[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6678018,"mediaKeyId","2159115-4f37b28b89ebbd2b5899190de38622aa","parentId",2159115,"title","Stafford Center sustains interior water damage during freeze; repairs, insurance claim under review","audioSeconds",242,"startMs",3215535,"endMs",3457590,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2159115-4f37b28b89ebbd2b5899190de38622aa&start=3215&end=3457","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2159115-4f37b28b89ebbd2b5899190de38622aa/thumbnail_3215535.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6678018/Stafford/Fort-Bend-County/Texas/Stafford-Center-sustains-interior-water-damage-during-freeze-repairs-insurance-claim-under-review","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6678018-bf399b292e68ca43be93e98414767ca6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771193675&Signature=O9NhwW3tIlvIyuj9WVbU4f8ZKjkvosK4PVfsS-5wlX7CQ9aOQXYmNC5vLxIpBC160K~4m12bxZHjze3pkAtJ00I0ivZphHH5u2QtRELKCpH56vnTwhHJkwrujmJXQ3Bx2UJ-KCFWTgBaq9ajt-UVRZYu5uGUOQRIlyOqjIytGFJqCinOdqZOtXdqD0zr37Edv~nUkEz4SmbprUJwiBXJzxtUP4xa3~1UELCnq0SpCNmZv033U3mTF5r3DY7KYZljJxi3f~dj-QU~8EeE49c2C-6fkoWsdxPYt7IkxeqEdquYP-BgsiDHgB4WoUcyALYyVgEkagfpVhCRFVrEe-lmMQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Stafford","date","2025-01-28T00:00:00Z","article","The Stafford Center experienced interior water damage after an evaporator coil cracked during a recent freeze, an operations report to the Stafford Economic Development Corporation said on Jan. 28.

FM Squared, the center’s manager, and city staff said quick action by onsite employees and the operations manager limited damage. Staff described a failed “freestat” that did not operate as expected during cold conditions and a cracked evaporator coil behind the air‑handling units. Water entered the accounting office and a chair storage room; staff said the chair storage area held festival chairs that can be remediated.

The mechanical contractor is preparing a repair estimate. The engineer/operations report listed the evaporator coil replacement as a substantial item — the coil described in the presentation is five feet by eight feet and likely will require crane work and louver removal; the presenter estimated that replacement of that coil and associated access work could cost in the range of $40,000–$45,000. The report also listed damaged furniture and a specialized accounting printer with a replacement estimate of roughly $5,000.

Staff said they will pursue a claim with the city’s insurance provider (TML) and noted the city’s deductible practices: past experience indicates a citywide incident deductible around $1,000. Staff said they will continue damage assessment and submit documentation to insurance; they reported that the event did not interrupt bookings for the center because the affected air handler does not disable the entire HVAC system. No board action was required.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Stafford - Economic Development Corporation - Jan 28, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","A cracked evaporator coil at the Stafford Center released a large amount of water during a freeze; staff mitigated damage and are seeking contractor estimates and an insurance (TML) claim for repairs and replacement equipment.","taxTitle","Stafford, Fort Bend County, Texas","taxId",69474,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6678023,"Engineers outline plan to deploy $7 million in drainage projects, city staff to begin pre‑construction work",1358,5077775,6436285,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2159115-4f37b28b89ebbd2b5899190de38622aa&start=5077&end=6436","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2159115-4f37b28b89ebbd2b5899190de38622aa/thumbnail_5077775.jpg","/articles/6678023/Stafford/Fort-Bend-County/Texas/Engineers-outline-plan-to-deploy-7-million-in-drainage-projects-city-staff-to-begin-preconstruction-work","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6678023-af767006e9aabefd49591f023966fd14/orig.mp4?Expires=1771193675&Signature=K2UzXJa-PHgZVbVzxhMjwSV4Hy3ezAg8~gU4JUgNtm-m7i~Ada2-RXyDmCy9259nUKx1le3kWySZDu1yHWJmdRCx8OirdXCn3v85mjC8fuFTFRqciB90VpUOtVisEJG1e2gOqUA-I9nkpdq5hjtF9GbI3cHDCecIg7WHgRKOLTZmOq4YKaE17CgrOvnRfCk43f63tY2BfF1hj0FplRr5psfegr0LnknTD~vHlyBiL9Uhqa6sygi7k4ABfyf5aOiLW-dPA5lAqw7d-1kpXXW3b5~vKWK3cAP9uVKBTYkAGXfqJzdgNjDPFFl14AQq9TvqKpM1~P78dP-ALAc5AGPs-A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The city’s contracted engineer briefed the Stafford Economic Development Corporation on the status of a $7 million drainage program the board previously approved; staff said preconstruction work is underway and some early projects could start within months.

Bob Jones, the city engineer, reviewed four primary geographic components of the approved drainage program: the corporate business park area (including detention capacity improvements at the Fountain detention facility), a ditch and storm‑sewer corridor running north from Cash Road toward Keegan’s drainage system, work in the Southwest Techniplex area that would require additional railroad and TxDOT coordination, and an expansion related to the TXI detention pond behind a nearby warehouse area.

Jones said the corporate park / fountain detention work is relatively straightforward because existing easements and property control are in place; that package represents an early target and he estimated it might be under contract and underway in roughly 3–6 months after survey and geotechnical borings. He described the need for survey and soils work to verify pipe elevations, slopes and subsurface conditions before design and earthwork.

The Cash Road corridor work is larger and requires careful coordination with private property owners, existing storm lines and some constrained right‑of‑way. The Techniplex crossing requires negotiations with Union Pacific and TxDOT because of an existing undersized 24‑inch crossing; Jones warned that railroad approvals are logistically difficult and will extend timelines. Jones said that improved detention capacity in the commercial corridor will provide some indirect relief to nearby residential areas but that the projects are focused largely on commercial drainage and roadway flooding relief.

Staff and the board discussed funding mechanics: Jones said about $2 million of the $7 million would address the corporate park phase; board members noted that some private developers undertaking adjacent site improvements might be able to coordinate to reduce city costs. City staff said Pike Road and other projects with committed SEDC funding would not prevent moving forward on drainage if council and staff proceed with design and contracting.

No formal vote was taken; city staff and the engineer asked the board to endorse moving to the next steps (surveying, geotechnical, scope and bidding) so work can begin. Board members and the mayor present expressed support for beginning front‑end work promptly. Jones said construction on the first, high‑impact pieces could be completed within the same calendar year, subject to weather, right‑of‑way needs and railroad negotiations.","City engineer presented a multi‑phase plan for a previously approved $7 million drainage program covering corporate park, Cash Road/Keegan’s drainage and Techniplex areas; staff and engineer said surveys and geotechnical work are needed before construction and some work could begin within months.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6678026,"Stafford EDC asks mayor and council to reclassify economic development administrator to director",2325,868024,3193825,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2159115-4f37b28b89ebbd2b5899190de38622aa&start=868&end=3193","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2159115-4f37b28b89ebbd2b5899190de38622aa/thumbnail_868024.jpg","/articles/6678026/Stafford/Fort-Bend-County/Texas/Stafford-EDC-asks-mayor-and-council-to-reclassify-economic-development-administrator-to-director","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6678026-070874f470bca65909820fd0fc9de445/orig.mp4?Expires=1771193675&Signature=I2x6iLQqzwRCNK-7wZonuQ4BL3Szmlw9IysxStdVXxrlhFffSL3uK-ijgpQBdgwVq7tyl2NKvlnGjmuo2RZRJBAAUv~0Nbk92nmdRUhtN7B075pxFTOer0hzIZdjfGNMNRxDQqvT3Jjku1EgGwLpIIbARCK83WgIsAKFyiIWB1~5xMuf-83yrkJ~X4FavxxXDueOc92Z9vkDSUMcTD3pP1gTFT7Yvk5quJ46PWGaauyYdpjYj6jlN84lvTSpwM80FPum3LXWJ9mCY3HZ3UMg16OI3KqMJZkQVTGMi1aBT1YBuZuuTp8kTdH5bDA1skM5m4ONRGA9TWR0CFqRLms9uQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Stafford Economic Development Corporation voted to ask the mayor and City Council to reclassify the Economic Development Administrator position to a Director of Economic Development and to fund it as a city employee, the board decided at its Jan. 28 meeting.

Board members described past experience with the administrator classification as limiting: they said previous occupants of the administrator role were constrained by reporting lines and lacked the autonomy expected for business recruitment and redevelopment work. Discussion included two alternative models: (1) reclassify to a director position reporting directly to the mayor (and working collaboratively with the board) and (2) outsource director‑level services to an outside consultant or contracted firm that would report to the SEDC president or board.

Several board members and the mayor present said they favored a director‑level, in‑house employee to ensure day‑to‑day access to staff and consistency of service to local businesses and potential recruits. Some board members urged that any director be empowered to meet with developers and brokers without step‑wise sign‑offs that previously slowed projects. One board member suggested outsourcing as a potential cost‑sharing option; others noted outsourcing can work if the city pays a market‑competitive fee and if conflicts of interest are managed.

Staff said the salary and benefits line previously budgeted for the director role was $225,000 (that figure reflects the budgeted package, not a guaranteed hiring rate). Staff added that hiring at director level would require City Council approval because the position is a city employee and classification change requires council action.

After public comment was invited and none appeared, a board member moved that the SEDC ask the mayor and City Council to consider reclassifying the Economic Development Administrator to Director of Economic Development and to make it a city employee position reporting to the mayor while working with the board. The motion was seconded and carried; the meeting record shows the motion passed with one abstention. The board directed staff to forward the request to the mayor and council for action.","After a lengthy discussion about responsibilities, autonomy and outsourcing, the SEDC voted to ask the mayor and city council to reclassify the Economic Development Administrator position to Director of Economic Development as a city employee.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6678030,"Stafford EDC reports $18 million year‑end fund balance, board accepts financial statements",722,90825,813000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2159115-4f37b28b89ebbd2b5899190de38622aa&start=90&end=813","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2159115-4f37b28b89ebbd2b5899190de38622aa/thumbnail_90825.jpg","/articles/6678030/Stafford/Fort-Bend-County/Texas/Stafford-EDC-reports-18-million-yearend-fund-balance-board-accepts-financial-statements","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6678030-0aa18caf1c3bd9d056dc21062979e910/orig.mp4?Expires=1771193675&Signature=dUClMKZDhOdiJvo5Ehb9aMJ5PqF5nZrHWDSc4MN1lu4uliiSuNf73Q55-EDlIGrRdgKpHljq6-RpSTIi8lPPz69G0AEBRHJuPJcOCzatQpbvKbXp1coz2iWOwetCZcwDUpdDrtDWlAeOxt7HRBATEd28RqY5XUrnFsN7QQNQDkRLnUQT~vcJ397YxeQwqehOnEBQ2Vq8kAAHjyGUemz0bCAWOxYnAeT6qo7jtEiXWNIJtT5wuW6BVmtQ~YwmSVEMO~SrjXvHiUV36OYY~xrQeJ0-~TmnIT5aXkUn-2I-n8PDyPZYp89BIgbaBAiYFJz1bgye~M-oDV2lCJz2oMHEDg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Stafford Economic Development Corporation reported a combined fund balance of about $18,000,000 at the end of fiscal 2024 and the board accepted the year‑end financial statements at its Jan. 28 meeting.

Finance staff presented audited year‑end figures showing the SEDC’s total cash and investments at roughly $18.5 million, with about 80% held in a government investment pool (identified in the presentation as Logic), roughly 9% in brokered certificates of deposit, 8% in government agency securities and the balance at the depository bank. The presenter said the weighted average yield across holdings was approximately 5.26% and the weighted average maturity was 77 days.

The report said the corporation’s combined fund balance rose by approximately $2.2 million over the previous year (from $15.7 million to $18.0 million). Sales tax remained the primary operating revenue source, with net sales tax of about $6.08 million and total revenues exceeding budget by about 4.7% and by 7.3% compared with the prior year. Interest income year‑to‑date was reported at about $927,723, with accrued but unpaid interest near $28,540.

On the expense side, SEDC’s total operating expenditures were reported at about $12.9 million, roughly 3.9% below budget. Staff explained that the year‑over‑year increase in expenses was driven mainly by transfers to the capital projects fund to support two large projects: the Pike Road project (about $4.0 million) and a drainage project (about $4.3 million). The capital projects schedule shown to the board listed five active projects with life‑to‑date spending and remaining balances: Pike Road, drainage rehab (several lines), a security camera project, landscape improvements and the Meadows Trail project; staff said remaining balances for active projects will be carried into the next fiscal year as part of an upcoming amended budget.

Board members asked for clarification on which projects were “active” versus in maintenance, and staff said closed projects remain funded for annual maintenance through the general operating fund while only the listed five projects were active construction projects. The board discussed whether staff should present the new summarized monthly format at every meeting or provide written monthly reports with in‑person presentations quarterly; staff said she could provide the new format monthly and attend in person quarterly unless specific projects or resolutions require discussion.

There was also discussion of a budgeted transfer to the city that included an economic development administrator salary line originally budgeted for $225,000 (including benefits) but only partially used because the position was filled for about four months; staff said only the salary and benefits for the months the administrator served were transferred and the remainder stayed in SEDC fund balance. The board asked staff to follow up with copies of project schedules and continuing monthly reports.

A motion to accept the financial report as presented was made and seconded; the board voted to accept the report (no formal roll call tally was provided in the meeting record).","Stafford Economic Development Corporation presented year‑end financial statements showing a combined fund balance of about $18 million, investment allocations and project transfers to capital funds; the board accepted the report.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Stafford Center sustains interior water damage during freeze; repairs, insurance claim under review

Engineers outline plan to deploy $7 million in drainage projects, city staff to begin pre‑construction work

Stafford EDC asks mayor and council to reclassify economic development administrator to director

Stafford EDC reports $18 million year‑end fund balance, board accepts financial statements