The Guidry News
© 1996, Guidry News
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The Guidry News
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© 1996, Guidry News
Service
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Greater Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce University of Texas Medical Branch Clear Creek Independent School District Greater Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce University of Texas Medical Branch Clear Creek Independent School District Greater Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce University of Texas Medical Branch Clear Creek Independent School District Greater Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce University of Texas Medical Branch Clear Creek Independent School District Greater Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce University of Texas Medical Branch Clear Creek Independent School District Greater Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce University of Texas Medical Branch Clear Creek Independent School District Greater Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce University of Texas Medical Branch Clear Creek Independent School District Greater Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce University of Texas Medical Branch Clear Creek Independent School District Greater Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce University of Texas Medical Branch Clear Creek Independent School District Greater Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce University of Texas Medical Branch Clear Creek Independent School District Greater Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce University of Texas Medical Branch Clear Creek Independent School District Greater Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce University of Texas Medical Branch Clear Creek Independent School District
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Houston City Council today voted 13-2, with Shelley Sekula-Gibbs and Addie Wiseman opposed, to modify Mayor Bill White’s Safe-Clear program to provide the tows free of charge where minor assistance is needed and the vehicle is taken off the interstate freeway to a safe location within one mile. Proposed amendments to the program from Mark Ellis, Gordon Quan, Toni Lawrence, Sekula-Gibbs and Wiseman all failed. The city council did approve two other modifications, however, by providing that the city will pay wrecker drivers for the tows that are free to motorists, from the franchise fees paid by wrecker companies to participate in the program. The city council also voted to cap the amount spent by the city on the program at $150,000 for six months in order to study the results and modify the program again, if the results indicate the need. "We believe that by about 5 o'clock today this new ordinance will go into effect," said Frank Michel, spokesman for White. "And the mayor is reminding everybody of the purpose of the program. It's a huge, huge safety issue. One of the drawbacks to it from the beginning has been the concern that some people couldn't afford these tows. So we listened to the community and listened to the feedback we got from a lot of places; and the program is a work in progress and we're trying to hear what the community's concerns are so we can make it even better." Listen DownloadCity Controller Annise Parker told the city council in her monthly financial report that although her office now predicts a budget shortfall of $17.2 million, that figure is down $6.5 million from the November report. "Almost all the decline is due to decreases in expenditures rather than increases in overall revenues," Parker said. "For example, the police budget is back in balance. The $5.4 million decline includes the impact of the use of bond funds instead of general fund dollars for the purchase of Tasers, for example." Listen DownloadThe city council approved an interlocal agreement with Harris County to provide up to $4,000,000 in Community Development Block Grant Funds to assist in the design and construction of the Aquatic Center-Natatorium. The city council voted to appropriate $854,700 out of the Fire Consolidated Construction Fund and authorized an architectural services agreement with Prozign, Inc. for the new downtown fire station. Several items were tagged, or delayed for one week, by individual members of the city council. Ada Edwards tagged an item that would provide $106,700 for renovation of the South Central Federally Qualified Health Center at 8610 Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard. Carol Mims Galloway and M. J. Khan tagged an ordinance authorizing submission of pre-disaster mitigation applications to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Ellis tagged an ordinance that would authorize a three-year contract for a Workers’ Compensation Program consulting services. Edwards tagged an ordinance that would award a construction contract to Meridian Commercial, L.P. for Crestmont Park. Lawrence tagged a proposed ordinance outlining requirements for licensing two truck drivers. Pam Holm tagged an ordinance related to dishonored checks. Lawrence and Sekula-Gibbs tagged an ordinance to adopt a three-year annexation plan. The city council scheduled a public hearing for March 2 to consider the proposed amendments to the planning and zoning regulations for Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone Number One (St. George Place) and the zoning map to rezone Big Ben Shopping Center and Lots three and Four, Block 18, Lamar Terrace Subdivision. All other items were approved. Pasadena City Council on Tuesday voted 8-1, with Jack Douglass opposed, to approve the final reading of an ordinance to authorize the payment of $73,576.70 for the property at 1304 Scott Street and $112,998 for the property at 420 Scott Street for the extension of Strawberry Road from Harris Avenue to Jackson Street. The city council voted 7-2 with Bill Welch and Dana Philibert opposed to change the date the city of Pasadena will observe San Jacinto Day this year to Friday, April 22 in order to better manage city workers’ output while allowing them a 3-day weekend. Welch said that moving around the day such a historic holiday is observed "tends to water down its significance." The city council unanimously approved appointments and reappointments to the Plumbing Board. New appointments included Freddie Layne, Position 5; Scott Williams, Position 8; and Guadalupe Lopez, Position 9. Reappointed were Jose Fernandez, Position 1; Mike Reagan, Position 2; Phillip Johnson, Position 3, Dwayne James, Position 4; Sherry Blevins, Position 5; and Robert Walsh, Position 7. All other items were unanimously approved. Pasadena Fire Chief Jerry W. Gardner briefed the city council on the location and safe return of 17 year old Kelli Meek and 16 year old Joe Phillips, two Pasadena teens who went missing on Sunday and were the subject of an Amber Alert. Gardner said he was appearing on behalf of the teens’ families who had asked him to express their gratitude to Mayor John Manlove and individual members of the council for their support during the search. Listen Download "They wanted me to express to the community and to the city how much they appreciate the outpouring of support," Gardner said. "Howard (Meek) specifically mentioned to me the mayor coming by his house and offering his support, offering his prayers with the family. The council members that came by the search center and offered their support; some of them were there well after, I think it was after midnight." Print
Version Webster City Council on Tuesday voted 5-1, with Floyd Myers abstaining, to adopt an ordinance to acquire the necessary property to construct Orchard Street from Highway 3 to Texas Avenue and to extend Live Oak Street south to Blossom Street. The city council approved the construction of both streets on January 6, 2004. The Webster Economic Development Corporation will fund both street extensions. The city council voted unanimously to postpone the vote on an ordinance imposing a maximum safe load limit of 45,000 pounds on East Commerce Avenue to ensure the longevity of road improvements. Carl Lemmon, owner of Clear Lake Soil at 201 East Commerce, spoke in opposition to the ordinance, stating that trucks delivering mulch to his business once per week weigh a maximum of 80,000 pounds. The city council voted unanimously to approve a resolution to hold a general election on May 7 to elect a mayor and council member for Position 6 and a special election on the same date to approve proposed amendments to the city charter. The city council voted unanimously to direct city staff to prepare an ordinance regarding a property tax freeze on the homesteads of citizens over the age of 65. Terry Knudsen, director of the finance department, spoke in favor of the ordinance. Listen Download The city council voted unanimously to sign an interlocal agreement with the Houston-Galveston Area Council that will allow the city to participate in a collective purchasing cooperative. The cooperative, which requires a $2,500 retainer fee, will provide member cities with competitive health care insurance through a collective request for proposals. Eight cities, including Friendswood, Pearland and Texas City, are currently prospective members of the cooperative. The city council voted unanimously to approve recommendations by Council Member Steve Waltz regarding sidewalks on El Camino. Waltz recommended that the city council direct staff to look into the cost and feasibility of installing sidewalks in the area. Listen Download PowerPoint Presentation “We have heavy pedestrian and bicycle traffic as evidenced by the trails, and we know it’s unsafe to get in that roadway,” Waltz said. “This really is a neglected part of the city.” Webster resident Hubert Cook spoke in opposition to Waltz’s recommendation, stating that the city council should further research methods of funding sidewalk installations. Listen Download The city council voted 5-1, with Steve Waltz opposed, to approve the mayor and city council’s annual cost of living stipend increase. All other agenda items were unanimously approved. Council Member Mel Donehue was absent. Print
Version Seabrook City Council on Tuesday voted to approve a $3,084,900 contract with Proficient Construction Services of Houston to build a new fire station and amenities, and voted to have the groundbreaking ceremonies for the facility on Saturday, March 5. The development will include a training facility on Red Bluff Road, but a proposed "burn building" was eliminated from the plans. "It was decided right now that we could use a ladder truck more than a burn building," explained Mayor Robin Riley. "Both Pasadena and League City have burn buildings that our fire department currently uses for their training." The city council voted to schedule a workshop on new flood zones on February 8. The city council did not discuss request for clarification by the Planning and Zoning Commission about a city council request to draft a zoning amendment to include a list of features that townhouses must have to meet the nature of Old Seabrook. There was no motion to discuss the request, thus there was no discussion. All other agenda items were approved. Bayou Vista Board of Aldermen on Tuesday voted to call an election on May 7 for three positions on the board. Places now held by Theresa Moeller, Eddie Stafford and Jim Shelby will be on the ballot. The board voted to approve the FY04 Audit as presented by Pringle, Jenkins and Associates, P.C. The board approved the first draft of a revised Chapter 3 of the Bayou Vista Code of Ordinances, "for the purpose of organization and for easier retrieval of information." The board approved the aerial spraying of mosquitoes over the village. All other agenda items were approved. Port Arthur City Council voted unanimously on Tuesday to support legislation protecting the freshwater inflow to the state's bays and estuaries, including Sabine Lake. The city council voted 5-2, with Deloris Prince and Michael Sinegal opposed, to pay invoices of the Port Arthur Economic Development Corporation. Mayor Pro Tem John Beard was out of the room. The city council voted 6-1, with Felix Barker opposed, to release a portion of the city's land along Taylor's Bayou to the Taylor Bayou Homeowner's Association. A motion on a similar ordinance at a previous meeting failed. The city had annexed the property in 1913. The city council authorized City Manager Steve Fitzgibbons to appoint committees for collective bargaining negotiations with International Association of Fire Fighters Local 397 and the Port Arthur Police Association. In addition to Fitzgibbons, each team includes the assistant city manager/director of human resources, assistant director of human resources, city attorney and director of finance. The fire chief and police chief are included in the respective city teams, as well. All other agenda items were approved with unanimous votes. Print
Version Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce Don Pumphrey was installed as chair of the Greater Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce at the organization's 105th annual banquet Tuesday night. Outgoing Chair Vicki Derese said that a major highlight of the past year was the resources that the chamber spent on "getting Southeast Texas ready to take advantage of the opportunities of what we think will probably be the Spindletop industry of this century." Derese said that chamber staff spent "countless hours" working with representatives of the companies considering locations for liquefied natural gas plants, and public officials participated in numerous meetings to determine the impact of the proposed LNG plants to the area. "The year has just begun but things are moving at a rather brisk pace already for the chamber of commerce," Pumphrey said, noting that a delegation from Jefferson County will visit the Texas Capitol soon. "We've have lost some of the representation we once had in Austin," Pumphrey said, urging a regional approach to the legislature. "To be effective, more than ever now, we in Southeast Texas must come together as a unit, and work to develop our economy to improve our educational opportunities for our youth." Patti King presented the chamber's Athena Award to Mary Ann Reid. Print
Version The
Galveston Bay Foundation is observing World Wetlands Day today
by encouraging the appreciation of key wetlands in the region
and worldwide. "World Wetlands Day marks the signing of the Convention on Wetlands in the Iranian city of Ramsar in 1971 and the subsequent listing and recognition of key wetlands around the globe," said Alicia Strogen, vice president of development and outreach of the Galveston Bay Foundation. "Today, 138 nations from around the world have signed the agreement and become part of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. As a result, World Wetlands Day is celebrated around the world as it signifies the importance of water to life and of wetlands to the landscapes we live in." The
news release notes that wetlands
are present in every country, from the tundra to the tropics,
and are among the most productive environments on the planet.
"Locally,
the Galveston Bay watershed is a rich tapestry of wetland
habitats," Strogen said.
"But they are coming under increasing threat.
More than 30,000 acres of wetlands have been lost
throughout the watershed in the last 50 years alone."
Strogen notes that GBF has completed numerous wetlands habitat restoration and conservation projects in the Houston/Galveston region. "The
wetlands across our coastal landscapes ensure a healthy future
for waterfowl, fish, other wildlife and a fresh clean water
supply for people," Strogen said. GBF routinely partners
with a number of Bay stakeholders, including other
conservation organizations, federal government agencies,
business and industry leaders, municipalities, landowners,
homeowner associations, teachers and students, all of who
share a vested interest in saving our wetlands. As
part of a national effort, the Galveston Bay Foundation has
committed to restoring 24,000 acres of wetland habitat by
2010, and is working diligently to protect other bay resources
as well, including freshwater inflows." For additional information call (281) 332-3381 or visit www.galvbay.org. For more information on the Ramsar Convention visit www.ramsar.org. Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson, who chairs the Veterans Land Board, announced today that VLB land loans of up to $60,000 are now available for Texas veterans and can be used for tracts as small as one acre. The required down payment is five percent, with a 30-year fixed term, and the interest rate 6.64 percent. “There’s nothing that really compares with the VLB land loan program,” Patterson said. “Our interest rate is two full percentage points lower than average, and most lenders require 20 percent down. If you find a better deal, take it.” In
2003, the minimum acreage that could be bought with a VLB land
loan was reduced from five acres to one acre, making it easier
for veterans to buy lots closer to urban areas. A Texas
veteran can simultaneously have a VLB land loan, a VLB home
loan and a VLB home improvement loan. The maximum VLB
home loan amount is currently $240,000. The
Texas Veterans Land Board was created in 1946 to help veterans
returning from World War II buy land for agricultural
purposes. The program has changed over the years as land
prices rose sharply. VLB loan amounts increased from the
original $7,500, to $20,000, $40,000, and now $60,000. “We’re
always working to enhance benefits for Texas veterans,”
Patterson said. “No other state can match what the VLB
offers: low-cost home, land and home improvement loans,
nursing homes and cemeteries — all exclusively for Texas
veterans or their spouses. And all of our programs are
self-funding, which is good news for Texas taxpayers.” For additional information call (800)-252-VETS or visit www.texasveterans.com. University of Texas Medical Branch The University of Texas Medical Branch will sponsor a National Black AIDS Awareness Day program, Women and HIV … It Still Ain’t Over, at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston from 11:30 to 1 p.m. on Friday, February 4 in the Caduceus Room on the sixth floor of the Administration Building, Eighth Street and Market Street. Dena Gray, a long-time HIV/AIDS advocate who was diagnosed HIV positive in 1991, is the featured speaker. Gray is community liaison for Houston City Council Member Ada Edwards. A panel of four women infected with HIV will share their personal stories. Following the presentation, the panelists will answer questions from the audience. There is no charge to attend the program. Refreshments will be served. For more information, contact Denise Justice at (409) 747-0202 or email dejustic@utmb.edu. Clear Creek Independent School District The Clear Creek Independent School District community is invited to join the committee responsible for naming the Clear Lake High School Field House.
The first meeting is 6 p.m., February 7, in the school’s Commons.
For
information contact Terry Farrell at (281) 226-7888 or twfarrel@ccisd.net.
Several items of interest to Southeast Texas are posted on The Online News Station. Some of the brightest musical talent from across the Lone Star State will be honored at the third-annual MTM Texas Music Awards presentation on Sunday, Feb. 20. Photo and Details Texas City-La Marque Chamber of Commerce participated in the ribbon cutting held for Fairwood and Vauthier Road reconstruction project. Photo and Details Scheduled
Meetings Today, February 2 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. Patty Mayeux is editor of Gulf Coast E-news. Robert John Mihovil is a special photographic correspondent for Guidry News Service We
are seeking to hire reporters & marketing agents to
expand our coverage in Jefferson & Harris Counties. |
College
News Public
School News Real Time Houston Traffic Maps & Cameras Story
Links,
on the left side of the Gulf Coast E-news page, is
made up of "bookmarks" to the
stories in the newsletter. Click on the link
to go directly to the article. Print
individual articles: Click the "Print
Version" link below each story, then use your
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