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GOING HERE.[ Call to order: City Hall Council Chamber ]
SECOND.ALRIGHT, SO TONIGHT IS A WORKSHOP, BUT IT'S ALSO A SPECIAL MEETING 'CAUSE WE'VE GOT TWO SPECIAL PEOPLE HERE.
EXTRA SPECIAL, THEY'RE ALL SPECIAL, BUT EXTRA SPECIAL FOLKS TONIGHT.
ALRIGHT, SO FIRST OF ALL, WE WANT TO, LET'S HAVE, UH, PASTOR NATE, YOU WANT TO SAY THE INVOCATION IN THE PLEDGE FOR US, SIR? ALRIGHT, WE'LL GET GOING.
WOULD Y'ALL PRAY WITH ME? HEAVENLY FATHER, WE COME TO YOU THIS EVENING IN THE NAME OF YOUR SON, JESUS CHRIST.
AND JUST TAKING A MOMENT TODAY, ESPECIALLY IN THIS TIME OF YEAR AS WE'RE LOOKING TOWARD JULY THE FOURTH AND THIS SPECIAL YEAR, LORD, WE JUST WANNA SAY HOW THANKFUL WE ARE TO YOU FOR THE PRIVILEGE OF LIVING IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AS WE CELEBRATE OUR 250 YEARS OF, OF FREEDOM AND LIBERTY.
UH, WE REMEMBER THAT YOU SAY IN YOUR WORD THAT RIGHTEOUSNESS EXALTS A NATION.
AND SO FATHER, I JUST PRAY THAT FOR OUR NATION AS A WHOLE, THAT WE WILL CONTINUE TO LIVE THAT WAY AND EVEN TURN BACK THAT WAY.
FATHER, THAT WHAT YOU SAY IS, IS TRUE FOR A NATION, IS ALSO TRUE FOR A MUNICIPALITY AND A CITY.
AND SO, LORD, I JUST PRAY THAT FOR ROSENBERG CITY AS WELL.
AND THAT STARTS WITH EACH ONE OF OUR CITIZENS THAT CONTINUES WITH OUR COUNCIL MEMBERS.
AND SO, LORD, THIS EVENING, I ALSO WANNA JUST GIVE YOU THANKS FOR EACH ONE OF THESE COUNCIL MEMBERS AND THEIR WILLINGNESS TO STEP FORWARD AND SERVE IN A RESPONSIBLE WAY.
UH, MAKING DECISIONS THAT APPLY TO EACH ONE OF OUR CITIZENS OR THE FREEDOM THAT WE ENJOY IN THIS COUNTRY ALSO COMES ALONG WITH RESPONSIBILITIES.
AND MAY WE ALL BE RESPONSIBLE TO YOU, UNDERSTANDING AND KNOWING THAT YOU'VE GIVEN US THIS FREEDOM AND WE WILL ANSWER TO YOU FOR THE WAY THAT WE LIVE.
FATHER, AGAIN, WE JUST PRAY FOR YOUR WISDOM THROUGH THIS WORKSHOP AND THROUGH THIS MEETING TONIGHT.
AND LORD, FOR ALL OF THESE COUNCIL MEMBERS AND AS WELL OUR NEW COUNCIL MEMBER WHO WILL BE INSTALLED THIS EVENING, WE JUST PRAY YOUR BLESSINGS, GUIDANCE, AND DIRECTION AND WE PRAY THIS IN THE PRECIOUS NAME OF JESUS.
ALRIGHT, WOULD YOU SAY THE PLEDGE TO THE AMERICAN FLAG WITH ME SALUTE PLEDGE.
I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
ALRIGHT, SO FOR THIS MEETING, DO WE DON'T HAVE ANY SPEAKERS? I BELIEVE, I THINK WE HAVE ONE FOR THE NEXT MEETING AND I MAKE, UH, SOMETIMES WE'RE SO BUSY HERE.
WE HAVE TWO MEETINGS A NIGHT,
CAN I SAY SOMETHING, MAYOR? SURE.
UH, I JUST WANT TO THANK EVERYBODY THAT, UH, GOES OUT AND VOTE.
UH, SCOTT'S GONNA BE TAKING MY PLACE.
UM, I JUST WANT THANK EVERYBODY.
LIKE I SAID IN PAST MEETINGS, EVEN IF YOU DIDN'T VOTE FOR ME, I WAS STILL HERE FOR YOU.
UH, THAT'S THE WAY I THINK, UH, ANY CITY COUNCILMAN SHOULD BE.
WE SERVE THE CITIZENS OF ROSENBERG OUT OF, I HELP 'EM ALL.
UM, AND I JUST WANNA SAY THANKS FOR THE LAST FOUR YEARS THAT I'VE BEEN HERE.
IT WAS A BLESSING AND IT WAS A PLEASURE WORKING WITH STAFF.
Y'ALL KEEP UP THE GREAT, UH, WORK Y'ALL DO AND I THINK THE, WE'RE GONNA HAVE A NICE CITY HERE NEXT 20, 30 YEARS.
UM, LIKE TERMINATOR SAID, I'LL BE BACK.
IT WAS A, IT WAS A PLEASURE TO SERVE WITH YOU AS WELL.
IT WAS A PLEASURE SERVING WITH THIS COUNCIL.
THANK YOU FOR PUTTING UP WITH ME.
BUT YOU STILL HAVE ONE OTHER ITEM? YES, I DO.
BEFORE WE GET TO THE, UM, AND I'LL MAKE THE MOTION FOR THAT, MY LAST MOTION OF THIS YEAR, LAST MOTION OF THE YEAR.
YOU KNOW WHAT I TELL PEOPLE IN TERMS OF GOVERNMENT OR POLITICS, THEY'LL MAKE MORE.
UH, AND HECTOR, IF THERE'S ANYTHING YOU WISH TO ADD, ANY PART OF THE PROCESS UNTIL WE CHANGE, FEEL FREE TO, IF SOMETHING COMES TO MIND, JUST CHIME IN.
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ALRIGHT.SO WE'RE, WE HAVE A, THIS IS, THIS IS ACTUALLY A SPECIAL MEETING, SO WE'RE GONNA DISCUSS SOMETHING THAT'S KIND OF, UH, TIME SENSITIVE, WHICH IS TO DISCUSS EXEMPTIONS TAX RELIEF.
AND THEN AFTER THAT WE'LL GET TO CANVAS THE, UM, THE ELECTION FOR THE RUNOFF AND THEN WE'LL SQUARE IN THE NEW MEMBER.
[1. Consideration of and action on Ordinance No. 2026-32, an Ordinance amending the Code of Ordinances by amending Section 26-86 of Chapter 26, Article IV, Division 2 thereof entitled, "Residence Homestead Exemption"; providing for amendments to the portion of assessed value to be exempted from ad valorem taxation of residential homesteads of elderly; providing for a repealing section; providing for severability; and providing an effective date. (Luis Garza, Finance Director) ]
ALRIGHT, GO AHEAD LEWIS.THE FIRST ITEM IS THE TAX EXEMPTION.
UH, AT THE MAY 26TH, 2026, CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING, CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSED PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTIONS FOR TAX YEAR 2026.
WHILE THERE WAS A CONSENSUS OF COUNSEL TO LEAVE THE EXEMPTIONS AS THEY ARE, MAYOR BITTEN REQUESTED THIS ITEM BE BROUGHT BACK TO COUNSEL BEFORE THE JUNE 30TH DEADLINE.
FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION AT THE JUNE 16TH, 2026, CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING, CITY COUNCIL AGAIN DISCUSSED THE PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTIONS.
THE RESIDENTIAL HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION IS CURRENTLY AT THE MAXIMUM, WHICH IS 20% OF TAXABLE VALUE.
COUNCIL ALSO DISCUSSED PROPOSED REVISIONS TO THE RESIDENTIAL HOMESTEAD EXEMPTIONS AVAILABLE TO PERSONS OVER THE AGE OF 65.
THE CURRENT EXEMPTION FOR OVER 65 IS 85,000.
THE CONSENSUS OF CITY COUNCIL WAS TO INCREASE SUCH EXEMPTION FROM 85 TO 100,000.
THE ESTIMATED IMPACT ON PROPERTY TAX REVENUES FOR THIS INCREASE IS 120,000 ACTION MUST BE TAKEN TO ADOPT AMENDMENTS TO THE OVER 65 EXEMPTION IN JUNE, IN ORDER TO MEET THE JULY ONE DEADLINE, UH, TO FILE SUCH CHANGES WITH FORT BEND COUNTY, ORDINANCE NUMBER 2026 DASH 32 IS PRESENTED TO INCREASE THE OVER 65 EXEMPTION FROM 85,000 TO 100,000 AS DISCUSSED.
WELL, WE HAD CONSENSUS LAST WEEK.
I'M NOT SURE WHY WE HAD IT BACK ON, BUT YOU HAVE TO APPROVE AN ORDINANCE.
SO WE'LL DO THAT TONIGHT THEN I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE.
ORDINANCE NUMBER 2026 DASH 32.
DOES DOES, WAIT A MINUTE, DOES THAT INCLUDE THE, THE RAISING FROM 85 TO 100? YES SIR.
WE'RE GOING TO GET A LITTLE EXTRA TAX RELIEF RIGHT HERE IN THIS VOTE.
WE GOT A MOTION BY HECTOR, SECOND BY STEVE.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF TAX RELIEF? SAY YES OR PUSH GREEN.
IT SEEMED QUIET, BUT IT'S ACTUALLY COULD BE A BIG DEAL, ESPECIALLY FOR THOSE HOMEOWNERS THAT ARE ON FIXED INCOME.
[2. Consideration of and action on Ordinance No. 2026-31, an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Rosenberg, Texas, canvassing the returns and declaring the results of the Municipal Runoff Election held on June 13, 2026, within the City for the purpose of electing a City Council Member to District 3, and containing other provisions relating to the subject. (Danyel Swint, City Secretary) ]
I'LL GIVE THE SECOND ITEM CONSIDERATION OF AN ON ACTION ORDINANCE NUMBER 2026 DASH 31.AN ORDINANCE OF CITY COUNCIL OF CITY OF ROSENBERG, TEXAS CANVASSING THE RETURNS AND DECLARING THE RESULTS OF THE MUNICIPAL RUNOFF ELECTION THAT WAS HELD ON SATURDAY, JUNE 13TH, WITHIN THE CITY FOR THE PURPOSE OF ELECTING A CITY COUNCIL MEMBER TO DISTRICT THREE AND CONTAINING OTHER PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT.
MS. SWIN, OUR CITY SECRETARY, RUNS THE ELECTIONS ON BEHALF OF THE CITY AND, UM, SHE'S GONNA GO THROUGH IT.
AS PRESIDING OFFICER OF THE JUNE 13TH, 2026 MUNICIPAL RUNOFF ELECTION, THE MAYOR IS REQUIRED TO HOLD A CANVAS OF THE ELECTION BALLOTS AND HE AND THE CITY COUNCIL MUST DECLARE THE ELECTION RESULTS.
THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE NUMBER 20 26 31 WOULD AFFIRM THAT THE RUNOFF ELECTION FOR DISTRICT THREE WAS HELD, THE PROPER PROCEDURES WERE FOLLOWED AS MANDATED BY LAW.
THE RESULTS HAVE BEEN FILED WITH THE CITY COUNCIL, THE NUMBER OF VOTES EACH CANDIDATE RECEIVED AND DECLARATION OF THE WINNING CANDIDATES.
I HAVE PUT AT THE DAAS FOR EACH OF YOU, UM, A COPY OF THE ORDINANCE WITH THE CANVAS REPORT, WHICH I RECEIVED TODAY.
SO, UM, I JUST NEED TO STATE THE, UM, THE VOTING FOR DISTRICT THREE.
ALICIA CASILLAS ON ELECTION DAY RECEIVED 91 VOTES, 18 ABSENTEE VOTES 135 EARLY VOTES FOR A TOTAL OF 244.
SCOTT ROBERT PETERSON RECEIVED 53 ELECTION DAY VOTES, 20 ABSENTEE VOTES, AND 178 EARLY VOTING VOTES FOR A TOTAL OF 251.
SO HE HAS DECLARED THE WINNER.
THAT'S A CLOSE, THAT'S A PRETTY CLOSE ELECTION.
I ONLY RECALL ONE OTHER TIME WHEN IT WAS
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CLOSER.UM, YOU NEED ACTION? WE DO, YES.
MOVE TO APPROVE THE CANVASSING AND THE RESULTS OF, UH, OF THE RUNOFF.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR PUSH OR SAY GREEN? YES.
IF YOU'RE OPPOSED, I DON'T KNOW HOW OR WHY ANYBODY WOULD OPPOSE, BUT IF YOU ARE SAYING NO OR PUSH, NO.
IT IT, IT'S DID IT RECORDED? IT RECORDED ALL OF Y'ALL.
IT WASN'T ANOTHER CLOSE ELECTION WAS IT? MM-HMM.
ALRIGHT NOW, HUH? COULD HAVE BEEN TIME.
THERE'S ONE THING THAT I, I FAILED TO DO AND I DON'T WANT TO FORGET REAL QUICK.
JUST WANNA RECOGNIZE PAULA GIBSON WITH SENATOR HURST OFFICE.
AND THANK THE SENATOR FOR HER INTEREST IN SENDING YOU TO THE MEETING.
TELL HER WE LOOK FORWARD TO HER REPRESENTATION IN, IN THE SENATE.
[3. Administration of Oath of Elected Office, Presentation of Certificate of Election to Newly Elected Official, and Presentation of Gift to Departing Council Member. (Danyel Swint, City Secretary) ]
ALRIGHT, ITEM NUMBER THREE, ADMINISTRATION OF THE OATH OF ELECTED OFFICE.PRESENTATION OF CERTIFICATE OF ELECTION TO NEWLY ELECTED OFFICIAL AND PRESENTATION OF GIFT TO DEPARTING COUNCIL MEMBERS.
SO WE'RE GONNA DO THE OATH? YES.
WE WE PROBABLY SHOULD GET BOTH HECTOR AND FELIX TOGETHER.
I WILL DO MR. PETERSON'S OATH IF YOU WANNA STAND WITH ME.
SO YOU CAN THEN PRESENT HIM WITH A CERTIFICATE OF ELECTION AND THEN WE'LL DO THE GIFT TO, UM, HECTOR.
HECTOR, GET READY TO GET A GIFT.
I FAITHFULLY EXECUTE THE DUTIES OF THE DUTIES OF CITY COUNCIL MEMBER.
DISTRICT THREE, CITY COUNCIL MEMBER DISTRICT FOR THE CITY OF ROSENBERG, THE OF ROSE AND THE STATE OF TEXAS.
STATE OF TEXAS WILL TO THE BEST OF, BEST OF MY PROTECT THE UNITED STATES AND THE WILL HELP.
WE APPRECIATE SERVICE DISTRICT.
ALL THE DISTRICT, NOT JUST, WE REALLY APPRECIATE
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WE'RE NEIGHBORS, SO I SEE HIM EVERY DAY.UH, IN CASE FOLKS WERE WONDERING, AMANDA HAD A FAMILY, UH, ACTUALLY A FAMILY EMERGENCY.
OUR THOUGHTS ARE WITH HER AND SHE MAY COME BE ABLE TO COME IN A LITTLE LATER, BUT, UM, SHE HAD TO TEND TO THAT.
AND THAT COMES, EMERGENCIES COME FIRST.
WE HAVE TO HAVE FOUR OF SEVEN OF US TO CONDUCT ANY BUSINESS.
AND AS YOU CAN SEE, WE HAVE SIX OF US.
ALRIGHT, WHAT'S NEXT? ADJOURN.
I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO ADJOURN.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? PUSH PUSHERS.
DID IT GO THROUGH? I, I THINK, I THINK I CAN SPEAK FOR MOST OF THEM AND SAY THEY WANT TO ADJOURN THAT.
ALRIGHT, SO THEN WE HAVE ANOTHER MEETING.
I'M STILL SHOWING AS HECTOR, IS THAT A PROBLEM? YEAH, IT'S, YOU'LL BE, YOUR NAME WILL SHOW IN JUST A SECOND.
THEY'RE GOING TO, AND MAYOR, IF YOU'LL GIMME A REPROGRAM IT.
MAYOR, IF YOU'LL GIVE ME A SECOND TO GET OUT OF THE SPECIAL MEETING AND INTO THE WORKSHOP.