TERRAMAR BEACH COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION, INC

Board Meeting

September 10, 2005

 

The Board Meeting was held at the home of Bonny English at 23156 Gulf Drive.

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MEMBERS               Wanda Greer

PRESENT:                 Bonny English

                                    Valerie Calvert

                                    John Ringrose

                                    Bob Majewski

                                    Diane O’Neall             

                                    Charlie Warren

                                    Sylvia Sullivan

                                    Stan Krupa      

                       

ABSENT:                   Ed Hartman

                                    Peggy Thompson

                                    Kim Saxon

                                   

GUESTS:                    Frank Helfrich, Raul & Katie Molina, Ed & Willa Nadalin, John Stone, Berend & Mary Linden, Wendy Majewski, Linda & Frank Vaccaro, and Pat Kirk

 

The open meeting began with the President, Wanda Greer, asking each of the visitors to introduce themselves by stating their name and then invited them to talk about their issues.  Wendy Majewski talked about the issues not being just about Blue River, but about the best use of the land.  Kate Molina expressed her concern about drainage and said she had talked to the city as it is their responsibility and they have looked at it and said they cannot help because of the elevations.  Section 7 has the same issue, a big dry area.  They told her that the Board needs to send a letter to request a study of the land.   

 

Concerns of Blue River building were discussed.  Petition was signed to prohibit approval of development by BR. There are concerns over building numerous houses that all look the same and that they won’t sell.  If they were sold pre-construction there wouldn’t be such an issue.  It was expressed that maybe if larger lot sizes were required or more diversity of the design or staggered lots, they might look better. It will drop the property values if they are cookie-cutter homes.  Frank Eldridge said drainage and sewer lines need to be addressed. 

 

Guests wanted to know what BR is proposing.  Doug gave a summary of the proposal stating that Terramar is asking BR for $2500 per lot that they develop.  The proposal did not outline when the amount would be paid.  This was for 18 lots, not addressing the greenspace (30%).  They have talked with the City of Galveston.  Terramar felt that if BR made improvements to the community, like a  pool or fence, the committee did not want to debate the details of those improvements with BR.  With this proposal, the control on spending the money is left with Terramar.    

 

The guests  were also concerned about the marina’s ability to handle more traffic and suggested that it should all be put up to a vote.  BR will be building no matter what and the only way to control BR is to reach some sort of agreement with them.   To get the most benefit it was agreed that we need to work together as a community.

 

SUMMARY:  Immediate flooding issue, the project needs to be put to a vote.  Perhaps a delay of a decision would be helpful.

 

Wanda thanked the guests for coming and they left. 

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The business portion of the meeting was officially opened at 10:33 and a Quorum was established.

 

MINUTES

Wanda Greer made a motion to approve the July minutes and Bonny English seconded the motion and the minutes were approved.

 

TREASURER’S REPORT

John Ringrose gave the treasurer’s report. As a reminder, money comes in Jan, Feb, but the new year starts on May 1.  We have $42,000 worth of income to last through Jan which should be adequate.  Currently there is $95,000 in account, $60,000 set aside for dredging,   Funds for the fence and emergency funds make up the rest.  Most fees have been collected.  John said he would check with Louis to see where we stand on liens and following up on uncollected fees.  Bob Majewski made a motion to approve the report, Sylvia Sullivan seconded, and the report was approved.

 

REVIEW OF STANDING COMMITTEES:

Doug – ACC,  John Ringrose now on committee.  BR submitted 7 plans and all were rejected because they were identical.  Second meeting was held approx. 30 days later.  One plan was in section 7 and so it was approved, one was reversed so that the porch was in the back and so that was approved. All approvals are subject to BR filling out the building requirements and we encouraged them to put the individual names in title blank.  Since that meeting, no changes have been received. 

 

Nothing new on Bay.

 

Back to ACC, we do require that everyone put in an 18 inch culvert set by the City or Terramar.  Drainage problems need to be addressed, letter written regarding drainage in the entire subdivision.  Would the study include BR – no.

 

Beach – Bonny asked how much was spent on raking.  In hindsight the noise made over the seaweed was in vain since the storms cleared it out.  There is a study coming out on the effects of seaweed.  This year there was more seaweed than ever.  Raking is allowed as long as there is no change to the dunes. 

 

Wanda reported on WGPOA –she has been attending meetings and a $1,000 contribution was made to the American Red Cross stipulating that it would stay in Galveston.  It was much appreciated.  Moody Methodist Church has been a shelter for evacuees from hurricane Katrina.  No funds were received from CEPRA for this year. 

 

Brandon has assured us that sewer will be in this year for Terramar (2006) and for Sea Isle and 5500 Association.  He also says that once the sewer lines are in place, they will pave the streets.  We hear this over and over, however we are now in a more favorable position because of the need for sewer at the far end.  There are a multitude of homes and new construction there. The city council will have to approve the improvement bonds and it is estimated that there it will be $12 million for sewer lines and $7 million for paving.  This is positive.  To improve the water pressure on the West End a new tower will be installed in Jamaica Beach which will have pressure control valves.  The water control lines will also be repaired.  For the new project we will pay an average $7/month more for a home that uses 5000 gallons, pay as you go basis.  This project is supposed to be started right away.    Seaweed study being done by Tom Lipton, and this should show if it is a good idea to leave it alone, if it does slow erosion, etc.  

 

Police on the West End.  The meetings with WGPOA and the City of Galveston, usually have in attendance the City Manager, Police Chief, Fire Chief, City Council rep to discuss the needs for the WE.  The Police Chief was there at the last meeting and they currently have 21 patrolman vacancies because they don’t pay enough.  They have three officers assigned for the morning and afternoon shift and two on the night shift. 

 

BUSINESS - OLD

John Ringrose led a discussion regarding the mowing of unimproved lots and the fees being charged to the owners.   Currently we pay $1300, four times a year, to have the undeveloped lots moved.  We collected fees of approximately $5550 for an overage of $350.   However because of higher gas costs mowing fees will probably go up.  And more people and houses being built we won’t be able to collect as much.  So, next year we will probably collect less than what we have to pay.  If we want to mow more often, that will also increase the costs.  Fees have never been raised.  John motioned to raise the mowing fees from $25 to $40, Doug seconded and the motion was approved.

 

Diane asked about the fence and Wanda said we have time between now and next Spring and give BR an opportunity before we spend money.  Told her to say we are just waiting if residents ask.  We need to see what we are going to do with BR.  Once we decide it will take about two months to install.  Need to have the fence installed by next annual meeting.

 

Sylvia said that Next Stop Party Shop billed us for four chairs that had not been returned from the annual meeting but after discussing it with them they have withdrawn the bill since we are good customers.  Next year we need to count them and have them picked up immediately after the meeting. 

 

BUSINESS - NEW

Doug gave an update on Blue River – what happens now is we wait for them to respond to our presentation.  See document for details.  They only said that they felt the fees were high but did not reject it.  No update on annexation with City.  There has been some discussion about Terramar hiring an attorney.  Probably use Bob Moore.

 

Lloyd talked about seven acres in which a marina was to be built.  But it was not built because of the wildlife.  That property could be bought by Terramar.  Parking area near the pavilion. 

 

Sylvia talked about annexation and said that someone had requested we check our bylaws to see what they say about it.  Wanda said they are non-specific and basically states that we make the decisions.  As board members should we be communicating with the residents what is transpiring with BR.  The board considered an update on the website as we progress with negotiations.  We could post a letter sent to the city regarding the drainage.  We will talk to the website person to put something in the announcement section of the website.  Wanda said until we have a commitment there is not reason to put out information.  However, because of the large concerns perhaps we should just give them reassurance that we are working on it and nothing has been decided.  Wanda said that it may be a non-issue and we may not hear from BR again.  They may be done with us and pursue building without us and before we get contacted by them we should not post anything or do anything.  When we hear something and have some concrete information to provide, then we can.  Until then we are just guessing.

 

Doug summarized for board members where it all stands currently.   BR was given a proposal and later we added the request that an attorney be hired to advise us.   When we visited with the city yesterday to find out what the rules are for greenspace we found out that there are ongoing discussions.  Nothing is happening right now and it could be because they are busy with other properties right now.  It is at a standstill now. 

 

SECTION LEADERS REPORTS:

Section 1 – nothing

Section 2 – nothing

Section 3 – nothing

Section 4 – nothing

Section 5 – nothing

Section 6 – 2nd letter send on the construction trailer demanding that they remove it and it is still there although it was moved under the house.  Wait and observe at this time.

Section 7 – nothing

Section 8 – The fishing pier gate has been fixed.  He wonders why there is a light.  Maybe install a switch or timer.  There are numerous small problems and some budget will be used for the routine maintenance.

Wanda discussed the pool hours.  A motion was made to keep the pool open on weekends through September.  Does the board have to revote every year?  Wanda said it had been approved by the previous board and won’t require a motion until it is changed.

 

Diane made a motion to adjourn, Bonny English seconded and the meeting was adjourned at 12:47pm.