Conroe Council to Consider Admin, Cat Ordinance

Conroe City Council Prepares for Major Leadership Shift, Advances Debated Community Cat Ordinance

CONROE, TX – February 20, 2024 – The Conroe City Council is set for a pivotal meeting this Thursday, February 22, 2024, at 6 p.m., where a significant leadership transition and a long-anticipated community cat ordinance headline a packed agenda. The meeting, open to the public, will take place at the City Hall chambers located at 300 West Davis Street.

Topping the council’s consideration is the swift succession plan following City Administrator Gary Scott's recent announcement of his retirement, effective April 30. Scott, a prominent figure in Conroe municipal government for 26 years, including two decades at the helm as City Administrator, leaves a substantial legacy. His departure marks the end of an era for a city that has seen considerable growth and development under his leadership.

The council is slated to consider appointing Assistant City Administrator Paul Virgadamo to the interim City Administrator position. Virgadamo, who has served as Assistant City Administrator and has a deep understanding of Conroe's operations, is seen as a natural choice to guide the city through this transitional period. The appointment of an interim administrator typically signals the commencement of a broader search for a permanent successor.

In conjunction with the leadership change, the council will also review a "separation agreement" for Scott. Such agreements are standard practice for high-level executive departures, detailing the terms of employment cessation, including benefits, unused leave, and other contractual obligations. This move underscores the council's intention for a smooth and expeditious transition at the city's top administrative post.

Community Cat Ordinance Moves Forward

Also on Thursday's agenda is the much-debated community cat ordinance, which is scheduled for its first reading. This proposed regulation follows months of intense public discussion and diligent work by a dedicated task force, which convened to address the growing issue of free-roaming, unowned cats within Conroe city limits.

The ordinance aims to formally recognize and integrate Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) programs as a humane and effective method for managing community cat populations. TNR involves humanely trapping stray and feral cats, spaying or neutering them, vaccinating them against rabies, ear-tipping them (a universal sign that a cat has been sterilized and vaccinated), and then returning them to their original outdoor locations. This approach is widely endorsed by animal welfare organizations as a way to stabilize and reduce colony sizes over time, improve the health of the cats, and mitigate nuisance behaviors.

Under the proposed rules, individuals acting as "Community Cat Caretakers" would be required to register with the city. These registered caretakers would bear specific responsibilities, including ensuring that the cats they manage are vaccinated and microchipped. Furthermore, their feeding and sheltering practices would need to meet strict sanitation standards to prevent attracting pests or creating public health concerns.

Conversely, the ordinance would explicitly prohibit several activities, including abandoning cats, deliberately luring cats to private property without becoming a registered caretaker, or feeding unowned cats without a proper permit. Non-compliance with the new regulations could lead to citations, potentially carrying fines up to $500, and could even result in the impoundment of the cats involved.

This first reading of the ordinance marks a significant step in the legislative process. Typically, ordinances require a second reading and a final vote at a subsequent council meeting before they are officially adopted and codified into city law. The public has voiced strong opinions on both sides of the issue, with animal welfare advocates championing TNR as a compassionate solution and some residents expressing concerns about property rights and potential nuisances.

The Conroe City Council encourages residents to attend the meeting or view it live online via the City of Conroe website ([link to city website/meeting portal, e.g., conroetx.gov/meetings](https://www.cityofconroe.org/government/meetings)). Agendas and supporting documents are also available for public review online in advance of the meeting.