Feb 26, 2026 Regular Council

[1. DECLARATION OF A QUORUM AND CALL MEETING TO ORDER]

[00:00:09]

GOOD AFTERNOON EVERYONE. IT IS THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26TH AND I WOULD LIKE TO OFFICIALLY CALL THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING TO ORDER. FOR TODAY IT IS 5:05 P.M., AND I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE THAT'S IN THE AUDIENCE TODAY. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

COUNCIL. WE HAD A, I THINK, A VERY GOOD WORKSHOP THIS MORNING.

SO WE'RE CONTINUING ON WITH OUR BUSINESS AND ANYONE THAT MAY BE WATCHING THIS TELECAST IN THE COMMUNITY.

WE'RE GLAD TO HAVE YOU WITH US. WE HAD SOME TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES THIS MORNING WITH OUR TELECAST, BUT OUR MEETING THIS AFTERNOON, THAT'S BEEN CORRECTED AND WE'RE MOVING FORWARD.

SO WE DO HAVE COUNCIL SEATED, BUT LET'S HAVE A ROLL CALL, PLEASE.

MAYOR BROWN. PRESENT. MAYOR PRO TEM ROBB. HERE.

COUNCIL MEMBER LEWIS. HERE. COUNCIL MEMBER FINKLEA.

PRESENT. COUNCIL MEMBER BROWN. HERE. COUNCIL MEMBER PORRETTO.

HERE. COUNCIL MEMBER RAWLINS. HERE. VERY GOOD.

ALL OF OUR COUNCIL IS HERE AND SEATED. OUR INVOCATION IS PASTOR DONNELL, A JOHNSON SENIOR FROM THE HISTORIC AVENUE BAPTIST CHURCH. PASTOR JOHNSON, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE, SIR.

GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR BROWN. TO COUNCIL, TO ALL OF YOU WHO ARE HERE.

LET'S PRAY. ETERNAL AND SOVEREIGN GOD, WE COME BEFORE YOU WITH HUMILITY AND GRATITUDE.

WE THANK YOU, GOD, FOR THE GIFT OF COMMUNITY, FOR THE LAND BENEATH OUR FEET, FOR THE WATERS THAT SURROUND US, FOR THE HISTORY THAT SHAPED US, AND FOR THE FUTURE THAT CALLS US FORWARD.

WE THANK YOU FOR THE CITY OF GALVESTON, ITS RESILIENCE, ITS DIVERSITY, ITS INDUSTRY, ITS CULTURE AND ITS PEOPLE. LORD, WE RECOGNIZE THAT LEADERSHIP IS BOTH A PRIVILEGE AND A BURDEN.

TO GOVERN IS TO CARRY WEIGHT, THE WEIGHT OF BUDGETS, INFRASTRUCTURE, HOUSING, SAFETY, EDUCATION, ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP ARE THE DAILY REALITIES OF FAMILIES TRYING TO BUILD BETTER LIVES.

TONIGHT WE PAUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT NO ONE CARRIES THAT LOAD ALONE.

SO WE LOOK TO YOU. YOU ARE THE SOURCE OF OUR WISDOM, SOURCE OF OUR JUSTICE AND OUR PEACE.

WE LIFT UP, O GOD, EVERY MEMBER OF THIS CITY COUNCIL.

GRANT THEM THE WISDOM THAT IS PATIENT AND THOUGHTFUL.

GIVE THEM CLARITY IN COMPLEX MATTERS AND INTEGRITY IN EVERY DECISION.

WHEN ISSUES ARE LAID WITH OPINIONS ARE STRONG, GOD GRANT THEM LISTENING EARS AND DISCERNING HEARTS.

HELP THEM TO HEAR NOT ONLY THE LOUDEST VOICES, BUT ALSO THE QUIET CONCERNS OF THOSE WHO OFTEN GO UNHEARD WHERE THERE ARE COMPETING INTERESTS. GOD, GIVE THEM BALANCE. WHERE THERE IS TENSION, GIVE THEM STEADINESS.

WHERE THERE IS URGENCY, GIVE THEM PRUDENCE, AND WHERE THERE IS UNCERTAINTY, GOD, GIVE THEM COURAGE.

GUARD THEM, O GOD, FROM THE TEMPTATION TO LEAD FOR APPLAUSE RATHER THAN COMMON GOOD.

PROTECT THEM FROM CYNICISM, FATIGUE AND DIVISION.

STRENGTHEN THEIR FAMILIES WHO SUPPORT THEM BEHIND THE SCENES, AND GRANT THEM REST WHEN THEY ARE WEARY AND CONVICTION WHEN THEIR PATH IS DIFFICULT.

LORD, WE PRAY FOR JUSTICE IN THIS CITY. JUSTICE THAT IS FAIR, EQUITABLE, AND COMPASSIONATE.

GOD, WE PRAY THAT POLICIES WILL REFLECT DIGNITY OF EVERY RESIDENT, REGARDLESS OF NEIGHBORHOOD, BACKGROUND, INCOME LEVEL OR CIRCUMSTANCE. HELP THIS COUNCIL TO STEWARD THE RESOURCES WISELY, TO PLAN RESPONSIBLY AND TO THINK BEYOND TODAY TOWARD GENERATIONS THAT WILL INHERIT THIS CITY.

GOD, WE PRAY FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH THAT BENEFITS ALL PEOPLE, FOR SAFE STREETS, FOR STRONG NEIGHBORHOODS, FOR SCHOOLS THAT EDUCATE AND INSPIRE. FOR BUSINESSES THAT CREATE OPPORTUNITY FOR HOUSING THAT IS ATTAINABLE, FOR ENVIRONMENT DECISIONS THAT PROTECT BOTH COASTLINE AND COMMUNITY.

BLESS THE MAYOR OH GOD. THE COUNCIL MEMBER, THE CITY MANAGER, STAFF AND ALL PUBLIC SERVANTS.

GIVE THEM UNITY OF PURPOSE EVEN WHEN PERSPECTIVES DIFFER.

GOD LET DEBATE BE RESPECTFUL, DIALOG BE PRODUCTIVE AND DECISIONS BE THOUGHTFUL.

AND LORD, LET THIS CHAMBER BE A PLACE WHERE SERVICE OUTWEIGHS EGO, WHERE COLLABORATION OUTWEIGHS CONFLICT AND YOUR WISDOM GUIDES EVERY VOTE CAST. WE ASK THAT YOU BLESS THE PEOPLE OF GALVESTON, THE FIRST RESPONDERS, THE HEALTHCARE WORKERS,

[00:05:04]

LET THIS CITY CONTINUE TO BE MARKED BY RESILIENCE, STRENGTH, INNOVATION AND HOPE.

MAKE EVERY DECISION MADE HERE TONIGHT CONTRIBUTE TO A SAFER AND STRONGER AND MORE JUST GALVESTON.

WE ENTRUST THIS MEETING TO YOU, GUIDE IT, GUARD IT, GOVERN OUR HEARTS AS WE SPEAK, AND SEEK TO GOVERN WISELY.

IN YOUR NAME WE PRAY. AMEN. AMEN. THANK YOU, PASTOR JOHNSON [APPLAUSE].

LET'S HAVE OUR PLEDGE, PLEASE. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS. ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.

HONOR THE TEXAS FLAG. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THEE TEXAS.

ONE STATE UNDER GOD, ONE INDIVISIBLE.

COUNCIL MEMBERS ANY CONFLICT OF INTEREST THAT ANY COUNCIL MEMBER WOULD LIKE TO DECLARE?

[5. CONFLICTS OF INTEREST]

D AND 10.E ON THE AGENDA ARE DUPLICATES. THERE WAS SOME CONCERNS WITH THE SOFTWARE AND SO FORTH OF OUR AGENDA SYSTEM, BUT THOSE ARE DUPLICATES. SO WE WILL BE TAKING ONE OF THOSE AND NOT THREE OF THOSE IN A ROW ON THAT.

OTHER THAN THAT, WE HAVE OUR NORMAL AGENDA THAT WILL BE GOING THROUGH TONIGHT.

LET'S MOVE TO ITEM SIX, PLEASE. ITEM SIX. PRESENTATIONS, REPORTS OF COUNCIL OFFICER BOARDS AND CITY MANAGER SIX A PURSUANT TO TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE

[6. PRESENTATIONS/REPORTS OF COUNCIL, OFFICER BOARDS, AND CITY MANAGER]

THE BLUE ZONE IS COMING TO GALVESTON. I DON'T KNOW IF ANYBODY IS FOLLOWING WHAT THE BLUE ZONE IS, BUT IT IS COMING TO GALVESTON. A TEAM HAS BEEN EVALUATING THE ISLAND FOR SEVERAL MONTHS FOR READINESS FOR THE BLUE ZONE PROGRAM.

UTMB IS READY TO KICK OFF THIS PROJECT AT A PUBLIC EVENT MARCH 5TH AT 5:30 TO 7 AT LEVIN HALL ON THE SECOND FLOOR.

THAT'S AT 1006 MARKET. IT'S OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

YOU CAN PARK AT THE ALLEY BUILDING AT 12TH AND MECHANIC, OR AT THE UTMB PARKING GARAGE NUMBER THREE AT 10TH AND MARKET.

JUST FOR THOSE WHO DON'T KNOW, THE BLUE ZONE FOCUSES ON IMPACTING COMMUNITY HEALTH BY WELLBEING BY UTILIZING ROBUST RESEARCH AND DATA BASED GUIDANCE, THE BLUE ZONE TEAM ANALYZED PLACES AROUND THE WORLD WHERE PEOPLE LIVE HAPPY, ENGAGED AND PRODUCTIVE LIVES WELL INTO THEIR 90S AND THROUGH THIS RESEARCH DEVELOPED INDICATORS TO ACHIEVE THAT QUALITY THAT CAN BE APPLIED TO ANY COMMUNITY.

AND THEY'RE GOING TO BE DOING IT HERE IN GALVESTON. IT'S GOING TO INVOLVE ABOUT NINE MONTH PROGRAM WITH HEAVY LOCAL COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT INVOLVED IN THIS THAT'S, THAT'S GOING TO DEVELOP THESE STRATEGIES TO TRANSFORM THE HEALTH AND WELLBEING OF THE ISLAND RESIDENTS.

AND IF SUCCESSFUL, GALVESTON WOULD BECOME A BLUE ZONE CERTIFIED COMMUNITY, JOINING 90 OTHER COMMUNITIES IN 17 DIFFERENT STATES.

I GOT ONE MORE. YES, SIR. IT'S ACTUALLY JUST TO ADD ON TO YOUR BLUE ZONE.

I THINK IT'S A VERY EXCITING PROGRAM, AND IT'S A FIVE YEAR INITIATIVE FOR US, FOR THE CITY OF GALVESTON TO GET CERTIFIED AS A BLUE ZONE. AND THIS IS ALSO AN INITIATIVE THAT IS 100% BEING FUNDED BY UTMB.

AND IT WAS, I THINK, APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF REGENTS LAST WEEK OR THE WEEK BEFORE.

SO IT'S VERY EXCITING. AND THE SUCCESS OF THE PROGRAM DEPENDS ON THE ENGAGEMENT OF THE PUBLIC.

SO LOOK FOR LOOK FOR SOME SOLICITATIONS TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS PROGRAM COMING YOUR WAY.

I GOT ONE MORE ANNOUNCEMENT HERE AT CHRISTINE BRYANT, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF VISION GALVESTON, IS TRAVELING TO THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS IN WASHINGTON, D.C., NEXT WEEK TO ACCEPT THE COMMUNITY PARTNER OF THE YEAR AWARD ON BEHALF OF VISION

[00:10:03]

THIS IS AN INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION THAT HELPS PUT GALVESTON ON THE MAP AND VALIDATES SUCCESS THAT CAN BE ACHIEVED BY FOCUSING ON COLLABORATION AND DEVELOPING PARTNERSHIPS THAT LEVERAGE OUR CAPACITY TO GET GOOD THINGS DONE FOR GALVESTON.

IN FACT, ON OUR AGENDA TODAY, FOR THE SECOND TIME IN AS MANY COUNCIL MEETINGS, WE HAVE AN ACTION ITEM TO ACCEPT A GRANT FACILITATED BY VISION GALVESTON TO DO GOOD THINGS FOR THE ISLAND. VERY GOOD. THANK YOU. BOB.

ANY OTHER? YES. SHARON. MAYOR. LET ME SAY THANK YOU TO PASTOR JOHNSON FOR THAT PRAYER.

HE IS FROM THE HISTORICAL AVENUE L BAPTIST CHURCH, THE FIRST BLACK BAPTIST CHURCH IN THE STATE OF TEXAS.

YES. AND SECONDLY, SINCE THIS IS BLACK HISTORY MONTH, I'D LIKE TO GIVE A SPECIAL SALUTE TO FIRE CAPTAIN GERALD CLOUSER, THE THIRD, AND HIS SON, GERALD CLOUSER, THE FOURTH, WHO IS A 21 YEAR OLD FIREMAN HERE.

SO YOU HAVE FATHER AND SON BOTH SERVING HERE IN ON GALVESTON ISLAND.

AND WE WANT TO SAY CONGRATULATIONS DURING THIS MONTH.

AND WE THANK YOU MUCH FOR YOUR SERVICE. HIS SON COULDN'T BE HERE BECAUSE HE'S AT WORK [APPLAUSE] YES, MA'AM. ANY OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS? YES, SIR.

I JUST WANT TO DO A PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT FOR TOUCH A TRUCK THIS COMING SATURDAY.

LOOKING FORWARD TO BEING OUT THERE. IT'S AT 10 A.M., SPONSORED BY THE CITY OF GALVESTON.

AT LET'S SEE HERE, 823 26TH STREET, JUST RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER.

SO PLEASE BRING THE FAMILY OUT AND TAKE A LOOK AT OUR BIG FLEET OF VEHICLES AND TOUCH A TRUCK.

AND THEN I HAVE ONE. YES, MA'AM. AN ANNOUNCEMENT.

THERE WILL BE A MEETING AT 9:00 ON SATURDAY AT THE COURTYARD AND THE WEST GALVESTON PROPERTY ASSOCIATIONS WILL BE HAVING A FORUM FOR DISTRICT SIX CANDIDATES IF ANYBODY IS INTERESTED IN ATTENDING.

VERY GOOD. COUNCILMAN PORRETTO. ART WALK IS ON MARCH 14TH THE SECOND SATURDAY IN MARCH.

JANUARY ART WALK HAD TERRIBLE WEATHER AND THEY DIDN'T HAVE ONE IN FEBRUARY FOR MARDI GRAS.

SO HOPE TO SEE YOU OUT THERE AT OUR WALK. THANK YOU. VERY GOOD.

ANY FURTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS? COUNCIL. VERY GOOD.

LET'S MOVE TO TO OUR RECOGNITION AGENDA. FIRST OF ALL, WE HAVE A PROCLAMATION CONCERNING BUCKSHOT SALOON.

COUNCIL MEMBER ROBB.

SO I DON'T KNOW WHO WINS THE BET, BUT. ANYWAY, THIS PROCLAMATION IS FOR BOTH OF THE BUCK BROTHERS. WHEREAS THE BUCKSHOT SALOON HAS LONG SERVED THE GALVESTON COMMUNITY AS A WELCOMING NEIGHBORHOOD GATHERING PLACE THAT REFLECTS THE ISLAND'S UNIQUE CULTURE, HISTORY AND INDEPENDENT SPIRIT, AND WHEREAS FOR 15 YEARS BUCKSHOT SALOON HAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE VITALITY OF THE CITY OF GALVESTON BY SUPPORTING LOCAL MUSICIANS, ARTISTS, COMMUNITY INITIATIVES WHILE OFFERING RESIDENTS AND VISITORS A PLACE TO GATHER CONNECT. I'M GOING TO ADD IN, DANCE, AND ENJOY LIVE ENTERTAINMENT.

WHEREAS THE 15TH ANNIVERSARY OF BUCKSHOT SALOON REPRESENTS A MEANINGFUL MILESTONE, RECOGNIZING ITS DEDICATION AND RESILIENCE, POSITIVE IMPACT ON GALVESTON'S CULTURAL AND ECONOMIC LIFE.

THEREFORE, WE, THE MAYOR AND THE CITY COUNCIL OF GALVESTON, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM FEBRUARY 26TH, 26 AS BUCKSHOT SALOON 15TH ANNIVERSARY DAY IN THE CITY OF GALVESTON. COMMENCE BUCKSHOT SALOON FOR 15 YEARS OF SERVICE AND COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTION, EXTENDING THE BEST WISHES FOR CONTINUED SUCCESS AHEAD AND TESTIMONY.

[00:15:02]

THANK. YOU.

YOU GOING TO DO THE LONG ARM? YEAH. OH, AND BEAU, WHY DON'T YOU COME DOWN HERE TO Y'ALL CAN COME DOWN HERE.

I'LL HANG IT ON THE WALL. I'LL GET IT. I'LL DO IT.

I'LL COME DOWN BECAUSE I LEARNED HOW TO TWO STEP THERE. THAT'S RIGHT.

HELLO.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. [APPLAUSE] YOU WANT TO SAY ANYTHING? I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU VERY MUCH. AND WE'LL WE'LL KEEP DOING OUR BEST TO MAKE GALVESTON PROUD.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. AND MARIE MIGHT AS WELL STAY RIGHT THERE.

WE NOW HAVE PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING THE AMERICAN SHORE AND BEACH PRESERVATION ASSOCIATION CENTENNIAL YEAR.

WELL HELLO, KYLE. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I'VE BEEN UP HERE [LAUGHS] CITY OF GALVESTON PROCLAMATION.

WHEREAS THE YEAR 2026 MAKES THE ONE MARKS THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE AMERICAN SHORE AND BEACH PRESERVATION ASSOCIATION, AN ORGANIZATION FOUNDED IN 1926 TO ADVANCE THE PROTECTION, RESTORATION, AND RESPONSIBLE MANAGEMENT OF THE NATION'S SHORELINES AND BEACHES.

WHEREAS FOR A CENTURY, ASBPA HAS SERVED AS A LEADING VOICE IN FOSTERING COLLABORATION AMONG SCIENTISTS, ENGINEERS, POLICYMAKERS, THE COASTAL COMMUNITIES TO TRANSLATE SOUND SCIENCE INTO EFFECTIVE COASTAL POLICY AND PRACTICES, AND WHEREAS THE PRESERVATION OF SHORE BEACHES REMAINS ESSENTIAL TO PUBLIC SAFETY, ECONOMIC VITALITY, ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES, PARTICULARLY FOR COASTAL COMMUNITIES SUCH AS THE CITY OF GALVESTON.

AND WHEREAS, THE CITY OF GALVESTON HAS BENEFITED FROM THE ASBPA LEADERSHIP PARTNERSHIP AND PROMOTING RESILIENT, SUSTAINABLE AND WELL MANAGED COASTLINES AND SEEKS TO CONTINUE THIS COLLABORATION TO ADDRESS THE CURRENT AND FUTURE COASTAL CHALLENGES.

THEREFORE, WE, THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM 2026 AS AMERICAN SHORE AND BEACH PRESERVATION ASSOCIATION CENTENNIAL YEAR IN GALVESTON, TEXAS, WE COMMEND THE AMERICAN SHORE AND BEACH PRESERVATION AN ASSOCIATION FOR 100 YEARS OF DEDICATION AND LEADERSHIP AND SERVICE.

THE CITY OF GALVESTON CELEBRATES THIS MILESTONE OF REAFFIRMS ITS COMMITMENT TO COLLABORATIVE COASTAL STEWARDSHIP FOR THE BENEFIT OF CURRENT AND FUTURE GENERATIONS.

IN TESTIMONY, WHEREAS WITNESSED BY THE HAND OF THE MAYOR AND JANELLE WILLIAM, CITY SECRETARY.

AND I AM HONORED TO PRESENT THIS AWARD, SINCE I HAVE BEEN A MEMBER OF THE AMERICAN SHORE AND BEACH FOR PROBABLY ABOUT 26 YEARS, IF NOT MORE. I STARTED WHEN I WAS SEVEN.

AND I CAN'T I HAVE ATTENDED SO MANY MEETINGS WITH THEM ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND CERTAINLY A LOT OF THEIR LOBBYING MEETINGS AND IN WASHINGTON, D.C..

AND JUST TO SHARE A FACT. WHEN JERRY MOON AND I AND A NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN THIS CITY FIRST GOT INVOLVED IN THE AMERICAN SHORE AND BEACH, THE STATE OF TEXAS GOT LESS COASTAL FUNDING THAN THE STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA. AND IF YOU THINK ABOUT THAT, IT'S LIKE, WHAT?

[00:20:01]

BUT GOD, TAKE IT OVER. YEAH. YEAH. I'LL BE PRESENTING THIS NEXT MONTH AT THE ASBPA COASTAL SUMMIT IN WASHINGTON, D.C.. SO THEY ASKED JUST ALL THE COMMUNITIES THAT THEY'VE WORKED WITH TO PREPARE A PROCLAMATION, AND THEY ACTUALLY HAD THEIR NATIONAL CONFERENCE HERE TWO YEARS AGO AND IN GALVESTON.

SO SO, YEAH, I'LL REPRESENT THIS FOR THE CITY NEXT MONTH.

THANK YOU. KYLE. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

[APPLAUSE] THANK YOU. THANK YOU. WE NEXT HAVE A PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING THE INITIAL RESPONSE AND DIVE TEAM.

COUNCIL MEMBER RAWLINS.

CALL OUT THE NAMES. COME UP. IT LOOKS LIKE THEY'RE ALL HERE.

YEAH. VERY BIG HONOR HERE. THANK YOU ALL FOR COMING. CITY OF GALVESTON.

PROCLAMATION. MILO IN THE BACK. THAT'S ALL GOOD.

WHEREAS ON MONDAY, DECEMBER 23RD, 2025, IN THE AFTERNOON, A MEXICAN MILITARY AIRCRAFT CARRYING EIGHT INDIVIDUALS CRASHED NEAR THE GALVESTON CAUSEWAY IN GALVESTON BAY, RESULTING IN THE TRAGIC LOSS OF MULTIPLE LIVES AND CREATING A DANGEROUS RESCUE SITUATION UNDER EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS, INCLUDING DENSE FOG. AND WHEREAS, SERGEANT NICHOLAS MCDERMOTT, ALONG WITH MEMBERS OF THE INITIAL RESPONSE AND DIVE TEAMS OFFICER KEITH GRUMBLES, OFFICER DAULTON BROXTON, SERGEANT JOE MILO, OFFICER ETHAN WILKE, LIEUTENANT LARRY CHAMBERS, OFFICER JACOB EASLEY, SERGEANT CHRISTOPHER POMPA, OFFICER CODY CLEMENT, SERGEANT LEON BEAUMONT, OFFICER CHRISTOPHER WHIPPLE, SERGEANT ROBERT SANDERSON, OFFICER ANDREW VINCES, OFFICER MANDY HENDRICH, OFFICER DEREK GERAGHTY AND LIEUTENANT SEAN MIGAS ACTED SWIFTLY AND PROFESSIONALLY, PLACING THEMSELVES IN HARM'S WAY TO SECURE THE SCENE AND PERFORM RESCUE AND RECOVERY OPERATIONS. AND WHEREAS THE COMMUNITY OF GALVESTON RECOGNIZES AND DEEPLY APPRECIATES THE SACRIFICE, COMMITMENT AND EXEMPLARY CONDUCT SHOWN BY THESE PUBLIC SERVANTS.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED THAT WE, THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL, THE CITY OF GALVESTON, DO HEREBY COMMEND AND HONOR THE OFFICERS FOR THEIR UNWAVERING DEDICATION UNDER DANGEROUS AND DEMANDING CONDITIONS, EXEMPLIFYING THE HIGHEST STANDARDS OF PUBLIC SERVICE AND TEAMWORK.

THE SAFETY YOU HELPED PROVIDE AND THE LIVES YOU WORK TO PROTECT WILL NOT BE FORGOTTEN.

AND TESTIMONY WHEREOF WITNESS MY HAND IN THE SEAL OF THE CITY OF GALVESTON, THIS 26TH DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2026. DOCTOR CRAIG BROWN MAYOR, JANELLE WILLIAMS, CITY CITY SECRETARY.

SO THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH. IT WAS A HONOR TO BE ABLE TO DO THIS PROCLAMATION [APPLAUSE].

I, I APPRECIATE CHIEF HALE. HE ALSO PLAYED AN INTEGRAL PART IN MAKING SURE THAT Y'ALL GOT THE THIS DAY.

SO THANK YOU, EVERYONE. EACH OF YOU HAVE YOUR OWN PROCLAMATION.[INAUDIBLE] WOULD THE GENTLEMAN. EXCUSE ME. GENTLEMAN AND LADY LIKE TO COME UP.

THEY CAN COME RIGHT BACK HERE AND WE'LL TAKE A PICTURE WITH COUNCIL. THEY WOULD LOVE TO. CIRCLE AROUND.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING US. THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

GOOD WORK. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WHERE THE IS THAT? I HOPE IT WASN'T ONE OF THEM. ALL RIGHT. GOOD.

WE'LL SIT. ALL RIGHT. YES,

[00:25:05]

IF YOU TAKE ONE MORE. CHIEF, YOU COME UP HERE WITH US, PLEASE.

DID YOU? [INAUDIBLE] COULD YOU? OH, GOD.

[INAUDIBLE] THANK YOU. THANK YOU [APPLAUSE].

IT IS.

VERY GOOD. BEFORE WE GO TO OUR LAST PROCLAMATION THIS AFTERNOON, I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT TWO INDIVIDUALS HERE AT THE CITY. IF YOU FOLLOW CITY ACTIVITIES A LOT, AND YOU'RE INVOLVED WITH THE CITY IN ANY WAY, AT SOME POINT IN TIME, YOU'LL COME IN CONTACT WITH OUR CITY SECRETARY'S OFFICE.

AND WE FEEL HERE AT COUNCIL THAT WE HAVE A EXEMPLARY STAFF THROUGHOUT THE CITY AND ESPECIALLY AT OUR CITY SECRETARY'S OFFICE LEVEL. AND SO I WANT TO RECOGNIZE ALL OF THE INDIVIDUALS, BUT HIGHLIGHT TWO INDIVIDUALS THAT I THINK HAVE REALLY RISEN TO FROM AN EDUCATIONAL STANDPOINT, HAVE REALLY RISEN TO REPRESENT GALVESTON IN A WONDERFUL WAY BECAUSE OF ALL THEIR DEDICATION TO THEIR CONTINUING EDUCATION AND NOTIFICATION THAT THEY GO THROUGH.

FIRST OF ALL, I WANT TO RECOGNIZE OUR CITY SECRETARY, JANELLE WILLIAMS. I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM THE TEXAS MUNICIPAL CLERKS CERTIFICATION PROGRAM STATING DEAR MAYOR BROWN, I AM PLEASED TO INFORM YOU THAT CITY SECRETARY JANELLE WILLIAMS COMPLETED HER REQUIRED PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION FOR RECERTIFICATION AS A TEXAS REGISTERED MUNICIPAL CLERK, AND JANELLE HAS BEEN.

HOW MANY YEARS JANELLE HAVE YOU BEEN NOW AS A CERTIFIED CLERK? I WAS FIRST CERTIFIED IN 2011. THAT IS WONDERFUL.

THIS IS MY THIRD RECERTIFICATION. IT'S A FIVE YEAR RECERTIFICATION PROGRAM.

CONGRATULATIONS, JANELLE [APPLAUSE]. THANK YOU.

ALSO, I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT A NEW PERSON THAT'S NOW WITH THE CITY SECRETARY'S OFFICE.

MARTHA ALVAREZ HAS THROUGH HER DEDICATION AND DEVOTION AND PROFESSIONALISM, HAS ON HER OWN ATTENDED EDUCATIONAL CONFERENCES AND SO FORTH TO INCREASE HER KNOWLEDGE OF HER INVOLVEMENT WITH THE CITY AND HER KNOWLEDGE OF SERVING AS THE CITY SECRETARY IN THE CITY SECRETARY'S OFFICE.

AND SO, IN RESPONSE TO THAT, MISS ALVAREZ HAS NOW BEEN PROMOTED TO AN EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO THE CITY SECRETARY.

AND, MARTHA, I WANT TO CONGRATULATE CONGRATULATE YOU ON THAT.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU MAYOR [APPLAUSE]. YES, WE SHOULD ALSO THANK NELLIE FOR HER GREAT TRAINING OF MARTHA [APPLAUSE]. SO THERE YOU GO. THANK YOU.

WE HAVE FOUR LADIES IN THE CITY SECRETARY'S OFFICE, AND ALICE HINOJOSA IS NOT HERE WITH US TONIGHT.

BUT SHE ALSO ROUNDS UP ROUNDS OUT THE CITY SECRETARY'S OFFICE.

AND I WANT TO THANK ALICE, TOO, FOR ALL THAT SHE DOES.

IF YOU REQUEST OPEN RECORDS ALISON IS THE PERSON THAT GETS THOSE FOR YOU.

SO VERY GOOD. WE HAVE ONE LAST PROCLAMATION. I'M GOING TO COME DOWN, AND I'D LIKE TO READ THAT PERSONALLY.

[00:30:08]

WE HAVE THE PRESIDENT OF THE SCHOOL BOARD, TONY BROWN.

TONY, COME ON UP. AND ARE THERE ANY OTHER SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS HERE? TONY.

WE HAVE MISS HART. DOCTOR HART IS HERE. DOCTOR HART, COME ON UP.

COME ON. COME ON UP.

NICE TO MEET YOU. VERY GOOD. ALSO MRS. SEILER IS ALSO OUR MY CO-SPONSOR WITH NHS.

WE HAVE THE SPEECH AND DEBATE COACH HERE, SO I GOTTA BE VERY CAREFUL HOW I READ THIS.

SO VERY GOOD. IT IS NOW, MY HONOR. EXCUSE ME.

I'M SORRY. BRING US UP. WELL, I WAS GOING TO.

I WAS GETTING READY TO. OKAY. THANK YOU. IT IS NOW MY HONOR.

WE IN VISITING WITH MISS HART INITIALLY, AND THEN WITH THE SCHOOL BOARD AND WITH OUR PRESIDENT, TONY BROWN OF THE SCHOOL BOARD, WE FELT IT WOULD BE VERY APPROPRIATE TO GIVE AN ANNUAL AWARD.

AND THIS IS OUR FIRST YEAR TO DO THIS, TO RECOGNIZE A STUDENT FROM GALVESTON BALL THAT EXEMPLIFIES NOT ONLY ACADEMIC AND SCHOOL EXCELLENCE, BUT ALSO COMMUNITY EXCELLENCE ALSO.

AND IT IS NOW MY HONOR TO READ A PROCLAMATION FOR MR. TARRIS, TARRIS WOODS THE THIRD. TARRIS. COME ON [APPLAUSE].

WHEREAS TARRIS WOODS THE THIRD, A BALL HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR, HAS DEMONSTRATED SUSTAINED SERVICE BEYOND REQUIRED HOURS AND A STRONG COMMITMENT TO THE CIVIC LIFE OF GALVESTON, CONTRIBUTING HUNDREDS OF VOLUNTEER HOURS ACROSS CITYWIDE, SCHOOL BASED, NONPROFIT, ENVIRONMENTAL, FOOD SECURITY, HISTORICAL AND PUBLIC HEALTH EFFORTS THROUGH THE NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY AND GALVESTON INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT.

PARTNERSHIPS. WHEREAS MULTIPLE NONPROFIT PARTNERS HAVE INDEPENDENTLY RECOGNIZED TARRIS AS AN EXCEPTIONAL VOLUNTEER WHOSE RELIABILITY, INITIATIVE AND LEADERSHIP HAVE DIRECTLY CONTRIBUTED TO THE SUCCESS OF THEIR EFFORTS WITH THE CONSISTENCY OF THIS FEEDBACK, REFLECTING BOTH HIS CHARACTER AND IMPACT IN HIS INTEGRITY, FURTHER DEMONSTRATED BY DECLINING TO RECEIVE VOLUNTEER HOURS FOR COMPLETED SERVICE.

AND DID YOU KNOW THAT?[LAUGHS] WHEREAS TARRIS HAS SHOWN EXCEPTIONAL COMMITMENT TO HIS SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY BY ASSISTING WITH THE SETUP OF THE NEW BALL HIGH SCHOOL, BUILDING SUPPORTIVE TEACHERS AND STAFF, CONTINUING TO VOLUNTEER WITH THE AMERICAN FOUNDATION FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION AND HIKE FOR HOPE, AND SERVING AS SANTA CLAUS AT BALL HIGH SCHOOL [LAUGHS].

THAT'S A BIG ONE RIGHT THERE [LAUGHS] AT BALL HIGH SCHOOLS, SHARE YOUR HOLIDAYS EVENT TO HELP CREATE A JOYFUL AND WELCOMING EXPERIENCE FOR FAMILIES. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED, WE, THE MAYOR AND THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE GALVESTON, HEREBY RECOGNIZE AND COMMEND TARRIS WOODS THE THIRD, FOR HIS EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE, LEADERSHIP, INTEGRITY AND POSITIVE IMPACT ON THE GALVESTON COMMUNITY.

CONGRATULATIONS [APPLAUSE]. LET'S GET THE FAMILY AND FAMILY HERE.

COME ON UP, FAMILY MEMBERS. COME ON UP. LET'S GET THE FAMILY IN THIS TOO.

HERE. NO, YOU GUYS STAY UP HERE. COME ON. OKAY.

[00:35:01]

ALRIGHT. IS THERE? ANYBODY IN HERE? COME ON IN.

THERE HE IS. TONY! WHERE'S TONY? THERE WE GO.

ALRIGHT.

ALRIGHT. EVERYBODY SMILE.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU [APPLAUSE]. LIKE TO SAY SOMETHING? IT'S UP TO YOU. IS IT ON? OH. YES. OH, SURE. NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY.

HOW ARE YOU? NICE TO MEET YOU. CONGRATULATIONS TO US.

COME. HERE YOU.

HI.

HEY, GUYS. WELCOME TO THE MEET THE MAYOR EVENT.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. NICE TO MEET YOU.

VERY GOOD. OH, THIS IS WONDERFUL. THIS IS JUST MARVELOUS.

OKAY. THANK YOU. ASHLEY, THANK YOU SO MUCH. SPEECH.

SPEECH. WE NEED SOME WORDS.

HELLO? HELLO, HELLO. SO MANY WORDS. SO LITTLE TIME.

I'D LIKE TO GIVE THANKS TO ALL THE VOLUNTEERS AT NHS.

I DID NOT DO IT ALONE, SO THANK YOU. THAT'S ALL FOLKS.

COME HERE. YES, SIR. MR. MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS AND ALL WHO ASSEMBLED, NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY AND ALL GUESTS.

NOT ONLY HAS TARRIS REPRESENTED NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY IN BALL HIGH SCHOOL, BUT THIS PAST SATURDAY AT LAMAR CONSOLIDATED HIGH SCHOOL, HE BECAME A TWO TIME STATE QUALIFIER IN SKILLS USA NATIONAL OR STATE TOURNAMENT.

HE WON THE DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIP ALONG WITH HIS TWO TEAMMATES.

LAST YEAR, HE REPEATED THAT DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIP AND NOW WILL BE HEADING TO CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS FOR THE STATE TOURNAMENT, WHERE THAT WILL BE ABOUT 16,000 STUDENTS FROM AROUND THE STATE.

SO CONGRATULATIONS FOR BEING A TWO TIME STATE CHAMPION QUALIFIER [APPLAUSE].

YEAH. VERY GOOD.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. AND THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

THOSE THAT ARE HERE FOR THAT, YOU'RE WELCOME TO STAY FOR THE WHOLE MEETING BUT YOU DO NOT NEED TO.

SO.

THANKS, TONY. YES, IF I COULD. SOME OF YOU MAY HAVE SEEN DOLPH TILLOTSON'S PIECE IN THE DAILY NEWS AFTER HE ATTENDED THE.

EXCUSE ME, MY VOICE IS GOING THE OPEN HOUSE THAT WE HAVE IN CONNECTION WITH THE ROTARY, WHICH WAS THE BIGGEST EVER.

BUT BOB TILLOTSON WAS THERE AND ONE OF THE STUDENTS WHO TOOK HIM AROUND WAS TARRIS WOODS THE THIRD.

[00:40:03]

WHAT'S YOUR NAME? HE SAID, TARRIS WOODS. GOES, REALLY? BUT IT WAS HE'S JUST ONE OF MANY, AND THEY'RE ALL INCREDIBLE EXAMPLES OF LEADERSHIP FOR THIS COMMUNITY.

WE TALK ABOUT ALL THE ATHLETES WE HAVE IN THE PROS, WHICH IS GREAT.

THAT'S WONDERFUL. BUT WE HAVE KIDS DOING ALL KINDS OF THINGS EVERYWHERE, AND IT'S A GREAT PLACE FOR SCHOOL.

IT'S A DYNAMO. SO VERY GOOD. THANK YOU ALL. THANK YOU TONY [APPLAUSE].

VERY GOOD. LET'S MOVE TO ITEM SIX B NOW PLEASE.

ITEM SIX B, PRESENT THE INVESTMENT REPORT FOR QUARTER ENDED DECEMBER 31ST, 2025 AS PART OF THE CITY MANAGER'S REPORT.

WE HAVE OUR FINANCE DIRECTOR, CSILLA LUDANYI, TO PRESENT THIS.

CSILLA. GOOD EVENING. SO THE REPORT YOU HAVE BEFORE YOU IS THE INVESTMENT REPORT FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF FISCAL YEAR 26.

IT'S THE QUARTER ENDED DECEMBER 31ST, 2025. IF YOU TURN TO PAGE FIVE OF YOUR REPORT YOU WILL NOTE THAT THE MARKET VALUE FOR THE ENTIRE PORTFOLIO ENDING THE QUARTER WAS $211.8 MILLION.

OF THAT, ABOUT 28 MILLION OF THE PORTFOLIO IS HOT FUNDS.

THERE WAS ABOUT A $9 MILLION INCREASE FROM THE END OF THE PREVIOUS QUARTER TO THE END OF DECEMBER, WHICH IS GREAT FOR THE CITY. IT ALSO MEANS THAT WE PUT A LOT OF REVENUES INTO OUR INVESTMENTS, AND A LOT OF THAT WAS PROPERTY TAX RECEIVED AT THE END OF DECEMBER.

THE INTEREST INCOME FOR THAT PERIOD WAS 2 MILLION, A LITTLE OVER 2 MILLION.

AND YOU'LL SEE THAT THE AVERAGE WEIGHTED MATURITY WAS ABOUT 3.973%.

THIS IS A DECREASE FROM THE PREVIOUS QUARTER.

THIS IS LARGELY DRIVEN BY THE DECREASES TO THE FED FUNDS RATE.

THERE WERE 225 BASIS POINT DECREASES TO THAT OVERNIGHT RATE.

AND SO YOU'LL SEE THE CHANGE ON OUR END WAS ONLY ABOUT 0.305.

WHICH MEANS THAT BECAUSE OUR INVESTMENTS ARE LADDERED OUT AND SOME OF OUR INVESTMENTS HAVE A FIXED RATE IN ADVANCE, THAT AVERAGE WEIGHTED MATURITY IS IMPACTED BY THE FACT THAT WE HAVE THOSE INVESTMENTS SCHEDULED AHEAD.

ALSO, IT MEANS THAT OUR TECH SCHOOL AND OTHER POOLED FUND INVESTMENTS ARE ALSO INVESTED IN A WAY THAT IT MITIGATES FOR THAT CHANGE IN THE OVERNIGHT RATE. IF YOU MOVE TO PAGE SIX OF YOUR REPORT, YOU'LL SEE THAT ABOUT 72.3% OF OUR INVESTMENTS ARE IN OVERNIGHT ASSETS WITH THE POOL FUNDS. YOU'LL SEE THAT OUR LADDER GOES OUT THROUGH ABOUT MARCH 2027, AND WE TRY AND DO SIMILAR SIZE TRANCHES AS WE'RE LOOKING AT THAT. BUT WE'RE BEING CAUTIOUS AS WE'RE INVESTING OUT INTO THE FUTURE BECAUSE INTEREST RATES ARE PROJECTED TO DECLINE.

AND ALL OF, ALL OF IF IF YOU WATCH THE WAY THE PROJECTIONS ARE FOR THE FED FUNDS RATE, YOU GOT TO KIND OF SEE EXACTLY THAT IT'S DECLINING OVER TIME. AND SO WE NEED TO MAKE THOSE INVESTMENTS STRATEGICALLY WHEN THEY'RE ON A LITTLE BIT OF AN UPSWING FROM ONE MONTH TO THE NEXT, THAT SORT OF THING. YOU'LL NOTE THAT WE HAVE ABOUT 27.68% IN TREASURIES AND AGENCIES.

AND I BELIEVE THAT IS THE END OF THE INVESTMENT REPORT.

I AM HAPPY TO ENTERTAIN ANY QUESTIONS, ANY QUESTIONS FROM MISS LUDANYI.

VERY GOOD. LET'S MOVE TO ITEM 6.C, PLEASE. NELLIE.

ITEM 6.C PRESENT FISCAL YEAR 2025 BUDGET REPORT FOR FOURTH QUARTER ENDING SEPTEMBER 30TH, 2025 AS PART OF THE CITY MANAGER'S REPORT.

SO, AS YOU MAY HAVE NOTED IN YOUR STAFF REPORT, THIS IS THE FOURTH QUARTER REPORT FOR FISCAL YEAR 25.

AND SO WE'RE ABOUT FIVE MONTHS OUT FROM THAT.

AND THE REASON FOR THAT IS IN LARGE PART DUE TO OUR SOFTWARE TRANSITION.

IT HAS TAKEN THE FINANCE TEAM A LOT OF HARD WORK TO CLOSE OUT THE PREVIOUS FISCAL YEAR IN OUR OLD SOFTWARE AND MAKE ADJUSTMENTS FROM THE NEW SOFTWARE.

AND THE MOVEMENT OF THE INFORMATION BETWEEN THE TWO SOFTWARE TO PROPERLY CLOSE OUT ONE YEAR AND TO LOAD FOR THE CURRENT YEAR.

THIS HAS RESULTED IN A SLIGHT DELAY. AND I SAY THIS ONLY THAT WE ARE OUR BRAINS ARE IN THIS FISCAL YEAR ALREADY.

AND SO THE THINGS I'M SAYING APPLY TO BEFORE THIS BUDGET STARTED.

OKAY. SO IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT. I DO HAVE TO PROVIDE YOU WITH A FOURTH QUARTER REPORT.

IT IS A LEGALLY REQUIRED. THE FISCAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE HAS NOT SEEN THIS REPORT YET, AND THEY WILL RECEIVE IT AT THE SAME TIME,

[00:45:03]

AND THE AUDIT WHICH WILL BE AT THEIR MARCH MEETING.

AND NEXT MONTH, YOU WILL HAVE BUDGET AMENDMENTS THAT ARE CORRELATED WITH THE PRESENTATION I AM GIVING YOU NOW.

SO THAT'S I KNOW THAT'S A LOT OF INFORMATION, BUT I WANTED TO MAKE SURE EVERYBODY KIND OF UNDERSTOOD THAT THIS IS A POINT WHERE WE CROSS BETWEEN TWO FISCAL YEARS. RIGHT. SO THE GENERAL FUND IS CURRENTLY PROJECTED AT THE END OF FISCAL YEAR 25 TO HAVE $27.3 MILLION IN ENDING FUND BALANCE. THIS IS AN INCREASE FROM WHAT WAS ORIGINALLY PROJECTED.

IT'S THE EQUIVALENT OF 124 DAYS OF OPERATING REVENUE.

IT'S ABOUT A 13.9% INCREASE IN DOLLARS FROM THE END OF FISCAL YEAR 24.

THE REASON FOR THIS IS REALLY SIGNIFICANT. WE HAD A $1.9 MILLION LAND SALE.

WE SOLD AN ASSET. WE HAD A SIX MONTH HIRING FREEZE BECAUSE OF OUR CONCERNS.

AND THAT RESULTED IN OVER $450,000 IN VACATION LAPS.

AND WE HAD HURRICANE BARREL REIMBURSEMENTS THAT CAME IN FASTER THAN WE ANTICIPATED.

AND SO THAT WAS ANOTHER $405,000. THESE THREE ONE TIME RECEIPTS TOTALED ABOUT $2.7 MILLION, AND THAT'S APPROXIMATELY 12 DAYS OF OPERATING REVENUE.

WHAT THAT MEANS IS, IF WE HADN'T RECEIVED THOSE ONE TIME SOURCES OF REVENUE, WE WOULD HAVE BEEN AT THE ORIGINALLY PROJECTED 112 DAYS.

SO IT'S JUST IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THAT WE ARE IN A REALLY GOOD POSITION, BUT IT'S A RESULT OF ONE TIME THINGS THAT AREN'T GOING TO OCCUR A SECOND TIME.

ADDITIONAL BRIGHT SPOTS IN THE GENERAL FUND ARE 3.8% INCREASE IN SALES TAX REVENUE COMPARED WITH WHAT WAS BUDGETED, AND ABOUT 7.6% INCREASE IN CRUISE PASSENGER CHARGES AND 9.2% IN LONG TERM PARKING REVENUE COMPARED TO WHAT WAS BUDGETED. THIS IS ABOUT LAST YEAR.

WE WERE UNDER BY ABOUT 40%. NOW WE'VE NARROWED IT DOWN TO LESS THAN 10%.

SO WE'RE STARTING TO UNDERSTAND THE TRENDS THAT ARE GOING TO BE COMING THERE.

AND HOPEFULLY WE TIGHTEN DOWN THAT PROJECTION FOR THIS COMING YEAR AS WELL.

HOTEL OCCUPANCY TAX FELL SHORT OF WHAT WAS BUDGETED BY ABOUT $1.7 MILLION IN THE LOCAL TAX.

IT'S ABOUT A 5.9% DECREASE FROM WHAT WAS ORIGINALLY BUDGETED.

IF YOU TURN TO PAGE ONE OF YOUR BOUND BOOK, IT'S WHERE YOU SEE YOUR CITYWIDE SUMMARY.

AND AS ALWAYS, I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THE FACT THAT IN THE ENDING FUND BALANCE, THE LARGEST INCREASE IN FUND BALANCE IS RELATED TO SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS BECAUSE WE BUDGET TO SPEND ALL OF THEM, AND THEN WE DON'T, BECAUSE A LOT OF IT IS IN RESERVE FOR SPECIAL PROJECTS AND SUCH.

SO YOU'LL SEE THAT IN THE SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS, A LOT OF THAT BEING HOT FUNDS, THERE'S A 64, THE ENDING FUND BALANCE IS 64 MILLION DOLLARS COMPARED TO THE 29, 29 MILLION THAT WAS ORIGINALLY BUDGETED.

OKAY. AND THAT'S JUST THE NATURE OF SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS.

AND IF ANYONE HAS QUESTIONS, I'M HAPPY TO DISCUSS THAT.

VERY GOOD. ANY QUESTIONS FROM MISS LUDANYI? YES, BOB.

WHAT'S YOUR THOUGHTS ON HOW LONG WE'LL BE ABLE TO SUSTAIN THIS 124 DAY RESERVE? HOW LONG WILL WE BE ABLE TO SUSTAIN? SO IT DEPENDS ON IF WE HAVE ANY MAJOR EXPENDITURES THAT COME IN THE NEXT SIX MONTHS.

REALLY. RIGHT. BECAUSE WE'RE NOT BUDGETING IN 26 TO SIGNIFICANTLY SPEND DOWN FUND BALANCE.

WE DID INCREASE CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES. THEY GOT THAT MERIT INCREASE, NOT A MERIT INCREASE, THE COLA INCREASE.

AND SO DEPENDING ON WHETHER THERE ARE REVENUES THAT COME IN TO OFFSET THAT WE SHOULDN'T BE SPENDING DOWN FUND BALANCE SO WE CAN SUSTAIN THAT, AT LEAST IN DOLLARS. RIGHT. IF YOUR GENERAL FUND EXPENDITURES INCREASE, THEN THE COST OF THE DAY GETS HIGHER.

AND SO THE SAME AMOUNT OF MONEY IS NOT AS MANY DAYS.

RIGHT. BUT UNLESS THERE ARE SIGNIFICANT INCREASES OVER WHAT WERE BUDGETED IN 26 AND EXPENDITURES, I DON'T ANTICIPATE A LARGE SPEND DOWN OF THAT.

SO IN DOLLARS I WOULD GUESS WE'D BE ABLE TO SUSTAIN IT.

I HOPE WE'LL BE ABLE TO SUSTAIN IT. RIGHT. I DID WANT TO SAY A COUPLE MORE THINGS, MAYOR.

I KNOW YOU MIGHT BE TIRED OF ME TALKING, BUT IF YOU TURN TO PAGE 12, YOU'RE IS WHERE THE SEPARATION FUND IS.

AND IF ANYBODY CHECKED OUT THE REPORT ON ON THE LINK THAT WAS PROVIDED TO YOU, OR THE PDF THAT WAS PROVIDED TO YOU BEFORE THE BOOK.

YOU WILL SEE A DIFFERENT NUMBER IN THE FY 25 BUDGETED EXPENDITURES IS THE ONLY AREA WE FOUND, AND WE USED LAST YEAR'S NUMBER. AND SO IT SHOWED A LARGER DEFICIT THAN WE ACTUALLY HAD.

[00:50:03]

YOU WILL SEE THAT IN YOUR BUDGET AMENDMENTS THAT COME TO YOU IN MARCH.

IF YOU HAPPEN TO NOTICE ON PAGE 17, THERE IS A VERY SLIGHT DEFICIT IN YOUR MUNICIPAL COURT BUILDING SECURITY FUND, BUT THERE ARE LEGAL CHANGES THAT OCCURRED AT THE STATE LEVEL THAT REQUIRE US TO COMBINE THAT AND THE TECHNOLOGY FUND THAT ARE ON THE NEXT PAGE.

SO FOR REPORTING PURPOSES, THOSE TWO FUNDS HAVE BEEN REPORTED SEPARATELY IN 25, BUT THEY'RE ACTUALLY NOT AND THERE IS NO DEFICIT THERE.

AND THAT IS NOTED IN THE FOOTNOTES AS WELL IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS.

IF ANYBODY'S INTERESTED IN THE HOTEL OCCUPANCY TAX FUNDS, THOSE CAN BE FOUND ON PAGE 22 IN SUMMARY AND IN FURTHER DETAIL BEHIND THAT.

AND YOU WILL NOTE THERE THAT THERE'S A TOTAL OF $2.1 MILLION DEFICIT OR $2.2 MILLION DEFICIT IN WHAT WAS COLLECTED BASED ON WHAT WAS BUDGETED.

BUT THE 591,000 DEFICIT RELATED TO STATE HOTEL OCCUPANCY TAX SOLELY THAT IMPACT IS SOLELY FELT BY THE PARK BOARD, BECAUSE ALL OF THE STATE FUNDS ONLY GO TO THE PARK BOARD.

THE PART THAT'S SPLIT BETWEEN US AND THE PARK BOARD IS THE $1.7 MILLION THAT'S UNDER THE LOCAL HOTEL OCCUPANCY TAX.

IF YOU TURN TO PAGE 35, THAT IS WHERE THE SUMMARY OF THE INTERNAL SERVICE FUNDS IS.

I KNOW THAT HAS BEEN A HOT TOPIC OF DISCUSSION.

WHAT I WANT TO REMIND EVERYONE HERE IS THESE FUND BALANCES ARE BEFORE THE FY 26 BUDGET ACTIVITIES ARE BRINGING THOSE FUND BALANCES DOWN. RIGHT. SO IN THE FY 26 BUDGET, WE GAVE A REBATE IN BOTH TECHNOLOGY AND GARAGE, AND THAT REBATE BROUGHT DOWN THE COSTS IN 26.

AND SO THOSE REBATES ACTUALLY BRING DOWN THESE FUND BALANCES.

BUT THESE AMOUNTS ARE PRIOR TO OUR 26 BUDGET ACTIVITIES.

IF ANYONE HAS QUESTIONS FOR ME, COME TO MY OFFICE AND I'M HAPPY TO EXPLAIN IT TO YOU.

BUT I JUST WANTED TO MAKE CLEAR THAT WHAT YOU'RE SEEING IN THIS REPORT IS PRIOR TO THOSE 26 BUDGET ACTIVITIES.

AND THEN FINALLY, IN THE HEALTH AND LIFE INSURANCE FUND ON PAGE 40, YOU'RE GOING TO SEE THAT THERE IS A DEFICIT IN THE COST OF HEALTH INSURANCE COMPARED TO WHAT WAS BUDGETED BY ABOUT $400,000. AND WHEN WE HEADED INTO THE YEAR AND WE HELD IT FLAT, WE KIND OF TALKED ABOUT THE FACT THAT THAT COULD HAPPEN.

HEALTH INSURANCE COSTS HAVE BEEN STEEPED SO FAR IN 2026 AS WELL.

AND SO I JUST WANT TO WARN COUNCIL THAT HEALTH INSURANCE COSTS ARE HIGH ALL OVER THE COUNTRY, AND WE'RE GOING TO BE SEEING THAT. AND THERE WILL BE A BUDGET AMENDMENT RELATED TO THIS, BUT ALSO, WE CAN LOOK FORWARD TO FUTURE BUDGET AMENDMENTS IN FISCAL YEAR 26 AS WELL.

I'M DONE WITH MY REPORT NOW. SO HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY OTHER QUESTIONS.

ANY QUESTIONS COUNCIL? CSILLA, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

THANK YOU. APPRECIATE IT. LET'S MOVE TO ITEM SEVEN, PLEASE.

[7. COMMUNICATIONS AND PETITIONS]

VERY GOOD. OKAY. VERY GOOD. ITEM EIGHT IS PUBLIC HEARINGS.

WE DO NOT HAVE ANY ITEMS THAT REQUIRE PUBLIC HEARING.

SO LET'S MOVE TO NINE, PLEASE. ITEM 9 PUBLIC COMMENT.

9.A AGENDA ITEMS AND 9.B NON-AGENDA ITEMS. THINK EVERYBODY HERE KNOWS ABOUT THE PUBLIC COMMENT.

WE HAVE THREE MINUTES AND. YES MA'AM. [INAUDIBLE] GERALD CLOUSER TO COME UP. I'D LIKE FOR HIM TO COME UP AND TAKE A PICTURE WITH CITY COUNCIL.

OH, BY ALL MEANS, BY ALL MEANS. HIS SON IS NOT HERE.

HE'S AT WORK. I GOT SOMETHING IN MY THROAT. OKAY.

COME RIGHT UP, SIR, IF YOU WOULD. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

OKAY. THANK YOU. OH. I'M FINE. HOW ARE YOU, SIR? NICE TO MEET YOU.

LETTING HIM SIT THERE. YEAH. HAVE A SEAT. YES, SIR.

CITY MANAGER. ARE YOU GOING TO DO THE. OH, YEAH.

DO THAT TOO. THERE YOU GO.

[00:55:03]

[9. PUBLIC COMMENT]

NO RESPONSE. VERY GOOD. CALLING ON BILL CLEMENT FIRST.

BILL. GOOD EVENING. MAYOR, COUNCIL MEMBERS. BILL CLEMENT, 7515 BAUDELAIRE CIRCLE.

I'M CURRENTLY SERVING AS A TRUSTEE AND BOARD SECRETARY FOR THE GALVESTON PARK BOARD.

I'M ALSO THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BEACH PATROL ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

ABOUT THREE YEARS AGO, I STARTED THE PROCESS OF APPLYING FOR A POSITION AS A TRUSTEE.

THOSE OF YOU THAT WERE ON THE COUNCIL AT THE TIME SPOKE TO MYSELF A GREAT LINK TO CANDIDATES.

I ALSO SPOKE WITH. YOU'LL REMEMBER. I HOPE THAT ONE OF MY PRIORITIES WAS STEWART BEACH AND THE BEACH PATROL.

SINCE THEN, WE'VE HAD A LOT OF CHANGE. IN THE FIRST MEETING ON JULY OF 2023, WE APPROVED THE PURCHASE OF TRAILERS, AND IN OCTOBER, THE PARK BOARD APPROVED $158,000 IN FUNDS TO MAKE THAT PURCHASE.

THOSE TRAILERS ARRIVED AROUND THE END OF 23 FIRST OF 2024, AND SAT ON THE LOT UNTIL LATE FALL OF 2024, WHEN THE PAVILION WAS DEMOLISHED, THE TRAILERS WERE MOVED TO STUART BEACH FOR USE BY THE BEACH PATROL AS A HEADQUARTERS. SINCE THEN, THE STAFF HAS CONTINUED OPERATIONS AND PERFORMED PROFESSIONALLY AND COURAGEOUSLY TO PROTECT THE CITIZENS AND VISITORS TO GALVESTON. WE DO HAVE A SITUATION, THOUGH, THAT I'M GOING TO ASK YOU TO ADDRESS, AND THAT IS THE NEED FOR A PERMANENT BEACH PATROL HEADQUARTERS.

WITHOUT GOING INTO ALL THE DETAILS OF WHAT'S HAPPENED IN THE PAST, WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THIS FOR A LONG TIME.

A HEADQUARTERS IS IMPORTANT TO THE BEACH PATROL FOR A NUMBER OF REASONS.

NUMBER ONE, THEIR MORNING MEETING OF SUPERVISORS AND MANAGERS AND GUARDS IS IMPACTED BY NOT HAVING A PLACE TO SIT DOWN AND TALK ON COLD WINTER DAYS. HOT SUMMER DAYS. WE'D LIKE TO HAVE THEM IN A SITUATION THAT'S CONDUCIVE TO LISTENING.

NUMBER TWO, A PLACE TO GET TOGETHER FOR TRAINING AND WORKOUT.

I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU, BUT FOR ME, IT'S EASIER IF I CAN WORK OUT IN A GROUP WHERE SOMEBODY IS ENCOURAGING ME.

NUMBER THREE, STAFF WORKING CONDITIONS. THOSE TRAILERS REACH AS LOW AS 50 DEGREES IN THE WINTERTIME AND AS HIGH AS 90 SITTING IN THE SUN IN THE SUMMER.

AND WHEN YOU HAVE TO TURN OFF THAT AIR CONDITIONER TO BE ABLE TO HAVE A COMMUNICATION ON THE RADIO OR THE PHONE, IT GETS EVEN MORE SERIOUS. NUMBER FOUR, LIFEGUARD RECRUITMENT.

IT PROVIDES A PLACE FOR US TO TAKE LIFEGUARDS AND TO PRESENT THIS TO THEM SO THAT THEY HAVE A VIEW OF GALVESTON.

VOLUNTEER TRAINING. ANOTHER USE JUNIOR GUARDS.

IMPORTANT FEED LINE TO GALVESTON BEACH PATROL.

SO I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU VERY STRONGLY TO MOVE AGGRESSIVELY AND EXPEDITIOUSLY TO APPROVE THE NEW BEACH PATROL HEADQUARTERS.

WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THIS LONG ENOUGH. IT'S A PRIORITY OF MINE, AND I HOPE IT WILL BE ONE OF YOURS.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. BILL. SAM COLLINS, THE THIRD.

SAM. GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL. SOMETIME, I KNOW SOME OF YOU MAY THINK.

WHY IS HE UP HERE TALKING ABOUT THIS AGAIN? YOU MAY HATE THAT I'M COMING BACK AGAIN AND AGAIN.

SO THIS TIME I COME BEARING GIFTS. YOU ALL HAVE A BARBIE DOLL.

NOW, THIS BARBIE DOLL IS THE BARBIE DOLL OF MISS OPAL LEE, THE GRANDMOTHER OF JUNETEENTH.

ON THE BACK OF THE MATTEL PACKAGE, IT SAYS, MISS, A QUOTE FROM MISS OPAL.

IF PEOPLE CAN BE TAUGHT TO HATE, THEY CAN BE TAUGHT TO LOVE.

SO HOPEFULLY YOU'LL LOVE MY PRESENTATION. YOUR OTHER BARBIE DOLLS ARE IN THE PACKAGE, BUT I DO HAVE TO TALK ABOUT SOMETHING SERIOUS AGAIN.

WE'RE STILL DEALING WITH THIS STUDENT TO HOME INITIATIVE.

I EMAILED YOU EARLIER A REPORT FROM JANUARY 12TH, 2022 WHEN WE WERE TALKING ABOUT JUNETEENTH COMMEMORATIVE SPACES IN GALVESTON. I WON'T GO INTO DETAIL. IT'S A 24 PAGE PRESENTATION, BUT HOPEFULLY YOU WILL REVIEW IT LATER.

I ALSO EMAILED YOU A REPORT FROM MARCH OF 2022, WHEN THE TEAM FROM TEXAS A&M WAS WORKING TO HELP US GET A $2.5 MILLION GRANT. WE DID NOT GET THAT GRANT IN 2022, BUT THEY WERE SEEKING AND LOOKING FOR OPPORTUNITIES.

[01:00:04]

AND SOMETIMES, YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU'RE DEALING WITH THIS, THIS TOPIC, IT'S HOT AND HEAVY HERE IN GALVESTON.

I HAVE TO COME AND DO THE DIFFICULT PART OF TELLING YOU THE TRUTH.

SO WHEN YOU SAY OR AT A PARTY OR SOMEWHERE AND THERE'S SOMETHING IN YOUR NOSE WHEN YOU WALK AROUND NOBODY TOLD YOU WHO'S YOUR FRIEND, THE PERSON THAT ACTUALLY TOLD YOU THE TRUTH, OR EVERYBODY THAT JUST LET YOU WALK AROUND WITH YOUR NOSE DIRTY.

SO WHAT YOU NEED TO DO IS JUST WIPE YOUR NOSE, RIGHT? AND THEN AFTER YOU WIPE YOUR NOSE, YOU CAN TAKE OUT A LITTLE HAND SANITIZER.

RIGHT. CLEAN THAT UP A LITTLE BIT. BUT THE POINT IS, DEALING WITH IT IS GETTING TO THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER.

WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THIS FOR SEVERAL YEARS.

AND WHILE ADMITTEDLY INDIVIDUALS MAY SAY IT WASN'T INTENTIONAL, WHAT HAPPENED IN OCTOBER OF 2025 WAS VERY INTENTIONAL TO IGNORE OUR CONTRIBUTIONS. PEOPLE WILL TRY TO BOX US INTO A CERTAIN CATEGORY OR LIMIT US.

SO INDIVIDUALS GOT UPSET BECAUSE I TALKED TO TARRIS, I TALKED TO TARRIS, I TALKED TO BRIAN, I TALKED TO THE NAYOR, I TALKED TO ANYONE. I DON'T TELL BRIAN NOT TO TALK TO THE MAYOR.

I DON'T TELL COUNCIL MEMBER LEWIS NOT TO TALK TO BEAU.

AND NOBODY SHOULD TELL ME NOT TO TALK TO TARRIS.

TARRIS AND I DON'T ALWAYS AGREE. I DON'T ALWAYS AGREE WITH BRIAN, EVEN THOUGH HE'S AN AGGIE.

YOU GOTTA THROW THAT IN THERE. BUT THE POINT IS, TOGETHER WE CAN MOVE THIS FORWARD IF WE BE HONEST ABOUT WHAT IS GOING ON.

IF YOU HAVE NOT READ THE ARTICLE BY NANCY HITE, THERE ARE SEVERAL THINGS THAT SHE SAID IN THERE THAT I THINK YOU SHOULD SHOULD READ.

THE LAST THING THAT SHE PUT IN HER ARTICLE. GRANGER'S ARTICLE PROMISED ABSOLUTE EQUALITY.

TODAY, THE DESCENDANT COMMUNITY IS SIMPLY ASKING FOR THE SAME IN OUR CIVIC PLANNING.

WE DO NOT NEED A PURELY COMMERCIAL EXHIBITION.

GALVESTON DESERVES A RESTORATIVE ASSET IN THAT RESPECTS THE PAST, REPRESENTS ITS PEOPLE, AND INVEST IN THE FUTURE.

I ENCOURAGE YOU TO REREAD HER ARTICLE AND I'M GOING TO LEAVE THESE OTHER FIVE BARBIE DOLLS.

I'M NOT GOING TO LEAVE THE BOX BECAUSE IT HAS MY ADDRESS AND Y'ALL MIGHT COME BY THE HOUSE [LAUGHS]. THANK YOU SAM.

ROBERT HARVEY. ROBERT. COUNCILMAN. THANK YOU FOR THE THREE MINUTES. I CAME HERE OVER A YEAR AGO AND DISCUSSED THE INCIDENT OF THE FIRE CHIEF ROY HITTING ME WITH HIS FIRE TRUCK AND LEFT THE SCENE OF THAT INCIDENT. AFTER THAT MEETING THE LAST COUNCIL MEETING, I HAVE NEVER BEEN BACK HERE BECAUSE EVERYONE HERE SEEMED UNDERSTANDING.

OH, I GOTTA PUT MY GLASSES ON. EVERYONE HERE SEEMED UNDERSTANDING, COMPASSIONATE AND DISGUSTED BY WHAT HAPPENED.

I EVEN HAD PRIVATE OFF THE RECORD CONVERSATIONS WITH SOME OF YOU WHO SAID THEY WERE SORRY THAT THIS HAPPENED, AND THAT THIS BEHAVIOR IS NOT REPRESENTATIVE, REPRESENTATIVE OF, OR ENDORSED BY THE CITY OF GALVESTON.

THOSE CONVERSATIONS WERE PRIVATE, SO I WILL NOT BRING THOSE UP.

SINCE THEN, I'VE BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH A TORN LABRUM IN MY SHOULDER FOR HERNIATED DISCS IN MY NECK AND INNER EAR DAMAGE, ALL DIRECTLY RESULTING FROM THIS INCIDENT, DETECTIVE ANTHONY ROGERS CLEARED FIRE CHIEF ROY OF CRIMINAL NEGLIGENCE AND NO CHARGES WERE FILED ON HIM.

TO MY SHOCK AND THE SHOCK OF MANY OTHERS. MANY BELIEVE THIS WAS A COVER UP.

DETECTIVE ROGERS HAS PUBLICLY SHOWN HATRED TOWARDS ME AND SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ASSIGNED TO THIS CASE.

HE RECENTLY ATTACKED CITY PROSECUTOR MYRON JEDIDI AND RELEASED A MEMO PUBLICLY CRITICIZING HIM FOR DISMISSING CHARGES.

IN MY PAST OVER YEARS, SHOWING CLEAR BIAS AND HATRED TOWARDS ME.

HE HAS PUBLICLY CALLED ME A LIAR, AND HE HAS CALLED MY FRIEND BRUCE A LIAR, WHO ALSO WITNESSED FIRE CHIEF ROY HIT ME WITH HIS TRUCK.

THIS IS SHOCKING, ESPECIALLY IN THE FACE OF VIDEO EVIDENCE.

IN MY VIDEO, YOU CAN CLEARLY SEE AND HEAR A SIGNIFICANT COLLISION.

HE HAS CLAIMED THAT I AM FAKING MY INJURIES, WHICH MEANS HE'S CALLING MY DOCTORS AND MRIS LIARS AND FAKES.

HE HAS ALSO ACCUSED ME OF CRIMES ON FACEBOOK WHERE POTENTIALLY MILLIONS OF PEOPLE CAN SEE THESE ALLEGATIONS.

I DID FILE A COMPLAINT ON HIM, BUT THE DAMAGE HAS BEEN DONE.

HE OFTEN POINTS TO A NEARBY BUSINESS VIDEO AND REFERS TO IT AS HIS EXCUSE FOR CLEARING CHIEF ROY.

YET, IN HIS OWN WORDS, THAT VIDEO IS IRRELEVANT AND INCONCLUSIVE.

I HAVE HIM ON RECORDING SAYING THIS. THE CITY INITIALLY SAID THIS VIDEO DID NOT EXIST AND REFUSED TO RELEASE IT TO ME OR MY LAWYERS THROUGH A RECORDS REQUEST.

WE ONLY OBTAINED THIS VIDEO AFTER WE FILED A LAWSUIT.

THE VIDEO IS FROM FAR AWAY AND HAS NO SOUND, AND IT DOES NOT DISPROVE MY VIDEO AT ALL.

YOU CAN STILL SEE THE TRUCK HIT ME. BASED ON PUBLIC STATEMENTS AND CONDUCT, I BELIEVE DETECTIVE ROGERS HAS ACTED IN AN UNPROFESSIONAL AND DISHONEST MANNER.

[01:05:05]

BEING ACCUSED OF CRIMES, ACCUSED OF FAKING INJURIES, HAVING MY FRIENDS CALLED LIARS, MY LAWYER CALLED A LIAR.

DOCTORS CALLED LIARS, MRIS CALLED FAKES. AND HE'S EVEN CALLING MY VIDEO A FAKE AS WELL.

WHICH MAKES ME VERY CONCERNED ABOUT DETECTIVE RODGER'S MENTAL HEALTH.

I BELIEVE HIS NAME SHOULD BE PLACED ON THE BRADY LIST.

IN EVERY INVESTIGATION THAT HE'S EVER BEEN INVOLVED IN.

SHOULD BE REVIEWED TO ENSURE INTEGRITY AND RESTORE PUBLIC TRUST.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. SYLVIA HORNE. SYLVIA.

HOW ARE YOU? SYLVIA? WELL. THANK YOU. HI, GUYS.

GOOD TO SEE YOU. I'M HERE BECAUSE OF THE PORRETTO BEACH ITEM THAT'S COMING UP LATER.

I THINK IT'S 12 A HAVE NO PERSONAL INTEREST IN THAT.

EXCEPT I LIVE IN GALVESTON AND I WALK ALONG THE BEACHES, AND I CARE ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS THERE.

OVER THE YEARS, I'VE WATCHED WHAT'S HAPPENED TO THE PORRETTO PROPERTY AND AND THE FLOODING THAT GOES ON, AND I UNDERSTAND THE EXPENSE OF IT. SO I WOULD LIKE TO ENCOURAGE THE CITY TO GO AHEAD AND MAKE THAT SETTLEMENT, FIGURE OUT WHAT IT IS. THE CITY AND PARKS BOARD HAVE ADMITTED THAT THEY THEIR DRAINAGE PROJECT HAS FAILED, THAT IT FLOODS THE PORRETTO PROPERTY AND THREATENS TO DESTROY THAT PART OF THE BEACH.

LITIGATION CONTINUED, COULD CONTINUE FOR YEARS.

IT WILL NOT PROFIT THE CITY BY CONTINUE IN THIS LITIGATION.

I BELIEVE THE CITY SHOULD CUT THE LOSSES AND SETTLE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. GOD BLESS YOU ALL. NICE TO SEE YOU.

VERY GOOD. ANYONE ELSE IN THE AUDIENCE WANT TO MAKE A PUBLIC STATEMENT? THANK YOU. SAM. THANK YOU. APPRECIATE THAT. WHAT A WONDERFUL THING HAVING OPAL LEE THERE.

I WANT TO MENTION THAT. ALRIGHT. LET'S MOVE TO ORDINANCES NOT REQUIRING PUBLIC HEARINGS.

[10.A. Consider the approval an Ordinance of the City of Galveston, Texas, of the Code of the City of Galveston 1982, Amending Chapter 34, "Traffic", Section 34-117(c), "Downtown Paid Parking District" and Section 34-117(d), "UTMB Parking Area" amending the parking rate and applicable per transaction fee; establishing payment of parking in half (1/2) hour increments after one (1) hour minimum of paid parking is met; making various findings and provisions related to the subject: and providing for an effective date. (H. Morris)]

ESTABLISHING PAYMENT OF PARKING IN HALF HOUR INCREMENTS AFTER ONE HOUR MINIMUM OF PAID PARKING IS MET.

MAKING VARIOUS FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. WE NOW HAVE OUR CITY MARSHAL, HEATHER MORRIS. HEATHER, DID YOU WANT TO SAY A FEW WORDS ABOUT THIS? YEAH. HI. GOOD EVENING. YEAH, I JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT I THINK THIS WILL GIVE US AN OPPORTUNITY HERE TO HAVE PEOPLE GIVE DIFFERENT OPTIONS FOR PARKING.

SO INSTEAD OF PAYING FOR A FULL HOUR PARKING, THEY'LL BE ABLE TO DO AN HOUR AND A HALF.

SO ONE HOUR MINIMUM. BUT IF THEY WANT TO GO TO DINNER AND THEY'RE ONLY GOING TO SPEND AN HOUR AND A HALF, THEY'LL BE ABLE TO DO SO. SO DEFINITELY OPENING UP SOME OPTIONS THERE.

SO YEAH, I'M KIND OF CLEANING UP A FEW OTHER THINGS WITH THE ORDINANCE. VERY GOOD.

ANY QUESTIONS? COUNCIL? WITH I WOULD LIKE TO MOVE TO APPROVE.

IT'S ONLY TAKEN HOW MANY MONTHS OF THIS BEING ON COUNCIL.

VERY GOOD. WE HAVE A MOTION FOR APPROVAL. OR IS OUR.

CAN WE DO THAT ELECTRONICALLY? VERY GOOD.

WELL. WE'RE GETTING THERE. I HIT MINE. THERE YOU GO.

VERY GOOD. GOT A MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN ROBB, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER RAWLINS.

ANY DISCUSSION? PLEASE CAST YOUR VOTES THERE.

THAT IS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED. LET'S MOVE TO ITEM 10.B, PLEASE.

[10.B. Adopt an Ordinance of the City of Galveston, Texas, of the Code of the City of Galveston 1982, Amending Chapter 34, "Traffic", Establishing the Speed Limit for vehicles under the provisions of the Texas Transportation Code, Section 545.356, upon the basis of an engineering and traffic investigation, upon certain streets and highways of parts thereof, within the corporate limits of the City of Galveston and Providing for a Penalty of a Fine not to exceed $200.00 for Violation of the Ordinance; Making various findings and provisions related to the subject; Providing for an effective date; Authorizing the City Secretary to execute all documents upon final approval by the City Attorney. (R Winiecke)]

PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE, AUTHORIZING THE CITY SECRETARY TO EXECUTE ALL DOCUMENTS UPON FINAL APPROVAL BY THE CITY ATTORNEY.

[INAUDIBLE] GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL. TEXDOT DID A STUDY HERE RECENTLY AND ASKED FOR THE CITY TO GO AHEAD AND MAKE THIS ORDINANCE CHANGE.

IT DOESN'T CHANGE THE SPEED LIMIT AT ALL. IT JUST CHANGES WHAT WE HAVE WRITTEN IN THE ORDINANCE.

IT'S BASICALLY GO FROM 59TH AND BROADWAY ALL THE WAY DOWN TO SEAWALL AND TURNING UP FERRY,

[01:10:03]

VERY GOOD. ANY QUESTIONS FOR MR. RADKE? I'M GOING TO MAKE A MOTION FOR APPROVAL OF THIS ITEM.

10.B. HAVE A SECOND. COUNCILMAN FINKLEA. IF THERE'S NO DISCUSSION, PLEASE CAST YOUR VOTES.

WE'RE WORKING ON IT. IT WON'T LET ME VOTE. REALLY? THE SIGNAL. YEAH. RIGHT. MAYBE I SHOULDN'T SIGN AND SEAL DOCUMENTS ANYMORE, RIGHT? I'M TRYING. I DON'T KNOW. YOU DISAPPEARED. THAT'S HARSH.

LET'S TAKE A VOTE. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? THERE WE GO.

THAT IS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED. VERY GOOD. ITEM 10.C D AND E ARE THE SAME ITEM.

[10.C. Consider For Approval An Ordinance Of The City Of Galveston, Texas, Amending Ordinance 26-007, Regarding The Designated Polling Places And Available Early Voting Dates For The Election To Be Held In The City Of Galveston On The 2nd Day Of May, 2026, For The Purpose Of Electing A Mayor At-Large And Six (6) District Council Members, Each For A Two-Year Term; Making Other Provisions Of Fact And Providing For An Effective Date. (Legal)]

COUNCILMAN PORRETTO. I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE AND MAKING SURE THAT WE LEAVE ALL POLLING LOCATIONS ON THERE.

I KNOW IT WAS, I GUESS, TOSSED AROUND OR EITHER REMOVE THE HISTORIC PUMP STATION OR THE ADMIN BUILDING.

I THINK THAT WOULD NEGATIVELY IMPACT SHARON'S DISTRICT.

DISTRICT ONE, ALSO IN THE GISD BUILDING DISTRICT OF FOUR AND TWO.

SO I THINK THE MORE POLLING LOCATIONS THAT WE HAVE OPEN IS BETTER FOR VOTING OPPORTUNITIES, WHETHER PEOPLE WANT TO WALK OR DRIVE. HAVE A DIFFERENT HAVE A DIFFERENT ONE.

SO A MOTION FOR APPROVAL OF SIX, THAT WOULD BE SIX SITES.

AND I WANT TO SO THAT WE'RE CLEAR ON THIS, I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE, WE ITEMIZE THOSE SIX SITES.

SO WE HAVE WE HAVE THE JUSTICE CENTER, WE HAVE THE COUNTY COURTHOUSE, WE HAVE SEASIDE BAPTIST CHURCH, WE HAVE GISD ADMIN BUILDING, WE HAVE THE MOODY METHODIST CHURCH, WE HAVE THE PUMP STATION.

AND I THINK THAT'S THE SIX. YES. THANK YOU. WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.

VERY GOOD. ANY DISCUSSION ON THAT? OUR SECOND WAS BY.

NO. THERE WE GO. PLEASE CAST YOUR VOTES ON THAT.

I KNOW MINE'S DOING [INAUDIBLE] THE SECONDS ARE GETTING KICKED OFF.

YEAH, I THINK SO. SO IT LOOKS LIKE. THERE WE GO.

THERE WE GO. THAT IS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED. THANK YOU.

LET'S MOVE. ITEM 11, PLEASE. NELLIE. ITEM 11.

[11. CONSENT ITEMS]

THE CITY MANAGER IS AUTHORIZED TO EXECUTE ALL NECESSARY DOCUMENTS UPON FINAL APPROVAL BY THE CITY ATTORNEY.

CONSENT ITEMS 11.A THROUGH 11.T ARE ON THE SCREEN.

I'M GOING TO COUNCIL. IS THERE ANY PARTICULAR ITEMS YOU WOULD LIKE TO PULL? YES, MA'AM. I'D LIKE TO PULL 11.N THE ITEM AUTHORIZING CITY MANAGER TO APPROVE BRW ARCHITECTS FOR DESIGN OF THE BEACH PATROL FACILITY. OKAY, I'D LIKE TO PULL 11.Q THE RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MUNICIPAL COURT TO IMPLEMENT AN AMNESTY PROGRAM.

VERY GOOD. ITEM 11.Q COUNCILMAN PORRETTO. ANY OTHERS? I'D LIKE TO PULL 11.R IF I COULD, PLEASE. ANY OTHERS? COUNCIL I'M GOING TO MAKE A MOTION FOR APPROVAL OF ITEMS 11.A THROUGH 11.T EXCLUDING ITEM 11.N, 11.Q AND 11.R. IS THERE A SECOND? I SECOND YOUR MOTION.

AS WE HAD A MOTION AND A SECOND COUNCILWOMAN ROBB HAD SECONDED THAT.

[01:15:04]

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. LET'S MOVE TO ITEM 11.N AND PLEASE NELLIE.

[11.N. Consider authorizing the City manager to approve a proposal from BRW Architects, a pre-qualified Architectural firm from the RFQ 24-02 IDIQ, to provide architectural services for the Beach Patrol facility in the amount of $316,400.00. The scope of work includes architectural, structural, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing design, as well as surveying, geotechnical services, and TDI certification to ensure the facility meets all the building requirements and operational needs of Beach Patrol. (A. Guerrero)]

VERY GOOD. BOB. YEAH. WE DISCUSSED THIS ITEM AT THE PARK BOARD, AND IN REVIEWING THE STAFF REPORTS THE CONSULTANT'S PROPOSAL INDICATED THAT THE OPERATION OF THIS NEW FACILITY WOULD BE 21 MONTHS OUT.

AND THAT WAS A LITTLE BIT TOO EXCESSIVE FOR THE PARK BOARD AND FOR EVERYBODY ELSE WHO WANTS TO SEE THE THE LIFEGUARDS GET OUT OF THOSE TRAILERS AND INTO A GOOD FACILITY. THEY'VE BEEN THERE FOR OVER A YEAR AND A HALF NOW IN THOSE SEVEN TRAILERS.

AND SO WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO DO IS MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM 11 WITH THE ADDITIONAL DIRECTION TO THE CITY MANAGER, TO DEVELOP INCENTIVES TO THE CONSULTANT TO COMPLETE THE PROJECT BY SUMMER OF 2027, OR AS SOON AS REASONABLY POSSIBLE.

THAT WOULD BE MY MOTION. THAT'S FINE, I DON'T.

I THINK WE CAN INCENTIVIZE THIS ARCHITECT ALL WE WANT, BUT THEY'RE NOT THE ONES DOING THE CONSTRUCTION. I THINK THE INCENTIVE NEEDS TO FALL WITH THE CONTRACTOR. YEAH, WELL, THE THE SOONER THE CONTRACT, THE SOONER THE ARCHITECT GETS DONE, THE SOONER THE CONTRACTOR CAN START. BUT. BUT I DON'T WANT TO GIVE THE ARCHITECT INCENTIVE.

OKAY? OKAY. YOU'RE GETTING PAID. FINE. OKAY. WELL THEN LET'S JUST MAKE THE GOAL THAT THEY HAVE THEIR WORK COMPLETED, AND AND WE'RE IN THERE BY 2027. SUMMER 2027. I'D LIKE FOR YOU TO RESTATE THE MOTION AND APPROVE THE ITEM 11 WITH ADDITIONAL DIRECTION TO THE CITY MANAGER TO DEVELOP INCENTIVES TO HAVE THIS THIS FACILITY OPEN AND OPERATIONAL BY 2027, SUMMER OF 2027. ALL RIGHT. YES. NO, NO, THAT'S THAT'S OUR WHOLE CONSTRUCTION.

THAT'S THE WHOLE CONSTRUCTION SITE SCHEDULE. YOU'RE MAKING MOTION.

IF YOU WOULD. BOB, GO AHEAD AND PRESS. OKAY. YEAH, I GOT IT, I GOT IT, YOU GOT IT.

WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. COUNCIL MEMBER FINKLEA.

WILL YOU SECOND? YEAH. YES. AND THEN DISCUSSION, PLEASE.

YES, SIR. WE HAVE A DISCUSSION. I'D LIKE TO MAKE AN AMENDMENT TO THAT MOTION, IF BOB WOULD HAVE IT BEFORE YOU MAKE AN AMENDMENT.

CAN I ASK FOR CLARIFICATION? YEAH. LET ME JUST CLARIFY THIS.

THE SCHEDULE AND THE CONSULTANT'S PROPOSAL CALLS FOR NINE MONTHS OF DESIGN, DOCUMENTING AND BIDDING, AND THEN ANOTHER ALMOST A YEAR FOR PERMITS AND CONSTRUCTION.

SO THERE'S TWO DIFFERENT CONSULTANTS HERE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THAT NEED TO UNDERSTAND THAT WE NEED THIS AND NEED THIS THING BEFORE NOVEMBER OF 2027.

I SEE. SO THEY GAVE YOU AN ESTIMATED CONSTRUCTION SCHEDULE AFTER THEY DID SO, BECAUSE THEIR CONTRACT IS GOING TO RUN THROUGH ALL THE WAY THROUGH CONSTRUCTION ADMINISTRATION. YES. SO WHAT YOU'RE TRYING YOUR YOUR PROPOSAL WAS TO TRY TO INCENTIVIZE THE ARCHITECT IN ORDER TO COMPLETE IT EARLIER. BUT REALLY, THAT INCENTIVE REALLY SHOULD APPLY TO THE GENERAL CONTRACTOR.

IT SHOULD APPLY TO BOTH CONSULTANTS. I SEE YEAH, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY UNDERSTAND THIS IS A PRIORITY.

AND SO IF WE CAN SHAVE SOMETHING OFF THE NINE MONTHS FROM THE ARCHITECT, GREAT.

IF WE CAN SHAVE SOMETHING OFF THE ONE YEAR FOR PERMITS AND CONSTRUCTION, THAT'S GOOD.

I THINK THAT'S WE NEED TO WE NEED TO DO THIS FOR BOTH CONSULTANTS.

OKAY. THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT. WE HAVE A MOTION.

AND A SECOND YOU HAD ALEX, I'D LIKE TO MAKE AN AMENDMENT TO THE MOTION.

I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE IT MANDATORY THAT WE ADD THE INCENTIVES.

AND I THINK WE DISCUSSED THAT. AND I'D LIKE TO EITHER ADD IN THE MIDDLE, IF NECESSARY, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER, IF NECESSARY, TO CREATE INCENTIVES, WITH THE GOAL BEING BY SUMMER, SUMMER OF 2027.

WOULD YOU ACCEPT THAT, BOB? THE CONTRACTOR. THE CONTRACTOR.

[INAUDIBLE] CONTRACTOR THAT'S GOING TO GET YOU'RE GOING TO GET. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE, BECAUSE WE DISCUSSED THIS, IF WE DON'T HAVE TO PUT INCENTIVES, I, I WOULD PREFER THAT. BUT I DO APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT WE ALL WANT TO MAKE SURE THIS THING IS DONE AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

RIGHT. VERY GOOD. NOW, WOULD YOU ACCEPT THAT AMENDMENT? YES, YES, I ACCEPT THAT. AND, YOU KNOW, AT THIS STAGE OF A PROJECT, THERE'S NOT A LOT OF INFORMATION YET.

AND ALL OF THESE PROJECTIONS ARE BASED ON NOT A WHOLE LOT OF GOOD INFORMATION.

[01:20:02]

AND SO I HOPE TO EXPECT THAT WE'LL HEAR BACK ON PROGRESS ON THIS PROJECT AS WE GO AND GET AND REALLY TIGHTEN UP THIS SCHEDULE AND THE BUDGET AS WE GO.

DAVID, DOES THAT MEET YOUR APPROVAL? YOU WERE THE SECOND.

YEAH. ALL RIGHT. VERY GOOD. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? OKAY. LET'S CAST YOUR VOTES ON THAT. THAT IS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.

LET'S MOVE TO ITEM 11.Q, PLEASE. ITEM 11.Q, CONSIDER FOR RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MUNICIPAL COURT TO IMPLEMENT AN AMNESTY PROGRAM FOR DELINQUENT PARKING

[11.Q. Consider for a resolution authorizing the Municipal Court to implement an amnesty program for delinquent parking citations, waiving late fees and collection fees for eligible citations during the period of Friday, May 1, 2026 at 8:00 a.m. through Friday, May 29, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. (Legal/Technology)]

VERY GOOD ALEX. FIRST, I'D LIKE TO THANK COUNCILMAN RAWLINS FOR PUTTING THIS ON THE AGENDA WITH ME.

AND THEN I'D LIKE TO THANK ALL THE CITY STAFF, THE MUNICIPAL COURT AND LEGAL AND MANAGER'S OFFICE FOR PUTTING THIS TOGETHER SO QUICKLY.

AND NEGOTIATING WITH LINEBARGER FOR WHAT THEY CAN DO FOR US AND WHAT THEY CAN DO FOR THE COMMUNITY.

JUST SO PEOPLE UNDERSTAND WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.

THIS IS AN AMNESTY PROGRAM FOR PARKING TICKETS.

AND HOPEFULLY WE CAN REMOVE ALL THE ADDITIONAL FEES AND JUST HAVE THE BASE FINE THAT YOU CAN PAY.

SO IF THE IF YOU HAVE OUTSTANDING TICKETS BETWEEN MAY 1ST AND FRIDAY, MAY 29TH, YOU CAN GO IN TO MUNICIPAL COURT AND PAY THOSE FINES WITH NO ADDITIONAL FEES. AND IT JUST GOES BACK TO THE BASE FINE AFTER THOSE 30 DAYS.

WE'D LIKE TO START ENFORCING OUR ORDINANCES WHERE YOUR VEHICLE MAY BE IMMOBILIZED ACCORDING TO OUR ORDINANCES RIGHT NOW WITH A DEVICE AFTER THREE TICKETS IN A YEAR. SO WE ARE GOING TO BE SERIOUS ON ENFORCING OUR PARKING ORDINANCES, BUT WE ARE GIVING AN OPPORTUNITY TO THE RESIDENTS AND TO EVERY I GUESS, VISITORS AS WELL TO PAY THE FINES, THE BASE FEE OF THE FINES FOR ANY PARKING TICKETS THAT YOU MAY HAVE.

FROM ANY PERIOD, BECAUSE THE WAY YOU SAID THAT, IT KIND OF SOUNDED LIKE THAT YOU RECEIVED IN MAY.

NO, BUT ANY PERIOD. BUT YOU CAN PAY YOUR, YOUR CITATIONS, ANY OUTSTANDING TICKETS BETWEEN MAY 1ST THROUGH MAY 29TH, 2026. AND YOU PAY JUST THE BASE FINE.

SO I JUST WANT THE PUBLIC TO BE CLEAR, CLEAR TO THE PUBLIC SO WE ALL UNDERSTAND WHAT'S GOING ON.

AND THANK YOU TO THE STAFF. AND THANK YOU TO COUNCILMAN RAWLINS FOR HELPING GET THIS ON.

AND I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE. ALRIGHT.

SECOND, WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE BY COUNCILMAN PORRETTO.

SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER RAWLINS. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? PLEASE CAST YOUR VOTES. THAT IS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.

ITEM 11.R PLEASE. ITEM 11.R CONSIDER FOR APPROVAL MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 22ND, 2026 WORKSHOP AND REGULAR MEETING.

[11.R. Consider for approval minutes of the January 22, 2026 Workshop and Regular Meeting. (J. Williams)]

SO IF WE COULD JUST CLARIFY THAT, I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 22ND WORKSHOP IN REGULAR AGENDA, WITH THE CORRECTION OF THE PROPER NAMES IN THE ETHICS COMMISSION ITEM ON THE NOMINATION AND APPROVAL OF AN INDIVIDUAL FOR THE SECOND THAT MOTION.

YEAH. VERY GOOD. IS THERE A SECOND TO THAT? PLEASE CAST YOUR VOTES. THAT IS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.

LET'S MOVE TO ITEM 12.A, PLEASE. ITEM 12.A CONSIDER FOR ACTION IF NECESSARY, A MOTION GIVING DIRECTION TO STAFF RELATED TO LITIGATION IS DISCUSSED

[12.A. Consider for action, if necessary, a motion giving direction to staff related to litigation as discussed in Executive session. (Rawlins/Robb)]

SO HE HAS STEPPED AWAY FROM THE DAIS AND WE ARE ALSO.

I WOULD ENTERTAIN A MOTION. COUNCILMAN RAWLINS.

YEAH. I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER OR HIS DESIGNEE TO PROCEED IN THE LITIGATION MATTER AS DISCUSSED IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.

AND I WOULD LIKE TO SECOND THAT. VERY GOOD. WE HAVE A MOTION FOR AS READ BY COUNCIL MEMBER RAWLINS, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER ROBB. ANY DISCUSSION? PLEASE CAST YOUR VOTES ON THAT. AND COUNCIL MEMBER PORRETTO HAS

[01:25:05]

COUNCIL MEMBER PORRETTO IS NOW RETURNING TO THE DAIS.

VERY GOOD. ITEM 12.B I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANY ACTION FOR 12.B THAT IS IS CONTEMPLATED.

[12.B. Consider for action, if necessary, a motion giving direction to staff related to City Auditor Audit findings as discussed in Executive session. (G. Bulgherini)]

[12.C. Discuss and consider amending the City Auditor's Office 2026 Audit Plan to include an audit of collected funds for the hotel occupancy tax. (G. Bulgherini)]

MAYOR I'LL MOTION. SECOND. SECOND. SECOND. MOTION.

SECOND YOUR MOTION. ALL RIGHT. SO WE HAVE A SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER PORRETTO.

ANY DISCUSSION? LET'S VOTE PLEASE. THAT'S UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.

ITEM 13, PLEASE. ITEM 13.A SECTION 2-73 OF THE CITY CHARTER REQUIRES THAT THE COUNCIL MEMBERS ARE TO BE INFORMED OF AUCTION SALES

[13. RECEIVE AND FILE (Non-Action Items)]

VERY GOOD. IT IS 6:26 P.M.. WE HAVE GONE THROUGH ALL THE ITEMS ON OUR AGENDA.

HAVE A SAFE HAPPY SPRING BREAK COMING UP. WE ARE ADJOURNED.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.