The City of Seabrook’se-Update August 2009

Volume 1, Issue 3

In an effort to reduce costs the printed copy of the City Update newsletter will only be mailed to those who opt-in by filling out the form that will be included in the last print edition of the City Update, August 2009.

This online newsletter remains available at www.ci.seabrook.tx.us, and you may also sign up on the website under “Stay Informed!” to have the newsletter, events and job openings emailed directly to you.

The Seabrook Volunteer Fire Department will be hosting a blood drive on Monday, August 31st from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM in association with the UTMB Blood Bank.

All community members are invited and encouraged to participate in the blood drive, which will be held at the Seabrook Volunteer Fire Department Station 1 located at 1850 E. Meyer Road. Until further notice, this blood drive and future blood drives will be held inside Station 1 due to UTMB’s loss of donor coaches from Hurricane Ike.

For more information, please contact SVFDat 281-474-3434.

Community Emergency Response Team

The CERT program is a 24 hour training class for local citizens to respond in a disaster situation with emphasis on fire suppression, urban search and rescue and medical operations. The training includes basic first aid, basic fire-fighting, how to manage utility connections following a disaster, how to evaluate a damaged structure and to safely search it for victims, how to communicate with local emergency service agencies, and more. The disasters covered are the kinds seen in our area, such as tornados, hurricanes, tropical storms, wide-area fires and chemical emergencies.

BayCERT is the local area CERT group and they meet monthly. Please feel free to attend a meeting to find out more about the CERT program.

Click here for more information and to download and view class dates and and/or a registration form.

BayCERT Team

Seabrook Municipal Court is in the process of issuing warrants.

If you have any outstanding tickets you may pay them online by clicking here and avoid a warrant for your arrest.

THAT LEAK MAY BE COSTING YOU $$$!

Did you know a leaking toilet can use 200 gallons of water per day? This can cost you 55 cents per day, $16.50 per month, and up to $198.00 per year; the smallest drip on a leaking faucet can use 20 gallons per day, at a cost of 5.5 cents per day, $1.65 per month, and $19.80 per year!

1/32 inch leak wastes 180 gallons in 24 hours.1/16 inch leak wastes 690 gallons in 24 hours.1/8 inch leak wastes 2,760 gallons in 24 hours. 1/4 inch leak wastes 11,030 gallons in 24 hours.

Click here to find out what you can do if you suspect you have a leak.

From the Seabrook Utility Dept.

HARRIS COUNTY OFFERS TIPS TO BEAT THE HEAT

County health officials urge people to:

• Stay indoors as much as possible. If you don't have air conditioning, stay in the coolest part of the house and use electric fans.

• Drink plenty of water regularly, even if you don't feel thirsty. Your body needs fluids to keep cool. Avoid beverages with caffeine and alcohol.

• Slow down. Avoid strenuous activity. If you work outside, do it during the coolest part of the day.

• Eat smaller meals, but eat more often.

• Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing and a hat.

• Always use sunscreen. Sunburn makes the body's job of keeping cool more difficult.

• Although all are vulnerable to excessive heat, be sure to check on the elderly, children, and those who are ill as they are particularly at risk.

• Ensure that your pets are provided with shade and adequate water.

The record breaking temperatures also call for energy conservation. State utility agencies are asking for consumers and businesses to reduce their electricity use by:

•Setting air conditioning thermostats to 80 degrees or higher.

•Cooling rooms with fans.

•Closing blinds and drapes on windows that get direct sun.

•Turn off all unnecessary lights, appliances, and electronic equipment.

•Avoid using big appliances between the hours of 3 to 7 p.m.

For residents who can’t cool down at home, cooling centers have opened all around Harris County. The Harris County Public Libraries invite the public to cool off at one of their 25 facilities that are offering Summer Reading Programs and other services. For times and locations go to www.hcpl.net.

Reliant Energy has opened eight cooling centers in an effort to help residents to beat the heat. They are open Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For specific information on the Beat the Heat Centers, or to schedule free rides to and from the Beat the Heat Centers, interested participants can call 713-497-2711.

Submitted by Jeff Galyean, Seabrook Emergency Management

Save the date…November 14

SPONSORS: Houston Happy Hikers (AVA-15/TX-6) and Seabrook’s Open Space, Beautification & Preservation Committee

ELIGIBILITY/TYPE OF EVENT: Noncompetitive. Walk, jog or run at your own pace. It is open to all and families are encouraged to participate. Children under age 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

STARTING POINT ADDRESS: Meyer Park Pavilion , 1900 N. Meyer Rd., Seabrook, Texas 77586

START/FINISH TIMES: Start anytime between 8:00 am to 11:00 am, finish by 2:00 pm.

DISTANCE: 10K Walk with a second time on the Start Card is permitted.

AWARD: This is a B Medal event. A supply of awards from previous events will be available.

TRAIL DESCRIPTION: Trail is rated 1 along mostly wheel chair and stroller accessible trails. Some portions of the hike and bike trails through the city parks are limestone or mulched surfaces and may not be suitable for all users. Pets on leashes are permitted.

For more details contact Dori Nelson dori.nelson@sbcglobal.netor 281-474-4825 or hhhpresident@houstonhappyhikers.org.

Date: September 12, 2009

Time: 10:00 a.m. - Noon

Place: 2nd Street Park

Cost: Free

Ages: Kids up to 8th grade

Registration: Register at the event.

Prizes: Overall Largest Fish caught by a girl and a boy will receive a gift certificate for a bike. Only children in the Kindergarten - 8th Grade age group will be eligible for this prize. Please bring your own rod & reel. Bait will be provided.

Sponsored by the Seabrook Parks & Recreation Dept.and the Seabrook Police Dept.

Save the date…Sept. 12

City of Seabrook 15th Annual

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

PRESENTED plaques of achievement to honor Police Chief Nona Holomon andPatrol Officer Gary Konvicka for being two of only 18 officers in Texas to receivethe 2008 State of Texas Law Enforcement Achievement Award for ProfessionalAchievement. Chief Holomon also received the 100 Club Lifetime AchievementAward.

APPROVED third and final reading of Ordinance No. 2009-09, “Regulation ofAlarm Systems.” Councilor Mack was absent for the third reading.

APPROVED third and final reading of Ordinance No. 2009-11,“Establishing Updates Affirming the Prima Facie Speed Limit of 30mph on City Streets in Conformity with the Texas TransportationCode and Providing for Exceptions.” Councilor Morrell was absentfor the first reading. Councilor Mack was absent for the third reading.

APPROVED first and second reading of Ord. No. 2009-12, “CreatingOverlay Design Standards for ‘the Point’”. Councilor Mack wasabsent for first reading.

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

APPROVED first and second readings of Ord. No. 2009-14, “Adding uses in the MarineMixed Use (MMU) Zoning District.” Councilor Mack was absent for the first reading.

APPROVED all three readings of Ord. No. 2009-15, “Collection of Delinquent CourtFines and Approval of a Contract for Collection of These Fines.” Councilor Mack wasabsent for first and third reading.

APPROVED first and second reading of Ord. No. 2009-16, “Providing for a TrafficSignal at the Intersection of Red Bluff Road and Lakeside Drive and Adding Provisionsfor the Inclusion of All Traffic Signals within the City.” (Councilor Mack was absent forfirst reading.)

HELD public hearings concerning whether to continue the process of selling theBallentine street end right-of-way; the Porter street end right-of-way and theFourth street end right-of-way. Council postponed any action while waiting toreceive and review additional information.

APPROVED first and second reading of Ord. No. 2009-13, “Amendment tothe Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance, ‘Non-Conforming Uses andStructures.’” Councilor Mack was absent for first reading.

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

APPROVED an amending plat to consolidate Lots 1 and 10, Block 147 of Seabrook Subdivision to allow the applicant to reconstruct a business over the property line.

APPOINTED members to the Charter Review Commission and the Master PlanReview Commission.

APPROVED directing the city manager to contact Harris County to remove the oldbridge on Red Bluff Road and in the interim to request that Harris County post “NoTrespassing” signs.

Michele Glaser, TMRCCity Secretarymglaser@ci.seabrook.tx.us281-291-5663

Save the date… Aug.21 -23

This year the sales tax holiday weekend begins at 12:01 a.m. Aug. 21 and ends midnight Aug. 23. This year in addition to most clothing, footwear and some backpacks priced under $100, you will also get a tax break on school supplies priced less than $100 purchased for students in elementary or secondary school.

Complete information may be found on the Texas Comptroller’s website:www.window.state.tx.us/taxinfo/taxpubs/tx98_490/tx98_490.html.

August City Pool Schedule

Aug. 4 - Aug. 23 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Tues. - Sat., not open Sundays or Mondays

**Pool is closed from Aug. 24 - Sept.4.**

Labor Day Weekend Pool Schedule as follows:

Sept. 5 Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Sept. 6 Sunday 1:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Sept. 7 Monday (Labor Day) 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

City CouncilTuesday, August 04, 2009

Open Space, Beautification & PreservationThursday, August 06, 2009

Charter ReviewMonday, August 10, 2009

Public Safety @SVFDWednesday, August 12, 2009

EDCThursday, August 13, 2009

TourismMonday, August 17, 2009

City CouncilTuesday, August 18, 2009

Master Plan ReviewWednesday, August 19, 2009

Open Space, Beautification & PreservationThursday, August 20, 2009

Planning & ZoningThursday, August 20, 2009

Charter ReviewMonday, August 31, 2009

All meetings start at 7 p.m. unless noted otherwise on the meeting agenda.

Click here for current agendas.

BEADING CLASSES OFFERED

The Parks and Recreation Dept. will be sponsoring beading classes beginning September 5th. Click here for more information.

Submitted by David Hyde, Parks & Rec. Director

Click here for your Back to School Toolkit and link to Clear Creek ISD.

BOARD OPENINGS

There are still openings on the Community Events Committee and on the Tourism Committee. The Tourism Committee meets on the third Monday of each month at 7 p.m. The Community Events Committee is still forming and has not established a meeting date.

Information about both committees and board applications are available on the city’s web site. (Click here for more information.)

If you have any questions, please contact Meredith Brant at 281-291-5736 or Michele Glaser at 281-291-5663.

Click here for downloadable recipes for making your own non-toxic (cheaper, safer) solutions to address typical household problems such as laundry bleach, oven cleaner, pest control and more!

Submitted by Kevin Padgett, Asst. Director of Public Works

TRAFFIC STUDY FINDINGS

According to the City Engineer, Dale Conger, and our City Manager, Chuck Pinto, the recommendations of the recent Traffic Study were as follows:• Lakeside at Hampton Springs: retains the current 4-way stop. There is sufficient warrant for this intersection due to a fence that causes line-of-sight problems.

• Lakeside at Lakeway Dr. will become a 2-way stop (down from a 4-way stop). A 4-way stop is not warranted in this intersection.

• Lakeside at Scenic Shore: will become a 4-way stop. The City will be working with the HOA to have the bushes trimmed in the median and along some of the fences near this intersection, which were causing some of the line-of-sight problems. However, even after trimming the bushes, the Engineer and Manager both believe that the nearby school bus stop and the curvature of the road indicate a warrant for the 4-way stop. There is much concern for the safety and welfare of the children (and other pedestrians) at that intersection, as well as line-of-sight issues due to the curve that will most likely not be solved by the trimming.

• Lakeside at Seaward: will remain a 2-way stop.

ADDRESSING THE TRAFFIC STUDY FINDINGS:

Mr. Pinto is working with our Public Works Department to get these changes enacted as soon as possible due to the upcoming school year. He said that they try to change traffic patterns before school starts so that drivers can become adjusted to the new pattern before children are involved. There is also the issue of buses coming through soon to learn their routes. The City wants to have all the changes in place before that happens. Because of this, City Council voted unanimously last night to accept the recommendations made by the City Manager and to enact an emergency ordinance at our next meeting to cover these changes. (An emergency ordinance allows us to have one reading of an ordinance before it is enacted into law as opposed to the normal 3 readings.)

So, by the first week in August you should see:

• Bags over the stop signs on Lakeside at Lakeway Dr. and signs on the remaining stop signs at that intersection alerting drivers that cross traffic does not stop.

• Stop signs up on Lakeside at Scenic Shore with flags, etc., alerting traffic to the new signs.