CITY COUNCIL
The San Angelo City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved a $1.3 million design contract for pedestrian, drainage, curb, and gutter improvements along North Chadbourne Street, extending planned upgrades from 29th Street to the Coliseum.
The council awarded Task Order 8 to engineering firm Kimley Horn and Associates for the design work after Mayor Tom Thompson pulled the item from the consent agenda for discussion.
Operations Director Patrick Freirich said the project continues the improvements funded by an $18 million Community Accessibility and Connectivity Project (CACP) grant.
“That is a fair amount of change for this when you’re just looking at it on a piece of paper, but when you look at the project and what it’s going to do…this is our catalyst to do that,” Freirich said.
He added that the work will address long-standing drainage issues on the north side. “We’re going to be doing more than just sidewalks. We’re going to be putting in curbs and gutters… We’re also going to be fixing the drainage.”
Freirich revealed that TxDOT awarded a construction grant for the project last Thursday. He also stated that the design phase is expected to take 9–10 months, but may be accelerated due to the grant being awarded.
In Other News
All remaining consent agenda items were approved unanimously, including the purchase and installation of two ambulance box modules from Frazer Ltd. of Houston for $415,670, budgeted for fiscal year 2026.
The council ratified a resolution authorizing the COSADC board president to negotiate and execute a Memorandum of Understanding with the city for up to $255,000 to fund the Northeast Sector Plan. A related item approved Task Order 1 with Westwood Professional Services Inc. for large-scale master-planning services in the same amount.
A resolution was approved allowing staff to publish a Notice of Abandonment for burial lots that have gone unused for at least 60 years at Fairmount Cemetery, authorizing reclamation of those lots. Council members also approved the release of an underground utility easement at 7 E. 27th St.
Additionally, the council adopted a resolution supporting a Texas Department of Transportation Highway Safety Improvement Project Grant, with a city obligation not to exceed $82,000. A second reading of an ordinance amending the fiscal year 2025–26 budget for Police Department pay plans and staffing levels was also approved.
TIRZ Policies and Planning Proposal Adopted
The council unanimously adopted updated Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) policies and strategic planning recommendations. Planning & Development Services Director Aaron Vannoy said the proposal includes a three-step approach:
- Set aside funds for North TIRZ public improvements.
- Adopt conceptual public project lists and determine funding years.
- Maintain alignment with the Comprehensive Plan and Downtown Strategic Plan.
The adoption commits the city to executing the TIRZ plan through its remaining 10 years, ending in 2036.
TIRZ Public Project Funding Approved for FY 2026
Funding was approved for three public projects in fiscal year 2026:
Public Safety — SAPD Enhancements:
A total of $100,000 annually for ten years—$70,000 from the North TIRZ and $30,000 from the South TIRZ—for capital purchases including security cameras, specialized equipment, and lighting.
Environmental Remediation — Dangerous & Boarded Buildings:
$75,000 combined from both TIRZ districts in FY 2026 and 2027, followed by $50,000 from the North TIRZ in 2027, totaling $200,000 to support remediation and safety improvements for dangerous or vacant structures.
Parks & Public Facilities — Place Making Plans:
$125,000 from the South TIRZ was approved to help fund the Santa Fe Park master plan and a downtown public facilities plan.
