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Residents press Freeport council on flooding, drainage and industrial impacts; staff seeks drainage-district help
Summary
Multiple residents urged the council to address storm drainage, pump operations and industrial pollution; Dr. Kelly said the city requested Velasco Drainage District to muck 10 large ditches and provided maps and KML files; the council closed the meeting into executive session on personnel and litigation.
Residents used the audience‑participation period at the July 20 council meeting to press the council on a range of community concerns including event promotion, drainage, and possible industrial pollution.
Maria Lopez, Freeport Main Street coordinator, told the council she wanted the community to recognize Freeport’s Texas Main Street designation and described the program’s four‑point approach to downtown revitalization: economic vitality, design/historic preservation, promotion and organization. "Main Street is a long term revitalization program," Maria Lopez said.
Tom Pearson, a resident, complained that the Lions Club’s Fishing Fiesta and fireworks were omitted from the city’s July 1 publicity, saying the omission was a "great disservice" to the Lions Club and asking for community help to sustain the event.
Thomas Cool showed photos and said recent flooding put water into garages and asked why the city's portable pumps were not activated during the recent disturbance. "Where are the pumps?" Cool asked, and he urged attention to drainage in alleys between 4th and Pecan and to pollution visible on a historic shrimp boat downtown.
Manning Rollerson asked if the city would send a representative to a Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) permit hearing on Sept. 16 in Lake Jackson about taking down an export terminal tied to Freeport LNG, saying the city should be present at permit hearings because of the community’s high industrial exposure.
On the staff side, Dr. Kelly reported she and Tracy Harrison met with the Velasco Drainage District chairman and found an interlocal agreement between the city and the district. "We requested 10 specific, large ditches be mucked out by the district for us," Dr. Kelly said, adding the city provided maps and KML files and asked to be prioritized on the district’s schedule. The mayor had signed the formal request.
Council members acknowledged drainage concerns and thanked public‑works crews for recent ditch cleanouts. Councilman Davis said the city is investing budget dollars on infrastructure and drainage and suggested a town‑hall to explain pumps and drainage processes. Councilwoman Morales and others praised staff work while noting capacity limits.
The meeting moved into executive session at 07:01 under Texas Government Code sections 551.074 (personnel) and 551.071 (consultation with attorney) to address a six‑month performance evaluation of the city manager and a litigation update on Park Avenue Lofts and related case number.
