The Sealy City Council decided at its April 6 regular meeting that it would look to improve a long-standing issue in the form of drainage on Front Street near downtown.

During the meeting, a motion was made to award a bid for Front Street drainage improvements to Lonnie Lischka Co. from Bellville. Councilmember Jennifer Sullivan made the motion to award the bid amount of $1,408,894.91, and the motion passed unopposed.

This project will concrete the ditch along Front Street in Sealy as well as install storm sewer structures from at the Fowlkes and 8th street intersection to the ditch on Front Street.

Sealy EDC Executive Director Kimbra Hill spoke to the council regarding a performance agreement and adopting a resolution between the Sealy EDC and Brooke & CO LLC for SEDC funding for proposed incentives and expenditure of funds for the Salon Project at 120 Main Street.

The purpose of the agreement and resolution is to promote new and expanded businesses for a Historic District Improvement Grant, which is not to exceed $15,000. Hill said the grant policy is not about whether the applicant needs their help but more about partnering and downtown Sealy’s revitalization.

“(The grant) shows our appreciation of their investment in our community. The EDC and council’s responsibility is to determine if the project meets eligibility and compliance guidelines with the policy, which it does,” Hill said.

Councilmember Dee Anne Lerma made a motion to approve the performance agreement with a second from councilmember Chris Noack. The motion passed unanimously. Noack made a motion also to adopt the resolution with the EDC, which passed unopposed.

Hill also spoke to the council regarding a performance agreement and resolution between the Sealy EDC and Jeff Trevino. This would include SEDC funding for proposed incentives and funds for the Multi-Business Project, located at 222 Fowlkes Street in Sealy.

Hill said Trevino purchased the properties with hopes of partnering with the EDC.

“(Trevino purchased) to accomplish significant rehabilitation and revitalization of downtown. He has already invested a lot of his own money in the project and is applying for the funds to complete the facade project,” Hill said.

Lerma’s motion to approve a performance agreement for a Historic District Improvement Grant for $15,000 was approved unopposed. Sullivan motioned to adopt a resolution between the EDC and Trevino which also passed unopposed.

Lerma motioned to approve a performance agreement between the Sealy EDC and Trevino for the Fowlkes Façade Project for the property located at 224 Fowlkes Street which carried. A resolution for Sealy EDC’s expenditure of funds using a Historic District Improvement grant to Trevino was also motioned by Sullivan which passed unanimously.