Summary: Willow Park City Council Meeting reviewed by the City of Willow Park newspaper of record, The Community News: • [Annexation, Beall Development] • PID [Beall Development] • Film Friendly • Funderburk honored • More annexation [Beall Development] • May election • PC election services • Appointments [City Boards]
• Note: Willow Park Civics is about Willow Park but is NOT associated with or managed by the City of Willow Park.
• Latest Update: posted 17 January 2024
• Reprinted with written permission.
Annexation highlights council meeting, The Community News, posted online 16 January 2025, 17 January 2025 Edition, [14 January 2025 Council Meeting Review by The Community News, 17 January 2025 Edition]
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Topics:
• [Annexation, Beall Development]
• PID [Beall Development]
• Film Friendly
• Funderburk honored
• More annexation [Beall Development]
• May election
• PC election services
• Appointments [City Boards]
Excerpt:
[Annexation, Beall Development]
At its Tuesday, Jan. 14 meeting, the first of the new year, the Willow Park City Council held several public hearings in connection with annexation. This included one particular proposed annexation approved at the Nov. 12 meeting to enter into an agreement with Dean-Beall Ranch, Ltd.
The land, voluntarily offered for annexation and owned by Dean-Beall, consists of just over 317 acres located on the southwest corner of Interstate 20 and Highway 1187, running all the way to Bankhead Highway.
Following limited participation from the public (one person in each hearing, the same person), council announced the next and final step to make the agreement official will come as soon as the Feb. 11 meeting. Per state law, it cannot be made official for at least 20 days following the public hearing and the next meeting on Jan. 28 will not be soon enough.
...
PID [Beall Development]
One of the public hearings Tuesday focused on the creation of a public improvement district (PID) in the area, which council approved. Property assessments from a PID are used to cover the cost of improvements in areas where a PID exists.
Essentially, a PID is a stand alone debt secured by the property and can only be used for property improvements.
Council is also looking at creating a tax increment reinvestment zone (TIRZ) for the area. The TIRZ abatement buys down the property taxes as an incentive to the developer.
However, that discussion was tabled until a future meeting, perhaps as soon as Jan. 28.
Film Friendly
Taylor Sheridan, creator of such popular TV series as Yellowstone and Landman, lives in Parker County and featured the area prominently in his productions. With that and more in mind, Willow Park Communications Director Rose Hoffman felt the need for her city to take steps to become a Certified Film Friendly City with the Texas Film Commission (TFC).
Tuesday, council approved putting filming and permitting guidelines compiled by Hoffman in place so she can move forward with the application. Hoffman said she will send photos and information to the TFC to support the application.
...
Hoffman said such a designation could financially benefit the city. Folks working with productions will eat in local restaurants, buy groceries locally, get gas in area stations and stay in hotels in the city.
...
Hoffman noted Willow Park has much to offer for filmmakers, for example, “If they want to film with a statue of a fish, we have a statue of a fish,” referring to the sculpture named Iron Did Swim. It’s stainless steel alligator gar that stands 24 feet tall overlooking the Trinity River and Willow Park North.
Funderburk honored
The council honored Assistant City Manager Bill Funderburk, who is retiring at the end of January. This brings to an end a 44-year career in public service spanning eight cities and countless offices.
...
More annexation [Beall Development]
Following two more public hearings, council approved the annexation of approximately 11 additional acres, including just over 7,300 feet of East Bankhead Highway (a variable width right-of-way). This is a continuation of property previously annexed by the city and will extend that area all the way to the intersection of 1187 and East Bankhead.
This will not change plans by the county to make improvements in that section of the road. This will likely be made official at the first February meeting.
May election
Council ordered the May 3 general election. This year offices up for election are mayor (Doyle Moss), along with council Places 1 (Eric Contreras) and 2 (Chawn Gilliland).
Candidate packets are available on the city’s website.
PC election services
The city has a contract with Parker County for its elections. This contract must be approved and submitted by April 8.
The cost will be provided at a later date as Parker County will need to assess how many associate election judges will be needed, along with voting clerks. Council approved use of the public safety building for early voting.
Appointments
Council approved several board placements for the coming Tuesday:
Board of adjustment - Place 1, Michael Chandler; Place 3, Cindi Neverdousky; Place 5, Scott Smith; alternate, Mike Barron.
Parks board - Place 1, Lea Young, Ex-Officio; Place 3, Barry Noggle; Place 5, JD DeLaFuente; alternates, Jerry Vierling and Shayla DeLaFuente.
Planning and zoning - Place 1, Rodney Wilkins; Place 3, Zachary (Zac) Walker; Place 5, Jared Fowler; alternate, Ever Gomez.
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