The West Galveston Island Property Owners Association is entering its twelfth year as an organization. Our main emphasis will always be to protect and preserve the beach and bay shoreline of West Galveston Island and to continue to improve the quality of life for the residents and property owners.
What we accomplished in 2010:
• Worked with the GLO for the massive $40 million dune construction and sand nourishment program from West of the Seawall to 13 Mile Road
Coordinated meetings with the property owner associations
Made presentations about the project.
Project was later November 5 cancelled due to the Texas Supreme Court decision
Created special ad hoc committee to look at alternatives to save the project
Telephone conference with the GLO, City and County
Attempting now to retrieve the FEMA projects included in the project
Made presentations to City Council for support
This will impact new streets for Bermuda Baech and Spanish Grant Beach
• Isla Del Sol Water Tower: Stimulus funds available to build the tower
Met with City and Isla del Sol to stop the construction
City believed the west end did receive communications about the project
• Anchor Bay – addressed City Council again not to issue a permit for the development.
• Assisted in the development and implementation of the Community Policing program for the west end
• Successful candidate forum meetings for the Mayor, County Judge, and District 6 City Council
• Setback Ordinance: The ordinance passed by City Council was not advantageous to the west end and we formed a committee to stop the measure. The setbacks would have a large impact to the entire west end, especially the 3rd and 4th row homes. City Council pulled the
ordinance and it is in hiatus now.
• Worked with the Committee to see if the beach access plan could be amended to allow golf
carts on the beach.
• Sponsor
of the ASBPA conferences
of the Texas Chapter of the ASBPA
• Successful meetings of the West Galveston Island Marsh Restoration program.
Subdivisions, Sea Isle, Jamaica Beach, and Spanish Grant Bay, are investigating dredging their entrance channels and using dredged material as beneficial use in building terraces and mounds to bring back the marshes. Bay Harbor and Terramar completing their construction and dredging Pirates Cove and Lafittes Cove have committed for a program to begin construction after the first of the year.
• Worked with the Galveston County Beach Erosion Task Force and GLO
• Worked with the American Shore & Beach Preservation Association (ASBPA) and the Texas ASBPA Chapter
• Successful meetings with the City Manager with positive results in addressing issues and concerns of the various WGIPOA property owner associations.
• Successful joint meeting with Jamaica Beach on Hurricane Preparedness
• Coordinated with the consultants with presentations at meetings on the Master Neighborhood Plan
• Working with a group and Pointe West to stop dune buggy’s, ATV’s, pick up trucks, etc, from
driving and destroying the dunes and prairie grass in the San Luis Pass area.
• Helped press for $10 million sewer project for Bay Harbor area.
• Member of the Steering Committee for the Comprehensive Plan
• Member of the Natural Resources and Disaster Planning Committees
• Worked with FOGISP on the Sidney McClendon memoriam.
• Helped with the Galveston Island State Park on their Master Plan
Program of Work for 2011:
• Salvage what can be rescued for the $40 million dune construction and sand nourishment project for west of the Seawall to 13 Mile Road.
Current: GLO asked to wait 30 days to 1/15 with possible change by Tx Supreme Court to re-hear case. GLO would start project again.
WGIPOA Board to evaluate whether to submit an amicus brief to support the GLO’s effort
for a re-hearing
• Work with the GLO
Setbacks
Sand nourishment
New technology
Erosion Response Plan
Seek funding sources for sand nourishment and bay restoration projects.
Marsh restoration programs
• Continue joint cooperation with Jamaica Beach for the annual Hurricane Preparedness and
Planning meeting.
• Facilitate the development of ordinances for
Wetlands
Set backs
Golf Cart
• During the 82nd Legislative Session
Find funding sources for CEPRA VII
Work with property owner associations in submitting for CEPRA VII funding
Find a funding source for the Coastal Protection and Improvement Bill to introduce during the 82nd Legislative session.
Address appropriate subcommittees to support funding sources for shoreline restoration projects
Monitor and protest any proposed windstorm insurance increases
Support the Galveston Island Windstorm Insurance Association
Work with the GLO
• Work with the Galveston County Beach Erosion Task Force
• Encourage Sea Isle and Bay Harbor to become members again of the WGIPOA
• Seek more corporate sponsors
• Monitor the Erosion Response Plan by the GLO
• Ban the discharge of firearms on the West End.
• Be an advocate for any issue or concern of member property owner associations with the City and County.
• Continue meetings with the City Manager to address and resolve issues and concerns for members.
• Facilitate meetings and secure funding with property owner associations, State and Federal agencies on the long term west Galveston Island marsh restoration projects
• Work with new developments and property owner associations to resolve issues and concerns that affect quality of life issues.
• Continue to encourage new developments to include home owner association an assessment for shoreline restoration projects
• Continue to work with and support organizations like the Galveston Bay Foundation, Scenic Galveston, H.E.A.R.T. (Help Endangered Animals – Ridley Turtles), and others.
• Work with and continue to be a member of GAIN (Galveston Alliance of Independent Neighborhoods) in addressing quality of life issues for Galveston Island.
• Support the ASBPA legislative efforts in Washington
• Support the Texas Chapter ASBPA Legislative efforts in Austin
• Diversity WGIPOA meetings to include civic interest like GISD, UTMB, etc.
• Develop a WGIPOA newsletter
• Stay involved with the Comprehensive Plan
Jerry Mohn
President