Cleburne council approves consent agenda, backs Irving Lofts tax-credit support and accepts racial-profiling reports

The Cleburne City Council unanimously approved its consent agenda, voted to support a housing tax-credit application for the Irving Lofts redevelopment, and accepted annual racial-profiling reports from city law-enforcement agencies during its meeting.

The council approved a bundle of routine items on a single motion, including minutes, accounts payable and budget transfers for December 2024; the city's quarterly investment report for the period ending December 2024; two Chapter 380 economic development agreements (one for property at 814 Turner Street under the Cleburne Pride Home Improvement Incentive Program and one with JML Investments Ltd. for 1200 W. Henderson Street under the facade improvement matching incentive program); and a professional engineering services agreement with CPNY Inc. for pump-station valve improvements (not to exceed $69,220). The council voted "aye" on the motion to approve the entire consent agenda.

Councilmembers then considered RS 7, a separate resolution declaring the council's support for a housing tax-credit application for Irving Lofts, a proposed 35-unit independent senior apartment complex at 1108 North England Street. Michael Moreira, city manager, introduced the item and invited the project's developer representative, April Engstrom of Overland Property Group, to present. Engstrom described the plan to adapt the former Irving Elementary School on 2.4 acres into senior housing, using federal housing tax credits paired with historic tax credits. "We are essentially getting to recycle in a really fun way," Engstrom said, describing the developer's experience with historic adaptive-reuse projects. She said the project would create 35 units for residents 55 and older, split roughly between one- and two-bedroom units, and estimated the total private investment at about $11 million to $13 million.

The council moved to approve RS 7; Councilmember Derek Weathers made the motion and Councilmember Blake Jones seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

On a separate item, Council accepted the annual racial-profiling reports for 2024 from the Cleburne Police Department, the Cleburne City Marshal's Office and the Fire Marshal's Office. Chief Severs presented the police department report, saying the department made 6,942 motor-vehicle stops in 2024 and submitted the data to the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement. He summarized the department's policies and training on racial-profiling prevention and complaint processes. "Racial profiling is illegal, and it's strictly prohibited," Chief Severs said. The department reported one complaint in 2024; that complaint was investigated and the investigation found no evidence of racial profiling. Councilmember Oliver Cosby moved to accept the reports; Councilmember John Warren seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.

Votes at a glance: consent agenda (items RS1'RS6) ' motion to approve consent agenda passed unanimously (votes recorded: Councilmembers Derek Weathers, Blake Jones, Oliver Cosby, John Warren ' all "yes"); RS 7 (resolution supporting Irving Lofts housing tax-credit application) ' motion passed unanimously (mover: Derek Weathers; second: Blake Jones); RSA (accept 2024 racial-profiling reports) ' motion passed unanimously (mover: Oliver Cosby; second: John Warren).

Council members who participated in votes listed themselves on the meeting record as Derek Weathers (single-member District 1), Blake Jones (Mayor Pro Tem), Oliver Cosby (single-member District 3) and John Warren (single-member District 4). The meeting record lists Michael Moreira as city manager and identifies department heads as present.

The council did not take separate roll-call tallies beyond recorded unanimous approval for each motion.

The council indicated the mayor or mayor pro tem and city manager would finalize any required letters of support for the Irving Lofts application and may gather additional council signatures on those letters.

No additional formal actions were taken on the Irving Lofts financing or on policing policy during the meeting; the housing support resolution is a statement of the council's support that the developer can include with an application to the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs.