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 9:00 a.m. Directors making up the quorum were, Ed Nadalin Terramar Beach, Peggy Zahler Spanish Grant Beach; Dave Boyd Spanish Grant Bay; Marty Bilek Dunes of the West Beach; Clay Lewis Sportsman Road; and John Schiller Acapulco Village. Susan Gonzales CKM Property Management and Recording Secretary.
In attendance were City Council members Dianna Puccetti from District 6 and Juan Pena from District 3; Mayor of Jamaica Beach Vic Pierson; 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, Mort Voller Century 21; Claire Reiswerg with Sad N Sea, and Vic Pierson Moody National Bank. Also in attendance was Jeri Kinnear Chair of the Galveston Parks Board of Trustees and Claire Reiswerg with Sand N Sea. Candidates running for City of Galveston Council District 6 were Dianna Puccetti and Karen Mahoney.
MINUTES: Minutes of the February 16, 2008 meeting were sent by email and reviewed by the Board. Upon motion duly made by Peggy Zahler and seconded by Marti Bilek, the following resolution was adopted by unanimous vote. RESOLVED THAT, the minutes of February 16 meeting were approved as presented.
FINANCIAL REPORT Marty Bilek gave the financial report. Total cash on hand as of February 29, 2008 is $22,431 and total assets were $22,166. Upon motion duly made by Peggy Zahler and seconded by Clay Lewis, the following resolution was adopted by unanimous vote. RESOLVED THAT, the financial report was approved as presented.
West End Real Estate By Alice Melott
In 2003 total sales for west end was 345, which included beachfront, beachside, bay front, canal and dry lots. In 2007 the number was 366. Through the end of February the total sales have been 36. The 2008 sales have been five (5) beachfront, nine (9) -beach sides, one (1) bay front, twelve canals, and nine (9) dry.
Salvation Army Center of Hope by Vic Pierson
The Salvation Army has been serving Galveston for 114 years. Last year the Galveston Salvation Army served over 18,000 people. The emergency shelter sleeps 100 people and over 125 meals are served each day. They help 11,000 people every year in emergency situations with utility and rent assistance, groceries and clothes.
The Salvation Army has purchased 2-1/3 acres of land on 51st Street in Galveston to build its new 45,000 sq.ft. "Center of Hope." A $3,295,000 capital campaign is underway to relocate and build the new Center of Hope. The total cost of purchasing the land and construction totals $4,595,000. The Broadway location has an appraised value of $1.3 million. The money from the sale of that building will be applied to the project, thus making the public fund raising goal $3,295,000. Campaign Co-Chairs are Chris Doyle and Vic Pierson. If you wish to donate funds please contact Jan Porter Donor Relations at jan_porter@uss.salvationarmy.org. Or call 409-763-1691. The campaign is shy $500,000 of the goal and needs support.
GARM by Claire Reiswerg
Clair stated that GARM is responsible rental properties, helping to monitor rental properties that are members. Every guest completes an information form and has to sign an agreement, which states all the rules. This helps to assure that renters are not throwing large parties especially during the Spring Break. All calls/reports of incidents are kept confidential.
Updating from Dianna Puccetti City Council
Infrastructure improvements:
· Sea Isle water-sewer completion in May, paving started.
· Terramar Beach start May-June water, sewer, and drainage
· Bay Harbor next after Terramar with a lift station
· Gulf Palms/Karankawa drainage plan finished to start early Fall
· Jamaica Beach one third complete
· Pirates Beach & Palm Beach drainage plan to be presented
· 11 Mile Road An overlay from beach to FM3005 will occur and from FM3005 to Stewart the road will be widened to 24.
· 10 Mile Road Bridge plans are to start soon, no date
· 9 Mile Road sewer to start end of summer with road repair
· Sportsman Road Bridge replacement design is half done, construction money has been received expect to complete this year
· Tiechman Road water line broke work to start soon
· Wetland & Drainage Study to be completed this spring.
· Nottingham Campsites the design is being done in house.
New Policy National Policy set for Wetland Protection and Beach Erosion. The golf cart ordinance is taking more time than anticipated mainly because the GLO considers them vehicles. Where there is no driving on the beach for vehicles, the same holds true for golf carts.
Transit for West End working on a plan, new emergency notification system is working go to website, www.cityofgalveston.org to register.
Jeri Kinnear Stewart Beach & ASBPA
Jeri attended the recent February 27-29 American Beach & Shore Preservation Conference in Washington DC. She found many states receive millions of dollars for restoration and preservation of shorelines while Texas has received very little, mainly because we do not qualify until a Feasibility Study is completed in the next few years. The feasibility study a ten-year study is the hold up on our progress. A new maintenance facility for the Parks Board is being built and they purchased the old Holbrook Building. Beach Patrol and beach cleaning is gearing up for the season. Stewart Beach Park needs renovation and Jeri described what the new facility will look like.
Brandon Wade Public Utilities: Brandon reviewed projects in the west end.
Mort Voller - FEATHERFEST
The Featherfest event this year will be held April 3 through April 6. Each year the birds on the logo for Featherfest change. Galveston Island Nature Tourism Council (GINTC) and FeatherFest were conceived in 2002 with help from George Mitchell. Mission of GINTC is to enhance the quality of life for Galveston Islands citizens and visitors by sponsoring, supporting, and developing nature-based educational and recreational activities, and promoting the value of the natural habitats and resources of Galveston Island and the Bolivar Peninsula.
Why Galveston is great for birding. It has a unique geographic location, diverse habitat with lagoons, marsh, beach, bay and wetlands. There are over 300 species of birds on the Island. There are all year birds, spring & fall migrants, wintering birds and summer breeding birds. Food and breeding drive the birds. Galveston also has a great infrastructure.
What is Featherfest? An annual four (4) day event, for birders and nature recreational enthusiasts. It is held the annually the first weekend with an April date. This year it will be April 3-6, 2008. Show casing Galvestons natural & historical tourism, resources, ambiance & warmth. It will be held on the 2nd Floor at the Old Galveston Square.
Experts will be available, field trips by Van, as well as boat & Kayak trips, something for all levels. There will be a pre-festival photo contest, indoor & outdoor workshop, birders café & bazaar, pre-festival art preview at the rooftop on the Hotel Tremont, an evening of art & music, and, a Grand Banquet.
Whats new for 2008? Ken Kaufman is the key speaker and Jon Woods with the Raptor Project.
April 3 6 Downtown Strand area
Exhibition golden age of Ornithology & Print Making.
There will be over 1250 participants, 450 paid guests (331 registered); over 74% were from the Houston & Galveston area. The total economic benefit to Galveston was $200,000.
Other GINTC Projects:
Become a Member, a Volunteer, or make a Contribution: www.galvestonnaturetourism.org
GINTC, P.O. Box 1468, Galveston, Texas 77553
Sportsman Road POA: Clay Lewis stated that Sportsman Road POA is concerned about the proposed sand excavation site on the Sullivan property just off 8 mile road. The WGIPOA addressed City Council on February 28 to support the extension for another two years of the SUP permit. City Council did approve of the extension. The main reason the WGIPOA supported it was for a sand source in the event of a major storm damaging the beach and bay. Clay requested reconsideration from WGIPOA because of a change in the scope of the permit. The original SUP information was that is was for a cattle pond, now information is that it is to cover 18 acres and will be 25 deep. Upon motion duly made by Clay Lewis and seconded by Ed Nadalin, the following resolution was adopted by unanimous vote. It was noted that a Corp. of Engineers Permit needs to be obtained as well.
RESOLVED THAT, the Board approved that the WGIPOA meet with concerned persons, with experts, and Apollo Environmental, and to discuss the issues and findings, for consideration in reconsidering the Boards prior decision on the issues pertaining to the excavation on the Sullivan property.
Sand Nourishment Project: The GLO and County signed an agreement for the $13.5 million sand nourishment project to go west of the Seawall for approximately three miles at Commissioners Court.
Triathlon: Cathy Ferrara announced about the upcoming Lone Star Triathlon on March 29 and March 30 on the west end of the island. They expect 2500 participants and the event will feature two triathlons. On March 29, starting at Moody Gardens, there will a 300 meter swim, a 5 K run, and a 13.1 mile bike ride. On March 30, starting at Moody Gardens, there will be a 1.2 mile swim, a 56 mile bike ride, and a 13.1 mile run. FM 3005 will be blocked for the event, early morning hours.
There being no further business to come before the members and the Board the meeting was adjourned at 11:05 a.m.
Susan Gonzales - Recording Secretary