C mpass Rose
A monthly publication from the City of Nassau Bay
APRIL 2022
Nassau Bay City Hall | 1800 Space Park Drive, Suite 200 | Nassau Bay, TX 77058 | 281.333.4211
EASTER IN THE PARK - SUNDAY, APRIL 10 Join the Special Events Committee on Sunday, April 10th at 2PM for the annual Nassau Bay Easter Egg Hunt. The annual Easter Egg Hunt is a long-standing Nassau Bay tradition that you don’t want to miss out on – it’s fun for kids of all ages!
The Egg Hunt starts at 2PM sharp in David Braun Park at Lake Nassau. Keep in mind, parking in David Braun Park is limited, so arrive early! Before and after the hunt, take advantage of the Easter-themed selfie station with the Easter Bunny. Not only will you get to see the Easter Bunny during our event, but you will also get to learn more about our Nassau Bay ducks and share special treats with them to help keep them healthy. You aren’t going to want to miss out on this year’s Easter Egg Hunt! Visit the Easter in the Park Facebook page for event updates including inclement weather announcements. We would also love to see your photos from the event posted to the page!
WORK CONTINUES ON WATER AND SEWER REHABILITATION PROJECT On February 7, work began on a major Water and Sewer Line Rehabilitation effort supported by funding from the Texas Water Development Board. This project will include the replacement and upsizing of 22,090 feet of water lines, to include new water valves and fire hydrants throughout the City. The project will also include 12,710 linear feet of sanitary sewer line and manhole rehabilitation throughout the City. During the month of March, contractors continued the project by televising and inspecting proposed sanitary sewer lines prior to commencing construction. In mid-March, the contractor began the pipe bursting process. This process is conducted primarily underground with only minimal above-ground disruption.
The project is slated to last one year, with an estimated completion date of February 2023. While the project is underway, contractors have been instructed to leave residents' driveways accessible. Any concerns about vehicles blocking driveways should be directed to the Nassau Bay Public Works Department at 281-333-4211.
Project in progress! The Texas Water Development Board-funded Sewer Rehabilitation Project continued during March. Contractors began pipe bursting on the 18700 block of Martinique Drive on March 9.
ACCESS FREE MUSIC THROUGH SIX "ROCO" SIGNS IN LOCAL PARKS The City of Nassau Bay is excited to announce the installation of special signage in and around the City’s parks! The signs - now installed in six locations - feature QR code links which, when scanned by a smartphone, send users to three River Oaks Chamber Orchestra (ROCO) music playlists.
According to City Council member Ashley Graves, the Nassau Bay ROCO signs are the result of a partnership between the Nassau Bay Public Works Department, the Parks and Recreation and Keep Nassau Bay Beautiful (KNBB) Committees, and Harris County Precinct 2. “When I noticed a ROCO sign in Clear Lake Park last year, my first thought was, ‘Wow! What a wonderful way to enhance the experience of spending time in a local park,’” Graves said. “I thought it would be a great way to introduce older kids and teens to potentially new and different kinds of music, all through an easy-to-use technology.”
1. David Braun Park on the pathway by the playground;
2. David Braun Park parking lot (southeast) entering the pathway to the Nassau Bay Wildlife Peninsula; 3. Swan Lagoon Park by the pathway to the playground;
4. Howard Ward Park at the entrance to the white gazebo; 5. Upper Bay Boardwalk by the entrance ramp; and
6. Founders Park on Point Lookout Drive near Barbuda Lane. “It will be so exciting to see our community utilize and enjoy these signs – don’t forget your earbuds!” Graves said. “We want to especially thank Harris County Precinct 2 for their continued partnership and commitment to enhancing Nassau Bay.”
After seeing the ROCO sign in Clear Lake Park, Graves notified the Parks and Recreation and KNBB Committees, and all agreed that the signs would be assets in Nassau Bay’s parks and public areas.
“We reached out to Harris County Precinct 2, and they graciously provided us with six ROCO signs, which include the City’s name and logo,” Parks and Recreation Committee Chair Roscoe Lee said. “The music selections are currently the same as those at Clear Lake Park; however, ROCO will eventually tour the sites of each Nassau Bay sign and tweak the music selections to fit the specific location.” Currently, users can scan one of three QR codes on the sign to access a “Joyful Music” playlist, a “Bold Music” playlist, or a “Soothing Music” playlist. All three playlists are composed of classical tracks which do not include lyrics. The six Nassau Bay signs, installed by the Public Works Department, are currently available at:
Check out the ROCO signs! The first photo is a close-up of the signs, and the second shows one of the signs placed in David Braun Park.
AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION! NASSAU BAY ANIMAL SHELTER INTRODUCES ZIPPY The Nassau Bay Animal Shelter is pleased to introduce Zippy, a male Chihuahua/Dachshund mix between two and three years old. Zippy is full of energy and very sweet - he will always greet you with a tail wag, and he always loves to be held. Zippy is crate trained and walks well on a leash. He's great with both large and small dogs! Contact Animal Control Supervisor Troy Bradfield at 832-574-0877 today to schedule a time to meet Zippy!
The Shelter is open Monday-Thursday from 7:30AM to 4PM and Friday from 7:30AM-11AM. The Shelter is also open from 8:30AM-10:30AM on weekends and holidays by appointment. Find us on Facebook: @NassauBayAnimalShelter
CANBE CORNER Legacy Benches are installed and now available for purchase! Please act fast if interested as prices may increase. Huge thank you to all those who participated in Beautification Day and a special thanks to the sponsors. The CANBE Beautification Award is back! Be on the lookout in the community and feel free to let us know if you have a nomination. For all things CANBE, please check out www. NassauBayCANBE.org or contact Ashley Graves at AFGravesNB@gmail.com or 281330-5413.
HAPPY 5-YEAR ANNIVERSARY, SANDRA! City Secretary Sandra Ham celebrates five years with the City of Nassau Bay on April 24!
NASSAU BAY GARDEN CLUB
ST. THOMAS FOOD DISTRIBUTION On Saturday, April 2, 2022, St. Thomas the Apostle Episcopal Church in Nassau Bay will welcome the Galveston Food Bank to its parking lot for the March Food Distribution. This partnership will offer their monthly fresh food distribution to neighbors in need throughout Nassau Bay, Webster, and Pasadena. This event will begin in the St. Thomas parking lot (18300 Upper Bay Rd., Nassau Bay) from 8AM-10AM for bags and boxes of fresh fruits, vegetables, and sometimes, meat and hygiene items. Distribution begins almost immediately after volunteers arrive at 7:45AM to package the items available. If you are interested in serving or leading in this effort, please email Mike Stone at rector@sttaec.org. Non-parishioners are always invited to serve with St. Thomas. We can do more together!
The Garden Club wishes to thank all the Nassau Bay residents and businesses that supported the Beautification Day activities in March. The Garden Club couldn't have done this tremendous planting without your help. During the event, the participants planted cultivars that are tolerant to this area’s varied weather patterns.
Women’s Health: A Workshop on the Importance of Self-Care
The May 10 meeting will include the installation of officers. Club meetings will be suspended for the summer months of June, July and August.
Women all know we need to take care of ourselves in order to better care for those we love, but we often get stuck and ask: ‘How do I do this?’ and ‘When do I have time?’ Join therapist and author, Dr. Mark Mayfield, as he explores the importance of self-care and its positive effects on our mind, body, and spirit. All women are welcome and this event is open to the community. Childcare is provided onsite at no cost so you can relax and focus on yourself! Learn more and register at gdlc.org/ women by April 6.
The Garden Club will have a meeting on April 12 from 9:30AM-12PM in the City Hall Council Chambers, and the subject will be beekeeping and honey. This will be a timely reminder to help our pollinators, especially as the Club is working with the zoo and Keep Nassau Bay Beautiful to install pollinator gardens along Upper Bay Road.
BY THE NUMBERS Statistics for February 2022
POLICE
Total Service Calls............................ 267 Total Reports Taken........................... 48 Total Patrol Miles......................... 5,343 Crimes Against Persons...................... 5 Property Crimes...................................10 Arrests................................................... 22 Avg Response Times (minutes)..... 1.62
FIRE DEPARTMENT
Total Calls............................................. 22 Fires......................................................... 3 Rescues.................................................... 1 Motor Vehicle Accident...................... 0 Hazardous Conditions........................ 4 Fire Alarm ............................................. 5 EMS Assist............................................. 8 Cancelled in Route/Other................... 1
EMS
Total Calls............................................. 58 Total Patients in Nassau Bay............ 21
GLORIA DEI EVENTS
Saturday, April 9 | 1PM - 4PM | Gloria Dei Lutheran Church
NAUTICATS SUMMER REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!
The Nassau Bay Nauticats summer swim team is now accepting online registration for swimmers ages 5-18. The Nauticats are a fun, family-friendly team, rooted in the Nassau Bay community for more than 50 years. The team practices at the Nassau Bay HOA pool. The Nauticats compete against other teams in the Clear Creek Swim League with swim meets on Saturday mornings from June 4th-July 9th. Visit www.Nauticats.org for details and for more information about registration.
WELCOME OUR NEW EMPLOYEE!
The City of Nassau Bay is thrilled to welcome Elias Jahen as our new Asset/Project Manager! Elias has worked for the City of League City, and most recently the City of Texas City, as the Water Utilities Operator, overseeing Water Construction projects. He has completed an A.S. Construction Management course, holds his Class A Water License and his Class III Waste Water Collection certification, and is a TDLR Electrician. Elias is also FEMA NIMS Certified. Elias will work closely with Director of Public Works Paul Lopez to manage ongoing infrastructure projects as well as City assets and equipment. We are thrilled to have Elias on our team!
MAY 7, 2022 CITY ELECTION: VOTING INFORMATION AND IMPORTANT DATES Ballot Information: On Saturday, May 7, 2022, Nassau Bay residents will be asked to vote for Mayor and Council Positions 2, 4, and 6. These positions are currently held by Bob Warters, Phil Johnson, Bryce Klug, and Matt Prior, respectively. The following individuals have completed an application for the May ballot (candidates are listed in ballot order): Mayor: Phil Johnson and Mark Denman
Council Position 2: 2 Michelle Micheli, Lucie Johannes Sommer, and Bob Wilkinson
Council Position 4: 4 Charles Pulliam, John P Mahon, and James Abbey
Council Position 6: 6 Michelle Weller and Matt Prior (incumbent) Individual candidate biographies can be found online on the City's website at www.nassaubay.com/election (for those candidates who submitted one). April Key Election Dates: The last day to register to vote for the May Election is April 7th. Voter registration cards are available at the Harris County Clerk's Office. The last day to apply for a ballot by mail is April 26th (application received, not postmarked). Eligible voters should have begun receiving their mail-in-ballot for the May election in late March.
Early voting will begin on April 25th and continue to May 3rd. During the period of early voting, Nassau Bay residents can vote at any Harris County polling place. Dates, times, and locations will be updated on the City’s website or can be found by visiting www.harrisvotes.com. Message from City Secretary Sandra Ham: As the Chief Elections Officer of the City of Nassau Bay, I strongly encourage all citizens to exercise their right to vote. If you are not registered, get registered. It is a painless process and allows your voice to be heard.
Contact the City Secretary’s Office at 281.336.6281 or visit the City’s website at www.nassaubay.com/Election for more information.
Did you know the Compass Rose newsletter is available online? You can view the digital newsletter on our website at nassaubay.com/news.
COUNCIL MEETING RECAP MARCH 14, 2022 - REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
During the March 14 meeting of the Nassau Bay City Council, Mayor Bob Warters presented a Proclamation to the Nassau Bay Garden Club in recognition of Beautification Day.
• Approved Resolution R2022-2244 suspending the May 2, 2022 effective date of CenterPoint Energy’s application to increase gas rates. • Approved Resolution R2022-2245 setting the amount of exemptions for the 2022 Ad Valorem taxes.
• Authorized the Mayor to execute a Space Act Agreement between NASA and the Bay Area Emergency Responders for reciprocal use of Emergency Operations Centers. • Approved Ordinance O2022-821 amending the FY2021 Budget (first and only reading).
• Heard a Presentation and Accepted the Audited Financial Statements and Accompanying Documents for Fiscal Year Ending September 30, 2021 as presented by Belt Harris Pechacek, LLLP. • Awarded Bid No. 2022-01 FY2021-22 Street Pavement Repairs and Replacement Project to Star Amston Global LTD in the amount of $308,680.00.
• Directed the Interim City Manager to obtain a cost estimate from a demolition company for the removal of the Nassau Bay Art Monument.
• Approved Resolution R2022-2246 appointing David Polerstock to the Nassau Bay Planning Commission for a term set to expire on January 1, 2023, as discussed in Executive Session.
Join us for next month's Council Meeting on Monday, April 11, 2022. Visit www.nassaubay.com/CityCouncil for more details on the meeting.
CONTACT YOUR CITY OFFICIALS
Mayor Bob Warters 713.962.6366 | bob.warters@nassaubay.com Mayor Pro Tem Don Matter, Position 1 832.260.4626 | don.matter@nassaubay.com Councilmember Phil Johnson, Position 2 281.734.1074 | phil.johnson@nassaubay.com Councilmember Ashley Graves, Position 3 281.330.5413 | ashley.graves@nassaubay.com Councilmember Bryce Klug, Position 4 832.474.5462 | bryce.klug@nassaubay.com Councilmember Sandra Mossman, Position 5 281.333.2194 | sandra.mossman@nassaubay.com Councilmember Matt Prior, Position 6 214.325.0520 | matt.prior@nassaubay.com
