2005 Archives

2004 Archives

2003 Archives

Tuesday               March 22, 2005

Galveston Park Board of Trustees

The Galveston Park Board of Trustees voted unanimously this afternoon to ask the City of Galveston and the management of the Galveston Island Convention Center at the San Luis to provide profit from the convention center operation to the park board to fund beach nourishment projects.  Listen  Download

"Given the fact that it is hotel tax dollars that create any surplus at the convention center, not revenues generated by activities at the center, the park board requests that the City of Galveston and the convention center management company return to the park board any 'surplus payments' to be used for beach renourishment in coastal erosion projects," said Betty Massey, chair of the park board's Ad Hoc Hotel Tax Allocation Assessment Committee in a motion that was approved by the park board.

Massey said that the committee agreed that the city is fortunate to have 11 cents in hotel occupancy taxes available for the safety, maintenance and operation of the beaches; the revitalization and beautification of the Seawall; and the development of tourism products that contribute to the livability of Galveston, as well as the attraction of visitors.

The committee also strongly endorsed further development of Seawall improvements, "including but not limited to, transportation systems and mobility" in the development of a signature golf course; and further capital investment in the beach parks.

Massey said the group also noted that 89 percent of lifeguard rescues are in areas adjacent to the rock groins and said that the committee discussed a proposal "to remove a set of groins and measure that effect".

Finally, the group agreed that the time is not right to seek a change in the HOTax allocations by the Texas Legislature, but to revisit the issue during even numbered years, when the Legislature is not in session; and also to seek additional public and private sources of funds for beachfront projects.

The park board recognized Albert Shannon and Gloria Diaz of Frost Bank for coordinating volunteers for the recent Mardi Gras celebration.   Listen  Download

Park Board Vice President for Financial Management Mike Moser reported that the Mardi Gras budget ended with a shortfall of $448,438.  

Organization expenses were under budget by $23,994, personnel expenses were under budget by $18,485 and administration expenses were under budget by $63,907; however operating expenses were over budget by $11,092, entertainment (performers) expenses were over budget by $2,619 and entertainment (other) expenses were over budget by $13,512.  Sound and lighting were over budget by $15,770.

Moser said that a category identified as logistics was under budget by $32,875.

Park board members had anticipated the shortfall and plan to trim expenses further for the 2006 Mardi Gras.

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Harris County Commissioners Court

Speakers included eight-year old Megan Smith, who lost an eye to a fireworks accident, and Harris County Fire Marshal Mike Montgomery; as well as Sam Broadway, representing the fireworks industry in Texas, and Reverend Tom Jackson, whose church in the Highlands uses fireworks sales as a fund-raiser.    

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Hitchcock City Commission

Hitchcock City Commission on Monday voted unanimously to cancel the May 7 election because all candidates are unopposed.  Thus Mayor Lee A. Sander and commissioners Leon Evans, Sr. and Sharon Enge will serve another term.

The city commission voted 2-1, with Henry Coger opposed, to support legislation that would cap escalating appraisal values for ad valorem taxes.

The city commission voted unanimously to raise the amusement permit fee from $15 to $25 annually.  Business owners must pay the fee for all vending machines, juke boxes and video game machines.

The city commission voted to request bids for group medical, dental and life insurance for the city.

Commissioner Anthony Matranga was absent.

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Friendswood City Council

Friendswood City Council on Monday voted unanimously to amend the city’s sign ordinance.  The amendments include requiring the submission of a sign plan drawn to a standard architectural or engineering scale, prohibiting the alteration of traffic signs and exempting political signs from permit requirements.

The city council voted unanimously to repeal the code of ethics adopted in October 2004 and reinstate the previous code of ethics.   Mayor Kim Brizendine said that the newer code of ethics is too restrictive as to when city staff members should speak individually, or on behalf of the City of Friendswood.

The city council voted unanimously to create a city warrant officer position within the Municipal Court Department to replace the existing warrant office position.

The city council voted unanimously to authorize amendments to the policy for sponsorship of the Fourth of July celebration.

All other agenda items were unanimously approved. Council Member Shannon Kimmel was absent.

City Manager Ron Cox announced that the annual Spring Sparkle event will be held on April 16.  Due to an agreement with the City of League City and a grant from the Houston-Galveston Area Council, the city will collect household hazardous waste at Centennial Park on South Friendswood Drive on the same day.

Mayor Pro Tem Jerry Ericsson announced that H-GAC is forming a sub-committee to address regional drainage and water issues.

Council Member Mel Measeles said that he was pleased to discover that the Galveston County Consolidated Drainage District has encouraged builders to combine smaller retention ponds to lower the number of ponds in the area.  

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Jamaica Beach City Council

Jamaica Beach City Council on Monday took no action on renewal of the city's franchise agreement with Time-Warner Cable Television.  The item was on the agenda for action, but there was no motion, so the issue died.   

City Administrator John Brick said that the issue will be discussed further at the April 4 meeting, possibly with a representative from the cable company present to answer questions.  Cable service will not be interrupted, Brick said.

The city council approved a request to move a drainage/utility easement at property on Bayfront Drive, with Alderman Sherwood Green abstaining.

All other agenda items were unanimously approved.

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El Lago City Council

El Lago City Council on Monday approved a special use permit requested by the Assistance League of the Bay Area, the new owners of the Clothes Basket, a non-profit resale clothing shop.  The new owners were required to obtain the permit in order for the store to remain open.

Other agenda items were tabled for further research.

All votes were unanimous.  Katrina Williams was absent.

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La Marque Independent School District

The La Marque Independent School District Board of Trustees has approved the District Improvement Plan and Campus Improvement Plans for the 2004-2005 school year. 

The school board annually approves district and campus performance objectives and ensures that the district and campus plans are mutually supportive to accomplish the identified objectives and support the state goals and objectives. 

The school board agreed to renew the articulation agreement with College of the Mainland for the 2004-2005 school year. The purpose of the agreement is to eliminate unnecessary duplication of the coursework, offering time–shortened curricula and a smoother transition from high school to college.

The school board approved the adoption of the textbooks and/or instructional systems recommended by the 11-member Textbook Committee, appointed by the board in December 2004 to select and recommend for adoption appropriate teaching and learning materials for use beginning in the fall of 2005. 

The school board approved the second reading of revisions to the policy on duties and qualifications of the superintendent to be consistent with a new policy proposed by Texas Association of School Boards that categorizes the Superintendent’s responsibilities. 

The school board approved the first reading of revisions to the policy regarding application for the Texas Accelerated Science Achievement Program grant, with a maximum award of $50,000 for the high school campus, to implement intensive after-school and summer school programs designed to increase 10th and 11th grade student achievement as measured by the science portions of the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills tests. 

The school board approved two overnight trips: one for the Junior ROTC cadets to attend the John Newcombe Operation Outback Challenge Camp at New Braunsfels in May and the other for the La Marque Middle School Cubbettes Drill Team to attend competition in Dallas in April. 

The school board adopted a resolution supporting Region 4 Education Service Center as a Pilot Regional Education Service Center. 

The school board accepted several donations. Aramark Food Services donated $100 to the La Marque High School Interact Club with the recommendation that the funds be used towards their fundraising efforts; Valero Refining–Texas, LP donated $250 to La Marque Middle School with the recommendation that the funds be used to purchase dictionaries; Lil Milton Productions donated $25 each to La Marque High School Boy’s Basketball Team and the La Marque High School Volleyball Team with the recommendation that the funds be used to purchase decals with Brittney Reynolds number to be placed on their jerseys.

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Galveston-Houston Assn. for Smog Prevention 

The Galveston-Houston Association for Smog Prevention has announced that an Orange level warning was issued for the Houston-Galveston-Brazoria area on Sunday, based on measurements of high ozone levels found at the Channelview, Crosby Library, Lynchburg Ferry, and Wallisville Road monitors.  

Ozone level orange is unhealthy for "sensitive groups" which include children, exercising adults, and people with
respiratory diseases including asthma.

"Although the weather was beautiful and skies appeared clear, ozone air pollution can really sneak up on you because it is a colorless pollutant that forms in warm temperatures with light winds and clear skies," warned Jane Laping, Executive Director for Mothers for Clean Air.

This was the first ozone warning of 2005.  Ozone season extends between March and November. 

For more information on hourly ozone conditions in Houston, visit
http://www.tnrcc.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/monops/daily_average. To sign up for air alerts, visit http://www.hcoem.org.

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Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo

The 2005 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™ set new records according to a report published on Monday.  Report

A total of 1,740,095 visitors attended all the activities on the grounds. Paid attendance was 1,127,239, topping last year's attendance of 1,126,0861, making this the 11th consecutive year that paid attendance topped one million.

The the World’s Champion Bar-B-Que Contest was attended by 140,036 people.  Alicia Keys set the new paid rodeo attendance record on March 4, celebrating Black Heritage Day, with an attendance of 72,065.  Then, on March 6, 72,843 people attended the concert featuring Hilary Duff.

More than 450,000 visitors rode the Rodeo METRO Express shuttle buses from eight locations and more than 105,000 people rode the METRORail to Reliant Park for the show.

For complete results and highlights, visit www.rodeohouston.com or www.hisr.com. 

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is a 501(c)(3) charitable event, benefiting youth and supporting education throughout Texas. 

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

Today, March 22
4:00 Galveston Planning Commission
5:30 Port Arthur City Council Special Meeting 
5:30 North Galveston County Chamber of Commerce After Hours Mixer, Crawdaddy's in Clear Lake Shores
6:00 Galveston County Community Action Council, 2627 Avenue M, Galveston
6:30 Seabrook City Council Special meeting to interview city attorney candidates 
7:00 Dickinson City Council
7:00 League City City Council 
7:00 Clear Creek Independent School District Board of Trustees 
Postponed 7:00 Hitchcock Independent School District Special Meeting.  Rescheduled for April 4

Wednesday, March 23 
9:00 Galveston Building Board of Adjustments and Appeals, City Council Chambers
10:00 - 2:00 College of the Mainland Spring Career Fair, Student Center
12:00 Rotary Club of Galveston, Fisherman's Wharf. Rotary Exchange Student Mara Lopes will speak 
2:30 Pasadena Mayor and City Council Candidates Forum, City Council Chambers
8:00 Red White and Tuna, The Grand 1894 Opera House, Galveston

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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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