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February 25, 2025 ·6:00 PM Final-revised ·Regular Meeting - Amended

Council Chambers 200 West Walker Street

Agenda PDF Minutes PDF Official record ↗

Agenda — 80 items

  1. 1 The City Council of the City of League City, Texas, met in a regular meeting in the Council Chambers at 200 West Walker Street on the above date at 6:00 p.m.
  2. 1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS
  3. 2 Mayor: Nick Long City Council Members: Andy Mann Tommy Cones Tom Crews Courtney Chadwell Justin Hicks Chad Tressler Sean Saunders City Manager: John Baumgartner Assistant City Manager: Rick Davis Assistant City Manger-CFO: Angie Steelman Interim City Attorney: Michelle Villarreal City Secretary: Diana M. Stapp Chief of Police: Cliff Woitena Executive Director of Capital Projects Ron Bavarian Executive Director of Development Services: Christopher Sims Director of Finance: Kimberly Corell Director of Human Resources/Civil Service: James Brumm Director of Parks & Cultural Services: Chien Wei Director of Public Works: Jody Hooks
  4. 2. INVOCATION, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE U.S. FLAG AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE TEXAS FLAG
  5. 4 The invocation was given by Rev. Kyra Baehr with Unity Bay Area Houston. Mayor Long led in the pledges of allegiance to the flags.
  6. 4 Mayor for the Day, Caleb Sanchez, called the meeting to order at 6 p.m. and called the roll. All members of Council were present. Council Member Sean Saunders and Council Member Justin Hicks attended via video conference.
  7. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
  8. 3A. February 11, 2025 Regular Meeting 25-0126
  9. 4. PROCLAMATIONS, PRESENTATIONS, AWARDS, AND COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
  10. 4A. Presentation of a proclamation recognizing the League City 49ers Junior Football Team (Mayor Long) 25-0070
  11. 4B. Presentation of a proclamation recognizing the League City 49ers PeeWee Football Team (Mayor Long) 25-0071
  12. 9 Mayor Long asked if there were any corrections. He said hearing none, these minutes are approved.
  13. 5. PUBLIC COMMENTS BEFORE CITY COUNCIL
  14. 12 Members of the public are invited to give comments at this time, lasting not longer than 3 minutes. Comments may be general in nature or may address a specific agenda item.
  15. 13 PAGE BREAK
  16. 6. CONSENT AGENDA
  17. 6A. Consider and take action on a resolution authorizing an agreement with Thirkettle DBA Aqua Metric Sales Company for the purchase of water meters and meter parts for Fiscal Year 2025 in an amount not to exceed $416,000 (Director of Finance) 25-0095 Approved Pass
  18. 6B. Consider and take action on a resolution declaring a Cummins QSX15 Generator with a Siemens-Furnace Controls Enclosure as surplus property (Director of Finance) 25-0120 Approved Pass
  19. 16 NAME Laura Teatsworth
  20. 6C. Consider and take action on a resolution to renew the three-year Microsoft Enterprise Agreement with SHI Government Solutions, Inc., through State of Texas Department of Information Resources contract #DIR-CPO-5237 for software licenses for a total not to exceed $309,521.00 per year (Executive Director of IT, Facilities & The Ballpark) 24-0570 Approved Pass
  21. 17 A motion was made by Mr. Cones, seconded by Mayor Long, to suspend the rule and take up item 9B. The motion passed by the following vote: For: 8 – Mayor Long, Mr. Mann, Mr. Cones, Mr. Crews, Mr. Chadwell, Mr. Hicks, Mr. Tressler and Mr. Saunders
  22. 6D. Consider and take action on a resolution authorizing the submission of a grant application to Texas State Library and Archives Commission for the Texas Reads grant to fund teen literacy promotions in FY26 and authorizing the acceptance of such grant if awarded (Director of Parks & Cultural Services) 25-0115 Approved Pass
  23. 6E. Consider and take action on a resolution ratifying the agreement and authorizing an amendment with Faith Utilities, LLC for construction support services for the Emergency 24-inch Force Main Bypass Installation and Removal along FM 2094 for an aggregate amount not to exceed $153,039.60 (Director of Public Works) 25-0001 Approved Pass
  24. 9B. Consider and take action on a resolution to rename the Bay Colony Park on Ervin Street to the Pat Hallisey Park (Mayor Long, Mayor Pro Tem Tommy Cones, Council Member Justin Hicks) 25-0125 Approved Pass
  25. 20 PAGE BREAK
  26. 6F. Consider and take action on a resolution to ratify the agreement with Xylem Water Solutions, Inc. for construction support services for the Emergency 24-inch Force Main Bypass Installation and Removal along FM 2094 in an amount not to exceed $162,454.98 (Director of Public Works) 25-0002 Approved Pass
  27. 21 Approval of the Consent Agenda Approved the Consent Agenda Pass
  28. 6G. Consider and take action on a resolution authorizing a professional services agreement with EHRA Engineering, to provide design, bid, and construction phase services related to FM 518 at Bay Area Blvd. Intersection Improvements (ST2501) in an amount not to exceed $149,170 (Executive Director of Capital Projects) 25-0074 Approved Pass
  29. 6H. Consider and take action on a resolution authorizing a professional services agreement with Ardurra Group, Inc. for the design, bid and award, and construction phase services related to the Dallas Salmon WWTP Improvements including Aeration Basins FRP Launders, Belt Press Wash Water Booster System, Clarifier Slide Gates at Splitter Box, and Main Breaker Replacement within ATS Project (WW2103C) in an amount not to exceed $395,700. (Executive Director of Capital Projects) 25-0117 Approved Pass
  30. 24 END OF CONSENT AGENDA
  31. 25 PAGE BREAK
  32. 7. PUBLIC HEARING AND ACTION ITEMS FROM PUBLIC HEARING
  33. 7A. Hold a public hearing on a request for a Special Use Permit, SUP-24-0006 (Lawrence Road Office Building), for an "Office" use on approximately one acre zoned "RSF-10" (Single-Family Residential 10), generally located at the southwest intersection of Lawrence Road and Delesandri Lane, with the address of 2106 Lawrence Road (Planning Director) 25-0112
  34. 7B. Consider and take action on an ordinance adopting a Special Use Permit, SUP-24-0006 (Lawrence Road Office Building), for an "Office" use on approximately one acre zoned "RSF-10" (Single-Family Residential 10), generally located at the southwest intersection of Lawrence Road and Delesandri Lane, with the address of 2106 Lawrence Road (Planning Director) The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval, 4-3-0 on February 17, 2025. 25-0114 Approved on First Reading Pass
  35. 8. OLD BUSINESS
  36. 8A. Consider and take action on a resolution to rename the proposed Emerson Drive which will connect Ervin Street and Muldoon Parkway as Longfellow Drive (Executive Director of Development Services) 25-0121 Approved Pass
  37. 9. NEW BUSINESS
  38. 9A. Consider and take action on appointments to boards and commissions (Mayor Long) 25-0099 Approved Pass
  39. 9B. Consider and take action on a resolution to rename the Bay Colony Park on Ervin Street to the Pat Hallisey Park (Mayor Long, Mayor Pro Tem Tommy Cones, Council Member Justin Hicks) 25-0125
  40. 9C. Consider and take action on a resolution supporting sponsorship of an amendment to Section 419.0322(c) of the Texas Administrative Code in the 89th Texas Legislative Session, to align volunteer firefighter compensation limits with federal standards (Council Member Chadwell, Mayor Long and Council Member Saunders) 25-0127 Approved Pass
  41. 9D. Consider and take action on a resolution authorizing an agreement with Qualite Sports Lighting LLC for retrofit lighting at The Ballpark at League City in an amount not to exceed $750,000 (Executive Director of Facilities, Information Technology & The Ballpark) 25-0029 Approved Pass
  42. 35 PAGE BREAK
  43. 10. FIRST READING OF ORDINANCES
  44. 10A. Consider and take action on an ordinance amending the City of League City Code of Ordinances, Chapter 54, Article III. Smoking to include electronic smoking devices and to update various sections; Providing for codification, publication and an effective date (Executive Director of IT, Facilities and Ballpark and Director of Parks & Cultural Services) 25-0113 Approved on First Reading Pass
  45. 10B. Consider and take action on an ordinance amending the City of League City, Texas, Governmental, Proprietary, and Capital Funds Budget for Fiscal Year 2025 by amending Ordinance No. 2024-30, and Ordinance No. 2024-43 adjust the operating and capital budget for actual and projected expenditures (Assistant City Manager - CFO) Staff requests approval on first and final reading. 25-0119 Approved on First Reading Pass
  46. 10C. Consider and take action on an ordinance to set a 25 MPH WHEN FLASHING speed limit along FM 518 from 555 feet east of St. Christopher Ave. to 560 feet west of Louisiana Ave, a distance of 0.280 miles (Executive Director of Development Services) 25-0122 Approved on First Reading Pass
  47. 11. ITEMS ADDED AFTER ELECTRONIC AGENDA COMPLETED
  48. 12. REPORTS FROM STAFF MEMBERS
  49. 42 Announcements concerning items of community interest. No action will be taken or discussed.
  50. 42 PAGE BREAK
  51. 13. COUNCIL MEMBERS COMMENTS/REPORTS
  52. 44 Announcements concerning items of community interest. No action will be taken or discussed.
  53. 14. EXECUTIVE(CLOSED) SESSION(S)
  54. 14A. Texas Open Meetings Act, Section 551.074 Government Code - Personnel Matters Discuss employment, appointment, or evaluation of a public officer or employee, to-wit: City Auditor (Mayor Long) 25-0106
  55. 14B. Texas Open Meetings Act, Section 551.072 Government Code - Deliberations about real property Discuss potential purchase or sale of real property interests (Executive Director of Capital Projects) 25-0108
  56. 47 Consider and take action on an ordinance amending the City of League City, Texas, Governmental, Proprietary, and Capital Funds Budget for Fiscal Year 2025 by amending Ordinance No. 2024-30, and Ordinance No. 2024-43 adjust the operating and capital budget for actual and projected expenditures (Assistant City Manager - CFO) Staff requests approval on first and final reading. 25-0119 Approved First and Final Reading Pass
  57. 14C. Texas Open Meetings Act, Section 551.087 Government Code - Deliberations Regarding Economic Development Negotiations Discuss the offer of a financial or other incentive to a business prospect that seeks to locate, stay, or expand within the City of League City, Texas (Assistant City Manager) 25-0110
  58. 48 PAGE BREAK
  59. 14D. Texas Open Meetings Act, Section 551.071 Government Code - Consultation with Attorney Consultation with the City Attorney regarding potential litigation, to-wit: Solid Waste Franchise (City Attorney) 25-0123
  60. 15. ACTION ITEM(S) FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION(S)
  61. 15A. Consider and take action on discussion regarding the employment, appointment or evaluation of a public officer or employee, to-wit: City Auditor (Mayor Long) 25-0107 No Action
  62. 15B. Consider and take action on discussion concerning potential purchase or sale of real property interests (Executive Director of Capital Projects) 25-0109 No Action
  63. 15C. Consider and take action on the offer of a financial or other incentive to a business prospect that seeks to locate, stay, or expand within the City of League City, Texas (Assistant City Manager) 25-0111 Approved Pass
  64. 15D. Consider and take action regarding potential litigation, to-wit: Solid Waste Franchise (City Attorney) 25-0124 No Action
  65. 16. ADJOURNMENT
  66. 55 Mayor Pro Tem Tommy Cones – I’d just like to thank everyone up here, colleagues, voting for Pat’s park. I think it’s well-deserved. It’s great that we can do this. I look forward to trying to help Courtney with Tim’s memorial or whatever he thinks that is necessary or appropriate, but I do appreciate everybody’s vote. Chad Tressler – I apologize, I’m going to be long-winded tonight. Sorry. I’m going to talk about politicians tonight, doing politician things. Start with, I called it out earlier. I said a bad process was followed regarding the naming of the park. Sponsors went off on their own to devise a name to honor a friend. The problem when you do that, you exclude the contributions of the rest of this body to possibly come up with a better solution where everyone wins. The right thing to do would have been to suggest “I think we need to do something honor” whoever you want to honor, or have say a statement like “I’d like to have a conversation about how we name city places.” We could have had a workshop, could have fleshed out solutions that would have led to a complete consensus decision, but some members of this body prefer to make political games out of everything they do. Sometimes the motivation is to ensure they get the credit for what happens. Other times it’s so they can ensure a successful vote for their plan, often with pre-discussions that certainly have the appearance of violating the Texas Open Meetings Act by a rolling quorum or some other method.
  67. 56 _______________________ NICK LONG MAYOR
  68. 56 I don’t know if that happened here, but I do know we did not follow a good process. Since we haven’t followed a better process, we haven’t had the chance to discuss how we go about naming things and selecting which folks to honor in this way. Personally, I’d like to see a better process developed, where we establish more thorough criteria for measuring the impact of the folks to be honored, coming up with a list of candidates and then coming up with a list of candidate projects that would make sense for each of those folks. I’d like to see more community input on these topics. As my colleague pointed out, it’s Council prerogative to do anything they want to name and not follow the process. That’s totally valid, it doesn’t make it a good thing to do or the right way to do it. What I don’t like seeing, is a body of eight folks rewarding their friends and supporters. It almost feels like they’re setting up to have things named after themselves later. I’d like to see this all depoliticized, but as I said perhaps that politicization is what’s on the seat. Since it was pushed that way tonight, and since they chose to argue against the consideration of more meaningful names for this park and a more meaningful location to honor Mayor Hallisey, they’ve decided to make this a referendum on their friend, the former mayor. So, while I would prefer to not speak negatively about him, it bears talking about who he really was and what his legacy truly is, since we made it a referendum. My experience with the former mayor, and that of many folks who have reached out to me since this agenda was published, is not the same as those who voted to name the park after him tonight. This is a man who cursed, with an open mic, the entire rest of the city council as “the rudest bunch of expletive people,” simply because a vote didn’t go his way. This is a man who implied racism on behalf of the rest of the council as to the reason why the council chose to name one road after a family, instead of a portion of another road. This is a man who threatened to come after a fellow council member with both barrels because he felt slighted on a different vote. This is a man who tried to initiate needless battles between the city and the county to further a personal grudge with county elected officials. This is a man who accused me of a coup, when what I was doing was the opposite, and I asked staff to schedule and announce a special meeting to forgive his absences so he wouldn’t be declared as having vacated the position. This is a man that an attorney hired by our ethics committee found he used foul and mean language to refer to council members and had difficulty controlling his temper. Finally, this is a man that on multiple occasions degraded and insulted our hometown heroes in the volunteer fire department and police department. While in general I don’t believe in naming things after living folks, as they may yet disappoint us with the rest of their life and their remaining actions, I realize not all share that position, but I would hope one criteria we could use when deciding to name something after folks, is if this is someone we would want our kids to model their behavior after. When it comes to former mayor Hallisey, I can’t say that. I would have preferred to not speak negatively about him as he’s no longer in office and not of consequence. Since we made it a referendum on the man, this needed to be said. I also find it shameful we had to do this with an item sponsored by a council member who cowardly chose to punch out from this meeting and not stay tied in for the rest of the meeting after he got that vote through. This is a council member who did something so egregious over the last few days that our police chief had to identify this abuse of his position. I’m going to read an email summarizing that action from our police chief to our city manager. “Sir, On Monday, February 24, 2025, at approximately 9:41 AM, I received a phone call from Councilman Justin Hicks. He requested access to all call notes or documentation related to service calls at his residence during the previous weekend. I am aware that Mrs. Hicks contacted the police department during that time and filed two reports in which Councilman Hicks was identified as a suspect. Additionally, it is my understanding that Councilman Hicks is not currently residing at that address. I informed Councilman Hicks that he would need to submit a public information request, and I assured him that any permissible information would be provided in compliance with the law. He expressed a preference not to put anything in writing but requested to review the documentation. I reiterated that a public information request was necessary. He then asked whether I was in my office and if he could meet with me in person. Upon his arrival in my office, Councilman Hicks again requested access to the information, at which point I reiterated that a public information request was required. He shifted his approach, indicating that he would prefer to view the documents rather than receive physical copies, and he also inquired about body camera footage, asserting that he had previously been granted access. I clarified that, as an involved party to a police call, a public information request would still be necessary. At this juncture, Councilman Hicks appeared visibly upset but remained respectful. I advised him to discuss this matter with the City Manager and concluded our discussion. Following our meeting, I learned from our Records Manager that Councilman Hicks had contacted the Records Department shortly before our phone conversation. When asked to submit a public information request, he indicated he was a councilman and did not wish to provide anything in writing. The staff member informed him that a written request was mandatory for processing. He responded by stating he would contact the chief to resolve the matter. While I would like to attribute Councilman Hicks' behavior and requests to a misunderstanding of the process, I believe he was fully aware of what he was seeking. On Saturday, February 22, 2025, at approximately 1:54 PM, Councilman Hicks reached out to inform me that he and his wife were currently separated and that he anticipated she would reach out to me with false allegations against him. He requested that, in my capacity as chief of police, I disregard her inquiries and remain uninvolved in their personal matters. I clarified that neither I nor the agency had an interest in his personal life or civil matters. However, I emphasized that if his wife contacted me with any credible allegations of a criminal nature, it would be my duty to initiate an investigation, treating her as any other citizen in need of police services. He seemed frustrated with my response. In light of these events, it is my belief that Councilman Hicks assumed his status as an elected official entitled him to make demands of the police department that could compromise the integrity of ongoing investigations as well as the public trust in the organization. I find it deeply troubling that a councilman would believe his position grants him the authority to demand actions that violate the law. Furthermore, his suggestion, made in the presence of a member of my team, that he would call to enlist my assistance in contravening legal protocols is concerning. Councilman Hicks' conduct today was inappropriate and raised significant concerns about his self-awareness and judgment. His apparent disregard for how his actions could impact the reputation of the City and the integrity of the police department is alarming. I will not engage in unethical or illegal behaviors at the request of Councilman Hicks.” People of League City, fellow members of the council, I want to thank our chief for having the courage to do the right thing, and the conviction to always do that even in the face of someone who has shown that he takes out petty revenge on members of our staff. I applaud your integrity and I call on the rest of this council to have that same level of integrity and join me in calling for Councilman Hicks’ resignation. Sean Saunders – No Comments Andy Mann – No Comments Tom Crews – No Comments Courtney Chadwell – I just want to say I hope you get well soon, Sean. You’re looking great man. I appreciate you being here with us tonight. Mayor Long – I’m in no way excusing what Justin did and that was public record, or it’s going to be public record, and it was certainly going to be out there. Probably a little longer read and probably be better if you read it yourself. I have no problem with it being out there. But make no mistake, most of this is just petty political oneupsmanship. The same grandstanding you just accused us of making to name the park after Pat, this is really about taking a pound of flesh out of Pat. That’s what this about, and that’s why you just went after Mayor Hallisey. Pat and I were certainly not best friends and certainly have had numerous disagreements over the past 10 years, but the truth is he has done a lot for the park system in League City. He’s spent 50 years doing a variety of different things. I think it was pretty disgusting to, at the last minute, get Tim Miller involved in this and you did it on purpose just to embarrass Pat. I have been mentioning for seven years to name this park that very same thing. Nobody moved on it, nobody cared to move on it, but when you knew you could give Pat a black eye and kind of just mess with him a little bit, that’s when it came out. I don’t appreciate it especially insinuating that it’s some sort of political favor from me for Pat. We rarely ever agreed on anything, and it was not a political favor at all. He literally ran a person against me numerous times. It was because I felt he deserved it, and I do think it was terrible to try to pit the two pieces against each other. I hope we can come back next week, find a great way to do a memorial garden, figure out something else, it doesn’t have to be a garden it can be whatever we decide to do, but it does deserve to be remembered. It does deserve to not be swept under the rug, and hopefully we can come back and create something like that as well.
  69. 57 PAGE BREAK
  70. 57 PAGE BREAK
  71. 58 CERTIFICATE OF NOTICE
  72. 59 This is to certify that the above Notice of Meeting was posted on the bulletin board of City Hall of the City of League City, Texas, on or before the 21st day of February, 2025 prior to 12:30 p.m. as well as the City's public internet webpage, www.leaguecitytx.gov and was posted in accordance with the Texas Open Meetings Act, Chapter 551, Government Code.
  73. 59 At 7:22 p.m. Mayor Long announced the City Council will now go into executive session to discuss the following items:
  74. 60 The City Council of the City of League City, Texas reserves the right to meet in closed session on any of the items listed above should the need arise and if applicable pursuant to authorization by Title 5, Chapter 551 of the Texas Government Code: 551.071 Consultations with Attorney, 551.072 Deliberations about Real Property, 551.073 Deliberations about Gifts and Donations, 551.074 Personnel Matters, 551.076 Deliberations about Security Devices, and 551.087 Deliberations Regarding Economic Development Negotiations.
  75. 61 ________________________ DIANA M. STAPP CITY SECRETARY (SEAL) MINUTES APPROVED: March 11, 2025
  76. 62 _________________________________________________________________________ NOTE: In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, this facility is wheelchair accessible and accessible parking spaces are available. Requests for special accommodations or interpretive services must be made at least 48 hours prior to this meeting. Please contact the City Secretary's Office at 281-554-1030 or by FAX 281-554-1020. _________________________________________________________________________
  77. 63 Any invocation that may be offered during the ceremonial portion of the City Council meeting shall be the voluntary offering of a private citizen, to and for the benefit of the Council. The views or beliefs expressed by the invocation speaker have not been previously reviewed or approved by the Council and do not necessarily represent the religious beliefs or views of the Council in part or as a whole. No member of the community is required to attend or participate in the invocation and such decision will have no impact on their right to actively participate in the business of the Council.
  78. 64 At 7:53 p.m. Mayor Long reconvened the regular meeting and announced there was no final action, decision or vote with regard to any matter considered in the executive session just concluded.
  79. 68 PAGE BREAK
  80. 72 At 7:54 p.m. Mayor Long said, there being no further business this meeting is adjourned.