Magnolia City Council approved pursuing federal immigration enforcement funding and moved forward with an agreement involving Amarillo Drive during its July 14 meeting.
What happened
Council authorized the Magnolia Police Department to apply for funding through the U.S. Department of Justice’s Bridging Immigration-related Deficits Experienced Nationwide program.
The grant program is designed to reimburse eligible state and local governments for costs related to immigration enforcement and criminal investigations, Police Chief Kyle Montgomery said.
Funding can be used for activities such as locating and arresting individuals who are unlawfully in the country and accused of crimes, temporarily detaining individuals, overtime and transporting them for detention or prosecution, he said.
The grant does not require a local funding match. Council’s approval allows city staff to submit the application.
Also on the agenda
Council also approved an agreement related to Amarillo Drive in the Magnolia Ridge development.
Plans for the project include removing the existing pavement and base, rebuilding the roadway and installing a new asphalt surface, per agenda documents.
The scope also includes replacing concrete driveways as well as widening and resurfacing a portion of Smith Road. The project will also complete storm sewer and drainage improvements and restore areas affected by construction.
The city began designing the project in 2023, when council approved an engineering work order of up to $85,000. Early plans called for Amarillo Drive to be widened and lowered, with both asphalt and concrete reconstruction options considered. Council later expanded the project to include Smith Street between Amarillo Drive and Corpus Drive.
