Leon Barba

The Special Session meeting included a Citizen Comment Period where citizens expressed support for the Mayor, concerns regarding ethics complaints, and issues pertaining to staff conduct and City Council rules concerning public statements about ethics violations. The Council convened into a lengthy Executive Session to consult with attorneys regarding legal issues and potential real estate acquisition for transportation improvements, water/wastewater utility improvements, municipal office space, Project Philo, the City's Code of Ethics (specifically concerning the evaluation/discipline of the Mayor), and existing agreements with American Structurepoint, Inc. Following the Executive Session, the Council reconvened and took action to direct the city manager to issue a request for qualifications for an outside attorney to conduct a risk assessment of existing city contracts for road infrastructure.

The special session included a Citizen Comment Period where citizens expressed concerns regarding a Council Member's social media activity, the proposed budget for the upcoming visioning workshop, and the lack of oversight regarding city credit card statements. The primary action item involved the consideration and approval of a resolution authorizing two 2026 City Council Visioning Workshops: one in Grapevine, Texas, for team building and governance, and another in Kyle, Texas, for visioning implementation, which passed by a vote of 6-1. The Council convened into Executive Session to consult with attorneys regarding legal issues related to 6 Creeks PID, water and wastewater rates, the Nance-Bradshaw Ranch tract, and to discuss potential economic development incentives and real estate matters. No action was taken following the executive session.

Key discussion topics during this regular session included managing citizen comments concerning local issues such as public safety, development, eminent domain procedures, and animal control facilities. Council addressed several agenda items, approving consultant agreements for small-scale civil engineering projects and appointing a member to the Board on Aging. Significant time was spent on council governance, resulting in directing staff to bring back recommendations concerning replacing routine reimbursements with a fixed monthly stipend and eliminating most City Council credit cards, alongside creating a policy for posting credit card expenses online. Furthermore, the Council authorized the use of eminent domain for property acquisition related to drainage and road improvement projects on multiple parcels, and addressed appointments to the Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone No. 2 Board of Directors. Staff received direction regarding future presentations on bond debt and comprehensive payroll costs.

The Special Session meeting included a brief Citizen Comment Period, during which no citizens chose to speak. The primary agenda item involved convening into an Executive Session to consult with attorneys concerning legal issues related to the acquisition of property for various infrastructure improvements (transportation, water, drainage, wastewater), the Texas Open Meetings Act, the City's Code of Ethics, City Council expenses and credit cards, Project Sunflower, commercial/animal shelter property, wireless transmission facilities, and the Nance-Bradshaw Ranch tract. Following the Executive Session, the Mayor announced that no action was taken.

Key discussions during the special session included public comments concerning the need for stronger animal control ordinances following a fatal dog attack, and detailed inquiries regarding the status, risks, and financial implications of ongoing Public Utility Commission (PUC) dockets concerning water and wastewater rates, particularly concerning Extra Territorial Jurisdiction (ETJ) customers and developer agreements. The Council convened into Executive Session to consult with attorneys regarding legal issues related to the acquisition of property for various transportation, utility, and municipal improvements, as well as economic development negotiations for Project Philo. Upon reconvening, it was noted that no action was taken following the Executive Session. Staff reports included discussions and feedback on potential amendments to the City Council Rules, the upcoming council calendar, and updates on current city projects and initiatives. No formal action was taken on these reports.