Women Saturday, Jan. 3. • The Cain Center YMCA will conduct swim team tryouts Monday, Jan. 5. • Athens Animal Services will team up with Slice Pizza Co. for a Give Back Day Monday, Jan. 6, with a portion of sales donated to support local animal services Mayor Smith announced that City Manager Elizabeth Borstad recently had a birthday. Citizens and staff sang Happy Birthday to Ms. Borstad. 7) CONSENT AGENDA a) CONSIDER APPROVING THE MINUTES OF DECEMBER 8, 2025, REGULAR SESSION. b) CONSIDER THE REAPPOINTMENTS OF KENO BROWN, STEVE GRANT, AND JOHN CAIN TO THE AIRPORT ADVISORY BOARD. c) CONSIDER THE REAPPOINTMENTS OF FREDDIE PAUL AND JIM KERLIN TO THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION. d) CONSIDER THE REAPPOINTMENT OF MAMIE STAFFORD TO THE ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENTS. A motion was made by Councilmember Barker, seconded by Councilmember Priestley, to approve the Consent Agenda. The motion carried unanimously. 8) FIRE SERVICES UPDATE. David Jones, Interim Fire Chief, provided the Fire Services activities that included the following: • Staffing • Calls for Service • Equipment • Training City Council Regular Session December 22, 2025 Page 3 • Community Risk Reduction • Public Engagement 9) UTILITY UPDATE. Randy. Williams, Utilities Director, provided an update on the following: • Distribution and Collection: previous and ongoing efforts • Wastewater Treatment: previous and ongoing efforts • Water Treatment: previous and ongoing efforts • Administration: previous and ongoing efforts 10) DISCUSS O.D. BAGGETT MASTER PLAN AND FUTURE DESIGN PHASES. Elizabeth Borstad, City Manager, explained that Ron Hobbs Architects has been working on an updated Master Plan for O.D. Baggett Park. She explained that the item is to get direction from Council regarding Phase 1. She stated there are three (3) phases • Phase 1 – Rotate softball field • Phase 2 – Restroom & concessions. • Phase 3 – Update other amenities. Discussion occurred with Shannon Easley, Public Works Director, stating that some of the work can be performed by the Public Works Department. After discussion, an item for the design contract and Phase 1 will appear on a future agenda. 11) DISCUSS, CONSIDER, AND TAKE ACTION, AS NECESSARY, CONCERNING THE APPOINTMENT OF ANGELA WAGONER TO THE ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENTS. Ms. Borstad explained that there is a vacancy on the Zoning Board of Adjustments, and Angela Wagoner has served as an alternate since 2023. A motion was made by Councilmember Priestley, seconded by Councilmember Barker, to appoint Angela Wagoner to the Zoning Board of Adjustments. The motion carried unanimously. City Council Regular Session December 22, 2025 Page 4 12) RESOLUTIONS: a) DISCUSS, CONSIDER, AND TAKE ACTION, AS NECESSARY, CONCERNING THE APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE SCOPE OF SERVICES AND FEE SUBMITTED BY GARVER FOR THE AIRPORT LAYOUT PLAN WITH NARRATIVE UPDATE AND AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT FOR SAID WORK. Ms. Borstad stated that staff received the proposal from Garver Engineering. She explained that the total cost to update the Airport Layout Plan is proposed to be $317,304.00. and the project is funded through the Infrastructure Investment and Job Act which is 95/5 federal to local match grant program. The city’s match is $15,865.20 from FUND 15 – Economic Development Fund A motion was made by Councilmember Priestley, seconded by Councilwoman Lawyer, to approve a Resolution approving the Scope of Services and Fee submitted by Garver for the Airport Layout Plan with Narrative Update and authorize the City Manager to enter into an agreement for said work. The motion carried unanimously. b) DISCUSS, CONSIDER, AND TAKE ACTION, AS NECESSARY, CONCERNING THE ACCEPTANCE OF THE HOUSING STUDY PERFORMED BY HDL COMPANIES AND AUTHORIZE CITY STAFF TO PUBLISH RESULTS. Ms. Borstad explained that the study has been updated and there is a one (1) page document that summarizes the study. She presented facts from the housing study and stated that it has not been released to the public or posted on the website, as she wanted the City Council to review it and ask if there were any questions. A motion was made by Councilmember Barker, seconded by Councilwoman Lawyer, to approve the acceptance of the Housing Study conducted by HdL Companies and authorize City staff to publish results. The motion carried unanimously. c) DISCUSS, CONSIDER, AND TAKE ACTION AS NECESSARY, CONCERNING THE APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU) WITH THE ATHENS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION FOR THE PURCHASE OF PLACER.AI, A DATA COLLECTION ANALYTICS SOFTWARE, AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE MOU. City Council Regular Session December 22, 2025 Page 5 Mandie Quigg, Assistant City Manager, explained that the item is for the approval of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City of Athens and the Athens Economic Development Corporation. During a meeting on 12/16/2025 the AEDC Board approved participation in the purchase of Placer.ai. • Agreed to reimburse 50% of the cost for 2 years. • Year 1 = $12,000 Total Cost ($6,000 AEDC) • Year 2 = $12,960 Total Cost ($6,480 AEDC) The City would enter into an agreement with Placer.ai & request reimbursement from AEDC through the MOU. She stated Placer.ai is a location-intelligence platform that uses mobile-device data to show true foot-traffic patterns, trade areas, and visitor demographics, assess economic trends and growth, and tourism activity. A motion by Councilwoman Lawyer, seconded by Councilmember Priestley to approve a Resolution authorizing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Athens Economic Development Corporation for the purchase of Placer.ai, a data collection analytics software, and authorizing the City Manager to execute the MOU. The motion carried unanimously. Mayor Smith stated the item was not budgeted with Ms. Quigg explaining it was not a budgeted item, staff would utilize Contract Services line item from Tourism. d) DISCUSS, CONSIDER, AND TAKE ACTION AS NECESSARY, CONCERNING THE APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU) WITH THE YMCA FOR THE PURCHASE AND INSTALLATION OF WINDOW SCREENS AT THE CAIN CENTER AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE MOU. Ms. Quigg explained the item is a request from staff to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the YMCA . She stated that the YMCA approached the city with a project install window screens at the Cain Center in areas where a glare from the sun impacts operations on the east side of the building. The goal of this project is to improve safety, especially in the pool area by reducing the glare on the water and improving visibility for lifeguards. The City posted a request for quotes and solicited HUB vendors in November and received one (1) quote totaling $20,000. The YMCA has received a donation of $15,000 towards the cost of this project and is asking the city to contribute the remaining $5,000. City Council Regular Session December 22, 2025 Page 6 A motion was made by Councilmember Barker, seconded by Priestley, to approve a Resolution authorizing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the YMCA for the purchase and installation of window screens at the Cain Center and authorizing the City Manager to execute the MOU. The motion carried unanimously. e) DISCUSS, CONSIDER, AND TAKE ACTION, AS NECESSARY, CONCERNING THE APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH PLUMMER ASSOCIATES, INC. FOR THE ATHENS WWTP IMPROVEMENTS - PHASE 1 PROJECT. Randy Williams, Utilities Director, explained staff issued a RFQ in accordance with Texas Water Development Board requirements, including EPA’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) solicitation procedures, with seven (7) firms submitting statements of qualification and based on the scoring criteria established in the RFQ, Plummer Associates, Inc. was determined to be the most qualified firm to provide permitting, design, and construction phase services for Phase 1 improvements at the West and North WWTPs. A motion was made by Councilwoman Lawyer, seconded by Councilmember Barker to approve a Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute an agreement with Plummer Associates, Inc. for professional engineering services related to Phase 1 improvements at the West Wastewater Treatment Plant in an amount not to exceed $2,253,388. The motion carried unanimously. f) DISCUSS, CONSIDER, AND TAKE ACTION, AS NECESSARY, CONCERNING THE APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ACCEPT A TIPS QUOTE FROM ELDER CHRYSLER-DODGE-JEEP FOR THE PURCHASE OF A 2026 DODGE RAM 1500 PICKUP WITH UPFITTING FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. Mr. Jones explained the item is to replace the Fire Marshal vehicle He stated that the item was budgeted in Fiscal Year 2026. He stated quotes were received from Received Quotes from TIPS & HGAC Vendors and the TIPS Quote was $67,180.96 from Elder Chrysler Dodge-Jeep. He explained the warranty Pickup (Manufacturer); Upfitting (Lifetime); Lights (10 years) The existing vehicle will be used as a reserve vehicle for administrative staff. A motion was made by Councilwoman Lawyer, seconded by Councilmember Barker, to approve a Resolution authorizing the City Manager to accept a TIPS quote from Elder Chrysler-Dodge- Jeep in the amount of $67,180.96 for the purchase of a 2026 Dodge Ram 1500 Pickup with upfitting for the Fire Department. The motion carried unanimously. City Council Regular Session December 22, 2025 Page 7 g) DISCUSS, CONSIDER, AND TAKE ACTION, AS NECESSARY, CONCERNING THE APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION APPROVING AMENDMENT #1 TO THE PERFORMANCE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE AEDC AND SSS ABBASI INC. Donna Meredith, Community Development Manager, explained The Performance Agreement was fully executed in June. She stated the agreement was going to expire at the end of January and due to additional delays with labor and materials they requested an additional extension of time. The AEDC Board voted on December16, 2025, to extend the Performance Agreement date for qualified expenditures and Certificate of Occupancy until August 31, 2026. A motion was made by Councilmember Barker, seconded by Councilmember Priestley, to approve a Resolution approving Amendment #1 to the Performance Agreement between the AEDC and SSS Abbasi Inc. The motion carried unanimously. h) DISCUSS, CONSIDER, AND TAKE ACTION, AS NECESSARY, CONCERNING THE APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION APPROVING AMENDMENT #1 TO THE PERFORMANCE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE AEDC AND ATHENS HOTEL GROUP Ms. Meredith explained the item is for the hotel that is due to be located behind Chili’s. She further stated there is a delay in starting the project. She explained that the agreement would continue until December 31, 2033, and by January 1, 2027, the developer should have equipment mobilized and with a certificate of occupancy being obtained by January 1, 2029. A motion was made by Councilmember Priestley, seconded by Councilmember Barker, to approve a Resolution approving Amendment #1 to the Performance Agreement between the AEDC and Athens Hotel Group. The motion carried unanimously. 13) CONSIDER THE FINAL READING OF AN ORDINANCE CONCERNING A REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF A SPECIFIC USE PERMIT FOR “CONCRETE BATCH PLANT - PERMANENT” USE FOR BLOCK 1, LOT 13C OF THE J. I. RICHARDSON SUBDIVISION LOCATED IN THE B. C. WALTERS SURVEY, ABSTRACTS 797, WITH A PHYSICAL ADDRESS OF 502 US 175 W. OWNER: MARTIN MARIETTA OWNERSHIP. A motion was by councilmember Barker, seconded by Councilwoman Lawyer to remove the item from Table. The motion to remove the item from Table carried unanimously. City Council Regular Session December 22, 2025 Page 8 Ronda Cockerham, City Planner explained the item is for a specific use permit and it is the final reading of the Ordinance. There is one item that he must show location of vegetated barrier on the site plan. Ms. Borstad explained there are other comments being addressed by staff; however she wanted it documented that the developer must identify the vegetated barrier on the site plan. Ms. Hambrick read the caption of the Ordinance. A motion was made by Councilwoman Lawyer, seconded by Councilmember Barker, to approve a Specific Use Permit for “Concrete Batch Plant - Permanent” use for Block 1, Lot 13C of the J. I. Richardson Subdivision located in the B. C. Walters Survey, Abstracts 797, with a physical address of 502 US 175 W. with the addition of the vegetated screen added to the site plan. After roll call vote the motion passed with the following record vote. Aaron Smith, Mayor Aye SyTanna Freeman, Mayor Pro Tem Aye Bryan Barker, Councilmember Aye Katha Lawyer, Councilmember Aye Bill Priestley, Councilmember Aye Voted in favor of the motion 5 Voted against the motion 0 Motion carried 5-0 14) CITY MANAGER PROJECT UPDATES: NO ACTION TAKEN. a) HMGP GRANT PROJECTS Ms. Borstad stated pictures of the HMCP Grant Projects, were shown during the Utility Update. The Water Plant and generator at the intake working on getting the concrete foundation Preconstruction meetings were held on the other three (3) generators. b) TEXAS WATER DEVELOPMENT BOARD (TWDB) DRAINAGE SCOPING PROJECT Ms. Borstad stated all field surveys are 100% complete and working on working on hydraulics and the risk assessment and project development will come next. 15) MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL REQUEST FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS. City Council Regular Session December 22, 2025 Page 9 Councilwoman Lawyer item for large trucks coming through town. Ms. Hambrick read the following future agenda items. • Update from TxDOT on railroad crossing and construction on 1616 and the loop • Update on South 19 sidewalks • Non-conforming lots in Athens • Platting and development within the ETJ • Future financing for a new city hall 16) ADJOURN. The meeting adjourned at 6:45 p.m. PASSED AND APPROVED THIS THE 12th DAY OF JANUARY 2026. ______________________________ Aaron Smith, Mayor ATTEST: _________________________________ Bonnie Hambrick, City Secretary