Oak Ridge North welcomed its new economic development corporation director during a regular City Council meeting Oct. 28.

Interim City Manager Heather Neeley announced the hiring of Jordan Buras as the city’s new EDC director, effective Oct. 28. Buras most recently served as the acting executive director and deputy executive director with the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board.

“We are, I think, very lucky to have her,” Neeley said. “She is just off and running, so I think it’s going to be really good.”

Following the city’s monthly financial report, Neeley also informed council that Montgomery County commissioners recently approved an award for the project including new signalization along the city's portion of the Woodlands Parkway overpass and widening work at Robinson Road and Westwood Drive. The project could begin within the coming months, Neeley said.

Neeley and City Attorney Chris Nichols then received direction from council to begin the development of an agreement that could lift some retail requirements at the Shoppes of Oak Ridge North plaza within the city’s B-2 commercial zoning district. Council members also unanimously approved the purchase of two new police vehicles for $39,320. The cost for the two 2020 Chevrolet Tahoes initially totaled $65,320, which was reduced after the police department traded in four surplus vehicles for $26,000.

The council also unanimously approved the city’s annexation of a 1.36-acre tract of land owned by Shepard Hill Properties LLC at 27600 Robinson Road. The property will be reviewed by the Oak Ridge North Planning and Zoning Commission before it is brought to council for final zoning approval in November and is expected to fall within the city’s M-3 mixed manufacturing district, Nichols said.

The council then adjourned to executive session to discuss several agenda items. Council took no action on its discussion of personnel matters during the closed meeting but approved the purchase of a right of way near the intersection of Robinson and Hanna roads following a discussion of property at the Robinson 383 project under development at that intersection.