Bel Air council adopts easement sale, budget amendments and code updates; schedules Pine Street speed‑hump hearing

Bel Air’s City Council on Nov. 3 approved a series of ordinances and a resolution covering property disposition, budget amendments, public‑safety equipment purchases and code updates. All motions reported in the meeting minutes passed by unanimous roll call (7–0) unless otherwise noted.

Sale and abandonment of alley easement (5115 Locust Street) An ordinance authorizing the abandonment and sale of the west half of a 25‑foot alley adjacent to Lot 8, Block 37 (known as 5115 Locust St.) to Christopher and Vianney Casares was approved. Staff told council the easement is part of the original plat but contains no city utilities; CenterPoint review and a no‑objection letter were pending. The sale price adopted and to be populated in the ordinance is $53,003.75. The council approved the ordinance by voice vote.

Budget amendments and settlements (FY2025) Council approved amendments to the fiscal 2025 budget to correct several items for audit purposes and to fund an unbudgeted settlement. Changes reported in the agenda materials included: a grant match for a crime‑victim specialist (25 percent match not budgeted in FY25), a transfer to cover bailiff court funding, $25,000 to cover additional legal services, and a $325,000 settlement payment to a construction contractor. Council approved the amendments unanimously.

Public hearing scheduled: Pine Street speed humps Council set a public hearing for 6:00 p.m. on Dec. 1 to consider a petition from property owners on the 4800–4900 blocks of Pine Street (between Pauline and Ferndale) requesting the installation of speed humps. Staff confirmed the petition exceeded the required 80 percent of affected property owners; petitioners will bear the installation cost if approved.

Public safety equipment and grants Council authorized the city manager to execute documents necessary to purchase bullet‑resistant vests from GT Distributors, Inc., in an amount not to exceed $74,391.20, and amended the FY2026 vehicle, equipment and technology fund to front reimbursement grant funds so the purchase can be made. Council also adopted a resolution to apply for Office of the Governor, Criminal Justice Division grant funding to retrofit up to eight patrol vehicles with bullet‑resistant glass; staff said the grant period closes Nov. 20.

Adoption of building and fire codes Council adopted the 2024 additions of the international codes and the 2023 National Electrical Code with a Feb. 1 roll‑in date. Council approved a staff amendment aligning contractor insurance limits in municipal code section 9.5 with the International Building Code and asked staff to correct minor typographical errors before signature. The measure passed unanimously.

Consent agenda The council approved two consent items without discussion: an ordinance authorizing the mayor to execute an agreement with Harris County relating to the Nov. 4 general and special elections, and an ordinance to amend records‑management provisions for compliance with the Texas Local Government Records Act.

Votes at a glance (selected items) - Easement sale (5115 Locust St.): approved; sale price $53,003.75; outcome: approved 7–0. - Pine Street speed‑hump hearing: public hearing set for 2025‑12‑01; no vote on installation yet. - FY2025 budget amendments (grant match, bailiff transfer, legal services $25,000, settlement $325,000): approved 7–0. - Bullet‑resistant vests purchase (GT Distributors): authorized; amount not to exceed $74,391.20; approved 7–0. - Vehicle retrofit grant application (Office of the Governor CJD): resolution approved 7–0. - Adoption of international building, residential, mechanical, plumbing, energy, existing building codes and 2023 NEC: approved with amendment to insurance limits 7–0.

The council did not take final action on a citywide short‑term rental ordinance on Nov. 3; staff said a short‑term rental ordinance is on the upcoming agenda list.