Panhandle City Council Minutes – April 24 & May 8
April 24, 2025 Meeting
The Panhandle City Council met in regular session on Thursday, April 24, with the following items on the agenda for consideration and action and the following members present: Mayor Doyle Robinson and Council Members Brad Fields, Dusty Sloan, Tim Roberts and Dustin Copenhaver. Absent was Council Member Phillip Lacy.
Others present were City Manager Terry Coffee, City Secretary Veronica Willburn, Chief of Police Sace Hardman, and Fire Chief Harvey Perez. Citizens present was Brandon Manning.
Item 1. Resolution Hearing. Call meeting to order after Hearing.
The public hearing For Resolution 2025-05, PCEDC B $40,000 grant for Laura Arrington was opened by Mayor Robinson at 6:30 p.m. Present for public hearing was Brandon Manning. There were no questions and no action on this item.
After the hearing was closed, the regular meeting was called to order by Mayor Robinson.
Item 2. Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance to the United States of America and the state of Texas. The invocation was led by Council Member Roberts followed by the pledges led by Mayor Robinson.
Item 3. Citizens comments. A member of the public may inquire about a subject for whom notice has not been given. All comments will be held to three (3) minutes and limited to:
(1) A proposal to place the subject on the agenda for the next subsequent meeting or
(2) A statement of specific factual information; or
(3) A recitation of existing policy. Any further discussion into the details or questions about the subject is prohibited.
Mr. Copenhaver commented on the lots that need to be mowed and cleaned up around town.
Mr. Coffee commented that Animal Control is also making a list and putting up notices or mailing notices for mowing and cleanup. They are also working on tagging junk vehicles, which do not have a current tag. He also mentioned the Farmers Market and also possibly having something on Saturdays.
Robinson commented on the upcoming 4th of July celebration and possibly setting up a concert at the Heritage Park on Main Street around that time also.
There were no citizen comments. No action on this item as it is comments only.
Item 4. Minutes from last meetings. Action required.
A motion was made by Council Member Copenhaver and seconded by Council Member Sloan to approve the minutes of the April 10, 2025 council meeting. With all members voting aye, the motion passed.
Item 5. Discussion with action. Second reading of the Arrington Resolution.
Mayor Robinson did the second reading of Resolution 2025-05, a resolution approving the project between the PCEDC B and Laura Arrington, including approval of the grant of funds and the terms of the performance agreement associated therewith, approving funding a project with Laura Arrington, dba “The Ham”, in the amount of $40,000, for the purpose of opening and operating a delicatessen in Panhandle, the funds will be used to purchase food preparation equipment and freezers, with funds readily available to the PCEDC, the project will have appropriate performance measures in place to provide protection for the PCEDC’s investment in the project, the project will promote new or expanded business development in the City of Panhandle and is a proper project to be undertaken by the PCEDC, and requiring final approval by the city council. A motion was made by Council Member Roberts and seconded by Council Member Copenhaver to approve Resolution 2025-05. With all members present, the resolution was passed and approved on this 24th day of April, 2025.
Item 6. Discussion with possible action. Update on anything being done with the Panhandle Inn.
Council Member Fields reported he has been in contact with the Panhandle Inn Foundation Board Members Sherrie Bronniman and Lana Boland. They are working with Gary Jennings and are moving forward with him taking over the Inn. Details are being worked out and they will agree to relinquish the Inn to him with a handshake agreement until all legal papers can be signed. Things are moving in the right direction.
Item 7. City Manager’s report –
– Need everyone’s attendance at the next meeting to swear in new member. –
The next meeting will be swearing in the newly elected council members Mr. Sloan, Mr. Fields and Mike Brandvik. Mr. Lacy will be leaving the council after his service from 2016-2025.
– Grates on the trees on Main Street.
Shawn Watson is currently looking for a place to laser-cut or make the tree opening on the grates bigger to accommodate the tree growth. These are 20-year old trees and are currently going on 22 years. The growth of the trees is pushing up the grates and some are cutting into the trees. We are hoping to get them fixed soon.
– Swimming pool is still in progress.
The swimming pool has been sandblasted and will be ready to paint. The new pump and motor were installed requiring a new stand also. The sand filters will be replaced after the season is over on next year’s budget. A new pool manager has been hired, Karla Kotara from White Deer. She has experience running a pool, she is a certified lifeguard and has rules she would like to put in place such as kids signing in with a parent or contact information, signing out when they leave, among others. She stated that she wants to run the pool on a safety-first policy. She has made a list of items she would like to have for the pool and lifeguards. She wants to run the concession stand, she will buy all supplies, and all concession proceeds will be hers. She is aware that sales tax must be paid on those items. She would like to make snow cones, pickle pops, have other snack items and possibly hot pockets or other food items that only need to be heated. She is willing to be here whenever the pool is open, including parties. Lifeguard certification class has been set up for May 17 and 18 in Amarillo for those needing it. She would like to do a women’s swim time if there is an interest for that. The pool opening date is set for Wednesday, May 21 and closing possibly mid-August.
– Fire Department. The city should have plans soon.
The City should have a good set of plans soon. They are still in the planning stages as to what the front will look like. Two pictures of the front were presented. One picture shows the two additions on either side, and the other shows the building with a façade front that makes the three buildings look like one. The roofs would remain the same, but the front would look much better with one front. The cost of doing this is minimal. They are taking five feet off the two additional buildings so that all the buildings are the same length.
The buildings will be accessible by connecting doors inside. There needs to be some work done on the inside of the existing building such as the dressing area and bathrooms which will be done later. Mr. Perez has talked to Xcel about moving the HVAC Unit and that shouldn’t be a problem. TxDOT has been contacted about the need to cut out the curbing to add the new driveways for the additional buildings. We are still waiting to hear from them. There will possibly be new flashing lights installed and signage. These new buildings will make it possible to house all the trucks and prevent more damage and repairs due to the weather. The new additions and the new look will be something the community can be proud of.
The next scheduled meeting of the city council is scheduled for May 8 at 7 p.m.
With no further business to discuss, a motion was made by Council Member Sloan and seconded by Council Member Copenhaver to adjourn the meeting. With all members voting aye, the meeting was adjourned.
May 8, 2025 Meeting
The Panhandle City Council met in regular session on Thursday, May 8, 2025, with the following items on the agenda for consideration and action and the following members present: Mayor Robinson, Council Members Lacy, Fields, Sloan, Copenhaver, and newly elected Council Member Mike Brandvik. Absent was Council Member Roberts.
City Staff present were City Manager Coffee, City Secretary Willburn, and Chief of Police Hardman. The other present was Brandon Manning.
Item 1. Call meeting to order. With a quorum present, the meeting was called to order by Mayor Robinson.
Item 2. Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance to the United States of America and the state of Texas. The invocation was led by Council Member Phillip Lacy followed by the pledges led by Chief of Police Sace Hardman.
Item 3. Citizens’ comments.
Mr. Sloan stated that there are numerous dumpsters full that need to be emptied.
Mr. Coffee stated that Atmos still has the alleys torn up and not packed like they should be after their work is complete. The landfill has been closed due to rain; therefore, the dumpsters cannot be emptied until they have a place to take it.
Mr. Fields suggested the city dedicating a flag ceremony at Antigone Park in honor and memory of Bill McLeod. All agreed that he was deserving of the honor. The flag ceremony will be set up with Mary Beth Young.
Item 4. Consent Items – Accounts Payable, Police, EMS, Public Works, Fire, Work Orders/Pumpage Recycling Center, Municipal Court, Building Permits, Animal Control, City Financials. Action required.
A motion was made by Council Member Lacy and seconded by Council Member Copenhaver to approve the consent agenda items. With all members voting aye, the motion passed.
Item 5. Minutes from last meetings. Action required.
A motion was made by Council Member Copenhaver and seconded by Council Member Lacy to approve the minutes of the April 24, 2025 council meeting. With all members voting aye, the motion passed.
Item 6. Discussion with action. Approve EDC Actions from April 25.
The council discussed the EDC needing better guidelines and procedures in place for façade grants and business grants.
After discussing the PEDC actions from the April 25, 2025 PEDC A and PCEDC B meeting, a motion was made to approve the actions of the EDC including the minutes, a façade grant for 313 Main Street up to $10,000 matching, a grant for 200 and 202 Main Street for a business development grant of $20,000 to expand the capacity for Brickstreet 200, and a façade grant for 93 Main Street for demolition of building falling down for up to $10,000 matching. Mr. Sloan recused himself as he is on the PCEDC Board. Motion was made by Council Member Fields and seconded by Council Member Copenhaver. With all members voting aye, the motion passed.
Item 7. First Reading with action. Resolution for Harley Hedrick/Brickstreet.
Resolution has not been made yet. Attorney is waiting on terms of grant in order to draw up the resolution. No action at this time.
Item 8. Discussion with action. Canvass the Election from May 3.
Election was cancelled and canvassing was done at the March 13, 2025 Council Meeting by Resolution No. 2025-03 declaring the unopposed candidates duly elected. Each candidate signed their Statement of Officer prior to being sworn in. Council Members Fields and Sloan and Mike Brandvik were sworn in to office by City Secretary Willburn.
Item 9. Oath of office for the three new council members and present them with their certificates of election.
After each newly elected member signed their Statement of Officer, Council Members Brad Fields, Dusty Sloan, and Mike Brandvik took their Oath of Office and were sworn in to office by City Secretary Willburn.
Mr. Lacy was thanked by Mayor Robinson, the Council, City Manager, and staff members for his outstanding service to our community. He served as a councilmember from 2016 to 2025. He was presented with a thank you gift for his years of service.
Item 10. Council must appoint a Mayor ProTem.
A motion was made by Council Member Fields and seconded by Council Member Copenhaver to nominate Council Member Sloan as Mayor Pro Tem. After Mr. Sloan accepted the nomination, all members voted aye, and the motion passed.
Item 11. City Manager Report –
– Park. The city has put new wood chips in the playground areas. All of the trees being trimmed back and dead limbs cut out.
– Pool. The pool has been sandblasted and painted. The pump and motor will be installed next week. The pool is full, but the pump isn’t working correctly. Pool Manager and lifeguards have been hired. The ones that are not certified will have their certification class on May 17 and 18. The pool is set to open on May 21.
– Fire Department – The final bid came in for the expansion of the fire department. There may be a few other things to cover such as engineering for the building and cement. The final bid for the fire department 20’x75’ and 40’x75’ additions came in at $369,000.
There will be other expenses including getting an engineered set of plans and engineering the cement for the two additions. There was a meeting with TxDOT to discuss the ADA slopes, stamped ramps, turnaround, and moving the signs.
– Budget. The city will be looking at budget adjustments for the council to vote on, and then the work on the budget will begin. The city would like to have it and the tax rate in place earlier this year. The Tax rate will be determined later, but we would like to have everything in place. We will try to have this done by the next meeting.
With no further business to discuss, a motion was made by Council Member Dustin Copenhaver and seconded by Council Member Dusty Sloan to adjourn the meeting. With all members voting aye, the meeting was adjourned.
With no further business to discuss, a motion was made by Council Member Dustin Copenhaver and seconded by Council Member Dusty Sloan to adjourn the meeting. With all members voting aye, the meeting was adjourned.
