Council fills board seats, approves Main Street training funding

The Freeport City Council approved several personnel and program items July 6, including appointments to advisory boards and a small budget amendment for Main Street board training.

Appointments: the council accepted a recommendation to appoint "Tony" (presented as Tony Malagna/Malagna in the record) to the Historic Commission/Main Street advisory board after a motion and second; the motion carried by voice vote. For the Board of Adjustments, the council appointed Khan McLeister as a full member and approved Melanie Oldham as an alternate; members noted McLeister's prior service as an alternate and attendance record.

Main Street training: staff (Miss Lopez) requested a budget amendment of $2,500 to retain consultant Norma Ramirez for a one-day Main Street Board training workshop focused on the Main Street America four-point approach and board roles. Miss Lopez described the training as a one-time, 2—3-hour workshop (Ramirez traveling from San Antonio) and said the funds would come from seminar/dues and travel accounts. Council members asked about consultant experience and delivery; Miss Lopez and others confirmed the consultant's statewide Main Street experience. The council approved the amendment by unanimous vote.

Clarification on transcript numeric discrepancy: the staff memo and multiple speakers consistently described the requested amendment as $2,500; one line in the transcript includes a conflicting amount ($242,500). The council and staff discussion, as recorded, supports $2,500 as the intended figure.

The council also approved several routine procedural items including minutes and additional board appointment housekeeping during the same agenda period.