The El Campo City Council voted to name the pavilion at Willie Bell Park the "Gloria Harris Pavilion," honoring former councilwoman Gloria Harris for three decades of service.

Courtney, a city staff member who introduced the proposal, told the council she had been approached by "former mayor Chris Barbee and Mr. Bobby Perez" and said Harris "served 30 years on the city council and made a tremendous impact." Courtney said the city would purchase a bronze pedestal or plaque with Harris’s likeness at an estimated cost "between $2,500 and $3,000," which the staff can absorb in the parks budget.

The proposal produced divided reaction from people connected to the park. Paula D. Bell, who identified herself as related to Willie Bell, asked the council to "table" the item because "some of my family members are ... unhappy" about adding a likeness in the park where her family donated land. Paula asked whether the same recognition would be provided for Willie Bell and suggested placing a plaque for Harris at City Hall instead.

Bobby Perez, who said he grew up playing at the park, urged the council not to postpone the decision: "I never thought that someone would get offended by simply asking that this pavilion ... built by city taxes ... deserves that at least." Sonia Harris, who identified herself as Gloria Harris’s daughter, also urged the council to proceed and recounted her mother's role in advocating for the park.

Courtney and other council members repeatedly clarified the council was not renaming the park, saying the intent was to name the pavilion specifically and that "nothing [is] taken away from the park itself." Staff said the city could also provide a plaque honoring Willie Bell in addition to naming the pavilion for Harris.

A councilmember moved to approve Resolution R2025-60; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. After the vote, council and staff agreed to work with residents to identify the park more clearly and to finalize plaque wording and placement.

The council recorded no formal roll-call tally in the public transcript for this vote; the chair declared the motion carried.