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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A delegation representing the Pleasure Island Commission appeared before Port Arthur City Council on Tuesday to seek support for a campaign to combat erosion that threatens The Palms at Pleasure Island Golf Course and other amenities. Listen Download "As you know, there has been a lot of work done in past years over there and there is a lot that needs to be done," said Bill Worsham of Pacific International Engineering, PLLC, noting that much of the 16 miles of shoreline facing the ship channel is currently being protected by the Texas Department of Transportation and the federal government, but five miles of shoreline are in need of protection. "The erosion problem is caused by ship waves," Worsham said. "The Sabine Pilots report that 2,113 ships came and went through the ship channel, right past us here, in 2004." Worsham suggested that the City of Port Arthur, the Pleasure Island Commission, The Port of Port Arthur, the Jefferson County Navigation District and Jefferson County Commissioners Court each contribute funds for the local match for state funding for erosion control. The same coalition has been successful in providing local match for state grants in the past. "It is beginning to be clear that at the state level there is going to be a pretty significant funding source that will match and leverage local funds in the coming state biennium, if local funds are put up," Worsham said. "What's at stake are things like the dry dock facility, that has hundreds of jobs; businesses such as the Cajun Cabins and the Jep's convenience store; T.B. Ellison Parkway itself, which, of course, runs right along the edge of the channel and is in jeopardy; and certainly public facilities - the treatment plant and the golf course." Worsham said that $1 million contributed locally could be leveraged to $4 million in state funding for the project. "I support what you are trying to do," said Council Member Michael Shane Sinegal, adding that other entities should contribute funds toward the local match as well. "The Port of Beaumont has a stake in this. We can sit here right now and look out that window, and any minute every kid and every grownup in here will see a ship going to the Port of Beaumont." "The more of these organizations that are on board, the smaller the bite that each one has to take," Worsham responded. "If the Port of Beaumont or any other organization could be brought in this group, all the better." Mayor Pro Tem John Beard suggested that the Department of Homeland Security, as well as the refineries, should be approached for funding. Council Member Felix Barker said the project should be done now, to avoid larger costs in the future. The city council voted unanimously to approve a resolution authorizing the City of Port Arthur to support a "Click it or Ticket" selective traffic enforcement program grant in the amount of $8,000. The city council voted unanimously to approve a resolution authorizing the calling of a public hearing to consider whether public convenience and necessity require the operation of a proposed taxi business. The city council voted unanimously to approve an ordinance amending the City Code of Ordinances to establish lists of participating business permit holders for non-consent or non-preference pickups or towing. The city council voted unanimously to table an ordinance authorizing the chief of police to issue a wrecker business permit to American Towing located at 6120 Gulfway Drive. The city council voted unanimously to decline an ordinance releasing a portion of the city's extraterritorial jurisdiction and disannexing a portion of the city's land along Taylor's Bayou that had been annexed for a limited purpose in 1913. The disannexation was requested by the Taylor's Landing Homeowners' Association. All other agenda items were unanimously approved. Mayor Oscar Ortiz presented a proclamation in honor of High Society MAD Red Hatters Organization. Listen Download Ortiz also presented a proclamation in recognition of God's Goodness Day on Sunday, May 1 on Pleasure Island, in coordination with the 65th Anniversary of Fellowship Baptist Church in Nederland. Listen Download Ortiz presented a proclamation in recognition of Doris Gill and the Youth Advisory Council. Listen Download The League City City Council on Tuesday voted unanimously to award a bid for the purchase of self-contained breathing apparatus units for the League City Volunteer Fire Department. The city council voted unanimously to approve a resolution to rename a portion of Columbia Memorial Parkway between State Highway 96 and FM 646 to Tuscan Lakes Boulevard. The city council voted unanimously to approve an ordinance authorizing the sale of $8.5 million in combination tax and revenue certificates of obligation, Series 2005. The city council voted unanimously to approve the purchase of an aerial platform truck for the League City Fire Department. The city council voted unanimously to approve the acquisition of real property for the League City Volunteer Emergency Medical Services West Station. The city council voted unanimously to postpone the appointment of a public safety director and appointments to the River Market Architectural Review Committee. The city council voted unanimously to appoint Paul Naylor, Duana Loechel and Bonnie Schoellkopf to the Senior Citizen Advisory Committee. The city council also appointed Jon Keeney as the city council liason to the Butler Longhorn Museum and Heritage Park Board. The city council voted unanimously to approve an ordinance levying a special assessment on the owners of 191 residential lots in Section 1, Phase 2 and Section 7 of the City of League City Public Improvement District No. 1 and Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone No. 1 - Magnolia Creek. The city council voted unanimously to approve a construction contract in the amount of $133,124.16 to Traf Tex, Inc. for the Traffic Signalization-Brittany Bay Boulevard at Hobbs Road project. The city council voted 5-1, with Keith Dill opposed, to approve an ordinance amending the Construction Manager at Risk contract for construction services for the Big League Dreams sports park. The city council voted 5-1, with Dill opposed, to proceed with Phase II of the Buxton Company's Community ID for the City of League City. The city council voted 5-1, with Dill opposed, to approve the second amendment to the maintenance and operations agreement for the Big League Dreams sports park. The city council voted 4-2, with Keeney opposed and Jim Nelson absent, to award a bid and Change Order No. 1 for the Dallas Salmon Wastewater Treatment Plant Influent Lift Station and Headworks Improvement project. In executive session, the city council took no action on the employment or appointment of a city secretary. The city council voted 5-1, with Thomas Cones opposed, to place on the agenda in open session the settlement of contemplated or threatened litigation. All other agenda items were unanimously approved. The city council presented a certificate of appreciation to Barbara Nugent, retired city secretary. The city council proclaimed the week of April 22 through April 24 as the American Cancer Society "Relay for Life Weekend." The city council also proclaimed May 2005 as "National Bike Month," April 25, 2005 as "International Red Hat Society Day" and April 2005 as "Child Abuse Prevention Month." The city council proclaimed the week of April 10 through April 16 as "National Library Week." The Houston City Council on today voted 15-0 to approve a motion by Mark Goldberg amending the city’s code of ordinances to prevent leasing city property at below-market prices to persons who owe money to the city. Listen Download Photos "I’m just disturbed that we do a lot of below market leases to begin with. I don’t think we should be doing those. But I definitely don’t think we should do it for people that owe taxes," Goldberg said. "This is the same thing as appropriating money to somebody. And sometimes, that’s good. But we just ought to have a level playing field and not sort of a secret way of helping somebody," Mayor Bill White added. The city council also voted 14-1, with Addie Wiseman opposed, to approve an ordinance establishing a utility relocation policy for the City of Houston and creating a Utility Relocation Program that requires private utilities to relocate their facilities at their expense for all types of public works projects. The city council voted 14-1, with Wiseman opposed, to award an $85,000 contract to Continental Airlines, Inc. to provide customer service training for certain Public Works department employees. The city council voted unanimously to appropriate an additional $235,121.79 for the engineering contract for design of the Munn Street extension from Gellhorn Drive to Demaree Lane in the Pleasantville subdivision. "I’m sure the folks in Pleasantville are certainly excited about this project," said Carol Galloway. Some items were tagged, or delayed for one week, by individual members of the city council. Galloway, Gordon Quan and M. J. Khan tagged an ordinance authorizing settlement of a claim by Austin Filter Systems, Inc., citing extremely low minority and women owned business enterprise participation. Galloway and Quan tagged a recommendation for final approval of the contract amount of $2,185,005.81 and acceptance of work on Austin Filter Systems, Inc.’s construction of the Buffalo Bayou Trail north of Buffalo Bayou, also citing low minority and women owned business enterprise participation. Galloway tagged final contract amount approval and acceptance of work on a contract with Troy Construction, Inc. for sanitary sewer rehabilitation. Quan tagged an amendment to a contract with TJ&T Enterprises, Inc. for Kingwood Drive paving from Willow Terrace Drive to Hidden Lakes Drive. All other items were unanimously approved. The Dickinson City Council on Tuesday voted unanimously to approve a multi-year street and drainage construction program as proposed by the contractor, Kellis George. The city council voted unanimously to approve a resolution authorizing Mayor Veta Winick to sign the adoption of the Hazard Mitigation Plan for the Houston-Galveston Area Council region. The city council voted unanimously to approve the first reading of an ordinance declaring all junked boats and trailers visible from public rights-of-way to be a public nuisance. The city council voted 5-1, with Mark Townsend opposed, to approve a proposed interlocal agreement with Water Control and Improvement District 1 on use of city right-of-way. The city council voted unanimously to appoint additional members to the Construction Manager Selection Committee for the new fire station and renovations to the library, courthouse, city hall and public works building. All other agenda items were unanimously approved. Hitchcock Independent School District The Hitchcock Independent School District Board on Tuesday voted unanimously to approve a two-year extension of the depository contract with Texas First Bank. The school board voted unanimously to approve a resolution to change the administrator of the school district's 457 Alternative Retirement Plan. The school board voted unanimously to approve a memorandum of understanding between the Galveston County Health District and the school district for public health emergencies. The school board voted unanimously to postpone the vote on a request for proposals for oil, gas and mineral lease interests. The school board voted unanimously to approve the Textbook Committee for the 2005-2006 school year. The school board approved a proclamation designating the week of May 2 through May 6 to be Teacher Appreciation Week. The school board also approved a proclamation designating May 11, 2005 as Paraprofessional Day. All other agenda items were unanimously approved. The school board also heard a presentation on the state requirements for library services. The school board recognized the 2004-2005 girls' basketball team, the boys' basketball team and the power lifting team. The school board also recognized the Daughters of the American Revolution essay contest winners. Texas City Independent School District The Texas City Independent School District Board of Trustees on Tuesday voted to approve an extension of the current banking contract with Amegy, formerly Southwest Bank, for an additional two-year term. The board of trustees voted to cancel the May 7, 2005 Texas City Independent School District General Trustees Election for District 3. The board of trustees voted to approve the budget for the School Improvement Program. The board of trustees voted to table a request by Galveston County Girls and Boys Summer League Basketball for the use of Texas City High School gyms. The board of trustees took no action on a request for approval of the optional 2005 Homestead Exemtion. The board of trustees voted to approve a contract with Christus St. John Hospital for athletic trainer services for the 2005-2006 school year. The board of trustees voted to grant investment officers Richard Ettredge and Liz Payne the authority to pledge and release collateral on behalf of Texas City Independent School District. The board of trustees voted to approve the 2005-2006 school calendar. All other agenda items were approved. The
Houston Airport System reports that George Bush
Intercontinental Airport now leads the nation's airports in
destinations and the number of weekly non-stop flights to
Mexico. In the past year, Houston has added 138 weekly
non-stop flights and nine Mexican cities to its growing
international air travel portfolio. There are 948 nonstop weekly departures to Mexican cities at Bush Intercontinental. By comparison, Los Angeles has 682, Dallas-Fort Worth has 474 and Miami has 220. More than 2.6 million people traveled to and from Mexico in 2004, surpassing the previous record of 2.2 million - an increase of 19.3 percent. Continental Express's passenger service to Mexico alone increased by 60.7 percent. The new Mexico destinations added in the past year are Ciudad del Carmen, Manzanillo, Monclova, Puebla, Oaxaca, Toluca, Durango, Huatulco and Queretaro. "Houston is attaining increasing importance as a hub of international travel, and Mexico passengers are leading the way for other regions of the world," said Rick Vacar, Houston Airport System director. "We recently opened a new $440 million International Airlines Building that doubles our capacity to process international flights because of this increasing demand." Houston's growing primacy as Mexico's United States gateway is mirrored by the record number of international passengers served at Bush Intercontinental. In 2004, international passenger levels reached a record 6.4 million - an increase of 13.7 percent. The 19th annual Adopt-A-Beach Spring Cleanup will take place Saturday, April 23 at several sites on the Texas Gulf Coast, announced Texas General Land Office Commissioner Jerry Patterson.
The
all-volunteer event is coordinated through the Adopt-A-Beach
Program of the Texas General Land Office. Statewide coastal
cleanups are held every spring and fall. “I'm
calling on all proud Texans to come spend a day at the beach
to do a little spring cleaning,” Patterson said.
“It's the Texas thing to do.” Volunteers
can register at any of the check-in sites from 8:30 a.m. to 9
a.m. on April 23, and each will be given data cards, gloves,
pencils and trash bags. Volunteers are advised to wear
closed-toe shoes and to bring sunscreen and plenty of drinking
water. Texas beaches receive large amounts of marine debris due to a convergence of currents in the Gulf of Mexico. Since 1986, more than 321,000 Adopt-A-Beach volunteers have picked up more than 6,100 tons of debris, some of which originates as far away as South America. Volunteers record data on the trash to learn more about the causes of marine debris and to help mitigate pollution along Texas’ 367 miles of coastline.
For
additional information, visit http://www.glo.state.tx.us/ The eleventh annual Men Who Cook dinner was held on Tuesday at the Lakewood Yacht Club in Seabrook. The event featured favorite recipes created by men from the Clear Lake area, including Seabrook Mayor Robin Riley. Photos
All proceeds from Men Who Cook will benefit Seabrook police officers' charities.
"We wanted to support the police department," Riley said. "They do an outstanding job for the city, and we just wanted to give back a little to them." Listen Download Scheduled
Meetings Today, April 13 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 and Dana Patricia Burke are editors 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
regular print program. On The Online News Station, if you click on an audio link and the photos stop loading, click on Refresh or Reload and they will resume. |
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