© 2003, Guidry News
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© 2003, Guidry News
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Links: Port Arthur City Council and Economic Development Corporation Cultural Arts Council of Harris County-Houston Island Pride Festival Weekend in Galveston Galveston County Navigation District Number 1 Port Arthur City Council and Economic Development Corporation Cultural Arts Council of Harris County-Houston Island Pride Festival Weekend in Galveston Galveston County Navigation District Number 1 Port Arthur City Council and Economic Development Corporation Cultural Arts Council of Harris County-Houston Island Pride Festival Weekend in Galveston Galveston County Navigation District Number 1 Port Arthur City Council and Economic Development Corporation Cultural Arts Council of Harris County-Houston Island Pride Festival Weekend in Galveston Galveston County Navigation District Number 1 Port Arthur City Council and Economic Development Corporation Cultural Arts Council of Harris County-Houston Island Pride Festival Weekend in Galveston Galveston County Navigation District Number 1 Port Arthur City Council and Economic Development Corporation Cultural Arts Council of Harris County-Houston Island Pride Festival Weekend in Galveston Galveston County Navigation District Number 1 Port Arthur City Council and Economic Development Corporation Cultural Arts Council of Harris County-Houston Island Pride Festival Weekend in Galveston Galveston County Navigation District Number 1 Port Arthur City Council and Economic Development Corporation Cultural Arts Council of Harris County-Houston Island Pride Festival Weekend in Galveston Galveston County Navigation District Number 1 Port Arthur City Council and Economic Development Corporation Cultural Arts Council of Harris County-Houston Island Pride Festival Weekend in Galveston Galveston County Navigation District Number 1 Port Arthur City Council and Economic Development Corporation Cultural Arts Council of Harris County-Houston Island Pride Festival Weekend in Galveston Galveston County Navigation District Number 1 Port Arthur City Council and Economic Development Corporation Cultural Arts Council of Harris County-Houston Island Pride Festival Weekend in Galveston Galveston County Navigation District Number 1 Port Arthur City Council and Economic Development Corporation Cultural Arts Council of Harris County-Houston Island Pride Festival Weekend in Galveston Galveston County Navigation District Number 1 Port Arthur City Council and Economic Development Corporation Cultural Arts Council of Harris County-Houston Island Pride Festival Weekend in Galveston Galveston County Navigation District Number 1 Port Arthur City Council and Economic Development Corporation Cultural Arts Council of Harris County-Houston Island Pride Festival Weekend in Galveston Galveston County Navigation District Number 1 Port Arthur City Council and Economic Development Corporation Cultural Arts Council of Harris County-Houston Island Pride Festival Weekend in Galveston
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Galveston County Navigation District 1 Attorney Bob Randolph, representing the Board of Trustees of the Galveston Wharves, accompanied by Galveston Economic Development Partnership President Jeff Sjostrom, acting on his own, visited with the Board of Commissioners of Galveston County Navigation District Number 1 to discuss proposed legislation that would change the nature of the district. The proposal would merge the navigation district, which manages the Pelican Island Causeway, with Road District 1, which manages the toll bridge at San Luis Pass, into a district with powers to levy assessments on public and private properties to try to help with some of the costs associated with capital improvements and maintaining the port property. The expanded board would be composed of nine commissioners, including the current three elected members, as well as two members of Galveston City Council, two members of the wharves board and two members appointed by Galveston County Commissioners Court. Randolph said fees levied by the district could also contribute to the $5 million local match to deepen the Galveston Ship Channel. "Virtually every navigation district in the state of Texas has taxing powers and uses it for navigation purposes," noting that the Galveston County district only manages a bridge. Navigation District Manager Frank Incaprera said deepening the channel would not benefit current users of the channel, who would not be willing to be assessed fees by the proposed new district. "Who should pay for the deepening," Randolph asked. "The people who use it!" Incaprera exclaimed. "The people who have a ship that goes 45 feet," Incaprera replied. "Well there's no ship that goes 45 feet right now because there's no 45-foot channel," Randolph explained. Sjostrom said there are two businesses on Pelican Island who are in need of a deeper channel. Sjostrom also reported that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will assume financial responsibility for maintenance of the spoils levies on Pelican Island. "The Corps of Engineers people have not told me that!" Incaprera countered. "I talked to them today." "They told me that," Sjostrom said. Navigation District Chair Vandy Anderson said he could support the legislation if all issues are to be put to a vote of the people, but he doesn't think it will pass. "We perceive our job to be completely available to do any kind of creative financing you want to do as long as it doesn't come out of the pockets of taxpayers of Galveston," Anderson said. "But the entire bridge comes out of the taxpayers' pockets," Randolph said. "It certainly does, and that's all I think we want to do," Anderson said. "Now when the community says we want to do more, then they can come to us and ask. You have. I suspect they will need three new commissioners if they intend to do that." Anderson said the proposed fees would drive away the current users of the channel. "They will go to Bolivar where there is no fee." Navigation District attorney Bill Rider is a member of the board of the GEDP, but he said he was not representing the GEDP at the meeting. Sjostrom said the GEDP board has not discussed the proposed legislation, but would talk about it at today's executive board meeting. He said he attended the navigation district meeting to explore possibilities for economic development. Listen The
navigation district commissioners will consider support for
the proposed legislation at a future meeting. Port Arthur City Council and the Port Arthur Economic Development Corporation voted unanimous support for $7 million in economic development incentives for a new hospital operated by Iasis Healthcare Corp. "We certainly appreciate a lot of the community support for this project," said PAEDC President Ike Mills. "We certainly look forward to getting this project off the ground because health care issues really directly affect what I do, to try to get companies to come into the city." Listen The city council will meet
again in special session on Friday to select the design/build
firm for the $100 million hospital. League City City Council League City City Council voted 5-1 vote, with Darlene Anene opposed, to rezone 870.4 acres of property to allow construction of the Kenwood Planned Unit Development, a hybrid mix of commercial and residential properties, parks and multi-family dwellings. Several residents voiced opposition to the plan during the public hearing, citing concerns about flooding, traffic and noise, among others. Despite concerns, Mayor Jeff Harrison said that his job is to bring businesses into League City. “I told people I would bring commercial in here and we're going to do it," Harrison said. “Enough people decided what I was saying was what they wanted in this town (and) they elected me mayor. If you want towns to be 10,000 people you need to go back to 1970’s; it’s not going to happen.” Harrison said that his motivation for bringing in commercial businesses was to lower the property tax rate. “I’m tired of paying the high taxes." Darlene Anene argued that the city might be moving too rapidly. “There is nothing wrong with slowing down growth to work on the infrastructure,” Anene said. “You can’t stop development; you can’t stop growth,” Harrison countered, “It’s how you manage it.” Johnson Development Corporation will head construction of the development. The city council voted 4-2, with Anene and Mike Hembree opposed, to rezone 337.7 acres to allow for construction of the Bay Colony West Planned Unit Development, a mostly residential community with about 24 acres plotted for commercial use. Opponents of the plan cited drainage problems as their main concern. M. Sherman & Associates Land Development will head the project. The city council voted to award a $2,321,500 contract to Stephens Construction Service in order to relocate Fire Station 2 at Hobbs Road and to construct Fire Station 5 at Bay Colony. The
city council voted to rename FM 1266 as Columbia Memorial
Parkway. Dickinson
City Council Dickinson
City Council approved a franchise agreement allowing Time
Warner Communications to use right-of-way in the city of
Dickinson for a fifteen-year term. "We've never seen a bond this high before,"
complained Time
Warner's Manager of Franchising & Regulatory Affairs
Craig D'Agostini, speaking of the $1 million liability coverage
requested by the city. The city council approved an ordinance listing Cable Customer Standards, which D'Agostini unsuccessfully requested that the council table, so Time Warner could negotiate some of the terms. "We believe the customer service standards should
be something we both agree on, and we'd like more time to
discuss some of the issues," D'Agostini said, claiming
discriminatory treatment against the cable company. "This council has the legal authority to adopt customer service standards - you don't need Time Warner's agreement," objected City Attorney Cheryl Wilson. "With regard to discriminatory treatment in that these customer service standards are being adopted and they are applicable to cable operators and not your local bakeries or dry cleaners, the FCC has addressed that argument…and they have rejected that." Wilson
noted that cable customers have little choice and deserve
special protection. "Unhappy bakery or dry cleaning
customers can take their business elsewhere, but cable
customers cannot since Time Warner is the only cable choice in
town." D'Agostini argued that customers could have satellite instead of cable, and that was their choice. "But basically you operate like a monopoly," retorted Wilson. "That's not true," said D'Agostini. Wilson advised the council to adopt the standards on
the recommendation of the law firm Olson and Olson. The
city council approved an engagement letter from the Olson
& Olson law firm to continue providing legal services to
the city of Dickinson. The
city council discussed but took no action on requests from the
Park and Recreation Board regarding funds for several sports
tournaments and the placement of basketball goals on city
property. All
other agenda items were approved. Mayor
Veta Winick proclaimed the month of April 2003 as Child Abuse
Prevention Month, and Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and April
8 as Volunteer Appreciation Day. She presented certificates to several volunteers who
participated in the city's annual Trash Bash clean-up. Pasadena City Council Pasadena City Council approved a $1,469,779 contract with Angel Brothers Enterprises, Ltd. for the Strawberry-Nine Road project, a cooperative project with Harris County. “This is
the long awaited reconstruction of Strawberry Road between
Spencer and Vista," said Mayor John Manlove.
"If you have had the opportunity to make it through that part of Strawberry you will appreciate this
project.” Council Member Jerri Neely expressed concern about the contractor on the project. “There
are a great deal of questions regarding the work on
Jackson Street," cautioned Neely.
"This is the same contractor that’s working
on Jackson Street and the work over there has stopped. We want
our roads completed over there before we start something else
over here. I have a real problem with that. It’s real
important that we continue on with what we got going over
there. I just want Angel Brothers to hear that. I hope you
hear me out there because I’m gonna talk to you about
this.” The city council voted to award a $568,365 contract to D & W Contractors, Inc. for the Coleman Street Paving and Drainage Project and appropriating the amount of $596,783. “This is another project that this administration is moving forward with and I’m proud of it,” said Council Member Leroy Stanley. The city
council awarded contracts for the rehabilitation of single-family
homes in connection with the Housing
Rehabilitation Program: “This is an ordinance that we are using community development funds to rebuild two homes on the north side," Manlove said. "It is part of our goal to rebuild homes on the north side and we can’t wait; we want to rebuild a minimum of 12 new homes per year." The city council appropriated $819,231 for the Westside Drainage Project. All other
agenda items were approved. Beaumont
City Council Beaumont City Council voted to enter into an agreement with the Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway and the Texas Department of Transportation to permanently close railroad crossings on Long Street at Oakland, Center, Forrest and Stephenson Streets. The neighborhood association agrees with this project. City Manager Kyle Hayes reported to the city council that representatives of the MLK Neighborhood Association have approved the plan. "Discussions with BNSF and TxDOT resulted in an agreement to share the costs with railway crossing safety improvement funds," Hayes said. The preliminary cost estimate for the project is $130,000. BNSF will reimburse $40,000 and TxDOT will reimburse $30,000. The city will be responsible for the remaining $60,000. "Hopefully, we will continue to move forward in addressing some neighbors' concerns about the condition of the streets," said Council Member Audwin M. Samuel, who applauded the city council action. "The tracks run down the center of the street." Listen The city council voted to modify speed limits on Concord Road, MLK Parkway and Gulf Street. Hayes said the changes are the result of speed studies of motorists traveling along the recently widened portions of Concord Road, MLK Parkway and Gulf Street between Interstate 10 and East Lucas. The city council approved a five-year renewal of a lease agreement with the Beaumont Art League for art museum property and facilities located at Fair Park. The city council approved an $8,292 change order for the Athletic Complex Post-Tension Concrete Tennis Court Resurfacing Project and authorized a final payment of $44,892 to Trans Texas Tennis, Inc. for the project. The city council authorized an $99,620 increase in the Lawson’s Pump Station Modifications project for "extra work". The city council approved a resolution supporting the United States military troops and their families. In work session, the city council postponed action on review of the 2003 Public Services/Public Facilities & Improvements and Emergency Shelter Grant applications and administration, and recommendations of the Community Development Advisory Committee. The city council proclaimed April 8 to be Coach Jim Gilligan Day; April 7 through April 11 to be National Public Health Week; April to be Texas Fair Housing Month and Racial Justice Awareness Month. All other
agenda items were approved. All votes were unanimous. Bayou Vista Board of
Aldermen The Bayou Vista Board of Aldermen voted to cancel the May 3 municipal election because aldermen Theresa Moeller and Bill Jackson, as well as alderman candidate Eddie Stafford are unopposed. The
board voted to table the final reading of an
Animal Control Ordinance until the May city council meeting,
due to some problems with the wording. “This is not in ordinance form,” stated City
Attorney Ellis Ortego. The board approved the sale of a riding lawn mower belonging to the City of Bayou Vista for $150. Other city-owned items for sale will appear on next month’s agenda, according to Mayor Pro Tem Bill Jackson. The
board took no action
on the first reading of a revised personnel and administration
ordinance. All other agenda items were approved. Recreational Facilities
Manager Monty Mansfield reported on the completion of
the remodeled community center. "The
community center is up and running,” announced Mansfield,
“Y’all get over there and see it.” Morgan's Point City Council voted Tuesday night to cancel the May 3 election. The three candidates for city council, Milo Strickland and incumbents Brian Smith and Paul McBeth drew no opponents. There
were no other action items on the regular meeting agenda. Downtown
Houston Association Barry
Mandell, director of
the Theater District Association and Christine Fields,
director of marketing for the Hobby Center for the Performing
Arts, spoke to the
Downtown Houston Association monthly meeting on Tuesday. The
Theater District is an association including the Houston
Symphony, the Houston Ballet, the Hobby Center, Theatre Under
the Stars, the Alley Theatre, Houston Grand Opera,
Jones Hall, the Society for the Performing Arts, Verizon
Theatre and the Wortham Center. Mandell said that Houston has over 50,000 theatre seats. “We rank
second only to Broadway for the most number of theatre seats
in a concentrated downtown area," Mandell said.
"Very few people know that.” Mandell
said that Houston was one of only five cities that have
permanent resident professional art companies in the four
disciplines of the arts: dance, opera, music and theatre. He
said the Theatre District employs over 4,000 people, "from bartenders to
ballerinas. We use the Theatre District as an economic engine for the
city.” Mandell said the district is trying to make the downtown district a cultural destination, explaining that when he was growing up his parents would not allow him to go downtown because it was too dangerous. He said that baby boomers are moving back to be close to the entertainment centers in downtown and that corporations are more likely to relocate to cities with a vibrant downtown. Fields
spoke about the history of the Hobby Center, which is a
privately operated foundation. The Hobby Center includes the
2,650 seat Sarofim Hall which is designed for musicals, the
500 seat multi-purpose Zilkha Hall, and Artista,
a restaurant that seats 300 people. Fields
gave a preview of upcoming shows that Hobby will be presenting
this season, including
“The Producers,” “Grease,” “Thoroughly Modern
Millie,” and “Mamma Mia!” Listen Cultural
Arts Council Cultural Arts Council of Houston-Harris County Board President David Benson on Tuesday expressed concern over a bill in the Texas House of Representatives that would alter the way appointments to the CACH-HC board are handled, allowing various civic groups to directly appoint board members. Benson said the bill is now in committee, but Board Member Debra Danburg, a former state representative said the bill did not have a senate sponsor and would not likely become law. “It’s a
concept," Danburg said. "Calling it a bill is
flattering.” CAC-HC
Executive Director Maria Munoz Blanco reported that the House
version of the state budget would cut funding to the Texas
Commission on the Arts by about 15 percent, in line with cuts
to
most state agencies. However, she said the
Senate version would cut TCA funding by 50 percent. TCA provides funds to several arts councils around the state, who distribute the money to local artists and art projects. Blanco asked that board members express their support for the House version of the budget. “If
the Senate version passes, we’re going to lose about
$400,000," Blanco warned. "We will not be able to do anything outside the
city.” The
board approved a recommendation to Mayor Lee Brown for two
mini-grants: A $2,500 grant for a sculpture on Buffalo Bayou
Arts Park, and a $20,000 grant for a play to be performed by
Stages. Benson reported that Brown had recently
awarded two other mini grants: $10,000 for the Chocolate Bayou
Festival and $35,000 for local artists to exhibit works at the
National Conference of Mayors, which Houston is hosting this
summer. The board will be voting on new members in June. Danburg suggested that the nominating committee send letters to all city council members, county commissioners and Houston-area legislators asking for recommendations for potential board members. “We may get a few good board members,"
Danburg said. But we’ll
definitely get some good publicity by asking them.” The
board met in executive session to discuss its contracts with
the city of Houston. No action was taken. Also
at Tuesday's meeting it was announced that Louise Howell is
the new director of community relations and
Megan Womack is the new assistant director of grants and
services. The Galveston Planning Commission voted 3-1, with Pat Lawson opposed, to recommend to Galveston City Council that a specific use permit be granted to Foxfire Building Construction for an auto laundry at 4427 Broadway. Lawson is concerned about the noise the car wash will generate. All other votes were 4-0. Only Chair John Dreiss, Lawson, Patricia Bolton-Legg and Arthur Campos were in attendance. The commission approved a permanent license to use city right-of-way to permit construction of a retaining wall for the Barton Square Subdivision. Attorney Sam Tramonte of the Galveston Property Finance Authority explained that the elevated property is in danger of erosion. "When we sodded it we had four weeks of monsoon," Tramonte explained. "We found that we would have to find a way to hold that soil." The commission deferred action on a request for a permanent license to use city right-of-way in conjunction with an access drive to connect adjacent properties at the Galveston Waterfront Ventures property adjacent to 33rd Street and Harborside Drive. The commission deferred action on a request to abandon a 9,600 square foot portion of the right-of-way of 13th Street adjacent to 1228 Harborside. The commission deferred action on a request for a beachfront construction certificate in order to build a single-family dwelling at 21530 Kennedy Drive; and for a request for a beachfront construction certificate in order to construct a single-family dwelling, dune restoration project and dune walkover at 22815 Gulf Drive. All other
requests were approved. Harris County Precinct 2 Commissioner Sylvia R. Garcia will be the keynote speaker at the El Lago Historical Society's quarterly meeting. Garcia, who was sworn in as county commissioner on January 1, will speak to the group about "the vast array of services provided to senior citizens by Precinct 2." The
meeting will be at 7:30 p.m. at El Lago City Hall, 98
Lakeshore Drive on Thursday, April 24. Island Pride Festival Weekend in Galveston Island Pride Festival, Inc. will sponsor the first Gay, Lesbian, Transgender and Bi-Sexual Pride Parade at 4 p.m. on May 3 in conjunction with a "mini gay film festival" on May 2. On Sunday, First Splash activities are planned. The
parade
will begin at the corner of 24th Street and Church, and wind
it’s way through downtown along Mechanic Street, 23rd Street
and Postoffice Street, and will end at 21st Street and
Postoffice. "IPF has invited businesses from around the state to participate in this historic event," said Alan Bourgeois in a news release. "The parade is open to anyone who supports the LeTs Bi Gay community of Galveston, and Galveston County." There
is a $25 fee to help offset the cost of the parade permits.
For
more information visit www.GayGalveston.com
or call (409) 750-9288. Today's
Meetings
8:30 Board of Trustees of the Galveston Wharves Special
Meeting |
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