Cleburne City Council approves consent agenda, easement, Burleson mutual‑aid pact, plat extension and authorizes lawsuit

The Cleburne City Council voted unanimously on several agenda items Tuesday, approving a multi‑item consent agenda and taking separate votes on a water‑line easement, a mutual‑aid agreement with Burleson, a plat extension and a motion authorizing the city attorney to file suit against Pecos Housing Finance Corporation and related parties.

Mayor pro tem Blake Jones moved to approve the consent agenda, and Derek Weathers seconded. The council approved items 7.1–7.9 without discussion. The consent agenda included minutes for the June 10 regular meeting, two façade‑improvement agreements under the city’s matching incentive program with Garza Properties (208 and 114 East Chambers Street), and several plats: a conveyance plat for Live Oaks Apartments (approximately 29 acres at 400‑423 North Main Street), a preliminary plat for Lot 111 of Kilpatrick Switch Addition (approx. 42 acres), and preliminary and final plats for Harvest Hill additions (78 lots / ~105 acres, plus phase 1 and phase 2 final plats of ~25 and ~34 acres respectively).

The council then considered a separate resolution to accept a public water‑utility easement from Hector and Josephine Moran as part of the FM‑4 to Gardega 16‑inch water transmission main project. City staff said the design includes about 15,000 linear feet of 16‑inch pipe and that the easement is needed to cross property south of the railroad. The council approved acquiring the easement for $20,000 plus closing costs; the purchase will be funded from the project allocation in the Tax and Revenue Certificates of Obligation, Series 2024. John Warren moved to approve the easement and Oliver Cosby seconded; the motion passed unanimously.

The council also approved an interlocal mutual‑aid agreement with the City of Burleson for fire department emergency services. Fire leadership said the towns have long provided reciprocal aid by handshake, but Insurance Services Office (ISO) rating criteria require a formal interlocal agreement to receive credit in ISO evaluations; the new written agreement and aligned EMS protocols were presented as meeting those expectations. Derek Weathers moved to approve the mutual‑aid agreement and John Warren seconded; the motion carried unanimously.

On a separate zoning/plat item, the council approved a one‑time 30‑day extension to allow submittal of a revised preliminary plat for Lakeney Place (41 single‑family lots on approximately 9.78 acres near the northeast intersection of Cedar Street and Blakeney Street). Oliver Cosby moved to approve the extension and Blake Jones seconded; the motion was unanimous. City staff said the subdivision will return to planning and zoning on July 14 and then to council on July 22.

After a closed executive session conducted under Texas Government Code section 551.071 to receive legal advice on two matters (a petition involving Johnson County Power LLC before the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and contemplated litigation involving housing finance corporations), the council voted to authorize the City Attorney’s Office to file suit against Pecos Housing Finance Corporation, members of its board and any other necessary parties. Blake Jones moved the authorization and John Warren seconded; the motion passed unanimously.

Votes at a glance - Consent agenda (items 7.1–7.9): motion by Blake Jones; second Derek Weathers; outcome: approved unanimously. Items include minutes, two Garza Properties façade grants (208 and 114 E. Chambers St.), conveyance plat for Live Oaks Apartments (~29 acres), preliminary plat for Lot 111 of Kilpatrick Switch (~42 acres), and Harvest Hill preliminary and final plats (78 lots / ~105 acres; phase 1 ~25 acres; phase 2 ~34 acres). - 8.1 (public water utility easement from Hector and Josephine Moran): motion by John Warren; second Oliver Cosby; approved unanimously; consideration: $20,000 purchase + closing costs; funding: Tax and Revenue Certificates of Obligation, Series 2024. - 8.2 (mutual‑aid agreement with City of Burleson, fire services): motion by Derek Weathers; second John Warren; approved unanimously. - 8.3 (30‑day extension for Lakeney Place preliminary plat, 41 lots): motion by Oliver Cosby; second Blake Jones; approved unanimously. - 9.2 (authorize lawsuit against Pecos Housing Finance Corporation and related parties): motion by Blake Jones; second John Warren; approved unanimously.

Council members present who participated in votes included Blake Jones (mayor pro tem), Derek Weathers (District 1), Oliver Cosby (District 3) and John Warren (District 4). City Manager Michael Marrero and department staff attended and presented on technical items. The council took no other public actions after the votes and adjourned.

Ending: With unanimous votes on each item, the council adjourned after approving the listed resolutions, plats and the litigation authorization.