Galveston council approves landmark designation, groundwater restriction, bridge agreements and several budget, tax and parks actions

Galveston, June 26 — The Galveston City Council on Thursday approved a series of ordinances and resolutions covering historic preservation, groundwater restrictions, infrastructure agreements, tax exemptions, budget amendments, beach user fees and board appointments.

Major actions approved included landmark designation for the Gulf Breeze Apartments, a municipal setting designation (MSD) restricting potable use of groundwater at Sandpiper Cove, interlocal agreements and a right-of-way deed to Texas A&M University System for the Pelican Island Bridge project plus a $2 million contribution from the Galveston Wharves toward the city’s local share, adjustments to the fiscal year 2025 operating budget, adoption of homestead exemptions for 2025 and a change to short-term rental and hotel occupancy tax registration and collection.

Votes at a glance (selected items):

- Gulf Breeze Apartments landmark designation (Item 8b): Council approved an ordinance designating 1211‑1219 First Street (Gulf Breeze Apartments) as a Galveston landmark. Staff described the building, constructed in 1969 and designed by local architect Raymond R. Rapp Jr., as a well‑preserved example of mid‑century modern architecture and an important community anchor. The vote was unanimous.

- Sandpiper Cove municipal setting designation (Item 8c): Council approved an ordinance prohibiting the use of designated groundwater as potable in a roughly 7.0661‑acre area identified as the Sandpiper Cove site, to support certification of a municipal setting designation by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). The item proceeded with no public speakers at the staff-hosted meeting earlier in the week and passed unanimously.

- Pelican Island Bridge actions (Items 10a and 10b): Council approved abandoning and deeding approximately 188,601 square feet of Seawolf Parkway right-of-way to the Texas A&M University System, an interlocal agreement for right-of-way access roads, and acceptance of funds from Texas A&M toward the city’s local sponsor obligations for the TxDOT bridge project. Separately, council approved an interlocal agreement for a $2,000,000 contribution from the Galveston Wharves to the city to be used toward the project’s local share. Both items were approved unanimously.

- Budget and tax items (Items 10c and 10d): Council adopted the homestead exemptions for tax year 2025 (minimum homestead exemption of $60,000 or 20% of appraised value, plus additional exemptions of $15,000 for taxpayers 65 and older and $10,000 for disabled taxpayers), noting the change affects roughly 15,000 taxpayers. Council also approved multiple budget adjustments for FY2025 to record write-offs, account transfers, and debt service for 2024 certificates of obligation. Both items passed unanimously.

- Beach user fees (Consent item 11n): The council established user fees for several West End pocket parks/access points while reaffirming multiple free beach access locations and multiple resident pass options. Council members and staff emphasized resident passes and free lots (notably Park 2 and Park 4) to preserve local access. The motion passed unanimously.

- Hotel occupancy tax and short-term rental registration (Item 12a): Council directed staff to transition short-term rental registration and hotel occupancy tax collections from the Park Board back to the city, using the Park Board’s existing software to minimize money-movement and to consolidate collections. Motion approved unanimously.

- Juneteenth Museum resolution (Item 12b): Council approved a resolution expressing support for creating a Juneteenth Museum in Galveston and discussed potential funding sources, including hotel occupancy tax revenue. The resolution does not commit city funds for construction but signals council support and intent to collaborate; the vote was unanimous.

- Boards and appointments (Item 12c): Council confirmed multiple Park Board appointments (including Jan Collier, Gerald Wilson and others) and filled a vacancy on the Finance, Fiscal Affairs and Investment Committee. Appointments were approved by voice vote.

Most items were discussed at length in an earlier workshop and then moved forward on the consent calendar or with brief staff presentations. Council members and staff stated follow-up steps where needed (legal reports, application timelines, or interlocal agreement execution).