City Council Special Meeting

Port Lavaca, TX CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING January 26, 2026 CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING Monday, January 26, 2026 at 5:30 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 26th day of January 2026, the City Council of the City of Port Lavaca, Texas, convened in a special meeting at 5:30 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 Councilmember, District 3 Rosie G. Padron Councilwoman, District 4, Mayor Pro Tem Rose Bland-Stewart Councilman, District 5 And with the following absent: Justin Burke Councilman, District 6 CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING II. CALL TO ORDER • Mayor Whitlow called the meeting to order at 5:37 p.m. and presided. III. 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 by logging on with your computer and using “Join Zoom Meeting” information on first page of this agenda). • Mayor Whitlow asked for comments from the public and there were none. IV. ACTION ITEMS - Council will consider/discuss the following items and take any action deemed necessary. Page 1 of 11 Port Lavaca, TX CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING January 26, 2026 1. Receive presentation from Republic Services representative and consider a proposed 3-year contract extension to the Republic Services Solid Waste contract which expires on November 30, 2027. Presenter is Robert Bradley Robert Bradley from Republic Services representative advised Council that in accordance with Item 2 of the Fourth Amendment to the Municipal Contract between BFI Waste Services of Texas, LP d/b/a Republic Services of Corpus Christi and the City of Port Lavaca, we hereby submit our annual letter reflecting a 4.00% increase in the Base Rate for both residential and commercial services to become effective February 01, 2026. The Base Residential Contract Rate as of February 01, 2025, was $21.12. By adjusting the rate by 4.0%, the new rate will be $21.96. Republic will waive this increase for a 3-year extension of the contract if the City desires and the Residential rate will remain at $21.12 until February of 2027. Councilman Dent recommended we go with the annual 4.00% increase in the Base Rate for both residential and commercial services to become effective February 01, 2026 and when the time comes, petition bids for the Solid Waste contract which will expire on November 30, 2027. No action necessary and none taken. 2. Receive presentation of Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) Form A1024 Texas Community Development Grant (TxCDBG) Section 3 Goals and Concepts as related to the CDBG Program and Grant Contract CDV23-0209. Presenter is Jody Weaver Interim City Manager Weaver showed Council a PowerPoint presentation with the following information. The city of Port Lavaca recently received the following grant award: • Grant Contract No. CDV23-0209 • Award Amount: $500,000 • Project: Wastewater Improvements The grant is funded through the Community Development Block Grant, via: • U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development • and • Texas Department of Agriculture As a condition of funding, the City of Port Lavaca must comply with Section 3 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968. To the greatest extent feasible, Grant Recipients must direct economic opportunities generated by CDBG funds to low- and very low-income persons. In part, this means ensuring that: • Section 3 Businesses have the information to submit a bid or proposal for the project; and • Section 3 Workers have information about any available job opportunities related to the project. For precise definitions, see TxCDBG Policy Issuance 20-01. Page 2 of 11 Port Lavaca, TX CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING January 26, 2026 A company may qualify as a Section 3 Business if: • it is owned by low-income persons; • it is owned by Section 8-Assisted housing residents; or • 75% of all labor hours for the business in a 3 month period are performed by Section 3 Workers Register at: • HUD’s Section 3 website: Section 3 Business Owners - HUD Exchange This project is expected to include the following contracting opportunities: • GrantWorks,Inc.-Grant Administration services • Urban Engineering-Engineering Services • Lester Contracting, Inc.-Construction Services You may qualify as a Section 3 Worker if: • Your annual income is below the county threshold for your family size: • You are a current or recent Youthbuild participant Register your information and search for opportunities at: • WorkInTexas.com Section 3 Workers that reside near the project location may also qualify as Targeted Section 3 Workers. The City of Port Lavaca will track all hours worked on the project based on the three categories of workers. This will require collection of certain income information. No action necessary and none taken. 3. Consider agreement for the temporary closure of State Right-of-Way with Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to close Main Street between Virginia Street and Commerce Street from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 07, 2026, for the Port Lavaca Art Walk event. Presenter is Tania French Tania French, Events Coordinator, advised Council that in 2023, the City of Port Lavaca, the Port Lavaca Chamber, and Port Lavaca Main Street hosted the first Port Lavaca Art Walk. The event, which featured artists and musicians throughout the downtown area, was well received by the community. At that time, street closures were not requested. In 2024, due to increased attendance and in the interest of public safety, street closures were implemented for the second Port Lavaca Art Walk. Those measures proved effective in managing pedestrian traffic and ensuring a safe environment for attendees, artists, and musicians. Building on the continued success and growth of the event, we are planning the third Port Lavaca Art Walk, scheduled for Saturday, March 07, 2026. We are respectfully requesting City Council approval, as required, to apply to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) for the temporary closure of Main Street between Virginia Street and Commerce Street from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 07, 2026, for the Port Lavaca Art Walk. Page 3 of 11 Port Lavaca, TX CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING January 26, 2026 We also request the option for temporary closure of Colorado and Guadalupe streets between Railroad and Live Oak streets on Saturday, March 07, 2026 as needed for the event and will be discussed on the next agenda item following this one. Motion made by Councilman District 2 Dent 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 agreement for the temporary closure of State Right-of-Way with Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to close Main Street between Virginia and Commerce Streets for the 2026 Port Lavaca Art Walk, from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 07, 2026 and also waives any fees associated with event. Seconded by Councilwoman District 4 (Mayor Pro Tem) Padron Voting Yea: Councilman District 1 Aguirre, Councilman District 2 Dent, Councilwoman District 4 (Mayor Pro Tem) Padron, Councilwoman District 5 Bland-Stewart 4. Consider option of temporary closure of Colorado Street and Guadalupe Street between Railroad Street and Live Oak Street on Saturday, March 07, 2026, as needed to support the Port Lavaca Art Walk event. Presenter is Tania French Tania French, Events Coordinator, advised Council that in addition to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) for temporary closure of Main Street between Virginia and Commerce Streets for the Port Lavaca Art Walk, in the previous agenda item, we request temporary closure of Colorado and Guadalupe streets between Railroad and Live Oak streets on Saturday, March 07, 2026 as needed for the event. Motion made by Councilman District 2 Dent 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 temporary closure of Colorado and Guadalupe streets between Railroad and Live Oak streets for the 2026 Port Lavaca Art Walk on Saturday, March 07, 2026 and also waives any fees associated with event. Seconded by Councilwoman District 4 (Mayor Pro Tem) Padron Voting Yea: Councilman District 1 Aguirre, Councilman District 2 Dent, Councilwoman District 4 (Mayor Pro Tem) Padron, Councilwoman District 5 Bland-Stewart Page 4 of 11 Port Lavaca, TX CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING January 26, 2026 5. Consider agreement for the temporary closure of State Right-of-Way with Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to close Main Street between Virginia and Commerce Streets, from 11:00 p.m. Friday, April 03, 2026 to Noon on Sunday, April 05, 2026, for the Iguana Fest event. Presenter is Tania French Tania French, Events Coordinator, advised Council that as in previous years, council approval is required to make application to Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) for temporary closure of Main Street between Virginia and Commerce Streets for the Iguana Fest, from 11:00 p.m. Friday, April 03, 2026 to Noon on Sunday, April 05, 2026. While the event is from 4:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. on the first the additional time requested allows for us to safely bring in the stage and set up and also break down the event before reopening the street. We also request the option for temporary closure of Colorado and Guadalupe streets between Railroad and Live Oak streets on Saturday, April 04, 2026 as needed for the event and will be discussed on the next agenda item following this one. Motion made by Councilwoman District 5 Bland-Stewart NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT LAVACA, TEXAS: THAT, Council hereby approves agreement for the temporary closure of State Right-of-Way with Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to close Main Street between Virginia and Commerce Streets for the Iguana Fest, from 11:00 p.m. Friday, April 03, 2026 to Noon on Sunday, April 05, 2026 and also waives any fees associated with event. 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 6. Consider agreement for the temporary closure of State Right-of-Way with Texas option of temporary closure of Colorado Street and Guadalupe Street between Railroad Street and Live Oak Street on Saturday, April 04, 2026, as needed to support the Iguana Fest event. Presenter is Tania French Tania French, Events Coordinator, advised Council that in addition to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) for temporary closure of Main Street between Virginia and Commerce Streets for the Iguana Fest, in the previous agenda item, we request temporary closure of Colorado and Guadalupe streets between Railroad and Live Oak streets on Saturday, April 04, 2026 as needed for the event. 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 11 Port Lavaca, TX CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING January 26, 2026 THAT, in accordance with recommendation of staff, Council hereby approves temporary closure of Colorado and Guadalupe streets between Railroad and Live Oak streets on Saturday, April 04, 2026 for Iguana Fest and also waives any fees associated with event. 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 7. Consider Resolution No. R-012626-1 authorizing the submission of a Boating Access Grant Program 2026 Grant Application for City of Port Lavaca offered by Texas Parks and Wildlife. Presenter is Jody Weaver Motion made by Councilman District 2 Dent WHEREAS, the City of Port Lavaca, (hereinafter the “Sponsor”), is desirous of providing for the construction of a boating access facility on Lavaca Bay at Lighthouse Beach, and; WHEREAS, the State of Texas, acting through the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (hereinafter the “Department”), under the authority of Section 11.033 and 31.141 of the Parks & Wildlife Code, would provide funding for such construction, and; WHEREAS, the construction of such a facility would be of benefit to the citizens of Port Lavaca as well as transient recreational boaters from the State and other states: NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: That the City of Port Lavaca in a meeting this 26 day of January, 2026, is hereby eligible for assistance and will enter into a project agreement with the Department to provide for said construction on a reimbursement basis, with the Sponsor providing 25% by appropriations or in-kind services, and the Department providing 75% matching funds for work accomplished. AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: The undersigned is herewith authorized to sign any or all documents pertaining to the construction; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That the Sponsor has matching funds available; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That the Sponsor will operate said facility; perform all necessary maintenance and repairs to ensure public use, health and safety; and provide security surveillance to eliminate creations of nuisance or hazard to the public or adjacent property owners; for the life of the facility (minimum 25 years); AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That said facility will be open at all reasonable times to the public, and that revenue from any user fees will only be used to offset operation and maintenance costs of any supported facilities. Page 6 of 11 Port Lavaca, TX CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING January 26, 2026 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 8. Consider Resolution No. R-012626-2 authorizing the submission of a Criminal Justice Program FY 2027 Grant Application for City of Port Lavaca, for the Police Radio Equipment Upgrade. Presenter is Jody Weaver Motion made by Councilman District 2 Dent WHEREAS, the City of Port Lavaca finds it in the best interest of the citizens of Port Lavaca, that the Police Radio Equipment Upgrade be operated for the 2026-2027; and WHEREAS, the City of Port Lavaca agrees to provide applicable matching funds for the said project as required by the General Fund grant application; and WHEREAS, the City of Port Lavaca agrees that in the event of loss or misuse of the Office of the Governor funds, the City of Port Lavaca assures that the funds will be returned to the Office of the Governor in full; and WHEREAS, the City of Port Lavaca designates the Interim City Manager as the grantee’s authorized official. The authorized official is given the power to apply for, accept, reject, alter or terminate the grant on behalf of the applicant agency; and WHEREAS, the City of Port Lavaca designates the Finance Director as the grantee’s financial officer. The financial officer is given the power to submit financial and/or programmatic reports or alter a grant on behalf of the applicant agency. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT LAVACA, TEXAS: THAT, the City of Port Lavaca approves submission of the grant application for the Police Radio Equipment Upgrade to the Office of the Governor. 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 9. Consider Resolution No. R-012626-3 authorizing the execution of an Advance Funding Agreement (AFA) with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) for a Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside (TASA) Program Project. Presenter is Jody Weaver Motion made by Councilwoman District 5 Bland-Stewart Page 7 of 11 Port Lavaca, TX CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING January 26, 2026 WHEREAS, on November 13, 2025, via Minute Order 117073, the Texas Transportation Commission authorized The City of Port Lavaca Pedestrian Access project (the “Project) to receive Federal Highway Administration funds for project engineering and construction and Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) oversight; and WHEREAS, the City of Port Lavaca commits to provide the match. The local match is comprised of cash or State Transportation Development Credits; and WHEREAS, the City of Port Lavaca is responsible for all non-reimbursable costs and 100% of overruns, if any; and WHEREAS, the Governing Body of the City of Port Lavaca desires to reaffirm its support of the Project, approve and authorize the execution of an Advance Funding Agreement (AFA) with TxDOT for the Project. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT LAVACA, TEXAS: THAT, the Mayor is authorized to enter into an AFA with TxDOT for this Project. 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 10. Consider award of construction contract for the General Land Office (GLO) Community Development Block Grant Mitigation (CDBG-MIT) Coastal Resiliency Program Contract #22-087-001-D226 City of Port Lavaca Living Shoreline Project. Presenter is Jody Weaver Interim City Manager Weaver advised Council that the ) Coastal Resiliency Program and has been awarded funding in the amount of $13,645,005.00. These funds will be used to construct breakwaters and living shorelines and to enhance coastal resilience through the creation of marsh habitats and oyster reef– fish habitats. The Base Bid provides for a rock breakwater with a 4 ft height; Additive 1 is the additional cost to provide a 5 ft height; Additive 2 is the additional cost to provide a 6 ft height; and Additive 3 is the additional cost to provide a 7 ft height. On January 16, 2026, at 2:00 p.m., the City conducted a bid opening for the Living Shoreline Restoration Project. The City received ten (10) bids from responsive bidders, listed below: • Maverick Constructors, LLC • TKTMJ Inc. • Russell Marine, LLC • Rigid Construction, LLC • McMillen, Inc. Page 8 of 11 Port Lavaca, TX CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING January 26, 2026 • Viking Dredging, LLC • Brizo Construction, LLC • Callan Marine • Five S Marine, LLC • Texas Dewatering The project engineers, Mott MacDonald, have prepared and reviewed the bid tabulation and submitted a recommendation letter identifying Maverick Construction, LLC from Opelousas, Louisiana as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. The Port Commission at their meeting on Tuesday, unanimously concurred with Mott McDonald and voted to recommend to Council to award a construction contract, which includes Total Base Bid+ Additive 1 Bid+ Additive 2 Bid + Additive 3 Bid for a total contract amount of $10,247,134.00 to Maverick Constructors, LLC for the Living Shoreline Restoration Project, CDBG-MIT Contract No. 22-087-001-D226. Motion made by Councilman District 2 Dent NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT LAVACA, TEXAS: THAT, Council hereby approves awarding a construction contract, which includes Total Base Bid+ Additive 1 Bid+ Additive 2 Bid + Additive 3 Bid for a total contract amount of $10,247,134.00 to Maverick Constructors, LLC for the Living Shoreline Restoration Project, CDBG-MIT Contract No. 22- 087-001-D226. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, THAT the Mayor is hereby authorized to execute all instruments necessary to affect such agreement. 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 11. Consider award of construction contract for the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) Restore Bucket 1 Mitigation Grant Shoreline Cleanup, Contract No. 582- 23-42179. Presenter is Jody Weaver Interim City Manager Weaver advised Council that the City of Port Lavaca received a grant from the U.S. Treasury, administered through the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) Restore Grant, to remove, transport, and properly dispose of derelict vessel remnants at two locations within Lavaca Bay in Port Lavaca. Site A ( Base Bid A) includes three (3) derelict vessels (Vessels #989, #990, and #992), consisting of steel barge remnants located on submerged lands near the shoreline, as shown on the attached site plan. Site B ( Additive Alternative) includes one (1) derelict vessel, consisting of steel barge remnants located on submerged lands near the shoreline, as shown on the attached site plan. Page 9 of 11 Port Lavaca, TX CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING January 26, 2026 The City received two (2) bids from responsive bidders for the Restore Bucket 1 Mitigation – Shoreline Cleanup project: Taylor Marine Construction, Inc., and Derrick Construction Co., Inc. At its meeting on January 20, 2026, the Port Commission reviewed the bid tabulation and supporting documentation and recommended awarding the construction contract to Taylor Marine Construction, Inc., as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder for the project. Requested Action: Review the bid tabulation and approve the recommendation to award the construction contract for the Restore Bucket 1 Mitigation – City of Port Lavaca Shoreline Cleanup Project to Taylor Marine Construction, Inc. for the Base Bid and the Additive Alternate for a total award in the amount of $407,000.00. Motion made by Councilman District 1 Aguirre NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT LAVACA, TEXAS: THAT, Council hereby approves awarding a construction contract for the Restore Bucket 1 Mitigation – City of Port Lavaca Shoreline Cleanup Project to Taylor Marine Construction, Inc. for the Base Bid of $363,000.00 and the Additive Alternate of $44,000.00 for a Total award in the amount of $407,000.00. 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 12. Receive presentation from Public Works Director regarding a proposal for a 500 gpm Trihalomethane (TTHM) Removal System from VaCraft Manufacturing, LLC. Presenter is Wayne Shaffer Public Works Director Shaffer advised Council that the City of Port Lavaca is under enforcement, 2023- 1545-PWS-E, for exceedances of TTHM (Total Trihalomethanes). He showed test results from a pilot study to gauge the effectiveness of THM removal in the City’s system. Based on the lab results shown, we can see up to 88% THM removal using the proposed system. If the system is accepted, the funds would need to come from reserves. The influence on community sustainability regarding cost centers on the ongoing maintenance of new equipment and electricity consumption. Reducing THM levels results in less flushing in the system, thereby decreasing expenses. Lastly, enhanced water quality will facilitate our progression toward recognition as a superior water system. Page 10 of 11 Port Lavaca, TX CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING January 26, 2026 If it is decided to go this route, staff would recommend VaCraft Manufacturing for the following reasons: 1. Pilot study proves their system works 2. Quote is for a single machine at George St. as apposed to systems at both ESTs No action necessary and none taken. V. ADJOURN SPECIAL MEETING Mayor Whitlow asked for motion to adjourn. Motion made by Councilwoman District 4 (Mayor Pro Tem) Padron 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 Special Meeting adjourned at 7:16 p.m. These minutes were approved on February 09, 2026. Jack Whitlow, Mayor Mandy Grant, City Secretary Page 11 of 11