EDC staff reports: H‑E‑B interest, picnic grounds bids, videos and grants; consent agenda approved

The Dickinson Economic Development Corporation received staff updates on several projects, approved routine consent items by voice vote and heard public comment asking for more detailed project reporting.

EDC staff said Armando Perez, identified as executive vice president for the Houston area for H‑E‑B, told staff the grocery chain had evaluated a potential store at the site formerly occupied by Kroger and that current numbers did not yet support a new store. Perez said H‑E‑B remains interested in Dickinson and would “take a look” at opportunities as growth and traffic counts increase, staff reported. The staffer said Perez also indicated H‑E‑B would consider supporting the picnic grounds project and review a donation request.

Staff described the picnic grounds redesign as complete and said Structure Tone had reissued bid documents to subcontractors; staff said a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) was expected to be returned this week and that construction, site prep and fencing could start as early as next week with heavier construction activity in June. Staff also said Bayou City Fencing is scheduled to repair a fence damaged by fallen trees at a city property and that public works would clear the downed trees on May 19.

Caitlin and other staff outlined an educational video series the EDC is publishing on a Dickinson EDC YouTube channel and social platforms. Staff said they had three videos published, planned a fourth shoot next week, and had outlines for a dozen videos. Staff reported outreach to the governor’s office; Betty Russo, a representative of the governor’s office, had been briefed on the series and staff submitted a formal request to see if a governor’s office representative could appear in an episode if the content is framed as general education rather than a municipal endorsement.

Staff said they would submit an application this week for a T‑Mobile Hometown Grant — a program for municipalities under 50,000 population with awards capped at $50,000 — to help fund the playground component of the picnic grounds and that they had requested letters of support from community members and board members.

On infrastructure and private development: staff said they have a May 20 meeting scheduled with Flintco to discuss the Water Street parking garage contract and are finalizing a development agreement for Dr. Saunders’s health clinic before sending it to legal for review. Staff also reported a West Side development led by Brad Elmore that will include about 360 multifamily units and was described during the meeting as a roughly $45 million project; staff said details about a quick‑service restaurant were confidential at the developer’s request.

During public comment, Garland Copeland, a Dickinson resident, asked for more detailed updates on projects that were not in the written agenda packet and said he could not find some materials online, specifically items related to TexPool and Texas First bank account statements. Staff said the agenda packet includes financial documents and would follow up to ensure the specific files are accessible.

The board then considered the consent agenda, which contained five routine items: approval of minutes from the April 14, 2025 EDC meeting; the March 2025 DEDC financial and investment report; the March 2025 DEDC account statements for Texas First Bank and TexPool; the March 2025 monthly administration service fee transfer request; and the April 2025 payroll transfer request. A motion to approve the consent agenda was made, seconded by Derek Korek, and approved by voice vote.

Staff closed the staff report and the board moved on to other agenda items.