April 8, 2000

The meeting of the Board of Directors of the West Galveston Island Property Owners' Association was held on April 8, 2000. The meeting was called to order by Jerry Mohn, President at 11:00 A.M. A quorum was established by the Directors present: Sidney McClendon, Jim Steinbeck, Al Birdwell, Marty Baker, Jerry Mohn, Peggy Rapp, Dan Daigle, Sharon Turnley, and Dick Meisinger. Jerry Mohn introduced the City and Governmental Officials, Corporate Sponsors, and candidates for elected offices.

The guest speaker, State Senator Mike Jackson, began the meeting and spoke about Senate Bill 1690 that was passed in the 76th Legislative Session. This was the Senate designation for the Coastal Erosion Planning and Response Act (CEPRA) in which $15 million was appropriated for shoreline and beach protection. Senator Jackson reviewed the CEPRA funds and projects approved by the GLO that will be coming to his 11th District. West Galveston Island will be receiving $3 million, Surfside will be receiving $2.5 million, and $200,000 will be for Clear Lake Park and $50,000 for Cedar Bayou. Each area will be coming up with a 25% local match. A licensed engineer will scope out the projects.

Senator Jackson indicated he is a member of the Texas Coastal Delegation, which is a coalition of coastal House and Senate members, to discuss shoreline issues. In addition, the coalition will thwart the efforts of the insurance companies to raise the wind pool insurance rates. The coalition formed an advisory committee for implementing building codes and working with the Insurance Commissioner. The coalition is growing in influence and in the future the road to implement goals for the coast will be easier. The main problem in the House and Senate will be to convince and educate non-coastal areas like Lubbock about coastal erosion problems with bays and beaches. It was recommended that a future meeting be held with the Texas Coastal Delegation and the WGIPOA.

On the Federal level, Senator Jackson mentioned HCR 59 House Resolution that would authorize Congress to take funds from offshore drilling production that normally goes to Washington to bring back to the coastal states for beach and shoreline protection. None of the money collected comes back to Texas now. Since 1956, over $600 billion has been collected from offshore energy production. Senate Resolution 25 and House Resolution 701 have gone through committee review and will go to the floor for debate to promote the redirection of the off shore revenue. Currently, HB 701 excludes coastal restoration and Senator Jackson urged members to contact House of Representative’s Nick Lampson and Tom Delay to accept the Senate version of the Bill. Based on 1999 off shore revenue approximately $37 million would come back to Texas for coastal problems. Senator Jackson advised the WGIPOA to seek his assistance in becoming the liaison with the GlO to resolve any issues and problems.

Upon motion duly made by Al Birdwell and seconded by Peggy Rapp, the following resolution was unanimously adopted:

Peggy Rapp gave the financial report stating there is $8,200 in the bank.

Upon motion duly made by Marty Baker and seconded by Al Birdwell, the following resolution was unanimously adopted:

The Beach/Bay Committee report by Marty Baker stated that the By-Laws for the Galveston County Beach Erosion Task Force have been formalized. Discussion was held in how the CEPRA funds for the West End will be distributed. The Committee expressed appreciate again that the County, City and Parks Board putting in their budgets as a line item the 25% matching funds necessary to obtain CEPRA funds.

The Emergency Response Committee report by Jim Steinbeck stated his concerns regarding the 10 to 14 barrels that washed up on shore and will find out the contents. In the future, the Committee will present the type of emergency response procedures used by Jamaica Beach for a major storm.

Upon motion duly made by Marty Baker and seconded by Sidney McClendon, the following resolution was unanimously adopted:

The Insurance Committee report by Otie Zapp stated that there is still a major threat of windstorm insurance rates tripling. Mr. Zapp indicated that awareness of the threat is important and funds will be needed again to lobby for a cap or no increase in windstorm rates. Mr. Zapp is head of the Windstorm Action Committee and works with lobby groups and various members of the Texas Legislators.

The Legislative Committee reported by Sidney McClendon advised the GLO furnished the GCBETF with a Project Cooperation Agreement for CEPRA funds. Subdivisions planning to request CEPRA funds include Bermuda Beach, Spanish Grant Bay, Spanish Grant Beach, Terramar Beach, Pointe San Luis, Sands of Kahala, Jamaica Beach, Pirates Cove, and Laffites Cove. In addition, $40,000 was approved by the County, City, Parks Board and Jamaica Beach, to hire Howard Marlowe to lobby for federal funds. The Committee recommended members not to sign an affidavit as written by the GLO to repair storm damaged homes that are seaward of the line of vegetation. The WGIPOA will try to have a meeting with the GLO and City planning to discuss the affidavit before the regulations expire June 1.

A meeting was held with the City Planning Department and a program was worked out for Bermuda Beach front lot owners not on the GLO 107 referral list to hookup the new sewer connection. A meeting was also held with City Planning Department to see what could be done to cease driving on the beach for five subdivisions on the extreme West End and a plan will be developed. Part of the plan will be for the City to complete its Master Plan in compliance with GLO requirements to allow parking for vehicles (one space for every 15 linear feet).

The Save the Park Committee reported by Jerry Mohn had its first meeting with the Manager, Angela Deaton, and the Regional Director, Linton Ardoin. Both were very pleased the WGIPOA is taking an active interest in developing programs and ideas to increase tourism and activity. A list of programs the Park would like to promote will be provided. The Park has fantastic sights for birders and this will be promoted.

The City is developing a Comprehensive Plan and a two-page survey will be sent out to all residents to complete. This is the West End’s opportunity to let the City know what we would like to see added, improved, changed, or eliminated and for everyone to respond to the questionnaire.

Discussion was held concerning raking of the beaches. The Parks Board will follow whatever a subdivision, condominium, and townhome decides whether or not to rake and to contact Lou Muller, Executive Director, 409-763-6564. Sand Hill Shores does not allow raking and the dunes and the beach have built back significantly since Frances.

The Texas Shore and Beach Association (TSBA) met April 7. Pat Newsom from Treasure Island is now the Executive Director and will coordinate all the committees and activities of the organization. The TSBA committees formulated plans for the 77th Texas Legislature. The members agreed to a time change for each meeting. Unless otherwise indicated, meetings will now begin at 9:00 a.m. every third Saturday of the month at the Galveston Country Club.

There being no further business to come before the Board the meeting was adjourned at 12:45 PM.

Date Secretary 4/8/00