Jamaica Beach, Texas
Upcoming
City Council
The Jamaica Beach Board of Adjustment will hold a public meeting to decide on three applications for variances from city setback and dock projection rules. The items include requests for an addition at 16726 Cormorant Drive, a pool encroaching on an easement at 4308 Karankawa Way, and a boat dock extension at 16557 Anchor Way.
- Variance for a house addition at 16726 Cormorant Drive to reduce required setbacks on three streets
- Variance for a pool encroaching on a 10'x20' aerial easement at 4308 Karankawa Way; CenterPoint Energy letter of no objection provided
- Variance to extend a boat dock/boathouse 15 feet from the bulkhead at 16557 Anchor Way for a safe walkway
City Council
The City Council approved a revised Light Ordinance and a Municode ordinance, appointed alternates to the Board of Adjustment, and authorized a water pollution control contract with Galveston County Health District. Staff reported on a $68,000 Hurricane Beryl reimbursement and progress on various projects including pickleball courts and a walking trail.
- Approved Light Ordinance 2026-03 after revising Section 6 and formatting
- Approved Municode Ordinance 2026-05
- Approved FY2027 Water Pollution Control and Abatement Contract with Galveston County Health District
- Appointed Harold Trahan and Peter Westerkamp as alternates to Board of Adjustment
- Received report on $68,000 FEMA reimbursement for Hurricane Beryl from TDEM
Recent meetings
City Council
The Jamaica Beach City Council will consider and possibly approve two proposed ordinances: Light Ordinance 2026-03 and Municode Ordinance 2026-05. They will also discuss and vote on a FY2027 Water Pollution Control and Abatement Contract with the Galveston County Health District, and consider appointing alternates to the Board of Adjustment. The consent agenda includes approval of minutes from the May 14, 2026 meeting.
- Discussion and possible approval of Light Ordinance 2026-03
- Discussion and possible approval of Municode Ordinance 2026-05
- FY2027 Water Pollution Control and Abatement Contract with Galveston County Health District
- Discussion and possible appointment of alternates to the Board of Adjustment
- Approval of minutes from the Regular Council Meeting on May 14, 2026
City Council
The Jamaica Beach Board of Adjustment will consider a replat at 3902 Bob Smith and five variance applications at addresses on Cormorant Drive, Karankawa Way, Anchor Way, and Jamaica Beach Cove. The meeting includes public comment and standard procedural items.
- Replat at 3902 Bob Smith
- Variance application at 16726 Cormorant Drive
- Variance application at 4308 Karankawa Way
- Variance application at 16557 Anchor Way
- Variance application at 16606 Jamaica Beach Cove
City Council
The Jamaica Beach City Council receives the police department's monthly activity report for April 2026. The report details 123 calls for service, including 140 citations and zero arrests. Notable incidents included noise complaints, trespassing, and animal control calls. No council action is required on this informational item.
- 123 total calls for service in April 2026
- 140 citations issued, zero arrests
- 24 loud noise calls, 12 suspicious vehicle/person calls
- Animal control calls included a cow in roadway and an alligator on property
- Multiple short-term rental (STR) related noise and parking violations
City Council
The City Council will discuss and possibly approve the proposed Light Ordinance 2026-03, which repeals older ordinances and sets new standards for outdoor lighting to reduce glare and light trespass. They will also consider the PIR Ordinance 2026-04 and discuss the Municode Ordinance 2026-05. Appointments to the Board of Adjustment will be made, and a Public Works Proclamation will be presented.
- Discussion and possible action on Light Ordinance 2026-03 (repealing ordinances 2001-2 and 2004-1; regulating outdoor lighting and nuisance illumination)
- Discussion and possible action on PIR Ordinance 2026-04
- Discussion of Municode Ordinance 2026-05
- Appointment of new members to the Board of Adjustment
- Presentation of a Public Works Proclamation for National Public Works Week (May 17-23)
The City Council approved the appointment of five new members to the Board of Adjustment and passed a proposed Property Insurance Rating (PIR) Ordinance. The meeting also included the approval of previous meeting minutes and a discussion on a proposed Light Ordinance.
- Approved Ben Espey to Board of Adjustment (4-0)
- Approved George Campbell to Board of Adjustment (4-0)
- Approved Steve Walker to Board of Adjustment (4-0)
- Approved Ben White to Board of Adjustment (4-0)
- Approved David Tornero to Board of Adjustment (4-0)
- Approved proposed PIR Ordinance 2026-04 (4-0)
- Approved minutes from April 9, April 21, and May 7 meetings (4-0)
- Tabled discussion on proposed Light Ordinance 2026-03
City Council
The agenda for this meeting consists solely of project plans for a dredge and fill permit application (SWG-2025-00062) by Jay Barrow, located near Bob Smith Dr. in Galveston Bay. No other items are listed.
- Permit application SWG-2025-00062 for dredge and fill by Jay Barrow
- Location near Bob Smith Dr., Galveston Bay
The City Council held a special meeting to receive public comment regarding a proposed development at 4520 Pelican Road. Residents expressed opposition to the project, citing concerns over wetland destruction, flooding, and impacts on the Lorenz Family Jamaica Beach Bird and Fish Estuary. No formal decisions or votes were recorded in the minutes.
City Council
The City Council will hold a workshop meeting to discuss the FY26 Strategic Plan, reviewing progress on goals across fiscal responsibility, infrastructure, administration, planning, communication, and community priorities. The meeting is for discussion only; no votes or formal decisions are scheduled.
- Discussion of status on overdue financial audits with target completion by September 2027
- Update on water and sewer rate review process, including possible consultant hiring
- Review of infrastructure projects: WWTP generator upgrade, sewer manhole identification, city hall generator replacement
- Progress on dune restoration, drainage planning, and road maintenance linked to county bond funding
- Status of ordinance updates: noise, lighting, zoning, and property maintenance codes
The council held a special meeting to review the Strategic Priorities and Goals Status Report as of April 21, 2026. Staff provided updates on completed initiatives, ongoing projects, and areas lacking progress across fiscal, infrastructure, administration, planning, communication, and community focus areas. Council discussed timelines, adjustments, and resource needs, and directed staff to continue advancing priority items and address delays. No formal votes were taken on substantive matters; the only motion was to adjourn (4-0-1).
- Discussed and provided direction on strategic plan updates and timeline adjustments
- Adjourned meeting at 8:58 PM (4-0-1)
City Council
The City Council will consider approving an amendment to the tax collection agreement with Galveston County, increasing the per-parcel fee from $0.21 to $0.27 for Galveston County parcels and from $0.97 to $1.03 for Harris County parcels, effective for the 2026 tax year. The agenda also includes a proclamation recognizing April 2026 as Sexual Assault Awareness Month, approval of prior meeting minutes, and a monthly financial report.
- Amend interlocal collection agreement: per-parcel fee increase to $0.27 (Galveston) and $1.03 (Harris) for 2026 tax year
- Proclamation recognizing April 2026 as Sexual Assault Awareness Month
- Approval of minutes from 3/12/2026 Regular Meeting and 3/10/2026 Workshop
- Monthly financial report for February 2026 showing $2.44M revenue vs $1.95M expenditures
- Verbal reports from City Administrator, Police Chief, Finance Director
The City Council approved the minutes from the March 12, 2026, meeting and the March 10, 2026, workshop. The meeting was primarily a public comment session regarding alleged vandalism and intimidation.
- Approved March 12, 2026 Council meeting minutes (5-0)
- Approved March 10, 2026 Workshop meeting minutes (5-0)