Rockport City Council Regular Meeting - January 13, 2026

The Rockport City Council held a regular meeting on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at 5:00 PM at City Hall. The meeting covered a wide range of topics including zoning changes, a conditional use permit, voluntary annexation, budget amendments, heritage district certificates, and a public comment period. All items except one were approved unanimously; a zoning rezone for a manufactured home passed 3-1.

Ceremonial Matters/Proclamations

• Fair Housing Month Proclamation: Mayor Tim Jayroe proclaimed January as Fair Housing Month in Rockport, a requirement for the Mitigation Grant (Mitt Mod) covering drainage and fiber projects.
• Tenure Tuesday: City Manager Vanessa Shrauner recognized Chris Hernandez of the Planning & Development Department for five years of service.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Scott Mapes addressed the council regarding a prior incident where his campaign signs were removed by city staff shortly after an election. He returned a reimbursement check, requesting a public apology. Councilmember Matt Anderson explained the removal was due to a timing misunderstanding (signs were out a day early for a future election). Mayor Jayroe publicly apologized, and Mr. Mapes accepted, leaving the check to be donated to an animal shelter of the council's choice.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes: Approved the City Council Minutes for the December 9, 2025, Regular Meeting.
• Note: All consent items were approved unanimously by a single motion.

Discussion Items & Ordinances (Second Readings – Items 4-9, 13, 14)

• Item 4 (Ordinance 1998): Zoning change from R-1 to B-1 for 3481 SH 35 Bypass (3.4055 acres). Approved unanimously.
• Item 5 (Ordinance 1999): Conditional Use Permit for a manufactured home on 1723 18th Street (7.0458 acres) to replace a home lost in a fire. The property will be rezoned back to R-1 after the CUP is completed. Approved unanimously.
• Item 6 (Ordinance 2000): Zoning change from R-1 to B-1 for 3525 SH 35 Bypass (3.4022 acres), aligning with long-term plans. Approved unanimously.
• Item 7 (Ordinance 2001): Zoning change from R-5 to R-2 for Railroad Reserve Property on S Ann Street (13.519 acres). Approved unanimously.
• Item 8 (Ordinance 2002): Zoning change from R-1 to R-2 for 802 W Morgan and 155 Kelly Lane (12.705 + 12.500 acres). Approved unanimously.
• Item 9 (Ordinance 2003): Amendment to Water Conservation Plan requiring formal review every five years. Approved unanimously.
• Item 13 (Ordinance 2006): Budget amendment appropriating $10,000 from 2007 bond proceeds to pay for a drainage easement on Market and Water Streets (part of the GLO CDBG-DR grant). Approved unanimously.
• Item 14 (Ordinance 2007): Budget amendment appropriating $90,500 from utility reserves for two water studies: Willdan (rate study, $24,000) and Freese and Nichols (alternative water sources, $66,500). Staff noted the Willdan presentation is expected February 10, 2026. Approved unanimously.

Public Hearings & Zoning Changes (Items 10-12)

• Item 10 (Ordinance 2004): Request to rezone 1842 FM 2165 (0.5 acres) from R-1 to B-1. Staff explained the property has long been used as a shop (legal non-conforming) and the owner wants to rebuild. One letter of support received. Public hearing held with no opposition. Approved unanimously on first reading. (Agenda typo corrected: the address in the ordinance was corrected to 1842 FM 2165, not 2011 Myrtle.)
• Item 11 (Ordinance 2005): Request to rezone 2011 Myrtle (2.0669 acres) from R-1 to R-2M (Manufactured Housing District). The property owners, Josin Contas and his wife (new Rockport residents), purchased a manufactured home for their retirement. Staff noted three letters of opposition and one in favor. Council debated the precedent of permanent rezoning vs. a conditional use permit. Councilmember Matt Anderson expressed concern that R-2M could allow up to three units without further control until an ordinance revision is complete. The applicant stated their intent is a single-family home. The motion to approve passed 3-1 (Ward 2 – Matt Anderson – voted nay; Ward 1, 3, 4 voted aye). Staff announced plans to revise the R-2M ordinance to require 2 acres for a single home and 5 acres for a park.
• Item 12 (Ordinance 2008): Voluntary annexation of 8.433 acres (portion of Bellevue Addition) at Market Street for a planned subdivision (Oaks at Market). The developer (Lynn Development) has two other lots already rezoned R-2. A service plan was included; a utility services agreement will follow. Public hearing held with no opposition. Approved unanimously on first reading.

Heritage District Certificates (Items 15-16)

• Item 15: Aransas County Navigation District request for a Certificate of Appropriateness to create a food truck park at 902 Navigation Circle, adjacent to the Sculpture Garden. Plans include four electrical posts, grease traps, and picnic tables; restrooms are within 150 feet. Approved unanimously.
• Item 16: Rockport Center for the Arts (RCAD) request for a Certificate of Appropriateness to install a vintage train caboose at 105 S Magnolia for the Rockport Railroad Museum expansion. Approved unanimously.

City Manager's Update

• Vanessa Shrauner thanked council for the extended holiday time off.
• She reported an emergency meeting of area city managers (Portland, Ingleside, Taft, Odem, Corpus Christi) to discuss water supply issues. A monthly meeting will be held in Portland. Corpus Christi is expected to extend the critical water emergency date, but a permanent solution awaits the desalination plant (DSAL).

City Council Reports

• Councilmembers noted the passing of former county tax assessor Jerry Cox (39 years of service) and former Fulton alderman Mr. Hattenback, offering condolences.
• Councilmember Rangel and others expressed optimism for 2026, with budget hearings beginning soon, and encouraged public input on priorities.

Executive Session

• The council recessed into Executive Session at 5:58 PM to discuss the annual performance evaluation process for the City Manager, Municipal Judge, and City Secretary (Texas Government Code § 551.074). No action was reported afterward.

Key Outcomes

• All second-reading ordinances (Items 4-9, 13, 14) and consent agenda approved unanimously.
• Item 11 (2011 Myrtle rezone to R-2M) approved 3-1 (Anderson nay).
• First readings for Items 10 (1842 FM 2165) and 12 (voluntary annexation) approved unanimously.
• Heritage District certificates for food truck park and train caboose approved unanimously.
• Budget amendments for drainage easement ($10,000) and water studies ($90,500) approved unanimously.
• Public apology issued to Scott Mapes; check returned and to be donated to animal shelter.
• Upcoming presentations: Willdan water rate study on February 10, 2026; Freese and Nichols study expected in June 2026.
• Staff directed to pursue Texas Water Development Board grants for water studies.
• Planned revision of R-2M ordinance to address minimum lot sizes for manufactured homes.