Freeport council approves consent agenda, ordinance update, surplus sales and policy change; several votes unanimous

The Freeport City Council took a series of routine and administrative actions at its first meeting of 2025, approving minutes and scheduling, adopting an ordinance to update vehicle records, authorizing surplus-property trades, appointing representatives to a regional body and amending the city personnel policy on take-home vehicles.

Key votes at a glance

- Consent agenda (minutes for December 2024 and a Feb. meeting date change): Motion to approve by Councilman Matamoros; seconded by Councilman Rosso. Vote: 4-1 in favor.

- Ordinance No. 2025-2737, updating vehicle records: Motion to pass by Councilman Pina; seconded by Councilman Davis. Vote: unanimous.

- Resolution No. 2025-2901, deeming old tasers surplus: Motion to deem property surplus by Councilman Davis; seconded by Councilman Rosso. Vote: unanimous. Staff said the devices were purchased with grant funds and are out of service.

- Sale/trade-in of surplus equipment (police tasers credited toward training gear up to roughly $2,000 in credit): Motion by Councilman Matamoros; seconded by Councilman Davis. Vote: unanimous.

- Appointment of HGAC (Houston-Galveston Area Council) representative and alternate: Motion to reappoint Councilman Rosso as primary made by Councilman Matamoros, seconded by Councilman Pina; motion to appoint Mayor Cain as alternate made by Councilman Matamoros and seconded by Councilman Rosso. Vote: 4-1 on both matters; motion carried.

- Resolution No. 2025-2902, amendment to City of Freeport Policy Handbook, Chapter 5, section 5.19 (use of city-owned vehicles): Motion to approve by Councilman Matamoros; seconded by Councilman Rosso. The amendment removes a prior exception to the radius rule for police department take-home vehicles; the change takes effect immediately with no grandfathering. Vote: unanimous.

Several items were introduced and discussed by staff before votes; no budgetary increases were recorded on the actions approved at the meeting.