C mpass Rose
A monthly publication from the City of Nassau Bay
SEPTEMBER 2022
Nassau Bay City Hall | 1800 Space Park Drive, Suite 200 | Nassau Bay, TX 77058 | 281.333.4211
CITY RECEIVES DISTINGUISHED BUDGET AWARD Congratulations are in order! The City has received notification from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) that the City of Nassau Bay has been awarded the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the Fiscal Year 2022 Budget.
This award represents a significant achievement by the City of Nassau Bay – it reflects the commitment of the entire organization to meeting the highest principles of governmental budgeting. This is the ninth consecutive year the City has earned this award. During the August 8 City Council meeting, Mayor Phil Johnson recognized the Finance Department, led by Finance Director Csilla Ludanyi, for their efforts in attaining the award.
“I am so proud of the work of our City Council, administration and the Finance Department in attaining this distinguished award,” City Manager Paul McLarty said. “A significant amount of work goes into preparing the budget, which creates a strong financial plan for our organization to follow throughout the year. Preparing a strong budget also allows us to provide financial transparency to the Nassau Bay community.” According to a press release issued by the GFOA, several requirements must be met in order to receive this budget award. These guidelines are designed to assess how well an entity’s budget serves as a policy document, a financial plan, an operations guide and a communications device.
“We are extremely excited to have achieved this recognition with our first-ever digital budget book,” Ludanyi said. “This recognition is an achievement in two ways – our staff met the stringent requirements set forth by the GFOA while also adapting our work to a digital platform. This is especially important because our consistent achievement of this award is a primary factor in earning and maintaining our ‘AA+’ bond rating. With this rating, the City of Nassau Bay has placed itself in a more competitive position to receive lower interest rates when issuing debt.” To review the City’s current budget, visit our website at www.nassaubay.com/ budget.
NATIONAL NIGHT OUT - TUESDAY, OCTOBER 4 National Night Out is designed to heighten crime/drug prevention awareness, generate support for and participation in local anti-crime programs, strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships. It is intended to send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are invested in the unity and quality of their communities. Groups organize block parties or cookouts and are visited by local emergency services and city dignitaries. The Nassau Bay Police Department, the Nassau Bay Volunteer Fire Department, Nassau Bay EMS and City staff will make their rounds to visit each registered event location. We want to bring the parties to the neighborhoods so there is a better opportunity for residents to meet those that live next to them. This also allows the City's first responders more time to spend visiting with the residents by going to each registered block party.
To register, go to www.nassaubay.com/nno and fill out the Block Registration Form. Registration deadline is Wednesday, September 28. Please call 281-333-2212 for assistance!
STREET SALES TAX REAUTHORIZATION On the November 8, 2022 ballot, Nassau Bay residents will be asked to reauthorize the ¼ cent sales tax allocation dedicated for street repairs. State law requires this optional tax be approved by voters every four years. Since 2002, Nassau Bay voters have overwhelming approved this ¼ cent sales tax allocation. To date, approximately $1.46 million has been bid and spent on repairs for the City's aging streets with funds from this tax. Sales Tax Revenue: The Street Sales Tax fund creates a constant revenue stream, approximately $160,000 per year (average over the last 5 years) is dedicated to repairing and maintaining our streets. This tax is collected by anyone who eats or shops in Nassau Bay, residents and non-residents alike. While the list of needed projects usually exceeds the funding the City has available, the City continues to make great progress over the last few years, and continuously takes the most urgent projects. Voting for the November 8th Election: Early voting by personal appearance will be conducted through the Harris County Elections Division, as the City of Nassau Bay has entered into a Joint Election Agreement with Harris County for the conduct of the election. Early voting runs from October 24th through November 4th. Residents may vote at any early voting site. Election Day is on Tuesday, November 8th, and will be held in the Nassau Bay City Hall Council Chamber (1800 Space Park Drive, Suite 200) from 7:00am to 7:00pm. You may also vote by mail if you meet certain qualifications. Applications for ballot by mail can be requested by calling the Harris County Elections Division at 713.755.6965 or by visiting www. harrisvotes.com. For More Information: Should you have any questions regarding this optional tax, or if you would like more information about early voting or voting by mail, please contact City Secretary Sandra Ham at sandra.ham@ nassaubay.com or 281.333.4211.
NASSAU BAY GARDEN CLUB
The Garden Club is ready to resume monthly meetings. This month’s meeting will be Tuesday, September 13. The club meets the second Tuesday of the month in the City Hall Council Chambers. The club begins gathering for a social time at 9:30AM, with the meeting beginning at 10AM.
The Club has a variety of speakers scheduled for the upcoming year! The September meeting will feature Barton Womack of Eden Growth Systems. This system of farming will allow for the next generation of self-sustaining, modular, automated agriculture. It uses a system of aeroponics to spray a fine mist of nutrients over the plants. This method would allow families and communities to become self-contained. The method is being considered for projects with NASA and the Mars program.
SEPT. FOOD DISTRIBUTION
On Saturday, September 3, St. Thomas the Apostle Episcopal Church in Nassau Bay will again welcome the Galveston Food Bank to its parking lot for its September Food Distribution. This distribution is available to any individuals or families, regardless of where they live.
On August 30, about 108 cars arrived seeking food assistance for 419 people. The program served these citizens fresh fruit, vegetables and sometimes meat and hygiene items. This event will begin in the St. Thomas parking lot (18300 Upper Bay Rd., Nassau Bay) from 8AM until about 9:30AM. 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. Community members are always invited to serve in this ministry!
GLORIA DEI CRAFT SHOW October 14 & 15 | 10AM to 4PM
Plan to attend the Gloria Dei Craft Show, to include an extensive selection of homemade crafts and novelties from more than 50 vendors. It’s the perfect time to shop for Christmas presents for friends and family! Enjoy homemade baked items as well as lunch selections.
CANBE CORNER
WELCOME, NEW EMPLOYEES!
CANBE invites you to take a seat on one of their lovely Legacy Benches around beautiful Nassau Bay. Or, if you are in David Braun Park, be sure to stop by their display of Legacy Bricks and check out all the names that are honored there. Want to honor someone special with a Legacy Bench or Legacy Brick? Check out www.NassauBayCANBE.org for all the ways you can support Nassau Bay. NOW ACCEPTING nominations for their Q3 Beautification Award! If you would like to nominate a home or business, please email Coleen Ethridge at Coleen@CAMMGroup. com.
Please welcome two new employees to Public Works! Garran Green (left) is our new Street & Drainage Worker, and Gail Wallace is a part-time Assistant with Animal Control.
KITTENS AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION! The Nassau Bay Animal Shelter is pleased to introduce several kittens (males and one female) available for adoption! Each one is current on all vaccinations, and will be spayed/neutered and microchipped when they reach four months of age.
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. Follow the Shelter on Facebook @NassauBayAnimalShelter.
GULF COAST FILM & VIDEO FESTIVAL - SEPTEMBER 16-18 The 24th Annual Gulf Coast Film & Video Festival will take place September 16-18 in Bay Area Houston, and the entire community is encouraged to attend! Tickets will be available via gulfcoastfilmfest.com/tickets around mid-August. Film screenings will take place from September 16-18 at the Hilton NASA Hotel, located at 3000 NASA Parkway. “We are so looking forward to welcoming everyone to the Gulf Coast Film & Video Festival this year – the event will be full of surprises, celebrity guests and much more,” Founder Hal Wixon said. “This festival will feature a range of films from across America and worldwide, with selections of all genres and various lengths.
BY THE NUMBERS Statistics for July 2022
POLICE
Total Service Calls............................ 343 Total Reports Taken........................... 75 Total Patrol Miles.......................... 5,471 Crimes Against Persons...................... 9 Property Crimes.................................. 23 Arrests................................................... 30 Avg Response Times (minutes)..... 2.95
FIRE DEPARTMENT
Total Calls............................................. 30 Fires......................................................... 2 Rescues................................................... 4 Motor Vehicle Accident....................... 1 Hazardous Conditions........................ 3 Fire Alarm ............................................. 6 EMS Assist............................................. 5 Cancelled in Route/Other.................. 9
EMS
Total Calls............................................. 88 Total Patients in Nassau Bay........... 55
"Whether you’re interested in documentaries or live action, you’ll find something to enjoy at our festival!” Ticket prices: Single screenings - $5; One-Day passes - $15; Two-Day passes - $20, and Three-Day passes - $30. An Awards Gala will be held on Saturday, September 17 at Lakewood Yacht Club, located at 2425 NASA Parkway. Doors will open at 6PM with award presentations at 7PM and dinner served at 8:30PM. Gala tickets are $55 per person or $465 for a table of eight which includes a set of eight (8) two-day passes to the festival. For more information, visit www.gulfcoastfilmfest. com or the Gulf Coast Film & Video Festival Facebook page.
CITY BUDGET PROCESS - FY 2022-23 The City of Nassau Bay is preparing the City's budget for the coming fiscal year. Work on the budget began around March 2022, and City staff has worked intermittently throughout the year toward completing the document. This timeline included City Council budget workshops held during the months of June, July and August. The following calendar lists the activities staff and City Council will follow over the next month as we prepare the budget. You can learn more about the budget process on our website at www.nassaubay.com/budget.
As well, citizens may view the DRAFT Fiscal Year 2023 budget online at: www. nassaubay.com/draftbudget.
September 12
Presentation of Final Budget to City Council and second Public Budget Hearing; Adopt Budget by Ordinance
September 19
Special City Council Meeting for Tax Rate Adoption by Ordinance
September 20
Nassau Bay Charter Requirement - Final date to adopt the budget
October 1
Fiscal Year 2023 begins
COUNCIL MEETING RECAP AUGUST 8, 2022 - REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
• Received an update from the City Attorney regarding code enforcement items for the property located at 18410 Kingstown Ct, Nassau Bay, Texas 77058.
• Received an update from the City Manager and discussed the timeline and actions necessary for the demolition of the NASA Parkway Art Monument. • Heard a presentation on the City Manager’s Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year 2023.
• Received the Certified Tax Year 2022 Anticipated Collection Rate, the Tax Year 2021 Excess Debt amount, and the Tax Year 2021 Prior Year Tax Refunds amount from Ann Harris Bennett, Harris County Tax Assessor/Collector.
• Received the estimated taxable value required by Texas Tax Code Sec. 26.01(a-1) for Tax Year 2022. • Approved Resolution R2022-2259 ordering a special election to be held on November 8, 2022 for the purpose of presenting a proposition to the voters pertaining to the reauthorization of the local sales and use tax at the rate of one-fourth of one percent to continue providing revenue for maintenance and repair of municipal streets. • Heard a presentation on Fiscal Year 2022 unexpended capital allocations.
• Heard a presentation on a Cost of Service and Rate Design Study and approved the first of two readings of Ordinance O2022-825 amending Chapter 20, Utilities and Services, establishing water and sewer rates. • Approved Resolution R2022-2260 appointing Rod Molyneau and Gary Mossman to the Planning Commission. • Approved Resolution R2022-2261 appointing Joseph Wenke, Michelle Barecky, and Lara Forde to the Parks & Recreation Committee.
CONGRATULATIONS, OFFICER HENDERSON! Congratulations to Officer Perry Henderson for achieving recognition as a Certified Crime Prevention Specialist.
To receive this certification the officer must have at least one year experience in crime prevention, successfully complete a set of required courses, and pass an approved examination administered by the Texas Crime Prevention Association. Officer Henderson has completed more than 100 hours of training in crime prevention since 2018.
Thank you, Officer Henderson, for your effort in achieving this recognition and for your continued service to the City of Nassau Bay.
• Appointed Jill Abel to the NASA Parkway Palm Tree / Median Landscaping Plan Task Force. Join us for next month's Council Meeting on Monday, September 12, 2022. Visit www.nassaubay.com/CityCouncil for more details on the meeting.
CONTACT YOUR CITY OFFICIALS Mayor Phil Johnson 281.734.1074 | phil.johnson@nassaubay.com Mayor Pro Tem Don Matter, Position 1 832.260.4626 | don.matter@nassaubay.com Councilmember Lucie Johannes Sommer, Position 2 832.338.1828 | lucie.johannes.sommer@nassaubay.com Councilmember Ashley Graves, Position 3 281.330.5413 | ashley.graves@nassaubay.com Councilmember James Abbey, Position 4 979.422.2383 | james.abbey@nassaubay.com Councilmember Sandra Mossman, Position 5 281.333.2194 | sandra.mossman@nassaubay.com Councilmember Michelle Weller, Position 6 832.868.8663 | michelle.weller@nassaubay.com