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Council adopts amended ordinance tightening procedures for exemptions and appeals in offender regulations
Summary
On second reading the council approved revisions to an ordinance prohibiting certain offenders near places where children gather, adding timelines for written exemption decisions, rescission notices and 30‑day appeal windows to the city manager; the ordinance takes effect March 1, 2026.
On second reading the Midland City Council approved amendments to an ordinance that restricts certain offenders from residing within 1,500 feet of premises where children commonly gather and from entering those premises. The revised draft — slated to take effect March 1, 2026 — clarified exemption and appeal procedures.
The city attorney read changes that require the chief of police to issue a written decision on an exemption request within 15 business days or be deemed to have disapproved the request by operation of law; rescission of an exemption by the chief takes effect three business days after written notice; and an offender may file a written appeal to the city manager within 30 calendar days. The city manager (or designee) is to issue a written decision within 15 business days, with failures to act deemed affirmances by operation of law.
Public commenter Shandy Williams urged the council to prioritize victims and said lengthy written‑appeal processes risk delaying protective measures. City staff said the amendments were intended to preserve due process while providing a structured, accountable timeline that avoids the open‑ended appeals process critics had identified in the prior draft.
Council moved to approve the ordinance with the attorney’s amendments; the motion was seconded and carried unanimously.
