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Home My WebLink AboutPR 24734: MUA FOR COMPLEX EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND INVESTIGATION PLANNING ,)r1 rihlt 7i.iaN INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM Date: January 9, 2026 To: The Honorable Mayor and City Council J 4630 Through: Ronald Burton, City Manager die) V °!�` gt From: Timothy W. DunPlieso, Chief of Police RE: PR 24734—MUA for Complex Emergency Response and Investigation Planning Introduction: The intent of this agenda item is to obtain City Council authorization for the City Manager to formally execute a Mutual Aid Agreement for Complex Emergency Response and Investigation Planning with the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), the Jefferson County Sheriffs Office, and multiple regional law enforcement and first responder agencies. This agreement is mandated by House Bill 33 and establishes a countywide, vertically integrated framework for responding to and investigating active attack incidents at primary and secondary school facilities within Jefferson County. Background: House Bill 33 of the 89th Texas Legislature, codified in Texas Government Code §772.013, requires DPS and local governmental entities employing first responders to enter into a mutual aid agreement that ensures coordinated planning,training, and response to active attack incidents at school campuses. The agreement establishes interagency coordination requirements, mandates multiagency tabletop exercises (odd-numbered years) and in-person drills(even-numbered years), requires development of separate working protocols addressing communications interoperability, jurisdictional boundaries, evidence handling, and operational expectations, and clarifies that each participating agency retains responsibility for its own actions and personnel. "Remember,we are here to serve the Citizens of Port Arthur" P.O.Box 1089 X Port Arthur,Texas 77641-1089 X 409.983.8101 X FAX 409.982.6743 �xunyF ort rthur Ic.ra.c The City of Port Arthur Police Department is listed as a participating agency under the agreement. The City Council's formal approval is required for participation in and authorized execution of the Mutual Aid Agreement for compliance. Budget Impact: No cost is associated with the execution of this agreement. Recommendation: It is recommended that the City Council authorize the City Manager to execute the Mutual Aid Agreement for Complex Emergency Response and Investigation Planning and any related working protocol agreements required for implementation. "Remember,we are here to serve the Citizens of Port Arthur" P.O. Box 1089 X Port Arthur.Texas 77641-1089 X 409.983.8101 X FAX 409.982.6743 P.R.No. 24734 01/09/2026 JLH-TNR RESOLUTION NO. A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A MUTUAL AID AGREEMENT FOR COMPLEX EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND INVESTIGATION PLANNING WITH THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY.PURSUANT TO HOUSE BILL 33, CODIFIED IN THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE §772.013. WHEREAS, House Bill 33 of the 89th Texas Legislature, codified in the Texas Government Code § 772.013, requires the Texas Department of Public Safety and certain local governmental entities employing first responders to enter into a mutual aid agreement establishing coordinated response and investigative procedures for active attack incidents occurring at primary and secondary school facilities; and WHEREAS, the City of Port Arthur Police Department employs first responders who are reasonably likely to respond to such incidents within Jefferson County; and WHEREAS, the Mutual Aid Agreement for Complex Emergency Response and Investigation Planning establishes a comprehensive framework for interagency coordination, including joint response protocols, communications interoperability, training exercises, and coordinated investigative responsibilities; and WHEREAS, the agreement expressly provides that each participating entity remains responsible for its own personnel, actions, and liabilities, and imposes no direct fiscal obligation upon the City; and WHEREAS, the agreement requires participating agencies to conduct multi-agency tabletop exercises in odd-numbered years and in-person drills in even-numbered years, and to develop working protocols addressing communications interoperability,jurisdictional authority, evidence handling, and operational expectations; and WHEREAS, the City of Port Arthur Police Department is identified as a participating agency under the agreement; and WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the City to formally approve participation in and authorize execution of the Mutual Aid Agreement in order to enhance public safety, improve school security preparedness, and ensure compliance with state law, as more fully set forth in Exhibit"A". NOW THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR,TEXAS: Section 1. That the facts and opinions in the preamble are true and correct. P.R.No. 24734 01/09/2026 JLH-TNR Section 2. That the City Council hereby authorizes the City Manager to execute the Mutual Aid Agreement for Complex Emergency Response and Investigation Planning with the Texas Department of Public Safety pursuant to House Bill 33, codified at Texas Government Code § 772.013, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit"A." Section 3. That a copy of the caption of this resolution shall be spread upon the Minutes of the City Council. READ, ADOPTED AND APPROVED on this day of February, A.D., 2026, at a Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Port Arthur, Texas, by the following vote: AYES: Mayor: , Councilmembers: NOES: . Charlotte M. Moses Mayor ATTEST: Sherri Bellard City Secretary P.R. No. 24734 01/09/2026 JLH APPROVED AS TO FORM: Roxann Pais Cotroneo City Attorney APPROVED • ' ADe INISTRATION: Ronald Bu on, ` Timo y . nso City Manager / Chief f Police P.R. No. 24734 01/09/2026 JLH EXHIBIT 44 ,/ Docusign Envelope ID:912D79B6-FA214429-AC94-87DF3D6A5AF 1 MUTUAL AID AGREEMENT FOR COMPLEX EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND INVESTIGATION PLANNING I. PARTIES This Mutual Aid Agreement (Agreement) is between the Department of Public Safety (DPS),the Jefferson County (Sheriff's Office), and the multiple first responders ( ) for Complex Emergency Response and Investigation Planning related to active attack incidents at primary and secondary school facilities in Jefferson County (County). II. DEFINITIONS A. For purposes of this Agreement, governmental entities that employ first responders include the following: 1. A peace officer described by Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 2A.001; 2. An individual included as a fire protection personnel in Texas Government Code Section 419.021; and 3. An individual included as emergency medical services personnel in Health and Safety Code Section 773.003. III. BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE House Bill (H.B.) 33 of the 89th Texas Regular Legislative Session, codified into Texas Government Code Section 772.013, mandates that DPS and certain local governmental entities employing first responders in each County, as identified by the County Sheriff's Office, enter into an agreement that establishes the procedures for the provision of resources, personnel, facilities, equipment, and supplies necessary to respond to active attack incidents at primary and secondary school facilities int the County in a vertically integrated manner. This Agreement establishes the overall framework for collaboration by the parties and each party's respective duties to carry out the mandates of HB 33. The parties will separately enter into a working protocols agreement that will establish the specific procedures that the parties will follow to ensure the provision of comprehensive resources, personnel, facilities, equipment and supplies necessary for responding to and investigating active attack incidents at primary and secondary school facilities in the County. IV. STATEMENT OF DUTIES TO BE PERFORMED A. DPS RESPONSIBILITIES 1. Consult with the County Sheriff's Office to determine which governmental entities employing first responders are reasonably likely to respond to an active attack incident at the primary and secondary school facilities in the County. 2. Invite any appropriate federal agencies, as determined by DPS, to participate in the multiagency tabletop exercises and in-person drills. 3. Invite any appropriate federal agencies, as determined by DPS, to enter into this Agreement as a Party. Mutual Aid Agreement for Complex Emergency Response&Investigation Planning Template Page 1 of 6 Docusign Envelope ID:912D79B6-FA21-4429-AC94-B7DF3D6A5AF1 B. COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE RESPONSIBILITIES Provide input to DPS on all the local governmental entities employing first responders that are reasonably likely, in the Sheriff's opinion, to respond to an active attack incident at the primary and secondary school facilities in the County. If the County has more than one school district, the County shall identify, as needed, the different governmental entities likely to respond to the different districts in the County. C. MUTUAL RESPONSIBILITIES DPS, the County Sheriff's Office and the signatories to this MOU understand and agree to the following: 1. To participate in a multiagency tabletop exercise at least once each odd-numbered year. The parties will collaboratively determine how often the tabletop exercise will be conducted in each odd-numbered year and the date(s) of the exercise. 2. To participate in an in-person drill at least once each even-numbered year. The parties will collaboratively determine how often the in-person drill will be conducted in each even- numbered year and the date(s) of the exercise. 3. To collaboratively establish procedures in a separate working protocols agreement, incorporated by this reference as an exhibit to this Agreement, for the provision of resources, personnel, facilities, equipment, and supplies in responses to critical active attack incidents at primary and secondary school facilities in the County in a vertically integrated fashion. DPS and the County will determine if more than one working protocols agreement is required if the County has more than one school district. 4. When establishing the procedures, DPS and local law enforcement agencies will: a. give priority to establishing the interoperability of communications equipment among the parties to this Agreement; b. establish procedures for interagency coordination in activities arising from critical active attack incidents, including evidence collection; c. set jurisdictional boundaries; and d. determine the capabilities, processes, and expectations among the parties to this Agreement. V. TERM OF CONTRACT AND AMENDMENTS This Agreement is effective on the date of the last party to sign. The parties will review the Agreement each year from the date of execution to determine if any amendments need to be made. This Agreement may only be amended by mutual written agreement of the parties. VI. NO LIABILITY; NO APPARENT AGENCY AUTHORITY The parties are associated with each other only for the purposes and to the extent set forth in this Agreement. The parties agree that they shall have no liability for the actions or omissions of the other parties and are solely responsible for their own actions or omissions;however, only to the extent required by Texas law. Mutual Aid Agreement for Complex Emergency Response& Investigation Planning Template Page 2 of 6 Docusign Envelope ID:912D7986-FA21-4429-AC94-B7DF3D6A5AF1 The parties do not have authority for or on behalf of the other parties except as provided in this Agreement. No other authority, power, partnership, or rights are granted or implied. VII. NOTICE The respective party will provide any required notice as noted in this section. Either party may change its information by giving the other party written notice and the effective date of the change. If to DPS: TBD; name, title, address, email address, phone, fax If to County Sheriff's Office: TBD; name,title, address, email address, phone, fax If to Local Governmental Entity:TBD; name, title, address, email address, phone, fax If to Federal Agency: TBD; name, title, address, email address, phone, fax The undersigned signatories have full authority to enter into this Agreement on behalf of the respective Parties. Signature Printed Name Title/Agency Date Signed by: 11Veo SkrItt kS Zena Stephens Zena Stephens 12/10/2025 20. Printed Name Title/Agency Date by t/ a iMa J^ Donta Miller Chief Deputy/JCSO 12/10/2025 ..sr fei 7d88 Printed Name Title/Agency Date ,-signal W: NUAri Jevonne Pollard Constable 12/10/2025 `5ignrfdt3 Printed Name Title/Agency Date —Signed by: auisfop(ur oaks Christopher Bates Constable 12/31/2025 igna °use°`B° Printed Name Title/Agency Date k Wutur Bryan Werner Constable 12/23/2025 id'Pefi'P`E' Printed Name Title/Agency Date Everett"Ed"Cormier 12/31/2025 Signature Printed Name Title/Agency Date "—Signed by: Mild ClautIS Robert Adams Constable 12/31/2025 gtziompe°2 Printed Name Title/Agency Date signed by: 03iV.Stft. Gene Winston 01/02/2026 s55F3 79EA6M75 Ignature Printed Name Title/Agency Date "—signal er brit Futg.uxibut, Brit Featherstone 12/30/2025 JI 4E7 Printed Name Title/Agency Date Mutual Aid Agreement for Complex Emergency Response&Investigation Planning Template Page 3 of 6 Docusian Envelope ID:912D79B6-FA21-4429-AC94-B7DF3D6A5AF1 Timothy Duriso Signature Printed Name Title/Agency Date rsiw»d br (Lott- Fortes Charlie Porter Chief/PAISD PD 01/02/2026 tignaure' Printed Name Title/Agency Date p—D.cusign.d by: -ram eLOAASataTim Ocnaschek Chief/Beaumont PD 12/23/2025 Lr tEI " Printed Name Title/Agency Date �Signed by: io kal;retvit. Joseph Malbrough Beaumont ISD PD 12/22/2025 !gn e"'eD Printed Name Title/Agency Date —Sie—Sbabed by C144411,44 R.G.. Christopher Robin Marshal/Groves PD 12/26/2025 '-i-gYfitilier Printed Name Title/Agency Date r—Signal by: `Yi r& Cheri Griffith Chief/Port Neches PD 12/29/2025 Signaure Printed Name Title/Agency Date e—Sig.bd b: p'J (Arrott Rod Carroll Nederland PD 12/22/2025 fIrz '2' Printed Name Title/Agency Date Signature Printed Name Title/Agency Date .--sgMa (jte,, InLtda Andy Arnold Nederland PD 12/23/2025 g'fi ifi "' Printed Name Title/Agency Date Ryan Hall Signature Printed Name Title/Agency Date Signature Printed Name Title/Agency Date Signature Printed Name Title/Agency Date Signature Printed Name Title/Agency Date Signature Printed Name Title/Agency Date Signature Printed Name Title/Agency Date Kyle Matheson Signature Printed Name Title/Agency Date Mutual Aid Agreement for Complex Emergency Response&Investigation Planning Template Page 4 of 6 Docusign Envelope ID:912D79B6-FA21-4429-AC94-B7DF306A5AFI Signature Printed Name Title/Agency Date Signature Printed Name Title/Agency Date Signature Printed Name Title/Agency Date Signature Printed Name Title/Agency Date , Signature Printed Name Title/Agency Date Signature Printed Name Title/Agency Date Signature Printed Name Title/Agency Date Signature Printed Name Title/Agency Date Signature Printed Name Title/Agency Date Signature Printed Name Title/Agency Date Signature Printed Name Title/Agency Date Signature Printed Name Title/Agency Date Signature Printed Name Title/Agency Date Signature Printed Name Title/Agency Date Signature Printed Name Title/Agency Date Signature Printed Name Title/Agency Date Mutual Aid Agreement for Complex Emergency Response&Investigation Planning Template Page 5 of 6 Docasign Envelope ID:91207966-FA21-4429-AC94-B7DF3D6A5AF1 Signature Printed Name Title/Agency Date Signature Printed Name Title/Agency Date Signature Printed Name Title/Agency Date Signature Printed Name Title/Agency Date Signature Printed Name Title/Agency Date Signature Printed Name Title/Agency Date Signature Printed Name Title/Agency Date Signature Printed Name Title/Agency Date Signature Printed Name Title/Agency Date Signature Printed Name Title/Agency Date Signature Printed Name Title/Agency Date Signature Printed Name Title/Agency Date Signature Printed Name Title/Agency Date Signature Printed Name Title/Agency Date Signature Printed Name Title/Agency Date Mutual Aid Agreement for Complex Emergency Response&Investigation Planning Template Page 6 of 6 Docusign Envelope ID:91207986-FA21-4429-AC94-87DF3D6A5AF1 For the purposes of HB33 Mutual Aid Agreements,the below Jefferson County entities are reasonably likely to respond to an active attack event at a school: 1. Jefferson County Sheriff's Office - POC Sheriff Zena Stephens- ze.na.,Stephen.s@jeff..ersoncou.ntytx.gov POC Chief Deputy Donta Miller-donta.miller@.jeffe.rso.nc_.ou_ntytx..gov 1001 Pearl St. #103 Beaumont,TX 77701 2. Jefferson County Constable Precinct 1 POC Constable Jevonne Pollard -Jevonne..,Pollard.@jeffersoncountytx,gov 1001 Pearl St. #103 Beaumont,TX 77701 3. Jefferson County Constable Precinct 2 POC Constable Christopher Bates-Christop.he.r..,B..ates@jeff..ersonoountytx,.gov 525 Lakeshore Drive Port Arthur, TX 7740 4. Jefferson County Constable Precinct 4 POC Constable Bryan Werner- B.ryan,Werne.r@jeffe.rsoncountytx,gov 19217 Hwy. 365 Beaumont, TX 77705 5. Jefferson County Constable Precinct 6 POC Constable Everett "Ed" Cormier- Everett.Cormier@jettersoncountytx.gov 1225 Pearl Street Suite 101A Beaumont, TX 77701 6. Jefferson County Constable Precinct 7 POC Constable Robert Adams- Robert.Adams.@jeffer.sonc.ountytx,gov 7933 Viterbo Road Suite 5 Beaumont,TX 77705 7. Jefferson County Constable Precinct S POC Constable Gene Winston -ge_ne._winston@.jefferso.ncountytx.gov 525 Lakeshore Drive Port Arthur,TX 7740 Docusign Envelope ID:912D7986-FA2I-4429-AC94-87DF306A5AF1 8. Jefferson County District Attorney Office • POC Executive Assistant Brit Featherstone - Brittian.Featherston@jeffersoncountytx.gov 1001 Pearl St Beaumont, TX 77701 9. Port Arthur Police Department POC Chief Timothy Duriso -timothy.,du.riso@portarth_urtx.gov 645 4`h St Port Arthur,TX 77640 10. Port Arthur iSD Police Department POC Chief Charlie Porter-c.h.arli.e.porte_r.@.paisd.org 645 4th St Port Arthur, TX 77640 11. Beaumont Police Department POC Chief Tim Ocnaschek-tim.ocnaschek@beaurrmonttexas.gov 255 College St Beaumont, TX 77701 12. Beaumont 1SD Police Department POC Chief Joseph Malbrough -jmatbrl@bmtisd.com 9275 Manion Dr Beaumont, TX 77706 13. Groves Police Department POC City Marshal- crobin@cigrovestx.com. 4201 Main Ave Groves,TX 77619 14. Port Neches Police Department POC Chief Cheri Griffith -cgriffith@ci.port-neches.tx.us 1201 Merriman St Port Neches, TX 77651 15. Nederland Police Department POC Chief Rod Carroll- rcarrot1.@ci..ned.e.rtan.d.tx.us POC Assistant Chief Andy Arnold -aarnold@an.e_d_erland.tx.us 1400 Boston Ave Nederland, TX 77627 Docusign Envelope ID:912079B6-FA21.4429-AC94-B7DF3D6A5AF 1 16.Texas Parks and Wildlife POC Captain Ryan Hall- ryan.hatt@tpwd.texas.gov 5655 Eastex Fwy Beaumont, TX 77708 17. Lamar Police Department POC Chief Hector Flores - hfloresl @tamar.edu 4400 MLK Blvd Beaumont, TX 77710 Note: The Jefferson County Constables and District Attorney Office are not dispatched respondent agencies but are commissioned.There is no Precinct 3, or 5. I I 4