 |
|
A Publication of Guidry News Service |
|
|
|
|
A Publication of Guidry News Service |
Tonight begins Galveston's Mardi Gras Celebration. Gil Langley, president and CEO of the Park Board of Trustees visited Thursday's meeting of Galveston City Council to distribute beads and to invite the city council to the party. Mayor Roger Quiroga announced that he has been contacted by the Sequin Descendants Historical Preservation organization with a request that the new causeway be named either Seguin-Menard Causeway or the Menard-Seguin Causeway after Texas heroes Juan Seguin and Michael B. Menard. Quiroga said he forwarded the request to the Texas Department of Transportation. In a review of the FY 2003 Audit of the city by Null Lairson, Chris Breaux reported that the city's financial situation continues to improve. "The total assets of the city exceeded its liabilities at the close of the most recent fiscal year by $95.6 million," Breaux said. "Of this amount, $144 million may be used to meet the government's ongoing obligations to citizens and creditors." Quiroga had kudos for Finance Director Rick Glassett and his staff. "You have turned that finance department around tremendously," Quiroga said. "Everything is clicking and we appreciate all the hard work that everybody in the finance department has done." Glassett reported on payments from FEMA on remaining claims related to Tropical Storm Claudette, and City Attorney Susie Green reported that the city has been successful in collecting delinquent hotel occupancy taxes, thanks to the finance department. "Everybody is current on HOTax," Green said, crediting the work of Susan Cutchin in the finance department. "We have recovered 20 some thousand dollars that has been past due at the Stacia Leigh and the Brentwood Inn, the old HoJo (Howard Johnson Hotel) out at the airport." Although the city council took no action on a proposal to move forward on a master plan and feasibility study for the Galveston Aquatic Center, there was a workshop discussion of possible sites for the park. The city council also discussed the work of the Charter Review Committee with Chair Steve Greenberg. Council members agreed to consider including a charter election on the May15 ballot at the next regular meeting of the city council. Attorney Steve Schulz led a discussion of the proposed creation of a public improvement district on the west end of Galveston Island. The city council appointed John Thorn to the Intermodal Transportation Committee on a motion by Dianna Puccetti. Audio excerpts and photos are posted on the Guidry News Service Online News Station. Visit www.guidrynews.com.
|