February 13, 2003

Galveston City Council

A community relations representative of the United States Department of Justice, who has been in town meeting with persons who are accusing police of racial bigotry, attacked the news media during an appearance before Galveston City Council on Thursday.

Several speakers, who met with Senior Conciliation Specialist Richard Sambrano at the Old Central Cultural Center Wednesday night, complained to the city council about the way police handled the arrest of several young boys accused of killing a cat.  One officer was accused of choking one of the boys, cursing and using racial slurs.

At the end of the four hour, meeting Sambrano chastised the city council for enforcing time limits on speakers.

"Rules are rules, but rules can be changed," Sambrano said.  "I say that as a suggestion because I think what is important here is for the community to heal, and I think you want input from them.  That's what we provide.  And I usually don't say, especially in front of the media, because they can always go out there and distort what I said."

Tarris Woods, who has run for city council against Cornelia Harris Banks, was furious that neither Banks nor Council Member Booker Price had reacted to the racial allegations.

"You need to ask me what I have done," Banks said, explaining that she did meet personally with the detectives who investigated the complaint and the attorney representing the children.  "Those of you who want to ask me anything, from this day forward, please call me on the phone and say 'Cornelia, what's up?' but don't ever accuse me of nothing unless you ask me first."

"My church members have never approached me and talked to me about this," Price said, pointing to one of the protestors in the audience.  "I would like to think that in a situation like this, and with the experience that I have had in law enforcement for the last 32 years, we could have been much further down the line on solving this problem.  But I never was approached."

Judy Edwards, who was recently fired from her job as city cashier, appeared before the city council to complain about the way her case was handled.  She was supported by members of the PACE union.

The city council approved an agreement with John Bertolino and the Galveston Municipal Police Association to resolve a lawsuit.  City Manager Steve LeBlanc detailed changes in the employee insurance plan that he said he worked out with Bertolino.  

However Bertolino balked when he read the agreement.  "This is not what we agreed to." 

The city council approved a $47,000 contract with Junction Consulting to perform a management/efficiency study of the Galveston Police Department. 

The city council approved an agreement with Greer Herz and Adams for work in connection with "Operation 54," a new program to deal with dangerous buildings.  City Attorney Susie Green announced an initial success; she reported that the Plantowsky Building will be demolished soon.

The city council voted to upgrade the mayor's Seawall Enhancement Ad Hoc Committee to a formal city council committee.  Several people addressed the city council in support of paid parking on the Seawall, and some residents expressed concern for neighborhoods near the Seawall.

The city council voted to dissolve its finance committee to create a new Finance and Fiscal Affairs Committee requiring members to have at least five years of "sophisticated experience in the budget process of governmental entities or other substantial organizations."  Ann Maisel, Richard Moore, Ed Clack, Steve Greenberg, Shrub Kempner and Fred Micks, who served on the previous committee were named to the new entity, and on a motion by Lyda Ann Thomas, Greg Roof was appointed to the committee.

The city council voted to renew its contract with Clay Pope for lobbyist services at the State Capitol.

The city council approved an enhanced mutual aid agreement with the Jamaica Beach Volunteer Fire Department.

The city council approved a $74,000 contract with AMTRAK to provide passenger service between League City and Galveston for the Mardi Gras celebration.

The city council voted to defer action on proposed changes in speed limits on FM 3005.

All other agenda items were approved.

In workshop, the city council met with Galveston Historical Foundation Executive Director Marsh Davis and agreed to review the Arts and Historic Preservation Advisory Board's "death sentence" for a late annual report, with the intention of restoring funding.  

"We are all human beings," said Mayor Roger Quiroga, asking Council Member Joe Jaworski, who serves on the board to reconsider the action.  "We messed this thing up by being too strict."  However, Quiroga agreed that penalties assessed other organizations must also be addressed. 

The city council met with the city's code enforcement officers who complained that the municipal court is too lax in dealing with violators.

Finance Director Rick Glassett reported to the city council that sales tax revenues were down 12 percent in December and are down six percent overall since the fiscal year began.  He also reported that revenues are down also in several other areas. 

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