WEST GALVESTON ISLAND PROPERTY OWNER'S ASSOCIATION

MINUTES OF THE CITY MANAGER MEETING

Brandon Wade – Deputy City Manager "State of Galveston after IKE." The Water Environment Association of Texas has chosen to award the City of Galveston Municipal Utilities Department "Medal of Honor for Heroism" award. The association recognizes an individual or group of individuals who have demonstrated exceptional courage and bravery in the performance of heroic behavior toward their fellow man. The Galveston Utilities Department employees worked 72 hours straight and refused to stop even when ordered.

Brandon visited Cities Gulf Port and Biloxi after Katrina storm to gear up for Galveston. Ike has been a learning experience especially with the Federal tangle. Frustrations have been very high in dealing with FEMA. The perception is that FEMA is to fix everything because they are responsible to fix things except where another fed agency is responsible. The end result according to Brandon is that we have to help FEMA understand their rules. As an example, the Federal Aid Highway map shows that some of our traffic signals are under federal, while others are under FEMA. Debris piles, Justin Bowling from the Utilities Department has worked very hard on the debris pick up. FEMA debris manual tells them whether it can be picked up by FEMA based on a certain criteria. The City of Galveston has had to figure out which agency can provide the help needed in working through the Ike recovery.

City finances: The City has an $85 Million budget, approximately 50% is from property taxes, but taxes are down 10-15%, plus appeals will change the end number. Sales tax is up due to repairs materials. The water is down 19% at $20 million, sewer down 13%, but the drainage and utility fund is even. The capital improvement program has stopped, unless a project was already started. The City will have to go back and look at financial condition to see if we can resume any project.

The 75/25 FEMA split will hurt the City of Galveston. FEMA stated the repairs needed for the water treatment plant was at $1 million; our actual is at $75 million.

FEMA

• The City has $51 million pending projects and the City has applied for Hazard Mitigation Programs at 4 million.
• Buyouts: There is $28 million in pending housing buyouts with 64 homes on the list, $2 million in pending payments from the Federal Highway Administration. Should be ready in two weeks. Brandon did mention that the housing buyout and Ike dike are at odds with each other because if a property is bought out the Ike dike cannot be built on that property.
• CBDG Funds: The City will receive $267 million in CBDG (Community Block Development Grants) with $167 million earmarked for housing - the criteria is that it must be storm damage and for low to moderate income; and $106 million for non housing activities that must be storm related. Community Block Programs can provide funds for water, Sewer, Drainage, Police & Fire vehicles – must be storm damage.

Police Department: City of Galveston Police department is down more than 20 Officers. The City of Galveston has a hiring freeze. Non-emergency call 409-765-3702 or 3703 other wise call 911 for emergencies. Some issues that are occurring, children driving golf carts, driving on the beach, trespass on to property on the beach, camping out on vacant homes, theft, begging door-to-door, etc. Susan Gonzales stated that we are having different types of crime and increased crime and asked that the City allow the hiring of the missing officers. Brandon Wade stated he has looked at the City of Galveston financial situation and may be able to help. Marty Baker recommended subdivisions hire additional patrolling to help deter crime. The City has 2 cars assigned (previously three) to the west end with one supervisor. At times, there will be 3 cars.

Other City problems reported by Brandon include:

• Traffic signals – the city is working on reinstalling all signals. There are 116 traffic signals in the City; however, 115 of the 116 signals are considered Federal Aid Signal responsibility and this goes through another FEMA review and process. There is no funding source for computer inter connects for the signals to become coordinated from 53rd to 10th street on Broadway. However, for the traffic signals along the Seawall at 61st, Central City Blvd, and 81st street, the inter connects are coming.
• Signs - There are 800 Regulation signs missing but the City intends to replace them all. The stop sign & street signs are to be replaced first. If there is a safety issue with a sign missing, please call in Public Works at 797-3600 or Email: publicworks@cityofgalveston.org to report missing signs.
• Bollards – are being installed based on the 2008 Aerial photos and pre-Ike positions. See above report on GARM.
• Debris – April 26 is cut off for FEMA debris pick up. $50 million worth of debris has been picked up. 1.4 million cubic yards of debris has been picked up by the City of Galveston and ½ million cubic yards picked up so far by Texdot. The City is using TexDot to help pick up debris on large lots of public property. If there is debris is in a large open space undeveloped or close to or in a wetland area FEMA will not pick it up. TexDot through right of entry can pick it up if placed on FM 3005.
• Debris: Builder contracts are responsible for disposing of their debris. Roof shingles will not be picked up by FEMA.
• Terramar: City of Galveston is working towards getting Terramar’s streets re-paved. The city delayed the project due to problems with the contractor but the problem appears to be resolved. Additional work will be done on the drainage as well. Gulf Drive should get a limestone street soon.
• Acapulco Village has private roads – the City of Galveston has no authority unless it is a City street. There are 20 private streets on the island. If the council approves to accept the road way and possibly the City can have the community block development grants (CBDG) to pay for it.
• Bermuda Beach:
• Bermuda Beach Drive is gone, and the GLO states it can build it back but other agencies also have to agree. FEMA writes up the work sheet but the environmental department (TCEQ), subject to restrictions, must approve it. The use of limestone may be used, but no decision by FEMA has been made, but they are considering it. Access to the streets is also a problem.
• John Reynolds Road and Circle, the City will be able to use limestone for a better path. The City is considering rebuilding the roadway in the future or driving out onto the beach to get to the Circle. 3rd option is to work out an arrangement with Marquette to use connection to the road.
• Temporary water lines – will only be provided to permanent residents, city had to negotiate to put in temporary water lines until FEMA approved the permanent line. Do not see a permanent line in until the fall.
• Grinder Sewer Pumps: this an unpopular solution. City will not pay for it. In the future, City requirement for any home construction south of FM 3005 will be required to install grinder pumps. Pumps cost around $6000.
• Gravity sewer system: This will be handled on a case by case basis.
• Pabst Road: Pressure sewers east of Pabst Road – temporary solution, suggested a separate meeting be held. On case-by-case bases the city can put in gravity pumps.
• Sunny Beach – beach access issues are being addressed.
• Sportsman Road – potholes – patchwork will occur.
• 9 Mile Road – potholes – patchwork will occur.
• 9 Mile Road & Ostermayer Rd – may qualify for CBDG funds.
• Trespass Signs: For beach front homes, do not post no trespass signs but call police.
• Fire hydrants – Brandon Wade will follow up on lost fire hydrants.
• Trash pick – what can be picked up? The City will pick up bagged garbage, but not in non-city cans. Brandon will address this issue with his staff.
• Health and welfare issues must be addressed and be kind and understanding.
• Re-cycling center – not taking plastic and cardboard (has to be baled). Looking for alternative. Goal is to have three trucks for normal trash, large items and brush pick up.
• The Long-term Recovery Committee will be coming up with recommendations and is looking at results. Is continuing to look for local match money and doing best for information on a website to provide updates on on-going office.
• The Subdivision Ordinances will be reviewed to better fit our island.
• Code Enforcement: Dilapidated storm damaged homes are being addressed but we need to be kind and understanding of the homeowners problem. If there is a home that has a health or safety issue to please Email: planning counter@cityofgalveston.org.
• Illegal signage will be removed down by the City of Galveston. Send emails to Brandon to report illegal signs.

Upon motion duly made by Sidney McClendon and seconded by Bill McFarland, the following resolution was adopted by unanimous vote. RESOLVED THAT, the Board stated that WGIPOA supports the City of Galveston removal of illegal signs from the island.