MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
May 17, 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, Tom Booth – Condominium, Boyd Carr – Isla Del Sol; Peggy Zahler – Spanish Grant Beach; Bill Moll – Spanish Grant Bay; Marty Bilek – Dunes of the West Beach; Barbara Hankins – Sportsman Road; and, Sidney McClendon – Pirates Beach/Cove. Susan Gonzalez was present as Recording Secretary.
In attendance were past City Council members Dianna Puccetti from District 6 and Juan Pena from District 3; new City Council member Karen Mahoney; Vic Pierson – Mayor City of Jamaica Beach; Judge Lonnie Cox, Freddie Pour – Sheriff Department; Jimmy Fulton – Constable Pct 4; State Senator Kyle Janek, Bayou Vista Alderman Eddie Janek Jr., and former County Commissioner Eddie Janek. Corporate sponsors recognized were Peggy Zahler - Johnson Space Center Federal Credit Union; Vic Pierson – Moody National Bank and Gary Greene – Gary Greene Realty.
MINUTES: Minutes of the April 19, 2008 meeting were sent by email and reviewed by the Board. Upon motion duly made by Peggy Zahler and seconded by Tom Booth, the following resolution was adopted by unanimous vote. RESOLVED THAT, the minutes of April 19 meeting were approved as presented.
FINANCIAL REPORT Marty Bilek gave the financial report. Total cash on hand as of April 30, 2008 is $36,947.56 and total assets were $44,382.68. Upon motion duly made by Sidney McClendon and seconded by Tom Booth, the following resolution was adopted by unanimous vote. RESOLVED THAT, the financial report was approved as presented.
West End – Real Estate – By Alice Melott: Total sales through April 30 for the west end are 105 homes with average sales prices of Beach and Bayfront were $600,000. Average sales price for Beachside and Canal was $385,000 and $260,000 for Dry sites. There are 523 active listings for the west end.
Tax Protest Class – property owners have until June 2 to protest taxes, Classes May 19, May 24 and May 28. Next month at the WGIPOA, Tax Assessor Collector Cheryl Johnson will put on a class on how to protest.
Galveston Windstorm Action Committee – Otie Zapp: Otie Zapp stated that a Coastal Windstorm Coalition (CWIC) is being formed with other coastal cities. Thanks to Senator Janek for his support at the legislation level. Vic Pierson and Jerry Mohn are now members on the GWAC Board. The GWAC needs a minimum of a $300,000 budget to be effective during the upcoming legislative session. There will be a move again to bring back HB 2960 to increase windstorm insurance rates and CWIC needs to mobilize to thwart any efforts to increase rates.
District 6 Report from City Council: Dianna Puccetti gave her final report as a City Council member. Dianna stated that Hurricane season starts June 1st. The City hosts a State Hurricane Convention, The City has an annual Hurricane meeting and on May 31st is the annual Jamaica Beach & WGIPOA Hurricane Preparedness session.
Dianna stated that the FM3005 elevation improvements are all in the plan but no funding is available. A 14.5 mile stretch will be affected, 3.4 miles to be elevated, which will help with high tides. Texdot funding for this area is controlled by the HGAC. You can go into the City of Galveston website and register for emergency notification, especially if you do not live here. There has been a 48% growth in Galveston in the last year.
Jerry Mohn and the Board extended their gratitude for all the years of work Dianna Puccetti has put into the Galveston City Council and for her dedication to the West End. Upon motion duly made by Sidney McClendon and seconded by Tom Booth, the following resolution was adopted by unanimous vote. RESOLVED THAT, the Board gave a special thank you and appreciation to Dianna Puccetti.
Jerry Mohn introduced Karen Mahoney as the new City Council member effective May 19 and welcomed her to the group.
Senator Kyle Janek – What to expect in the 81st Legislative Session
On Windstorm Insurance – Senator Janek asked, "Who is going to pay when the storm comes in?" There is a large unfounded liability. The non-coastal areas do not want to pay for coastal disasters. If we can approve Bonds to cover when you need disasters funds, then the Texas coast can respond to the disasters needs. A non-coastal area should not benefit from economic activity if they do not participate for paying for it. Another words, the sales tax coming from the economic activity occurring after a disaster stays in the area of the disaster. Therefore, the coastal disaster areas keep the sales tax and pays off the bonds.
On Health Care – Senator Janek stated that 25% of the population do not have insurance. There are State supported Medical Schools that could provide the care needed if a few changes were made. As the budget grows in the State Treasury set some of the money aside, take 1/10 divide it among the State Medical Schools, and then non-insured can be treated and afford the medical care.
On the Beaches – Senator Janek recommended that the Beaches be placed under the State Park System.
On behalf of the Members and Board of the West Galveston Island Property Owners Associations Senator Kyle Janek was presented a plaque of Appreciation for all the many hours he has personally spent on the issues that affect the West End property owners and Galveston Island.
Sportsman Road: The Corp. of Engineers is reviewing the sand excavation on the Sullivan property.
Anchor Bay: Bill Moll stated that the lawsuit against the Corp. of Engineers is continuing.
Airboats: The airboats that go out late at night with bright lights are not connected with the Airboat Tours. The Marine Patrol is addressing this issue. Buoys are needed in Lake Como; the Marina will need to replace the buoys. The WGIPOA will follow up with the Marine Patrol on the buoys.
Beach Raking: To rake and remove the seaweed requires a Permit approved by the City of Galveston and the General Land Office. For the Parks Board to clean the beaches, send a letter to them and mark both West and East end of the beach area with the Subdivision name.
Coastal Land Advisory Board (CLAB): Sidney McClendon went to the Austin meeting of CLAB, who oversees the CIAP funding and discussed the events during the meeting. CLAB administers the CIAP $60 million funds for 4 years the State receives through the Energy Bill.
Tax Valuation Committee: In addition, a Tax Valuation Committee will be formed with Alice Melott as Chair. The Committee will maintain current information on CAD values on lots in the organization; assist subdivisions, townhomes, and condominiums in tax appraisals; and, work to reduce tax appraisals on second homes.
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