Galveston — The Galveston City Council took a series of formal votes at its Oct. 23, 2025 meeting. Major outcomes included approval of a large planned-unit development overlay for 10302 Seawall Boulevard, a landmark designation, a denial of a private‑club PUD, an alcohol‑sales variance, budget adjustments tied to a lower adopted tax rate, and a city resolution asking the state to address preproduction plastic pellet pollution. Most items were approved unanimously or by clear council majorities.

Summary of formal actions
- Item 8a — Landmark designation (1201 Post Office Avenue E): Council approved an ordinance designating the historic Peter and Elena Mowery grocery and dwelling as a Galveston landmark. Vote: unanimous approval (motion and second on record; roll call recorded as unanimous).

- Item 8b — Planned-unit development overlay (10302 Seawall Boulevard, “Saks on the Seawall”): Council approved the PUD with conditions, including deed-restriction language and buyer disclosure about routine overflights by Shoals International Airport. Vote: unanimous approval. (See separate article for full coverage.)

- Item 8c — PUD for private assembly/private club (17009 Saint Louis Pass Road): Planning staff recommended approval with conditions but the Planning Commission recommended denial; council voted to deny the request, 6–1.

- Item 8e — Alcohol sales variance (2909 Market Avenue D): Council granted a variance to allow sale of alcoholic beverages within 300 feet of a place of worship by measuring distance from the actual business entrance (which is toward the rear of the building). Vote: 5–2 (Councilmembers Rob and Lewis opposed).

- Item 10a — Budget amendment tied to adopted tax rate: Council approved adjustments to the fiscal-year 2026 operating budget to align revenues and expenditures with an adopted tax rate of 0.408687 per $100 valuation; the ordinance reduces general fund expenditures and shifts some budgeted items across funds. Council asked staff to provide a quarterly revenue review to revisit raises or adjustments for civilian employees. Vote: approved (one abstention recorded).

- Item 10b — Arts governance and hotel-occupancy tax allocations: Council approved ordinances consolidating arts boards and creating an Arts Development Commission, approving items 1, 2 and 4 and deferring item 3 for further review. Vote: approved (item 3 deferred by unanimous vote to a future meeting).

- Item 10c — Bayside at Waterman’s Public Improvement District (PID) service and assessment plan: Council accepted the 2025–26 service and assessment plan for the PID; there is no fiscal impact to the city. Vote: unanimous.

- Item 11n — City auditor report (Park Board expanded expenditures audit CMS 2025-10): Council accepted the auditor’s report and supported implementation of the auditor’s recommendations. Vote: unanimous.

- Item 12b — Resolution on preproduction plastic pellets (nurdles): Council approved a resolution urging the state of Texas and the TCEQ to adopt policies addressing preproduction plastic pellet pollution and requested certified copies be sent to the governor and TCEQ. Vote: unanimous; many public commenters and local organizations supported the resolution during the meeting.

- Items 12c & 12d — Economic development (Project Juno and Project Bounty): Council directed staff to provide letters of support and continue negotiations as discussed in executive session for both projects; motions approved unanimously.

- Consent and other items: The consent agenda passed with two items withdrawn from consideration on the day of the meeting (11AA withdrawn; 11N pulled for separate consideration and approved). Other routine budget, contract and appointment items were approved as presented.

How council handled airport/noise and land-use conditions
Several agenda items included airport or noise considerations (notably the Seawall PUD). Council repeatedly asked staff and applicants to record deed restrictions and buyer disclosures when projects are near Shoals International Airport. In the Seawall PUD, council accepted a deed-restriction and buyer acknowledgment addressing routine overflights and noise; the same disclosure approach was discussed for other shoreline and West End proposals.

Meeting context and next steps
Council conducted a lengthy session following an earlier workshop; staff will follow up on recording deed restrictions, completing permit-stage reviews, completing traffic and drainage approvals, implementing audit recommendations, and forwarding the plastic-pellet resolution to state officials as directed.