© 2003, Guidry News
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© 2003, Guidry News
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Links: Galveston Park Board of Trustees Clear Creek Independent School District League City Chamber of Commerce Galveston Park Board of Trustees Clear Creek Independent School District League City Chamber of Commerce Galveston Park Board of Trustees Clear Creek Independent School District League City Chamber of Commerce Galveston Park Board of Trustees Clear Creek Independent School District League City Chamber of Commerce Galveston Park Board of Trustees Clear Creek Independent School District League City Chamber of Commerce Galveston Park Board of Trustees Clear Creek Independent School District League City Chamber of Commerce Galveston Park Board of Trustees Clear Creek Independent School District League City Chamber of Commerce Galveston Park Board of Trustees Clear Creek Independent School District League City Chamber of Commerce Galveston Park Board of Trustees Clear Creek Independent School District League City Chamber of Commerce Galveston Park Board of Trustees Clear Creek Independent School District League City Chamber of Commerce Galveston Park Board of Trustees Clear Creek Independent School District League City Chamber of Commerce Galveston Park Board of Trustees Clear Creek Independent School District League City Chamber of Commerce Galveston Park Board of Trustees Clear Creek Independent School District League City Chamber of Commerce
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Centex Destination Properties, a division of Centex Homes, one of the largest homebuilders in the United States, has announced plans for a 1,110-acre community at San Luis Pass, covering the western 3.5 miles of Galveston Island, from the Gulf of Mexico to Galveston Bay. The development is a pedestrian-oriented community, "designed to feature primarily single-family homes and multi-family residences connected by walking and biking paths throughout the property, according to preliminary plans," said publicist Kathy-Thomas Barr. Listen The plans also include large green spaces, a beach club and a bayside boat marina. "Centex is one of the premier homebuilders in the nation," said Galveston Mayor Roger Quiroga. "We are proud to have a developer of this quality and stature investing in Galveston." Quiroga noted that the development will add significantly to Galveston's tax base, "which will help relieve the tax burden for our taxpayers." "Our goal with the San Luis Pass community is to offer the best of island living in a beautiful, natural setting, said Centex Central Mountain Division President Joe Arcisz. Additional
details of the development will be discussed at Galveston City
Hall this afternoon during a public meeting on the proposed
Beach Access Plan. United States District Judge Sam Kent issued a summary judgment on Tuesday in favor of Galveston Independent School District in a federal racial discrimination lawsuit filed by Dr. Patricia Williams and Terri Watkins. "We
are pleased that the case has been resolved and we are ready
to move forward," said Superintendent Lynn Hale.
"We have a lot of issues that we need to deal with and we
are glad to have this behind us." Galveston Park Board of Trustees The Galveston Park Board of Trustees defeated a move to reconsider a previous board's decision to not grant long-term leases to businesses on Boddeker Drive, in anticipation of upscale development expected to follow new projects currently being planned on the eastern end of the island. A motion by Johnny Smecca, to negotiate a five-year lease with Stan Miller, operator of Wilson's Bait Camp, failed with a 3-5 vote. Only Miguel Aleman and Chair Danny Allen supported the motion. "This is opening the door," argued James McCloy, contending that extended leases would hinder development. "The problem is, the park board needs to do something," Smecca insisted. "There are a lot of people who walk into your office and give you pie in the sky," said Michael Oparenovich, operator of the Baja Beach Club, explaining that his business has been employing people for several years. He and the others, including attorney Bob Shattuck, argued that longer leases are necessary to make improvements to the property. The Boddeker Drive businessmen said they would not expect the park board to purchase their improvements if the property is to be claimed later by the board for upscale development. The park board did vote on Tuesday to purchase improvements to the Boddeker Drive property previously owned by Angelo Montalbano, from the Tax Foreclosed Property Resale Committee. The park board also declined to grant a long-term lease to Tracy Torres, owner of Rolling Thunder & Company, which operates attractions at Stewart Beach. Acting Executive Director Lou Muller said a request for proposal for a water park has been developed. It has been under review by Galveston Economic Development Partnership President Jeff Sjostrom for some time. Muller said a request for proposals for Boddeker Drive could be prepared if the park board gives direction to staff. Galveston Mayor Roger Quiroga and City Manager Steve LeBlanc visited the park board meeting to thank the board for taking over Mardi Gras. LeBlanc said he is pleased that the park board "made the city whole" by reimbursing expenses of security and other city services, in spite of lagging beer sales. “I
think we can work with you next year to fix that,” LeBlanc
said of the problem with beer sales. The park board voted to deny a request by Henry Poretto, Jr. for concession permits on the beach, "on property that I hold the deeds to." Listen Attorney Carla Cotropia said the issue is in litigation, but agreed to provide a letter to Poretto detailing her objections to the permits. The park board followed the recommendations of park board committees that met last week, including a recommendation to refer a request from the City of Galveston for an additional $35,000 for employee health insurance back to the city for additional negotiation. Gerry Del
Prete, chair of the park board's executive director screening
committee said telephone interviews with the new list of
candidates for the position will begin next week. Listen There
have been some changes in the list of candidates for Seabrook
City Council Position 2, which has a filing deadline of April
2. John H. Chisler withdrew his name from the list on
Tuesday; and Dee Wright has filed an application to run since
our last report. Also in the contest for that position
are Bobby Vincent and Mack Hobdy. Dickinson
City Council Dickinson City Council voted 4-2, with Linda Murrie and Kerry Neves opposed, to approve an agreement with Galveston County Water Control and Improvement District 1 for administrative functions. "This revised agreement makes several changes from the previous agreement," stated City Administrator Ivan Langford, who works for both entities. "It specifically identifies the employees involved; it removes all references to the Public Works position, and it puts in place a requirement for annual renewal by both parties." Murrie
was opposed to a provision giving either entity the right to
end the agreement. "For
either entity to say, 'I'm going to end it' and the other
party has nothing to say about it, I'm not sure we're taking
into consideration what's best for the citizens," Murrie
said. The
city council approved the Parks and Recreation Board's list of
proposed items that they "would like to see accomplished
in Dickinson." Parks
Board Chair Carl Uland read a list of ten suggested items,
including Christmas on the Bayou, inner city basketball, music
in the park, and bicycle runs. "These
are the kind of things we try to encourage the parks board to
develop," said Mayor Pro Tem Kerry Neves. The city council voted to participate in the HOME Program grant with the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs. The program is intended to replace 10 dilapidated homes with new homes in the next two years. "The
new houses will add to the ad valorem tax roles and
significantly improve the neighborhoods in which they are
located," said Fire Marshall/Community Developer Kip
Kiplinger.
The
city council approved Mayor Veta Winick's nomination of James
Deats as an alternate on the Planning and Zoning Commission to
replace James Crabbe, who did not submit the proper paperwork
by the deadline, according to Winick. The
city council approved the reappointment of Ellis Ortego as
Prosecutor for the City of Dickinson.
All
other agenda items were approved. The
city council met in executive session to evaluate the city
secretary and to discuss economic development, but no action
was taken. League
City City Council League City City Council voted unanimously to deny a request to rezone 16 acres located along FM 2094 between Glen Cove and Marina Del Sol from Commercial to Multi-Family Residential. A
large number of Glen Cove residents voiced concerns that a new
apartment complex could cause problems with traffic, child
safety in the neighborhood, drainage, and property value. The council voted 4-3, with Mayor Pro Tem Keith Dill, Hamid Kantara and Darlene Anene opposed, to approve a utility agreement with Galveston County Municipal Utility District 43. The council voted 4-3, with Dill, Kantara and Anene opposed, to approve a utility agreement with Galveston County Municipal Utility District 44. The city council voted 5-2, with Dill and Anene opposed, to amend Chapter 118 of the City of League City Code of Ordinances. The ordinance deals with towing companies and their allowance to respond to accidents. The city council voted 4-3, with Dill, Kantara and Anene opposed, to issue combination unlimited tax and revenue bonds for Galveston County Municipal Utility District 15. The
city council voted 4-3, with Dill, Kantara and Anene opposed,
to issue bonds for Galveston County Municipal Utility District
13. The city council voted 5-2, with Katie Benoit and Barbara Meeks opposed, to proceed with the creation of City of League City Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone 5. “I
want to be able to knowledgeably answer citizens’
questions,” stated Meeks, explaining that she needs more
information before she can support the TIRZ. The
city council tabled a proposal to purchase
two vehicles for the criminal investigations division. An
item dealing with Galveston County’s road and sign material
bids was pulled from the agenda. An
item allowing for partial sprinkler coverage in the new
Galveston County Emergency Management Building was also pulled
from the agenda. All
other agenda items were approved. Beaumont
City Council Beaumont City Council voted unanimously to deny two requests for zoning changes. One request was for a change from Residential Single Family Dwelling to General Commercial-Multiple Family Dwelling District. The second request was for a change from Residential Multiple Family Dwelling-Highest Density and General Commercial-Multiple Family Dwelling to Heavy Industrial District for the property located between Irving and St. Anthony and between McGovern and Schwarner Streets.City Manager Kyle Hayes said the changes were combined in a joint public hearing. Listen Council
Member Dr. Lulu Smith presented a proclamation naming March 25
through March 28 as “Texas Duck Days.” Several students
from MLK and Dunbar schools were present to receive the
proclamation, accompanied by the “Duck”, a mascot for the
group. Judy Cornelius, Tobacco Prevention Specialist with the City Health Department received the proclamation from Dr. Smith. Jim Love representing Clear Channel Radio invited the city council to a “Rally for America” this weekend at Riverfront Park. Sam Bethea,
Customer Service Manager of Entergy, presented Mayor Lord with
a $9,000 check for the Mayor’s Summer Youth Work Program. Listen Clear
Creek Independent School District The Clear Creek Independent School District Board of Trustees voted to approve Texas Education Agency procedures related to student records reporting and state compensatory education funds. The TEA requires that each school district have the audits performed to calculate dropout rates and school budgeting. Vice President Glenn Brown denounced the audits by Griffin, Iles & Duvall, noting that the combined cost of $35,000 may not seem like a lot of money, but “it would be enough to fund a teacher.” The school board voted 5-2, with Bob Davee and Chuck Schneider opposed, to approve vouchers. The school board voted to donate obsolete computer equipment to Pearland ISD All other agenda items were approved.Print Version Pasadena
City Council Pasadena City Council appropriated $300,000 to acquire land along Young Street in order to make drainage improvements. “This is one more step up for us to getting things fixed between Fairmont and Crenshaw,” said Council Member Dana Philibert. “The drainage problem has backed up all the way to Al (Allen) Genoa and would be beneficial to those citizens as well.” The city council voted to purchase a forensic microscope for trace evidence analysis by the police department. “We have quite an incredible department in our department of forensic evidence," said Mayor John Manlove. "In fact, they were recognized across the whole country with some of the programs they’ve put in place.” The city council approved a $77,350 contract with Advance D'Sign Services for the Gateway/Welcome Sign Enhancement Project. The city council voted to purchase police uniforms and winter coats from Trooper Supply, Inc. The city council voted to accept donations of 30 sausage biscuits from McDonalds and 10 cheeseburger meals from Dairy Queen for children and volunteers at the "lock-in" at the Red Bluff Recreation Center, a project of the parks and recreation department. The City of Galveston Municipal Court has announced an amnesty program for citizens with un-adjudicated outstanding warrants and/or past due parking citations. The amnesty is for the period between April 7 and April 11, 2003. Participants
may save up to $225 per ticket, depending on the issue date.
To be eligible, all tickets must be paid in full.
Business hours are 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday
through Friday. Payments
will be accepted in the forms of cash, cashier’s check, or
money order. VISA
and MasterCard payments will be accepted by calling (800)
530-8084 or by visiting www.officialpayments.com.
There is an additional fee for telephone or internet
payments. No
personal checks will be accepted. The Galveston Chamber of Commerce has scheduled a Business Expo at the Moody Gardens Convention Center on Thursday, May 22 between 11:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. "There will be 100 exhibitors with a variety of products and services at the Expo," said President Cindy Schulz. "The opportunity to be a vendor at the event is available to Chamber members for $250 and to non-members for $350." There will be a complimentary lunch buffet provided by Mario’s Seawall Italian Restaurant, as well as an After-Expo Business Mixer from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. For
additional information, call Darcy DeVille at (409) 763-5326
extension 155. League City Chamber of Commerce The League City Chamber of Commerce and Business Association will hold its first "Men Who Cook" event on June 12. The inaugural event will feature 50 of the community's favorite "chefs". "It will be a fun-filled evening of gourmet
cuisine,
entertainment, a live auction, community spirit and much
more," said President Dee Scott. The chamber's Cultural Arts Division will sponsor a series of art exhibits featuring Bay Area artists, beginning with "The Wonders of Watercolors" on Friday, April 11 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at The Harbour Club at South Shore Harbour Resort and Conference at 2500 South Shore Boulevard. Featured artists include Marie Angermiller, Linda Bailey-Smith, Jody Henderer Burns and Carla Gauthier. Admission is free.
Reservations are
requested by April 7. Call the chamber office at (281)
338-7339. Galveston’s
Grand 1894 Opera House will hold an open audition on Monday
March 31, 2003 at 4 pm for the production of “Red Riding
Hood” to be presented by Missoula Children’s Theatre as a
part of The Grand Kids Festival in downtown Galveston.
The audition is open to children 6-18. No
materials are needed and there is no cost to the children or
their parents. The Grand Kids Festival, a celebration of families and folk arts which is now in its eighth year, will be held on Saturday, April 5th, from 10am-5pm, on Postoffice between 20th and 23rd streets in downtown Galveston. "This
day-long event includes activity booths, three performance
stages and family fun for everyone," said Maureen Patton,
director of the Grand. 2003
sponsors to date include: The Jamail Galveston Foundation,
Time Warner Cable, PEPSI: The Official Soft Drink for The
Grand, The Trull Foundation, Dow Chemical Company Foundation,
H-E-B, The Lents Foundation, Marathon Ashland Petroleum,
Motiva Enterprises, Suderman and Young Towing Company, Valero
Refining Company, Texas Commission on the Arts, KUHF 88.7FM,
Bob Pagan Sand Dollar Autoplex, Galveston Rotary Foundation,
Moody National Bank, Lyda Ann Thomas, Galveston Island Hilton,
CenterPoint Energy, The Historic Downtown Strand Partnership,
Hearn Lithographing, Inc. and the Galveston Island Rotary
Club. Festival underwriters are Mary Ainslie, The Gladys B. Foundation in honor of Robert Richard Thornton, Lawyer; the Harris and Eliza Kempner Fund, Bank of America, and the Park Board of Trustees of the City of Galveston. In-kind
donors include CenterPoint Energy, Lyda Ann Thomas, Raymond
and Palmira Morales–Custom Design Tees, George and Erma
Saracco–Collector’s Gallery, Eiband’s Antiques &
Gallery, Margaret Bennett and Gene Holt–Bennett &
Associates, Guy and Joan Taylor, The Galveston Historical
Foundation, Galveston’s ArtOber Festival, Mario’s Seawall
Italian Restaurant, Rudy & Paco’s Restaurant.
“Helping Hands” for the event include Mr. Bob
Lanning, Ms. Billie Lynn Daniels, the Frost Bank “A” Team
Volunteers, Target Volunteers and The Grand’s Phabulous
Phantoms. For more information about the event and to purchase advance tickets, call The Grand’s box office at (409) 765-1894 or (800) 821-1894. Tickets also may be purchased at the gate. All proceeds from this festival benefit The Grand 1894 Opera House. Friends
of Mayor Roger Quiroga hired a "bag lady" to help
celebrate his 50th birthday prior to a meeting of the Board of
Trustees of the Galveston Wharves. Scheduled
Meetings 7:30 Friendswood Independent School District Special
Budget Workshop
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