Seabrook council debates Pine Gully Pier funding; motion to place bond on May ballot fails for lack of second

Seabrook City Council members on Sept. 16 discussed options to fund reconstruction of the Pine Gully Pier, but an effort to place a bond measure on the May 2, 2026 ballot failed for lack of a second.

The item drew extended debate over prior bids and available grant funding. Council members and residents referenced a 2023 bid and a later engineering estimate that have put potential reconstruction costs in the multimillion-dollar range; one figure discussed during the meeting was $2.4 million for a raised, reconstructed pier. Council members and staff said they are continuing to pursue state and county grants, port support and private partners before asking voters to take on debt.

Why it matters: The pier is a longtime community asset and a frequent subject of public comment; how it is rebuilt and who pays will affect city spending, any potential bond debt and taxpayer bills.

Discussion and funding options
City staff and council members described multiple funding avenues they have explored. The meeting record includes these points raised by council members and staff:
- A 2023 bid and an architect-driven scope for a higher, more resilient pier produced substantially larger cost estimates than earlier projections; the $2.4 million figure was discussed as an example of those higher estimates.
- Texas Parks and Wildlife grant programs were discussed as a possible source of up to $1 million, but meeting speakers said grant rules generally require a match and that the city must show matching funds prior to applying.
- A March 2025 application to Harris County for a partnership grant was discussed; council members said the county ultimately indicated it could not commit the matching funds.
- The Seabrook Economic Development Corporation (EDC) was discussed repeatedly; some council members said EDC had not indicated interest in funding the pier, while others said staff and council would continue outreach to EDC, the port and state and federal representatives.
- Several council members urged examining alternative designs and scopes (shorter pier, different materials) and obtaining new cost estimates before committing to a bond or to bidding the existing plans.

Motion attempt and outcome
Councilmember Hammond moved to place a bond proposition to reconstruct the Pine Gully Pier on the May 2, 2026 ballot. The motion received no second and therefore died on the floor; the council did not vote to place a bond measure on the ballot at the Sept. 16 meeting. Several council members urged further work: workshops to vet grant opportunities, updated cost estimates or revised designs before any ballot measure is pursued.

Next steps
Staff said they will continue to pursue grants, outreach to county and port partners and other funding options and can return to council with revised designs or funding packages. Some council members asked for a workshop or future agenda item to consolidate information on encumbered EDC funds, grant opportunities and cost alternatives before asking voters to decide.

Ending
No formal action to place a bond on the ballot was taken Sept. 16. Councilmembers repeatedly said they want additional information about grant eligibility, matching requirements and competing design options before advancing a voter measure.