Wednesday              January 7, 2004

Texas Gas Service

Texas Gas Service has warned its customers in Southeast Texas that wholesale natural gas prices jumped in December, sparked by the arrival of below-normal temperatures in the eastern half of the country.  As a result, TGS  customers will be paying more for gas in their January bills.   

Customers in Galveston will be paying $0.78323 per Ccf (hundred cubic feet of gas), a 16 percent increase when compared to January 2003.  Customers in Port Arthur, Groves, Nederland, and Port Neches will be paying $0.63802 per Ccf, a 10 percent increase from the amount customers paid for gas in January 2003.

Texas Gas Service purchases gas from a variety of suppliers and pays market price for gas with no mark-up to its customers.  The remainder of the bill is comprised of rates and fees set by the cities and regulatory bodies that regulate TGS. 

"Some of the jump in the price of natural gas can be explained by the below-normal cold weather in the heavily populated northeast at the beginning of the heating season," said a news release.  "Cold weather induced fears in traders about the adequacy of supplies in the event of an unusually cold winter.  In addition, the economic recovery has increased industrial demand, squeezing the supply cushion."  

Texas Gas is advising customers to be prepared for volatility and higher utility bills.  

"An extended cold snap or other unforeseen events could cause the price of natural gas and electricity to increase," the release continues.  "Therefore, TGS is urging its customers to be prepared for higher prices, to take steps now to weatherproof their homes and to conserve energy.  In addition, TGS recommends that customers enroll in the average bill calculation (ABC) plan."  

With the ABC Plan, customers will know in advance what their winter bills will be. Customers should call (800) 700-2443 to enroll. For conservation tips or to enroll in the ABC Plan on-line, customers can log on to the TGS web site at www.txgas.com.  

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Port of Houston Authority

The Port of Houston Authority is preparing to begin construction on the $1.2 billion Bayport Container and Cruise Terminal following Monday's signing of the federal permit for the project by Colonel Leonard Waterworth and PHA Chair Jim Edmonds.

"We have always felt that this step would occur," said Edmonds.  "We were pleased to receive and sign the Corps' final permit."

The Corps studied the port authority's Bayport terminal for more than five years, reviewing the site location and the environmental impacts that the terminal might pose.

"The Port of Houston Authority has worked diligently with numerous groups during Bayport’s planning,” Edmonds said.  “Developing a mitigation plan that satisfies the wide variety of stakeholders – including residents, regulatory agencies and customers -- has been a lengthy task. However, we believe that we have a better product because of this process.”

Edmonds said the port is eager to move forward.

"We look forward to breaking ground at Bayport to accommodate the needs of our customers, enhance the Texas cruise industry, promote economic development and foster job creation," Edmonds concluded.

PHA also announced today settlement of a five year dispute related to the GB Biosciences pesticides plan on Greens Bayou.

The participants in the settlement include all of the plant’s current and former owners, GB Biosciences, ISK Magnetics and Occidental Chemical Company (as successor to Diamond Shamrock Chemicals Company), along with various parent companies and related corporate entities.  Under the terms of the settlement agreement, the defendants have agreed to ) undertake a thorough cleanup program, valued in excess of $45 million, to remediate the soils, sediments and groundwater in the vicinity of the GB Biosciences Plant (a process that is expected to take five to seven years to complete) and to reimburse PHA for its costs and expenses in investigating and litigating the matter.

"“The defendants’ commitment to clean up the environment around the plant under the terms of the remediation plans negotiated by the port authority’s consultants and counsel, and to implement the remediation plans in accordance with the requirements of Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and any other environmental agencies, is the linchpin of this agreement,” said Edmonds.

“The port authority has been committed to resolving this matter because we genuinely felt that it was the right thing to do for the protection and preservation of the environment and the quality of life,” added PHA Executive Director Tom Kornegay.

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Webster City Council

Webster City Council voted to create a board of directors for newly created Reinvestment Zone 1 at Tuesday's regular meeting.

The city council approved an advertising/marketing program with Space Center Houston.

The city council approved an advance funding agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation for the cost of additional work on Kobayashi Road.

The city council voted to include the Orchard Street and Live Oak extensions as projects to be funded by the 4B Corporation.

All other agenda items were approved.

Finance Director Terry Knudsen reported to the city council that the city has received a certificate of achievement for excellence in financial reporting.  Listen

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Clear Lake Shores City Council

Clear Lake Shores City Council held a public hearing on the disposition of 13 city-owned waterfront leases and agreed to receive bids on the properties by January 28.

The city council voted to revoke a previously approved resolution requiring the use of porous material, such as de-icing gravel, crushed gravel, paving stones or grasses in street shoulders and driveways.

The city council tabled action on a proposal to adopt the International Residential Code for one- and two-family dwellings.

The city council tabled action on a proposal to adopt the International Building Code.

The city council referred a proposed plot plan to the Planning and Zoning Commission.

All other agenda items were approved.

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Texas Association of Partners in Education

The Texas Association of Partners in Education will host its 24^th Annual State Conference on February 4-6 at the San Luis Conference Center and Resort in Galveston.  

The conference, entitled "Investing in Students through Partnerships," will present best partnership practices from across the state.  

The keynote speaker Dr. Peter Benson, president of the Search Institute, will discuss how communities can impact student success through the 40 Developmental Assets Health Community Model.   

“We are very excited to have this conference in Galveston,” said Galveston Independent School District Superintendent Lynn Hale.  “It will be a wonderful resource for area businesses and non-profit groups that work schools in their community.”  

The Galveston Independent School District, the University of Texas Medical Branch and the Galveston Chamber of Commerce have offered assistance in encouraging local participation in the conference.  

Visit www.texaspartners.org or call (512) 473-8377 for additional information.  

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Kemah Mardi Gras

The City of Kemah, Le Krewe Du Lac, and T-Bone Tom's will sponsor the second annual Mardi Gras Truck Parade and Party in Kemah Parade at 2 p.m. on February 22.  The theme of Mardi Gras 2004 is Rock and Roll. 

"The parade will start and conclude at T-Bones Toms where you will enjoy a Gumbo Cookoff, live music, arts and crafts and family fun," said a news release.  "Everyone is invited to put their trucks, cars, Art Cars, antique cars, floats and anything motorized that rolls in the parade and have a great time throwing Mardi Gras beads to the crowds.  Individuals, schools, groups and businesses are encouraged to decorate a float, cars, and trucks with Mardi Gras Colors."

Register online at www.kemah.net and click on "Mardi Gras in Kemah Parade", in person at the Kemah City Hall, 1401 Hwy 146, Kemah, TX 77565, or by mail.   Late registration can be accomplished at T-Bone Toms on the day of the parade at 1:00 p.m.

For additional information call (281) 339-2727, (281) 334-1611, or (281) 339-2727.  Participation and admission are free.

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United States Senate

United States Senator John Cornyn, a member of the Immigration, Border Security and Citizenship subcommittee, applauded the immigration reform principles unveiled by President Bush today, saying they largely mirror the bill he introduced in July. 

“I want to congratulate President Bush on speaking courageously and forthrightly on the need to reform our immigration laws and articulating important principles that he thinks should be included in any action that Congress may take on this important issue,” Cornyn said.  “I urge Congress to take up the President’s call for action on immigration reform at the soonest possible time, and I would hope that the basic principles that the President has spoken of—which I believe are contained in the Border Security and Immigration Reform Act of 2003—will be passed into law as soon as possible and sent to the President’s desk for his signature.”

Cornyn’s bill would require "undocumented workers" already in the U.S. to apply, in conjunction with their employers, for guest worker status within the first year of the program’s enactment.  And in subsequent years, workers can apply only from their home countries for up to a year at a time for a maximum of three years in the program before returning to their home countries.

The proposal, Cornyn said, “is not a guaranteed path to residency or citizenship—and it is not a granting of amnesty.” But after three years of successfully complying with the program, he said, an immigrant can apply for Legal Permanent Residency.  

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West Galveston Island Property Owners Assn.

Ian Hause, Land Development Manager, for Centex Destination Properties  will be the guest speaker at the January 17 meeting of the West Galveston Island Property Owners Association at 9 a.m. at the Galveston Country Club.

Hause will discuss the proposed development of an environmentally sensitive master planned resort community of residential units on an 1,100-acre tract at San Luis Pass on the West End of Galveston  Island.

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Houston Metropolitan Transit Authority

The new METRORail Downtown Pass is now available for purchase at METRO’s two downtown RideStores, at 720 Main St. and 1001 Travis Street, and at select downtown METROStops. 

The Downtown Pass allows unlimited rides during the calendar year on METRORail between the University of Houston-Downtown, One Main Street, and METRO’s Downtown Transit Center, 1900 Main Street.  

"At only $25 per year, the pass offers considerable savings over the regular one-way METRORail fare of $1," notes a news release.  "However, the cost of the Downtown Pass will not be prorated or discounted regardless of when it is purchased or who purchases it."

Downtown Pass-holders still must pay the full $1 one-way fare to ride METRORail beyond the Downtown area.  

For more information, call METROLine at (713) 635-4000 or visit www.ridemetro.org 

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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, January 7
4:00 Galveston Zoning Board of Adjustment
4:00 Galveston Arts and Historic Preservation Advisory Board, City Hall Room 204
5:00 Texas City City Commission
5:00 Galveston County Drainage District 1, 3714 Avenue J, Santa Fe
6:30 Clear Creek Independent School District Board of Trustees Special Meeting
7:30 Taylor Lake Village City Council
8:00 "A Tuna Christmas," The Grand 1894 Opera House, Galveston

Thursday, January 8
8:30 Galveston City Council Workshop
12:00 Galveston Island Pachyderm Club, Gaido's Restaurant.  The program is Pro and Con on the Paid Parking on the Seawall issue 
1:45 Galveston Industrial Development Corporation Board, Council Chambers
2:00 Galveston City Council
5:30 Democratic Candidates Drawing for Ballot Position, Galveston County Courthouse Jury Assembly Room
7:00 Santa Fe City Council
7:00 Kemah City Council
8:00 "A Tuna Christmas," The Grand 1894 Opera House, Galveston 

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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.