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Home My WebLink About03-27-06 Regular Called Meeting of La Porte Development Corporation Minutes MINUTES OF THE LA PORTE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION March 27, 2006 1. Call to Order President Pat Muston called the meeting to order at 5:03 p.m. Members Present: Pat Muston, Bill Love, Mike Clausen and Ed Matuszak, Chuck Engelken and Tommy Moser. Members Absent: none. Staff Present: Assistant City Secretary Sharon Harris, Assistant Finance Director Michael Dolby, Assistant City Manager Cynthia Alexander, Public Works Director Steve Gillett and City Manager Debra Feazelle Others Present: None 2. Motion was made by to Bill Love to approve the Minutes of October 4.2005. Second by Ed Matuszak. Motion carried unanimously. Ayes: Pat Muston, Bill Love, Ed Matuszak and Mike Clausen, Deborah Johnson, Chuck Engelken and Tommy Moser. Nays: None Abstain: None 3. Cynthia Alexander presented the annual appointment of President and Vice President. Chuck Engelken made a motion for appointment of President Pat Muston and Vice President Ed Matuszak to remain the same. Second by Mike Clausen 4. Assistant City Secretary Sharon Harris provided Oath of Office for annual appointments to President Pat Muston and Vice President Ed Matuszak 5. Receive Audit Report (CAFR) - M. Dolby Assistant Finance Director Michael Dolby provided an overview of the Audit Report (CAFR). 6. Update on current projects - S. Gillett Director of Public Works Steve Gillett provided an update on current projects in the City of La Porte. 7. Receive report from State Controller's Office on Sales Tax - C. Alexander Assistant City Manager provided a verbal report of Sales Tax from the State Controller's Office due to report not being available from the State Controller's Office. Ms. Alexander informed she will forward report to board members once received. 8. Administrative Reports There were no Administrative Reports. La Porte Development Corporation - 3/27/06 - Page 2 9. Board Comments Ed Matuszak and Bill Love provided comments to the board members. 10. Executive Session 551.087 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT - DISCUSS PROJECT FIX IT Board members went into Executive Session at 5:46 p.m. 11. Considerations and Possible action on this item considered in Executive Session No action was taken during Executive Session. Board members adjourned the Executive Session at 5:57 p.m. 12. Adjournment The meeting was duly adjourned at 5:58 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Martha A. Gillett City Secretary/La Porte Development Corporation Secretary Passed and approved on this ~ day of ~, 2006. CW/?t)~ Pat Muston, presidek-c;f!f. RESOLUTION NO. 2006 - I ~ A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE DRY BERTHING OF THE BATTLESHIP TEXAS AT THE SAN JACINTO BATTLEGROUND; FINDING COMPLIANCE WITH THE OPEN MEETINGS LAW; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE HEREOF. WHEREAS, the Battleship Texas is the last remaining Dreadnought Class Battleship in the world, and has been berthed at the San Jacinto Battleground since 1948; and WHEREAS, the Battleship is a nationally dedicated museum; and WHEREAS, the Battleship Texas has been a local source of pride, history and a tourism attraction for that time; and WHEREAS, the Battleship Texas is showing signs of corrosion and aging by being berthed in the water; and WHEREAS, maintenance funding for the Battleship to remain in the water has been dwindling over the years; and WHEREAS, the Battleship's hull is in need of urgent repair; and WHEREAS, the Battleship Texas in its current berth presents a potential hazard to itself and the community if confronted with a "Katrina" size hurricane event; and WHEREAS, dry berthing is deemed the best option to present and preserve this historic national and Texas monument, now therefore, NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LA PORTE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION OF THE CITY OF LAPORTE: Section 1. The La Porte Development Corporation requests the State of Texas Parks and Wildlife Division (TPWD) provide for the permanent dry berthing (lifting the ship out of the water) of the Battleship Texas for several reasons. Dry Berthing is the preferred solution in that it will: · End the need for continual hull repairs · Protect the ship and the public against the effects of a major "Hurricane Katrina" (Hurricane Category V) like scenario. · Provide for an unprecedented presentation and preservation of this last remaining dreadnought battleship while providing a "unique naval architectural look" at a warship. · Provide an equally unique "tourist magnet" to the San Jacinto Battleground, the birthplace of the Texas Republic. · Provide for a potential "1945"context setting and a potential multipurpose amphitheater. · Permit less costly maintenance on the ship and permanent utilities to be hooked up to the ship · Provide national attention and recognition for fund raising that other methods, including Graving Dock options cannot provide. · Provide a key component of Project Stars, an innovative historic trail in Southeast Texas and · Provide for the least cost long term solution to the preservation of the Battleship Texas BB35, the sister ship of the Battleship Arizona, BB39, sunk at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1942 Section 2. The La Porte Development Corporation officially finds, determines, recites and declares that a sufficient written notice of the date, hour, place and subject of this meeting of the La Porte Development Corporation is posted at a place convenient to the public at the City Hall of the City for the time required by law preceding this meeting, as required by the Chapter 551, Tx. Gov't Code; and that this meeting has been open to the public as required by law at all times during which this resolution and the subject matter thereof has been discussed, considered and formally acted upon. The La Porte Development Corporation further ratifies, approves and confirms such written notice and the contents and posting thereof. Section 3 This Resolution shall be effective upon its passage and approval. Passed by the La Porte Development Corporation this 24th day of April, 2006. ATTEST: .It- lIJ14(/~ ~ Martha A. Gillett City Secretary CITY OF LA PORTE ~ 4r~~ V~ Pat Muston Chairman "f/tJif cr; City of La Porte Established 1892 April 21, 2006 I am Patricia Muston, current Chair of the La Porte Development Corporation Board of Directors in La Porte, Texas. The La Porte Development Corporation is an Economic Development Corporation primarily responsible for oversight of expending the ~ cent sales tax collected and targeted for economic development. Attached you will find a copy of a Resolution passed by the Development Corporation in support of the Dry Berthing Battleship Texas at the San Jacinto Battleground. La Porte of the It is the Boards desire to formally pledge and assure you of our full support to the efforts currently underway to preserve this important part of our history. Should you have any questions, and/or need any additional information, please feel free to contact us 604 W. Fairmont Parkway, La Porte, Texas 77571. You may also call our staff representative, Cynthia Alexander, Assistant City Manager at 281 470-5013. Thank you for your continued support and consideration. 71;~aJk ~,~~ Patricia B. Muston, Chair La Porte Development Corporation Board 604 W. Fairmont Pkwy. · La Porte, Texas 77571 · (281) 471-5020 Error! Unknown document property name. City of La Porte Established 1892 April 21, 2006 I am Patricia Muston, current Chair of the La Porte Development Corporation Board of Directors in La Porte, Texas. The La Porte Development Corporation is an Economic Development Corporation primarily responsible for oversight of expending the ~ cent sales tax collected and targeted for economic development. Attached you will find a copy of a Resolution passed by the Development Corporation in support of the Dry Berthing Battleship Texas at the San Jacinto Battleground. La Porte of the It is the Boards desire to formally pledge and assure you of our full support to the efforts currently underway to preserve this important part of our history. Should you have any questions, and/or need any additional information, please feel free to contact us 604 W. Fairmont Parkway, La Porte, Texas 77571. You may also call our staff representative, Cynthia Alexander, Assistant City Manager at 281 470-5013. Thank you for your continued support and consideration. 71;Ir~ ~,~~ Patricia B. Muston, Chair La Porte Development Corporation Board 604 W. Fairmont Pkwy. · La Porte, Texas 77571 · (281) 471-5020 Error! Unknown document property name. Dear Community Leaders, Attached is information of a public hearing being held on Tuesday, April 25th at 6:00 p.m. at the Lou Lawler's Seafarer's Center in Morgan's Point regarding the future of our beloved Battleship Texas. The Alliance board of directors has asked that we contact our communities to ask for your presence to show support to the comments that our leaders will be making at this hearing. Here is the Public Hearina Information: Tuesday, April 25, 2006 6:00 p.m. Lou Lawler's Seafarer's Center 1700 Barbour's Cut Blvd. Morgan's Point, TX 77571 Please be there in numbers to show your support of a project that would save tax dollars and most especially, save our battleship. Upon receipt, more information will be sent to you. If you have any questions, please contact the Alliance office. :KatfuJ 9JtuJlJi Research and Marketing Manager Economic Alliance Houston Port Region Phone: 832-864-4021 Cell: 832-623-8413 Fax: 832-864-4023 kathy@allianceportregion.com en Q) c: :J 0 en -- en +-' __ :J ~ - o 0 ~U)U) CO E ~ ft_" E e ~ .~ E ~'o ~ :J -- m ~ U) "'C ..... ~ Q) 0)0 ...~ O).~ Q) ~ cot:::- ~ c. 0 c. ,Q)~~ ~ O~~ . . . cv u c: to .- - ~~.~ .- Q) E': o~ C:C 02 U~ W~ .. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ell v C IV .- :::: ~~.~ ._ I/> E~ o~ Cc: 02 V:: LUl ----- . --.......-..-- --------- --..-----. But not;n a hOle! .1;. '/'} -- ~'.~ --- . l--r:J :;;-- "---...l.. , :;:it.~...~ . .'*'<'--., . ..t>~ . I' .:.' ~ /'" ~. i!I; I _//~~. .- - econO~lIiance HOUston Port Region Everyone agrees. The grand ship must be dry berthed in a cradle to save for future g.enerations...and to save future tax dollars. "\. t '" '. ~ . ~ ", ~, ECOnO~lIiance Houston Port Region Battleship Texas Alert - April 19, 2006 Econot~Alliance MQuna" Port R.gion Background from 2005 3 Options Alliance Perspective and 2005 Actions Something we have just learned What you can do The Battleship Texas is in need of millions of dollars worth of hull repair if it is to remain floating at the San Jacinto Battleground. There are three options available to repair the ship. Dry Dock - · This is similar to what was done in 1988 at a cost of $15 million (1988 dollars). · Problem - there is no viable dry dock in Galveston and no assurances that the ship will endure a long expensive tow to a floating dry dock facility in Port Arthur or Pascagoula, Mississippi. Dry Berth Option - In a cradle in hole in the around · Option requires pulling the ship out of the slip for two years, creating a hole with cradle that can be dewatered. · Problem - 2003 - Estimated cost to create graving dock is $24 million. This does not include hull repairs and the ship will need to float for future renovations. · This option could expose the ship to sinking. The hole in which the ship rests could flood in even the smallest of hurricanes, and afterward would require high cost maintenance. It is, in effect, digging a 40 foot hole less than 100 feet from the ship channel. Dry Berth Option - In a cradle at around level · This option will lift the ship out of the water, place it on a cradle, should provide an awesome sight, eliminate the need for hull repairs, make it "Hurricane Surge Proof' and should still be an attraction during construction. · The cost has been estimated within the money allocated by TxDOT. Alliance member Ed Matuszak has volunteered to provide more engineering estimates to validate this assumption. · The Alliance communities, in concert with our federal and state delegation, the San Jacinto Museum, our Project Stars team, and Precinct 2, gave muscle to the Battleship Foundation to strongly advocate for a dry berth option in a cradle at ground level solution. Our city mayors wrote letters, and our executive members spent many hours in Austin sharing our concerns with legislators. We responded stronGlv. especiallv when we learned that a sUGGestion to move the Battleship awav from our reGion had been introduced to Texas Parks and Wildlife. · Besides saving our hard-earned tax dollars through a permanent solution, a dry berthed ship above ground would allow utilities to be provided to the ship. It will ultimately enhance the grand ship as a tourist attraction that should fit nicely in the overall Project Stars Master Plan for the area. · It was our understanding at the end of 2005 through personal conversations that the Infrastructure Division of TPWD also supported dry berthing the ship. · There are indications that in spite of the advantages of dry berthing the ship in a cradle at ground level, the Infrastructure Division of Texas Park and Wildlife Division (TPWD) may be proposing the other dry berthing option. · We will have the opportunity to question their approach at an upcoming public meeting to be held in La Porte - see next paragraph. · The local Alliance communities, when united, carry political clout. We support the Dry Berth Option - In a cradle at around level, unless this approach is found "not feasible" from an engineering standpoint. We contend that dry berthing the ship on top of the ground (as opposed to being placed in a hole) appears to be the most protective solution with the most tourist attraction benefits. Please attend the public meeting to share our voice on Tuesday, April 25 at 6:00 p.m. at the Lou Lawler Seafarers' Center in Morgan's Point. (on Barbours Cut Boulevard, directly across from the Barbours Cut Port of Houston Terminal) · Don't hesitate to invite scouts, teachers and others from your community who love the ship. '-1 ) .; t- ! ,,' j,.' SAMPLE DRAFT City Council Resolution to Support the Dry Berthing of the Battleship Texas at the San Jacinto Battleground Park Whereas the Battleship Texas is the last remaining Dreadnought Class Battleship in the world, and has been berthed at the San Jacinto Battleground since 1948; and, Whereas the Battleship is a nationally dedicated museum; and, Whereas the Battleship Texas has been a local source of pride, history and a tourism attraction for that time; and, Whereas the Battleship Texas is showing signs of corrosion and aging by being berthed in the water; and, Whereas maintenance funding for the Battleship to remain in the water has been dwindling over the years; and, Whereas the Battleship's hull is in need of urgent repair; and, Whereas the Battleship Texas in its current berth presents a potential hazard to itself and the community if confronted with a "Katrina" sized hurricane event; and, Whereas Dry Berthing is deemed the best option to present and preserve this historic national and Texas monument, now therefore, Let it be it resolved that the City of requests the State of Texas Parks and Wildlife Division (TPWD) provide for the permanent Dry Berthing (lifting the ship out of the water) of the Battleship Texas at the Battleground for the following reasons: Dry Berthing is the preferred solution in that it will: · End the need for continual hull repairs · Protect the ship and the public against the effects of a major "Hurricane Katrina" (Hurricane Category V) like scenario. · Provide for an unprecedented presentation and preservation of this last remaining dreadnaught battleship while providing a "unique naval architectural look" at a warship. · Provide an equally unique "tourist magnet" to the San Jacinto Battleground, the birthplace of the Texas Republic. · Provide for a potential "1 945"context setting and a potential multipurpose amphitheater. · Permit less costly maintenance on the ship and permanent utilities to be hooked up to the ship · Provide national attention and recognition for fund raising that other methods, including Graving Dock options cannot provide. · Provide a key component of Project Stars, an innovative historic trail in Southeast Texas and · Provide for the least cost long term solution to the preservation of the Battleship Texas BB35, the sister ship of the Battleship Arizona, BB39, sunk at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1942 Passed and Signed and Attested to: