Thursday              October 9, 2003

University of Texas Medical Branch

United States Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison and officials of the University of Texas System officially cut the ribbon on the new Biosafety Level 4 Laboratory at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston.   

"I could not be more excited about what my home town and my home county has done," Hutchison said after a tour of the facility, praising local officials and civic leaders for demonstrating community support for the UTMB Bioterrorism program.  "After our country was attacked, it was clear that we were going to have to do more in the area of biodefense, to  protect our people, to know what the terrorists could do with biological and chemical weapons, and then be able to get the antidotes for that."

"The horrific events of September 11 did not make us change direction," said Dr. John Stobo, noting that UTMB had already established itself in the study of emergent diseases.  "But it provided to us a mandate that our work also be directed to biodefense efforts on behalf of the country since many of the organisms our scientists were dealing with could become weapons in a bioterrorist attack.

The opening of the facility coincides with recent announcements that UTMB has been designated a Regional Center of Excellence for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases and the more recent decision to locate a National Biocontainment Laboratory in Galveston.  

Photos and a recording of the news conference will be posted on The Online News Station.

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Galveston Independent School District

The Galveston Independent School District Board of Trustees voted Wednesday night to ask local voters to approve $69,450,000 in school bonds to support improvements and renovation projects throughout the district.

"The committee did work for hours and hours and received input from the community," said Mike Hughes, who moved for approval.  "We could tinker with things here and there, but I think the overall package is a good package."

"I enthusiastically support it," said Terry Dick.

School Board President John Ford agreed.  "I certainly support it and recognize the hard word of the committee."  

"I support it and I definitely appreciate the community for getting behind it and putting in as much effort as they have for the bonds," agreed Linda Dolfi.

David O'Neal said the bond issue will decide the future direction of the school district.

"We have more than just our input," O'Neal said.  "We had the input of the community."

"Our children deserve the very best they can get," said Barry Rochkind.  "Right now they are not getting it; technology, classrooms, everything that needs to be done, they deserve it."

"As I understand it, if all three propositions pass, it would be expected to add about 15 cents to the tax levy? asked Hughes.

"That's correct," said Superintendent Lynn Hale.

The bond issue includes three propositions:

* Proposition I includes renovations and improvements at all elementary and secondary campuses and the transportation facility to comply with federal and state regulations and building codes.  It also includes construction of a new K-8 school on Bolivar Peninsula.  Campus improvements include upgrades to mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems, some new construction and remodeling.  This proposition totals $59,500,000.

    * Proposition II is exclusively for technology enhancements in GISD classrooms.  It allows the district to increase the number of computers in each elementary classroom and provide portable laptop labs in all secondary schools.  This proposition will improve the student-to-computer ratio from 8:1 to 3:1.  This proposition totals $5,500,000.

    * Proposition III features renovations and improvements of physical education/wellness and sports facilities at all secondary campuses, the Tor Baseball Field and the Kermit Courville Stadium.  The practice field at Ball High School would be expanded to include an eight-lane competition/practice running track, batting cages, baseball field, restrooms and softball field.  This proposition totals $4,450,000. 

If all three propositions pass, taxpayers owning a $100,000 home, with a 20 percent homestead exemption and the $15,000 state mandated exemption, would see a 16-cent  tax increase.  The current tax rate for GISD is $1.56 per $100 valuation.  Of that $1.56, $1.50 is dedicated to maintenance and operations and $0.06 to debt service.  Currently, GISD has the lowest school tax rate in Galveston County.   

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Photos, Audio and More Details

San Jacinto Rail Line

Harris County Civil Court at Law Number Four Judge Cynthia Crowe has dismissed the suit filed by Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway Company.  BNSF had sought to condemn a right-of-way through City of Houston owned property at Ellington Field for its proposed railway. The railway would have gone through portions of Ellington Field and Clear Lake to the Bayport Industrial Complex. 

“The City had expressed its concerns about the route of the proposed railway to the Surface Transportation Board in March, 2002 and the city council approved a resolution opposing construction of the project along that route,” said Mayor Lee P. Brown.  “While we fully understand that industries that require rail service have need for competitive pricing, effective transportation and free market choices, we must also be mindful of the potential impact on neighborhoods, quality of life and the safety and security of our residents.”

"I am stunned," said City Council Member Shelley Sekula-Gibbs.  "This is a huge victory for the city and the citizens of southeast Houston and Harris County. Without the city's Ellington Field property, BNSF will have to rethink its plans about where to build the new rail.  This will give us time to continue our fight in federal court to overturn the Surface Transportation Board's decision to approve the San Jacinto Rail project."

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Galveston City Council

Galveston City Council voted to nominate Don Gartman to the Galveston Central Appraisal District Board of Directors.

The city council voted to add "aquaculture facility" as a new defined use in Galveston Zoning Standards.  

The city council voted to establish a new uniform speed limit of 15 miles per hour on the city's beaches.

The city council approved a $164,328.75 payment as the city's 30 percent part of the cost of a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers feasibility study for erosion response of the area from Sabine Pass to San Luis Pass.  Other participating entities are the Park Board of Trustees, the City of Jamaica Beach and Galveston County. 

The city council approved a $20,000 contract with Marlowe & Company for lobbying services, in a contract that includes funds from the park board, Jamaica Beach and Galveston County.

The city council approved a waiver from the Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone 12 moratorium to allow for a building materials store at 5915 Broadway.

The city council authorized City Manager Steve LeBlanc to negotiate a development and lease agreement with Schiltterbahn for three tracts of land at Scholes International Airport at Galveston for a water park and resort facility.

The city council voted to amend the Local Building Code to provide for guard shacks at the Port of Galveston to be built below the base flood elevation.

"I did give this to FEMA," said Wendy O'Donohoe.  "They have approved it; they have no objections, so we are o.k. with moving forward."

All other agenda items were approved.

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Houston City Council

Houston City Council on Wednesday voted to charge residents a drainage fee, but supported Mayor Lee Brown and rejected a proposed one-cent rollback of the property tax rate.

Several agenda items were tagged, or delayed for one week, by individual council members.

A $53,460 contract with American Plant Products & Services to furnish and deliver one greenhouse for the Houston Airport System was tagged by Addie Wiseman and Shelley Sekula-Gibbs.

A $439,508.70 contract with Central Turf Farms, Inc. for St. Augustine sod blocks for the Department of Public Works & Engineering was tagged by Sekula-Gibbs.

A $200,000 amendment to a construction contract  with R.H. Tonetti Construction Company for central concourse interiors at William P. Hobby Airport was tagged by Sekula-Gibbs.

A $500,000 amendment to a construction contract with the Morganti Group, Inc. for the Consolidated Rental Car Facility at George Bush Intercontinental Airport was tagged by Sekula-Gibbs.

A $1.1 million amendment to a construction contract with J. D. Abrams, L.P. for APM Guideway extension, roadway and site utilities at George Bush Intercontinental Airport was tagged by Sekula-Gibbs.

A $240,000 amendment to a construction contract with Stewart-Matl, Ltd. for HAS Administration Building renovation and addition at George Bush Intercontinental Airport was tagged by Sekula-Gibbs.

A $264,323 amendment to an agreement with Stoa International Architects, Inc d/b/a Stoa/Glolemon/Bolullo Architects for professional architectural/engineering services at George Bush Intercontinental Airport was tagged by Sekula-Gibbs.

Contracts totaling $18,537,300 with First Presbyterian Church of Goose Creek Texas, City of San Jacinto, City of La Porte, Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston and Young Women's Christian Association of Houston for the provision of nutrition and transportation services for the elderly was tagged by Mark Ellis, Gordon Quan, Bert Keller, Gabriel Vasquez, Bruce Tatro and Sekula-Gibbs.

All other agenda items were approved.

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San Jacinto College Board of Regents

The San Jacinto College Board of Regents approved a slight tax increase at its October meeting, furthering efforts to help the three-campus district recoup lost funds associated with the state's struggling economy.

The 2003 property tax will be $0.13913 cents per $100 of taxable valuation. The current rate is $0.13071 cents. That means the owner of a property assessed at $100,000 will pay an additional $8.42 next year, prior to senior citizen and other allowable exemptions.

"State supported colleges and universities have already taken drastic measures to offset severe cuts in the state's budget," said a San Jac news release.  " San Jacinto 's current budget reflects a decrease of $5.9 million, due to reduced state appropriations and cuts in the Texas Infrastructure Fund. San Jacinto College was also forced to cover $1.4 million reduction in employee health insurance and $2.4 million in additional costs for debt service, commercial insurance and bringing five new buildings online."

The tax increase is expected to provide the college an extra $1.8 million. 

The increase affects residents of seven school districts, including Pasadena Independent School District, Deer Park ISD , La Porte ISD , Sheldon ISD, Channelview ISD , Galena Park ISD and two subdivisions in Clear Creek.

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United States Congress

United States Representative Nick Lampson has provided redistricting maps that have been released by the Texas Legislature Conference Committee, and issued a strong statement of protest: 

"The 75th version of the congressional redistricting map was released today. The conference committee's map is so blatantly unconstitutional it will never survive legal scrutiny," Lampson said.  "It doesn't take a constitutional scholar to recognize that these politically motivated, gerrymandered congressional districts will never see the light of day. I am 100 percent confident the courts will do what the legislature failed to do, protect rural communities of interest and minorities in Texas."

Current Map   Current Statewide    Proposed Statewide Plan

Proposed 2nd District        Proposed 14th District

Lampson has announced several healthcare town-hall meetings and health screenings in the Ninth District. 

The events are called "Putting the Care Back in Healthcare IV" and will be held on Tuesday, October 28 from 9:00 a.m. to noon at the Gymnasium at Moody Memorial First United Methodist Church, 2803 53^rd Street, Galveston; and on Thursday, October 30 from 9:00 a.m. to noon at the Calder Woods Retirement Community, 7080 Calder in Beaumont.

The health fairs will include sixty plus service providers, free health screenings, food, door prizes, entertainment and a town hall meeting.

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Houston-Galveston Area Council

The Houston-Galveston Area Council is hosting three public meetings on the FM 518 Corridor Study. The meetings will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the following locations:

Monday, October 27, at the Johnnie Arolfo Civic Center, 400 West Walker Street, League City.

 
Tuesday, November 11, at City Council Chambers, 910 South Friendswood Drive, Friendswood.

Wednesday, November 12, at Pearland Junior High South, 4719 Bailey Road, Pearland.

The purpose of the corridor study is to identify transportation measures that would improve public safety and traffic flow, reduce motorist delay, enhance air quality, and improve bicycle and pedestrian access on FM 518 from U.S. 288 to SH 146.

The public meetings will be conducted in an open house format, to allow people to arrive at their convenience, walk around and review the information, speak with the consultants and H-GAC staff, and provide their views on what is presented.

For more information contact Jerry Bobo, H-GAC project manager, at (713) 993-4571. 

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Galveston College Upward Bound

Rotary Labyrinth

The William Temple Episcopal Center has scheduled a training session for persons interested in becoming Labyrinth facilitators on October 17 and 18.

The Reverend Dr. Lauren Artress, Canon for Special Ministries at San Francisco's Grace Cathedral, who is credited with revitalizing interest in the labyrinth as a spiritual tool among American Christians, will conduct the training.

The stone Labyrinth at William Temple Episcopal Center at 427 Market Street in Galveston, which will be utilized for the training, is a replica of the 13^th Century labyrinth found in the floor of the Chartres Cathedral in France.

Call (409) 762-8641 for more information. 

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Galveston Chamber of Commerce

Chuck Watson, the chair of the Houston Super Bowl XXXVIII Host Committee, will address the next Quarterly Business Luncheon of the Galveston Chamber of Commerce in the Davidson Ballroom of The Tremont House Hotel from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 20.

Watson will discuss the impact of the 2004 Super Bowl on Galveston’s economy.  

Tickets for the luncheon are $20 each, or a corporate sponsor table of eight is $200.  The deadline to purchase tickets is Monday, November 17.  Cancellations received after this date will be non-refundable.  For any questions or for more information, call Darcy DeVille at (409) 763-5326 extension 155.

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Scheduled Meetings
Meetings will be held in the regular meeting place of the city council or other governmental body, unless otherwise specified.

Today, October 9
4:00 Galveston County Municipal Utility District 6, Helen Hall Library, League City
4:30 Galveston Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting for Broadway Kwik Kar, 3115 Broadway
5:00 Galveston County Municipal District 29, 14228 Stewart Road, Galveston
5:00 Galveston Garden Club Monthly Meeting, Powhatan House, 3427 Avenue O, Galveston
7:00 Santa Fe City Council
7:00 Kemah City Council
7:00 La Marque Independent School District Board of Trustees
7:30 Texas City Independent School District Board of Trustees
8:00 "The Miss Firecracker Contest," Strand Theatre, Galveston 

Friday, October 10
11:30 Battle of the Bay Luncheon, Nessler Center Wings of Heritage Room
11:30 League City Chamber of Commerce and Business Association Monthly Luncheon, South Shore Harbour Country Club.  University of Houston-Clear Lake President Dr. William Staple will speak.
8:00 "The Miss Firecracker Contest," Strand Theatre, Galveston
8:00 "The Sound of Music," The Grand 1894 Opera House 

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