Decatur council approves replat, grant applications, chemical contract and police tower lease; opens annexation first reading

The Decatur City Council took multiple routine and procurement actions and opened one annexation ordinance for first reading at its meeting.

Key outcomes (votes at a glance)

- Replat approved: The council approved a replat application for 3301 Myrville Street (about 0.59 acres). Planning staff reported the application was in order, statutory requirements had been met, 14 nearby property owners were notified, and the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval 5–0. The council approved the replat by voice vote.

- Annexation, first reading: The council opened a public hearing and conducted the first reading of an ordinance to annex approximately 0.42 acres of right-of-way in Paloma Trails. Planning staff said the annexation is a voluntary annexation allowed under the Texas Local Government Code, that nine property owners were notified, and that staff recommends approval. Staff noted several engineering reviewer comments must be addressed before final adoption; final ordinance adoption is scheduled for a subsequent council meeting.

- Resilient Communities Program resolution approved: The council approved Resolution R20250924 authorizing the city manager to apply for the Texas General Land Office Resilient Communities Program grant. Staff said the grant could provide up to $300,000 to assist with an update to the city’s comprehensive plan and that the award would cover a substantial portion of the comp‑plan update if Decatur is selected.

- Water treatment chemicals contract awarded: The council awarded RFB20250925 for provision of water treatment chemicals to the Royce W. Simpson Water Treatment Plant to Eagle Labs Inc. of DeSoto for $241,820 for an initial one‑year term with two one‑year renewal options. Staff noted Eagle Labs has supplied chemicals to the city for nearly 20 years.

- Police sky-watch tower lease approved: The council approved a government lease-purchase agreement with American National Leasing Company for a sky-watch tower for the Decatur Police Department. Staff said the city will use funds budgeted for the lease and that the police department’s special account will cover approximately half the cost.

- Library infrastructure grant participation approved: The council authorized staff to pursue the Texas State Library and Archives Commission’s Library Infrastructure and Facility Improvement grant, which can provide up to $290,000 to improve library connectivity and facilities; staff said up to $40,000 of grant funds can be used for privacy/work booths in the library.

Other business and procedural items

- Consent agenda: The council approved the consent agenda as presented.

- Wise County Appraisal District board nominations: Council discussed the upcoming nomination timeline for the Wise County Appraisal District board. No names were nominated at the meeting and staff said the nomination deadline is imminent.

- Executive session: The council convened in executive session under Texas Government Code Section 551.001 to discuss personnel matters, specifically the city manager and city attorney evaluations, and reconvened in open session at 7:58 p.m.

What the council did not do

The council did not take final action on the Paloma Trails annexation; staff said outstanding engineering and reviewer items must be addressed prior to final adoption at a future meeting.

Ending

Council approved the procurement, grant-application and replat items and instructed staff to return with outstanding items (engineering comments on the annexation and final bond issuance numbers) as required.