Alvin, Texas, continues to shine as a growing and welcoming city. At the recent City Council meeting held on July 17, the city took a major step by officially declaring Alvin a Tourism-Friendly Community.
The session included important updates on animal welfare, new city appointments, business incentives, and budget plans. Here’s a simplified and detailed breakdown of everything discussed during this important meeting.
Alvin Proclaims Itself a Tourism-Friendly Community
The Alvin City Council met at Alvin City Hall to officially proclaim the city as a Tourism-Friendly Community. Mayor Gabe Adame read from the official statement, highlighting Alvin’s efforts to promote tourism through events, improved infrastructure, and beautiful public spaces.
The city aims to be a place where people feel welcome to “visit, explore, and enjoy.” With historical landmarks, museums, active parks, and a strong business environment, Alvin is looking to attract more visitors from across the region and beyond.
Animal Shelter Updates and Community Programs
Autumn Miller, the current manager of the Alvin Animal Adoption/Shelter Center, shared a detailed update. She mentioned that dog intake numbers have dropped, while cat intakes stayed the same. Interestingly, more cats were adopted this year, while dog adoptions went down due to fewer dogs being brought in.
Miller showed a graph proving most pets returned to their owners were dogs. She also talked about improving animal welfare through important measures like spaying and neutering, which can stop unwanted litters.
Miller highlighted the Get Stitched! Spay/Neuter Program, a free service offered to Brazoria County residents, supported by Jenni’s Rescue Ranch.
She also raised concerns about recent animal cruelty cases, most of which have led to jail sentences. Her message was clear: the community must be the voice for animals and protect them.
Miller introduced her successor, Keith Villaloboz, who announced upcoming events like Puppy Pals at the Alvin Library and Woofstock Alvin 2025 in October. His focus will be on efficient shelter management and community involvement. The mayor thanked Miller for her dedication and years of service.
New Assistant City Attorney Appointed
City Attorney Suzanne Hanneman introduced Miltresa McMichael as the new Assistant City Attorney. McMichael, originally from Atlanta, has already started working with the city.
Business Incentive Awarded to Joe’s Barbeque
Joe’s Barbeque received a $67,595.00 grant as part of the FY25 Business Incentive Program Fund. This money helps business owners upgrade and improve the look of their buildings, encouraging growth and better customer experience.
Financial Report Confirms Stable City Position
Stephanie Harris from Crowe LLP shared the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report as of September 30, 2024. Alvin received an unmodified opinion, meaning the city’s financial records are clean and accurate. Harris also reviewed the city’s income and expenses, confirming that Alvin is in a strong financial position.
Council Denies Residency Request from Registered Offender
A serious issue discussed during the meeting was a request from Roy Lee Curry, who asked to live near a park even though it’s within a restricted Sex Offender Exclusion Zone.
Curry, a lifetime registered sex offender, wanted to stay in a specially adaptive home he purchased due to his Lou Gehrig’s disease. The council, however, denied the request after hearing details of his past conviction.
Budget Proposal and Upcoming Events
City Manager Junru Roland presented the proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026. As required by city rules, the budget was submitted 90 days before the new fiscal year begins. A public hearing is scheduled for August 21, 2025, at 7:00 p.m., allowing residents to share their thoughts.
Roland also announced that Gordon Street may be resurfaced soon by TxDOT and that Alvin will host the Veterans Day Parade this year. Anyone wanting to volunteer or donate can reach out to [email protected].
Alvin’s Future Looks Bright
To wrap up the meeting, Councilmember Martin Vela shared updates from his involvement with the Houston-Galveston Area Council, a regional body that supports local governments. He teased exciting changes coming to Alvin in the next few years, showing that the city is moving toward a promising future.
Alvin is actively working to grow in the right direction—from tourism and animal welfare to public finances and city planning. The July 17 City Council meeting proved that Alvin’s leaders are committed to making it a better place to live, work, and visit.
With clean financials, community support, and new projects on the horizon, Alvin continues to strengthen its identity as a friendly and future-ready city.
