© 2003, Guidry News
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© 2003, Guidry News
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 Story Links: Galveston City Council Galveston County Commissioners Court Galveston Central Appraisal District Galveston Bay Conservation & Preservation Association Texas City-La Marque Chamber of Commerce
Galveston County Commissioners Court Galveston Central Appraisal District Galveston Bay Conservation & Preservation Association Texas City-La Marque Chamber of Commerce
Galveston County Commissioners Court Galveston Central Appraisal District Galveston Bay Conservation & Preservation Association Texas City-La Marque Chamber of Commerce
Galveston County Commissioners Court Galveston Central Appraisal District Galveston Bay Conservation & Preservation Association Texas City-La Marque Chamber of Commerce
Galveston County Commissioners Court Galveston Central Appraisal District Galveston Bay Conservation & Preservation Association Texas City-La Marque Chamber of Commerce
Galveston County Commissioners Court Galveston Central Appraisal District Galveston Bay Conservation & Preservation Association Texas City-La Marque Chamber of Commerce
Galveston County Commissioners Court Galveston Central Appraisal District Galveston Bay Conservation & Preservation Association Texas City-La Marque Chamber of Commerce
Galveston County Commissioners Court Galveston Central Appraisal District Galveston Bay Conservation & Preservation Association Texas City-La Marque Chamber of Commerce
Galveston County Commissioners Court Galveston Central Appraisal District Galveston Bay Conservation & Preservation Association Texas City-La Marque Chamber of Commerce
Galveston County Commissioners Court Galveston Central Appraisal District Galveston Bay Conservation & Preservation Association Texas City-La Marque Chamber of Commerce
Galveston County Commissioners Court Galveston Central Appraisal District Galveston Bay Conservation & Preservation Association Texas City-La Marque Chamber of Commerce
Galveston County Commissioners Court Galveston Central Appraisal District Galveston Bay Conservation & Preservation Association |
Galveston City Council voted 5-0 to support the University of Texas Medical Branch bid for federal funds to construct a National Biocontainment Laboratory. UTMB President Dr. John Stobo appeared before the city council to talk about the economic benefits of the facility to the city. There was considerable discussion of proposed paid parking on the Seawall. Council Member Johnny Smecca modified his position on the distribution of funds from Seawall meters. “I will recommend that one hundred percent of all money collected should stay on the Seawall, forever,” Smecca insists. Ken Jencks, leader of a group wanting to put the issue of paid parking to a vote was furious at an opinion by City Attorney Susie Green that state law does not permit a vote on paid parking on the Seawall, because it is a zoning issue. "No means no!" Jencks insisted, referring to a 1998 election on a charter amendment that would have required the city council to enact a paid parking plan on the Seawall. Rudy Gonzales, who authored the poorly-written charter amendment when he was on the city council in 1998, warned the city council that a proposed survey on the issue could be written to provide a pre-determined outcome. Council Member Joe Jaworski asked the city attorney to try to find a legal way to hold an election on Seawall parking. The city council instructed the city attorney to move forward on "Operation 54," a program named after chapter 54 of the Texas Local Government Code, which allows municipalities to target substandard, dangerous property for demolition. Green reported that several properties are on her list. The city council granted a specific use permit to allow repair of fleet vehicles at the new taxi service at 3410 Broadway. The city council deferred action on the new proposed interlocal agreement with the Park Board of Trustees regarding Mardi Gras 2003. The city manager withdrew from the agenda a proposed lease with M. Properties for a recreational vehicle resort at the airport. Smecca suggested that the city raise the price for leasing airport property. The consultants said that the current price is competitive compared to other airports. The city council renewed its agreement with the Galveston County Mosquito Control District for the next year. All other agenda items were approved. All votes were 5-0. There were appointments to several committees. E. J. Garcia, Anna Olivares, Patricia Williams, Santaigo Vallejo, Christopher Waters, Kali Prater and Monika Patel were appointed to the Families, Children and Youth Board. Lauren Yoni Benson and Donna Nevelow were appointed to the Committee on Unity and Tolerance. Ivan Arceneaux was appointed to the Mayor's Advisory Committee on Seniors and/or Disabled Citizens. Coffman and Associates gave the council an update on the airport master plan in workshop. Mayor
Roger Quiroga is in Washington for the mid winter meeting of
the U.S. Conference of Mayors and Dianna Puccetti is out of
town on business. Galveston
County Commissioners Court Galveston County Commissioners Court voted 3-1-0, with Steven Holmes opposed and County Judge Jim Yarbrough not voting, to approve an amendment to an abatement agreement with American National Insurance Company for a new office building in League City. "This amendment will simply allow Galveston County to join in the agreement," said Community Services Director Curtiss Brown. "Insist that ANICO pay a prevailing wage, and that 80 percent of the employees working this job come from Galveston County," said Sam Munn, President of the Galveston County Central Labor Council. "We don't oppose abatements, just abatements that don't include the hiring of county employees." "We will give every consideration to the local labor, and we have done that," said ANICO Executive Vice President Michael McCroskey, assuring that Gilbane Construction has proven itself to be sympathetic to labor. "They're involved heavily in the local economy, and they've committed to us that, where possible, they'll hire locally." "Gilbane
is somewhat sensitive to that particular issue," agreed
Commissioner Ken Clark. The commissioners court authorized the demolition of two park structures at Jack Brooks Park, including assessing the costs and administrative fees. The commissioners court approved budget amendments in the District Attorney's, County Clerk's, and Justice of the Peace, Precinct 3 offices, and County Courts and Probate Court, and deferred action on a budget amendment that would allow the installation of six video cameras under the DWI Texas Traffic Grant. After
receiving the County Officer's quarterly financial reports
ending December 31, 2002, Yarbrough warned, "It appears
to be in a little better shape, but there are still a number
of departments who are not submitting their monthly reports
to the County Auditor - they're required by statute." Yarbrough reminded the court that Texas City's retiring Police Chief Jerry Purdon would be honored at a special reception Friday evening at the Doyle Center. "He was certainly a man of good integrity and work ethic." Yarbrough
commended Office Administrator Patricia Puccetti on her
promotion to Chief Deputy. All
other agenda items were approved with unanimous votes. Santa
Fe City Council Santa Fe City Council voted unanimously to initiate proceedings to annex 1,858 acres of territory to the limits of the City of Santa Fe. The city council directed the city manager to prepare a service plan for the extension of municipal services to the newly annexed area. “We have been talking about this for many years,” said Mayor Robert Cheek. City Manager Joe Dickson said the city will send written notification to property owners affected by the change. The city council voted to adopt a revised version of the City of Santa Fe Zoning Ordinance and Master Plan Zoning Map. The new ordinance is the result of a two year project by the Santa Fe Planning and Zoning Commission. The ordinance repealed and replaced the city’s Unified Development Code and Zoning Map adopted in 1996. The City
of Santa Fe will celebrate its 25th birthday at
Runge Park on Saturday January 25th starting at
10 a.m. County
Judge James Yarbrough will introduce former mayors and
members of city council. All other agenda items were approved. All votes were unanimous. Joe
Tambrella was absent. Kemah
City Council Kemah City Council unanimously approved a special event/parade permit application and ordinance. The issue had been previously tabled, due to a conflict over the notice period. The city council unanimously voted to call a general election on May 3, 2003. The city council voted to urge the Texas Congressional Delegation to support providing funding for President Bush’s $3.5 billion First Responder Initiative during the 108th session of Congress. The First Responder Initiative is intended to provide funding to help cities with planning, training, equipment and other support for terrorist attack response. The city council voted to renew its agreement with the Galveston County Mosquito Control District. A resident at the meeting questioned the type of spray used, and possible harmful side effects. “The EPA sanctions it,” responded Mayor William King. The city council voted to endorse appointments and re-appointments to the Galveston County United Board of Health.Print Version Galveston Central Appraisal District The Galveston Central Appraisal District Board of Directors reelected Gary Jones as its chair and John Ford as vice chair; and reappointed J.B. Evans, Jr. to the GCAD Agricultural Advisory Board. "The Federal District requires that we have an Agricultural Advisory Board," explained Chief Appraiser Ken Wright. "In Galveston's case, it's inactive because we're not an agricultural community; but we're required to have one." Denise Diettrich was reappointed taxpayer liaison officer. "She's done a great job," commended Wright. "Thank you so much - I truly enjoy doing this job," Diettrich responded. The
GCAD tabled the evaluation of the chief appraiser.
Investment
Officer Bertha Curry reported to the board that there are
pledged securities in the amount of $4.7 million.
"That means our funds are very secure." No
action was taken following an hour-long executive session in
which more than 10 valuation cases were discussed. All
other agenda items were approved.
John Ford attended the executive session, but not the
open meeting. Galveston
Bay Representatives of three cities protested the Port of Houston Authority's proposed Bayport container megaport and the negative impacts it would have for the area at last week's State of the Bay symposium held in League City. Seabrook Mayor Robin Riley and City Council Member Mike Laible; Shoreacres Mayor Nancy Edmonson and Taylor Lake Village Mayor Natalie O'Neill all spoke in opposition to Bayport as the site for a new container terminal. "Small town governments do not have the resources...or organizations in place to fight very long and protracted battles, and the resource agencies charged with protecting the environment appear inaccessible or politically hogtied," complained Edmonson. O'Neill gave a poster presentation titled "So the Mayors Went to See the Colonel," showing the timing of various actions on Bayport by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the cities fighting the plan. Riley outlined ecotourism initiatives in Seabrook, which has several large, wild parks, 11 miles of waterfront, and a trails network connecting the parks. He described residents' anger at finding the city under the threat of industrial sprawl when the Bayport proposal was announced, and how this galvanized the community into resisting this site for a container port. Speakers from Houston, League City, and Webster all described large-scale projects to preserve remaining undeveloped sections of riparian (streamside) habitat in a natural condition. "People
are pressing for more active efforts to maintain Galveston
Bay as a natural asset and a community resource," said
Jim Blackburn, chair of the Galveston Bay Conservation and
Preservation Association. "And not a moment too
soon. Our rich estuary cannot be expected to survive endless
urban-industrial assault." U.S. Representative Nick Lampson today sent a letter to Dr. Kathleen Hawk Sawyer, Director U.S. Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP), U.S. Department of Justice expressing concern about a proposed halfway house in Nederland. "I have heard from numerous constituents on the proposal by the Federal Bureau of Prisons to locate a halfway house in Nederland, Texas. We are all concerned by this proposal and the impact it may have on the community," said Lampson. "Area residents have expressed concerns to me that the public notice about this proposal has been woefully inadequate." Lampson said he understands that Dismas Charities did not properly notify elected officials about the details of their proposal as required by BOP contracting regulations. "I wrote to the BOP to request that they hold a public meeting as soon as possible," said Lampson. "Local officials and area residents must have the opportunity to fully express their views on the proposed halfway house." Lampson said he hopes to
hear from the BOP promptly to further discuss the issue and
schedule a town meeting. Texas City-La Marque Chamber of Commerce Frances Levisee turned over leadership of the Texas City-La Marque Chamber of Commerce to Tommy Lambright at Thursday's annual banquet. "It has been a wonderful year, filled with many blessings, and I thank each of you," Levisee said. "Texas City is truly a wonderful place to work, live and play," said Lambright in his acceptance speech, giving credit to the people in the community. "The reason Texas City is such a wonderful place to live is because of all the good people, just like yourself, who volunteer their time and service to our community." The Small Business of the Year Award was presented to Mainland Concrete, the Community Service Award was presented to Kevin Yackley, and the Outstanding Citizen of the Year Award was presented to Barbara White Jones. "This was a total surprise," said Jones. Other awards were presented:
- Ambassadors of the Year: Lucy Ozarchuk (Golden
Division) and Patty Pascavage Pogue of Allstate Insurance The Galveston Chamber of Commerce and Galveston Economic Development Partnership turned out for a "board cutting" to officially open the new Home Depot on the site of the old Galvez Mall. "We are very happy to be in this community," said store manager John Stum. "It has been a long time coming." "This has been a long awaited day," agreed Chamber of Commerce President Cindy Schulz in her welcome to Home Depot. "We wish you years and years and years of success." City
Council Member Booker Price used a power saw to ceremonially
cut the first board to officially open the new store in his
district. The
Galveston Symphony Orchestra's first concert of 2003
featuring a performance by clarinet soloist Joseph Vinetz.
The concert is at 7 p.m., Sunday, February 16, at the Grand
1894 Opera House, 2020 Postoffice Street. The Galveston Symphony Orchestra, now in its 23rd season, is led by conductor Richard Pickar, who was principal clarinetist with the Houston Symphony Orchestra for 31 years. Individual
tickets for GSO performances are $15 for general admission
and $12 for senior citizens and students. UTMB discounts are
available. To purchase tickets, call the Opera House at
(409) 765-1894, toll-free at (800) 821-1894 or visit www.thegrand.com.
Tickets are also available at the box office on the night of
the performance. Cartoonist
Al Mainwaring puts his pencil and his wit to work on the
problem of paid parking on Galveston's Seawall. Scheduled
Meetings Today,
January 24
Saturday, January 25 Monday,
January 27 |
Story Links, on the left side of this page, is composed of "bookmarks" to the stories in the newsletter. Click on the link to go directly to the article. Print individual articles by first clicking on the "Print Version" link, then using your regular print program. On The Online News Station, if you click on an audio cut and the photos stop loading, click on Refresh or Reload and they will resume. Gulf Coast E-news, published by Guidry News Service, provides comprehensive coverage of posted public meetings in Galveston, Harris and Jefferson Counties.
This electronic newsletter replaces, and expands on, the mission
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Galveston Island in Galveston County reporters, covering the city council meetings of all 13 municipal governments plus several school boards and special utility districts, include Jinelle Boyd, Drew Gilbert, Shannon Hall, Kristina Weaver, Tom Foster, Jo Ann Gowing and Dedra Kratts. Weaver, Foster, Gowing and Kratts also cover the Harris County entities surrounding Clear Lake. Scott Nowell covers Harris County Commissioners Court, Houston City Council, and meetings of organizations in downtown Houston. Carl Guidry, representing Guidry News Service in Jefferson County, covers Jefferson County Commissioners Court, Beaumont City Council and Port Arthur City Council. We are seeking additional reporters to expand our coverage in Jefferson County. Gulf Coast E-news also will continue coverage of regional organizations in the Gulf Coast area. Gulf Coast E-news is interactive with The Guidry News Service Online News Station, providing coverage of special events and public meetings with photos and audio. Terry Arnold and Barbara Ward are marketing representatives for The Online News Station. Marketing representatives are being recruited in Harris and Jefferson counties. Subscriptions to Gulf Coast E-news are $300 per year, or $75 per quarter, plus sales and use tax. A fax-only version of the newsletter is available for $350 per year or $87.50 per quarter, plus tax. Current subscribers to Galveston Fax or Clear Lake Area E-news will automatically receive Gulf Coast E-news.
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