[{"_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",6493732,"mediaKeyId","5476206-cc1643324e745aac4563bf45dcdb2d96","parentId",5476206,"title","Galveston council approves series of ordinances, interlocal agreement and appointments; all votes unanimous","audioSeconds",255,"startMs",2777000,"endMs",3032000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5476206-cc1643324e745aac4563bf45dcdb2d96&start=2777&end=3032","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5476206-cc1643324e745aac4563bf45dcdb2d96/thumbnail_2777000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6493732/Galveston/Galveston-County/Texas/Galveston-council-approves-series-of-ordinances-interlocal-agreement-and-appointments-all-votes-unanimous","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6493732-3f8e527e1d2b34d385c5174b4fa10b31/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440042&Signature=S8nbYoAH94EvGIhFHflv-FrAjF1NfxLAj~cVNB6qBNeuPa~QoHNLKnj48bMeGf6BsGFsGWrFh0HptG1SxTJK80RtIoZOOv4nGdJsqIZ1kezcNDWEmpLd81jOi7UhazFJXaO2fjHhaAdFrvAAGBvYMASpACr-na-yL01N3BzdnQWUIgfdv33S3sJILEtzj~PfNQf0y5cXWcK22-ar9aHVpcX-nApgcAb7~qisDWss33U-GglZMPFYz~LwoC1tOjAhLXTMDGXHlrscCky3Ac27U-4NDy6VirQYVCsK7pTZWfJUIRkWzgHyiPCm9d9ww7cU~th4byKqOaeOlM-C9rP3Zg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Galveston","date","2025-07-24T00:00:00Z","article","Galveston City Council met July 24 and unanimously approved a package of ordinances, an interlocal funding agreement, appointments and routine consent items, city officials said.

The council voted on several ordinances and motions, including abandoning a portion of an alley adjacent to Broadway Avenue and Seeley Avenue, text amendments to the 2015 Galveston Land Development Regulations that change spacing and interior landscaping requirements for auto dealership display areas, and transferring administration of short-term rental registration from the Park Board to the city, effective on or before Oct. 1, 2025. The council also approved an advance funding interlocal agreement supporting the Texas Department of Transportation’s Pelican Island Bridge replacement project, accepted the city attorney’s recommended disposition of Rosnovac v. City of Galveston (case no. 24CV2072), reappointed representatives to boards and called a public hearing on the FY2026 proposed budget and capital improvement plan for Aug. 28, 2025.

Votes and motions were recorded as unanimous for each item during the session. Where a recorded roll call or named vote was not read into the record, the council announced unanimous approval.

Votes at a glance

- 12A — Park Board attendance: Council considered removing Robert Quintero from the Park Board of Trustees under Galveston City Code §2-164 for failing to attend 75% of meetings in a 12-month period. Quintero addressed the council, citing medical and recovery-related excused absences. Motion to allow Quintero to continue to serve on the Park Board was made, seconded and unanimously approved.

- 8A — Alley abandonment (Planning case 24P043): Ordinance to abandon approximately 3,430 square feet of alley right-of-way adjacent to 2504–2528 Broadway Avenue and 2529 Seeley Avenue (MB Menard survey, Lots 1–4 and 8–14, Lot 205). Staff and the planning commission recommended approval; the Mary Moody Northern Endowment representative said the group intends to create a green space adjacent to Moody Mansion. Council approved the ordinance unanimously.

- 8B — Land Development Regulations text amendments (25ZA004): Ordinance amending the 2015 Galveston Land Development Regulations (Article 2 and Article 9) to remove the 10×24-foot spacing requirement for vehicles displayed for sale and to exempt vehicle display areas from interior parking-lot landscaping requirements (perimeter landscaping remains required). Planning commission recommended approval; council approved the ordinance unanimously.

- 10A — Short-term rental registration (code amendments): Ordinance amending Chapter 19, Article 6 (sections 19-1-14 and 19-1-17) to remove the Park Board as the administrative agency for short-term rental registration and fee collection and to transfer those duties to the City of Galveston, effective on or before Oct. 1, 2025. Council approved the ordinance unanimously.

- 10B — Pelican Island Bridge interlocal agreement: Council approved an interlocal agreement between the City of Galveston and the Galveston County Navigation District No. 1 to provide advance funding for TxDOT’s Pelican Island Bridge replacement project and authorized the city manager to execute the agreement following city attorney review. Council approved the agreement unanimously.

- 11A–11U — Consent calendar: The council approved consent items 11A through 11U as a group; no items were pulled for separate consideration. The city manager was authorized to execute documents upon final city-attorney approval.

- 12C — Litigation disposition: Council voted to accept the city attorney’s recommended disposition of case no. 24CV2072 (Rosnovac v. City of Galveston); the motion passed unanimously.

- 12D — FY2026 budget public hearing: Council set a public hearing on the FY2026 proposed budget and capital improvement plan for Aug. 28, 2025, at the 5 p.m. meeting; the motion passed unanimously.

Other board appointments and procedural items were approved, including the appointment of Pam Williams to the Sister Cities Program Committee and reappointments to the Galveston Housing Authority noted on the receiving file.

Why it matters

Taken together, these votes alter local land-use rules for auto dealers, shift short-term rental oversight back to the city from the Park Board, and advance a major TxDOT bridge replacement project. The alley abandonment will allow a local nonprofit to assemble property for a public-facing green space adjacent to Moody Mansion, while the land-development text amendments aim to reduce paving and stormwater impacts associated with excessive parking standards for car dealerships.

What’s next

- The short-term rental code change becomes effective on or before Oct. 1, 2025, when the city will assume registration and fee collection duties.
- The Pelican Island Bridge interlocal agreement proceeds to execution with the navigation district and TxDOT partners.
- Public hearing on the FY2026 budget is set for Aug. 28, 2025, 5 p.m.
","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Galveston - Regular Council","oneSentenceSummary","Galveston City Council met July 24 and unanimously approved a package of ordinances, an interlocal funding agreement, appointments and routine consent items.","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},6493721,"Public comment raises lifeguard concerns and tree-disease alerts; Tree Conservancy announces giveaways and plantings",236,2182000,2418000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5476206-cc1643324e745aac4563bf45dcdb2d96&start=2182&end=2418","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5476206-cc1643324e745aac4563bf45dcdb2d96/thumbnail_2182000.jpg","/articles/6493721/Galveston/Galveston-County/Texas/Public-comment-raises-lifeguard-concerns-and-tree-disease-alerts-Tree-Conservancy-announces-giveaways-and-plantings","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6493721-11441742b3845f85c8cfa6b989f1dcb6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440042&Signature=QJa6vityCE34-btO9g28o6ZJrc-3fcP9E7o-CvKb1v-KBXsd~lvXrd0qRFclw9HJpZfF73osIaygTrpFCepOOtrbyrSgU1480QFUkMlpD4tQ1eR6a5VY0d49pJuD9zsLb5NA48IOvwn7IDwCeJRSZZXjxgpxOPzczunbHTkpO3QS6EBcuFJzdRbrLdS7sT~yK39gWJ9Z9f-oysUdOMXWCic~499usJeyMe2o2R9bEelyUxyTvp~3fTPU-o-aPtObA~bX~hSSl~-LC3WeOuJhTcnYQETyEypM9Ju4zApXmsFE5oVjg4Gw3ukXpliCmosetdvoWZVXP0hUaUMp12GlUA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","During the public-comment period of the July 24 City Council meeting, a resident raised concerns about alleged immigration and visa violations among seasonal Galveston Island Beach Patrol lifeguards. The speaker, who identified herself as Glenda “Peanut” Garrison, addressed the city manager and asked the city to investigate. She characterized the issue as a longstanding problem and urged the city to take action; the council did not respond with a substantive staff action during the meeting.

In a separate public-comment presentation, Priscilla Files, executive director of the Galveston Island Tree Conservancy, announced grant-funded street-tree plantings along Ball Street, a tree giveaway on Oct. 4 (approximately 500 trees, likely at the depot on Market Street) and a Nov. 16 Arbor Day celebration. Files also warned that Galveston is a target for lethal bronzing of palms, a disease that she said is being actively monitored and treated by local experts and state partners; she said treatments for the disease and for the insect vector exist and that a coordinated response is underway.

Why it matters

- Allegations about employment or immigration status of city lifeguards raise legal and personnel issues that the city may need to investigate. The speaker requested an investigation; no city action was recorded on the council floor that evening.
- Lethal bronzing of palms is a plant disease with potential to damage urban tree canopy. The Tree Conservancy announced local outreach, direct distribution of trees to residents and upcoming community meetings about street- tree plantings.

Details

- Lifeguard allegation: Speaker identified as Glenda Garrison (prefers “Peanut”) urged the city to investigate alleged overstay of J-1 visas by seasonal lifeguards. The claim was framed as a complaint and the speaker asked for results of any investigation; the record contains the speaker’s allegation but no corroborating evidence presented at the meeting.
- Tree Conservancy announcements: Priscilla Files said Moody Foundation and CenterPoint funding will support Ball Street street trees, an Oct. 4 tree giveaway (approx. 500 trees), and an Arbor Day event on Nov. 16. Files named local experts involved in lethal bronzing response and said the state is coordinating treatment efforts.

Speakers quoted in this article spoke during the meeting’s public-comment period and are quoted or paraphrased from their remarks on the record.","At public comment the council heard allegations about immigration/visa issues among seasonal lifeguards raised by a resident and announcements from the Galveston Island Tree Conservancy about street-tree plantings, a tree giveaway on Oct. 4 and concerns about lethal bronzing of palms.",{"_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},6493723,"Council keeps Robert Quintero on Park Board after he cites medical absences",237,1186000,1423000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5476206-cc1643324e745aac4563bf45dcdb2d96&start=1186&end=1423","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5476206-cc1643324e745aac4563bf45dcdb2d96/thumbnail_1186000.jpg","/articles/6493723/Galveston/Galveston-County/Texas/Council-keeps-Robert-Quintero-on-Park-Board-after-he-cites-medical-absences","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6493723-a43ae6b731fe3d4ba6413daa56c784b7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440042&Signature=UCFwcv9pM0eNvFLlOqB1w~ElNaMg5nRk-RER3k1yjAQ3RIwcTA7T51UKVLQroso~QhASiB-XFooRaRaDhc7Rmx8yHwalXtLnAZrX~hBt9zcc0~JrBom1rXUNrSiYH4-styJGOLLrklv21Mxg5ksDovIuisr1ptx5~KO-qznc3Og3W3aYcYAdnPSFm8HSJSlexvCsdRApiE0ndcn5vcOzmrv81AnesJJFdJrAKJWIGB9GyvZ4o1y8PmeCllCpUmFe-qEfvGQV1u41kJBTiDG0ufkkzuHCSTtzi9QXv~G9CPDnkD6T4Jm9-p8WoOVyu8Z7DxKr30KE795lC3j7WrX4cw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Galveston City Council on July 24 considered whether to remove Robert Quintero from the Park Board of Trustees under city code §2-164 for failing to attend 75% of meetings in a 12-month period. After Quintero addressed the council, members voted unanimously to allow him to continue serving.

Quintero spoke directly to council about the reasons for his absences, which he characterized as excused: a medical sleep study and subsequent surgery that left him with obstructed breathing, a surgical complication that required bed rest when stitches tore, and a separate accident in which he separated his shoulder and spent the day in the emergency room. He said his medical treatment left him averaging about 2.3 hours of sleep per night at one point and, following treatment, he now averages nine hours of sleep.

Council members thanked Quintero for appearing at the meeting and then moved to allow him to remain on the Park Board for his normal term. The motion was seconded and approved unanimously.

Why it matters

Galveston’s municipal code requires board and committee members to attend a minimum share of meetings; council review of attendance is the process by which the city determines whether to remove or retain volunteers. In this case, council accepted medical and recovery circumstances as justification to retain Quintero on the board.

Details

- Code cited: Galveston City Code §2-164 (attendance requirement for board/committee members).
- Action: Motion to allow Robert Quintero to continue serving on the Park Board of Trustees; motion passed unanimously July 24.
- Implementation: Quintero will continue to serve his normal term; no removal or replacement action taken.

Speakers quoted in this article spoke during the agenda item and the roll-call/vote sequence.","Robert Quintero addressed the council about medical issues and recovery before the council voted unanimously to allow him to remain on the Park Board of Trustees despite attendance below the 75% threshold in Galveston city code §2-164.",{"_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},6493729,"Mary Moody Northern Endowment to assemble green space after council approves Broadway/Seeley alley abandonment",158,1437000,1595000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5476206-cc1643324e745aac4563bf45dcdb2d96&start=1437&end=1595","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5476206-cc1643324e745aac4563bf45dcdb2d96/thumbnail_1437000.jpg","/articles/6493729/Galveston/Galveston-County/Texas/Mary-Moody-Northern-Endowment-to-assemble-green-space-after-council-approves-BroadwaySeeley-alley-abandonment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6493729-3695edae150b2b5efa0e5ac74ac3ec2f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440042&Signature=Zp~IWwwbews7m65qOHARyuoijHi0-4lx22fL1oWfvxKa58qKLF7-ACPHecRZbY91LokxzvDQJMipgZyA2xgOLr4Rk0xERUbXEiCmpRTLJF0EJUo~gJ-uQPXESJH8BHCAvuNGRNgIFRzYrQWvXI8L0p3LDPj7mlVuB5gzGwkeTh1Dh18X0X2FrtVEo4eV7Tr2nySbw0Bih0a8GN5RfnxMEkJvEkzS7o9~xrAEMJ7UUk5AQ2gcn7nFLqUYiCkbkVBfdCczTaiNyPfnirBu~X7NlOZn5BJi~8AeD8Yr3mSYKj3Wdf9ck4WNeXbl1W-WudDtc3GcJMwXxvjJrkUk2XD~Rg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Galveston City Council on July 24 voted unanimously to approve an ordinance to abandon roughly 3,430 square feet of alley right-of-way in the block bounded by Rosenberg/20th Street, Broadway, 20th Street and Seeley, planning staff said.

Betty Massey, representing the Mary Moody Northern Endowment, told the council the endowment purchased the property in October and intends to unify parcels — including the parcel that formerly held a Dairy Queen — to create a green space for public use adjacent to Moody Mansion. Massey said the Seeley portion of the property will remain a landscaped parking lot primarily serving Moody Mansion and the children’s museum, and that the green space could host farmers markets and small outdoor concerts.

Staff and the planning commission recommended approval of the abandonment (planning case 24P043). The fire marshal reviewed the proposal and raised no objections, according to staff. After public comment, a council member moved to approve the proposal as presented by staff; the motion passed unanimously.

Why it matters

The abandonment will allow the property owner to legally close and consolidate the alley area with adjacent parcels, enabling redevelopment into a green space. The endowment emphasized compatibility with Moody Mansion and the iconic Broadway/Bridal intersection, noting the site’s proximity to the Texas Heroes Monument.

Details and next steps

- Abandoned area: approximately 3,430 square feet (planning case 24P043).
- Applicant: Mary Moody Northern Endowment (representative Betty Massey).
- Planning commission recommendation: approval.
- Council action: ordinance approved unanimously July 24.
- Implementation: staff to record ordinance and update property records; planning staff to coordinate final platting and recordation steps.

Speakers quoted in this article spoke during the public hearing and staff presentation portions of the meeting.","The Galveston City Council unanimously approved abandoning about 3,430 sq ft of alley adjacent to Broadway and Seeley to allow the Mary Moody Northern Endowment to unify parcels for a publicly accessible green space near Moody Mansion.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Galveston council approves series of ordinances, interlocal agreement and appointments; all votes unanimous

Public comment raises lifeguard concerns and tree-disease alerts; Tree Conservancy announces giveaways and plantings

Council keeps Robert Quintero on Park Board after he cites medical absences

Mary Moody Northern Endowment to assemble green space after council approves Broadway/Seeley alley abandonment