PASADENA, Texas — The Pasadena City Council on Oct. 8 closed a public hearing focused on opposition to issuance of permits and placement of battery energy storage systems (BESS) in the city and approved final readings for a string of ordinances by voice vote.

The council opened a public hearing described on the record as opposing “the issuance of permits and the placement of installation of BESS facilities within the city of Pasadena, Texas, consistent with the Texas local code 212.” The presiding official closed the hearing after asking whether anyone wished to speak; no members of the public came forward, and the record shows the council then returned to open session.

The hearing's subject — recorded on the agenda as opposition to permits for commercial BESS installations — drew no public comment. That matter was not subject to a separate formal vote during the meeting record provided; the council simply opened and then closed the hearing.

Afterward the city secretary read final-reading ordinance numbers into the record. The transcript lists a series of ordinances, identified on the record as Ordinance Nos. 2024-182, 2024-183, 2024-184, 2024-186, 2024-187, 2024-189, 2024-190, 2024-192, 2024-193, 2024-194, 2024-196, 2024-197 and 2024-198. Several ordinance numbers were repeated or unclear on the audio record; the council adopted the items as read.

A motion to adopt the listed final readings was made on the floor (the transcript does not clearly state who moved), seconded by Billy Dow, and approved by voice vote. The presiding official called for “All in favor?” and, following audible assent, declared the motion passed. The record does not include a roll-call tally or show any recorded dissents.

Also on the dais during the meeting were Rex Lindbergh, identified in the record as director of community relations, and Council member Villareal; former mayor Johnny Isabel and former city employee Vance Mitchell were recognized in the meeting but did not participate in the public hearing or the voting. The city secretary handled the readings of the ordinances.

The council adjourned immediately after the votes.

Why this matters: BESS installations, which store electric power in batteries for later use, can prompt local debate about siting, safety and permitting. The council's decision to open and then close a public hearing without speakers means no new public testimony was entered on the record during this special meeting. The ordinances approved on final reading were listed by number only in the meeting transcript; the content and impact of those ordinances were not described on the audio record provided.