[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6663401,"mediaKeyId","2391204-6b91015a89fe2d6c80f1744e42fb3d73","parentId",2391204,"title","Residents press City Hall to highlight cut-off notices, clarify senior discount and explain commercial water rates","audioSeconds",385,"startMs",3603000,"endMs",3988000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2391204-6b91015a89fe2d6c80f1744e42fb3d73&start=3603&end=3988","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2391204-6b91015a89fe2d6c80f1744e42fb3d73/thumbnail_3603000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6663401/Port-Arthur-City/Jefferson-County/Texas/Residents-press-City-Hall-to-highlight-cut-off-notices-clarify-senior-discount-and-explain-commercial-water-rates","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6663401-de9ff98f51147f7352e6587a7eec963f/orig.mp4?Expires=1776585550&Signature=oaNwIQJYU1JYT6foRwAUyxKgaUqzDluybTJ-IkC7UQEk7thTS3Yr1fLf-qjUhNlbCWIVB-qmInn-p3ChMREEnOVxjyguSGjwri~iOjL6pY1Yy6PZ4ARNn4mm7pDXLBLPtRA6eWBRnGxu4MzoJV1BfbcgKa7Rk5VLraJIiurQeOQVniEFqPzIqQBlisVvl-PLgI2LsjgfBKq1HYJUJq-DOEmzziQYtfMZlVm6I73xFwO3dgOQnYGXBCOc4AuHhLSvSgQ4L73MsqgL3RBskR7iCV7bwWTkejHG9iEwzraDyezFHnGY3XxO9sghEeWzaY7dj1RDJ7pTJ2jNRcA1i3~TkA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Port Arthur","date","2025-02-25T00:00:00Z","article","Port Arthur residents asked council and city water officials on Feb. 25 to make water bills clearer and to show senior-service discounts explicitly on monthly statements.

Joan Jones, a resident of East 10th Street, told the council many older customers miss the cut-off notice and are charged a $25 penalty because the past-due or turn-off information does not stand out. “When you have a cut off notice, could you please find some kind of way to highlight that so it would come to us?” Jones said. She also asked why commercial rates are higher than residential rates and whether refineries and motels are charged differently.

A water-department representative told the council the utility separates customer classes: residential accounts are billed at household rates; nonresidential accounts — including motels, refineries and businesses — are charged under commercial rates and sometimes an outside-city surcharge when located in the extraterritorial jurisdiction. City officials said the difference reflects rate structuring by customer class, not water quality.

On the senior discount, Jones said the discount appeared only as a “miscellaneous” entry on bills and made it hard for customers to see the credit. City staff said they would work with the billing software vendor to label the line item “Senior Discount” rather than “miscellaneous.”

The staff also noted turn-off notices are printed in red on mailed statements; the city can also send electronic alerts and text messages for customers who have enrolled in those notifications. City officials pledged to revisit the billing layout with the vendor so cut-off notices and discounts are clearer to customers, especially the elderly.

Ending

Council directed staff to pursue billing‑system changes to make senior discounts and past-due/turn-off notices more visible on customer statements and to report back to council on progress.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Port Arthur - City Council - Feb 25, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","A Port Arthur resident urged clearer bill formatting and an explicit ‘senior discount’ label after complaints that discounts appeared only as a miscellaneous line on bills; water officials said turn‑off notices are printed in red and staff will pursue a billing-system change.","taxTitle","Port Arthur City, Jefferson County, Texas","taxId",5749,"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},6663406,"Legacy CDC tells Port Arthur council delays and paperwork stalled downtown homebuilding program; rehabs continue under ARPA funding",268,3626000,3894000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2391204-6b91015a89fe2d6c80f1744e42fb3d73&start=3626&end=3894","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2391204-6b91015a89fe2d6c80f1744e42fb3d73/thumbnail_3626000.jpg","/articles/6663406/Port-Arthur-City/Jefferson-County/Texas/Legacy-CDC-tells-Port-Arthur-council-delays-and-paperwork-stalled-downtown-homebuilding-program-rehabs-continue-under-ARPA-funding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6663406-be922f799aa6bf0ed867edcc5cad16f5/orig.mp4?Expires=1776585550&Signature=OCmKscFSk3F1Vtf4nlyI6QB5CH8~l5FP60V0cWYNIQPTpCV8OxpRkgDzB1N4bEgavy5s8vJ4UhBNu~Pk-us1zfjYuMvGUwyDc1qNtIxVrXB9ZGafLzKHcmMsSq6iYHGHHyunfsKgzRwS--uo6jAT77Ysh13SvDMsDpbEwOpASZiA-qSC~LMCcOjEZuKRaQhcyFSOa2~4i3X8XQL4o6VuQy7tW4zgy~-bgkCDAQXK3DyyP2wcm9wqkQVBaiI8Eysk08jvKGHjH6JTyndz6-E6T5SKKghO2FWrakWGLjYIBJL~~DM8e9j0gO3UWOtCbszHRHYFCJT9bHa4FxFjz0oKyw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Legacy CDC executive director Vivian Blue told the City Council on Feb. 25 that the nonprofit’s housing programs continue to serve Port Arthur, but that administrative and ballot-timing issues have delayed a downtown home-building initiative.

Blue said the nonprofit has rehabilitated 78 homes under a Jefferson County ARPA award of $2.5 million and is working to reach a target of 120 homes this summer. She said homeownership assistance and construction slowed because of rising construction costs, higher interest rates and limited federal funding. “Our last home was built in 02/2022 in the downtown area. It sold for $169,000. Today the same house costs us $189,000 to develop,” Blue said, noting that rising costs and mortgage rates increased monthly payments for buyers.

Legacy CDC also told the council it had EDC board approval in September to pursue up to 60 downtown houses as a redevelopment tool, but that staff timing and ballot scheduling prevented it from reaching the May ballot. Blue described persistent waiting lists (more than 200 households) for home rehab and said the program needs to move forward while federal and local funds remain available.

Council members asked for clarification about whether EDC funds remained available; Councilman Trey Doucette and others said they would confirm with staff and the EDC. City officials committed to providing a written update on the specific fund balance and the steps needed to place the measure on a ballot if the EDC still supports it.

Ending

Legacy CDC asked the council for help to finalize program timelines and ballot placement so the nonprofit can use available funds to complete the housing units it previously promised to the community.","Legacy CDC said federal program limits and administrative delays have slowed an initiative to build homes downtown and urged council to help get remaining funding and ballot steps completed.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6663411,"State-backed Clean Coast Texas offers Port Arthur help with stormwater, green infrastructure and grantwriting",507,2180000,2687000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2391204-6b91015a89fe2d6c80f1744e42fb3d73&start=2180&end=2687","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2391204-6b91015a89fe2d6c80f1744e42fb3d73/thumbnail_2180000.jpg","/articles/6663411/Port-Arthur-City/Jefferson-County/Texas/State-backed-Clean-Coast-Texas-offers-Port-Arthur-help-with-stormwater-green-infrastructure-and-grantwriting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6663411-54127ae182b2bb49ef0b6a80408a1daf/orig.mp4?Expires=1776585550&Signature=dPrtSYnG4r6MIE6S2XDbR2Y587ZsJPU2~QNmXeNYTjcDJld2vnLxqMhHJQ60--W7HUXMe9muylafZQp86MJ7kfJ~N5p4YI60LKwOzfjzf95vqw6rPSwYNEj9dwBdDCV3yjJHeOlF3sc6wIq1jTuMH23KSHVSxU4ffJrlJsVzXKSbWbUWUOvISfZh6pDY7VbE4L1ACJwrP~XLgeGWutokefj30scGj0ICnuRA71kEs86pZ0TAvL4Hmlk9UXhfmNqMxeAFnvv1871~qNrOA-ypczWBicQFt5BqmzFiQkea-Bf~GgUeoXnJJGedI3WphLuMf8bGzp75h0QDo-iDC9~9vQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Texas Community Watershed Partners, operating under Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, presented Clean Coast Texas’s services to the Port Arthur City Council on Feb. 25 and invited local coordination on stormwater, resiliency and grant opportunities.

Scott Jones, representing Texas Community Watershed Partners, said Clean Coast Texas works with coastal communities to design green stormwater infrastructure such as rain gardens, bio-retention cells and retrofitted wetlands. “The big one is stormwater retrofit design and construction,” Jones said, and offered to help the city with ordinance language, volunteer water-quality monitoring and grant-writing support.

Jones cited Port Arthur planning documents — including the 2018 comprehensive plan and downtown and parks revitalization plans — as points of connection for green-infrastructure projects that can reduce flooding and improve water quality. The program partners with the Texas General Land Office (GLO) and noted that GLO funding supports many coastal-resiliency grants.

Council members asked whether Clean Coast had experience with detention-pond retrofits and how the program could help enforce or encourage developers to install required retention infrastructure. Jones said the program could provide lessons learned and engineering assistance and could help with volunteer monitoring and planning exercises.

Jones also said Clean Coast Texas could assist with converting underused or blighted sites into stormwater wetlands and park space, citing an example of an old golf course converted successfully in Southeast Houston. He offered to follow up with city staff and bring technical contacts from the General Land Office for more detailed discussions.

Ending

City staff and the city manager said they would accept follow-up from Clean Coast Texas and explore partnership opportunities to support local stormwater and resiliency projects.","A Texas A&M AgriLife Extension representative introduced the Clean Coast Texas partnership and offered technical assistance on stormwater retrofits, grant applications, volunteer training and community planning.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6663416,"At a glance: Key votes and approvals at Port Arthur City Council, Feb. 25, 2025",5363,1596000,6959000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2391204-6b91015a89fe2d6c80f1744e42fb3d73&start=1596&end=6959","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2391204-6b91015a89fe2d6c80f1744e42fb3d73/thumbnail_1596000.jpg","/articles/6663416/Port-Arthur-City/Jefferson-County/Texas/At-a-glance-Key-votes-and-approvals-at-Port-Arthur-City-Council-Feb-25-2025","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6663416-0170a4c8dea26c354301e4ec75f1af67/orig.mp4?Expires=1776585551&Signature=nagScwf-zchtyhguGIatCMrRxaUxANsH~JlXRh7YX9cHYRvU1pM0LbJnt3Bq9GV6G76ElXZPA9cf8e7CzzkotURHQeLsBZQQjIPMrqpAAhnJHV---HPmhvlTnzKhODWRRooO~~4eoOelXLgkhElOvEIF2Xpim5ZQYqVBEIuw5RLM1swpYnK4iJWp-YVEWFnEBcDDuD04Q81F~VBRJQEJE8KefVI70lfHxHj37WEXDos4y~pj2u4FaQ2H7AGvyiluK7aDu4m8GQR6pDFIVD0rqYEIFaqCL7Gu1Bba3X2fu8nU-HNzOSL4n4iC2qCMUPAbEnDon9oUZpwnUJecxKobBA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Port Arthur’s City Council approved a series of administrative resolutions, procurement contracts, and budget amendments during its Feb. 25 meeting. Below are the key formal outcomes voters and businesses need to know.

What passed

- Ordinance to remain in Texas Enterprise Zone program: Council adopted an ordinance reaffirming Port Arthur’s participation in the Texas Enterprise Zone program (chapter 2303, Texas Government Code). Outcome: approved (voice vote).

- Budget amendment and grant acceptance (PO 7317 / PR 24169): Council approved amendments to the FY2024–25 budget to accept a HUD CDBG-Disaster Recovery award (approx. $990,000) and allocate matching local funds for a Ninth Avenue restoration project; the ordinance authorizing the appropriation passed. Outcome: approved.

- Procurement and fleet purchases: Council approved multiple purchases for city operations including a 2025 garbage truck (PR 24132) and two 2025 trash trucks (PR 24133). Funding sources included ARPA and solid-waste capital accounts; the motions passed by voice vote.

- Contract awards and professional services: The council authorized negotiations or contract awards for the pedestrian-access-to-transit planning study, temporary-staffing contracts and enterprise resource planning annual maintenance payments (Tyler Technologies). Outcome: approved.

- Settlement payments: Council approved three property damage settlements (TMLIRP and Progressive Insurance) for city vehicles (PR 24116; PR 24161; PR 24162). Outcome: approved.

- Zoning and land-use: The council approved a zoning change (Z-24-09) that rezoned approximately 179.8 acres from general commercial to medium-density residential in an area defined by multiple plat and tract identifiers. Outcome: approved.

- Administrative housekeeping: Council approved resolutions to reject and rebid a temporary-staffing solicitation, and it repealed prior appointments of acting assistant city secretaries (action taken after executive session). Outcome: approved; the repeal was adopted in closed-session follow-up action.

What the council did not approve on Feb. 25

- No final lease or project approval for Diligence Offshore Services LLC’s planned wind and solar development on Pleasure Island. Council instructed staff and attorneys to continue negotiations on the ground-lease language and return with a finalized document for future action.

Votes and procedure notes

Most votes during the meeting were taken by voice; detailed roll-call tallies were not recorded in the audio transcript for each item. For procurement and settlement items, council followed standard procurement rules and used competitive bids or state procurement vehicles where specified.

Ending

Council members said they will return to several items — most notably the Diligence Offshore lease — with finalized materials and legal briefs before any final approvals. The next regular meeting was rescheduled to March 18, 2025 at 5:30 p.m.","Council approved a mix of routine contracts, settlement payments, vehicle purchases and a budget amendment; major land-lease negotiations were referred for further negotiation rather than finalized.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6663421,"Port Arthur council presses ahead with lease talks for Diligence Offshore wind project amid public debate over jobs and environment",1808,4368000,6176000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2391204-6b91015a89fe2d6c80f1744e42fb3d73&start=4368&end=6176","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2391204-6b91015a89fe2d6c80f1744e42fb3d73/thumbnail_4368000.jpg","/articles/6663421/Port-Arthur-City/Jefferson-County/Texas/Port-Arthur-council-presses-ahead-with-lease-talks-for-Diligence-Offshore-wind-project-amid-public-debate-over-jobs-and-environment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6663421-8f9accceee86d8381f3af776e523b4ff/orig.mp4?Expires=1776585550&Signature=bLrPwY19elxWBmQEh-6tQvMdAj170xqLyFfSuhV7N5Y7eHntRlpE~qRf6Q8v36gQleGG2TGusx~UvWQcz8Oq9zZpRs6K4NUaO-e8bFKtxnhOYOs--uGA9fmwFAEW4oVU49c2A3IPyX2SMEAegbNk8vUooeORPXY02-dc8WI0hVbPRREil~mbqxYHT80Vdq8HPLYH8RWiy0KLqllKP78FeJxjT5GJXMYor0T7O1hgq8i3CXTyrKvThPGQ2ijM0Bn0FUKzL0Hj78c1oMNIlgUK6Qn00ysvRMiFlfjNrmyjzSpFSlNmkojgfsPxiWMYEOHvycywiHvdrLAqAdIkkBJ36g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Port Arthur Mayor Thurman Barty and the City Council spent more than an hour on Feb. 25 addressing public concern about a proposed ground lease for Diligence Offshore Services LLC that would allow development of wind and solar generation facilities on Pleasure Island.

The council and city attorneys said the item before them is a lease agreement, not final approval of construction. Council members repeatedly stressed that any actual construction, permitting and environmental review would come later and involve other state and federal agencies.

Councilman Trey Doucette said the distinction mattered. “The only thing that I, as a councilman, is concerned with, if we’re going to lease the property … then we should check that individual,” Doucette said. “When we lease it, the city is protected and not held liable.”

Supporters who spoke at the podium said the project would bring jobs, local investment and new revenue. Hilton Kelly, director of the Community Empowerment Development Association, urged council to approve the lease and allow the developer to proceed: “Why wouldn’t we work with Mr. Crawford who’s willing to lease the property, and then this will be more money in the city coffers,” Kelly said.

Opponents raised environmental and process concerns in public comment and on social media, including effects on birds, shrimping and community health. Several speakers asked for a public forum where the developer could respond to detailed questions; Council members said past large public forums had not resolved disputes and that the formal process they were following — lease negotiation, then permitting and environmental review — was the proper sequence.

Council members and city staff described the negotiations as ongoing but close to resolution. “We accepted that that was a good project when it was presented to the council. We never voted to approve the project because we don’t — we won’t vote to approve that project,” Councilman Mark Frank said. “He has to go through the process… That is the issue before this council: whether we’re going to lease this property or not.”

City officials confirmed outside counsel and the developer’s attorneys have been negotiating lease language and that the council expects a finalized lease for consideration when the parties have resolved remaining contract language.

Several commenters raised allegations of discriminatory treatment in the negotiation process. Council members rejected the charge that race drove their deliberations. “I want to put on the record that at no time has there been any racial discrimination with our decision making,” Councilwoman Tiffany Everfield said, adding that the council’s work has been guided by attorneys and by facts. Council members said any final lease and subsequent permits would be subject to written requirements and normal regulatory review.

The council did not vote on the lease during the Feb. 25 meeting. Members said they are working toward a resolution and planned further internal and attorney-facilitated sessions to finalize language before bringing any lease to a public vote.

Ending

Council members asked staff and outside counsel to continue negotiation and to return with a clean, fully briefed lease document for a future public meeting. Meanwhile, members of the public and local organizations said they would continue to press for meetings that address jobs, local hiring and environmental protections in greater detail.","Council members reiterated that a pending lease — not project approvals — is what’s before the City; public commenters urged both approval for jobs and closer scrutiny on environmental and compliance questions.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents press City Hall to highlight cut-off notices, clarify senior discount and explain commercial water rates

Legacy CDC tells Port Arthur council delays and paperwork stalled downtown homebuilding program; rehabs continue under ARPA funding

State-backed Clean Coast Texas offers Port Arthur help with stormwater, green infrastructure and grantwriting

At a glance: Key votes and approvals at Port Arthur City Council, Feb. 25, 2025

Port Arthur council presses ahead with lease talks for Diligence Offshore wind project amid public debate over jobs and environment