Council approves eminent domain action for drainage land, interlocal ladder-truck agreement and updated petition forms

The Rosenberg City Council took several procedural and consent actions, voting unanimously on a package of measures that included eminent domain authorization for drainage infrastructure, an interlocal agreement on fire apparatus, and updated petition forms.

Eminent domain for drainage: Council approved resolution R-3825 authorizing initiation of eminent-domain proceedings to acquire a 45.86-acre tract identified as city project parcel number 3 for use as a detention pond and drainage easement associated with a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) mitigation drainage project. City staff clarified the city intends to acquire the parcel in fee (ownership), not merely an easement. The resolution passed unanimously.

Interlocal fire agreement and ladder truck: Council approved resolution R-3804 authorizing the mayor to negotiate and execute an interlocal agreement with Fort Bend County for fire protection in unincorporated areas. The county will purchase a ladder truck for the city with $2,000,000 included in the county’s budget; the truck may take more than three years to build and deliver and would replace a 2012 ladder truck assigned to Fire Station 2. Staff recommended approval; the council voted to approve the resolution unanimously.

Recall/initiative/ref- erendum petition forms: Council adopted ordinance 2025-O-06 to amend official forms for recall, initiative and referendum petitions and to adopt an official notice of intent, as required by a 2023 city charter amendment. Staff confirmed the forms will be printed in letter size for public use. The ordinance passed unanimously.

Executive session and adjournment: The council recessed into an executive session to discuss real property and economic development negotiations (Texas Government Code sections 551.072 and 551.067). The council later reconvened, reported no action taken and adjourned the meeting.

Votes at a glance: - Resolution R-3825 (eminent domain for 45.86-acre parcel, CDBG mitigation drainage project): approved, unanimous. - Resolution R-3804 (interlocal agreement with Fort Bend County for county-funded ladder truck): approved, unanimous. - Ordinance 2025-O-06 (adopt official recall/initiative/ref- erendum petition forms and notice of intent): approved, unanimous.

Each item was approved by voice vote; staff noted budget and procedural details (parcel to be acquired in fee; county funding for ladder truck; petition forms to be printed letter-size).