[{"_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",6077917,"mediaKeyId","2962808-aa315f64f535e2b1dbbd279d8c06dbed","parentId",2962808,"title","Council approves reimbursements, contracts and schedule changes in brief session","audioSeconds",3701,"startMs",356000,"endMs",4057000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2962808-aa315f64f535e2b1dbbd279d8c06dbed&start=356&end=4057","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2962808-aa315f64f535e2b1dbbd279d8c06dbed/thumbnail_356000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6077917/Groves/Jefferson-County/Texas/Council-approves-reimbursements-contracts-and-schedule-changes-in-brief-session","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6077917-0d631f51bc254bb4efce544073cf7fb6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771191036&Signature=QUqMN6e8AeZvnmIeIJtgLslEvTBSBLHiLzMWa~MfoXRoHkv7ep0eT1A9MFQzhnCBFYSSHO63Q27PVhJd9fPzcAnSqG9NDxtfOeZsA26mcHG8F-cRU~UkRM9CfzM02k1WYVo6updpOH9TF0zKrvW-KX8P32L3x4an-d7DtirQxBPgWD6d5po~MTfxHPthHC8HFUUwEZjWg~C3M0evEu5G4Uh3jS0PGFV7xM-UKIyCTgw4nV3UoiiXby81j1NNmiIlbq1K7xmNpHbp7L4VFiQGhwi4zUhviSomer7VNA0qZNynpqtuqTuVYmRqkj8~R9~5B3iyi2By81SYzY-ZUktSVQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Groves, TX","date","2025-01-13T00:00:00Z","article","Groves City Council approved several routine motions and agreements during its Jan. 13 meeting, including reimbursement to the Grove Chamber of Commerce for the 2024 Christmas Tree Trail, an agreement with the Groves Pecan Festival for dedication of a pecan sculpture, an ordinance to join an energy-service-area coalition at the Public Utility Commission (PUC) level, a contract with LJA Engineering for stormwater management consulting, adoption of a second-and-fourth Monday regular meeting schedule and the city invoice list for Jan. 13, 2025.

The approvals were taken as separate motions across the meeting; each motion passed on a voice or roll-call vote with no recorded opposing votes. The mayor and a majority of council members voted to approve each item.

Votes at a glance

- Approve minutes of Dec. 23, 2024 City Council meeting — Motion passed (Mayor: aye; Mayor Pro Temkinidis: aye; Council Member Holmes: aye; Council Member McAdams: aye).

- Grove Chamber of Commerce: reimbursement from hotel occupancy tax for the 2024 Christmas Tree Trail — Motion passed (same affirmative votes recorded). City staff and Chamber representatives clarified invoicing; a line-item transcription error referenced “8,000” but attendees confirmed the invoice line of $83.20 as entered in the packet.

- Agreement with the Groves Pecan Festival to dedicate the world’s largest pecan sculpture — Motion passed. Staff said the sculpture will be a city fixed asset and covered under the city’s insurance with no separate premium expected; routine minor maintenance anticipated.

- Ordinance 2025-1: authorize participation with other energy-service-area cities on PUC matters and authorize hiring of counsel and rate experts — Motion passed. Staff noted the city is joining a coalition of roughly 27 cities and that, by statute, any expenses that arise from contesting a rate increase are reimbursable under the cost-allocation mechanism used by the coalition.

- Approve calendar of regular council meetings for 2025 and adopt second-and-fourth Monday schedule — Amended motion to set second-and-fourth Mondays carried. Staff said the change reduces the number of regular meetings to 23 and preserves the city’s ability to call special meetings or workshops when needed.

- Establish Feb. 10, 2025 as the date for a joint public hearing with the Planning & Zoning Commission on a specific-use permit for a food truck at 5509 East Parkway Drive — Motion passed.

- Approve proposal from LJA Engineering Inc. for environmental consulting services to continue implementation of the city’s stormwater management program — Motion passed; staff reported the city’s share for the period shown in the packet as $16,002.50.

- Approve Jan. 13, 2025 invoice list — Motion passed. The packet’s invoice total recorded $60,065.98 and the finance presentation listed individual items including: landfill/disposal $5,200; developer rebate $7,099.87; cold-mix materials $6,476.34; ignition module $9,964.62; high-service motor replacement $13,495; sewage funds $10,770.45; rental equipment $7,059.63.

Several items were routine and short on debate. For items that generated discussion, staff provided clarifying details on amounts, insurance coverage and statutory cost-reimbursement mechanisms. No recorded motions failed. The council recessed for an executive session under Texas Government Code Sec. 551.074 to discuss personnel matters related to the city attorney and reconvened with no action taken.

Ending: The council completed the listed business and adjourned at 6:43 p.m.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Groves Council Meeting 1 13 25","oneSentenceSummary","Groves City Council approved several routine motions and agreements during its Jan. 13 meeting, including reimbursement to the Grove Chamber of Commerce and a consulting contract for stormwater work.","taxTitle","Groves, Jefferson County, Texas","taxId",69534,"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},6077908,"City swears in four new deputies with military and local backgrounds",364,431000,795000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2962808-aa315f64f535e2b1dbbd279d8c06dbed&start=431&end=795","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2962808-aa315f64f535e2b1dbbd279d8c06dbed/thumbnail_431000.jpg","/articles/6077908/Groves/Jefferson-County/Texas/City-swears-in-four-new-deputies-with-military-and-local-backgrounds","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6077908-712fefedf522644bccf0365b365f6ed0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771191036&Signature=X6-kX~vO7B8MYPJHSVebOaMCQG-BJfDmqB4JjNlGOsmktEa7Uq-R4~S3KJp5cWDrQEh6EafOczUfgtEli6vykEmak76vJ3N34hnvPNUjCaTXAOmNHGh5PIuA-WQyFKmMS25mjJXt1h3pdq17WYa8ueL0nssWncZeFz~LAofoSd2bwAbphu9N7fku0mqpwXjOaZ9AI11HNHU4SvNAcZiRBvXCdU0iRsECRJqF80xsRZauVsGha9PVbaRAU99uiDRjviVepdq-vT6ws80j6Qoks9jQT4Udjad1MXA4yayqXm6hhguznlNP3LMADvcI1cy1mbCFzFzL5SBvbhYz3e9yXw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Groves city officials introduced and swore in four new deputy marshals during the Jan. 13 City Council meeting.

Deputy Marcus Solis, introduced first, was described by staff as having served with the Texas National Guard on drug enforcement and human-trafficking operations; staff noted his prior participation in a sponsored cadet program. Solis’s prepared statement read in part: \"I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity to serve the citizens of Groves.\" He was described as pursuing additional college coursework.

Deputy Kevin Hallen (transcribed also as Hallingsley/Halland in portions of the packet) brings military service and prior law-enforcement experience in West Monroe, Louisiana, followed by a period in ministry and teaching. Staff read Hallen’s prepared statement: \"Along with my wonderful family of 6, I am incredibly proud of the progress I have made in my law enforcement journey. I am eager to serve the citizens of Groves and contribute to the department's mission of safety and community engagement.\"

Deputy Michael Stansbury, a lifelong Groves resident and 2017 graduate of Port [Haysgroves — transcript spelling inconsistent], served at the Jefferson County Correctional Facility and graduated from the Jefferson County Sheriff's Academy in December; staff said he holds an associate’s degree in process technology. Stansbury’s prepared statement included: \"I’m excited to begin my career with the Groves Police Department… I look forward to a long and rewarding career in law enforcement making a positive difference in the lives of Groves residents.\"

Deputy Wesley Wenger, a recent graduate of the Jefferson County Sheriff's Academy with TWIC certification and security experience, said he looks forward to traffic enforcement and DWI focus and aspires to become a detective.

Council and staff publicly welcomed the new deputies. The council affirmed their oath of office during the meeting.

Ending: Council thanked the new hires and staff for recruitment; staff noted two additional recent hires are in training and that one open position remained.","Groves sworn in four new deputies — Marcus Solis, Kevin Hallen, Michael Stansbury and Wesley Wenger — who cited military service, local roots and law-enforcement training as qualifications.",{"_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},6077912,"Council discusses reorganizing EDC appointments, plans workshop on appointments and bylaws",1737,2015000,3752000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2962808-aa315f64f535e2b1dbbd279d8c06dbed&start=2015&end=3752","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2962808-aa315f64f535e2b1dbbd279d8c06dbed/thumbnail_2015000.jpg","/articles/6077912/Groves/Jefferson-County/Texas/Council-discusses-reorganizing-EDC-appointments-plans-workshop-on-appointments-and-bylaws","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6077912-7f8f2f946bbb2850f0880e91ad781b1e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771191036&Signature=QNdmq4ZnfNe5dFOkdVyiNLBldnteYixvDk~Oi-n7YOtk74mF0chFi1zGJNh8sqZIRITkVRcyta6IHsgF-sUqTf1m5OtDe9GoecmxRIPnqZgmVh-foZoe8nqseXCNZr9IqCmV9iMspYaxhoTt4XEyy8pyr19e1HqkE4jIExdVfmuKNa-SXOVR3H86Jj3BzFbjndgtkdh~DA2qWCLvkVdYB4ee3eAc7d1gruN1dLoxZ2ni1NHmJ2vPV3nKmMQCKqtrcf-TVQNYY2kHVxUn-0qevJ16u-532RAFxWLB7VYC-qCbDHSLY5-3PcqszdTqvo38aH4J5J1K2AFR0T8wvaIZCQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Groves City Council spent an extended portion of its Jan. 13 meeting discussing the process for appointing members to the Groves Economic Development Corporation (EDC) board and the Planning & Zoning Commission. Rather than act immediately, council directed staff to schedule a workshop to review the EDC bylaws, appointment timing, and related procedural changes before bringing appointments back for council action.

The discussion grew from vacancies on both bodies. Staff noted EDC bylaws currently require representation by ward but do not explicitly require council members to serve; past practice had each council member assume an EDC seat. Council members questioned whether to continue that practice or to move toward an independent, primarily citizen board with ex officio council participation. Staff and council discussed practical implications including quorum and statutory deadlines for processing development applications under recently imposed state timelines.

Planning & Zoning chair Rodney Posey requested that the council consider appointing Michael Campisi, an existing alternate and reporting secretary, to a full P&Z membership. Posey emphasized the commission needs active, participating members and suggested advertising openings to solicit interest. Multiple council members supported posting vacancies and contacting existing members about reappointment.

Council members and staff debated several procedural points raised in the discussion: how seats that came into being by past custom (for example, seats assumed by elected council members rather than appointed) should be handled; whether terms should be staggered to avoid wholesale turnover; use of ex officio council members to preserve separation between policy and economic-development operations; and whether interim appointments could be backdated to the start of a term if later confirmed. Staff and the city attorney’s office agreed to draft options and bring them to a work session prior to the next regular council meeting.

Ending: Council took no appointments at the meeting; staff will post notices seeking candidates, contact current members about reappointment and schedule a workshop on EDC and Planning & Zoning appointments and bylaws.","Council debated whether Groves Economic Development Corporation board seats should remain filled by council members or become an independent body; staff will schedule a workshop to sort bylaws, term-staggering and interim appointments.","actionData","errors"]

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Council approves reimbursements, contracts and schedule changes in brief session

City swears in four new deputies with military and local backgrounds

Council discusses reorganizing EDC appointments, plans workshop on appointments and bylaws