Amarillo City Council agenda includes pool closures, Herring Hotel incentives, and police chief confirmation

The Amarillo City Council is scheduled to hold its regular meeting Tuesday, with a wide-ranging agenda that touches on public safety, recreation, economic development, and long-term city planning.

Agenda highlights

Among the discussion items listed on the agenda are updates on the Amarillo Animal Management & Welfare Spay/Neuter Voucher Program and the quarterly report from the Amarillo Economic Development Corporation (AEDC). These items typically provide council members and the public with progress reports and data on ongoing city initiatives.

The consent agenda includes several routine resolutions related to city purchases and projects. One of the more notable consent items involves the potential establishment of a Center City Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) and a developer agreement tied to the renovation of the historic Herring Hotel.

According to the agenda, the proposed agreement would include 100% annual reimbursement of ad valorem taxes for a 10-year period, along with a one-time grant of up to $900,000 for façade and infrastructure improvements. The agreement would be with Herring Hotel Partners, LLC.

Herring Hotel redevelopment

Plans for the Herring Hotel were presented to the city council in October by developer Todd Harmon of Herring Hotel Partners and John Campo, founder of Campo Architecture. The proposal outlines a roughly $100 million redevelopment of the nearly 100-year-old building, which has been vacant for approximately 50 years.

The developers have said they intend to reopen the hotel within two years as a four-and-a-half-star boutique destination. The project would include 226 guest rooms, two restaurants, a pool deck, and a rooftop bar overlooking downtown Amarillo. Supporters of the project have described it as a major investment in the city’s downtown core, while the financial incentives tied to the redevelopment are expected to draw close attention during council deliberations.

Non-consent items: pools, AEDC agreement, and police chief

Several higher-profile items appear on the non-consent portion of the agenda, meaning they are expected to be discussed individually.

One item involves amending a Location Incentive Agreement between the AEDC and Texas Tech University. Details of the proposed amendment are expected to be discussed during the meeting.

Another item is the potential authorization to close the Southwest Pool and Southeast Pool. This issue follows staff findings presented during a Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) board meeting on Nov. 12. City officials have previously said an internal assessment of both facilities led the PARD board to recommend closing the pools and exploring alternative options, such as constructing a new indoor or outdoor pool.

The agenda for Tuesday’s meeting also includes the possibility of directing city staff to “evaluate future options for recreational services at or in place of said facilities,” signaling that closure would not necessarily end recreational use at those locations.

The council is also set to consider confirming Thomas Hover as the new Amarillo Police Department chief. Hover was announced as the incoming chief in December following the departure of former Chief Martin Birkenfeld in February.

City officials said Hover was selected after “a comprehensive recruitment process that included public input, staff feedback, and multiple interview panels.” In December’s announcement, City Manager Grayson Path said, “This appointment reflects a careful evaluation of each finalist’s qualifications, leadership style, and fit for our organization. Input from the community, department staff, and our interview panels provided valuable perspective and affirmed that Mr. Hover’s leadership approach and experience are well suited to the current and future needs of the Amarillo Police Department.”

Looking ahead

Tuesday’s meeting is expected to cover both short-term operational decisions and longer-term policy directions, particularly related to downtown development, public amenities, and city leadership. As with most council meetings, public input and discussion may influence how items move forward, especially on issues such as pool closures and major redevelopment incentives.

The regular public meeting is set to begin at 3 p.m. Residents who wish to speak during public comment can sign up online, by calling the City Secretary’s Office at 806-378-3014, or in person at least 15 minutes before the meeting starts.