What to watch: The Midland City Council will meet Tuesday, Jan. 27, to consider airport design funding, a naming-rights partnership tied to the Beal Park, a second vote on the drainage fee increase, and required reviews of permit conditions and restrictions placed on two Midland venues.

Key points:

  • Airport projects: Council will consider funding design work for three Midland International Air & SpacePort projects, including taxiway pavement improvements, spaceport business park environmental work, and passenger facility charge (PFC) applications. The city expects the taxiway work to be about 90% reimbursable through future grants, and the PFC work to be 100% reimbursable.
  • Beal Park: Council will consider allowing Warren CAT to contribute toward the Beal Park renovation project in exchange for naming rights to two smaller turf fields for five years. The city is developing Beal Park as a major regional park anchored by the ExxonMobil Soccer Complex and future amenities, including an amphitheater and splash park. Private partnerships help fund quality-of-life projects without relying solely on tax dollars.
  • T-Bar Ranch: Council will consider renewing a 10-year right-of-way agreement for an existing 13-inch oil pipeline crossing city-owned T-Bar Ranch property. The agreement would generate $1,079,160 in total fees. The pipeline is already installed, buried 48 inches underground, and current on insurance and compliance requirements. Right-of-way agreements like this generate revenue for the city.
  • Drainage fee increase: Council will consider a second vote on the $2 to $5 per month drainage fee increase. Council described the increase as necessary to meet current operating and regulatory needs. The item is also tied to the infrastructure needed for two new Midland ISD high schools. Midland does not have a traditional underground storm sewer system, and roads function as part of the drainage system.
  • Double Bar Saloon: Council will review compliance with conditions tied to Double Bar Saloon’s alcohol permit. The city states that the required condition of two Level II security guards on Friday and Saturday nights has been met. The agenda lists 24 reported incidents between June and December 2025.

When originally approved, council required additional security after comparing call volumes with those of nearby bars. Council imposed conditions on Double Bar that were not imposed on some neighboring bars with similar call volumes.

  • The Venue at Live Oak: Council will review compliance tied to Live Oak’s alcohol permit and outdoor music temporary land use permit. The agenda lists two incidents in the past six months. The applicant submitted documentation showing that sound levels stayed below the 85-decibel limit during the reported incidents and that the Midland County Sheriff’s Office’s was at the events.

The original permit approval came after neighbors filed noise complaints, with the council trying to balance business operations with nearby homeowners’ quality-of-life concerns. Council imposed restrictions on the venue that were not imposed on some comparable venues.

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