Council Recap

Hello Everyone,

Council was called to order at 6pm, with Councilman Barber absent.

Pastor Jerry Clarkson of League City Friends Church gave the invocation, to a packed chamber.

Cub Scout Pack 76 led the U. S. and Texas Pledges of Allegiance, and presented a short skit. Thanks to all of you!

There was a PUBLIC HEARING regarding the operation of golf carts on public roadways within the City of League City. Almost 20 citizens spoke in favor of the use of the carts, but all agreed that the drivers must be licensed, and favored a citywide registration program. You will be hearing more about this in a future meeting when it is placed on the agenda.

In CITIZENS REQUEST FOR HEARING BEFORE COUNCIL, Teresa Otten of the League City Barricudas has offered for them to pay half of the cost of a 40x15 shade cover by the pool, which amounts to a sharing of $3676.42. Representatives of MUD 6, asked the City to be placed on the November ballot for their annual election. This MUD has 873 homes and is in the Landing.

In COUNCIL MEMBERS COMMENTS, it was announced that the Friends of the Library will have their annual meeting on March 9th at 7pm, and the public is invited to hear local author, Cindy Price. Refreshments will be served.

The Hurricane season is fast approaching, and the City will soon begin preparations. In the meantime, citizens can look at www.ready.org

In REPORTS FROM STAFF MEMBERS, Finance Director Mike Loftin presented the First Quarter Budget Report, which showed that our Sales Tax Revenues are down, but that the numbers are misleading because last years Sales Tax was inflated by Ike-related business. Aside from that we are financially very strong. We are beginning to make initial preparation of the budget process.

THE CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS were passed 6-0. These items included the Ordinance No. 2010-07 amending Chapter 42, Article II entitled "Noise" in order to allow for reasonable and effective enforcement of noise violations over a wide array of circumstances.

In NEW BUSINESS, Council voted to reschedule the combined workshop of P&Z, ZBA and the Historic District Commission because of Spring Break. A new date will be announced.

Council passed a resolution to support the Dickinson Bayou Watershed Steering Committee's proposed drainage project entitled "Alternate Pond C" and directed the City Administrator to identify a funding source for an amount not to exceed $200,000. The was 6-0. This is extremely important for us to participate because at least 28% of League City is in the Dickinson Watershed. By working with this entity and the Galveston County Drainage District, the City is working toward regional improvements. we are always open to great partnerships like these, which allows our funds to go further for everyone.
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The item regarding the dissolution of the City of League City Industrial Development was tabled until the March 8th meeting.

ACTION ITEM FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION. Council voted to initiate a title search for the property subject to the 99-year lease and the land where the old Glen Cove Bridge was, voting 6-0.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9 pm.

Things are really looking good for us in League City, with work being initiated and ongoing on flooding issues, water issues, monetary issues, etc. Channel 16 and the city website are looking very professional and helpful these days.

With May elections coming up, there are Council-approved changes to our City Charter on the ballot, for the citizens to approve. To read about this, please go to the City website, www.leaguecity.com

Spring Break is just around the corner, so a cool, breezy winter is fading out, so the outdoors are beckening!

Toni Randall
Mayor
City of League City

Cash Cow Quartered

In today’s daily news we see that a quarter of the alleged red light runners in October –January received a Holiday gift by not being issued a ticket for an alleged violation. After careful review the League City Police department rejected about 25% of the alleged red light violations it received. A comment in the article states that the red light camera “has reduced red light violations and traffic congestion in the city.” On a daily basis I travel through that intersection during all times of the day and I can tell you that traffic congestion has not been reduced. On the weekends it is worse. What about 270 ? Has traffic congestion been reduced there ? So what is your opinion ? I do not doubt that there have been less red light violations.



A big thank you and a job well done to all those who participated in the 2010 Clear Creek Clean up. The Clear Creek Environmental Foundation has and continues to do a magnificent job in protecting Clear Creek. It will be nice to get some hike and bike trails along the creek to enjoy one of the cities greatest assets.

It's election time in League City

A League City resident stated in a guest column in today’s daily news that He is always “amused how history seems to repeat itself” in our town. I find it very telling that this is the same person that helps the residential development in our town explode, leading to our traffic problems and straining our infrastructure. Our city is in the mess it is in due, in part, to his work in making sure his residential developers received every break they could get at the League City taxpayers’ expense. (Invented a few breaks on the way) Where was this concerned resident when the home builders (who have supported most of his campaigns) had a free hand in the development as well as incentives that is a major contributing factor in the creation of these problems? He tirelessly opposed the increase in the parks dedication fee for his residential developer friends. (it passed over his objections) Where was his concern for the infrastructure then? He speaks of Big League Dreams having no sign on the freeway. (Most of us understand what happened there.) He claims that the city dropped the ball by not continuing to spend more on that complex. He states that “we have thrown the Butler Longhorn Museum to the curb”. It may be a simple slip of his memory that fails to mention the 3 million dollars in taxpayers’ money that has gone into the development of this project. A project that was supposed to open when Houston hosted the super bowl in 2004.One cannot help but to ask one’s self. How come he didn’t get this taken care of when his Mayor friend Jerry Shults was in office? Or were there other important things that needed to be done? Could it be that all other administrations have turned a “deaf” ear to this proposal because it is not in the best interest of our city or the citizens?


So what is his plan? Well now he wishes the League City taxpayer to offer “business incentives equal to what we do in residential home development.” (sounds like history repeating itself to me) He claims that such a taxpayer giveaway to business developers “might balance out this tax rate”. “Might” Now this is the same person who, in 2005 led the pack of candidates in accepting campiagn contributions from the Houston Builders Association according to a Daily news story.

I am sure that this is just a coincidence but we should take into consideration that it is time to start signing up for the city election.

Why are League City lawns the greenest in the area? Because every year after winter we start the election process in our town and there are always a few who are VERY good at spreading the fertilizer.

Thoughts?

A Note from the Mayor

Mayor Randall Says,

"For nearly five years, the Glen Cove bridge and related issues have been a point of contention for the residents of Glen Cove and for our City. I have directed our legal counsel to accelerate their efforts on this front and deliver to us a review of the City's potential options for resolving this matter. While we are obviously concerned with protecting the City and its taxpayers, we understand that legal risk is but one of several factors to be used in determining whether an action is proper. Fairness counts, too. I want to ensure that the residents of Glen Cove receive fair treatment as we to protect the interests of all League City's residents and taxpayers."

A Note from the mayor

I thought I would post this email from the Mayor.

"For nearly five years, the Glen Cove bridge and related issues have been a point of contention for the residents of Glen Cove and for our City. I have directed our legal counsel to accelerate their efforts on this front and deliver to us a review of the City's potential options for resolving this matter. While we are obviously concerned with protecting the City and its taxpayers, we understand that legal risk is but one of several factors to be used in determining whether an action is proper. Fairness counts, too. I want to ensure that the residents of Glen Cove receive fair treatment as we to protect the interests of all League City's residents and taxpayers."

Thoughts? Comments?

Pre sign up thoughts

The Holiday Season is over and that means elections in League City. We, of course, have the March primary, as well as city elections in May. Sign up for city council position will start soon. In your mind, what issues will the candidate need to address? What do you believe will be the top issues for the city in this election? Flooding? Traffic? BLM ? Change in the form of government? The selection of a permanent city manager/administrator? Ethics? Development? Taxes ? What motivates you, issue or not, to vote in the city election?

A positive change

It appears that our city continues to make progress. This was on the front page of the daily news this morning. In my opinion The mayor and council are doing what is best for our city. The removal of the former Human Resources director was a vital move in the progress of our city ! Keep up the good work !!!

2010 Census

Why is it important to be counted?

Census information affects the number of seats your state occupies in the U.S. House of Representatives. And people from many walks of life use census data to advocate for causes, rescue disaster victims, prevent diseases, research markets, locate pools of skilled workers and more.
When you do the math, it's easy to see what an accurate count of residents can do for your community. Better infrastructure. More services. A brighter tomorrow for everyone. In fact, the information the census collects helps to determine how more than $400 billion dollars of federal funding each year is spent on infrastructure and services like:
• Hospitals
• Job training centers
• Schools
• Senior centers
• Bridges, tunnels and other-public works projects
• Emergency services

On a local level it will conclusively show that our area now has a majority of the county population and will assist the commissions court in the redistricting process that will ensure that our city gets the representation it deserves. It will also help in the realignment of our precinct voting districts. It will also show who the “majority minority” is in our county and help reshape the “minority” commissioners district accordingly.

Participation isn't just important—it's mandatory.

Thank you Dr. Dudney,

Dr. Dudney cares about our city, loves our city and looks out for our city. He is widely known throughout the bay area and has had a major role in the positive development of our area. As one of the members of our first city council he helped place League City on the map and grow into the city it is today. He will be greatly missed.

Extreme Makeover

In the Daily News it was noted that a TV Show called “extreme makeover” is coming to Galveston County. Anyone interested in volunteering goods or services for this project can contact Mayor Randall’s office at City Hall. The number is 281-554-1000.

Also this notation from the December 24 Houston Chronicle about a past chapter in our city was brought to my attention and I believe it to be note worthy to our citizens.

God Bless our City and citizens and to all of you I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas and will have a safe and Happy New year !!