Archives

2003 Archives

Thursday              February 12, 2004

Galveston City Council

Galveston City Council met in workshop this morning with Chris Breaux of Null Larson to discuss the FY 2003 Audit.  Council Member Joe Jaworski told Guidry News Service Galveston City Correspondent Chuck Lawrence that he was impressed with the presentation.  Listen

The city council voted to extend its contract with M2L Associates, Inc. until December 30, 2005 for architectural consultant services for the Broadway Beautification Project.

The city council approved a contract with Trooper Supply for protective body armor for police officers, at a price of $515 per vest.

The city council approved a $163,840 contract with Claunch & Miller, Inc. for the design of the Terramar Beach trunk sewer wastewater treatment plant lift station and access road.

The city council voted to reject all bids for a Rotary HP Power Lift for Island Transit.

The city council voted to authorize Island Transit to provide transportation to the airport on February 22 for visitors from Sister City Niigata, Japan.

The city council approved an interlocal agreement with the Park Board of Trustees for repair of the existing sand sock located adjacent to Dellanera Park.

The city council voted to transfer $150,000 from the FY 2003 Budget General Fund to the Golf Course Fund.

The city council voted 6-0-1, with Cornelia Harris Banks abstaining, to deny a request to waive the fee for a specific use permit for the Avenue O Bed and Breakfast, in conjunction with the "Place of Public or Private Assembly" land use.

A proposed agreement with Michael Gaertner Architects to provide a master plan and feasibility study for the Galveston Aquatic Center was removed from the agenda.

A proposed water and sewer and potable water agreement with Centex was removed from the agenda.

All other agenda items were approved with unanimous votes.

Photos and audio excerpts will be posted on The Online News Station.

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Dickinson City Council

Dickinson City Council on Tuesday approved the final reading of an ordinance approving a developer participation contract with the developer of the Forest Cove Subdivision.  Under the agreement, the city will reimburse the developer for $40,000 he has spent reconstructing Bayou Drive, if the developer adds $12 million in increased appraised value by December 31, 2007. 

There was a lengthy discussion of a proposed resolution in support of a freeze on property taxes for the disabled and those over 65.  

"The resolution was on the agenda for discussion only, so no action was taken at this time," noted Council Member Kerry Neves.  "This is clearly going to be a topic of continued discussion by the council and the citizens of Dickinson." 

Former mayor Ken Hufstetler argued that the time for discussion is over and urged the city council to act.

"This constitutional amendment was authorized by the Texas Legislature in a joint resolution, H.J.R. No. 16, passed in 2003, it was debated in legislative committees, it was debated on the floor of the House of Representatives, it was debated on the Senate floor, it was debated and supported by the Silver Haired Legislators, it was debated in the media, it was debated by the general public, and the voters in Dickinson, in Galveston, and across the State of Texas overwhelmingly approved the constitutional amendment granting this tax relief option to the seniors and the disabled," Hufstetler said, threatening to circulate a petition to put the proposition to a vote in the May 15 election.

The city council voted to send a letter to the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs saying that the city council recognizes the need for affordable housing, but noted that any development would need to be submitted to the city's zoning and development process.  The letter will be used by the state to assist in scoring applications for the Housing Tax Credit Program.

The city council approved a resolution in support of the retention and expansion of Ellington Field.  

The city council approved several resolutions dealing with an agreement with Public Management, Inc. to rebuild some dilapidated housing within Dickinson under the HOME Grant program.  

All other agenda items were approved.

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Houston City Council

Houston City Council on Wednesday approved two of Mayor Bill White's appointments to the Metropolitan Transit Authority Board of Directors, including David Wolff, chair, and Gerald Smith.

The city council approved a $45,053 change order in the  contract with Johnson Controls, Inc. for energy management and maintenance services in the Library Department.

The city council approved a contract with GBS Environmental, Inc. for asbestos abatement, demolition and site clean-up services for the Planning and Development Department.  

Only two items were tagged, or delayed for one week by individual members of the city council.

A $101,893.65 contract with XS Parts, LLC for automotive bearings and power transmission components for various departments was tagged by Mark Ellis.

A $350,000 increase in the maximum contract amount with Wackenhut Corporation for security guard services for the Convention and Entertainment Facilities Department was tagged.

All other agenda items were approved.

City of Houston Health and Human Services Director Mary desVignes-Kendrick has announced her retirement effective February 28.  She served 12 years in the position.

Deputy Director Earl Travis will serve as acting director pending appointment of a new director.  Dr. David Persse, EMS director, will serve as the designated public health authority during the interim period.  

The mayor's office is in the process of evaluating candidates for the position and expects to announce the appointment of a new director in the near future. 

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League City Economic Development Corp.

The League City Economic Development Corporation has asked League City City Council to voice its support of the planned Wal-Mart Super Center project.  The corporation also stated its willingness to assist in working through issues raised by residents opposed to the Wal-Mart project.  

“We are confident that a win/win outcome can be realized if Wal-Mart officials and the residents work together for a successful conclusion,” stated Tom Linklater, president of the corporation.

Wal-Mart is proposing to construct a super center at the intersection of I-45 and FM 646, near the Victory Lakes subdivision.

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New York Times

The community outreach by the University of Texas Medical Branch prior to the establishment of UTMB as a center for biodefense research was featured in a February 10 article in the New York Times. Article

The article, "New Germ Labs Stir Debate Over Secrecy and Safety," by Judith Miller, said that establishment of a Biosafety Level 4 laboratory in Boston has not been well received by the community.

University Area Association President Juan Pena, and UAA Program Director Robert Mihovil, who were interviewed for the article, complimented the efforts of UTMB to address community concerns.

"They really included us in the planning," Mihovil said.

Miller, citing comments by several community leaders in Boston, said opposition to the facility there is continuing to build.

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University of Texas Medical Branch

The University of Texas Medical Branch Office of Educational Outreach is offering its Saturday Biomedical Science Academy to fourth-, fifth- and sixth-grade students on the mainland. The application deadline is Monday, February 23. Students from La Marque, Texas City, Hitchcock, Santa Fe and Dickinson who are enrolled in private and public schools, as well as those who are home-schooled, are eligible to apply.

The academy is a five-session program that will be held from 9 a.m. to noon on March 13, March 27, April 10, April 24 and May 8.  All sessions will be held on the UTMB campus. The program is free to accepted participants.

For more information about the academy or to obtain an application, contact Alicia C. Simmons in the UTMB Office of Educational Outreach at (409) 772-7972 or email acsimmon@utmb.edu.

Applications also are being accepted for the UTMB Summer Research Program for High School Students and Teachers, which prepares highly motivated high school students for future careers in science.  It also provides K-12 math or science teachers an opportunity to perform research during their summer break. 

The program is scheduled for June 7 through July 30.  Applications must be received by 5 p.m., Friday, March 5.

For more information, contact Sylvia Torres in the UTMB Office of Educational Outreach at (409) 772-7970 or visit the web site at www.utmb.edu/oeo. To obtain an application, choose “Student Programs” and scroll down to “Summer Research Program for High School Students and Teachers.”

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Base Realignment and Closure Commission

The final Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRAC) selection criteria have just been released by the Department of Defense. 

United States Senator John Cornyn, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee said the next step in the process is clear: highlight the qualities of the military facilities in Texas, and ensure the DoD is fully aware of their military value to our national and homeland security. 

“These criteria, as in previous rounds of BRAC are broad strokes.  And though the public comment period has ended, my comment period has not,” Cornyn said. “As a member of the Armed Services Committee, I'll be at the table throughout the BRAC process and have ample opportunity to tout the assets of Texas bases.  Over the next few months, through hearings and in meetings with senior DoD officials, we’ll have an opportunity to continue raising the visibility of the quality of Texas facilities.”

When the draft criteria were released in December, Cornyn, a member of the Readiness and Management Support subcommittee which has jurisdiction over the BRAC process, urged Texas military facilities and communities to analyze the criteria and provide the DoD and his office with any suggested changes before the final selection criteria deadline.

Many governmental entities in Southeast Texas have expressed their support for continued military operations at Ellington Field.

Also today Cornyn joined his colleagues on the Immigration, Border Security and Citizenship subcommittee for a hearing to examine President Bush’s immigration principles and immigration reform. 

During the hearing, chaired by Senator Saxby Chambliss, Cornyn discussed legislation he introduced in July, The Border Security and Immigration Reform Act (S.1387), which largely mirrors the President’s immigration reform proposals.

For more information about Cornyn’s bill, visit  www.cornyn.senate.gov/reform.

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African-American Genealogy Workshop

The Galveston County Historical Commission and Galveston County Historical Museum are hosting an African-American Genealogy Workshop on Saturday, February 28, 2004 in honor of Black History Month. Various guest speakers will present the following topics of interest.

A Black History Extravaganza following the workshop will include exhibits, a black history bowl quiz and other entertainment.  The Extravaganza, hosted by the Nia Cultural Center, will be held from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Old Central Cultural Center located at 2627 Avenue M in Galveston.  

“We encourage anyone who wants to learn more about their African American heritage and family history to attend this workshop as well as the festivities celebrating Galveston’s incredible contribution to African American heritage in honor of Black History Month,” said Christy Carl, director of the Galveston County Historical Museum.

There is no fee to attend the workshop and a continental breakfast will be provided for attendees.  The workshop is limited to 60 participants. The Galveston County Historical Museum is located at 2219 Market Street in Galveston.  

For more information call (281) 559-2068 or (409) 766-2340 or email christy.carl@galvestonhistory.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, February 12
5:30 Bayview Municipal Utility District, 309 Miles Road
5:45 Galveston Alliance of Island Neighborhoods, Rosenberg Library.  Galveston Park Board of Trustees President and CEO Gil Langley will speak
7:00 Kemah City Council
7:00 Santa Fe City Council
8:00 Terrence McNally’s "Master Class," College of the Mainland Community Theatre  

Friday, February 13
11:30 League City Chamber of Commerce Monthly Luncheon, South Shore Harbour Country Club. League City Mayor Jeff Harrison will speak
5:00 Mardi Gras Galveston Schedule
8:00 Terrence McNally’s "Master Class," College of the Mainland Community Theatre

Saturday, February 14
8:00 Mardi Gras Galveston Schedule
8:00 Terrence McNally’s "Master Class," College of the Mainland Community Theatre

Sunday, February 15
10:00 Mardi Gras Galveston Schedule
2:30 Terrence McNally’s "Master Class," College of the Mainland Community Theatre

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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.