[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-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",[32,75,87,98],{"_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",6523179,"mediaKeyId","5065389-d09edb7d6803a6f16bae8866d662445d","parentId",5065389,"title","City attorney briefs Dickinson council on rules, conflicts and open-records obligations","audioSeconds",6850,"startMs",656000,"endMs",7506000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5065389-d09edb7d6803a6f16bae8866d662445d&start=656&end=7506","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5065389-d09edb7d6803a6f16bae8866d662445d/thumbnail_656000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6523179/Dickinson/Galveston-County/Texas/City-attorney-briefs-Dickinson-council-on-rules-conflicts-and-open-records-obligations","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6523179-15561bda1ad5c3eaec58e22e652c5fb1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771064250&Signature=fwW2~Q4jSbVd4Nrz4l7C~ORTbYnttZu7X6qu~TBrfA2q6aX6TpWOipW0MzzwVtM29amspIQE81hKf15xFjkue9iXulE9x1US0csojZ4G~YB88rqvwwiuGpcPvTH1ISthS2vdEoKWdfTmW2-Kd9RefAQMt8bH0tTesbzddTHlzOhbx4ylT~ybd~t67Km9An3kyQ1ODs89abv6ZTEpr9qDm2rtJ2YE9FskUM-aKRLlv0TMZMLdQS3sdqI0r4ApTIUlgM86gRqEVLIIsE6nrzl33IJ0~eSapGBmYafAsG0w18G5t5f1omKA6zw2R2LeLMPIJ5khSjWd3g2u8VQATpLmbA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Dickinson","date","2025-06-24T00:00:00Z","article","City Attorney (name not specified in the meeting record) provided a formal training to the Dickinson City Council on parliamentary procedure, conflict-of-interest rules, and Texas open-government statutes.

The attorney reviewed that the city's code adopts the 10th edition of Robert's Rules of Order and summarized common motions (main motion, motion to amend, motion to postpone, motion to table/lay on the table, motion to move the previous question, and motion to reconsider). The city's charter sets a quorum at five members for the seven-seat council, a point the attorney emphasized when describing meeting requirements.

On ethics, the attorney summarized the two-prong test for conflicts under Local Government Code Chapter 171 and the city's code of ethics: (1) whether a council member has a substantial interest (ownership thresholds, income thresholds, or real property interest), and (2) whether the council action would have a special economic effect on that interest above and beyond others in the city. If both prongs are met, the member must file an affidavit and refrain from participating in deliberation and voting; the standard also applies to relatives within two degrees of consanguinity or affinity.

The attorney also walked through the Texas Open Meetings Act (TOMA) and the Public Information Act (PIA), cautioning that \"walking quorums\" (serial communications that amount to deliberation among a quorum) are impermissible. The attorney noted that agendas must be posted in advance and that members who conduct city business on personal devices may be temporary custodians of public records subject to public-information requests.

The city attorney recommended practical steps: make motions in the affirmative for clarity, avoid using a \"table\" motion to postpone substantive debate, and consult the attorney early if a potential conflict exists. The attorney also discussed the 90-day training requirement for officials on open-government statutes and the penalties for violations under state law.

Council members asked procedural questions about quorum, two-reading ordinance requirements, emergency ordinances and vote thresholds, and the attorney explained options including holding special meetings for a second reading if the council wants to act quickly on matters such as holiday-related ordinances.

The training concluded without formal votes; the attorney said he intends to provide the training annually.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Dickinson - City Council - Jun 24, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The city attorney delivered training on meeting procedure, conflicts of interest, and Texas open-government laws, reminding council members of two-reading requirements for ordinances and the need to avoid impermissible deliberations outside posted agendas.","taxTitle","Dickinson, Galveston County, Texas","taxId",69479,"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},6523183,"Residents urge simpler permitting, fee waivers after tornado; city manager says UDC amendments will go to P&Z",262,2537000,2799000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5065389-d09edb7d6803a6f16bae8866d662445d&start=2537&end=2799","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5065389-d09edb7d6803a6f16bae8866d662445d/thumbnail_2537000.jpg","/articles/6523183/Dickinson/Galveston-County/Texas/Residents-urge-simpler-permitting-fee-waivers-after-tornado-city-manager-says-UDC-amendments-will-go-to-PZ","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6523183-b3f6857889d4ed2649d5f0d8f78dad96/orig.mp4?Expires=1771064250&Signature=fjNDw~eHFqMHwkskZT~PlFDgCDd9DlYHNSMIwJHaSjBLZs2sBFfAs2o8weL5rg3IObM3661xX8958B~~MT8WSbn6uHWak4vpiMXdBSdX7wtSjaCnMN31uA2gmxgo~IvBBuB8qd9eqyNunhspgbV8aAO54HqXqJv7G17FYJD3p7XXt8nbUYDdH0FIbDQyBtNsObioOxJpRm9rYFEEWWK3IY8YGahlF5cVjlvFiOHDtJt-nSYX8ubyxhbRVd6tbiDdqHI3CqAU0wAJ1x1Gw9zj4fOAA1NzAgzGLvmT0kDNIn7ICNNWZ4SG6RvwVGUjZADvr~YPTKQBvRBK5qvnWTmpig__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","During public comment, several Dickinson residents urged the council and staff to make the post-disaster permitting process simpler and less costly after an F1 tornado damaged homes in December.

Crystal Gonzales, who said her home at 3708 Misty Cove Court suffered significant damage on Dec. 28 and that repairs continue, told the council she has paid close to $1,000 in permit fees and still lacks final permits. Gonzales requested that the city extend prior fee waivers to any residents rebuilding after a natural disaster and asked for clearer, step-by-step online guidance explaining how to proceed after a storm.

Resident Garland Copeland also told the council the Unified Development Code (UDC) is creating permitting difficulties and said the UDC should be reviewed and possibly repealed and reworked. Several residents said the process is confusing and that staff guidance was necessary to find forms and complete temporary living permit applications.

City Manager Rich Gap acknowledged permitting frustrations and told the council that the UDC will be sent back to the Planning & Zoning Commission with recommendations rather than convening a separate committee; he said many residents submitted to serve on a committee and he did not want to leave anyone out. Gap also briefed the council on the Hughes Road drainage project (now about 17% complete) and said the project remains on schedule and under budget; the manager noted the city is prioritizing the section in front of Hughes Road Elementary.

Council members who spoke in the meeting thanked emergency and public works staff for response after the tornado and for weekend work to remove hazards, and several encouraged homeowners to seek staff assistance to find the necessary permits. No formal action on a fee-waiver policy was adopted at the meeting; Gonzales's request was entered into the record for council and staff consideration.","Residents whose homes were damaged in a December tornado urged the council to waive permit fees and simplify post-disaster permitting; the city manager said the Unified Development Code will be returned to Planning & Zoning for amendments.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6523187,"Dickinson council approves budget amendment, interlocal street funding and several appointments; ordinance amendment on fireworks fails",0,5166000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5065389-d09edb7d6803a6f16bae8866d662445d&start=5166&end=5166","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5065389-d09edb7d6803a6f16bae8866d662445d/thumbnail_5166000.jpg","/articles/6523187/Dickinson/Galveston-County/Texas/Dickinson-council-approves-budget-amendment-interlocal-street-funding-and-several-appointments-ordinance-amendment-on-fireworks-fails","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6523187-b891b89c7d596de25eec878bd352b6a9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771064250&Signature=HLL~cekLAMc3vatamXJtWip5xh2FdIJ7GclMLvjWoZCx5UiWtGuYXA7OFbnT~JsQhNcFPcs4S0taLgsz53ObTK1BpeB7uV2ZMGJ8Pg2UYth8mwAyQrz~QLZUZdbHihmtBweIQfdZY9v6uzfQ--9Z5yJMJ80rLrvK4FSxdMnQFa5TBCOHavD24qjqyEshQo4fEA8DtHzRSHOJSOMMNCz7bk9CRibhPDASxCZH-2wNk6ZfbuxNndUfjqADxRiaJltGtSX01MRZo5ahaDxWwDlZj26aD4hGiIiabTvMOjjMqAgsy4BzqcIN5cutWbryS~eJWeyJ~gnBayJ0TzWPLwBT5Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Dickinson City Council held a meeting in which members approved several items of fiscal and intergovernmental business and designated representatives to regional agencies.

Key council actions included: adopting a mid-year budget amendment to cover mutual-aid EMS calls with the Galveston County Health District; approving a resolution to accept partial county funding for city street improvements; designating representatives to the Houston-Galveston Area Council (HGAC) general assembly and the Gulf Coast Transit District; and approving a construction change order for the Hughes Road drainage project to upgrade cathodic protection on a railroad crossing.

Budget amendment: Council voted to amend the adopted fiscal 2024-25 budget to cover mutual-aid EMS calls. The packet and discussion show the city had already recorded roughly $114,030 in EMS charges for the year; council approved an additional appropriation in the neighborhood of $115,000 to cover project expenditures through the fiscal year. The council's motion to add that funding passed.

Interlocal street funding: Council approved a resolution authorizing an interlocal agreement with Galveston County to partially fund street improvements within the city limits. Council members praised cooperation with county leaders and noted the action allows the city to capture grant/bond funding for pavement work.

Regional representation: The council designated a primary and alternate to the HGAC general assembly and to the Gulf Coast Transit District board for FY2025-26. For the HGAC general assembly the council named Council Member Mark Townsend as primary and Council Member Bill Schick as alternate. For the Gulf Coast Transit District the council appointed Mayor Travis Magliolo as primary and City Manager Rich Gap as alternate.

Hughes Road project change order: Council approved a change order to substitute an impressed-current cathodic protection system (electrically powered and remotely monitored) in lieu of a galvanic sacrificial-anode system at the railroad crossings in the Hughes Road drainage project. Engineers and staff advised the impressed-current system has a longer service life (projected 30'40 years versus roughly 10'15 years for the sacrificial anode design) and reduces recurring railroad mobilization and inspection costs. Staff stated that the change order will be paid from the project contingency within the grant, not from the city's general fund.

Other business: Council approved a small amendment to Chapter 8 (business regulation) of the city code (definition change) and held a number of procedural housekeeping items. The packed agenda also included public comments on permitting and storm recovery (see separate article).

Votes at a glance (actions on the meeting record):
- Budget amendment for EMS mutual-aid (agenda 7a): passed (motion carried; additional appropriation ~ $115,000).
- Chapter 8 code definition amendment (agenda 7b): passed.
- Interlocal agreement for street funding with Galveston County (agenda 7c): passed.
- HGAC representative designation (agenda 6b): passed (Mark Townsend primary; Bill Schick alternate).
- Gulf Coast Transit District representatives (agenda 7d): passed (Mayor Travis Magliolo primary; City Manager Rich Gap alternate).
- Rytec Construction change order for cathodic protection on Hughes Road (agenda 7e): passed; payment from grant contingency.
- Fireworks ordinance amendment (agenda 6a): failed (motion as amended failed 3'4).

The council discussed whether to schedule additional or special meetings to address the fireworks ordinance before the July Fourth holiday; no special emergency ordinance was adopted at the meeting.","On its June meeting, Dickinson City Council passed a budget amendment for EMS mutual-aid costs, designated representatives to several regional bodies, and approved a change order on the Hughes Road project; the council voted down an amended fireworks ordinance.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6523192,"Dickinson council fails to pass amended fireworks ordinance after hours debate",1421,2844000,4265000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5065389-d09edb7d6803a6f16bae8866d662445d&start=2844&end=4265","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5065389-d09edb7d6803a6f16bae8866d662445d/thumbnail_2844000.jpg","/articles/6523192/Dickinson/Galveston-County/Texas/Dickinson-council-fails-to-pass-amended-fireworks-ordinance-after-hours-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6523192-6a89219fada7138705484a6a2360659d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771064250&Signature=cc6nsVtXh3cAaYTYxY5rRYw-s1liuXw~z~GQs6X4OODVBe2t2dKAWaFIgvwEesCreiV9bkHnIjLAWoEeXhC8S-5O7xCLZlBtCeNx1HL5VTvsHvAxcONBlarA1rwQ0AtCigQrVj2Eox2XXOcCXzrWQ4ZvsjlvyfuKYfTFhHdaqUfFGfwhJ3RcLInaGUaK6JNoGCPeZj3dgeTluchmYi-gS4k4jy89YN12pVLvZzb8rckeHj92rJYhXK4tkU1L6uxrPzMUb29DJm3dT69Ec8oTC4MS973HeTVDkte2Z1jCua5LFkW-zqFTUCkQRO56IJ0C8P7JgKWhDppE4Jcobo8ang__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Dickinson City Council on Tuesday debated and then voted down a proposed amendment to the city's fireworks ordinance that would have allowed possession year-round and permitted discharge during time windows tied to state law, with daily bans from midnight to 8 a.m. (and a 1 a.m. to 9 a.m. exception for New Year's). The vote on the motion as amended failed 3-4.

The failure came after lengthy discussion among council members about the length of permitted discharge windows, public safety concerns, and whether the city should move quickly via a special or emergency ordinance to set rules for the upcoming July Fourth holiday.

Council members and members of the public debated several elements: whether to strike possession and sale prohibitions and instead regulate only discharge; whether discharge windows should mirror the state's sales windows (June 24'July 4 and Dec. 20'Jan. 1); and whether daily prohibitions should be midnight'8 a.m. or narrower. City Attorney training material and earlier council remarks guided the panel's consideration of ordinance procedure and the requirement that ordinances normally receive two readings.

Multiple council members said they wanted clarity and time to craft language that voters could understand if the issue goes before the electorate. The city attorney reminded the council that ordinances normally require two readings to adopt, and that a special meeting could be called for a second reading if council wanted a change in effect for this July Fourth period. A motion to amend the proposed ordinance (to allow possession year-round, allow use during the state sale windows, and prohibit discharge midnight'8 a.m. except Jan. 1 when the ban would be 1 a.m.'9 a.m.) passed on the floor but the amended main motion later failed on the final vote.

Public comment during the meeting raised concerns on both sides: some residents urged clearer rules and \"guardrails\" so buyers know when discharge is allowed; others pressed for limiting the days and hours allowed. Council members expressed concern about confusing ballot language if the council later places a related ordinance before voters.

Because the amended motion failed, the existing ordinance remains in effect as written. Council members discussed the option of phasing a temporary rule for the holiday (via a special meeting and additional reading) to avoid a legal gap but took no final emergency ordinance action at the meeting.

The meeting record shows the council opened public comment and heard at least one resident recommend that the city produce printed guidance with purchases so buyers know allowed discharge times. The city attorney and several council members urged careful drafting and recommended a second reading or special meeting if the council wanted a change to be in place before July Fourth.

Mayor Travis Magliolo presided. The city attorney provided procedural guidance; multiple council members participated in the discussion and the recorded procedural motions and votes. No change to the ordinance took effect as a result of the vote.

Looking ahead, council members discussed calling a special meeting for a second reading if they choose to adopt temporary rules before the July Fourth holiday; no such special meeting was scheduled by the end of the session.

Ending note: The city's fireworks regulation remains unchanged after Tuesday's vote; council members left open options including return to the issue with clarified ordinance language or put the matter before voters in a future election.","After more than an hour of debate and amendments, Dickinson City Council voted down an amended ordinance to lift parts of the city's fireworks ban and set new possession and discharge windows tied to state sale periods.","actionData","errors"]

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City attorney briefs Dickinson council on rules, conflicts and open-records obligations

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