05/31/2026
CITY MANAGER’S SNAP SHOT FOR MAY 2026: From welcoming our new Mayor, Luis De La Garza, to continued progress on implementing our Downtown Waterfront Master Plan, May was a month of meaningful activity and forward momentum for the City of Port Lavaca.
Here is a snapshot of some of the notable projects, accomplishments, and initiatives from May as we continue working to bring improvements, upgrades, and new opportunities to Port Lavaca — "The Gateway to the Gulf".
If you have questions or comments, I can always be reached at [email protected] or simply comment on this post.
• CITY ELECTIONS: May marked a significant transition in City leadership. The community came together to thank Mayor Jack Whitlow for 20 years of dedicated public service and leadership to the City of Port Lavaca. At the same time, the City welcomed Mayor Luis DeLaGarza, who was sworn into office on May 11. Also during the May 11 City Council meeting, former Councilman Allen Tippit was recognized for his service and contributions to the community. The City also welcomed Sissy Rigby, who was sworn in as the new Councilwoman representing District 3. We extend our sincere appreciation to those who have served and look forward to working with our newly elected officials as they help guide Port Lavaca into the future.
• NEW POLICE CHIEF HIRED: The Port Lavaca City Council selected five candidates from a pool of nearly 30 applicants for in-person interviews for the position of Police Chief, which were conducted on May 12. Following that process, Tobie Bias, currently serving as Chief of Police for the City of Palacios, was selected as Port Lavaca’s new Chief of Police.
Chief Bias will be officially sworn in at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, June 8, at Port Lavaca City Hall.
The community is invited to attend a Meet and Greet reception for Chief Bias on Tuesday, June 16, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Bauer Community Center.
We encourage all residents to stop by, introduce themselves, and help us welcome Chief Bias to Port Lavaca. We look forward to his leadership and service as he joins our wonderful community.
• ANNUAL CHUNK THE JUNK CLEANUP EVENT: The Port Lavaca Public Works Department held their annual City-Wide Cleanup event on May 15 and 16. This year’s event collected 350 yards of trash, 50 yards of scrap metal, 11 yards of brush, 18 yards of cardboard and 103 tires!
• PUBLIC WORKS WEEK: The Public Work Department Celebrated National Public Works Week with their annual “Show & Tell” event at the Bauer. The event was filled with kids climbing into the big equipment, lots of horn honking and opportunities to learn from the guys and gals who keep this City running daily. This year’s theme was Public Works – Rooted in Service, Powered by Community.
• UPGRADES TO CITY HALL: The interior security upgrades at City Hall have experienced some delays due to the delivery of materials, but we anticipate seeing more progress on the project in the coming weeks.
In the meantime, we have added several beautification elements to the exterior of City Hall with the installation of six self-watering planters filled with colorful seasonal flowers. These innovative planters feature a built-in reservoir and wick system that significantly reduces maintenance, requiring watering only every two to four weeks depending on rainfall and temperatures.
We are also excited to showcase a beautiful original artwork created by Laurie Holman, Calhoun High School's 2025-2026 art teacher. The painting was gifted to a local resident before Laurie moved away, with the hope that it could be displayed in a public setting where the community could enjoy it. We are honored to provide that opportunity and are thrilled to share this wonderful piece of art with residents and visitors alike.
Small improvements and thoughtful additions like these help make City Hall a more welcoming place for everyone who visits.
• Cir.1904 REGAN BUILDING ON MAIN STREET: Earlier this month, technicians and architects from Fisher Heck Architects in San Antonio made a site visit to the Regan building on Main Street that was generously gifted to the City last year. During their visit, the team utilized LiDAR scanning and 360-degree photography to document the building and surrounding area. They are currently developing a conceptual master plan that will provide City Council with options for transforming the site into an attractive and functional public space for residents and visitors to enjoy. The conceptual plan will help guide future discussions regarding the preservation, redevelopment, and enhancement of this important downtown property and its role in the continued revitalization of Main Street.
• WESTERN HEIGHTS STREETS AND DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS: Following a well-attended Neighborhood meeting with the residents of Western Heights, a Notice to Proceed was issued to Lester Construction on May 21, with a contract completion date of March 28, 2027 (300 days).
• SHADE STRUCTURE FOR BORN LEARNING TRAIL STORYTELLING STATION AT CITY PARK: Construction of the new shade structure over the Storytelling Station at City Park is underway this weekend. This project is being made possible through the generosity of several community partners. Funding includes a $5,000 donation from Lester Contracting, inc. in memory of former Public Works Director and Mayor Kenneth Lester, a $3,500 District Grant from the Port Lavaca Rotary Club, and a $1,500 contribution from Clark Constructors, LLC through the United Way designated for this project.
The new shade structure will enhance the Storytelling Station by providing a more comfortable space for children and families to enjoy this unique feature of City Park. We extend our sincere appreciation to Lester Construction, the Port Lavaca Rotary Club, Clark Constructors, LLC, and the United Way for their support and commitment to improving our community.
• BASKETBALL AND PICKLEBALL COURTS AT WILSON SPORTS COMPLEX: This month, a proposal was accepted from TSI Laboratories to perform geotechnical soils testing at the site of these planned courts. The data will be used in the engineering design of the concrete slabs.
• DOWNTOWN WATERFRONT PUBLIC ACCESS IMPROVEMENTS (MBMT): The City’s Public Access Improvement Project reached substantial completion at the end of May, marking the successful conclusion of the second and final phase of this important community investment. Funded in part through a generous grant from the Matagorda Bay Mitigation Trust, the project enhances public access to Port Lavaca’s waterfront while incorporating environmentally sustainable design features.
Project improvements include a new fishing and crabbing dock and transient boat slip at Smith Harbor, a new 10-foot-wide shared-use path connecting Bayfront Peninsula Park to Smith Harbor, and the renovation of the public parking area behind Nautical Landings. These parking area improvements, constructed by Lester Contracting, inc. incorporate green infrastructure elements, including pervious pavement and rain gardens, which help manage stormwater runoff and improve water quality.
These improvements expand recreational opportunities, improve connectivity along the waterfront, and enhance public access to one of Port Lavaca’s most valued natural resources. The City appreciates the support of the Matagorda Bay Mitigation Trust and all project partners who helped make this vision a reality.
• CDBG-MIT COASTAL RESILIENCE LIVING SHORELINE PROJECT: The Contractor Maverick Construction from Louisiana will be mobilizing soon to accept delivery and begin installation of the NATRX Reef blocks which will be used to help protect the Clement Cove wetlands area north of the Veterans Memorial. They will soon be hauling spoils, which have been stored at Smith Harbor, over to the area near the Veterans Memorial. This spoils material will be used or marsh construction behind the NATRX reef blocks. When construction starts, the public is asked to stay clear of the trucks and other heavy equipment for your safety. For more information about this exciting project please visit https://cleargov.com/texas/calhoun/city/port-lavaca/projects/7897/living-shoreline-breakwater-glo-cdbg-mit-coastal-resiliency
• GLO CMP GRANT PROJECT: The GLO funding contract for this CMP grant was executed in May. This project has already been permitted by the US Army Corps of Engineers and will construct a 10 ft wide boardwalk along the water-side of the concrete seawall in Samith Harbor. Urban Engineering has been selected as the design engineer for the project and the design plans are underway. Once complete, the bid documents must be approved by GLO prior to bidding. You can follow the progress of this project at https://cleargov.com/texas/calhoun/city/port-lavaca/projects/20448/cmp-public-access-boardwalk-at-smith-harbor
• IMPROVEMENTS TO LIGHTHOUSE BEACH BOAT RAMP AND ENTRANCE CHANNEL: Earlier this year, City staff submitted a grant application through the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department's Boating Access Program to fund critical improvements to the Lighthouse Beach boat ramp basin and entrance channel.
We are excited to share that we received notification in May that our application has been recommended for funding. While final approval is still pending, this is a significant step toward addressing long-needed improvements that will enhance access, safety, and navigation for boaters using this important community asset.
Once funding is officially awarded, we will establish a dedicated project page where the public can follow the project's progress, view updates, and learn more about the planned improvements. We appreciate the support of our partners and look forward to moving this important project forward for the benefit of our residents and visitors.
- Jody Weaver
