Freeport council approves utility easements, FEMA generator grants and appointments; tables property sale and budget

The Freeport City Council on Feb. 3 approved utility easements needed for wastewater and lift-station work, accepted two FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) awards to buy permanent generators for Riverplace and City Hall, ratified a revised engineering contract tied to a GLO grant and appointed members to three local advisory boards. The council voted to table a proposed sale of Block 70, Lot 4 and deferred a review of the 2024–25 budget.

The actions matter because the easements clear the way for sewer and water-line work near Navigation Avenue, the FEMA grants fund emergency generators for two municipal facilities, and the contract and appointments move several city projects and boards forward. The decision to table the property sale and the budget postpones decisions that affect city property revenue and the remainder of the fiscal-year budget.

On the consent agenda, the council unanimously approved minutes from the Jan. 6 meeting and unanimously approved an updated meeting policy for the Freeport branch of the Brazoria County Library System; staff said the policy language was broadened from “meeting room” to “meeting area” to include branch-associated spaces outside the building.

The council approved utility easements along Navigation Avenue to allow relocation of lift station No. 1 and upstream gravity wastewater…