Council approves multiple contracts, leases and rezones; denies one amended economic development agreement

The City Council voted on a slate of consent, contract and zoning items. Key outcomes included approval of on‑call temporary traffic control contracts, approval of a commercial hangar lease at Midland International for Starfighters International, acceptance of a donated cargo trailer for the police negotiator unit, approval of numerous rezones and map amendments, and denial of an amended economic development agreement with Flower Child Baked Goods LLC.

Contracts and donations: The council unanimously approved two on‑call temporary traffic control services contracts (term through Sept. 30, 2025, with up to four one‑year renewal options; maximum $150,000 per vendor per term) and authorized payment (item 6). The council also unanimously approved a one‑year commercial hangar lease with Starfighters International for a roughly 33,700‑square‑foot facility at Midland International Airport; staff described the lease as temporary while a permanent solution is pursued and said it brings an immediate tenant to a long‑vacant hangar (item 10). The council unanimously accepted a donated 2021 Continental 6x12 cargo trailer to be used by the Midland Police Department negotiator unit (item 12).

Economic development agreement (Flower Child): Council considered an amended and restated economic development agreement between the Midland Development Corporation and Flower Child Baked Goods LLC. Staff said the only amendment removed a site‑specific requirement, allowing the company to expand anywhere within city limits while keeping job and capital thresholds unchanged. After discussion and a motion to deny, the council voted 5–2 to deny the amended agreement (item 11).

Rezoning and map changes: The council advanced a large batch of zoning‑map amendments, many on second reading, covering residential and commercial parcels across the city. Sample items approved during the meeting included: - Rezoning a 5.57‑acre tract from O‑1 (office) to RR (regional retail) at the southeast corner of North Big Spring Street and Solomon Lane (supermajority required; motion carried 6–1). - Multiple single‑family rezones, townhouse conversions and commercial rezones across Greenwood, Moody, Wilshire Park and other neighborhoods (most carried unanimously, 6–0 or 7–0 where recorded). - A rezoning and specific‑use designations for on‑site alcohol sales and restaurant uses in the downtown corridor and other commercial locations (individual items included public hearings and were approved as noted by staff).

Other business: Council authorized the city manager to advertise an RFQ for professional services related to the Wildcatter Trail (Champions–Deauville phase) and to negotiate an agreement with the selected firm, with final contract approval subject to council action. Council also approved change orders totaling approximately $4,020,915 for the Northeast Sewer Line project to handle enhanced performance needs and unforeseen field conditions (item 34).

Ending: Staff will proceed with the awarded contracts, lease and project changes; Planning and Development will continue handling zoning matters and follow up where items were deferred or where special conditions (for example, SUD reviews) apply.