MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
The meeting of the Board of Directors of the West Galveston Island Property Owners' Association was held on January 19, 2002, at the Galveston Country Club. The meeting was called to order by Jerry Mohn, President at 9:00 A.M. A quorum of was established by the Directors in attendance: Jerry Mohn, Al Birdwell, Bill Aimone, Jim Steinbeck, Marty Baker, Dan Daigle, Sharon Turnley, Sidney McClendon, and Boyd Carr. Peggy Rapp were absent. Susan McKirahan with C.K.M. Property Management, Inc. was also in attendance. Jerry Mohn introduced City Council Member Dianna Puccetti; Legislative Aide to State Representative Craig Eiland; and, Chief of the Jamaica Beach Volunteer Fire Department Steve Spicer.
Jerry Mohn introduced candidates and each spoke for a few minutes. Candidates present were: Democrat Judge Roy Quintanilla for Judge of County Court No. 3; Jennifer Smith for Judge County Court No. 3; and, Jim Schweitzer for Justice of the Peace in Precinct 1; and, Dianna Puccetti for City of Galveston City Council. The election dates are February 5th for the School Bond, March 7th for the County, and May 4th for the City.
Steve Spicer, Chief of the Jamaica Beach Volunteer Fire Department, presented the Fire Department plan to purchase a $100,000 rescue truck and requested donations for the purchase. He has commitments of $80,000 and is seeking funds to complete the purchase. The truck will be a mobile intensive care unit with capabilities for water rescue and it has a generator and has vehicle extraction equipment. The vehicle is not a transport vehicle. Steve Spicer was commended for all of the work he has contributed to the Fire Department and EMS. Jamaica Beach will be receiving $20,000 each from the Galveston County Firefighter’s Association, City of Jamaica Beach, and the Jamaica Beach Improvement Committee. In addition, the Jamaica Beach Volunteer Fire Department has saved $20,000.
Upon motion duly made by Marty Baker and seconded by Sharon Turnley, the following resolution was unanimously adopted.
RESOLVED THAT, the Board approved the Minutes of December 5, 2001, with a correction to the paragraph referring to the public access signs that were removed by Tropical Storm Francis and that they were not property installed.
Al Birdwell, Treasurer, presented the financial report. The IRS exemption for a 501(c)3 corporation is expected to be approved within the next 3 to 4 months. The current assets are $22,283, the cash in the bank is $19,933.17 with $2,350 outstanding commitments. The end of year net income is $725.
Upon motion duly made by Marty Baker and seconded by Bill Aimone, the following resolution was unanimously adopted.
RESOLVED THAT, the Board approved the financial report as presented.
Upon motion duly made by Sharon Turnley and seconded by Jim Steinbeck, the following resolution was unanimously adopted.
RESOLVED THAT, the Board approved a $5000 donation. The motion was withdrawn.
Upon motion duly made by Sharon Turnley and seconded by Marty Baker, the following resolution was unanimously adopted.
RESOLVED THAT, the Board approved a donation of $2,500 to the Jamaica Beach Fire Department.
It was also mentioned that through the help of Dianna Puccetti and Dr. Terry McNearney, three EMT personnel will be hired within 30 days and located at the Jamaica Beach location. The EMS situation was a direct result of the WGIPOA EMS Task Force that was created and chaired by Ms McNearney to improve the service to the West End. City Council also approved a $3 voluntary contribution to the water bill where all proceeds would go to EMS.
Diane Puccetti stated that the City is taking comments on the dune beach access plan until 1/31/02. All comments would be reviewed and a plan would be submitted to the Planning Commission, to the public for input, and finally to City Council for approval. The main purpose is to obtain a certified plan. The current plan is conditionally certified and unless the City receives a certified plan, funds could be withheld for any shoreline and bay restoration projects. The WGIPOA submitted a Plan that was developed by Sidney McClendon at the public hearing for the dune/beach access plan on December 18, 2001.
CEPRA I is completed, CEPRA II is not approved yet but expect an answer within 2 weeks.
Marty Baker, with the Galveston County Beach Erosion Task Force, stated the GLO is helping in resolving a major issue. This will be a $4.4 million project. State funds will be forth coming $4.4 million is really the cost of the feasibility study. The Executive Committee of the Coastal Coordination Counsel will have a special session in Galveston on 1/29/02 on GEOTUBES as a shoreline erosion protection method. The Committee will be touring GEOTUBE sights in the West End. The GLO has made some changes to their policies but not all that we have requested. Dellehide Cove is to extend the GEO-tube from the state park to restore the marsh areas. The GEOTUBE has helped to promote extensive sea grass growth, from zero in 1998 to approximately 300 acres today, in Galveston Island State Park. The GLO still views the GEOTUBE as a hard surface and the goal is to change their view. Sidney McClendon stated we want the GLO to admit that the Law allows for a coastal municipality and the right to control what goes on the beach. The Sand Source study by the GLO was received by Marty Baker and the Board will be reviewing this information.
Pat Newsome, Executive Director of the Texas Shore and Beach Association, turned in two applications for Stage 1 under CIAP funds. The first study is for a grant for an economic study to determine how much money the beach brings in to the Texas economy and to help determine how much money we should receive. The second is a beach retreat study and it will use current information that is available to determine what it will cost us to preserve the beaches.
Jerry Mohn gave a report on the joint GAIN and WGIPOA task force on public safety. A meeting was held with the Police Chief and an action plan will be prepared for the next meeting in February. The Task Force requested for the West End more police patrols, more police engagement with the community, and a police substation somewhere on the West End. Sharon Turnley stated we are receiving support and she was encouraged with the progress.
Jerry Mohn introduced Kenn George the GLO Commissioner Republican Candidate as the guest speaker. Representative George related his past experiences as a State Representative for Dallas and in working for the Fede4ral Government and the various contacts he has made over the years. Rep George stated he does feel it is important in protecting and enhancing our beaches. He has a strong background in protecting private property rights. He ran a health care firm with 15,000 employees and believes the GLO is just like a corporation with a $42 million budget and 650 employees. He will be touring the different projects on the West End, including te CEPRA and GEOTUBE projects. He did support HB 2454 in the 77th Legislature although it did not pass. He made a commitment that the Coastal Coordination Council and staff of the General Land Office need to take an active part in coastal issues and problems. The Land office role includes: Veterans Programs (Home and Loan), long term nursing care hospitals and extended medical care for the elderly, Padre Island Land issues with oil and gas, and coastal issues.
A nomination committee will be looking at candidates. Terms ending will be Al Birdwell, Marty Baker and Jerry Mohn. On February 2nd, a special Board meeting will be held to review nominations and resolutions.
Resolutions conducted via email are as follows:
RESOLVED THAT, with a vote of 7 yes, 1 no and 2 who did not vote, the Board approved to reduce The Bay Harbor Improvement Community a reduction in the annual dues from $750 to $500 for fiscal year 2001-2002.
RESOLVED THAT, with a vote of 6 yes, 1 no and 3 who did not vote, the Board approved a presentation and question and answer session of the pros and cons of the Port Merger of the Galveston Port into the Houston Port Authority at the December 15, 2001, WGIPOA meeting.
RESOLVED THAT, with a vote of 6 yes, 1 no and 3 who did not vote, the Board approved to introduce a Dune/Beach Access Plan developed by Sidney McClendon at the Dune/Beach Access Plan Public Meeting, Tuesday night, December 18, 2001, 6:30 p.m. at City Hall.
RESOLVED THAT, with a vote of 7 yes, 1 no and 2 who did not vote, the Board approved in adopting a resolution to present to the Executive Committee of the Coastal Coordination Council meeting on January 29, 2002, in Galveston to adopt policies that will permit realistic, reasonably effective and affordable shoreline protection systems that may include GEOTEXTILES in association with beach nourishment.
RESOLVED THAT, with a vote of 7 yes and 3 who did not vote, the Board approved to send a letter to the editor of the Galveston Daily News a thank you to the City Council and the City Manager for the January 10, 2002, approval by City Council in initiating a voluntary contribution program for EMS services and in providing EMT Technicians to station 4 at Jamaica Beach.
With no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 1:30 p.m.
Date Secretary