Two Articles:

Lance Petty named new Freeport city manager

FREEPORT — Christmas came early for Lance Petty this year.

Mayor Brooks Bass made the motion to promote Petty from interim city manager after a lengthy closed session during Monday’s city council meeting. Petty became interim Nov. 21 when council suspended Tim Kelty as city manager before terminating him from the job Dec. 13.

Petty will be paid a salary of $160,000 starting from when he became the interim Nov. 21, per Bass’ motion, which the council unanimously passed.

Petty joined the city four years ago as the public works director. One year ago, he was promoted to assistant city manager, he said.

City, Braztex dismiss lawsuits against each other

Bass motioned for the city to sign a Rule 11 agreement to dismiss the lawsuit against Braztex. In return, Braztex will dismiss its lawsuit against the city, attorney Ric Navarro said.

He said in open session that after he and Braztex’s attorney went through a lot of discovery and interviews on both sides, it was determined the best course of action was the mutual dismissal.

“I think it’s in the best interest of the city to move on,” Navarro said.

The council voted 4-1 to approve the Rule 11 agreement with Councilman Jeff Peña against.

The situation between the city and Braztex, owned by former mayor and councilman Troy Brimage, has been ongoing for two years after Peña accused Brimage of receiving improper benefits from a development agreement with the city.

Brimage, in turn, accused Peña of using knowledge from his position on the Freeport Economic Development Corp. to an unfair advantage in his purchase of the former Boys and Girls Club office. A third-party investigation by an Austin law firm cleared Peña.

Before the closed session began Monday, the council approved a $223,003 contract with M2 Steel Systems to build the Fire Station #2 Apparatus Building.

“FM 1495 is expected to be closed for three years. This building is in preparation for that,” Fire Chief Chris Motley said.

The Texas Department of Transportation will be closing the FM 1495 bridge for that long to replace the bridge. While it is closed, the department will need the new building to provide proper response time to emergencies, Motley said.

Council turned over three position on the Main Street board on a request from its coordinator, Ana Silbas.

Petty told the council Silbas asked for members Sandra Barbree and Sandra Wood-Wicke to be removed due to attendance issues. Silbas also asked Peña be removed as council’s liaison to the board.

Council voted 4-0 to approves Silbas’ requests. Peña initially voted against, but Bass told Peña he could not vote on the item due to a conflict of interest.

The board then voted to approve Melanie Oldham to the position expiring in May 31, 2024, and tourism professional Edith Fisher to the seat expiring May 31, 2025.

Councilman Jerry Cain volunteered to be the new liaison, which is a non-voting position.