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 improvements and to extend a water line to connect existing lines at Fifth and Navigation and Second and Navigation. Staff said the easements date to deeds the city acquired in the 1950s; the motion carried unanimously.

James Schaefer, representing property formerly known as Captain Elliot’s Charter Fishing, requested and the council unanimously approved a 12-month extension for a temporary on-site building used to support piling removal and upcoming diving operations to clear submerged hazards. City inspections staff reported the structure had passed recent rough plumbing inspection and no red tags were in place.

The council appointed James Wood to the Freeport Historical Commission and Main Street Advisory Board to fill a term through May 2026; it appointed Julio Chavez to the Beautification and Parks & Recreation Committee to finish a term through May 2025; and it appointed Bobby Wall as the alternate on the Board of Adjustment. Each of those appointments passed by unanimous voice vote.

The city accepted two FEMA HMGP awards the council approved by unanimous voice vote. The Riverplace award totals $143,000 (90% federal reimbursement of $128,700; 10% local share $14,300). The City Hall award totals $425,000 (90% federal reimbursement of $382,500; 10% local share $42,500). Staff said local matches can be funded from the fund balance of Fund 21 (facilities and grounds); projects must be completed on or before Aug. 18, 2025.

The council ratified a revised Friese and Nichols engineering contract for GLO project ending in E164 (Avenue F water pump station renovations). Staff said the original contract contained an incorrect engineering fee and the revision aligns the contract fee with the grant ceiling; the motion to ratify carried unanimously.

Two agenda items were tabled. Councilman Rosso withdrew his motion on the proposed sale of Block 70 Lot 4 after several council members raised concerns about the appraisal process, noting the buyer paid for an appraisal the packet included and that county appraisal records appeared to show different values; the council directed staff to order a city appraisal and tabled the item. The council also voted 3–2 to table discussion of the 2024–25 budget and, separately, voted 3–2 to table a proposed amendment to agenda rules and guidelines. The minutes record Councilmen Davis and Pena voting against tabling the budget and agenda-rules items.

After the regular session the mayor closed the meeting and opened an executive session to consult with the city attorney about (1) a Surfside water contract and (2) demand letters for 200 West Second Street; no open-session action on those matters was recorded.

Votes at a glance: - Consent minutes (Jan. 6): approved, voice vote, unanimous. - Library meeting policy update (consent 2b): approved, voice vote, unanimous. - Utility easements (4b): approved, voice vote, unanimous. - Temporary building extension for piling/diving work (likely item 4c): approved for 12 months from today, motion and unanimous voice vote. - Sale of Block 70 Lot 4 (4a): motion to approve withdrawn; item tabled pending city-ordered appraisal. - Appointments: James Wood (Historical Commission/Main Street), Julio Chavez (Beautification & Parks), Bobby Wall (Board of Adjustment alternate): each approved, unanimous. - FEMA HMGP Riverplace grant ($143,000): accepted; local share $14,300 to be funded from Fund 21. - FEMA HMGP City Hall grant ($425,000): accepted; local share $42,500 to be funded from Fund 21. - Ratify Friese & Nichols revised contract for GLO project ending E164: approved, unanimous. - 2024–25 budget discussion (4j): tabled, 3–2 (Davis and Pena opposed). - Agenda rules and guidelines (4k): tabled, 3–2.

The council conducted most votes by voice vote; when recorded, the budget and agenda-rules tablings were 3–2 with Councilmen Davis and Pena voting against tabling.

The council moved into executive session at 7:01 p.m. for attorney consultation on the Surfside water contract and demand letters for 200 West Second Street.