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 9:05 a.m. The meeting was held at the Galveston Country Club on September 17, 2005. The President thanked Johnson Space Center Federal Credit Union in sponsoring a buffet breakfast for all attendees. This was the first time a breakfast was provided and the attendance was large.
A quorum was established by attendance of Directors, Doug Eibsen – Terramar Beach, Peggy Zahler – Spanish Grant, Rick Heiberg – Pointe San Luis, Bill Moll – Spanish Grant Bay, Marie Garrett – Bermuda Beach, Sidney McClendon – Pirates Beach, and Steve McGee – Isla del Sol. Susan Gonzales with CKM Property Management - Recording Secretary was also present.
Jerry Mohn recognized Galveston Mayor Lyda Ann Thomas and City Council members Barbara Roberts and Jackie Cole, Judge Roy Quintanilla, Al Choate – Navigation District, and Navella Cole, Legislative Aide for Congressman Ron Paul.
Jerry Mohn introduced candidates for County Commissioner, Pct. 2, Brian Lamb and Al Choate.
Corporate Sponsors Peggy Zahler of the JSC Credit Union and Claire Reiswerg of Sand N’ Sea were recognized.
The minutes were reviewed. Upon motion duly made by Rick Heiberg and seconded by Doug Eibsen, the following resolution was unanimously adopted.
RESOLVED THAT, the Board approved the August 20 minutes.
Marie Garrett gave the financial report. Cash on hand is $27,249. Upon motion duly made by Bill Moll and seconded by Peggy Zahler, the following resolution was unanimously adopted.
RESOLVED THAT, the Board approved the Treasurer Report.
Congressman Ron Paul: The Congressman’s 14th District includes west Galveston Island. Peggy Zahler, Director of Johnson Space Center Federal Credit Union, was responsible for contacting and requesting the Congressman to address the West Galveston Property Owners Association, and she introduced the Congressman and his wife Carol.
Congressman Ron Paul believes strongly in what our forefathers wrote in the U.S. Constitution and that we should adhere to the principles of the Constitution. He believes in the free market system, personal privacy, and the rights of individuals. The less the Federal Government’s involvement with personal property and rights, the better. He does not believe the best interests of the U.S. are being served by being in the U.N. because of the money we spend there.
The Congressman expressed concern about the rising Federal deficit of now over $600 billion and it continues to escalate. For this reason, he along with 13 other Congressmen voted against the Hurricane Katrina $52 billion aid because it will continue to increase the Federal deficit and there were no off setting costs proposed. Unless you take something away, the deficit will grow and grow and he does not believe Washington has really thought the situation through. He feels the infrastructure of the U.S. should be addressed but Washington has not done a good job in taking care of it and sends money overseas instead. He would rather the government focus and direct the monies be used to help individuals in the U.S. He used as an example the Vietnam War where billions were spent and several thousand lives lost. Look at Vietnam today, we have a better relationship, and they are still a Communist Country.
The President says it will cost more money for Iraq, Katrina, etc, but the question is where the funding will be found to send overseas and support the Katrina requests. Taxes are not being increased to cover the costs but decreased and nothing is being reduced. Since taxes will not be increased, for the Government to finance the debt, we then will have to print more money. We borrow $3 billion every business day from foreign governments to cover the debt. Printing more money is a temporary solution resulting in price increases. New jobs are not being created because they are going overseas to other countries with cheaper labor costs.
The Congressman will continue to vote against appropriations with what he considers "pork barrel" projects. He sighted one multimillion project in the Transportation Bill that was approved for a bridge to be built in Alaska from one area to an island with very little population. It did not make any sense to spend money for this type of project, but it is an example of the type of pork barrel money that is used and approved.
The Congressman did not vote for the Patriot Act because it was 1000 pages and brought to the floor one hour before VOTING. He feels in this case the Courts have overstepped their bounds. Agencies of the government are now writing laws, and we can go to war without a formal declaration. The Act gives the President authority to deal with trade and ruling on our eminent domain.
The Congressman was asked about his feeling of a flat tax, which he would support, but the odds of it happening are slim to none. He likened it to tithing at a church where you give a certain percentage of your income. He will continue to pursue the elimination of the income tax, IRS, and a repeal of the 16th Amendment.
The Congressman did promise to support funding for projects in his district even though he disagrees with excessive spending that have no resulting off sets, which leads to an increased deficit.
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 was passed and $200,000 was put into the reserve fund for a catastrophic event like Katrina.
The City wants to be prepared as much as possible. The City is prepared to operate 3 days without any support because we have the resources to do it. The Mayor has put together a City response team to work to identify everyone’s needs to mobilize and evacuate.
There will no change in the tax rate since property tax values have increased. City employees will be voted a pay raise. The water rate will be increased $7 and sewers to Sea Isle, Terramar, and the 5500 Association will proceed and the design phase to install sewers for the rest of the island will begin.
The West End Land Use Policy Committee (WELUPC) is in the next phase in determining building height regulations, set back issues, and wetland ordinances.
Mayor Lyda Ann Thomas: The Mayor talked briefly about the new evacuation plans in the event of a major storm. A task force team headed by Stan Blazek and Jim Hale will develop a plan to evacuate people in need by buses. They are asking people to call in their names and addresses for those to be taken out by bus. There will be a 72 hour notice for a voluntary evacuation and there will be no City services or public transportation. The Mayor asked everyone to pay attention when the announcement is made and to evacuate.
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.
CCC: The President attended the Coastal Coordination Council meeting in Corpus Christi on September 8 to introduce the newly formed Texas Chapter of the American Shore & Beach Preservation Association (ASBPA), whose purpose is to preserve, restore, and protect the shorelines of the Texas Coast for future generations to enjoy by bringing together individuals, coastal professionals and academics, property owners, government entities, and groups in finding solutions.
KATRINA VICTUM DONATIONS: Shortly after Hurricane Katrina’s devastation of our coastal neighbors, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama, the WGIPOA Board of Directors approved of a $1000 donation to be given to the Galveston American Red Cross for the victims of Katrina. The donation was made through Texas First Bank, who matched it 100%.
CITY MANAGER MEETING: The Board of Directors and POA meeting with the City Manager on August 23 were reviewed and the entire notes of the meeting can be seen on the WGIPOA website. The most significant part of the meeting involved public safety for the west end. Chief Ken Mack was present at the meeting and advised the patrols are allocated based on need. Usually, the police department receives 60-65,000 calls per year and only 3.2 to 3.7% of the calls come from the west end. The police patrol and assignment needs for an area are dependent on the ratio of calls to service; as a result the west end receives minimum service. The police department makes every effort to provide a consistent, noticeable level of service to the area. The Chief emphasized that residents should call and report crime incidences because all calls are logged. All dispatches are recorded digitally. Cell phones do not give a home address and make certain when you call, give the address.
CEPRA IV AWARDS: The GLO announced the CEPRA IV projects and the west end did not receive any major funding. The GLO advised with limited funds, they pursued projects that could be leveraged with Federal funds. The $7.38 million available over the next two years yielded with leveraged funds over $15.8 million. Galveston County received $1,050,000 of projects such as $150,000 to complete the Feasibility Study of the US Army Corps of Engineers; $50,000 for the Scenic Galveston project at Virginia Point; $150,000 for a San Luis Pass sand study; $200,000 for a beach nourishment dredge project at Rollover Pass on Bolivar Peninsula; $250,000 for an off shore sand study by TAMUG; and, $250,000 a dredged material placement area study.
GARM: Claire Reiswerg, President of the Galveston Association of Rental Managers, advised of the progress of the organization and responses by the security firm that handles the complaints of excessive noise, party’s, etc. One property owner association advised that since GARM began the program, security has greatly improved and the number if incidences have significantly dropped.
WELUPC: City Council approved on 8/25 the amendment recommended by the West End Land Use Policy Committee (WELUPC) on sand excavation for beach nourishment. The approved amendment requires a specific use permit and approval by the Planning Commission and City Council. For sand harvesting projects, there can be no sand harvesting south of FM 3005; no sand harvesting within 1000 feet of the mean high tide of the Gulf of Mexico and Galveston Bay; and, 150 feet of the FM 3005 northerly right-of-way line.
The West Galveston Island Property Owners Associations again greatly appreciates the breakfast buffet provided by the Johnson Space Center Federal Credit Union.
There being no further business to come before the Board and Members the meeting was adjourned at 11:00 a.m.