Rowlett — Following a closed executive session on Oct. 14, 2025, the Rowlett City Council unanimously authorized the city attorney to send Sapphire Bay Land Holdings I LLC a notice of default and intention to terminate the development agreements related to the Sapphire Bay project.

The motion, made after executive‑session consultation with legal counsel and discussion of project history, was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Shoop and seconded by Councilmember Bridal; the motion carried unanimously. No litigation or termination will change land ownership, council members emphasized; the action begins a formal notice process under the development agreement.

In a statement read to conclude the meeting, Mayor Wingett said the council had met multiple times with the developer and had weighed options with legal counsel. He summarized a decade of limited progress since the Bayside/Sapphire Bay announcement and said the council "can no longer tolerate the absence of progress." The mayor added that the notice stems from the developer’s failure to diligently pursue development in accordance with the agreement and that the city’s action does not alter the property’s ownership or existing zoning limitations.

Procedural details: The council convened in executive session under Texas Government Code section 551.071 to consult with the city attorney regarding pending litigation and development agreements. The item on Sapphire Bay (6b) followed that consultation; the council then returned to open session and voted to authorize delivery of the notice of default.

Why it matters: The Sapphire Bay peninsula is a large, long‑planned private development on the city’s waterfront; the council’s authorization to issue a notice of default represents a formal legal step to enforce the development agreement and to seek remedies for prolonged inaction. The city noted the action is intended to compel progress rather than change ownership.

Provenance: topicintro — Executive session language read into the record (transcript time 5132.42–5190.81): "The city council will convene into close executive session pursuant to Texas Government Code section 551.071... Sapphire Bay development agreement." topfinish — Motion and mayoral statement after executive session and vote (transcript time 5216.21–5258.43): "I move to authorize the city attorney to send Sapphire Bay Land Holdings 1 LLC a notice of default..." followed by the mayor's statement on the rationale and next steps.