[0:00] That one was me. >> Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.

[0:05] Welcome to tonight's regular scheduled meeting of the Freeport City Council. It

[0:10] is

[0:15] 6 o'clock on September 8th and I will declare a quorum is present. So, we'll

[0:22] officially call this meeting to order. At this time, I would like to ask

[0:27] Councilman Roso if you would lead us both in the pledge and the prayer.

[0:32] Please rise.

[0:39] Let's pray. First of all, Lord, we'd like to thank

[0:43] you for being such a good God and enabling us to have meetings and make

[0:48] decisions. We ask you to bless the council, the mayor, city manager, all

[0:55] elected officials. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

[1:00] » Amen. >> Pledge allegiance to the flag of the

[1:04] United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nation

[1:12] indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

[1:17] » Honor the Texas flag. I pledge allegiance to the Texas one state under

[1:23] God one and indivisible. >> Thank you. And you may be seated.

[1:38] » Glad you could join us, Councilman.

[1:46] All right. Item 1 D, matters subsequent to posting.

[1:52] » No, sir. Thank you. >> None tonight. So, we're going to move

[1:54] on. Next, we have audience participation.

[1:59] First on my list is Mr. Sam Raina.

[2:05] Toby, you got the clock. >> Mayor, council, Dr. Kelly, good evening.

[2:12] My name is Ema and I reside in 2002 North Avenue G.

[2:18] These photos that I gave y'all are my next door neighbor backyard and

[2:24] ditch. This code citation was issued by court code officer Miss Allan St. Arnold

[2:32] neglected premises junk vehicle leader and debris unregistered inoperable

[2:38] vehicle parking in yards and not on an improved surface.

[2:45] Death Star House Bill 2127 section 11 sub chapter A chapter 51 local

[2:52] government code is amended by adding section 51.002

[2:57] to read as follows ordinances or rules inconsistent with

[3:03] state law prohibited notwithstanding section 51.001 001. The

[3:09] governing body of a municipality may adopt, enforce, or maintain an ordinance

[3:14] or rule only if the ordinance or rule is consistent with the laws of the state.

[3:21] There is no law in the state of Texas that prohibits parking in your yard.

[3:29] Death Star bill 2127 was passed to regulate municipalities.

[3:35] Some cities were passing laws and ordinances that were above and beyond

[3:41] state and federal laws. Freeport, you can park in the grass.

[3:47] Neglected premises. Look at their ditch. Spotless.

[3:53] There's no ditch in Freeport cleaner than that.

[3:57] What the city should be doing is reimbursing those kids for money they

[4:01] spend repairing a drain line the city broke. The contractors the city used to

[4:07] resurface North Avenue G and H or the responsibility or the responsibility

[4:13] port that broke the pipes but is the city's liability.

[4:18] Councilman Matamoros addressed the problem with the city manager and Baola.

[4:23] Biola said the broken pipe was on the owner's side, so they had to repair it,

[4:28] but it was the city that broke it. Mr. Lee and family should be reimbured

[4:33] for the damage of $57,958 plus labor.

[4:40] This been going on for a while. Item five I on the agenda. Waving the

[4:46] fees for the MLK celebration should be done annually as well as waving the fees

[4:52] for the St. Mary's Catholic Church annual bazaar which raises funds for the

[4:57] church. The church has been paying over 2500 in fees annually. They will not pay

[5:02] any fees for the next three years thanks to the donation of council members Miss

[5:07] Mireles and Mr. McDonald. But the city should wave the fees for the MLK and the

[5:14] St. Mary Bazaar. Both these events are good for our economy.

[5:21] Thank you. Oh,

[5:26] resolution. Stick to it.

[5:32] I don't know where we were on the time.

[5:38] 1 minute and 15 seconds. Mr. Rain, I'm being told you have 1

[5:42] minute and 15 seconds remaining

[5:50] » uh on this uh on on on the uh uh the tax the tax rate that the the no new revenue

[5:58] rate uh are are we in compliance with Senate Bill 1851?

[6:05] Uh it were not because there were there were three cities to start with in

[6:09] Brazoria County that were not compliance with 1851. Uh Jones Creek, Brasoria,

[6:17] and Bonnie. And then Danbury and here lately Surfside.

[6:24] They're not in compliance with 1851. So they can they cannot raise taxes. Okay.

[6:30] And you have it here, no new revenue rate, which is that one that they have

[6:35] to adopt if they're not in compliance. So what I want to know, or we in

[6:41] compliance with 1851.

[6:46] If we're not, we cannot raise taxes. Thank you.

[6:52] » Thank you, Mr. Raino. [clears throat]

[6:56] » Mr. Hayes, would you like to speak now or wait till 5e?

[7:08] Next we have Mr. Manning Rollerson.

[7:14] » Good afternoon, council. [snorts] >> Good evening, sir.

[7:17] » See everybody after this Labor Day weekend. We all still here. Thank God.

[7:22] Um, one thing I'm looking at on the budget is the restoration of the old

[7:26] city hall. That's a great thing, 100%. But I do have to say something about the

[7:32] Lincoln Park deal that I do want to talk about because Lincoln Park was designed

[7:40] back during uh uh segregation and Lincoln Park brought the blacks and

[7:45] the whites in this city together. That's why it was built. That's the history of

[7:49] Lincoln Park. Lincoln Park was supposed to be replaced over on the Cherry Street

[7:54] site on Fourth and Cherry, which is a old OA Fleming site over there that was

[7:59] swapped for that baseball field that was built that we still don't have Lincoln

[8:04] Park. I cannot understand why it's in the agreement with the Port of Freeport

[8:09] that we don't have Lincoln Park and we haven't started on Lincoln Park. before

[8:13] Lincoln Park was removed off the east end. They were supposed to put that park

[8:16] and every amenity on that park back on that site on the OA Fleming site and it

[8:22] has not been done. Everything else is being done in this city, but we don't

[8:26] have Lincoln Park there and that is an issue based on legal and I do want to

[8:31] know why is there a legal uh uh u case about the O8 Fleming site when that was

[8:37] clearly voted on by Mr. Kane and uh Mr. uh bass and the rest of the council to

[8:43] put that park over there. So there's no excuse for it when the park is not even

[8:47] being started. So and as for a sports complex is not supposed to go back as a

[8:53] sports complex. It's got to go back just like that park was because it's

[8:57] historical. You can add to it with other amenities, but you cannot change it. It

[9:03] is a historical park. So we're not going to think about a sports complex because

[9:07] it's supposed to be rooftops in that community. So, we need the rooftops and

[9:11] that and that park place back over there. This is my main pet peeve based

[9:16] on what happened with the east end over there. So, we need to work towards

[9:19] getting Lincoln Park together and the the fixing the new city hall. That's the

[9:24] best thing. But I do want to bring some news before we uh my time run out. Uh uh

[9:30] uh Japanese Finance Ministry accept our investigation against Freeport LNG. They

[9:35] will be sending uh delegations here to speak to the people in Freeport and talk

[9:40] to the frontline leaders. They will be coming down and having a public meeting

[9:45] when all our representatives need to be there because when there's a deliberate

[9:49] explosion, there's accountability to the people of Freeport. And you guys need to

[9:53] hold that accountable because at the end of the day, we are paying taxes for

[9:58] every industry that's built in this community. They call in baitment taxes.

[10:02] And embaitment taxes go on your property. You'll never own your

[10:06] property, nobody, unless you got it in a trust. So, at the end of the day, you

[10:10] need to make real decisions when it comes to embaitment taxes and giving tax

[10:14] breaks to the industry that has not shown nothing back in this city over 80

[10:19] years since DA been here. A lot of investments, three generations that was

[10:24] left behind because you can look at this city, it shows it. All that taxation did

[10:29] not build Freeport back. Same thing with $2.6 6 billion dollars that was invested

[10:34] in the Freeport LNG. We have not seen the investment on that. But they blew up

[10:38] and we gave them another seven years in baitment. So that taxes is on the people

[10:42] of Freeport. That's on your homes. So at the end of the day, these industries

[10:46] need to start paying their fair share. They need to stop polluting in this

[10:50] community or we going to go to the people that fund this government with

[10:54] these buildouts of liqufied natural gas and we going to hold them accountable to

[10:58] the toxic poison of this community. At the end of the day, y'all represent us

[11:02] and when they blow up in this community, they are legally liable to the citizens

[11:07] of this community. And that's why I ask for the contingencies from the insurance

[11:11] companies that it go directly to the pocket of the people cuz libraries, food

[11:15] banks, that's good. But the sickness come from the people. Thank you.

[11:19] » Thank you, Mr. Rosen. [clears throat]

[11:24] Excuse me.

[11:29] Next we have Mr. Jeff Pena.

[11:46] [snorts]

[11:51] Hello. Tonight, I'm asking the council to take action regarding Mark Parker,

[11:55] the president and chair of the Freeport EDC during executive session. I believe

[11:59] Mark Parker should be removed from that position or resign. And I have the court

[12:04] records for Parker's case to support my request. Those records show that he

[12:09] entered a plea of no contest and paid the associated fine. A no contest plea

[12:13] is not an admission of guilt, of course, but it isn't an admission of innocence

[12:17] either. The defendant is essentially choosing not to contest the charge and

[12:21] allowing the court to decide. And in the case, the result was that Parker

[12:25] avoiding have avoided having a conviction entered on his record. Now,

[12:29] I'm not here to tell you that the judge didn't have the legal authority to

[12:32] exercise discretion. He may have, but here's the question. Does everybody get

[12:37] the same opportunity? Why would, excuse me, would any other

[12:41] ordinary Freeport resident receive the same special treatment? Would someone

[12:45] with political connections receive the same outcome?

[12:50] That's what needs to be answered because having legal discretion is one thing and

[12:54] applying that discretion fairly and consistently is another because

[12:57] otherwise it's the very definition of a corrupt judge. And that brings me to

[13:02] Judge Trey Gerard. I'm not accusing Judge Gerard of committing a crime

[13:05] simply because he exercised his personal discretion. I'm asking whether that

[13:10] discretion has been exercised consistently. If Parker received an

[13:13] outcome that is routinely available to similar situation, excuse me, situated

[13:17] defendants, then let's see that. Let's examine the comparable con cases. Let's

[13:22] determine whether ordinary citizens are receiving the same special treatment.

[13:26] Because if they are, great. But if politically connected people receive

[13:32] opportunities that ordinary residents don't, then we have a serious corruption

[13:36] problem in our court. There cannot be two sets of laws in Freeport.

[13:42] And if an investigation determines that Judge Gerard violated his professional

[13:45] obligations, then the appropriate authorities should be notified,

[13:48] including the Texas State Bar if warranted. I'm asking for accountability

[13:52] is all, not a conviction from this podium. Now, while we're talking about

[13:56] accountability, I want to address another elephant in the room, drug

[13:59] testing. City staff

[14:04] have informed me of concerns that Nicole Morales, council member over here from W

[14:08] C seated in front of me for everybody that can see at home

[14:15] appeared to be under the influence of illegal drugs at a previous city council

[14:18] meeting. >> Mr. Pena,

[14:19] » I'm not going to stand here and declare that she was under the influence.

[14:24] » Mr.

[14:27] I am going to remind you that all comments must be respectful in tone

[14:33] » and reasonable in nature. No threats, yelling, cursing, harassing, or

[14:38] derogatory comments will be allowed. >> Well, I'm telling you right now,

[14:43] » I'm not going to stand here and and declare that she was under the

[14:46] influence. All I'm saying is that u something can be determined very easily

[14:50] through appropriate drug testing. So, I'm I'm asking council to establish a

[14:53] drug testing requirement, including a hair follicle test, to determine whether

[14:56] there is any evidence of illegal drug use. And while we're at it, let's make

[15:00] this equal and universal. Let's test everybody, the mayor, everybody else,

[15:05] this person here laughing, thinking it's a joke, no exceptions, no favorites, no

[15:09] political gains. Because if we're asking people who serve the public to maintain

[15:12] a standard of conduct, then that standard needs to apply across the

[15:16] board. There are not and should not be two sets of laws in Freeport. So my my

[15:21] requests tonight are very straightforward. Remove remove Mark

[15:23] Parker as president and chair of the Freeport EDC for his direct and loan

[15:27] involvement of an assault of a public servant and review the circumstances

[15:31] surrounding their exercise of judicial discretion by Gerard and refer any

[15:34] substantial professional misconduct involving the judge to the appropriate

[15:37] authority including the state bar if warranted. And and fourth, establish a

[15:41] lawful uniform drug testing policy for all council members, all directors of

[15:45] city hall or their managers and all appointed drug uh board members. And

[15:49] where there is a legitimate concern about illegal drug use, use appropriate

[15:53] testing to determine the facts. No more looking the other way. No more special

[15:57] treatment. No more protecting people because who they are or who they know.

[16:01] This has to stop. Freeport deserves better. And more importantly, the

[16:04] citizens of Freeport deserve to know that the same rules apply to everyone.

[16:08] » Times up, Mr. Pñena. >> Jerry, you need dabbling these people

[16:13] here as they continue to interrupt. >> Your time is up, Mr. Pñena. Use it

[16:17] correctly and use it judic use it fairly and and

[16:21] » can you escort him out please?

[16:41] » All right, we're going to move on.

[16:45] proclamations, presentations, and updates. Dr. Kelly.

[16:56] » Yes. Thank you. So, the upcoming events are 16th annual Kidfest September 12th

[17:01] in downtown from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. We have Haunting Tales of the Texas

[17:06] Coast running from September 12th through October 31st at Freeport Museum

[17:12] 10:00 a.m. to 4 p.m. Hispanic Heritage Month exhibit is also at the museum

[17:17] September 15th through October 15th. We have Seniors Bingo September 21st at

[17:23] Riverplace from 10:00 a.m. to noon. And then we have Nickelodeon Worldwide Day

[17:28] of Play September 26th at the museum from 11:00 a.m. to 4 pm.

[17:35] » Thank you, ma'am. Once again, a lot of good stuff coming up in the city of

[17:40] Freeport. Uh we also have a proclamation that I am

[17:45] honored to read. This proclamation is Hispanic Heritage Month.

[17:51] Whereas National Hispanic Heritage Month or Mes Deharencia Hispa is celebrated

[17:59] from September 15th through October 15th each year in honor of our rich history,

[18:05] culture, and impactful contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities,

[18:11] including [snorts] American citizens with roots in Spain, Mexico, the

[18:16] Caribbean, Central America, and South America.

[18:22] And whereas the obser observance began as Hispanic Heritage Week in 1968 under

[18:29] President Lyndon B. Johnson and was expanded to a 30-day celebration by

[18:34] President Ronald Reagan. It was subsequently made law on August 17th,

[18:40] 1988. The celebration begins on September 15th

[18:45] in recognition of the independence anniversaries of Costa Rica, El

[18:50] Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, followed by Mexico on

[18:57] September 16th and Chile on September 18th.

[19:02] And whereas Hispanic and Latino Americans represent one of the largest

[19:07] and fastest growing communities in the United States with approximately 68

[19:13] million Hispanic residents comprising about 20% of the nation's population as

[19:20] of July 1st, 2024, and continuing to play an essential role

[19:25] in the cultural, economic, civic, and social fabric of our nation.

[19:32] And whereas Hispanic and Latino residents are an integral part of the

[19:37] city of Freeport, representing approximately 59.2%

[19:42] of our community and contributing greatly to the character, strength,

[19:47] growth, and cultural richness of our city.

[19:52] And whereas during National Hispanic Heritage Month, we come together to

[19:58] honor and celebrate the vibrant traditions of Hispanic and Latino

[20:02] families, including faith, hard work, community, and patriotism,

[20:08] and to recognize their invaluable contributions toward strengthening our

[20:14] society. And whereas the city of Freeport is

[20:18] proud to observe me Herencia Hispa honoring the leadership achievements and

[20:25] cultural heritage of Hispanics and Latinos who are central to our city's

[20:30] identity and inclusive community spirit. Now therefore, I, Jerry Kaine, mayor of

[20:37] the city of Freeport, on behalf of the city of Freeport, do hereby proclaim

[20:42] September 15th through October 15, 2026 as Hispanic Heritage Month and encourage

[20:51] all residents to recognize and celebrate the rich heritage, history, and culture

[20:56] of our Hispanic and Latino community, and to continue working together towards

[21:02] a future that is welcoming, prosperous, and united for all.

[21:08] In witness whereof, I have here unto set my hand and affixed the seal of the city

[21:14] of Freeport this 8th day of September, 2026.

[21:20] I will sign it [applause] now.

[21:26] I agree. [applause and cheering] I was signing it. I didn't get to

[21:29] participate in in the clapping.

[21:37] All right, ladies and gentlemen. [clears throat]

[21:40] Next, we have the consent agenda. Uh, on the consent agenda, we have item

[21:47] number 3A, action regarding the minutes of August 17, 2026.

[21:54] We have 3B action approving changing the date to the first meeting in November

[22:00] 2026 due to DIA de los Muertos procession on to Tuesday November 3rd.

[22:08] Uh we have 3C action approving resolution number 2026-3066

[22:15] to allow the police chief to enter into an interlocal agreement with Trinity

[22:20] Charter Schools to establish procedures and expectations regarding school safety

[22:27] planning and emergency response coordination.

[22:32] Uh we have 3D action approving resolution number 2026-3067

[22:39] to authorize a right of entry agreement with Sweet Te's Diner for the Cruise for

[22:45] Cancer event on September 19th, 2026. And that's it. Uh council, is there a

[22:55] motion? We have a motion by Councilman McDonald.

[23:01] » Second. >> Second by Councilwoman Morales.

[23:10] Any discussion needed on this, ladies and gentlemen?

[23:15] I'll call the vote. All those in favor state I. I. All oppose state nay. Motion

[23:23] carries unanimously.

[23:30] It is now 6:23 and we are going to recess the regular

[23:37] scheduled meeting and open a public hearing.

[23:41] Uh public hearing regarding the fiscal year 2026 through 2027 annual budget.

[23:48] Miss Hurst. Uh, mayor and council, this public

[23:52] hearing is being held to receive public comments regarding the proposed fiscal

[23:56] year 26 through 27 budget. The proposed budget includes approximately 43.87

[24:02] million in revenues and 45.54 million in expenditures with the

[24:08] difference representing an intentional use of available fund balance primarily

[24:12] for capital projects and one-time investments. This budget was developed

[24:17] through several months of collaboration among city council, the city manager,

[24:22] finance, our departments, and staff while also considering feedback received

[24:26] from our community. In particular, the community survey identified

[24:30] beautifification and infrastructure as important priorities. In response, the

[24:34] proposed budget includes approximately 595,000

[24:38] in beautifification initiatives and a little over four million in

[24:42] infrastructure initiatives, representing approximately 4,700,000

[24:48] in combined investment in these community priorities. The budget also

[24:52] makes meaningful investments in our employees, public safety, city services,

[24:57] equipment, facilities, and long-term capital needs while maintaining a strong

[25:01] financial position. We appreciate the community members who have participated

[25:06] along the along the way and throughout this process. Public input is an

[25:10] important part of developing the budget that ultimately reflects the priorities

[25:14] and needs of Freeport. At this time, we welcome any comments from the public

[25:18] regarding the budget.

[25:23] Do we have any comments from the public?

[25:29] Going once,

[25:33] going twice.

[25:37] Come on up, Mr. Raina.

[25:41] [clears throat] >> Can Can you make sure you're speaking in

[25:44] the mic?

[25:48] » Can't hear you. >> Go ahead. I'm asking ask her again.

[25:51] » Are we in compliance with Senate Bill 1851?

[25:56] » So that has to do with the tax rate, but yes, we are.

[25:59] » Okay. Thank you.

[26:05] » That's a good question. And you know, we couldn't answer you while ago.

[26:11] [clears throat] >> Uh, anybody else?

[26:17] All right. It is 6:26 and we are going to close this public hearing

[26:28] and we are going to open another public hearing. Wait a minute.

[26:48] I went one too far in my book. We're going to open It's 6:27 now. We're

[26:54] going [clears throat] to open the public hearing regarding the 2026 tax rate.

[26:59] Miss Hurst. >> Yes, sir. The public hearing is being

[27:02] held to receive public comments regarding the city of Freeport's

[27:05] proposed property tax rate for the 2026 tax year. The proposed tax rate is

[27:11] 0.474988 474988 per $100 of taxable value, which

[27:17] represents a decrease in the city's tax rate. While the proposed rate is

[27:22] approximately 6.76% above the no new revenue rate, it is

[27:28] important to clarify that this does not mean the city is increasing its tax

[27:32] rate. In fact, the proposed rate is approximately 7.42%

[27:37] below the city's current tax rate. Although the tax rate is decreasing, the

[27:43] city does anticipate an increase in total t property tax revenue due to

[27:48] changes in growth in taxable property values. We understand that the

[27:52] terminology required as part of the property tax process can be confusing,

[27:57] so we want to be sure that we're clear and transparent with our community. The

[28:01] proposed tax rate is going down while anticipated property tax revenues will

[28:07] increase. At this time, we welcome comments and questions from the public

[28:11] regarding the proposed 2026 property tax rate.

[28:16] » Thank you, Miss Hurst.

[28:20] Once again, the floor is open.

[28:27] Going once, going twice.

[28:34] It is now 6:28 and we are going to close.

[28:37] » Excuse me. >> Yes, sir.

[28:40] » Can I say something? >> Yes, sir.

[28:42] » All right. Uh, yes. Thank you, uh, Ashley for uh, clarifying that and

[28:48] breaking that down for us. It's a lot of um, well, it's not a lot, but it's uh,

[28:53] talk going around town that we're raising taxes. And you know, [cough]

[29:00] [clears throat] I was hoping, you know, somebody would be here to ask a

[29:03] question, but I think you pretty much broke it down uh as as best as you

[29:08] could. Uh [snorts] but I hope that hopefully they're

[29:13] listening because, you know, uh it is a lot of confusion about, you know, uh how

[29:20] that is broken down. And I think you broke it down, uh uh pretty good. I want

[29:24] to thank you for that. that we're not raising taxes.

[29:29] » Correct. >> You know, right? Right. Clarify.

[29:32] » Yeah. >> All right. Yeah.

[29:35] » Thank you. >> Thank you.

[29:42] » We're not raising taxes, right? >> No, sir.

[29:46] » We're taking in more tax revenue, right? >> Yes, sir.

[29:50] » Okay. Thank you. [clears throat]

[29:53] Anyone

[29:58] else?

[30:03] All right. So, it is now 6:30. We are going to close the public hearing on the

[30:09] tax rate and reconvene back into our regular

[30:14] scheduled meeting. We have agenda item 5A,

[30:21] consideration and possible action to adopt ordinance number 2026-2772

[30:28] adopting the fiscal year 2026 through 2027 budget. Miss Hurst,

[30:36] » mayor and councel, before you tonight is the consideration and adoption of the

[30:40] city of Freeport's fiscal year 26 through 27 budget. This budget

[30:45] represents several months of planning, analysis, and collaboration. Our goal

[30:49] throughout this process has been to develop a budget that is realistic,

[30:53] transparent, financially responsible, and responsive to the needs of this

[30:57] community. The total proposed budget includes approximately 43 million in

[31:03] revenues and 45 million in expenditures. The difference represents the

[31:08] intentional use of available fund balance for capital projects and

[31:12] one-time investments. It does not indicate an ongoing operational deficit.

[31:17] The general fund remains in a strong financial position with approximately 19

[31:23] million sorry 19.75 million in revenues and 19.44

[31:30] million in expenditures. We project the general fund to begin the

[31:35] year with approximately 14 million in fund balance and end the year with

[31:39] approximately 15 million. The utility fund includes approximately

[31:45] 11 million in revenues and 10 million in expenditures. And the budget also

[31:51] includes approximately three and a half million in grant

[31:55] funding, allowing us to leverage outside resources to further invest in our

[31:59] community. This year's budget also includes several organizational changes

[32:04] designed to improve transparency and better reflect the true cost of city

[32:08] services. These include establishing golf and EMS as enterprise funds,

[32:14] incorporating solid waste into the into the utility fund, moving city sponsored

[32:19] events into the city events fund, and restructuring several departments and

[32:24] funding sources. We also took a detailed and conservative approach to our revenue

[32:28] projections. Estimates were adjusted using actual collection rates, current

[32:33] trends, contractual revenues, and comproller projections rather than

[32:39] simply carrying forward carrying forward prior year amounts. A major focus of

[32:45] this budget is also our employees. It provides for a 3% salary increase,

[32:50] implementation of new pay matrix step plans, and several positions needed to

[32:56] strengthen city services. At the same time, the city is absorbing an 18.4%

[33:02] increase in the employee health insurance premiums. Most importantly, we

[33:07] wanted this budget to reflect not only the needs identified by staff and

[33:10] council, but also the priorities identified by the community. The city's

[33:15] community survey showed an overall importance placed on beautifification

[33:18] and infrastructure, and we use that feedback during the development process.

[33:23] The budget responds with approximately 595,000

[33:27] in beautifification initiatives and 4 million in infrastructure initiatives

[33:32] for a combined investment of approximately 4.7 million toward two

[33:37] priorities that our residents told us matter to them. Those investments

[33:41] include street and drainage improvements, water and utility

[33:45] infrastructure, parks revitalization, city facilities, beautifification

[33:50] efforts, facade and business improvement programs, and other projects throughout

[33:54] the city of Freeport. This budget also makes important investments in public

[33:59] safety, vehicles and equipment, city facility re renovations, parks and

[34:04] recreation, economic development, and the continued replacement of aging

[34:09] infrastructure and assets. I want to sincerely thank each of our departments

[34:13] and department directors for the time, research, and careful consideration they

[34:17] put into their request. I also want to personally thank the staff accountant

[34:21] for the tremendous amount of time that went into developing, reviewing, and

[34:25] balancing this budget alongside me. Thank you to our city manager for her

[34:30] leadership and guidance throughout the process, and to city council for your

[34:34] participation in the workshops, all of your questions, and the direction that

[34:38] you help provide us while we work toward the budget presented tonight. And

[34:42] finally, thank you to our community. Your participation and feedback does

[34:46] matter. This budget is one way we can demonstrate that we are listening and

[34:51] working to turn the priorities that you have identified into meaningful

[34:55] investments in Freeport. From the finance department's perspective, the

[34:59] work does not just end with adoption. We'll continue to closely monitor

[35:03] revenues, expenditures, fund balances, and capital activity throughout the year

[35:08] and provide the transparent financial reporting to council in our community

[35:11] that you have grown to know. I believe the fiscical year 26 through 27 budget

[35:17] provides a responsible financial plan that invests in our employees,

[35:21] infrastructure, services, and community while protecting the city's long-term

[35:25] financial position. It reflects our continued commitment to transparency,

[35:30] accountability, responsible fiscal stewardship, and moving Freeport

[35:35] forward. Staff respectfully recommends approval and adoption of the budget as

[35:40] presented. Thank you, Miss Hurst.

[35:45] Uh, councel, I'll entertain a motion.

[35:55] » I'll make a motion. >> We have a motion to approve,

[35:57] [clears throat] I assume. Motion to approve by Councilman Davis.

[36:02] » Second. >> Second by Councilman Roso.

[36:06] Any discussion needed on this, ladies and

[36:10] gentlemen? >> Yeah.

[36:12] » Yes, sir. >> All right. I'm looking for the uh the

[36:18] rec center. I'm trying to find them. >> Toby, if you could pull the budget

[36:25] website up, that may be easiest.

[36:44] And then just click on under general fund if you'll click on rec uh scroll

[36:50] down rec center. Yeah. Okay.

[37:17] Is there something specific you're looking for that I could maybe help?

[37:21] » Yes. Uh some repairs over there >> for building.

[37:27] » Yes. >> Okay. Toby, if you could scroll down to

[37:29] the 545 line.

[37:35] The the table will Yeah.

[37:46] Does that say 5,000? I'm sorry. I can't. >> That's all.

[37:50] I'm just asking cuz I'm going to go somewhere.

[37:53] » Yes, it says 5,000. >> Okay.

[38:01] Um, the rec center has a lot of a lot of repairs needed over there.

[38:06] Uh they need roof repairs. They need the the flooring needs to be repaired over

[38:13] there from past uh water leaks and and and uh in the pump room. If you ever

[38:22] went in there and looked at how old that pump is and that pump is barely working

[38:26] over there that goes to the pool. Now we going to redo the pool and then the pump

[38:31] go out or the pump station. So, it some pumps need to be replaced inside of that

[38:37] pump house. Uh, it needs flooring. Uh, needs to be replaced over there. Uh,

[38:44] ceiling is water damaged from the leaks. Uh, just the patchup work that have been

[38:52] done in the past and not done right. Uh, you know, I know we're striving to uh

[38:59] stop doing patchup works now. I've been in city hall and I've been hearing that

[39:04] talk and [clears throat] it wasn't this this group had done it. This has been

[39:10] happening and uh that's that needs to be addressed

[39:15] now. The the pool has been out for two years. I mean, I was just at the

[39:22] football game Friday night and and and [snorts]

[39:26] two people uh senior citizens asked me, "What's up with the pool? when we going

[39:31] to get the pool back, you know, what are we doing? I mean, I know we are working

[39:36] on getting the pool. I have explained that to them. But the rec center, I

[39:42] mean, just the rec center, the experience of the rec center, you know,

[39:45] we already don't have [clears throat] things for the kids to do, uh, a lot of

[39:51] things for kids to do in Freeport. And we need to upgrade, uh, the rec center.

[39:56] And before even upgrading it, we need to repair it. and we need to do some

[40:01] maintenance. So, uh I seen some some [snorts] uh

[40:07] some quotes from last year uh of some repair work that needed to be done that

[40:12] was uh supposedly turned turned in to their boss, but it wasn't passed on to

[40:21] this side of the boss, you know. So, I mean, them are $29,000.

[40:27] Uh, $25,000. So, this that's not going to get that's

[40:32] that's not going to get it. That's right there. So, I mean, I think

[40:37] we need to do some kind of adjustment. I mean, we got a lot of things in here

[40:43] that we're upgrading and and needs to be done. We're adding workers and adding

[40:49] this, but I mean, I mean, we can go through here and find

[40:54] something that can be uh taken out or moved around or because the rec center

[41:00] needs some more monies for for repairs over there. I mean, we got three three

[41:06] police cars again. We bought three police cars last year.

[41:11] I mean, that's $350 something,000.

[41:17] And and and our facilities need to be repaired.

[41:22] I mean, if you we can't keep buying $350,000

[41:27] uh worth priest cars every year. Uh

[41:33] I mean, we can get one or or or take one of them cars and move that money to the

[41:39] rec center for repairs. That's a $100,000 plus

[41:46] or something. I mean, what do y'all I mean, do do y'all know anything about

[41:50] I'm asking council. Do you know anything about the rec center and any issues? I

[41:55] would like y'all to go over there and check it out, but today is the day. I

[41:59] know it's kind of late now, but I mean that it's it's it needs to be repaired

[42:06] over there and it's no and there's no money in here for that stuff to happen.

[42:12] So, I mean, I'm going to meet y'all halfway

[42:15] or whatever, but we need to move something and add some more money over

[42:20] there to the rec center for some repairs.

[42:23] And I looked up and down this thing and it's a couple of them, but but the

[42:28] police cars is one cuz they already got cars last year. They do need cars, but

[42:33] we I mean, we can still you can get two and not three. And that's still a lot of

[42:39] money for over there because all of these other departments need cars too.

[42:44] And they didn't they haven't been getting any cars.

[42:48] So now we got to buy them cars and we can't take away their cars

[42:53] because they haven't even got cars since I've been here. I ain't heard and no no

[42:57] other department get getting any cars. So, I know I know that's one place that

[43:04] we can we can grab some money up out of there and and send it to the rec center

[43:09] if y'all if that makes any sense or to anybody up

[43:14] here or I mean because [clears throat] all of our stuff is going down, you

[43:19] know, I know we're going to put some money in our uh ball fields and stuff

[43:23] maybe look like but the kids ain't got nothing to do

[43:29] and then we then now we going to we have all our buildings, you know, going down

[43:34] and we want these residents to fix their stuff up and then we neglecting our

[43:40] stuff.

[43:44] So, we have to work on our stuff. Show the people you'll fix your own stuff

[43:49] before you come down and and and on people and tell them they need to fix

[43:54] their stuff. And especially when it got to do with the kids

[44:02] Uh, I mean, we sit down, we we let city hall go down like that. That's a shame,

[44:08] but I got to stay on track. I'm talking about the rec center, and we need to

[44:12] move some money over to the rec center some kind of way today if possible. I'm

[44:18] only one vote, but I just wanted to put that out there. And and we need to look

[44:24] through here and find something some way to make it happen.

[44:28] So, Councilman, if I may, I would propose um two different options that

[44:33] y'all could consider. Um the facilities and grounds capital fund has a fund

[44:39] balance of a little over 2.2 million. So, if y'all

[44:44] want to assign some of that fund balance for the rec center, you could do that or

[44:50] um reassign it from a budget requested uh item to that rec center.

[44:58] Just something to consider. >> What are we using the 2 point? What' you

[45:04] say? 2 million two >> 2.2. So right now it's just sitting in

[45:08] that fund balance. >> And what do we usually use that for? I

[45:12] mean I mean >> so that would be capital improvements to

[45:15] our city facilities and the grounds. So your rec center repairs, they would

[45:21] qualify for that. >> Oh, okay.

[45:24] Let's do it. I agree with you 100%. If we can move

[45:29] some of that money, I propose that we move that money and make sure we get the

[45:34] rec center fixed properly for our kids.

[45:40] » You know, my my [snorts and cough] >> you know where [clears throat] I stay

[45:43] with with the children. >> Yeah. My my take on this is um I too

[45:48] feel like we need to do some work at the at the rec center. [clears throat] Um

[45:54] but I I I don't if we have if we have 2.2

[45:59] million sitting here in a fund that can be used for this. It is my opinion that

[46:06] we leave it in the fund. We identify what we're going to do,

[46:14] get a bid, then pull the money from there at that point in time to make the

[46:19] repairs. As opposed to

[46:25] moving $50,000, $100,000, $200,000, or a million dollars, you know, as opposed to

[46:31] just arbitrarily moving a number at this point to put on this line item. Um,

[46:39] knowing that the money is is there in this fund that can be used for

[46:46] the needed repairs that you speak. That that's [clears throat] my take on it.

[46:52] So, if y'all do want to, and that's totally fine, too. Just if you do if you

[46:57] did want to keep it all within the same budget adoption, you could set that

[47:02] ceiling amount. We and you're assigning that spending power as as those projects

[47:07] come up. they would still have to be um approved and come before council, but

[47:12] the um but the bud then we wouldn't have to do a budget amendment because that um

[47:19] spending authority would already be within the budget. Again, totally up to

[47:23] you. I'm just explaining. >> Yep.

[47:27] » So, if we if we don't move it now, then you got to do a budget amendment.

[47:33] Is that what you just said? Is that kind of what you're saying?

[47:35] » Yeah. So if we don't set the amount now to spend then yes it will it whether

[47:41] it's coming from general fund whether we're using fund balance in the capital

[47:44] fund if we don't set that budget amount >> the spending if we don't give it the

[47:50] spending authority now then then we have to come back for the amendment for the

[47:55] authority to spend it >> and that would be every time a repair

[47:59] got done [clears throat] >> we just

[48:02] » if it's not budgeted yes that is correct >> so So I I'm

[48:08] propose we just set a uh a 100,000 over there.

[48:16] » Well, seem like we would uh figure how much we need

[48:23] and that >> I mean you might not need all that.

[48:26] » I know. That's why I say we need >> Yeah. We need to see how much we need to

[48:31] to to repair the things that need to be repaired.

[48:34] Yeah, because then >> it may be more than a h 100,000,

[48:38] » right? >> You know, we may need more than 100,000

[48:41] to do what needs to be done to get it up to spec.

[48:45] » Yeah. >> So,

[48:46] » well, I've seen some I' I've seen some uh some quotes of some work that that

[48:52] that needed to be done >> already.

[48:55] » Yeah. And it didn't go. Now, it's more need to be done, but you know, that's

[49:01] something you can do this year and and that will fix a lot of and that that'll

[49:05] that'll do a lot of stuff. And then next year, you know, you can chip away at it.

[49:11] » Yeah. Where these quotes come from? >> Uh rec center. Bella

[49:18] » Bella, >> when I was talking to Bella,

[49:20] » she got some bids. She has some from they're not any good anymore because

[49:27] they're over a year they're over a year old.

[49:30] » Yeah. So it won't be the same price now, you know,

[49:36] but I mean it's still in that range. And >> still in the $100,000 range.

[49:41] » Yeah. Yeah.

[49:44] » I'm I'm pumped. >> And that's that's flooring. Uh that's

[49:49] that's that's pumps pump upgrades. You have to do the pumps because you going

[49:54] you you f to do all this to the pool. You the the pool needs the the shading

[50:00] stuff. All that stuff is rusted and you know where you like the concession stand

[50:05] area over there and in the shading part over there. All that stuff is is is bad.

[50:10] That stuff need to be replaced. You going to bring a a a a fresh new pool up

[50:16] in here and have that raggedy uh stuff sitting out there like that?

[50:22] The slides and stuff, all that stuff, all that stuff need to be replaced.

[50:27] If we going to bring the pool back, bring it back. And when you walk in

[50:30] there, you going to say, "Wow." Or don't walk in there and say, "Oh, well, they

[50:34] just they they just painted the pool or something. It it took this long to do

[50:39] that." When you walk into the pool, make it

[50:44] say, "Wow."

[50:49] » You done? >> Yes, sir.

[50:52] » Let me uh let me kind of make a suggestion to you guys. Um I agree

[50:57] totally with you. You know how I feel about the children about that pool. Um

[51:03] he I just got on counsel, but let [clears throat] me tell you something.

[51:07] And when I was hitting right there in that chair, we didn't have that kind of

[51:11] problems. And I I I kind of know where it all kind of stemming from and all of

[51:16] the turmoil that you guys have been having, but uh we need to get rid of

[51:20] that and we need to get it, like you say, fixed. We need to help our

[51:24] children. They're our future. Um I really can't say a whole lot more. I

[51:30] mean, we seem to beat them to death and and not give them things. I mean, uh, we

[51:35] need to kind of stress just just like Mr. Rollers said, uh, you know, that

[51:40] park down there, that Lincoln Park, uh, I was born and raised in that area. I

[51:45] mean, we had a baseball field, we had basketball courts, uh, we had a

[51:49] fieldhouse there. It was all fenced in, we had, uh, amenities there for the

[51:54] children, uh, saddle horses, monkey bars, uh, uh, swing sets. I mean, all

[52:00] kind merrygorounds. I mean, that was all there. And when this deal went through

[52:04] the port here, it seems like in in the charter states, y'all shouldn't even

[52:10] sell a piece of of park until we have the same amenities and the same size

[52:17] park or larger. I don't know where y'all sit on this

[52:20] stuff, but we seem to have the children don't have no amenities over there

[52:25] whatsoever, but a ballpark. And that's not really cutting it for a a regular

[52:30] park for the children. I mean, uh, I totally agree with you. I think we need

[52:34] to do something over there with the Lincoln Park on that end of the field. I

[52:38] mean, that end of the city. I'm I'm with you 100%. I'm going just suggest to

[52:43] y'all, I mean, y'all are going to pass the the the budget anyhow. I mean, why

[52:47] don't y'all just go ahead and and and pass it and then come back like Mrs.

[52:51] Hurst says, you got $2.2 million, you know, sitting in another fund that y'all

[52:56] can reallocate. I mean, that would be the suggestion I have with you guys. I

[53:00] mean, we have to have Is this the second hearing

[53:04] » for the for the budget that we have tonight?

[53:07] » If we vote tonight. >> Okay. Yeah, that's what Yeah. So, I

[53:10] mean, you got to get it approved before September the 30th. Anyhow, so

[53:14] » the 15th. So, if y'all don't approve it tonight, we'll have to call a special

[53:18] meeting. >> Yeah. And I appreciate you getting that

[53:20] form that I was asking you for. I mean, I've seen it all all in there. I mean, I

[53:24] I know a little bit of something about it here because I've been in those shoes

[53:27] before, Ash. It's all very very >> Yes, sir. And I I I saw it today when I

[53:32] started. I said, "Oh, she got that form in there. Put it all in there."

[53:35] » Yes, ma'am. Yeah. There you go. Yeah, it's all in there.

[53:39] » But, uh, I'm going to just suggest that to you guys, you know, and then we can

[53:43] kind of what we need to do is get somebody over there and go or a couple

[53:46] of us and go through it and see what it really needs and then say, "Hey, this is

[53:51] what we want to to do in there and get it done."

[53:54] » Okay. Yeah. How's that? So, so, so it's not going to be a problem to do it that

[53:59] way. I mean, we just have to put >> It's not a problem to do it however

[54:02] y'all want. >> Yeah. I was just given different

[54:04] options. >> But no, but see, I just don't want to

[54:06] get into I'm I'm glad you you express your uh feelings and I know a couple of

[54:13] everybody's on a pretty much the same page. It's just it's just how to to uh

[54:18] get it done. But I don't want to get to the point to where, you know, uh then we

[54:23] get over there. Oh, it need 150,000. But then they say, well, then people say

[54:30] that, oh, we only want to spend $75,000 this year.

[54:34] » But yeah, maybe we maybe only do it by one year, but

[54:37] » yeah, we not going to and and that's not going to cut it. You know, it but we can

[54:43] make the uh do the amendment part the way, but long as it get done. Well, I

[54:48] know the staff that we got now, Dr. Kelly and I've been talking to Tracy and

[54:53] you know and they on the board with with fix things, right?

[54:58] » You know, we ain't patching up. So when you go over there and look at it and

[55:01] y'all walk around and do a tour, well, I want that same attitude. Fix it, right?

[55:09] And I'll be glad to meet you over there anytime you want to walk there and we

[55:12] can check it out anytime. I'm retired now.

[55:18] Anybody else have some any comments on this?

[55:20] » Well, that roof going to cost a lot, man. Just the roof alone. That's why I

[55:24] say, you know, we need somebody to look at this stuff.

[55:28] » Exactly. >> And then put it on pencil and paper so

[55:31] we can really know how much we can we can use or how much we need.

[55:37] [clears throat] I think everybody

[55:41] everybody wants it, right? >> I think everybody's on the same page.

[55:45] » Yeah. General consensus. I think all of us are wondering.

[55:47] » It's just a matter of of going over there and and taking somebody, not just

[55:52] you two knuckleheads. Uh take [laughter]

[56:01] » Oh, Lord. >> Somebody that Somebody that does this

[56:05] for a living. >> Somebody that does it for a living.

[56:08] » That's all I'm saying. Somebody Somebody that does it for a living. Somebody that

[56:13] do it every day. Not >> not not a retire.

[56:18] I'm just kidding. >> I love you, Larry.

[56:24] » Council, any any other questions or comments?

[56:30] » Let me ask you this. Are you good with with that on this issue?

[56:39] » Yeah. Once we know how much we're going to need to do whatever, do it at that

[56:44] point. >> Yeah.

[56:49] » Yeah. I ain't trying to spend the whole 2 million. I'm just, you know, that's a

[56:53] good >> make y'all get it right. No, they just

[56:55] want to get grab a little handful out of there and and make it, you know, make

[57:00] make the public notice it. Any

[57:05] other questions or comments before we before we call the vote? Um I

[57:12] would like to thank Miss Hurst and everybody involved,

[57:18] you know, the the department heads, our city manager,

[57:23] um the citizens who contributed their input. Uh I am excited

[57:29] to see what we have a little over $4 million going into infrastructure

[57:35] much needed infrastructure. Um I hope by the end by the end of this we have more

[57:42] people whose commotes will flush when it rains.

[57:47] It's a [snorts] big goal of mine. So with that being said, I'm going to

[57:52] call the vote. All those in favor state I.

[57:56] » I. I all oppose. >> All oppose state nay.

[58:01] » Nay.

[58:05] » I didn't see one. >> You probably do on a on a on a

[58:11] » on a budget or here or the tax on text. >> All right. So, we're going to take a

[58:17] roll call. That's all right. It doesn't say it on here.

[58:21] » Yeah, I did not put it on there. I'm sorry. If legal says that's the way

[58:24] we're going to do it, by gosh, that's the way we're going to do it. Councilman

[58:27] McDonald, what is your vote? >> Nay.

[58:30] » Councilman Davis. >> I

[58:35] was going to say yes. What do I say,

[58:42] » Council Roso? I

[58:48] » Councilwoman Morales. >> Uh, yes.

[58:53] And the mayor's vote is I as well. >> Oh, I

[59:01] » So, it still passes four to one. >> Thank you.

[59:04] » Thank you.

[59:12] Next we have agenda item 5B, consideration of possible action

[59:17] approving resolution number 2026-3068

[59:22] to ratify the property tax revenue increase reflected in the fiscal year

[59:27] 2026 2027 budget. Miss Hurst. >> Uh yes sir. So this item is to consider

[59:34] approval of the resolution ratifying the property tax revenue increase reflected

[59:39] in the budget that was adopted. I want to briefly clarify what this action

[59:44] means because while the city's prop property tax rate is decreasing, the

[59:49] city is projected to receive approximately 12.45%

[59:55] more in property tax revenue. Last year's budget included approximately 3.4

[1:00:00] 4 million in property tax revenue compared to approximately 3.8 million in

[1:00:06] the 26 through 27 budget, showing an increase of approximately $425,500.

[1:00:15] It's important to emphasize that this increase in revenue does not mean the

[1:00:19] city increased its property tax rate. I'm going to continue to say that

[1:00:22] tonight to drive in the point. In fact, the proposed tax rate is lower. The

[1:00:27] additional revenue is generated primarily by growth and changes in

[1:00:31] taxable property values within the city's tax base. Because the adopted

[1:00:36] budget anticipates receiving more total property tax revenue than the previous

[1:00:40] year, state law now requires council to take a separate vote to formally ratify

[1:00:45] that increase. This vote provides transparency by clearly acknowledging

[1:00:50] the additional revenue included in the budget while also recognizing that the

[1:00:54] city is able to generate that additional revenue with a decreased tax rate. Staff

[1:01:00] respectfully recommends approval of the re resolution ratifying the revenue.

[1:01:07] Also, the motion is listed on the memo. >> Council, the motion is specific for this

[1:01:13] agenda item. So, I'm going to go ahead and make the motion. I move to ratify

[1:01:18] the property tax revenue increase reflected in the fiscal year 2026 2027

[1:01:26] budget. Is there a second?

[1:01:32] » A second.

[1:01:37] » Any questions or comments on this one? answer.

[1:01:44] » Yeah. I I I just wish we had some more questions, you know, people get some

[1:01:49] more questions cuz they got the answer. I know this is confusing. I mean, uh

[1:01:53] » it's very confusing. >> They Yeah. I mean, but they got the

[1:01:56] answers for you. I mean, they can they can answer these questions for you. And

[1:02:00] I need you to stress decrease a little more. Just decrease, you know, because

[1:02:06] they ain't hearing the decrease part, you know.

[1:02:10] But uh Dr. Kelly, do you have anything? >> You have any you want to

[1:02:18] » I don't know that I'll do a better job than Ashley has done here tonight. But I

[1:02:22] will say >> what a property pays at the end of the

[1:02:27] day is a function of the rate and the value of the property. We have done our

[1:02:33] part by decreasing the rate. We do not set the value. We have no control over

[1:02:40] setting that value and I'll leave it at that.

[1:02:46] » Good answer.

[1:02:50] » Yeah. So, like earlier Mayor said, just want to thank you uh Ashley, uh Dr.

[1:02:57] Kelly, uh everybody who, you know, put time in on this whole budget. Uh well,

[1:03:04] we got Tracy back there. just the work that she's been doing behind the scenes.

[1:03:10] You know, the lawyer, thank you for sitting here.

[1:03:15] Uh and the work, you know, is still going to come the uh the the DA

[1:03:25] the DAW revenue. Uh the DA we still have to sign that. And y'all going to get

[1:03:30] explained a little bit more about that when when that comes out. I mean, it's a

[1:03:37] it it's an increase there, too. I mean I mean, we winning. We we winning now. You

[1:03:43] know, everybody going to say, "Oh, they still ain't paying what they should

[1:03:46] pay." But now, and that's true. And that's true. But we fighting. Well, Dr.

[1:03:52] Kelly, uh, who [clears throat] else? And the and the other cities, Clue and and,

[1:03:59] uh, Lady Jackson, all of them. they finally stood up a little bit to dial

[1:04:06] and you're going to see

[1:04:10] uh a a difference this time and post. So, thank y'all

[1:04:16] [clears throat]

[1:04:18] council. Anyone else?

[1:04:24] How does this vote need to be taken?

[1:04:29] this regular vote or a roll call? >> To my knowledge, I didn't see that this

[1:04:34] one had to be a record vote. >> All right,

[1:04:37] » roll call.

[1:04:41] [laughter]

[1:04:43] » We got one more. I think we're going to have to do

[1:04:46] » I don't think you have to do roll call on this.

[1:04:49] » We're call I'm gonna call I'm gonna call it. All those in favor state I.

[1:04:55] » I. All oppose state nay. >> Nay.

[1:04:59] » Motion carries three to two with McDonald,

[1:05:05] Councilman McDonald, I apologize, and Councilwoman Morales

[1:05:12] being the nay.

[1:05:20] Agenda item 5C, consideration and possible action to adopt ordinance

[1:05:26] number 2026-2773

[1:05:30] establishing a tax rate for the 2026 tax year. Miss Hurst.

[1:05:36] » Okay, last one. This item is to consider adoption of the city of Freeport's

[1:05:41] property tax rate for the 2026 tax year. The proposed tax rate is 0.474988 474988

[1:05:49] per $100 of taxable value. And I want to emphasize from the beginning that this

[1:05:54] represents a decrease in the city's tax rate. Under state law, we are required

[1:06:00] to compare the proposed rate to the no new revenue rate. The proposed rate is

[1:06:05] approximately 6.76% above the no new revenue rate, which

[1:06:11] requires specific statutory language and procedures during tonight's adoption.

[1:06:16] That language can sometimes be confusing because it may sound as though the city

[1:06:21] is increasing its tax rate. That is not what is occurring. The city's tax rate

[1:06:26] is going down. In fact, the proposed rate is approximately 7.42%

[1:06:34] below the current rate. At the same time, due primarily to

[1:06:39] changes in growth in taxable property values, the city anticipates receiving

[1:06:44] additional property tax revenue. Simply stated, the tax rate is decreasing while

[1:06:51] anticipated revenues will increase. This allows us to continue funding city

[1:06:56] services, employees, infrastructure, and community investments while providing

[1:07:01] citizens a lower tax rate. Looking forward, we also have an opportunity to

[1:07:06] continue working toward pushing that rate down every year. As we discussed

[1:07:11] during our budget workshops, that will require us to continue to explore and

[1:07:16] implement revenue diversification, including strengthening our sales tax

[1:07:21] base, evaluating appropriate charges for services and user fees, pursuing

[1:07:27] economic development, and identifying other sustainable revenue sources that

[1:07:32] will reduce our reliance on property taxes.

[1:07:35] Achieving that will take sorry achieving that will take all of us working

[1:07:40] together council management staff our businesses and our community. Team

[1:07:46] simply means together everyone achieves more. And by working together as that

[1:07:51] team we can work to grow and diversify our revenue base to continue to

[1:07:55] strengthen this city while look working toward reducing the tax burden on

[1:08:00] property owners. State law does require adoption of the tax rate to be a record

[1:08:06] vote along with specific motions and statutory language. Those required

[1:08:11] motions are included with the agenda item and should be made as presented.

[1:08:15] Overall, this is a positive step for Freeport. We're decreasing the tax rate,

[1:08:20] increasing anticipated revenue, investing in our community, and creating

[1:08:25] an opportunity to continue building a more diversified and sustainable

[1:08:30] financial future. staff staff respectfully recommends approval of the

[1:08:35] property tax rate. >> Thank you, Miss Hurst.

[1:08:41] Um on this, there are three different motions that may need to be made. Um all

[1:08:45] three of them will require a record vote. U the motions are specific. So I

[1:08:52] will make the motion on the first one. I move

[1:08:57] to approve the debt service tax rate of 0.057196

[1:09:04] per $100 of taxable valuation for the 2026 tax year. And I'm asking for a

[1:09:12] second. >> A second.

[1:09:16] » A second by Councilman Davis.

[1:09:21] Any discussion needed on this, ladies and gentlemen?

[1:09:25] Yeah. We're going to do three of them. >> We're gonna do three of them. I'm

[1:09:28] » go ahead. >> And they're all going to be a record

[1:09:29] vote. So, this is what you was looking for.

[1:09:32] » Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Uh [clears throat] now once again, uh looking for some

[1:09:39] questions. Uh man, I went down I went to city hall and I sat down. I talked with

[1:09:45] Ashley and and and a little bit with Dr. Kelly and try to get them to, you know,

[1:09:53] make me understand this or make make, you know, make this make sense, you

[1:09:58] know, and it's it's hard, I mean, for a resident or somebody to to know that,

[1:10:05] but what what the problem is, and it isn't a problem, but this what they told

[1:10:11] me out in the streets, y'all uh uh I heard y'all you, Winston, and the mayor

[1:10:19] voted to raise taxes. Everybody except Larry and Nicole.

[1:10:25] Well, see, now we come in here and now we got another vote splitting again. But

[1:10:31] ain't nobody asking no questions. So, we confusing the people if we don't

[1:10:37] if we not being, you know, transparent. If if you if somebody's voting no,

[1:10:44] I need to I need to ask a question here a question or something. Why is why is

[1:10:49] this a problem? Why is this why you don't think that this is right? Because

[1:10:53] the people are watching and they are confused and so they just taking sides

[1:11:00] and but it's nobody asking no question. Nobody's saying nothing. That's

[1:11:05] confusing the people. I just wanted to let y'all know that and I'm sorry, but

[1:11:11] that's the way I get it. I understand it. I went and sat down with them. if

[1:11:15] some of the people that that that that's saying this stuff outside outside here

[1:11:20] residents and stuff could come and and sit in here and ask questions. I mean,

[1:11:25] you'll be better you you'll get better educated on, you know, uh how this tax

[1:11:32] revenue and all this tax stuff work. You may not fully understand it, but you

[1:11:38] [clears throat] you you you'll have a better understanding if you ask a

[1:11:42] question. Thank you. Well, let me say this. Uh, all I'm hearing is decrease.

[1:11:49] I'm not hearing increase. Now, you know, do we want it to go down

[1:11:56] even lower than what it is? I'm hearing decrease. I'm not hearing

[1:12:02] increase. That's what I'm hearing.

[1:12:06] » Yeah. And we and we increasing workers [snorts]

[1:12:11] » in the in the community. some taxpayer money. I mean, we're we're we're adding

[1:12:16] uh workers in the street department and the parks department and the you know uh

[1:12:22] code department. I mean just just whatever department but I mean this is

[1:12:26] what uh has been needed here for a while. So the budget is doing is doing

[1:12:32] pretty well when you able to add workers.

[1:12:38] Add workers that's you have to pay them to do that.

[1:12:44] and we'll get more houses that their commodes will flush when it rains.

[1:12:51] I I I understand what you're saying, Councilman, and I think the confusion

[1:12:56] comes in the fact that um yes, we are voting to lower the tax rate.

[1:13:04] » Exactly. >> That is that is what we're voting on.

[1:13:08] And uh I'll repeat it again. We're voting to lower the tax rate from the

[1:13:14] previous year. Um what m Miss Kelly, Dr. Kelly had

[1:13:20] mentioned just a few minutes ago is something that is out of our hands.

[1:13:26] The value of your house may go up. >> Okay? So if the value of your house goes

[1:13:35] up more than the percentage that we're lowering

[1:13:42] then at the end of the day it is possible that although the taxes are

[1:13:48] being lowered at the end of the year you might be

[1:13:52] paying a couple hundred dollars more. >> Right. Right.

[1:13:57] » And that that I believe is where the confusion is.

[1:14:02] It's kind of hard to explain sometimes, folks, but uh

[1:14:05] » it is it is >> the what he's basically saying or

[1:14:11] Jerry's saying is everyone receives an appraisal every

[1:14:15] year. Mostly everyone. There there's some people that don't get appraised

[1:14:19] every year. It's every couple of years, but u I'm very aware of it because my

[1:14:25] taxing uh uh liability is is, you know, between

[1:14:29] 30 and 40 grand a year. So, um, anytime that you get a letter from the

[1:14:35] county or whatever that they they want you to or meet you to talk to you about

[1:14:40] raising your taxes or your appraisal on your home, well, you have to kind of

[1:14:46] defend that and try to get them to lower that appraisal rate because you don't

[1:14:51] want to sit there and pay taxes on a house that's $100,000 and it's only

[1:14:56] valued at 90,000 or you paid $100,000 is going to value that 90. So, uh, and what

[1:15:04] we all are approving tonight is a tax rate. That tax rate is multiplied times

[1:15:11] your appraisal on your home to give you the value of the taxes that you owe the

[1:15:17] city. The same thing with the county happens, the same thing with the school

[1:15:21] happens and the other taxing entities. They multiply whatever that appraisal

[1:15:27] times their rate. the port and everybody else has had the same thing. And so

[1:15:31] anytime your appraisals rise and you lower the tax rate, you're still going

[1:15:36] to take in, she just said she's going to take in $425,000

[1:15:41] more from the people. We on this council could have adopted a no tax increase

[1:15:50] and they would the the city would have lost like 80 something thou. What was

[1:15:54] the the um the value of the the city not the the loss on that tax rate if we took

[1:16:01] the the note uh increase? >> Uh

[1:16:07] Dr. Kelly, do you happen to remember off the top of your head?

[1:16:10] » It was $29 per house per average house price.

[1:16:16] » No, but I was talking to what was the uh the overall uh loss that we would take

[1:16:21] on it the city would have taken? I think it was

[1:16:23] » I thought it was like 80 something,000 or something.

[1:16:25] » Yeah. Yeah, I think it was. >> They could we could have adopted that

[1:16:28] rate and the city could have lost 80 something thousand dollars, not lose it.

[1:16:34] Y'all are fixing to get millions of dollars more on IDAs. You're the what

[1:16:40] you're talking about your industrial district agree. Y'all are going to get

[1:16:42] millions of dollars more. So y'all could have said, "Hey, you know what? Let's

[1:16:47] give the people that that tax less taxes on their homes and adopted that rate

[1:16:53] instead of adopting a rate that's going to take $425,000

[1:16:58] more from the taxpayers. Do you does that are you understanding

[1:17:05] that? >> Okay, that's those are the rates that

[1:17:08] that form that I asked from Ashley. They they she used to actually when I was

[1:17:14] here the uh the uh uh director of finance used to fill that

[1:17:21] out. Okay. >> I used to see that. I mean that's why I

[1:17:24] asked you for it. But >> I know that I didn't know that y'all

[1:17:27] sent the information to the county now and the county filled it out for you

[1:17:31] now. So, but anyhow, that's one of the the things we could have done to save

[1:17:36] the people some money. But I mean that's the reason I vote

[1:17:41] against any kind of tax increase. I have a large tax bill. So I mean any kind of

[1:17:47] tax increase I'm not voting for it. I'm sorry. I just don't vote for it. I don't

[1:17:51] want to take no more money from the people than than we have to. Uh

[1:17:57] we're not really uh physically responsible for $345,000

[1:18:03] slipping out of here. And the people are paying for it. The the taxpayers out

[1:18:07] there are are paying for it. some way or another. I mean, that's that's not being

[1:18:12] physically responsible. I mean, so I mean, that's I mean, that's just one one

[1:18:17] [clears throat] item there, you know, that we can look at, but uh y'all going

[1:18:21] to y'all have to do what you got to do, and I'm going to just have to be where

[1:18:25] I'm at at, you know, that's But I wanted to try to explain that to you so

[1:18:29] Winston, you could get it and and and things. But anyhow, that's that's uh how

[1:18:34] it's how it's actually done. So, >> well, thank you

[1:18:39] » for that for that explanation. Uh, but I encourage you to look around. Not

[1:18:46] you. Uh, [laughter] not you. I was drinking. Uh, check the

[1:18:54] paper, the local paper, and look at the surrounding cities

[1:19:00] and and look what Freeport's doing and look what the surrounding city is doing.

[1:19:05] I mean, it could be worse. It takes money to run a city and Freeport needs a

[1:19:11] lot of work done and we can't just say we can't just keep blaming on the the

[1:19:19] the the past people that was running it. We got to look forward and what are what

[1:19:25] are the people that's in charge to to uh run Freeport now? How are we going to

[1:19:31] fund Freeport and build Freeport up? You know, now if [clears throat] they don't

[1:19:37] execute, well, then we we have another problem. But I think they're on the

[1:19:42] right track on building Freeport up. And only way you can build it's going to it

[1:19:48] it costs to to build this city up. So, but just look at the paper and look

[1:19:55] at the surrounding cities and and and see what's going on. in Freeport. You

[1:20:01] gonna say, "Oh, we winning. We winning."

[1:20:07] » You if you want to really build up Freeport,

[1:20:12] create a business atmosphere, look look at the the surrounding cities.

[1:20:18] [clears throat] All of them have growth.

[1:20:21] Where's your growth here in Freeport? I mean, you take people like businesses

[1:20:27] like Chick-fil-A, Waffle House, the Dollar General store. Those all of those

[1:20:33] stores collect a sales tax and the city has a portion of that sales tax that is

[1:20:39] reimbursed back to the city. If you want to do something like that, it's just

[1:20:43] like over in Webster or somewhere in that natures. all of the businesses that

[1:20:48] they the the residents don't even have a water bill because all of the businesses

[1:20:53] pay enough for it to cover some of their the water bills and stuff, you know,

[1:20:57] trash and stuff. But if you create an atmosphere where you can attract

[1:21:02] businesses and attract more rooftops >> that are going to help us

[1:21:07] » pay in they're going to pay more property taxes. Well, that's going to be

[1:21:11] at that 4 point something. that's going to be an increase in your in your in

[1:21:14] your in your income >> and your revenue. So, that's where

[1:21:18] you're you'll collect money. >> If that's what y'all want to do, that's

[1:21:21] where we need to head. But you've got to instruct the city, hey, you don't need

[1:21:25] to be beating the businesses over the head. You need to get them here. And

[1:21:29] once they get here and they start paying sales tax, paying the water bills, and

[1:21:32] things like that, well, then you can use some of that money in that city to to do

[1:21:36] the repairs that you need to make. >> Well, Mr.

[1:21:40] I don't disagree with you one bit there and I can tell you part of accomplishing

[1:21:48] what you are talking about right there starts right here

[1:21:52] » and the the fact that this council is working together

[1:21:58] » for the first time in quite some time um that that is the

[1:22:05] start to making it happen. >> Yes, it is. Yeah.

[1:22:09] » And EDC is where it can start and and go from there.

[1:22:13] » Yeah. And that's what and so that I'm glad you brought that up. EDC where it

[1:22:18] can start and go from there. Uh but like I totally agree with you, but that's

[1:22:23] what I was saying. You know, that's what that's what this group is is here to do.

[1:22:28] And that's why we hired Dr. Kelly, Tracy, and and uh Mr. Harris. Uh we

[1:22:37] ain't our Robert Rob was already here whenever we got here. So uh I ain't got

[1:22:42] nothing to do with that. But uh you know you you're exactly right. But that's

[1:22:48] what we're striving to do. And that's why I called last year. What's the

[1:22:52] vision of Freeport? What is what what is the vision? They

[1:22:57] they've never had a vision. You have to have a vision and you have to set goals

[1:23:01] and and then you have to, you know, set a plan to accomplish those goals. And

[1:23:06] that that's in planning 101. >> Yeah.

[1:23:10] » I mean, so you're right. That's business.

[1:23:13] » That's 101. So that's what we got to do. >> We got anything from this side of the

[1:23:17] room?

[1:23:28] » Did y'all hear that? I didn't think you did.

[1:23:32] I said I don't have much more to say, but I'm I'm agreeing and I like what I'm

[1:23:37] hearing. [snorts and clears throat]

[1:23:43] » I' I've said this before and I'll say it again. We have people in place that

[1:23:50] if they do their job, then that we can accomplish what we're talking about

[1:23:56] accomplishing. Ashley, you're doing a great job. Don't

[1:24:01] let nobody tell you you're not or put you down. You're doing a great job as

[1:24:06] far as I'm concerned. But I'm only one vote.

[1:24:10] I mean, I vote I vote what I vote. I don't vote what none of these other guys

[1:24:16] up here vote. >> Knuckleheads.

[1:24:19] » Yeah. Knuckleheads. >> Knuckleheads.

[1:24:23] » All right. Speaking of voting, this is going to be a record vote. Councilman

[1:24:29] McDonald. Nay. [clears throat]

[1:24:34] » Councilman Davis, come on. Get it out before you.

[1:24:39] » All right. [cough and clears throat]

[1:24:43] » Councilwoman Morales.

[1:24:46] » I'm gonna go with nay.

[1:24:52] » Council Roso. Hi.

[1:24:56] » And the mayor votes I as well. So once again, u Councilman McDonald and

[1:25:05] Morales were in nay on that one. >> Uh the second motion,

[1:25:11] I move to approve the maintenance and operations tax rate of

[1:25:18] 417792

[1:25:21] per 100% of taxable valuation for the 2026 tax year.

[1:25:29] Is there a second?

[1:25:37] » Five. >> 5.

[1:25:39] » There's There's three motions on 5C. >> Yeah, I vote. Second. I second.

[1:25:47] » Second by Councilman Roso.

[1:25:52] Any more discussion needed on this, ladies and gentlemen?

[1:25:56] Can can you repeat that? How did you word that that uh motion? What did you

[1:26:01] say? >> I move to approve the maintenance and

[1:26:04] operations tax rate of 0.417792

[1:26:11] uh per $100 of taxable valuation for the 2026 tax year.

[1:26:22] » Second. >> We have a first and a second.

[1:26:24] [clears throat] Is there any questions or comments?

[1:26:29] » Is it any feedback on that Ashley? I mean them numbers. So I know

[1:26:36] you already read did it one time but >> so the the first motion the debt service

[1:26:42] that's um the the amount that y'all have to adopt. That's what funds the um any

[1:26:47] debt payments the city has. So that goes to its own fund. It's separate from

[1:26:52] everything. And then the maintenance and operations. This is the general fund

[1:26:55] part of it. [clears throat] >> Thank Thank you.

[1:27:00] » No problem.

[1:27:04] » Any any other questions or comments?

[1:27:09] » Councilman McDonald, let's say you. >> Nay.

[1:27:17] » Councilman Davis. Uh,

[1:27:21] » Councilwoman Morales. >> What do I say? I

[1:27:27] » I >> I

[1:27:29] » I [clears throat]

[1:27:33] » Councilman Roso >> I.

[1:27:37] » And the mayor votes I as well. So on that one, it went four to one with

[1:27:43] Councilman McDonald being the Nate.

[1:27:47] The third motion on this item I will make. I move that the property tax rate

[1:27:53] be increased by the adoption of a tax rate of

[1:27:59] point 0.474988 per $100 of taxable valuation which is

[1:28:06] effectively effectively a 6.7 6.76%

[1:28:12] increase in the tax rate. Now, this one is

[1:28:20] kind of confusing as I read it. >> So, this is one of the ones that is

[1:28:25] required by um by the state that it has to be adopted a certain way. So you're

[1:28:30] adopting your total tax rate and that 6.76%

[1:28:36] increase that it mentions means the total tax rate is 6.76%

[1:28:42] above the no new no new revenue rate. So you're saying that you're acknowledging

[1:28:48] that fact

[1:28:52] » that was 6.7% above >> 6.76%

[1:28:57] yes sir. >> Okay.

[1:28:59] And then overall that total tax rate is 7.42%

[1:29:05] below y'all's rate today. >> Yeah.

[1:29:08] » Below. >> But that's just above the the no tax

[1:29:12] rate, right? That's 6.76. >> Yes, sir.

[1:29:16] » Okay. Thank you. >> And the second one was below.

[1:29:24] » Yes. >> So I made the motion. Is there a second?

[1:29:29] I'll second >> second by Councilman Davis.

[1:29:33] [clears throat] >> Any discussion needed on this one?

[1:29:39] » So question is basically the the total rate is decreasing,

[1:29:45] » right? >> Yes ma'am.

[1:29:46] » Okay. >> Total rate is going down by 7.42%.

[1:29:55] [snorts]

[1:29:58] So, council, we're voting on a tax decrease.

[1:30:06] Any other questions or comments?

[1:30:12] Councilman McDonald. >> Nay.

[1:30:14] » Nay.

[1:30:17] » Councilman Davis.

[1:30:22] » Councilwoman Morales. >> Hi,

[1:30:26] Councilman Roso >> I

[1:30:30] » and the mayor votes I as well.

[1:30:34] » So on [clears throat] that one once again we have a four to one with

[1:30:38] Councilman McDonald being the nay. >> Okay. Thank you all for your help.

[1:30:44] » Thank you. >> Thank you Ashley.

[1:30:46] » Thank you Ashley. >> Good job.

[1:30:50] [applause] All

[1:30:54] right. Agenda item 5D, consideration and possible action

[1:31:00] approving resolution number 2026-3069

[1:31:05] appointing a member to the Senior Citizens Commission. Dr. Kelly.

[1:31:11] » Yes, thank you. The Senior Citizens Commission serves in an advisory

[1:31:15] capacity to support program services and initiatives benefiting senior citizens

[1:31:20] within the city of Freeport. Board member Brenda Leard submitted

[1:31:24] resignations prior to the ex expiration of their appointed term which are set to

[1:31:29] expire on May 31st, 2027. This resignation has created a vacancy on the

[1:31:35] commission that requires city council's action to ensure continued functionality

[1:31:39] and representation. And I believe you have an application in

[1:31:44] your packet from Miss Karen Tate to consider.

[1:31:50] » Is Miss Tate here? She is not.

[1:31:56] » But we have a representative. I would like to say that Miss Tate

[1:32:01] attempted to be here, but she is stuck in Michigan right now uh in in a a

[1:32:07] flight situation. >> I say she's not

[1:32:09] » but she very much wanted to be here. >> She's not caught up in snow or anything

[1:32:13] like that. [laughter] >> I don't know.

[1:32:16] » It was two It was Brenda Brenda Lair too.

[1:32:19] » Miss Lair is the one that resigned. >> Yeah. Brenda.

[1:32:24] » Yep. Councilman Roso, you are the liaison,

[1:32:31] so you get to make a motion. >> I make a motion that we accept.

[1:32:37] » We have a motion on the floor to accept Miss Tate.

[1:32:42] » Second >> by Roso.

[1:32:47] Seconded by Councilman McDonald.

[1:32:54] Any questions or comments? >> Quick question for Loretta. Are we do we

[1:32:59] have all the members we need now?

[1:33:05] » Uh if Miss Tate is uh appointed by council, then yes, we will have a full

[1:33:10] board. >> Okay.

[1:33:11] » Um and she was unanimously recommended by the board by the commission.

[1:33:17] » That information helps.

[1:33:22] So with that, council, I'll call the vote. All those in favor state I. I. All

[1:33:28] oppose, state nay. >> Motion carries unanimously.

[1:33:32] Congratulations. We have a full board. >> That brings us to agenda item 5e.

[1:33:40] Mr. Hayes.

[1:33:45] Toby, you got the clock. >> Good afternoon, uh, mayor and council.

[1:33:51] I've served on that board since uh I think 2017 I was asked to be on it. Uh I

[1:33:58] feel like I've served a good purpose there. They put it together because of

[1:34:03] my business experience of almost 50 years and helping manage people and

[1:34:08] stuff like that. I'm the vice president of that board and I also serve on the

[1:34:13] board for the Bradport Water Supply Corporation which is building the

[1:34:17] reservoir and uh I'm secretary of that board. So I'd like to continue at least

[1:34:23] for two more years to see if we can get some of these projects finished. So I'd

[1:34:27] appreciate being ready for it. >> Thank you, sir.

[1:34:35] » All right. 5E consideration and possible action approving resolution number

[1:34:40] 2026-3070

[1:34:44] appointing Mr. Kenneth Hayes as the city of Freeport's representative to the

[1:34:49] Brazesport water authority. Dr. Kelly. >> Yes. Thank you. As a founding member of

[1:34:54] the BWA, the city of Freeport is allowed to appoint one member to the Brazesport

[1:35:00] Water Authority Board of Directors to represent the city's interests. That

[1:35:05] appointment is made by the city council to serve as a two-year term. The current

[1:35:09] term expires September 2026.

[1:35:14] » Council, is there a motion? >> I'll make a motion.

[1:35:17] » Easy, easy. >> Go ahead.

[1:35:20] » We'll give it to Mr. McDonald. >> First,

[1:35:27] » Miss Morales, you want to go second? >> Sure. I'm always second.

[1:35:35] All right. So, we have a motion by Mr. McDonald and second by Councilwoman

[1:35:39] Morales. Uh, council, any questions or comments

[1:35:44] on this?

[1:35:49] Yeah, I I would like to say thank you, Mr. Hayes, for standing up and sticking

[1:35:53] with it and standing up for the city of Freeport.

[1:35:59] So with that being said, all those in favor state I.

[1:36:03] » I. >> I. All oppose state nay.

[1:36:07] » Yeah. Two more years. >> Thank you, sir.

[1:36:15] » [snorts] >> Agenda item 5F,

[1:36:19] consideration and possible action by city council approving items for surplus

[1:36:25] and authorized the sale with an online auction using public surplus. Miss

[1:36:31] Kramer, >> good evening, mayor and council.

[1:36:33] » Good evening. Staff is requesting approval to declare several items a

[1:36:38] surplus and authorize their sale through the public surplus online auction

[1:36:44] platform. We continue to identify items that are no longer needed for city

[1:36:48] operations and this auction process has worked well for us in previous years.

[1:36:54] The items listed have been reviewed and are ready to move forward with disposal

[1:36:59] online auction.

[1:37:03] Council, is there a motion?

[1:37:08] » I'll make a motion to approve. >> Second.

[1:37:16] We have a motion to approve by Councilman Davis, seconded by Councilman

[1:37:20] McDonald. Um, is there any

[1:37:25] comments or questions? >> I got a question. Is this the list?

[1:37:30] Is this the list? >> Yeah. Was it in your packet?

[1:37:33] » Yeah. Yes. >> Well, I just got it. Yeah. And I got

[1:37:34] here. Yeah. Okay.

[1:37:39] » I think there

[1:37:48] » looking at the list. Um kind of looks like we been hoarding a lot.

[1:37:56] » Yeah. There's there's a lot of stuff that it says

[1:38:00] inoperable. >> And um you know, in my opinion, if it's

[1:38:05] inoperable, it needs to get gone.

[1:38:11] » Any any other questions or comments? >> Question. The the money from these

[1:38:16] sales, where does it go? Does it go back into the department or where does it go?

[1:38:20] In a general fund or where where does the money go to?

[1:38:23] » How is that money spent? It should go back to the department.

[1:38:26] » Okay. >> Department where it came from.

[1:38:37] » Anything else? Council [snorts and clears throat]

[1:38:42] hearing none. I will call the vote. All those in favor state I. I.

[1:38:48] » I. >> All oppose state nay.

[1:38:51] » Motion carries unanimously.

[1:38:58] Agenda item 5G, consideration and possible action

[1:39:03] approving the proposed 2026 illumination light locations.

[1:39:10] Miss Kramer, >> good evening. So, I'm presenting tonight

[1:39:15] to you the proposed 2026 light locations. I know we had reached out to

[1:39:20] y'all for some input. Uh, so we didn't get much input back. So we decided to

[1:39:25] propose some locations in each of your wards and let you have a take a look at

[1:39:29] it and to see if you were okay with those locations.

[1:39:37] » So you were the one that u put the put the dots on the paper for us.

[1:39:42] » Why did you choose the route of the railroad track in M?

[1:39:46] » Because it seems really dark at night. It's real dark. It is on the end of all

[1:39:51] of those streets. There >> it is. I

[1:39:53] » I saw where it just looked like it followed it. And that other one on Ninth

[1:39:56] Street is very well put because >> I know I drove through there just the

[1:40:00] other day. So, >> yeah.

[1:40:03] » But I just kind of followed it.

[1:40:18] » [clears throat] >> Um,

[1:40:22] council, if there's not any objection from council, I would like on this

[1:40:30] agenda item to move discussion ahead of making a motion. That way,

[1:40:38] if we got to make any changes, it all comes out smoothly. instead of making a

[1:40:43] motion, make changes and and changing the motion.

[1:40:50] Does anyone on council have an objection with that?

[1:40:54] I wouldn't Well, I guess mine is a objection, but I mean, I just gave her

[1:40:59] some some spots where, you know, I pick some lights, so I guess she'll look

[1:41:06] at it and I'll come by Friday and and sit down with you and go over that. That

[1:41:11] sounds good. >> If that's fine.

[1:41:14] » But if we're good with it, we can >> vote on it tonight. And

[1:41:20] » what? Well, you got to move them tonight.

[1:41:23] » It's on here for consideration and possible action.

[1:41:26] » I mean, well, I gave her a sheet. How we going to move them on here? Why we going

[1:41:30] to move these dots? >> She She can She can make notes and she

[1:41:36] can move the dots. >> I gave her a map and And I circled and I

[1:41:42] I got circles on in a pin where I'll pick the lights up.

[1:41:51] I I would like to say um I'm glad to see more lights going up

[1:41:59] close to the schools, especially uh should

[1:42:04] the government decide to stop changing the clocks

[1:42:09] um during the school time of school. Uh we're going to need those extra lights

[1:42:14] » if we can't rely on the sun. Council,

[1:42:22] do you have any other >> see where the school? What are you

[1:42:25] talking about? That that straight line? >> Yeah, look at look at Ward B.

[1:42:31] » So, Florida down our street on Avenue G. There's no

[1:42:35] more lights needed there. I guess I haven't paid attention.

[1:42:38] » I don't go out at night. solid. I mean, I'm not saying that there can't be some

[1:42:42] that are mid block, >> but I I feel like

[1:42:47] » every corner has a light. >> Okay.

[1:42:49] » Yeah. >> I will I will say in the past, and I

[1:42:55] don't know how how much the police department has um contributed this year,

[1:43:01] uh but in the past when the officers are driving around um they would make

[1:43:06] recommendations as well. We had one recommendation from the police

[1:43:10] department and it was at Jones and Yellowstone and that's on this list.

[1:43:14] » Yay. >> And I I think that uh that is beneficial

[1:43:17] cuz they they probably do a lot more driving around at night than I know they

[1:43:21] do than I do. >> Yeah.

[1:43:27] And see, I was riding I with the question I was going to ask like the

[1:43:32] side roads like coming into the main road, all of them roads are really dark

[1:43:38] and that's why I put some lights on them roads because I mean if you run through

[1:43:44] there and you see like it is really dark. So if you wanted to do something

[1:43:48] or you wanted to hide and you want to duck into a corner and you hit one of

[1:43:52] them side roads or you run through one of them side roads, this is just pitch

[1:43:57] dark in there. I mean you can but you can just be sitting there and scheming

[1:44:00] up on something on on them side roads and they need they need to start getting

[1:44:05] some lights in in them side roads. So I got a couple of lights that's going on

[1:44:12] side roads. When when you added those lights, did you remove some lights as

[1:44:17] well? >> Did I remove some? When from what?

[1:44:21] » When when you added the extra dots for her.

[1:44:27] » I haven't moved nothing. I just saw this. I didn't really I didn't even take

[1:44:31] this with me whenever I >> Yeah. Whenever I went out there.

[1:44:34] » I'm just saying the city has an allotted x amount of lights that we can put up.

[1:44:39] » Oh, I had to Oh, I had to. If you if you put a dot in a spot that there wasn't a

[1:44:46] dot, then we got to take it away from somewhere.

[1:44:50] If that makes sense. >> In other words, you can't have the ones

[1:44:53] in red and then add some to them. You have to eliminate the red ones as you

[1:44:58] put in new ones. >> Yeah, cuz I didn't I didn't do the red.

[1:45:02] So, I didn't look at that. She did. Yeah. No, I know. Laura did. That's what

[1:45:06] I'm saying. I ain't got none where the red's at. I can take all of them off

[1:45:10] then.

[1:45:17] How many did you put on there? >> 12.

[1:45:19] » Oh, okay. You probably had 12 then. The red ones,

[1:45:24] » right? >> I guess

[1:45:27] » I think he had 13.

[1:45:32] » 13. >> I think he had 13.

[1:45:35] » You're going to have to leave one somewhere.

[1:45:38] Yeah, >> that's why I say how come we'll just

[1:45:43] we'll just take some of these off. >> Yeah,

[1:45:46] » that's what you >> That's what you have to do here.

[1:45:49] » That's what he's asking you. If you removed the red ones when you put the

[1:45:53] new one. >> Oh, I didn't. I didn't.

[1:45:58] » I didn't even look at this. >> You didn't see the red dots in it?

[1:46:01] » Yeah.

[1:46:06] All right. Ward day, are you good with I'm with the mappers?

[1:46:10] » Yeah, I'm I'm I'm good. I mean, I'm like Laura said, she put them I I saw where

[1:46:15] they were all put in right by the railroad tracks, and those are all dead.

[1:46:19] A lot of them are dead in roads except for Fifth and Fourth there, you know.

[1:46:22] So, that needed some light up on that end of town. I'm good with it. Yeah. And

[1:46:26] the one over by 9inth Street is right there at that crossover there. So, it it

[1:46:30] was dark there. So, I'm good. Yeah. Word C. Are you good with

[1:46:35] » And I just got 10. >> Yeah, I'm good with it.

[1:46:41] » I'm Eminem D. >> I got five.

[1:46:45] » Word D. You good with it? >> Word D is good with it. So the only

[1:46:50] » that makes sense. >> Only one we're having

[1:46:53] » discrepancy is with word B.

[1:47:05] 12.

[1:47:14] » So, I'm counting 12 red dots. >> I think there's one down in circle.

[1:47:23] » I think one circle. >> I've counted three times already. One,

[1:47:28] two, three, four. I counted 12, but I missed one down there.

[1:47:31] » You see that? It went on a riverview. >> I got 13 that time.

[1:47:36] » That's what he counted. 13. >> Okay. So,

[1:47:40] [clears throat] he gave you 13 updated dots.

[1:47:45] » I thought he said 12. >> 12,

[1:47:48] » which is no problem. We We'll find a spot for his last one.

[1:47:52] » Okay. So, um, council, I'm okay

[1:47:59] with moving on with this. Make a motion to accept it with the

[1:48:04] changes that Councilman Davis has presented.

[1:48:08] » Y, >> if y'all are okay with that,

[1:48:10] » you going to make a motion? >> Yes, sir. So, I I will make that motion

[1:48:15] to approve the um lighting locations with the changes

[1:48:21] that Councilman Davis has presented for W B.

[1:48:25] » I'll second that. >> I have a second by Councilwoman Morales.

[1:48:29] » Thank you.

[1:48:37] » Any other discussion needed on this [clears throat]

[1:48:42] hearing? Hearing none, I'll call the vote. All those in favor state I. I.

[1:48:47] » All oppose, state nay. Motion carries unanimously.

[1:48:52] » Thank you. >> Thank you.

[1:48:53] » Thank you, Laura. >> Agenda item 5H,

[1:48:59] consideration and possible action approving resolution number 2026-3071

[1:49:06] deeming property as surplus for destruction or donation. Chief Hal is

[1:49:12] not around. Come on up, Officer Graham.

[1:49:18] » Good evening, Mayor and Council. [clears throat] Uh, so staff recommends

[1:49:22] council to approve the resolution deeming the property a surplus allowing

[1:49:25] the property the city to process with applicable city procedures and legal

[1:49:28] requirements to dispose of the property. So, the property listed um is about 60

[1:49:34] total items. Uh, it's uh body armor and duty gear. Um, so there plate carriers

[1:49:39] and uh armor plates. These are items that have not been in use over the last

[1:49:44] year. Most of these are even older than that. Some as old as 20 years. Uh, the

[1:49:48] typical uh manufacturer warranty would not

[1:49:52] would prevent us from using them in excess of 5 years old. Uh, these would

[1:49:56] generally be destroyed. Um, there are a couple that are just nearing the end of

[1:50:02] their use. on those. We [clears throat] would make those available for donation

[1:50:04] to another law enforcement entity in Brazoria County if they requested and

[1:50:09] only if they signed a waiver uh releasing us as liability.

[1:50:14] » Appreciate that. [clears throat]

[1:50:16] » You said five years. Is that the life expectancy of those jackets? Yes, sir.

[1:50:20] » Wow. >> It's good to know.

[1:50:28] » Council, is there a motion? >> So move

[1:50:33] Second.

[1:50:38] » Motion by Councilman McDonald and seconded by Councilman Davis.

[1:50:42] » Yes, >> Miss Councilwoman Morales. You got to be

[1:50:46] a little quicker. >> What did I do?

[1:50:49] » You were trying to make the motion. I seen you raise your head. You

[1:50:54] » and >> I'm always second. I'm just kidding.

[1:50:58] Is there any questions or comments for the police department?

[1:51:07] All right, I'll call the vote. All those in favor state I.

[1:51:11] » I. All oppose, [clears throat] state nay. Motion carries unanimously.

[1:51:16] » Thank you, sir. [clears throat and snorts]

[1:51:21] Agenda item 5 I, consideration and possible action approving resolution

[1:51:27] number 2026-3072

[1:51:31] to wave fees associated with the use of the Freeport MUN municipal park and the

[1:51:37] Freeport Riverplace for the Martin Luther King celebration committee of

[1:51:43] Brazoria County the grand parade and festival festival to be held on January

[1:51:50] 18, 2027. Councilman Roso, let us know what why

[1:51:55] you wanted this on here. >> Well, first of all, uh the MLK

[1:52:02] uh committee has been in operations for the last 20 years and uh we've always

[1:52:11] were able to get the park and the uh riverplace.

[1:52:17] Uh, last year was the first year that we had to uh

[1:52:23] we had to get I don't know how to put it, but uh we

[1:52:29] were going to get charged for it, but uh

[1:52:35] the the lawyer uh Chris stepped up to the plate and he he uh he

[1:52:42] paid for it and

[1:52:47] Did you?

[1:52:50] » Yeah. And uh our city manager did did the other part. So it's a it's an event

[1:52:59] uh that people come from all over the county. A real large number of people

[1:53:05] comes every year. Uh we have all kinds of entertainment. uh

[1:53:12] uh all sorts of uh eating trailers and things like that. It's a I think it's a

[1:53:21] real plus for the uh for the community nonprofit.

[1:53:27] Uh I don't see any reason why we can't

[1:53:32] approve this. Uh, like I said, we've been coming there

[1:53:37] for the last 40 years, so it's not like it's something new.

[1:53:42] It's something that's been going on. Uh, that's about it.

[1:53:48] » Did you want to make a motion? >> Yeah, I'll make a motion that we uh we

[1:53:54] uh accept the uh approval of uh the entry fee. We we we've already

[1:54:01] submitted the letter like we always do. Uh

[1:54:07] » thank you, Councilman. Is there a second?

[1:54:11] » A second. >> Second by Councilman Davis.

[1:54:15] Any questions or comments on this?

[1:54:21] » Are we going to set a precedent here being able to do that?

[1:54:24] » I hope we change the rules before long. >> Okay. Well, I mean, I'm gonna I'm gonna

[1:54:30] tell you if you don't mind. I'm gonna tell you. You go ahead first. No, you

[1:54:34] go. >> I I want to hear what you have to say.

[1:54:36] » I ain't gonna argue with you. You go ahead. I'm just

[1:54:38] » Yeah, because I might ask. >> Yeah.

[1:54:42] In in my opinion, if it is an organization that is doing

[1:54:48] something that is a city related function,

[1:54:55] something that's bringing people to the city to spend money, then they shouldn't

[1:55:03] have to pay. They also shouldn't have to bring it before counsel.

[1:55:10] is nonprofit. >> I think if u

[1:55:16] the Catholic Church wants to continue doing their

[1:55:21] fish fry, they shouldn't have to pay for it. I

[1:55:26] think if Freeport LNG wants to continue doing or

[1:55:30] the the port, I'm sorry, wants to continue doing take a kid fishing, they

[1:55:37] shouldn't have to pay for it. It's pretty pretty simple. High school

[1:55:42] wants to have a prom. >> Prom,

[1:55:45] » you know, there's there's a lot of things and and a year ago or two years

[1:55:49] ago, we we changed this and I think we got it wrong

[1:55:54] and I I expect it to come back before council again and hopefully we get it

[1:56:00] right. That's my take.

[1:56:04] » Yes, ma'am.

[1:56:08] legal has something to say. >> So in [snorts] this resolution, what

[1:56:12] you're doing is you're finding a public purpose with the event.

[1:56:18] You can't, per the Texas Constitution, you can't give away city money, which

[1:56:24] you would be doing by waving the fees, unless you find a public purpose. You

[1:56:32] have celebration of a federal holiday. that all by itself as a public purpose.

[1:56:40] » When we um revisit this, we will make sure legal puts their eyes on it because

[1:56:46] we want to do what we can legally.

[1:56:54] » Well, let me say this. The [clears throat] last 40 years

[1:57:00] we've been doing it. Last year was the first year that we had

[1:57:04] to pay.

[1:57:08] Now whether that has any bearing on what we're going to decide, that's another

[1:57:14] story,

[1:57:17] » but it can't be too long if we've been doing it for 40 years.

[1:57:21] [clears throat] >> Just never got caught.

[1:57:27] » Councilman McDonald, did you want to add?

[1:57:30] » Yeah, I want I want to add. Yes, sir. >> Um

[1:57:36] I I I love this city for that reason that you just said, Winston. I'm glad

[1:57:42] that you kind of brought this up, but if we're going to do this, we need to do it

[1:57:48] for the everyone across the board. Uh we had a meeting earlier because of our

[1:57:53] church uh having their bazaar and Nicole called the meeting with the

[1:57:59] city manager and the financial people from the from the church and I met

[1:58:03] there. They asked me to attend and she and I both gave up our time for the next

[1:58:09] three years for the church bizaar. And if this is going to set precedence,

[1:58:16] I need to know that because I might use I have other groups that I belong to

[1:58:22] that have Hispanic East End bario people there and stuff and I they always ask me

[1:58:28] for my time, you know, donating my uh my my time with the facilities. So, if this

[1:58:35] is going to set presidents, I mean, we need to know that so we can schedule

[1:58:39] those churches and the nonprofit groups to be able to do this. And I'm in total

[1:58:44] agreeance. I'm not I'm not against it. They they all support the city and

[1:58:50] that's what that's what I do. I want to support the city, but if we're going to

[1:58:54] set presidents, we need to set it and be do one thing and not just do it or do it

[1:58:58] across the board. >> Yeah.

[1:59:00] And [clears throat] I'm in total agreeance and I'm I'm want to support

[1:59:03] this right now. Yeah. >> Um I love it and I'm just I've always

[1:59:07] done it. So >> yeah, I I agree. Um we the way it's

[1:59:13] written right now, I don't think it's right.

[1:59:16] » Yeah. >> Um so we will be revisiting it and we'll

[1:59:21] have a different set of legal eyes looking on it.

[1:59:24] » Yeah. Um, so at that point we will >> do what we can.

[1:59:30] » We have to I just my my problem was it was the church or any kind of 5013C or

[1:59:38] any kind of nonprofit group they were having to pay and they wanted in

[1:59:42] somewhere between 2,000 and $3,000 for that, you know, just for that uh day

[1:59:47] event. So I just, you know, we just need to work on that and get it right. You

[1:59:51] know, that's that's all I'm asking. I agree. But this agenda item will take

[1:59:57] care of the Martin Luther. >> Yes.

[2:00:00] » King parade. >> Yes.

[2:00:03] » So, with that being said, >> I'll make the motion to that we approve

[2:00:06] it. >> You You're 10 minutes too late.

[2:00:10] » Well, I'll second it then. >> Nine minutes too late for that.

[2:00:14] » Oh, that's right. He He Listen, did I second it then? No, Dave is second.

[2:00:19] » It's time to vote. >> Yeah. I'm going call the vote. All those

[2:00:23] in favor state I. >> I. All oppose state nay. Motion carries

[2:00:29] unanimously. >> That's good.

[2:00:32] » I agree.

[2:00:42] I don't know if y'all realized this or not.

[2:00:45] » Just like this. >> Last year when we passed the budget, it

[2:00:50] was 2 o'clock in the morning.

[2:00:54] » But last year, we went line by [cough and clears throat]

[2:00:59] we went department by department >> until 2 o'clock in the morning.

[2:01:04] [laughter] >> So, here we are at 8:00 and we're going

[2:01:08] to start work session. Is it too late to comment?

[2:01:12] » Yes, ma'am. >> I know you lie.

[2:01:18] » Ward A, Councilman McDonald. >> Um, I really don't have a lot. I've got

[2:01:24] one important one and I want to tell my sweetheart happy anniversary.

[2:01:30] » Don't Don't miss Ellen. [applause]

[2:01:37] We've been married for u >> right at 54 years today.

[2:01:42] » Wow. >> And um I want to tell her thank you.

[2:01:46] » Hey. All right.

[2:01:51] » Praise the Lord. >> Been putting up with you a long time,

[2:01:53] hadn't she? >> Yeah.

[2:01:56] [laughter] >> Yeah. She's put up with me a very long

[2:01:59] time. >> Well, congratulations. had some moments

[2:02:02] and had some good times. >> Yeah.

[2:02:07] » Marriage. >> Lord be Councilman Davis.

[2:02:10] » Man, Lord be. Thank y'all. Thank everybody for coming out. Thank

[2:02:13] everybody for uh supporting the budget tonight. Uh you know, the people that

[2:02:20] [clears throat] came out didn't have no questions. So,

[2:02:24] it seemed like you supported it. I think we're doing some good things here in

[2:02:27] Freeport now. Uh, we're going to I I think you're going to be able to start

[2:02:32] seeing it. And if you don't, hey, you hold Dr. Kelly accountable. No,

[2:02:39] [laughter] no, they they do an awesome job. Uh, uh,

[2:02:45] her and the whole staff is building the staff. I can I I can just see the staff

[2:02:50] building and it's like and you know, some only good things going to come out

[2:02:55] of that. But I and I missed the email. I didn't miss the email, but I was

[2:03:02] talking about I was supposed to bring this up during the budget. And we'll

[2:03:06] have to we're going to have to look in look into this one, too. Uh it's a

[2:03:10] possible. So, we getting a lot of complaints on trash pickup. I mean,

[2:03:15] that's all around. That's that's everybody has a pipe on trash pickup.

[2:03:20] Well, heavy trash pickup is is really becoming an issue. Well,

[2:03:27] it's always been an issue, but we're in a contract

[2:03:32] that nobody up here had nothing to do with, I don't think. Maybe. I hope not.

[2:03:38] But, uh, we're in a I think it's like a seven-year contract. So, that was that

[2:03:45] was done before I know before I got here. I know before this one all them

[2:03:50] before we got here and we are struggling

[2:03:57] to pick up. I mean, we have citizens, older citizens that like when you have

[2:04:02] heavy trash they pick up. Like, you know, if you have a senior citizen

[2:04:09] or or older person pay somebody to cut their tree, trim their trees and they go

[2:04:16] and stack them out on the road, >> they say, "Well, I ain't paying to to

[2:04:21] bundle them up for a year and stuff, you know." Well, the trash company drive by

[2:04:28] it and ain't don't pick them up. That's in the contract because that's in the

[2:04:34] contract. So, most of the time they're not wrong per contract, you know. So,

[2:04:41] but my solution is we need to get a a a a claw truck

[2:04:51] to where we can go by and we can go by and help. So, after they come by on

[2:04:57] Wednesday, what they don't pick up, well, bam. That's what you running

[2:05:01] around and and and you scooping up every day. every so when like Wednesdays over

[2:05:06] here and on war A and W B I mean cuz they only do it once a month.

[2:05:13] So if we could get a price on a on on one of them claw trucks and see if we

[2:05:20] can fit that somewhere. I know the the residents will really appreciate that.

[2:05:27] especially our older res residents who just can't get out. I mean, and you

[2:05:34] see some there's some older ones still out there trimming trees and and and

[2:05:39] dragging them to the front. I mean, but all of that bundled up and and you can

[2:05:46] ride around other count, other cities and stuff and they they stuff ain't

[2:05:50] bundled up and tied in a knot nice and neat. I mean, it just it's it's just

[2:05:56] it's just hard. It's just too hard. But I had got an email from a uh and this is

[2:06:02] a pastor from the west side over here. I don't want to call his name out, but you

[2:06:07] know, that was one of the complaints and they didn't pick it up and then he had

[2:06:12] to he loaded it on his truck and then he took it off to the dump and then the

[2:06:18] dump happened to be closed cuz it was raining. So he stuck with all of this on

[2:06:22] the back of his truck cuz you know he just trying to be in compliance trying

[2:06:26] to get that stuff up. >> So I know y'all wrote that down. Know

[2:06:31] you heard me. And we going to let's see if we can at least get a price on it.

[2:06:37] Get a look on it and see how we can fit that in because you know that's how you

[2:06:43] get prepared for takeover. Like when I how many on how many years

[2:06:48] we got on that contract, but we want to take over something, we can take over

[2:06:52] the trash and you can get prepared. Get your truck, get your prices on your

[2:06:57] stuff, get ready cuz when that contract come, we might need to be moving on.

[2:07:04] Thank y'all. >> Thank you, Councilman.

[2:07:07] Let's see. Councilwoman Morales, W C. I think uh Jarvis took my thunder because

[2:07:14] I have the same concern in my work with see mainly sen a lot of senior citizens

[2:07:19] live over there too and you go down the streets and you see all that pile of

[2:07:23] stuff and everything all over the place then they get tagged that that you

[2:07:26] didn't bundle it or you need to bundle it and you need to do this. I mean come

[2:07:30] on now guys you know and I agree with with him 100%. I had a resident call me.

[2:07:37] She's she's kind of disabled, has a cane, and she was seeing the she heard

[2:07:43] the truck coming, so she got her her >> what do you call it? The

[2:07:48] » dumpster. >> The dumpster to put out on the street

[2:07:51] and she was almost there close to the curb when they got there. She kept

[2:07:55] waving at him and she was there walking with her little dumpster and they just

[2:08:00] passed her up. The guy didn't even have the decency to go over there and grab it

[2:08:03] from her. I mean, come on now. She's an old lady.

[2:08:07] » I'm like, God dunk, you know, but >> the I don't know how much more time we

[2:08:12] have for for the the contract, but it can't be soon enough as far as I'm

[2:08:16] concerned. But yeah, I agree with you 100%.

[2:08:20] Thank you, >> Councilman Roso. Word.

[2:08:25] » How much time do we have on this contract? Does anybody know?

[2:08:32] Three more years.

[2:08:37] » Three Three more years. U >> First of all, I agree with uh Mr. Davis

[2:08:43] on a couple of things. One is the rec center. I'm so glad you brought that up.

[2:08:48] That That was awesome. That was a good move. And also on the trash pickup,

[2:08:54] uh I agree with you on that also. Uh we need to uh instead of instead of all

[2:09:00] this debris and trash sitting out in the front of people's houses that's not what

[2:09:07] three foot three foot long [clears throat] and tied up that that uh

[2:09:13] that grabber can pick up everything. That grabber can pick up everything. And

[2:09:20] I mean they don't they can do leaves and trees and things like that on one one

[2:09:27] round and and and all the other stuff with that grabber. I mean,

[2:09:34] you can do it with that. Everything. Get everything out of front

[2:09:39] of these houses. There's so much trash in the front of these houses and and and

[2:09:44] they're not going to pick them up. this this company we got right now,

[2:09:49] they're not going to pick up uh microwaves and whatever, TVs and all

[2:09:56] that kind of stuff. They just sit there uh ice box, all that stuff, it just sits

[2:10:02] there and no, I mean, yeah, you say you're going to write a ticket, but

[2:10:07] writing a ticket doesn't make people pick up stuff. Uh

[2:10:13] so we need to we need to address that. Uh,

[2:10:18] how do we want our city to look? Uh, I think we're responsible for how it

[2:10:24] looks, not citizen by citizen because some people just don't care. Some people

[2:10:31] don't care about trash sitting out in front of their house

[2:10:35] or they'll put it in the middle. Trust me, they'll do it. They'll put it in the

[2:10:39] middle of two houses where you really don't know who put that trash out there.

[2:10:44] And that's real, y'all. >> Uh

[2:10:49] I'm I'm I'm excited about KidFest. That'll be Saturday, y'all.

[2:10:54] Uh I'm not a kid. I used to be, but I I get

[2:10:59] excited when anytime we can do anything for kids,

[2:11:02] » kids, your mom and dad. >> Uh and and I think that's special. It's

[2:11:07] no telling how many kids going to come. Hopefully a lot of them, which they do,

[2:11:12] a lot of them come. We got we got we got bingo coming up. Uh

[2:11:22] » so that's another thing I'm excited about. Even though I don't play bingo.

[2:11:27] My wife does, but I don't I don't play bingo. But it's a draw for people to

[2:11:33] come and and they do. They come from Lake Jackson, Clue, Jones Creek. All you

[2:11:38] have to do is say bingo and they're coming. Uh, we we No, seriously. We've

[2:11:44] we've stepped up our our our bingo prizes. Our bingo prizes are are

[2:11:51] a lot nicer than what they used to be. Uh, the food that we feed the people, we

[2:11:58] this last time, I think we got it from talking about good. Uh, we have I mean,

[2:12:05] we have some good food for them to eat. That's all I got.

[2:12:10] Thank you.

[2:12:13] Thank you, Councilman. Uh, first off, I'd like to thank everybody that came

[2:12:18] out tonight. We actually getting out of here at a

[2:12:22] decent hour, I believe. Um, start of football season.

[2:12:30] » We're two and0. >> How about them exporters?

[2:12:32] » Two and0. >> 56 to nothing and 38 to nothing.

[2:12:37] » Yeah. >> I mean, way to go. What a way to start

[2:12:41] the season. Um, I did not have a exporter collared shirt, so I had to go

[2:12:47] with the second second bests. My Texans.

[2:12:53] » Oh, yeah. [laughter]

[2:12:56] Um, Kidfest this weekend, Saturday. I will

[2:13:02] be missing it.

[2:13:05] This happens to be my daughter's what do you call the sweet 16?

[2:13:13] So, I will be participating in a birthday party instead of the kid fest

[2:13:18] this year, but I'm sure it'll be left in good hands.

[2:13:25] um the discussion that we're having about

[2:13:30] the trash pickup. Um you know, a lot of the responsibility

[2:13:38] of the way the city looks falls on the individuals. I'm not saying all of

[2:13:46] it does. uh regardless of what company we

[2:13:54] end up using and this is a couple years down the

[2:13:58] road. It's not something that's going to happen overnight. And there's going to

[2:14:02] be rules, there's going to be regulations, and there's going to be

[2:14:06] people that are pushing the envelope.

[2:14:14] So how we how we tackle that is is the issue that

[2:14:22] we have to we have to figure out. The company we had before this company

[2:14:29] had the claw

[2:14:32] and there was piles of debris and trash and couches and everything all

[2:14:39] over the place. And those those yards that didn't have piles of debris and

[2:14:43] trash had claw marks in their front yard from from the claw,

[2:14:52] you know, digging it up. You know, I I was here whenever the contract was

[2:14:57] signed. Um it was the only company that applied, so we didn't have a whole lot

[2:15:03] of choice in the matter. Um but

[2:15:09] can things be different? Can things be better? Absolutely they can.

[2:15:16] That that is up to us to to make the changes that are that are necessary.

[2:15:27] We're still um looking for volunteers to come out

[2:15:31] and decorate and hand out candy at the FrightFest coming up on the 22nd

[2:15:40] of October. It's going to be a great time once again. This will be the sixth

[2:15:46] annual I believe. So that's all I have. Dr. Kelly,

[2:15:54] » nothing. >> Nothing to report.

[2:15:57] Good. So with that, ladies and gentlemen, it is 8:16.

[2:16:04] I'm going to repeat that. It's 8:16 and we're going to close our regular

[2:16:11] schedule meeting and go into executive session. Executive session consult

[2:16:18] Texas Government Code section 551.071 071 consultation with attorney about DAO

[2:16:25] IDA negotiations and discuss attorney advisory opinion regarding formal ethics

[2:16:32] complaint against chair of the EDC board.

City Council Meeting

Agenda

Transcript