[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6528149,"mediaKeyId","3427611-ed84b63c33c6e6c587e7be06f1e9de68","parentId",3427611,"title","Retirees ask Waco council for retroactive 70% COLA, cite poverty among pensioners","audioSeconds",303,"startMs",2778000,"endMs",3081000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3427611-ed84b63c33c6e6c587e7be06f1e9de68&start=2778&end=3081","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3427611-ed84b63c33c6e6c587e7be06f1e9de68/thumbnail_2778000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6528149/Waco/McLennan-County/Texas/Retirees-ask-Waco-council-for-retroactive-70-COLA-cite-poverty-among-pensioners","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6528149-fb6d2cabcd794b82dee18e82937ff1e6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771205701&Signature=NkNNUQVM9w9neF2LoMGOeXP1WJn51pbVIVShKZhYVJuPyO7ljK6G-P1mklpOUL2EEVTJ3IppJpwvu~ut4MH-V72Mh7hQOOodlWFUaBYrT37-wSVuBzwefoP3aMIiOoo6Xz3o590jLOYgjLX3k5suuRt72nnHgq0C43xXswvdSsEFiRAj3jE3X4T7iFQV0xChTWz7byZWvzBNxNuq2DYqzE3DuwF5fuR5NwtYrN8RJVOVw6cNKkIdEjbTSu3cC~ZJNy7ne4YNJndIWjpvhxxC~2C3thk99XnGBgkHSjCRPb9tt4WHbBsr7FRzZlDF~sUNIHAA~6gcERAEwWyv2Y292A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Waco, TX","date","2025-05-20T00:00:00Z","article","WACO, Texas — During the hearing of visitors at the May 20 Waco City Council meeting, Sharon Veil Heatherington, speaking for more than 1,200 retired city employees, urged the council to adopt a retroactive 70% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for one year and to implement a permanent COLA going forward.

Why it matters: Retiree pension adjustments are governed by the Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS) and affect retired city employees’ annuities. Heatherington said long periods without COLA increases have pushed hundreds of retirees and their households near or below federal poverty thresholds.

What was said: Heatherington said retirees received no COLA from 2015 through 2023, and that from 2015–2023 inflation rose “over 30%.” She said the city’s 2024 COLA was 1.94% compared with Social Security’s 3.2% increase and roughly 3% raises for current city employees. Heatherington told the council the city’s draft audit showed a $62.2 million increase in net position since September 2023 and argued the city can afford to act.

Numbers cited by the speaker (from handout in meeting packet): Heatherington said that if all retirees were single-income households, 527 of about 1,200 households fell within the federal poverty level last year; if treated as two-income households, 669 households were within the poverty level. She said local neighboring cities (Temple, Hewitt, Woodway, Copperas Cove, Hallsburg, Lacy‑Lakeview) pay the 70% TMRS option and included that list in the packet.

Request and rationale: Heatherington asked the council to adopt a retroactive repeating 70% COLA — which she said is the maximum allowed by TMRS for corrective backpay for prior years — and to adopt a guaranteed annual COLA to prevent future erosion of retiree purchasing power. She framed the request as both a fairness and recruitment/retention issue for city employees.

Council response: No formal council action on the request was recorded at the May 20 meeting. Councilmember Lozano, noting this was their first meeting, thanked Heatherington for the data provided.

Sources: public comment by Sharon Veil Heatherington, meeting packet materials referenced during the comment (handout and attachments in the meeting packet), council acknowledgement.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Business Session (May 20, 2025)","oneSentenceSummary","A representative for more than 1,200 Waco retirees urged the council to adopt a retroactive 70% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) and an ongoing COLA, citing years of no adjustments and poverty statistics among retirees.","taxTitle","Waco, McLennan County, Texas","taxId",2807,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6528154,"Council continues 10.7-acre Warnock PUD after design questions, schedules June 3 follow-up",477,1635000,2112000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3427611-ed84b63c33c6e6c587e7be06f1e9de68&start=1635&end=2112","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3427611-ed84b63c33c6e6c587e7be06f1e9de68/thumbnail_1635000.jpg","/articles/6528154/Waco/McLennan-County/Texas/Council-continues-107-acre-Warnock-PUD-after-design-questions-schedules-June-3-follow-up","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6528154-d04f8cc3f49440558d8649eb9ca62c53/orig.mp4?Expires=1771205701&Signature=c2p3ZWweRtOxUgFOIPKyrYFDF1Q2dzrNpBgW9P-hqsgvQ0TZ68EPYHkBYlGYPU3tbZUALS4VbD4QPq2YqAweA0hAzitW1LTuJ0Z0xDaAB0ajRhUP0FSROoOeQhSTdrV6JnJYiH9ZJaCH67wscySrnMC4hj~d5VB74dZQ~4RtmPNvBI8RNRCYb~pBemubLX6fe8Oa5jr~8BWEZCYK6xE8Xx35EKZbE67XoSs2N4~IFb~YkJBWMfLA5ZBIMkNC3c775yRqZvgAatBeiYp-y~22M6GfLdd91sS4PJDxg77f-8ZvFG43Cy4O-znPdFgd7BTb6M-5BdSn-oOnmIVM5dwpyg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","WACO, Texas — The Waco City Council on May 20 continued consideration of a proposed planned unit development (PUD) for approximately 10.709 acres after council members raised questions about lot setbacks, building design and compatibility with neighboring subdivisions.

Why it matters: The PUD would reclassify property now zoned R-1B to a PUD and set standards and a concept plan for future residential development. The Planning Commission recommended approval 6–1 with four conditions; councilmembers said they wanted more detail from the developer before final action.

What happened: Director Peters presented the concept plan and read the Planning Commission’s findings and four conditions. The conditions included: (1) the final PUD must meet development standards in the concept plan and site requirements from the plan review committee including grading, drainage, floodplain engineering, utilities, signage, parking, access, circulation, landscaping, refuse and fire access; (2) compliance with the subdivision ordinance before building permits are issued; (3) final PUD design standards consistent with Code of Ordinances section 28‑2‑223 to promote architectural compatibility and require substantive elevation variety; and (4) coordination with city staff regarding a sidewalk on Hermosa Drive connecting the development to Buena Vista Park prior to final PUD plan and plat submittal.

Councilmember concerns and public comment: Councilmembers — including Ewing — said they supported increased housing supply but were uncomfortable approving the concept without clearer detail on setbacks, site grading and house orientation. Applicant Larry W. Jackson said the team had addressed city comment letters and planned to remove single-story plans so remaining homes would have two-car garages and elevations compliant with staff comments. Jackson said he would upload revised preliminary/final plats and construction drawings before the next business day.

Neighbor Randy Gonzales, who lives at 1942 Madera Drive, asked where the main entrance would be; Jackson confirmed the primary entrance would connect to a road off Loop 340 and described Hermosa Drive as curving into a cul‑de‑sac that would lead into the subdivision.

Action: A motion to continue consideration to the June 3 council meeting passed on a recorded vote (council recorded voting yes: Fairfield, Lozano, Porter Root, Ewing, Chase and Holmes).

Next steps: Staff and the applicant are expected to provide revised plats and design materials reflecting the changes described by the applicant before the June 3 meeting. The Planning Department will review those documents for consistency with the Planning Commission conditions and the subdivision ordinance before the council takes further action.

Sources: staff presentation, Planning Commission recommendation (6–1), public comments from applicant Larry W. Jackson and resident Randy Gonzales, council roll-call vote.","Council continued a proposed planned unit development (PUD) for about 10.7 acres after members raised design and setback concerns; the applicant said updated materials would be uploaded before the next meeting.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6528158,"Waco City Council approves several zoning permits, rezonings, annexation and ordinances",64,2505000,2569000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3427611-ed84b63c33c6e6c587e7be06f1e9de68&start=2505&end=2569","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3427611-ed84b63c33c6e6c587e7be06f1e9de68/thumbnail_2505000.jpg","/articles/6528158/Waco/McLennan-County/Texas/Waco-City-Council-approves-several-zoning-permits-rezonings-annexation-and-ordinances","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6528158-2e73fa65204dbc6ebfad4bc8f47665b9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771205701&Signature=aZWc6U6QT6ooAhvzLJz2wVmJ6IEYxWZU-frnUp~0GID71ba1sDYx6SJBR959a2bj5y6PW2~jZNSS5tBH-i4aRtaF6vxRP4DMHnQseYF8IUgqX32aM58kkpxbeNq7GGrLzs~mGw--4PHUAi3H69PQv227Pp4GRRNHmijV5ZZd3VqbJaMQWCk16gpS8zGn2CnbWf2CO0N6DnzoLN6xWGLNbcpi5W-WEI4b2G3l4Pbki3LnldYuz4kMVpTor11t71q3FCvQ-6wSTWJUEn0rWidabLV4QZzfVfSl5AT4mu9Ao~QKJj2qYXksgXbs1jcWVUnJxEvAmrbda3njCNjCPcQueg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","WACO, Texas — The Waco City Council on May 20 approved a package of land-use actions, special-permit renewals and ordinances, voting unanimously on most items and passing a consent agenda covering multiple routine resolutions.

The council granted or renewed special permits for a mining/excavation operation at 1299 East Lake Shore Drive; a veterinary clinic at 8810 W. Highway 84, Suite 110; and extended operating hours for a restaurant/food-truck operation at 3828 Parkwood Drive. The council also approved multiple rezonings and comprehensive-plan amendments carrying the city’s stated goal of increasing housing supply, accepted an annexation of roughly 1.25 acres along the I-35 access road into District 3 with M-2 (light industrial) zoning, and passed several ordinances on second reading, including standards of care for youth programs and a developer participation agreement amendment for sanitary-sewer upsizing. The council also approved renaming a segment of 20th Street to Ernesto Fraga Street.

Why it matters: The approvals affect property owners and developers across several neighborhoods, alter the city’s zoning map, and advance projects that city planners and the Planning Commission have deemed consistent with infrastructure and the comprehensive plan.

Key actions and outcomes

• Resolution granting renewal of a special permit to CC Waco 521 Land Holdings LP for excavation, mining and removal of material (1299 East Lake Shore Drive). Planning Commission recommended approval 7–0; Council vote recorded as unanimous (seven yes). (Agenda item 2025-338)

• Resolution granting a special permit to Aaron Lemons/Vadivet PLLC for a veterinary clinic (8810 W. Highway 84, Suite 110). Planning Commission recommended approval 7–0; Council vote recorded as unanimous (seven yes). (Agenda item 2025-339)

• Resolution renewing a special permit to extend hours for Las Trancas Taqueria No. 2 (3828 Parkwood Drive) from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Planning Commission recommended approval 7–0; Council vote recorded as unanimous (seven yes). The last permit was one year; this renewal extends to three years per staff report. (Agenda item 2025-340)

• Ordinance amending the comprehensive plan and changing zoning on roughly 7 acres at East Herring Avenue and Dallas Street from urban residential to mixed-use flex and reclassifying about 1.5 acres from C-3 to O-2. Planning Commission recommended approval 7–0; Council vote recorded as unanimous (seven yes). (Agenda item 2025-401)

• Ordinance amending the comprehensive plan and rezoning approximately 1.06 acres on Summer Avenue to medium-density residential (R-2). Planning Commission recommended approval 7–0; Council vote recorded as unanimous (seven yes). (Agenda item 2025-342)

• Annexation ordinance adding two tracts totaling about 1.253 acres approximately 2,500 feet south of Vista View Drive along the I-35 southbound access road. The annexation assigns the land to City Council District 3, designates the land use as industrial and applies M-2 (light industrial) zoning. Planning Commission recommended approval 7–0; Council vote recorded as unanimous (seven yes). (Agenda item 2025-344)

• Consent agenda: Resolutions 2025-345 through 2025-366 were approved as a block. (Vote recorded unanimous.)

• Ordinance 2025-367: Standards of care for City of Waco youth programs, approved on second reading. (Previously approved on first reading 6–0.)

• Ordinance 2025-368: Amendment No. 2 to a developer participation agreement with WBW Single Development Group LLC for sanitary sewer upsizing in the Village Lake basin; increases the city’s not-to-exceed amount by $68,998.92 to a total not to exceed $611,474.02. Approved on second reading; council vote recorded unanimous. The ordinance cites Texas Local Government Code sections 212.071–212.074. (Previously approved on first reading 6–0.)

• Ordinance 2025-369: Change the name of a portion of 20th Street between Clay Avenue and Dutton Avenue to Ernesto Fraga Street. Approved on second reading; council vote recorded unanimous.

What the record shows

Most of these items were presented by Director Peters and recommended by the Planning Commission with unanimous recommendations; staff read findings required under section 28‑1‑22 of the zoning ordinance when applicable. Acting City Secretary Spikes conducted roll-call votes for each action, with councilmembers recorded as voting yes: Fairfield, Lozano, Porter Root, Ewing, Chase and Holmes. Several items had little or no public comment and moved through on motions and roll-call votes.

Next steps and implementation

Approved rezonings and annexations change the city’s zoning map and allow the developer or property owner to pursue building permits and site work consistent with the new zoning and any conditions set by the Planning Commission or council. The developer participation agreement amendment authorizes additional city payment to upsize wastewater infrastructure tied to the Eagles Landing addition; the ordinance language specifies monthly payments not to exceed a portion of the total per the Local Government Code.

Sources: staff presentations, Planning Commission recommendations, council roll-call votes and the meeting public record.","At its May 20 meeting the Waco City Council approved a set of special permits, rezonings, an annexation, and several ordinances including street renaming and standards for youth programs; council continued a residential PUD to June 3 for more design details.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Retirees ask Waco council for retroactive 70% COLA, cite poverty among pensioners

Council continues 10.7-acre Warnock PUD after design questions, schedules June 3 follow-up

Waco City Council approves several zoning permits, rezonings, annexation and ordinances