MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
Jerry Mohn, President, called the Board of Directors meeting for the West Galveston Island POA to order at 9:10 a.m. Directors making up the quorum were Jerry Mohn, Tom Booth - Condominiums, Rick Heiberg – Pointe San Luis, Marie Garrett – Bermuda Beach, Marty Baker sitting in for Sidney McClendon, Pirates Beach/Cove, Bill Moll – Spanish Grant Bay, Steve McGee – Isla del Sol; and, Wanda Greer – Terramar.
Jerry Mohn introduced candidates Bryan Lamb, Democratic candidate for Commissioner Precinct 2. Also introduced were Jack Roadey running for County Court#3, Chris Stevens, Republican candidate for County Judge; John Hall for District Attorney, and Jim Schweitzer, Justice of the Peace Precinct 1. Officials introduced included Navella Cole – Legislative Aide for Congressman Ron Paul, and Jim Schweitzer, Justice off the Peace Precinct 1.
Corporate sponsor Claire Reiswerg of San ‘N Sea was introduced. New corporate sponsors were announced and include:
Two new property owner associations joined the WGIPOA:
Pointe West Homeowners Association with Joe Castillo present and the
Sportsman Road Property Owners Association with Carl Lewis present.
Minutes: The minutes had previously been sent to the Board for review. Motions by Wanda Greer and second by Marty Baker, the minutes of May 20, 2006 were approved by unanimous vote with the following resolution:
RESOLVED THAT, the Board approved the May 20, 2006, minutes as presented.
Treasurers Report: Jerry Mohn gave The Treasurers report. Total Cash as of July 10, 2006, is $30,915.98 with net equity to be $34,490.98. Jerry Mohn advised an upcoming expense of approximately $15,000 in September to fund the political consultants the Galveston County Beach Erosion Task Force engages. Motion made by Marty Baker and seconded by Wanda Greer, the Treasurers report was approved by unanimous vote with the following resolution:
RESOLVED THAT, the Board approved the July 15, 2006, Treasurers Report as presented.
Guest Speaker: Congressman Ron Paul, 14th District: The Congressman and his wife, Carol, attended the meeting. Congressman Ron Paul believes the Federal Government is involved in worldwide affairs much more than they like. All the money should stay in the U.S. because you have fewer problems. The money you send to Washington does not come back. There is no shortage of money in Washington and they cannot stop spending. The debt is going up $500 to $600 billion annually. The easiest solution to pay for the debt is to raise taxes or continue to borrow but Congressman Ron Paul feels the best way to pay for it is to cut funds in other areas. The U.S government is spending so much now that we are borrowing from foreign sources over $3 billion per day. The U.S. is the greatest debtor nation in the world and with the demand for oil and the higher prices, the situation will continue to get worse. The U.S. can no longer be the savior of the world and the foreign policy is flawed. As an example, the Congressman described the massive funds the U.S. is spending in building a $700 million embassy in Iraq. All this does is to antagonize the people with the opulent spending.
Since 9/11 people are scared and accept any means the government uses to protect the public from attack. This affects our personal liberty and privacy, especially the 4th Amendment of the Constitution: "The right of people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches." It contradicts the intention of the Constitution and what the founding fathers wanted. The U.S. should not get involved in disputes around the world. Congressman Ron Paul believes the conflicts now between Israel and Lebanon will lead the U.S. to go after Syria and Iran and our own weapons are bringing devastation to countries. The question was raised about the quality of recruits being admitted to the armed forces today and the Congressman acknowledged that the level has diminished and this was confirmed by the leading armed forces experts in Washington D.C. The challenge is to decide whether we want to follow the rules of law or loose it with financial and geopolitical crises’. Watch the oil prices and this will tell you where we are going. Congressman Ron Paul has great faith in the younger generation and a lot more people are talking now and concerned about the future.
A question was raised on the recent decision by the Supreme Court on the taking of property or eminent domain. The Congressman believes the protection of private property is essential and the Justices gutted the Constitution. Anymore, we don’t have private property but we mange it. The interest of the individual was lost to the interest of the State with this decision.
Congressman Ron Paul talked about coastal issues. He again mentioned the amount of money the U.S. is spending overseas and it is easy to spend billions rather than spending $100,000 on beach nourishment. The Congressman will help his constituents seek grants for beach and bay restoration programs. In fact, he is having US Army Corps of Engineers Assistant Army Secretary come the end of August to the 14th District and to get a better feel of the upper coast erosion concerns. He wants the Assistant Army Secretary to look at the port and beaches.
GARM: Galveston Alliance of Rental Managers: Claire Reiswerg, President, advised the group to call GARM security: 409-682-3603 for any problem at a rental property such as too many cars, too many people, or hear noise. The organization has been very effective in monitoring the activities of rental properties. They screen registration forms carefully, see all guests at check in, and provide weekend security patrols of all rental homes and doubling patrols on holidays.
Sargassum Study: Dr. Tom Linton, Robert Forester, and April Forester, all of TAMUG, gave an update of the seaweed study partially funded by the WGIPOA and the Pirates Beach & Bay Foundation. The action plan is to have selected sites with monthly profiles, core samplings, from the toe of the dune to the wet line of the beach. Study sites include raked beaches: Beach Pocket Park#3, Pirates Beach, and Sea Isle. Non Raked study sites included Pirates Beach West and Galveston Island State Park. So far from February to April, the study is showing that sargussum decomposes very quickly. In addition, non raked beaches show more tendencies for sand accretion and lengthening. Also, getting rid of the hardpan area of the beach with raking increases erosion drastically. The study will be complete the end of the year.
Windstorm Insurance: Jerry Mohn introduced Otie Zapp, Chairman of the Galveston Windstorm Action Committee. The WGIPOA has supported this organization in the past with financial contributions. Their main purpose is to keep minimal or prevent any increases in windstorm insurance. Otie will make a presentation to the WGIPOA before the upcoming legislative session in Austin.
Property Tax Meeting: Board members met recently with the Galveston County Tax Assessor/Collector to see what type of legislation could be introduced by the WGIPOA in the upcoming legislative session to stop the high escalations of property taxes, especially for second homes. The recommendation was to support the filing by State Representative Bonnen of HB 49 that limits a 3% tax cap on appraisals of real property. The WGIPOA will meet with the State Representative and Senator to pursue the matter.
Hi-Rise Buildings: Discussion was held concerning the Hi-Rise proposed 16 story condo complex to be built in front of the Laffites Cove Subdivision. Bill Moll discussed the survey that was conducted with the property owner associations and individuals, and the majority overwhelmingly were against high rises. Marie Garrett gave the advantages in having a high rise facility and reasons why the west end should encourage this type of development. The group and property owner association members were encouraged to attend the joint meeting of the Planning Commission and City Council on July 27, 8:30 AM. The majority of the Board of Directors voted at the May 20 meeting to oppose any high rise facility over 8 stories as defined by the West End Land Use Policy Committee.
UTMB New Telemedicine Clinic at Jamaica Beach: Jerry Mohn reminded the group that the UTMB Electronic Health Network, in partnership with the City of Jamaica Beach and the Galveston County Health District, is operating satisfactorily. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every weekend at the Jamaica Beach City Hall Public Services Building, 16628 San Luis Pass Road, patients can seek treatment for basic medical needs such as colds and flu, jellyfish stings, minor burns, rashes, earache and any other basic medical need. A clinic visit costs $50—cash, check or charge.
Assisted by a paramedic, the physician exams the patient remotely using a telemedicine cart (T-cart) equipped with medical devices and a video screen for a face-to-face, real time consultation. The proven, UTMB telemedicine technology system allows the doctor to deliver an immediate diagnosis, in addition to prescribing any necessary medications.
ASBPA: The Texas Chapter of the American Shore & Beach Preservation Association met in Surfside July 12. Marty Baker recommended the WGIPOA support a sponsorship in the organization. The Texas Chapter is uniting all the Texas Coastal communities to have one united voice on coastal issues in Austin and in Washington D.C. The Texas Chapter has been meeting along the Texas Coast the past year (South Padre, Port Aransas, Surfside, Galveston) and the purpose of the organization 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.
Motion made by Marty Baker and seconded by Marie Garrett, the WGIPOA support the Texas Chapter of the ASBPA was approved by unanimous vote with the following resolution:
RESOLVED THAT, the Board approve a $500 corporate sponsorship to the Texas Chapter of the ASBPA.
Houses on the Beach: The General Land Commissioner announced June 7, the day after a moratorium ended for removal of homes considered to be on the beach under the Open Beaches Act, 74 homes that are located in the west end. The Land Commissioner has discretion to determine which houses on the beach constitute a health threat or denies the public access to the beach. Jerry Mohn announced the GLO would like to have all the affected homeowners attend a meeting to go over what the GLO proposes. The meeting will most likely be held August 12.
In addition, a separate meeting will be planned as well in August with the affected homeowners to discuss options available, whether legal or negotiated. Property rights are protected by the U.S. Constitution and are a major issue here but they are not a factor in Texas since we are based on Spanish Law, which predates the Constitution.
Parks Board of Trustees: The City Council is interviewing candidates for a position as a Trustee on the Parks Board. The WGIPOA supports Jeri Kinnear to become a Trustee. The WGIPOA members were encouraged to write and Email City Council members to know the west end’s desire to have a representative from the west end on the Parks Board of Trustees.
There being no further business to come before the Board the meeting was adjourned at 11:10 a.m.