Archives

2003 Archives

Tuesday              January 20, 2004

Friendswood City Council

Friendswood City Manager Ron Cox informed the city council Monday night that the Crisis Negotiation Team for the cities of Friendswood and Pasadena, received a joint award in multi-state competition in San Marcus earlier this month. Listen

"This is a great thing to compete, but the real importance of it is preparation," Cox said.  "Preparation for if and when a hostage situation exists in our community, either Friendswood or Pasadena, as we work jointly, preparing to meet that situation in a well-trained, methodical way; in order to protect lives, not only of the police officers but of those people who are involved in that hostage situation." 

The city council approved a $2,234 contract for fire protection in unincorporated areas of Harris County.

The city council approved a contract amendment with Claunch & Miller Architects for the Sunmeadow Drainage Project.

The city council voted to make payments for the Renwick Park Concession Stand, the San Joaquin Gravity Sewer and Centennial Park Phase II.

All other agenda items were approved.  All votes were unanimous.

Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership President Jim Reinhartsen delivered the annual report of his organization to the city council.

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Beaumont City Council

Beaumont City Council approved a $343,888 contract with Brazos Roofing International for a roof replacement project at the Art Museum of Southeast Texas.

"The bid includes furnishing all labor, material and equipment to construct a comprehensive roof system replacement for the museum building," said City Manager Kyle Hayes.

The city council approved an agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation to use $1.55 million in toll revenue expenditures as credits toward the non-federal matching share for the $6.2 million purchase of 20 alternative fuel buses.

The city council approved a $36,330 contract, plus expenses not to $5,005, with Emergency Services Consulting Group, Inc. for a comprehensive risk management study of Beaumont fire and rescue services.

Six companies submitted proposals, which were evaluated by a committee that included representatives of the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 399.  The union is contributing $12,400 as the local share of the cost of the study. The remainder of the funds will be provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The city council voted to continue its participation with other cities served by Entergy Gulf States, Inc., in the intervention of cases being considered by the Texas Public Utility Commission.

"It is expected that the company will file a fuel reconciliation proceeding covering the past three years of fuel cost," said City Attorney Lane Nichols.  "This will be a very important case because it will deal with the accuracy of the fuel costs which have previously been surcharged to the customers by the company."

The city council voted to support Stone Way Limited Partnership's efforts to receive a 2004 allocation from the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs for an apartment complex it proposes to build at 1650 East Lucas Drive.

"The development will encompass 15 acres and will be comprised of a community center, residential activity areas and 104 apartment units," said Housing Manager Janett Blunt.

All other agenda items were approved.

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El Lago City Council

El Lago City Council voted Monday night to enter into an agreement for the joint funding of the McNair Park Pavilion Project.

The city council voted to purchase playground equipment for McNair Park.

The city council voted to appoint Eric Chase to the El Lago Parks Board.

The city council tabled action on a proposed mission statement for the city and on a proposed contract for cell phones for the city maintenance department.

All other action items were approved.

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Jefferson County Commissioners Court

Jefferson County commissioners today approved tax relief for elderly homeowners made possible by a constitutional amendment passed last year, making the county the first local government entity in Southeast Texas to act on the new law.  

However, the ad valorem tax freeze on residence homesteads of the disabled and of the elderly and their spouses did not meet with unanimous approval of the commissioners court.  

Commissioners Mark Domingue and Everette "Bo" Alfred first moved to hold the item for consideration at budget time.  But that motion failed 2-3.

A second motion, to approve the tax freeze, was approved, but Alfred abstained.

The legislation provided that a government entity can either propose the tax break on its own or can be forced by petition to put the measure on the ballot.  Since the proposition passed locally by an overwhelming margin, County Judge Carl Griffith said that he opted to place the measure on the agenda for commissioners court action rather than facing the expense of an election.

According to the Jefferson County Appraisal District, the freeze will mean a loss of about $40,000 in revenues the first year, up to about $400,000 in the tenth year, for a 10 year cumulative impact of about $1.2 million. During that same period, the county anticipates tax abatements representing about $6.4 million in revenues will expire.

Also at today's meeting, the commissioners court voted to endorse the Port of Beaumont Rail Expansion Plan and to support the port's efforts to obtain construction funding.

The commissioners court voted to seek a grant from the Governor's Criminal Justice Division to continue the Narcotics Task Force.

The commissioners court deferred action on an amendment of the National Association of Counties Deferred Compensation Program.

All other agenda items were approved.

The commissioners court met in workshop to discuss renewal of the county's insurance.

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Kemah Block Party and Day on the Bay

The Kemah Block Party and Day on the Bay will be held next Saturday, January 24.  The event is billed as a "non-stop shopping experience". 

"Compete for great prizes by visiting the Kemah Merchant’s tent at the corner of 6^th Street and Bradford for your own “Super Play” Game Card," suggested publicist Mike Flory.  "Simply visit selected shops in Kemah from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and have your 'Game Card' stamped to be entered in a raffle."

The Kemah Block Party and Day on the Bay are part of the Super Play on the Bay special events leading up to The Super Party on February 1.  For more information call (281) 338-0333 or visit www.SuperPlayByTheBay.com.

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Galveston County Fair and Rodeo

The 14th Annual Las Vegas Night fund-raiser for the Galveston County Fair and Rodeo will be held on Friday, February 6.  In addition to game tables, there will be barbecue sandwiches, chips, popcorn, beer and setups.

"Bring your neighbors, friends and relatives along for the opportunity to win the many prizes donated by generous businesses and individuals throughout the county," said Danette Anselmo, assistant fair coordinator.

To sponsor a table or donate a prize, call (409) 986-6010 extension 1.

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National Multiple Sclerosis Society

The Lone Star Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society is sponsoring a training session on Saturday, January 24 for about one thousand Houstonians who are expected to participate in the BP MS 150, a 180-mile cycling journey from Houston to Austin in April.  The two-day ride is to raise funds to fight the devastating effects of multiple sclerosis. 

Representatives from the Lone Star Chapter and area cycling professionals will be on-hand at Memorial Park’s picnic loop near Memorial Drive for rider registration and bike demonstrations.  Test rides will be conducted around the park.  Cycling experts will provide advice on the latest technology and equipment.  Several corporate teams will be on hand to recruit riders and Panera Bread will provide free bagels to all attendees.  Personnel with USA Fit, the official training program of the BP MS 150, will provide information on how to train for the tour.

In 2003, more than 10,000 cyclists ranging in age from six to 82, and 3,000 volunteers took part in the BP MS 150, raising more than $7 million.  Over the course of two decades, approximately $38 million has been raised for fighting multiple sclerosis; $21 million of this amount has been raised in just the past four years.

For additional information or to register, visit www.ms150.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 20
4:00 Galveston Charter Review Committee
4:00 Galveston Planning Commission
4:00 Galveston County Emergency Communication District, 1718 Amburn Road, Texas City
5:30 Port Arthur City Council
5:30 Galveston County Municipal Utility District 13, League City Civic Center
6:00 Clear Lake Shores City Council Workshop
6:30 San Leon Municipal Utility District, 443 24th Street, San Leon
7:00 Clear Lake Shores City Council Regular Session
7:00 Tiki Island Board of Aldermen
7:00 Seabrook City Council 

Wednesday, January 21
8:00 Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Breakfast, JW Marriott Hotel.  The National Football League will outline the Super Bowl XXXVIII Hispanic Celebration.
9:00 Houston City Council
9:00 Galveston Central Appraisal District Appraisal Review Board
9:30 Galveston Livable Communities Steering Committee, Council Chambers
11:30 Galveston Republican Women Luncheon, Landry's on the Seawall.  56th District Court Judge Candidate Lonnie Cox will speak
12:00 Rotary Club of Galveston, Brothers Petronella Top Gallant Room.  The program is on Internet for Rotary Clubs
2:00 Island Transit News Conference to Introduce New Buses, 3115 Market Street, Galveston
2:30 - 3:30 Galveston Families, Children and Youth Renaissance Zone Task Force, Galveston School Superintendent's Office
4:00 Galveston Intermodal Transportation Committee, Council Chambers
4:00 Galveston Arts and Historic Preservation Advisory Committee, City Manager's Conference Room 203
4:00 Galveston Building Standards Commission
5:00 Texas City Commission
6:00 Galveston Independent School District Board of Education Workshop, Lovenberg Building Library
6:45 Galveston Independent School District Board of Education Executive Session
7:30 Galveston Independent School District Board of Education Regular Meeting, Board Room

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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.  Carl Guidry covers events in 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.