[0:00] [music]

[0:12] I'd like to welcome everyone to the regular scheduled meeting of the Lufkin

[0:15] City City City Council. It's great to see such a big crowd here this evening.

[0:19] If any of you guys would like to, we have some open seating here. If you plan

[0:23] to be here for a while, you may just be hanging out for one or two items and

[0:27] going to hit the road. hit the road.

[0:36] » I think I saw Emmy Lions here earlier. Is he somewhere close by?

[0:41] » You want to do our invocation this evening?

[0:43] » Sorry to spring you on it. We'd like to see

[0:45] » how good of a pastor you really are. [laughter]

[0:52] » Dear God, we thank you for this day, this privilege uh to be at this place

[0:56] with these leaders of our great city. We pray that you give them the wisdom, the

[1:00] knowledge, and the wherewithal to uh make the decisions that is best for all

[1:04] of us. We ask that you bless all of their families, themselves, those who

[1:09] protect us, those who are citizens of this great city, and uh we thank you for

[1:13] what you will do through this day. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

[1:17] » Amen. [clears throat]

[1:23] » All right, we're now going to move to the public comment portion of our

[1:26] meeting. Items listed on the agenda are now open for public comment. If you

[1:30] would like to comment on a specific agenda item or items, you may step to

[1:34] the microphone and state the specific agenda item or items you wish to address

[1:38] and limit your comments to 3 minutes total. City council members will not

[1:42] respond during the public comments, but will take your comments into

[1:44] consideration during their deliberation. So, if you'd like to make a public

[1:48] comment about an item on the agenda this evening, you may do so at this time.

[1:55] All right. All right, there being no one, we're going to close the public

[1:57] comment and move to the consent agenda.

[2:02] » Mr. Mayor, I'll move to approve the consent agenda for March 3rd, 26.

[2:07] » I'll second. >> Very good. We have a motion and a

[2:10] second. Any further discussion on this item?

[2:13] » All in favor, please say I. I. >> Any opposed?

[2:18] » Very good. That motion carries. On to the business agenda. Item number four,

[2:22] administer the oath of office to Travis Razle, our new chief of police.

[2:27] » Yeah, Mr. Mayor, uh, as council is aware, due to the retirement of Chief

[2:31] David Thomas, after 36 years of service, uh, we've selected Travis Brazzle as the

[2:37] next chief of police for Lufkin. Chief Brazzle brings more than 34 years of law

[2:41] enforcement experience to this role. He is a Lufkin native, a 91 graduate of

[2:47] Lufkin High School. Uh he immediately began his career as a jailer with

[2:52] Angelina County Sheriff's Office before joining DPS in 94 as a highway trooper.

[2:57] And over the years he rose through the ranks serving as a patrol sergeant,

[3:01] special agent, Texas Ranger in 2012 and ultimately a major with the Texas

[3:05] Rangers where he uh implemented their special operations group and led that

[3:10] until his retirement earlier this year. Uh you can tell that's why everybody's

[3:16] here for uh this point. Uh but we're looking forward to his service and his

[3:21] leadership with Lufkin. So welcome Travis. We've asked the mayor to do the

[3:24] uh oath of office.

[3:34] » We have Okay, great. [laughter]

[3:39] » Bring it.

[3:55] » [clears throat] >> In the name and by the authority of the

[3:59] state of Texas by the name and authority of the state of Texas,

[4:02] » I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the duties solely

[4:07] swear that I will execute the duties >> of the office of Ling Police Department

[4:11] of the state of Texas of the Office of local police department, state of Texas,

[4:16] » and will to the best of my ability to preserve, protect, and defend to

[4:20] » the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend

[4:23] » the Constitution and laws of the United States.

[4:25] » the Constitution and laws of the United States

[4:28] » of the state and I'm sorry, and the states help me

[4:31] God. >> And the States help me God.

[4:33] » Congratulations, [applause]

[4:40] » [applause]

[4:44] [applause]

[4:55] » going on.

[4:59] Everybody [applause]

[5:05] » [applause]

[5:32] » We are really excited to uh have you here and obviously there's a lot of

[5:36] people in this community that feel the uh the same way. I can honestly say I I

[5:40] I tell people I talk to lots of folks in Lufkin Texas have a good idea what's

[5:44] going on in Lufkin not Nacadoces not Dball but in Lufkin Texas Angelina

[5:48] County and I and I don't think I've ever had more people tell me

[5:53] positive very positive extremely positive things about you and how

[5:58] excited they are to have you here as our police chief and we all are. It's a true

[6:02] honor. uh you got a wealth of experience and we're just excited that you were uh

[6:06] you're taking the job. So, thank you again. [applause]

[6:14] [applause] >> Okay, so we have a real exciting meeting

[6:17] this evening, but uh there's also understand a party or reception for uh

[6:22] new Chief Brazzle. So, if you guys want to make your way, you you're welcome to

[6:25] hang out, but if you want to go ahead and head on over to the party.

[6:30] Cody Jackson, are you wearing a tie? You got [laughter] a tie on.

[6:34] » He left. >> That's a first intermission.

[6:37] » All right.

[6:42] [clears throat]

[6:46] » Oh, thank you. I'm going to be looking at you.

[6:51] » You fill in.

[6:55] » You know, at some point you have to use glasses,

[6:58] » you know. I mean, it's like I go back and forth and uh I'm there. I mean, it's

[7:02] it's just crazy how >> is it the state of Texas or city or

[7:07] Yeah. >> You're right there with me.

[7:09] » Yeah. >> There was someone from leadership in

[7:11] here, right? >> Yes.

[7:14] » Rhonda and we do have I think one personship.

[7:18] » Okay.

[7:23] All

[7:40] right. Do we have any leadership Lufkin folks with us this evening? You want to

[7:44] stand up? Tell us where you're from, what you do.

[7:47] » Over. I am the publisher of the L. I'm the leadership.

[7:52] » Great. We're glad to have you here this

[7:54] evening. >> No, just just write a good story about

[7:57] us for tomorrow. [laughter] >> All right. Item number five, conduct

[8:02] public hearing and consider approval on second reading of an ordinance granting

[8:05] a special use permit for a hotel for lot 4B block one of the Garden District

[8:11] Shopping Village subdivision phase 4 totaling approximately

[8:16] 2.4 [clears throat] I'm sorry 2.8 acres.

[8:21] This is a second reading for this special use permit. The new hotel is

[8:24] proposed to be located in the Garden District Shopping Center as you can see

[8:27] on the map. Uh the property is undeveloped located directly south of

[8:32] Buffalo Wild Wings. The applicant intends to construct a fourstory

[8:37] extended stay hotel with 90 guest rooms. Uh including your packet is some

[8:42] proposed site plans and building elevations to uh depicting what it'll

[8:47] look like. The properties located immediately to the northeast and west

[8:51] are local business and developed with restaurants and a movie theater and

[8:55] another hotel that's currently under construction. Property to the south is

[9:00] residential large zoning and uh developed with such uh uses. The hotel

[9:07] will include this development will include a screening wall along the

[9:11] southern border that abuts the area that's zone residential large in

[9:15] accordance with our ordinance. staff mailed out 12 notices to property owners

[9:20] within the 200 foot notification area. We received one letter in opposition

[9:26] that's included in your packet as well. Planning and zoning unanimously

[9:29] recommended approval of the special use permit and staff recommends council

[9:33] conduct a public hearing and a consider approval of the ordinance. Mr. Mayor.

[9:39] » All right. This is a public hearing. If you'd like to speak on this item, you

[9:43] may step forward at this time.

[9:53] Good evening. Hi, my name is Tom Broomstead. Um I spent about 7 months on

[9:57] this project back in 2016 on that pond in the back. And so my question is

[10:05] um I drove through there the other night and and the street lights were not even

[10:09] working in the subdivision in the garden district. So my question is on that

[10:14] pond, what are the asurances that that thing is going to be maintained to the

[10:19] proper level that it's supposed to be maintained to? Because when I go around

[10:25] the city and go to the um Burlington coat factory or whatever it is, that sub

[10:31] subdivision, that pond is in disarray and the one next to Hobby Lobby is in

[10:37] disarray. So that's my question is how is that pond going to be maintained?

[10:43] » Thank you. >> Thank you.

[10:51] » Is there anyone else? >> Are we on the

[10:59] » We are. Yep. Number uh item number five. Yep.

[11:06] » Sorry I'm late. Uh my name is Amy. I had spoke to before in the other hearings.

[11:10] Um I'm the owner of lot 4A. Uh before we even discuss any of the uh easement

[11:16] itself, I do need to address that the process has taken place uh in this room

[11:22] previously. At the beginning of this hearing cycle,

[11:25] the city did not have the exhibit B. The recorded meets and bound survey

[11:29] following October 27 of 2023. Despite not having the legal description, the

[11:34] city still made two separate claims about the Eastman's purpose. Um, first

[11:40] first it was that it was for access for the retention pond. That was the first

[11:44] uh meeting that I had with them. And then later in another meeting, it was

[11:48] actually for uh fire access that they wanted to use my easement on those two

[11:54] occasions. Now, both of those statements were made without the actual exhibit

[11:58] being hand. That to me is not transparency. That to me is not due

[12:03] diligence and that is not how decisions affecting private property should be

[12:08] made. When I asked questions on a different occasion in the meeting, I was

[12:12] told by the city engineer, this is the way it's going to be and this is this is

[12:16] not going to change. Uh that to me is not a legal explanation.

[12:22] That is not a factual explanation to me either. That to me is more of a

[12:26] predetermined outcome. And it's to me I feel like it's not acceptable when we're

[12:30] take when we're tech talking about the use of someone else's land. Texas law is

[12:36] not vague on this point and Eastman is limited to the exact plan described and

[12:41] it on its meets and bounds. It cannot be enlarged. It cannot be shifted. It

[12:45] cannot be assumed like it's been for this couple of weeks and it cannot be

[12:50] used to take additional land that was never granted. The Eastman does not

[12:54] authorize permanent payment pavement, permanent access or or permanent use

[12:59] outside the meets and bounds description on exhibit B. I purchase lot 4A subject

[13:04] only to the recorded easement, not to any expansion of it, not to any

[13:09] interpretation of it and not to any site plan that goes beyond the legal

[13:13] description. So, I'm standing here today asking very simple question. Where does

[13:17] the transparency and accountability stand when the city makes claims about

[13:21] an easement before even having the legal description on exhibit B? I'm not here

[13:25] to stop the development. I'm not I'm here to actually protect the boundaries

[13:28] of my property. And I'm here for transparency on this easement that is

[13:32] taken approximately 40 ft on my land. And I'm here to ensure that the hotel is

[13:36] limited to the exact scope of what is legally granted, nothing more. And

[13:41] finally, I would like to see in a clearly highlighted specific manner

[13:44] where exhibit B states that the additional portions of my land. I want a

[13:47] factual legal explanation, not an assumption and not a survey

[13:51] interpretation. If the city is relying on exhibit B, then the city must show

[13:55] exactly where exhibit B authorizes the use of the easements of meets and bounds

[13:59] description where it starts and it ends on the property within mine. With that,

[14:04] I yield. Thank you. >> Thank you.

[14:12] All right, we're going to close the uh public hearing hearing and move to

[14:15] comments from the council.

[14:20] » Mr. Mayor, I just have one question. Um sir, I'm sorry I did not get your name.

[14:24] Um the first gentleman who spoke, >> Tom.

[14:27] » Mr. Tom. Um just out of curiosity cuz I I personally stressed to everyone if you

[14:33] see something, say something. So, you said that you noticed that the lights

[14:37] were out at the pond area. Did you by chance call the city to address that so

[14:42] that someone could come out and address that, whether it be through the city

[14:47] department or through Encore, who's ever responsible for it? I'm just curious,

[14:50] was that reported on the pond area? You have to understand that that that garden

[14:55] district and the city manager will probably explain it better than I

[14:58] [clears throat] can, but that was part of a master plan development.

[15:03] When the wheels came off the bus and we went into financial disarray,

[15:11] everybody started foreclosing on that property and so there was never an HOA

[15:17] or anything planned. So that the lights that were out the other night, just like

[15:21] the pond doesn't work, the pump doesn't work at the front,

[15:24] » there's nobody to pay those bills. Okay. >> So the the pond in the back

[15:29] » is being sold right now. >> Okay.

[15:31] » To a to some random person that's going to I don't understand how this can

[15:36] » Okay. >> rely on that pond.

[15:38] » Okay. Thank you for that explanation. I was just envisioning what you said that

[15:42] you drove by somewhere, it was dark, the lights were out, and I just wondering

[15:46] has someone been notified to come and correct that. But thank you for your

[15:49] explanation. >> That's all I have, Mr. Mayor.

[15:53] » Very good. >> I'd like to make a motion to approve.

[15:59] » A second. >> Second.

[16:01] » We have a motion and a second. All in favor, please say I.

[16:05] » Any opposed? >> That motion carries. Item number six,

[16:10] consider approval on first reading of an ordinance providing for the abandonment,

[16:14] vacation, closure, and sale. I'm sorry, this is uh this is an item that I'm

[16:19] actually financially involved in. So, on item number six, at this time, I hereby

[16:23] announce my recusal for from consideration and deliberation of the

[16:27] next agenda item due to conflict of interest. Because mayor prom Shankle's

[16:31] not present this evening, I'm appointing council member Ford to serve as acting

[16:35] mayor prom for the limited purpose of providing I'm sorry, presiding over this

[16:39] item, including conducting the discussion and calling for vote. I'll

[16:43] abstain from any participation, discussion, or vote on this matter. Mr.

[16:47] Ford, take it over. The next item on the agenda is item number six. Consider

[16:52] approval on first reading of an ordinance providing for the abandonment,

[16:56] vacation, closure, and sale of an approximately 0.047

[17:02] acre portion of an alley located in block 10 of the town of Lufkin Bonner

[17:07] Edition extending from North 7th Street to North Chestnut Street. Kevin,

[17:14] » yes. uh engineering services received a request from EGA consultants on behalf

[17:19] of Oakdale Manor to purchase this uh 047 acre alley rideway located in the 100

[17:25] block of the Bonner edition. There are no existing city utilities. Um

[17:32] would you go to the location map, Jesse, as well? You can see that it goes from

[17:36] uh Chestnut over to uh North 7th Street um and is a very small alley that a lot

[17:45] of us weren't actually aware of. Staff has reviewed the request and determined

[17:50] there are no uh existing utilities, no planned or current purpose for the city

[17:56] to retain this portion of the rideway. Chapters 252 and 272 of local government

[18:00] code were followed in a process to offer the land for sale. The uh if approved,

[18:07] the total sale amount would be $4,150 consisting of the appraised value of

[18:14] $3500 and the fee for appraisal and filing. So

[18:20] upon payment, the city would issue a deed without warranty

[18:25] and uh the land would be required to be platted into uh the rest of the property

[18:31] there in some way. Staff recommends the abandonment, vacation, closure, and sale

[18:36] of the alley, finding it is not needed for public use, and that the sale

[18:40] complies with chapters 252 and 272 of local government code.

[18:45] » Thank you, Kevin. >> Uh at this time, we will open the public

[18:48] hearing. Is there anyone who wishes to speak on this item?

[18:56] Seeing there's no one further wishing to speak. The public hearing is now closed.

[19:01] I will entertain a motion now. >> I move approval.

[19:08] » I second it. We have a motion made and a second uh to

[19:15] approve the sale of of this land, this alleyway. Uh do I need to read the whole

[19:21] thing or no? >> Okay. Uh is there any further discussion

[19:25] from the council?

[19:29] » I just have one question which I I think it it's nullan boy honestly. By selling

[19:34] that alleyway, it'll also close off access like how the alley now can access

[19:38] Chestnut and can access Seventh. That closes off. Correct.

[19:43] » Any right for the city to use it would be abandoned with it not no longer being

[19:48] an alley. >> It'll be part of that property.

[19:53] » That's my board. [laughter] >> Yeah,

[19:55] » we have lots of accidents on Chestnut. Yeah, there's no

[19:59] » there is no improvements, no pavement, nothing in that property right now. It

[20:03] is undeveloped. >> Perfect.

[20:06] » Anything further? >> All right, I will call for a vote. All

[20:11] in favor, please say I. >> I.

[20:13] » I. >> All those opposed say nay.

[20:18] Uh, the motion carries. >> Thank you, Mr. Ford. We're now going

[20:23] into executive session. The city council will convene into executive session

[20:28] pursuant to Texas government code section 551.087

[20:32] to deliberate regarding economic development negotiations.

[20:38] » Time is 520.

[20:42] » Okay. So it's time is 602. Our meeting is back in session after executive

[20:48] session. No further action. Time is 602. We're now a journey.

[21:00] » [music]

Lufkin City Council: March 3, 2026

Transcript