Archives

2003 Archives

Monday              February 23, 2004

Board of Trustees of the Galveston Wharves

The Board of Trustees of the Galveston Wharves voted unanimously to reject a request by George Mitchell to extend the option agreement with MBP Corporation for the Pier 19/20 Channel Front.  Listen

MBP Vice President Bill Ross requested the extension, explaining that previous plans to develop the pier were delayed following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, but he said national retailers are showing interest in the area now and Mitchell plans to move forward with new plans for the pier.

"You have had three years to get something done," explained Gerald Sullivan, chair of the port's committee to review leases.  "After the three years, something should have been done; and nothing has been done in the way of development."

Sullivan said he hopes that the wharves board's action will spur development.

"There is a lot going on down there," Sullivan said. "It's not that we don't want Mr. Mitchell to do something; it's just that we need something done."

The wharves board voted to renew the licenses of all of the stevedoring companies at the port, except for the license held by James J. Flanagan Shipping Corporation.

Director of Administration Bernie Curran explained that Flanagan is not in compliance regarding West Gulf Maritime Association surety rules.  Listen

Port of Galveston Director Steve Cernak said Flanagan will be given 90 days to come into compliance.

Discussion of a proposed amendment to the port director's employment agreement was removed from the agenda.  Wharves Board Chair Benny Holland said that he and Vice Chair Rusty Legg will meet with Cernak before the agreement is returned to the table for action.

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

In his port director's report, Cernak announced that cruise terminal related revenue accruing to the Galveston Port Facilities Corporation was $1,163,712 for the month of January, which was up 7.31 percent from December 2003 and up 20.27 percent compared to January of 2003.

"Year-to-date operating revenue for the one month period ending January 31, 2004 was $1,163,712," Cernak reported.  "This represents an increase of $196,146, or 20.27 percent over operating revenue realized over the first month of 2003."

Cernak said the January revenues were over budget due to increased grain exports, increased revenues from cruise passenger charges, a favorable timing difference in cruise terminal expenses vs. revenues and additional port areas leased for cotton storage.

"The favorable variances offset reduced projected wharfage charges for break bulk and dry bulk imports and a drop in cruise parking revenues," Cernak added.

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Galveston County Commissioners Court

Galveston County Commissioners Court voted 3-1, with Ken Clark opposed, to accept a $164,260 grant from the Houston-Galveston Area Council to fund an environmental crimes unit.

Clark told Guidry News Service Galveston City Correspondent Chuck Lawrence that he is concerned that the county will have to pick up the cost of the expanded payroll when the grant expires. Listen

"We are hiring two additional people for the environmental crimes unit, which is an area we could use some assistance on, but this is a grant that lasts 11 months and there is no guarantee of a renewal on the grant," Clark noted.

The commissioners court voted 3-1, with Clark opposed, to approve a budget amendment for the purchase of ergonomically correct furniture in the road and bridge department.

All other agenda items were approved with 4-0 votes; Stephen Holmes was absent.

The commissioners court voted to accept plats for the Rancho Carribe Subdivision, Section 2 on the Bolivar Peninsula; and the Surfside Addition, also on the Bolivar Peninsula.

The commissioners court voted to notify Fort Bend County Judge Robert E. Herbert that it does not oppose utilization of the current Galveston County medical examiner's facility for Fort Bend County autopsies and views.

"I look forward to working with you on the question of autopsies in the region," said the letter from Galveston County Judge Jim Yarbrough to Judge Hebert, adding that the agreement may be expanded.  "Hopefully, together with Brazoria County, we can reduce the expense for this service for the betterment of each of our counties."

The commissioners court approved a repayment schedule for the refunds due BP pursuant to a recent agreed final judgment on the litigation over taxable values.

"Hopefully this will put an end to a kind of a bad chapter and we can move on and get about our business," said Yarbrough. 

The commissioners court approved a resolution honoring Mary D. Cornwall, who is retiring from the tax office after 28 years.

All other agenda items were approved.

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Jefferson County Commissioners Court

Jefferson County Commissioners Court formally voted today to temporarily appoint assistant county engineer Don Rao as acting engineer, with the same salary and car allowance as County Engineer Jose Pastrana, who has been on temporary leave since he was reactivated into the United States Navy last week.

The commissioners court received and filed a service agreement with Texas VINE, a victims notification service to provide up-to-date offender custody and court information.

The commissioners court approved a resolution naming Joann Block, the detention supervisor in the juvenile probation department, as the winner of the 2003 Employee Excellence Award.  Block was nominated for the honor by her co-workers.

All other agenda items were approved.

The commissioners court met in executive session to discuss pending or threatened litigation dealing with the N&T Construction arbitration case regarding Ford Park; and a possible EPA violation concerning fuel storage.

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Clear Creek Cleanup

Volunteers turned out for the annual Clear Creek Cleanup Saturday morning. 

"Local residents, businesses, clubs and youth organizations worked for hours clearing debris and trash from the creek," reported League City Mayor Pro Tem Hamid Kantara in his weekly report.  Report

"Bags and bags of trash were passed from one hand to another as two lines of volunteers facing one another extended themselves from the creek to the big dumpsters," Kantara said.  "But that is not the only trash picked up Saturday."  

Kantara listed refrigerators, barrels, couches and tires among many of the items found in the creek. 

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United States Senate

United States Senator John Cornyn urged Congress today to increase access to health care for women and their babies by passing legislation to reform the medical liability system.

"We must ensure that decisions about a patient’s health aren’t made by the government, but by individuals and families," Cornyn said in his speech on the Senate floor.  "Patients and their doctors – not lawyers or bureaucrats – should be trusted to decide which treatment is best. And I strongly believe that when people have good choices in a health care system built on free market principles, it ultimately translates to higher quality and better care."

Cornyn is a co-sponsor of the Healthy Mothers and Healthy Babies Access to Care Act (S. 2061), which he says "will reduce the excessive burden the liability system places on the delivery of obstetrical and gynecological services". 

The Senate is currently debating the bill; a key vote is expected Tuesday afternoon.

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Mardi Gras 2004

Chuck Lawrence covered Mardi Gras events in Galveston this past weekend.  Photos and Audio

Jim and Lynda Guidry and Carl and Nettie Guidry covered Mardi Gras events in Port Arthur.  The Krewe of Krewes Parade was Friday night. Photos and Audio

A dryland boat parade was part of Saturday's Mardi Gras Celebration on Procter Street in Port Arthur.  Photos and Audio

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

Today, February 23
Early Voting Begins for March 9 Primary Elections
5:00 Galveston Housing Authority, Oleander Homes Community Center, 5228 Broadway
6:00 La Marque City Council
6:30 Hitchcock City Commission
7:00 Shoreacres City Council

Tuesday, February 24
10:00 City of Galveston Investment Committee, City Hall Room 204
10:00 Pasadena City Council
12:00 Historic Downtown Strand Partnership Fourth Tuesday Forum, Luigi's Ristorante Italiano.  Jeannie Kline of Radio Station KLDE, producer of the Second Annual HDSP Wine Festival will speak.
1:30 Beaumont City Council
3:00 Big League Dream Sports Park Groundbreaking Ceremony, League City Recreation Building, 400 West Walker in League City
4:00 Galveston Planning Commission Special Meeting on Beach Access Plan, Council Chambers
5:30 Bay Area Transportation Partnership Reception for Gary Trietsch, Space Center Houston 
6:30 League of Women Voters of the Galveston Area Candidates Forum, Nessler Center, Texas City
6:30 League City City Council
6:00 Clear Creek Independent School District, Brookside Intermediate,3535 East Parkwood, Friendswood
7:00 Dickinson City Council

Wednesday, February 25
12:00 Rotary Club of Galveston, Brothers Petronella Top Gallant Room.  The program is the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo with Howard Cordell
6:00 El Lago City Council Workshop on Personnel Policies and Procedures  
6:00 South East Texas Regional Planning Commission Executive Committee, SETRPC Swan Room, 2210 Eastex Freeway, Beaumont
6:30 Island Skaters Association, Yaga's Cafe, Galveston

Thursday, February 26
8:30 Galveston City Council Workshop
9:00 North Galveston County Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting for Premium Eyecare, 2402 F Bay Area Boulevard
9:45 North Galveston County Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting for Premier Office Machines, 1555 W. FM 517, Friendswood
12:00 Galveston Island Pachyderm Club, Gaido's Restaurant.  Moody Gardens President Doug McLeod will speak
2:00 Galveston City Council
5:00 Galveston Chamber of Commerce After 5 Mixer, O'Connell High School, 1320 Tremont
6:00 Political Reception for Hamid Kantara and Jim Nelson, candidates for League City City Council, Fiesta Shack, behind Esteban’s Café
6:30 Hitchcock Independent School District Special Meeting
7:00 Santa Fe City Council
7:00 Kemah City Council

Friday, February 27
7:00 Spirit of Elissa Award Banquet, Texas Seaport Museum 

Saturday, February 28
3:00  Cirque Eloize, Grand 1894 Opera House, Galveston
8:00  Cirque Eloize, Grand 1894 Opera House, Galveston

Sunday, February 29
3:00  Cirque Eloize, 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.  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.