The City of Seabrook’se-Update

December 2010Volume 2, Issue 12

2010 in Review

Seabrook had a challenging year, much like other cities throughout the nation. We were still working through the impact of Hurricane Ike in September 2008 when the economic conditions for Seabrook became an issue. The economy throughout the Bay Area, the State of Texas and the nation was poor in 2010 and our community was further impacted by the cutbacks in the Space Center Programs. The economy seems to be leveling out as the year closes and we hope for a prosperous 2011.

The downturn of the economy decreased revenues from franchise fees and sales tax. The city staff and City Council were able to develop a budget for the 2010/2011 fiscal year without a tax increase, but it took approximately $750,000 in budget cuts relative to last year’s budget. We also cut $500,000 of expenditure from last year’s budget to ensure we did not deplete reserves. We accomplished the budget cuts without any cuts in service level from our police, fire and emergency response. However, the City did cut or not fill several positions in the Parks and Public Works Departments. For efficiency, we also combined the Parks and Public Works Departments.

This year was marked by several key activities. We had a Charter Review Election in May that contained many clarifications and improvements to our City Charter. Planning activities that will set the future of the city have been active. Our City Comprehensive Master Plan was approved in January of this year. Also, a Hike and Bike trail plan was developed by our Open Space Committee and approved by City Council. The Open Space Committee also finished a rough draft of a Parks Plan that is under review and revision. These are important activities that will help direct the future of the city and provide opportunities for grants.

In spite of the poor economy, city and county staff have been very busy working on a number of projects. Many of these projects are a result of Hurricane Ike and the stimulus money that was allocated to Seabrook because of the high level of damage from Ike. Progress on these projects will be very visible next year.

The Lakeside/Repsdorph Extension made progress this month by being approved to go out for bids. This project will connect Lakeside Drive through Seabrook Island to Repsdorph. This connection also provides better access to commercial property along the new extension. This project, partially funded by Seabrook Bonds from a 2001 bond election, is being executed by the County. There have been some delays to work around issues with pipeline easements. Now that we are out for bids, construction is expected to start in 3 to 4 months with completion in mid- 2012.

The new Evelyn Meador Library, another joint project of the city and the county, is making good progress. The County’s contractor broke ground earlier this year and our residents can see the building is framed out. We expect to open the library in 2011. The Friends of the Library have been busy raising funds to augment the facilities at our new library. We are all excited to see the new library that will be three times larger than our old library.

The Hurricane Ike recovery is clearly evident on the east side of Hwy 146. Many of the empty lots along Todville have new homes. Our Building and Standards Commission has been meeting once or twice a month to make rulings on homes that were damaged and owners have been slow to make repairs. Their efforts to ensure that we maintain our high standards for code enforcement in the city are appreciated. We still have some work to do to clean up the city, but we are making good progress.

Waterfront Drive improvements to raise the road, harden the utilities and construct sidewalks have a completed design that is waiting on environmental approval. These improvements are funded by approximately $7M that is a combination of stimulus money available for hurricane recovery and other Economic Development Grants the city applied for. A gateway arch entry sign to the Waterfront area that will attract attention from Hwy 146 has been funded by several grants and augmented funding by the Economic Development Corporation. The preliminary design has been approved and we are moving forward. We expect final design to go out for bids in a few months and be completed around mid-2011.

Another project that is keeping staff busy is the new Carothers Coastal Gardens adjacent to Pine Gully Park. This acquisition was made via a 2005 Bond election. A Master Plan was developed for the Park and the initial staged plan for the house and entrance are under construction. We are looking forward to a grand opening for our citizens and event planners in the spring of 2011.

Pine Gully’s cleanout is in the final design and environmental review stages. Work is expected to begin in a few months.

In spite of the down economy, this year has been one of the busiest for the city in many years. 2011 promises to be just as busy as many of the projects discussed here get construction underway. We hope that the economy recovers for the Bay Area and next year brings Seabrook many new opportunities.

The City Council, the City Staff and I wish you all a safe and happy holiday season.

Mayor Gary Renola

BREAKFAST WITH SANTAPresented by Friends of Seabrook

Saturday December 4, 20109:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Seabrook Community House, 1210 Anders

Seabrook children, 12 yearsand younger are

invited to have breakfast withSANTA!

Pancake Breakfast will be Served (Free)Complimentary Coffee for Parents

Pictures with Santa, Compliments of the Seabrook Police Department

R.S.V.P. to 281-291-5713

Sponsorships : Seabrook Rotary, Seabrook Parks and Recreation Dept. and

Classic Cafe

Thursday, Dec. 2 atCity Hall from 7 - 9:00 p.m.

The Seabrook Intermediate Choir

and Band will perform at the

ceremony.

“CERT is a positive and realistic approach to emergency and disaster situations where citizens may initially be on their own and their actions make a difference.”

The next class begins Thursday, January 13, 2011, and continues for 8 weeks with the last class being a disaster simulation drill with the Seabrook Volunteer Fire Department (SVFD) and the Clear Lake Emergency Medical Corp (CLEMC). The classes will be held at the SVFD, 1850 E. Meyer, 6:30-9:30 pm. There are no physical requirements or restrictions to become a CERT member and the class is free. The course instruction manual and starter backpack is provided and the course is free.

For more information about CERT go to www.harriscountycitizencorp.com or contact Ronica Hall, ronicahall@hotmail.com , 281-326-5644 or Don Holbrook, Donholbrook92@yahoo.com , 713-471-4254.

on Clear Lake Saturday, December 11, 2010

6:00 pm

Texas' 49th Annual

Ring in the holidays with this Clear Lake tradition. More than 100,000 people traditionally enjoy this event from land and from

hundreds of boats anchored throughout the Lake. The parade features more than 100 brightly decorated power and sailboats that will traverse the Clear Lake channel from the South Shore Harbor Marina and the Nassau Bay Lagoon to Galveston Bay.

Click here to read Ordinance 2010-31, Golf Carts

City Council passed an ordinance on Nov. 16 regulating the useof golf carts. Please click the link above to read the requirements of the ordinance. The ordinance is in effect now. Dates, times and places for the permitting and inspection of your golf carts will be posted on the city website in a few weeks.

City of Seabrook Employees Announce the Annual Share Your Christmas Gift Drive

November 29 is the kick-off for SHARE YOUR CHRISTMAS 2010. We invite you to take a “star” from our tree and make a child’s wish come true. The tree is located in the upstairs lobby of City Hall and the instructions are as follows:

•“Stars” will have the age and gift wish of each child and are numbered so that the gift will be matched to the child while keeping the child’s anonymity.•Select a “star” from the tree in the City Hall second floor lobby.•Purchase the gift requested by the child.•Bring your unwrapped gift with the star attached to it to City Hall by December 10th.

A food drive will also run from December 1 – 10. As in past years, we will accept new toys and groceries for the families. Food will be collected in bins located on the first floor lobby at City Hall. Please do not donate food that has expired or has been opened.

Our program will only include Seabrook families who have been referred by a local agency familiar with their circumstances. PLEASE DO NOT CALL CITY HALL REQUESTING TO ADD NAMES TO THE LIST.

For more information call (281) 291-5679.