Galveston City Council met in workshop with transportation consultant Barry Goodman this morning to discuss the procurement process for the refurbishing of the Galveston trolley cars and tracks that were damaged during Hurricane Ike.  Listen: MP3 RealPlayer

Goodman explained that funds are available from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and  Texas Municipal League insurance proceeds.

“Our goal is to rebuild this system in a way that it becomes a much more viable part of the overall transit system than it ever has been,” Goodman said, explaining that the company that built the system is now out of business.  “The hurricane created an opportunity for us to rebuild these in a way that they are much faster, more reliable and more efficient.”

Goodman said the city is about to go out for bids for replacement of portions of the track that much be rebuilt, as well as the switching mechanisms.

The city council discussed revisions to the language for the City Charter election which will be considered for adoption at this afternoon's regular meeting.  Document

The workshop discussion also included a review of the Mardi Gras celebration with promoter Mike Dean and a review of the 90 day plan of City Manager Michael Kovacs.

The city council will meet in formal session at 4 p.m.