Pearland City Council on Monday voted 3-2, with Scott Sherman and Keith Ordeneaux opposed, to approve a $20,000 contract with the Gulf Coast Center’s Connect Transit to continue demand response transportation services.

The item had been on the agenda in July for consideration, but was postponed for the city council to receive further information on trips made by residents using the program.  Out of the total 1,395 trips taken between September and May, 474 were listed under the category of “other”.

“Out of those 474 trips, 123 represents skills development trips, trips to physical therapy and/or for motor skills development, with the remaining 351 trips related to what are categorized as residence trips, trips to a residence for a wide variety of reasons including but not limited to, social, intellectual, vocational and/or personal,” Assistant City Manager John Branson said.

The city council voted 4-0-1, with Ordeneaux abstaining, to enter into an interlocal agreement with the Pearland Independent School District for the use of Pearland police officers as school resource officers at schools in the district.  Ordeneaux abstained due to being employed by the district.

The agreement provides for nine officers and one supervisor, with one officer each at junior high schools and the Ninth Grade Center, and two officers each at Pearland High School and Dawson High School.  The district reimburses the city for costs of the officers.

The city council voted 4-0-1, with Sherman abstaining, to approve a five year consolidated plan associated with the Community Development Block Grant Program.

Sherman abstained due to serving on the board of an organization that receives funding through the grant program.

The city council voted unanimously to award a bid for bank depository services to Wells Fargo Bank.

The city council voted unanimously to reappoint Steven Simmons, Dennis Slate and Letitia Farnie as municipal court judges.  The item was discussed during an executive session.

The city council voted unanimously to direct staff to move forward as discussed in closed session regarding real property.

All other items were approved by unanimous vote.  All members were present.  Agenda