WEST GALVESTON ISLAND PROPERTY OWNER’S ASSOCIATION

MEETING WITH GALVESTON CITY MANAGER

April 8, 2002

In attendance:

City: Steve LeBlanc, City Manager; Dianna Puccetti, Council Member; Police Chief Bob Pierce; Captain Brian Reidel, Police Dept; Brandon Wade, Asst. City manager; Wendy O’Donohoe, Acting Director of Planning; and, Angelo Grasso, Public Works.

WGIPOA: Jerry Mohn - WGIPOA; Sharon Turnley – Sea Isle; Wanda Greer, Terramar; Ken Erickson - 5500 Association; Peggy Rapp – Condos; Al Birdwell – Bermuda Beach; Joe Curtis – Laffite’s Cove; and, Dave Boyd – Spanish Grant - Bay

Topics of Discussion

1. Public Safety: (1) Police Substation on the West End. (2) Fueling station for police cars at the Fire Station at 12 mile road. (3) for the "Neighborhood Watch Crime Program" signage should be installed and paid by the City

Discussion: (1) The cost to operate a substation is excessive and really not in any budget for the foreseeable future. Although Jamaica Beach has offered the use of a portion of their facility for a substation, it still would have to be manned. The Chief and Captain prefer to hire more officers and to put on additional patrols and they are budgeting to hire 35 additional police officers over the next three years. The City currently has 9 substations now and no need to man them. When the new jail is completed in 2005, this will also free up the police officers who are manning the jail for patrol duty. The game plan now is to add 1 additional police officer per shift on the West End by 2005. In the interim, subdivisions should consider hiring off duty police officers or retired police officers for security detail. (2) An above ground gasoline storage tank is planned to be installed at the 12 mile road fire station. The cost is approximately $25-30,000 and permits are being prepared for TNRCC approval. The tank will enable patrol cars to fill up in the West End as compared to driving to the downtown Galveston area for gas, which takes over 60 to 90 minutes. The tank will reduce mileage and allow more time for patrols on the West End. (3) The "Neighborhood Crime Watch" program sign matter was not resolved.

2. Indian Beach - begin an annual paving program where streets have deteriorated, particularly on the bay side. The public walkover is damaged and needs to be replaced ; holes in it where small children could fall through.

Discussion: (1) Brandon Wade indicated there is no money to fix the streets.

(2) Angelo Grasso advised the public walkover has been repaired.

3. Need sewers in Sea Isle and resurrect City’s commitment to Sea Isle during annexation; set a bond issue date.

Discussion: Brandon Wade advised there is no money for sewers for Sea Isle now. He hoped the Sea Isle subdivision would engage a PID program. The reason why the City installed sewers in Sea Isle and Bermuda Beach recently is due to the septic tanks leaking sewage into the canals.

4. Palm Beach - Grass cuttings are left on the road in perpetuity and garbage pick-up of bush trimmings is slow. It would be useful to have more than one "Clean Galveston" day and publication of dump hours and fees.

Discussion: The City purchased a new truck with a clam shell that will easily pick up grass cuttings and bush trimmings. This matter should be resolved by now.

5. Pirates Beach West – (1) Install "Slow Down" or "Slow Residential Area" or some type of speed limit sign on certain streets. (2) Install "One Way, Do Not Enter" sign on exit from subdivision.

Discussion: (1) The City cannot place "Slow Down" type signs on a street because it is a violation but signs with a speed limit would be more practical and to request it from Angelo Grasso. (2) As far as the "One Way, Do Not Enter", it will be investigated.

6. Bermuda Beach – (1) Status of CEPRA II funding to protect the infrastructure in Bermuda Beach. (2) Remove several "No Parking Signs" on Pabst Road and install "Keep Off Dunes" signs in specific areas.

Discussion: (1) Infrastructure concerns - program is underway and CEPRA funding is available. The City would pay the 15% match. Preliminary plan is set for June with construction to begin in October. (2) The signage problem has been resolved.

7. Spanish Grant - Bay: (1) Stewart Road is becoming a garbage dump and race track. (2) Need a traffic light at FM 3005 and Pabst Road to allow residents to get to the beach safely. (3) Load noise/speakers from Lazy Oaks.

Discussion: (1) The debris along Stewart Road will be resolved with the new truck to pick up the brush. (2) The light at FM 3005 and Pabst Road was not discussed. (3) The Lazy Oak facility had a proper permit for loud music until 8:00 PM. Lazy Oak brought the speakers inside and turned them inward. The stillness of the night and open windows still contributed to a noisy evening. The police are monitoring the situation.

8. Spanish Grant - Beach: March high tides did extensive damage to infrastructure and needs repaired.

Discussion: The City investigated and did not seem to be too much damage. The East end road is sloughing off. The City will look at the road again.

9. 11 mile Road & Eckerd Extension: (1) 11 mile road needs paving and the lanes expanded to allow for a bicycle or hike and bike path. The street is narrow and lots of holes and needs to be widened. (2) One solution is to complete extension of Eckerd Drive from Stewart Road to FM 3005. The developer is willing to cost share the project.

Discussion: (1) There are no plans by the City to pave 11 mile road. (2) The City would consider a cost share program but there are insufficient funds to build any new road and it is not budgeted.

10. 11 Mile Road - Beach: Too many "Handicap Only Parking" signs are being placed to prevent public parking. Signs need to be removed.

Discussion: All the extra signs have been removed and only two "Handicap Only Parking" signs are present and a "No Vehicles Beyond This Point" sign has been installed.

11. Sunny Beach - March high tides exposed concrete slabs and pilings on the beach and needs to be removed.

Discussion: The City does not have funds to remove debris. Suggest that Sunny Beach look at using CIAP Stage 2 funds that are available for coastal restoration projects under $50,000.

12. Isla del Sol: Request for City to repair street expansion joints.

Discussion: No funds to seal cracks or repair expansion joints in the road. If the subdivision is interested in helping to pay the cost, this would be a big consideration.

13. Elevation of FM 3005 at the end of the Seawall – adjacent to Dellenera RV Park.

Discussion: TEXDOT is reviewing and they are to come back in a few months with an elevation and drainage study. The City will check again.

14. West End – Driving on the Beach: Signage is needed on the beach to identify "speed limits" and "No dogs without leash" and "No camping on or in the dunes". More law enforcement and visibility is necessary. Reckless driving and racing on the beach are prevalent.

Discussion: If the police enforce the ordinance, the Judge usually dismisses the case and it is not worth the time or effort. The Police Chief will have more police officers in the next three years and some will be assigned to the West End. The matter should also be discussed with the Parks Board to hire security for enforcement since it is believed they do have jurisdictional authority. There was confusion on the speed limit on the beach if it is 25 mph by day and 20 mph at night or if it is 10 mph at all times.

15. Terramar: Drainage problems persist during heavy rains and a new system needs to be installed on certain streets.