Gilmer council approves street closure, park board appointment and airport repairs; land sale moved to executive session

The City of Gilmer City Council on April 28 approved a series of routine items and took one matter about airport property into executive session. The council voted unanimously to close a block of Davis Street for a community event on May 9, appoint a former councilmember to the Parks Advisory Board, authorize a request for proposals for employee medical insurance, and award airport maintenance work to vendors eligible for RAMP grant reimbursement.

Why it matters: the decisions clear the way for a neighborhood event on May 9, start procurement work that could change employee health‑benefit options, and fund airport repairs slated to improve taxi‑way lighting and pavement. The executive‑session discussion on a possible partial sale of airport parcel #65119087 keeps potential land transaction details confidential for now.

During announcements City Manager Mary Bullock said the city had cashed out one Certificate of Deposit for $1.1 million to fund water tank repairs and had renewed two other CDs at their existing rates. Bullock also reported that the Fire Chief plans to retire in June and that paving at the Yamboree Park Sports Complex will begin next week with striping to follow; work will be completed in sections to minimize disruption.

In public comment Thadd Barr, representing the American Legion, thanked the council for use of Abney Park and said the organization plans to continue hosting events there despite lower turnout this year.

On the consent agenda the council approved minutes from April 14, 2026, and the April expense report. Mayor Pro‑Tem Pete Herrmann moved approval; Councilmember Jerry Webb seconded and the motion passed 6–0.

Under items to consider the council approved a street closure for Davis Street (100–122 Davis St) from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on May 9 for vendor safety after Leslie Hodges said most adjacent businesses supported the closure. Mayor Tim Marshall moved the measure; Councilmember Jerry Webb seconded; the vote was 6–0.

Mayor Marshall also moved to appoint former councilmember Marty Jordan to the Parks Advisory Board following the board's recommendation to fill a vacancy; Councilmember Jarom Tefteller seconded and the appointment was approved unanimously.

The council authorized Staff to issue a Request for Proposals for city employee medical insurance to explore fully insured, self‑insured and captive options on a timeline aligned with the Texas Health Benefits renewal. Joe Dodd of Clients First Insurance was present to answer council questions. The motion to approve the RFP was made by Mayor Marshall, seconded by Councilmember Brian Williams, and passed 6–0.

Councilmember Jarom Tefteller briefed the council on two airport maintenance projects to be billed to a RAMP grant. The council approved a $13,750 quote to Jeff Butler for seal coating and a $25,859 quote to BrightPortal Resources for taxi‑way lighting (motion by Tefteller, seconded by Brian Williams; vote 6–0).

The council then voted to enter executive session at 5:26 p.m. to consult with the city attorney and deliberate the partial sale of airport parcel #65119087 under Texas Government Code sections 551.071, 551.072 and 551.087. The council returned to open session at 5:46 p.m. and took no action on the parcel during the public meeting.

The meeting adjourned at 5:47 p.m.

Next steps: the RFP process will proceed to solicit proposals ahead of the TXHB renewal cycle and airport maintenance work will be scheduled for RAMP reimbursement; any future public action on parcel #65119087 will be announced if the council places it on a future open‑meeting agenda.