Rockport City Council Regular Meeting - June 23, 2026

The Rockport City Council held a regular meeting on June 23, 2026, at 5:00 PM in the Council Chambers at City Hall. The meeting included ceremonial recognitions, approval of consent agenda items, first readings of ordinances regarding water and wastewater rate increases and merchant regulations, a groundwater study presentation, appointment of a new Mayor Pro Tem, and an executive session. All votes taken during the open session were unanimous (4-0) with four council members present (Wards 2, 3, 4, and the Mayor; Ward 1 was absent).

Ceremonial Matters

• Proclamation – Roy Allen: Mayor Tim Jayroe read a proclamation honoring Roy Allen for his 22 years of service with Castaways Thrift Store, including as board president. Mr. Allen and his wife Carol have lived in Rockport since the 1960s; he retired and continues his community service.
• Tenure Tuesday: City Manager Vanessa Shrauner presented five-year service certificates to Belinda Garcia (one year in utilities – corrected during meeting), Tony from Parks and Recreation, and Police Officer Austin Jensen (who arrived late and was sworn in later).
• Flag and Flagpole Presentation: Kimberly Henry, Assistant to the City Manager, announced the Rockport Center for the Arts donated flags and a 50-foot flagpole to the city.
• Swearing-In of Police Cadets: Police Chief Nathan Anderson swore in Cadets Cameron Daley and Charles Chavez, who graduated from the Del Mar Police Academy on June 18, 2026. Both are Rockport residents. They will undergo 16 weeks of field training before being solo officers.

Consent Calendar

• Item 5: Approved Resolution 2026-R accepting the second quarter investment report. (Motion and second; passed unanimously.)
• Item 6: Approved the City Council minutes from the May 26, 2026, regular meeting. (Passed as part of consent.)

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were made during the meeting.

Discussion Items

• Item 7 – Water Rate Increase (Ordinance 2014, First Reading): The council considered a water rate increase for all inside city limits customers based on the Wildan Water Rate Study. Finance Director Robbie Sorrell noted a dangling sentence had been removed from the ordinance. Councilmember Brad Brundrett (Ward 3) read responses to citizen questions regarding transparency (noting multiple public workshops), the rate structure change due to the pass-through fee, and the elimination of volume allowance. Mayor Tim Jayroe explained that the city had not previously passed on many increases from San Pat Water District, and this increase catches the city up. The motion passed unanimously 4-0. (Councilmember Matt Anderson, Ward 2, participated via video and voted in favor.)
• Item 8 – Wastewater Rate Increase (Ordinance 2015, First Reading): The council considered a wastewater rate increase for both inside and outside city limits customers, also based on a Wildan study. Staff presented the same information as the water rate item. Passed unanimously.
• Item 9 – Itinerant Merchants Ordinance (Ordinance 2016, First Reading): Police Chief Nathan Anderson explained the amendment to Chapter 74, Article II, which tightens rules to prevent individuals from using solicitor licenses to solicit personal donations or engage in personal fundraising. The ordinance prohibits such use and coordinates with charitable solicitation regulations. Passed unanimously.
• Item 10 – Charitable Solicitations Ordinance (Ordinance 2017, First Reading): A companion amendment to Chapter 74, Article III, clarifying the definition of charitable purpose, limiting permits to organized charitable campaigns, and requiring certification against personal benefit. Passed unanimously.
• Item 11 – Amendment No. 2 with Alliance for Community Services (ACS): Kimberly Henry presented a request for $45,226 to complete audio visual and security equipment installation at City Hall. Sufficient funds existed from under-spent engineering and professional services budgets. Passed unanimously.
• Item 12 – Groundwater Feasibility Study Presentation: Representatives from Freeze and Nichols (Adam Connor and Teresa Budd) presented findings on groundwater options in Aransas County. They identified four potential well field alternatives (shallow and deep aquifers) with production capacities ranging from 0.51 to 3.59 million gallons per day. All options would require reverse osmosis treatment due to slightly saline water. Capital cost estimates ranged from lower to higher based on well count and pipeline distances, with per-thousand-gallon costs higher than current surface water. Recommendations included exploratory drilling, numerical modeling for drawdown, and future blending studies. No council action was taken; the presentation was for information only.
• Item 13 – Parks and Recreation Update: Director Brittany Aguirre was absent due to family commitments; the item was deferred to a future meeting.
• Item 14 – Appointment of Mayor Pro Tem: Councilmember Andrea Hattman (Ward 4), the outgoing Mayor Pro Tem, nominated Councilmember Brad Brundrett (Ward 3) for the position, stating it was time to pass the torch. The nomination was seconded and approved unanimously. Mr. Brundrett accepted and thanked Ms. Hattman for her service.
• Item 15 – City Manager's Monthly Update: Vanessa Shrauner highlighted the new Human Resources Manager (Chelsea Welch), noted the fleet building is nearly complete, mentioned ongoing development activity (though no construction yet), and reported that recent rains pushed Corpus Christi's Level 1 water emergency to September 2027. A water information webpage is now live on the city's website.
• Council Reports: Councilmembers provided brief updates on ward activities, including a TML Region 11 meeting hosted by Rockport, appreciation for drainage improvements at the country club, and recognition of an Austin Street community meeting.

Key Outcomes

• Water Rate Increase (Item 7): Approved first reading unanimously. (Ordinance 2014)
• Wastewater Rate Increase (Item 8): Approved first reading unanimously. (Ordinance 2015)
• Itinerant Merchants Ordinance (Item 9): Approved first reading unanimously. (Ordinance 2016)
• Charitable Solicitations Ordinance (Item 10): Approved first reading unanimously. (Ordinance 2017)
• ACS Amendment (Item 11): Approved $45,226 for AV/security equipment.
• Mayor Pro Tem Appointment (Item 14): Brad Brundrett elected.
• Groundwater Study: Received for information; no action taken.
• Executive Session: The council recessed into executive session at 5:47 PM to discuss the duties, responsibilities, and potential reassignment of the Assistant to the City Manager (Texas Government Code §§ 551.071, .072, .074, .076, .087, .089). The meeting adjourned at 6:12 PM with no action taken following the executive session.