[{"_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",6547415,"mediaKeyId","3634949-dfc97a379da2da19d0dba7a5ae5d991d","parentId",3634949,"title","Aransas Pass council approves design and infrastructure contracts, award for welcome sign; votes summarized","audioSeconds",1213,"startMs",2994000,"endMs",4207000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3634949-dfc97a379da2da19d0dba7a5ae5d991d&start=2994&end=4207","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3634949-dfc97a379da2da19d0dba7a5ae5d991d/thumbnail_2994000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6547415/Aransas-Pass/Nueces-County/Texas/Aransas-Pass-council-approves-design-and-infrastructure-contracts-award-for-welcome-sign-votes-summarized","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6547415-22ca78f6fb3193b3eb0c0c7bfb081cb4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771122088&Signature=UsPnHdB4el~B4VbiPBfDXdbyljS656v6FooHtyCrf4o0oTAyuaCO6gOWlJsYFHZ49AOthrQ20zpzX5dYB2key3xwNwH-66u4C-ZY6n1XFyNeYXpJUzZuBcPJq2jm8V4hPlPY3z9c1-hnpSCrRTO3ViTBSQB-emdMoAkVQt1C85w89xR631V7HomWFitBKLrFHa~bqg10ooYcZOdg7yZTtR1-NarGzyLXZYyGWFMFAwdZIowBD3EmJu-a2kYDdjvUX-kTjWmzpwhfHqb2UKefMdBCOBABirnl-9tYutw2n8upCI35NozF6m7IOODUkBfwoGjHOHj2dRScdDul54vGhQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Aransas Pass TX","date","2025-06-03T02:42:23.86Z","article","Aransas Pass City Council on June 3 approved several professional services and procurement actions, appointed members to the Planning and Zoning Commission and renewed an equipment-sharing agreement for the police department.

The council voted to begin contract negotiations with Chesney Morales Partners for architectural and engineering services to design a remodel and living quarters at the police and fire station; approved a $491,172 engineering contract with K Freeze & Associates for the Sherwood Forest water and sewer Phase 3 work; renewed the city police department's participation in the Defense Logistics Agency disposition program that provides access to surplus equipment; approved a contract-rate pass-through that will raise residential trash collection by about $0.40 per month under the city’s existing contract; and awarded an RFP for a city “welcome” sign not to exceed $240,000, funded by the Municipal Development District sales-tax funds.

The council majority approved each item by voice vote; in several cases no roll-call tally was recorded in the meeting minutes. City staff said the Chesney Morales negotiations will take about a month and that the finalized contract, including price, will return to council for approval. The Sherwood Forest engineering work is funded with proceeds from the sale of the LWR property and Industrial District Agreement funding, staff said. The Defense Logistics Agency agreement was described by staff as enabling continued access to surplus items used by the police department, including a tactical vehicle the department keeps for high-water response.

Council members and staff also approved consent minutes for May 13 (special) and May 19 (regular) by voice vote and announced there were no actions taken during the subsequent executive session.

Votes at a glance
- Begin contract negotiations with Chesney Morales Partners (police and fire station design): approved (voice vote; contract to be returned in ~1 month for price approval).
- Approve K Freeze & Associates contract for Sherwood Forest Water & Sewer Phase 3, $491,172: approved (voice vote). Funding: LWR property sale and IDA funds.
- Renew agreement with Defense Logistics Agency Disposition Services (police participation in surplus equipment/lease program): approved (voice vote).
- Approve automatic contract price pass-through for residential garbage service (Frontier/Absolute Waste), approximately $0.40/month per residential customer: approved (voice vote).
- Award RFP 2025-004 for Aransas Pass welcome sign, not to exceed $240,000 (funded by Municipal Development District sales tax): approved (voice vote; council asked staff to return with insurance/maintenance costs and safety/parking analysis).
- Approve request for qualifications award to Chesney Morales Partners (architectural/engineering): approved (voice vote).
- Approve contract award authorization for welcome sign (RFP 2025-004): approved (voice vote).
- Approve contract for Sherwood Forest engineering services (K Freeze & Associates), $491,172: approved (voice vote).
- Approve consent agenda (May 13 and May 19 minutes): approved (voice vote).

Why it matters: the engineering and design contracts move multi-year capital projects toward design and construction, including water and sewer infrastructure for Sherwood Forest and a remodel of emergency facilities. The welcome-sign award commits MDD sales-tax dollars to a tourism/branding project; council members requested additional information about insurance, ongoing maintenance and safe parking before construction begins.

What’s next: The Chesney Morales Partners contract will return to council with negotiated pricing; staff will report back with insurance and maintenance estimates and a safety/parking analysis for the welcome sign before construction permits are sought.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting 06/02/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Aransas Pass City Council on June 3 approved several professional services and procurement actions, appointed members to the Planning and Zoning Commission and renewed an equipment-sharing agreement for the police department.","taxTitle","Aransas Pass, Nueces County, Texas","taxId",57358,"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},6547405,"Council hears residents’ safety concerns over overgrown alleys; staff to revise ordinance and pursue abatements",167,1494000,1661000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3634949-dfc97a379da2da19d0dba7a5ae5d991d&start=1494&end=1661","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3634949-dfc97a379da2da19d0dba7a5ae5d991d/thumbnail_1494000.jpg","/articles/6547405/Aransas-Pass/Nueces-County/Texas/Council-hears-residents-safety-concerns-over-overgrown-alleys-staff-to-revise-ordinance-and-pursue-abatements","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6547405-cf2c6867446be87a8f4ec6059bcafb2a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771122088&Signature=Ko3Vkx366G77nIEabT62lwpgZtC5gDBQuh4uC1Fa4coPC8YDokornCze5z1YSd6Tp0YyK2DL~ecqV8~xSDY2aEhd4NiM4-oCi8wOp-Vecj2jse9ls8GoiphMhZZXZMgzLTbZxQ2cPloTrznqRyqpyViWUuLdBWIb-gtv9bYTsVpKbxlkEow4Oy2iMU6IUzMOxBgOQSor203hGbw7bYrJpWXmfxxzDhBQQly~G6UvJ6BXjJTn8jPxzmkcoib2IujZou9c4uUcF0WR4nzlIe00F7G~PSD5SEIP4e-ou1yWP9oikk0HXlq4ZJyeEM1aswEQ7PcS-yZ5bARLnYBZO~ADpg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Residents and councilmembers spent a substantial portion of the June 3 meeting discussing overgrown alleyways, drainage problems, and the city’s abatement process after multiple citizens raised safety concerns and reported downed power lines and potential homeless encampments.

Councilmember Ruth Camarillo Smith brought the item forward and presented resident complaints about alley overgrowth that, she said, can impede emergency access and has left at least one power line down for years. Several residents supplied photographs and cited specific blocks, including West Matlock between 11th–13th streets, where overgrowth and soft sand in rear alleys have created deep ruts and “bellies” that could trap heavy vehicles.

Joseph Garza, the city’s building official, said staff is revising the city ordinance to strengthen code-enforcement procedures, add language about abatement contractors and improve scheduling and lien processes. Garza said contractors are currently the more feasible option because they maintain and supply equipment city crews do not have; he said abatements allow the city to place a lien on properties for the cost of contractor services. Garza proposed a regular inspection schedule supported by contracted crews and a procedure to place liens for abatement costs.

Council and residents discussed whether hiring more city staff for mowing and abatements would be preferable. Garza said the city evaluated personnel costs and overtime and concluded contractors are more cost-effective in the near term because contractors bring heavy equipment that city crews lack. Councilmembers requested staff examine options for employing additional city workers when budget permits and to restart a public-notice campaign to give property owners advance warning before abatements.

Staff also said they are working on ordinance revisions and will return the revised language to council; staff committed to meet with residents about specific alley locations and provide a plan of action for the West Matlock area.

Why it matters: Alley maintenance affects emergency access, resident safety and property conditions. The city’s enforcement approach—contractor abatements, liens and ordinance changes—will determine response speed and who bears the cost.

What’s next: Staff will provide revised ordinance language, a plan for abatement in the West Matlock area and options for public-notice timing; council signaled support for a combination of contracted abatements in the short term and consideration of additional city personnel over time.

","Residents raised safety and emergency-access concerns about overgrown and poorly maintained alleys; building official described a plan to update the city’s ordinance, use contractors for abatements and place liens when necessary.",{"_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},6547410,"Tenants and residents urge investigation into Aransas Pass Housing Authority governance and finances",625,734000,1359000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3634949-dfc97a379da2da19d0dba7a5ae5d991d&start=734&end=1359","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3634949-dfc97a379da2da19d0dba7a5ae5d991d/thumbnail_734000.jpg","/articles/6547410/Aransas-Pass/Nueces-County/Texas/Tenants-and-residents-urge-investigation-into-Aransas-Pass-Housing-Authority-governance-and-finances","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6547410-517965f423beb7015b9db21115347e36/orig.mp4?Expires=1771122088&Signature=YTpRmMF18az-dCrFOAbZfk1uw-cthjBJfsCYYR7NKrw~Io13ZKguRBV45EMoxAjok7bLgcofiSVABqj72wKtwNUd2Oa~A9jZdg4lX8a9~w0U8e4cMDayeTtQZIlshWwGdtnIL-S9BAOlJd4WgGVrVt4XvWH48atBW-i-~-JFksHLWIJWUWFGHxmpPV27ew~E~m0I~Rsd01rNHf2ld2npel-1danSiEnfk8ru0oSxBxrGz5DgWxGyyxdJfsBjkvi4a7y2P3XNKB~C59fnpHCxe~IekuhN6W4VXEdT9d49JXUqTQ0JtaU-i7cO4rqWxycK~cWrsI-Ylk3W1XCnuJy-cA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Multiple Aransas Pass residents used the citizen-comment period at the June 3 council meeting to press elected leaders to open an investigation into the Aransas Pass Housing Authority, citing persistent maintenance problems, claims of withheld follow-up on complaints and alleged financial irregularities.

At the podium a resident who identified herself as Monica urged the council to investigate “the Board of Housing” for “a growing lack of confidence” and requested an evaluation of board procedures, identification of systemic issues, recommendations for corrective action and, if warranted, removal of current board members. Monica said tenants have repeatedly reported housing-condition and management concerns since about 2019 and told council she is prepared to provide documentation and witness testimony.

Another resident told the council the housing authority’s properties show visible exterior deterioration and said “a lot of money that adds up to millions has disappeared under their watch,” though the speaker said she was not making criminal accusations and only requested a financial investigation. Speakers asked the council to consider both financial and tenant-safety inquiries.

Council members acknowledged the comments and asked staff to continue looking into the matter. The council did not take formal action at the meeting to open a separate investigation; residents requested that staff and elected officials pursue both financial and tenant-condition reviews and said they would provide documentation.

Why it matters: Residents said the housing authority manages properties that house low-income and otherwise vulnerable tenants; the calls for investigation raise questions about management, transparency and tenant safety. The council’s next steps will determine whether the city initiates an independent review or a formal complaint process.

What’s next: Residents said they will provide documentation and witness testimony to the city. Council members asked staff to continue reviewing the issues raised; no formal vote or removal action was recorded at this meeting.

","Multiple residents urged the city council to open an investigation into the Aransas Pass Housing Authority, citing long-standing maintenance problems and alleged financial irregularities and asking the city to consider removal or corrective actions for board members.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Aransas Pass council approves design and infrastructure contracts, award for welcome sign; votes summarized

Council hears residents’ safety concerns over overgrown alleys; staff to revise ordinance and pursue abatements

Tenants and residents urge investigation into Aransas Pass Housing Authority governance and finances