Janet Bayer

The documents cover several City Council meetings and related reports in February 2026. Key discussions and actions included issuing a proclamation recognizing February 12, 2026, as Red Door Day to raise awareness for mental health. The February 23rd Council meeting addressed several regular agenda items: approving funds for a dedicated Tourism Website; authorizing RFPs for engineering services for the 2026 Downtown Revitalization and Main Street Programs; authorizing funds for a City Match for an LCRA Community Grant application for Hope Hill Park improvements; approving an agreement for a Conceptual Master Plan for the Fairgrounds involving multiple stakeholders; adopting the Parks, Recreation, Open Space and Trails (PROST) Master Plan; approving the Order Calling for General Election of City Officers; approving an Election Services Contract with Fayette County; selecting Bojorquez Law Firm for City Attorney services following a closed executive session. Additionally, the agenda included a required presentation on Racial Profiling by the Police Department and consideration of a Traffic Sign Placement Evaluation contract with Strand Associates. Separately, the certification of unopposed candidates for Councilmember Wards 1, 2, and 4 was addressed, leading to the cancellation of the May 2, 2026 election for those positions. Financial reports on Sales Tax Collections (as of February 2026) and Cash/Investment Balances (as of January 31, 2026) were also included, along with January 2026 activity reports for the Police Department and Library/Museum.

The City Council meeting included a presentation of a Proclamation to Mindy Girard for her volunteering efforts. Council discussed a rate request from CenterPoint Energy Entex to increase the base residential gas rate, and a resolution was passed to suspend the rate for 45 days. The council approved updated Main Street Board Bylaws and discussed tourism funding requests for the Czech Center and to replace the roof on the MKT Depot. An agreement with Cutright & Allen was authorized to design a Splash Pad and parking lot, and a request to block off the square for La Grange Oktoberfest was approved. The council also discussed the 2015 Budget Schedule and received committee reports from the Library board, Main Street, and the Beautification Committee. The Police Chief reported on recent storage unit break-ins and cases of "huffing" computer dust cleaner. The City Manager reported on sales tax, water consumption, and the use of Tyler Notify for utility bill reminders. Additionally, a special meeting was held to canvass the City Election, and another special meeting included a public hearing on the closeout of a CDBG water line project and discussions on a request for the city to share in the cost to repair a damaged sewer line. The council also discussed and considered the allocation of EDC funds to Tejas Health Care and a pole contact agreement with Colorado Valley Communications, and selected a Mayor Pro tem.

The council addressed various topics including economic and community development programs, considering incentive programs such as the Paint & Sign Grant Program and the Façade Grant Program. They discussed a request to rezone property from Public to Commercial and the annexation of a tract adjacent to the city. The council also discussed the allocation of Tourism Funds to several organizations. Updates were provided on city projects, compliance with TCEQ regulations, and the summer reading program. Additionally, the council approved committee appointments, considered updates to building and fire codes, and discussed the Hope Hill annexation issue. The council also reviewed draft objectives for FY 2019-2020, including issuing RFPs for banking and audit services, developing a strategic plan for the Police Department, and completing facility improvements.

The council addressed several key items, including the final plat of the Hope Hill Subdivision, a preliminary replat request at 333 W Northline Street, and awarding the bid for the Cedar Street Drainage Project. They also considered engineering services for General Land Office (GLO) applications and authorized modifications to utility billing, including suspending disconnections and waiving late fees. Additional funding was allocated to Combined Community Action for utility assistance programs. The council discussed implementing a Locals Love La Grange Challenge, providing utility rebates for local receipts, and received a report on EDC Community Investment programs related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Updates were provided by the Chief of Police and the City Manager, including a sales tax collection decrease and plans to reduce expenditures. The annual audit report was presented and accepted, and a resolution was approved to change the date of the May 25th meeting. An active project report was reviewed, and discussions were held regarding the financial impact of COVID-19 and plans to "Open Texas."

The meeting included reports from the Executive Director on program updates, sponsor fees benefiting the City of LaGrange, the program's collections record, historic discounts provided to municipal buyers, and activities relating to the protection, maintenance, and growth of the Program. The board acknowledged the reappointment of Glen Pape as director and approved the reelection of each officer. The 2018 audit was reviewed and approved, noting an unqualified opinion from Deloitte and Touche LLP. The board authorized the engagement of audit duties by Deloitte and Touche LLP for the calendar year ending December 31, 2019.