The Euless City Council on Monday unanimously accepted the retirement of City Manager Laura Loretta and voted to appoint Chris Barker as the city's next city manager, approving his employment contract. Council members also approved a consent agenda that included the purchase of rifles for the police department, replacement of rooftop HVAC units at the Harold Samuels Finance building, a call for a general election for council places 1 and 3, designation of a newspaper of record, and the city's updated Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) transition plan.

Why it matters: The council's actions set administrative leadership for the city and approved several operational and legal steps that will affect city services, election administration and public communications. The appointment of a city manager is the council's principal administrative decision and signals the leadership team that will implement council policy going forward.

The council voted unanimously to accept the retirement of City Manager Laura Loretta. No alternate disposition or conditions were recorded in the meeting minutes; the motion to accept the retirement was made and seconded on the record and carried without dissent.

The council then approved the appointment of Chris Barker as city manager and the associated contract. "Well, it's with a great deal of pride and gratitude that we named Chris Barker our next city manager," the mayor said during the meeting. Council members made and seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous.

Votes at a glance:

- Consent agenda (items including purchase of rifles/accessories from Psionics for use by the Euless Police Department; replacement of rooftop HVAC units at the Harold Samuels Finance building via an interlocal job order contract with Payne Mechanical Services; and approval of city council minutes from Dec. 9 and Dec. 10, 2024): Motion made by Council Member Stinnifer, seconded by Council Member Tompkins; passed unanimously.

- Resolution No. 25-1668 (calling a general election for City Council places 1 and 3; authorizing a contract with Tarrant County for election services and equipment): Motion made by Council Member Tompkins, seconded by Council Member Bynum; passed unanimously.

- Resolution No. 25-1669 (designating the Commercial Recorder as the city's newspaper of record): Motion made by Council Member Price, seconded by Council Member Eads; passed unanimously. City staff noted the Fort Worth Star-Telegram has reduced its print schedule and staff recommended the Commercial Recorder because it publishes Monday through Friday and maintains an online edition.

- Approval of the revised City of Euless ADA transition plan (2024 updates): Motion made by Mayor Pro Tem Tikka Patel, seconded by Council Member Tompkins; passed unanimously. Connie Scott presented the plan and summarized that the document, updated annually, includes the 2024 projects and committee-requested items. "The ADA transition plan is in its 10th year," Scott said.

- Approval of extension of the city secretary's contract: Motion made by Council Member Bynum, seconded by Council Member Steenaford; passed unanimously.

During public comment, a resident praised Loretta's long service. "You've done a great job for 25 years," said Mr. Miller, who identified himself as a citizen attending the meeting.

Details and context: The rifle and accessories purchase was described as procurement for the Euless Police Department; the rooftop HVAC replacement at the Harold Samuels Finance building was noted as a scheduled replacement funded in the FY25 budget and to be carried out through an interlocal job order contract with Payne Mechanical Services. The council called the election for two council places (Place 1 and Place 3) and authorized contracting with Tarrant County to provide election services and equipment.

City staff explained the proposed change of newspaper of record to the Commercial Recorder, noting that the Star-Telegram's reduced print days had created operational challenges for publishing legal notices. The Commercial Recorder was presented as a Monday–Friday paper with an online edition; staff said its rate is slightly higher than the Star-Telegram but offers more consistent publication options.

The council did not record any roll-call tallies in the transcript beyond noting motions, seconders and unanimous passage for the items above. No votes failed or were tabled at the meeting.

The meeting concluded after public comment and brief council remarks.