[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6363075,"mediaKeyId","2166616-b81a77f385accda682dabaff79539d21","parentId",2166616,"title","Public commenters at Pasadena meeting raise school-board vacancy, residency and corruption allegations","audioSeconds",589,"startMs",153000,"endMs",742000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2166616-b81a77f385accda682dabaff79539d21&start=153&end=742","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2166616-b81a77f385accda682dabaff79539d21/thumbnail_153000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6363075/Pasadena/Harris-County/Texas/Public-commenters-at-Pasadena-meeting-raise-school-board-vacancy-residency-and-corruption-allegations","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6363075-88421b6a5cccca307b60a245af1d30de/orig.mp4?Expires=1771070789&Signature=I7T2aru7OYktNug~RVFo9INImZ2TzCyLwQPXhX1KZzResqvBW3NeITjwIUlMbysmUtL6XXnpfHZ7KUVYplmCubAfsK-pADZ8CkDJZODnYsaWjUAvTeEuTGKTzubrOBwYSrX0bLpxiSrVbaYytTLdgKuUfT287NxSNPxyHzmtLHeB-BNYmBUqVwIKdm8wUGZcsijgVN8JIQUE7x5jUYqdVR1bXxGm7rzPfW23svv9RJlfSgVBIlqjTUaU8BwjlZNfwdOverkuk0HVYSxa~NnUzGC89Mxznqh6giz1dx2QkyFQShGmFWcvkF6Zjhxuv6FprCNOmbri3-kandO1zMnX8Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Pasadena TX","date","2025-01-29T01:26:51Z","article","Several members of the public used the City of Pasadena council’s public-comment period on Jan. 28 to raise complaints about the Pasadena Independent School District board, to allege misconduct by local officials and to call for greater transparency in city appointments.

“That means the citizens of Pasadena will not get to elect someone to fill that vacancy. That is taxation without representation,” said Yan Ra Bey, a 24-year educator who said she is running for the Pasadena ISD school board, referring to the school board’s decision not to fill a vacancy left by the death of a board member.

Robert Jeter (speaker identified in the transcript as the person who raised the issue) told the council he had provided evidence that a council member admitted residing outside the district and that he had reported the matter to the Harris County District Attorney’s Office. “A report has been made for this discrepancy. That case currently sits with the Harris County District Attorney’s Office,” he said.

Other public commenters made broad allegations about corruption and staffing actions. Steven Alvarez, during a forceful public comment, accused city leadership of misconduct and used strong rhetorical language directed at the mayor and at potential candidates. Maria Castello told council she had received a cease-and-desist letter from the person she named and said, “We need change. We need better people speaking for us, representing us.”

Council members did not debate allegations during the public-comment period; staff and the council handled the formal agenda after public comments concluded. The transcript shows the city allowed several public commenters to speak and that at least one commenter was cautioned by a city official about referencing political campaigns from the podium.

Where possible, speakers attached their role or affiliation: Yan Ra Bey identified herself as a teacher and candidate for Pasadena ISD School Board. The transcript records claims and assertions made by private individuals; the council took no formal action on the allegations during the meeting. One commenter said a complaint is pending with the Harris County District Attorney; the council record does not show investigative outcomes or official findings.

Speakers during public comment who raised policy or accountability issues included:
- Yan Ra Bey — identified as a 24-year educator and a candidate for Pasadena ISD School Board, who criticized the ISD board’s handling of a vacancy.
- Robert Jeter (identified in transcript as the speaker raising residency and payment questions) — asserted he had filed a report with the Harris County District Attorney’s Office regarding a council member’s residency and related payments.
- Steven Alvarez — a resident who alleged corruption and criticized city leadership in strong terms during public comment.
- Maria Castello — a resident who said she received a cease-and-desist letter and called for change.

The meeting record does not show council action on the allegations themselves. Council discussion moved to the posted agenda after public comment concluded.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Pasadena Council Meeting 01/28/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Several speakers during public comment accused local officials of wrongdoing, addressed Pasadena ISD board vacancy and raised concerns about elected officials' residency and conduct; some comments referenced an active investigation with the Harris County District Attorney’s office.","taxTitle","Pasadena, Harris County, Texas","taxId",2798,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6363076,"Pasadena council approves multiple infrastructure contracts, grants and appointments",1238,1546000,2784000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2166616-b81a77f385accda682dabaff79539d21&start=1546&end=2784","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2166616-b81a77f385accda682dabaff79539d21/thumbnail_1546000.jpg","/articles/6363076/Pasadena/Harris-County/Texas/Pasadena-council-approves-multiple-infrastructure-contracts-grants-and-appointments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6363076-4cce9bc348cf8db425d613397115c6f4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771070789&Signature=SbvzTr9aOwsXs4TAd8HFNc-vEbB-UY73f2dZICAPGSkIxCrbo24PPyc6FN4N5AFtZ6mg4kGxQppDai88i7xXbp7uR08lj8hbpdi-~k5h0VdPt-lbg7CW0g5hV4VtheO3X9n-sB2HSY795y71cAjqtkPVKwLkIp1g-n~92Ej07Eiy~vsH7Qi4ALZZdbMIFr2TNWrrN9wZ6jdtSoWZNTfiPfp1lpSl7PV3ZRk8GZLXt6jmBcjFknyr8gzmMGvYA4jKJ9jS8MchGIANl2Z5o8qaKj4glh2jRBANlLL~Nb4iyd9ijybDd6MxtXlAPOUT9V-T5fHTjHXxpLkp5olwncNpGA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Pasadena City Council on Jan. 28 approved a set of ordinances and resolutions that fund street overlays, water and sewer replacements, design contracts and several grants and purchases for parks and city facilities.

Council approved design and construction agreements for multiple paving and drainage projects and a pair of nearly $2 million contracts to replace city water and sanitary sewer lines, moves council members said address long-delayed infrastructure needs.

Council members said the measures matter because many streets and underground utilities in Pasadena are decades old and need replacement. “Our infrastructure in some areas are 50 to a 100 years old,” Councilmember Schambach said during the discussion, and approving the contracts will allow crews to begin work, he added.

The council voted on and approved a long list of ordinances authorizing design or construction contracts and budget appropriations, including:
- Ordinance 20255: $550,000 to Binkley and Barfield Inc. for design services for the 2025 asphalt overlay program (CIP S191).
- Ordinance 20256: $135,455 to Brooks and Sparks Inc. for design services for Pendleton Avenue and Gilbert Street paving and drainage (CIP S149/S150).
- Ordinance 20257: $182,040.52 to B2Z Engineering LLC for Elaine Avenue paving and drainage (CIP S210).
- Ordinance 20258: $97,000 to Agilent Engineering & Management Inc. for Arnold Street paving and drainage (CIP S208).
- Ordinance 20259: $552,000 to Intech Civil Engineers Inc. for Perez Road reconstruction and Cleveland Street paving and drainage (CIP S185/S221).
- Ordinance 202510: $116,610.80 to Alley General Solutions LLC for Glenn Avenue paving and drainage (CIP S176).
- Ordinance 202511: $37,374 to ATSIR LP for geotechnical investigation services for multiple paving and drainage projects.
- Ordinance 202512: $153,786 to Alley General Solutions LLC for surveying services for multiple paving and drainage projects.
- Ordinance 202513: $82,460 to Ceres Engineering Inc. for Lawrence Avenue phase 1 (CIP S171).

Council also approved: Ordinance 202514 and 202515, awarding two separate construction contracts totaling roughly $3.9 million to T Construction LLC for the 2025 citywide water line replacement (CIP W074) and for the 2025 citywide sanitary sewer rehabilitation (CIP WW071), with funds coming from the system CIP fund balance account.

Other items approved included a $140,000 design contract for an animal shelter generator (Ordinance 202516), extensions of multiple annual procurement contracts (automotive repair, flexible base materials, fuel and security services), a franchise permit for New Star Logistics LP to install a 12-inch pipeline within city right-of-way (Ordinance 202520), and the sale of three lots (Ordinance 202526) for $189,000.

The council accepted several grants and donations, including a $63,148 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant for Pasadena Police tactical patrols (Ordinance 202522), a $52,000 grant for a digital intelligence unit (Ordinance 202527), and combined donations of $19,654.69 for animal-shelter care (Resolution 202522). The council also authorized purchases for the Fairmont Library ($169,571.53 for mobile shelving, Ordinance 202528), a playground structure for Sunset Park ($166,287.32, Ordinance 202523) and re-plastering Red Bluff Pool ($135,003.75, Ordinance 202524).

A resolution reappointing members to the City of Pasadena Crime Control and Prevention District board (Resolution 202513) passed but drew recorded opposition: two council members cast no votes on the reappointment item during the roll call. Council members voiced a range of views during debate about priorities and geographic distribution of overlay projects; one councilmember said northern neighborhoods receive fewer overlays in the current list, but other members said work will continue across districts.

The motions for the ordinance and resolution package were moved and approved by voice vote; the meeting record shows the council approved the listed items in sequence and directed staff to proceed with contracting and project scheduling.

Votes at a glance (items read and approved on Jan. 28):
Ordinances 20255, 20256, 20257, 20258, 20259, 202510, 202511, 202512, 202513, 202514, 202515, 202516, 202517, 202518, 202519, 202520, 202521, 202522, 202523, 202524, 202525, 202526, 202527, 202528, 202529, 202530, 202531, 202532, 202533, 202534 — approved by council voice vote.
Resolutions 202511, 202512, 202513, 202514, 202515, 202516, 202517, 202518, 202519, 202520, 202521, 202522 — approved; Resolution 202513 (reappointments to the Crime Control & Prevention District) recorded two no votes and otherwise carried.

The council indicated projects would proceed into the design and procurement phases; councilmembers repeatedly emphasized the need to prioritize work based on condition assessments and funding availability. Several members said omitted or misordered projects would be reviewed to ensure neighborhoods not listed are scheduled for future work.

The council adjourned after completing the agenda and closing public comment and motions.","On Jan. 28 the Pasadena City Council approved a package of contracts and ordinances for street, water and sewer work, accepted federal and state grants and approved park and library purchases; one reappointment drew two no votes.","actionData","errors"]

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Public commenters at Pasadena meeting raise school-board vacancy, residency and corruption allegations

Pasadena council approves multiple infrastructure contracts, grants and appointments