City Manager Steve LeBlanc on Thursday advised members of Galveston City Council and the public that the threat of wild coyotes is a citywide problem. Listen: RealPlayer  MP3

"We ask you to not feed them," LeBlanc said.  "Make sure your garbage bins are closed and secured so that coyotes cannot get into them."

He advised residents to not leave small children and pets outdoors without supervision.

"If you see a coyote, please call Animal Control at (409) 765-3702," LeBlanc said. "We are starting to get more and more reports, and that's citywide, not just East End, West End; they seem to be everywhere."

In workshop, Galveston Economic Development Partnership President Jeff Sjostrom and other members of the Galveston Island Redevelopment Authority recommended the city council enter into an agreement with Sullivan Interests to develop the San Jacinto Disposal Area, known as the East End Flats. Listen: RealPlayer   MP3

"The recommendation was the culmination of a process that began 50 years ago," Sjostrom said.  "With people like Mr. Mitchell and Shrub Kempner, the city, UTMB, the port, Galveston County, the GEDP and the Corps of Engineers - this has been a tremendous amount of teamwork and a number of different groups sitting down, trying to figure out what is the best way to move forward."    

At Thursday's regular meeting the city council voted unanimously to approve a specific use permit for "site excavation" in conjunction with wetland mitigation for a development north of FM 3005, south of Stewart Road, west of El Lago and east of 13-Mile Road.

The city council approved a specific use permit for a mid-rise structure with five habitable stories at 7509 Broadway.

The city council approved a proposal by Leap Engineering, LLC. to prepare an environmental wetland hydrology and drainage evaluation report for the Teichman Point area, at a cost not to exceed $26,500.

The city council voted to approve an interlocal agreement with Galveston County to conduct pre-season beach surveys, aeerial photographs, engineering analysis and sand sock monitoring adjacent to Seascape Condominiums, Riviera I and Riviera II condominiums, Dellanera Park and Pocket Park 2, at a cost not to exceed $5,000.

The city council voted to appoint Glen Foreman, John Kelso, John Sullivan, Thomas Andrew Ryan and Darrell Schroeder to the Harborside Management District Board of Directors.

The city council voted to appoint B.J. Hertz to the Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee.

The city council voted to appoint Carolyn Sunseri as an alternate to the Zoning Board of Adjustment.

The city council confirmed that Dianna Puccetti is its representative on the Houston-Galveston Area Council Transportation Policy Council and the H-GAC Technical Advisory Committee, and named LeBlanc as alternative representative on the TPC and Rick Beverlin as alternative representative on the TAC.

All other agenda items were approved.  All votes were unanimous.

The city council paid special tribute to Frank Incaprera, leader of the Galveston Beach Band, on the 80th anniversary of the Galveston Summer Band Concerts. Listen: RealPlayer   MP3

Incaprera was greeted by a fanfare on the trombone by District Judge Lonnie Cox, a member of the Beach Band, and was presented a commemorative painting by Island artist, George Lee.

Members of Mardi Gras Krewes brought beads and invitations to the city council.

The first to appear was Z Krewe. Listen: RealPlayer  MP3

Mayor Lyda Ann Thomas asked for the other groups to come to the podium in order.  First was the Krewe of Gambrinus, then Babalu, followed by the Firefighter's Children's Parade Krewe and Alpha Kappa AlphaSorority. Listen: RealPlayer   MP3

"We've definitely been beaded," Thomas said. "Which I definitely appreciate."

Thomas presented a proclamation in recognition of February as American Heart Month. Listen: RealPlayer  MP3