[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",6577946,"mediaKeyId","3089039-3d99e7e3ab45afff772d3b08ca167de4","parentId",3089039,"title","Public speakers press council on animal shelter operations; council praises shelter’s live‑release rate and asks staff to follow up","audioSeconds",7848,"startMs",396000,"endMs",8244000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3089039-3d99e7e3ab45afff772d3b08ca167de4&start=396&end=8244","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3089039-3d99e7e3ab45afff772d3b08ca167de4/thumbnail_396000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6577946/Rosenberg/Fort-Bend-County/Texas/Public-speakers-press-council-on-animal-shelter-operations-council-praises-shelters-liverelease-rate-and-asks-staff-to-follow-up","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6577946-2928cf09e666aeb1a57d789faaa11fba/orig.mp4?Expires=1770436878&Signature=VLkgjyNJan3SyS7k3HqguA7Un-tKKJmLJEVvMxHoAW0acti0h0sXJ-TzO-nwBQdl4HyM4JFB-3zJJ6NfRgfRFL-Xnn-JIJIX6rjAVWV7Pw4stc5KXSWcYuh3Skiai2Xk8kni2BOkgU3pCZhfpIMwT8iJ9EOUbFB6rKyPUfl50vGIiuTs-KoMfS6BOQauL5sfcmVwiaKf5okZErKPOWGnuoAE2EkPM9vEE75pmIht~2QlfidnaiFmY8LHRE0JB0dBkWyyeJZ0oShyjsjEBTMSCaVEw~7OQWFuhaZP4A0lZ36bxonpNKxAb1gQyIMMvlQU8WcopCI0b~wythBGF56WgA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Rosenberg","date","2025-04-22T00:00:00Z","article","Public comments and advisory‑board members at Tuesday’s Rosenberg City Council workshop focused on several long‑running issues at the Rosenberg Animal Shelter: stalled standard operating procedures, an outside nonprofit offer to provide pro‑bono consulting, and concerns about how the animal advisory board is operating.

Multiple residents and volunteers urged the council to accept a pro‑bono consulting offer from the nonprofit Friends for Life. Claudine Vass, who said she introduced the nonprofit to the shelter advisory board, said Friends for Life offered a “complimentary consultation along with a detailed plan valued at around $60,000” and that the group had not yet been given a site tour. Karen Shillop and other volunteers described steady volunteer activity, adoption support and the need for clearer shelter minutes after a 45‑minute presentation was summarized in the board minutes as a single sentence.

Several commenters said a recent advisory‑board meeting became heated and asked the council to investigate. Dr. Larry Wilkinson told the council he was at the advisory‑board meeting and said the board had become dysfunctional; others said a veterinarian adviser expressed disagreement and had resigned. The council acknowledged the dispute and asked staff to review meeting audio and minutes. Councilmember remarks noted that advisory‑board membership and meeting procedure (what items can be placed on the board agenda) have been a recurring issue.

Staff provided a month‑end report for March showing 79 intakes and 84 outcomes in March, and a live‑release rate of 90.5% for the month; staff also reported outcomes by species and described recent rescue transfers. The shelter director noted adoption events were held and that the shelter participates in external adoption efforts; staff highlighted a Kendra Scott fundraising/adoption event and a community spay/neuter effort scheduled at George Junior High that aims to sterilize up to an estimated 500–600 animals and will provide vaccinations and microchipping.

Mayor William Benton read a proclamation recognizing Animal Control Appreciation Week and acknowledged staff and volunteers. Several speakers asked the council to accept and act on outside assistance from Friends for Life; City staff said they will work to schedule a site tour and follow up on the offer. The council moved to acknowledge and commend the shelter’s reported performance; a motion to recognize the shelter’s results and to take the public comments under advisement was made and seconded, and the meeting record indicates the council adopted that motion before adjournment.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Rosenberg - City Council Workshop Meeting - Apr 22, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Public speakers and advisory‑board members urged Rosenberg city leaders to accept outside, pro‑bono assistance and to resolve advisory‑board dysfunction as staff reported a March live‑release rate above 90% and described recent rescue transfers and spay/neuter efforts.","taxTitle","Rosenberg, Fort Bend County, Texas","taxId",54260,"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},6577937,"Council directs staff to revise display‑device rules after downtown business asks to keep feather flags",1010,3642000,4652000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3089039-3d99e7e3ab45afff772d3b08ca167de4&start=3642&end=4652","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3089039-3d99e7e3ab45afff772d3b08ca167de4/thumbnail_3642000.jpg","/articles/6577937/Rosenberg/Fort-Bend-County/Texas/Council-directs-staff-to-revise-displaydevice-rules-after-downtown-business-asks-to-keep-feather-flags","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6577937-85c6d545cd2a98974831094228c21495/orig.mp4?Expires=1770436878&Signature=L4e8ioT8RmE8uX~wZ84a68D~L1HvUdN6SNuAfV32GqfnK9ErchH5NjOnOLWYhhfsGFVF7P-TfC2E-Jsk71VjVBP75-d1~kwbYzNuBJRtWTPUT7HxrER1H3F7LLGf6CRAx~hXZYPynyYMmAAL~z3EFGn4llg--eqeibw2l8RacStitGhPcBcEiu9O5eeP-nv1LSPMDpTg~xd7fMg9xkTAwPXm0PDwqBzXrHWmAk9Xd9KKY0TcSHdEIjowUm0b6FEIcBRWVo7QexVsqcQj9g8CUpxn119hQKlzjYDA8cYcM0w8SQD3Zf9606yeRtwkiBWE7ol9OoIYhwMtgs26CTY~lg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A downtown barber and other speakers asked the city to clarify its display‑device rules after the council removed the word “festoon” from the banned‑device list at a prior meeting.

Rocky Olgene, who owns a barbershop on Avenue G, told the council that a feather flag (also described in the discussion as a “swooper” or feather flag) helped attract new customers and that such banners are not the dictionary definition of a festoon. City staff noted that the Unified Development Code currently defines a “display device” to include “a festoon, a device designed to spin or twirl, accepting balloons and flags … and other items designed to attract attention.” The council previously voted to permit current festoons temporarily until the code can be revised.

Councilmembers and the city attorney’s office discussed the difficulty of enforcing a broad catch‑all phrase —“other items designed to attract attention”—and the need to be specific so small businesses are not subject to disproportionate fines. Heather (city attorney) reminded the council that the definition describes prohibited devices and enforcement can carry fines up to $200 per day. Councilmembers proposed adding explicit language to allow feather flags and to require removal after business closing hours; they asked staff to prepare a draft ordinance revision with clear examples of prohibited items rather than a vague catch‑all.

On the question of geographic scope, the council discussed whether to allow feather flags only in a downtown district or across the entire city. A 4–2 preference emerged during the workshop in favor of permitting feather flags citywide with time restrictions (take down after closing) and clearer, narrower prohibitions for other attention‑getting devices. Staff will prepare revised UDC language for a future workshop or ordinance.","Following public comment from a downtown business owner, Rosenberg council directed staff to revise the Unified Development Code to clarify prohibited display devices and to prepare language that would allow feather flags subject to time limits.",{"_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},6577942,"Council asks staff to study potential dog‑park sites; parks board had ranked dog park fourth",381,3030000,3411000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3089039-3d99e7e3ab45afff772d3b08ca167de4&start=3030&end=3411","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3089039-3d99e7e3ab45afff772d3b08ca167de4/thumbnail_3030000.jpg","/articles/6577942/Rosenberg/Fort-Bend-County/Texas/Council-asks-staff-to-study-potential-dogpark-sites-parks-board-had-ranked-dog-park-fourth","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6577942-8b21b3cf8b9fed1ce5d79caa3fe49aa7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770436878&Signature=cxd572Dy7gm6yVI5Q05KzJsxvrM9Q1XI1LwxuxjJJwk8BlGKzWBn87fjFxj-OcAo7Iy2SDbkgqaOzlc~y3puIggREj29id5EBnH5YIWMMnXnKOjEixu7HgkWeqmnCvHW-zECea5dxAtQM5JFTXioD7uOT6S7XG43r4~aJynA8LcRZowZBEZWi8gkZfHfvAiiiLGJlpFj7Ljsk4IIg9liebVAksh8t8bfe-uHKXgoFr9oto8gFdRP78iEnN~ZuIAbFDUMDDCfdMh99JtpjZLq89qEWAKhrOLDeIVvtdm-h3NmGBHgxIkh732W9nziU8LvfYfhADCuNrlHApdNGj1U6w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Council reviewed a staff request to evaluate locations for a city dog park and asked parks staff to return with options drawn from existing city‑owned property.

The parks and recreation board had previously prioritized projects with skate and art park first, soccer fields second, baseball parks third and dog parks fourth. At the council workshop, Mayor William Benton said he wanted staff to consider whether an acre or two within an existing park—preferably on the south side of the freeway—would work. City parks staff (Carrie) and council members discussed size and amenities; one suggestion was to split two acres into separate spaces for small and large dogs.

Council members expressed support for a modest, low‑cost dog park and asked staff to work with the parks board and report back with sites and rough cost estimates. No formal appropriation or timeline was adopted at the meeting.","Council instructed parks staff to identify city‑owned properties for a potential one‑to‑two‑acre dog park, preferably on the south side of the freeway, and to report back; the parks and recreation board had listed a dog park among several prioritized projects.",{"_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},6577949,"Council asks developer to return after discussion of water and sewer service outside city limits",589,751000,1340000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3089039-3d99e7e3ab45afff772d3b08ca167de4&start=751&end=1340","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3089039-3d99e7e3ab45afff772d3b08ca167de4/thumbnail_751000.jpg","/articles/6577949/Rosenberg/Fort-Bend-County/Texas/Council-asks-developer-to-return-after-discussion-of-water-and-sewer-service-outside-city-limits","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6577949-ac2061c5027f0601baa302da0dd40606/orig.mp4?Expires=1770436878&Signature=FWhqm7eTZ-pepRqX0dsbVegM0NAvcFLretnpmdUpV1qEWOmz01wD6U1H7uXRQvArfPiTPguHpGFGSPawqYc61e4Tju~nf0LsO4C9iplZjEzamBb6H6go9isY0QslejGR3l3GN4-XCNzRySYof9Ox8bmh-yVUdlWX4BX61l85iOcqFlT3sMFug6t2~wvsI2XNPqIVl6CiLmkohp6yT0ZHfkO-c72~6DVG9VEQwP-LXmJ1cCd76LU9hmzDMAKPMRibpLHEdFnc8t1m8jW-oLYq2XTEPi5em998lk1ncxF2uW8E5kvl4zzxZoMnWdxJe0ol3J99iJM2wbcOG0W3~Wgc3g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Council reviewed a formal request from Trustwise Equity seeking city water and sanitary sewer service for a 6.638‑acre parcel in the city’s extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) at the northwest corner of Baymoor Road and Stella Road.

City planning staff said the county is nearly finished constructing a 16‑inch water line on Stella Road and that water service to the parcel would require an extension of that line along Baymoor; a sanitary sewer extension would require a sanitary sewer easement from Fort Bend County. Rigo told the council: “Section 29‑31 of the code of ordinance requires city council to approve any request for water and and sewer outside the city limits.” The staff recommendation noted the developer did not want to petition for voluntary annexation.

Council members repeatedly asked why the developer preferred to remain in the ETJ rather than annex into Rosenberg, and whether there would be any ongoing maintenance obligations for the city. Staff replied the developer would be responsible for the costs of water and sewer extensions, permits and tap/impact fees, and said the city would need to work with Fort Bend County on easements. Councilmembers asked that the developer attend a future council meeting to answer questions about the project, the business plan and whether annexation would be possible.

The council moved to defer final action and invited the developer to return to explain the reasons for remaining in the ETJ and to provide additional details; staff will schedule the developer to appear at the next available agenda or a workshop.","A developer requested municipal water and sewer for a 6.638‑acre parcel in Rosenberg’s ETJ; staff said city code requires council approval for utilities outside city limits and the council asked the developer to appear at a later meeting to answer questions about annexation and infrastructure easements.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6577953,"Council gives preliminary support to Hand Track plan, asks staff to draft development-agreement details",1608,1330000,2938000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3089039-3d99e7e3ab45afff772d3b08ca167de4&start=1330&end=2938","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3089039-3d99e7e3ab45afff772d3b08ca167de4/thumbnail_1330000.jpg","/articles/6577953/Rosenberg/Fort-Bend-County/Texas/Council-gives-preliminary-support-to-Hand-Track-plan-asks-staff-to-draft-development-agreement-details","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6577953-c813c63b751e17b057dc90f6c54c651d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770436878&Signature=X7QH3vHPTe1ungTMKnlyGHJ3iBo07k0vSPmrIqi4QSMK~Z-g6ThdzNVAHOlweUfVo73QATqw1PaqknsxL0I2kuf6V3TWhs~l0W2~vuILsWBuc-ByFy9mMogOFVBgV2XHlJK5DTpkgOllaQHyquBt4j6GUZdftP0OiX4i5UqZCGzJeh3T0Mqcx2Gkb53-e3M6uuyojRxvaoeRn9ckXXYBjR9uRrMx7vCeIncFIjj61JkSTF2SjbM0JNjEign4OOXLJeud6hu5opJvuZ80oeixkmF1MOS007W-xMISK9~68lyVygDqB5SaEJyKLm~YFKJHPgTRgufiAR9DLlFTL0oqfA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Rosenberg Mayor William Benton and a majority of city council members on Tuesday signaled support for folding a proposed single‑family development, called Hand Track, into the existing Brookwater development agreement — subject to further negotiations and technical edits.

The developer, represented by attorney Richard Moller and a Beazer Homes team, asked the council to let the new land be developed under Brookwater’s standards with two specific modifications: require a portion of 70‑foot lots, and accept a compromise street width of 32 feet instead of the city’s current 36‑foot standard. The application covers roughly 396.8 acres split between the city limits and the city’s extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ).

The request matters because, as Moller told the council, the current city‑limit strip runs through the tract and “is not very conducive to lot layout,” creating a patchwork where one side of a street could be inside the city and the other side outside. Moller said his team proposes to “reconfigure the city limit” so the project reads as a single, cohesive neighborhood and to guarantee minimum percentages of larger lots inside the city portion.

Council members pressed the developer and staff on several points: whether annexation would be preferable, who would maintain detention ponds within the revised city limits, and how many homes would be taxable city property under the proposal. City planner Rigo and the development team said the change would give the city the right to annex the area in the future, that Brookwater or the municipal utility district would generally maintain infrastructure, and that the revised plan includes about 788 lots with widths ranging from 40 to 70 feet and a minimum of 10% 70‑foot lots in the area that would remain (or later become) city territory.

Councilmember concerns centered on the amount of detention (stormwater) located inside the city after the reconfiguration, and on maintaining consistent street and lot standards across the wider Brookwater community. Several council members said they would reluctantly accept the 32‑foot local‑street compromise so the development would be uniform; others urged the developer to remove some detention ponds to increase taxable lots.

In the discussion the council did not take a final vote on an ordinance or development agreement; instead the council expressed a working consensus (reported during the meeting as roughly 4–2 among members present) to direct staff to work with the developer and the city attorney to finalize the proposed amendment to the Brookwater development agreement and to return to council with the written documents for formal action.

Mayor Benton asked staff and the city attorney to review the draft agreement and exhibits thoroughly and bring a refined item back for formal consideration.","Rosenberg council signaled majority support for amending the Brookwater development agreement to add roughly 396 acres proposed as the Hand Track subdivision, with conditions on lot sizes, street widths and a city-limit reconfiguration; council directed staff and the developer to refine the agreement for a future formal action.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Public speakers press council on animal shelter operations; council praises shelter’s live‑release rate and asks staff to follow up

Council directs staff to revise display‑device rules after downtown business asks to keep feather flags

Council asks staff to study potential dog‑park sites; parks board had ranked dog park fourth

Council asks developer to return after discussion of water and sewer service outside city limits

Council gives preliminary support to Hand Track plan, asks staff to draft development-agreement details