The City of Seabrook’s
e-Update March 2010 Volume 2, Issue 3
From the Mayor’s Desk Seabrook Volunteer Committees Helping Plan the City's Future Seabrook has great volunteers and I want to highlight a volunteer committee that has been focused on long range planning activities to shape our City’s future. The Seabrook Master Plan Commission (MPC) is selected every 5 years per our City Charter to develop a new comprehensive master plan looking 5 years and beyond. Over the last 6 months, the MPC, led by their Chairman Bernard Rojano, has reviewed the previous plan and obtained updates from city staff and council on progress made since our last plan. The committee also sent survey cards to Seabrook residents to solicit a broad input into the goals. This “homework” has led to the formulation of new objectives and refining previous objectives. Overall the committee was complimentary of the progress since the previous plan, particularly relating to how well we maintain and have expanded our city infrastructure, enforcing our ordinances and promoting economic development. (Continued)
This comprehensive plan focuses on a range of goals with each goal detailing objectives and suggested strategies. A snapshot of some of the key goals and underlying objectives include: • Encourage a more economically viable city by balancing of city revenue derived from residential and commercial; also attracting and retaining businesses to expand the local tax base, • Preserve existing neighborhoods through consistent code enforcement and reviewing nuisance codes for ease of enforcement, • Enhance Seabrook's sense of community by creating new waterfront views or improving existing ones and proactively addressing the impacts of the future Hwy146 expansion, • Maintain and improve a safe and efficient transportation system developing an optimal design for Hwy 146 and implementing the city thoroughfare plan though capital expenditures, • Maintain and improve city buildings and infrastructure by developing a long range city facilities plan, continue superior utility and drainage facilities, and explore relocation of our vulnerable sewage treatment plant, (Continued)
From the Mayor’s Desk, continued • Enhance recreation and open space by updating our Parks Master Plan and extending the trails system throughout the city, and • Improve public safety via adequate police patrol and continual improvement of the Emergency Management Plan. Of course, this is just a summary of the Master Plan. We would encourage everyone to read the detailed plan about their city, which will be available online at the city website once finalized and approved. Next month my letter will feature the contributions of the Open Space, Beautification and Preservation Committee. Gary Renola, Mayor
ANNUAL TRASH BASH Event! March 27, 2010 Once a year thousands of volunteers gather along the Texas waterways to do their part in cleaning up the environment and participate in the largest statewide event to educate the public about the importance of our water resources. Trash Bash occurs rain or shine, unless there are severe weather conditions. Trash Bash is a half day event and begins between 8:00/8:30 am in the morning and ends at 1:30 in the afternoon. Start time, registration and end time vary from location to location. Click the link below for additional information. http://www.trashbash.org/site_galveston_bay_seabrook.htm
Seabrook Volunteer Fire Department to Host Blood Drive The Seabrook Volunteer Fire Department will be hosting a blood drive. The drive will be held on Monday, March 29th, 2009 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. UTMB has a new donor coach which they will be bringing for the blood drive. For more information, please contact SVFD at 281-474-3434.
March City Council, Board, Commission and Committee Meeting Dates All city meetings begin at 7:00 P.M. unless noted otherwise. City Council, March 2 & 16 Crime Control District, March 2 Open Space, Beautification and Preservation Committee, March 4 Community Events, March 22 Public Safety, March 4 EDC, March 11 Planning & Zoning, March 18
BOARD OPENINGS We have two board openings including on the Ethics Review Commission, and two openings on Planning & Zoning Commission. A description of each commission and the application to serve are available on the city web site at www.ci.seabrook.tx.us. If you do not have access to the internet, please call Meredith Brant at 281-291-5736.
Volunteers Needed Bay Area Turning Point to open second resale shop in Seabrook! BATP provides recovery solution services for survivors of family violence and sexual assault (www.bayareaturningpoint.org.) Please contact Terri Muesse at tmuesse@bayareaturningpoint.com or 281-338-7600 x2117 to schedule a volunteer orientation or for more information.
ATTENTION SEABROOK BUSINESSES! Strengthen local business, build a better Seabrook. You are invited to a special presentation to local businesses for the purpose of understanding Seabrook’s “retail trade and leakage” to area markets and the buying tendencies of our local residents. This workshop will be presented by The Retail Coach on Wednesday, March 17 at 7 PM in the Seabrook City Council Chambers.
INFORMATION ABOUT MARCH 14, 2010 HARRIS COUNTY PRIMARY ELECTION Harris County is conducting the primary election for Governor to be held on Tuesday, March 2, 2010 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Early voting in person is currently taking place at several locations throughout Harris County. Locations and times for early voting and Election Day can be found at www.harrisvotes.com. We have also posted early voting information on the bulletin board outside of city hall and have a link to the Harris County web site on the city’s web site at www.ci.seabrook.tx.us. The HOUSTON CHRONICLE and local TV station web sites usually list Election Day polling locations by precinct number. Your precinct number is listed on your voter registration card. If you have any questions about whether you are registered to vote in the March primary, please call Harris County Voter Registration at call 713-368-8683.
MAY 8, 2010 SPECIAL CITY ELECTION The City of Seabrook will hold a Special Election on Saturday, May 8, 2010. The May 8 Election will be held in the Community House, 1210 Anders which is across the street from City Hall. Early voting will still be held in City Hall in Room 204. Voters will be asked to vote for or against the continuation of the Crime Control and Prevention District for 20 years and the one-half cent sales tax to support the District. In addition, voters will be asked to vote for or against 40 charter amendments presented by the Charter Review Commission. A sample ballot for the May 8 Special Election is on the city’s web site at www.ci.seabrook.tx.us. In addition, we will mail a sample ballot to all residential water bill customers in early April. The envelope will be marked “Charter Ballot Information.” Please look for this information in the mail.
REGISTERING TO VOTE If you are registered to vote in Harris County, you should have a current Harris County registration card which is blue and white and covers the time period from January 1, 2010 through December 31, 2011. Please take a minute to review your voter registration card and make sure it has the correct information and lists your correct Seabrook address. You must be registered to vote in Harris County with a Seabrook address to vote in the Seabrook municipal election. If you have recently moved to Seabrook from another state or county in Texas or from another address in Harris County outside of the City of Seabrook, you must complete a new Harris County voter registration application and report your new Seabrook address. The final day to register to vote or to change your address is April 8, 2010 if you wish to vote in the May 8, 2010 Seabrook election. Please do not wait until the deadline to register to vote or to change your address! Harris County voter registration application forms are available at city hall. You may also download a voter registration form or check to see if you are registered at www.tax.co.harris.tax.us/ or you may call Harris County Voter Registration at 713368-VOTE (8683). If you are registered to vote, but did not receive a new voter’s registration card please check the Harris County website listed above or call 713368-8683 to make sure your application was received.
Daylight Savings Time is March 14, turn your clocks ahead one hour.
SUMMER EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES AT THE CITY POOL The Human Resources Department is now accepting applications for summer employment at the City Swimming Pool for the following positions: Aquatics Manager, $14.90 - $18.60/hour depending upon qualifications. Game Room Attendant, $7.25/hr Lifeguard, $7.25/hour Detailed job descriptions and applications are available at the city website,. www.ci.seabrook.tx.us under “Employment.”
Starting this month your water bill will arrive as a postcard that looks like this:
Don’t forget to tear off the stub and return it with your payment if you are paying by mail. Thank you!
Registration for 2010 is now open - REGISTER BEFORE FEB 15, 2010 TO GET YOUR NAME ON YOUR BIB!!! Saturday – March 20, 2010 •Half Marathon - 7:30 A.M. •2 person Half Marathon Relay - 7:30 A.M. Sunday - March 21, 2010 •Marathon - 7:15 A.M. •Half Marathon - 7:30 A.M. •4 person Marathon Relay - 7:15 A.M. •Early start for Full Marathon Walkers - 5:30 A.M. See the Race Details page for more information For details: http://www.seabrookmarathon.org