[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6479379,"mediaKeyId","5693943-1cc5514c4a8b54bedec98a46594da7a6","parentId",5693943,"title","Votes at a glance: Clute council approves appointments, EMS agreement, speed limit change and routine items","audioSeconds",3905,"startMs",163000,"endMs",4068000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5693943-1cc5514c4a8b54bedec98a46594da7a6&start=163&end=4068","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5693943-1cc5514c4a8b54bedec98a46594da7a6/thumbnail_163000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6479379/Clute/Brazoria-County/Texas/Votes-at-a-glance-Clute-council-approves-appointments-EMS-agreement-speed-limit-change-and-routine-items","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6479379-cbc598c60b6eead501c36e10e2866e68/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440242&Signature=dANABsnejxR26JUxyw22~HRiTZ~61MMZHk9YcrKvtQPshJNHku1iqSxqWs4dbO5PISoEK0~qmbadp6OjCyvpw15xQQowNhhgeMywOvQfysB9UaRczqrse0Uxj-net6uaaB4oIbbdA~o87~gwLGjoRPmG74xJGgpaiU4H~8OG2UZ7oke6vWdbrPN-hAY5Kls2MBigUgDE1ZCR4HgMmIVu5VZi3fUyEsGKQg00OxaRd-cKw6MJVWB~cKHA8oz7QGnElicZuYhhFwT5V9eJGzkwFWvZSlamVydLvBTCErtiFLXW~WC~sPQ9ttFmvcdulwOkveyPxV1tSzO-7TFTLLhGCA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Clute","date","2025-08-28T00:00:00Z","article","The Clute City Council on Aug. 28 took a series of routine actions by unanimous vote, including appointments, a community event permit, an interlocal EMS agreement and a local speed‑limit change.

Key outcomes

- Consent agenda: Accounts payable and minutes from meetings on Aug. 14, Aug. 15, Aug. 19 and Aug. 22 were approved in a single motion.

- Brazoswood bonfire: The council approved use of Stratton Ridge Sportsplex for the Brazoswood High School Class of 2026 bonfire on Sept. 18. Speakers representing the class parents — Claudette Tubble (president) and Rachel Wilbanks (secretary) — told the council they had organized cleanup plans; the council approved the request.

- Traffic Commission appointments (Resolution 44‑2025): The council reappointed Travis Quinn to position 3 (term to Sept. 2027), appointed Arnold Bond to position 4 (term to Sept. 2027) and appointed Ozzie Duarte to position 5 (term to Sept. 2027). Duarte was present at the meeting.

- Economic Development Corporation appointment (Resolution 45‑2025): The council appointed Ozzie Duarte to fill board seat position 5 (term through Oct. 2027).

- Bradford Water Authority representative (Resolution 46‑2025): The council reappointed Amy Condon as the city’s representative to the Bradford Water Authority for a two‑year term and required the constitutional oath of office.

- Emergency Medical Services interlocal (Resolution 47‑2025): The council approved a new interlocal agreement with the city of Richwood for EMS service beginning Oct. 1, 2025, with an initial two‑year term and two 1‑year renewal options; staff said the agreement’s fee schedule uses an annual payment formula and an escalator clause tied to reasonable cost increases. Staff reported that Richwood averages about 327 EMS runs inside its city limits annually; the specific annual payment amount in the transcript was not clearly stated and is recorded here as not specified.

- Speed limit ordinance (Ordinance 25‑O‑16): The council adopted an ordinance changing the posted speed limit on a short segment of South Highway 288/Highway 332 inside the southern city limits from 50 mph to 55 mph; state signage will be installed and the ordinance takes effect after publication.

All listed motions were adopted by unanimous vote. Council members recorded as voting in favor were Calvin Triplett, Jeff Chris, Eric Aguilar, Nicole Maddox, Joe Lopez and Francis Vaughn.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Clute - Regular Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The Clute City Council on Aug. 28 took a series of routine unanimous actions, including appointments to boards, approval for a high‑school bonfire at a city sports complex, an EMS interlocal agreement with Richwood and a short speed‑limit increase on a state highway inside city limits.","taxTitle","Clute, Brazoria County, Texas","taxId",64454,"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},6479384,"Clute joins Freeport and Lake Jackson in backing 15‑year Brazosport industrial agreement",706,3142000,3848000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5693943-1cc5514c4a8b54bedec98a46594da7a6&start=3142&end=3848","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5693943-1cc5514c4a8b54bedec98a46594da7a6/thumbnail_3142000.jpg","/articles/6479384/Clute/Brazoria-County/Texas/Clute-joins-Freeport-and-Lake-Jackson-in-backing-15year-Brazosport-industrial-agreement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6479384-c772645c296136e295cd12c3bc75095f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440242&Signature=LRUKDbuhXSx0LgU9xXMqseVKE1ujZLqPvqUEqeyWlmLhxBWudk8HaskIgPm7Zme0GK6XQggtV-cIyHKb-5axsrDkNYKhYI~cGQcBaLiid9p8ofFHZLnVE8OLcDXJZqsd9dBsm13SFgd8s9o-XggsCz1T9U1XHsAXvHTE2iLIQIFKopds3DY~cQ50L3iaD-tElpBrXl0MQpAnhg1MdB8wLLVCiqAbcxwtiZn~5f~YyWXI90y0aPTu3OLe5fEd68xtrwJ~UpFrMStPDt0hLHisNBVoUZ2gcFcQQ6LBXOyNFoQvYjclh1nt~u0~nEVJLzZn41H9r9wNHTmBuND3UBtPGw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Clute City Council on Aug. 28 unanimously approved a joint resolution supporting negotiations for a new Brazosport Industrial Partnership contract with Freeport, Lake Jackson and participating industries.

The existing industrial partnership agreement, first signed in 1973 and updated periodically, provides payments in lieu of taxes from industry members in exchange for commitments by the cities not to annex industrial plant sites. The current agreement is set to expire Dec. 1, 2026; the joint resolution directs Clute officials to seek the longest term allowed under state law to promote predictability for both cities and industry.

Staff said the partnership generated about $2.6 million in revenue to Clute last year under the current apportionment scheme. Under the existing framework, the parties use appraisals and a CPI‑based adjustment to compute payments; the resolution asks that the next agreement preserve the historical structure while seeking the maximum term permitted by state law.

Councilmembers and staff described the action as a unified stance intended to begin negotiations early, give industry certainty for long‑range planning and protect municipal revenue streams. Staff noted that the three cities had jointly drafted the resolution and expected the other municipalities to adopt similar measures at upcoming meetings.

The council voted to adopt the resolution without amendment. Council members who voted in favor were Calvin Triplett, Jeff Chris, Eric Aguilar, Nicole Maddox, Joe Lopez and Francis Vaughn. The motion passed unanimously.","The council unanimously adopted a joint resolution supporting negotiation of a new Brazosport Industrial Partnership contract with area industries, seeking the maximum 15‑year term allowed under state law to provide long‑term predictability and continue payments in lieu of taxes.",{"_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},6479388,"Clute council approves Ameresco audit of water meters after debate over $45,000 breakage fee",817,1601000,2418000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5693943-1cc5514c4a8b54bedec98a46594da7a6&start=1601&end=2418","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5693943-1cc5514c4a8b54bedec98a46594da7a6/thumbnail_1601000.jpg","/articles/6479388/Clute/Brazoria-County/Texas/Clute-council-approves-Ameresco-audit-of-water-meters-after-debate-over-45000-breakage-fee","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6479388-6194f3e1e14eb5e2190f90e79ab7f308/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440242&Signature=V1U9WtUdiLEBXvhUvpA~1pZw0SMj7CIXFNALKhRj3xYceVwoAOvMpa5SujwYobtnmivWjxl-2hVaNR2HwudhJflR6FWo4SLa4B9vLmFW93KTXkw99-eTqkqkofYPZT~8XdZ5Z4TZyu9f41a~JvtHf49xw42SyTj0lNmJ-8IzdK-hBrxiDKQyaxfVWIa-ZEkgGI6cxeUk5NrcFwo3eJ-0rgfiLxAon4XXRDH--cM3m5Bc3x2CvvM2WwiowCZuw7RWv9hpmN8K4iSgR0M~25HQpDdWxg9GDqH-Ut5oVfCFdnJb2YdelLqhPpUGEHT4MY6hBJenrvNi8l3s9KGTQerrgA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Clute City Council on Aug. 28 unanimously approved Resolution 40‑2025 to contract with Ameresco for an investment‑grade audit (IGA) of the city’s automated water‑meter system, a first step that could lead to meter replacement under a performance‑based contract.

Council members and staff said the audit would evaluate meter accuracy, investigate antenna and battery issues and test meters in a laboratory to determine whether a larger renewal project is warranted. The contract as presented includes a $45,000 “breakage fee” tied to IGA development and a clause that gives Ameresco sole discretion to discontinue the audit if it determines expected benefits cannot be achieved.

City staff told the council the IGA itself would not obligate Clute to proceed with a full replacement project. Staff said the city included money in the enterprise fund budget to begin the process and that a major project would be split into two annual budget items if the council later approves it.

Several council members pressed staff on the contract language. One council member said the sole‑discretion clause and placement of the $45,000 fee “jump off the page,” and asked whether the city would pay the fee if Ameresco stopped the work. Staff responded that if Ameresco discontinues the audit because it cannot achieve the projected benefits, the owner would not be charged for IGA activities; the breakage fee would apply when the owner decides not to proceed after a completed audit or development phase.

Staff also described Ameresco as a performance‑service provider that had worked in the region and was previously affiliated with Siemens; the firm would lead field testing, remove and send meters for lab testing and provide a recommendation to Clute on next steps. Staff said other vendors had approached the city, including firms that proposed cellular communications as a way to avoid transmission issues the city is currently experiencing.

The council voted to adopt the resolution without amendments. The resolution authorizes the mayor or city manager to execute the contract and states that performing the IGA does not obligate the city to move forward with any resulting capital project.

Council members who voted in favor were Calvin Triplett, Jeff Chris, Eric Aguilar, Nicole Maddox, Joe Lopez and Francis Vaughn. The motion passed unanimously.

The council’s decision starts the IGA phase; if the audit recommends changes, future council action will be required before any meter replacement or performance contract work begins.","The Clute City Council unanimously approved Resolution 40‑2025 to authorize an investment‑grade audit of the city's automated water‑meter system by Ameresco. Council members debated contract language that includes a $45,000 breakage fee and a clause letting the contractor stop work if projected benefits cannot be met.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Clute council approves appointments, EMS agreement, speed limit change and routine items

Clute joins Freeport and Lake Jackson in backing 15‑year Brazosport industrial agreement

Clute council approves Ameresco audit of water meters after debate over $45,000 breakage fee