© 2003, Guidry News
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© 2003, Guidry News
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Story Links: Galveston City Council Galveston Zoning Board of Adjustment
Galveston Zoning Board of Adjustment Galveston Zoning Board of Adjustment
Galveston Zoning Board of Adjustment
Galveston Zoning Board of Adjustment
Galveston Zoning Board of Adjustment
Galveston Zoning Board of Adjustment
Galveston Zoning Board of Adjustment
Galveston Zoning Board of Adjustment
Galveston Zoning Board of Adjustment
Galveston Zoning Board of Adjustment
Galveston Zoning Board of Adjustment
Galveston Zoning Board of Adjustment
Galveston Zoning Board of Adjustment
Galveston Zoning Board of Adjustment
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Galveston City Council today will be asked to approve an agreement with Amtrak to operate excursion trains, with four to six passenger coaches, between the Clear Lake Area and Galveston's Railroad Museum during both weekends of Mardi Gras. Transportation consultant Barry Goodman said hopes to extend the train to downtown Houston were not successful for this project. However, he said there is a possibility that the northern terminus may be Ellington Field, with a METRO bus link to downtown Houston. Listen "There are many details still to work out, but we are excited about this next rail passenger demonstration program," Goodman said. "We believe that we will be able to obtain railroad passenger cars that are double-decked and can carry twice as many passengers as the demonstration was able to carry during last Labor Day." Goodman said there will be a fee for the excursion train this year, but the amount has not been determined. Shan English, the consultant hired to study the efficiency of the Galveston Fire Department, will report to the city council that four additional firefighters, plus retirement of three vehicles, will provide provide enough personnel to put four men on trucks responding to fires. Firefighter union members will dispute the report's findings. The Board of Trustees of the Galveston Wharves and the Ad Hoc Committee for Future Port Development met together on Wednesday to hear presentations from representatives of two port consulting firms, on options to plan for future development. John Vickerman of TranSystems Corporation, who developed a strategic plan for the port in 1998, reminded the group that he recommended expansion of cruise ship efforts, which has paid off. Vickerman said deployment of troops and equipment to the Persian Gulf will generate work for the port if there is war in Iraq. "They want to deploy the entire Department of Defense capability through commercial ports without disrupting them," Vickerman said. "So on top of all the commercial issues, we have military issues, as well." Pamy Arora of The Cornell Group, who was invited through the Galveston Economic Development Partnership, suggested privatization of the port through public/private partnerships. "Be flexible in embracing new opportunities," Arora said. "Your dead berths may have a much higher economic value to the city for 'other' uses'." The wharves board and the ad hoc committee agreed to hold another meeting soon to begin the process to determine a plan.
Seabrook
City Council Seabrook City Council Member Margaret Kidd Duncan, who resigned from the position of mayor pro tem Tuesday night, on Wednesday resigned her seat on the city council. In a press conference she echoed her previous public apology, saying it is time to “move forward.” Duncan said she did not resign because of public pressure but because her family was harassed. “I’m not willing to have my family attacked," she said. "That’s where I draw the line. I’m not prepared to jeopardize my family for any cause no matter how important the cause.” Duncan maintained that the public attacks were politically motivated because she supports Port of Houston expansion. “It’s the same core group that has attacked me for the last nine months.” The city council is expected to leave the city council seat open until the spring election. Houston
City Council Houston City Council voted to award a contract to Winstead, Sechrest and Minick P,C. to render "expunction legal services" to clear the arrest records of those person arrested in the K-Mart raid last August. Members of the city council who had previously expressed concern that the services could be performed in-house, by city lawyers, were assured by City Attorney Anthony Hall that the work must be done by outside counsel to avoid conflicts, if any lawsuits are filed by victims of the mass arrest who are not pleased with the settlement. The city council approved extension of a contract with U.S. Filter Corporation, but amended the motion to deduct $655 in delinquent taxes from the contract. However, the city council voted to refer back to the administration a recommendation to award a $26,169 contract for the demolition of dangerous buildings to Houston G&G Demolishing Service, because that company also has an unpaid tax bill. Council Member Michael Berry suggested that the job be awarded to the second low bidder. However, Council Member Carol Galloway objected, stressing the need to move forward on the demolitions. “How do we know the second lowest bidder isn’t on the list too?” Galloway asked, referring to a list of delinquent taxpayers that will be published in the Chronicle. Several
items were tagged, or delayed for one week, by request of
individual city council members: The city council delayed for one week action on a proposed ad valorem tax exemption on the Scanlan Building at 405 Main, on a motion by Alvarado. All other agenda items were approved. Council Member Shelly Sekula-Gibbs suggested that the city's dangerous animal ordinance be amended to classify an animal as dangerous if it attacks another animal. The ordinance currently gives that classification only to animals that attack humans. Her comments were in reaction to a complaint by a citizen last week, about a pit bull attack that killed her pet. Texas
City City Commission The Texas City Commission voted to impose a moratorium on new tax abatements within the city limits, for two years or until the city knows the impact of BP's tax dispute. "We're
going to have an anticipated budget shortfall this year due
to BP not paying all of their taxes in the amount of about $2.25
million," said Mayor Carlos Garza.
"This is just another step that we're
undertaking to try to be financially prudent." The city commission voted to limit heavy truck traffic on streets near BP, also as a "cost saving" measure. The following roadways will be restricted to a maximum gross vehicle weight of 40,000 pounds and a single axle weight of 10,000 pounds: 5th Avenue South, from Grant to 20th Street; 4th Avenue South, from 20th Street to 14th Street; 14th Street, from FM 1765 to 7th; 25th Street, from FM 1765 to 5th; and 27th Street, from FM 1765 to 5th. Garza insisted that the reason for the action is to save money on street maintenance, not to retaliate against the BP. Garza said several other areas are being cut back in order to make up for the BP shortfall, including job positions and the tennis court reconstruction. The city commission approved a contract with Claunch & Miller, Inc. to evaluate the Park 15 storm sewer system. "At the time of the original construction (mid-1980's), the sewer system was not tied into the drainage outfall, so it sat charged with water, and apparently, the backfill wasn't done in the proper manner," said Public Works Director Tom Kessler. "The storm sewer system is failing. We need to look at the system and decide what to do with it." The city commission awarded the low bid of $33,189 to Hahn Equipment Co., Inc. in Houston for the purchase of an Electric Submersible Sewage Pump. The
city commission approved a resolution endorsing the
appointments and reappointments of board members to the
Galveston County United Board of Health.
Included are John Konikowski, MD, Ben Raimer, MD,
Scott Bentley, Rosie Morales, Mary Anne Holcomb, Carlos
Zamora, DVM, Jan Winnike, RN, Walter Treybig, Milton Howard,
DDS, John Zendt, Bernard Milstein, MD, Charles Kelly, and
Patricia Rogers, MD. The
city commission tabled action appointments and
reappointments of members to the city's boards and
committees. All other agenda items were approved. Commissioner Carl Sullivan was absent. Galveston Zoning Board of Adjustment The Galveston Zoning Board of Adjustment voted 3-3 on a motion to approve a variance from sign regulations requested by Emmanuel Presbyterian Church. Because there were not four affirmative votes, the motion failed. David P. Salyer, Peggy Rapp and Rebecca Jaworski were opposed to the variance. Gene Wadges explained that the church has services in English and Spanish and that a 46-square foot sign will allow for church information to be posted in both languages. “We have been loosing a lot of church members lately,” said Wadges. "A lot of them don’t know we’re here because we don’t have a sign.” The church’s 52-year old sign was in bad condition and was torn down to make room for a new sign. “We have already paid for half of the new sign,” said Wadges. “I would like very much for you to build that sign, but we are bound and sworn to follow the city guidelines,” said Salyer, “There is nothing about the physical condition of the property that will allow us to make the variance," explaining that "use of the sign and the reason stated" is not justification.” Commissioner John Thiel disagreed. “I believe this is an instance where the spirit of the law prevails over the letter of the law.” Salyer suggested that the church work to have the ordinance changed by the city council. The board voted 4-1, with Jaworski opposed, to approve a variance of rear yard setback requirements at 3709 Q 1/2. The board voted unanimously to approve a variance from zoning standards to combine two lots located at 3027 Avenue M and 1308 31st Street. All other agenda items were approved. Willy Gonzalez and Lyda Ann Thomas were absent. Today's
Meetings
8:30 Galveston City Council Workshop,
City Hall Room 204 |
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