El Campo council approves tint-shop permit, downtown rezoning, housing support, spoil‑fill sale and police vehicle purchase

The El Campo City Council on Jan. 20 approved a special‑use permit for an auto window‑tint shop, rezoned several downtown parcels to Central Business District, authorized conditional support for a rehabilitation of Oakcrest South Apartments, approved sale of spoil‑fill material from a detention‑pond project and approved the purchase of two marked police vehicles.

The council approved Resolution R2025‑06 expressing support for a redevelopment application for Oakcrest South Apartments and authorizing a conditional city funding commitment to strengthen the project's application to the state housing agency. Tim Smith, who identified himself as with Hope Development Services, told the council the owner intends to refinance an existing USDA loan and use tax‑credit equity to complete a substantial rehabilitation. Smith said the planned work is “just rehab” and not an expansion; he described new roofs, air conditioning, cabinetry and appliances rather than full gut rehabs. He said the application will be submitted to the Texas Department of Housing Community Affairs and that a small city commitment — discussed in the meeting as $250 and possibly a fee waiver — would help the application score. Councilmember Hancock moved approval and the motion passed.

Council members approved Ordinance 2025‑01, a special‑use permit for “Midnight Tintors” to operate an auto window‑tinting business at approximately 0.0930 acres at 220 Main St. The applicant's use required a permit under the city's land‑use matrix. The council adopted two conditions requested by staff and added a further amendment — proposed by Councilmember Hancock and accepted by the original mover, Councilmember Hodges — that all work be performed inside the building and that nothing be placed outside except approved signage. The amended motion passed.

The council also approved Ordinance 2025‑02 to rezone roughly 0.6715 acres of the Montserrat block (addresses listed in staff materials as 309 and 303 West Montserrat) from General Commercial District (C‑2) to Central Business District (CBD). City staff said the rezoning would allow a ground‑floor shop with an upstairs residence and better match the block's existing storefront‑to‑street development pattern; the rezoning was recommended by the Planning and Zoning Commission and passed with a motion and second.

On property and revenue matters, the council adopted Resolution R2025‑07 declaring spoil‑fill material at the city's detention project surplus and authorizing the mayor or designee to sell or dispose of that material. Staff said proceeds would return to the city fund balance, that the volume and timeline depend on local hauling demand and that a camera will be used to monitor loads; staff said material removals will be tracked visually by camera rather than by scale weight. Councilmembers passed the resolution.

Finally, the council approved purchase of two marked police units in an amount not to exceed $143,500 to replace older vehicles with high mileage and recurring repair costs. Staff said the units are available from a TIPS‑approved vendor, that outfitting and installation (including recently approved body‑worn cameras) can be coordinated in a single shop and that budget savings allow the purchase outside the regular budget cycle. The motion passed.

During public comment, resident John Healy praised the police department and city manager for recovering a stolen bicycle; he told the council the department recovered an $800 bike. The meeting closed with reports on quarterly boards, investment and capital projects and an announced transition to a scheduled closed executive session.

Votes at a glance: - Consent agenda (minutes of Jan. 13, 2025, and ordinance calling the May 3, 2025 general city election): approved (motion and second; roll call not specified in transcript). - Ordinance 2025‑01 — SUP for Midnight Tintors, 220 Main (approx. 0.0930 acres): motion by Councilmember Hodges; amendment requiring all work indoors and no placement outside except approved signage accepted (motion passed). - Ordinance 2025‑02 — Rezoning C‑2 to CBD, portions of Montserrat block (approx. 0.6715 acres; addresses include 309 and 303 W. Montserrat): approved (motion and second; recommended by Planning & Zoning). - Resolution R2025‑06 — Support/conditional funding commitment for Oakcrest South Apartments rehabilitation (state application): Tim Smith (Hope Development Services) presented; council approved a resolution of support and a small conditional commitment discussed as $250 or fee waiver to strengthen the state application. - Resolution R2025‑07 — Declare spoil‑fill surplus and authorize sale/disposal: approved; staff said proceeds go to fund balance and removals will be monitored by camera; total revenue and timetable not specified. - Purchase authorization — Two marked police units, amount not to exceed $143,500: approved; units to replace high‑mileage vehicles and be outfitted and equipped with recently approved body cameras.