January 21, 2003

Hitchcock City Commission
  by Jinelle Boyd

Hitchcock City Commissioners discussed establishment of a restricted area for "No Wake Zone" buoys in a workshop Tuesday evening.  

Kent McGaughy of Chapoton/Ramsey Limited Partnership had appealed  in a letter to Mayor Kyle Campbell for help "in the prevention of erosion to property resulting from high wakes from speeding watercraft."  The property is on the west side of Highland Bayou south of Highway 6 and north of the railroad tracks.

He said about four acres of the 204-acre property has been lost to erosion.  "The continuing loss of property in this manner is unacceptable and should be addressed by Hitchcock immediately." 

The commission discussed solutions to problems regarding the state inspection of the sewer lines and the wastewater treatment plant.  

"They gave us until March the 15^th to come up with a plan for the overflow," said Commissioner Henry Coger.  "Now, that doesn't mean we have to solve the problem by March 15^th - we just have to present them with a plan on what we're going to do."  

Campbell agreed that a "long-term projection plan for attack" is necessary.

The commission discussed an amendment to the city code regarding the general prohibition of fireworks in the city.  

"This is similar to the one adopted by Texas City and Santa Fe," said City Attorney Ellis Ortego.  "So no matter where people go, they will need to follow the same law."

The commission discussed a complaint about speeding traffic and the request by Napolean Mack that a three-way stop sign be placed at the intersection of MLK and Fairwood. 

Commissioner Rosie Richmond supported the request.  

"I am concerned about the traffic and the speeding," Richmond said.  

Campbell requested that staff "look into it" before bringing it back before the commission for action.

The commission discussed appointments and re-appointments for the Tax Reinvestment Zone 1 Board, the Subsidence District, and the Galveston County Health District that will be made at the regular meeting.

Dorothy Childress appeared before the commission to request that her culvert permit fee be waived at 5501 Chinaudo Road. 

"They dug it too deep, and now it has stagnant water in it and green algae," Childress said.  "We used to be able to maintain it with the riding mower, but now it's just too deep."

Commissioner Anthony Matranga said that he will recommend that the fee be waived at the meeting.