February 17, 2003

Galveston County Commissioners Court 

The Galveston County Commissioners Court voted 4-1, with Eddie Janek opposed, to award a $783,850 contract to Southern Crushed Concrete for the demolition of cotton warehouses for the Galveston County Jail Justice Center.   Kelso-Gilbane will oversee the project.

"We are working with Moody Compress, who is a tenant there, to maximize the availability of cotton storage," said County Judge Jim Yarbrough.  "We're tearing things down in a sequence that will allow them to keep cotton on the site as long as possible."

The commissioners court voted 4-1, with Ken Clark opposed, to enter into a professional services agreement with Carter & Burgess for Galveston County's Parks, Recreation and Open Space Master Plan update to include a senior citizens' program need assessment.

The commissioners court approved an amendment to the Dannenbaum Engineering contract for the Stewart/Jones/81^st Street project. 

"Additional scope of work items include design of new roadway and drainage for Jones Road between Lake Madeline Bridge and Hope Boulevard intersection, design of new roadway and drainage for Jones Road between 68^th Street and 69^th Street, traffic signal design at four intersections, and preparation of a storm water pollution prevention plan," said Wayne Ahrens of Dannenbaum in a letter to County Engineer Mike Fitzgerald.

Senior Service America Executive Director Tony Sarmiento presented awards of achievement to county employees for outstanding overall performance, including Julie Penrod-Glenn, Tom Meade, Diane Aymes, Evelyn Markides, and Leonora Mendez.

All other agenda items were approved.

Representatives of the City of Galveston met in workshop with the commissioners court to discuss the proposal for paid parking on Seawall Boulevard.

"The County's posture is that we've always viewed the Seawall as a flood protection levee," said Yarbrough.  "We're interested in the integrity of that structure to protect citizens from tide-waters and surges.  So our focus is the integrity of the beach as it relates to the Seawall."

Clark said revenue from paid parking should contribute to the cost of paving the Seawall, but Galveston Planning Director Wendy O'Donahoe said that would not be permitted under state guidelines.  

"Where will the cars be parked?  The pavement," said Clark.  "So I don't understand that."

Commissioner Eddie Janek said local residents should be exempt from fees, but the city officials said that would not be permitted by the state.  Instead, low cost annual passes will be made available. 

Mayor Roger Quiroga said the funds, collected from users of the beaches, will support renourishment and beachfront amenities.

"Without those beaches, we're nothing," Quiroga said.  "The monies are going to be used on an annual basis for renourishment.  We need to be creative because funds are hard to come by."  

"We'll look at the integrity issue to see what impact old lawsuits from the 1940's may have on the city," said Yarbrough.  

The commissioners court will vote on the paid parking issue at next week's regular meeting.

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