The resignation leaves a vacancy on City Council, which has to be filled with a special election, according to city code. City officials said City Council is expected to call for one at its March 11 meeting.
What you need to know
A special meeting was called for March 5, with two possible items related to either accepting Hicks’ resignation or censuring him for “violations of the city of League City’s rules of procedure” and “conduct unbecoming [of] a City Council member,” according to the agenda item. The latter item still would have required Hicks to resign, documents show.
However, the meeting has since been canceled after Hicks tendered his resignation March 1, according to a copy of Hicks' resignation letter shared with Community Impact on March 3.
According to the proposed censure resolution, that conduct relates to Hicks requesting in late February that Chief of Police Cliff Woitena not investigate a criminal matter involving a reported domestic disturbance at his home. This directly violated several parts of the city’s rules of procedures, among which prohibit elected officials from interfering with law enforcement investigations.
The resolution goes on further to state Hicks allegedly requested city staff violate rules a couple of days later related to public information requests and “used his position as a council member to request preferential treatment for this personal benefit.”
What they said
“The City Council condemns council member Hicks' actions in attempting to interfere with a police investigation, requesting violation of public information request procedures and engaging in conduct unbecoming a City Council member, as these actions undermine public trust and the integrity of the City Council,” the censure resolution reads.
Mayor Nick Long told Community Impact on March 3 he wishes Hicks the best and thanked him for his service.
Hicks in his resignation letter said the decision to resign his seat stemmed from his “focus on navigating this challenging time in my life and prioritizing my family and personal well-being.”
He reiterated that he felt no laws or governmental procedures were broken by anyone in his household.
“Serving our community has been a rewarding experience, and I am grateful for the support and camaraderie of my fellow council members and all of you,” he said in the letter. “I cherish the progress we've made for our great city.”
Remember this?
Hicks, who has served as a City Council member since 2020, was up for re-election in 2024 and won with nearly 54% of the vote—totaling nearly 24,000 votes to challenger Joe Italiano’s 46%, according to official election results from Galveston County.
What’s next?
The resignation leaves a vacancy on the council. City code states a vacancy created with more than a year left in a term by law must be filled with a special election.
The council is expected to call a special election at its March 11 meeting, officials with the city confirmed in an email.
