[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6577608,"mediaKeyId","3113365-32a076e5bcf3a3b6ffdfd55f6a388623","parentId",3113365,"title","Council signals support for exploring a Juneteenth museum and potential city funding role","audioSeconds",1103,"startMs",6175000,"endMs",7278000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3113365-32a076e5bcf3a3b6ffdfd55f6a388623&start=6175&end=7278","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3113365-32a076e5bcf3a3b6ffdfd55f6a388623/thumbnail_6175000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6577608/Galveston/Galveston-County/Texas/Council-signals-support-for-exploring-a-Juneteenth-museum-and-potential-city-funding-role","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6577608-11200cc772006ca922ea2465c717d1d3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771018668&Signature=mJvNTAMVcsVQBUon8Ghb~WKX7fXI-rFHu0tMCkjkJB5-3Vb8FQ3CvhD6CUXhJEJQpITXzeJorgkhMWP21DG3esXW-cBtx4mBdvrsSMrcApEKhUcU~xBG73nYx4FlR3Us1zxnYGP9bPYTQKW--tM0qsoLrWh1dyMF51yOmQQRX23699oLqjNdBm9MwpTTxLKL5XNdrmarCKq6kQL4izMeL9rtslqoqj56FQ5LdAlrYAb9Sk3IIzOdOIMg~khCTi0sGmYjELzvq6mqMRxnj7LMoR3bWhHsBEogGjrivH~MZKYTz8j3LtHmusJWoIe2UX9TjWo0z6Nuo4ZsGXo8cmNMZQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Galveston","date","2025-04-24T00:00:00Z","article","Mayor Brown and councilmembers discussed the possibility of the city taking a financial and advocacy role in establishing a Juneteenth museum in Galveston. Mayor Brown framed the city's role as supportive rather than managing a museum: \"I think personally that the city of Galveston should not be in the Juneteenth business of building museum or managing a museum, but I do feel that city of Galveston should have skin in the game when it comes to developing some sort of a museum,\" the mayor said during the April 24 workshop.

Councilmembers and staff discussed several funding and partnership pathways: pursuing Smithsonian affiliation or technical assistance, pursuing legislative opportunities to set aside state hotel‑tax rebates for a museum, using local hotel‑occupancy tax funding as part of a long‑term funding strategy, and seeking philanthropy and federal grants. Council members noted a pending state legislative funding discussion that could allocate funds for museum initiatives.

Council asked staff to develop actionable next steps: (1) prepare a resolution expressing the council’s support; (2) draft letters of support to federal representatives and the Smithsonian to request technical assistance and federal interest; and (3) research grants and possible local funding mechanisms (including hot tax strategies and legislative request options) to identify practical funding pathways. Councilmembers indicated they want the city to be a coordinating partner that can provide a local matching or seed fund to leverage larger state or federal grants.

No final funding commitment was made. Council directed staff to work with stakeholders, including the Galveston Independent School District (which may have property options) and charitable donors, and to bring draft resolution language and funding options back to council for consideration.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Galveston - Council Workshop - Apr 24, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Galveston councilmembers told staff they want the city to play a coordinating and funding role in the development of a Juneteenth museum, while stopping short of operating a museum directly.","taxTitle","Galveston , Galveston County, Texas","taxId",5145,"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},6577618,"Council discusses timing for charter amendments, staggered terms and a proposed streets bond",2203,3126000,5329000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3113365-32a076e5bcf3a3b6ffdfd55f6a388623&start=3126&end=5329","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3113365-32a076e5bcf3a3b6ffdfd55f6a388623/thumbnail_3126000.jpg","/articles/6577618/Galveston/Galveston-County/Texas/Council-discusses-timing-for-charter-amendments-staggered-terms-and-a-proposed-streets-bond","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6577618-79a2064b9077930be5d76e2cc7c9569d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771018668&Signature=ZU6zKZGuJ67dIELd0S4sQNNI4krTCSoW05YNcKv32buZL0Y1JMTEffrXHuuxrEArqI0yrUxU462F6jq-KS~sxyUib~r1k3U9DnTtbW6gOveRyP0LRMTfF830tet4nap7SjbARRD7Qg95dGPJgnxIEusJkPlq-QetgCAU3Ns3yL5OHwk3hx~wqbTmRVj6USnwGZr3BTZxNhiVTvdIiYZLZ28RMyAcaiZxXFlnxVNenJx27eooOlyZN3knNhUXWS~rB1rHUYn9dYDV34rTLtlVh-mUUmuEZD77~EgrIHqAu4y0XRSRTsZUBm71tgrXusXuGJtbyrttNutqvbu0QIczSg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Councilmembers used the April 24 workshop to revisit a suite of possible charter amendments, including changing council terms from two‑year to three‑year terms and staggering elections, modifying district/at‑large representation, adding a council stipend, and clarifying charter language about the library and hotel occupancy tax transfers.

City staff and council discussed scheduling: charter questions placed on a November ballot would appear alongside higher turnout national elections, while May elections draw a different voter mix. Council members noted tradeoffs: scheduling in November may broaden turnout but also shift election messaging; May timing could affect campaign dynamics and turnout in different ways.

Don, the city attorney, briefed council on a drafting question involving charter language and hotel occupancy tax distribution. He explained state statute governing hotel occupancy tax (Chapter 351) controls distribution when the city’s total hotel occupancy tax rate is 7 percent: the statute requires certain allocations for promotion/advertising and that statute preempts conflicting charter provisions. \"If there is a conflict between the statute and the charter, the statute controls,\" Don said. Council asked staff to prepare draft charter language that would clean up conflicts and to provide model language for a potential ballot question about terms and staggered seats.

Council also discussed pairing a streets mill/overlay bond with a charter election. Finance staff said a ballpark estimate to issue roughly $25 million of general obligation bonds could amount to about 1.5 cents on the tax rate, but staff noted many variables and potential ways to mitigate that using the city’s infrastructure set‑aside. The council also discussed urgent capital needs such as Fire Station No. 2, where staff said replacement or a rebuilt facility could be a multi‑million dollar project and may need to be part of a bond package. Staff warned that rejected bond or charter measures carry statutory restrictions on how soon similar measures can be resubmitted and that recent legislative proposals could extend those waiting periods further.

Council asked the city attorney to circulate draft language on staggered three‑year terms, options for library oversight (including possible ex‑officio representation on the library board), and precise charter cleanup language tied to hotel occupancy tax distributions. Council indicated a preference to revisit the item at a future meeting and to coordinate possible bond language with the timing of any charter ballot items.

No charter amendments or bond issuances were adopted at the workshop; staff will return with draft language and fiscal impact scenarios for council consideration.","Council revisited potential charter amendments — including shifting council terms from two to three years, staggering terms, a possible stipend and clarifying hotel occupancy tax language — and discussed pairing any charter questions with a streets mill and overlay bond.",{"_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},6577623,"Council weighs Stewart Beach master plan, park funding needs and audit questions about park board lobbying",1227,1803000,3030000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3113365-32a076e5bcf3a3b6ffdfd55f6a388623&start=1803&end=3030","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3113365-32a076e5bcf3a3b6ffdfd55f6a388623/thumbnail_1803000.jpg","/articles/6577623/Galveston/Galveston-County/Texas/Council-weighs-Stewart-Beach-master-plan-park-funding-needs-and-audit-questions-about-park-board-lobbying","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6577623-922eaa8ad5fa7ca2c9a2dd25e399171d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771018668&Signature=A1CxHDotueyXM7xMYWk0Q6OUhhSQ5Mze04TLnY2HATwvD6P74Max62xe61K3Z2lAaAjYIk8NBtaE61V683V37OXI27SogF-7Zv-0SVD436qMzSasp2tAe9bi5yxQ1hmwvVvoqCWwT3AugNF6gPVqAyFAd8Y7s4uYe0Cq~bXFAHpwvk~DFqX8rq9SsPawrh5O7h1klRU1v2zhUqVL6D3eOK2ADk5gaQ8NmLSxCB7E1Jhi1qq5OAkYJ29pZZGSTwbtUaWMgmJipF~j65w1m0h79lA5tdsdMUNLb~COSIg8Rqyh6HTYGz-S6Tui~y~HOrlg7YHA-rjDPJ6VE5i45evz3A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dudley Anderson, the city’s architectural project manager, presented a proposed approach to update the Stewart Beach Parks Master Plan and to prepare a financial and developer prospectus, telling the council the city has sought to \"put some order to it because it's been so hit or miss and chaotic for so many years.\" Anderson said the plan would update the Rogers plan by adding public engagement, clarifying setbacks and utilities, exploring replatting and road alignment and building a development prospectus the city could use to solicit private developers.

Anderson described a 12‑month timeline for the master plan update and said the city is researching utilities, seawall easements and whether road surfaces should be asphalt or other paving, and how boardwalks and pedestrian access might be improved. \"The whole process, I've put a timeline on the back part of this. It says 12 months,\" Anderson told council.

Council discussion expanded beyond Stewart Beach to broader parks finance and operations. Deputy City Manager Dan Buckley and finance staff presented an initial financial summary of three park funds the city is considering for transfer from the Galveston Park Board: Delanera Park, Seawolf Park, and Seawall (beach parking/urban seawall) operations. Using the park board’s FY25 budget as the starting point and applying city administrative assumptions, staff estimated net operating increases (savings) and projected ending fund balances if the city managed those funds as enterprise accounts rather than allowing current park‑board internal transfers to flow as they do now.

Finance staff said preliminary modeling shows positive net results in each park fund under city management, and that certain park fund balances would be available for capital work (for example beach user fee reserves to support seawall‑area capital needs). Staff cautioned the figures are draft assumptions that assume current staff levels and that the park board’s capital requests and FEMA project worksheets still require detailed review.

Councilman Rollins summarized park capital needs discussed in the workshop: an updated estimated cost of roughly $5.38 million for Jones Park (drainage was the largest share of the estimate), roughly $650,000 for Shield Park cleanup (the city is pursuing an EPA cleanup grant and officials said the park is safe for current use but requires remediation if soil removal is pursued) and a $2.5–3.0 million estimate for upgrades at the Lassie League complex (lighting, fencing, restrooms and field refurbishment) given salt‑air corrosion and heavy use.

Separately, City Auditor Glenn (audit lead) reported the audit team has identified lobbying expenditures in park‑board budgets but said auditors have not yet received the invoices necessary to determine eligibility and source funds. Glenn told council staff had provided the park board general ledger entries showing the amounts spent on lobbying in some fiscal years but not the supporting invoices or contracts. \"We have not received the invoices yet,\" Glenn said. The ledger figures show lobbying line items within tourism development and beach nourishment accounts; auditors are requesting invoices and related documentation to determine whether hot (hotel occupancy) funds or other restricted funds were used for lobbying and, if so, whether those expenditures complied with state law and local policy.

Council discussion ranged from moving forward with public engagement on Stewart Beach to policy questions about the scope of city oversight and how revenue from city‑owned assets might support parks across the system. Several councilmembers urged staff to share more detailed project schedules, developer prospectus cost estimates and the auditor’s findings when invoices become available. Staff said they would continue to negotiate the interlocal and bring a draft back for council review and that the park board fund balances and FEMA worksheets would be provided to refine capital estimates.

No final action was taken during the workshop; council asked staff to return with detailed costs, a draft procurement approach for updating the master plan and developer prospectus, and the auditor’s consolidated findings once supporting invoices are received.","City staff and the city architect outlined a 12‑month approach to update the Stewart Beach master plan and prepare a developer prospectus; council also reviewed city estimates for capital needs at several parks and heard that the city auditor is still waiting for invoices tied to park‑board lobbying expenditures.",{"_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},6577628,"Galveston council hears update as TxDOT advances environmental clearance for Pelican Island bridge",706,1175000,1881000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3113365-32a076e5bcf3a3b6ffdfd55f6a388623&start=1175&end=1881","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3113365-32a076e5bcf3a3b6ffdfd55f6a388623/thumbnail_1175000.jpg","/articles/6577628/Galveston/Galveston-County/Texas/Galveston-council-hears-update-as-TxDOT-advances-environmental-clearance-for-Pelican-Island-bridge","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6577628-15a4003ce4fe33a2f95ac4d4a847a6a8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771018668&Signature=dzQ4eiKsIKG8KSo2EHLCraS2QmXaaRMDXBTsl~amHnOYF8W-GuCvQBSmGimElME5HKZsrY-tHJwzCHR985PS0T-~pvsq5U5pTan1RFe2slv7Zo0D3E0s5ntw95SXsg4gYUhsHkhCNWh8IT~ypQty49J1FmJGkGEU3-z~xER-HFLxd2iRldT7~ApmzVcMnabWlr73rG9QkG1jiZ3d~wuAuWMrBzjE7L~nEbZS7xJXcTczJ1oV23VCr0Gpd34Mfi5HdqNJlvt0rm330FmyLiF-02ZN22ib0VLXR4QTJtEQjHpWCL3aR~NazL2DqqRGQYhCImeAdukXUHJAk-TCRk5VNw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Deputy City Manager Dan Buckley told the City of Galveston City Council on April 24 that the Texas Department of Transportation is advancing environmental clearance, detailed design and permitting for the Pelican Island Bridge project. \"TxDOT continues to advance their efforts toward environmental clearance, detailed design, and, environmental construction permits,\" Buckley said during the workshop update.

The update outlined ongoing local coordination among the city, Galveston County, the Port of Galveston and other stakeholders. Buckley said the city is working on local agreements for right‑of‑way and funding with other local participants and that the county needs the city’s approval before placing the matter on the commissioners court agenda. \"The county is on the agenda today. The county needs the city to approve it first, and then they'll put it on the next commissioner's court meeting,\" Buckley said.

Buckley described discussions with Texas A&M about conveying a portion of the existing Seawolf Parkway right‑of‑way: Texas A&M will buy the roadway in advance and an agreement is under negotiation about maintenance responsibilities and access for the city. He said the city would maintain the roadway until project completion and that the parties are negotiating language about long‑term maintenance and responsibilities.

Council members and staff discussed the project’s classification as an on‑system versus off‑system bridge — a designation that affects funding and which TxDOT funding streams pay for construction and future maintenance. Council member discussion emphasized the potential to make the bridge an on‑system project by locating its start at Highway 275 (a state highway) rather than at Port Industrial; such a designation could change which state funding and maintenance programs apply. Buckley and council members also described an MPO working group and continuing negotiations with the Port of Galveston and Port of Houston over technical and legal comments.

Councilmembers asked for more concrete milestone dates. Buckley said he receives schedule updates from TxDOT and offered to provide the council with TxDOT’s schedule and milestone updates at future meetings. \"I get updates from TxDOT before I come each meeting,\" he said.

No formal action or vote was taken at the workshop. Councilmembers indicated they expect continued interagency negotiations and that local funding commitments and right‑of‑way agreements will be required before final execution of certain contracts.

The city will continue providing updates to the council as agreements with TxDOT, the MPO, Texas A&M and port entities evolve; councilmembers asked staff to bring milestone dates and schedule updates to future meetings so the public and council can track major decision points and funding commitments.","Deputy City Manager Dan Buckley told the City Council the Pelican Island Bridge project is progressing with environmental clearance and design work by TxDOT; local funding arrangements and right‑of‑way negotiations with Texas A&M and the Port of Galveston remain active.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6577612,"Council presses for faster action on short‑term rental enforcement, marshals and parking enforcement",750,2227000,2977000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3113365-32a076e5bcf3a3b6ffdfd55f6a388623&start=2227&end=2977","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3113365-32a076e5bcf3a3b6ffdfd55f6a388623/thumbnail_2227000.jpg","/articles/6577612/Galveston/Galveston-County/Texas/Council-presses-for-faster-action-on-shortterm-rental-enforcement-marshals-and-parking-enforcement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6577612-95e8a402a25ddd12841ba2acbe6afabd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771018668&Signature=geBi3iOHAyKtamnRzgzqoMbToz8HsyqRIbVSSXzgMusCUkgGWxZ5q4z-53QaNwK1sd0TMzh4BpCJuOhsGLDGQG0tvQRlAJktuBMJd51tpNpHG09k0L3qARRWifvKNdpAQPa8xi8QSc3ixPJ0ijhtusObNEfmBkX375AI8gwptGtOVdmt4eGURxqbx~YHMBHCxguqYOKkVailOc~6minARBCJhAuhFmeBZwFMKhjQcUdtsWvJ1XvOb0~LcEo68LB-qJkfMq9vnXfzx7l1nht64x7SAqKZaK0MrJshszrrMxKPWNyh-~RN5S8PkwBMUuooEqZdRL3OjeFRus9c9FueVg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Councilmembers used the April 24 workshop to press city staff for faster action on enforcement of ordinances tied to short‑term rentals (STRs), parking and related neighborhood impacts. Several councilmembers emphasized frequent public complaints about loud parties, illegal bonfires, repeat offenders and the perception that enforcement response is slow or inconsistent.

Council members and staff discussed several practical changes to improve enforcement and make complaint workflows more efficient: (1) transfer STR complaint intake and the park‑board call center functionality to the city so calls are routed directly to the city’s enforcement teams; (2) flex marshal staffing (add weekend or evening marshal shifts) during peak months to increase proactive patrols and faster response to STR complaints; (3) consider an escalation framework for repeated violations (including escalating fines, administrative penalties and potential temporary license suspension for repeat STR offenders); and (4) revise the pay‑by‑phone parking system to allow shorter payment increments and to explore resident‑focused options such as monthly credits or targeted allowances.

Council members also discussed practical enforcement tools: booting/ immobilization devices (\"barnacles\"), towing, and partnerships with collection vendors for unpaid fines. Staff noted legal and procurement considerations for changes to parking enforcement technology and for booting/towing programs; they also flagged operational limits tied to staffing and to hours when Galveston Police Department or fire resources have higher priorities.

Several councilmembers asked staff to return quickly with a concrete operational plan that could be implemented this summer, including a cost estimate to add marshal shifts and a timeline for migrating park‑board complaint intake into city systems. Council indicated the STR policy group should continue to work on licensing and policy questions but wanted immediate, tangible improvements to enforcement capacity and complaint response.","Councilmembers asked staff to accelerate enforcement capacity for short‑term rental complaints and to consider expanding marshal hours and transferring call/complaint systems from the park board to the city; they also discussed escalating penalties, amnesty and improved pay‑by‑phone options.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council signals support for exploring a Juneteenth museum and potential city funding role

Council discusses timing for charter amendments, staggered terms and a proposed streets bond

Council weighs Stewart Beach master plan, park funding needs and audit questions about park board lobbying

Galveston council hears update as TxDOT advances environmental clearance for Pelican Island bridge

Council presses for faster action on short‑term rental enforcement, marshals and parking enforcement