MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
The meeting of the West Galveston Island Property Owners Association was held on December 20, 2003. Jerry Mohn, President called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. Directors in attendance were: Sidney McClendon (Pirates Beach)-Vice President, Boyd Carr (Isla del Sol), Kathie Harty (Sea Isle), Tom Boothe (Condos), Bill Moll (Spanish Grant), Wanda Greer (Terramar), and Marty Baker-Advisory Director were present. Susan Gonzales from C.K.M. Property Management, Inc. was also present as recording Secretary.
The minutes of the last meeting were e-mailed to the Board. Upon motion duly made by Tom Boothe and seconded by Sidney McClendon, the following resolution was unanimously adopted.
Resolved that, the Board approved the Minutes of November 15, 2003 as presented.
Jerry Mohn reviewed the Financials with the Board. Discussion was held concerning the expenditures of various funds. Cash in the bank is $15,548; there have been no real expenses. The payment for the Ad and Brochures has been made. The Ad purpose was to thank corporate sponsors.
Upon motion duly made by Bill Moll and seconded by Kathie Harty, the following resolution was unanimously adopted.
Resolved that, the Board accepted the financial report as presented.
Jerry Mohn introduced Corporate Sponsors: Mike Brown with Silverleaf, Peggy Zahler with -Johnson Space Center Credit Union. City and County Officials were introduced: Johnny Smecca-Council Member, Bryan Lamb-Captain of Patrols for the County Sheriff Department, City Police Officers Fred Whorton and Gordon Paine and Durand Fooks- County Sheriffs Department. Gil Langley CEO for Parks Board was introduced.
Candidates introduced for the May 15, 2004, elections are as followed: Heather Flynn for District 6, Johnny Smecca for Mayor, and Brian Lamb for County Commissioner.
CEPRA II- Sand is being placed on the Beach and all are pleased with the sand nourishment.
FEMA- Funds of $640,000 for Hurricane Claudette damage to the beach area for Pirates Beach and Palm Beach has not come in yet. Since there is a delay, the County will recommend to the US Fish & Wildlife to allow the project to continue if it continues past the beginning of turtle nesting season of March 15. The Delehide Project will be finished by January the 12th, and is a $1.3 million project.
CEPRA III- The deadline to submit a PGS (Project Goal Summary) to the GLO is December 31, 2003, for CEPRA III projects but if the City is the sponsor, the deadline is December 19. The City has provided a template on their website to make it easier for a property owner association to complete. The match for beach nourishment is 25% match and the bay is 40% match. The Galveston County Beach Erosion Task Force has requested three (3) projects with zero match for the Bolivar Peninsula, Seawall, and the West End.
Feasibility Study - Marty Baker is working on obtaining money from the Federal Government with Partnership with the City and the County.
Parks Board- Gil Langley stated the paid parking on the seawall will benefit beach cleaning and maintenance. Gil Langley stated there are three (3) major objectives: Protect jobs, public safety, and stewardship of the environment. Paper work has been submitted to GLO to implement the beach user fee program. The Seawall Urban Park was created 13 to 14 years ago and the Parks Board has authority to collect beach user fees within the Park. The impact on the West End would be beneficial with additional beach cleaning and sand nourishment. Gil pointed out that man-made trash from the past weekend was 1,200 tons. Beach user fees will help protect jobs, enhance public safety, increase beach patrol, add more life guards and increase enforcement issues.
Paid parking proposal will be for collection of fees from 9 a.m.to 9 p.m. during the peak season. The Parks Board has offered to all Galveston residents a free parking permit pass through January, 2004, after which the annual pass for residents will cost $25. The areas for paid parking will start at 61st Street and go East; areas West of 61st Street will still be free. The Parks Board may not use the traditional parking meter and possibly a solar type pay and display one with credit card capabilities. The Parks Board will make every effort to listen to people. The program should be ready for March/April.
Gil indicated he would be pleased to address any property owner association on the West End. Jerry Mohn will ask members for their stand on paid parking.
Kathie Harty, representing Sea Isle, stated that their subdivision does not feel that WGIPOA should speak for issues that require a subdivision member vote. Kathie Hartys’ Board feels they cannot represent the whole subdivision’s opinion without taking a poll of all the subdivision members; therefore, the Board has taken a stand that Sea Isle will not vote and abstain on the issues that require the support of their whole subdivision. Jerry Mohn advised the WGIPOA should take a position on matters if the action benefits the West End such as paid parking on the Seawall, which will bring extra beach cleaning and sand nourishment projects.
PID – The Bond consultant for the City submitted a proposal. The initial outlay of funds has to be reviewed with the City. The time line for a PID is April or May. A Task Force meeting was held on the voting and funding for the PID. The plan is complex but the Board wants it to be fair and equitable to everyone involved.
Sea Isle Fire Station – WGI is requesting full force personnel at Fire Station. The City has removed one (1) and four (4) is a requirement to respond for structures like homes. The City has agreed to hire additional fire fighters and will have one additional for a full complement of 4 at Sea Isle by the end of January. In the interim, the City will pay overtime for an additional fire fighter for the weekends. Sidney McClendon stated the weekend coverage was a new offer but was not acceptable. Jerry Mohn stated we are 34% of the tax base and should have full coverage.
Police Patrols - Officers Fred Whorton and Gordon Payne stated at the meeting that all incidents should be called into, (409) 797-3704 Main Police Department Dispatch or call (409) 771-2260.
Starvation Cove- Trust of Public lands went after Federal Funds for a $1.5 million purchase of property to do a sand sock program. The WGIPOA was very instrumental in initiating the project with the major stakeholders.
Coastal Texas 2020 - Jerry Mohn asked the Board if they would sponsor a reception at the Coastal Texas 20-20 Conference. The Coastal issues Conference. Motion made by Tom Boothe and seconded by Bill Moll, to approve up to $500 to sponsor a reception or have the WGIPOA name added to a sponsor list at the Coastal Issues Conference, motion failed. The President will obtain additional information on the event.
Sand Hill Cranes- City of Galveston does not have jurisdiction on hunting of Sand Hill Cranes. Texas Parks and Wildlife has authority to regulate hunting. The City can band hunting.
Motion made by Sidney McClendon and seconded by Tom Boothe, Resolution passed by Board hereto attach as exhibit "A" in banning hunting of Sand Hill Cranes on West Galveston Island.
There is an ordinance that does not allow the discharge of firearms in the City limits of Galveston. It was stated that when Officers have charged individuals with discharging a firearms, the judge dismissed the case. Sidney McClendon will look up the ordinance.
Beach Access Plan-The Beach Access Plan has been modified and approved. Bay Harbor, Miramar, and Half Moon now have no driving on the Beach. Seasonal driving on portions in front of Galveston Island State Park and in front of Stravenger and East Beach. Pedestrian only beaches in front of subdivisions were passed by unanimous vote. The Plan will be sent to the GLO.
Trust for Public Land- Discussion was held on how to obtain grant money from Federal Government and from individuals.
Environment - Discussion was held on the Sea Turtle nesting and the use of Salt Cedars to vegetate the dunes. Sidney McClendon will look into Texas A&M evaluating salt cedars as either beneficial or harmful to the environment.
There being no further business to discuss the meeting was adjourned at 11:15 a.m.