© 2003, Guidry News
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© 2003, Guidry News
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Story Links: League City City Council League City Parks and Recreation League City Parks and Recreation League City Parks and Recreation League City Parks and Recreation League City Parks and Recreation League City Parks and Recreation League City Parks and Recreation League City Parks and Recreation League City Parks and Recreation League City Parks and Recreation League City Parks and Recreation League City Parks and Recreation League City Parks and Recreation League City Parks and Recreation League City Parks and Recreation League City Parks and Recreation
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League
City City Council League City City Council voted 4-3, with Thomas Cones, Hamid Kantara and Darlene Anene opposed, to promote Chuck Harrington to the position of City Manager. Harrington, who has served as interim city manager since the departure of Nick Finan from the position, was previously director of planning and development. He will be paid $90,000 per year in the new position. A motion to establish a League City Proud Committee to recognize citizens, businesses and organizations for their outstanding service or accomplishments failed on a 2-5 vote. Only Combs and Kantara were in favor. The city council voted 5-2, with Mike Hembree and Keith Dill opposed, to form a Keep League City Beautiful committee in conjunction with Keep Texas Beautiful. The city council voted 6-1 vote, with Dill opposed, to approve Waterworks and Sewer System Combination Unlimited Tax and Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series 2003 in an agreement with South Shore Harbour Municipal Utility District 6. The city council voted 5-2, with Hembree and Dill opposed, to approve contingency funds to pay League City’s portion of the Gulf Coast Coalition of Cities attorney fees. The city council voted 6-1, with Dill opposed, to purchase a four-door crew cab pickup truck for the League City Fire Department. “I’ve seen too many brand-new spanking vehicles around this city lately,” Dill said. All other agenda items were approved with unanimous votes. The city council voted to establish a Walk of Honor to recognize former city employees. The formation of a committee with two council members among seven members will be formed. The city council voted to support the Clear Creek Watershed Steering Committee's request for FEMA funds for a FIRM map update. The city council voted to call the May 3 municipal election for council positions currently held by Katie Benoit, Cones and Anene. Mayor Pro Tem Keith Dill presented certificates of appreciation to the League City Rae Team which won the Texas State Soccer Championship in the 12 and under category; to police officer John Griffith and Tom Blasky for the DARE and Blue Santa programs; to police officer Gabe Gonzales for community outreach and Blue Santa programs; and to police officer Paul Odin for crime prevention and Blue Santa programs, and as coordinator for the Citizen’s Police Academy. Following an executive session the city council voted to table further action, at this time, regarding the city’s municipal court judges; and to discontinue legal action in Galveston County Court against John D. Cannon and Corrie Cannon. Dickinson
City Council Dickinson City Council approved the second and final reading of an ordinance declaring junked vehicles within 5000 feet of city limits a public nuisance, and providing a penalty of no less than $2,000. The city council approved $6,000 for professional services from Michael Pietsch, PE in conjunction with the municipal facilities master-planning project. City Administrator Ivan Langford said Pietsch will be of help in selecting sites for new fire stations. "The
unique 'thing' about locating fire stations, as opposed to
other municipal facilities, is their impact on fire
insurance rates for the entire community," Langford
said.
"Selecting the wrong location could have an
adverse impact on ISO (Insurance Services Office) fire
insurance rates throughout the community for years to come.
Pietsch is a recognized expert in this field." All other agenda items were approved. Former mayor Keith Hufstetler approached the council regarding a grant for a park on Park Avenue. Hufstetler reviewed previous comments made by councilman Louis Decker and provided possible solutions. "I am a member of the park board, but my comments reflect my own personal opinion. I do not speak for the park board," he confirmed. "The dividends of our legacy will be paid out of the decisions we make today…will our legacy be only that we fought crime and repaired streets?" Mayor Veta Winick proclaimed the week of March 3-7, 2003, as Texas Public School Week, and March 11, 2003 as Jack Silbernagel Elementary Day. Pasadena
City Council Pasadena City Council unanimously approved on first reading a contract with Mike Pietsch, P.E. Consulting Services, Inc., for consulting services to review the city’s fire department operations. The contract, valued at $23,400, should result “in deductions for citizens in their house insurance bill,” said council member Leroy Stanley. The consulting contract will review procedures conducted by the city’s fire department and will take into account all new fire department upgrades put in place during the past two years, Stanley said. Council
member Bill Welch said the consultant’s review will
“allow the city to prepare for a comprehensive
inspection.” The council approved on first reading a solid waste implementation contract administered by the Houston-Galveston Area Council for eliminating illegal dumping in Pasadena. "Illegal dumping requires taxpayer money,” said Council Member Jerri Neely, urging citizens to report any illegal dumping in the city. “We need citizen participation.” The council approved on first reading a proposed ordinance to acquire land for drainage improvements on Young Street. The city council voted to accept a $100 donation from John H. Phelps Insurance Agency, Inc. and Wal-Mart for the city parks and recreation department for use on the Senior Pageant and other special events. The city council voted to accept a $400 donation from Robert B. Peeples, Mrs. Nancy B. Wessell, Sheila R. Coleman, Troy M. Robinson, Lois Thierry, Anthony and Rosemarie Leibold, Jose and Stella Saldivar, Luz M. Guillen, Mike Aguillard, and Thomas A. and Josephine Stagg for the Animal Rescue Department in connection with expenses related to veterinary care for shelter animals. The city council voted to reject bids opened on January 14 for chemical treatment related to odor control. All other agenda items were approved. Port
Arthur City Council Port Arthur City Council voted unanimously to approve an economic development incentive package to encourage Iasis Healthcare to build a new hospital in Port Arthur. "This is a golden opportunity for Port Arthur, a golden opportunity to Southeast Texas to have a medical center, to have a hospital that is going to be beneficial to all Southeast Texas," said Mayor Oscar Ortiz. Listen "I believe this is a historic moment for the City of Port Arthur and the city council to make this kind of commitment to the people of the city," Ortiz said. The city council voted to call the May 3 municipal election for city council districts 5 and 6, as well as members of the Port Arthur Independent School District, the Sabine Pass ISD, the Port of Port Arthur and the Sabine Pass Port Authority. Beaumont
City Council Beaumont Fire Union spokesman Captain Tommy May warned Beaumont City Council that the city faces large increases in fire insurance rates because of proposed reductions in staffing and removal of some equipment from service. "I think a saving of $300,000 at this particular point, as compared to a five percent increase in rates would be a tremendous cost to the taxpayers," May said. Listen City Manager Kyle Hayes says his proposed reduction in minimum staffing from 47 to 45 will have minimal impact. Listen "There are 69 to 70 people assigned on three different shifts," Hayes explained. He noted that Beaumont firefighters work 48 hours a week, less than most other cities. He said because of Kelly Days and other time off, there are usually only 50 people available to work. If the number of available firefighters falls below 47, Hayes says an aerial truck will be removed from service. "No changes unless that number falls below 47," Hayes insisted. "We want 50 people there, we want all of our apparatus manned. I think the union can help us to insure that their firefighters are showing up." He also cited increases in overtime expense in the fire department. May does not agree with the city manager's assessment. "As you know, we are under a heightened alert," May said. The president has asked that we beef up security and fire service, especially where there are ports, military installations, chemical plants and other hazardous material installations. We are all of the above in the city of Beaumont." The city council deferred action on an ordinance amending ward boundaries for the May 3, 2003 municipal election and also on an ordinance calling the election. The city council voted to ask Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts Carole Keeton Strayhorn to conduct an Organizational Structure and Financial Management Review of the city departments. All other agenda items were approved. The city council proclaimed February as National Sales Month. Carlos Busceme and Allen Tapley accepted the proclamation. The city council proclaimed February 12 through February 18th as LULAC Week. The city council discussed several matters in work session, including matters related to Entergy/Gulf States, the modified staffing plan in the fire department, street projects in the capital improvement program and the proposed sale of Central Park property. Council Member Becky Ames was absent. Morgan's
Point City Council Morgan’s Point City Council voted unanimously to accept the annual audit for the fiscal year 2001-2002. “I’m proud of our fund balance of $1.4 million exceeds the years budget, we have projects that we can start doing and the money to do them,” Mayor Russell Applebe stated. The city council unanimously passed an ordinance to hold a general election on May 3, 2003. The city council positions now held by Paul McBeth, Valrie Buckner and Brian Smith will be on the ballot. The city council voted to participate in Harris County's Interjurisdictional Comprehensive All Hazard Mitigation Plan. “FEMA requires all cities to adopt a mitigation plan, basically the plan will help ensure that we receive funds in case of a natural disaster,” explained City Administrator Lance Avant. All other agenda items were approved. Buckner was absent. League City Parks and Recreation The City of League City Parks and Recreation Department has received $418,423 in funding from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission to help fund the city’s newly acquired Butler Longhorn Museum and Historical Park. The amount from Texas Parks and Wildlife will be matched by leveraging the land cost. The funds will be used to develop trails and repair one acre of wetlands, interpretive/educational areas, a butterfly garden, herb gardens, two fishing piers, a bird watching platform, picnic tables, play areas, among other amenities. The Butler Longhorn Museum and Historical Park is located at the old Walter Hall estate located at 1221 Coryell Street in League City. The residence will be renovated to include a museum. The Gharardi family has donated their family home to the city. The home will be placed on the property and later will become part of the exhibits. A curator has been hired to oversee the development of the project. “Staff is very excited about receiving the funds since this grant cycle was extremely competitive,” said Parks and Recreation Superintendent Rhonda Cyrus. The Museum is
slated to be open Spring of 2004 and the park portion will
open Spring 2005.
The museum will focus on the founding families of
League City. Congressman Nick Lampson announced on Tuesday that Dismas Charities was withdrawing its application to locate a residential community corrections center in Jefferson County, just outside the Nederland City limits. Lampson made the announcement after a series of telephone conferences and a meeting with Dismas Charities executives. "From my first contact with Dismas , it was very clear to me that while committed to accomplishing the very difficult mission of assisting federal offenders in becoming productive citizens, Dismas was also very sensitive to the concerns of the community and is committed to the overall community good," Lampson said. "To avoid similar problems in the future I will be naming a local citizens' advisory committee to assist Dismas and other similar organizations to find suitable sites for their much needed programs and build community support for those activities." Lampson also praised
Sheriff Mitch Woods and the community activists who
organized the neighborhood response for providing the needed
input on the proposal.
Houston Main Street Project Ed Wulfe, who has been involved in Houston real estate for over forty years and is a driving force behind the development of Main Street, was the featured speaker at the monthly Downtown Forum sponsored by the Downtown Houston Association. Wulfe’s speech, “Four Decades of Civic Leadership,” focused on the development of Main Street. He said he first envisioned a pedestrian-oriented closed public space in 1970 when he helped organize the Houston International Festival, and had three blocks of Main Street closed off for a day. “Every great city has a great street,” said Wulfe, “Houston needs a signature boulevard.” Wulfe was asked by Mayor Lee Brown in 1998 to head up the Main Street Coalition. The group’s focus is the revitalization of Main Street from Loop 610 on the south to Quitman Street on the north. The plan will likely take another twenty years to complete. Wulfe said the Main Street Coalition was instrumental in getting a Main Street entrance added into the Reliant Stadium design, and has been awarded a grant to plant 600 live oak trees along Main Street near the stadium. The coalition is also in the process of helping create a museum walk on Binz Street.
Other plans for Main Street include a flower market near
Sears, a new park with an underground parking garage in
mid-town, a landscaped entrance ramp to Highway 59, and a
water feature on the Main Street Square. Wulfe said the
water feature “will shoot arcs of water over the rail
cars.” Wulfe praised the light rail line, which is scheduled to begin operating next year, running on Main Street between downtown and Loop 610. He said the light rail will solve a lot of the city’s traffic and parking problems. “It’s the way to move people,” said Wulfe, “It will take Houston to the next level.” Wulfe, who has been mentioned as a possible mayoral candidate, said that he decided just last week not to run. Pricilla Larson, a spokesperson for the Downtown Houston Association talked to Scott Nowell about the history of the organization. Listen Mayor Lee P. Brown announced on Tuesday that another 5,000 citizens have acquired free SimHouston accounts since Saturday, February 1, bringing the total to 70,000. The first of four free training sessions for SimHouston users was held at Houston Public Library branches throughout Houston on February 1. SimHouston, a suite of virtual desktop software applications, allows every citizen with a Houston Public Library Power Card to have access to the Internet at library locations to create, modify, store and send documents; to have dedicated storage space for the documents they create or acquire over the Internet; and to have an email address, all at no cost to the user. Houstonians who own computers are now able to download the free software or pick up a CD at any library location, as well. The only cost to those who use SimHouston at their homes or offices is the cost of their Internet access. “Making technology available to every citizen, no matter what their socio-economic situation, has been a long-held dream of mine,” said Brown. “Houston became the first city in America to bridge the digital divide by making the software available to the public on library computers. Now, we are making it available on CD and through the Internet site, www.simhouston.com, to all Houston Public Library Power Card holders.” “The City of Houston is the first city in the country to give all its citizens access to the global information highway to ensure that no one is left behind due to a lack of access and availability to new technology,” said Houston CIO Richard Lewis. “To date, more than 70,000
Houstonians with SimHouston accounts created more than a quarter
million documents using SimDesk,” added Library
Director Barbara Gubbin. The Texas Aviation Hall of Fame continues to accept nominations for the Texas Aviation Hall of Fame Class of 2003. Nomination deadline is April 15, 2003. Confirmed by the Texas Legislature in 1997, the Texas Aviation Hall of Fame honors the aviation heroes and pioneers of Texas who have made lasting achievements to the advancement of aviation. Eligibility is open to any individual or business making significant contributions to the development, growth or preservation of aviation in Texas. A nominee should be a native Texan or a Texas-based business responsible for outstanding aviation achievement conducted within or outside the state. A nominee who is not a Texas resident or based in Texas is eligible for significant aviation achievements performed within the state. The
nominees selected for induction will be honored at the Fifth
Annual Texas Aviation Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and
Gala on November 8, 2003. For more information and an
application, contact the Texas Aviation Hall of Fame at P.O.
Box 3099, Galveston, TX, 77552, or phone (888)-FLIGHT-8.
Nomination deadline is April 15, 2003. Previous
inductees include former President George H. Bush,
astronauts Alan Bean and Gene Cernan, Bessie Coleman,
Maybelle Fletcher, Howard Hughes, Southwest Airlines Founder
Herb Kelleher, chief designer for NASA Max Faget, David Lee
“Tex” Hill, General Claire Chennault, the thirteen
Texans of Doolittle’s Raiders and Dr. Red Duke. "The Man with the Plastic Sandwich", a Roger Karshner comedy about personal growth and redemption, opens Friday, February 21, at Franca's Real Italian Restaurant, 1101 NASA Road 1 in Houston. The dinner theatre production by USA Theatre tells the story of Walter Price, a 50ish engineer who hides the loss of his job from his wife by going to the city park every day. While at the park, Walter encounters other "people of the street" who unwittingly help him on his road to recovery. Cast members include Kevin Herring and Meredith Herring of Dickinson, Lina Pignataro of Clear Lake, and Pat Turner of Webster. The
play runs February 21 and 22
and February 27 and 28 at Franca's Real Italian Restaurant Dinner starts
at 7pm, and the show starts at 8pm. For reservations,
call (281) 488-2207. Scheduled
Meetings 8:30 Galveston
Commission for the Arts, Grand 1894 Opera House Edna's
Room |
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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