Port Lavaca meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Port Lavaca Council Weighs Tax Rate, Budget; No Final Votes Yet

The Port Lavaca City Council met twice in the past week to consider the proposed 2026-27 tax rate and budget, but no final decisions have been published. The agendas also included a tiny-home variance, a shoreline stabilization contract, and temporary street closures for upcoming events. Other city bodies took up property cases and port business.

City Council

At the Aug. 10 regular meeting, the council was set to consider setting the No New Revenue and Voter Approval tax rates, a second reading of the 2025-26 budget amendment, and a first reading of fee changes for parks and water utilities. The agenda also included a variance request to reduce the side-yard setback for a four-unit tiny home development at 523 Broadway St., and a contract for the Chocolate Bayou Shoreline Stabilization Project.

At the Aug. 17 special/workshop meeting, the council was set to consider the proposed 2026-27 tax rate and schedule public hearings for the budget and tax for Sept. 14. The agenda also included temporary street closures for the Bulls on the Bay event (Sept. 19-20) on Stringham Drive, Fairgrounds Road, and Airline Drive, and a closure of Main Street (Virginia to Commerce) for Trick-or-Treat on Oct. 31.

No minutes have been released for either meeting, so no vote tallies or final outcomes are available.

Port Commission

The Port Commission met Aug. 18 to review a certificate of completion and recommend release of retainage for the B1 MIP1 Shoreline Cleanup project (No. 582-23-42179). The commission also considered changing its meeting start time from 3:30 to 3:00 p.m., and a new lease with Something More Media at Nautical Landings Building Ste. 4. Reports from the Harbor Master and financial reports for the Port Revenue Fund were on the agenda.

Building and Standards Commission

On Aug. 19, the Building and Standards Commission held a public hearing on six properties alleged to be in violation of the city's substandard buildings ordinance. The cases covered: #193 (205 E Railroad), #194 (215 E Railroad), #195 (208 S Juanita), #196 (521 S Juanita), #197 (802 S Benavides), and #198 (604 S Virginia). No decisions were reported.

Coming up

• **City Council Workshop (Aug. 24):** Discussion only, no votes. Topics include a police department staffing assessment, updates to the Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance, a proposed Zoning Ordinance and map, and a compensation plan for 2026-27.
• **Planning Board (Aug. 26):** Will consider a commercial development at 120 S. San Antonio St. and two variances for manufactured homes at 503 S. Colorado St. and 1304 Tilley St.
• **Recreation and Parks Board (Aug. 26):** Will review the Final Draft Master Parks Plan and make a recommendation to the City Council, plus receive updates on capital projects and public art for the Lighthouse Beach restroom building.

Port Lavaca Government Roundup: Fee Ordinance, Park Rentals, Port Leases on Recent Agendas

Port Lavaca's city boards and commissions covered a broad agenda over the past two weeks, touching on park rentals, water and sewer rates, port leases, and a tiny-home variance. However, minutes have not yet been published for any of the five meetings held between July 20 and July 27, so what follows reflects what was scheduled for discussion or action — not confirmed outcomes.

City Council Special/Workshop — July 20

The City Council's special and workshop meeting agenda included several items with direct financial implications for residents. Council members were scheduled to consider renting Areas 1 and 2 of Bayfront Peninsula Park for a September 5 event hosted by DVR Productions and Scully's.

The council also was set to authorize an application for federal assistance under the U.S. Department of Justice COPS Hiring Program, which funds law enforcement positions.

In the workshop portion, Republic Services was scheduled to give a presentation on implementing citywide curbside recycling. Council members were also set to discuss proposed amendments to the Fee Rate Ordinance, including 90-day extensions for Hillside RV Park, free veteran admission to Lighthouse Beach Park, a $10 replacement fee for park access cards, and an Animal Control intake/surrender fee.

The agenda also listed a review of the FY 2026–2027 operating budget for the Port Lavaca Water Treatment Plant and proposed changes to the water and sewer rate schedule.

Port Commission — July 21

The Port Commission agenda included consideration of paying an environmental fee under the Coastal Erosion Planning and Response Act (CEPRA) for the Harbor of Refuge project.

Two lease agreements were on the agenda: one with Zbigniew Zborowski for Suite 3 at the Nautical Landings Building, 106 S. Commerce St., and another with Poor Boy's Bait Stand in Smith Harbor.

The commission was also scheduled to approve minutes from its June 16, 2026 regular meeting and receive the Harbor Master's Inspection Report for June 2026.

Planning Board — July 22

The Planning Board was set to consider a variance request to reduce the rear-yard setback for a tiny-home unit in a proposed four-unit development at 523 Broadway Street (Property ID #18061). The board was also scheduled to review draft goals for the Port Lavaca Comprehensive Plan and approve minutes from its June 24, 2026 meeting.

Recreation and Parks Board — July 22

The Parks Board agenda included updates on several capital improvement projects: the Butterfly Park fence, Wilson Park basketball and pickleball courts, a raised crosswalk and sidewalk from the splashpad to restrooms at Lighthouse Beach, a Texas Parks and Wildlife Department grant for design of improvements to the Lighthouse Beach Boat Ramp Entrance Channel, and Ashley Field. The board was also set to review departmental and financial reports, including the status of Lighthouse Beach RV Park and Campground.

City Council Joint Workshop/Special Meeting — July 27

The City Council held a joint workshop with the Recreation and Parks Board to review the Port Lavaca Parks & Recreation Master Plan. The special meeting agenda also included a consultation with the city attorney on pending litigation, which could involve a closed session.

Coming Up

No upcoming meetings are listed for the next 14 days. Residents should check the city's official postings for any newly scheduled meetings or rescheduled dates. Minutes from the five July meetings listed above have not yet been published; once available, they will confirm which items were approved, tabled, or deferred.

Port Lavaca council weighed housing credits, water grants; all recent meeting minutes still pending

Port Lavaca's City Council had housing tax credits, water project grants, and ordinance amendments on its July 13 agenda, but minutes have not yet been published, so outcomes are not yet available. The same applies to a joint council-Planning Board workshop and a Building and Standards Commission hearing held July 15. Here is what each body had scheduled to consider.

City Council — July 13

The council's regular meeting agenda included five action items:

• **Resolution R-071326-1**: Application for housing tax credits and multifamily loans for Cottages on Independence.
• **Resolution R-071326-2**: Texas Water Development Board grant application for water projects.
• **Ordinance G-7-26**: Amendments to law enforcement fees and rates.
• **Ordinance G-8-26**: Amendments regarding credit card convenience fees.
• **Ordinance S-4-26**: First reading for 2025-2026 fiscal year budget amendments.

Because minutes are not yet published, it is not possible to confirm which items were approved, tabled, or amended.

Joint Council and Planning Board Workshop — July 15

The council and Planning Board held a joint workshop to discuss the 2026 Comprehensive Plan and Zoning. Jody Weaver of Baxter & Goodman was scheduled to present. No votes were listed on the agenda; the item was listed for discussion.

Building and Standards Commission — July 15

The commission scheduled public hearings on eight properties identified as substandard buildings, each a potential violation of the City of Port Lavaca Code of Ordinances:

• Case #121: 312 Avalon
• Case #134: 502 S Guadelupe
• Case #148: Wickham, Block F (502 N San Antonio Trailer 3)
• Case #161: Port Lavaca Original Townsite, Block 18 (106 E Alice Wilkins)
• Case #165: 912 Broadway
• Case #192: 212 S Trinity
• Case #193: 205 E Railroad
• Case #187: 215 E Railroad

Minutes are not yet published, so findings and any enforcement actions cannot be confirmed.

Coming up

City Council Special/Workshop Meeting — Monday, July 20. The council will consider renting Areas 1 and 2 of Bayfront Peninsula Park for a September 5 event hosted by DVR Productions and Scully's, and will consider authorizing an application for federal assistance under the DOJ COPS Hiring Program. The workshop portion includes a Republic Services presentation on citywide curbside recycling, discussion of Fee Rate Ordinance amendments (including a 90-day extension for Hillside RV Park, free veteran admission to Lighthouse Beach Park, a $10 replacement fee for park access cards, and an Animal Control intake/surrender fee), and review of the FY 2026-2027 Port Lavaca Water Treatment Plant operating budget and proposed water and sewer rate schedule changes.

Regular Port Commission Meeting — Tuesday, July 21. The commission will approve minutes from its June 16 meeting, receive the Harbor Master's Inspection Report for June 2026, consider paying a CEPRA environmental fee for the Harbor of Refuge project, and consider lease agreements with Zbigniew Zborowski for Suite 3, 106 S. Commerce St., and with Poor Boy's Bait Stand in Smith Harbor.

Planning Board — Wednesday, July 22. The board will approve minutes from its June 24 meeting, consider a variance to the rear-yard setback for one tiny home in a proposed four-unit development at 523 Broadway Street (Property ID #18061), and review draft goals for the Port Lavaca Comprehensive Plan.

Recreation and Parks Board — Wednesday, July 22. The board will review departmental and financial reports, including Lighthouse Beach RV Park and Campground status, and receive updates on the Butterfly Park fence, Wilson Park basketball and pickleball courts, the raised crosswalk/sidewalk from the Splashpad to restrooms at Lighthouse Beach, a TPWD grant for design of improvements to the Lighthouse Beach Boat Ramp Entrance Channel, and Ashley Field.