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Home My WebLink AboutPR 24762: MOU WITH THE SABINE NECHES CHAPTER OF TEXAS MASTER NATURALIST AND PA SUPPORT ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION, PLANT PLACEMENT PLANNING AND HABITAT DEVELOPMENT, PLEASURE ISLAND GOLF COURSE ON PLEASURE ISLAND ,amp (RJR,q:d04 fJ\�J\�\Jj or! rthur`�`� www.PortArthurTx.gov INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM Date: January 23, 2026 To: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Through: Ron Burton, City Manager From: George Davis, Director of Pleasure Island RE: P. R.No. 24762—Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)between the Sabine- Neches Chapter of Texas Master Naturalist and the City of Port Arthur to Support Ecological Restoration, Plant Placement Planning and Habitat Development within the front nine holes of the former Palms at Pleasure Island Golf Course on Pleasure Island Introduction: The intent of this agenda item is to obtain City Council authorization to execute a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Sabine-Neches Chapter of Texas Master Naturalist, to formalize a collaborative partnership to advance the development of a resilient,accessible public greenspace. Background: Pursuant to Resolution No. 24-146, the City of Port Arthur entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Sabine-Neches Chapter of Texas Master Naturalist to install a pollinator garden near the bird blind on Pleasure Island. It is now appropriate to establish a collaborative partnership that promotes sound ecological practices within the Palms Project Area,supports the development of a resilient and accessible public greenspace,and expands the original agreement to include ecological consultation, stewardship, and volunteer engagement. Budget Impact: None Recommendation: It is recommended that the City Council authorize a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Sabine-Neches Chapter of Texas Master Naturalist, to formalize a collaborative partnership to advance the development of a resilient, accessible public greenspace. "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. 24762 1/20/26 gd RESOLUTION NO. A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU) WITH SABINE-NECHES CHAPTER OF TEXAS MASTER NATURALIST OF ORANGE, TEXAS, TO SUPPORT ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION, PLANT PLACEMENT PLANNING AND HABITAT DEVELOPMENT WITHIN THE FRONT NINE HOLES OF THE FORMER PALMS AT PLEASURE ISLAND GOLF COURSE ON PLEASURE ISLAND. WHEREAS, pursuant to Resolution No. 24-146, the City of Port Arthur entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with Sabine-Neches Chapter of Texas Master Naturalist,to install a pollinator garden adjacent to the bird blind on Pleasure Island; and WHEREAS, Sabine-Neches Chapter of Texas Master Naturalist is an organization with a mission to develop a corps of well-informed volunteers to provide education, outreach and service dedicated to the beneficial management of natural resources and natural areas within their communities for the state of Texas; and WHEREAS, the organization would like to establish a collaborative partnership that promotes sound ecological practices with the Palms Project Area and support the development of a resilient, accessible public greenspace; and WHEREAS, this MOU expands the scope of the original MOU to include broader ecological consultation, stewardship and volunteer engagement; and WHEREAS, nothing herein shall be construed as requiring either party to expend funds unless specifically agreed to in writing in accordance with this MOU; and WHEREAS, this MOU shall remain in in effect unless amended or terminated by either party upon sixty days of notice to the other party; now therefore BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR, TEXAS: P. R. 24762 1/20/26 gd Section 1. That the facts and opinions in the preamble are true and correct. Section 2. That the City Council hereby authorizes the City Manager to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding between the Sabine-Neches Chapter of Texas Master Naturalist and the City of Port Arthur, in substantially the same form attached hereto as Exhibit "A", to establish a collaborative partnership that promotes sound ecological practices with the Palms Project Area and support the development of a resilient, accessible public greenspace at no budgetary cost to the City; and, Section 3. That a copy of the caption of this Resolution be spread upon the Minutes of the City Council. READ, ADOPTED, AND APPROVED THIS day of , 2026 at a Regular Meeting of the City of Port Arthur, Texas by the following vote: AYES: (Mayor) • Councilmembers: Noes: Charlotte M. Moses Mayor P.R. 24762 1/20/26 gd ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM: Sherri Bellard Roxann Pais Cotroneo City Secretary City Attorney APPROVED FOR ADMINISTRATION: igttlOPPr Ronald B P George avis, MA, CPM City Manager ='" Director of Pleasure Island APPROVED AS TO THE AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS: ik Lynda(Lyn swell, MA, ICMA-CM Cli n E. Williams,Jr., Director of Finance Purchasing Manager P. R. 24762 1/20/26 gd Exhibit "A" '][ ti, X ..\ :5 J .i �j[.�n tt e3 G.-� % `ALL`. . Memorandum of Understanding Between City of Port Arthur and Sabine-Neches Chapter of Texas Master Naturalist 1. Purpose The purpose of this Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is to provide the cooperative framework for the City of Port Arthur (Project Host) and the Sabine-Neches Chapter of the Texas Master Naturalist (TMN-SNC) to collaboratively support the ecological restoration, plant placement planning, and habitat development within the front nine holes of the former Palms at Pleasure Island Golf Course ("Palms Project Area"). This MOU expands the scope of the original partnership established in RESOLUTION NO. 24-146 to include broader ecological consultation, stewardship, and volunteer engagement while preserving all financial and commitment obligations outlined in the original MOU. 2. Parties The parties in this MOU are the Project Host and TMN-SNC. Nothing in this MOU shall oblige either party to the commitment of funds. 3. Goals and Objectives The goal of this MOU is to establish a collaborative partnership that promotes sound ecological practices within the Palms Project Area and supports the development of a resilient, accessible, bird- and wildlife-friendly public greenspace. The shared objectives include: • Ensuring best ecological placement of native plants, trees, and habitat amenities. • Promoting and safeguarding healthy pollinators and bird habitat. • Supporting public education, stewardship, and volunteer leadership. • Creating a harmonistic public area where ecological integrity and public activity coexist safely and sustainably. 1[' <<_ 4. Project Area Location: Front Nine Holes of the former Palms at Pleasure Island Golf Course Scope: Habitat planning, ecological guidance, stewardship, plant placement consultation, and volunteer programming within the full project boundary. 5. Project-Relevant Ecological Considerations The parties acknowledge that restoration and habitat creation across the front nine holes must account for: a. Sunlight exposure, hydrology, and soil suitability for native plant communities. b. Protection of public access areas while supporting wildlife habitat integrity. c. Long-term ecological health through sustainable maintenance, monitoring, and species selection. d. Visibility and educational benefits for the public through interpretive signage and guided programming. 6. Overview of TMN Sabine-Neches Chapter The mission of the Texas Master Naturalist program is to develop a corps of well- informed volunteers to provide education, outreach, and service dedicated to beneficial management of natural resources and natural areas within their communities and the State of Texas. 7. Responsibilities of the Parties Per availability of resources, both parties shall be responsible for supporting the partnership goals and activities cited in this MOU. 8. Project Host Responsibilities (City of Port Arthur) The Project Host agrees to: 1. Ensure that all relevant city officials, departments, and maintenance staff understand the purpose of the ecological restoration work and the expectations for a protected habitat area. 2. Prevent activities within the designated habitat zones that would harm ecological progress. 3. Notify TMN-SNC of any vandalism, damage, or concerns observed within the project area. 7 X :'\ 7-9 _L f- M17 a 4. Coordinate access, scheduling, and operational support for volunteer events and field days. 9. TMN-SNC Responsibilities TMN-SNC agrees to: 1. Provide ecological consultation and guidance on ideal placement of native trees, plants, pollinator species, bird habitat elements, and other ecological features within the Palms Project Area. 2. Offer recommendations for habitat-appropriate practices that support long-term ecological resilience, public safety, and balanced coexistence between wildlife and public recreation. 3. Co-lead volunteer events, including habitat planting days, monitoring events, and public education sessions. 4. Assist with periodic ecological monitoring and provide the city with observational notes and recommendations. 5. Provide support on interpretive signage relating to native plants, wildlife value, and ecological function, when possible. 6. Participate in stewardship visits to assess habitat needs such as replacement plantings, brush removal, mulching, or volunteer support. 10. Joint Responsibilities Both parties will: 1. Meet or correspond periodically to review the status and progress of the expanded project area. 2. Share information on upcoming project workdays, volunteer events, and habitat development plans. 3. Track progress of ecological restoration and public engagement to the extent practicable and report on successes, needs, or future opportunities. 4. Identify and collaborate on future outreach, education, and public programming that support ecological understanding and stewardship. •if 1E X. A S '.:' Y.. _:h , a 111.itA"I",&Ill it ,., 5. Work collectively to ensure the Palms Project Area remains a harmonistic public green space where ecological health and public use coexist safely and responsibly. 11. Points of Contact Each party will designate Points of Contact (POCs) to coordinate activities and communications related to this MOU. 12. Periodic Review Representatives of both parties will annually review, on or around the anniversary date of this MOU, the progress and implementation of the MOU. This MOU shall remain in effect unless amended or terminated by either party. Amendments require written agreement by both parties. Either party may terminate this MOU with sixty (60) days' notice. 13. Costs Nothing herein shall be construed as requiring either party or its officers and/or members to expend funds on behalf of the purpose, objectives, and responsibilities set forth in this MOU, except as specifically agreed to in writing by the signatories or the organizations they represent. 14. Effective Date The terms of this MOU will become effective on the date of the last signature by the parties and will remain in effect until terminated by either party as specified in Section 12. 15. Modification Amendments must be bilaterally executed in writing, signed by authorized representatives of both parties. No oral or unilateral amendments will be effective. Only terminations in accordance with the terms of this agreement may be done unilaterally. 16. Other Provisions This MOU does not create a legal partnership or joint venture, and neither party has authority to bind the other. E X A S Master 1 .zatCin rail is It; ,„ 17. Signatures This MOU shall become effective on behalf of the parties by signature of the undersigned: (Name) Date City of Port Arthur, Texas g 2 /00/24,47t5 Sharon Jackson, resident Date Sabine-Neches Chapter, Texas Master Naturalist II 4 II