Taylor council approves consultant contract, drainage contract and street changes; introduces multiple land-use ordinances

Taylor City Council on Aug. 28 voted to move forward on several planning, infrastructure and regulatory items, including awarding a contract for a comprehensive plan and development-code update, approving the Donna Channel drainage construction contract, directing removal and resurfacing work on Mallard Lane, adopting Title VI compliance policies, receiving the Taylor Economic Development Corporation proposed FY26 budget and asking staff to study a vacant building registration program. The council also introduced several land-use ordinances for first reading and approved a sesquicentennial logo and a hire announcement for a new downtown and tourism director.

The council unanimously awarded the city—s request-for-qualifications for a comprehensive plan and land-development-code update to Freese and Nichols Inc. The contract action covers Phase 1, a diagnostic and kickoff, at a cost of $133,000; staff said a Phase 2 scope and cost will return to council after Phase 1 work is complete. Planning staff described Phase 1 as a diagnostic of current ordinances and the comprehensive plan, with public and stakeholder engagement to follow. Chance Sparks, principal with Freese and Nichols, told the council his firm is "excited to take on this project." The motion passed on a voice vote.

The council approved a construction contract awarding the Donna Channel drainage project to Texas Road (low bidder) to build a channel, detention, culvert improvements, a pedestrian/maintenance bridge and related street drainage work. Staff said the project is intended to reduce flooding for more than 40 structures west and south of T.H. Johnson and to reduce downstream flows into Bull Branch. A city presentation said parts of the work were funded through prior grants and local bond funds; staff described a planned construction timetable of roughly 400 calendar days following Texas Water Development Board approval. The motion to award the contract and authorize the city manager to sign documents passed on a voice vote.

Council members also acted on street projects under the 2024 maintenance program. After staff updates and public comment, the council directed removal of the Mallard Lane cycle track and approved a new surface across the affected segment (council motion specified a $352,000 estimated price for the surface and striping work). The motion included a contingent direction that, if sufficient funds…