REGULAR CALLED CITY COMMISSION MEETING
M I N U T E S
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 2025 – 5:00 P.M.
KENNETH T. NUNN COUNCIL ROOM – CITY HALL
M I N U T E S
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 2025 – 5:00 P.M.
KENNETH T. NUNN COUNCIL ROOM – CITY HALL
A Regular Called Meeting of the City Commission was held on Wednesday, MARCH 5, 2025, at 5:00 P.M. in the Kenneth T. Nunn Council Room in City Hall, Texas City, Texas. A quorum having been met, the meeting was called to order at 5:00 p.m. by Mayor Dedrick D. Johnson.
1.
ROLL CALL
- Present:
-
- Mayor Dedrick D. Johnson
- Commissioner At-Large, Mayor Pro Tem Thelma Bowie
- Commissioner At-Large Abel Garza, Jr.
- Commissioner District 1 DeAndre' Knoxson
- Commissioner District 2 Keith Love
- Commissioner District 3 Chris Sharp
- Commissioner District 4 Jami Clark
2.
INVOCATION
Led by Pastor Terry Ray from CrossPoint Community Church.
Led by Pastor Terry Ray from CrossPoint Community Church.
3.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Led by Abel Garza, Jr., Commissioner At-Large.
Led by Abel Garza, Jr., Commissioner At-Large.
4.
PROCLAMATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS
a.
Promotion of Fire Captain Micah Voight to Battalion Chief
Dennis Harris, Fire Chief, promoted Micah Voight to Battalion Chief, he was pinned by a family member.
Dennis Harris, Fire Chief, promoted Micah Voight to Battalion Chief, he was pinned by a family member.
5.
REPORTS
Thelma Bowie, Commissioner At-Large, Mayor Pro Tem, arrived at 5:06 p.m.
Thelma Bowie, Commissioner At-Large, Mayor Pro Tem, arrived at 5:06 p.m.
a.
Fire Inspection Prevention Report (Fire Marshal)
Jason Brown, Fire Marshal, gave a PowerPoint presentation.
Jason Brown, Fire Marshal, gave a PowerPoint presentation.
6.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
The following members of the public requested to address the City Commission: Jose Boix, Robert Clem, Brian Goetschius, James Daniels, and Lucille McGaskey. All speaking on regular agenda item 8c.
The Mayor interjected to state that the commissioners and he, the Mayor, were elected to make decisions for the people who elected them. During an election, it is time to make any changes to who in the city makes these decisions. This is the first Certificate of Obligation of this Administration. The previous administration approved five Certificates of Obligation without voter approval. The Mayor felt the need to address the comment because it was an agenda item, and they wanted to share the facts.
The following members of the public requested to address the City Commission: Jose Boix, Robert Clem, Brian Goetschius, James Daniels, and Lucille McGaskey. All speaking on regular agenda item 8c.
The Mayor interjected to state that the commissioners and he, the Mayor, were elected to make decisions for the people who elected them. During an election, it is time to make any changes to who in the city makes these decisions. This is the first Certificate of Obligation of this Administration. The previous administration approved five Certificates of Obligation without voter approval. The Mayor felt the need to address the comment because it was an agenda item, and they wanted to share the facts.
7.
CONSENT AGENDA
Commissioner 4, Jami Clark, made a motion to approve Consent Agenda items 7a, b, c, d, e, f, and g. The motion was seconded by Commission 3, Chris Sharp.
Commissioner 4, Jami Clark, made a motion to approve Consent Agenda items 7a, b, c, d, e, f, and g. The motion was seconded by Commission 3, Chris Sharp.
a.
Approve City Commission Minutes for the February 19, 2025 meeting. (City Secretary)
Motion by, Seconded by
Vote: 7 - 0 CARRIED
b.
Consider and take action on Resolution No. 2025-023, suspending the April 19, 2025, effective date of the GRIP Rate Increases proposed by CenterPoint Energy for the maximum period allowed by Texas Utilities Code 104.301 (a). (Management Services)
Motion by, Seconded by
Vote: 7 - 0 CARRIED
c.
Consider and take action on Resolution No. 2025-024, awarding a reconstruction contract to AMS Construction in response to ITB No. 2025-469 Housing Reconstruction 31261. (Community Development & Grants Administration)
Motion by, Seconded by
Vote: 7 - 0 CARRIED
d.
Consider and take action on Resolution No. 2025-025, approving the revised Circulation Policy as presented by the Moore Memorial Library. (Library)
Motion by, Seconded by
Vote: 7 - 0 CARRIED
e.
Consider and take action on Resolution No. 2025-026, awarding a reconstruction contract to Dale Construction and Renovation in response to ITB No. 2025-470. (Community Development & Grants Administration)
Motion by, Seconded by
Vote: 7 - 0 CARRIED
f.
Consider and take action on Resolution No. 2025-027, approving an Interlocal Purchase Agreement between the City of Texas City and the Texas City Independent School District (TCISD). (Finance)
Motion by, Seconded by
Vote: 7 - 0 CARRIED
g.
Consider and take action on Resolution No. 2025-028, appointing a member to the Library board. (City Secretary)
Motion by, Seconded by
Vote: 7 - 0 CARRIED
8.
REGULAR ITEMS
a.
Consider and take action on the third and final reading of Ordinance No. 2025-04, amending Texas City Code of Ordinances Section 155 to add Kiosk Signs as an Allowable Sign. (City Engineer)
Curt Kelly, Building Inspector, recommended approval of the amendment to add kiosk signs as an Allowable Sign under the Texas City Off-Premises Sign Ordinance.
Curt Kelly, Building Inspector, recommended approval of the amendment to add kiosk signs as an Allowable Sign under the Texas City Off-Premises Sign Ordinance.
Motion by Commissioner District 4 Jami Clark, Seconded by Commissioner At-Large, Mayor Pro Tem Thelma Bowie
Vote: 7 - 0 CARRIED
b.
Consider and take action on Resolution No. 2025-029, approving the City of Texas City to enter into a contract with Mar-Con Services for the completion of the South Point Drainage Improvements Project. (CDBG DR - GLO Contract No. 22-119-003-D373) (Public Works)
Jack Haralson, Public Works Director, recommends the South Point Drainage Improvements Project be awarded to Mar-Con Services, LLC.
Jack Haralson, Public Works Director, recommends the South Point Drainage Improvements Project be awarded to Mar-Con Services, LLC.
Motion by Commissioner District 4 Jami Clark, Seconded by Commissioner District 3 Chris Sharp
Vote: 7 - 0 CARRIED
c.
Consider and take action on Ordinance No. 2025-08, authorizing the issuance of City of Texas City, Texas, Certificates of Obligation, Series 2025. (Finance)
Dedrick D. Johnson, Mayor, pulled this item due to a court ruling requiring re-posting all items from the City Commission meeting held on January 8, 2025.
Dedrick D. Johnson, Mayor, pulled this item due to a court ruling requiring re-posting all items from the City Commission meeting held on January 8, 2025.
9.
COMMISSIONERS' COMMENTS
Thelma Bowie, Commissioner At-Large, Mayor Pro Tem, announced a joint effort between herself with Commissioner Knoxson and Texas New Mexico Power Company, on rolling out street light initiative where residents easily report their street light being out.
Keith Love, Commissioner District 2, spoke on his opposition to the regular agenda item 8c. He acknowledged the city facilities need maintenance, but the people should have a say so and determine if they want to spend money on this. "This money that we're going to spend it belongs to the people, and I don't myself just don't feel comfortable with some of the ways we're doing it."
DeAndre' Knoxson, Commissioner District 1, expressed that the City Finance Officer and advisors are the authority with the knowledge of the city's financial situation, and they know what the city can or can not afford. He encouraged his fellow commissioners to meet with Cynthia Rushing, Chief Financial Officer, and other staff members to become better informed on any item or process so they can provide more information to their constituents. Agreed with Commissioner Love that the facility does need repairs, and if we can afford it and it's not going to cost the citizens any tax increases, then as a commissioner, he could not see why he would stand in the way. Updated facilities help our staff and provide better service to our citizens and if we can do this without raising the taxes, I don't see what the problem could be. If you don't have factual backing to your opinion, it's just that an opinion. Ms. Rushing and other staff members have factual backing to why this project can work.
Thelma Bowie, Commissioner At-Large, Mayor Pro Tem, announced a joint effort between herself with Commissioner Knoxson and Texas New Mexico Power Company, on rolling out street light initiative where residents easily report their street light being out.
Keith Love, Commissioner District 2, spoke on his opposition to the regular agenda item 8c. He acknowledged the city facilities need maintenance, but the people should have a say so and determine if they want to spend money on this. "This money that we're going to spend it belongs to the people, and I don't myself just don't feel comfortable with some of the ways we're doing it."
DeAndre' Knoxson, Commissioner District 1, expressed that the City Finance Officer and advisors are the authority with the knowledge of the city's financial situation, and they know what the city can or can not afford. He encouraged his fellow commissioners to meet with Cynthia Rushing, Chief Financial Officer, and other staff members to become better informed on any item or process so they can provide more information to their constituents. Agreed with Commissioner Love that the facility does need repairs, and if we can afford it and it's not going to cost the citizens any tax increases, then as a commissioner, he could not see why he would stand in the way. Updated facilities help our staff and provide better service to our citizens and if we can do this without raising the taxes, I don't see what the problem could be. If you don't have factual backing to your opinion, it's just that an opinion. Ms. Rushing and other staff members have factual backing to why this project can work.
10.
MAYOR'S COMMENTS
Mayor Johnson wants the citizens of Texas City to know that your input is extremely valuable. Moving forward with this certificate of obligation, we will hold a public hearing. It was never our desire to say your input is not valued or even wanted, but there's a difference in the financial methods. We did not create a financial mechanism and take your citizen's vote for you. The type of bond we are seeking does not require a citizen vote. We will seek citizen input throughout the process even though a citizen vote is not required. The Mayor admitted to the wrongdoings of the city by erroneously placing the public comments hearing on the agenda at the end of the meeting when they should have been at the beginning of the meeting. We will follow the court order to redo everything on the agenda at our next meeting. As the Mayor of this city, "I take full responsibility" for that error. "It was not to silence any votes; it was simply because an error was made." The Mayor clarified that the $95 million figure was just the ceiling amount of funds the city could spend without raising the citizen's tax rate. After further cost analysis and meeting with architects and department heads on how much space is actually needed, we came back with a more specified cost-analyzed project with a ceiling amount of $75 million. We are being financially responsible of taxpayer dollars by doing our course of due diligence.
The Mayor requested that the commission and the attendees observe a moment of silence for the passing of Rep. Sylvester Turner, former Houston Mayor and dear friend.
Mayor Johnson wants the citizens of Texas City to know that your input is extremely valuable. Moving forward with this certificate of obligation, we will hold a public hearing. It was never our desire to say your input is not valued or even wanted, but there's a difference in the financial methods. We did not create a financial mechanism and take your citizen's vote for you. The type of bond we are seeking does not require a citizen vote. We will seek citizen input throughout the process even though a citizen vote is not required. The Mayor admitted to the wrongdoings of the city by erroneously placing the public comments hearing on the agenda at the end of the meeting when they should have been at the beginning of the meeting. We will follow the court order to redo everything on the agenda at our next meeting. As the Mayor of this city, "I take full responsibility" for that error. "It was not to silence any votes; it was simply because an error was made." The Mayor clarified that the $95 million figure was just the ceiling amount of funds the city could spend without raising the citizen's tax rate. After further cost analysis and meeting with architects and department heads on how much space is actually needed, we came back with a more specified cost-analyzed project with a ceiling amount of $75 million. We are being financially responsible of taxpayer dollars by doing our course of due diligence.
The Mayor requested that the commission and the attendees observe a moment of silence for the passing of Rep. Sylvester Turner, former Houston Mayor and dear friend.
11.
ADJOURNMENT
Having no further business, Mayor Dedrick D. Johnson, made a MOTION to ADJOURN at 5:55 p.m.; the motion was SECONDED by Commissioner At-Large Abel Garza, Jr. All present voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED.
ATTEST:
_________________________________
Rhomari Leigh, City Secretary
Date Approved:
| ______________________________ | |
| DEDRICK D. JOHNSON, MAYOR |
ATTEST:
_________________________________
Rhomari Leigh, City Secretary
Date Approved: