Council approves $22,500 settlement and easement following closed executive session

The Port Arthur City Council approved a $22,500 full-and-final settlement and an associated easement for access to a residential tract after returning from a closed executive session on Jan. 13, 2026.

Council member Kinlaw read the motion when the council reconvened from closed session, stating, “This motion is to enter an agreement on a full and final release and indemnities, agreement in amount of 22,500, which shall include a grant easement for access to the city of Port Arthur at West 37.5 Of Lot 53, Block 6 Of The Stonegate Manor Section 1,” and cited a deed to Brian Johnson recorded as file number 2014002261 in the Jefferson County public records.

The chair asked for a motion to approve the agreement; the motion was moved and seconded and the council voted in favor. The chair announced, “The ayes have it. The motion passes.” The council had earlier entered closed executive session at 4:04 p.m. to consider several items including pending litigation and legal advice on a proposed utility facility, and closed the session at 5:34 p.m.

The settlement was presented to the council as the single item coming out of the executive session. The council’s announcement referenced pending federal litigation by name in the closed-session reading: Brian Johnson v. City of Port Arthur and Calvin Matthews (individual capacity), and Gregory Benson v. City of Port Arthur, civil action numbers as read into the record.

No vote tallies by individual member name were stated on the public record during the recorded discussion. The council also called several other closed-session items during the meeting, including legal advice on emergency ambulance service, review of a proposed contract to study and potentially construct a utility facility to receive waste not permitted under the current landfill permit, procedures related to revenue-collection security devices, and personnel matters concerning the city secretary and a grievance update.

The council convened the special executive-session meeting at 4:00 p.m. and provided remote-access instructions for the public at the start of the meeting. The committee returned from the executive session and completed the settlement vote before adjourning the closed session at 5:34 p.m.