MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
Jerry Mohn, President, called the Board of Directors meeting of the West Galveston Island POA to order at 9:00 a.m. The meeting was held at the Galveston Country Club on August 20, 2005. A quorum was established by attendance of Directors, Tom Booth Condominiums, Wanda Greer Terramar Beach, Peggy Zahler Spanish Grant and Rick Heiberg Pointe San Luis. Susan Gonzales with CKM Property Management - Recording Secretary was also present.
Jerry Mohn recognized Barbara Roberts and Jackie Cole, Galveston City Council members; Jim Schweitzer Justice of the Peace for Pct 1, Judge Trey Debrell County Court Judge, and Navella Cole, Legislative Aide for Congressman Ron Paul. Later in the meeting, Brandon Wade, Director of Public Utilities, arrived and was introduced.
Jerry Mohn introduced candidates for County Commissioner, Pct. 2, Brian Lamb, Robert Cheek and Eddie Janek Jr., all running for County Commissioner Pct 2. Jerry Mohn stated that two candidates running for County Judge Pct 2 are John Grady and Trey Dubrell.
Corporate Sponsors Peggy Zahler of the JSC Credit Union and Perry Culp of Apollo Environmental; and, J.D. Roberts - President of the Coffee Club and Tom Linton - President of the Friends of Galveston Island State Park were recognized.
The minutes were reviewed. Upon motion duly made by Peggy Zahler and seconded by Tom Booth, the following resolution was unanimously adopted.
RESOLVED THAT, the Board approved the July minutes.
Jerry Mohn gave the financial report. Cash on hand is $31,000. The Board accepted the financial report.
Jackie Cole Report: City Council Member of District 6, Jackie Cole, updated developments on the West End. Jackie Cole stated that the City of Galveston Budget review was on going, the schedule for the budget to be voted on was set for September 15, 2005. The City Council reviews each department as they go through the budget. Capital Improvement Program presuming bonds are passed; plan is to increase fees for the next three (3) years to pay for the Capital Improvement Program, which is for $44 million.
Water & Sewer Plans are to sell bonds and pay back over time. For drainage the plan is to pay as we go. The design will be done this year and the engineering next year and for the following two years the project will begin. There is at list of streets to be paved in the downtown area, there will be a new light installed at Cove View and F3005. The sewers will go in this year at Terramar, Sea Isle and the 5500 Association area. Once the sewers are in the streets will be paved. Although the project is designed for Bay Harbor on the bay side, it will be delayed until rights of way are finalized. There is a preliminary design for the rest of the island. The plan is to put sewer in on the entire islands.
To help the problems with water pressure a new water tower will be installed in Jamaica Beach, pressure control valves to be installed and repair of water lines will be made. The program is to increase the water bill rates over three years by an average of $7.00 per month each year for a home that uses 5000 gallons. Property owners have the opportunity to speak to the City Council on next Thursday again on September 8 and 15th. A public hearing will be held on September 8, 2005 and there may also be one on September 15, 2005. If you have comments you may check website for email addresses or attend the meeting.
The City Manager is proposing to make the tax rate lower than last year because the property values are increasing. Jackie expressed concern when you lower taxes, you lower services coming out of the general fund. The City is working on a tax freeze for seniors and handicap impaired but the City of Galveston has yet to vote on it.
Questions on police coverage were raised and Jackie Cole will speak to the Police Chief.
Budget Funds are broken down in the following categories:
Water, sewer, and drainage funds all have to pay for itself through fees and services. Jackie encouraged residents to attend the budget meetings to learn more about the budgeting process and to provide input. If any person has an issue to direct Emails to citycouncil@cityofgalveston.org and it will go to all City Council members.
Jerry Mohn introduced Dr. Bowen Loftin, Vice President and CEO of Texas A & M University in Galveston.
PROGRAM: Dr. Bowen Loftin TAMUG, PAST, PRESENT, and FUTURE.
PAST
1931 Nautical School Authorized
1958 Texas A & M Marine Laboratory opened. The vision began in 1958 with a gift of 100 acres from George P. Mitchell on Pelican Island for the Mitchell Campus. At that time a ship was used as a dorm.
1959 Texas Maritine Academy opened
1961 Funding appropriated
1962 Texas A & M Established
1971 College Marine Science & Maritine, Resources open on Mitchell Campus, Pelican Island
1981 Name Changed to Texas A & M University at Galveston. TAMU
PRESENT
There are 1650 students, a new Graduate Program and a new Engineering Building. There are Degree programs in Marine Science, Biology all related to Marine. Also working on a Masters and PH.D. Program in Marine Biology. Texas A & M is number three in the state for receiving money for research.
The Marine Engineering Research Complex dedication will be held on October 22, 2005. There is a new Wetland Center on 120 acres near campus, having a wetland trail and sea camp program. Also new is a training ship considered the best out of all Maritine Academics. There will be a ceremony on November 15, 2005 to rename the ship. A new Student Life Center is to be constructed.
Fort Crockett was built in 1934, acquired by TAMUG in 1956. Currently houses 109 faculty, staff and graduate students. The facility has 22 research labs and 7700 square feet. Currently plans are underway to build a new building at a cost of $50 million with 180,000 square feet to be located on the Mitchell Campus.
Maritine Corps. of Cadets is a four (4) year program, which upon graduation the graduate is commissioned as Officers in the US Merchant Marine as a 3rd Mate 3rd Assistant Engineer; Officers in the US Military Campaign, Officers in the US Navy or Officers in the US Coast Guard.
Summer Cruise 2005 The Texas Clipper completed its final voyage as the TAMUG training ship. The last voyage with a cadet crew were responsible for a rescue at Sea Sunday on July 10th.
K-12 Outreach Judy Wren travels to schools all over the State of Texas giving leadership workshops in science. All of the Galveston and Texas City ISDs sixth grade get a fun day on a college campus to learn about Science and the Ocean. This program includes lesson plans for teachers, field trips, resources on the website and partnership with UTMB.
FUTURE GOALS:
Dr. Loftin believes the future is not to throw money at a problem without thinking of solutions. There has to be a cohesive effort on part of the community to look at problems and develop the program into a partnership.
DELEHIDE COVE PROJECT The Delehide Cove Protection and Restoration Project was recently named a national winner for the 2005 National Wetland Conservation Award - Group Category. The award, the highest given by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, honors a team that included the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, the Texas General Land Office, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality-Galveston Bay Estuary Program, the West Galveston Island Property Owners Association, Pirates Property Owners Association, Blackard Pirates Group, the Galveston Bay Foundation, Reliant Energy, the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Services Coastal Program of Texas. The West Galveston Island Property Owners Association was presented an award at a ceremony on July 19 at the Galveston Country Club. The WGIPOA also received a $16,500 grant from the Fish America Foundation to use as a match in vegetating Delehide Cove.
WEST BAY MARSH RESTORATION PROJECT: The WGIPOA is involved in developing a long term plan with bay subdivision and state and federal agencies in restoring marshes and building terraces for the west bay from 8 mile road to the San Luis Pass. This would involve utilization of canal and channel dredge materials by the subdivisions. The program would involve securing finances from state and federal agencies. The WGIPOA has requested information from the bay subdivision for specific information on their dredging history and future activity.
ENERGY BILL: Jerry Mohn advised that the new Energy Bill signed by the President is 1761 pages, pages 442-458 deal with the coastal issue of over $250 million to come to coastal states for 4 years from 2007-2010. Texas will receive $60 million per year. The money comes from off shore oil and gas revenue. Sixty-five percent of this money will go to the General Land Office and 35 % will go to Coastal areas. There are eighteen coastal Counties vying for the money but only 12 of those counties border the Gulf.
Jerry Mohn presented information on the WGIPOA portion of the Galveston County Beach Erosion Task Force Political Consultant cost for the upcoming fiscal year, October 1, 2005, through September 30, 2006. The political consultants will interact with the GLO and Coastal Coordination Council during the inactive legislative year and also to key on areas that will affect the areas where the Energy Bill money goes. The intent is to bring as much to Galveston County and the west end. Upon motion duly made by Tom Boothe and seconded by Wanda Greer, the Board adopted the following resolution by unanimous vote.
RESOLVED THAT, the Board approved to pay $7992 to the Galveston County Beach Erosion Task Force Political Consultants.
TEXAS 2020 GLO CONFERENCE: The conference will be held on September 14 16, 2005 at the Nasa Hilton. Motion duly made by Peggy Zahler and seconded by Tom Boothe, the following resolution was unanimously adopted.
RESOLVED THAT, the Board approved a $250 contribution to the GLO for the 2020 Conference.
SEAWEED STUDY UPDATE: Tom Lipton stated they are putting together a method of measuring the seaweed and its affects.
PROPERTY TAXES: Problem on the West end is that most the homes are second homes and cannot be homesteaded. The property taxes are going out of sight and west ended property owners are incurring massive increases. The WGIPOA Looking at a cap using increases of 10 15 % max over a period of time. This will require legislation.
PUBLIC UTILITIES: Brandon Wade, Director of Public Utilities, discussed the issues with the trash and water pressure.
Trash The City of Galveston has been doing an extra trash pickup on Friday for homes South of FM 3005. This will stop after Labor Day. The Parks Board who is funded by the Hotel/Motel taxes handles trash on the beach. The Seawall area receives more service than the west end due to the higher contribution of hotel/motel taxes (85% verses 15% for the west end.
Approximately $4 million of major water projects will be underway and completed by Memorial Day, 2006. Water lines from Jamaica Beach to the end of the island will help increase and stabilize the water pressure. In addition, two pressure control valves will be installed from 7 mile road to Jamaica Beach to help push the water to the west end. A new water tower that will take two years to build at Jamaica Beach will help the west end water availability and pressure
CITY MANAGER MEETING: The Board of Directors plus concerned subdivisions will meet with the City Manager and staff on August 23 to cover issues and concerns from the subdivisions on the West End. Public safety is the biggest issue.
COASTAL EROSION: Cepra IV projects will be out in the next week or two. Projects submitted include west of seawall, restoration to Delamar Park, Spanish Grant, Bermuda Beach nourishment. Sand sources are targeted for Jamaica Beach.
There being no further business to come before the Board and Members the meeting was adjourned at 11:00 a.m.