City Council - Regular Meeting

Let me call to order the 1,908th meeting of the Deer Park City Council. We're going to open up with our invocation by Councilman Georgette Ford and the Pledge of Allegiance by Councilman Sherry Garrison.

If you'd all join me in prayer, please. Father God, thank you so much for the blessing of this great city of Deer Park. We thank you for all the amenities that we know we are blessed with to have here. God, we thank you for the great staff that you give us to work in this great city. And we also thank you for all this community, the great things that they get out and do and show everyone what a great place Deer Park is to live and be. We thank you for the quality of life. We ask you to keep persevering in this town and to grant each of us the wisdom to do the best things for this city. It's in your holy name that we pray. Amen.

Please join me in the pledges of the United States flag and of our Texas flag. and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one state, under God, one and indivisible. Did anyone sign up to speak?

No, sir. I am going to make my way down there. Apparently we've got some ball players in the house tonight. It's kind of nice hearing that echo of the pledges in the background coming from a lot of mouths that are not normally here. So who's responsible for all of this? Come on up here. so we are girls are we here to recognize him who are we here to recognize us well what you doing over there why don't you come on up here and bring that thing whatever you got in your hands what is that Tell me what that is. You don't know what that is? You don't know what that is.

You know what that is. What does it say on there?

You got a big one too. What is that? Holy smoke. What is that?

Hold that too.

Wow, state champions? You won that at Nationals? Oh, my goodness. You won that in Deer Park? Well, that's good. Did you beat Laporte in Deer Park? Did you beat Laporte? Say yes. Just say yes. Say yes. That's all that matters. Coach, why don't you introduce everybody?

All right, we'll start right here. We got JoJo, Leland JoJo Finner, Aubrey Anthony, get in line, get in line, Allie Sager, Kenley Dillon, Addie Wright, Kaya Givens, Ella Hernley, Alina Fleming, Evelyn Dominguez, Carly Perdue, Abigail Atkinson, and Dre Atalano.

So I'm guessing you did all this by yourself. No other coaches helped you. Come on up here. Come on. So we got a belt, a first place, and you beat Laporte and state champions. Huh? That's good. I'm so proud of you, girl. Tell me what the coaches tell you when he's trying to get you motivated. What? You can't remember either? You know?

Hustle.

Hustle. What else?

Don't get irritated. Big dog energy.

Big dog energy. Okay, we don't want to invoke Laporte anymore. Let's say big deer energy. That's better. No big dog nothing in Deer Park.

All right. Right there?

Yeah. What's that? Oh, it does say that. Oh, my goodness. She got the attitude. She's like, yeah. Got the big dog on my sleeve. Okay, that's good. We'll go with that for tonight, for sure. We may have to talk to the coaches about making sure it says big deer next year.

Yeah.

Sounds a little bit more politically correct. Well, I'm really proud.

Did y'all come here last year? No? Yeah?

Some of y'all did? Maybe some. Three years of returning. That's good. So all this is a new team, and y'all just keep on rolling through and going and beating everybody and come back number one.

Yeah.

Two games, that's it? Yeah. Well, you must have not been there, huh? Because your big dog wasn't there. you all got big dogs on the shirt yeah well we'll let it go tonight that's for sure well you want to say anything no you're good That's him over there. Well, we're real proud of you, and we thank y'all for coming out tonight. So the most important thing, besides you being here showing us your big dog shoulder thing, is we got to get pictures for mom and dad, okay? So let's line up, get tight, maybe get a few of y'all here in the front. So we can get some pictures. We're going to get a picture.

Yeah.

Yeah, put that thing on there. That's good. All right.

We're proud of them. Gotta get in the picture. Yeah, you're in our way. Yeah.

Right here? Right here. Up here we go. I'm going to take him now. How are you? All right, it'll be awesome. One, two, three. Oh, y'all don't want to stay for the rest of the meeting. You can you're more than welcome to stay I'm thinking I'll go with them. You can stay here. Anybody want to sit by J.

Moving on to agenda item number two, the public hearing on the proposed Avalorum tax rate for the tax year of 2026.

Would the city secretary please read the public hearing notice for item number two?

Notice of public hearing on the tax increase. A tax rate of .720000 per 100 valuation has been proposed by the governing body of the City of Deer Park. The proposed tax rate is .720000 per $100. The no new revenue tax rate is .712411 per $100. The voter approval tax rate is .723403 per $100. The no new revenue tax rate is the tax rate for the 2026 tax year that will raise the same amount of property tax revenue for the City of Deer Park from the same properties in both the 2025 tax year and the 2026 tax year. The voter approval tax rate is the highest tax rate that the City of Deer Park may adopt without holding an election to seek voter approval of the rate. The proposed tax rate is greater than the no new revenue tax rate. This means that the City of Deer Park is proposing to increase property taxes for the 2026 tax year. A public hearing on the proposed tax rate will be held on September 15, 2026 at 7.30 p.m. at 710 East St. Augustine Street, Deer Park, TX 77536. The proposed tax rate is not greater than the voter approval tax rate. As a result, the City of Deer Park is not required to hold an election at which voters may accept or reject the proposed tax rate. However, you may express your support for or opposition to the proposed tax rate by contacting the members of the City Council of the City of Deer Park at their offices or by attending the public hearing mentioned above. Your taxes owed under any of the rates mentioned above can be calculated as follows. Property tax equals tax rate times taxable value of your property divided by 100. For the proposal, Jerry Mouton, Jr., Justin League, Sherry Garrison, Eric Ripley, TJ Haight, Georgette Ford, Tommy Ginn. Against proposal, none. Present not voting, none. Absent, none. Visit Texas.gov backslash property taxes to find a link to your local property tax database on which you can easily access information regarding your property taxes, including information about proposed tax rates and schedule public hearings of each entity that taxes your property. The 86th Texas Legislature modified the manner in which the voter approval tax rate is calculated to limit the rate of growth of property taxes in the state. The following table compares the taxes imposed on the average residential homestead by City of Deer Park last year to the taxes proposed to be imposed on the average resident's homestead by the City of Deer Park this year. For the year of 2025, your total tax rate per $100 of value was 0.72. For 2026, it was 0.72. This is a change of an increase of 0.000000 per 100 or 0.00%. Average homestead taxable value for 2025 was $232,565. For 2026, the average homestead taxable value is $237,872. This is an increase of 2.28%. The tax on the average homestead for 2025 was $1,674.47. For 2026, it was $1,712.68. This is an increase of $38.21, or 2.28%. The total tax levy on all properties for the year of 2025 was $27,942,858. For 2026, it was $27,711,436. This is a decrease of negative $231,422 or a decrease of negative 0.03%. For assistance with tax calculations, please contact the tax assessor for the City of Deer Park at 281-478-7231 or customer service at deerparktx.org or visit www.deerparktxgov for more information.

On behalf of the City Council, I hereby open this public hearing and issue the first of three calls for those wishing to speak in favor of the tax rate. Second call for those wishing to speak in favor of the proposed ad valorem tax rate. Third call for those wishing to speak in favor of the proposed ad valorem tax rate for the tax year of 2026. Hearing none at this time, let me issue the call for those wishing to speak against the proposed ad valorem tax rate for the tax year 2026. SECOND CALL FOR THOSE WISHING TO SPEAK AGAINST THE PROPOSED ABVALORUM TAX RATE FOR TAX YEAR 2026. THIRD AND FINAL CALL FOR THOSE WISHING TO SPEAK AGAINST THE PROPOSED ABVALORUM TAX RATE FOR TAX YEAR 2026. HEARING NONE AT THIS TIME, ON BEHALF OF THE CITY COUNCIL, I HEREBY CLOSE THIS PUBLIC HEARING. move to awarding a rejecting of bids agenda item number three consideration of and an action on awarding the mowing service contract for the city buildings to elm landscape management move for approval second have a motion by councilman again a second by councilman hay any discussion all in favor aye opposed Motion carries. Agenda item number four, consideration of and action awarding the moment services contract for city trails to harder care landscape management.

Move for approval.

Second. I have a motion by Councilman Garrison, a second by Councilman Lee. Any discussion? All in favor? Aye. All opposed? Opposed, passes. Agenda item number five consideration of an action on awarding the mowing service contract for drainage right away to sierra inc dba houston grotex services move for approval second and a motion by council of forward is second by councilman ripley in any discussion all in favor all opposed motion carries moving on to consent calendar move for approval second Have a motion by Councilman Ginn, a second by Councilman Haight. Any discussion? All in favor? Aye. All opposed? Motion carries. Moving on to new business agenda item number seven, consideration of an action on the adoption of the 2026 library strategic plan.

Move for approval.

Second. Have a motion by Councilman Garrison, a second by Councilman Haight. Any discussion? All in favor? Aye. All opposed? Nobody oppose? No.

Sounded wonderful.

It's good. You did a great presentation. Everybody's supportive of it. Motion carries. Moving on to agenda item number eight, consideration of and action on adoption of the five-year capital improvements plan for the year 2026 through 2030. Move for approval. Second. Second. I have a motion by Councilman Ford, a second by Councilman League. Any discussion? All in favor? Aye. All opposed? Motion carries. Agenda item number nine, consideration of an action on amending the financial management policy.

Move for approval.

Second. A motion by Councilman League, a second by Councilman Ripley. Any discussion? All in favor? Aye. All opposed? Aye. Motion carries. Agenda item number 10, consideration of an action on renewing the agreement with Valley View Consulting LLC for Investment Advisory Services. Move for approval. Second. A motion by Councilman Ginn, a second by Councilman Haight. Any discussion? All in favor? Aye. All opposed? Motion carries. Agenda item number 11, consideration of an action on resolution to transfer... $2.54 million from the fiscal year 2025 unassigned fund balance from the general fund to the capital improvements fund. Mr. Fox.

A resolution of the City Council to see Deer Park, Texas transferring $2,540,000 of unassigned fund balance in the general fund to the capital improvements fund for current and future projects.

Move for approval. Second. Motion by Councilman Ripley. A second by Councilman League. Any discussion? All in favor? Aye. All opposed? Motion carries. Agenda item number 12, consideration of an action or resolution to transfer $450,000 from the fiscal year 25-26 unassigned fund balance of the general fund to the asset replacement fund. Mr. Fox.

A resolution of the City Council to see Deer Park, Texas transferring $450,000 of unassigned fund balance in the general fund to the asset replacement fund for current and future projects.

Move for approval.

Second.

A motion by Councilman Ginn, a second by Councilman Ford. Any discussion? All in favor? Aye. All opposed? Motion carries. Agenda item number 13, consideration of an action on a resolution maintaining the City of Deer Park's contribution rate for the Texas Municipal Retirement System at the obligated 15.77%. for 2027 and not pre-funding the city's unfunded actuarial accrued liability. Mr. Fox.

Resolution of the City of Deer Park City Council maintaining the city's 2027 municipal contribution rate to the city to Texas municipal retirement systems at 15.77% and not pre-fund the unfunded actuarial accrued liability in year 2027.

Move for approval. Second. Second. Thank you very much. My Councilman Lee is seconded by Councilman Ginn. Any discussion? All in favor? Aye. All opposed? Motion carries. Item number 14, consideration of an action on ordinance adopting the fiscal year 26-27 budget for the city of Deer Park. Mr. Fox.

An ordinance adopting the 2026-2027 budget for the city of Deer Park, Texas and appropriating the several sums set up therein to the objects and purposes therein named.

Move for approval. Second.

The motion needs to be read verbatim.

Okay, I motion that we consider in action the ordinance adopting the fiscal year 2027 budget for the City of Deer Park.

Second. I have a motion by Councilman Ford, a second by Councilman Meek. Did we do that?

Yes, sir. This needs to also be a roll call vote.

Okay, we'll start over here. Ms. Garrison?

Aye.

Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye.

Aye.

Did we do enough ayes? You needed more ayes? Ayes.

Yes, sir.

Okay. Moving on to agenda item number 15, consideration of an action on approving the debt service tax rate for the tax year 2026. Same process. I move to adopt the debt service tax component of the tax rate of .198659 per $100 valuation for tax year 2026. Second. I have a motion by Councilman League, a second by Councilman Ginn. Any discussion? If not, we will start again with Ms. Garrison.

Aye.

Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye.

Aye. Why'd you delay like that?

You said you had to miss I's already. I wasn't really sure.

Motion passes. Moving on to agenda item number 16. I was wondering, is that supposed to be counted as a partial aye because she delayed for a few seconds?

Aye. It still counts. I will make it very long.

Agenda item number 16, consideration of an action on approving the maintenance and operation tax rate for the tax year 2026. Same process. I move to adopt the maintenance and operations tax component of the tax rate. 0.521341 for $100 of valuation to fund maintenance and operation expenditures for the tax year of 2026. Second. I have a motion by Council again and a second by Councilman Lee. Any discussion? We'll start with Ms. Gerson. Aye. Aye. Aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Aye. Aye.

That's one way to get her to do it a little bit quicker. No delay to that. Good job. Motion passes. Moving on to agenda item number 17. Mr. Fox, are you about ready? Consideration of and action on ordinance levying abnormal taxes for the tax year 2026. Mr. Fox.

In ordinance of the City of Deer Park taxes levying abnormal taxes for 2026 at 72 cents per $100 assessed valuation of all taxable properties within the corporate limits to provide revenues for current expenses and interest and sinking fund requirements. providing due and delinquent dates, penalties and interest, providing a homestead exemption, repealing all other ordinances in conflict, and providing an effective date. Same process.

I move that the property tax rate be increased by the adoption of a tax rate of 0.72, which is effectively a 1.07% increase in the tax rate.

Second. I have a motion by Councilman Ford, a second by Councilman League. Was it Ripley? Yeah, it was Ripley. Did you get Mr. Ripley?

Yes, sir. Motion and a second.

Any discussion? If not, we'll start with Ms. Garrison.

Aye.

Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye.

Aye. Aye.

Motion passes. Moving on to agenda number 18, consideration of an action on ordinance approving the update of 26-27 salary and classification scales. Mr. Fox.

An ordinance providing for reclassification scale and pay range chart for employees of the City of Deer Park, providing a pay range chart for unclassified service employees.

Move for approval.

Second.

We have a motion by Councilman Ginn and a second by Councilman Haight. Any discussion? All in favor? Aye. All opposed? Motion carries. Agenda item number 19, consideration of an action on ordinance moving the time of the October 6, 2026 regular city council meeting from 7.30 to October 6, 2026 at 5.30. Mr. Fox. Move for approval.

An ordinance for scheduling the regular council meeting of the city council of City of Deer Park, Texas for October 6, 2026 designated another time for said meeting to be held.

Move for approval.

Second. And a motion by Councilman Garrison and second by Councilman Ripley. Any discussion? All in favor? Aye. All opposed? Motion carries. Agenda item number 20, consideration of an action on ordinance modifying the selected time of N, section 66-178, Schedule G, relating to school zones.

Mr. Fox. An ordinance replacing in its entirety section 66-178, Schedule G, of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Deer Park, Texas, providing an amended traffic regulations, providing a savings clause, providing for severability, declaring emergency.

Move for approval.

Second.

I have a motion by Councilman Ginn, a second by Councilman Lee. Any discussion? All in favor? Aye. All opposed? Motion carries. Agenda item number 21, consideration of an action or order modifying section 66-182 regarding timing of the flashing red signals. Mr. Fox.

An ordinance replacing it in its entirety, Article 7, Traffic Schedules, Section 66-182, Schedule K of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Deer Park, providing for amended traffic regulations, providing a savings clause, providing for several buildings. Move for approval.

Second. Motion by Councilman Haight is seconded by Councilman Ginn. Any discussion? All in favor? Aye. All opposed?

motion carries agenda item number 22 consideration of an action on a ordinance granting a franchise agreement to marathon pipeline llc second reading mr fox it's all yours sir be it ordained by the seat of council cedar park subject to compliance with the terms conditions provisions is the ordinance city of deer park here here hearing called grant ordinance hereby granted to marathon pipeline llc its successors and signs Herein call a grantee the right privilege to franchise, to construct, lay, maintain, operate, and use in and under, across, along, in any and all present and future streets as described in the grantee's proposal. Hereinfore file from the city secretary a pipeline for the purpose of transporting refined petroleum products. Grant each facility shall be so constructed and maintained as not to interfere unreasonably with any existing water line, sanitary sewer line, storm sewer line, telephone line, telegraph line, gas line, or any pertinences to the same, or with ordinary travel over the public streets, sidewalks, and thoroughfares in the way of grantor, or the flow of water in any gutter or drain. Within the streets or other public places, the grantor of the location and route of all facilities heretofore and hereafter placed and constructed to be placed and constructed by a grantee of the construction and maintenance of his pipeline within the corporate boundaries of the grantor shall be subject to reasonable and proper regulation, control, and direction of the grantor or any official of the grantor to whom such duties have been or may be duly delegated, which regulation or control shall include, by no way of any limitation, the rights required in The relocation of grantee facilities exclusive of facilities installed from the surface exclusively to the grantor or a grantee's cost within the present or proposed or future proposed streets both public and private and places where such shall be reasonably necessary on account of installation, relocation, change, removal, or addition of the grantor's water, sanitary sewer, storm sewer line, or a pertinence to the widening, paving, repaving, change of grade, relocation, or other construction by grantor within such present proposed or future proposed public or private streets, places, or ways. The surface of any public road, highways, streets, lanes, alleys, or other public places disturbed by grantee and erecting, constructing, maintaining, operating, using, extending, removing, replacing, or repairing its pipeline shall be restored immediately after completion of the work, as good a condition as before the commencement of the work, and maintain the satisfaction of the grantor or any official or grantor to whom so much duties may have been delegated from one year of the date. The surface of said public road, highway, street, lane, alley, or other public place is broken for such construction, maintenance, or removal work. Grantee shall, as soon as reasonably possible, notify the city's fire and police departments of the commencement of any such aforesaid work, given its location and extent. No public road, highway, street, lane, or alley, or other public place should be uncovered by the construction, maintenance, or removal work by a grantee for a longer period than it should be necessary to execute such work. Grantee agrees to pay an initial fee of $1,000 for its franchisee. and the annual fee thereafter is a sum of $1,500 payable annually in advance on or before the anniversary date of the final passage of this ordinance. The grantee agrees by exception of this franchise to save City of Deer Park harmless from all liability for injury or damage to any person persons or property caused by any construction maintenance operation repair removal or any part of all such pipeline and pay the cedar park all damages caused to the city by any such reasons of any such matters including without limitation thereby the cost of repaying any cut in the payment with materials approved by the city manager and repairing all excavations may grab grantee any street alley or public place nothing here shall ever be held or considered upon conferring upon grantee or its assessors and signs any exclusive right or privileges of any nature whatsoever. The grantor, by the granting of the advantage rights, does not surrender to any extent, lose, waive, or impair or lessen lawful powers, rights, and now or hereafter vested in the grantor to regulate the operation of this pipeline. And grantee, by its acceptance, the franchise agrees also to lawful regulatory powers and rights as the same may be from time to time vested in the grantor shall be in full force and effect and subject to the exercise thereof by the grantor at any time and from time to time. In granting this franchise, it is understood the lawful power vested in the law by the grantor to regulate all public utilities within the grantor and to regulate all local rights of public utilities within the grantor within the limits of the Constitutional laws It will require all persons and corporations to discharge their duties and undertakings for the performance in which this franchise is made as reserved. And this grant should be made subject to all authorized powers and authorities, either in regulation or otherwise reserved by the grantor by law. The terms and conditions hereof shall be equal binding upon the successors and signs of grantee upon any such person or firm or company which may succeed to require the properties of grantee within grantor city. Continued operation of grantee's pipeline shall be deemed agreement to all the terms hereof. City shall have a right to inspect any part of the grantee's pipeline or facilities within the grantor's city at any reasonable time and from time to time. The grantee shall, within 30 days of the date of this ordinance, have finally passed file with the grantor a written statement, signed in its name and on behalf of the following forum, to the City of Deer Park, to the grantee, for itself, its successors, and its sons, hereby accepts the above and foregone ordinance and agrees to be bound by all its terms and provisions. Subject to the compliance by grantee within the terms hereof of this franchise, if so accepted, shall take effect upon its day of acceptance, and this franchise shall be valid for a term of 30 years. If any provision, section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase of this ordinance is for any reason to be held unconstitutional, void, or invalid, and for any reason enforceable, the validity of the remaining portion of this ordinance shall not be affected thereby, and shall be intended grantor in adopting this ordinance that no portion hereof or provision or regulation contained herein shall be inoperative or failed by any reason. Any reason of unconstitutionality or invalidity of any other provision, portion, provision, or regulation to this end, all provisions of this ordinance are declared to be severable. Any person, firm, or corporation that violates any provisions in terms of this ordinance may be charged with a misdemeanor and upon convention may be followed. find any sum not exceeding $2,000 in each phase of violation constituted separate offense. It is officially found and determined that the meeting which this ordinance was adopted was open to the public and the public notice had found place and purpose of said meeting was given all as required by Chapter 561 of the Government Code of the State of Texas. This ordinance or the caption thereof shall be read at three regular meetings of the City Council of the City of Newport, Texas. It shall not be finally accepted upon until at least 42 days after the first reading hereof. It shall take effect if passed on that date.

That's it. Do we have to have a motion or a second and a vote on this one?

Yes, sir. The ordinance has to be passed three times.

I make a motion to approve.

I second that motion.

I make a motion by Councilman Lee and second by Councilman Ford. I don't want to do it again later. Yes, sir. The last reading will be October the 20th.

Any more discussion?

All in favor? Aye. Opposed? Motion carries. Back in the good old days, when we had to read everything, there would be some councilites who would read for 30, 45 minutes.

Yeah, councilmembers, they would leave the recording on and all the mayor and councilmembers all got up and went out in the hall. Just let me in there with a recorder.

Moving on to agenda item number 43, consideration of an action on ratifying the city manager's decision to purchase replacement pumps for the Winfield Lift station via the TIPS contract. Move approval. Second. I have a motion by Councilman Ginn and a second by Councilman Lee. Any discussion? All in favor? Aye. All opposed? Motion carries. Agenda item number 24, consideration of an action on entering into an agreement Generosity Services, Inc., for concrete repair and replacement at the Dow Tennis Courts for $79,988 via the Tourist Partners Contract.

I vote for approval. Second.

I motion by Council to approve and second by Council to leave. Any discussion? All in favor? Aye. All opposed? Motion carried.

That's all the items we have for tonight. Thank you, Mr. Chair.