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Votes at a glance: Amarillo council approves park renaming, tax-exemption for child-care, project supports and contract awards
Summary
On Feb. 25 the council adopted resolutions and ordinances: renamed Medical Center Park for John Ward; approved a 100% local property-tax exemption option for qualifying child-care facilities (ordinance 8183); approved support for an affordable-housing LIHTC application; authorized CVB master-plan work; approved a public-health immunization grant; renewed a landscape-maintenance contract; and awarded the Georgia Street reconstruction contract.
At its Feb. 25 meeting the Amarillo City Council recorded several formal actions (motions and votes) across naming, tax policy, housing, health, tourism and major construction procurement. Key outcomes recorded in the meeting minutes:
John Ward Memorial Park — Resolution 02-25-20 (Item 9A): Council adopted the resolution renaming Medical Center Park to John Ward Memorial Park following a Park Board recommendation and brief public hearing. Motion carried by council voice vote.
Child-care property-tax exemption — Ordinance 8183 (Item 9B): Pursuant to state Proposition 2 (Nov. 2023), council adopted local ordinance 8183 applying a 100% local option property-tax exemption for qualifying licensed child-care facilities that participate in Texas Rising Star and serve at least 20% subsidized children. Staff estimated about $7 million in taxable value could be affected; the fiscal impact to the city projection range provided in the packet advised minimal revenue loss at full adoption.
W Cooper/Toova Terraces support (Item 9D): Council approved a resolution of support and an associated $500 fee waiver to strengthen W Cooper Development—s competitive scoring for a 9% LIHTC application for an 80-unit affordable rental project on SE 28th.
Visit Amarillo master plan contract (Item 9C): Council approved contracting with JLL for a 20-year tourism master plan (board recommended) with a base price in the packet and a requested reserve for optional add-ons; staff will amend the 2024—25 budget to fund the contract from CVB reserves.
ADL immunization grant (Item 8L): Council approved a health-department grant (~$261,000) restricted to immunization staffing and supplies; the vaccines themselves are supplied through the Texas Vaccine for Children program.
Homeless-services support (Item 9E): Council approved a one-time support resolution related to a cabin-community and associated services; staff reported cabins arrival and set an April ribbon-cutting target.
Landscape contract renewal (Item 9H): Council approved renewal of a turnkey landscape-maintenance contract covering regional and community parks and undeveloped properties.
Georgia Street reconstruction (Item 9I): Council awarded construction to the recommended bidder (LaFuller & Sons) including an $87,105 alternate to pre-install corridor lighting, for a total contract in the packet around $27.3M; the project timeline presented was ~3.5 years due to phasing, utilities and storm-drain work.
All recorded motions in the meeting passed by council vote as announced on the record.
