Archives

2003 Archives

Wednesday              February 25, 2004

Big League Dreams Sports Park

City of League City staff, Big League Dreams representatives, and community leaders joined together at the city's recreation center on Tuesday for the groundbreaking ceremony that officially marked the beginning of construction for the Big League Dreams Sports Park. 

"I can't begin to say what a phenomenal thing it is to partner with Big League Dreams on this project," said Mayor Jeff Harrison at the ceremony.

The $13 million facility is the first major tourist destination for League City.  The park is comprised of six replicas of major sports stadiums, including Yankee Stadium, Wrigley Field, Fenway Park, Crosley Field, Ebbets Field, and Sportsman's Field. 

There also will be a skate park in the facility.  

"I think everybody can see that we have a very special project here," said Monica Kohlenberg, the city's Finance Director and staff lead on the project.

"This is a landmark day," said Don Webber, vice president of development for the California-based Big League Dreams organization.  "League City will have the first Big League Dreams outside of California." 

The park is scheduled for completion February 1, 2005.

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League City City Council

League City City Council Tuesday night voted 6-0 to rezone 315.5 acres of land in the Bay Colony West PUD from Suburban Development to Planned Unit Development to facilitate a project by M. Sherman & Associates Land Development, L.L.C.

The city council then voted 6-0 to deny a permit for excavations, mines, etc., by Brittany Estates I Associated Limited.

The city council voted 4-2, with Rusty Tidwell and Mike Hembree opposed, to purchase two boom mowers.

The city council voted 5-1, with Hembree opposed, to establish a special revenue fund for donations for the Butler Longhorn Museum.

The city council voted 5-1, with Hembree opposed, to establish a special revenue fund for donations for the animal shelter.

The city council voted 6-0 to approve a resolution in support of the retention and expansion of military units at Ellington Field.

A request for a public hearing on an application by Robert Raykowski to rezone property in the 100 Block of I-45 from Single Family Residential to General Commercial was removed from the agenda.

All other action items on the agenda were approved with unanimous votes.  Keith Dill was absent.

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Dickinson City Council

Dickinson City Council voted Tuesday night to ask the City of League City to de-annex a portion of a 120 acre tract that lies in the boundaries of League City and Water Control and Improvement District 1, so that it can be annexed by Dickinson.

A developer of a project located at Cemetery Road and FM 517 West requested the action. 

"The developer wants League City to de-annex that tract, so that it could be brought into Dickinson, lessening the total tax burden, which would then allow the property to be developed," said Council Member Kerry Neves in his weekly email report on the meeting.  Report

"We adopted a resolution asking League City to do so, which is only the first step in the process," Neves said.  "There is no guarantee League City will agree to this, but the developer can now attempt to convince them. He has committed to pay any costs associated with any agreement reached between the cities."

The city council voted 3-2, with Mike Reinschmidt and Mark Townsend opposed, to approve the first reading of an ordinance to freeze the taxes of elderly and disabled homeowners.  The second and final reading will be posted for action on the next meeting's agenda.

The city council voted to approve a 30-plus year old 3.3 foot encroachment on street right-of-way at 5016 Scenic Drive. The encroachment was only discovered when a new survey was conducted in conjunction with a refinancing of the mortgage. 

The city council voted to deny a request by Marie Janke for a variance from the sign ordinance to allow two 32 square foot real estate signs on a seven acre tract near the corner of FM 517 and FM 646.

The city council proclaimed March 1 through March 5 as Texas Public Schools Week in Dickinson. 

All other agenda items were approved.

The city council held an extensive discussion of proposed solutions for drainage problems at Mariner's Mooring Drive. 

The city council presented certificates of appreciation to Carl Uland and Robert Braselton for their service as members of the Parks and Recreation Board.

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Galveston Planning Commission

The Galveston Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend that Galveston City Council approve the Beach Access Plan as presented by the staff of the Department of Planning and Community Development, with the added recommendation that Half Moon Beach, Miramar Beach, Bay Harbor and Caribbean Village, Access Point 33 to Access Point 35, be designated as pedestrian beaches year around, rather than seasonally.

Pat Lawson made the motion to recommend the changes, although Planning Director Wendy O'Donohoe said the Texas General Land Office is not likely to approve them.

"I would hate to throw it on City Council, but unfortunately, or fortunately, it is their problem in the end," Lawson said. "If we were to recommend no driving in this area, it could be sent to Council with that."

"I don't have any problem with throwing anything on Council," said David Miller.  "They are elected; they ought to do the right job."

The action came after a series of speakers, for and against the plan, addressed the commission.

"We have 43 access points in this plan as developed," said West Galveston Property Owners Association President Jerry Mohn, speaking in support of prohibiting vehicular traffic in the area addressed in Lawson's motion.  "The access points down in the San Luis area are more than adequate."

"I'm shocked; I'm disappointed," said Wanda Greer a property owner in the Bay Harbor and Terramar subdivisions.  "How can you consider this a fair solution?"

Linda Dawson of Miramar, citing unacceptable behavior by those who drive on the beaches, was more emotional, citing problems with motorists doing "donuts".  

"My husband went down there to confront them and they said, if you don't mind your own business, it will be your house next; and it won't be donuts, I will be whipping your ass!" Dawson quoted.

Patrick Dugan, owner of property at Pointe San Luis, spoke in support of restrictions on vehicular traffic on the far West End, but representatives of Texas Open Beach Advocates were opposed.

"We do need places to take motorized boats; we do need places where the handicapped can access, said Lorraine Brown of TOBA.  "This whole plan seems to me like it is strictly done on the basis of appeasing property owners."

Galveston City Council will consider the Beach Access Plan and the recommendation of the Planning Commission at Thursday's regular meeting.

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Photos and Audio

Bay Area Transportation Partnership

The Bay Area Transportation Partnership honored Texas Department of Transportation Houston District Engineer Gary Trietsch with a reception at Space Center Houston on Tuesday in recognition of his 37 year career with TXDOT. 

"Gary and his staff are great people to work with," said Connie Elston, president of BATP.  "He works closely with municipalities and counties and civic organizations in our region."

"We have developed a good rapport and mutual respect," agreed BATP Chair Bob Robinson, who introduced Trietsch at the reception.  

Robinson noted that the area has expanded in population significantly since Hurricane Alicia, causing concerns for evacuation of coastal areas.  Treitsch agreed, predicting that the continued expansion of the population will impact highway planning in the future. 

"I have probably one of the best jobs in the world," Trietsch said.  "Being a district engineer is really a lot of fun."

Trietsch, who was born in Forth Worth and spent 20 years with TXDOT in the Fort Worth District Office, said he has enjoyed the Houston area since he moved here in 1995.

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Photos and Audio

Coastal Connection

Washington lobbyist Howard Marlowe reports in his newsletter Coastal Connection that legislation has been introduced in the Senate, and will soon be introduced in the House, that he said "signals one prong of the coastal community's response to efforts to gut the federal beach nourishment program". 

On Tuesday New Jersey Senator Frank Lautenberg introduced the Coastal Restoration Act of 2004 (S. 2105) in the Senate.  A companion bill is also expected to be introduced in the House of Representatives by Representative Frank LoBiondo, also of New Jersey. 

"The shore's economic, environmental, and aesthetic benefits are truly limitless. That's why I am introducing the Coastal Restoration Act of 2004,"  Lautenberg said.  "My legislation will revitalize the federal beach nourishment program by placing beach nourishment projects on a par with other Army Corps projects, and assigning recreational benefits the same priority as storm damage protection and environmental restoration, correcting the inequities in our current practices."

"The Coastal Restoration Act raises the stakes for the Office of Management and Budget," Marlowe said.  "It restates the congressional intent regarding the vitality of the federal beach nourishment program. The CRA makes it clear that changes in administration policy will not prevent feasibility and other types of studies from being processed through the Corps and sent to Congress."

Marlowe urges the governmental entities he represents and others who receive his newsletter to urge their Senators and Congressmen to co-sponsor the legislation.

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United States Senate

United States Senator John Cornyn received the 2004 “Spirit of Enterprise” award from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce today for his strong support of a pro-business legislative agenda in the first session of the 108th Congress.

“I appreciate the U.S. Chamber’s efforts and this recognition, and I’ll continue working hard to implement legislation that will assist businesses and grow jobs,” Cornyn said.  “It’s critical that the government encourage an environment where America’s entrepreneurial spirit can thrive and people can continue to achieve great accomplishments. I’m committed to making sure we grow the economy, encourage the creation of jobs and opportunities, and help Americans keep more of their hard-earned money to save and spend as they see fit.”

The Chamber awards the “Spirit of Enterprise” based on rankings it gives members of Congress for key business votes set out in its annual publication How They Voted.  Cornyn earned a 100 percent score with the Chamber last year and has compiled a 100 percent cumulative ranking during his tenure in Congress. Among the key votes counted by the Chamber in 2003 were votes approving the $350 billion Jobs and Growth Tax Relief package, and the Singapore and Chile free trade agreements, which are both major sources of job creation.

“As America’s economy continues to expand, the importance of supporting pro-growth policies in Congress becomes increasingly clear,” said Thomas J. Donohue, Chamber President and CEO.  “John Cornyn is a leader who time and again has supported legislation to create jobs, increase productivity, and strengthen our nation’s recovering economy.”

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Texas General Land Office

The Texas General Land Office is hosting a workshop on responding to potential oil spills in West Galveston Bay today and tomorrow at the Hotel Galvez in Galveston.  The workshop is part of an ongoing effort by the Oil Spill Prevention and Response Program at the Land Office to ensure readiness for all areas of the Texas coast.  

Primary objectives of the workshop are to identify and resolve oil spill response issues unique to West Galveston Bay; and to provide a non-emergency situation to coordinate response from all entities.

"West Galveston Bay is an extremely sensitive environment, with bird habitat, oyster beds and seagrasses," notes a Texas GLO news release.  "It is also a popular recreational area, and one of the busiest stretches of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway is in the area. Consequently, a significant spill could present unique response problems."

Workshop participants include state, local and federal agencies, oil spill management companies, spill cleanup contractors, transportation companies that regularly transport petroleum products through the bay and environmental organizations.

For additional information contact the Texas General Land Office at (512) 463-5339 or visit www.glo.state.tx.us/oilspill. 

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Winter Texan Beach Cleanup

More than 80 volunteers hauled away 6,825 pounds of trash off South Padre Island last weekend in the Seventh Annual Winter Texan Adopt-A-Beach Cleanup.

"Among the items found were a feather pillow, a knee brace, part of an old skateboard, a crematory tag, a plastic dinosaur, part of a plastic crucifix, a $10 bill, a golf tee, a new paper auto tag/license plate and a telephone book," detailed a news release from the Texas General Land Office.

The cleanup took place at Edwin Atwood Park on South Padre Island.  In addition to the Winter Texans who showed up, 15 campers at the park spontaneously joined in the effort. 

"Every year, we get a great response from folks who live in Texas during the winter," said Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson.  "They show their love for our beaches by picking up what others left behind."

The Winter Texan Beach Cleanup is one of three all-volunteer seasonal cleanups coordinated through the Adopt-A-Beach Program of the Texas General Land Office. The next cleanup will be the Spring Adopt-A-Beach effort scheduled for April 24 at 29 sites along the Texas coast.

For additional information visit www.texasadoptabeach.org, or call (877) TXCOAST.

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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.

Wednesday, February 25
5:00 Galveston Arts and Historic Preservation Advisory Board
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.  Scholes International Airport at Galveston Director Hud Hopkins 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 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

Schedule

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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.