City Council

Belton City Council Meeting January 27, 2026 – 5:30 P.M. The Belton City Council met in regular session in the Wright Room of the Harris Community Center. Members present included Mayor David K. Leigh, Mayor Pro Tem John R. Holmes, Sr., Councilmembers Craig Pearson, Daniel Bucher, Stephanie O’Banion, Dave Covington and Luke Potts. Staff present included Sam Listi, Matt Bates, John Messer, Mike Rodgers, Amy Casey (zoom), Chris Brown, Larry Berg, Jon Fontenot, Tina Moore, Amanda Hairston, Megan Odiorne, Paul Romer, Scott Hodde, Cynthia Hernandez, James Grant and Joe Dyer. The Pledge of Allegiance to the U.S. Flag was led by Mayor Pro Tem John R. Holmes, Sr. The Pledge of Allegiance to the Texas Flag was led by Assistant City Manager Matt Bates. The Invocation was given by Councilmember Stephanie O’Banion. 1. Call to order. Mayor Leigh called the meeting to order at 5:33 p.m. 2. Public Comments. (Audio 2:36) There were no public comments. Consent Agenda Items 3-6 under this section are considered to be routine by the City Council and may be enacted by one motion. If discussion is desired by the Council, any item may be removed from the Consent Agenda prior to voting, at the request of any Councilmember, and it will be considered separately. (Audio 2:53) 3. Consider minutes of the January 13, 2026, City Council Meeting. 4. Consider authorizing the City Manager to execute a contract for Tourism Marketing Services. 5. Consider resolutions authorizing the submittal of grant applications to the Office of the Governor, Criminal Justice Division, for the following: A. Rifle Resistant Body Armor B. General Victim Assistance Grant, Victims of Crime Act FY2027 6. Consider amendments to the Building Life Safety Grant Program. Upon a motion by Mayor Pro Tem Holmes, and a second by Councilmember Pearson, the Consent Agenda was unanimously approved upon a vote of 7-0. Planning and Zoning 7. Hold a public hearing regarding the annexation of the rights-of-way of the following: (Audio 4:25) Belton City Council Meeting January 27, 2026 – Page 2 A. Wheat Road from Sparta Road south to the City limits in the vicinity of Digby Drive, surveyed at 25.02 acres; B. Sparta Road from Wheat Road east to the City limits at Dunns Canyon, surveyed at 4.92 acres. Director of Development Services Bob van Til presented this item. Public Hearing: No one spoke for or against this item. No additional action was required of the Council at this time. The annexation will be considered at the February 24, 2026, City Council meeting. Work Session 8. Receive a report and provide direction for future revisions to the short-term rental ordinance. (Audio 6:52) Director of Finance Mike Rodgers and Director of Development Services Bob van Til presented this item. No action was required of Council other than providing direction. EMERGENCY ADDITION TO AGENDA Consider affirming a Local Disaster Declaration for a Weather-Related Emergency in the City of Belton, Texas. (Audio 49:05) Upon a motion by Mayor Pro Tem Holmes, and a second by Councilmember O’Banion, the Local Disaster Declaration was unanimously affirmed upon a vote of 7-0. Executive Session At 6:19 p.m., the Mayor announced the Council would go into Executive Session for the following items: 9. Executive Session pursuant to the provision of the Open Meetings Law, Chapter 551, Govt. Code, Vernon’s Texas Codes Annotated, in accordance with the authority contained in Section 551.087, Deliberation Regarding Economic Development Negotiations. 10. Executive Session pursuant to the provision of the Open Meetings Law, Chapter 551, Govt. Code, Vernon’s Texas Codes Annotated, in accordance with the authority contained in Section 551.071, Consultation with Attorney.