2005 Archives

2004 Archives

2003 Archives

Wednesday               January 19, 2005

Galveston Island Rotary Club

Galveston Mayor Lyda Ann Thomas on Tuesday told the Rotary Club of Galveston Island that major crime is down and the city has improved its financial situation in just a few years, but she said there still are areas that need improvement.

"The crime statistics are down 14 percent since the year 2000," Thomas said.  "And that's very, very good."

Thomas credited years of work by many people since the 1970s and 1980s.

"You may remember that the Strand and the Downtown area was pretty much in the pits and there wasn't very much going on," Thomas recalled, adding that the work to revitalize the downtown and its architecture has proven to be very important to the city.  

Thomas recalled the nourishment of the beachfront and the abolition of alcohol from the Seawall and the beaches during her tenure on the Park Board of Trustees, which she said were major boons to tourism in Galveston.

She cited a list of several developments under construction, but cautioned that major decisions must be made about the Galveston Island Municipal Golf Course.

Thomas had praise for several city departments, including the Department of Planning and Community Development, headed by Wendy O'Donohoe.

"She does one hell of a job at City Hall and puts up with an awful lot when people make demands upon her," Thomas said, adding that O'Donohoe is working to eliminate the requirement that residents get permits for small construction jobs of less than $1,000 cost.

Thomas called on City Manager Steve LeBlanc to review the financial status of the city.  LeBlanc said things have improved considerably in recent years.

"There used to be a time when Galveston had no fund balance or reserve," LeBlanc recalled.  "In fact, the General Fund fund balance owed the other city funds well over $2 million."

LeBlanc said the city now has a fund balance of more than $8 million.  "That's a $10 million swing is less than eight years."

LeBlanc had special praise for Finance Director Susan Cutchin.

"She holds the purse strings for the city, and she has the right personality to do that," LeBlanc said.  "She has been known to upset some of the staff members, but she does her job and she makes them live within their budgets."

LeBlanc reported that the city is very close to a collective bargaining agreement with the firefighters union.

Thomas called on the Rotarians to help with the "Don't Even Think About It! Give Trash the Boot" campaign.

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Photos and Audio

Houston City Council

Tonight White will administer the oath of office to members of his 2005 Mayor's Youth Council at 6:30 p.m. in the Convention and Visitors Center Board Room at Houston City Hall.    

White renewed the Mayor's Youth Council, started in 1998, to encourage young Houstonians to learn more about city government. 

"The Mayor's Youth Council emulates the Houston City Council with a council chair, city secretary, five at-large and nine district council positions and their accompanying aides," explains a news release.  "Youth council members develop a sense of personal growth and achievement, an understanding of city departments and a rapport with community leaders, citizens and elected officials.  Members are called upon to help make decisions affecting Houston's youth as well as participate in numerous activities throughout the year."

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Webster City Council

Webster City Council on Tuesday voted 3-4, with only Steve Waltz, Jack Temple and Carlos Villagomez in favor, to reject the first reading of an ordinance to rezone an area at 680 East Nasa Parkway from First Commercial to Third Commercial.

At a public hearing before the vote Diana Newland, Hubert Cook, Roger Baker, Melvin Ellis and Mike Dubois spoke in opposition to the change.  Kurt Boensch, Herbert Boensch and Irene Boensch were in favor.

The city council voted 6-1, with Mel Donehue opposed, to provide water and sanitary sewer service to an area along the southern boundary of FM 528 and along the northen boundary of NASA Road West.

The city council voted 6-0-1, with Floyd Myers abstaining, to approve the first reading of an ordinance adding load limits to some roadways.

All other agenda items were approved with unanimous votes.

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Seabrook City Council

The Seabrook City Council on Tuesday unanimously voted to move forward with an election on a proposed two-year crime control and prevention district plan and budget for October 1, 2005 through September 30, 2007.

The proposal calls for the creation of “a locally controlled crime control district” that will “assure that adequate funding is available to local law enforcement authorities.”

If approved by voters in the May 7 election, a one-half cent sales tax increase will generate the necessary funding for the district.

Seabrook Police Chief Nona Holomon, who spoke at a public hearing on the district, said that the plan would allow local law enforcement to prepare for a future increase in criminal activity associated with residential and commercial growth, increased traffic volume, industrial activity and port-related criminal activity. Listen

“We’re looking at improving and establishing goals to show that the growth of the city will be accommodated,” Holomon said.

The city council voted 6-1, with Jack Boteler opposed, to amend the budget to provide $70,000 in funding for police vehicles and equipment. The additional funding will allow Seabrook police to perform Department of Transportation inspections.

“I would recommend that we take (the funding) out of the reserve and pay it back when we absolve EDC I, when we start collecting on the tickets, and when we create the crime district,” said Mayor Robin Riley.

The city council voted 4-3, with Boteler, Larry Bonnin and John Buhman opposed, to approve the appointment of an interim port project manager including approval of an applicable contract for services.

City Manager Bo McDaniel stated that the position will be funded with money available in the 2004-2005 budget with a maximum expense of $15,000.

The Project Manager Services Agreement provides that the project manager will contribute expertise in local government and economic development to assess the viability of development of properties within the corporate limits of the city.

The city council approved a contract with Kim Ramos to perform administrative duties for the hotel tax committee. The city council also approved the lease of 700 square feet of office space for the committee’s new secretary.

Committee Chair Delaina Hanssen spoke in favor of hiring a new secretary during a public hearing.

The city council voted unanimously to hold a workshop to discuss the train derailment of January 8 as well as plans to deal with future emergencies.  Holomon reviewed the steps taken on January 8 by police and rescue personnel to contain chemicals spilled during the derailment.

The city council voted 5-2, with Bonnin and Boteler opposed to assign staff members to conduct research on recent large-scale emergencies in preparation for the workshop.

The city council voted unanimously to approve the first reading of an amendment to the Seabrook City Code procedures for declaring a conflict of interest by establishing a method to declare a conflict.

The city council voted unanimously, with Boteler absent, to approve a proposal to change the Subdivision and Zoning Ordinance to allow the city council to grant variances to the curb and gutter guidelines.

The city council unanimously accepted streets, drainage and utility improvements for the Searidge Subdivision Section 1, as recommended by Municipal Department Manager Dale Conger.

All other agenda items were approved.

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Port Arthur City Council

Port Arthur City Council on Tuesday voted 1-7, with only Deloris Prince in favor, to defeat a motion to approve a zoning change to facilitate the opening of an auto salvage yard on property on the east side of Wilson Avenue north of Hall Street from Single Family Residential to Industrial.  The Planning and Zoning Commission had recommended denial.

"There is an existing legal nonconforming auto salvage yard located across the street from the proposed location," said Planning Director Dale Watson, explaining the planning commission's action.  "They felt that the proposed rezoning was inappropriate and would have negative impact on the area."

The city council voted 7-0-1, with Martin Flood recusing himself, to authorize City Manager Steve Fitzgibbons to negotiate a contract with Dikita Engineering Services for the widening of West Seventh Street and related development.

The city council voted 5-3, with Flood, Prince and Michael Shane Sinegal opposed, to pay a number of invoices submitted by the Port Arthur Economic Development Corporation.

All other items were approved with unanimous votes.

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Galveston Planning Commission

The Galveston Planning Commission on Tuesday voted to approve a general land use plan in conjunction with a residential development in a Traditional Neighborhood District on a 129.1 acre tract of land west of 109th Street, south of Galveston Bay, north of Stewart Road and east of Eight Mile Road.  The property owner is Sweetwater Eight Mile Ltd, represented by Wade Kilpatrick.

The commission voted to defer until February 8 action on a request for a replat of property owned by Charles and Mary Gautier on property adjacent to the intersection of 103rd Street and Cloud Lane.

The commission voted to defer until February 22 action on a request for a beachfront construction certificate for a single family dwelling at 11855 Sunbather Lane in the Sands of Kahala Beach subdivision.

The commission approved beachfront construction certificates to several single home projects in the Centex Destination Properties development on West Galveston Island.

Two items previously scheduled for consideration were pulled from the agenda prior to it being posted.  All other requests of the commission were approved.

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May 7 Election

League City businessman Jerry Shults has announced that he will run for mayor in the May 7 election.  Photo and Release

“After serious thought and much reflection, I have decided to run again for mayor of League City," Shults said.  "I am troubled about the current state of the city’s affairs.  More importantly, I am deeply concerned about the direction of League City’s future."  

Shults is calling his campaign a "listening tour".  

“Recent events have convinced me that the city is on the wrong track," Shults said.  "As your next mayor, I will work with all of City Council to stop the political bickering that has derailed city government."

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University of Texas Medical Branch

The University of Texas Medical Branch has scheduled a public lecture on “The Lens of Socioeconomic Status,” as part of the Health Disparities Lecture Series at noon on Thursday, January 20 in Levin Hall, at the corner of 10th and Market Streets in Galveston.

Dr. Ichiro Kawachi, professor of social epidemiology and director at the Harvard Center for Society and Health, Harvard School of Public Health, will speak. 

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San Jacinto College

San Jacinto College South Campus has scheduled a Transfer Day from 9 a.m. to noon on Monday, January 31 in the Interactive Learning Center, 13735 Beamer Road, Houston.

Representatives from colleges and universities in Texas and Louisiana will be available to speak to students about transfer issues such as deadlines, application requirements, scholarships, housing and cost of tuition.   

The list of colleges and universities that are expected to attend include Houston Baptist University, Lamar University, Louisiana State University, Prairie View A&M-College of Nursing, Sam Houston State University, Stephen F. Austin University, Texas A&M University, Texas State University, Texas Tech University, University of Houston, University of Houston/Clear Lake, University of Houston/Downtown, University of Houston/University Park, University of Texas-Austin and University of Texas Medial Branch-School of Nursing.

For additional information call Dawn Cepica, South Campus counselor, at (281) 922-3409.

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College of the Mainland

College of the Mainland has scheduled a workshop for teachers and caregivers of school-aged children on Saturday, January 29 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Technical Vocational Building at COM.

The program provides seven clock hours of training for teachers and caregivers of children ages six  through twelve.

" Participants will learn how to create a classroom that allows the teacher to help children celebrate our differences and learn about diversity," said a news release. 

For more information or to register, call (409) 938-1211 or (888) 258-8859, extension 264.

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Mardi Gras Galveston

Hope Therapy at Moody Gardens has scheduled its 19th annual Mardi Gras Ball for Special People on Sunday, January 30 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Moody Gardens Convention Center.  The event is free to people with disabilities, along with their family and friends.  

"Hope Therapy at Moody Gardens hosts this 'most special'
of all Mardi Gras activities to provide individuals with disabilities the opportunity to be a part of the Mardi Gras celebration in a safe and accessible environment," said Roger Morrison, Hope Therapy coordinator.  "Thousands of individuals with disabilities dress in their Mardi Gras best to take part in this fabulous event."  

More than 2,000 individuals with disabilities and their families are expected to attend.

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Galveston County Health District

The Galveston County Health District and the Jesse Tree will co-sponsor two Public Health Preparedness Volunteer Orientations in the coming week.  Goals of the orientations are to educate members of the community about what the Health District is doing to prepare for public health threats and inform participants how volunteers can help prepare for and respond to public health emergencies in Galveston County.   

The first orientation session will be held Monday, January 24, 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Jesse Tree offices in Texas City at 6801 Emmett F. Lowry Expressway (behind Mainland Medical Center).  The second session will be held Tuesday, January 25th, 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the fellowship hall at Moody Memorial First United Methodist Church , 2803 53^rd Street in Galveston.  

The orientations are open to the public, but reservations are required.  Call SNS Coordinator Carmen Castro at (409) 938-2276 or email ccastro@gchd.org. 

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On The Webio

Brenda Beust Smith, the Houston Chronicle's Lazy Gardener, has written a new column for Brenda's Garden, a feature of The Online News Station.  The column is: Loving and Coping With Trees.  Click Here

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

Today, January 19
4:00 Galveston Intermodal Transportation Committee , City Hall Room 100
5:00 Texas City City Commission
7:30 Galveston Independent School District Board of Trustees

Thursday, January 20
9:00 Galveston County Commissioners Court, Commissioners Courtroom
11:00 Galveston Tax Foreclosed Property Resale Committee, Prosperity Bank
12:00 Houston Downtown Management District, 909 Fannin, Ste 1650
3:00 Gulf Coast Water Authority, 3630 FM 1765
4:00 Galveston Golf Course Ad Hoc Committee
6:30 American Business Women's Association League City Charter Chapter, South Shore Harbour Country Club
7:00 Clear Creek Independent School District Public Hearing on School Boundary Changes,  Clear Creek High School Cafeteria
7:30 Santa Fe Independent School District Board of Trustees

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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.

Jim and Lynda Guidry are publishers of Gulf Coast E-news and The Online News Station.

Jim Young is Houston City Correspondent.  Dana Patricia Burke is the Bay Area Houston Correspondent. Chuck Lawrence is Galveston City Correspondent.  Carl Guidry covers events in Jefferson County.  Anita Donatto covers the education beat in Galveston.  

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