June 12, 2004
The annual meeting was held under the pavilion in the recreation area. The annual meeting was called to order by Doug Eibsen at 10:15. A quorum was established.
Minutes:
The minutes from last year’s annual meeting were distributed to resident’s present and a motion was made by Pat Kirk to approve the minutes. Barbara Bowe seconded the motion and the minutes were approved.
Treasurer’s
Report:
Bob Fos gave the treasurer’s report. His report was based on the fiscal year that ended April 30, 2004. We have collected 63,252.73 of 2004 maintenance fees, along with older maintenance fees, interest income and miscellaneous income bringing our total income to 87,376.63. As far as capital expenditures, the first draw of 22,404.50 was paid to the contractor of the pavilion. Other expenses were also itemized with total expenses totaling 93,990.83. The net cost of the pavilion was 43,522.10. Bob Fos introduced the CPA that handles our accounts, Mr. Runge.
Walkovers:
Bob Bowe reported that as of May 21, 2004 Terramar had received the permits to build the walkovers to the beach. He reported that we had planned to build three walkovers. One between lots 1 and 2, one between lots 9 and 10 and the other on lot 13. The walkover between lots 1 and 2 was denied because the vegetation line is too far back. The walkover between lots 9 and 10 can only be 20 feet again because of the vegetation line. The one on lot 13 can be built as planned. The 6” x 6” pilings for this one were put in last week going down 8 feet. They should be complete in about a month. Beck Ashley brought up the issue of fences being 4 to 5 feet on the road easement in this area. Elisabeth Krupa told him that we would check into whether this was a Terramar issue or a city issue.
Pavilion:
Kim Saxon gave a report on the new pavilion. One resident questioned how bids were obtained and Eleanor Busby asked how many bids were solicited. Kim Saxon explained that five builders who build on the west end of the island were contacted and asked to bid. Four written bids were received and one verbal bid. Eleanor Busby suggested that we post on the bulletin board when we are going to be accepting bids on a project. Kim Saxon said that anybody was welcome to bid and could express their interest by contacting any board member. Kim Saxon reported that the pavilion is now complete and was under the budget of the $50,000 that was approved at the last annual meeting. She said with the remainder of the money that the board would like to put in some landscaping and barbeque pits. A resident brought up the desire to have public restrooms. Kim Saxon said that this would be considered when the pool equipment building was rebuilt.
Election
of Officers:
Lloyd Pepper made a motion to accept the slate of officers as presented. Richard Thompson seconded the motion. The officers were elected as follows:
President: Doug Eibsen Section 4: Kim Saxon
Vice President: Wanda Greer Section 5: Bonny English
Secretary: Lore Cordell Section 6: Sylvia Sullivan
Treasurer: Bob Fos Section 7: Cindy Rice
Section 1: Bob Bowe Section 8: Stan Krupa
Section 2: Bob Majewski
Section 3: Diane O’Neall
Guest
Speakers:
Councilwoman
Dr. Jackie Cole:
Wanda Greer introduced local veterinarian and our new city councilwoman representing the west end of Galveston Island, district 6, Dr. Jackie Cole. She thanked everyone for their support in the recent election. She let everyone know that her door was always open and that she was looking forward to the future of Galveston. Dr. Cole gave her email address along with her office phone number and home number. She said that she would be working on several issues. One of these will be the long police response time to the west end. Another issue will be the sewer issue, not only on the west end but also on the entire island. Water and drainage are other issues that need attention. Dr. Cole told residents that a group of coastal geologists is looking into digging on the island as far as were it is safe to dig. Currently there is a moratorium on digging. Any developments that were already in the pipeline will follow the old rules. These developments include Sunbird and Centex. Erosion is another problem both on the beachside and the bayside. Currently the city and the county are partners in a study that they have contracted with the Corps of Engineers on. It is a study on how to deal with the erosion and where we can get sand and what are the best methods to do this. The study goes from Sabine Pass to San Luis Pass. Currently they are half way through the study and they need over $700,000 to complete the study. This year’s allocation from the federal government was only $350,000. Dr. Cole asked residents to contact our representatives in Washington to put it back to the full amount. She also asked for our help in maintaining the historical value of the esplanades on Broadway. The Texas Department of Transportation is planning on cutting down trees on the esplanades to make cuts or turning lanes. They feel that it is a safety issue. The city is asking them for more time to study alternatives. She asked us to contact TXDOT commissioners to ask for the delay in letting the project.
Dr. Cole then took questions from the floor. A resident asked about cleaning the seaweed from the beaches. She said that it is the Parks Board job and that for the time being the beaches are not being cleaned of the seaweed but that the Terramar board could put in a request. Another resident inquired about the spraying of waste from septic systems. The resident was informed that the county health department regulates septic systems. Lloyd Pepper inquired about the condition of the roads in Terramar. Dr. Cole said that they are waiting for the sewer plant to be complete and then the roads will be completely resurfaced. Another resident asked about our street signs. Dr. Cole said to make a list and send it to her and she will forward it to the appropriate department and then she will follow up on it.
Mayor
Lyda Thomas:
Wanda Greer introduced our new mayor Lyda Thomas. She has served on the city council and was recently elected mayor. She began by recognizing the importance of the west end of Galveston. Residents asked many relevant questions. The first one concerned an additional fire station. Mayor Thomas said that with the growth on the west end that she anticipating adding an additional fire truck if not a new station at some point in the future. She also said that the city is still working on the problem of police protection this far out. Another question concerned raking of seaweed on the beach. The mayor said that this could be addressed to the Park Board as a neighborhood. She also said that the city of Galveston is looking into hiring a geologist either full time or as a consultant to have on hand when issues concerning erosion and development come up. Mayor Thomas asked that when requests for items such as signage and such are made to the different city departments that we also copy councilwoman Jackie Cole and her so as they can follow up.
Brandon
Wade:
The second speaker was the Director of Public Works, Brandon Wade. A question had been addressed to Mayor Thomas concerning when Terramar would be completely without septic and tied to the city sewer. Mr. Wade replied that the design for the new sewer treatment plant is 100% complete and will go out for bids in about two weeks. He also promised that the plant would be landscaped. The current plans call for a very thick grouping of oleanders. The plant will take approximately 15 months to complete. He said he would keep the promise that he made last year that a roadway would be put in for the construction of the plant. The city is working on obtaining an easement from Isla del Sol in order to do this but there are wetlands involved so the process will be slowed and our roads may have to be used for the first few months after construction begins. He said that according to the preliminary engineering report the cost estimate for the laying of sewer lines is 9 million dollars and in the process the road will be completely destroyed and it will cost 5 million to reconstruct the streets. Numerous other questions were asked about septic systems currently being installed in Terramar and the guidelines concerning the spraying of the waste. Brandon Wade said this Galveston County Health District handles the regulation of septic systems but the state sets the regulations. Brandon could not give a timetable for the completion of the sewer system because it depends upon the city council’s decisions concerning rates, taxes, and bonds. Mr. Wade also said current city of Galveston laws say that a home must tied into the public sewer within 90 days after it is available. He will recommend that that law stand when the new system is complete and not allow any “grand fathering” of septic systems that are already in place. Mayor Thomas said that she will have a letter drafted to the Galveston Association of Realtors and any developers currently installing septic systems concerning the tap fee and the requirement that they tie in within a certain time frame so as new purchasers will be aware of the changes that are coming. Mr. Wade said that he would have the ditch mowed and cleaned that runs into the marina area. He asked the Terramar board to work on granting an easement/right of way to the city in order to keep the area maintained.
Jerry
Mohn:
Doug Eibsen introduced the Jerry Mohn, president of the WGIPOA. Doug thanked Jerry for working to bring the west end to the attention of the city. He told residents that the west end of the island represents one third of the total city tax base. One of the main issues that he spoke of was the problem of erosion, both on the beach and the bay. He spoke of the long-term goal of restoration of the marshlands in the bay and trying to obtain the funding for these projects. Mr. Mohn also told about the two year moratorium on requiring the beachfront houses that had lost vegetation to be moved. This will allow some time for the beach to build back up and new vegetation to grow. There were 12 homes in Terramar that were affected by this moratorium. The WGIPOA is working with Kay Bailey Hutchinson’s office along with other representatives to get the funding put back in place to complete the corps of engineers’ study that Jackie Cole spoke of concerning beach erosion and replenishment. This study has been going on for three years and is the final year. WGIPOA spends a lot of time in Austin and Washington lobbying for funds to address coastal issues that affect the west end of the island. Mr. Mohn also told how the association helped to get a 24 hour EMS stationed on the west end and helped to get the 4th fireman back at the Sea Isle station after it had been cut back to three. The association is continuing to work on getting a police substation on the west end. A fuel depot was installed at the 12-mile road fire station for the refueling of police cars and fire trucks. This allows them more time to patrol on the west end. WGIPOA is to meet with TXDOT next week concerning the elevation of FM 3005. A hydraulic study has been completed and there are several areas that need to be raised. Drainage along this road has also been a problem that they are working on.
New
Business:
Spending
increase:
Doug Eibsen explained the need to raise the $10,000 spending limit that the Terramar board of directors has in order to participate more in the matching grant programs funded by the government. Eleanor Busby made a motion to raise the limit to $20,000 for matching grant programs only and to maintain the $10,000 limit for capital improvements. Billy Wallington seconded the motion and the motion passed.
Beach
Seaweed:
Barbara Bowe made a motion to write a letter to the Parks Board to see about having the seaweed raked from the beaches and put against the dunes. Lynn King seconded the motion and the motion passed.
General
questions and comments from the floor:
Ted Aubrey brought up the idea that a handrail was needed on the steps leading to the pool and he felt that it was a hazardous situation. Bob Bowe said that the board would consider this.
Residents also asked about street sign replacement and culverts under driveways. The city officials present at the meeting stated that any specific requests needed to be in writing.
One resident inquired about hiring an off duty police officer to patrol on July 4th due to residents doing fireworks.
Another resident inquired about solar lights being installed at the end of the main canal to guide boaters in at night. Doug Eibsen asked her to submit a proposal.
One resident complained about the minutes not being out quick enough. Doug explained that they would not be approved and that we all have jobs and do them as soon as possible.
A resident inquired about an emergency only phone at the swimming pool. Bob Bowe explained that we have a phone installed that will call 911.
Doug Eibsen made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 12:10 for lunch and Bob Bowe seconded the motion. The meeting was adjourned.