© 2003, Guidry News
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© 2003, Guidry News
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Story Links: Scholes International Airport at Galveston Clear Lake Shores City Council Harris County Commissioners Court Bolivar Peninsula Chamber of Commerce Scholes International Airport at Galveston Clear Lake Shores City Council Harris County Commissioners Court Bolivar Peninsula Chamber of Commerce Scholes International Airport at Galveston Clear Lake Shores City Council Harris County Commissioners Court Bolivar Peninsula Chamber of Commerce Scholes International Airport at Galveston Clear Lake Shores City Council Harris County Commissioners Court Bolivar Peninsula Chamber of Commerce Scholes International Airport at Galveston Clear Lake Shores City Council Harris County Commissioners Court Bolivar Peninsula Chamber of Commerce Scholes International Airport at Galveston Clear Lake Shores City Council Harris County Commissioners Court Bolivar Peninsula Chamber of Commerce Scholes International Airport at Galveston Clear Lake Shores City Council Harris County Commissioners Court Bolivar Peninsula Chamber of Commerce Scholes International Airport at Galveston Clear Lake Shores City Council Harris County Commissioners Court Bolivar Peninsula Chamber of Commerce Scholes International Airport at Galveston Clear Lake Shores City Council Harris County Commissioners Court Bolivar Peninsula Chamber of Commerce Scholes International Airport at Galveston Clear Lake Shores City Council Harris County Commissioners Court Bolivar Peninsula Chamber of Commerce Scholes International Airport at Galveston Clear Lake Shores City Council Harris County Commissioners Court Bolivar Peninsula Chamber of Commerce Scholes International Airport at Galveston Clear Lake Shores City Council Harris County Commissioners Court Bolivar Peninsula Chamber of Commerce Scholes International Airport at Galveston Clear Lake Shores City Council Harris County Commissioners Court Bolivar Peninsula Chamber of Commerce Scholes International Airport at Galveston Clear Lake Shores City Council Harris County Commissioners Court Bolivar Peninsula Chamber of Commerce Scholes International Airport at Galveston Clear Lake Shores City Council Harris County Commissioners Court Bolivar Peninsula Chamber of Commerce Scholes International Airport at Galveston Clear Lake Shores City Council Harris County Commissioners Court Bolivar Peninsula Chamber of Commerce
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Scholes International Airport at Galveston City, state, federal and county officials turned out for an official Galveston Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting ceremony for two taxiways at Scholes International Airport at Galveston. "After 15 months of design and construction, these two taxiways have been brought back to their original state," said Airport Director Hud Hopkins, explaining that the taxiways, known as Bravo and Charlie, were built in the 1940s. Hopkins said the $500,000 project, financed with federal funds, will be followed by a $2.3 million state-funded project to reconstruct taxiway Delta. Additional funding is projected for other taxiway, apron and drainage improvements. "This
is just the beginning," said Mayor Roger Quiroga,
anticipating that the improvements will attract new business
to the island. Quiroga said he hopes the new cruise
ship industry uses the airport to attract passengers from
distant places. The
Village of Bayou Vista Board of Aldermen unanimously
approved an ordinance to change the name of "Village of
Bayou Vista" to "City of Bayou Vista".
"Terminology
has an immediate impact sometimes," said Alderman Bill
Jackson.
"It's time for Bayou Vista to be recognized as
the young, dynamic city that it is." The board agreed to take no action in response to a letter from Texas City Mayor Carlos Garza concerning the Truck Route Alternate Study. Garza said that he is opposed to Bayou Vista's request to TxDOT for three projects. "Until the study is complete and each alternative analyzed, I do not believe that we should start making recommendations," Garza said. "Well, we do not agree with Mayor Garza at all," commented Jackson. The
board voted to change the name of the city's recreation
center to "Bayou Vista Community Center".
"The
center is not just for recreational purposes anymore,"
said Jackson.
"We use it for meetings, weddings and other
functions.
I think we should call it a 'community center' since
it's for the whole community." The
board voted to prohibit the storage of alcohol of any kind
at the community center because of increased liability
insurance costs.
The board will discuss a policy regarding other
community center storage at a special workshop on Tuesday,
February 11. The board approved a modification in club user fees for the community center. "The
people who use it must bear some of the brunt of the
cost," remarked Alderman Steve Leach.
"We're not trying to make any money out of this
- but the only fair thing to do is to charge the people who
use it." The
board tabled action on three items:
the revision of community center rental agreements
and regulations, a review of the first quarter financial
statements, and a request from Faith Community Church for a
floodplain variance.
The board approved issues related to the May 3 aldermen election. All
other agenda items were approved.
Alderman John Thomas was absent. Friendswood City Council held a special meeting Tuesday evening to canvass the results of Saturday's bond election. State law requires 72 hours between the election and the canvass, thus Monday's regular meeting was delayed a day. “I would like to thank the public for recognizing the need of these capital improvements,” Mayor Harold L. Whitaker said. “I
think this was the most cost-effective way to pay for
this,” agreed Council Member Jerry Ericsson. The
city council voted to install a traffic signal at FM 518 and
Eagle Lakes Drive on the recommendation of a Texas
Department of Transportation study. All
other agenda items were approved, 6-0.
Council Member Kim Brizendine was absent. Beaumont City Council approved a preliminary budget for the 2003 HUD Consolidated Grant Program. The program includes Community Development Block Grant funds, HOME funds and the Emergency Shelter Program. The city council approved a contract with Lucas Interceptor Rehabilitation for sanitary sewer system improvements. All other agenda items were approved. The city council held a work session on the city's priorities for funding under the reauthorization of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century. Three
projects were identified: "These are included in our Capital Improvement Program," explained City Manager Kyle Hayes. The
city council met in executive session to discuss the
position of city manager, but took no action. Pasadena City Council unanimously approved the first reading of an ordinance to relax landscaping requirements for used car dealers. Mayor John Manlove said the ordinance, which will reduce the requirement for three-foot hedges to a one-foot plant, "is an effort to make city laws less draconian." Council Member Jerri Neely said ordinance “is intended to modify changes in some areas for the good.” The changes, which also provide better access to fire trucks onto the properties, were developed in a meeting between car dealers and city officials. “We’re a pro-business city and council,” said Manlove. The ordinance must be approved on second reading to become law. Other
items approved on first reading include: The city council voted to accept a donation from Excalibur Construction LTD of approximately 200,000 yards of dirt valued at $720,000. Manlove said the dirt was excavated while cleaning out the city’s retention ponds and will be used to build up the land containing the Pasadena Police Training Facility on Genoa-Red Bluff Road, to protect it from flooding. The
council voted to advertise for bids on several projects,
including: The city council approved progress payments totaling $78,401.60 to Gulf States Protective Coatings, Inc., for a water storage tank renovation project. All other agenda items were approved. Manlove presented certificates of appreciation to cameramen Lester Bandy and Steve Andreno for their volunteer efforts in filming the weekly city council meetings broadcast on Pasadena Municipal Television Channel 62. Council Member
Dana Philibert, who recently gave birth to a daughter, was
absent from the meeting. El Lago City Council voted to amend more than a dozen zoning ordinances to better reflect current zoning trends and new building requirements. Some of the zoning changes, according to Mayor Brad Emel, have been in the works for eight years. Only one proposed zoning amendment failed. The city’s planning and zoning commission had previously reviewed a request for a single parcel of land to be zoned multi-purpose, including marina equipment (jet skis), marina accessory sales, antique car sales and minor car repairs at a site on NASA Road One. “I am personally opposed to this amendment,” said Council Member John Tully, who is the city council’s liaison to the planning and zoning commission. He said passing such a resolution would allow used car lots to get their foot in through the backdoor with this ordinance, resulting in used car lots popping up along NASA Road One. Brooks Wemberly, representing two homeowners associations, told the city council that both of his clients were opposed to the mixed-use antique car facility so close to both the Marina Bay and the Yacht Club residential areas. When Emel asked council for a motion on the proposed amendment, there was none. Thus the issue died without a vote. The city
council unanimously approved the following amendments to the
city’s zoning ordinances: The city council voted 4-0-1, with Natalie Ong abstaining, to define "mobile home", "manufactured home", and "modular home". The
city council voted to support a request by the Clear Creek
Watershed Steering Committee for FEMA funds for flood
insurance rate maps that will be updated and remapped to
cover Fort Bend, Brazoria, and Galveston counties. Clear Lake Shores City Council Clear Lake Shores City Council voted on Tuesday to hire Tammi Lin Brashear as a police officer for the city police department. Brashear has been a volunteer with the Clear Lake Shores police force for the past 11 months, while working as a dispatcher in Seabrook. “Thank you for your task free service,” stated Council Member Lowell Brown. The
city council voted to charge $50 extra for the rental of
City Hall and $100 extra on the deposit, if using the
kitchen.
This came after a lengthy discussion concerning
citizens’ complaints about illegal parking by the renters,
and stolen kitchen equipment.
The city council voted to approve matters related to the May 3 election. The city council voted to repeal a Clear Lake Shores municipal code dealing with alcohol consumption on streets, sidewalks, or other public ways. “We have state law about containers and consuming after hours," said Police Chief Paul Shelley "I feel like that’s all we need. It’s something that’s always been there.” Jack
Holmgreen addressed the city council regarding a formalized
water conservation plan for Clear Lake Shores. Harris County Commissioners Court Harris County Commissioners Court voted 4-1, with Steve Radack opposed, to retain Dan McClung for services in Austin during the current session of the Texas Legislature. The
commissioners court referred
three payment authorization requests from Children’s
Protective Services back to Management Services: The
commissioners court referred six payment authorization
requests from Fire and Emergency Services back to Management
Services: The
commissioners court referred back to Management Services two
requests for personal exemptions from the competitive bid
process: The commissioners court voted to allow members of the commissioners court to attend the Child Welfare League of America conference in Washington, D.C. The
commissioners court deferred action on an agreement with the
City of Houston for construction and maintenance of Nob Hill
Park. A request for approval of renewal options with Cypress Lawn and Turf for commercial lawn and garden equipment was withdrawn from the agenda. The commissioners court met in executive session for a briefing on the status of Simi Investment Company, Inc., v. Harris County. Following the discussion, the commissioners court voted to approve attorney fees, not to exceed $650,000, for the purpose of settling the suit. All other agenda items were approved unanimously. The commissioners court held a discussion on the proposed budget for Harris County and the Harris County Flood Control District for fiscal year 2003-2004. Jersey Village Council Member Frances Wubbenhorst presented a petition and a plan advocating the purchase of land for detention ponds to the commissioners court. “Jersey
Village has flooded three times in the past two years,”
Wubbenhorst said. Texas
Senator Kyle Janek on Tuesday filed Senate Bill 355, which
he said is intended to update Texas’ laws to meet the
public health needs and threats of the 21st century; and SB
356 relating to disposition of contaminated body parts. “The events of September 11 changed not only the landscape of America but also America’s sense of security, especially in the area of public health," Janek said. "The public health and safety of Texas’ citizens is a fundamental responsibility of this Legislature." SB
355 defines “public health emergency” as an immediate
threat from a communicable disease that poses a high risk of
death or serious long-term disability to a large number of
people, and
creates a substantial risk of public exposure. The bill
addresses the state’s preparation for and response to such
an emergency. “If we are ever facing a bioterrorism outbreak, such as smallpox, we want to be sure that we know who’s going to declare an emergency, who’s handling quarantines. This legislation allows us to get the situation under control as quickly as possible,” Janek said. Senate Bill 356 is complementary legislation to the public health preparedness bill updating the Code of Criminal Procedure to treat a body part in the same manner as bodies. Texas
received $59,749,890 from the January 2002 federal
bioterrorism appropriations bill to fund its Public Health
Resource Needs Plan. Revisions to Texas’ statutes
are required to provide those who will be responding to
emergencies with sufficient authority to respond effectively
in a public health emergency. The bills are the culmination
of months of study and research by the Senate Committee on
Health and Human Services. “Senate
Bill 355 and 356 enable the state to respond to bioterrorism
with the coordinated and well-organized approach necessary
to protect our citizens.” The Galveston Planning Commission voted to recommend that Galveston City Council deny a request for a zoning change from General Residence to Recreation to facilitate development of a marina at 9403 - 9407 Teichman Road after neighbors of the property objected. Jesse Edmondson, who manages the Galveston Yacht Basin, said the location is not good for a marina. Others, including Bart Moore, Bob Randall and Don Schattel agreed, arguing that the development would change the nature of the neighborhood. Schattel said several members of his family have "made a substantial investment" by building their homes in the area. "It's a beautiful place," please leave it as residential," agreed Ruth Mullin. Virginia Robertson, who requested the zoning change, listened to the complaints. "I do appreciate everybody coming by and giving their thoughts." Although the commission voted against the change, Galveston City Council will consider the request. The commission voted to approve a partial replat of a lot at 3718 83rd Street to create two lots. The commission voted to defer action on a request for a beachfront construction certificate in order to construct a single-family dwelling, dune walkover and sand fence at 21103 San Luis Pass Road. All
votes were 6-0. John Dreiss was absent. Bolivar Peninsula Chamber of Commerce The Bolivar Peninsula Chamber of Commerce held its monthly membership meeting on Tuesday. Dirk Blankenship, owner and president of Chambers Marketing Concepts, presented information about options for small businesses in securing health insurance and dealing with its rising costs, and with employee benefits. Chamber
President Anne Willis said that the Chamber is looking for
ways to help members get the insurance they need at a price
they can afford. Scheduled
Meetings 8:30 Historic
Downtown Strand Partnership Workshop on creation of a Downtown
Public Improvement District or Municipal Management District,
Galveston City Hall |
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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