[{"_1":2,"_109":-5,"_110":-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",[32,74,86,97],{"_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":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6644116,"mediaKeyId","2529866-10f7f486e5086ae0d447524342e75a16","parentId",2529866,"title","Crockett approves outside counsel after insurer declines coverage in Woodrow J. Jones lawsuit","audioSeconds",351,"startMs",1244000,"endMs",1595000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2529866-10f7f486e5086ae0d447524342e75a16&start=1244&end=1595","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2529866-10f7f486e5086ae0d447524342e75a16/thumbnail_1244000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6644116/Crockett/Houston-County/Texas/Crockett-approves-outside-counsel-after-insurer-declines-coverage-in-Woodrow-J-Jones-lawsuit","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6644116-b9860ea65353385eb76a28cc55571647/orig.mp4?Expires=1771135153&Signature=eOa4FI~U61sTGD7CByl-OTEQNZ-WG-kJJGohEt0oqjQxx0ZjO-UFuFJU5eyAJlssye0acmB3lfGsQAu1BIeXZQZ7Cf3inf1BQbWxRIyDtpzkK5DNuLvVWBlGktp8hzoJSrE2up-Yi2IFby7Z3nWYWpYHh8PtEYNWwHfBZRh4uOvSVHnpce-LDlhqX85P6yP1~xjnU9Onl6kswlPo~YtFbhUlaU1HWMWpAtADebksKY-iJ55YRG7jfMivIYEkM0h88DuE9rGdSLGZAH4pXCOES7tyAZN35N7Lm9TrLD6rOHuwgHId1te6Q0DXyb59HXM9LkGMqdwn14HcNdg3YhdZ7A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-03-09T18:41:26.87Z","article","The Crockett City Council approved an engagement agreement with Eric O'Neil, PLLC to represent the city and its economic-development entity in the Woodrow J. Jones lawsuit (case number cited in the meeting as 25-015-3).

City staff told council members that the city's insurer, TML, denied coverage for this case because the complaint is a breach-of-contract claim, an exclusion in the insurer's coverage. That means the city must retain outside counsel and pay to defend the matter. Staff said the city has 20 days from service to file a response with the court.

City staff also explained that the city's charter contains an indemnification provision allowing the city to pay for defense of members who acted on behalf of the city or the EDC; however, TML's denial means the insurance carrier will not provide defense under this claim. The council discussed remedies such as bonding but staff explained bonding applies to money-handling or fidelity issues, not to this breach-of-contract lawsuit.

Under the motion approved by the council, Eric O'Neil, PLLC will prepare the city’s response and represent both the city and the EDC in the litigation according to the engagement agreement presented. A motion to approve the engagement was moved, seconded and the council approved it by voice vote.

No roll-call vote or fee schedule was read into the record during the meeting; staff indicated a copy of the engagement letter had been circulated to council members and a hard copy was available at the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Crockett City Council Meeting - 02/10/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Council voted to retain Eric O'Neil, PLLC to represent the city and the EDC in a breach-of-contract lawsuit after the city's insurer declined coverage; staff said the city has 20 days to file its response to the complaint.","taxTitle","Crockett, Houston County, Texas","taxId",69526,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6644121,"Crockett council approves resolution to accept CEIDC asset transfer and authorize wind-up",344,891000,1235000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2529866-10f7f486e5086ae0d447524342e75a16&start=891&end=1235","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2529866-10f7f486e5086ae0d447524342e75a16/thumbnail_891000.jpg","/articles/6644121/Crockett/Houston-County/Texas/Crockett-council-approves-resolution-to-accept-CEIDC-asset-transfer-and-authorize-wind-up","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6644121-6da6c638737b1175c21318bece896eaa/orig.mp4?Expires=1771135153&Signature=PlSpBOApr3GLqq4hR~eOoXKxTTxcKPzpTs7KS3svw~zotpqOWDPgQfiVzTmUSonzcuMZWutdsvRhThAymcRYdPwvUdXfsDPy8KArGOtpN9oPeryrxUMhgMwofuaM6vMDyXyH2IskYrRqDgea8-dUA1I1agp4e9RGV7FBX~L2wkfloSnlUStrD8yd0psGFM-pkU7xoNaqLF~AdmayFG72YB5-XxMQFXs3Z30Pjb1JbVrfBQp2O~wCxuNG2iDgXW-12CaigsgDgPAdb5PmpdIuH~kT-LxLa3Mi0xicK-ZoiK65jRNOQQ14t8naBdlZvXdm0cFlHgz07bqqRi5rV4IqXg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Crockett City Council approved a resolution accepting termination of the CEIDC and authorizing the city to take custody of the corporation's assets and manage remaining obligations, directing staff to prepare and execute documents necessary to wind up the CEIDC in accordance with state law.

Council members referenced a previous meeting where a resolution (RO225) had been approved by the CEIDC to terminate the corporation and transfer assets; the reciprocal city resolution to accept those assets had not passed at that earlier meeting. City staff told the council that because the CEIDC had already acted to terminate, the lack of a city acceptance placed current contracts and payment obligations at risk, prompting the special-call meeting.

At least one council member said they were disturbed by the way the matter had reached the current state and asked for fuller information in the future; that member said they wanted complete information so the council could make sound decisions. Another council member said they agreed with winding up the corporation as the community previously chose that action.

A motion to approve the city resolution to accept the CEIDC termination and to authorize an interlocal agreement and all documents necessary to accomplish the wind-up and dissolution under state law was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote.

Staff and council did not read verbatim legal citations beyond referencing the need to comply with state law; the council did cite the previously approved CEIDC resolution number RO225.","The council voted to accept management and assets from the CEIDC and authorized preparation and execution of documents to wind up the corporation and distribute assets under state law after prior delays left contracts and obligations at risk.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":78,"_47":91,"_49":92,"_51":93,"_53":94,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":95,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":96,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6644126,"Crockett council approves $77,339 in change orders for South Fifth Street and Bell Avenue stormwork",471,420000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2529866-10f7f486e5086ae0d447524342e75a16&start=420&end=891","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2529866-10f7f486e5086ae0d447524342e75a16/thumbnail_420000.jpg","/articles/6644126/Crockett/Houston-County/Texas/Crockett-council-approves-77339-in-change-orders-for-South-Fifth-Street-and-Bell-Avenue-stormwork","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6644126-a59a2e6f71ac15ebece548962774ff53/orig.mp4?Expires=1771135153&Signature=PrWkP6RuMpxYG11jrgFwP09y3ajMUxDWzCSBfam39bnC4mVfTvm1h2yephBMNSFTXBJX-PGOVvawU8JW9nL2~qQuCj4yQjAWo2EcVBXPRNChLLF2SL4SArF~0qx6g5OboZmNtj1ny0MHGmUG07hoWu5fXxG77gU1IdjEh3mfiTenRamHVdbhM0gzrR8S3s-fSChhHxFIiEu38AVuabuXdMDwdy~QkPfjYxMn-SrevlEOORJYfKfyagyWWgenZz-LHk4S6yDtcooa9cb6OUv92ip0eJNGMLKLlQOeSeC~ppfjAI4HprS8PK01-dBOpKrFU1nvYRAO8vFjnSyabyFTgw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Crockett City Council approved change orders totaling $77,339 to address unexpected storm-drain and curb-and-gutter work on South Fifth Street and Bell Avenue.

City staff told the council that crews found older layers of concrete and an underlying storm system made of clay tile and cast metal that began collapsing when crews removed surface paving. That collapse blocked the drainage path that had carried water to a nearby creek, and crews must install new inlets, tie two storm lines together and run an 18-inch pipe down Fifth Street, turn left on Bell and extend to the creek. Staff said the storm-drain change order alone is $65,004.86; combined with curb-and-gutter modifications the total change is $77,339.

Staff said Crockett Construction has reduced its pricing where possible and the city was surprised the total came in lower than expected; staff had expected closer to $100,000 based on unit pricing. The city has a designated utility fund reserve for street infrastructure and staff recommended using that reserve rather than reducing previously planned street projects. At council question, staff said the reserve balance set aside for infrastructure is about $1,800,000.

A city engineer, introduced during the discussion, was available to answer technical questions. The council moved, seconded and approved the change orders by voice vote.

Staff warned that the discovery of older infrastructure layers was not uncommon and said the ongoing construction will continue but that the change orders are needed to finish the work and restore proper stormwater flow.","Council approved change orders to install new storm drains and modify curb-and-gutter on South Fifth Street and Bell Avenue after crews uncovered failing clay-tile and metal drainage under old pavement; funding will come from utility fund reserves.",{"_33":98,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":99,"_41":100,"_43":101,"_45":102,"_47":103,"_49":104,"_51":105,"_53":106,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":107,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":108,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6644131,"Crockett council approves Houston County to administer city elections",234,184000,418000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2529866-10f7f486e5086ae0d447524342e75a16&start=184&end=418","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2529866-10f7f486e5086ae0d447524342e75a16/thumbnail_184000.jpg","/articles/6644131/Crockett/Houston-County/Texas/Crockett-council-approves-Houston-County-to-administer-city-elections","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6644131-bd26d6bef1dcea299f9881a71ec49f3d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771135153&Signature=Sl96NctNw1X~hi9rXZLxbIuk8l9su7jNYVOFuoBhZrjvcF~IEfCna-7L7yZxFMPHLhcaS-zqcV-sqegX0gkZpUJODbL1czFKnNB6DD4C1l3nO4l02v0lPMrbWo6iNYMAiyp~GJxL--0LQ-c7i9sEgEx~jWfBMKS-JHgkAM-smXQKTiABFBpynfeQArUK3~POI0eh~ftjK3tv1C3Xj5NBIOcO2YzjYi0kpC7t7k3EO9MW6hoLEX4eTop3jxcx28PsEJOBDwG39eGyFjVdKMI37lTt9TjUXacXZeSMO4g5KKxCI9j0s1ha1eyl5mn~eiIja3lO3yl3B6RECV9P4Z0qzQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Crockett City Council on a unanimous voice vote approved an agreement for Houston County to administer the city's elections.

City staff told council members the county-run model requires fewer local election workers and produces a single joint ballot so voters can cast all jurisdictional contests at one location and table. Staff also said the county will provide Saturday voting in addition to weekday hours. The presenter said a packet with a cost breakdown had been provided to council members.

During the discussion staff noted concerns about forming a local election team because many of the city's experienced poll workers also work for the county. The presenter said running the election independently would require roughly 15 additional temporary workers plus two or three people to process early ballots—about 18 additional positions overall.

A speaker also referred to cost figures in the meeting documents and to a recent mayoral special election that cost about $12,000; a separate large numeric figure was mentioned during discussion but not clarified in the public record. No detailed vote tally was recorded on the audio; the motion to approve the election service contract was made, seconded and the council answered “motion carries.”

The council's action authorizes the mayor and staff to execute the agreement with Houston County and proceed under the terms presented in the packet.

The meeting opened with an invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance before business items. No public comments were recorded on this agenda item.","Crockett City Council voted to authorize Houston County to administer the city's elections, citing staffing and cost considerations and noting the county can provide a single joint ballot and weekend voting options.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Crockett approves outside counsel after insurer declines coverage in Woodrow J. Jones lawsuit

Crockett council approves resolution to accept CEIDC asset transfer and authorize wind-up

Crockett council approves $77,339 in change orders for South Fifth Street and Bell Avenue stormwork

Crockett council approves Houston County to administer city elections