November City Council - Meeting Recap

Regular Session - November 18, 2025 - 6:00 p.m.

The City Council of Runaway Bay met in Regular Session at the Norma Coble Civic Center. Below is a full recap of the evening’s discussions, presentations, and council updates.

1. Public Forum

• Jackie Ishmael

Announced that Wreaths Across America will take place on December 13 at 11:00 a.m. Runaway Bay has 23 veterans to honor, and 8 families have already been contacted. Volunteers are encouraged to attend and honor our Veterans.

• Barbara Scarpinato

Requested the City and the Fire Department to discuss ways to improve the burn pile and enhance safety practices.

• Kay Fite

Expressed opposition to the proposed golf course rezoning, emphasizing that residents are “shareholders” in the community. She stated the plan appears more focused on selling land than serving citizens and reiterated that residents have not felt heard from golf course owners.

• Kimberlee Swoboda

Also spoke against the rezoning and noted that uses such as a soccer field or retirement home could strain water resources further. She stated that 95% of Facebook comments support reopening the 18-hole course and urged the Council not to rezone. She also mentioned that she and a few other residents have raised $50,000 to challenge any potential lawsuits related to rezoning the golf course.

• David Springfield

Provided a summary of the 2nd Annual Smoke on the Water (SOTW) event and thanked all volunteers. Reported that the funds will support fireworks, parks, GRBA, and the Fire Department.

• Laura Blackburn

Shared her excitement and appreciation about Runaway Bay offering community events, like SOTW.

• Phil Reicheneker

Recognized the team effort behind SOTW and presented Mayor White and his wife, Linda, with a plaque for all their hard work and support towards our City’s growth and success, past and present. He noted that the event center was crucial to the SOTW’s success.

2. Approval & Action Items

• October 21, 2025 Regular Session Minutes – Approved

• October 31, 2025 Accounts Payable Report – Approved

• October 2025 Financial Report – Approved

• Ordinance No. 639 – Special Events Vendor Fees – Approved

3. Presentation by Danielle Cocanougher

Danielle reported she had no new information, noting that her presentation was a continuation from the recent Planning & Zoning Meeting. She stated that the owners have received positive feedback on social media and encouraged residents to submit additional ideas.

Concepts discussed included:

• Selling adjacent pieces of land to homeowners to expand property values

• Forming a non-profit of former golfers to manage the course

• Revisiting a possible donation of the course to the City (which the Council later clarified why the City cannot accept)

She also spoke extensively about the City’s water supply, potential future shortages, and how much water a golf course requires.

The floor was then opened for council questions and legal clarifications.

Council Questions & Clarifications

Mayor White

• Clarified his professional working relationship is with Richard Ray and addressed the earlier mention of an informal donation offer, which was declined.

• Explained that after reviewing all deed restrictions, rezoning would not override the legal limitations attached to the golf course property.

City Attorney Terry Welch - Legal Overview

City Attorney Terry Welch provided detailed clarification regarding zoning, deed restrictions, and legal liabilities:

• The golf course property is heavily burdened with multiple deed restrictions. Some decades old.

• These restrictions limit land use and remain enforceable regardless of zoning.

• Rezoning does not and cannot supersede deed restrictions.

• Ignoring deed obligations could:

• Expose the City and owners to lawsuits,

• Create contractual conflicts, and

• Allow residents to sue for violation of deed conditions.

• Many restrictions require open green space and enforce non-commercial use.

• Due to legal limitations, the City cannot accept the golf course as a donation, as doing so could jeopardize state and federal grants we have received for infrastructure improvements.

Water & Utility Clarifications

• TRWD (Tarrant Regional Water District) holds the contract to supply water to the golf course - not the City.

• The City remains under TCEQ emergency guidelines, with prior issues including 58 infractions.

• State and federal agencies are working closely with Runaway Bay, and compliance is essential to retaining outside support.

Council Member Holt

• Stressed the importance of protecting the City’s financial health.

• Noted that assuming responsibility for the golf course would bankrupt the City.

• Added that Runaway Bay is unique and that joining the West Fork Public Utility Agency is not in the City's best interest at this time. The initial investment required is significant, and the City is currently focused on major infrastructure projects already underway. With federal and state grants assisting our water-related improvements, the priority is to complete those efforts without diverting resources. The option to join the agency will remain open in the future, should circumstances change and it become beneficial to reconsider.

  
  

Council Member Petty

• Asked Danielle whether her team would serve as the lead investor. She clarified she is not a developer.

• Danielle estimated operating the course would require $1.5 million annually, and rehabilitation would cost another $2 million.

• Petty stated he could not support this.

 Council Member Griffin

• Reviewed the option of privatizing the golf course and that doing so would likely triple residents' taxes.

• Emphasized no council member is wiling to support the level of tax increase required to rehabilitate or operate the course.

• When the audience was asked whether they would support a tax increase to fund the golf course, the overall response was negative.

Overall Council Position

The Council emphasized that while they would love to see the golf course reopened, they must:

• Follow all legal guidance,

• Protect state and federal funding, and

• Acknowledge that the City cannot operate the course under current constraints.

Mayor Pro Tem, Carolyn Moody further emphasized that accepting a donation of the golf course would not only burden the City financially, it would also risk the water-infrastructure grants that Runaway Bay relies on. The Council reiterated their commitment to being responsible stewards of taxpayer resources while navigating complex legal and regulatory requirements.

Council Member Updates

• EDC - Richard Griffin gave an update on Smoke on the Water and celebrated the success of this year’s event and thanked volunteers.

• Cemetery Board - Carolyn Moody shared that the Cemetery Board will meet Thursday, November 20 at the Norma Coble Civic Center at 6p.m.

Upcoming Event:

• December 13 at 11 a.m. - Wreaths Across America.

  
  

• Fire Department - Chris Petty reported 31 calls, including 5 fire and the remaining being medical calls. Also noted discussions about improving the burn pile process.

• GRBA - Steve Holt reported The GRBA Chili Supper raised $850. He praised Cindy Fuller, who volunteered at the front desk for two full days.

Upcoming event:

• December 5 at 6:45 p.m. - Christmas Golf cart parade with cookies and hot chocolate.

• Police Department - No major updates reported.

• Mayor’s Acknowledgment - Mayor White expressed gratitude to the community for reaching out to him while he was ill.