Pearland City Council considers moving forward with May 2023 bond

The Pearland City Council discussed the scope of a potential bond that would fund sweeping drainage improvements throughout the city at a regular Dec. 12 meeting.

The Citizens Drainage Bond Advisory Committee provided an update to the council at the meeting, with committee Chair Seth Thompson recommending 14 projects totaling $106.17 million to be funded by a potential May 2023 bond program.

Citizens, including some from the committee, spoke at the meeting in favor of the proposed drainage projects, with some calling for the city to hold the bond election as soon as possible. Some of the 14 proposed projects for the bond include drainage improvements to Harkey Road, the Shady Crest and Creek View Subdivisions, and the southwest quadrant of Old Town, which is from Mclean Road to Hwy. 35 South of Broadway Street.

The council also discussed additional non-drainage items that could be featured in the bond, including up to $51 million in adjustments to facilities, such as a fire station and the firearms range for the Pearland Police Department; up to $72.6 million in proposed street projects; and up to $29 million in park projects, such as to the Hickory Slough Sportsplex and Independence Park.

Council Member Adrian Hernandez said he hopes the council agrees to address finishing phase two of the Independence Park project with the bond. The first phase consisted of renovations that completed in July 2019.

“I have seen the potential this park has for the community,” Hernandez said. “It’s such an integral part of our community’s spirit.”

Mayor Kevin Cole said he hopes the council can call the bond for May 2023. The city council has until Feb. 13 to officially call the bond to place it on the ballot May 6.

Council members spoke in favor of the list of proposed drainage projects, including Council Member Tony Carbone who said he approves of the projects and Council Member Alex Kamkar calling for the bond to go to voters as soon as possible.

Thompson said the citizens bond committee was formed in February for the purpose of assessing possible projects for a May 2023 bond. The committee consists of a variety of community members from various organizations. It was tasked with assessing projects based on the impact of known flooding issues, the ability to complete or start the project in five years, and tax implications for Pearland citizens.