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Athens City Council approves resolutions and ordinances; votes 3–1 to allow six-month private use of downtown parking lot
Summary
The Athens City Council on April 27 approved multiple resolutions and final-read ordinances—including a performance agreement with the AEDC, appointments to the Henderson County 9-1-1 board, funding for Wood Street right-of-way and final adoption of a TIRZ project plan—and approved a six‑month MOU allowing 215 Prairieville Series LLC temporary use of a downtown parking lot over the mayor's dissent.
The Athens City Council approved a slate of resolutions and final-read ordinances at its April 27 meeting, including agreements to support the Cain Center, appointments to the Henderson County 9‑1‑1 board, and adoption of a Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) Project and Finance Plan. Separately, the council voted 3–1 to authorize a six-month memorandum of understanding allowing 215 Prairieville Series LLC to use the city-leased parking lot at N. Prairieville and Larkin Street for Teeda Mae’s Cafe patrons; Mayor Aaron Smith voted against the MOU.
Key council actions taken on April 27 included unanimous approval of a Performance Agreement with the Athens Economic Development Corporation for Cain Center operations and maintenance funding; receipt and approval of the Henderson County 9‑1‑1 Communication District’s FY2026–27 budget; reappointment of John Becton and appointment of Captain Brittney Lee to the 9‑1‑1 board; authorization of an air-show agreement with the Cedar Creek Veterans Foundation; and approval of a contract to have Garver develop an RFP for construction of airport hangars using FUND 15.
Council also authorized steps on local infrastructure projects. The council voted unanimously to dedicate $30,000 from Fund 15 toward right-of-way acquisition for the Wood Street reconstruction project (to be reimbursed from TIRZ revenues as available). On ordinances, council approved a final reading adding “Condominium” as an allowed use in the zoning chart and a definition in the zoning code; it also conducted a first reading to amend airport lease language to prohibit assignment and subletting in order to comply with FAA assurances related to future state grant conditions.
On the downtown parking MOU, City Secretary Bonnie Hambrick read written comments from Deborah Deas objecting to the arrangement before the vote. The MOU authorizes 215 Prairieville Series LLC to use the parking spaces for a six-month period to help establish the new business’s customer base; after six months the lot will revert to two-hour public parking. The motion to approve the MOU passed with votes from Councilwoman SyTanna Freeman, Councilmember Katha Lawyer and Councilmember Bill Priestley; Mayor Aaron Smith voted no.
Other formal actions included approval of multiple 2026 T-hangar lease renewals at Athens Municipal Airport and the Quarterly Investment Report ending March 31, 2026. The meeting closed with recognition of outgoing Mayor Pro Tem SyTanna Freeman for her service; the session adjourned at 7:26 p.m.
Votes at a glance: • Performance Agreement (Cain Center) — resolution; outcome: approved unanimously. • Henderson County 9‑1‑1 FY2026–27 budget — resolution; outcome: approved unanimously. • Reappointment of John Becton to Henderson County 9‑1‑1 board — resolution; outcome: approved unanimously. • Appointment of Captain Brittney Lee to Henderson County 9‑1‑1 board — resolution; outcome: approved unanimously. • Air Show Agreement (Cedar Creek Veterans Foundation) — resolution; outcome: approved unanimously. • Garver agreement to develop hangar RFP (use of Fund 15) — resolution; outcome: approved unanimously. • Memorandum of Understanding with 215 Prairieville Series LLC (use of parking lot) — resolution; outcome: approved 3–1 (Freeman, Lawyer, Priestley in favor; Mayor Smith opposed). • Wood Street right-of-way acquisition and $30,000 Fund 15 dedication — resolution; outcome: approved unanimously; note: reimbursement from TIRZ as revenues allow. • Ordinance: add “Condominium” to zoning (final reading) — ordinance_adoption; outcome: adopted 4–0. • Ordinance: TIRZ Project and Finance Plan (final reading) — ordinance_adoption; outcome: adopted 4–0.
City staff said the next procedural step on the proposed transfer of two courthouse-square street segments from TxDOT to the city would include a third‑party traffic engineering study and a public meeting with downtown stakeholders before any formal request is made to TxDOT.
