In a packed agenda, Stephenville city council made the move to deny a rezone request in a split vote, approved several Stephenville PD items and worked through several committee items.
Council’s split decision was in regards to a rezone changing a parcel of land from R-1 (single family residential) to R-2.5 Integrated Housing.
The applicant, Juan M. Ramirez Jr., was requesting the change to have a smaller lot dimension so the property could be subdivided to allow the construction of an additional single-family home. One home is already located on the property.
If the rezone was approved, the survey provided indicated that this parcel would meet the minimum land use requirements relating to lot dimensions and setback requirements if subdivided.
Five letters of opposition were received with concerns mentioning traffic and the potential for the construction of something other than a single family residence. No one spoke in favor or opposition at the Planning and Zoning Meeting, and it passed out of P&Z May 21 with a vote of 5-2 with a recommendation that council approve the rezone request.
In materials presented to council, it stated that though demolishing the current structure could allow for the construction of a townhome or a twofour family unit, Ramirez stated he had no intention to demolish the home, just to subdivide and build an additional single family home in the newly platted lot. It should also be noted that once subdivided, the newly created lot will only have dimensions for the construction of a singlefamily home.
Councilmember Gerald Cook stated his opposition to the rezoning with concerns that none of the other lots in that area had been split and there was no other 2.5 zoning in the subdivision.
Cook made a motion to deny the rezoning request and it was seconded by Alan Nix.
When put to a vote, Cook, Nix along with Dean Parr and Lonn Reisman voted in favor of denying the rezoning, while councilmembers Maddie Smith, David Baskett and Brandon Greenhaw, along with Mayor Doug Svien voted in opposition.
This resulted in a tie. Councilmember LeAnn Durfey was absent from the meeting.
A motion to approve the rezoning request was made by Baskett and seconded by Smith.
Baskett, Smith, Greenhaw and Svien voted in favor of the rezoning request, while Cook, Nix, Parr and Reisman voted against it. Since it was a tie, the motion to approve the rezoning failed.
A public hearing regarding the voluntary annexation of a 7.577 portion of land in the city’s extraterritorial jurisdiction was held followed by city council approval to annex in the property. The property is along Hwy. 281 and will receive city services as part of the annexation agreement.
A bid was awarded to Jay Mills Contracting, Inc. in the amount of $672,679 for the construction of the Stephenville Baseball Field.
Bids for this project were solicited and opened March 28, 2025. The project to construct Field 3 was originally approved with the 2022 Bond Proceeds.
Approval by council was given to move forward with a professional services agreement with NewGen Strategies & Solutions for a water & wastewater rate study at a cost of $57,687.
In 2021, the city contracted with Freese & Nichols to complete a water and wastewater rate study. The rate increases recommended were based upon the anticipated costs of operations and infrastructure and were implemented over the next four years. As infrastructure costs have increased, it is recommended that a rate study be performed to update the anticipated costs of infrastructure and operations to current numbers.
Though the project was not included in the budget funds could be moved from the WWTP Capital Equipment Maintenance to cover the cost.
Police/Fire items Approval was given to Fire Chief Robert Isbell to purchase an EMS training manikin.
The SimMan ALS is a realistic interactive Training Simulator for simulating a wide range of advanced lifesaving skills in prehospital emergencies. It is tetherless, Wi-Fi operated. The simulator responds to clinical intervention, instructor control, and pre-programmed scenarios for effective practice of diagnostic skills and patient treatment. With spontaneous breathing, airway control, voice, sounds, ECG and many other clinical features, the SimMan ALS is the fully functional pre-hospital simulator.
The cost of the device is $66,213 with a budgeted amount of $40,000, however, the difference was realized in the budgeted cardiac monitors.
Approval was given to Stephenville Police Chief Dan Harris to use a portion of the federal asset forfeiture funds to purchase two unmanned aerial system and an enclosed 1 ½ by 16 ft. box trailer.
These funds can only be used for equipment only, not salaries or personnel costs, Harris explained.
The trailer will be used for the motorcycle officers, the honor guard and as a publicity wrapped trailer at events.
Approval from council was also given for the police department to move forward with the production, broadcast and distribution of the International Association of Chiefs of Police TX Thought Leadership Film Series featuring the Stephenville Police Department.
The film, at a cost of $26,000, will be utilized as a recruitment tool for the PD, and would air in mid-October.
In other business the council:
■ approved budget amendment for fiscal year ending in Sept. 30, 2025.
■ approved landfill vouchers to aid with the city of Gordon tornado relief
■ Several committee reports were also presented at the meeting.