The Guidry News
© 2003, Guidry News
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The Guidry News
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© 2003, Guidry News
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Story Links: Galveston Committee on Unity and Tolerance Galveston County Navigation District 1 Galveston Independent School District Galveston Committee on Unity and Tolerance Galveston County Navigation District 1 Galveston Independent School District Galveston Committee on Unity and Tolerance Galveston County Navigation District 1 Galveston Independent School District Galveston Committee on Unity and Tolerance Galveston County Navigation District 1 Galveston Independent School District Galveston Committee on Unity and Tolerance Galveston County Navigation District 1 Galveston Independent School District Galveston Committee on Unity and Tolerance Galveston County Navigation District 1 Galveston Independent School District Galveston Committee on Unity and Tolerance Galveston County Navigation District 1 Galveston Independent School District Galveston Committee on Unity and Tolerance Galveston County Navigation District 1 Galveston Independent School District Galveston Committee on Unity and Tolerance Galveston County Navigation District 1 Galveston Independent School District Galveston Committee on Unity and Tolerance Galveston County Navigation District 1 Galveston Independent School District
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Galveston Committee on Unity and Tolerance Joe Huff, chair of the Galveston Committee on Unity and Tolerance, told the committee that City Attorney Susie Green has cautioned him to not stray from the charge of the city council to promote unity in the community. Listen "I assured her that we were in no way here to listen to accusations or things that would relate to actions that involve public servants, civil servants or anything that is the purview of the city council itself or the city manager, or any litigation that might come from any kind of events now or in the future, or any arrests that may have been made or not made related to anything regarding this," Huff said, explaining that the police chief and city officials were invited to the meeting only to discuss events of the evening of June 19 with persons concerned about the police shutdown of Menard Park. Sylvia Joyner and Yoni Benson, members of the committee, had complained at last week's regular meeting that police overreacted to a report of a Zydeco concert that had not been properly permitted. Police Chief Bob Pierce listened to the complaints, then said that the officers had acted properly, but the event could have been handled more discretely. Janyce Blozinski, a member of the committee, urged the police officers to consider the feelings of the community in enforcing the law. Leon Phillips, who witnessed the event in the park, called for creation of a civilian review board to deal with allegations of police brutality. Listen Bob Moore, a member of the committee, complained that Phillips and some other critics of the police department are irresponsible in their comments. Listen Although Huff had suggested that the committee might want to make a recommendation to Galveston City Council, the meeting adjourned without action. Correction: Friendswood City Council took no action on a proposed a tax exemption for the Masonic Lodge. The city council approved creation of Reinvestment Zone 2, and a tax abatement agreement for Easthaven, Incorporated to encourage the company to relocate to the city. League
City City Council League City City Council denied a tree disposition plan submitted by Ohad Yanny, Enzo Investments, for the Casa Marina Del Sol Development. The city council approved a $20,000 donation from the Lions Club for Butler Museum and Heritage Park. The city council deferred action on a possible revision to the city’s Certification and Academic Education Pay Program, as well as a procedure to provide merit compensation for employees at the top of their pay grades. The
city council deferred action on a proposal to accept water utilities and street improvements for Oak Creek Subdivision. The
city council
recognized Tiffany Nicole Brooks as the American National Miss
Teen for League City. The city council approved an agreement with the Houston-Galveston Area Council for an access management study of the FM 518 corridor between SH 288 and SH 146. All other agenda items were approved.Print Version Dickinson City Council approved the first reading of a city ordinance to regulate modular homes. The ordinance, which requires that modular homes have a value equal to or greater than the median taxable value for each single-family dwelling within 500 feet, was made possible by legislation recently enacted by the Texas Legislature. The new law also requires that modular homes match their exterior siding, roofing and foundation fascia compatible to the homes within 500 feet; and that they be placed on a permanently fixed foundation. Keith Kiplinger, the city's building official, was credited with working toward passage of the modular home legislation. The city council approved on first reading a request by William Wasco to rezone property located on the east side of Nichols Avenue, between Victoria Avenue and Cinnamon Cove Street from General Commercial to Conventional Residential. Kerry Neves and Louis Decker were opposed. "He told us he has tried to sell it as commercial, but without success. Therefore, he proposes to develop it as residential, since it lies between two residential streets," Neves said. "I opposed it because our present ordinances allow 50 foot wide lots, and I feel that is too small." The city council denied a zoning change request from Ponderosa Partners, for property north of Sunset and east of IH-45. It is presently zoned Conventional Residential, and the change requested was to Small Lot Residential. A number of citizens spoke against the change, based on traffic and drainage concerns. The city council reappointed Louis Decker, Elton Robbins and Bert Trotta to the Dickinson Economic Development Corporation. Police
Chief Ron Morales discussed the loss of funding for the
Galveston County Narcotics Task Force and discussed options
for another organization. Morales said he has approached
Sheriff Gean Leonard and several other chiefs of police about
putting together another task force without state funding. Pasadena
City Council Pasadena City Council approved $279,500 for the Armand Bayou and Strawberry to Burke/Crenshaw Hike and Bike trails. The city council approved a $26,955 contract with Zam Construction for the rehabilitation of a house at 1316 E. Thomas. The city council voted to allocate $96,243 for protective coats, trousers and helmets for city firefighters; and $26,400 for the purchase of three thermal imaging cameras for the fire department. The city council approved the purchase of 10 automated external defibrillators for $21,950. The defibrillators were described as computer-operated and relatively easy-to-use, compared to the older hand-held “paddle” defibrillators. The city council approved $37,950 for the purchase of an Intercomp Ax900 portable axle scale with trailer for use by the police department. All other agenda items were approved.El
Lago City Council David Noffsinger was sworn in as mayor pro tem at Tuesday's meeting of El Lago City Council. The city council approved a $32,000 bid from Concrete Raising Services for mud jacking projects on the city’s streets. The city council tabled the appointments of several city officials, boards and commissions. The city council tabled the proposed revision of El Lago’s Municipal Court’s warrant fee procedure. The city council tabled action on the proposed budget for the Lakeview Police Department. All other agenda items were approved.Print Version Port Arthur City Council voted Tuesday night to paint and repair the elevated water storage tanks at FM 365 and Thomas Boulevard, and to demolish the elevated water tank at Gillam Circle. "The Highway 365 elevated storage tank was built in 1966 and was last rehabilitated in 1985. The Thomas Boulevard elevated storage tank was built in 1951 and was last rehabilitated in 1992," reported Kelly Eldridge, interim director of utility operations. "The Gillam Circle elevated water storage tank was built in 1939. This tank has been out of service for approximately six years, due to weakening structure, and is considered to be a public safety hazard." A contract for the first project, estimated at $289,000, was awarded to DMS Painting of Pasadena, Texas. The demolition at Gillam Circle will cost about $7,300. The city council voted unanimously to deny a request to rezone property at 1048 Smith Street from Single Family Residential to Light Commercial. "The Planning and Zoning Commission at its meeting on Monday, May 19, 2003, recommended that this request be denied," reported City Manager Steve Fitzgibbons. "They felt that the proposed rezoning would have a negative impact on the area, due to the narrowness of the roads and that this is a residential neighborhood." The city council voted 4-1, with Rose Chaisson opposed, to table action on a request by Ike Mills, executive director of the Port Arthur Economic Development Corporation, for $3,750 per month for expansion of office space. All
other agenda items were approved. The Galveston Planning Commission voted 5-1, with Patricia Bolton-Legg opposed, to approve a request for a change of zoning from Recreation with Seawall Development Zone Overlay District to Traditional Neighborhood District for the Beachtown Galveston development on approximately 125 acres south of Seawall Boulevard, between Stewart Beach and Apffel Park. Listen The commission deferred action on two other requests by Beachtown developer Tofigh Shirazi. for a general land use plan and for a preliminary plat for the project. The commission approved a preliminary plat in conjunction with Sullivan Land and Cattle Company's single family development on a 15 acre tract located east of 99th Street, south of Sydnor Lane and north of Avenue V 1/2 and Stewart Road. The commission deferred action on a request by Galveston Waterfront Ventures for permanent license to use city right-of-way for a cruise ship parking lot at 33rd Street between Harborside and Mechanic. The commission deferred action on proposed new definitions for several land uses proposed for inclusion in Galveston Zoning Standards. All other
requests were approved with unanimous votes. Galveston County Navigation District 1 The Galveston County Navigation District 1 Board of Directors reviewed a report on tax collections by the Galveston County Tax Office. "It's an excellent report," said Chair Vandy Anderson. "It shows that we are continually increasing the rate of collection, although our tax rate has actually gone down a little." Attorney Bill Rider said the state has been notified of a one-car accident on the southern approach of the bridge. Anderson said repairs of damage from the Balsa collision should begin soon. District Manager Frank Incaprera said work is near completion on repair of the fender system. Galveston Independent School District Charles
B. Scott Elementary School in the Galveston Independent
School District was recently awarded a grant of "The school's grant proposal, written and submitted by fourth-grade teacher Elizabeth Esslinger with the assistance of Teresa Lowery, was chosen from a pool of over 8,000 applications," said a GISD news release. "The Beaumont grant will be targeting the integration of technology and writing skills throughout the curriculum with the goal of increasing the writing abilities of all fourth-grade students at C.B. Scott." The
grant will also fund after-school training and open lab time
for fourth-grade students, parents, and teachers. The
Communities in Schools organization will also participate in
the grant by using the mobile laptop lab to provide computer
access to community members who lack access from home. Scheduled
Meetings Today, July 9
Thursday, July 10 |
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