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A Publication of Guidry News Service |
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A Publication of Guidry News Service |
Galveston
City Council met in a joint session with the Park Board of
Trustees in City Council Chambers this morning. The agenda included a review of pending legislation by City Attorney Susie Green, a review of the recent Mardi Gras celebration and a brief discussion of the Lone Star Motorcycle Rally. Listen Download Park Board Chair Dianna Puccetti acknowledged the $448,438 shortfall in the Mardi Gras account, but contended that the shortfall is only "part of the picture," and does not include the hotel occupancy tax and sales tax revenue from the visitors. "To me Mardi Gras is alive and well," Puccetti contended, but said that meetings are being held to improve future Mardi Gras celebrations. "What we have seen very clearly in looking at the last few years and this year is that changes are needed with Mardi Gras," Puccetti said, advising that proposals include elimination of the paid gate on the first weekend of Mardi Gras and initiation of vendor booths on the Seawall during the parades on the Seawall during the first weekend. She said a probable change in the Knights of Momus Grand Night Parade would have it follow its normal route: north on 25th Street, east on Ship's Mechanic Row, north on 21st Street; but then turn west on The Strand to finish at the Railroad Museum. Mayor Lyda Ann Thomas encouraged the park board to improve the finances of Mardi Gras. "The last thing that I as mayor would want to see is Mardi Gras leave the city," Thomas said. "We know that there are communities to the north of us who would love to have this crowd in their cities and towns." Puccetti suggested that a separate "special events" division of the city and the park board be created. Members of the city council and the park board were receptive to the idea. Galveston City Manager Steve LeBlanc reported to the city council in workshop today that the Texas State Historical Commission has declared Broadway Boulevard an official eligible historic landmark from right-of-way to right-of-way. "Even though it is an eligible designation, it is treated as if it where a listed historic landmark," LeBlanc said. "What this means, is that any project that the city or the state plan to undertake involving Broadway requires that we prove to the Texas State Historical Commission that there is no other alternative for the project." LeBlanc said that the Texas State Historical Commission views Broadway as the "last great esplanade entrance". LeBlanc also told the city council of a money crunch at City Hall. "I have instructed all department heads to halt all discretionary spending while we address some areas of concern," LeBlanc said. " We have some expenditures that will hit us this year that we did not anticipate. Overall we have enough budgeted to cover these expenditures, but some budget transfers may be necessary." LeBlanc said that he also is instructing all department heads to limit travel for themselves and their staff as to what is absolutely necessary. " I am requesting council to do the same," LeBlanc said. " The mid-year budget review will begin in April." Galveston Public Information Officer Janet Cohen announced today that Hud Hopkins, director of Scholes International Airport at Galveston, was named the 2005 General Aviation Airport Manager of the Year at an awards banquet in Austin on Wednesday. Hyperlinks will work if this document is read Online
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