Special meeting called by Wanda Greer, Kim Saxon, and Kathy Ringrose to hear presentation from Jerry Mohn, President of West Galveston Island Property Owners Association(WGIPOA) and discuss continued membership in organization.

President, Ed Nadalin, V-Pres Bob Majewski, Secretary, Linda Owens, Treasurer, Marcy Anderson, Sec 1 Ed Hartman, Sec 2 Jeff Baker, Sec 3 Pat Kirk, Sec 4 Kim Saxon, Sec 5 Bonny English, Sec 6 Kathy Ringrose,and Past President, Wanda Greer.

Not in attendance: Sec 7 Alice Lincecum and Sec 8 Stan Krupa.

Meeting started 7:35 p.m. by Ed Nadalin, President and quorum established.

GUEST SPEAKER, Jerry Mohn (PRES. WGIPOA) Introduced.

Presentation Summary: WIGPOA is in their 8^th yr , started after Hurricane Francis devastated the west end. Goal to preserve and protect the beach shoreline and bays on the west end and act as one voice for all subdivisions in addressing issues with government officials. Terramar was a founding subdivision. Evolved to address other issues as needed and requested by subdivisions. West end currently has approx. 23% permanent residents with 38% of Taxes paid based on 2006. West end ignored because weekenders are not registered voters so they try to represent the west end interests and have established excellent relationships with city government. Expanded into other organizations…established Galveston County Beach Erosion Task Force (9 entities) in 1999; now 18 members to share in funds to hire lobbyists,etc…a Democrat and Republican to play both sides. They request funds for shoreline projects. Texas is far behind in getting Federal Funds. Water Resource Dev. Act thru Core of Engineers requires us to be a qualified entity. Study being done from Sabine Pass to San Luis Pass …in 7^th year of feasibility study to be completed maybe by 2010 which would qualify Texas for Federal funds for shoreline restoration and preservation (matching funds). Whole idea is to group together to have a united voice to go to the Government for Funds.

Questions: What is WGIPOAs’ position on golf carts on the beach?

Answer: We don’t really have one. Our problem was vehicles in front of subdivisions for safety sake.

Question: What about all the no golf cart signs?

Answer: That is a GLO issue. He has asked police chief to talk about golf carts…they consider them a vehicle. Concern on what they do to the dunes. Good for disabled persons.

Question: Does WGIPOA have any influence in getting funding for dredge projects?

Answer: We are a 501c4 civic org non profit and qualifies them for grants…we received 16,500 for Dela High Cove + 50,000 for Isla del Sol.

Question: Any help with CMP cycle 13...due in oct….40% match….any help on that?

Answer: Actually started program 5-6 yrs ago….hard to get money on beach side but easy on the bay side….US Fish and Wildlife and NOAA….they didn’t want to go to unpopulated areas….proposed the idea of using dredging material to use for socks and marsh lands….put together a long term plan….got agencies to agree…we are going in with Bay Harbor.

Question: Do we have to get with WGIPOA for a formal request?

Answer: No, they get the people together and offer letters of support. Bay Harbor dropped out when they wanted vehicles off the beach but we still work with them.

Question: What is the structure of WGIPOA, elected or appointed members?

Answer: Wanted to have balance - east, west , bay and beach. They have a nominating committee but like to have the largest subdivision, like Terramar, on the board. 3 yr. terms. Members can ask for floor nominations. Currently 13 Board Members. They have 37 area members but lost Bay Harbor and Sea Isle because of driving on the beach and thought they were increasing taxes thru a PID which requires 51% of the vote of the subdivision. PID proposed to help fund the cost of sand socks. A PID is basically a self imposed tax to pay for improvements, but not up to WGIPOA but by each subdivision. Was approved by Dunes of West, Bermuda beach and Spanish grant. WGIPOA recommended not to go through with it because of too many restrictions on maintaining the sand sock and should wait for free sand sources.

Question: How successful have the sand sock projects been?

Answer: The bay projects have been phenomenally successful but geologists hate them on the beach since they are considered a hard structure which have to be kept covered and nurtured. Quite a few on the beach right now. Believes Terramar would qualify for CEPRA 5 funds from Rita for beach sand.

Question: What is the set up of the WGIPOA board?

Answer: 13 board members

Question: What is the cost to attend meetings?

Answer: No cost to members thru the subdivision and tomorrow’s meeting

should be very interesting. All meeting minutes published on the web site + city planning meetings

CEPRA on the agenda every meeting but sometimes do not get to it.

Question: Does WGIPOA keep up with the grants available?

Answer: No, they hear from organizations that sometimes have grants and forward on the info.

They like to keep the larger subdivisions on the board but looking at how to represent the smaller subdivisions. They require only 40% attendance for quorum so a majority vote could be 4 members voting. No current V.P but looking for a replacement.

They tried a minor emergency clinic and closed it down. May try it again in the future. Increased Police and fire patrols. They have special meetings with planning department and take positions on developments, if requested. Would be brought up to the board and voted on. Talked about several proposed developments.

MAKE NOTE: New emergency medical clinic on 61^st is open 24 hours/next door to the visitors center on the west side of 61^st.

Provided: Budget and Accomplishments.

Beach Access Plan

Voter Registration…proposed one member of the family register to vote here.

UTMB conference

Friends of Galveston State park membership application (they started).

Coastal Shoreline Technology Conference : Oct 22-24 at Galveston Convention Center.

Meeting adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,

Linda Owens, Secretary