City Council Regular Meeting

Port Lavaca, TX CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING January 12, 2026 CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING Monday, January 12, 2026 at 6:30 PM City Council Chambers | 202 N. Virginia Street, Port Lavaca TX 77979 MINUTES STATE OF TEXAS § COUNTY OF CALHOUN § CITY OF PORT LAVACA § On this the 12th day of January 2026, the City Council of the City of Port Lavaca, Texas, convened in a regular session at 6:30 p.m. at the regular meeting place in Council Chambers at City Hall, 202 North Virginia Street, Port Lavaca, Texas, with the following members in attendance: I. ROLL CALL Jack Whitlow Mayor Daniel Aguirre Councilman, District 1 Tim Dent Councilman, District 2 Vacant Seat Council Member, District 3 Rosie G. Padron Councilwoman, District 4, Mayor Pro Tem Rose Bland-Stewart Councilwoman, District 5 Justin Burke Councilman, District 6 And with the following absent: None Constituting a quorum for the transaction of business, at which time the following business was transacted: II. CALL TO ORDER • Mayor Whitlow called the meeting to order at 6:31 p.m. and presided. III. INVOCATION • Councilwoman District 5 Bland-Stewart gave the invocation. IV. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE • Mayor Whitlow – Pledge of Allegiance. V. PRESENTATION(S) BY THE MAYOR • There were no presentations. Page 1 of 10  Port Lavaca, TX CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING January 12, 2026 VI. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC - Limited to 3 minutes per individual unless permission to speak longer is received in advance. You may make public comments as you would at a meeting on Zoom by logging on with your computer and/or smart phone as described in the zoom invitation below or on Facebook Live through the comment section, which will be monitored and answered. As appropriate. • Mayor asked for comments from the public and there were none. VII. CONSENT AGENDA - Council will consider/discuss the following items and take any action deemed necessary A. Minutes of December 08, 2025 Regular Meeting B. Review of Credit Card Statement C. Receive Monthly Financial Highlight Report D. Receive Employee Training Review Acknowledgment report ending 12.31.2025 E. Receive Office of Court Administrators (OCA) Monthly report ending 12.31.2025 F. Receive Victoria Economic Development Corporation (VEDC) Monthly Report G. Receive Quarterly Capital Project Progress Report from 10.01.2025 to 12.31.2025 H. Receive Quarterly Public Works Report from 10.01.2025 to 12.31.2025 Motion made by Councilman District 6 Burke NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT LAVACA, TEXAS: THAT, in accordance with recommendation of staff, Council hereby approves all consent agenda items as listed. Seconded by Councilman District 1 Aguirre Voting Yea: Councilman District 1 Aguirre, Councilman District 2 Dent, Councilwoman District 4 (Mayor Pro Tem) Padron, Councilwoman District 5 Bland-Stewart, Councilman District 6 Burke VIII. ACTION ITEMS - (Council will consider/discuss the following items and take any action deemed necessary) 1. Receive certification of City Secretary that Wayne Allen Tippit, Jr. did formally turn in a letter of resignation from the City of Port Lavaca City Council, Single District #3, effective December 04, 2025, in accordance with the City’s Home Rule Charter Article 4, Nominations and Elections, Section 4.08 Vacancies and Section 4.09 Resignation required to file for executive office. Presenter is Mandy Grant I, Mandy Grant, City Secretary for the City of Port Lavaca, do certify that Wayne Allen Tippit, Jr. did formally turn in a letter of resignation from the City of Port Lavaca City Council, Single District #3, effective December 04, 2025, in accordance with the City’s Home Rule Charter Article 4. Page 2 of 10 Port Lavaca, TX CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING January 12, 2026 Article 4. - Nominations And Elections Sec. 4.08. - Vacancies. If a vacancy occurs on the Council, whether by resignation, removal or death, it shall not be filled by appointment but must be filled by majority vote of the qualified voters at a special election called for the next uniform election date as provided by the Election Code. State Law reference - Uniform election dates, V.T.C.A., Election Code §41.001. Sec. 4.09. - Resignation required to file for elective office. Elected officials of the City shall resign their current elective offices prior to filing for a different elective office of the City or for an elective office of any other public entity. Employees of the City shall terminate their employment with the City before filing for any elective office of the City and shall terminate their employment with the City before assuming any elective office for any other public entity. The term for Single District #3 will expire in May 2026; therefore, this seat will remain vacant until the votes are canvassed from the uniform election scheduled for May 02, 2026. No action necessary and none taken. 2. Receive Republic Notice of Price Increase. Presenter is Jody Weaver Interim City Manager Weaver advised Council that in January 2022, Council approved a 5-year extension to Republic Services contract, which increased the brush/bulk limit per household to 12 CY and added light construction debris to eligible bulk. With this extension in 2022, we did not see an increase in the rate in Feb 2022 nor Feb 2023. We did receive a 4% rate increase in February 2024 and February 2025. The current contract is set to expire in November 2027. Attached please find Republic’s notice of a 4% rate increase to become effective February of 2026. There is no action to be taken with this as this increase is stipulated in the contract. Prior to his departure from Republic Services, Mike Reeves had told me (and Bob Bradlye just confirmed today) that Republic would like to offer a few proposals for an early extension of their contract, which if approved would eliminate one or more annual increases including this year. Bob Bradley is sending me these proposals next week and this will be an agenda item for the January 26th Special Meeting. At this January 26, 2026 Special Meeting, Bob Bradley is hoping to have information to discuss options for a subscription-based recycling program as well. No action necessary and none taken. 3. Consider First Reading of an Ordinance (G-1-26) of the City of Port Lavaca; amending Code of Ordinances, Appendix A, Fees, Rates and Charges; Chapter 38, Solid Waste, Article II, Collection and Disposal, Sec 38-29 Residential Rate, Garbage/brush/bulk collection; providing for purpose of ordinance; providing for severability; providing a repealing clause; and providing an effective date. Presenter is Jody Weaver Page 3 of 10 Port Lavaca, TX CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING January 12, 2026 Interim City Manager Weaver advised Council that as per the 4th Amendment to our contract with Republic Services, the rates, beginning February 2024, increase each year in February by 4%. Per the letter from Republic, Residential Trash pickup will be increased from $21.12/month to $21.96/month. The rate for additional carts will be increased from $16.75/month to $17.42 per month. Unless Council does decide to accept a minimum 3-year extension to Republic Contract (see previous agenda item #2), this 4% increase will become effective on February 01, 2026. We have therefore brought to you a first reading of an ordinance amending the solid waste rates to reflect this additional 4%. If Council approves a contract extension on January 26, 2026, then we do not have to bring this rate change back for a second reading. Motion made by Councilman District 6 Burke NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT LAVACA, TEXAS: THAT, in accordance with the recommendation of staff, Council hereby approves First reading of an Ordinance (G-1-26) of the City of Port Lavaca; amending Code of Ordinances, Appendix A, Fees, Rates and Charges; Chapter 38, Solid Waste, Article II, Collection and Disposal, Sec 38-29 Residential Rate, Garbage/brush/bulk collection. Seconded by Councilwoman District 5 Bland-Stewart Voting Yea: Councilman District 1 Aguirre, Councilman District 2 Dent, Councilwoman District 4 (Mayor Pro Tem) Padron, Councilwoman District 5 Bland-Stewart, Councilman District 6 Burke 4. Consider Second and Final Reading of an Ordinance (S-7-25) of the City of Port Lavaca for amendment(s) to the Base Ordinance S-4-25 for 2025-2026 fiscal year budget; providing for Budget Amendment(s); providing for severability, repealing all ordinances in conflict and establishing an effective date. Presenter is Reyann Grimaldo Interim Finance Director Grimaldo advised Council that currently City Hall and the Police Department are “piggybacking” off the Public Works buildings fiber internet connection. This in turn means when Public Works internet goes down, so does City Hall and the Police Departments internet. After talking with Sparklight on the City’s internet options we have reached an agreement on upgrading to governmental fiber service with Sparklight, which will provide the below benefits: • Significantly Higher Bandwidth Capacity Fiber supports much greater data throughput, enabling future-proof scalability as bandwidth demand increases. • Faster Internet Speeds Fiber provides symmetrical upload and download speeds, essential for modern applications, cloud services, and real-time communication. Page 4 of 10 Port Lavaca, TX CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING January 12, 2026 • Improved Reliability Unlike coax, fiber is immune to electromagnetic interference and signal degradation over long distances, reducing downtime and maintenance. • Lower Latency Fiber’s low latency enhances performance for video conferencing, VoIP, smart city applications, and critical municipal services. In addition to upgrading to Fiber this will also ensure that all internet services will be billed to one centralized government account rather than individual business accounts as it is being billed now. If the City upgrades to fiber at all of the sites listed Sparklight will cover 100% of the construction costs for the entire project. The total construction costs for all the location upgrades is $66,328. This means the City will only be responsible for the new monthly charges for fiber services, and increased bandwidths which total $19,403.76 additional per year. In addition to this cost VC3 will need to reconfigure these locations firewall circuits for the new service with a one-time cost of $10,664.00 Motion made by Councilman District 2 Dent NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT LAVACA, TEXAS: THAT, in accordance with the recommendation of staff, Council hereby approves Second and Final reading of an Ordinance (S-7-25) of the City of Port Lavaca for amendment(s) to the Base Ordinance S- 4-25 for 2025-2026 fiscal year budget; providing for Budget Amendment(s) GF-001 in the amount of $25,073.00 and PUF-001 in the amount of $4,995.00 (total is $30,068.00). Seconded by Councilman District 6 Burke Voting Yea: Councilman District 1 Aguirre, Councilman District 2 Dent, Councilwoman District 4 (Mayor Pro Tem) Padron, Councilwoman District 5 Bland-Stewart, Councilman District 6 Burke 5. Consider appointment of member to Port Commission Board to fill a vacancy for a new two- year term. Presenter is Jody Weaver Interim City Manager Weaver advised Council that the city has received an interest from Laurie Harvey and Mike Johnson to serve on the Port Commission Board. Ms. Harvey was in attendance and addressed Council members on her interests for serving on the Board. Motion made by Councilwoman District 5 Bland-Stewart NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT LAVACA, TEXAS: Page 5 of 10 Port Lavaca, TX CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING January 12, 2026 THAT, Council hereby appoints Laurie Harvey to the Port Commission Board to fill a vacancy and start a new two-year term. Seconded by Councilman District 6 Burke Voting Yea: Councilman District 2 Dent, Councilwoman District 4 (Mayor Pro Tem) Padron, Councilwoman District 5 Bland-Stewart, Councilman District 6 Burke Voting Nay: Councilman District 1 Aguirre 6. Consider Resolution No. R-011226-1E for establishing provisions for conduct for the City of Port Lavaca General Officers Election held on the uniform date of May 02, 2026 and authorize Mayor to issue Order of Election. Presenter is Mandy Grant Motion made by Councilman District 2 Dent WHEREAS, in accordance with the City Charter of the City of Port Lavaca, the Texas Election Code and other applicable state and federal laws, the City Council of the City of Port Lavaca, Texas hereby finds that a general officers election should be held on Saturday, May 02, 2026. WHEREAS, in addition to calling and ordering the general officers election, City Council finds it necessary and expedient to establish provisions for the conduct of such election: NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT LAVACA, TEXAS: SECTION 1. THAT, an election shall be held on Saturday, May 02, 2026, which is a uniform election date, in the City of Port Lavaca, Texas, which date is not less than forty-five (45) days from the date of the adoption of this resolution for the purpose of electing the following officers: • One Mayor, At-Large Position, for a term of two (2) years; and • One Council Member, Single District One (1), for a term of 3 years; and • One Council Member, Single District Three (3), for a term of 3 years; and SECTION 2. THAT. the Qualifications for Office, per City Charter Article 4.02, are as follows: a) In addition to the requirements of state law, at the time of election to office, the Mayor and each member of Council shall be at least twenty one (21) years of age, shall be a United States citizen and qualified voter of the State of Texas, shall have resided in the City for not less than one (1) year immediately preceding the election filing deadline and, if elected from a district, shall have resided in the district from which elected for not less than six (6) months immediately preceding the election filing deadline. Page 6 of 10 Port Lavaca, TX CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING January 12, 2026 b) Candidates for office shall make a sworn application for a place on the ballot within the times prescribed by the Texas Election Code, and pay any filing fee established by ordinance. Applications shall designate the position sought and applications for council member shall include the district number, if applicable. It shall be the duty of the Office of the City Secretary of the City of Port Lavaca to place the name of all qualified candidates making timely application on the official ballot. Legal proof of length of residency in the City and/or district must be presented to the Office of the City Secretary upon filing for office. SECTION 3. THAT, per City Charter, Article 4.03, the candidate receiving a majority of the votes cast for the office sought shall be elected to that office. In the event no candidate receives a majority of the votes cast at the regular election, then and in that event, a run-off election shall be held in accordance with Texas Election Law following procedures therein. SECTION 4. THAT, the Office of the City Secretary of the City of Port Lavaca shall consist of the City Secretary and/or the Assistant City Secretary and shall perform all duties necessary to conduct the general officer’s election. SECTION 5. THAT, the Office of the City Secretary, is expressly authorized to obtain election supplies and equipment required by law and necessary to conduct such election. SECTION 6. THAT, such election shall be conducted by the City of Port Lavaca, with Early Voting Days and the Election Day voting to be at the following polling place designated for each City election district: DISTRICT NUMBER POLLING PLACE District One City of Port Lavaca City Hall – Main Lobby 202 N. Virginia Street District Two City of Port Lavaca City Hall – Main Lobby 202 N. Virginia Street District Three City of Port Lavaca City Hall - Main Lobby 202 N. Virginia Street District Four City of Port Lavaca City Hall - Main Lobby 202 N. Virginia Street District Five City of Port Lavaca City Hall - Main Lobby 202 N. Virginia Street District Six City of Port Lavaca City Hall -Main Lobby 202 N. Virginia Street SECTION 7. THAT, Early Voting Days and extended hours to vote on a Saturday shall be conducted during the following schedule: Page 7 of 10 Port Lavaca, TX CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING January 12, 2026 Monday April 20, 2026 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tuesday April 21, 2026 from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday April 22, 2026 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Thursday April 23, 2026 from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Friday April 24, 2026 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday April 25, 2026 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Monday April 27, 2026 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tuesday April 28, 2026 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Early voting by personal appearance shall be conducted during the regular business hours of the Office of the City Secretary each week day from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., except for the second and fourth days of the early voting period by personal appearance. On the second and fourth days of early voting by personal appearance, the Office of the City Secretary’s regular business hours are hereby designated as 7:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. In addition, there will be extended hours of the early voting period by personal appearance held on a Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. SECTION 8. THAT, Election Day Voting shall be conducted during the following date and time: Saturday May 02, 2026 from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. SECTION 9. THAT, Notice of the election, including a Spanish translation thereof, shall be posted at City Hall and published in a local newspaper as provided by the Home Rule Charter of the City of Port Lavaca, the Texas Election Code and/or other state and federal law, and the Mayor, or his designee, is hereby authorized and directed to execute such Notice together with an Order calling such election. SECTION 10. THAT, should any part, section, subsection, paragraph, sentence, clause or phrase contained in this resolution be held to be unconstitutional or of no force and effect, such holding shall not affect the validity of the remaining portion of this resolution, but in all respects said remaining portion shall be and remain in full force and effect. SECTION 11. THAT, this resolution shall be effective immediately upon adoption. Seconded by Councilman District 1 Aguirre Voting Yea: Councilman District 1 Aguirre, Councilman District 2 Dent, Councilwoman District 4 (Mayor Pro Tem) Padron, Councilwoman District 5 Bland-Stewart, Councilman District 6 Burke 7. Consider reviewing bids and consider contract award for the TxCDBG Contract No. CDV23-0209 Sanitary Sewer Improvement Project. Presenter is Jody Weaver Interim City Manager Weaver and Public Works Director Shaffer advised Council that as part of our ongoing maintenance and rehab of the sanitary sewer system, we advertised for bids for the Sanitary Sewer Improvements, Texas Community Development Block Grant (TxCDBG) Contract No. CDV23-0209, due December 17, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. Page 8 of 10 Port Lavaca, TX CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING January 12, 2026 Two bids were received and they are as follows: Bidder: Amount Calendar Days Lester Contracting, Inc. $424,749.00 90 Mercer Construction Company $447,552.00 145 This Project is part of the sewer line improvement project to remove clay lines from our system and is funded with grant dollars and a $75,000 match budgeted in the Public Utility Fund. Staff recommends that this contract be awarded to Lester Contracting, Inc. for the Total Base Bid amount of $424,749.00 to be completed in 90 calendar days. Motion made by Councilman District 1 Aguirre NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT LAVACA, TEXAS: THAT, in accordance with the recommendation of staff, Council hereby authorizes award of construction contract for the Sanitary Sewer Improvements, Texas Community Development Block Grant (TxCDBG) Contract No. CDV23-0209, to Lester Contracting, Inc. for the Total Base Bid amount of $424,749.00 to be completed in 90 calendar days, following receipt of Order to Proceed. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, THAT the Mayor is hereby authorized to execute all instruments necessary to affect such agreement. Seconded by Councilman District 2 Dent Voting Yea: Councilman District 1 Aguirre, Councilman District 2 Dent, Councilwoman District 4 (Mayor Pro Tem) Padron, Councilwoman District 5 Bland-Stewart, Councilman District 6 Burke 8. Announcement by Mayor that City Council will retire into closed session: • For consultation with City Attorney on matters in which the duty of the Attorney to the City Council under the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct of the State Bar of Texas clearly conflicts with the Open Meetings Act (Title 5, Chapter 551, Section 551.071(2) of the Texas Government Code). Presenter is Mayor Whitlow Mayor Whitlow announced there would be no closed session. 9. Return to Open Session and take any action deemed necessary with regard to matters in closed session. Presenter is Mayor Whitlow There was no closed session. IX. ADJOURNMENT Mayor asked for motion to adjourn. Page 9 of 10 Port Lavaca, TX CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING January 12, 2026 Motion made by Councilman District 2 Dent Seconded by Councilman District 6 Burke Voting Yea: Councilman District 1 Aguirre, Councilman District 2 Dent, Councilwoman District 4 (Mayor Pro Tem) Padron, Councilwoman District 5 Bland-Stewart, Councilman District 6 Burke Meeting adjourned at 7:13 p.m. These minutes were approved on February 09, 2026. ATTEST: Jack Whitlow, Mayor Mandy Grant, City Secretary Page 10 of 10