Susan Darwin

The meeting included a proclamation declaring December 13, 2025, as National Wreaths Across America Day. Key announcements involved changes to the Mae S. Bruce Library operating hours starting January 1, 2026, and the commencement of the Strategic Planning process scheduled for January 2026. Departmental reports were presented covering Municipal Court, Community Services, Parks and Community Center, Police, Library, Public Works, City Secretary, and the Resiliency Center. New business focused on adopting resolutions to declare the acquisition and installation of standby generators at City Hall and Runge Park as urgent funding priorities, utilizing remaining Community Development Block Grant - Mitigation (CDBG-MIT) funds for this purpose. Council also directed staff to begin drafting an ordinance to ban unattended outdoor donation bins. Furthermore, the Council cast votes for candidates to the 2026 Galveston Central Appraisal District (GCAD) Board of Directors. Two executive sessions were held: one for annual employee evaluations of the City Manager and City Secretary, and another concerning economic development negotiation, which was postponed.

The City Council meeting agenda included several items for consideration. Staff reports covered the 2025 Racial Profiling Report for the Police Department, and updates from Finance, Municipal Court, Community Services, Parks and Community Center, Police, Public Works, and the City Secretary regarding prior month activities and future projects. New business items included the possible adoption of a resolution to add Texas CLASS as an authorized investment pool, completion of a public hearing regarding an amendment to Contract No. 24-065-O37-E529 with the Texas General Land Office related to CDBG-MIT Regional Method of Distribution Program funds, approval of submitting the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 VOCA continuation grant application for the Santa Fe Resiliency Center, and consideration of an ordinance amending Chapter 6 of Health & Sanitation to regulate donation bins. Additionally, the council considered approving a Chapter 380 Agreement with BW Building Supply LLC for economic incentives.

The agenda for this special meeting includes standard procedural items such as Roll Call and Invocation, followed by a Citizens' Comment period. Reports to be covered are the Budget Update & Financial Statements for the period ending December 2025 and the Sales Tax Report for January 2026 (collected in November). New Business discussions are scheduled to focus on an update from the Interim Executive Director and an update on BEAR Program applications.

The Regular Meeting covered several items, including the Community Services Director update and citizen comments. The Commission unanimously approved the minutes from the October 7, 2025, Regular Meeting. Key business involved the consideration and approval of a request to vacate the plat of Tatyrek Estates, returning the property to its original two lots. Under Old Business, the Commission directed staff to gather subdivision ordinance procedures from comparable cities to assist in the review of the City of Santa Fe's current Code of Ordinances regarding Subdivisions. The document also includes content from a Special Joint Meeting on January 9, 2026, concerning the 2026 Strategic Planning Session, and materials related to Requests for Qualifications for updates to the Unified Development Code scheduled for February 2026, including a discussion on Green Infrastructure Toolkit for Texas Communities.

The Special Meeting covered several key agenda items, including the presentation of a current budget update and the November 2025 Sales Tax Report, which highlighted declining collections. The Executive Director provided updates on various economic development projects, including Project BW, which will be named 'Harvest Grove,' and discussed travel conference attendance. Key new business involved the unanimous adoption of Resolution #2025-04, approving the annual Code of Ethics and Conduct. The board also discussed and approved tentative funding of up to $750,000 for eight City drainage projects, with one opposing vote. Furthermore, the board unanimously approved the purchase of Economic Development reporting software through Hdl Companies for $3,600, intended for market analysis and retail leakage reports. A joint 'Shop Local' campaign with the City and Chamber received approval, with one abstention. An Executive Session was held to discuss the offer of financial incentives to a business prospect, though no action was taken subsequently. Additionally, the board considered a recommendation from the BEAR committee to approve a grant application from the Santa Fe Area Historical Foundation for electrical improvements.