MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
February 16, 2008
Jerry Mohn, President, called the Board of Directors meeting for the West Galveston Island POA to order at 9:00 a.m. Directors making up the quorum were, Ed Nadalin – Terramar Beach, Peggy Zahler – Spanish Grant Beach; Ken Diestler – Spanish Grant Bay; Marti Bilek – Dunes of the West Beach; Clay Stewart – Sportsman Road; Tom Boothe - Condominium; John Schiller, Acapulco Village; and, Louis Conrad – Bermuda Beach. Susan Gonzales – CKM Property Management and Recording Secretary.
In attendance were Eddie Janek Jr, Alderman from Buena Vista; Juan Pena – City Council, Dianna Puccetti- City Council, Wendy O’Donohoe Director of Planning, and Brandon Wade - Assistant City Manager of City of Galveston and Director of Public Utilities. Corporate sponsors recognized were Peggy Zahler - Johnson Space Center Federal Credit Union, Perry Culp from Apollo Environmental, Gary Greene from Pridential Gary Greene, and Marie Garrett from Beach Restoration.
MINUTES: Minutes of the January 19, 2008 meeting were sent by email and reviewed by the Board. Upon motion duly made by Peggy Zahler and seconded by Tom Boothe, the following resolution was adopted by unanimous vote. RESOLVED THAT, the minutes of January meeting were approved as presented.
FINANCIAL REPORT Marty Bilek gave the financial report. Total cash on hand as of January 31, 2008 is $23,102 and total assets were $22,837. Upon motion duly made by Tom Boothe and seconded by Clay Stewart, the following resolution was adopted by unanimous vote. RESOLVED THAT, the financial report was approved as presented.
Updating the Comprehensive Plan by Dianna Puccetti – City Council Member and Wendy O’Donohoe – Director of Planning.
What is the Comprehensive Plan
The plan is a guide for the management of change, a reflection of the community vision and value, and is a foundation for all City policies, strategies and actions. It is the Community’s "To Do" List..
Why is the Comprehensive Plan important? It is a guiding document for decision and policy making, specific plan for focus areas, goals for City Council and staff, new ordinances to implement the grant requests, staff recommendations on applications for development on other public requests. Infrastructure plans.
2001 Comprehensive Plan.
City Council appointed a Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee. Data collection and analysis of census results, Over two years of community meetings and citizen input, including a city-wide survey. An additional year was spent by volunteers to focus on refining the goals for the West End. "Quality of Life" major theme.
The Primary Elements
What has been accomplished in the past 5 – 6 years? Increase Code enforcement, updated nuisance & property maintenance code, streamlining development & building permit process, Beach Access Plan and Beach Renourishment project, Historic Preservation Plan, Neighborhood Conservation Districts, Beautification improvements – Broadway and Menard Park.
Why is the Comprehensive Plan being updated? Updated every five years, keeps pace with changes in community, progress report, evaluates accomplishments, Council appoints Steering committee.
How can you get involved? Public meetings, focus groups, electronic & phone surveys, input is key to having a plan that reflects the long-term goals of the community.
Galveston Today
The City of Galveston is located on a sub-tropical island 32 miles long and 2 ˝ miles wide surrounded by the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico and Galveston Bay. The Island is on the edge of the metropolitan area that surrounds the fourth largest city in the US. While the Island is subject to hurricanes, tropical storms and natural coastal forces, it s geographic location brings many advantages in terms of weather & climate. Galveston is a city rich in history & filled with, historic, architectural & archeological treasures. The city is home to the University of Texas Medical Branch, Texas A & M at Galveston and Galveston College. Our community embraces diverse cultures and lifestyles. Since it’s founding, Galveston’s strategic location has encouraged maritime commerce & related industry. The city’s permanent population is slowly decreasing, and our school age population is dropping rapidly. There is a wide disparity of household incomes with a low percentage of middle-income resident.
Galveston, The Future
We want Galveston to have a range of educational & economic opportunities that can support generation after generation of Galvestonians. We want Galveston to be a city where people who work here want to live here. We want Galveston citizens to have the opportunity to participate fully in shaping our community, its character, its economy, and its governance. Other aspects for the future include, good quality affordable homes in clean, safe neighborhoods, residents and visitors to enjoy cultural, educational, and recreational resources. As the built infrastructure of our city expands, we must be mindful of preserving our historic resources, protecting important ecosystems, creating a diversity of neighborhoods, and sustaining cultural amenities that attract residents and visitors to the Islands.
.Vision Statement – Galveston is a livable City on a sustainable island, a community that demands excellence.
Contact information:
Dept of Planning & Community Development: 409-797-3660, 409-797-3661 fax
Planningcounter@cityofgalveston.org
City Hall, 823 Rosenberg Ave., Room #401
Dianna Puccetti reported that street improvements will occur at 57th to Broadway at 6th Street. The City is looking at public outdated signs, excessive signs. Harborside Drive will have a different kind of sewer system due to the lack of space in the right of way.
Questions from the attendees covered: Affordable planning, landscaping Ordinances to beautify Galveston, reduced signage, height and density, sustainable development, job development, abandoned buildings and the School system.
Discussion on the election of Directors was held. Tom Boothe made a call for nominations from the floor. Nominations from the floor were closed. A call for a motion to election by acclamation was made. Upon motion duly made by Marti Bilek and seconded by Peggy Zahler, the following resolution was unanimously adopted.
Resolved that, the Members elected by acclamation Jerry Mohn, Pointe San Luis, Acapulco Village and Spanish Grant Beach.
Discussion was held concerning the Directors & Officers Liability Insurance. Upon motion duly made by Marti Bilek and seconded by Tom Boothe, the following resolution was unanimously adopted.
Resolved that, the Board approved the D & O policy.
Discussion was held concerning the ASBPA Summit Sponsorship. Upon motion duly made by Marti Bilek and seconded by Tom Boothe, the following resolution was adopted by unanimous vote.
Resolved that, the Board approved $500 to sponsor the ASBPA.
Marti Bilek will attend the Anchor Bay meeting and the Special Use Permit Meeting.
The sand nourishment is delayed six months due to change using a hopper dredge to put sand on the beach. A good funding source would be the 4B Sales Tax.
Hurricane Preparedness & Recovery Seminar is to be held June 7, 2008 from 10:00 a.m. – Noon.
There being no further business to come before the members and the Board the meeting was adjourned at 11:00 a.m.
Officers: The Board of Directors met after the meeting and elected the following Officers for fiscal year 2008:
Susan Gonzales
Recording Secretary