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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Galveston Park Board of Trustees Harris County Commissioners Court Jefferson County Commissioners Court Galveston Park Board of Trustees Harris County Commissioners Court Jefferson County Commissioners Court Galveston Park Board of Trustees Harris County Commissioners Court Jefferson County Commissioners Court Galveston Park Board of Trustees Harris County Commissioners Court Jefferson County Commissioners Court Galveston Park Board of Trustees Harris County Commissioners Court Jefferson County Commissioners Court Galveston Park Board of Trustees Harris County Commissioners Court Jefferson County Commissioners Court Galveston Park Board of Trustees Harris County Commissioners Court Jefferson County Commissioners Court Galveston Park Board of Trustees Harris County Commissioners Court Jefferson County Commissioners Court Galveston Park Board of Trustees Harris County Commissioners Court Jefferson County Commissioners Court Galveston Park Board of Trustees Harris County Commissioners Court Jefferson County Commissioners Court Galveston Park Board of Trustees Harris County Commissioners Court Jefferson County Commissioners Court
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Washington Lobbyist Howard Marlowe reports that President George W. Bush's FY06 Budget of $46,787,000 for shore protection is 32.3 percent lower than his proposal for FY05 and 60 percent lower than the amount that was approved by Congress last year. However, Marlowe noted that some projects remain in the budget. Listen "Although the White House Office of Management and Budget says that it is once again proposing that periodic beach renourishment be a 100 percent local responsibility, funding for several periodic beach renourishments is included on the grounds that the damages to those beaches was caused by a federal navigation channel," Marlowe said. A chart provided by Marlowe indicates that $788,000 remains in the budget for the United States Army Corps of Engineers study of the proposed shoreline protection project for Sabine Pass to San Luis Pass in Galveston County. Chart Marlowe notes that several projects have been zeroed out. "Where there is a $0, it indicates that the project received funding from Congress in FY '05 and we believe that it still needs more funding in FY '06," Marlowe said. Galveston Park Board of Trustees Galveston Park Board of Trustees Vice President Chris Woolwine reported to the park board today that preliminary financial figures for the 2005 Mardi Gras celebration are still being compiled. "This year we sold tickets through all of the Kroger stores in the area, and of course, we were very sucessful with online ticket sales," Woolwine said. "But it's just way too early to tell." However, Woolwine said she is optimistic about the bottom line. "My gut feeling is that we did o.k.," Woolwine said in an interview with Guidry News Service. Listen "This is the first year in a long time that we used the Texas State Guard," Woolwine noted. "We had so many compliments, just from people who were attending the event, about how friendly they were and how helpful they were." Woolwine said the celebration was "virtually incident free, so you can't complain about that." Members of the Z Krewe appeared before the park board to thank the members for their support during the celebration. Listen The final Mardi Gras event in Galveston is the Mystic Krewe of Aquarius Annual "Fat Tuesday" Parade in the downtown area. Friendswood City Council on Monday unanimously passed a resolution to approve and support passage of legislation to create the West Ranch Management District. Several zoning ordinances were also passed by unanimous vote including changing the classification of a 240.19 acre tract of land, located on FM 518 and known as the West property, from Single Family Residential to Multi-Family Residential-Garden Home District; a 74 acre tract of land, located on FM 518 and known as the West property, from Single Family Residential to Community Shopping Center; a 404.5 acre tract of land, located on FM 518 and known as the West property, from Single Family Residential to Planned Unit Development - Cluster Homes and a 240.19 acre tract of land, located on FM 518 and known as the West property, from Multi-Family Residential-Garden Home District to a Planned Unit Development - Cluster Homes. The council also unanimously approved zoning changes for a 47.35 acre tract of land, located on Bay Area Boulevard, from Single Family Residential to Planned Unit Development - Cluster Homes. The city council voted unanimously to approve the first reading for several proposed zoning changes: for a 2.784 acre tract of land, located on Friendswood Lakes Boulevard, from Single Family Residential to Community Shopping Center; for a 3.549 acre tract of land, located on FM 528 and Friendswood Lakes Boulevard, from Single Family Residential to Community Shopping Center and for a 9.842 acre tract of land, located on FM 528 and Friendswood Lakes Boulevard, from Single Family Residential to Community Shopping Center. The city council voted 6-1, with Shannon Kimmel opposed, to approve the first reading of an ordinance amending the city's zoning ordinance with regard to density and open space requirements for cluster home developments. All other agenda items were approved with unanimous votes. Jamaica Beach City Council on Monday approved improvements to the Jamaica Beach City Park, including renovations to the kitchen. "We are moving forward with a Park Board plan for 2005 to upgrade the park," said City Administrator John Brick. "We also approved plans to be drawn up for expansion for a pool possibly and a tennis court or basketball court." The work on the kitchen remodeling project is expected to be complete in 30 days. Brick said he hopes the plans for the future expansion will be drawn up in the next 90 days. Beaumont City Council today voted to support legislation to protect the freshwater inflow to Texas Gulf Coast bays and estuaries, including Sabine Lake. "Freshwater inflows to Sabine Lake are important to commercial and recreational fishermen, bird watchers and other citizens living and working in Beaumont and Jefferson County," said City Manager Kyle Hayes. "Commercial fishing industries and nature-related tourism activities help support a variety of businesses in Beaumont, including hotels and restaurants. The city council approved a zoning change from Neighborhood Commercial to General Commercial-Multiple Family Dwelling-2 and a specific use permit to allow a CVS Pharmacy at 3805 Calder. "The property is presently occupied by a portion of a strip center that will be demolished to allow the new construction," said Planning Manager Stephen Richardson. The city council voted to amend several sections of the Code of Ordinances relating to dangerous structures. The changes were discussed at length in a workshop meeting last week. The city council approved a contract for the Aerated Lagoon Improvements Project at the Wastewater Treatment Plant. "The Wastewater Treatment Plant operates two 20-acre aeration lagoons that were built in 1971," Hayes said, explaining that the lagoons have accumulated seven feet of sediment, reducing their operating volume. "The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality issued a violation to the city during their last inspection of the Wastewater Treatment Plant regarding the operation of the aeration lagoons." The city council approved a $258,750 contract with the Beaumont Community Housing Development Organization for the purchase of three pre-existing scattered-site homes that will be retained as lease property for no more than 36 months and then will be sold to eligible low to moderate income families. The city council approved the purchase of 21 lightbars from GT Distributors of Austin for new Beaumont Police Department patrol vehicles. "City Council has previously approved the purchase of 20 Ford Crown Victorias to be used as patrol vehicles and one Chevy Tahoe to be used as a canine unit," Hayes reported. "These vehicles will require the installation of emergency lights prior to being placed into service." The city council appointed Wayne E. Duerler, a fire professional, to the Construction Board of Adjustment and Appeals. All other agenda items were approved. All votes were unanimous. The El Lago City Council on Monday, unanimously approved the employment of Kevin Westmoreland to the Lakeview Police Department. All other items on a brief agenda were approved. Harris County Commissioners Court The Harris County Commissioners Court today voted 3-0, with County Judge Robert Eckels and Commissioner Steve Radack absent, to approve change orders totaling $62,826 to the construction contract for the new Civil Courthouse. Photos The commissioners court also approved on a 3-0 vote, change orders of $14,820 and $30,000 for communication infrastructures for the new Juvenile Justice Center and the Civil Courthouse, and a funding increase for furniture and courtroom technology for the Courthouse in the total amount of $1,350,000. Art Storey, Jr., executive director of the Public Infrastructure Department, said the new courthouse will be complete near the end of 2005 or in 2006, and the juvenile center will be complete in 2006. Storey said all the change orders were anticipated and leave both projects within budget. "I think both of those courthouses are going to be magnificent additions to the downtown complex and, in particular, the new civil courts building," Storey said. "I think it’ll be on the cover of magazines for the next 50 years because it is an extremely functional, accessible building and it is (an example of) first class architecture." The commissioners court voted 3-0 to fulfill the request of Commissioner El Franco Lee, who chaired the meeting in Eckels’ absence, to withhold action until the next meeting on a request to clarify the minutes of the November 23, 2004 meeting to reflect the court’s approval of adding two members to the Houston-Harris County Regional Homeland Security Advisory Council. The commissioners court also voted 3-0 to delay action on a request for approval of a resolution opposing any legislation filed during the 79th Legislative Session or any called special session of the current legislature that would grant the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County authorization to use the design/build contracting and procurement method. Commissioner Sylvia Garcia requested the delay. After an executive session to discuss the litigation in the matter of Kimii Valentine and Robert Casey, et al v. Harris County and Perry Wooten, the commissioners court voted 3-0 to approve the recommendation of the county attorney to settle the case in the total amount of $403,000. The settlement is with 11 of the original 28 plaintiffs in the collective action suit, which alleged that former constable, Perry Wooten, forced them to work "off the clock", or during hours for which they did not receive pay. All other agenda items were approved. Russell Hankins, a former Hedwig Village city council member and immediate past president of the Harris County Mayors & Council Association, asked the commissioners court to look into what it can do to help put a lid on rising property taxes in Harris County. Hankins cited a January 25 Wall Street Journal article entitled Homeowners Revolt Against Tax Assessors, which listed 176,328 tax protests in Harris County in 2004. "In Harris County, they are talking about the wrong guy," Hankins said, referring to Harris County Tax Assessor/Collector Paul Bettencourt. "The problem here is with Jim Robinson and the Harris County Appraisal District. This is where appraisals are set." Listen Download"If you talk to the appraisal district, you are overwhelmed with numbers," Hankins said. They have computer programs, indices, indexes, graphs, charts, whatever. It is an engineer’s delight. But apparently no one asks, ‘Is the result reasonable? Is this a practical answer?’." "What I am asking commissioners court to do is look into the situation, give it some serious thought," Hankins concluded. "Talk to Paul Bettencourt. Talk to Jim Robinson." "You’re asking us to talk to someone who you have more clout over, as a voter," responded El Franco Lee. "And if you will do yourself what you’re asking us to do, we will do the same thing." Jefferson County Commissioners Court Jefferson County Commissioners Court on Monday voted to issue a request for proposals for operation of the County Cafe in the Beaumont Courthouse. The establishment has been closed since the previous operator became delinquent in payments to the county. The commissioners court accepted a $20,000 grant from the Meadows Foundation for the Jefferson County Family Group Conferencing Project. The commissioners court approved a resolution congratulating Lamar State College - Port Arthur President Dr. Sam Monroe for being honored as Man of the Year by Quota International of Southeast Texas. The commissioners court approved resolutions honoring several employees who are retiring: JoAnn Block, after 18 years of service; Larry Borel, 28 years; Linda Miller, 10 years; and Sandra Woods, 22 years of service to the county. The commissioners court approved a $135,000 settlement with N&T Construction. The commissioners court received and filed a lease agreement with the United States General Services Administration for office space occupied by the Transportation Security Administration at the Southeast Texas Regional Airport. The commissioners court deferred action on a proposal to create a Board of Park Commissioners for Ford Park and the appointment of seven commissioners to serve on the board. The commissioners court deferred action on term contracts for fire extinguisher services with Mobile Extinguishers, Inc. and Tri-Plex Breathing Air Service, Inc.; as well as an agenda item to execute, receive and file acceptance of an offer from Tri-Plex. All other agenda items were approved. There will be no meeting of commissioners court next Monday because county officials will be in Austin for Jefferson County Day in the Texas Legislature. The next meeting will be on Wednesday, February 23. Galveston Reads is sponsoring a community discussion with H.G. "Buzz" Bissinger, author of this year's selected book, Friday Night Lights, a Town, a Team and a Dream, on Tuesday, February 15 at 6:30 at the Galveston Island Convention Center. Galveston
Reads is a community-wide reading project sponsored by the The book, listed by Sports Illustrated as the top football book ever written, was recently depicted in a nationally released feature film by the same name. Galveston
Reads sponsored Galveston
Reads committee members represent educational institutions, The author visit on February 15 is the culminating program for Galveston Reads. The event is free and open to the public. Several items of interest to Southeast Texas are posted on The Online News Station. The 12th Annual Rivers Lakes, Bays ‘N Bayous Trash Bash will be held on March 12 at various sites throughout the Southeast Texas Region. Release Pamela M. and Barent W. Cater of Kemah have committed $300,000 to endow a faculty fellowship at Mays Business School at Texas A&M. The report is on the Community Page. Release American National Insurance Company announced fourth quarter 2004 net income of $79,746,000, a 10% increase compared to the $72,304,000 reported for the same period in 2003. The report is on the Business Page. Report Scheduled
Meetings Today,
February 8 Gulf
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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
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