C mpass Rose OCTOBER 2020
FY21 APPROVED BUDGET & TAX RATE
The City of Nassau Bay strives to maintain a balanced budget in accordance with the City's Financial Principles – these include advancing the City's priorities while maintaining core services, providing cost effective service delivery, and making targeted investments in public safety and infrastructure. At the Council Meeting held on August 31st, City Council approved the Fiscal Year 2021 Annual Budget. This year’s General Fund (maintenance and operations) budget is $6,658,410 and the total budget for all funds is $14,509,360. At the September 14th Council meeting, City Council approved the tax rate of $.722120 / $100 valuation that will fund a portion of the maintenance, operations, and debt service in the FY 2021 Budget. On a home valued at $272,052, the average homeowner will pay around $156.93 per month in property taxes to the City of Nassau Bay. The Fiscal Year 2021 Annual Budget includes a targeted focus on the City's public safety elements, and provides for competitive salary adjustments for the Police, EMS, and Public Works Departments. This Budget also funds a total of $2.45 million in capital projects. These projects include several improvements and rehabilitation projects to the water and wastewater system, stormwater drainage, street repair and improvements, public safety additions, several park enchancements, and much more. The detailed list of projects can be found in the budget. For more information on the budget, tax rates, and upcoming capital projects Based on Average Monthly Property Tax of $156.93 per month - FY 2021 visit www.nassaubay.com/budget.
CHANGES TO NATIONAL NIGHT OUT — TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2020
National Night Out is a national community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships – it is typically celebrated the first Tuesday in October. Before the 2020 pandemic, neighborhoods would host block parties, festivals, youth events, and cookouts. Emergency personnel would provide safety demonstrations, seminars and exhibits, and City Officials would make their rounds to visit the neighborhoods. Unfortunately, while we still encourage neighborhood comradery in a safe, socially distant, responsible manner, the Nassau Bay Police Department, Nassau Bay Volunteer Fire Department, EMS, and City Officials will NOT be in attendance for any National Night Out block parties this year. Although National Night Out 2020 won't be like past years, we hope that you will keep the National Night Out spirit alive and growing. With the spirit of National Night Out, Nassau Bay would like to express our appreciation to our Public Safety elements, including the Nassau Bay Police Department, Nassau Bay Volunteer Fire Department, EMS Department, Public Works, and Emergency Management team. Thanks for all you do for our wonderful City day in and day out!
WATER REHABILITATION PROJECT
The Council’s pledge to the City’s strategic priorities is the driving force for the water and sewer line rehabilitation project, and when complete, will positively impact the residents and businesses of Nassau Bay for decades to come. In 2018, a large-scale effort was planned to address more than 15 miles of water lines and 7 miles of sewer lines. Council approved the first phase of this five-phase project and will begin implementation of approximately five miles of water and sewer lines in January 2021. For the first phase of this rehabilitation project, the City is in the process of borrowing $3,000,000 in FY2021 to pay for approximately 25,000 linear feet of water and sewer lines in strategic locations. To fund the first phase of the project, new water and sewer rates were adopted on June 11, 2018. Rates are based off usage and calculated to incentivize water conservation for residential and commercial properties. The newest water and sewer rate changes will be effective for the November 2020 utility bill for all homes, businesses, and users in Nassau Bay. The average residential utility bill in Nassau Bay will increase approximately $3.00 per month, but remains at or below average when compared to neighboring cities. The full rate schedule can be found online at www.nassaubay. com/93/Taxes-Fees. The City’s website is the primary host for all information regarding the water and sewer line rehabilitation project. Please visit our website to find maps of the proposed infrastructure enhancements, a complete list of water rates, comparable utility rate benchmarks, and a project summary. To learn more on the project, please visit our website at www.nassaubay.com/WaterRehab.
HALLOWEEN IN NASSAU BAY
Nassau Bay's Special Event Committee is bringing Halloween to you! Due to social distancing requirements, the City's normally scheduled Halloween in the Park event is canceled — but no worries, there is still a spooktacular event in store! Join the Special Event Committee on Saturday, October 24th for reverse trick-or-treating! Volunteers will be tossing candy from a hayride. For all the details, including candy route, visit our website at www.nassaubay.com/specialevents.
NASSAU BAY GARDEN CLUB
Fall Gardening: Now that fall is here, there are more Nassau Bay neighbors out enjoying the weather and tending to their yards, seeing what survived over the hot dry summer. This is the month for raking, composting, dividing lilies and bulbs, enriching the soil, and planting flowers, vegetables, herbs, and trees. Remember, the City of Nassau Bay sells Microlife, which is an all-purpose organic slow-release fertilizer, safe for grass, flowers, and vegetables. Keep your hummingbird feeders out, and also watch for the Monarchs to migrate through on their way to Mexico. Garden Angel Award: During the month of September, the "Garden Angel" Award for the year 2020-2021 was presented to Beth Ann Maxwell for her outstanding dedication, friendliness, and creativity as Hospitality Committee Chairperson. Garden Club Meetings: The Garden Club is meeting monthly via Zoom at this time — please visit their website at nassaubaygc.org, or social media pages (Facebook and/or Instagram) for the Meeting ID and Password. Anyone is welcome to join the meetings. The next meeting will be Tuesday, October 13th, at 10:00am. Arbor Day: On Texas Arbor Day, November 6th, the Garden Club's 2nd V.P. Angela Braun is planning a special program in Nassau Bay. Check the Club's social media for upcoming details.
EARLY VOTING
Early voting by personal appearance will be conducted by Harris County beginning Tuesday, October 13, 2020 and ending Friday, October 30, 2020. All Early Voting and Election Day polling locations are open to all eligible voters in Harris County. All Harris County polling locations can be found by visiting www.harrisvotes.com (the list is not final and may change). These are the three closest Early Voting locations for Nassau Bay residents: 1. Clear Lake Islamic Center Community Hall 17511 El Camino Real Houston, TX 77058 (Distance from City Hall = 1.8 miles) 2. Webster Recreation Center Civic Center 311 Pennsylvania Avenue Webster, TX 77598 (Distance from City Hall = 2.3 miles) 3. University of Houston Clear Lake Garden Room 2700 Bay Area Boulevard Houston, TX 77058 (Distance from City Hall = 3.2 miles) PLEASE NOTE, the Freeman Branch Library (16616 Diana Ln) is NOT an early voting location this year, but it will be a polling site for Election Day. This is important as most Nassau Bay residents are used to going to the Freeman Branch Library for previous elections. Early Voting Hours are as follows (subject to change): Days Tuesday to Saturday Sunday
Dates October 13, 2020 to October 17, 2020 October 18, 2020
Times 7:00am to 7:00pm 12:00pm to 7:00pm
Monday to October 19, 2020 to Saturday October 24, 2020 Sunday October 25, 2020
7:00am to 7:00pm 12:00pm to 7:00pm 7:00am to 7:00pm 7:00am to 10:00pm 7:00am to 7:00pm
Monday
October 26, 2020
Tuesday to October 27, 2020 to Thursday October 29, 2020 Friday October 30, 2020
ELECTION DAY
Voting will be conducted on Election Day, November 3, 2020, from 7:00am to 7:00pm at Nassau Bay City Hall Council Chamber 1800 Space Park, Suite 200 Nassau Bay, Texas 77058 For more information, please visit the City's website at www.nassaubay.com/Election.
Nassau Bay City Hall | 1800 Space Park Drive, Suite 200 | Nassau Bay, TX 77058 | 281.333.4211
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BY THE NUMBERS Statistics for August 2019
POLICE
Total Service Calls............................ 372 Total Reports Taken........................... 22 Total Patrol Miles.......................... 5,005 Crimes Against Persons...................... 8 Property Crimes.....................................5 Arrests.................................................... 9 Avg Response Times (minutes)...... 3.17
FIRE DEPARTMENT
Total Calls............................................. 33 Fires......................................................... 0 Rescues................................................... 0 Motor Vehicle Accident....................... 1 Hazardous Conditions........................ 3 Fire Alarm ............................................. 5 EMS Assist............................................ 12 Cancelled in Route/Other................. 12
EMS
Total Calls............................................. 92 Total Patients in Nassau Bay........... 40
CONGRATS SERGEANTS!
A very BIG congratulations to Sergeant Glenn Sharp and Sergeant Jerel Crowder for attaining their Master Peace Officer Certification from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement. Master Peace Officer is the highest level of certification awarded by TCOLE. The certification is awarded when officers reach a required combination of years of service, college degree, military service, and / or in-service training hours. Sgt. Sharp has more than 20 years of law enforcement service and has acquired over 1600 hours of inservice training. Sgt. Crowder has almost 11 years of law enforcement service, five years of military service in the US Navy, and more than 1400 hours of in-service training. Both of these officers are leaders in the department and are a great example of the high expectations Nassau Bay has for all our officers.
FIRE PREVENTION WEEK Fire Prevention Week is October 4-10, 2020, and this year's theme is “Serve Up Fire Safety in the Kitchen!” The theme works to educate the public about simple but important actions they can take to keep themselves and those around them safe. According to NFPA, cooking is the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries in the United States. Almost half (44%) of reported home fires started in the kitchen. Two-thirds (66%) of home cooking fires start with the ignition of food or other cooking materials. The Nassau Bay Volunteer Fire Department (NBVFD) wants to share safety tips to keep you from having a cooking fire. • Never leave cooking food unattended. Stay in the kitchen while you are frying, grilling or broiling. If you have to leave, even for a short time, turn off the stove. • If you are simmering, baking, roasting, or boiling food, check it regularly, remain in the home while food is cooking, and use a timer to remind you that you’re cooking. • You have to be alert when cooking. You won’t be alert if you are sleepy, have taken medicine or drugs, or consumed alcohol that makes you drowsy. • Always keep an oven mitt and pan lid nearby when you’re cooking. If a small grease fire starts, slide the lid over the pan to smother the flame. Turn off the burner, and leave the pan covered until it is completely cool. • Have a “kid-free zone” of at least 3 feet around the stove and areas where hot food or drink is prepared or carried. We encourage all residents to embrace the 2020 Fire Prevention Week theme!
CANBE CORNER
Show your love for Nassau Bay with an I ♥ NB hat – fun to wear around town or gift to neighbors and friends. Hats are only $25 and all proceeds go towards the enhancement of our fantastic City. Contact Sheila Self at (713) 829-2039 or sself333@aol.com to get yours today! Last call to fill the Junior Board Member seat – any high school Junior or Senior is welcome to apply. Please contact Ashley Graves via email at AFGravesNB@gmail.com with the subject line: Jr. CANBE. As always, get your Legacy Bricks and Legacy Benches at www.NassauBayCANBE.org.
NASSAU BAY HOMES ASSOCIATION
Election Notice: As required by the By-Laws of the Nassau Bay Homes Association, Inc. (NBHA), the annual election for Trustees for it’s Board of Directors will be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2020, at the NBHA Office located at 1322 Space Park Drive, Suite C119, from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm. Early voting will be held at the NBHA office the week prior to the election date on Saturday, October 24th and Monday, October 26th through Thursday, October 29th, from 9:00am to 2:00pm. Two seats are open this year, with each seat for a term of two years. Any resident property owner who pays into the Nassau Bay Owners Association Inc. Lot Assessment Fund, and is current on their payments, is eligible to vote. NBHA Marina: The Marina is planning a gate security system which will allow access to renters and homeowners who wish to have access to the ramp – more details to come next month. A new flag pole is being planned as well as refurbishment of the old one. Rental space is still full with a waiting list. For additional info, please contact the NBHA at 281-333-2570.
Nassau Bay City Hall | 1800 Space Park Drive, Suite 200 | Nassau Bay, TX 77058 | 281.333.4211
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NASSAU BAY ANIMAL SHELTER BANJO
Banjo is a sweet two-year-old male dog, and is current on all his vaccinations. Help find loving forever homes for Banjo and all of the dogs and cats at the shelter. Please call the Nassau Bay Animal Shelter at 281.333.2944 and schedule a time to meet one of our dogs or cats ready for adoption. www.nassaubay.com/animalshelter Hours: Mon-Thurs 7:30am-5:30pm Fri 7:30am-11:30am
Find us on Facebook @NassauBayAnimalPound
DRIVE THROUGH PET BLESSING
COVID has reminded so many of us how essential our animal companions are to our family and how deserving of the Church’s blessing our pets are. Join St. Thomas the Apostle Episcopal Church on Sunday, October 4th, the fest of St Francis, for a drive-through pet blessing in the moonshaped driveway off of San Sebastian (adjacent to Upper Bay Road) from 4:00pm to 5:00pm. St. Thomas will be collecting donations to support the Nassau Bay Animal Shelter. • Gift Cards – Walmart, Amazon, and Petco • Cat and Dog Food • Laundry Detergent – Liquid • Cat Litter – Non-clumping • Fabuloso Cleaner – Purple • Dish Detergent – Dawn Blue • Paper Towels • Old Towels and Bedding Pets of all sizes and kinds are welcome!
MONTHLY FOOD DISTRIBUTIONS
St. Paul Church: St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church is teaming with the Houston Food Bank every Saturday morning at 8:00am through November to distribute food to those in need. In August, over 350 families and 1,500 people have been served each week. More information can be found at www.stpaulcatholic.org/svdp. St. Thomas Church: On Saturday, October 3rd, St. Thomas the Apostle Episcopal Church will continue its monthly fresh food distribution with the Galveston Food Bank to neighbors in need in the area. The September distribution was very successful and helped 84 cars and 399 people with boxes and bags of fresh fruits, vegetables and meat. Those interested in volunteering are encouraged to meet in the St. Thomas parking lot at 8:00am. If you are interested in serving, please email Mike Stone at rector@sttaec.org.
COUNCIL MEETING RECAP AUGUST 31, 2020 - SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING
Received an update on the status of the City of Nassau Bay, post Hurricane Laura. Heard a Presentation and held a Public Hearing on the City Manager’s Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year 2021. Approved Ordinance O2020-803 adopting the Fiscal Year 2021 Annual Budget and appropriating the several sums set therein to the departments and the funds therein named (first and only reading). Received the Tax Year 2020 No-New-Revenue-Rate and the Voter-Approval-Rate calculations. Approved action on the proposal of the Tax Year 2020 (Fiscal Year 2021) ad valorem tax rate of $0.722120. Approved a resolution appointing and reappointing individuals to the Board of Adjustment as discussed in executive session. Appointed Brenda Hesse to the Palm Tree Landscape Plan Task Force.
SEPTEMBER 14, 2020 - REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
The City of Nassau Bay held the Sept. 14th City Council meeting via Zoom teleconference. The meeting is available for viewing on Facebook.
Presented a Proclamation for Fire Prevention Week. Held a Public Hearing and approved the adoption of Ordinance O2020-804 providing for the Levy, Assessment, and Collection of an Ad Valorem Tax for Tax Year 2020 (Fiscal Year 2021). Received the Tax Year 2020 Harris County Certified Appraisal Roll for City of Nassau Bay (Jurisdiction 073) and TIRZ No. 1 (Jurisdiction 278). Authorized the City Manager to execute an agreement with the Bay Area Houston Convention & Visitor’s Bureau (BAHCVB). Discussion and approved action on the rehabilitation of Founder’s Park. Awarded Bid No. 2020-004 Demolition and Removal Project to Arkitektura Development, Inc. for a total amount of $54,777.10. Approved Ordinance O2020-805 Authorizing Issuance of the City of Nassau Bay, Texas, Water and Sewer System Revenue Bonds, Series 2020; prescribing the terms thereof; providing for the payment thereof; awarding the sale thereof; making other provisions regarding such Bonds and matters incident thereto (first and only reading as per City Charter). Join us for next month's Council Meeting on Monday, October 12, 2020. Visit www.nassaubay.com/CityCouncil for more details on the meeting.
Nassau Bay City Hall | 1800 Space Park Drive, Suite 200 | Nassau Bay, TX 77058 | 281.333.4211
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