The Early City Council opened the meeting with a prayer and pledge of allegiance, after accepting the minutes, and no citizens’ comments, the council moved on to matters of new business. 

On matters of new business, the council tabled the consideration to approve Ordinance 2023-04 to a later meeting. This decision is about if the city should change the zoning designation from single-family to general residence for approximately 3.16 acres of Jacob Duckworth, Survey 56, Abstract 240, known as 720 Longhorn Drive. While the city is considering doing nothing, City Administrator Tony Aaron is wanting to air out more details beforehand. This item will be tabled until the next meeting. 

The council then moved to approve excused absences of Council members Travis Eoff and Charles Matlock for scheduled council meetings. 

Moving down the agenda, the council approved the disposal or sale of items as salvage or surplus. These items include parts of patrol cars, push bumpers, cameras, computers, consoles, prisoner racks, old radios, etc. The city can put these items on an auction website, and whatever does not sell, they can dispose of or give away. 

Next, the council approved adding cash-application/digital wallet options to receive payments and donations on the City of Early Beautification bank account. The purpose is for TMCN fundraising efforts. People can make donations to the fund through Venmo, Cash-app, Apple pay, etc. 

The council then approved the purchase, renovation, and financing of property by Brown County Appraisal District for an appraisal office. The appraisal district is focusing on purchasing the building that used to be the Accel Health down on 377. The Appraisal District has to go before all the taxing entities in the county such as the city governments and school districts.

The city council lastly approved amending the City of Early Code of Ordinances Chapter 5 Animals and Fowl. The reason for this is to update the city code with state regulations. Many of the ordinances in the city were adopted in the 60s and this is a clean-up and revision of the city code. The city is not making up ordinances. They can only enforce what the state allows. The city code in this regard is being updated on prohibited animals and hazardous animals. The state laws that can be referenced are Texas Health and Safety ch.822 code and Texas Parks and Wildlife ch.63. 

After the matters of new business, the city council moved to hear the Administrator’s Report. According to City Administrator Tony Aaron, the city is close to finalizing several of the grants they have been working on. The first is the Community Development Block Grant for the reconstruction of McDonald Drive. They should be filing the grant soon.

The next one is the Economic Development Administration Public Works Grant for the construction of Mangrum Drive which will go into the Town Center. The lake for the Town Center should be finished by the end of the summer. The City of Early has been working with Parks and Wildlife experts and biologists from around the state for the fishing habitat.

Bid closing for Autumn Drive will be soon.

Skyview subdivision has already sold several lots that are ready for construction.

Lastly, the Ambulance Committee has been in discussions of a new contract with the county’s ambulance services. There have been three proposals for the Committee to consider, but it looks like no matter what the cost will increase.

Finishing up with the announcements, Accel Health will be having an open house at their new building on April 4th at 4:00 pm. On April 14th is the Early State of the City Address by Mayor Mangrum at 11:30 am. RSVP with Brenda Kilgo at the City of Early. On April 27th, the city of Early will be hosting its Smart City Expo at McDonald Park.