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 9:05 a.m. Directors in attendance were, Peggy Zahler Spanish Grant Beach; Clay Lewis Sportsman Road; Tom Booth Condos; Sidney McClendon Pirates Beach; and Boyd Carr Isla Del Sol.
In attendance was Karen Mahoney District 6 City Council Member; Brandon Wade Assistant City Manager, Brian Lamb County Commissioner, and Wendy ODonahoe Director of Galveston Planning, Jamaica Beach Mayor Vic Pierson; Sgt Timothy Buck with Public Safety, Dianna Kile Rep Ron Paul, Betty Massey Long Term Community Recovery, Fire Chief Mike Varela, Daryl Kinsey Centerpoint Energy, Bobby Enriquez Texas Gas Transmission, Eddie Fisher Coastal Director General Land Office and Dr. Bill Merrell TAMUG New Shoreline Project.. Corporate sponsors recognized were Peggy Zahler - Johnson Space Center Federal Credit Union.
Mosquitos calls have been received for more spraying. The County cannot spray by airplane, as the planes were lost in the storm.
The State has not been aggressive in picking up debris at the entrance to Galveston at 61st Street; they really need to clean it up. Bryan expects to be back in their offices by January- The County is very much interested in the IKE DIKE. Concerning community housing several communities have voted against it, the people who use these are those displaced due to home damage, 500 families were approved for these homes. FEMA has not done a good job of telling the public of who these people are they are residents of Galveston.
The Bond issue passed a lot of that money will go to the west end.
*Wished all a good holiday!
*Spanish Grant & Bermuda Beach is not back to normal yet.
*Long Term Recovery Committee Betty Massey is putting it together. All aspects of Industry & management are being combined to address the issues. A town hall meeting will take place and will request property owner input.
*The Soccer complex will not be used as a debris dump
*Security importance of reporting incidents, be a good neighbor and be watchful.
Cell 409-771-6024
*The Stoplight is working
*Jamaica Beach Police & Fire Department were all on the island immediately after IKE.
*Commended Karen Mahoney for her aggressive role in the LTCR.
*The 2007 Comprehensive Plan Committee working on revisions, before IKE, were on the second revision, November 20 City Council asked the plan to be set aside and to focus on LTCR facilitated by FEMA with professional services taking Galveston through a recovery plan. 150 people have been appointed to the committee. Planning the steps to recovery begins with a vision what do we want to look like? . Where do we want to be? It is a grass roots effect. We want to get the breath and depth of the island. At the next meeting the immediate homework assignment over next two weeks is to engage friends and neighbors in deliberate conversations of the vision for Galveston. Committee members will captor those visions and put it together in a report. Goal for April is the initial recovery plan.
People are hungry for information, need to diminish rumor mill and get out good information. They are working on a website.
Even if you are not a resident you can still come to the meetings and be a part. Since it is a City Charter members must be residents. The Committee will be sensitive to the timing of meetings.
Contact information 409-797-3510 for Council Member of 409-765-9770 for Betty Massey or email b.massey@northernendowment.org.
It was recommended that property owners change residence and register to vote owners can split their voting.
Sgt Timothy Buck stated they are back to normal patrols. Areas of discussion were camping, crime, GPS and street signs, curfews and trespass issues.
Fire Chief Mike Varela gave a report and stated the service level is down since Station 5 was destroyed, Temporary Stations are put in place and will improve response time. West End Station 7& 8 are up, another pumper has been assigned to the West End. On all trucks maps are updated and one truck does have a GPS. UTMB is no longer a trauma center, major accidents will use life flight. If your fireplace-received damage have it checked out before lighting it. Call 409-797-3870. Vagrants use vacant buildings during cold spells. If you see a fire hydrant that has rusted or is in need of repair call the fire department.
There are three (3) Divisions Planning (Zoning), Building Permits open 8 am 4:30 pm. (Flood) and Code Enforcement. Building fees were waived until 12/31/08. The permits are good for 6 months or as long as you are working on the rebuilding. Those properties that are substantially damaged will receive letters (5000) of their status. There were 1500 permits issued since IKE. Growing concern on property owners who have not cleaned up. These owners will be notified due to health issues. The City will be heavily involved in the LTCR.
Report to code enforcement department those property owners who have not done repairs or clean up. Contact information 409-797-3660 or planninngcounter@cityofgalveston.org
Majority of facilities have been restored except Spanish Grant, East & West Buena Vista obtaining easements. Gulf Drive, Terramar & Sea Isle facility destroyed working on putting in facilities and getting easements. They are expecting facilities up and running in two (2) weeks. They are beginning the clean up process. They are working on the streetlights, but need everyones help in providing the six digits pole number. Contact information: centerpointenergy.com, 409-765-4026 or 4165, or daryl.kinsey@centerpointenergy.com.
Peggy Zahler thanked Daryl for all of their work and time to get electricity to Spanish Grant Beach side and the West End.
Important: if you see lose wires or downed wires or cable call Daryl and he will ID who needs to be called.
66% of customer base is connected. The gas system is energized still working six (6) days a week. Takes about 72 hours for service. Billing issues are being resolved. Call 1-800-700-2443 to reconnect. They will do safety inspection. They will call 30 minutes before arrival. For new service call 409-766-2801. Gas system goes to Jamaica Beach and not beyond.
FEMA has placed 370 mobile homes in Galveston County, 220 have families leased in, the rest in process of insulation, required screening, and water/sewer/ hook up. By January an additional 200 sites will be added.
Brandon stated that what they are being asked to do are things that the City would be doing in a 5 10 year plan and are doing well with the help from FEMA in three (3) months. 60% of normal water being sold. System functional but crippled pump system needs to be reconstructed.
Spanish Brant & Bermuda Beach front on Centex project. Sewer lines cannot be connected straight into the sewer mainline. Stressed importance of being unified it will help in obtaining support from agencies. City of Galveston hired firm of James Lee Witt to help. Call for water service: 409-797-3630.
If you did not use any water, there is a minimum bill. Some of those who have been out of water for three (3) or more months will receive an adjustment. The Regular Capital Improvement Program for sewer installation is on hold, due to IKE the City is down 40% in revenue.
Pirates broken streets issues GLO will allow water & electric, but there are problems with access due to street end conditions. Reconstruction of roads will go to 4.5 line, past that it will erode. Contact information http://www.cityofgalveston.org/city_services/public_works/default.cfm.
*Beach debris contracts issued last week to start at seawall and move west.
*Damage to sand sock must be at 3.5 and be able to repair them or be removed.
*The 4.5 line will be reassessed in early 2009
*Emergency rules will be allowed to last 120 days expire early January or February, may be extended to March.
*Clay core dunes will be allowed and you must apply before March. Clay core dunes absorb more energy than a pure sand dune.
*Mid January the sand piles will be checked by the GLO for toxic materials.
Coastal Erosion Commissioner Patterson no action for at least two (2) years for homes on the beach. They are expecting some sand recovery, one time based on deposits of sand out in the gulf.
The sand project will take more sand and will have increased cost due to IKE. Hopes to carry it through Pirates Beach, limited by time due to Turtle nesting season. The GLO will be staffed at the Jamaica Beach site from January 13-16, and February 3-6th; and can print out your home based on the 4.5 line. The GLO is working on a checklist for owners to use so that your application is complete. 40% applications are returned because they are incomplete.
Proposal for an extended seawall and flood gates to protect Galveston Bay and its neighboring communities from future storm surge events.
Components
*Extension of the existing Galveston Seawall out to the west end to San Luis Pass
*Covering total distance of 18 Miles
*Addition of Seawall on Bolivar Peninsula about 35 Miles.
San Luis to existing Seawall Bolivar Roads through Peninsula and out gates at Bolivar Road. Shut the gates when storm comes.
Extensions:
*Extension of Seawall on Galveston Island to west end at a cost of $220.800,000 for 18 + miles.
*Eastern High Island cost of $28,000,000 for 2.75 miles
*Total of 73.5 miles at $12 million per mile, total $882,240,000
There would be rotating sector gates at Bolivar Road, San Luis Pass and south at Intracoastal waterways both North and South.
Preliminary cost is $1,371,342,134.
Seawalls can cause beaches to lose sand. In order to compensate for the probable loss of beach sand it is recommended to instate a system which would continually re-nourish the beach in front of the dike so yearly beach. Re-nourishment costs would be minimal. It is ideal to insert such a system at the same time as the construction.
The meeting adjourned at 12:07 pm.
Susan Gonzales, Recording Secretary