[{"_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",6078029,"mediaKeyId","2962602-ac1d96fb73cdd311a7aa54e6eb0bef57","parentId",2962602,"title","Army Corps: Freeport coastal-storm project suspended; Velasco Drainage District advancing pump and levee work","audioSeconds",273,"startMs",1760000,"endMs",2033000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2962602-ac1d96fb73cdd311a7aa54e6eb0bef57&start=1760&end=2033","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2962602-ac1d96fb73cdd311a7aa54e6eb0bef57/thumbnail_1760000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6078029/Freeport/Brazoria-County/Texas/Army-Corps-Freeport-coastal-storm-project-suspended-Velasco-Drainage-District-advancing-pump-and-levee-work","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6078029-39d6577b16ca3107bc80aa0a03359734/orig.mp4?Expires=1771187406&Signature=NH9Icvw75zoyaIjHwtmz2qGP6gZPhoYapwyXCBPqL9QcI2uzLNPUZKFjsK8WaH1YL8GfrJ6tq0WA96kegGfvQgYFdnAt-QhTXV41DaUy2z~tcs3OkSKi-JVlWpAGZ4t6JOfqPx38fMmGIHvQe6vh4eeB3ZZjwTr8rpHNeyLzt5klGcs7e7JCLjgyEFR9MIId18i8B7~UuDnehflDYKuiHw~3PWlUH5dIFnLZmGEaLBCkwcPjppfzvmFHA5owNY0d37OU8R76tBSPqRhWRvEdEXTnP22d3HmfhZ59FMpeIx07315vGWWwjNqbNAmMj-BnYZxnDORKf4Z9KYrkfUnwEA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Freeport TX","date","2025-04-07T00:00:00Z","article","The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers told the Freeport City Council on April 7 that the Sabine Pass to Galveston Bay coastal storm risk management project for Freeport is on suspension and that the Corps and local partners are finalizing a post-authorization change report to document a reduced scope.

The Corps’ project manager, Eddie Rigoin of the Galveston District, said the original Freeport plan called for raising about 13.1 miles of levees and constructing roughly 5.5 miles of floodwall, with final elevations “approximately from 15.8 feet to 23.” He told the council that, after discussions with the nonfederal sponsor (the Velasco Drainage District), the recommended updated scope reduces the levee work to about eight miles and the floodwall work to about two miles; a floodgate at the Dow Barge Canal remains in the proposed plan. Rigoin said the project has been suspended since April 2024 at the request of the Velasco Drainage District and that the Corps is preparing the required post-authorization change report (a \"PACKR\"/post-authorization change report) documenting those scope changes.

Rigoin described the Corps’ near-term technical steps: a levee screening (a “2S”) to quantify risk and expected performance under flood loads, with an estimated completion of about six months; and a more thorough levee safety oversight inspection program that the Corps expects to complete in about two to three years. He emphasized that the project is not deauthorized and that any future restart would require a new project partnership agreement between a nonfederal sponsor and the Corps.

Velasco Drainage District board member David Youngblood gave the district’s update after the Corps presentation. Youngblood said the district is pursuing a Section 408 coordination for an East Levee project and is adding three pumps, gearboxes and engines to increase pumping capacity at local stations. He said the district is undertaking an eight-year engine replacement program (with two new engines already purchased for North Freeport) and is performing targeted levee raising in low spots identified during FEMA certification work, noting the most significant local raising observed was about 1.5 feet.

Both presenters urged residents and council members to monitor the Corps’ public story maps and project web pages for updates; Rigoin said completed technical products would be shared with the nonfederal sponsor and the public. No council action was taken; both the Corps and the Velasco Drainage District described continuing technical work and options for future local participation.

Why it matters: the Sabine-to-Galveston project, as authorized, was intended to reduce storm-surge risk along the coast. Changes to scope and a sponsor-requested suspension shift near-term responsibility for local storm-risk reduction to district-level actions (pump improvements and targeted levee repairs) while the Corps documents the official scope change and risk profile.

Quotations

\"The project has been on suspension status since last April of 2024,\" Eddie Rigoin, project manager, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, said, describing the Corps’ work to complete a post-authorization change report.

\"We're adding three additional pumps, gearboxes, engines,\" David Youngblood, Velasco Drainage District, said, adding that the district is also pursuing levee-raising work as part of FEMA certification efforts.

Ending

The Corps said the Freeport project is not deauthorized and could be restarted with a new partnership agreement; meanwhile, the Velasco Drainage District said it will continue phased pump and levee work to reduce local flood risk. The Corps and the district indicated technical reports would be released to the public when available.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Freeport TX Council Meeting 4-7-25","oneSentenceSummary","The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers told the Freeport City Council on April 7 that the Sabine Pass to Galveston Bay coastal storm risk management project for Freeport is on suspension and that the Corps and local partners are finalizing a post-authorization change report to document a reduced scope.","taxTitle","Freeport, Brazoria County, Texas","taxId",69416,"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},6078015,"Port Freeport chairman: 80,000-sq.-ft. cold-storage warehouse coming; half-billion project progressing",75,312000,387000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2962602-ac1d96fb73cdd311a7aa54e6eb0bef57&start=312&end=387","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2962602-ac1d96fb73cdd311a7aa54e6eb0bef57/thumbnail_312000.jpg","/articles/6078015/Freeport/Brazoria-County/Texas/Port-Freeport-chairman-80000-sq-ft-cold-storage-warehouse-coming-half-billion-project-progressing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6078015-d2486b6aa0b65cd9bf835661f434834d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771187406&Signature=R-c1loeOBUHkNpm37V105uZb6Px9uckV8j7fCQttK9Vq5Of84ti0I8Rh74XlDe4cjE9THiCMMelGrOVnM0WDaY3kw9kylULuAVnjtc23sWNn~CbiE1s2vpWtpr4ioo1w9wRsAQ88CHII1vlQrZjSvmT5LUB1DCO7Bg6bXMQKilRlPhfbiSrE~siQ~9fausQlAUySOljb0rKFePSUoEwlYqLkeq6OXOod7ghuiCg--mewB2sktMUpLRrX1Zwn55E2djdUN2VjwGRHQo0R0D3qLobNSLVbBcXlo9Nf~xdefsmh4lJLQFUc-~QSJQXWfbMZnXRAQcziXDTQ8~eIUZrOTA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Ravi Singhania, chairman of the Port Freeport Commission, told the Freeport City Council at its April 7 meeting that major port projects are advancing and that a new cold-storage warehouse will be dedicated in the spring.

Singhania said Port Freeport’s larger half‑billion‑dollar expansion project is “coming along fine and should be done by the end of this year” and that, around May, the port community expects a dedication for a new 80,000-square-foot warehouse intended to provide cold storage and serve as a transfer station for Del Monte. He described the warehouse as a roughly $20 million facility that is not tax abated and said the project should employ about 80 people at opening. Singhania noted the facility’s economic effect should begin to be visible in the local tax base since it was described as not tax abated.

Singhania thanked the council for cooperation between the port and city and said the port remains cautious about external factors such as tariffs but generally expects the project to be within budget and to support local jobs.

Why it matters: a dedicated cold-storage facility and broader port investments can generate local jobs and tax revenue; the port’s timetable and employment estimate give residents and councilors a near-term metric to assess economic impact.

Ending

Singhania concluded by thanking council members for ongoing cooperation with the port commission and inviting the council and community to the upcoming dedication.","Ravi Singhania, chairman of the Port Freeport Commission, told the Freeport City Council at its April 7 meeting that major port projects are advancing and that a new cold-storage warehouse will be dedicated in the spring.",{"_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},6078020,"Residents urge action on dangerous intersection, overtime spending and LNG safety during Freeport public comments",944,144000,1088000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2962602-ac1d96fb73cdd311a7aa54e6eb0bef57&start=144&end=1088","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2962602-ac1d96fb73cdd311a7aa54e6eb0bef57/thumbnail_144000.jpg","/articles/6078020/Freeport/Brazoria-County/Texas/Residents-urge-action-on-dangerous-intersection-overtime-spending-and-LNG-safety-during-Freeport-public-comments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6078020-2f6d1b42466ad1512d3b839d467efcbe/orig.mp4?Expires=1771187406&Signature=XrJ73iB2f6cusa6rUUI8XVFCJMcb6Dzxnzx1umkeZAVNnb4e9K-Ps1I6lmiJIkJP2G4XESlRW7d77gTM1m~8i~9jmsjBvlEV-4y2~KJIXS7Z8j6iOfCrY1r~u8KS1Dw~r76YPzrCk1PnVkL~6Lm3noXVtgAXp8GZFqKBZQALb1KLE-ImMoJpiQ039zxTtB~-A0PGgQPipm-lPEDH1LL-D9cZMjYVuo0VcS1iYXKV8IZids~GyctZguriBbNGmAsnhXnp3Al-oNAKkei9KHh8xJC6NzQbKVjbIrTsL0dtjzcG4MarVtsk3iy5x-bUaNY8n60PDQa7V1HLx3ZqP-7TLg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several residents used the April 7 public-comment period at the Freeport City Council meeting to press the council on traffic safety, municipal overtime costs and safety and accountability related to a recent industrial accident.

Collision hot spot near school

Thomas E. Cool told the council he and neighbors are worried about repeated crashes at an intersection on Fourth Street and Pecan, near an elementary school on Eleventh Street. Cool said two recent collisions—one “last month” and another in 2017—resulted in vehicles being towed and that children were present during at least one incident. He asked the city for stepped-up patrols or larger stop signage to slow traffic through the corridor, saying, \"Someone's gonna get seriously hurt.\"

Overtime and city spending

Resident Sam Reyna cited reporting about large overtime spending in other cities and said Freeport is also experiencing high overtime costs—especially in the police department—and raised concern that general-fund overtime diverts money from infrastructure needs like streets, alleys and lift-station replacement. Reyna urged the council to limit overtime “only in emergencies.” Pam Dancy also asked why officers had not received funds that had been discussed previously and referenced prior budget-amendment practices.

Industry safety, LNG explosion and desalination opposition

Manning Rollerson addressed the council about an explosion at Freeport LNG and criticized the company’s response and the city’s handling of the incident. Rollerson said he opposed a proposed desalination plant and accused the plant owner and city officials of failing to warn the community after a large methane fireball; he told the council he had contacted law enforcement and said he planned to press charges, stating, \"That man that owns Freeport LNG... I'm going to press charges on him because that's attempted manslaughter to every citizen in this city.\" The speaker framed the incident as public-health and governance failure and called for increased accountability.

Other public comments

Ravi Singhania, chairman of the Port Freeport Commission, told the council the port’s half-billion-dollar project is progressing and that a new 80,000-square-foot cold-storage warehouse (a roughly $20 million facility) will be dedicated around May and is expected to employ about 80 people. Nicole Mireles spoke in support of a local candidate for a justice-of-the-peace post and recommended the candidate to council members.

Why it matters: residents’ comments touched on near-term public-safety requests (traffic controls near a school), fiscal policy (use of overtime), and industrial safety and public trust (questions about Freeport LNG’s response after an explosion). Council members did not announce immediate policy changes during public comment; some issues may require staff follow-up or future agenda items.

Ending

Councilors acknowledged the comments and said staff would look into several matters raised during the public-comment period.","At the April 7 meeting several residents asked the council to address traffic safety near an elementary school, raised alarm over overtime spending and criticized Freeport LNG’s handling of a recent explosion; speakers called for more patrols, budget changes and accountability.",{"_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},6078024,"Freeport City Council actions: replat, property sale, appointments and personnel policy among motions approved or tabled",167,2979000,3146000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2962602-ac1d96fb73cdd311a7aa54e6eb0bef57&start=2979&end=3146","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2962602-ac1d96fb73cdd311a7aa54e6eb0bef57/thumbnail_2979000.jpg","/articles/6078024/Freeport/Brazoria-County/Texas/Freeport-City-Council-actions-replat-property-sale-appointments-and-personnel-policy-among-motions-approved-or-tabled","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6078024-03cde97c803d7b377d447a8260326252/orig.mp4?Expires=1771187406&Signature=moMuy63h86K6zxP6d9lRQr~a-O~SVG2M7gO4vN2ySf3mFmpUK3EFJ0gt7wKgD8HbOOzYzA~nZsVIeXqAAQMCbdR~xADdaxTVUI8N-bytVQ48Xwk-pKcbTMd0Lz4rLI76SH3g9NW3Bt448N1i~4qmPGN9p3mxAtFxcmqTjeEwPCP8t2tCXhak-rSmka6sC8rACWvFHAPIK39Hn04DD~ZprDU4egcLnzI~OHoqX1Sss8TobjdSO6HOx1wLMmk0OyTafvlf3calQMjseFqzibaKfk~v5Xf~xR17RT1vRJQUs-stnz2Xx-wOSQxwqyPkqpZ5Oxn46iKm03Ct5GG3y9xeRQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Freeport City Council on April 7 approved several routine and contested items and took votes on motions ranging from a commercial replat to a personnel policy change.

Key outcomes at a glance

- Replat approved: The council approved a replat (the Gulf Enterprises subdivision), allowing expansion of a building to include restrooms, a gas canopy, underground tanks and additional parking. The public hearing was closed and the motion to approve carried unanimously.

- Minutes approved: The council approved the March 17 meeting minutes by a 4–1 vote; Councilman Pena cast the lone no vote.

- Censure resolution tabled: The council voted to table consideration of a resolution of censure against Councilman Jeff Pena. A motion to table the item passed 3–2; the tabling will carry the matter to the next meeting.

- Sale of City property approved: The council approved the sale of a 25-foot-wide parcel in Block 70, Lot 4 of the Velasco Townsite at the presented sale price. The motion carried 3–2; the meeting record identifies two dissenting votes and notes the sale price presented at the meeting was $5,500.

- Charter-review appointment: The council appointed Reuben Renovato to fill a remaining term on the city’s charter-review body through May 31, 2025. The appointment passed 3–2 after discussion about whether applicant materials were included in the public packet.

- Vacation-policy amendment approved: The council adopted Resolution No. 2025-2910 to revise the city’s attendance and leave policy. The resolution raises the vacation carryover cap for eligible employees from 120 to 160 hours and allows department directors to cash in up to 40 hours within 30 days prior to their anniversary date. The measure passed 4–1.

- Other procedural items: The council voted to table agenda item 4F (as requested by staff) and adjourned the meeting.

Votes and process notes

Some of the motions drew procedural objections from council members who said supporting documents were missing from the online packet; those objections were raised during discussion of the censure resolution and the charter-review appointment. Where roll-call names were not explicitly read on the record for every vote, the meeting minutes show the numeric tallies cited above. The sale of the Velasco parcel was discussed with staff confirming a full appraisal had been done; the council recorded a 3–2 outcome.

Why it matters: the property sale and charter-review appointment affect local land use and municipal governance; the vacation-policy change affects city personnel and payroll practices.

Ending

The council adjourned without an executive session. Several items (notably the censure resolution) were tabled to the next meeting for further consideration.","At its April 7 meeting the Freeport City Council approved a commercial replat, approved the sale of a small Velasco parcel, appointed a charter-review member, amended the city vacation policy and took other procedural votes; several contested items were tabled or passed by close votes.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Army Corps: Freeport coastal-storm project suspended; Velasco Drainage District advancing pump and levee work

Port Freeport chairman: 80,000-sq.-ft. cold-storage warehouse coming; half-billion project progressing

Residents urge action on dangerous intersection, overtime spending and LNG safety during Freeport public comments

Freeport City Council actions: replat, property sale, appointments and personnel policy among motions approved or tabled