Clute Council changes annexation policy

CLUTE — Changes are coming to the annexation policy for residents within the city’s extraterritorial jurisdiction, or ETJ, seeking city services.

A proposed resolution the Clute City Council discussed Thursday night during its regular meeting focuses on the requirement of a petition for annexation to receive new city services.

The resolution aims to provide a structured framework for annexation procedures and requirements, particularly for those seeking city services beyond the established city limits, Mayor Calvin Shiflet said.

Previously, services were extended without a clear policy, leading to confusion and inconsistencies, City Manager CJ Snipes said.

“We’ve had a mishmash in the past where we provided services beyond the city limits,” City Manager CJ Snipes said. “We had a situation a couple of years ago where a man wanted to come get services. We told him he had to get a petition. And then we decided to pull that back. We have another individual now that wishes to put in three lots, he must run water and sewer to them. We’ve told him to hold off on his plans, because we want to make sure that we’re requiring a petition for annexation. But we want your blessing on a policy that tells us give staff clear direction. Are we requiring a petition for annexation if they’re going to get the services? Or are we going to say we’ll take it on a case-by-case basis and they need to come to you? How would you like that handled?”

The rules for unilateral annexation have changed, Snipes said.

“What we have is a situation where if you have land, let’s say you want and hypothetically, we’re gonna run water out to a place and there’s intervening landowners. In that case, we have to enter into a development agreement with everybody along that route to at some point annex them in or at some point get their annexation, Snipes said.

The way the resolution was written and presented to council was so it would apply only to new services, meaning it would not affect services that had already been grandfathered in or that the city currently provided.

City Attorney Chris Duncan recommended a modification to the resolution, suggesting a petition for annexation should not only be filed but also granted. This adjustment aims to ensure a more formal process and prevent changes of mind post-petition.

The discussion concluded with a motion to adopt the resolution which now requires annexation before city services can be provided.

Transitioning to the next item, the council considered a resolution related to a work order for AGS, aimed at completing the Shanks Sidewalk Extension.

The project would connect Commerce Street to Plantation Drive, covering Shanks, Snipes said. This project will address drainage issues, install box culverts and improve Dorset Street to ensure long-term stability.

The project aims not only to enhance sidewalks but also to preserve and improve the overall longevity of the streets involved, Snipes said.

The council approved the resolution for the AGS work order, marking a significant step toward addressing infrastructure needs in the city.

In more uplifting news, Shiflet presented a proclamation to honor the Denton family, known for their historical contributions to the city. Although the Denton family was not present, the mayor highlighted the significance of their former property, which now houses Clute City Hall.

“Back in the ‘60s, Mr. [William] Denton planted the huge palm that was in the back that died in the freeze a few years ago,” Shiflet said. “And his family had contacted me asking me about what happened to the tree, and we told him that mother nature did its course on it.”

The proclamation, which Shiflet read to the council, expressed the city’s recognition and appreciation for the Denton family. It highlighted Denton’s dedication and contributions to the Clute and Brazosport area, including his service to the country. The proclamation acknowledged the loss of the palm tree due to severe weather but celebrated the Denton family’s enduring legacy.