© 2003, Guidry News
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© 2003, Guidry News
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Story Links: Jefferson County Commissioners Court Galveston Seawall Future Enhancement Ad Hoc Committee Board of Trustees of the Galveston Wharves and Galveston Port Facilities Committee Clear Lake Shores City Council College of the Mainland Board of Trustees Galveston Parks and Recreation Board Galveston Home and Garden Show Jefferson County Commissioners Court Galveston Seawall Future Enhancement Ad Hoc Committee Board of Trustees of the Galveston Wharves and Galveston Port Facilities Committee Clear Lake Shores City Council College of the Mainland Board of Trustees Galveston Parks and Recreation Board Galveston Home and Garden Show Jefferson County Commissioners Court Galveston Seawall Future Enhancement Ad Hoc Committee Board of Trustees of the Galveston Wharves and Galveston Port Facilities Committee Clear Lake Shores City Council College of the Mainland Board of Trustees Galveston Parks and Recreation Board Galveston Home and Garden Show Jefferson County Commissioners Court Galveston Seawall Future Enhancement Ad Hoc Committee Board of Trustees of the Galveston Wharves and Galveston Port Facilities Committee Clear Lake Shores City Council College of the Mainland Board of Trustees Galveston Parks and Recreation Board Galveston Home and Garden Show Jefferson County Commissioners Court Galveston Seawall Future Enhancement Ad Hoc Committee Board of Trustees of the Galveston Wharves and Galveston Port Facilities Committee Clear Lake Shores City Council College of the Mainland Board of Trustees Galveston Parks and Recreation Board Galveston Home and Garden Show Jefferson County Commissioners Court Galveston Seawall Future Enhancement Ad Hoc Committee Board of Trustees of the Galveston Wharves and Galveston Port Facilities Committee Clear Lake Shores City Council College of the Mainland Board of Trustees Galveston Parks and Recreation Board Galveston Home and Garden Show Jefferson County Commissioners Court Galveston Seawall Future Enhancement Ad Hoc Committee Board of Trustees of the Galveston Wharves and Galveston Port Facilities Committee Clear Lake Shores City Council College of the Mainland Board of Trustees Galveston Parks and Recreation Board Galveston Home and Garden Show Jefferson County Commissioners Court Galveston Seawall Future Enhancement Ad Hoc Committee Board of Trustees of the Galveston Wharves and Galveston Port Facilities Committee Clear Lake Shores City Council College of the Mainland Board of Trustees Galveston Parks and Recreation Board Galveston Home and Garden Show Jefferson County Commissioners Court Galveston Seawall Future Enhancement Ad Hoc Committee Board of Trustees of the Galveston Wharves and Galveston Port Facilities Committee Clear Lake Shores City Council College of the Mainland Board of Trustees Galveston Parks and Recreation Board Galveston Home and Garden Show Jefferson County Commissioners Court Galveston Seawall Future Enhancement Ad Hoc Committee Board of Trustees of the Galveston Wharves and Galveston Port Facilities Committee Clear Lake Shores City Council College of the Mainland Board of Trustees Galveston Parks and Recreation Board Galveston Home and Garden Show Jefferson County Commissioners Court Galveston Seawall Future Enhancement Ad Hoc Committee Board of Trustees of the Galveston Wharves and Galveston Port Facilities Committee Clear Lake Shores City Council College of the Mainland Board of Trustees Galveston Parks and Recreation Board Galveston Home and Garden Show Jefferson County Commissioners Court Galveston Seawall Future Enhancement Ad Hoc Committee Board of Trustees of the Galveston Wharves and Galveston Port Facilities Committee Clear Lake Shores City Council College of the Mainland Board of Trustees Galveston Parks and Recreation Board Galveston Home and Garden Show Jefferson County Commissioners Court Galveston Seawall Future Enhancement Ad Hoc Committee Board of Trustees of the Galveston Wharves and Galveston Port Facilities Committee Clear Lake Shores City Council College of the Mainland Board of Trustees Galveston Parks and Recreation Board Galveston Home and Garden Show
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Jefferson County Commissioners Court has voted to request Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts Carole Keeton Strayhorn to conduct an Organizational Structure and Financial Management Review of the departments that report directly to the Commissioners Court and the offices of elected officials who choose to participate. “This allows us to do what school districts have been doing for years and years, using the comptroller’s office to come in and review to see that our expenditures and revenues are giving us the best ‘bang for the buck’ for the citizens of Jefferson County.” said County Judge Carl Griffith. The commissioners court processed change orders totaling $2,930.90 for the 12 field fast pitch softball facility at the Southeast Texas Entertainment Complex and a $464.20 change order for the pedestrian bridge at the complex. The commissioners court authorized Airport Manager Byron Broussard to attend the Eighth Annual National Air Service Conference in Columbus, Ohio. The commissioners court postponed action on a proposed agreement with the Southeast Texas Economic Development Foundation for marketing the Southeast Texas Regional Airport. The commissioners court deferred action on the replat of a parcel in Kinard Gardens and the release of pledge collateral from Hibernia Bank. The commissioners court received the 2002 annual report of the Historical Commission presented by Chair Yvonne Sutherlin. All other agenda items were approved. All votes were unanimous. The commissioners court recognized several employees who are retiring. They are Clara Anderson, Christina Guidry, William Hammock, Herman Hudson, Delores Simmons and Paula Wise. Print
Version Galveston
Seawall Future Enhancement Transportation consultant Barry Goodman told the Galveston Seawall Future Enhancement Ad Hoc Committee that revenue from paid parking on the Seawall could "leverage" federal funds for capital improvements by a ratio at least five to one, and maybe as high as eight to one. "If you are generating $500,000 to $700,000 per year, you can support a $50 million improvement project over ten years," Goodman said. He noted that federal funding, matched by parking revenue is being used effectively downtown. "It is time that the Seawall got in that stream." Goodman said Congressman Nick Lampson will meet with Galveston officials on Friday to discuss projects that can be included in the reauthorization of the Transportation Equity Act. Greg Roof suggested that the city use general fund revenue as matching funds for federal grants, but Mayor Roger Quiroga explained that general fund revenue should be used to support city employee salaries and other municipal purposes. David Colombo, chair of a previous city committee that explored ways to provide beachfront amenities, explained that his group's efforts were cut short by an election on a proposed charter amendment to force city council to enact a paid parking plan on the Seawall that was authored by former city council member Rudy Gonzales. He encouraged the new committee to work with residents who live near the Seawall and who would be impacted by a paid parking plan. "Without their support, we are not going to have a plan." Council Member Johnny Smecca said the Galveston Chamber of Commerce Seawall parking plan that he helped develop was based on the work of Colombo's committee. Smecca implied that his intentions have been misinterpreted. "I
do not want paid parking," he insisted. "I
want beachfront improvements." Board
of Trustees of the Galveston Wharves and Galveston Port
Facilities Corporation Tom and Jim Flanagan of J. J. Flanagan Shipping of Beaumont and Galveston Waterfront Ventures, which provides stevedores at the Port of Galveston and a parking lot that serves the cruise ships, visited Monday's meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Galveston Wharves to express their concern for new tariffs that may be assessed on buses that deliver passengers from the lots to the cruise terminal. "We've been in Galveston for roughly 25 years and have had during that time a very good relationship with the Port of Galveston," Tom Flanagan said, referring to recent news articles about their operation. "We seek no conflicts at all; we want to continue on with the good relationship." Flanagan asked that a meeting with wharves board members or representatives be scheduled to try to resolve the tariff issues, "To see if there is a fair way of approaching this thing that wouldn't be punitive on us and would still allow the port to accomplish its goals." Galveston Mayor Roger Quiroga, who represents the city council on the wharves board, thanked the Flanagans for appearing before the board, but chastised them for having appealed to Senator Kyle Janek before approaching port officials about their concerns. "This is a big blowup because we have a state senator that has threatened the City of Galveston," Quiroga said. "We need senators working for the best interests of Galveston." Port Director Steve Cernak reported to the wharves board that December revenue was on budget. "December 2002 total operating income was $1,177,880 versus $1,881,426 budgeted, a variance of -0.003," Cernak said. "Total operating expenses were $674,628 or 1.67 percent under budgeted expenditures." Cernak said the port showed a net profit of $194,151 in December, which is 4.27 over budget. The wharves board approved several items that had been previously approved by the Galveston Port Facilities Corporation, including agreements with Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. All other action items on the wharves board agenda were approved with unanimous votes. The GPFC deferred one item on its agenda on Monday; acceptance of applications for a depository contract. Because of a discrepancy in the process, the contract will be re-advertised for bids. Benny Holland abstained on that vote to avoid the appearance of a conflict. The
GPFC also voted to name Wayne Byrd as its investment
officer. Galveston
County Commissioners Court Galveston County Commissioners Court approved several budget amendments for Emergency Management, including items to "close out" tropical storms Faye and Allison. Commissioner Eddie Barr complimented Emergency Management Coordinator Tessa Duffey, Connie Nicholson and John Simsen for their work in gaining federal reimbursement for damage caused by the storms. "You have brought millions (of dollars) into this county that we normally wouldn't have gotten," Barr said. "It's a long, hard road, and you've done a great job." The commissioners court awarded a bid to Safety National Casualty for Specific & Aggregate Excess Insurance for Worker's Compensation Program. "The rates are up on Worker's Compensation, but that's to be expected for the climate that we're in," said purchasing agent Bruce Hughes. "I'm real pleased that we did access $2 million aggregate coverage, which is $1 million in improvement over last year, so I feel good about the coverage we've obtained." The commissioners court approved a contract with UTMB for indigent health care services. "There may be amendments forthcoming; we're not ready for those yet," noted County Judge Jim Yarbrough. "In as much as the legislature is in session, we don't want UTMB to be in a position to say that Galveston County has not got a renewal contract in place." The commissioners court approved a Sanitary Control Easement to Texas City for the new water well at the Juvenile Center. "There
will be a 150 foot radius around the new well," said
County Engineer Mike Fitzgerald, explaining that the
easement will prevent the building of cemeteries, or septic
tanks within that distance, to protect the new well from
pollution. The
commissioners court authorized Hughes to seek competitive
bids to maintain and repair the Geotube projects on Bolivar
Peninsula and Pirates Beach. The commissioners court deferred action on the approval of the salary administration policy, and the approval of an amendment for local customer service and state case registry with the attorney general's office. The
commissioners court drew names from a hat to fill the
positions on the Elected Officials Salary Grievance
Committee.
Henry Coger, Jerry Campbell and Tommy Lynox were
appointed, with Elmer Peaks serving as alternate. All other agenda items were approved. All votes were unanimous. The commissioners court discussed the financial impact of additional juvenile detention facility debt with Galveston County financial advisor Louis "Chick" Pauls, and Bank of America's Managing Director of Public Finance James Niederle."We'll have another workshop in the upcoming weeks and have a decision in February," said Yarbrough. "Then we'd be in a position, at the very least, to do the refunding, and settle the balance of what is authorized sometime in March or April." Monday
afternoon there was a commissioners court workshop on
employee health insurance. Clear
Lake Shores City Council Clear Lake Shores City Council unanimously approved two resolutions Monday evening related to the future purchase of more than 50 lots on the city’s eastern edge. The first resolution authorized an offer of $435,000 for the purchase of property that is commonly known as "the Gull Home property and home," which is now owned by Joe Doke. Mayor Ted Guthrie Jr. said the property was appraised at $380,000 about two years ago. The second resolution authorizes the offer of $275,000 for the purchase of property owned by Advanced Systems Incorporated. The resolutions allow the city to immediately exercise an option to purchase the properties. Guthrie noted that the purchase of these properties is not included in this year’s budget. Rick Burchfield, president of the Clear Lake Shores Economic Development Corporation, said his board of directors could consider putting up to $100,000 for purchase of the Gull Home property. He said the corporation has approximately $275,000 available for city projects. No
specific use of the property has yet to be determined but
city officials have mentioned that some of the land could be
used for a city park. College of the Mainland Board of Trustees College of the Mainland President Butch Hayes reported to the board of trustees on Monday that Governor Rick Perry has instructed all state agencies and colleges to reduce all current year expenditures by seven percent, which requires a $440,000 reduction for COM. Thus, Hayes said he will issue a freeze on all new employment, except as required for accreditation; will halt all out-of-state travel, except that which is already scheduled and will instruct all budget managers to conserve what remains in their 2003 budgets. There will be no additional capital expenditures this year and no expenditures for consultants not already engaged. Dr. Vicki Underwood, associate vice president for institutional effectiveness, reported preliminary spring enrollment at 4,003, but predicts that the number will be lower when the official figures are tallied. She said 457 of the students still have not paid. Rick Gearing, associate vice president for enrollment management, reported that four new graduate social work students from the University of Houston will assist the college this semester with retention efforts as part of their graduate degree work. The board received the annual audit from the Griffin, Iles and Duvall, L.L.P. The board voted to reject all previously opened bids for the renovation of the North County Learning Center property in League City. The college will re-advertise the project, seeking "in-district suppliers." The board
voted to call an election for board positions currently held
by Nick Stepchinski and Ralph Holm on May 3. Galveston
Parks and Recreation Board Island Skaters Association spokesman William Cram told the Galveston Parks and Recreation Board that Landry's Corporation has offered $25,000 toward construction of a skateboard park at Menard Park. However, Cram said the gift will be in exchange for "naming rights," and thus has not been accepted. "We don't want to go down that particular route as of yet," Cram said, explaining that his group is hoping to secure a professional concessionaire to operate the park, that may want the naming rights. "I really appreciate Landry's Corporation's gesture; I think it is noble," Cram said. "I think it is a first concern of theirs to develop the beachfront as well as to curtail and target at-risk youth." Cram urged the board to go beyond its role as an "advisory" committee and actively seek financial support for the skate park. Cornelia
Harris Banks, the city council's representative on the
board, said she will ask City Attorney Susie Green to rule
on whether the board can expand its scope beyond providing
advice to the city council. Award-winning Italian pianist Antonio Pompa-Baldi will perform at The Grand 1894 Opera House at 8 p.m. on Saturday, February 15. Named silver medallist of the Eleventh Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in 2001, Pompa-Baldi has performed extensively throughout the United States and Europe. Ticket prices range from $18.50 to $69, with special discounts for group and senior citizen tickets. For
additional information, call The Grand's box office at
(409)765-1894 or (800) 821-1894, or visit The Grand’s web
site at www.thegrand.com.
The Grand is located at 2020 Postoffice, in downtown
Galveston. The
theatre is accessible by trolley.
All major credit cards accepted. Tickets are still available for the 2003 Galveston Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet in the Moody Gardens Hotel Ballroom on Thursday, February 6. The event will feature the presentation of awards to member businesses and individuals and will include a surprise “mystery roast” of one attendee. The
cost of tickets is $45 for an individual, or $400 for a
sponsor table of eight.
For more information or to RSVP, call Darcy DeVille
at (409) 763-5326 x 155. Galveston Home and Garden Show The Fifteenth Annual Galveston Home and Garden Show sponsored by Houston’s News Radio 740 KTRH and Talk Radio 950 KPRC to benefit the Animal Shelter and Adoption Center of Galveston Island, Inc., will be March 14-16 at the Moody Gardens Convention Center. "This event promises to be as exciting, if not more than in year’s past, as we turn our focus back to 'our roots' where it all began," said publicist Cynthia Popovich McEldowney. Tickets are available in advance for $4 for adults and $3 for students and seniors at area Randall’s and at the Animal Shelter, 6814 Broadway. Tickets at the door are $5 for adults and $4 for seniors and students. For
information about the show or to purchase tickets, call
(409) 763-0263. Author Steven Long, former publisher of In Between Magazine in Galveston, who is writing a book on the Clara Harris murder case for St. Martin's Press, will be a guest on the CBS Morning Show today. Scheduled
Meetings 8:30
Port Arthur City Council |
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.
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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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