[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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],{"_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",6080955,"mediaKeyId","2944860-24257883282777a6f390db88d988ae76","parentId",2944860,"title","Friendswood wins $250,000 GLO grant; public works updates include Blackhawk repairs and new waterline","audioSeconds",1107,"startMs",2623000,"endMs",3730000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2944860-24257883282777a6f390db88d988ae76&start=2623&end=3730","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2944860-24257883282777a6f390db88d988ae76/thumbnail_2623000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6080955/Friendswood-City/Galveston-County/Texas/Friendswood-wins-250000-GLO-grant-public-works-updates-include-Blackhawk-repairs-and-new-waterline","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6080955-37f0672fcadba8c442b360d97b5e0f46/orig.mp4?Expires=1770782702&Signature=GXx42cM1M5NHHccug~ylOXuVUTtLJMUR7qrBjnBDSbMjngoZVCZBPGrfKwm1vfVdAtNuAPm7h35dVywRhGjJ04wzkCs0Ye7Ba4cAY1ycsYGlmbB6CpzfqlXlHtCqt-XtIeFuWTh12R-BwciWmBdgclpnxrnAldx72bzTKESQATCiqvhjGJtSorM7CANpr6TtTOtE3klj6Bemg6fTFq5kRXQjcYAlxb6yeX~GM1w5q5ju0CKONUF-pxEmqi7pHrJtd9svEytckyW7WqczaeYARSRxHmAJz8xWP2RpAUDcNvN1z0cKg~VAXo4vC~h2sUNcz0E4QWhcrxC-q5rxy5pSzA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Friendswood TX","date","2025-04-10T13:30:04.323Z","article","City staff told the Friendswood City Council on April 7 that the city received a $250,000 grant from the Texas General Land Office to update its comprehensive plan and align zoning, land use and infrastructure planning with hazard mitigation efforts.

Aubrey Harbin, community development director, said the two-year grant-funded project will include a population and housing study, land-use analysis, zoning ordinance coordination and a capital-improvement plan. ‘‘We will be receiving $250,000 to update our comprehensive plan,’’ Harbin said.

Chief of Engineering Bill Arias gave a status report on key capital improvement projects. Arias said work on Blackhawk Boulevard Phase 2B is nearing completion after the original contractor defaulted and the city engaged a stopgap contractor; the city is coordinating with the original contractor’s bonding company to finish remaining work on the west side of the road and expects an answer from the surety within weeks.

Arias said the 24-inch Clear Creek transmission main received a notice to proceed on the day of the meeting and the contractor is targeting completion by December of this year. He also said the tank project at Surface Water Plant No. 1 received a notice to proceed March 24 and is scheduled for completion in October 2026; the tank will increase water storage capacity to support growth in Princewood.

Arias described two HGAC-funded planning studies that require no local match: a mobility study (formerly called the master trail plan) to improve connectivity for pedestrians and cyclists and the Friendswood Parkway corridor study; Brazoria County will sponsor the Pearland Parkway portion of the corridor. He warned council to monitor national tariff-driven material-price volatility that could affect future project costs and contingencies.

Staff also said design work is underway for intersection upgrades on FM 528, and that advance funding agreements from TxDOT are pending for some lighting work. Arias said the city’s engineering team will continue to monitor costs and work with funding partners to keep projects on schedule.

The updates were informational; no council action was required.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Friendswood City Council Regular Meeting - April 8, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Friendswood will use a $250,000 General Land Office grant to update its comprehensive plan and align zoning and capital projects with hazard mitigation goals, city staff told council on April 7.","taxTitle","Friendswood City, Galveston County, Texas","taxId",55593,"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},6080960,"Council approves Fallingleaf Ranch PID with conditions tied to Exxon deed and environmental work",1117,2483000,3600000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2944860-24257883282777a6f390db88d988ae76&start=2483&end=3600","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2944860-24257883282777a6f390db88d988ae76/thumbnail_2483000.jpg","/articles/6080960/Friendswood-City/Galveston-County/Texas/Council-approves-Fallingleaf-Ranch-PID-with-conditions-tied-to-Exxon-deed-and-environmental-work","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6080960-e6d954eb5bb46ece2e5054c50a57daf0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770782702&Signature=j2Zvuyo2WdYqf4iKKaxdb2v1SX~eMcpG3Aq8tq81p5pQ94iv-hgQhOxBEZPDfEgrHrDzA2h06bWXb3t14bVTbSrxZlN3pJ8762imCIKxaflJecHUD4LlniT-5WYB1jGAY28jRvOp7VRx~O8BHV05nvCEzk-KMjBL6vZ14PVrfp542UbHrwoVPuzNRooKhrRilkG-Pu3QsNx866vBOi3LJi6QdFYk78Nojwsz9s3YUxDMuJCFA0EFEM16JFqwHcpF9DSVT8bfZz5hAlOUbd4Eg~Rn0K8BphUKA4CQZZdl~eBvBPjCHa043nocQsXCLDRpPbhM1EBwM7-MnEA3G3NCyA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Friendswood City Council on April 7 approved a resolution creating the 117.506-acre Fallingleaf Ranch Public Improvement District, a financing and oversight vehicle the city says will help fund public infrastructure for a proposed development southeast of Stonewall Pass Lane.

Councilmembers emphasized that PID bonds will not be issued until a preliminary and final service-and-assessment plan is prepared and approved, and until environmental work — including assessments and any required remediation to meet Exxon’s deed requirements — is completed to Exxon’s satisfaction. Council approved the resolution by a 5-1 vote.

The development parcel, described in staff materials as roughly 117.506 acres, is currently encumbered by a special warranty deed recorded by Exxon that includes restrictions tied to environmental concerns. Aubrey Harbin, Friendswood community development director, told the council that the developer must submit a revised concept plan and revised deed showing compliance with Exxon’s deed conditions before the city will allow PID bonds to be issued.

Christopher Songster, a senior environmental consultant with Laughlin Environmental Services engaged by the developer JMK5, said the property’s primary issue is elevated chlorides in soil — ‘‘salt soils’’ — which, he said, mostly affect vegetation and aesthetics but must be addressed to meet Exxon’s residential-development standards. Songster said additional assessments are under way to craft a remediation plan that must be approved by Exxon before deed restrictions can be amended or lifted.

Developer lender Jet Lending told council its financing is in place. Eddie Gantt of Jet Lending said the firm has funded numerous projects in the Houston area and is ‘‘standing by our client.’’

Residents at the public hearing pushed the council for more oversight and clarity on costs and contractor practices. Michael Ross and Randy Hale both voiced concerns about earlier PID/TIRZ projects in the city, unpaid contractor liens on related sites and whether the public — or future homeowners — will ultimately bear risks if projects are poorly bid or costs escalate.

City staff and the mayor responded that the development agreement requires the developer to advance any funds necessary if final construction costs exceed the amounts financed by PID bonds. Staff also said that the city will review engineers’ estimates of probable costs and that the city engineer will review invoices and on-site progress before any draw on bond proceeds.

Harbin said the PID assessment calculations require both a firm scope of public infrastructure work and a confirmed lot yield; those two pieces — infrastructure cost and number of lots — must be known before staff can prepare the preliminary service-and-assessment plan for council review. The developer’s current concept shows a potential 44 large estate lots but Harbin said that yield must be verified after environmental clearance and approval of a revised deed by Exxon.

Councilmember Hanks asked for confirmation that Exxon will amend or replace its special warranty deed after remediation is completed. Staff confirmed the deed will be amended and that an updated deed will be provided to council before the service-and-assessment plan is finalized.

The resolution creating the Fallingleaf Ranch PID passed 5-1. Mayor and council members said the approvals at this stage authorize the PID’s formation only; no PID bonds will be sold or drawn until the service-and-assessment plan and environmental clearances are complete.

The item closes a public hearing the council opened earlier in the meeting to receive comments and presentations from the developer’s team and concerned residents. Staff said additional council votes will be required to approve any subsequent service-and-assessment plan and to authorize issuance of bonds.","Friendswood City Council voted 5-1 to create the Fallingleaf Ranch Public Improvement District, but council members and residents pressed developers and staff for guarantees that environmental testing, remediation and a revised deed from Exxon be completed before any bonds are issued.",{"_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},6080945,"At a glance: key votes at the April 7 Friendswood City Council meeting",455,3635000,4090000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2944860-24257883282777a6f390db88d988ae76&start=3635&end=4090","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2944860-24257883282777a6f390db88d988ae76/thumbnail_3635000.jpg","/articles/6080945/Friendswood-City/Galveston-County/Texas/At-a-glance-key-votes-at-the-April-7-Friendswood-City-Council-meeting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6080945-81aeeab3a450defa662220864e5bca94/orig.mp4?Expires=1770782702&Signature=ZszmpFSnjqjWUti1ywuV6~pPyRcV~Cl9hAK6niaYG11~Cfm3fOi0SmsfIKUoo3fkgzE3Tu3vZTl5n3H49uAwGYoyNkZTOa80LjXCciwjbHGjCS~b9nIOsjtrSeZ9NhARM1shWvhxe461hBWacRxSQTn2Uo6nfdqZe7ZoZg6cJuHUH6CdiR9J8Ef5h6XJKvLBzNsXjCtOQXn3DJd2tm4dU53TY7yFFaa~QqE4ROgbVNgCkV3akiTfz1SrV-apdl6~~xZViFHo5OwAhjF0gcVf5PnjRnB9EWy1nFW0uOLr0vz9-1zkih0I3IK6kub59iJontNnLcQVrHweKGSGYByiPA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Friendswood City Council voted on a package of items April 7. Below are the council’s recorded outcomes for items discussed at the meeting. When a roll-call tally was not specified in the transcript, the item is noted as approved and the vote count recorded as not specified.

• Fallingleaf Ranch Public Improvement District (Item 10b) — Approved, outcome: approved; recorded vote: 5 yes, 1 no. Motion passed.

• Sole-source purchase agreement with Axon Enterprises Inc. (Taser hardware, software and related services) — Approved; recorded vote: 6 yes, 0 no. (Item 12a)

• Authorization for the mayor to negotiate and execute a new employment agreement with City Manager Murad Kabiri, including a 4% increase in base compensation — Motion approved; vote recorded as unanimous in the transcript (all in favor). (Item 16a)

• Ordinances and other items on first/second readings and the consent agenda — Several ordinances and routine items were presented and approved on first or second readings or as part of the consent agenda. Individual approval language in the transcript indicates passage; specific vote tallies were not always recorded in the audio for each item and are therefore noted as \"vote not specified\" where the transcript does not provide a roll-call tally. Items included: a disannexation ordinance (second and final reading), an amendment to planning-and-zoning term staggering, fee-schedule amendments for building permits, a temporary outdoor-sign regulation expansion tied to permitted temporary outdoor uses, and budget amendment No. 7.

• Resolution opposing Senate Bill 2722 and House Bill 5177 (allocation/use of Harris County Toll Road Authority revenues) — Approved; vote recorded as passed in the meeting (vote not specified in transcript). (Item 13f)

The council recessed into executive session late in the meeting and reconvened to take action on the city manager’s performance evaluation and employment agreement authorization. The meeting minutes and staff packets will contain full roll-call results and record votes for items where the audio transcript did not state them explicitly.","Council approved several routine and substantive items, including the Fallingleaf Ranch PID (5-1), a sole-source Taser contract, and authorization for a new employment agreement for the city manager with a 4% base pay increase.",{"_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},6080950,"Independent audit: Friendswood receives unmodified opinion for fiscal 2024; fund balances fell as planned for capital projects",494,2866000,3360000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2944860-24257883282777a6f390db88d988ae76&start=2866&end=3360","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2944860-24257883282777a6f390db88d988ae76/thumbnail_2866000.jpg","/articles/6080950/Friendswood-City/Galveston-County/Texas/Independent-audit-Friendswood-receives-unmodified-opinion-for-fiscal-2024-fund-balances-fell-as-planned-for-capital-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6080950-9c07e67864f7630b87a8ac5ee2789432/orig.mp4?Expires=1770782702&Signature=SXEFG1RtR5DkYpAczyeGm4fEOM1gnGM3scTtwtatzmAlwJSaKqtUKPC0cg-7QRvTisZ0qTpMreNWfISZUd5iqxYruVNGOewfUkfaC3q0t0j8WMpMkIZNCQMSnJgmGVTnj38njDCFilpVY2QXfd00Xa6oV2AO0HjsHvWRZmERIVrM14UWalofDZA8vx9KJ3V9a0A318BDwhiGvBCKMrj6XjCojzT0-qIIIZPhSE2E4SKINOCAlQi8190neo4s309PI0IjVzJwvSS6bfHz3sWJg7~J8-cau9PsBvJAklR~qNJMDL2335njuaJcF~hhzwVctdXtFwRKkJiqgxMiOPRW7A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Auditors from Whitley Penn presented the city’s annual comprehensive financial report for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2024, and issued an unmodified opinion — the highest level of assurance — that the financial statements are fairly stated and in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

Nupay Garcia of Whitley Penn told the council that total assets and deferred outflows of resources were $322.4 million at year end, and total liabilities and deferred inflows were about $163.0 million, leaving a net position of approximately $159.4 million. The report noted long-term liabilities decreased $11.7 million from the prior year driven by regularly scheduled principal payments on bonds and notes payable.

The fund financial statements showed an ending combined fund balance of $45.3 million, a decrease from the prior year of $11.5 million primarily because the bond construction fund completed several drainage projects during the year. The general fund reported a $3.4 million decrease in fund balance, which staff said relates to hurricane-barrel expenditures the city expects to be reimbursed in a later fiscal year.

Garcia said the city earned the unmodified opinion after standard audit procedures and that auditors found no misstatements that required adjustment and no disagreements with management. She reminded council that significant estimates reported in the financial statements — primarily pension and OPEB liabilities related to the city’s TMRS participation — are based on actuary reports and can change over time.

Council members asked clarifying questions about the timing of expenditures, multi-year project accounting and how the budget variances were reported. Staff and auditors explained that some projects span fiscal years, and that final actual expenditures were $4.7 million less than the final budgeted amount because some project expenditures were deferred into the following fiscal year as planned.

The auditors noted no audit difficulties and thanked staff for cooperation during fieldwork and year-end testing.","External auditors issued an unmodified opinion on Friendswood's 2024 financial statements. The city reported $322.4 million in assets and a government-wide net position of $159.4 million; ending fund balance declined largely due to bond construction and hurricane-related expenditures that are expected to be reimbursed.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Friendswood wins $250,000 GLO grant; public works updates include Blackhawk repairs and new waterline

Council approves Fallingleaf Ranch PID with conditions tied to Exxon deed and environmental work

At a glance: key votes at the April 7 Friendswood City Council meeting

Independent audit: Friendswood receives unmodified opinion for fiscal 2024; fund balances fell as planned for capital projects