The Council’s decision to contribute $25,000 towards the rehabilitation of the tennis courts at Independent School District 743 was a focal point of the meeting. The total project cost is estimated at $110,000 and includes modifications to accommodate the increasingly popular sport of pickleball. However, the move faced scrutiny as there is no statutory authority for the city to directly donate funds to a school. Instead, the contribution is framed under the umbrella of public recreation purposes.

One council member raised concerns about prioritizing this contribution given existing obligations to city facilities and the debate over the city’s budget for 2024, which had not accounted for this expenditure. The proposed $25,000 essentially represents about 1% of the previous year’s levy, raising reservations about potential financial burdens on city taxpayers. Despite these concerns, another council member supported the contribution, arguing it was a cost-effective solution compared to establishing new courts, which could range from $300,000 to $400,000.

Discussion continued about alternative funding within the current budget, noting the possibility of reallocating unspent funds from specific accounts. A motion to proceed with the $25,000 contribution was eventually made and received a second for consideration. A vote resulted in a majority approval, with four members in favor and one against.

During the public open forum, Matthew Schmidtz expressed concerns regarding the Police Department’s handling of a child custody case involving a woman from Alexandria. Schmidtz criticized the department for allowing the woman, who had a criminal record and a restraining order, to pick up a child. He suggested that a proper background check should have prevented this and recommended placing the child in licensed foster care. Schmidtz accused Officer Dustin Bonwaly of covering up abuse allegations and claimed this led to further abuse of the child. His comments prompted an inquiry from a council member about his legal address, which he contested, asserting that other speakers had not been required to provide their addresses in past meetings.

Following the public forum, the Police Department presented its monthly report. Key highlights included 1,200 incident reports, with notable traffic stops resulting in 62 speeding tickets and 11 driving while intoxicated arrests. The report also touched on the challenges related to mental health calls and a quieter month during local events like Siner Lewis Days and the fair. A council member expressed frustration about Schmidtz’s repeated accusations against the police, emphasizing that the complaints should be directed toward child protective services rather than the police department, which had already been investigated and found to have acted appropriately.

The Council also addressed the ongoing negotiation regarding property acquisition for the airport, initially agreed upon for $440,000. The seller, entitled to certain closing costs and relocation expenses under Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) guidelines, proposed an all-in settlement that was rejected by the airport board. This has led to a protracted negotiation process, with significant discrepancies between the original purchase price and the seller’s all-in settlement request. The council anticipates further developments in the coming weeks.

Additionally, updates from the Public Works Department included the arrival of a new one-ton truck equipped with a plow and stainless box, with plans to sell the old truck. Ongoing issues with a storm sewer line and tree removals due to Dutch elm disease were discussed. The City Engineer reported on infrastructure matters, including potential warranty work for plugged hydrants and progress on the truck stop and the 2025 project, with forthcoming public hearings.

Other action items included the unanimous approval of a resolution for the minor subdivision of homes in the Gul View Edition and the purchase of two portable radios for the police department. An update on the airport land acquisition project noted that the FAA had authorized the city to proceed with the purchase of a home in the airport safety zone after the property owner approached the city with a proposal to sell.