MEETING WITH GALVESTON OFFICIALS
Master Drainage Plan for the West End
Meeting 10/8/03 in City Council Chambers
Present:
Brandon Wade - Director of Public Works, City of Galveston
Angelo Grasso - Manager
Dianna Puccetti - City Council Member
Kathie Harty - Sea Isle; Ronald DeYoung - Karankawa Townhomes; Calvin Callaway - Karankawa; John Schiller - Acapulco Village; Al Galli - Jamaica Beach; Wanda Greer - Terramar; Lucy Rangel, Roger Feig, Glenna and Larry Landry - Spanish Grant - Beach; Jerry Mohn - WGIPOA
The Master Drainage Plan was prepared by the Dannebaum Consulting firm. Brandon Wade reviewed the problems with the existing storm drainage system on the entire island. Several systems were installed over 100 years ago and some are filled with sand. Tidal flooding is a major problem in several areas of the island but it is not as prevalent on the West End. Tidal flooding cannot be fixed with traditional methods because it would cause flooding and the only solution is to elevate the area.
The Master Drainage Plan did not address Jamaica Beach, Pirates Beach, and Pirates Cove drainage problems since these are not part of the City. Brandon did mention that Jamaica Beach drainage is self contained and does not have a significant impact. Jamaica Beach has many low lying areas around canals and tidal flooding affects it.
The cost to fix the drainage problems on the island is $75 million with $4.6 million needed for the West End, which does not cover minor nuances such as ponding in the ditches. There are not many major drainage projects in the Plan for the West End but many small projects. Major drainage problem areas in the West End include Bay harbor and Sea Isle and each has its own unique problems. Bay Harbor has 20 foot right of ways and for sewers and drainage pipe, more is required but this involves private property.
Drainage rates in Galveston are $3/month for residential homes. State law requires drainage rates should be the same for everyone, residential and commercial. The standard rate is $25/acre/month. However, residential homes pay more than commercial. The Texas Legislature exempted teaching institutions from paying drainage rates. There are no plans in fiscal year 2004 to initiate any funds to the Master Drainage Plan program.
Brandon does not believe there will be any action in initiating the Drainage Master Plan for at least 18 to 24 months. As far as funding the project, either raise the utility rate fee or seek a grant or delay other projects.
TEXDOT should be a player in the drainage issue for the west end because FM 3005 blocks in several areas the water from going to the bay. TEXDOT and Galveston are not on speaking terms but we need to find a way to bring each to the table to see how FM 3005 should be elevated in strategic areas to allow proper drainage to the bay. Perpendicular ditches to the bay were built when FM 3005 was first constructed. The ditches fill up with blowing sand from the beach and they become covered with grass, which clogs the drainage passage. The City has to clean the ditches because a law in the 1960’s mandates that local municipalities such as Galveston are to take care of any problems with ditches. The City will clean any ditches in subdivisions as well. There is not much drainage west of Jamaica Beach from FM 3005 to the bay.
TEXDOT is supposed to finalize a hydraulics plan for the West End by the end of the year to determine if FM 3005 should be elevated in low water areas for proper evacuation of the west end.
Brandon indicated the drainage problem with several subdivisions is how the area was developed. When homes were built with concrete slabs, land grows around it from blowing sand. Soon, the house is lower than the land and in high waters, the concrete slab is inundated because the land prevents water from draining to the bay. The same also applies to ditches in the subdivision.
Note: Subdivisions that need to have the ditches or culverts or storm pipes cleaned to let Angelo Grasso know (e-mail: GrassoAng@cityofgalveston.org). They prefer to have a complete list from the subdivision in what needs to be done and to do the job at one time.
With the exception of Bay Harbor and Sea Isle, the Master Drainage Plan did not solve subdivisions drainage plans. The Plan attempts to drain water in major areas from outside the subdivision boundaries. For any details to please set up an appointment with Angelo Grasso to go over specifics planned for any area or subdivision. The Master Plan recommends the following for the West End: