Water Tower Paint Ad Hoc Committee: September 23, 2026

Call to Order

Chair Peggy Sue Tatum called the special meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. and declared a quorum present. Chair Tatum noted that the Committee was created by Resolution No. R-2024-07 to meet until a decision is reached, and that she had called this special meeting to review the test panels before the Committee’s regular meeting.

Present: Chair Peggy Sue Tatum (Councilmember, Place 2), Vice Chair Glenda Mayfield, and Members Dolly McCrary and Ernesto Vasquez. Absent: None. Resident Seat 2 is vacant following the resignation of Melvin Peterkin, effective August 31, 2026. Staff: Darrell Whitten, Public Works Director and Staff Liaison.

Citizens to Be Heard

Chair Tatum read the following statement: Pursuant to Tex. Gov’t Code §551.042, the Committee may not deliberate on or take action on any subject not posted on the agenda.

Bubba Purcell, Mullet Meadows, asked whether the tower could be painted the color it is at night, since nobody complains about it then. Chair Tatum thanked Mr. Purcell.

Shirley Krenek, 200 block of W Chili Dog St, asked whether the Committee could choose a color that does not look at her. Chair Tatum thanked Ms. Krenek and stated that colors would be discussed under Items 4 and 5.

Approval of Minutes

Motion by Member Vasquez, second by Vice Chair Mayfield, to approve the minutes of the August 25, 2026, meeting, which was adjourned for lack of a quorum, as presented. Motion carried 4–0.

Review of Color Test Panels

Director Whitten reported that six test panels were installed on the tower’s perimeter fence on August 31, 2026, and photographed daily at 8:00 a.m., noon and 6:00 p.m. through September 20, 2026. Printed photographs were provided to each member. The replacement paint samples were brought from the closed cabinet in the City Secretary’s office for comparison and returned to it after the meeting.

Panel	Color
1	Tower Silver (existing color, for reference)
2	Courthouse Limestone
3	Armadillo Gray
4	Sweet Tea Amber
5	Lake Blue No. 4
6	Pretty Good Green

Director Whitten noted that the panels have not yet been observed under an overcast sky, as there has not been one since they were installed.

Member Vasquez stated that Armadillo Gray looks like the existing color, but more so. Vice Chair Mayfield stated that Lake Blue No. 4 appears green in the 6:00 p.m. photographs and asked whether Pretty Good Green appears blue at any time of day. Director Whitten stated that staff had not checked in that direction. Member McCrary asked that the panels also be photographed from Hot Pocket Way, since that is where most residents see the tower. Staff agreed.

Member Vasquez asked whether the 1994 regional runner-up score would be retained. Director Whitten stated that the question will be included in the scope of the color consultant’s work. The Committee did not discuss the final.

Chair Tatum did not state a color preference, consistent with her standing request that her preferred color not be published until the Committee reports.

Color Recommendation

Motion by Member Vasquez, second by Vice Chair Mayfield, to recommend Courthouse Limestone to City Council. Motion failed 2–2. Voting nay: Chair Tatum and Member McCrary.

Motion by Member McCrary to recommend Pretty Good Green to City Council. The motion died for lack of a second.

Vice Chair Mayfield stated that she could not support any recommendation until the panels have been observed under cloud cover. No color was recommended.

Recommendation on the October 6 Council Item

Motion by Vice Chair Mayfield, second by Member McCrary, to recommend that City Council table the water tower color item at its October 6, 2026, regular meeting, pending (1) observation of the test panels under overcast conditions and (2) the Committee’s final report. Motion carried 4–0.

Staff Report: Color Consultation

Director Whitten reported that Public Works is preparing a request for proposals for professional color consultation, to be advertised by the end of September. The selected consultant will evaluate the test panels and present findings to the Committee. The work will be paid from the Tower Maintenance Surcharge.

The test panels will remain on the fence until the Committee directs otherwise. Director Whitten reported that two of the panels have handprints and asked that residents not touch them.

Chair Tatum announced that the Committee’s next regular meeting is Tuesday, September 29, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. in Council Chambers.

Adjournment

There being no further business, Chair Tatum adjourned the meeting at 5:51 p.m.

Draft minutes, pending approval by the Committee.

Attest: Darrell Whitten, Public Works Director and Staff Liaison