Paid Parking Returns to Downtown Galveston

Paid Parking Returns to Downtown Galveston
07/15/10

City officials anticipate all parking stations will be in the ground by the end of the month. Enforcement begins this week.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Paid parking will soon return to Galveston Island’s downtown. In 2008, flood waters from Hurricane Ike destroyed 915 of the City’s parking meters. The City, with help from FEMA and guidance from the Downtown Merchants Oversight Committee, revamped the original meter footprint and applied for an improved project covering just the immediate downtown area.

City officials anticipate all parking stations will be in the ground by the end of the month.

Courtesy notices announcing paid parking’s return to downtown patrons, residents, and merchants have been in circulation. Officials are cautioning drivers: no grace period.

After a carefully documented process crews are now busy installing parking stations through out the downtown area. Numbered spaces with defined boundaries are part of the new downtown paid parking program. So are parking ambassadors, a uniformed group of trained employees who will function as way-finders and mobile visitor centers in addition to enforcing necessary parking regulations.

Adding to the innovative technology these smart parking stations will allow the parking public to pay by cash, change, or credit card and purchase additional time in their numbered slot via their cell phone. The meters also supply a Wi-Fi signal to downtown that can be accessed by visitors, businesses, and residents.

In the event of another storm, components will be removed and transported out of harm’s way.

In August 2009 the Galveston City Council entered into a public-private partnership with Ampco System Parking. Under the agreement Ampco will manage the downtown parking program as part of a revenue sharing arrangement. The City’s portion of the parking collections will first go to pay down the grant matching funds and the balance will go to the Galveston Island Convention and Visitor’s Bureau to promote and market the Island’s downtown.

Downtown Galveston Paid Parking: Fee: $1.25/hour
Operation: 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., Monday – Saturday pay to park
Sundays free to park

Area: 20th to 25th Streets; Harborside Drive to Post Office Street.

###

Community Hurricane Meeting

CITY OF JAMAICA BEACH & WGIPOA TOWN MEETING
2010 HURRICANE PLANNING/EVACUATION/RECOVERY

PUBLIC SERVICE BUILDING
16628 San Luis Pass Road Jamaica Beach

SATURDAY June 19, 2010

BOOTHS OPEN AT 9:45 AM, MEETING 10 AM TO NOON

AGENDA

Welcome by Jamaica Beach Mayor Victor Pierson

Welcome by City of Galveston Council Person Dianna Puccetti

Introduction of Guests by Jerry Mohn

Presentations on Hurricane Planning & Evacuation

• National Weather Service ~ Paul Lewis, Chief Meteorologist
• Galveston County Emergency Management Coordinator ~ Tracey Hughes
• City of Galveston Police Chief ~ Charles Wiley

Presentations on Hurricane Recovery/Lessons Learned

• Texas General Land Office ~ John Gillen
• City of Galveston Director Of Utilities ~ Eric Wilson
• City of Galveston Director of Planning ~ Wendy O’Donohoe
• Galveston Insurance Associates ~ Linda Coleman

Presentation by Jamaica Beach

Adjournment and Visiting of Table Top Booths

Food and Soft Drinks after the Meeting

Seawall Lane Closures ~ Next 30 Days

Seawall Lane Closures to Affect Motorists & Pedestrians
Repairs to Flagship Pleasure Pier Require Lane Closures for Next 30 Days

Galveston, Texas June 7, 2010

Island officials are advising the public that repairs to Galveston’s Flagship Pleasure Pier will affect pedestrian and vehicular traffic on Seawall Boulevard for the next 30 days. Starting tomorrow, Tuesday, June 8th crews will begin removing the collapsed ramp in preparation for new construction as well as repairs to the property’s existing approach. Vehicular lane closures and pedestrian detours will be limited to the intersection of 25th Street & Seawall Blvd.

The public is advised that the far right east-bound traffic lane and parking lane; and the sidewalk in front of the property will be closed on and off, during the day, Monday – Friday, for the next 30 days. Pedestrians will be detoured to the north side of Seawall at the 25th Street intersection. Each evening crews will re-open the far right east-bound traffic lane and reinstate pedestrian access. The beach directly beneath the property will remain closed to the public until construction is complete.

The Flagship Hotel is a prominent reminder of the damage inflicted by 2008’s Hurricane Ike. Landry’s Restaurants Inc. unveiled plans to restore the property to its historic Pleasure Pier prominence in October 2009. Shortly thereafter corporate executives appeared in front of the Galveston City Council seeking a special use permit, the first step towards the property’s renovation. Council granted the permit later that December.

###

March 31, 2010 ~ Memo from the Board

PCTH Owners:

As we approach the Easter weekend, the PCTH Board and our Managing Agent are especially pleased that the majority of the construction and repair is completed within the PCTH complex. Other than a few touch-up items, which usually occur at the end of a project, we are happy to close this "Ike chapter" and move on.

The Board realizes that some owners are planning to upgrade their television reception. For those who are considering adding a satellite dish, please know that you will need the approval of the PCTH Architectural Control Committee. The application is available at www.piratescovetownhomes.com, click on Homeowners then Architectural. For those owners who already have a satellite dish installed, you do not need to apply. The desire is to make sure that satellite dishes are not placed in unsightly areas, yet we understand that the placement is important to assure an adequate reception.

Next, there have been reports of theft along the West End, including Pirates Beach. Each owner should be especially cognizant of locking doors, not leaving items in open garages, and generally attentive to anyone who might look suspicious. Please do not hesitate to call 911 if you observe anything of a wrongful nature.

Enjoy this special weekend, and very best regards,


Liz Cook
President, PCTH Association

February 12, 2010 PCTH Association Letter

PCTH Owners:

On January 29, 2010, the Association's attorney submitted a Notice & Demand Letter, on behalf of the Pirates Cove Townhome Association, to the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association. The substance of which is demand payment for economic damages, as well as expenses incurred by the Association.

If the demand is not paid, nor an equitable settlement offered within sixty (60) days from receipt of the Notice & Demand Letter delivered on January 29, 2010, the PCTH Board has authorized the Association's attorney to go forward with filing suit in Galveston County against TWIA, as well as the inspector hired by TWIA.

Hence forth, all communications and correspondence with Teas Windstorm Insurance Association is handled exclusively by our attorney from the law firm of Rick Carrasco & Associates, P.L.L.C.

Sincerely,
Liz Cook
President, PCTH Association

West End Traffic Safety Initiative Underway

Greetings,

First and foremost I would like to personally thank each of you for your patience as we work through this email notification system. We have been faced with more challenges than I care speak about, but nevertheless, Officer Morse should be credited with staying on task and getting us up and running. I envision a great community communication tool in the making.

PLEASE MAKE NOTE THAT WE HAVE A TRAFFIC SAFETY INITIATIVE UNDERWAY! THIS INCLUDES SPEED VIOLATIONS, SEAT BELT VIOLATIONS, ALONG WITH EQUIPMENT VIOLATIONS.

PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT YOU OBSERVE ALL TRAFFIC LAWS. YOUR COOPERATION IN THIS INITIATIVE HELPS US MAKE THE ROADWAYS SAFE. THE GIST OF THIS MESSAGE IS TO MAKE SURE YOU PAY A LITTLE MORE ATTENTION WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING SO THAT YOU ARE NOT STOPPED. LET'S MAKE OUR MEETINGS PLEASANT ONES.

In closing, I would like to thank the neighborhood associations, board members, and our residents for helping me, our department, and our officers in the West Isle Communities transition to Community Policing. We are moving in the right direction and without your assistance we would not be as far along as we are.

Respectfully,
Lt. Henry Porretto West Isle Division Commander

Change in Comcast Contract

PCTH Owners,

Many years ago, Mitchell Development marketed the majority of the units at Pirates Cove Townhomes as fractional ownership timeshare units. In conjunction with that ownership approach, a bulk account contract was established with Time Warner Cable who has since become Comcast. Over the years as fractional ownerships were converted to full ownership units, some owners may have continued to receive cable TV services without having established a personal account with Time Warner or Comcast.

The contract has now expired and the PCTH Board of Directors has decided to provide Comcast with a Right of Entry (ROE) license agreement allowing them to step onto the common area property to maintain (actually clean up and repair/replace) the five cable pedestals located around the property that were damaged after Hurricane IKE.

Although Comcast offered some very favorable pricing under a new bulk account agreement, all units would need to be included in the pool and the Board did not want to increase costs to the owners by adding a prorated fee to the current maintenance costs and many owners have alternate providers in place or have elected no service with any provider for TV coverage.

This agreement means that services with Comcast will need to be arranged directly with each owner or with a provider of your choice (Direct TV, etc) but the ROE agreement will be in place so Comcast can step on the common area property should you choose to contract with them. I know from speaking with Comcast that many of you already have a residential agreement in place with Comcast so there will be no change in your service or relationship with them as a result of this action.

For those owners who are receiving cable TV service but do not have an account with Comcast and are NOT paying for services, please note that Comcast will be terminating the remaining units under the expired bulk account contract as of March 10, 2010 so you will need to make other arrangements with a provider of your choice for digital TV service prior to this date.

A letter will likely be sent to all owners of record directly from Comcast stating similar information and action required but thought it best that I send you an e-mail, in advance, explaining the situation as best I can.

Regards,

Tim Towner
Sandcastle Industries
(713) 405-1171
(888) 713-2889

Texting Ban Now in Effect!

Galveston's Electronic Messaging Ban Goes into Effect Wednesday February 3rd 02/01/10.

Starting Wednesday, February 3rd the public may no longer use wireless communication devices to view, send, or compose electronic messages while operating a motor vehicle within the city limits of Galveston.

Starting Wednesday, February 3rd the public may no longer use wireless communication devices to view, send, or compose electronic messages while operating a motor vehicle within the city limits of Galveston. Last month the Galveston City Council voted to amend the city's traffic code to prohibit electronic messaging while driving. This city-wide ban applies to all areas of the City including school zones. Violating the ordinance is a misdemeanor offense punishable by a fine not to exceed $500.

Galveston City Council Bans Electronic Messaging While Driving

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Galveston City Council Bans Electronic Messaging While Driving
Council Passes City-Wide Ban

Galveston, Texas
January 14, 2010

Tonight the Galveston City Council voted to amend the city’s traffic code to prohibit electronic messaging while driving. The public may no longer use wireless communication devices to view, send, or compose an electronic message while operating a motor vehicle. This ban applies to all areas within the City limits including school zones.

The amended ordinance was brought forward by District 1 City Councilman Tarris Woods to address public safety concerns. The majority of Council members supported the amendment, with Council member Beeton casting the sole vote in opposition. Beeton expressed the desire to receive more public comment on the proposed amendment prior to voting.

Violating the ordinance is a misdemeanor offense punishable by a fine not exceeding $500. The new law goes into effect 10 days from the date of publication.