[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6070420,"mediaKeyId","3050509-93308a63e2fe63d80cda0eb4fd051f2d","parentId",3050509,"title","Santa Fe EDC introduces new executive director, outlines incentives and BEAR grant priorities","audioSeconds",163,"startMs",1377000,"endMs",1540000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3050509-93308a63e2fe63d80cda0eb4fd051f2d&start=1377&end=1540","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3050509-93308a63e2fe63d80cda0eb4fd051f2d/thumbnail_1377000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6070420/Santa-Fe/Galveston-County/Texas/Santa-Fe-EDC-introduces-new-executive-director-outlines-incentives-and-BEAR-grant-priorities","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6070420-8ddfce6deefc4dcf1ce0e0e43071ba5e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771174917&Signature=c8truWHeHRWo7Sm09~gpqRhhmXhLy42-N3rJOAtAcy6wzNsUcjb-yabgZabvQIvVyfv1TrBeONyMTVWIdPv9F0bFOzcAz7uodEiz5tmpEqFB32orc5BU81l6K8OxSAQEuxMGakD1cOKFcedwcTvuhnbHiwERICDnRsC40-t5CvLrLE5HEnocA6Y7XGsupchxSVDsk~IgbU3tHKwAE6lWJIPHs1fT4F5jBMpMOOIDceoc2hisxm0VqEbEWotoaW38b-U4bzft6xNUXlrqz85wYGrGEcQh1KdnW3nEnhEKL~b588XBWnn4iyzjTn2xOkmhvjQ9fUYpdIJ5dKJPk-Cycg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","CITY OF SANTA FE","date","2025-04-11T00:00:00Z","article","The Santa Fe Economic Development Corporation's board president, Bob Wiley, introduced Devin Depasco to the City Council on April 10 as the EDC's new executive director. Depasco said he had been on the job about two weeks and described early priorities for the EDC.

\"You guys are in the way of predictable growth,\" Depasco told the council, and said the EDC should choose whether to be reactive or proactive. He identified three near-term priorities: raise the operational floor for the EDC; create an incentive policy; and streamline internal processes (including facility- and data-related materials, such as the EDC website) to make Santa Fe easier to market to developers and site selectors.

Depasco said the EDC had launched a Facebook page and would pursue LinkedIn for external marketing. He encouraged prospective businesses to use the city EDC webpage (santafatex.gov/economic) and said he would be accessible on LinkedIn.

Council members asked about the BEAR grant program (business incentives discussed by the EDC). Depasco said he supports reinvesting incentives into \"hard assets\" such as façade improvements and utility connections that remain in the community if a business relocates or leaves, rather than unconstrained cash grants. He said a few tweaks in messaging and program design could help target investment toward long-term community benefit.

Board president Bob Wiley said the EDC had been searching for the right candidate and that Depasco had begun work immediately. Council members thanked both and asked staff and EDC to continue examining equitable outreach to businesses not affiliated with the Chamber of Commerce.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Santa Fe City Council Regular Meeting April 11, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Santa Fe Economic Development Corporation introduced Devin Depasco as its new executive director; Depasco outlined short-term priorities including an incentive policy, streamlining processes and adjustments to the BEAR grant program.","taxTitle","Santa Fe, Galveston County, Texas","taxId",69481,"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},6070424,"Council debates $158K–$272K wood chipper purchase; no action taken, staff directed to include on CIP",1503,2608000,4111000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3050509-93308a63e2fe63d80cda0eb4fd051f2d&start=2608&end=4111","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3050509-93308a63e2fe63d80cda0eb4fd051f2d/thumbnail_2608000.jpg","/articles/6070424/Santa-Fe/Galveston-County/Texas/Council-debates-158K272K-wood-chipper-purchase-no-action-taken-staff-directed-to-include-on-CIP","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6070424-cfd41eea114d49cb68d8dd3cfb55bb2e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771174917&Signature=PVxQKRQ~0os3dhXi9CyRYexQB6v4lFdWfqRLbKW1FpIJ~pU4PKDXu~CxcyaU16kyyQOD2L5~gEPV3-HqW3WPNo59I0uUCKHPiPn8ktHzlgZ9Mz~Eu6Bk0iGjLqeDr-t2sbYxF7qoxnrmnd-FHSTYbzLvyl1XciMZpoAAxwBZnDzV9bK6uEAhu6b35Gs~W1vj8nl7mluWgXYuNtNqk7rP17MYC8twU8imYwD3LL7SBVv2chfrCn7wHANJkBcoRs6Jp1ky29VV32pVxKmqI0M4hRIoNpxuRAE9~rEFcu3TWQqW~11ksqVdCwbPzdturJh9CGenhRdWnglDqqc6J1c0NQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Council members debated April 10 whether to buy a 21-inch drum wood chipper for the street/maintenance department and did not approve a purchase at the meeting. Instead, the council directed staff to place the item on the capital improvement plan for further discussion.

Public-works staff presented two primary options: a winch-equipped chipper (presented price about $158,000) and a crane-equipped remote-control chipper (presented price in the transcript around $272,000). Public-works staff and council discussed differences in capability and safety — the crane model allows remote feed and a 21-foot reach, while the winch model could require a second piece of equipment on site. Staff highlighted a two-year warranty for both machines and noted availability was short (dealer yard stock, roughly one-week lead time).

Financial context influenced council deliberations. Rudy (city management/finance) told council that funds are available in capital-improvement balances and that final FEMA storm-reimbursement receipts (approximately $400,000 expected) and year-end surplus could cover purchases, but buying the chipper would require a budget amendment because it was not in the current CIP. Members questioned trade-offs: the same money could be used to repair drainage, replace culverts and buy other prioritized equipment. Council also noted a temporary rental/chipping cost had been estimated at about $40,000 for a prior event; staff said repeated rentals could exceed the cost of a capital purchase.

Council members asked staff to gather additional information, including outreach to neighboring jurisdictions on how they manage brush/chipping costs and more detailed estimates for drainage projects. The council agreed to revisit the item during CIP discussions and the next budget cycle; no purchase motion passed this evening.

","Council discussed purchasing a 21-inch drum wood chipper (two configuration options) but took no purchase action. Staff was directed to include the purchase in capital-improvement planning for later consideration and to explore alternatives including rentals, interlocal cooperation and drainage projects.",{"_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},6070429,"Council approves first reading to adopt state electrical code cycle, dissolve local electrical board",303,2333000,2636000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3050509-93308a63e2fe63d80cda0eb4fd051f2d&start=2333&end=2636","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3050509-93308a63e2fe63d80cda0eb4fd051f2d/thumbnail_2333000.jpg","/articles/6070429/Santa-Fe/Galveston-County/Texas/Council-approves-first-reading-to-adopt-state-electrical-code-cycle-dissolve-local-electrical-board","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6070429-da7e4962de2c2404f7323d01b92f8b1f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771174917&Signature=QKF0829ErqDF7yhVulmpx5rHhuzSg1shz-lRbic17kBH6Qm-kjo1qLn5MzKDfwt4NDxTpLNg7hru5PjJGwJ-dX7beWAAL5jRJPhNIiSue6yzMGC96mREX52XIIZGzrCvWI8BNSH15lMU-3GukQQAq7Fm1~X8txR2cQ3jeL~Mv63whp0xrVQ7NqA3niBZ13m6HHMRiX2E1nU7IOZletVIfD0iR0zMXxbAvCeOgqnZjzJzS0mVGI~DwE1p7vfecY0uANJehoW9i~LMoxwKQOpfnloJVF~qcOW-nxlmBkjgyrNrapYmwnU-yxhZxOLa7BQ22~M-IXvWpTNfCBpgx0OKGw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Council approved the first reading April 10 of an ordinance that will: update the city's electrical code to follow the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) adoption cycle and repeal municipal language establishing a local electrical board.

Georgia (city attorney) and staff said the National Electrical Code (published by NFPA) is regularly revised. The proposed ordinance adopts the TDLR adoption cycle so the city's local code remains current with the state's three-year cycle and the same standards electricians use in practice. Staff recommended repealing the city's 1982 electrical board because, they said, the board's functions (examining and licensing applicants) have been superseded by state regulation; no active board members currently sit on the municipal board, and staff could not locate minutes or agendas demonstrating the board's recent use.

Councilmember motioned and seconded adoption of the first reading. The roll-call vote was unanimous in favor.

The action dissolves the local electrical board and delegates future code updates to follow the state adoption process; the ordinance will return to council for a second reading before final adoption.

","Council approved first reading of an ordinance aligning the city's electrical code with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation adoption cycle and repealing the local electrical board established in 1982.",{"_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},6070434,"Council approves 2024 annual comprehensive financial report after auditor flags timing issue",340,2033000,2373000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3050509-93308a63e2fe63d80cda0eb4fd051f2d&start=2033&end=2373","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3050509-93308a63e2fe63d80cda0eb4fd051f2d/thumbnail_2033000.jpg","/articles/6070434/Santa-Fe/Galveston-County/Texas/Council-approves-2024-annual-comprehensive-financial-report-after-auditor-flags-timing-issue","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6070434-78c1a64824a5422a19df8c5bb6f51bfe/orig.mp4?Expires=1771174917&Signature=Qa1mavMo3Y1Z5aA27-OcOo~5C-c-c3VOT8iDkaVwUFUN05d-3S3tDygjp2tLJOZTyJ2dQoJ~Pjri~yjz-1Vv9exHxQYZNAvAzUYa3ubbJRsYiERamYkDyQD~advz5hKnqb-damknL2mST9gfIQbAyjAPjchczihXqEeRogNG86qM1dkEcxNX7RvIBWsNMzYwe~ZIsD1Z6Ug0IFwFSuysBRLdTry6sPkkzW6g3IutQnGbeNWsbtVwO869eW87epQYpw~3ku9tMOi1NCXK0h6wEJpdmIkt9fE~2wmbLfIFSA1Y4yYZ5rNYPy9ADJPk4RmiDkg-2BgfzZqxermQqrFoCg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Santa Fe City Council voted April 10 to approve the city's Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30, 2024.

Anna Gallardo, partner with auditing firm Carr, Riggs & Ingram, summarized the firm's work and told the council the auditors issued a modified opinion on the financial statements and a separate modified opinion on compliance for one federal program. Gallardo said the auditors found no material misstatements and no findings related to the single-audit compliance test for COVID-19 federal funding, but they did note a procedural control deficiency tied to timing of expense recognition.

Gallardo explained the issue: some expenses tied to the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) project for Avenue P were recorded in October rather than in the September fiscal year when the expenses were incurred. That mistiming reduced reported expenses and payables for the fiscal year and required audit adjustments. The auditors and staff prepared a corrective action plan that acting city management signed, and Gallardo said the city remains a low-risk auditee.

Council accepted the report by motion and roll call. The recorded roll-call votes were all yes. Council discussion emphasized that no funds were missing and that staff had already implemented a corrective action plan to adjust procedures and avoid a repeat.

The council also received that the report was filed with the Government Finance Officers Association and that the single-audit work covered the federal COVID-19 funding; no compliance breaches were identified.

","Council accepted the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2024; auditors issued a modified opinion on compliance timing and recommended a corrective action plan related to accruals for ARPA-funded Avenue P work.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":103,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6070439,"Santa Fe council adopts consolidated tobacco ordinance in final reading",177,1856000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3050509-93308a63e2fe63d80cda0eb4fd051f2d&start=1856&end=2033","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3050509-93308a63e2fe63d80cda0eb4fd051f2d/thumbnail_1856000.jpg","/articles/6070439/Santa-Fe/Galveston-County/Texas/Santa-Fe-council-adopts-consolidated-tobacco-ordinance-in-final-reading","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6070439-93b8258bbda54b1f58e80485ca76eda2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771174917&Signature=Lxet87581m4aKjSktC2YOSP8KuqYCCovt19kKZ~2cCntiMMhFTEtPEUCE3cVgLhTMYusGEuY8BxAAQJGEFMrtGdrxwhjjOhWuu5nhWx2iXdIVm-hJq0KV3iA3-tNFJQzb4YDXxeoYYZ9OPZ1NTdi2zNVfu17q25Z-d~Rw6MCl7xdFrI8Ovr3QqG6B6e2LzrTnw-w8dINjHXYcZDiysCxKb03taQbZ2ff2WtkSG0idn3BgT6fKOjDCTJzv4He6YLVJqzA0L9qoFag~~rDr302VsLWNMz8-5W5vz62TT800MomgBBRu7jpWzisHq~mTpsKLjt-o4G7OBaPDBY89OuO0w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Santa Fe City Council voted unanimously April 10 to adopt an ordinance that consolidates and updates the city's tobacco regulations, combining two prior ordinances and adding definitions, advertising and minor-sales provisions.

The ordinance repeals Chapter 1, Section 23 (possession of tobacco products by minors) and amends Chapter 6, Section 9 (smoking in public places) to rename it \"Regulation of Tobacco Products and Use,\" add new definitions and set rules for vending machines, advertising and proximity of sales. The second and final reading passed by roll call with all council members voting yes.

Georgia (city attorney) said the draft resolves several previously \"gray areas\" in the city's tobacco rules by adding definitions the council had requested. There were no additional changes suggested at the previous meeting, she said.

The council took the action after a standard motion and roll call vote. Council recorded votes in favor were: Council member Dickerson; Council member Janette (Mayor Pro Tem); Council member Marks; Council member Schrader; and Council member McKinney. The ordinance will take effect on the date stated in the adopted text.

The updated ordinance centralizes tobacco rules to make future reference and enforcement simpler for staff and regulated businesses, Georgia said. The change does not eliminate enforcement; it relocates and clarifies provisions and criminal penalties that previously were split across separate sections.

The council moved on to other agenda items after the vote.

","The City Council approved on second and final reading a consolidated ordinance updating definitions, advertising and minor-sale rules and enforcement related to tobacco products.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Santa Fe EDC introduces new executive director, outlines incentives and BEAR grant priorities

Council debates $158K–$272K wood chipper purchase; no action taken, staff directed to include on CIP

Council approves first reading to adopt state electrical code cycle, dissolve local electrical board

Council approves 2024 annual comprehensive financial report after auditor flags timing issue

Santa Fe council adopts consolidated tobacco ordinance in final reading