Tuesday              December 9, 2003

Board of Trustees of the Galveston Wharves

The Board of Trustees of the Galveston Wharves approved a $14.1 million operating budget for 2004, with operating expenditures of $9.6 million.

"After depreciation and interest expense, we show excess revenue of $880,000 for the year," said Port Director Steve Cernak. Listen

"I'm impressed by it; I think that we are moving in the right direction," said Wharves Board Chair Benny Holland.  "There are obviously some things that need to be done, that we need to find some revenue to do; but, based on the revenue that we have and the things that we are doing, I'm satisfied with it."

The wharves board also met in executive session, then voted to extend Cernak's contract for an additional year.  There was no pay increase in the action, but Holland said a bonus will be considered during the next year as some of the board's goals are accomplished.

"It's a way of giving him an incentive to get the job done and us rewarding somebody for doing a good job," Holland said. 

"I am happy the way things are going too," Cernak said. "I think that, coupled with the bond issue that we will have early next year, we will see some exciting changes over the next year at the Port of Galveston.

Photos and a recording of the meeting will be posted on The Online News Station at www.guidrynews.com. 

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Galveston City Council

Galveston City Council on Monday voted unanimously to approve a beach access plan that apparently won the support of a majority of those who spoke at a public hearing on the plan.

Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson, who addressed a special city council workshop over a speakerphone, urged those with reservations about the plan to give it a chance.

"Things may change in the future and there may be a need for further restrictions on vehicles, or there may be an opportunity to have fewer restrictions on vehicles," Patterson said.  "I would ask everyone to give this plan a chance, and try to make it work; and if we need to fine tune it, I guess that Galveston could come to that conclusion and we certainly want to cooperate with that." 

Patterson gave the city the go ahead to charge fees for admission to the beaches, and said funds raised where fees are charged can be used to benefit the entire Galveston beachfront.

"I don't have any problem with it, and it is allowed in the statutes," Patterson said.  "Other communities are doing it in other parts of Texas, and those funds are reinvested in beach improvements and access, and law enforcement and emergency services and all those things.  I don't have a problem with that."

Tim Lopas of Texas Open Beach Advocates told the city council at the public hearing that he preferred the original plan presented by the Department of Planning and Community Development.

"That did have diversity of access," Lopas said.  "What has happened now over the last year and a half or so has slipped away to development."

"I am here to express my disappointment and disgust with this beach access plan," said Ron Rodriguez, also of TOBA.  "It does not reflect the needs and wants of many of our citizens and in many respects does not follow the intent of the law."

However, former planning commissioner John Dreiss, spoke in favor of the plan.  

The plan that you describe is a very fair compromise," said Dreiss, stressing that the city council should pay more attention to the needs of local residents than to people who live elsewhere in the state.  "We represent our citizens, our property owners and our taxpayers."

Patrick Dugan, owner of property at Pointe San Luis at the West End of Galveston Island, complained that the revised plan might threaten the development by Centex, because it removes one-half mile of beach from the "pedestrian only" category.

The city council also revised the plan to include more vehicular access to the R.A. Apffel Park area and less vehicular access to the east of Stewart Beach.

The beach access plan approved by the city council will be reviewed by the Texas General Land Office.

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Photos and Audio

Beaumont City Council

Beaumont City Council approved increases in several permits and fees, including fees for oversized load permits, zone changes, specific use permits and variance applications, fire service fees, ambulance permits and ambulance company fees, health department fees, fees for use of the Civic Center, library fees, food service and food store permit fees and water customer service fees.

"It is estimated that the recommended increases will result in $130,000 to $140,000 per year in additional revenues to the General Fund and approximately $70,000 in additional revenues per year to the Water Fund," said City Manager Kyle Hayes.

The city council approved a $50,100 amendment to a contract with The Southeast Texas Community Development Corporation to cover the costs of infrastructure at the old Dick Dowling School site.

"SETCDC was awarded a contract in the amount of $350,000 for cost associated with the construction of ten new homes at the Dick Dowling School site," said Housing Manager Janett Blunt.  "The site has been re-platted and infrastructure is required to install water and sewer utilities for a subdivision."

The city council voted to pay $15,000 toward the funding of the Partnership of Southeast Texas.

The city council approved the disannexation of more than 68.57 acres of property near Tagore and Burke owned by Exxon Mobile.

The city council voted to reappoint Arthur Berry to the Convention and Tourism Advisory Committee on a motion by Council Member Nancy Beaulieu.

The city council reappointed Reverend David Robinson to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Parkway Commission on a motion by Mayor Evelyn Lord.

All other agenda items were approved.

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La Marque City Council
by Dedra Black

La Marque City Council voted to spend $17,000 to repair a traffic signal at Cedar Drive and Lake Road. 

“The traffic signal was hit by a vehicle several months ago,” explained Mayor Larry Crow, “The company that insured the vehicle has refused payment, because the person driving the vehicle did not have the owner’s permission." 

The city council approved an agreement with Goldstar EMS III, Inc. of Port Arthur for the city’s ambulance service, following a presentation by spokesman John Brian. 

The city council approved a preliminary plat for Painted Meadows Subdivision Phase I. 

The city council approved the final plat for Oasis RV Park. 

The city council voted to cancel its regular meeting scheduled for December 22.

All other agenda items were approved.

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Shoreacres City Council
by Dedra Black

Shoreacres City Council awarded merit bonuses to eligible full-time city employees for the year 2003. 

The city council approved additional expenditures for the purchase of light poles for Circle Park. 

The city council voted to cancel its regular meeting, previously scheduled for December 22. 

The city council tabled an agenda item dealing with fire protection services provided by the City of La Porte. 

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Galveston Symphony Orchestra

Galveston Symphony Orchestra ‘Mini-Season’ ticket packages are now on sale and can be purchased through February 8.

The package of single adult tickets to each of the three symphony concerts in the second half of the 2003-04 season is only $33, a saving of $12 off the regular price. Students and seniors can purchase the ‘Mini-Season’ package for only $24, a saving of $12 off the regular price.  Schedule

UTMB and other discount offers such as KUHF-FM Classic Card do not apply to the ‘Mini-Season’ package. To purchase ‘Mini-Season’ package tickets or individual tickets, call the Grand 1894 Opera House at (409) 765-1894, or toll-free at (800) 821-1894. Tickets for individual concerts can also be purchased at www.thegrand.com. 

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National Football League

The National Football League and America Online, Inc. announced today The NFL Experience, pro football’s interactive theme park that annually precedes the Super Bowl, will open in Houston, January 23-25 and January 29-Feb. 1, 2004, at the newly renovated George R. Brown Convention Center. This is the first time the event will visit Houston in its 13-year history.

The exhibit spans nearly 800,000 square feet, and features more than 50 interactive games and attractions.  Football fans may test their skills in a variety of football attractions in which they can run, throw, punt, kick and pass "just like the pros".

“America Online Presents the NFL Experience is designed to offer fans of all ages the opportunity to be part of the excitement of Super Bowl XXXVIII, whether they have a ticket to the game or not," said Jim Steeg, the NFL’s Senior Vice President of Special Events.  "It is a celebration of football for fans in Houston, as well as visitors throughout Texas.”  

“The NFL Experience is one of the most exciting events during Super Bowl week and we are thrilled to return as the premier sponsor,” said Richard Taylor, America Online’s senior vice president of brand marketing.

Tickets to America Online Presents the NFL Experience will go on sale December 10 and may be purchased by calling (866) TIX-4NFL (849-4635), online at www.superbowl.com,  and at select TicketMaster outlets in the Houston area including all 16 Foley’s locations in Houston, and the Foley’s location in Beaumont and College Station. 

Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children 12 and under, and permit entry for a particular day and time.  Tickets purchased by phone, online, or at the outlets are subject to a TicketMaster service charge. Tickets also will be available at the George R. Brown Convention Center box office during operating hours, beginning January 23. 

Proceeds from the ticket sales will be donated by the NFL to the NFL/Youth Education Town, a multi-faceted educational and recreation facility designed to improve the academic and physical fitness, as well as job-related skills of at-risk youth. 

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GMPA Christmas Holiday Parade

The Galveston Municipal Police Association will again this year sponsor the Galveston Christmas Holiday Parade.  The event will be held at 6 p.m. on Saturday, December 13, beginning at 25th Street and Santa Fe Place.

The parade will proceed through the downtown district, east on Mechanic to 23rd Street, south to Postoffice, east to
21st Street, north to Strand on 21st Street, and west on Strand to 25th Street.  Then the parade will turn south to Santa Fe Place where it will disband.

For information or to submit an entry to the parade, contact Frank Culligan, coordinator, at (409) 763-6401.  Political signage is not permitted.

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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, December 9
6:15 Webster Economic Development Corporation
6:30 Friendswood Independent School District Board of Trustees, Friendswood Junior High Snack Bar
7:00 Dickinson City Council
7:00 Webster City Council
7:00 Hitchcock Independent School District Special Meeting

Wednesday, December 10
9:00 Houston City Council 
12:00 Rotary Club of Galveston, Brothers Petronella Top Gallant Room. Ray Pinard will speak on the Meals on Wheels Program
4:00 Galveston Committee on Unity and Tolerance, City Hall Room 204
5:00 Texas City City Commission Special Meeting
6:00 - 8:00 La Marque 50th Anniversary Pep Rally and Bonfire, Highland Bayou Park

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Gulf Coast E-news, published by Guidry News Service, provides comprehensive coverage of posted public meetings in Galveston, Harris and Jefferson Counties as well as regional news impacting the Upper Texas Gulf Coast.

Chuck Lawrence is Galveston City Correspondent.  Dedra Black covers northern Galveston County and southern Harris County.  Carl Guidry covers Jefferson County.

Robert John Mihovil is a special photographic correspondent for Guidry News Service

Ivan Arceneaux is a special correspondent. 

Drew Gilbert, who covered the Galveston City Beat, was recently reactivated into the Coast Guard for the Iraq war.