MEETING WITH GALVESTON CITY MANAGER
Drainage and Street Issues for the West End
June 6, 2003
Present:
The main purpose of the meeting was to discuss drainage issues on the West End and public safety. The Master Drainage Plan has not been reviewed with the consultant and the City prefers to complete this first. They would like to review the Plan with the west end in another 60 days. A meeting will be set up at a later date.
Public Safety: Fuel Storage Tanks: Chief Pierce advised a 4,000 gallon computerized fuel storage tank will be operational on June 11 at the 12 mile road fire station. It will hold 2000 gallons of diesel fuel and 2000 gallons of unleaded. Besides the City, this will enable the County, EMS, Sea Isle and Pirates Beach Fire Stations, and Jamaica Beach Police and Fire Dept. to use the storage facility and save each entity a lot of money. In addition, City police patrols for the west end will be more productive and frequent because the patrol cars will no longer go to the 32nd street station for refueling. Total cost was $61,000, which is considerably more than original projections but the Chief indicated the amount of savings justified the increase in the size of the storage tanks. The WGIPOA appreciates the efforts of Steve LeBlanc, City Manager; Bob Pierce, Chief of Police; and, Dianna Puccetti, Council Member, in having the fuel storage tank installed.
Patrols: The Chief is investigating the purchase of a 4 X 4 vehicle for the West End, primarily to go after offenders of the dunes areas. We discussed additional police patrols for the West End, which in a 24-hour period there are currently 3 patrols, 2 cars each - with 7 officers (including a sergeant). However, usually half the number serve due to retirements, sick leave, down time, etc. Adding more patrols for the west end will be dependent on the City of Galveston police efficiency appraisal survey that will be forthcoming at City Council on June 26. The Chief and City Manager are hopeful the study will recommend more patrols throughout the City.
Police Substation: The Chief indicated this possibility is extremely remote because of the manpower necessary for a substation. The demand for police service on the West End is not as critical as in the City and all resources for any type of station will be concentrated in the demand areas. In addition, with funding shortages and the decrease in the dollars for grants makes it difficult to upgrade existing stations and cars.
Hunting: The WGIPOA Board of Directors at the April meeting unanimously approved the banning of hunting on the West End of Galveston Island. Currently, the law states hunting is permitted west of 103rd street and north of FM 3005 and 150 feet from a residence. The City Manager and Chief have received numerous e-mails and calls to keep hunting in the west end. The WGIPOA advised the west end is now a residential area and subdivisions like Spanish Grant on the Bay hear and are at times affected from the pellets from shotguns hitting their houses. It is a safety matter and the City needs to recognize the West End is no longer a hunting area. The City manger would like to compromise for a few years with the distance from a residence higher like 300 feet. The WGIPOA would review the consideration but would like at least 800-1000 feet from a residence because when you are out in the field, it is difficult to determine a distance of 300 feet verses 500 feet, etc. The Chief will determine the trajectory of a shotgun and report back to the group. The type of weapons allowed for hunting would be only shotguns, no pistols, rifles, machine guns, etc. The City Manager will bring this matter up at the City Council Workshop on June 12 and the President of the WGIPOA will also attend and participate.
Drainage Issues: Angelo Grasso indicated the questions posed at the previous City Manager’s meeting on 3/21 on drainage issues have been or are in the process of being addressed. We are to submit the list and he will indicate the stage of completion for each.
The Master Drainage Plan for the City has not been reviewed with the consultant and the City Manger prefers to complete this first before opening it to review for other areas. He would like to re-schedule the meeting in 60 days.
Infrastructure: Spanish Grant Beach/Bermuda Beach: We discussed the storm water runoffs toward the Gulf in each subdivision and what could be done to change the direction to the Bay. Angelo Grasso advised there is a median in each subdivision that is causing the run off toward the beach and this would be difficult to correct. The City Manager advised the City will not be able to build a system to prevent the washing away of areas around infrastructures in Spanish Grant and Bermuda Beach. The GLO will allow the City to build a revetment or some type of structure to prevent the wash outs on a permanent basis but the problem is that the beach area will have to be used as part of the project. Whatever portion of the beach is used has to be replaced and maintained for the public. This would involve going farther out into the Gulf and with any type of high tides; the new beach area would be washed out and too costly to continue to replenish it. Since the City does not have the funds, the City Manger suggested each subdivision consider a PID to possibly fund the project. As far as washouts, the City will fill in each time with sand or limestone and they are to contact Angelo Grasso after each occurrence.
Sewers: There are 5 phases of the 50 million sewer bond improvement project. Phase 1 has already been approved. Each phase will have to be approved by City Council. Sea Isle is moving from phase 5 to phase 2, which is at the top of the list for new sewers. The land lots (not canal lots) in Spanish Grant Bay will be done as part of the first phase. For any new sewer, the resident will be given 90 days to tie into the new sewer system and they will need to get rid of the old septic system.
Sewers for Palm Beach have not been resolved since they are between Pirates Beach and Pirates Beach West, which is not serviced by the City. The Public Works Department would like MUD 1 and/or MUD 29 to look at taking in Palm Beach into their system.
The easement issue for Terramar Beach has not been resolved. The right of way is questionable because the land is owned by private property owners. The matter will be discussed with Terramar.
TEXDOT: The award to tear down the Causeway Bridge was issued to the Traylor Brothers. The bid included $3 million to dispose of the debris at an offshore location or $1.8 million for an on shore location. The WGIPOA recommended to the City Manager to request the winner and TEXDOT to use the debris to elevate FM 3005 to prevent flooding of the road during meteorological events. TEXDOT plans to complete a study of FM 3005 in the Fall of this year but we would like to see a plan to use the debris from the Causeway to elevate FM 3005 since this is the only evacuation route for the West End. The City manager recommended the WGIPOA, Dianna Puccetti, and himself get together and have a conference call with TEXDOT. This meeting will be set up at a later date.
Jerry A. Mohn
West Galveston Island Property Owners Association