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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Galveston City Manager Steve LeBlanc told the city council in workshop that the city is ready for Beach Party Weekend, next weekend, April 16, 17 and 18. "I could give you details, but I will spare you that," LeBlanc said, instead reporting on a plan to attract visitors to the Strand area during Beach Party Weekend. Listen LeBlanc said that he is planning to "bag" the parking meters in the downtown district to encourage local residents to shop. "Several business owners on the Strand expressed their desire to have a Galveston Day on the Strand Saturday and Sunday," LeBlanc reported. "They would like to have sidewalk sales." Mayor Roger Quiroga said he has met with a representative of the Justice Department and Ken Talton, the promoter of Beach Party Weekend, and expects the weekend to go well. "Most of the hotels that really didn't participate in renting out rooms last year are opening up their hotels now," Quiroga said. "The attitude is changing now. With the Strand doing with what they are doing, and, hopefully, maybe we can talk to Kenny to see if he can help promote the Strand" LeBlanc assured Quiroga that the promoter will advertise the Strand sidewalk sale to Beach Party Weekend visitors in his publicity. Council Member Johnny Smecca, who owns businesses downtown, expressed concern that the out of town police officers who are hired to work Beach Party Weekend might restrict people from going downtown. "I just want to make sure that the residents don't get out and then all of a sudden we treat them like crap out there," Smecca said. Council Member Lyda Ann Thomas expressed concern that city crews placed barricades along Broadway Boulevard three weeks in advance of Beach Party Weekend. "I don't think it would have been so bad if it weren't through the Easter holiday when we want the city to be at its best," Thomas said. "It's more efficient for staff to do it during their normal work hours," LeBlanc said. "It saves us on our costs." There was an animated discussion of issues related to development at Scholes International Airport at Galveston during the workshop. Listen Council members Dianna Puccetti and Joe Jaworski brought the concerns of Immanual Baptist Church to the council table. The church members were afraid that a lease of airport property for a church building, which is currently being negotiated, might be threatened by a lease that Steve Greenberg is currently negotiating on behalf of Tilman Fertitta. Greenberg said Fertitta has no interest in the proposed church property, and admonished Jaworski and Puccetti for not calling him to talk about it. “It seems like some of you all are spending more time trying to undermine the city manager than you do worrying about the issues,” Greenberg said. Puccetti also was concerned about a lease of airport property being negotiated by the Park Board of Trustees for a warehouse. Listen "I don't feel that it is the best use of our airport property," Puccetti said. Airport Director Hud Hopkins said the lease was recommended by the Scholes International Airport at Galveston Advisory Committee. "I think it would be best to look for another location," agreed Booker Price. "That is such prime property." LeBlanc said that he is not as concerned about finding the "highest and best use of the airport property" but "the greatest benefit in revenue to the City of Galveston." Smecca, who represents the city council on the park board, said the board is seeking to sell its current warehouse property to put it back on the tax rolls. At the formal meeting following the workshop, the city council deferred action on proposed rate adjustments to the Municipal Drainage Utility. The city council voted to approve the assignment of the lease of grain elevator facilities to ADM by the Board of Trustees of the Galveston Wharves. Farmland Industries currently holds the lease. The city council voted to approve a $34,487.65 contract with Live Oak Environmental Consultants for asbestos abatement for the community building at Menard Park. The city council voted to approve a $16,325 contract with Anna Mod, Mardi Mitchell and Kirste Reimers to be consultants for the revision of Design Guidelines for Historic Districts in Galveston. The city council voted to approve a $6,850 contract with Galveston Historical Foundation to be the consultant for an architectural survey of the San Jacinto Neighborhood. The city council voted to spend $25,180 to upgrade software in the Municipal Garage's fleet mainframe computer systems to CCG-Systems. The city council approved a contract with Marty's Auto Center for removal of junk vehicles on private property, at a price of $45 per vehicle. The city council approved a mutual aid agreement with the Jamaica Beach Volunteer Fire Department. The proposed purchase of three electric buses from Ebus, Inc., for no more than $840,000, was withdrawn from the agenda. All other agenda items were approved. All votes were 7-0. The city council instructed the city attorney to develop a uniform policy for the interview of candidates for city boards, committees and commissions. Print
Version Santa Fe City Council Thursday night voted unanimously to join a coalition of other cities to intervene in proceedings related to the application of CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLC, Reliant Energy Retail Services, LLC and Texas Genco, LP. in a rate case before the Public Utility Commission. "They want to escalate (rates)," said Mayor Pro Tem Joe Tambrella, explaining the need of a coalition to oppose the increases. "One town can't do it by themselves." Listen The city council voted to cancel the May election, declaring each unopposed candidate elected. The city council approved a contract with Tarpley and Associates to sell surplus city property in an auction. The
city council gave its annual approval of aerial
spraying for the abatement of mosquitoes. All other agenda items were approved. All votes were unanimous. Webster City Council voted Tuesday night to join a coalition of other cities to intervene in proceedings related to the application of CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLC, Reliant Energy Retail Services, LLC and Texas Genco, LP. in a rate case before the Public Utility Commission. The city council approved a resolution opposing any school finance or tax system reforms that would negatively affect city revenues and economic development efforts. The city council approved the first reading of an ordinance to revise the city's policies regarding compensation adjustments resulting from special pay to some employees who are bilingual. All other agenda items were approved. All votes were unanimous. League City City Council has scheduled a workshop meeting
at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 13 to view a presentation on
the Big League Dreams project.
The Big League Dreams Project Team, comprised of city
staff, Big League Dreams representatives, Purkiss Rose, RSI,
and Linbeck Construction, will present a project status report
to the city council that will reflect the changes that have
occurred in the projected cost, and the potential impact these
changes may have on the current design of the stadium. The team will report that construction of the project is on
schedule, currently at 20 percent, with the completion of the
infrastructure. The workshop will be televised live on LCTV16 in League City. League City City Hall will host an open house, celebrating the "Wild, Wild West," from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 17. "Scoot your boots to the country tunes of T-N-T
Country," said Public Information
Officer Dawn Kilgore. "Enjoy free hot dogs, nachos, popcorn, and soft
drinks. Watch demonstrations by blacksmith Larry Hoff, the
police department’s SWAT team, and the volunteer fire
department. See a real longhorn and children’s petting zoo.
Enjoy the patriotic sounds of the League City Symphonic Winds." Each city department will host a demonstration booth at the event. “The open house is a fun way for our citizens to learn about the services we provide to them,” Kilgore said. “We’re proud of what we do, and this is our chance to show it.” Texas New Mexico
Power and IESI will also participate in the day’s events. The City Hall complex is at 300 W. Walker. The City of Kemah and the Kemah Community Development Corporation have announced the grand opening of the Kemah Visitor Center at 603 Bradford Street in the Kemah Lighthouse District from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30p.m. on Thursday, April 29. The new facility will be open daily with information and brochures for Kemah visitors as well as residents in the Bay Area and the surrounding Greater Houston area. For information before the opening, call Kemah City Hall at (281) 334-3181 or visit www.kemah.net. Coinciding with today's release of the movie "The Alamo," the Texas General Land Office has unveiled an online display of documents that help tell the story of the Texas Revolution in the actual words of those who experienced it. "Letters of the Texas Revolution" is an online display of letters from Alamo and Goliad heroes kept safe at the Land Office. It's the latest exhibit at the Texas General Land Office's virtual museum, which features selections from 35 million historic documents in the agency's care. "Source documents like these letters offer the very best glimpse into the past," said Jerry Patterson, commissioner of the Texas General Land Office. "When you read what these men and women of Texas history confide to their loved ones back home, you are brought back to this crucial time in a way anyone can relate to. These letters breathe life into history." Visit www.savetexashistory.org to view the Alamo and Goliad exhibit. San Jacinto College is unveiling a cost savings plan for students who enroll in both the upcoming spring mini and first summer semesters. "The plan could save students as much as $221 depending on how many classes they take," . "It's a cost-saving incentive for students to get involved in our mini and summer sessions," said Chancellor Dr. Bill Lindemann. "Our goal is to give students the best possible education at the best price." Telephone and Web registration takes place April 20 through May 4 for the spring mini. Classes run May 10 and end May 28. Telephone and Web registration for summer classes is May 12-26 with on-campus registration set for June 1. Classes begin June 2. For additional information, visit www.sos.sjcd.edu or call (281) 476-1816 for the Central Campus; (281) 922-3432 for the South Campus; or (281) 459-7129 for the North Campus. San Jacinto College has notified high school seniors who don't have a traditional college education in mind to consider "fast-track skills training" as an option through non-credit continuing education classes at San Jacinto College Central. "Not every high school student is on the traditional college track, but college opportunities do await those who seek the fast track to meaningful employment," said Floretta Bush, Central Campus continuing education program director. A workforce certificate program is a grouping of related courses, which provide a level of technical and occupational skills acceptable by the industry standard for that field. Most require only a high school diploma or GED as a prerequisite. The program, which was developed with the input of advisory committees and industry experts, includes a number of courses ranging from office occupations to computer technology to healthcare. For additional information visit www.EducationSolutions.org or call (281) 476-1838. Scheduled
Meetings Today, April
9
Saturday, April
10 Sunday, April
11
Monday, April
12 Gulf
Coast E-news,
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Upper Texas Gulf Coast. Jim and Lynda Guidry are publishers Gulf Coast E-news and The Online News Station. Jenna Ware is editor of Gulf Coast E-news. Chuck
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covers Texas City and La Marque. 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.
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