City of Freeport City Council met July 16.
Here is the minutes as provided by the council:
BE IT REMEMBERED, that the City Council of Freeport, Texas met on Monday, July 16, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. at the Freeport Police Department, Municipal Court Room, 430 North Brazosport Boulevard, Freeport Texas for the purpose of considering the following agenda items:
City Council: Mayor Troy T. Brimage
Councilman Brooks Bass
Councilman Green
Councilwoman Sandra Loeza
Councilman Roy E. Yates
Staff: Bob Welch, Finance Director / Interim City Manager
Wallace Shaw, City Attorney
Ursula Reyes, City Secretary
Nat Hickey, Property Manager
David Hoelewyn, Streets Director
Loni Kershaw, Human Resources Director
Jennifer Hawkins, EDC
Leann Strahan, Museum Director
Ray Garivey, Police Chief
Laura Tolar, Special Projects Coordinator
Kim Townsend, Parks and Rec. Director
Chris Motley, Freeport Fire Chief
Visitors: Melanie Oldham Doug Dominguez
Margaret McMahan Christina Travis
Manning Rollerson Maria Rollerson
Angie Williams Edmeryl Williams
Kenny Hayes Erin Callahan
Mrs. Hayes Anna Silbas
Desiree Pearson Tommy Pearson
Willie Garcia Ruben Renabato
Ruth Renabato Blake Cabaniss
George Tidwell Joe Williams
Call to order.
Mayor Troy T. Brimage called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
Invocation.
Wallace Shaw offered the invocation.
Pledge of Allegiance.
Mayor Troy T. Brimage led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Attending citizens and their business.
Manning Rollerson asked if the grass could be mowed next door to his property at 537 East 2nd.
Maria Rollerson stated that she wants to start a program for the youth to talk about all the violence going on and she wants the Police to be involved and get to know the citizens and for the citizens to get to know the Police. She said that she would like to get everyone involved in this program.
Mayor Brimage advised Ms. Rollerson to get with Police Chief Garivey and work with him and to contact Mrs. Brenda George to work on her program.
Doug Dominguez, spokesperson for the Concerned Citizens of Freeport, who resides in Ward B commended Mayor Brimage and City Council for the progress being made in repairs to the streets and alley ways. He feels that the City has turned the corner in the direction of positive progress. He stated that the Master Plan will allow Freeport to grow and prosper once again.
Consideration of approving the minutes for July 2, 2018 meeting.
On a motion by Councilman Bass, seconded by Councilman Yates, with all present voting “Aye”, Council unanimously approved the minutes for July 2, 2018 meeting.
Consideration of Ordinance No. 2018-2153 closing and abandoning portion of Groce Street right of way south of the southern boundary of Mystery Harbor Lane and North of the northern easement of the toe of the northern boundary of the Velasco Townsite levee and authorizing Mayor to sign and City Secretary to attest a deed without warranty conveying the City’s interest to Ray Garivey, who was the successful bidder for such portion.
On a motion by Councilman Loeza, seconded by Councilman Green, with all present voting “Aye”, Council unanimously approved Ordinance No. 2018-2153 closing and abandoning portion of Groce Street right of way south of the southern boundary of Mystery Harbor Lane and North of the northern easement of the toe of the northern boundary of the Velasco Townsite levee and authorizing Mayor to sign and City Secretary to attest a deed without warranty conveying the City’s interest to Ray Garivey, who was the successful bidder for such portion.
Consideration of Resolution No. 2018-2553 appointing Kim Townsend to act for and on behalf of the City of Freeport dealing with the Texas General Land Office for the purpose of applying for State Assistance to clean and maintain the public beach.
On a motion by Councilman Loeza, seconded by Councilman Green, with all present voting “Aye”, Council unanimously approved Resolution No. 2018-2553 appointing Kim Townsend to act for and on behalf of the City of Freeport dealing with the Texas General Land Office for the purpose of applying for State Assistance to clean and maintain the public beach.
Consideration of authorizing preparation of documents for the sale of City owned property, Known as Lot 11, Block 36, Velasco Townsite, currently zoned as R-2 residential, a/k/a 651 Old Surfside Road, Tax ID 8110-0395-000.
On a motion by Councilman Yates, seconded by Councilwoman Loeza, with all present voting “Aye”, Council unanimously approved authorizing preparation of documents for the sale of City owned property, Known as Lot 11, Block 36, Velasco Townsite, currently zoned as R-2 residential, a/k/a 651 Old Surfside Road, Tax ID 8110-0395-000.
Consideration of approving Audit for the 2016-2017 fiscal year.
Mr. Welch stated that Tom from Kennemer Masters and Lunsford had made the comment about him making 30 ends of year adjustments. He said it is a timing issue from the time the year ends and the time that he has to close out the year with all his other duties he doesn’t have enough time at the end of the year. Mr. Welch requested to get an assistant to be a Full Time accountant.
Councilman Bass stated that he was still reviewing the audit.
Tabled
Consideration of authorizing the mayor to sign and the City Secretary to attest an Interlocal Agreement to provide personnel and equipment to assist in construction, improvements, maintenance and or repair of Streets and alleys with Brazoria County covering the period from October 1, 2018 through September 30, 2019.
Mayor Brimage stated that we would be doing this Interlocal Agreement every year instead of every other year.
Councilman Bass asked when the projects would be determined. Mayor Brimage stated before October.
On a motion by Councilman Bass, seconded by Councilman Green, with all present voting “Aye”, Council unanimously approved authorizing the mayor to sign and the City Secretary to attest an Interlocal Agreement to provide personnel and equipment to assist in construction, improvements, maintenance and or repair of Streets and alleys with Brazoria County covering the period from October 1, 2018 through September 30, 2019.
Report from Velasco Drainage District on flooding issues and pump system.
George Tidwell from the Velasco Drainage District gave his presentation about the west end pump station. He stated that Hurricane Harvey sent a connecting rod pin to the Waukesha engine and they found out about a week later that they needed parts and that they were not making those types of engines anymore. They ended up getting a new engine to replace it. Mr. Tidwell also stated that the communication is much better with the city officials and Velasco Drainage District. He also stated that they have redesigned their whole scada system. Mr. Tidwell stated that they have approved a master drainage plan by the Wong area. The ditches in Mr. Wong’s area are private property.
Councilman Bass asked Mr. Tidwell if the water will drain from the west end pump station to Hwy 36. Mr. Tidwell said the two pumps on Pine Street run to West end and then we have 6 laterals that run from the City into that ditch.
Councilman Bass stated that we had flooding issues on Velasco Street and we put in a 10” pump during Hurricane Harvey and he wanted to know if we needed to continue to do that. Mr. Tidwell said we needed to continue to do it.
Melanie Oldham asked if the West End pump station was fully operational now. Mr. Tidwell said yes. Ms. Oldham asked if the new SCADA system would monitor any of the City of Freeport pumps or only Velasco Drainage. Mr. Tidwell said that it monitors every pump station they have. Ms. Oldham stated that she hopes that everyone takes a closer look at what Mr. Wong is wanting. She also said that in Mr. Wong’s 380 agreement, Mr. Pynes gave him every bit of infrastructure that goes on his land and it is going to be paid for by tax payers.
Willie Garcia asked how will the future development of the Port how will it affect the drainage on the East End. Mr. Tidwell stated that the gravity flows from the other side and doesn’t come across the road it runs out to the gravity structure
Tommy Pearson asked if the pumps were sized to handle the heavy rains on the side of the Velasco Bridge. Mr. Tidwell said that they gave those pumps to the City.
Work Session:
Mayor Troy T. Brimage announcements and comments.
Mayor Brimage commended Mrs. Brenda George who put on a rally called STOP for the youth over the weekend and there was a good turnout. Mayor stated that he believes that it sent out a lot of awareness.
Mayor Brimage commended Kim Townsend also for going above and beyond.
Mayor Brimage stated that the splash pad stays packed all day long.
Mayor Brimage also stated that they are committed to infrastructure and we will continue to be committed.
Mayor Brimage gave an update on the City Manager search and said we are down to eleven candidates and will be narrowing it down to five candidates.
Councilman Green Ward A.
Councilman Green also commended Kim Townsend and her employees for all the hard work they had done at the fishing fiesta.
Councilman Green asked if the soccer field on 7th Street was City property. Kim Townsend said it will be scheduled to be mowed in the morning and BISD has failed to mow it.
Councilman Green also asked if the podium could be moved during council meetings.
Councilman Bass Ward B.
Councilman Bass thanked Mayor Brimage for getting Mr. Tidwell from Velasco Drainage to speak.
Councilman Bass thanked David Hoelewyn for getting the signs out on 5th Street and closed off.
Councilman Bass also asked if we could schedule a planning committee meeting to start working in conjunction with the city.
Councilwoman Loeza Ward C.
Councilwoman Loeza said that she attended the fishing fiesta over the weekend and it was one of the largest crowds she had seen in a while she asked if maybe we could get some industrial fans put under the pavilion.
Councilwoman Loeza thanked David Hoelewyn for getting the concrete removed at the golf course.
Councilman Yates Ward D.
Councilman Yates thanked Mr. Tidwell and Mr. Williams and all the Velasco Drainage employees and wanted to let them know how much we appreciated them for all they do.
Councilman Yates said that all the money that the city has been spending on infrastructure has been going to Ward B.
Updates on current infrastructure.
Commerce Street water and sewer project- Engineering phase
Lift Station and Force main – South Avenue A
SSO plan camera inspection - hasn’t started
1200 Block of Avenue S - water and sewer line
Engineer estimate water tower improvements – CDBG Grant funds
Sewer replacement – 900 Block West Second Street
Beach road improvement FEMA funds – J.P. Bryan Road
Alley pothole repairs / concrete work / drainage
Zapata ditch and 288 – Hayes property
1600 Block of North Ave T – Driveway pipes for new homes completed
1500 Block of Broad – alley improvements (Need to add rock)
1600 Block 5th Street – curb, gutter and sidewalk
1600 Block 6th Street – curb, gutter and sidewalk
Yaupon and 11th Street – replacing concrete
4th Street between Dixie and 288 – Street improvement (replace concrete street)
5th Street between Pecan and Mesquite, asphalt and Raise Street (use tiller)
212 West Park – Hickey building – drainage work inside fence - complete
Update on reports / concerns from Department heads.
Leann Strahan said that at the museum there is a lot of traffic going the wrong way.
Leann also said that market day was low and she will be having a book signing in August.
Leann stated that they are having issues with the plumbing a Lucy Goose and rotten wood and mold at the Heritage House.
Jennifer Hawkins said that the Lucy Goose Market has opened downtown Freeport along with the ROC which is a combination of a boutique and restaurant.
Jennifer also said that there will be another Rocking the River concert on July 28, 2018.
Kim Townsend said the new ac unit is up and running at the Rec Center and the gym. The Municipal Park has new playground equipment.
Kim also said that she is still having an issue with the glass bottles on Bryan Beach.
David Hoelewyn said that they have installed the new sidewalk around the splash pad.
David gave his report about all the streets that they were currently working on around the city
Discuss Mystery Boat.
No discussion
Discuss Riverplace Fishing Pier.
No discussion
Mayor Brimage closed open session at 7:15 pm and opened Executive Session.
Executive Session:
Section 551.071, Government Code
Consultation with City Attorney concerning pending or contemplated litigation, settlement offers or other matters in which his duty to the City Council under the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct of the State Bar of Texas clearly conflicts with Chapter 551, Government code, to-wit:
1. Discussion and possible action regarding claims asserted by Jeff Pynes in connections with termination of his employment with the city and any counterclaims or other response the City may have to such claims.
No Action Taken.
2. Discussion and possible action regarding Freeport MUD No. 1.
No Action Taken.
Section 551.074, Personnel Matters
Deliberations concerning the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline, or dismissal of a public officer or employee.
No Action Taken.
Reopen Open Session:
Mayor Brimage reopened regular session and closed Executive Session at 7:57 PM.
1. Consideration of taking action on any items discussed in Executive Session.
No Action Taken.
Adjourn
On a motion by Councilman Bass, seconded by Councilwoman Loeza, with all present voting “Aye”, Mayor Brimage adjourned the meeting at 7:58 PM.
http://www.freeport.tx.us/upload/page/0019/docs/Agendas_Minutes/City_Council/2018/Minutes/Co_Minutes_071618.pdf
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