Lorena public meetings in 2025
6 substantive meetings from 2025, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
City Council Agendas
The Lorena City Council will discuss and possibly act on several procurement items, including a Genie Model TZ‑50 trailer‑mounted boom lift costing $66,511.26, a 2026 Chevrolet Silverado pickup, and two 2026 Dodge Durango SUVs for the police department. The council will also consider amending the city purchasing policy, a presentation on creating an Emergency Service District for the volunteer fire department, and adopting Ordinance 2025‑1215‑01 to implement a new city code.
- Purchase of a Genie Model TZ‑50 trailer‑mounted boom lift for $66,511.26
- Purchase of a 2026 Chevrolet 1500 Silverado 4WD pickup truck
- Authorization for the police chief to buy two 2026 Dodge Durango SUVs from Sames Auto Group
- Presentation on forming an Emergency Service District for the Lorena Volunteer Fire Department
- Discussion of Ordinance 2025‑1215‑01 to adopt a new city code
The council unanimously approved the amended purchasing policy, adopted a new city code ordinance, and authorized several equipment purchases including a boom lift, a Chevrolet Silverado, and two Dodge Durango police vehicles. It also ratified votes for the 2026‑2027 TCAP Board of Directors and approved the November 17 meeting minutes.
- Approved amended Purchasing Policy (5-0)
- Adopted Ordinance 2025-7215-OL codifying city code (5-0)
- Approved purchase of Genie Model TZ-50 boom lift for $65,511.25 (5-0)
- Approved purchase of 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 for $42,350.00 (5-0)
- Approved purchase of two Dodge Durango police vehicles (5-0)
- Approved votes for eight candidates to the 2026-2027 TCAP Board of Directors (5-0)
- Approved November 17, 2025 meeting minutes (5-0)
Planning and Zoning
The Lorena Planning and Zoning Commission will consider a recommendation to adopt Ordinance 2025-1013-01, which would amend Chapter 86 zoning districts, parking regulations, and related definitions. The commission will also discuss a possible change to the regular monthly meeting time. Minutes from the November 3, 2025 meeting will be approved, and future agenda items will be addressed.
- Consider recommendation of Ordinance 2025-1013-01 to amend zoning districts, parking regulations, and definitions (previously tabled)
- Discuss possible change to the regular monthly meeting time for the Planning and Zoning Commission
- Approve minutes from the November 3, 2025 meeting
- Identify future agenda items
The commission approved the November 3, 2025 meeting minutes with a 4‑1 vote. Commissioners voted 3‑1 (one abstention) to reject Ordinance 2025‑1013‑01, denying the proposed additions of Contractor’s Yard and a Commercial Wedding/Event Center to the Interstate Corridor zoning district. A motion to shift the regular meeting start time from 5:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on the second Monday of each month passed unanimously (5‑0).
- Approved November 3, 2025 minutes (4‑1)
- Denied Ordinance 2025‑1013‑01 amendments adding Contractor’s Yard and Commercial Wedding/Event Center (3‑1, 1 abstain)
- Changed regular meeting time to 6:00 p.m. on second Monday each month (5‑0)
City Council Agendas
The Lorena City Council will consider several resolutions, including appointments to the Economic Development Board and the adoption of the McLennan County Hazard Mitigation Plan Update. Council members will also discuss the city’s rebranding effort led by the Economic Development Corporation, which will be funded with EDC resources. Additional items include the 2026 employee holiday schedule and rescheduling of January and February 2026 council meetings.
- Resolution 2025-1117-01: elect Directors for the McLennan Central Appraisal District (four‑year term starting Jan 1 2026)
- Resolution 2025-1117-02: adopt the McLennan County Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
- Appointment of Carla Pendergraft to Seat 5 of the Lorena Economic Development Board (two‑year term expiring Oct 2027)
- Discussion of Lorena’s rebranding initiative, funded through Economic Development Corporation resources
- Discussion and possible action on the 2026 Employee Holiday schedule
The council approved the McLennan County Hazard Mitigation Plan Update with a 5‑0 vote. It also appointed Carla Pendergraft to Seat 5 of the Lorena Economic Development Board (4‑1) and reappointed Ryan Weaver and Hobson Howell Jr. to the board (5‑0). Additional actions included approving the October 20 minutes, casting all ten votes for Jim Smith to the Appraisal District, accepting the 2026 employee holiday schedule, and rescheduling January and February 2026 council meetings.
- Approved October 20, 2025 meeting minutes (4‑1)
- Cast all 10 votes for Jim Smith to McLennan Central Appraisal District (5‑0)
- Adopted McLennan County Hazard Mitigation Plan Update (5‑0)
- Appointed Carla Pendergraft to Seat 5 of Lorena Economic Development Board (4‑1)
- Reappointed Ryan Weaver and Hobson Howell Jr. to Economic Development Board (5‑0)
- Accepted 2026 Employee Holiday schedule (5‑0)
- Rescheduled council meetings to Jan 26 and Feb 23, 2026 (5‑0)
Planning and Zoning
The Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing to consider Ordinance 2025-1013-01. This proposal would amend zoning, parking, and definition rules to allow specific new business types in the IC – Interstate Corridor Zoning District.
- Proposed allowing contractor’s shops and storage yards via Conditional Use Permit (CUP) in the IC district
- Proposed allowing commercial wedding and event centers by right in the IC district
- Proposed parking standard for contractor's shops: 1 space per 1,000 sq ft of gross floor area or 1 space per employee on maximum shift, whichever is greater
- Proposed new definition for Commercial Wedding / Event Center
- Approval of minutes from January 11, July 14, and August 11, 2025
The commission approved the minutes from the January 13, July 14 and August 11, 2025 meetings by a 4‑0 vote. A public hearing on the proposed zoning amendment was held with no public comments. Commissioners voted 4‑1 to table the zoning ordinance amendment (Ordinance 2025‑1013‑01) until the December 8, 2025 meeting. They also agreed to submit questions to the city planner by November 24, 2025.
- Approved January 13, July 14 and August 11, 2025 meeting minutes (4-0)
- Tabled zoning ordinance amendment (Ordinance 2025-1013-01) until Dec 8, 2025 (4-1)
- Commissioners will submit questions to the city planner by Nov 24, 2025
- Public hearing conducted with no public comments
Planning and Zoning
The Lorena Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing on November 3, 2025 at 5:30 p.m. to consider amendments to Chapter 86 of the city code, specifically Article 6 (Zoning Districts), Article 7 (Parking Regulations), and Article 13 (Definitions). The hearing allows interested persons to provide input on the proposed changes to permitted uses within the IC Interstate Corridor District and related parking rules. The meeting will be held in Lorena City Hall, 107 S Frontage Road.
- Proposed amendment to Chapter 86, Article 6 – Zoning Districts
- Proposed amendment to Chapter 86, Article 7 – Parking Regulations
- Proposed amendment to Chapter 86, Article 13 – Definitions
- Public hearing scheduled for Nov 3, 2025, 5:30 p.m. at Lorena City Hall
The commission approved the minutes from the January, July and August 2025 meetings by a 4‑0 vote. A public hearing on the proposed zoning changes was held with no speakers. Commissioners voted 4‑1 to table the zoning ordinance amendment until the December 8, 2025 meeting and agreed to send questions to the city planner by November 24, 2025. The meeting adjourned at 6:14 p.m.
- Approved Jan, July and Aug 2025 meeting minutes (4-0)
- Tabled zoning ordinance modification to council until Dec 8, 2025 (4-1)
- Commissioners will submit questions to city planner by Nov 24, 2025
City Council Agendas
The council will consider awarding a $213,858.30 contract to JH Contracting for the Sutton Place street improvement project. It will also discuss budget items including transferring 90% of the General Fund net income, designating an official newspaper for fiscal year 2026, and accepting completion of the Well 3 Generator Improvements. Additional items include reappointments to the TIRZ board, a proposed amendment to a development financing agreement, and authorizing a donation of ten Level IV rifle plate sets to the police department.
- Award 2025 Street Improvement Project for Sutton Place to JH Contracting LLC – $213,858.30
- Transfer 90% of end‑of‑year General Fund budgetary net income
- Designate official newspaper for City of Lorena fiscal year 2026 (Resolution 2025‑1015‑01)
- Accept Well 3 Generator Improvements as complete and begin warranty period
- Authorize donation of ten Level IV rifle plate sets and carriers to Lorena Police Department
The Lorena City Council approved a $213,858.30 contract to JH Contracting LLC for the Sutton Place street improvement project. It also transferred $140,702 of net General Fund income to capital projects, adopted a resolution naming the Waco Farm and Labor Journal as the 2026 official newspaper, and accepted the Well 3 generator improvements. Additional actions included reappointing three members to the TIRZ board, approving an amendment to the TIRZ financing agreement, authorizing a $13,000 donation of Level IV ballistic plates to the police department, and directing the discontinuation of Facebook live streaming of council meetings.
- Approved $213,858.30 Sutton Place street improvement contract (3-0, 1 abstention)
- Transferred $140,702 (90% of net General Fund income) to capital projects (4-0)
- Adopted Resolution 2025-1015-01 designating Waco Farm and Labor Journal as official newspaper (4-0)
- Accepted Well 3 Generator Improvements as complete, starting warranty period (4-0)
- Reappointed Jason Blanek, Jake Dickson, and Christian Ortiz to TIRZ Board seats (4-0)
- Approved amendment to Development Financing Agreement with Mitchell/Tully Group (4-0)
- Authorized donation of ten Level IV rifle‑rated plate sets ($13,000) to Police Department (4-0)
- Directed discontinuation of Facebook live broadcast; all council streams to move to GoToMeeting platform