The Guidry News
© 2003, Guidry News
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The Guidry News
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© 2003, Guidry News
Service
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University of Texas Medical Branch University of Texas Medical Branch University of Texas Medical Branch University of Texas Medical Branch University of Texas Medical Branch University of Texas Medical Branch University of Texas Medical Branch University of Texas Medical Branch University of Texas Medical Branch University of Texas Medical Branch University of Texas Medical Branch University of Texas Medical Branch |
Santa Fe City Council on Thursday voted unanimously to give City Manager Joe Dickson a $3,258 pay increase and extended his contract one additional year, through 2006. Mayor Robert Cheek and members of the city council agreed that the action was based on a "great evaluation" of the city manager. The city council voted to reject a proposed ordinance to regulate the use and operation of motor assisted scooters, at least until it is determined that new regulations are needed. The city council approved the second reading of an ordinance modifying the definition of a minor in the city's curfew ordinance. The city council approved the first reading of an ordinance to establish an ad valorem tax freeze for residential homestead property owners who are disabled or 65 years of age or older beginning with tax year 2004. The second reading will be at the March 11 meeting. The city council approved the first of two readings of an ordinance to bring the city's price list for non-consent tows into line with the county's wrecker regulations. The city council voted to authorize city staff to seek bids for the purchase of personal breathing apparatus equipment, utilizing funding from the Weapons of Mass Destruction grant. The city council voted to purchase a 20-foot wide strip of property owned by the City of Galveston at FM 646 and Fourth Street, to provide for the widening of Fourth Street. The city council approved a resolution supporting the retention and expansion of military units at Ellington Field. Following an executive session, the city council voted to retain William S. Helfand to represent the city in pending litigation with the Santa Fe Police Officers Association. All votes were unanimous. The three members of Galveston City Council who voted against the Beach Access Plan were perturbed that they were not permitted to remove the parts of the plan that they opposed, to be voted on individually. Listen Joe Jaworski, Dianna Puccetti and Lyda Ann Thomas wanted to support most parts of the plan, but were opposed to the sections dealing with the Seawall Beach Urban Park user fee and permitting vehicular access on beaches next to Miramar, Bay Harbor and Half Moon Beach subdivisions. Mayor Roger Quiroga argued that the plan as presented could not be changed. "Is the land commissioner going to accept anything less than what the planning staff has worked out?" Quiroga asked Bill Peacock, deputy commissioner of coastal resources for the land office, who was in council chambers for the deliberations. "No," Peacock replied, saying that Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson might consider amendments into the plan in the future. Council Member Johnny Smecca raised questions when he agreed with Peacock. "Mr. Patterson yesterday did say in a conversation..." Smecca began. "Yesterday?" Puccetti asked, saying that she was previously unaware of a telephone conference call with the land commissioner on Wednesday. "Who all participated in a conference call on an area that involves my district and no one notified me yet again? Puccetti asked, annoyed at the slight. Although City Attorney Susie Green had no problem with taking separate votes on the items that Jaworski, Puccetti and Thomas opposed, a motion to amend the motion by Council Member Booker Price to approve the Beach Access Plan, failed 3-4; and the plan was then approved with a 4-3 vote. The city council did agree to allow two proposed charter amendments to be considered on separate votes. Council members Price and Cornelia Harris Banks were opposed to the amendments to elect council members by majority vote and to permit privatization of garbage collection downtown. Listen City Manager Steve LeBlanc offered a new proposed amendment, that had not been considered by the Charter Review Committee - to exempt the City of Galveston and all retirement and disability retirement benefit plans from Article XVI Section 66 of the Texas Constitution. Several city councils in Southeast Texas have voted to put that issue to the voters. The proposed amendment was not included in the election by the city council on Thursday, but it will be considered at the March 11 meeting. All other votes were unanimous. Mayor Quiroga had to leave the meeting because his brother, Butch Quiroga, suffered a heart attack. His condition was being evaluated at publication time today. The city council voted to temporally increase the number of lieutenant positions in the Galveston Police Department to accommodate the reinstatement of Walter Braun, who is returning from active duty in the United States Army. The city council voted to approve a $33,980 proposal from Jamail Construction to upgrade the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system at the Old Central Cultural Center. The project will be funded by $30,000 in Community Development Block Grant funds, matched by $3,980 from the center. The city council voted to purchase a $68,000 2003 Goshen Coach, a propane vehicle, from National Bus Sales and Leasing. The purchase is being funded by the Federal Transit Administration and the Texas Department of Transportation. The city council authorized the spending of $142,542.84 in hotel occupancy tax revenue to pave 57th Street and Avenue U, adjacent to the new convention center. The city council held an extensive workshop discussion with Public Works Director Brandon Wade regarding the drainage master plan and fees for drainage service. Listen The drainage plan is a five-year project that includes 12 specific flood problem areas from Sea Isle to Ferry Road and will cost $43,233,105. Wade said the program will include a grade raising for Hollywood Heights near Offats Bayou which is only two feet above sea level. The city council discussed the 2004 CDBG and HOME Funds program with Grants Coordinator Sterling Patrick. Listen Print
Version Kemah City Council Thursday night voted to designate City Administrator Bill Kerber as emergency management coordinator, following the resignation of Tommy Buchanan. The city council voted to use $2,500 of hotel occupancy tax funds for sponsorships of the Silver Dollar Ball. The city council tabled action on a request for $15,000 of HOTax funds for the Blessing of the Fleet celebration, until additional paperwork is provided. The city council left on the table requests for HOTax funds for advertising in Texas Town and City Magazine and a request by Gannett Advertising. The city council appointed council members Greg Collins and John Conrad to a committee to recommend whether the city council should participate in future Vacation, Leisure and Outdoor Shows in Houston or should concentrate its efforts in areas that are not so familiar with Kemah. Also on Thursday night, Mayor William King told Landry's Restaurant representative Bret Kellerman than he would be pleased to permit Tilman Fertitta to display his rare white tigers on the Kemah Boardwalk, or elsewhere in the city, if the City of Houston rejects his proposal for the Downtown Aquarium. Houston Mayor Bill White today announced Harold L. Hurtt, chief of the Phoenix Police Department, as his choice to head the Houston Police Department. “Chief Hurtt is a leader, someone who can instill confidence up and down the ranks. He can also communicate well with our diverse community,” said White. “Many consider Chief Hurtt the most successful major-city chief in the country.” Hurtt is a noted proponent of the “community policing” concept. White also offered praise for Acting Police Chief Joe Breshears, a 30-year veteran of HPD. “Chief Breshears is a consummate professional and a dedicated public servant. We greatly appreciate his many years of loyal and able service to Houston, and particularly through this transition period,” said White. United
States Representative Nick Lampson said that Federal Reserve
Board Chairman Alan Greenspan’s Congressional testimony on
Social Security should serve as a "wake-up call"
about the federal budget. “Federal Reserve Board Chairman Alan Greenspan’s testimony on Social Security before the House Budget Committee should serve as a wake-up call that we must exercise much-needed fiscal discipline with the federal budget before things get any worse," Lampson said. “Congress and the Administration must make tough choices in balancing spending priorities and tax cuts, but I do not support reducing Social Security payments to our seniors to fund tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans." Lampson
said that he opposes Greenspan's recommendations on social
security, but contends that the Bush administration cannot
continue to ignore the problem. “With a projected deficit of $3 trillion over the next ten years, the Congress must not delay any more with implementing the right solutions to get our fiscal house in order," Lampson said. “Working families in Texas and across the nation deserve better, and fiscal responsibility is the way to create prosperity for America and secure the retirement of America’s seniors. The answer is not to cut Social Security benefits, but to show some restraint with federal spending and to make sure we preserve this important program for current and future generations.” University of Texas Medical Branch The
University of Texas Medical Branch at "Dr.
Joseph Fins, ethicist and an associate professor at The UTMB Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity and St. Vincent's House will present an original play by Galvestonian Matt Stanford entitled "Fat Alley," at 8 p.m., tonight and Saturday, February 28, and matinee performance, 2:30 p.m., Sunday at UTMB's Levin Auditorium on 10th and Markets Streets. "This is the first production of the year for Aesop's Fables Theatre Troupe at St. Vincent's House," said a news release. "In 'Fat Alley,' local artists provide an honest, yet gritty portrayal of shop keepers, drug dealers, prostitutes and many others who co-existed within this infamous area of downtown Galveston in 1877." The event is free, open to the public and parking is located at 11th and Markets Streets. "Fat Alley" does contain some strong language and rough scenes. Scheduled
Meetings
Today, February
27
Saturday, February
28 Sunday, February
29 Monday, March
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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. 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. Guidry News Service offices at 926 Broadway, Galveston, TX. 77550 (409) 763-NEWS (6397), or email us at News@guidrynews.com Subscriptions to Gulf Coast E-news are $300 per year, or $75 per quarter, plus sales and use tax. This electronic newsletter replaced, and expanded on, the mission of the Galveston Fax, established by Jim and Lynda Guidry on Galveston Island in July 1996; and Clear Lake Area E-news, begun on January 2, 2002. |
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