Present: Mayor Teresa Palmer; Mayor Pro Tem Nathan Crummel; Councilmembers Eric Contreras, Chawn Gilliland, Buddy Wright, and Scott Smith. Staff: Interim City Manager Toni Fisher, City Secretary Deana McMullen, and City Attorney Andy Messer. Pastor Ted Kitchens of Christ Chapel Church gave the invocation.
The meeting's headline actions came after executive session. Council voted unanimously to authorize City Manager contract negotiations with Toni Fisher, moving her from interim toward permanent appointment pending contract finalization. In a separate motion, Council unanimously appointed Commander Quincy Hamilton as Interim Police Chief and Officer Bryan Goode as Interim Assistant Chief, filling the Police Chief vacancy created by Ray Lacy's removal on April 29.
The meeting opened with the canvass of the May 2 election and the swearing-in of Wright, Smith, and Crummel for new two-year terms, with Crummel re-appointed as Mayor Pro Tem. Other substantive actions included the TxDOT AFA for sidewalks and bike lanes on Meadow Place and Kings Gate Drives, the West Oak water line grant (100% state-funded), and a Council direction to staff to evaluate financing options for Squaw Creek Road. The Home Rule Charter discussion produced no action, awaiting City Attorney legal review ahead of the August 17 election-call deadline.
Council recessed into executive session at 7:32 PM and reconvened in open session at 9:18 PM. Two separate motions followed in quick succession, both moved by Councilmember Contreras and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Crummel. Both passed 5-0.
Council voted 5-0 to authorize negotiation of an employment contract with Toni Fisher for the position of City Manager. This moves Fisher from her interim role toward permanent appointment. A formal employment contract must be negotiated and returned to Council for approval before the appointment is final. Fisher has served as Interim City Manager since the departure of Bryan Grimes.
Council voted 5-0 to appoint Commander Quincy Hamilton as Interim Police Chief and Officer Bryan Goode as Interim Assistant Chief. This fills the Police Chief vacancy created by the April 29 removal of Ray Lacy. Hamilton has been the visible police representative at Council meetings since Lacy's removal, presenting on the Kingsgate Drive speeding enforcement at April 29 and on the police salary survey at this meeting. Both appointments are interim, indicating a formal Police Chief hiring process may follow.
Item 4 — Canvass of May 2 Election (Resolution 2026-24). City Secretary Deana McMullen read aloud the official results from Parker County Elections. Council voted 5-0 to adopt Resolution 2026-24 declaring the results.
| Place | Candidate | Votes | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Place 3 | Buddy Wright (Incumbent) | 578 (59.9%) | Elected |
| Place 3 | Gary Houston Wingard | 388 (40.1%) | — |
| Place 4 | Scott Smith (Incumbent) | 589 (61.0%) | Elected |
| Place 4 | Roy Kurban | 377 (39.0%) | — |
| Place 5 | Nathan Crummel (Incumbent) | 597 (61.9%) | Elected |
| Place 5 | Marcy Galle | 368 (38.1%) | — |
Item 5 — Oath of Office. Parker County Judge Pat Deen administered the Oath of Office to Wright (Place 3), Smith (Place 4), and Crummel (Place 5) at the request of the newly elected members. Ceremonial action; no vote.
Item 6 — Mayor Pro Tem Appointment. Council voted 5-0 to re-appoint Nathan Crummel as Mayor Pro Tem for a one-year term ending May 2027. Motion: Contreras/Gilliland.
Councilmember Contreras brought the item back to Council and led the discussion. He outlined the need for a financing approach that addresses the petition vulnerability that ended the previous Certificate of Obligation issuance in February 2026. Contreras raised three potential structures: a different CO arrangement, a Tax Note, or a General Obligation bond that goes to voters — potentially combined with additional street repairs.
Council voted unanimously to direct staff to evaluate all available financing options for the Squaw Creek project and additional street repairs. The motion is a staff direction to prepare options for future Council consideration. No specific financing method was selected at this meeting.
The Squaw Creek Road project consists of approximately 6,180 feet of 8-inch water line replacement and full street reconstruction along the older western portion of Willow Park. Total estimate from November 2025 figures is approximately $10 million ($3.56M water, $6.35M streets). The project was halted in February 2026 when Council dropped a proposed Certificate of Obligation issuance after residents circulated a petition under Texas Local Government Code §271.049.
Public Works Director Chase McBride and City Engineer Gretchen Vazquez presented the grant for upsizing water lines on West Oak Street. Council voted unanimously to approve Resolution 2026-26 authorizing the grant application.
The grant is funded through a one-time $1.038 billion appropriation made to the Texas Water Development Board during the 89th Texas Legislative Session for water supply and infrastructure projects. Under this program, funding is 100% grant assistance with no required local match. To qualify, projects must address water loss, resolve TCEQ violations, or provide additional water supply.
Staff recommended the West Oak neighborhood as the target site. The area is described as severely underserved, with only four fire hydrants and small-diameter service lines. The project will upgrade lines to 8-inch water mains and add additional fire hydrants. Per staff, the area's median household income of $76,000–$78,000 satisfies program eligibility, and the 100% grant funding means no taxpayer expense.
Council voted unanimously to approve Resolution 2026-25 approving the TxDOT Advance Funding Agreement for sidewalks and bicycle lanes on Meadow Place Drive and Kings Gate Drive, with corrections requested by TxDOT already incorporated. Presented by Parks Director Mandy McCarley and City Engineer Gretchen Vazquez.
The project carries a total budget of approximately $694,000. Council previously committed a $130,000 local match at the March 24 meeting; TxDOT's Transportation Alternatives Program funds the balance. The Kings Gate Drive corridor is also where Police Commander Hamilton reported 10 of 15 vehicles speeding (one at 81 mph) at the April 29 meeting.
CPA Jake Weber presented the second-quarter financial report covering October 1, 2025 through March 31, 2026. The General Fund is performing strongly, with a $1.2 million surplus at the half-year mark. Sales tax revenue is up $103,000 year-over-year, supporting reserve growth. Court revenue is down approximately 20%. Expenditures stand at 46% of annual budget, on track.
Water and wastewater revenue is running slightly below pace, which Weber noted is typical for the first half of the fiscal year; summer water usage typically brings these funds in above projection. Restricted impact fee balances have accumulated and could be applied to water line upgrades. Legal fees on city lawsuits are elevated but have "come back on track" per Weber. The Halff Associates lawsuit has cost approximately $700,000 to date. Overall the city is on budget with good reserves.
Mayor Palmer discussed the need for a revised salary survey, noting that Willow Park's police salaries are "way below" surrounding communities. She stated she would like officers to receive a $10,000 raise to reach competitive levels. Commander Quincy Hamilton presented a salary survey from approximately one year prior showing pay deficiencies across all ranks.
Council voted 5-0 to authorize Hamilton to update the salary survey with current regional comparisons. Any compensation adjustments would be addressed through the FY 2026-27 budget process.
Resident Houston Wingard presented to Council on city street conditions, arguing that 16 roads identified as needing repair could be addressed for approximately $1.4 million using the city's general fund reserves of approximately $3.9 million, without taking on additional debt. Wingard recommended Council approve the Parker County interlocal under this approach. He suggested specific work including asphalt chip/overlay with hot mix on Laguna Vista and El Chico.
CPA Jake Weber responded that drawing $1.4 million from reserves would be "very unwise" and counseled Council against depleting reserves to that degree. Weber recommended addressing road repairs in coordination with the Squaw Creek project and through the ongoing Comprehensive Plan and CIP process. Interim City Manager Toni Fisher echoed that staff's CIP work is already targeting the same questions.
No motion was made. The item returns to the June 9 agenda as Item 14.
Mayor Palmer reported on conversations with the Mayor and City Manager of Hudson Oaks regarding Crown Road. Hudson Oaks has committed to completing the Crown Road repair project by mid-September 2026, with new asphalt across the affected sections damaged during sewer line installation. No action was taken; the matter is in active inter-city coordination.
Mayor Palmer asked City Attorney Andy Messer about the next steps for placing the Home Rule Charter on the November 2026 ballot. Messer informed Council that he has not yet completed his review of the legal questions raised by council members in prior discussions, citing his focus on existing litigation. He committed to working on the review and returning it to Council, and noted the deadline to call a November 2026 election is August 17, 2026.
No action was taken. The item returns to the June 9 agenda as Item 16, where Messer is scheduled to present his legal update and Council will consider an ordinance calling the Special Election.
Councilmember Chawn Gilliland requested that the discussion of applying for federal reimbursement funding for ICE certification of Willow Park Police officers be tabled until the next regular meeting on June 9, 2026. No formal action was taken.
Derek Turner of Jacob & Martin presented an update on the Comprehensive Plan revision. The firm is actively collecting data and is in early stages. The plan calls for a minimum of four staff workshops covering water/sewer, drainage, and streets, after which the data will be compiled and brought back to staff. Public hearing requirements will be met as part of the process. The CIP component will include a street-by-street survey using engineering scans. A progress update is scheduled for June. No action was taken.
Council was in closed executive session from 7:32 PM to 9:18 PM (one hour, forty-six minutes). Attendees per the minutes: Mayor Palmer, Mayor Pro Tem Crummel, Councilmembers Contreras, Gilliland, Wright, and Smith; Interim City Manager Toni Fisher; and City Attorney Andy Messer.
Interim City Manager Toni Fisher thanked Houston Wingard for his street repair information and noted that staff's CIP work is targeting the same questions. Councilmember Contreras thanked residents who voted in the May 2 election. Mayor Palmer reminded the public that the regular May 26 meeting is cancelled; the next regular meeting is June 9, 2026.
Items of Community Interest: Willow Spark — the city's July 4 event at The District of Willow Park — will run 6:00–9:15 PM with face painting, live music, family activities, and a drone show.
No future agenda items were requested. Council adjourned at 9:22 PM on a motion by Wright, seconded by Smith, 5-0.
