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Jersey Village council approves street contract, delays CenterPoint rate, appoints interim clerk and sets staffing reserve
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Summary
At its March 16 meeting the council unanimously approved a street-reconstruction contract for Seattle Street and Singapore Lane, voted to suspend a CenterPoint rate increase for 45 days, appointed an interim municipal clerk, and adopted an 8% compensated-absences reserve; all motions passed unanimously.
JERSEY VILLAGE, Texas — Jersey Village City Council on March 16 approved multiple routine actions: a street-reconstruction contract for Seattle Street and Singapore Lane, a 45-day suspension request for a CenterPoint Energy residential-rate increase, the interim appointment of a court clerk, and a resolution creating a compensated-absences reserve.
On streets: Assistant City Manager Robert Bassford told the council staff received 11 bids for the Seattle/Singapore reconstruction under the city's 2023 bond program and recommended awarding the work to Palace Pointe as the "lowest responsive and responsible bidder." Bassford said staff and the design engineer evaluated proposals on experience, capacity and cost; the council approved the contract including both alternates A and B.
On utilities: The city secretary said CenterPoint had notified the city of a planned rate change that would increase costs by about $2.47 per residential household; the council voted to request a 45-day suspension so the rate's local effective date would be delayed. Staff stressed that the city can only delay the local effective date and cannot negotiate the amount.
Personnel and finance actions: The council appointed Amy Torres as interim municipal court clerk while recruitment continues, and approved a resolution creating a compensated-absences reserve tied to new GASB accounting guidance. City staff estimated the liability at roughly $1.18 million and recommended an 8% reserve to reduce budget volatility from employee separations; the council adopted the reserve percentage.
Votes at a glance: - Resolution 2026-14: Request 45-day suspension of CenterPoint rate increase — motion passed unanimously. - Resolution 2026-15: Appoint Amy Torres as interim municipal clerk — motion passed unanimously. - Resolution 2026-16: Award Seattle Street and Singapore Lane reconstruction contract (including Alternates A and B) — motion passed unanimously. - Resolution 2026-12: Establish compensated-absences reserve at 8% — motion passed unanimously.
Councilmembers said staff will follow through on contract documentation and schedule construction sequencing; staff also noted the city will work to replant trees and restore staging areas as part of the street project.
