Meeting Summary
The March 10 meeting covered a mix of financial, policy, and procedural items. A disruption during public comments led to a unanimous vote to move the public comment period to the end of the agenda, just before executive session.
The most significant policy action was a Non-Disclosure Agreement for confidential meetings, which passed 3–2 — the only split vote of the night. Council also approved the city’s annual financial audit (clean, no deficiencies), a $250/month contract increase for the city prosecutor, the Bar-ko Land Company development agreement, a Hotel Occupancy Tax policy ordinance, and a $20,000 HOT sponsorship for The District of Willow Park.
Council also discussed the Emergency Management Program. The existing EM coordinator team had resigned their roles, leaving the city temporarily without a local emergency management team. Parker County will handle emergencies in the interim.
Council went into executive session at 7:45 PM to discuss seven items, including city manager finalist interviews and three separate legal consultations. No action was taken after reconvening at 8:45 PM.
Attendance
Mayor Teresa Palmer (presiding)
Councilmember Eric Contreras · Councilmember Chawn Gilliland · Councilmember Buddy Wright · Councilmember Scott Smith · Councilmember Nathan Crummel
Interim City Managers: Toni Fisher and Michelle Guelker
City Secretary: Deana McMullen
City Attorney: Fritz Quast
Public Comments
Following a disruption during public comments, Council voted unanimously to move the public comment period to the end of the regular agenda, just before executive session. Motion by Gilliland, seconded by Smith.
Eight residents spoke during the relocated public comment period: Carol Wagner, Shannon Brown, Kenny Webb, Preston Galle, Houston Wingard, Bill Green, and Carol Bracken.
Consent Agenda
Minutes from the February 10, 2026 and February 24, 2026 meetings were approved as presented.
Motion: Contreras · Second: Crummel · All in favor
Regular Agenda Items
Reba Long from Snow Garrett and Williams Certified Public Accountants presented the annual audit. She reviewed balance sheet accounts, revenues, liabilities, and fund balances. The audit found no deficiencies — a clean audit. Long noted that Finance Director Andi Saylor and Interim City Manager Toni Fisher did a great job in their first year.
Motion: Crummel · Second: Contreras · All in favor
This item was removed from the agenda. No action taken.
Court Administrator Michelle Lowe presented a request for a contract increase of $250 per month for City Prosecutor Ashley McSwain.
Motion: Gilliland · Second: Smith · All in favor
This item was removed from the agenda to return at a later date. No action taken.
City Planner Chelsea Kirkland presented the development agreement for Bar-ko Land Company, a commercial development on approximately 7 acres in the James Oxer Survey area. The agreement was approved as presented.
Motion: Smith · Second: Wright · All in favor
City Attorney Fritz Quast presented a Non-Disclosure Agreement that would require employees and city officials to sign an NDA for confidential meetings. Attorney Andy Messer stated they would promise not to expose confidential or proprietary information. Council members have a special right of access to information. Quast said they could sign a blanket agreement or handle it case-by-case. The NDA would cover verbal information from non-public meetings, staff meetings, and private meetings designated as confidential.
This was the only split vote of the meeting.
Motion: Crummel · Second: Wright · Yea: Contreras, Wright, Crummel · Nay: Gilliland, Smith
This item was tabled at the previous meeting and returned for action. Council noted that Communications Director Rose Hoffman did a great job assembling the policy. The ordinance amends Chapter 11 (Taxation) of the Willow Park Code of Ordinances, adding Section 11.04.08 governing the use of revenue from Hotel Occupancy Tax.
Motion: Contreras · Second: Wright · All in favor
Communications Director Rose Hoffman presented a sponsorship application from “The District of Willow Park” — an open-air, mixed-use development with restaurants, retail, and an amphitheater. The District has a lineup of events for 2026 and applied for $20,000 in Hotel Occupancy Tax funds. Council noted the events bring visitors and increase sales tax and HOT revenue for the city.
Motion: Contreras · Second: Gilliland · All in favor
Communications Director Rose Hoffman discussed the trademark application and brand guidelines. The 2025 guidelines need to be amended and Hoffman is working with attorneys on logo usage guidelines. There was also discussion about possible rebranding. Following discussion, the item was tabled to a future meeting.
Motion to table: Gilliland · Second: Smith · All in favor
Council discussed the status of the city’s Emergency Management Program. The existing Emergency Management team — including the Fire Marshal, an Interim City Manager, and the Communications Director — had resigned their coordinator roles. As a result, Willow Park currently has no local Emergency Management team.
No formal action was requested. Parker County will handle emergencies in the interim, and the Chief of Police will also be involved going forward.
Executive Session
Council entered executive session at 7:45 PM. Those present included all council members, City Attorney Fritz Quast, both Interim City Managers, City Attorney Melissa (via video conference), and City Secretary Deana McMullen.
Item 13: Personnel matters — date for City Manager finalist interviews
Item 14: Legal consultation — City of Aledo, Texas and City of Fort Worth, Texas v. City of Willow Park, Texas (Case CV26-0175, 43rd District Court)
Item 15: Legal consultation — City of Willow Park vs. Halff & Associates
Item 16: Legal consultation — Police investigation
Item 17: Legal consultation — Police Department request
Item 18: Legal consultation — Police procedures for public meetings
Item 19: Legal consultation — Communication with Mayor and governing body
Council reconvened into open session at 8:45 PM. No action was taken on any executive session items.
Future Items Requested
Mayor Pro Tem Crummel: Speed humps and speeding enforcement in the city
Councilmember Gilliland: Review and amend the ordinance regarding hiring/firing of the Police Chief
Councilmember Smith: Another look at decorum rules for public comments
The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 PM. Motion by Crummel, seconded by Contreras. All in favor.