MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
The West Galveston Island Property Owners Association Member’s meeting. President Jerry Mohn called the meeting late to order at 9:05 a.m. A quorum of Directors was present with the attendance of: Barbara Piersol – Spanish Grant Bay, Peggy Zahler – Spanish Grant Beachside, Al Galli – Jamaica Beach, Matt Wigle – Acapulco Village, Clay Lewis – Sportsman Road, Tom Boothe – Condos, Carolyn Farmer – Terramar Beach, Bob Dozier – Pointe San Luis, and Vince LePar – Beachside Village.
Introductions of Officials and Corporate Sponsors were held. County Commissioner Kevin O’Brien was introduced.
Corporate sponsor Peggy Zahler from JCS Federal Credit Union was introduced.
Minutes: The April 16, 2011, minutes were distributed by email. Upon motion duly made by Clay Lewis and Peggy Zahler with a second, the following resolution was adopted by unanimous vote. RESOLVED THAT, the Board approved the minutes of January 2011 as presented.
Treasure Report: The financial report was sent out by email. Upon motion duly made by Clay Lewis and seconded by Matt Wigle, the following resolution was adopted by unanimous vote. RESOLVED THAT, the Board approved the Treasure report.
Newsletter: Peggy Zahler advised the next Galveston Westender Newsletter by the West Galveston Island Property Owners Association will come out in July. The newsletter can be viewed on www.galvestonwestender.com. Peggy invited all members to submit articles for the newsletter.
Power Outages: Keith Gray from CenterPoint Energy discussed the problems with the drought conditions and no rain to wash the transformer boxes, which is causing power outages on the west end. They are using helicopters to was the insulation and transfer boxes. In 2012, CenterPoint will be adding smart meters and if there is an outage, it will be able to advise the location of the problem. Keith is available 24/7 and advised to call his cell: 713-207-2222 or main number: 409-765-4165.
Windstorm Insurance: Otie Zapp, Chair of the Galveston Windstorm Action Committee, spoke about the 82nd Legislative Session and the attempt to increase rates again. In the House, there have been 27 separate bills dealing with windstorm insurance and 46 amendments with 22 passing. When it got to the Senate side, it changed again and doubts if the House will accept the new version. This means there will be a special committee to finalize the bill. Otie complimented the efforts of State Reps Larry Taylor and Craig Eiland and Senator Mike Jackson in keeping increases to a minimum. The biggest cost seems to be prevent bonds after a major storm. The TWIA policyholder will pay for the bonds. As an example, $1 billion of bonds will cost 6% per year over 14 year period payout, which will add 27% increase to windstorm rates. TWIA has $67 billion of policies and only $75 million in reserves so the need for prevent bonds.
Community Policing: Lt. Henry Porretto started the meeting by advising they had caught the flat screen TV burglar. It was the work of 5 police officers and Lt. Porretto introduced each one: Sergeant Pete Alcocer, and Officers Mathew Burris, Marcus Morrison, Bradley Stroud, and Gordon Morse. The audience gave the officers a standing ovation for a job well done. The officers began researching and analyzing all available data and patterns of these crimes. The team under the leadership of Sgt. Alcocer was able to formulate a strategy to apprehend this criminal. The flat screen TV burglar stole 31 since January. He would disarm the electrical box to kill any alarms system. He was taking 4 TV’s a night and selling them to pawnshops in north part of Houston at $250 each. The burglar had a list of 36 sites he planned to rob. Lt. Porretto suggested to write serial numbers down on possible theft items so they can be identified and returned.
The Community Policing program for the west end is from 61st Street west to San Luis Pass. There are 24 officers assigned to the west end district with 4 to 6 officers per shift at any given time. The officers respond to an issue reported by the public, analysis the situation, formulate a strategy, and then execute a plan.
Lt. Porretto indicated officers look for suspicious behavior, suspicious persons, suspicious vehicles, and when you just don’t know. He mentioned burglars usually do not target houses with alarms signs.
Lt. Porretto described the current issues for the west end:
As far as re-entry to the island after a storm, the priority will be:
The checkpoint will be Exit 5 & IH-45 at the Santa Fe Overpass and the Galveston Police Department will run the operation. What is required for re-entry:
Lt. Porretto recommended for business owners to join the Galveston Chamber of Commerce because they have a secure and favorable re-entry program.
Hurricane Preparedness/Recovery Meeting: Jerry Mohn indicated the joint WGIPOA and Jamaica Beach meeting will be held June 4 from 10:00 AM to noon, at the Jamaica Beach Firehouse, with food and soft drinks after the meetings. Booths ill open at 9:30 AM.
Seawall Enhancements: The voters approved of the proposed program for Seawall enhancements such as landscaping, lighting, wash basins, and security. There will be a citizens advisory committee overseeing the program.
Erosion Response Plans (ERP): The General Land Office has requested entities to submit a draft of an ERP by July 1. The main issue of the ERP will be setbacks. An ad hoc committee has been formed to address and review the issue that includes members of the WGIPOA.
Texas Coastal Expo: The General Land Office is having the second Texas Coastal Expo here in Galveston at Moody Gardens on June 18 from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. They expect 10,000 to 15,000 people from the Houston/Galveston region. The event will highlight the Texas coastal experience through hands-on educational exhibits, demonstrations, wildlife shows, and recreational activities.
CMP Grants: Jerry Mohn announced the Texas Coastal Management Program will have a Grant Cycle #17 workshop on May 25, 9:30 AM, at the Galveston County Courthouse, 722 Moody, in the Workshop Room.
Meeting adjourned at 11:00 AM