Votes at a glance: Bowie council approves appointments, grant resolution, traffic and highway agreements; accepts profiling report

Bowie City Council members on Jan. 28 approved a series of routine and project-related items, including consent agenda items, board appointments and a grant-support resolution. Council members also adopted traffic-control changes and a state agreement on highway maintenance, and the council received the Bowie Police Department’s 2024 racial-profiling report.

Key votes and outcomes

- Consent agenda (minutes from December and monthly write-offs): approved by voice vote; roll call indicated councilmembers Shaw, Ashley, Sprowls, Post and Walker voting yes.

- Appointment: the council appointed Randy West to the unexpired term of Charles Tyson on the Bowie Economic Development Corporation (BEDC). Janice Crowley of the BEDC explained West’s previous service and utility expertise. The motion carried by roll call (ayes recorded for Post, Walker, Ashley, Sprowls and Shaw).

- Resolution 2025-02 — NORTEX regional solid-waste grant: the council approved a resolution authorizing the filing of a grant application with the NORTEX Regional Planning Commission for a 100% grant to purchase an 18-foot dump trailer to assist vegetation and trash removal (grant request $25,000 of a $70,000 total fund). Kirk Higgins presented the request. The motion passed by roll call with councilmembers Post, Walker, Ashley, Sprowls and Shaw recorded as voting Aye.

- Reappointments/appointments to Boards of Adjustments & Appeals and Planning & Zoning: the council considered multiple nominations. Some appointments passed by roll call (Don Smith; Alan Leek; Bill Calabrata to Planning & Zoning; Bradley Summers to Planning & Zoning); one nomination for Bradley Arp to the Board of Adjustments and Appeals failed for lack of a second. Where votes were recorded in the transcript, councilmembers voted Aye (Post, Walker, Ashley, Sprowls and Shaw) or abstained when appropriate (Walker abstained on a reappointment where required by rule).

- Resolution/Ordinance: the council adopted a resolution approving an agreement dated Jan. 28, 2025 between the State of Texas and the City of Bowie for maintenance, control, supervision and regulation of portions of state highways in Bowie. Council discussion indicated the agreement was substantially similar to prior agreements; the motion passed by roll call with recorded ayes from councilmembers.

- Police racial-profiling report: Chief Guy Green (presentation by Raishau) presented the 2024 report required by state law. The Bowie Police Department reported 2,143 traffic stops in 2024 with race known prior to the stop in 36 cases and not known prior to the stop in 2,107 cases; reported counts by race were provided in the presentation. The council voted to accept the report as presented.

- Ordinance (traffic control): the council adopted Ordinance 2021-01 (as referenced in the packet) establishing stop signs at the intersection of Nelson and Northland Streets and other stop-sign placements after staff reported safety and drainage issues at Nelson Street. The ordinance was adopted by roll call with recorded ayes.

- Replat: the council approved a replat request for Lots 19 and 21, Block 39 (commonly known as 309 West Pecan) creating a new Lot 19R, following a favorable Planning & Zoning recommendation. The motion carried by roll call.

What did not pass

- Two proposed water-rate ordinances (one presenting a 16%/16% two-year plan and one proposing a 7%/7% two-year plan with a $7.50 monthly fee) did not receive motions and therefore were not adopted.

Details and context

Kirk Higgins explained that the proposed dump trailer funded by the NORTEX grant would allow pickup-truck crews to haul vegetation without requiring a commercial driver’s license for a dump truck and with better fuel economy. Janice Crowley described the BEDC appointment for Randy West and explained that West has previously served as the board’s utility advisor.

On board appointments, the council followed packet recommendations for several reappointments; the transcript records one nomination failing for lack of a second and an abstention where council procedure required it. The council also acknowledged outstanding work on the Nelson Street project and said final payment would be scheduled after outstanding punch-list items and subcontractor payments were confirmed.

The mayor and council recorded multiple procedural items from the packet as approved without extended discussion, and several actions were moved and seconded with roll-call confirmations recorded on the audio record.

Votes at a glance (items cited in meeting packet)

- Consent agenda (minutes, write-offs): approved (roll call recorded ayes) - Randy West appointment — BEDC (unexpired term of Charles Tyson): approved (roll call recorded ayes) - Resolution 2025-02 — NORTEX regional solid-waste grant (grant request $25,000 of $70,000): approved (roll call recorded ayes) - Resolution approving state/city highway maintenance agreement (dated 01/28/25): approved (roll call recorded ayes) - Acceptance of Bowie Police Department 2024 racial-profiling report: accepted (roll call recorded ayes) - Ordinance establishing stop signs at Nelson & Northland and related traffic controls: adopted (roll call recorded ayes) - Replat 309 West Pecan (Lots 19 & 21 → Lot 19R, Block 39): approved (roll call recorded ayes) - Board of Adjustments & Appeals / Planning & Zoning appointments and reappointments: mixed results; most reappointments on packet were approved; one appointment failed for lack of a second; one abstention recorded where required.

Next steps: Several administrative and capital items (final contractor payment for Nelson Street, Glen Hills Lift Station easement negotiations, and the downtown revitalization grant pending TDA review) remain open and were noted by staff. The water-rate proposals will return only after staff provides more detailed financial breakdowns and answers to council questions.