March 18, 2000

The meeting of the Board of Directors of the West Galveston Island Property Owners' Association was held on March 18, 2000. The meeting was called to order by Jerry Mohn, President at 11:15 A.M.

A quorum was established by the Director's present: Sidney McClendon, Charles Caldwell, Jim Steinbeck, Al Birdwell, Marty Baker and Dick Meisinger.

Jerry Mohn introduced the City and Governmental Officials, Corporate Sponsors, and candidates for elected offices.

Upon motion duly made by Marty Baker and seconded by Al Birdwell, the following resolution was unanimously adopted. RESOLVED THAT, the Board approved the Minutes of February 19, 2000.

Jerry Mohn reported there is $7,260 in the checking account. The invoices for the upcoming fiscal year dues will be mailed mid March. Upon motion duly made by Sidney McClendon and seconded by Charles Caldwell, the following resolution was unanimously adopted. RESOLVED THAT, the Board approved the treasurer’s report.

Jamaica Beach representatives, Vic Pierson - Mayor Pro Tem, Joan Noah - Alderman, and Steve Spicer – Volunteer Fire Chief, discussed the new Emergency Medical Response building that is under construction and what it means to the West End. Each speaker emphasized aspects of services provided to the West End such as emergency medical services, quick response, and the inter local agreements with the City of Galveston and Galveston County. Funds are needed for the new facility and everyone was encouraged to contribute.

Pat Newsom of Treasure Island and Ted Deyo of Spanish Grant discussed ideas for raising money. John Pacinda of Terramar Beach mentioned the use of Web pages to get the message across to everyone.

Discussion was held in how EMS funds from the City have been reduced and how it will affect response time. Councilmember Dianna Puccetti explained the City budget situation.

Jerry Mohn advised that a Board of Directors meeting held prior to the regular meeting concluded that the Beach and Bay Committee would be consolidated into one Committee, which will be chaired by Marty Baker.

A new Emergency Response Committee will be formed and chaired by Jim Steinbeck of Jamaica Beach, who has a very effective emergency response program.

A new Save the Park Committee will be formed and chaired by Jerry Mohn.

The current Voter Registration and Membership Committee would be spilt into two separate Committees. Al Birdwell will continue to Chair Membership committee and Chairpersons for the Insurance and Voter Registrations are to be named.

Marty Baker, Chairman of the new Beach/Bay Committee discussed insurance issues that affect the West End. The windstorm insurance companies will undoubtedly try to increase rates again threefold and a lobby group will be necessary again to thwart their efforts. It was mentioned that the last lobby effort raised over $50,000 where most came from the West End and this type of support is needed again. Heather Flynn of Palm Beach requested an explanation on the insurance situation and this matter will be discussed at the April 8 meeting.

Janis Lowe, Chairperson of the Public Relations Committee, discussed upcoming programs. On April 8 State Senator Mike Jackson will be the guest speaker. For the May meeting, she will try to have State Senator David Bernson speak; for June to have Shiner Mosely Engineering firm and a Holly Beach, LA, representative discuss breakwaters; and, for July to have the Corps of Engineers speak about the WRDA programs.

Upon motion duly made by Marty Baker and seconded by Sidney McClendon, the following resolution was unanimously adopted. RESOLVED THAT, the Board approved the creation of an Emergency response Committee and Save the Park Committee. In addition, the Board approved separating the Membership and Voter Registration Committees into two separate committees and combining the Beach and Bay Committee into one committee. Sidney McClendon, Chairman of the Legislative Committee, updated the progress of the Galveston County Beach Erosion Task Force with the CEPRA funds. They are still waiting for the GLO to issue a Project Cooperation Agreement that will begin the funding process. Mr. McClendon indicated the County and City have already in place budgeted matching funds, planned projects, and completed engineering studies and waiting for the GLO to respond. All subdivisions, townhomes, and condominiums were encouraged again to submit proposals for the funds with 25% local match and 75% from CEPRA. To date, Bermuda Beach, Terramar Beach, Pointe San Luis, Pirates/Laffites Cove, Spanish Grant Bay, Spanish Grant Beach, Sands of Kahala, and Tiki Island have requested or indicated an interest in CEPRA funds. Sea Isle is also looking at a sand renourishment program.

Sidney McClendon discussed the presentations made by the WGIPOA at the Texas Senate Natural Resource Committee hearings in Galveston on March 8. The Committee will report to the 77th Texas Legislature their findings and what areas should be addressed. The WGIPOA requested the Texas Open Beaches Act be reviewed as well as to increase the amount of funds for CEPRA. In addition, Commissioner Dewhurst of the GLO responded favorably to Mr. McClendon’s request to have a roundtable discussion on these issues as well as other coastal matters. Members were requested to submit ideas to the WGIPOA President in what should be presented. The roundtable discussion will be held shortly after the Texas Shore and Beach Association’s upcoming meeting.

Mr. McClendon reviewed the trip made to Holly Beach, LA, to view the breakwater program and to invite the person responsible to address the WGIPOA at a later meeting.

Pat Newsom, Executive Director of the Texas Shore and Beach Association, mentioned the upcoming meeting April 7 at the Hobby Hilton Airport Hotel and encouraged all members to join the organization.

John Arrington of Bermuda Beach requested the WGIPOA to make a resolution to support the amendment currently in the U.S. Congress under HR 2669 for private property rights. The amendment was to be voted on March 23 and the Board agreed to review the situation first.

Guest speaker Congressman Nick Lampson spoke about several coastal issues affecting Galveston. The Association expressed appreciation in what Congressman Lampson accomplished recently with the appropriation of $114,000 under the Water Resource & Recovery Act (WRDA) for a Corps of Engineers (COE) Reconnaissance Study from Sabine Pass to San Luis Pass. This type of appropriation is a first for Texas in almost 20 years and a very important first step to obtain U.S. Federal funds for shore and bay protection. Congressman Lampson indicated he is working on an additional $300,000, which could lead to a $3 to 4 million expenditure over the next few years. He indicated New Jersey and Florida receive millions of dollars of funds because they started coastal programs years back. Congressman Lampson said Florida receives $200 for each dollar spent on the beaches. He mentioned the current administration is less than favorable to coastal improvement projects and was critical of the COE shore renourishment programs. He would like to have a coastal issue conference in Galveston in the near future and to invite coastal states with their respective Congressman and various Associations to attend. The House of Representatives Water Resources Committee, which Congressman Lampson is a member, plans to pursue studies on the causes of eroding shorelines with the COE to understand the dynamics by building models such as the one at the Waterway Experiment Station in Vicksburg, MS. He encouraged everyone to become involved in supporting coastal issues since 50% of people in the U.S. live around the coastal line but they are not receiving enough federal dollars. He urged support of the Continental Shelf Act, which could bring $270 million from off shore gas and oil development to be used for coastal improvement to Texas and Louisiana shorelines. Congressman Lampson discussed the bills he supported such as the Air 21 Act (Air Force Efficiency Act) and the Transportation 21 Act. He supported the Property Rights Bill that will make it easier for property owners to protect environmental rights. He discussed why he opposed the Marriage Tax Penalty Bill.

There being no further business to come before the Board the meeting was adjourned at 1:17 PM.

Date: 3/18/00