[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-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",[32,74,86,98],{"_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",6600652,"mediaKeyId","3027802-2cd3d9374183e9516e69c3b51916ea34","parentId",3027802,"title","Votes at a glance: council reappointments, water study and street maintenance awarded","audioSeconds",192,"startMs",1331000,"endMs",1523000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3027802-2cd3d9374183e9516e69c3b51916ea34&start=1331&end=1523","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3027802-2cd3d9374183e9516e69c3b51916ea34/thumbnail_1331000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6600652/Victoria-City/Victoria-County/Texas/Votes-at-a-glance-council-reappointments-water-study-and-street-maintenance-awarded","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6600652-32e13dce4f34c40dd740b0922e58b333/orig.mp4?Expires=1771150199&Signature=iHO2ufl-lOkYIcxK7~5cU9E494bf2TmZVRnh-V4pL1-zMLGHp02RFpvJYOTTQkmVYQU6ogAJ7RnWvbtiC9BV7qNkC90C49ji8PdkTB0WfE2iv193iBPM8AUTDexC1TqXD86bDpt-Yi-Ya1wFgz7Fm-kJtN8GuX3~TJ2z2EHtUH2pAFMBsHIVoOjzfdhcPpG9OAXbZBKfw60jlm37UUta3GiWclA-pX1F8f5~6ljIElHvlKJPiFZMag8yLQrc349zZnTVwkaooYctWoqzCUPGCA3k~gxiBUNtH2zgtW5YQM-iQpaFTdndVWqOxYfVZ8-pnTybW6k-05sBhHNlDC0SOg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-04-16T11:34:56Z","article","The Victoria City Council approved several routine and project items during its April meeting. Key actions included the reappointment of the city’s health authority, approval of an engineering services agreement to study future water supplies, and award of a residential street maintenance contract.

Highlights

- Reappointment of Health Authority: The council unanimously approved a two‑year reappointment of Dr. John McNeil as the city health authority through April 2027. Staff said Dr. McNeil has served in the role since April 2015. The motion passed by voice vote; no individual roll call was recorded.

- Water supply feasibility study: The council approved a professional services agreement with CDM Smith Inc. for engineering services for a water supply feasibility and planning study in the amount of $299,900. Staff said the study will explore additional water supplies for the city. The vote passed by voice vote.

- Residential street maintenance: Council awarded the 2025 residential street maintenance project to Clark Construction of Texas Inc. in the amount of $3,425,450.60. Staff said the project covers about 8.9 miles of residential streets and includes chip‑seal and reclamation work; construction time was given as 180 calendar days with a start in May and anticipated completion in October. The motion passed by voice vote.

- Playground renovation: As part of the consent agenda, the council approved a contract not to exceed $362,745 for playground renovation and park improvements at Pine Street Park.

- Unified Development Ordinance amendment: Also on the consent agenda, the council moved forward an ordinance amending Chapter 21 (Unified Development Ordinance) on second and third readings; details of the amendment were recorded in the agenda packet and passed as part of the consent agenda.

All consent items and action items listed above passed on voice votes during the meeting. Individual roll‑call tallies were not provided in the meeting transcript for these items.

Why this matters: The actions reflect routine governance (reappointment of the health authority), planning for long‑term water supplies and continued investment in street maintenance and parks.

For reference: The agenda item identifiers were D2 (UDO amendment), D3 (Pine Street Park improvements), E1 (health authority reappointment), E2 (CDM Smith water study), and E3 (residential street maintenance award).","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Victoria City Council Meeting - 4/15/25","oneSentenceSummary","At its April meeting the Victoria City Council reappointed the city’s health authority, approved a water‑supply feasibility contract, awarded a residential street maintenance contract, and approved a playground renovation contract as part of a consent agenda.","taxTitle","Victoria City, Victoria County, Texas","taxId",9266,"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},6600658,"Public Safety Headquarters nears completion; city projects roughly $2 million in savings",1344,4080000,5424000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3027802-2cd3d9374183e9516e69c3b51916ea34&start=4080&end=5424","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3027802-2cd3d9374183e9516e69c3b51916ea34/thumbnail_4080000.jpg","/articles/6600658/Victoria-City/Victoria-County/Texas/Public-Safety-Headquarters-nears-completion-city-projects-roughly-2-million-in-savings","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6600658-672ad009763a833d76391748f7c3e3ec/orig.mp4?Expires=1771150199&Signature=RAya4woWBFvsBefaK9CIVIcsP1YXVD0bhd4v4p7A3T1crPyiJtXUcCDSsytOzWMTDjJ23qru2tq3TYbT7PxyELikxzrbswzVWq52RVW1tO~4V8xJu~kTSRQVvw6eNYA~2I0gZfn6ViJFBpwuCmg6BPYsUG~v0mT5tZ88gB5XEIa3dOKRnG6VJ~-Az6GE1X1QYlVDpjdtnsoycyUI4fUUHpX4xcm2mz-YZruRdAmwfszUCktpgt6xIpEsOD4fQfxdZW14wID1Cdzsu-aZ5o-Jy3CANEp-Wx38J43ihJ2n-ZN9Gv~ZFtwEK-WW4DHaJJYyaJzwSW-7aBG9ipImYFV2Uw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff told the Victoria City Council that construction of the new Public Safety Headquarters has reached major exterior milestones and remains on a timeline to allow occupancy in late 2025, while staff projected roughly $2 million in savings against the project budget.

City Manager Farrell presented drone photos of recent progress and said the exterior stone and brickwork are nearing completion. The building is organized into several functional areas including courtroom/area A, foyer/area B, community room/area C and vehicle bay/area D, and council members were shown site plans that include secured staff parking and public parking areas.

Staff reported a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) previously set at about $47.2 million and total original project budget including soft costs of roughly $52 million. Farrell said buyout savings, unused contingencies and other adjustments have produced projected savings that could reduce the final total to about $50 million — roughly $2 million less than the previously anticipated $52 million — while emphasizing there are still six months of work remaining and the projection could change.

The project team flagged one supply‑chain caveat: the building’s emergency generator was scheduled for delivery in mid‑September, after the project’s anticipated substantial completion date, which will delay move‑in of critical dispatch and emergency operations until the generator arrives. Farrell said the city now expects staff moves to begin in late September or October and to complete by the end of 2025.

Farrell attributed part of the favorable budget position to local subcontractor participation and competitive buyouts; he said approximately 19–26% of construction costs will go to local or regional subcontractors. The city also highlighted investments made in materials testing and commissioning — including expanded envelope (window) testing after initial sample testing identified leaks — to reduce long‑term maintenance risks.

Council members praised the project management approach, which includes biweekly on‑site coordination meetings, an owner's representative present at the job site daily, formal contingency controls and detailed materials testing, Farrell said. Staff said they will bring additional contract adjustments and furniture procurement to council in upcoming meetings.

Why this matters: The new Public Safety Headquarters will consolidate city public‑safety functions into a single facility; the projected savings, local subcontractor participation and the focus on testing and commissioning affect the project’s long‑term durability and local economic impact.

Next steps: Staff said it will return with any required contract amendments, furniture contracts and an updated occupancy schedule tied to delivery of the generator and completion of final commissioning.","City staff reported construction progress on the new Public Safety Headquarters, including an updated timeline, supply‑chain caveats for the generator, projected cost savings of roughly $2 million and substantial local subcontractor participation.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6600663,"Residents, council press for action as city outlines Queen City Park cleanup and safety efforts",1772,2312000,4084000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3027802-2cd3d9374183e9516e69c3b51916ea34&start=2312&end=4084","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3027802-2cd3d9374183e9516e69c3b51916ea34/thumbnail_2312000.jpg","/articles/6600663/Victoria-City/Victoria-County/Texas/Residents-council-press-for-action-as-city-outlines-Queen-City-Park-cleanup-and-safety-efforts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6600663-ccc896db29aca4affa763cee8a26cf77/orig.mp4?Expires=1771150199&Signature=Bb66t2Gx9Dq4xyKkYDBN2zG3KdZ2rvTKmEeWwXHvCQnQ2jI-fcBU6vZR1PHjWZFPfxknbylwtwPKbcdbfE77T-3jKeh0TT8EOQ-rg5-v-bv4~5~hKMiLjh1ROE9dYOe1R2g3ssjiyRfUMHk3UrEkWMS1Rvo932CZ~xfb45LHIiOmkB5JerWc1izPKskl6EuVGj2ZodR9eOLT-lQHB7UPwimDa0NCVF6blDf4nfYtpuUBMsDPtSNP1Bxe9WUehRq8FxobA0OUk4SKvvupJ1Dh3DyKZO5V-Zif-68NA4wBm4FxxaKfSxtbKZVDWN14QgCd2lMvZia1mEDTgcEaXGM2Og__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Victoria City Council heard a multi‑department update on revitalization efforts around Queen City Park and heard council members and residents call for additional action to make the park “clean, drug‑free and safe,” staff said.

Parks and Recreation Director Lisa Wube presented recent engagement and cleanup work in the Queen City neighborhood, summarizing block walks, neighborhood cleanups, volunteer events and a community survey. Police leadership discussed enforcement statistics for the park area, and development services staff reviewed demographic and housing data for the census block group that overlaps the neighborhood.

The city’s neighborhood cleanup events drew significant volunteer participation, Wube said: one March cleanup serviced about 122 households and had roughly 200 volunteers; another cleanup at Will Rogers Park later in the year also recorded heavy participation. The city’s community survey of neighborhood residents returned about 120 responses. According to the survey and staff presentation, residents’ top priorities for the park were cleanliness, freedom from drugs and a sense of safety; requested amenities included a better playground and restrooms.

Development services presented census and American Community Survey (ACS) figures showing that the relevant block group (601.1) has about 1,240 residents; staff noted a demographic shift in low‑to‑moderate income measures between 2010 and 2020 but also cautioned that 2020 census counts have known pandemic‑era limitations and that ACS 2016–2020 figures show roughly 53% low‑to‑moderate income. Staff also reported 18 demolition orders in the Queen City area since 2017, representing approximately 11% of the city’s total demolitions in that period.

Police statistics presented at the meeting showed changes in part‑2 proactive offense numbers at Queen City Park: staff cited a drop in drug‑related proactive arrests from 43 in 2023 to 14 in 2024 and a total reduction from 51 to 21 in certain categories. Police leaders said the apparent reduction in some offenses was influenced by enforcement capacity: proactive enforcement requires available officers, and staffing shortages can lower proactive arrests even when problems persist. Officers identified the immediate area around the park — Navarro, Warren, Laurent and Red River — as the primary location for incidents reported in the presentation.

Council members and staff discussed Christ’s Kitchen, a nearby meal site that some council members identified as a contributing factor to daytime congregation near the park. The council directed staff to research how other cities handle similar situations, to engage Christ’s Kitchen in discussions and to report back with options. Chief Young and police staff said Christ’s Kitchen now uses two off‑duty officers during peak lunchtime feeds; the officers are paid by Christ’s Kitchen, staff said.

Council members asked staff to provide additional analysis, including whether recent arrests involved people living in the immediate neighborhood or from outside and whether camera monitoring or other tools should be considered. Several council members urged a coordinated strategy combining enforcement, social services and relocation options for services when appropriate.

Why this matters: The Queen City neighborhood’s residents told staff they want basic improvements — cleanliness, safety and drug‑free public spaces — and the council asked staff to outline concrete next steps and examples from other cities. Staff emphasized that revitalization requires both community engagement and resources, and that enforcement alone may not be sufficient.

Next steps: Staff will gather comparative practices from other cities, engage Christ’s Kitchen and return to council with options and requested data on recent arrests and addresses.","City staff presented crime data, cleanup efforts and a community survey for Queen City Park, where residents said they want the park clean, safe and drug‑free. Council members asked staff to explore further options including relocating nearby services and additional enforcement measures.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6600667,"Victoria council commits $2.06 million to match regional flood-mitigation grant",539,1792000,2331000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3027802-2cd3d9374183e9516e69c3b51916ea34&start=1792&end=2331","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3027802-2cd3d9374183e9516e69c3b51916ea34/thumbnail_1792000.jpg","/articles/6600667/Victoria-City/Victoria-County/Texas/Victoria-council-commits-206-million-to-match-regional-flood-mitigation-grant","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6600667-ca7aecd14b7d38295d43136cf58d2be4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771150199&Signature=hV6P84dQAE4y6nZs1b60BB-WNBXViFOwGgoUDOK681s9v5-P7uoUZer4gPLd-6k6uUYWzUZBaqr9ttLlSKczUnuszSJDkAFH5ZCoTiPouHKzkMwYeKYOlvy~KJlL46eQMcq57XqsK1s-2htFQitSAZ07Tr3A2vv5EHraGnZVyffysT0Uf7ixYDa6OzTEhVVkolIuOtOwW5AgH3PKAGNrdY-vfyEfOzPaMphJtZBktv~BBIWiZa0LoyspLs3aT~d1s8nv6ORVBQ15Z9FhWk2TtDf3w4ZnrO8N~u7e5t~WnMUX~qrFRLVVCOaDWSSak70uXtB4fbsT04yloSfcUecwrw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Victoria City Council voted to commit an additional $2,063,335.29 in local funds to support the city’s participation in the Texas General Land Office (GLO) Community Development Block Grant Regional Mitigation (CDBG‑MIT) program, city staff said.

City staff told the council the city’s GLO allocation is $19,524,900 and that the total cost of the three projects selected slightly exceeds that allocation. The resolution approved by the council authorizes the mayor and city manager to act as the city’s representatives in matters related to the CDBG‑MIT participation.

The projects identified for the CDBG‑MIT funding are: replacement of aging SCADA equipment to remotely monitor and control the city’s water and wastewater systems; a Lone Tree drainage improvement project that will construct an open‑channel outfall across Lone Tree Road to Lone Tree Creek; and replacement of the influent screening facility at the regional wastewater treatment plant to reduce clogs during storm events. City staff described the SCADA replacement as necessary because the existing system is “incredibly old,” has unavailable replacement parts and lacks remote access for quick response in critical conditions. The influent screen work, staff said, will improve pretreatment and reduce manual unclogging during storms.

Senior staff said the city submitted its allocation application to the GLO in November 2023 and has received a list of questions and requests for clarification from the GLO. Staff said they expect to respond to the outstanding RFIs by the end of the week and that the city is about “98%” complete with the responses; the next step would be contract execution with the GLO, after which project work can begin. City staff emphasized that applicants may not obligate or spend funds before a contract is executed.

Mayor Pro Tem and several council members praised the staff team for moving the application forward; staff publicly thanked internal staff members and outside consultants who helped prepare technical responses, mapping and project detail for dozens of lift stations and other assets.

The council approved the resolution by voice vote during the meeting. No individual vote tally was recorded in the minutes provided.

Why this matters: The projects are aimed specifically at reducing flood‑related hazards and at improving the resilience and operational reliability of Victoria’s water and wastewater systems. If the GLO executes the contract, the city’s local commitment will unlock federal funds targeted to mitigation projects tied to past flood events.

Next steps: City staff will finalize responses to the GLO’s RFIs, seek contract execution, and — subject to the contract — begin procurement and design work on the three mitigation projects.","The City of Victoria approved a local commitment to add $2,063,335.29 to a $19.5 million allocation from the Texas General Land Office for three flood-mitigation projects, and staff said final contract execution with the GLO is expected after outstanding information requests are answered.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: council reappointments, water study and street maintenance awarded

Public Safety Headquarters nears completion; city projects roughly $2 million in savings

Residents, council press for action as city outlines Queen City Park cleanup and safety efforts

Victoria council commits $2.06 million to match regional flood-mitigation grant