The City of Seabrook’se-Update January 2010

Volume 2, Issue 1

2009 in Review and Looking to Our FutureGary T. Renola, Mayor

Like much of the nation, Seabrook faced challenges in 2009. However, as the year draws to a close, the city is in good shape. As we survey the city, we see many have finished home and business repairs and many others are in various stages of rebuilding. Drive down Todville Road and see the progress, a reminder of how resilient Seabrook residents are. On the financial side, Seabrook finished the year strong. The 2009/10 budget was approved with the tax rate set at the effective tax rate with no increase. We had ample reserves to weather storm costs and maintain our high bond rating. We repaired the damage to City Hall, the sewer plant and lift stations, city piers, and other city assets with both insurance coverage and FEMA reimbursement. The City Staff did an excellent job assessing the needs and working hard to get this accomplished.

Since Hurricane Ike, City Staff and City Council have been diligent in taking advantage of federal funding opportunities. Although so many Seabrook residents and businesses suffered terrible losses, if there is any silver lining to the havoc Ike wreaked, it would be that we now receive funds that Seabrook would never have qualified for otherwise. Already we have been awarded a $3,000,000 grant to improve the road and infrastructure on Waterfront Drive where our fish markets are located. In the next month we expect to learn of approval of the first round of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding with $7,600,000 targeted for projects related to lift stations, City Hall and police department, water well generators, street reconstruction, and upgrade of roads at the Point. Seabrook also has applied for $1,600,000 for additional projects that are part of the second round of CDBG funding. It will be several months before we receive a definitive decision on those funds.

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In addition to CDBG funds, we applied for Hazard Mitigation funding for several mitigation projects, with the key project to move the Sewer Plant out of the flood plain. This is an important initiative for Seabrook as the sewer plant is in a vulnerable location and sustained heavy damages during Ike.

Many important projects are nearing the construction phase or have started construction. The Repsdorph Road/Lakeside Drive project is scheduled to start construction in 2nd quarter of 2010 with completion during summer of 2011. The Evelyn Meador Library is scheduled to start construction in 1st quarter 2010 with completion by the 2nd quarter 2011.Construction fences and machinery are in place for the SH 146 improvements from Red Bluff going north, to include the overpass at Red Bluff stretching to Shore Acres Blvd. This contract is a 35 month TXDOT contract that started November 1st with heavy financial incentives for early completion. The southern segment of SH146 improvements through Seabrook and Kemah is not funded. Many efforts are underway to ensure that this segment of SH146 is funded as soon as possible.

Seabrook is finishing a busy year that has been filled with challenges, yet provided us much opportunity. We are looking forward to a busy, but prosperous year in 2010 and I am honored to serve as your Mayor.

January 9, 2010 - Annual Book Sale at the Seabrook Community House from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Tickets for the Annual Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser will be sold at the book sale, too.

January 29, 2010 – Annual Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser at Bay Elementary School from 5-7:00 p.m.

January City Council, Board, Commission and CommitteeMeeting Dates

All city meetings begin at 7:00 P.M. unless noted otherwise.

City Council, Jan. 5 & 19 Master Plan Review, Jan. 6 & 20

Open Space, Beautification and Preservation Committee, Jan. 7 & 21

Charter Review, Jan. 4, 11, 18( tentative) & 25

Public Safety, Jan. 13

EDC, Jan. 14 Ethics Review, Jan. 20

Planning & Zoning, Jan. 21 Community Events, Jan. 25

Council took the following actions at the recent council meetings. All votes are unanimous unless otherwise noted.

APPROVED first and final reading of Ordinance No. 2009-33, “Authorizing an Additional Penalty on Delinquent Taxes.” Councilors Dunphey and Morrell were absent and did not vote.

APPROVED an Addendum to the Seabrook Volunteer Fire Department Fire Services Agreement. Councilors Dunphey and Morrell were absent and did not vote.

APPROVED a request for a Fireworks Display on December 31, 2009 at 9:00 p.m. in Clear Lake at the Endeavor Marina, 3101 NASA Parkway. Councilors Dunphey and Morrell were absent and did not vote.

APPROVED the renewal of an agreement with Republic Services Inc. for use of its landfill in Alta Loma at the disposal fee of $7.38 per yard. This was a budgeted item. Councilors Dunphey and Morrell were absent and did not vote.

Continued.

APPROVED the demolition of the “Welcome to Seabrook” sign at the intersection of SH 146 and Red Bluff Road as the Texas Department of Transportation is widening the intersection. Councilors Dunphey and Morrell were absent and did not vote.

BOARD OPENINGSWe have several board openings including openings on the Community Events Committee, Ethics Review Commission, Open Space, Beautification and Preservation Committee, Planning & Zoning Commission and Public Safety Committee. A description of each committee/commission and the application to serve on city committees are available on the city web site at www.ci.seabrook.tx.us . If you do not have access to the internet, please call Meredith Brant at 281-291-5736. Council plans to begin interviews in January or February.

APPROVED first and second reading of Ord. No. 2009-32, “Amendment to the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance, Prohibiting Signs for Home Occupations in R-1, R-2 and R-3 Zoning Districts.” Councilors Dunphey and Morrell were absent and did not vote for the first reading.

• The Water Department will be issuing new 2010city animal registration tags at the end ofDecember. If you own a dog or cat, you mustregister them with the city.

• Garbage bags are available for no charge inJanuary. These are for the customers who do nothave the garbage tote.

• Residents 65 or older are eligible for “free”garbage service. If you qualify, you must bring proofof residency and proof of age to the Water Dept.

Look for this button on the city website home page at www.ci.seabrook.tx.us; click the button and then enter or update your contact information in the form provided and submit it.

Blackboard Connect CTY updates our database monthly from land line numbers published in telephone books. Since cell phones and email addresses are not published in directories, your input is required if you wish to receive emergency messages from City Hall and you do not own a land line. (A land line is a traditional telephone.)

During and after the incident at American Acryl in December several residents called to report that they had signed up but had not received an emergency notification. After reviewing the call logs it was found that their phones were busy when the call went out. If your phone doesn’t rollover to voicemail and you are talking on your phone you will miss the call, so please be mindful of this during an event where you anticipate emergency information notifications.

If you have questions or need assistance, please call Faith Shallis at 281-291-5719 or email your contact information including your first and last name and address to fshallis@ci.seabrook.tx.us.