[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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],{"_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",6502951,"mediaKeyId","5682416-889ca577f7616d5d5af380e9093f67f0","parentId",5682416,"title","Council actions — Aug. 26, 2025: grants, contracts, ordinances and tablings","audioSeconds",1364,"startMs",2776000,"endMs",4140000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5682416-889ca577f7616d5d5af380e9093f67f0&start=2776&end=4140","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5682416-889ca577f7616d5d5af380e9093f67f0/thumbnail_2776000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6502951/Port-Arthur-City/Jefferson-County/Texas/Council-actions-Aug-26-2025-grants-contracts-ordinances-and-tablings","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6502951-6fb148cfad612073fc5206767bee3dc3/orig.mp4?Expires=1770399932&Signature=DKeXzvbrLenhoG~M6RO6jQ76J6sQzJV9Rt9Q44QSiv12-O35yMATqNEm-Gv6~9Gw-1fXDQgljztdU2X2JBtO-LsmRz23QDIX7dezmbGT0jQR1Gd8cmLziNzc4XfesjisEyhtaSLVgpZsRSdBv0CFaVMiUejQXAO9kp41-o5Jc-DpmQ3gna09RSaPrVKZ~Ehou-ZQlp8H~gKCaca~pBCdsdFfqnLlTTAjMLk1PiZ5y8YbuMj1uq5vAJTxdrQaeyeuj0m49wP-bH5Y0dUAvOZhdVs8rvjsFO~Kp1zip3jlLF3XYOGz3gU0V12CWi2AFOa6gB4aofl0Q8D9G~mjmtdOHA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Port Arthur","date","2025-08-26T00:00:00Z","article","The Port Arthur City Council took the following formal actions at its Aug. 26 meeting. Items are listed by the packet identifiers announced at the meeting; descriptions are drawn from the meeting record and staff materials.

Votes at a glance

- PR 24486 — Resolution ratifying the city manager’s submission of an application for the FY2025 Port Security Grant Program (U.S. Department of Homeland Security) for $173,013.99 and approving a 25% cash match of $43,002.53. Council approved the resolution by voice vote.

- PR 24488 — Resolution ratifying the Port Arthur Economic Development Corporation’s acceptance of a proposal by Industrial and Commercial Maintenance (ICM) of Beaumont to furnish and install HVAC components at 501 Procter Street at a cost not to exceed $21,903.09. Approved by council.

- PR (Nonconsent) — Contract with SoCo Group LLC for Port Arthur Transit’s pedestrian access to transit (PAT) planning study: agreement not to exceed $250,000, with an anticipated 80% federal share ($200,000) and a 20% local match ($50,000) subject to FY26 budget approval. Approved; council asked for copies of proposals and scoring information.

- PR 24473 — Resolution nominating members to the Orange County Appraisal District board (term 2026–2029). Council discussed but tabled the item for a future meeting to allow review of nominee lists and timing requirements.

- PR 24474 — Resolution authorizing a contract with SoCo Group LLC for engineering and design services for Phase 4 reconstruction and drainage repairs at H.O. Mills Boulevard in the amount of $137,007.30. Approved.

- PR 24479 — Resolution awarding a bid and authorizing the city manager to enter into an agreement with PAFCON LTD (BuyBoard contract 700-23) for rehabilitation of Redbird Street (Green Ave to Jefferson Dr.) for an amount not to exceed $678,349.66. Approved; council debate included concerns about use of street capital for underlying water utility replacements.

- PR 24481 — Resolution reporting that six homebuyers were qualified to receive homebuyer assistance benefits under the NSP‑related program; council approved staff reporting and documentation as required by the program guidelines.

- Ordinance PO 7346 — Rescinded Ordinance 25-37 (special warranty deed for side lot dispositions). Adopted.

- Ordinance PO 7353 — Amended Section 2-74 (methods of addressing council) to comply with House Bill 1522 (89th Texas Legislature). Council approved an amendment requested by the city secretary to remove an erroneous sentence and adopted the ordinance; the new posting timelines take effect Sept. 1, 2025.

- Ordinance PO 7362 — Proposed sale and conveyance of several vacant tracts on Freeman Avenue to the Port of Port Arthur Navigation District for a total of $26,100. Council tabled this ordinance to the next meeting for additional information and city manager input.

- Ordinance PO 7363 — Ordinance authorizing a 90‑day suspension of the effective date proposed by Texas Gas Service Company’s rate filing and authorizing city participation before the Railroad Commission of Texas; council adopted the ordinance and authorized hiring rate experts and counsel as needed.

Several items were approved by unanimous or near‑unanimous votes; two items (nominations to the appraisal district and the Freeman Avenue conveyance) were tabled so staff could provide additional information. Several council members requested follow‑up reports on grant tracking, district allocations for street funds, and procurement scoring documents.

No executive‑session votes were recorded on these items at the meeting; the meeting adjourned at 7:35 p.m.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Port Arthur - City Council","oneSentenceSummary","A summary of formal resolutions, contract awards and ordinances the Port Arthur City Council approved or tabled at its Aug. 26 meeting, including grant applications, contracts for engineering and construction, and ordinances relating to council procedures and a utility rate filing.","taxTitle","Port Arthur City, Jefferson County, Texas","taxId",5749,"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},6502956,"Council approves $678,349 Redbird Street rehabilitation; debate centers on use of street funds for subsurface utility work",568,4052000,4620000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5682416-889ca577f7616d5d5af380e9093f67f0&start=4052&end=4620","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5682416-889ca577f7616d5d5af380e9093f67f0/thumbnail_4052000.jpg","/articles/6502956/Port-Arthur-City/Jefferson-County/Texas/Council-approves-678349-Redbird-Street-rehabilitation-debate-centers-on-use-of-street-funds-for-subsurface-utility-work","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6502956-350c5147336126bdf34ec23285bd1b41/orig.mp4?Expires=1770399932&Signature=lnIqpZ7Ao-F60EHlvI7YOunCta2SEgQso6z5blMuqam4J8KbtbCUrIhyq2E5NdmSyooRiPKaxofrBW9~M2BVHGqohGKARlNuWTi~iO6tchce0KhpaH0XvGotakJOofhupAb920gj49J~5rD7IOCzLLJCRx6KrT37WPHsvwyTv30br8Zp8hAT8rp8DsxzUAmd9m741lqvolduFdVJM3m90Xrh5jAof3hvq7VBmBsGYtbcGBn1Uu3ztc1HsnH3asnbWWXPC7cPgH-8QOzkUVq6-lNpRBlRahSFwqTtg6~IPBvFckR54ZCx78jr9zO4rneSSjRThnzsrs8spq1ftWl9dQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Port Arthur City Council voted Aug. 26 to award a contract to PAFCON LTD of Houston for rehabilitation of Redbird Street from Green Avenue to Jefferson Drive, for an amount not to exceed $678,349.66, using a BuyBoard cooperative contract. Funds were identified in the city's capital improvements project account for street work.

Council debate focused on project scope and funding. Council member Doucette pressed staff on why funds from the city’s street program were being used to pay for substantial water utility work included in the package. Doucette said the contract contains underground utility work, including replacement of a 3‑inch poly water main with new 6‑inch C900 PVC (an item the project cost estimate lists at roughly $237,639), and other valve and service tap work. “Who is going to take money from streets and do water utility?” Doucette asked, arguing that the street fund should not be used for water utility projects and that district allocations should be transparent.

City staff and the project team responded that the engineering review found utilities under or adjacent to the pavement in shallow condition; staff said replacing failing lines at the same time as reconstruction avoids tearing up newly paved streets later. A public works representative explained that many water pipes on older streets are brittle AC or undersized lines and can fail if the pavement is rebuilt without also addressing the utility.

Council member Frank and others said while they shared concerns about selection and cost, failing to replace undersized or deteriorated utility lines risks short‑lived paving work. Frank urged a team approach to prioritize streets and utilities together. Council member Doucette said he would bring a memo showing historic spending by district to support clearer prioritization.

After discussion, the council approved the contract; a roll call produced primarily affirmative votes and at least one recorded no. No amendments were made to remove utility work from the contract during the vote. The contract will proceed under the BuyBoard cooperative procurement and city capital account listed in the meeting packet.","Council awarded a contract through a cooperative procurement for reconstruction work on Redbird Street, while several members questioned using street capital to fund underlying water utility replacements and raised concerns about district allocations and project selection.",{"_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},6502961,"Port Arthur staff say new animal services center is nearing completion; capacity to more than double",919,1461000,2380000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5682416-889ca577f7616d5d5af380e9093f67f0&start=1461&end=2380","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5682416-889ca577f7616d5d5af380e9093f67f0/thumbnail_1461000.jpg","/articles/6502961/Port-Arthur-City/Jefferson-County/Texas/Port-Arthur-staff-say-new-animal-services-center-is-nearing-completion-capacity-to-more-than-double","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6502961-81832677bb4c916dfd9c5f699d9e5092/orig.mp4?Expires=1770399932&Signature=UqCBVn7PIrbYHdQfWFPTTiBOVPgFepej~zll-pZfC0FSJWC~bwlJq~-9UUs1lvIe7hfCj5TihmSiFigVzR3NnaaViUYxcSQSF4uQqRXbcoohxa4O2591sDaVvg2fKe-nkmMYqCeQqGOa1dinnJin6VfN7EmHojKahZWbosRrv8zTehmnk4zYcJGqWFCFhapquK5CT8C8rZXqF-EekAysi0~2~2sLthltGb01JBdDrlorT-w2bmV-bax~Zkv3de8VPWXejUeLhgnKyHdcW4bm6f6BqTX~g5dIJ5mNax6lK6yHDc8R3fW~ksIyNSZJSwfSFqGP9sgWVETGPO7f3ubbPw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Anthony Mitchell, supervisor of the City of Port Arthur Animal Shelter, updated the council on Aug. 26 on construction and program plans for a new animal services center.

Mitchell described construction progress: masonry and kennel areas are substantially complete, roofing is nearly finished, and interior work such as plumbing, electrical, and forthcoming sheetrock installation is underway. Aerial and interior photos shown to council illustrated a nearly closed envelope and work progressing on parking and exterior grading.

Mitchell said the facility will include an office/training area, a “sally port” intake area, adoption rooms where prospective owners can meet animals, and a training room that will allow the shelter to host continuing‑education courses for animal services personnel. “We plan to have education classes for pet ownership,” Darlene (shelter staff) added; Mitchell and staff said the center will host community programming and partner with regional rescues for transport and adoption events.

Council members praised the project. Council member Doucette and others contrasted the new facility with the previous shelter, calling the new building “state of the art.” During discussion, council members asked operational questions: Mitchell said the facility currently has 38 cages but anticipates more than 70 animals can be housed when configured for full use. He said the shelter has already coordinated transport and rescue partners and recently sent animals to rescues that reduced on‑site inventory.

When asked about a completion date, staff said the contractor’s current projection is completion in November; the presenter referenced a calendar date that staff said is in late November as the target but did not provide a signed turnkey date in the meeting packet. Council members discussed plans for an opening celebration and ongoing adoption events once the facility opens.

No formal action was taken; council received the progress report and asked staff to continue public notifications and scheduling for outreach and adoption programming.","City staff presented construction progress on the new Port Arthur animal services center, describing completed masonry and roofing, interior work in progress, a training room and adoption facilities, and a projected November completion window.",{"_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},6502966,"Lamar University presents plan to repurpose Pleasure Island golf course into public green space",575,205000,780000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5682416-889ca577f7616d5d5af380e9093f67f0&start=205&end=780","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5682416-889ca577f7616d5d5af380e9093f67f0/thumbnail_205000.jpg","/articles/6502966/Port-Arthur-City/Jefferson-County/Texas/Lamar-University-presents-plan-to-repurpose-Pleasure-Island-golf-course-into-public-green-space","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6502966-4d41075c530dcabe6828898698797715/orig.mp4?Expires=1770399932&Signature=LM9bP7eZV91hI3voTsRIpDxuKh~IFPbk3XCjQ~T-GnbjhETmK9QlEueHOsc9gvKP73Vvy3RmV8cALEGllpHPM4OycyIaj6O9rgIcvVapK0t3nl7ejaaNhZQ~vUb-ie9v4K0po3lB9Acvk4wr6aDibTSKBSRMK1zDsfddiDwTr5TUMkOFbnovBXnSp18hQ0gDkF8597eAjW4ojnzayLs4WT2Rs3LYMy5jQCvTEUTFQ1NejaYqJjDeookIRKo60AHVSKnObH2Sup22AApo4oJ6aiCwzYXH7mthanH2pv3yGtA~Crd4H8SjBA9a7fwTNQxR5hY2Iuqyw5fW~m3fMy0zHQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Devon Shagua of Lamar University told the Port Arthur City Council on Aug. 26 that a team assembled under a memorandum of understanding tied to Resolution 24-212 is proposing to repurpose nine holes of the former Pleasure Island Golf Course into an accessible multiuse green space.

Shagua said the plan would add trails, picnic areas, restroom facilities, improved pond and pump infrastructure, and native plantings aimed at creating habitat for resident and migrating birds. “We’re revamping the ecological landscape into a vibrant habitat for native and migrating birds,” Shagua said, and added the changes would also create green infrastructure that can reduce stormwater runoff and help protect surrounding development.

The presentation summarized outreach and technical work conducted by university classes and partner organizations. Shagua said the project team included Port Arthur staff and representatives from local organizations; he also credited a bird blind installed by the Golden Triangle Audubon Society and cited tourism data from the Port Arthur Visitor’s Bureau to argue for economic gains from birding and other nature‑based visitation.

Council member Hamilton and other council members expressed support for further involvement by the university and for keeping momentum on the project. Hamilton called the initiative a “huge type of project” for students and the community and asked staff to share additional conceptual designs produced by visiting classes.

Shagua described near‑term technical tasks: clearing invasive plants that currently obscure site elevations, repairing or replacing pond pump equipment to restore water flow and reduce mosquito habitat, adjusting paths to provide a buffer around the clubhouse if it is used as an event center, and adding a restroom. He also said the team has conceptual plans for a five‑year tree‑planting program and for educational programming tied to wildlife and birding.

Council members and staff discussed coordination needs and next steps but did not vote on any matter during this presentation. The item was offered as an informational update to the council; Shagua said the team will continue design and community engagement and will work with the city on implementation and funding pathways.

The presentation referenced the MOU associated with Resolution 24-212 and invited continued city support for partnership and technical work.","Lamar University representatives updated the Port Arthur City Council on a memorandum of understanding to convert nine holes of the former Pleasure Island Golf Course into an accessible green space with trails, habitat restoration, and flood‑mitigation features.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council actions — Aug. 26, 2025: grants, contracts, ordinances and tablings

Council approves $678,349 Redbird Street rehabilitation; debate centers on use of street funds for subsurface utility work

Port Arthur staff say new animal services center is nearing completion; capacity to more than double

Lamar University presents plan to repurpose Pleasure Island golf course into public green space