City Council Meeting Recap

Regular Session – December 16, 2025

1. Public Forum

• Kimberley Chandler expressed concerns about limited online access to City Council meetings and encouraged the City to explore options for publishing meetings online.

• Kaye Fite thanked the Council for its detailed review of the Cocanougher golf course development proposal. She raised concerns about long-term impacts on the City’s water supply, potential effects on other construction projects, and suggested an impact analysis addressing water, infrastructure, traffic, and roads.

2. Consent Items

• Approve Minutes from the November 18, 2025 Regular Session – Approved

3. Consideration and Action Items

A. Accounts Payable (November 30, 2025) – Approved

B. November 2025 Financial Report – Approved

C. Proposed Project Agreement with Freese and Nichols, Inc. – Approved

City Council approved a task authorization agreement with Freese and Nichols, Inc., signed by Mayor Herman White, to complete engineering design improvements for key components of the City’s wastewater system.

This phase supports future upgrades to the Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP) Chlorine Building, the Jim Walters Lift Station, and the Port O’Call South Lift Station. The work is a critical step in a multi-year infrastructure improvement effort and is required to maintain compliance with Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) standards.

Project Details:

• Authorized Amount: $334,791 (Not-to-Exceed)

• Design Schedule: Approximately 33 weeks

• Deliverable: Full Construction Documents

• Engineering Firm: Freese and Nichols, Inc.

A wastewater project task force has been coordinating this effort and includes Mayor Herman White, Police Chief Steve Reynolds, Council Member Richard Griffin, Roddy Boston, and Barry Schimpf. The task force has overseen technical, regulatory, and financial planning for the project.

Because the project requires coordination with multiple agencies (TCEQ, EPA, Freese and Nichols, and Oncor) the planning process involves phased reviews and approvals. These steps help protect grant funding and ensure long-term financial stability.

Full completion of the wastewater system improvements is not anticipated until 2028. The task force will continue to monitor progress and keep City Council and residents informed.

Additional Context on the Wastewater Project Agreement

Mayor White shared that the City began this process years ago through emergency planning to address the most critical wastewater needs and to position the City for state and federal funding.

He explained that Freese and Nichols worked closely with City staff to reduce early planning costs, prepare required documentation, and coordinate with federal agencies. After receiving EPA guidance, engineering teams completed preliminary assessments to identify priority projects.

Mayor White noted that coordination among multiple agencies and delays caused by a federal government shutdown extended the timeline. Despite these challenges, the task force worked diligently to move the project forward.

Council Member Christopher Petty thanked the mayor, City staff and engineering partners for their collaboration. He commended the team for securing funding and prioritizing projects that address the City’s most urgent infrastructure needs.

Updates from Mayor and/or Council Members

• Todd Low reported no updates from Parks and Recreation. He thanked Mayor White for the Christmas Tree Lighting and the Runaway Bay Police Department for public safety during holiday events. He also stated his personal preference that the golf course remain dedicated solely to golf.

• Richard Griffin reported that the EDC did not meet this month. He shared that the Smoke on the Water committee is discussing improvements for next year’s event and noted better cooperation this year, despite lower attendance.

• Carolyn Moody shared that the Cemetery Board hosted a successful Wreaths Across America ceremony. Although the Board did not meet this month, plans are underway for butterfly gardens next year.

• Christopher Petty reported that the Runaway Bay Volunteer Fire Department responded to 21 calls this month (9 fire, 12 medical). He noted the department’s Christmas party and recognized James Gates for his three years of service as Fire Chief. He wished everyone a Merry Christmas.

• Steve Holt extended a Merry Christmas on behalf of the Greater Runaway Bay Alliance.

• Steve Reynolds reported that the Police Department issued 125 citations, 87 of which were warnings. He also congratulated Christopher Petty on his new role as Fire Chief of the Runaway Bay Volunteer Fire Department.

• Mayor White reflected on the Wreaths Across America ceremony and thanked Jackie Ishmael, Barry Schimpf and Cathy Miller for their hard work. He honored and named each veteran laid to rest at Eternal Oaks Cemetery.

• Max S. Anderson – U.S. Army (Korea)

• Jerry C. Ballard – U.S. Army

• George Ballenger – U.S. Navy (World War II)

• Clarence “Claude” Clark – U.S. Army

• Frank M. Corlett – U.S. Army & U.S. Air Force (World War II)

• Jack Eison – U.S. Air Force

• William E. Gilbert – U.S. Navy (World War II)

• Bobby L. Ishmael – U.S. Army

• Randy Kittrell – U.S. Army

• Robert Langford – U.S. Army

• Eugene “Gene” Larrow – U.S. Army (Vietnam) – Bronze Star

• David E. Lowrance, Jr. – U.S. Army (World War II)

• Hubert C. McDonald – U.S. Army (World War II)

• Rosalie McDonald – U.S. Navy (World War II)

• Gary Miller – U.S. Army

• William “Bill” Pedigo – U.S. Air Force (Pilot), Colonel (World War II)

• Kenneth Scherer – U.S. Navy

• Robert Sivley – U.S. Army

• Danny Terry – U.S. Navy (Korea)

• Earl Thomas Tharp – U.S. Navy (Korea)

• John Alfred Tharp – U.S. Navy & U.S. Army (World War II & Korea)

• John William Tibbs – U.S. Air Force

• Thomas Thompson – U.S. Navy

• Merlin Trehus – U.S. Army (World War II)

  
  

🎄 Merry Christmas from the City of Runaway Bay! 🎄