May 20, 2000

The meeting of the Board of Directors of the West Galveston Island Property Owner’s Association was held on May 20, 2000. The meeting was called to order by Jerry Mohn, President at 9 a.m. A quorum was established by the Directors present: Jerry Mohn, Marty Baker, Jim Steinbeck, Sidney McClendon, Peggy Rapp, Al Birdwell, and Dan Daigle. Pat McAllister sat in for Charles Caldwell.

Jerry Mohn introduced the Officials and the Corporate Sponsors.

Upon motion duly made by Jim Steinbeck and seconded by Marty Baker, the following resolution was unanimously adopted.

RESOLVED THAT, the Board approved the Minutes of April 8, 2000.

Marty Baker, Chairperson for the Beach & Bay Committee stated progress is being made with CEPRA funding, and that the GLO Project Cooperation Agreement was received by the Task Force. Tesa Duffey, Emergency Management Coordinator, stated we need to respond and assure that all projects on the West End will be included. Marty Baker also stated that the Galveston West Bay Shoreline Restoration & Preservation Program will extend the GEOTUBE from the State Park to the end of Laffite’s Cove. Tom Calnan, with the GLO is assisting in searching for Federal funds and the total cost will be $1.8 million. The fencing for the GEOTUBE project in front of Palm Beach, Pirates Beach, and Pirates Beach West is being installed and the walkovers have been approved by the County. GEOTUBES are being installed in front of Seascape and Dellanera Park. The condominiums, Riviera and West Beach Grand, are investigating GEOTUBES. Each subdivision is contending with the massive seaweed on the beach by either leaving it alone, building dunes, or cleaning it.

Dan Daigle, Chairperson for the Insurance Committee stated the Windstorm Action Committee will meet May 25. He recommended a drive be started to fund a lobbying effort to stop the insurance companies from seeking an increase in windpool insurance rates, which could escalate threefold. The Committee would again like to contribute to a fund to retain a lobbyist.

Jerry Mohn, Chairperson of Save the Park Committee, stated the project is waiting for a list of proposals and projects that the State Park would like the WGIPOA to assist.

Al Birdwell, Chairperson for the Membership Committee, stated the subdivisions have been invoiced and there was no report on the collections. Marty Baker suggested that the money collected needs to be spent on communicating to the members of the Association specific proposals and legislation we will need passed in the Federal and State level. Sidney McClendon recommended we hire professionals to administer the distribution of information.

Sidney McClendon, Chairperson of the Legislative Committee, stated that most important long term solution for the beach at the Federal level is Senate Bill 25, which allocates royalties from offshore oil and gas production to coastal states. At the state level, we anticipate the upcoming 77th Legislative Session include a proposal to evaluate the Open Beaches Act and related laws. We have an idea of the needs, but the state is not supportive enough. Discussion was held concerning the GLO affidavit under 31 TAC Section 15.5 regarding home repair for beachfront homewners. The affidavit was poorly written. A luncheon meeting sponsored by the WGIPOA was held on May 3 with 13 people from the GLO, city, county, and state legislators to discuss the affidavit and CEPRA funding. The GLO then prepared a modified version of the affidavit but it was still not sufficient to be signed by people wanting to repair beachfront homes. It was mentioned that the GLO appears not to be working with the city in repairing homes or nourishing the beaches in affected subdivisions like Bermuda Beach and Terramar. Sidney McClendon acknowledged those at the county and city level who have helped the WGIPOA and the West End.

Jim Steinbeck, Chairperson of the Emergency Response Committee, stated that Jamaica Beach is constructing a new building not only for an Emergency Medical Service facility but also to house the Jamaica Beach City Hall, which should be completed by July 1, 2000. The West Galveston Island POA made a donation. Once completed Jim Steinbeck recommended that the WGIPOA meeting be held there to combine the opening and come for a tour. Vic Pierson, Mayor of Jamaica Beach, stated that Jamaica Beach will be 25 years old as a city and a celebration is planned the evening May 27, 2000.

Jerry Mohn mentioned the Coastal Management Program (CMP) grants for Cycle VI has begun and $1.8 million is available. The proposal deadline is June 26 with full application deadline due October 18, 2000. Excess funds from the Cycle IV grants, up to $30,000, are available for small projects for the public benefit and John Arrington volunteered to help any member requesting the funds.

Monica Franke, Acting Director of Planning for the City of Galveston, stated that the city has requested $30,000 CMP funds for a Beach Access Study Plan, which is necessary in any effort to stop vehicles driving on the beach. She also stated that the rule changes with the affidavit under 31 TAC Section 15.5 expire June 1 and revert to the old regulations. She will meet with Jim Weatherford of the GLO to work out the differences in granting permits for sand nourishment on Bermuda Beach. She will try to have a member of the Planning Department available at each WGIPOA meeting. Ms. Franke stated that the Comprehensive Plan is an important aspect of the growth of Galveston, which involves the West End, and she encouraged all property owners to participate in the process. There were 22,000 surveys sent out and to date the City has received 2,500 responses. The Comprehensive Plan areas of concentration will involve parks, community character, economic development, and housing and neighborhoods. It was made known that the West End would like development that is more ecologically minded and economically sensitive.

There was no report from the Tax Valuation Committee but it was mentioned that Ken Wright, Chief Galveston Tax Appraiser, will speak at the August meeting to discuss tax valuations.

Peggy Rapp, Secretary/Treasurer, gave a financial report stating that the cash balance was $16,505 and that $6,000 in assessments are still due. The current assets are $22,505.

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

RESOLVED THAT, the Board approved the Financial Report.

Pat Newsom, Executive Director of the Texas Beach & Shore Association (TSBA) stated that eight members will go to Washington to attend the American Coastal Coalition Conference. The TSBA will host a technical conference on November 16-17, 2000 at the Hobby Hilton Hotel.

Janis Lowe, Chairperson of Public Relations Committee, sent a list of future guest speakers, which include State Senator David Bernsen, June 17; Colonel Nicolas Bichler from the Corp of Engineers, July 15; Galveston Tax Chief Appraiser Ken Wright, August 19; GLO Deputy Commissioner Ashley Wadick, September 16; Galveston Bay Foundation Chairman Mike Martin and Executive Director Linda Shead, October 18; and, Holly Beach, Louisiana, breakwater developer Rodney Guillbeaux, November 18.

Howard Marlowe, the guest speaker, is President of the American Coastal Coalition (ACC), which was formed in 1996 to serve as the voice of the nation's coastal communities. Mr. Marlowe stated that 54% of the people in the U.S. live within 50 miles of a coastline and this percentage is expected to grow to 70-75%. He said beach renourishment is not a high priority under the current administration. The amount of funding the government authorizes for water projects under the Water Resource Development Act (WRDA) is significant, in excess of $4.5 billion; but only a small portion, $85 million, is given to beach nourishment and none of that money was given to Texas. The ACC lobbies for more money at the Federal level and he stressed we need to do this at the state level. Through the efforts of Congressman Nick Lampson, the President’s budget for WRDA this year contains $114,000 for a Reconnaissance Study to be done by the Corp of Engineers from Sabine Pass to San Luis. This study will determine if there is any interest in further funding by the Federal Government for larger coastal projects. Congressman Lampson has requested the funding increased to $414,000 and Mr. Marlowe recommended to all members to write a letter to respective senators and congressman to support the funding. The next step will be a feasibility study which could take three years and the cost would be shared equally between the Federal government and another entity. Mr. Marlowe explained the process and the importance of the Corp of Engineers in any project funded by the government. Since HR 701 passed the House, Mr. Marlowe stressed to members to write to senators to pass Senate Bill 25 (S 25), which is the Outer Continental Shelf Bill where royalty revenues from off shore gas and oil production would come back to coastal states. This could mean millions of dollars to Texas. The S 25 Bill comes up for a vote in the Senate June 14.

The American Coastal Coalition is sponsoring the 2000 National Coastal Summit, which will be held on June 12-14, 2000, in Washington, D.C. Speakers include several top Federal officials who make policies that determine the fate of coastal America. The website address is www.coastalcoaliltson.org.

There being no further business to come before the Board the meeting was adjourned.

Date May 20, 2000