MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
The special Board of Directors luncheon meeting of the West Galveston Island Property Owners Association was held on January 11, 2003. The meeting was called to order by Jerry Mohn, President, at 12:45 PM at the Galveston Country Club. Directors in attendance were: Jerry Mohn-President, Sidney McClendon-Pirates Beach, Boyd Carr-Isla del Sol, Al Birdwell-Bermuda Beach, Wanda Greer representing Bill Aimone-Terramar, David Boyd of Spanish Grant, Bay, Jim Steinbeck of Jamaica Beach, and Peggy Rapp of the Condos. Advisory Director Marty Baker was also present. Directors unable to attend: Kathie Harty-Sea Isle.
Jerry Mohn reviewed the luncheon meeting with the new General Land Commissioner, Jerry Patterson, and Chief Deputy Land Commissioner, Larry Laine, prior to the Coastal Coordination Council meeting on January 9. Others present at the luncheon included Tesa Duffey and John Lee with the Galveston County Office of Emergency Management, Wendy O’Donohoe, Director of Planning for the City of Galveston, and Clay Pope, Lobbyist for the Galveston County Beach Erosion Task Force.
The President asked Sidney McClendon, Pirates POA, to Chair the nominating committee, which consists of all the board members present at the meeting. Three Board member association terms are expiring the end of the fiscal year, 2/28/03, and includes Terramar, Spanish Grant Bay, and Jamaica Beach. The Nominating Committee recommended the expiring members to be nominated for another three year term. The recommendations will be presented to the Association members at the January meeting and voting will take place at the annual meeting in February with any other nominations coming from the floor. At the end of the annual meeting and after elections, the Board will select the Officers for the upcoming fiscal year.
Motion by Peggy Rapp and seconded by Sidney McClendon the following resolution was unanimously adopted.
RESOLVED THAT, the Board approved the selection of Wanda Greer as Chairperson of the Nominating Committee.
The President presented a budget for the 2003/2004 fiscal year. The year would begin with approximately $11,113 in cash. With income of $20,150 and expenses of $19,760 during the fiscal year, the Association would end up with $11,503 in cash. Major expenses during the year would be the lobbyist for the Galveston County Beach Erosion Task Force of $10,000, Goodwill of $4,000, and Public Relations of $3,500.
Motion by Peggy Rapp and seconded by Al Birdwell the following resolution was unanimously adopted.
RESOLVED THAT, the Board approved the 2003/2004 fiscal Minutes of November 16, 2002, as presented.
Other matters discussed include the following:
Committees: The President requested the cessation of the existing committees and to initiate any committee as required. Advisory Director Marty Baker agreed to eliminate committee members but suggested that each Director still be responsible for the committee name. The President will form a new committee as necessary. All board members agreed.
TEXDOT: Director Boyd Carr inquired on the status of the demolition of the Causeway Bridge and the resolution that the WGIPOA adopted. The last communication was from TEXDOT to the City to outline the process for the bids. TEXDOT would include in the bid the transportation of the debris from the bridge within three miles of the project. The City would like to use a stone crusher with barge facilities along Harborside Drive. The President will inquire the current status of the project.
Public Relations: The Board believes the WGIPOA is at a point to promote its activities and concerns to the community through a public relations firm. The Board recommended the President to discuss an arrangement with Kathy Thomas-Barr of Thomas-Barr Communications in Galveston.
Donations: A discussion on donations to charitable organizations such as United Way resulted in a consensus of the Board to continue the procedure. Board members believe the WGIPOA gained more public relations benefit with the City and County in taking the necessary steps to be a community minded organization. The expense category would be goodwill.
Sewers: The Board believes the WGIPOA was the catalyst that precipitated the City to consider the sewer bond project for the West End.
Public Safety: The Board agreed the WGIPOA needs to pursue more aggressively the public safety issue for the West End. The President and Marty Baker will meet with Jamaica Beach to determine the prospects of a police substation at their facility. The WGIPOA will continue to explore a bond issue or PID specifically for the West End to improve, modernize, and to build fire houses, EMS facilities, and a police substation.
Speakers: The Board agreed to have speakers at every other meeting and to have a general business meeting other times. With speakers the meeting lasts too long and all topics are not covered. Future speakers suggested include Dolph Tilotson from the Galveston Daily News, Tillman Fertitta, Neil McClellan from Shiner Mosely, and Texas A&M at Galveston.
GLO: Sidney McClendon, Jerry Mohn, and Clay Pope will luncheon meeting with new Deputy Commissioner, Bill Peacock who replaced Ashley Wadick and his assistant, Dan Lang, and after to meet with other GLO personnel on January 22. The primary purpose is to coordinate the WGIPOA legislative efforts with the GLO to make certain we are all on the same page.
There being no further business to come before the Board the meeting was adjourned at 2:00 PM a.m.