[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-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",[32,76,88,100],{"_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":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6509206,"mediaKeyId","5442615-cfdea282302bc09e968b6ef2851b47c8","parentId",5442615,"title","Staff updates: parks signage, Open Meetings Act change and upcoming construction projects","audioSeconds",189,"startMs",3488000,"endMs",3677000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5442615-cfdea282302bc09e968b6ef2851b47c8&start=3488&end=3677","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5442615-cfdea282302bc09e968b6ef2851b47c8/thumbnail_3488000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6509206/Texas/Staff-updates-parks-signage-Open-Meetings-Act-change-and-upcoming-construction-projects","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6509206-b1f5af6a920fdc7445a21ce984a82ce5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770438047&Signature=FWvGApjciPJWQzHjUGVo~zA-XpWoJYrltZ3HrOo8YQYiKl9MJTmkOyxGnFNDVrsmQRZa9fmTwkA0nj3WYVt5-V9yUy7Ne21zAeg6FF8Fyg-kpmyBTnCXIs~4f1QqcciW9WeYGv1V~w8QMSs055pfGmPaEXy-ZLJTPeyxqmndr6g0S3hVuzFSa~tR18IIVKcHxBUNnIDraJA~QJweTbKWJLjD~sAxp~rkVWGml1Hr1KHhB9v~MR4w9r2dm2NDPefPxYFJtD9v3~0mw2PPvjnoQya-HazAYqp-y1JzVHdGx25gqY42BRQlIkNvx9o71L0E9fwltcD4Lz5L2unaA-dXuQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Lake Jackson","date","2025-07-21T00:00:00Z","article","City staff provided several operational updates during the July 21 council meeting, including a parks-signage rollout, a statewide change to agenda-posting requirements, and progress on public-works and redevelopment projects.

Robin (public works/parks) showed draft signs and said the city is placing signage at park parking areas first — Wilderness Park, Jasmine Park, Garland Park, Suggs, Dunbar, Morrison Park and others — with additional signs to follow for pocket parks and playgrounds. She said sign placement will target parking entrances and trail heads and will include posted park hours and trail information.

Staff also briefed the council on House Bill 1522 and its effect on local agenda posting under the Texas Open Meetings Act. Sherry and Sally explained the state change, effective Sept. 1, moves the required posting window from “at least 72 hours” to “three business days” before a meeting. For the city’s Monday meetings, staff said agendas will need to be posted by the end of the business day on the preceding Tuesday; staff told council members they will receive tentative agendas earlier (likely Friday) but the formal posting schedule will shift and will apply to boards and commissions as well. Staff noted the change may affect the timing for placing items on agendas and asked that the city website and public guidance be updated.

On construction and development, Sal (construction/engineering staff) told the council the city will receive architectural RFQs for police and fire facility projects on the 23rd and expects to select two to three firms for interviews. Sal also said the bid opening for the Parkwood Terrace reconstruction project is scheduled for the 30th of the month and that the city expects a heavier-than-usual road-reconstruction schedule over the next year. He reported a utility point repair was discovered and that crews are waiting on pipe deliveries to make the repair before relining works proceed in that corridor.

Staff also noted state-led roadway work (previously discussed projects such as 2004 resurfacing) is separate from city-managed projects and that city inspectors are coordinating with state contractors where the state project intersects local work. No formal council action was taken on these informational updates; staff will return with project-specific bidding and procurement items as they advance to contract award stages.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Lake Jackson - City Council - Jul 21, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","City staff briefed council on new park signs, an effective Sept. 1 change to state law requiring agendas posted three business days before meetings, and multiple public-works and redevelopment projects including an upcoming Parkwood Terrace reconstruction bid opening and RFQs for public-safety facilities.","taxTitle","City of Lake Jackson, Brazoria County, Texas","taxId",3533,"location","Texas","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6509211,"City report: revenues above budget targets; utilities and meter replacement update",847,2289000,3136000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5442615-cfdea282302bc09e968b6ef2851b47c8&start=2289&end=3136","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5442615-cfdea282302bc09e968b6ef2851b47c8/thumbnail_2289000.jpg","/articles/6509211/Texas/City-report-revenues-above-budget-targets-utilities-and-meter-replacement-update","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6509211-b758c081dfb55bfaaf0932d755aef605/orig.mp4?Expires=1770438047&Signature=cG-3Mewymbwizoo3eyEmTcPmNSY5Q8Ff8UMjhL51gyFzvyZ5coSzPNZERYz3tqu66ezGRfw-JruMmZCm6nCYhuAlBiSYzADVXGcQmA9cQkxLo20ULQZ74oYTJSdzXqAo48Zv2d7WW0BFJx7vc~7PUKZc12vS~XLSweNo8j4vfQJhcU-F-A2Ik0EF1KzZR371WmRSwpqRiak-F0xMRBRGcI5H5A-TStaJ4kyng4PZ86qRuKMEylj2CPJOfQ~h~MWYAuR7FeZBFz2apUV~ADNQIJuQ0x9dC-ZP2OmD1CP-HPI~ly5VghPELF~WIjsdgynEQ-ihAU-lLyDFP1PhZe6iOA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City finance staff told the council on July 21 that general fund revenues through the third quarter are above budget expectations in several categories, and staff outlined expenditure items and operating trends for utilities.

Finance Director James (identified in the meeting) said property tax receipts are at about 94 percent of budget for the fiscal year to date and sales tax receipts are at 84 percent, above the 75 percent benchmark for the third quarter. James also noted a roughly $3.9 million industrial district payment received in June that is remitted twice a year (December and June).

The report showed grant receipts that included approximately $160,000 tied to state reimbursements for compressed natural gas (CNG) systems related to the purchase or decommissioning of two garbage trucks. James said miscellaneous auction revenue and an insurance recovery of about $27,000 contributed to miscellaneous revenue increases.

Payroll and overtime were discussed. James said payroll expenses are generally in line with budget expectations but noted second-quarter overtime was higher in part because of seasonal events such as the Festival of Lights. The payroll report runs on a continuous system and includes an initial pay period for the new fiscal quarter, he said.

On utilities, James reported water consumption was down slightly but revenues were up compared with last year, in part due to last year’s rate increase. The utilities team is finishing a long-running meter-replacement project: James reported the city received 150 of the remaining 5/8-inch meters and expects to finish replacing the remaining Hershey meters, though the city continues to average about 50 meter failures per month and budgets roughly $100,000 annually for meter replacements and repairs.

James also reported that the city’s TexStar (short-term investment) balance declined as bond-funded park and animal-facility work moved forward.

Council members asked questions about the hotel/motel (occupancy) receipts, and James said motel collections typically lag by about two months. Council also discussed rebate arrangements tied to economic-development agreements: staff described rebate agreements with a Marriott hotel development and a Staybridge project tied to redevelopment and conference-hotel requirements; those rebate arrangements were previously approved by council and were reflected in the hotel-receipts report.

No formal action was taken on the finance report; staff provided the council with the quarterly financial packet and will return with budget workshop follow-up items on a future agenda.","City finance staff reported third-quarter revenues exceeding budget projections in key areas, sales tax and industrial district receipts were strong, grants covered two garbage trucks, and the utilities department reported progress replacing aging meters.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6509215,"Council commends Lake Jackson officers and dispatchers for de-escalation in mental-health call",446,101000,547000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5442615-cfdea282302bc09e968b6ef2851b47c8&start=101&end=547","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5442615-cfdea282302bc09e968b6ef2851b47c8/thumbnail_101000.jpg","/articles/6509215/Texas/Council-commends-Lake-Jackson-officers-and-dispatchers-for-de-escalation-in-mental-health-call","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6509215-8ad1808d9b9b4c3b9e80de7d42585181/orig.mp4?Expires=1770438047&Signature=LVnEwG6Hlw6OX91f0iony1GlQoxPq0zKW3~UTZhVkLLM9vPrbOGDYlnhO7Ts~lJamXV~kuCumDTQyN8RBcxPCJDyLmksrDi4jBoJNo-a9YY0AZBqYX7ECZotN8C3uzlYkRuccS5Qfe5L1CGzqo3JzplAEpnyVV8XVlMFtUCJbSNUO8vavvF4O9dUsgjhTba3STsBtTUIFDw7vdGC6BV9P91OQ3DSPOBq8oPpsSKINO-hSpK3NZn1nlKY9CSJrY8vSSeK3lZJpkpg1ttVX97qR1M22znsHSrefiZx8ha4yX5whfJLgNSvjx2O9BGYgNfRQfNuOZp4DrDFhlNoGsPr1A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City Council members and residents on July 21 publicly commended Lake Jackson Police Department officers and dispatchers for their handling of a June 27 call involving a person in mental-health crisis.

Councilwoman Seth recognized Officer Smircek (pronounced in the meeting), Sergeant Mears, Officer Frias and Dispatcher Baker for their response to the call. A resident identified in the meeting as Donna provided a first-person narrative of the incident and thanked the officers and dispatcher for their conduct and clear communication.

Donna said an individual in crisis arrived at her front porch with a large knife and that she called 911. She told the council the dispatcher’s calm questioning helped her gather details and that officers arrived quickly. Donna described officers’ actions as “flawless,” saying they checked for other weapons and spoke to the person in a way that reduced panic. “You’re not in trouble,” Sergeant Mears told the individual, Donna said, and the person subsequently relaxed.

Council members praised the department’s compassion in handling mental-health incidents. One councilmember said, “these people right here” — referring to dispatch staff — are “the unsung heroes,” and another said the Lake Jackson force shows compassion “anytime you deal with any situation, you know, either be mental or any kind.” A family member later thanked the resident for how the officers handled the situation, Donna said.

The presentation was a formal commendation on the council agenda; no policy action or ordinance resulted from the item. Council members and attendees stood and applauded the officers at the conclusion of the remarks.

The recognition highlighted the city’s limited local mental-health resources and the role of police and dispatchers as first responders in crises; council members noted the department’s training and the need for continued supports but did not take formal action to change policy during the meeting.","Councilmembers publicly praised officers and dispatch staff after a July incident in which officers used de-escalation to get a person in crisis help; a resident who faced the incident gave an account and thanked first responders.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6509220,"Lake Jackson approves two 2025 bond ordinances totaling about $40 million",871,741000,1612000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5442615-cfdea282302bc09e968b6ef2851b47c8&start=741&end=1612","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5442615-cfdea282302bc09e968b6ef2851b47c8/thumbnail_741000.jpg","/articles/6509220/Texas/Lake-Jackson-approves-two-2025-bond-ordinances-totaling-about-40-million","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6509220-cff34adc5d1ab1f1423ae3f8ac3abe8e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770438047&Signature=IYsCLPH5oEYhVoSZmWKv7Rt9BvYhNAD14YgZkEkrNnVTWvhJIwq8Kkv5KYpOwEobavYfWN~oiNlzc9QX2o8BJVK8zmLTLhRFu~flZlhNNbAsN9NNhF4syQyeOs0safSeXA9zj1Z672lBBzIdg19BjOb3dp2FxLjz9~l81bDEw0OpL-yzoOpAKJeWi~OvsijB5DZA7kXjoZsZbZ-tyJScuqbvTfKwZrRM-p0TXvuzNo5S375AmTEQ3xtsNtEcwlCLgmnAq4x05RN2QAV7Kd0K1q3iWJCD8rzMSUvUDlgvcV93FRaKZ8dblREEBL6VJly1IfwOYXgOasnmB-sAm1VnZw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lake Jackson City Council approved two bond ordinances on July 21, authorizing a combined issuance of roughly $40 million to fund capital projects and utility work.

The council adopted Ordinance No. 2303 authorizing the issuance of City of Lake Jackson limited tax bonds, series 2025, and Ordinance No. 2304 authorizing City of Lake Jackson Waterworks and Sewer System revenue bonds, series 2025. Council members moved and seconded suspension of the rules to allow each ordinance to be considered on first and final reading, then voted to adopt both ordinances.

Bond sale results presented to the council showed a competitive process. A city consultant reported that the winning bid on the limited tax bonds came from TD Securities with a true interest cost shown at roughly 4.165 percent and that the sale produced approximately $20,400,000 to place into the city’s construction fund. On the water and sewer revenue bonds, the consultant reported the winning bid came from R.W. Baird at approximately 4.37 percent.

“TD Securities came in with an aggressive bid,” the city’s presenter said, adding that the sale produced premium proceeds that increased the construction fund balance to match the propositions being financed. The presenter also described market volatility tied to recent tariff announcements and said the city does not attempt to “time the market” but instead proceeds when the financing need aligns with available funds and project schedule.

Council members asked routine questions about timing and bidder turnout. The consultant said bidders on municipal sales vary with market conditions and that the city expects to close the general obligation bond sale around Aug. 10. Council moved to suspend the second-reading requirement for each ordinance before voting to adopt.

Both ordinances were approved by voice vote after motions and seconds were made on the floor; the transcript records the council saying “aye” with no recorded opposition.

The approvals authorized the mayor and city officials to enter paying agent/registrar agreements and other documents related to the sales. The record shows the council authorized the bond issuances and related execution steps; no separate numerical vote tally was recorded in the meeting transcript.

The ordinances will enable the city to place the proceeds into construction and utility funds and move forward with the projects described in the related bond propositions.","The Lake Jackson City Council on July 21 approved two first-and-final-reading ordinances to issue a combined roughly $40 million in municipal bonds for general projects and waterworks and sewer improvements. Council took voice votes after suspending the usual second-reading requirement.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Staff updates: parks signage, Open Meetings Act change and upcoming construction projects

City report: revenues above budget targets; utilities and meter replacement update

Council commends Lake Jackson officers and dispatchers for de-escalation in mental-health call

Lake Jackson approves two 2025 bond ordinances totaling about $40 million