Council approves audit, park agreement, facility fees and a cell tower; adopts CDO update

Fulshear City Council on March 18 approved a set of routine and policy items, including the city's fiscal year 2024 audited financials, an agreement with Fort Bend County to allow temporary use of a portion of the city's right of way to support a county park, updates to the Irene Stern Community Center master fee schedule, and a specific-use permit for a wireless communications monopole at 6510 FM 359. The council also adopted a package of amendments to Chapter 28 (the Coordinated Development Ordinance) after staff agreed to two technical edits requested during the meeting.

The audit: The council approved the FY 2024 audit as presented by Daniel Hebert of Crowe LLP. Hebert said the auditors anticipated issuing an unmodified (clean) opinion and noted the city ended the year with approximately $352 million in total assets and about $296 million in net position. The general fund ended the year with an ending fund balance of about $14.9 million, which Hebert said equates to roughly 11 months of operating expenditures.

Interlocal agreement for park access: Council approved an interlocal agreement allowing Fort Bend County to use part of the city's right of way on Fulshear‑Katy Road to provide parking and other improvements for a county project described in the meeting packet as an "All Abilities" park. City staff said the city retains ownership of the right of way; the agreement grants use for the county's park construction and related parking. The county plans to put the project out to bid after commissioners court considers the interlocal agreement.

Irene Stern facility fees: Council approved amendments to the master fee schedule related to Irene Stern Community Center rentals. Staff said the center's rental program has increased in use and that prior cleaning and staff costs were not fully recovered. Under the changes, the city will add or adjust cleaning fees, a flat setup fee, and revise minimum rental hours and hourly rates; staff said nonprofits and resident groups will retain favorable pricing compared with nonresidents.

Wireless tower SUP: The council approved Ordinance No. 2025‑1482, granting a specific‑use permit for a 150‑foot monopole wireless tower at 6510 FM 359 in the industrial district. The applicant noted AT&T would be the first carrier on the tower; the city's staff report said the proposal meets city spacing and design requirements and allows for future collocation.

Coordinated Development Ordinance (CDO) amendments: The council adopted a package of CDO amendments (Ordinance No. 2025‑1481) covering multiple sections of Chapter 28. Staff said the ordinance contains around 15 changes ranging from updating definitions (for example, clarifying "dry cleaning facility" vs. "establishment") to parking and building‑design standards, limits on certain uses in particular zoning districts, and updated stormwater/low‑impact development (LID) options. During the meeting staff agreed to remove a proposed requirement that gas stations provide two on‑site EV chargers and to correct a drafting error in the dry‑cleaning language. Council approved the ordinance with those edits.

How the votes were recorded: Each of the above motions passed by general voice vote; minutes and the official ordinance resolutions will carry the formal record. No roll‑call tallies were read into the public record during the meeting for these motions.

What's next: Staff said the county will take the interlocal agreement to Fort Bend Commissioners Court. Staff also said the city will implement the Irene Stern fee changes and that permits and records for the tower will proceed according to the special‑use permit schedule. The adopted CDO changes take effect as stated in the ordinance text.

Votes / actions at a glance - FY 2024 audit: motion to approve (mover: Councilmember Utakar; second: Councilmember Powers). Outcome: approved. - Interlocal agreement (Fulshear‑Katy Road parking/use for Fort Bend County park): motion to approve (mover: Councilmember Johnson; second: Councilmember Utakar). Outcome: approved. - Master fee schedule amendment — Irene Stern facility rental fees: motion to approve (mover: Councilmember Stoddard's motion introduced by staff; second: Councilmember Poole). Outcome: approved. - Ordinance 2025‑1481 (CDO amendments): motion to approve as amended to remove EV charging requirement and correct dry‑cleaning language (mover: Councilmember Lukar; second: Councilmember Poole). Outcome: approved. - Ordinance 2025‑1482 (SUP for 150' monopole at 6510 FM 359): motion to approve (mover: Councilmember Powers; second: Councilmember Utakar). Outcome: approved.