Weatherford approves marina lease amendment after public pleas for transparency and protection of local business

The Weatherford Municipal Utility Board approved Amendment No. 3 to the concession contract and lease with Randy and Sheila Plyler (Lake Weatherford Marina LLC), removing the beach and recreation area from the leased premises so the city can make capital improvements for public use.

The amendment was introduced after public comment and an executive session. During the public-comment period dozens of residents and business supporters urged the board to be transparent and cautious. Randy Pollard, owner/operator of the Marina and Tavern on the Lake, told the board that the beach, slips, crappie house and mechanic shop represent about 52 percent of his business revenue and said he was surprised to learn the city intended to issue a 90‑day notice for some areas of the lease. "The areas the city is proposing take back are not minor parts of our business…they account for 52% of our revenue," Pollard said, asking for fairness, transparency and good‑faith negotiation.

Others — including Daryl Ross, who said he spoke for the Parker County Pickers — described the Marina and Tavern as a community anchor that draws residents and visitors to Weatherford and supports local musicians and businesses. Several speakers said they feared losing a venue that had been rehabilitated and run successfully by the lessees for years.

Mayor and staff sought to clarify misinformation that had circulated publicly, stating the marina lease item was unrelated to residential lake‑lot licenses and that the Marina property is city‑owned and leased under a concession contract.

After the meeting’s executive session, Lindsay Hester moved, and Tom Novak seconded, a resolution to approve the amendment, directing the acting city manager to execute Amendment No. 3 in a form approved by the city attorney. The board approved the amendment. The mayor then asked Randy and Sheila in open session whether they had been coerced; both replied they were comfortable moving forward.

The amendment specifies the city may make capital improvements to the former beach and recreation area and that those improvements will remain city property. The board did not specify a construction funding source in open session; staff earlier described proposed public‑improvement concepts and estimated total costs of approximately $1.8 million for the Lake Weatherford improvements package.