The City of Seabrook’s
e-Update Oct. 2009 Volume 1, Issue 5
Early Voting at Seabrook City Hall begins Oct. 19 and ends Oct. 30. Hours will be 7:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. except for Mon., Oct. 26 when hours will be extended until 7:30 p.m. and Tues., Oct. 27, when hours will be extended until 7 p.m. Fridays the hours will be from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. and early voting will also be available on Sat., Oct. 24 from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 5 at 5:00 p.m. is the deadline to file to run for City Council Position 5.
NOVEMBER 3, 2009 SPECIAL CITY ELECTION INFORMATION ABOUT RUNNING FOR OFFICE The city will hold a special election on Tuesday, November 3, 2009 for Council Position 5 for an unexpired term ending in May, 2012. The Seabrook Charter requires that a candidate for office shall be a United States citizen, a qualified voter in the State of Texas and shall have resided within the corporate limits of the City of Seabrook for no less than twelve (12) months prior to the election. All candidates must complete a disclosure statement as part of their application for office. There is no charge to file for office in Seabrook. The first day to file for office will be Monday, Sept. 21. The final day to file for office will be Monday, Oct. 5, 2009 at 5 p.m. We encourage all interested candidates to file well before the deadline to avoid any problems. Candidate’s packets are available now from Meredith Brant, Assistant City Secretary or Michele Glaser, City Secretary. Please contact Meredith at 281-291-5736 or by e-mail, mbrant@ci.seabrook.tx.us, if you have any questions.
There will be TWO ELECTIONS on NOVEMBER 3. For the Harris County Election you will vote at the following polling places according to your precinct number. Those locations by precinct are: PCT 0090 Ed White Elementary School, 1708 Les Talley Rd., El Lago PCT 0333 James Bay Elementary School, 1520 Bayport, Seabrook PCT 0692 Robinson Elementary School, 451 Kirby Rd., TLV You precinct number can be found on your Voter Registration card, or by going to http://www.tax.co.harris.tx.us/voter/voterintro.asp , or you may call Harris County Voter Registration at 713-368-VOTE (8683).
The polling place for the City of Seabrook Special Election will be at Seabrook City Hall, 1700 First St., Seabrook.
City Receives Grant for Infrastructure Improvements at the Point The City of Seabrook has received a grant of $3,000,000 from the Economic Development Administration (EDA). The funds will be used for roadway and utility infrastructure improvements at the Point area of Seabrook, which suffered significant damage as a result of Hurricane Ike. The infrastructure improvements will improve disaster resiliency and encourage businesses to remain in the area, while also attracting new entrepreneurs. The improvements will consist of raising the roadway approximately two (2) feet, installing a drainage line, removing and replacing the existing asphalt and ditch with a concrete, curb and gutter roadway, and burying the utilities. Construction should be complete by August 2011. The EDA, a division of the U.S. Department of Commerce, is an agency established to work with states and localities to generate new jobs, retain existing jobs, and stimulate industrial and commercial growth in economically distressed areas and regions of the United States. Submitted by Theresa Vazquez-Evans, Economic Development Director
Annual Family Fall Festival Where? Meador Park When? Saturday, Oct. 31 from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Costume judging will begin at noon! Games , face painting, prizes, Moonwalk and other activities. Hotdogs will be cooked and served courtesy of the Seabrook Rotary.
On Tuesday, October 6 from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at 2400 North Meyer Road, Seabrook, TX, there will be a groundbreaking ceremony to kick off construction of the new Evelyn Meador Library building. After the ceremony, please join the Friends of Evelyn Meador Library for a reception at the Seabrook Community House, 1210 Anders, Seabrook.
What Is Turn Around Don't Drown™ (TADD)? TADD is a NOAA National Weather Service campaign to warn people of the hazards of walking or driving a vehicle through flood waters. Why is Turn Around Don't Drown™ So Important? Each year, more deaths occur due to flooding than from any other severe weather related hazard. The Centers for Disease Control report that over half of all flood-related drownings occur when a vehicle is driven into hazardous flood water. The next highest percentage of flood-related deaths is due to walking into or ear flood waters.Why? The main reason is people underestimate the force and power of water. Many of the deaths occur in automobiles as they are swept downstream. Of these drownings, many are preventable, but too many people continue to drive around the barriers that warn you the road is flooded. (Continued next page)
What Can I Do to Avoid Getting Caught is This Situation? Most flood-related deaths and injuries could be avoided if people who come upon areas covered with water followed this simple advice: Turn Around Don't Drown™. The reason that so many people drown during flooding is because few of them realize the incredible power of water. A mere six inches of fast-moving flood water can knock over an adult. It takes only two feet of rushing water to carry away most vehicles. This includes pickups and SUVs. If you come to an area that is covered with water, you will not know the depth of the water or the condition of the ground under the water. This is especially true at night, when your vision is more limited. Play it smart, play it safe. Whether driving or walking, any time you come to a flooded road, TURN AROUND, DON'T DROWN! For more information about Turn Around Don't Drown visit: http://tadd.weather.gov
October City Council, Board, Commission and Committee Meeting Dates All city meetings begin at 7:00 P.M. unless noted otherwise. City Council: Tues., Oct. 6 EDC: Thurs., Oct. 8
Public Safety @ SVFD: Wed., Oct. 14 Master Plan Review: Wed., Oct. 7 and 21
Charter Review: Mon., Oct. 12 and 26
Ethics Review: Wed., Oct. 21
Community Events: Mon., Oct. 26
Planning & Zoning: Thurs., Oct. 15
Open Space, Beautification & Preservation: Wed., Oct. 7
From the Parks Department Regarding Friendship Park If you are a near neighbor of Friendship Park, please help the Parks Dept. curb graffiti, bathroom vandalism and repeated dumping of large amounts of fish remains at this park. Dozens of walkers, jogger and dog walkers enjoy our city parks in respectful ways every day; only a tiny handful abuse park facilities. We clean up after them, but it would be much better to address nuisance behavior at the source. Therefore, if you know who is responsible for recent problems at this park, please call David Hyde, Parks Director, or email him at dhyde@ci.seabrook.tx.us, or use the Comments and Concerns form on the city website. Everyone who enjoys the park will be grateful. You may remain anonymous if you prefer. Submitted by David Hyde, Director of Parks & Recreation
NEW LAW BANS CELL PHONE USE IN SCHOOL ZONES A new Texas law went into effect on September 1, 2009 that prohibits the use of cell phones by drivers navigating a school zone, unless the phone is used with a hands-free device or while the car is stopped. Bus drivers will also be prohibited from using their cell phones while driving minor passengers unless the bus is stopped. Violators will be subject to a fine of up to $200. The new law does make an exception if the phone is being used to call police, the fire department or emergency medical services. Also remember that everyone in the vehicle must be wearing a seatbelt.
Ballunar Liftoff Festival October 23 - October 25, 2009 NASA/Johnson Space Center Saturn Blvd. Houston, TX Number of balloons: 100
The Harris County Community Services Department (HCCSD) has received a $56 million grant from the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) to assist victims of Hurricane Ike in Harris County. The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds were granted to Texas from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and will be dedicated to Hurricane Ike recovery efforts. Funds will be distributed on a First Come, First Served Basis. The Homeowners Disaster Recovery Program is accepting applications online and by mail now. Applicants can also submit an application over the phone or in-person beginning Oct. 6, so if you are in need of assistance please visit their website, www.harrisrecovers.org to download an application and to learn more. We will update you as more information becomes available. (For eligibility requirements see next page)
Eligibility Requirements for the Homeowners Disaster Recovery Program Funds: 1.
Homes must be located in Harris County but outside the city limits of Houston.
2.
Applicants must have owned the damaged home on the date that Hurricane Ike hit, Sept. 13, 2008.
3.
The home must have been the applicant’s primary residence at the time of the storm.
4.
The applicant must still be the owner of the house.
5.
The applicant’s home must be single-family or a duplex.
6.
Every member of an applicant’s household must be a U.S. citizen or an eligible immigrant.
Veterans Day 2009 Join University of Houston-Clear Lake at our seventh annual Veterans Day Celebration on Wednesday, Nov. 11, 10:30 a.m. – noon, at UHCL’s Liberty Park, 2700 Bay Area Blvd, Houston. (In case of rain, the event will be held in UHCL’s Bayou Building.) Event highlights include the following: Keynote presentation by Walter Cunningham, astronaut and Marine veteran. Special recognition of veterans in aerospace professions. An Army helicopter flyover. Display of military memorabilia and vintage military vehicles. Complimentary gifts for veterans. Free refreshments. Free to the public. http://prtl.uhcl.edu/portal/page/portal/UAV/Veterans_Day
Save the date‌November 14
SPONSORS: Houston Happy Hikers (AVA-15/TX-6) and Seabrook’s Open
Space, Beautification & Preservation Committee ELIGIBILITY/TYPE OF EVENT: Noncompetitive. Walk, jog or run at your own pace. It is open to all and families are encouraged to participate. Children under age 12 must be accompanied by an adult. STARTING POINT ADDRESS: Meyer Park Pavilion , 1900 N. Meyer Rd., Seabrook, Texas 77586 START/FINISH TIMES: Start anytime between 8:00 am to 11:00 am, finish by 2:00 pm. DISTANCE: 10K Walk with a second time on the Start Card is permitted. AWARD: This is a B Medal event. A supply of awards from previous events will be available. TRAIL DESCRIPTION: Trail is rated 1 along mostly wheel chair and stroller accessible trails. Some portions of the hike and bike trails through the city parks are limestone or mulched surfaces and may not be suitable for all users. Pets on leashes are permitted. For more details contact Dori Nelson dori.nelson@sbcglobal.net
or 281-474-4825 or hhhpresident@houstonhappyhikers.org.
Seabrook City Council took the following actions at the council meetings in September. All votes were unanimous unless otherwise noted. APPROVED first and second reading of Ordinance No. 2009-18, Amendment to Stop Signs. APPROVED first and second reading of Ordinance No. 2009-19, Restrictions on the Use of Trailers, Semi-Trailers and Shipping Containers in Seabrook. APPROVED third and final reading of Ordinance No. 2009-21, Stop Signs - Permanent Ordinance. APPROVED first and second reading of Ordinance No. 2009-22, Approving Negotiated Resolution between Gulf Coast Coalition of Cities and CenterPoint Energy Entex Regarding the Company’s Cost of Service Adjustment. APPROVED first and second reading of Ordinance No. 2009-23, Disannexation of additional Property of Port of Houston Property Pursuant to Memorandum of Settlement. APPROVED first and second reading of Ordinance No. 2009-24, Approval of Amendment to Add additional property to the Industrial District Agreement with the Port of Houston Authority pursuant to the terms of Memorandum of Settlement Agreement. APPROVED first and final reading of Ordinance No. 2009-25, Crime Control and Prevention District Budget Ordinance FY 2009/10. APPROVED first and second reading of Ordinance No. 2009-26, Generally Prohibiting the Use of Wireless Devices in School Zones. APPROVED first and final reading of Ordinance No. 2009-27, Amending the FY 2008/09 EDC Budget.
Continued
APPROVED first and final reading of Ordinance No. 2009-28, EDC Budget Ordinance FY 2009/10. APPROVED first and final reading of Ordinance No. 2009-29, Budget Ordinance FY 2009/10. APPROVED first and final reading of Ordinance No. 2009-30, Adopting Proposed Tax Rate of 0.613409 for FY 2009/10. APPROVED Resolution No. 14, In Support of the Habitat Island Project. APPROVED Resolution No. 16, Designation of Representative and Alternate to the H-GAC 2010 General Assembly. APPROVED Resolution No. 17, Adopting Mission Statement and By-Laws of the Open Space, Beautification and Preservation Committee. APPROVE first and final reading of Ordinance No. 2009-31, Order of Special Election on November 3, 2009.