Archives

2003 Archives

Friday              January 9, 2004

Galveston City Council

Greg Roof of Galvestonians Against Paid Parking on the Seawall would not comment following Thursday's rejection of his petition by City Secretary Barbara Lawrence and the following vote by Galveston City Council to not call an election on the issue.

"Given that I am involved in imminent litigation, I have no comment at this time," Roof said in an email response to Guidry News Service.

More than 30 people representing both sides of the issue addressed the city council.  Listen

Members of the city council charged that "politics" played a part in the positions of those opposed to their points of view.  Listen

The vote was 3-0-3, with Joe Jaworski, Dianna Puccetti and Lyda Ann Thomas in favor of calling an election; and Mayor Roger Quiroga and council members Johnny Smecca and Booker Price abstaining.  Because there were not four affirmative votes, the motion failed. 

Quiroga explained his abstention in an interview with reporters following the meeting.  Listen

Meanwhile, the Park Board of Trustees is planning to move forward to develop a system to charge a maximum of $8 per day to park on the Seawall, beginning this spring.  However, free annual passes will be available to those who apply before the end of January.  PowerPoint Presentation

The city council voted to reduce the speed on the Galveston Causeway to 50 miles per hour during construction of the new causeway, at the request of the Texas Department of Transportation.

The city council approved an interlocal agreement with Galveston County to authorize repairs to geotubes that were damaged by Hurricane Claudette.  Cost of the repairs, estimated at $103,650, will be paid by adjacent property owners.

The city council voted to use $53,000 from the sale of the Flagship Hotel to install a new irrigation system at Galveston Island Municipal Golf Course.

All other agenda items were approved.  Except for the Seawall parking election issue, all votes were 6-0, with Cornelia Harris Banks absent.

The city council honored Tony Vargas, who is retiring from the city after 33 years of service in the Department of Parks and Recreation.  Listen

In the morning workshop, City Manager Steve LeBlanc reported that the police department has hired 14 new officers, "five to fill vacancies in the department, seven for the new police grant and two as over hires for known retirements within the next month or two."

LeBlanc announced that city water customers contributed more than $265,000 to support the EMS service during 2003.

"These contributions have allowed EMS to purchase much needed equipment," LeBlanc said, adding that about $60,000 has been collected in voluntary contributions so far this year.

LeBlanc reported that next week Parks and Recreation Department employees will begin relocating the oleanders on Broadway to Galveston Island Municipal Golf Course and Scholes International Airport at Galveston.

Print Version
Photos and Audio

Kemah City Council

Kemah City Council voted unanimously Thursday night to authorize the Kemah Community Development Corporation to proceed with the construction of an archway over 6^th Street.  Although the vote was unanimous, there was considerable discussion at the city council table regarding the project. 

"I think the general consensus was that the project was too far along and that too much money had been spent on it to turn back," said Mayor William King, in an email to his constituents that is posted on the Forum Page of The Online News Station.  Click Here

"There was also strong support for the project from the Kemah merchants," King added.  "I, and several other council members, did, however, express to the KCDC and to the Kemah merchants that we believe that a greater priority should be given by KCDC to 'community' projects rather than additional 'economic development' projects for the entertainment district."   

Print Version

Santa Fe City Council

Santa Fe City Council Thursday night approved the second and final readings of three ordinances dealing with traffic-related issues.  The city council added stop signs within the Santa Fe Trails Subdivision, added stop signs on Tower Road at Pine Street and voted to remove a designated "no parking" zone along Jackson from 6th Street to 8th Street.

The city council deferred action on proposed restrictions on the use and operation of motor assisted scooters.  Although John Buchanan, a Santa Fe resident, spoke in opposition to the scooters, others in the audience and at the city council table had more favorable views of the devices.  The issue will be considered for action at the first meeting in February.

The city council voted to reappoint Carrol Wainwright to the Santa Fe Electrical Board.

The city council voted to renew its contract for animal control with the Galveston County Health District.

The city council tabled action on two rezoning requests related to development at 5410 Avenue M.  The requests will be considered at the February meeting.

All other agenda items were approved.

Print Version

Taylor Lake Village City Council

Taylor Lake Village City Council on Tuesday voted to support the Clear Creek Independent School District bond election on February 7.

"Bob Davee, the board member from CCISD, came and explained that it was reduced by $76 million since the last election to $264 million," reported Mayor Natalie O'Neill.  Listen

The city council voted to purchase new software for the city's web site.

The city council voted to support Baylor University as the future site of the George W. Bush Presidential Library.

All other agenda items were approved.

Print Version

City of Houston

Houston Mayor Bill White has created a new Council Committee on Flooding and Drainage.

"The issue of flooding and drainage is critical to Houston's quality of life and our ability to grow responsibly in the future," White said.  "Obviously we cannot ignore the fact that flooding and drainage problems have gotten worse every year in many of our neighborhoods, and we have incurred billions of dollars in property damage and have endured great human hardships."

White appointed Council Member Ada Edwards as chair; Council Member Toni Lawrence as vice-chair; and council members Carol Galloway, Adrian Garcia, and M.J. Kahn as members of the Committee.

The Committee shall be responsible for:

1. Regulatory and permitting functions affecting flooding and drainage;
2. Communication with affected stakeholders; 
3. Recommendations concerning the coordination of other
governmental entities, such as Harris County, Fort Bend County, Montgomery County, and the Harris County Flood Control District;
4. Emergency preparedness as relates to flooding; and 
5. Long-range planning for drainage infrastructure.

"Obviously, flooding and drainage cannot be solved by the city alone," White said.  "The issue of long-term, dedicated funding for water and sewer and drainage infrastructure will need to remain in the Fiscal Affairs Committee.  Council Member Edwards will also be a member of the Fiscal Affairs Committee."

Print Version

Galveston Parks and Recreation

For public safety reasons, the City of Galveston has temporarily closed the McGuire-Dent Recreation Center at Menard Park as of today. 

The weight of water on the flat roof over the lobby probably caused the collapse of a support beam.  There were no injuries.  At the present time crews are pumping water from the roof, and a team of structural engineers are assessing the next steps.  

As soon as the evaluation is complete and precautions are taken to assure that the structure is safe, the city will announce the reopening of the recreation center. 

Programs that currently occur at McGuire Dent will be rescheduled at another facility.  An announcement will be made as soon as those arrangements have been made.   

“For the safety of our citizens and employees, we ask the public’s understanding during this time,” stated Barbara Sanderson, Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Galveston.    “We expect to correct the problems and continue providing fine programs for all citizens safely, with as little interruption as possible.”

Print Version

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

International Space Station Expedition 7 crewmember Ed Lu will discuss his mission with employees of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, NASA contract employees, family members and friends, as well as the news media and the public at 6:30 p.m. Monday, January 12, at the Mazda Theater at Space Center Houston.

The free briefing will include slides, a video presentation and a question-and-answer session.

Before the briefing, Johnson Space Center Director Jefferson D. Howell Jr., and lead Expedition 7 ISS Flight Director John McCullough will recognize key individuals and teams for outstanding contributions to the flight. Howell also will present Lu's NASA Space Flight Medal.

Lu and Cosmonaut Yuri Malenchenko, the Expedition 7 commander, were launched to the station April 26, 2003.  They returned to Earth of October 27.

Doors will open at 6 p.m.  Seating is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Once the 580-seat theater fills, guests will be seated in an adjacent area to watch the program on closed-circuit television.

Print Version

College of the Mainland

College of the Mainland Career Services will conduct a Career Fair on March 9 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the COM Student Center at 1200 Amburn Road in Texas City.

The deadline for employers interested in exhibiting at the fair is February 20.  There is no charge to the employers nor job seekers.  The community is welcome to attend as well as College of the Mainland students.

Contact Patricia Jackson, director of career services or Electra Long, job location and development coordinator at (409) 938-1211, extension 529/399 or Houston toll-free at (888) 258-8859, extension 529/399 for more information or to request registration forms or visit the website at www.com.edu/careerfair. 

Print Version

Galveston College

The Galveston College Community Chorus will be offered as non credit-only beginning with the 2004 Spring Semester.  

The tuition has been reduced from $162 to $85.  The chorus is open to all persons who enjoy singing.  The chorus meets on Monday evenings from 7:00-9:00 p.m. in room FA-207 located at the Main Campus at 4015 Avenue Q.  The chorus will be singing a broad range of repertoire, from major composers of great choral classics, to Broadway styles.  

Spring registration continues on Monday and Tuesday, January 12 and 13, from 8:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m.  For more information, call (409) 944-1341.

Print Version

Scheduled Meetings
Meetings will be held in the regular meeting place of the city council or other governmental body, unless otherwise specified.

Saturday, January 10
2:00 "A Tuna Christmas," The Grand 1894 Opera House, Galveston
8:00 "A Tuna Christmas," The Grand 1894 Opera House, Galveston 

Sunday, January 11
2:00 "A Tuna Christmas," The Grand 1894 Opera House, Galveston
7:00 "A Tuna Christmas," The Grand 1894 Opera House, Galveston

Monday, January 12
8:15 Galveston County Commissioners Court, Holbrook Building
1:30 Jefferson County Commissioners Court
5:00 Friendswood City Council Work Session  
6:00 La Marque City Council
7:00 Friendswood City Council Regular Meeting
7:00 Nassau Bay City Council
7:00 Hitchcock Independent School District Board of Trustees
7:00 Shoreacres City Council
7:00 Seabrook Eco-Tourism/Sister City Committee

Print Version

back to the top

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.  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.