MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
The meeting of the West Galveston Island Property Owners Association was held on August 16, 2003. Jerry Mohn, President, called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. Directors in attendance were: Al Birdwell Bermuda Beach, Wanda Greer Terramar, Tom Booth for Peggy Rapp of the Condos, Shannon Hall Jamaica Beach, Boyd Carr Isla del Sol, David Boyd Spanish Grant Bay, Kathie Harty Sea Isle, and Sidney McClendon Pirates Beach. Susan Gonzales from C.K.M. Property Management, Inc. was also present.
Jerry Mohn recognized: Galveston Council members Dianna Puccetti and Johnny Smecca. Jamaica Beach Mayor Vic Pierson and Alderman John Hall. John Pena President of GAIN advised GAIN will meet August 20, 2003 at 5:00 pm at the Rosenberg Library. Johnny Smecca is running for Mayor of Galveston and made a brief presentation.
Jerry Mohn introduced Lynn Hale, Galveston Independent School District Superintendent, who made a presentation on new programs and directions at Ball High School and West End schools. Ball High and other schools in the district had inconsistency in classroom discipline. A new program called Boys and Girls Town social skills curriculum rules has been implemented where children learn how to change their behavior through ongoing daily reinforcement. As an example, Ball High had 11,502 discipline referrals last year or 68% of the student population where 2,500 students were sent to the office for offenses; many were given a citation for truancy. Ms. Hale stated that new policies and procedures have been instituted that will reduce discipline problems and truancy. All of the teachers have been trained in these new techniques and each will have 30 minutes of hallway duty to interact with the students. Previously, Ball High had 12 uniformed security officers but this coming year there will be only 3 officers. Ms Hale desires to raise the expectations of the children; she said Galveston kids are different with 1/3 each white, African American, and Hispanic, a perfect combination.
Ms Hale reviewed the problems and outlook at each of the schools on the island. For the west end, a mammoth undertaking is necessary. At Opee Elementary, mold in the air conditioner system had to be corrected and a new system installed at a cost of $78,800. For Parker Elementary, the air conditioning system needs work. Crowding of west end schools is at the maximum with 790 students at Weis, 767 at Central, 525 at Austin. Burnett is about full. Parker and Opee are closed to transfers from other schools because of overcrowding. Ms Hale is hoping the bond election in November is the first step in curing all the ills of the schools.
MINUTES: The July minutes had been reviewed by email. Motion by Sidney McClendon and seconded by Al Birdwell; the Board approved the July 19, 2003 minutes.
FINANCIAL REPORT Al Birdwell, Treasurer stated that three membership dues were collected. There is $25,000 cash in the bank. There remains $3000 in membership dues outstanding. Motion by Tom Booth and second by Dave Boyd; the Board approved the financial report.
CEPRA II Task Force Meeting bids have gone out, they plan to do exactly as requested in the later part of October and November.
BROADWAY BEAUTIFICATION: Jerry Mohn introduced Rudy Ammer from the Rotary Club of Galveston and presented the Broadway Beautification Project. This project will be for extensive landscaping and beautification of the esplanade in the middle of Broadway through Galveston, from 6th Street to 59th Street. Basically, the total cost of the Broadway Beautification Program is $1.8 million. TEXDOT (Texas Department of Transpiration) will provide $1.45 million grant to enhance and beautify Broadway Boulevard provided a local match of $354,000 is raised. This is an 80/20 match program where you leverage for every $1 gets $50 in return. The deadline to raise the funds is September 30 and the Broadway Beautification Plan has another $47,000 to reach the $354,000 match. The project is funded by donations. All donations are fully tax deductible. Contact Rudy Ammer 409-939-6200. Donations may be sent to: Clean Galveston, 2101 Mechanic, Suite 217, Galveston, Texas 77550.
Motion by Sidney McClendon, seconded by Wanda Greer, the Board approved a donation of $1000 to "Broadway Beautification Project".
CLAUDETTE: Jerry Mohn reviewed the Claudette Emergency Procedures.
*FEMA certain regulations and forms should be completed for repairing dunes and walkovers.
*If your loss (property) has a benefit for the public there is a chance it may be covered under FEMA.
*If you have filed a claim for FEMA the response time may be 3 4 weeks, call 1-800-621-3362 to check on your claim.
*Apply for a Permit at the Galveston Planning Dept.
DUNES: Permitting Process The City of Galveston requires a survey. Use the original plat; you can take pictures of the dune area, black ink what the dunes will look like. An observation after the storm was that the clay core dune (clay base with 6" of sand) stayed during the storm.
HURRICANES: Hurricane Websites: Email and request Jim ODonnel and Stan Blazyk to put you on their Email storm watch list and check and mark the following websites as favorites:
Jamaica Beach Weather Observatory: Jim O'Donnel Email: IslandWx@aol.com Web site: http://members.aol.com/IslandWx
Stan Blazyk: Email: stan@galveston.com
Website: http://www.galveston.com/weather/weather.shtml
Jim Guidry - Hurricane Page: http://www.guidrynews.com/
National Hurricane Service: HTTP://WWW.NHC.NOAA.GOV
National Weather Service: HTTP://WWW.SRH.NOAA.GOV/HGX
DRAINAGE: TexDot is doing a study on FM3005 as to drainage and elevation. The Master Drainage Plan for the City will be presented to City Council the end of the month. The WGIPOA will meet with the Director of Public Works to review the plans for the west end in September or October.
VOTING: Jerry reminded members that owners can split where they vote, one can vote where they live and one can vote in Galveston for Galveston owned property.
There was discussion held on establishing a PID (Public Improvement District) to fund a containment system.
containment systems cost approximately $125 - $150/ft versus the protectube at $275 - $300/ft.
LEGISLATIVE MATTERS HB 1457/SB 554 - Moratorium Bill a meeting will be held on Wednesday at 5:00 p.m. at the Rosenberg Library to review the rules and regulations.
PARKING METERS Information has been gathered concerning installing parking meters on the Seawall. A consultant will review the options and a report will be forthcoming in December.
HUNTING ON THE WEST END - Dianna Puccetti stated that the Ordinance does allow for hunting. A meeting will be held with Steve Leblanc, City Manager to discuss changing the ordinance to prohibit firearms within a specific distance from homes. The City Manger requested the WGIPOA to find a compromise between the old law of shooting 150 feet from a residence verses no hunting on the west end. The West Galveston Island POA would be willing with a compromise of 800 feet and limiting the firearm to only shot guns.
LOBBYIST Discussion was held concerning funding the Lobbyist through the Task Force. The WGIPOA funds one third of the cost.
Motion by Sidney McClendon, seconded by Tom Booth, the Board approved to fund one third of the lobbyist fee to the Task Force in the amount of $7,992.
CENTEX: The Board will be meeting with Centex Homes, who is one of the largest homebuilders in the US. Centex would like to present the planned development for the San Luis Pass area.
CEPRA: The CEPRA Erosion Conference will be held at the Hotel Galvez and you can register on line at www.glo.state.tx.us/coastal/erosion/cepraconference. The conference will be held September 24-26th.
DELEHIDE COVE the WGIPOA was awarded a grant from the Fish America in the amount of a $16,500 grant to vegetate the Delehide Cove project when it is completed. The vegetation will increase the habitat area for fish.
KAYAK TRAILS Sidney McClendon stated that kayak trails will be established through the Galveston Island State Park and a report will be forthcoming.
There being no further business to be brought before the Board the meeting was adjourned.