[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6613614,"mediaKeyId","2869940-dadc8d469979901aa8627a9558d0fd08","parentId",2869940,"title","Clute council roundup: property donation accepted, utility rate hold, grant‑services contract approved, interim prosecutor named","audioSeconds",3156,"startMs",1264000,"endMs",4420000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2869940-dadc8d469979901aa8627a9558d0fd08&start=1264&end=4420","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2869940-dadc8d469979901aa8627a9558d0fd08/thumbnail_1264000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6613614/Clute/Brazoria-County/Texas/Clute-council-roundup-property-donation-accepted-utility-rate-hold-grantservices-contract-approved-interim-prosecutor-named","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6613614-ddf90690e1e5cc2ef4f0406e7bc305c1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771123584&Signature=fBwpj2tcmrNGitp4f94l5qFhpHR0jJCul7p274bXijE9K-8CWzwYGmFhmUadKWs33KreK~vI6EtxeltIBDVMlPkReKT8sUmOAeq0iDc04FAJnFkgdnH~SEaEiqjadZeuRF1VeEzjUYGk0XsQK9zPs1vDdRhbUA3TxTJBa9KwRd12i-KIhe60X7EAoD01MndCDS0aSsSgSFw8wf3CvMaPjdsZVmQIkmiOuQA34fEvGD57no5gRzeqpVw5q7xSL2IfGjBG-mmdxtSsBdi3EPzod-OgrFive5xvC1pvo2BZsX-5iNPCoVUkqk0LZasZloUilL4ufuHlR-Z9XO7RKe4ddA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Clute","date","2025-04-03T00:00:00Z","article","The Clute City Council on April 3 handled several business items by resolution and motion, approving a donation of property, authorizing a utility rate suspension action, formalizing grant‑services procurement, extending an engineering services agreement and appointing an interim municipal court prosecutor.

Property donation: The council approved Resolution No. 12‑2025 to accept a donation of real property at 508 South Main Street from Rock Church of Lake Jackson; staff described the building as dilapidated with asbestos present and recommended acceptance for future public use under the city’s local centers program. The resolution was moved and seconded and the council approved it; staff said the city would investigate outstanding liens or encumbrances as part of closing.

CenterPoint rate suspension: The council adopted Resolution No. 14‑2025 to suspend the effective date of a CenterPoint Energy Texas Division Gas Reliability Infrastructure Program rate increase for 45 days and to continue the city’s participation in a coalition of cities (the Alliance of CenterPoint Municipalities / Texas Gulf Coast Utility Coalition) to pursue review before the Public Utility Commission. Staff projected the proposed charges could raise aggregate gas rates by about 15 percent and increase an average residential bill roughly $3; the resolution passed unanimously.

Grant and FEMA procurement services: The council approved Resolution No. 15‑2025 authorizing the mayor’s signature on a master services agreement with CSRS Inc. (CSRS) for on‑call grant procurement and FEMA Public Assistance services and confirmed prior emergency procurement of those services. Staff said CSRS has assisted with FEMA PA submittals, hazard‑mitigation grant work and other recovery projects.

Engineering services extension: The council adopted Resolution No. 16‑2025 extending the master services agreement with Civil Corp LLC for one year to continue engineering work related to post‑storm repairs and mitigation at City Hall, the Records Building and Fire Station No. 1. Staff said Civil Corp will complete inspections and provide mitigation recommendations, and will assist with procurement and design if the city pursues FEMA mitigation dollars.

Other business: The council approved Resolution No. 13‑2025 (Ruth Nunn Lab property) for postponement at staff request. In closed session the council voted to offer Sandro Valley the interim prosecutor position for Clute Municipal Court.

Where the transcript shows specific figures or legal references, the article notes them. The meeting transcript does not provide a detailed roll call for every vote in the public excerpt; staff and the city clerk recorded the motions and results in the meeting record.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Clute - Regular Council Meeting - Apr 03, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","At its April meeting the Clute City Council accepted a donated property, authorized participation in a coalition to challenge a CenterPoint Energy rate increase, approved a master services agreement for grants/FEMA work and extended an engineering services agreement; the council also appointed an interim municipal prosecutor.","taxTitle","Clute, Brazoria County, Texas","taxId",64454,"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},6613619,"Clute council amends zoning to allow 60‑inch front‑yard fences, standardizes driveway rules",747,1596000,2343000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2869940-dadc8d469979901aa8627a9558d0fd08&start=1596&end=2343","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2869940-dadc8d469979901aa8627a9558d0fd08/thumbnail_1596000.jpg","/articles/6613619/Clute/Brazoria-County/Texas/Clute-council-amends-zoning-to-allow-60inch-frontyard-fences-standardizes-driveway-rules","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6613619-a2c8143a16ca855dd24d4fb476f3a517/orig.mp4?Expires=1771123584&Signature=LJMM6ZxVU1XeHz0k1xdum31jgbUAa~tRShZ6lW-8IrTZoKHgArfImxLlkAu-0YqiHgvwrf3jhTiCLAnfcvQkLy~n59m8HQ-OhqWnkHx2HYhLyoQ~47Iu0rTl3gardmH44SGWi5RpPdqox4eTldbFleFvYoK8RXeX3LSSicOCVHCDWPD3ElVJlIAP4-4DeodnH0SCnJ~mNtsZ70AkK6vRXNjLq1T6bHn2JdV-N9VFAjdZq-8wGa7W31RBpRI2YdKZmZxHSzq4fnk1jqCS5PjtEMkYZ3FPgzxtoacimDPG1xd9nItIfrt3rBILrdMXyTocfZy6b1a4Ozmlf~-AJLRpkQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Clute City Council adopted amendments to the city zoning code to allow front‑yard fences up to 60 inches above grade and to clarify sight‑line and corner‑lot restrictions.

City staff presented the draft ordinance amending Article 5 of Appendix A (zoning), which would allow front‑yard fences with limits intended to preserve traffic sight lines and keep fences out of right‑of‑way and utility easements. The ordinance retained existing language that bars obstructions within 20 feet of intersections and clarified that the building official has discretion when issuing permits to determine whether a proposed fence would “impede the vision of traffic.”

Council discussion focused on differences between “barriers” (landscaping such as hedges) and fences. Staff said previously adopted standards limited certain landscaping barriers to 30 inches in particular forward locations; the zoning amendment would keep that distinction while permitting uniform 60‑inch fences. During debate a councilmember moved to amend the draft by removing the special lower height standard for barriers between driveways and making the 60‑inch limit uniform for front‑yard fencing. The council approved that amendment and then voted to adopt the ordinance as amended.

Staff told the council Civil Corp LLC would provide engineering recommendations and that permitting would leave sight‑line determinations to the building official’s judgment based on the proposed materials and construction.

The ordinance requires permits for front‑yard fences and preserves the city’s vision‑clearance rules at driveways and intersections; staff said the building official will apply existing sight‑line practices when issuing permits. The transcript does not show a final effective date; staff will return with any required permit‑form changes for administration.","The Clute City Council amended the zoning code to permit front‑yard fences up to 60 inches high and removed a separate lower standard for barriers between driveways to simplify enforcement.",{"_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},6613624,"Clute council votes to ban amusement‑redemption machines after police report payouts, crime concerns",1884,2384000,4268000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2869940-dadc8d469979901aa8627a9558d0fd08&start=2384&end=4268","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2869940-dadc8d469979901aa8627a9558d0fd08/thumbnail_2384000.jpg","/articles/6613624/Clute/Brazoria-County/Texas/Clute-council-votes-to-ban-amusementredemption-machines-after-police-report-payouts-crime-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6613624-820399824a1a66fc4bfb2d166792ef24/orig.mp4?Expires=1771123584&Signature=OdjTZKetWqaHNLtNHV8VMLbGmoM3yGD2WVtFcEdBFh3YjEC5NxDibWr5u8LNAmYAt5Z4j~FcUUTZ12uJo3K9gxCl6MXnQiiYhU5o5iR0GWy9sjMbyN9FSOSdYafTe2fEkOJFxsNFM3WevMVlkmulC-8hapYb1wRd-2zCJZ172J3GJTlFgTNUN~3E0~6V~nSsQNmrrdcQD~vUG08Aw6Y4zK3auMSRy~vGur9HwoNqteRfuClaOmHePbbWEcmyZFWU6uGTsU9uVvCNbLfo~j-ljgzDDqMx9Vwv3z0HCRoriJwc2HVPasVIij5kuBD2btvOugpJDchsGT3aw0UtoBBjLA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Clute Mayor Calvin Shiflet and the City Council voted to adopt ordinance 2025‑O10 (option 1) banning amusement‑redemption machines in the city after several council members said police reports show the devices are being used to pay out cash.

The council took up two approaches: an outright prohibition of the machines or a regulatory regime that would require registration, per‑machine fees, and policing powers for the police department. City Attorney Christopher Duncan recommended the ban, saying the Fort Worth Court of Appeals has held similar machines are illegal gambling devices and that the Texas Constitution bars such devices. “I would recommend the option 1 to just basically outlaw all of the gambling machines,” Duncan said during the meeting.

Police Chief Hitch told the council undercover officers had already documented payouts at local businesses. “So far, we've sent undercover officers in and have actually caught five of those paying out money,” the chief said. He warned council members that game rooms often draw other criminal activity and that a legal ban would better support enforcement.

Council members debated the potential regulatory workload and the effect on local business owners who may be hosting machines. Some council members said they were reluctant to penalize small-business operators without clearer evidence that owners had direct culpability; others urged action to prevent a proliferation of standalone game rooms. Chief Hitch described the pattern he has seen in other jurisdictions: convenience stores initially host the machines and standalone game rooms can follow, bringing loitering and other public‑safety problems.

After discussion the council member moving the ordinance asked that option 1 — a prohibition — be adopted; the council voted to adopt option 1. The motion passed and the mayor announced the ordinance would be adopted as passed.

The ordinance text presented to the council would amend Chapter 14, Article 4, to regulate or prohibit the operation, possession or use of amusement‑redemption machines within city limits, provide definitions, establish penalties for violations, and repeal conflicting ordinances. The city attorney and police chief said the prohibition aligns with a recent Court of Appeals decision and would allow the police to pursue criminal enforcement rather than rely on a permit regime.

Next steps outlined by staff and the city attorney include preparing the final ordinance language for formal adoption on the city’s official docket and coordinating with the police department on enforcement procedures.

Votes at the meeting were called after the motion; the city clerk recorded the motion as adopted. No specific vote tally with named yes/no votes was provided in the public discussion transcript.","The Clute City Council voted to adopt an ordinance banning amusement‑redemption/gambling machines in the city after police said undercover officers found machines paying out cash at convenience stores. The city attorney and police chief recommended an outright ban rather than regulation.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Clute council roundup: property donation accepted, utility rate hold, grant‑services contract approved, interim prosecutor named

Clute council amends zoning to allow 60‑inch front‑yard fences, standardizes driveway rules

Clute council votes to ban amusement‑redemption machines after police report payouts, crime concerns