MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
October 19, 2002
The meeting of the West Galveston Island Property Owners Association was held on October 19, 2002. The meeting was called to order by Jerry Mohn, President, at 9:06 a.m. Directors in attendance were: Jerry Mohn, Wanda Greer (Terramar), Boyd Carr (Isla del Sol), Kathie Harty (Sea Isle), Dan Daigle (Spanish Grant Bay), Al Birdwell (Bermuda Beach), and Boots Galli (Jamaica Beach). Absent were Sidney McClendon (Pirates), Peggy Rapp (Condos), and Marty Baker, Advisory Director. Also present was Susan McKirahan from C.K.M. Property Management, Inc.
Jerry Mohn recognized Galveston County Commissioner Eddie Janek, City of Galveston Director of Traffic Wayne Cook, Jamaica Beach Mayor Vic Pierson, and Jim Shear and Nick Saum with State Representative Craig Eiland’s Office. Corporate sponsors present were Vic Pierson of Moody National Bank and Peggy Zahler with the Johnson Space Center Credit Union.
Upon motion duly made by Al Birdwell and seconded by Kathie Harty the following resolution was unanimously adopted.
RESOLVED THAT, the Board approved the Minutes of September 21, 2002, as presented.
The financial statement was provided by Al Birdwell. Al stated that the Association is extremely solvent with a successful membership drive. There are only two (2) outstanding fees.
$19,200 has been collected. The current cash is $25,000 with expenditures for the month of a donation to United Way and meeting expense.
Upon motion duly made by Dan Daigle and seconded by Wanda Greer, the following resolution was unanimously adopted.
RESOLVED THAT, the Board accepted the Financial Statement.
Jerry Mohn stated that the Friends of Galveston Islands State Park (FOGISP) were holding the "Lone Star Legacy" event today and encouraged everyone to attend the festivities at the Galveston Island State Park.
CEPRA II PROJECTS – City of Galveston approved the Project Cooperative Agreement for the various participating subdivisions. There are fifteen subdivisions involved, with a participation of $2,000,000. The General Land Office (GLO) is obtaining engineering bids. The engineers and GLO will meet with each subdivision to review the design and program. We do not expect the sand to stay since we lose approximately twenty percent (20%) yearly. It was recognized that sand nourishment is an ongoing project.
The Parks Board is working with the GLO on a dredge project near Bodeker Drive on the East End. Approximately 100,000 cubic yards of beach quality sand will be placed at the end of the Seawall to the end of Delanera RV Park. The sand will be placed and the toe of the dune and expanded 300 feet out into the Gulf. The primary purpose of this project is to allow the littoral drifts take the sand down the west end beaches.
BEACH ACCESS PLAN - On October 22, 2002 the Planning Commission meet for the purpose of approving the proposed revisions in the City of Galveston Beach Access Plan. Recommendations are to close the beach from Bay Harbor to the end of Pointe San Luis with access points at Half Moon Beach, Salt Cedar Street, and Bay Harbor. The next meeting is a workshop between the Planning Department and Planning Commissioners on October 29.
Jerry Mohn stated that Ray Newby replaced Jimmy Tyree at the GLO.
PUBLIC SAFETY - Discussion was held concerning much needed public safety issues for the west end, primarily police patrols and a substation, EMS, and upgrading the firehouses. In addition, infrastructure needs were not being addressed by the City for sewers and water lines. It could be several years before the City is capable of addressing these issues and the only way for something to get done is to do it ourselves. President Mohn discussed a bond issue specifically for the West End to address these problems. In addition, some subdivisions indicated a willingness to consider strongly de-annexation from the City. There are many service areas that are not being addressed by the City of Galveston and the most needed are a police sub-station and an improved Fire Department. A committee will be formed to investigate a bond issue and the de-annexation issue and to formulate a plan to present to the WGIPOA members. Thirty percent (30%) of the tax base for the City of Galveston comes from the West End with no return services. It was also recommended that the Committee members be members of the Board and be Presidents of West End Island Associations.
Jerry Mohn stressed the importance of increasing registered voters on the island.
COASTAL COORDINATION COUNCIL (CCC) – The CCC changed the date of their meeting to October 30th and will meet from 10am – Noon at the Edgewater Retirement Center (22nd and Seawall Blvd. The CCC’s goal is to develop recommendations to address long-term solutions to beachfront erosion along developed areas adjacent to Gulf beaches of the Upper Coast and possible long term solutions for those areas.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN (CP) – The West End amendments for the CP will be introduced for approval by the Planning Commission on November 5, 2002.
Jerry Mohn introduced Jerry Patterson, the Republican candidate for the Commissioner of the General Land Office. Jerry Patterson stated his background as a graduate of Texas A & M, a retired Marine aviator with the rank of Lt. Colonel with service in Vietnam. While as a State Senator, Jerry Patterson was the author of the Concealed Handgun Law, the Texas Veterans Home Law, the Coastal Management Plan, and the Texas Home Equity Law. He stated that he is a champion of private property rights. The Land Commissioner protects and improves the 367 miles of Texas coastline. Responsibilities include a $25 million oil spill prevention and response program, Adopt-A-Beach, coastal erosion mitigation efforts, beach renourishment, and a coastal management plan. Jerry Patterson has proposed a four point plan for Texas beaches: 1) Tax Exempt Bonds for Beach projects; 2) Public Hearings on Beach issues; 3) Erosion Prevention/Mitigation; and, 4) Use of Dredge Material. Mr. Patterson believes a balance between private property rights and the public beaches must be attained. The Open Beaches Act can be maintained without violating private property rights. Now is the time for adding clarity and specificity to the act. Failure to do so will harm property rights and the public’s right to their beaches.
Jerry Patterson’s campaign states that he will help local communities fight coastal erosion through use of tax-exempt bonds, hold public hearings to seek consensus on improving the Texas Open Beaches Act, and have greater focus on erosion prevention and beach restoration efforts, including GEOTUBES. Mr. Patterson indicated that the population of Houston has grown significantly the last twenty years but the beach has shrunk. More needs to be done to protect the beaches so future generations are able to enjoy the beach.
Jerry Mohn thanked Jerry Patterson for taking the time to speak to the members. A short questions answer session followed.
There being no further business to come before the Board the meeting was adjourned.