Aug 11, 2022 Regular Council

HAVE YOU HERE.

[00:00:01]

[1. DECLARATION OF A QUORUM AND CALL MEETING TO ORDER]

WELCOME COUNCIL BACK AFTER A LIVELY WORKSHOP DISCUSSION THIS MORNING.

STAFF, GLAD TO HAVE YOU.

AND FOR THOSE THAT MAY BE WATCHING IN THE COMMUNITY, GLAD TO HAVE YOU WITH US THIS AFTERNOON.

WE DO HAVE A QUORUM.

BUT NELLIE, COULD WE HAVE A ROLL CALL? THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

ITEM THREE IS OUR INVOCATION.

DO WE HAVE REVEREND BAINES WITH US? COME FORWARD. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

REVEREND BAINES, APPRECIATE THAT.

LET ME SAY THANK YOU FOR THE INVITATION TO MAYOR BROWN, CITY MANAGER MAXWELL, CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVES AND STAFF.

THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY, LET'S PRAY.

HEAVENLY FATHER, I PRAY THAT YOU WOULD GIVE TO THIS ASSEMBLED GROUP DISASSEMBLED BODY THE COURAGE TO MAKE THE TOUGH DECISIONS THAT IMPACT THE PEOPLE OF THIS COMMUNITY. WISDOM AND THE KNOWLEDGE TO MAKE THE RIGHT DECISIONS THAT BENEFIT THE PEOPLE OF THIS COMMUNITY.

AND THEN GIVE THEM THE ABILITY TO DISCERN THE INTERESTS AND THE INTENT OF THOSE WHO WOULD COME SEEKING A DECISION FOR THEM.

BLESS THIS GROUP IN JESUS NAME, WE PRAY.

AMEN. AMEN.

THANK YOU REVEREND BAINES.

REVEREND BAINES IS FROM LIVE OAKS BAPTIST CHURCH.

GLAD TO HAVE YOU HERE.

VERY GOOD. LET'S DO OUR PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, PLEASE.

HEARING NO RESPONSE.

WE'LL MOVE TO ITEM SIX, PLEASE.

[6. PRESENTATIONS/REPORTS OF COUNCIL, OFFICER BOARDS, AND CITY MANAGER]

ARE THERE ANY ANNOUNCEMENTS OR EXPRESSIONS OF GRATITUDE CONDOLENCES THAT ANY COUNCIL MEMBER WOULD LIKE TO MAKE? WE DO NOT HAVE ANY PROCLAMATIONS OR ANYTHING FOR THIS MEETING SO HERE . THANK YOU. AND I'D LIKE TO EXPAND ON THAT A LITTLE BIT.

THERE WERE RESIDENTS THAT WERE PRESENT RIGHT AFTER THIS ACCIDENT AND I'VE BEEN GETTING EMAILS AND IT'S BEEN QUITE A TRAUMATIC EVENT FOR THEM ALSO IN THAT NEIGHBORHOOD. I KNOW THIS AFFECTED A LOT OF PEOPLE.

THANK YOU, MARIE.

[PUBLIC COMMENT]

THIS ITEM, PUBLIC COMMENT, I THINK EVERYBODY THAT'S HERE IS AN OLD HAND AT THIS.

BUT FOR THOSE THAT MAY NOT BE.

PUBLIC COMMENT IS 3 MINUTES.

AND ACCORDING TO THE OPEN MEETINGS ACT AT THE STATE AT THE STATE LEVEL, EITHER FORTUNATELY OR UNFORTUNATELY, WE CANNOT COMMENT TO YOUR COMMENTS HERE.

SO GLAD TO HAVE YOU, THOUGH.

LET'S START OFF WITH OUR WRITTEN COMMENTS, PLEASE, NELLIE.

OK THE FIRST ONE WE HAVE IS FROM TERRY FROM BURNSIDE AND IT READS, I SENT THIS EMAIL TO MAYOR TODAY AND IN FORWARDING IT TO THE CITY COUNCIL FOR HELP.

FOR YEARS I HAVE CALLED THE SHERIFF AND ANIMAL CONTROL ABOUT OUR NEIGHBORS BARKING DOGS KEEPING THE NEIGHBORHOOD UP ALL NIGHT.

THE NEIGHBOR IS ALSO A SHERIFF AND HAS SPOKEN WITH HER CAPTAIN WHO TELLS ME TO TAKE THE NEXT ONE IS FROM LEE COLBERT.

AND IT STATES WE ARE IN FAVOR OF THE CHANGE IN REZONING TO DESIGNATE A PORTION TO RESTRICT RESIDENTIAL ON THE WESTERN PORTION OF WATERFRONT.

HOPEFULLY OUR NEIGHBORHOOD ON THE EASTERN SIDE OF THE BASIN CAN GET THEIR SIGNATURES TOGETHER IN THE FUTURE AND DO THE SAME.

UNFORTUNATELY, WE HAVE BEEN EXCLUDED FROM THE REZONING DUE TO A LARGE LANDOWNER HAVING THE MOST WEIGHT IN OUR SECTION.

WE HAVE BEEN HERE FOR 40 PLUS YEARS.

THE NEXT ONE IS FROM JULIE [INAUDIBLE] AND IT READS THERE IS CURRENTLY NO STOP SIGN ON THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF 75TH AND STEWART ROAD.

[00:05:01]

THIS IS DUE TO THE MANY ACCIDENTS THAT HAPPEN AT THAT INTERSECTION AND IT KEEPS GETTING KNOCKED OVER.

A FOUR WAY STOP LIGHT OR STOP SIGN IS NEEDED TO PREVENT MORE ACCIDENTS.

AT THE VERY LEAST, THE NORTHWEST CORNER STOP SIGN NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.

AND THE FINAL ONE IS FROM RENEE GIBSON.

I REQUEST IT BE NOTED I WILL ATTEND THE 5 P.M.

AND REQUEST TO SPEAK ON THE SUBJECT TO THE COUNCIL.

I WILL ALSO SIGN UP TO DO SO UPON ARRIVAL.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH, NELLIE.

WE DO HAVE SOME REQUESTS HERE.

FIRST IS BRETT VON BLON.

BRET. HELLO.

GOOD. I'M BRETT VON BLON, AND A LOT OF YOU ALL KNOW ME.

I OWN CARRIAGE HOUSE RENTALS WITH MY WIFE.

AND OF COURSE. WELL, FIRST OF ALL, I WANT TO STEP BACK AND SAY THAT WE WERE VERY STRUCK WITH THE TRAGEDY THAT HAPPENED.

IT'S JUST SENSELESS THING.

I DO THINK WE NEED TO LOOK AT A LOT OF THINGS WITH THAT.

I DO THINK THAT PRIMARILY IT WAS A DRUNK DRIVER.

THAT'S A BIG FOCUS AS TO WHAT CAUSED IT.

BUT CERTAINLY WE CAN LOOK AT OTHER AVENUES TO MAKE OUR ENVIRONMENT SAFER.

I HOPE THAT I WAS PLEASED TO HEAR THAT THAT YOU ALL WILL TAKE A MONTH, MAYBE TWO, TO COME UP WITH A CONSOLIDATED PLAN ON WHAT WE CAN DO, LIKE TRAFFIC SIGNS, LOOKING AT THE GOLF CART INDUSTRY, NOT JUST THE RENTAL COMPANIES, BUT RESIDENTIAL AS WELL.

SO I JUST WANTED TO ASK THAT WE MAYBE HAVE SOME KIND OF WORKSHOP WITH THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND DISCUSSING SOME IDEAS BECAUSE I THINK THE RENTAL COMPANIES CAN GIVE SOME GOOD INPUT AND WE HAVE SOME SURPRISING, MAYBE SURPRISING IDEAS OF HOW TO HANDLE CERTAIN THINGS.

I THINK ALSO THE RESIDENTIAL OWNERS PROBABLY WILL HAVE SOME INPUT.

I KNOW GALVESTON GOLF CART SOCIETY IS HERE.

I ASSUME THEY'RE GOING TO SPEAK.

I ALSO I DON'T KNOW WHERE THE TIME IS.

I GOT A MINUTE AND A HALF.

I ALSO AM A LITTLE CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT RESPECTFULLY WHAT THE CITY ATTORNEY MENTIONED THIS MORNING ABOUT THE STATE STATUTES.

I DID EMAIL YOU, CRAIG, ABOUT THIS A YEAR AGO WHEN YOU ALL WERE DISCUSSING CHANGES TO THE GOLF CART ORDINANCE.

THERE WAS A LOT OF CONVERSATION ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT DRIVING WAS LEGAL OR NOT.

WELL, THE STATE STATUTES FOR MUNICIPALITIES, IT IS NOT ILLEGAL.

AND THE STATE STATUTE THAT OUR ATTORNEY MENTIONED THIS MORNING IS FOR A DIFFERENT SECTOR AND CLASS OF PEOPLE. THE THE SECTION THAT RELATES TO MUNICIPALITIES, WHICH APPLIES TO THIS EAST END OF THE ISLAND, IS 551- 404 AND ALSO 4041 MAYS MIDDLETON SENT US AN EMAIL AND HE HIGHLIGHTED CERTAIN ASPECTS OF THESE TWO STATUTES. AND I DO HAVE A COPY I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE TO YOU ALL.

WE DID THIS LAST YEAR.

I'D LIKE TO PRESENT IT TO YOU ALL, INCLUDING THE ATTORNEY, SO Y'ALL CAN REVIEW IT.

I WILL SAY THAT THE STATE STATUTE DOES ALLOW IT, I HAVE 20 SECONDS, THE ABILITY FOR MUNICIPALITIES TO ENFORCE OR TO IMPLEMENT A STRICTER GUIDANCE THAT IS AVAILABLE.

AND WE HAVE SOME SUGGESTIONS FOR THAT.

ANYWAY, I JUST WANTED TO MENTION THAT I JUST THINK THAT IT'S BEING STATED INCORRECTLY THAT THE STATE STATUTE SAYS IT'S ILLEGAL. THANK YOU, BRETT APPRECIATE THAT.

IF YES SIR IF YOU COULD GIVE THOSE TO NELLIE, SHE'LL DISTRIBUTE THOSE.

APPRECIATE THAT. THANK YOU.

ALL RIGHT. WE HAVE RENEE GIBSON.

CONDOLENCES.

OUR MISSION STATEMENT STATES THAT WE ADVOCATE SAFETY BY FOLLOWING ALL CITY AND STATE ORDINANCES, BY SETTING A GOOD EXAMPLE FOR ALL GOLF CART OWNERS IN OUR COMMUNITY. AND WE AS AN ORGANIZATION TAKE VERY SERIOUSLY.

[00:10:02]

THE REALITY IS THAT THAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED TO ANY ONE OF US SITTING IN THIS ROOM, NO MATTER WHAT VEHICLE WE WERE DRIVING, WHETHER WE WERE ON FOOT, WHETHER IT WAS DAY OR NIGHT, IT WAS AN UNFORTUNATE ACCIDENT THAT ALLEGEDLY WAS CAUSED BY A DRUNK DRIVER.

AFTER WATCHING THE WORKSHOP THIS MORNING, WE WANTED TO BE HERE TO PRESENT OUR POSITIONS ON A COUPLE OF KEY ITEMS, AND I WILL QUICKLY ADDRESS THIS THE FIRST IS MIC] LOCALS ARE GOING TO WORK, THEY'RE GOING TO GET DINNER, THEY'RE GOING TO THE BEACH.

AND AGAIN, WE'LL BE HAMPERED FROM HAVING ACCESS TO OUR ISLAND AND TAKING REVENUE FROM LOCAL BUSINESSES.

WE ALL LIVE ON THIS ISLAND FOR THE LIFESTYLE GOLF CART BEING ONE OF THOSE AND A MAJORITY OF OUR GOLF CARTS FOLLOW THE RULES AND ARE GOOD DRIVERS.

WE ARE HERE TO PARTNER WITH THE CITY AND WITH GPD TO FIND WAYS TO MAKE THIS SAFER.

AND WE ARE AGAIN ALSO PUBLICLY AND FORMALLY ASKING FOR THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I APPRECIATE THAT.

TIFFANY GIBSON.

SO I WANT TO START I GOT THE LIST OF ACCIDENTS TODAY.

IT WAS INTERESTING TO SEE SOME OF THE STATISTICS AS FAR AS SEA WALL ACCIDENTS.

NIGHT DRIVING.

DRIVING FROM DUSK TO 10:00 PM.

DAYLIGHT HOURS WITH 68% OF OUR ACCIDENTS.

BEFORE WE PASS ON MORE REGULATION I WOULD URGE YOU ALL WE'RE VERY OPEN TO SITTING DOWN WITH YOU AND TRYING TO DISCOVER SOME BETTER WAYS TO OPERATE GOLF CARTS IN GENERAL, SUCH AS SEATBELTS, SHOULD BE ACROSS THE BOARD.

MOST DEATHS AND INJURY IN GOLF CARTS OCCUR FROM PEOPLE BEING THROWN FROM GOLF CARTS.

WHETHER IT TIPS ON ITS SIDE, WHETHER THEY HIT A POTHOLE, PEOPLE CAN LITERALLY HIT A POTHOLE SUCH AS ON I BELIEVE IT WAS THE WEST END [INAUDIBLE].

OUT OF THE CART AND DIE.

SO SEATBELTS.

REGULATION FOR SEATBELTS FOR GOVERNING OF THE CARTS.

I HEARD YOU GUYS MENTIONED THAT TODAY MOST CARTS ARE FOR RENTALS.

WE GOVERN ALL OF OUR CARTS AT 20 MILES PER HOUR.

MY OWN PERSONAL CART WILL GO 25.

SOME OF THE ELECTRICS WILL GO 30.

SO JUST TO PUT OUT THAT THAT OUT THERE, THERE WAS A LITTLE BIT OF MISINFORMATION TODAY.

ASIDE FROM THAT PUSHING CARTS ONTO THE SIDE STREETS.

I MEAN, THAT'S JUST GOES AGAINST COMMON SENSE.

THE SAFEST STREETS FOR CARTS, IF WE COULD HAVE THE [INAUDIBLE] THAT'D BE GREAT BECAUSE THERE'S A PASSING LANE.

[INAUDIBLE] IT'S WELL LIT.

IT'S OUT IN THE OPEN.

YOU PUT PEOPLE ON THE SIDE STREETS.

I DON'T EVEN LIKE TO DRIVE A SIDE STREETS IN MY CART BECAUSE I LITERALLY AND I'M A RESIDENT, SO I KNOW I PAUSE AT EVERY SINGLE INTERSECTION TO MAKE SURE SOMEBODY ISN'T COMING. I THINK THAT'S.

SO YOU TAKE US OFF A SEAWALL, YOU PUSH US INTO THE STREETS.

I DON'T THINK THE RESIDENTS WANT THAT.

AND I MEAN, I DON'T THINK IT WOULD BE SAFE.

YOU KNOW, BEYOND THAT, AS FAR AS THE SEAWALL ISSUE GOES.

I'M NOT SURE WHY WE'RE MENTIONING SEAWALL AS BEING A THOROUGHFARE FOR TRAFFIC AS FAR AS COMMUTING AND THINGS LIKE THAT, BECAUSE, I MEAN, THIS IS THE STREET [INAUDIBLE]. WE'VE GOT PEDESTRIANS WHO ARE JUMPING OUT IN FRONT OF CARS, PEOPLE OPENING THEIR CAR DOORS.

IF ANYTHING, I CANNOT URGE I MEAN, TO LOWER THE SPEED LIMIT ON THE SEAWALL.

[00:15:01]

SO I THINK PUSHING US INTO THE SIDE STREETS, IT'S A TERRIBLE IDEA.

AND AS FAR AS THE FEES GO, WE WENT FROM $1,600 DOLLARS TO $10,000 PER YEAR FOR THIS YEAR IS WHAT WE'LL PAY IN REGISTRATION FEES.

WHEN WE WENT THROUGH WHAT WE DID LAST YEAR, WE WERE TALKED HEAVILY ABOUT ENFORCEMENT.

I HAVEN'T SEEN ANYTHING EXCEPT FOR MAYBE THE MENTION OF WHERE TO PARK OR GOLF CARTS.

[INAUDIBLE]COULD YOU JUST GIVE THAT TO NELLIE, PLEASE? THANK YOU. EMILY HENDERSON.

GOOD EVENING. FOR THE PAST SEVERAL DAYS, THE WATER IN OUR AREA HAS BEEN DIRTY.

PLEASE CHECK THAT.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON WITH IT, BUT YEAH, IT'S LIKE A BROWN COLOR.

YEAH, I HAD.

I HAD A FILTER, AND IT DIDN'T HELP VERY MUCH.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON, SO PLEASE CHECK THE WATER.

ALSO AS WELL.

COULD YOU CHECK I DON'T KNOW.

I TALKED TO THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BECAUSE I THINK MINORITIES ARE ESPECIALLY BLACK PEOPLE ARE HAVING TROUBLE FINDING JOBS.

I'M LOOKING FOR WORK AND CAN'T FIND WORK.

AND I HAVE A BA, WHEN I WENT INTO THE BUSINESS, I REALIZED THERE WEREN'T ANY THE NEW EMPLOYEES WERE NOT BLACK AND THEY SAID THEY NEEDED PEOPLE.

AND I SAID I WAS WILLING TO WORK AND MOVE UP.

SO I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS, ESPECIALLY SINCE I HAD A BA.

SO PLEASE CHECK ON THAT AND ALSO PLEASE TALK TO THE POLICE, BECAUSE I THINK MINORITIES, ESPECIALLY BLACK PEOPLE, ARE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH SOME OF THE POLICE.

RIGHT NOW I'M UNEMPLOYED, SO I SPEND A LOT OF TIME AT HOME.

PEOPLE HAVE CALLED THE POLICE COMPLAINING ABOUT ME.

I AM NOT BOTHERING THESE PEOPLE.

I AM TIRED OF THE POLICE BECAUSE I'VE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THEM, ESPECIALLY SERGEANT LEAKEY.

I DON'T KNOW WHY HE'S UPSET WITH ME.

I AM AT HOME AND I AM NOT BOTHERING ANYBODY.

SO PLEASE TELL THE POLICE THEY REALLY NEED TO STOP.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

ALEXANDER NELSON.

[INAUDIBLE] MY NAME IS ALEXANDER NELSON.

I AM A RESIDENT AT 1925 NEWMAN AND I'M ADDRESSING THE ISSUE BROUGHT UP IN WORKSHOP THIS MORNING AND EXPANDING ON WHAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN THE TOPIC OF DISCUSSION.

BY NO MEANS ARE MY STATEMENTS [INAUDIBLE].

WE DO HAVE A GOLF CART ISSUE.

ORDINANCES AND EMPTY PROMISES OF THESE ORDINANCES BEING REVIEWED.

NEVER SEEMS TO REALLY HAPPEN.

THIS TRAGEDY LAST SATURDAY NIGHT WAS DUE TO A DRUNK DRIVER, NOT UNSAFE GOLF CART REGULATIONS.

THE FACT THAT GOLF CART REGULATIONS ARE BEING MENTIONED AFTER THE TRAGEDY IS MORE OF THE SAME REACTIVE GOVERNANCE STYLE WE'VE BEEN ACCUSTOMED TO.

THIS WOULD NOT BE ON THE AGENDA OTHERWISE, IT'S ESSENTIALLY PLACING BLAME ON THE VICTIMS WHO ARE JUST ENJOYING WHAT GALVESTON HAS TO OFFER.

COUNCIL AND OUR ADMINISTRATION HAVE POLITICIZED THIS ISSUE AND PUT BLAME ON GOLF CARTS, BUT IT'S EVEN BIGGER THAN THAT.

WE HAVE A LAWLESSNESS ISSUE THAT IS GROWING IN GALVESTON.

TOO MANY PEOPLE HAVE ASKED ME TO SPEAK ON THEIR BEHALF, AS WELL AS OUT OF FEAR, AS WELL AS THE FACT THAT THE PUBLIC PETITION PARTICIPATION IS BEING LIMITED WITH NO ABILITY FOR PEOPLE TO ATTEND BY ZOOM.

ONE OF THE RESIDENTS THAT ASKED ME TO SPEAK, I CAN SHARE SOME OF THE SENTIMENTS.

SHE HAS A HOME ON GRAND BEACH.

ON TWO OCCASIONS, HER HOME HAS BEEN BROKEN INTO.

THE SECOND OCCASION, A 16 YEAR OLD GIRL WAS SITTING UPSTAIRS WHILE SOMEONE BROKE IN, AND THE GUY WHO BROKE IN, WHO'S A VAGRANT SLEEPING ON THE BEACH IS LUCKY TO HAVE HIS LIFE.

WE ALSO HAVE OTHER DRUNK DRIVING ISSUES AND THINGS THAT ARE BECOMING MORE PROMINENT.

BUT THERE'S A HOMELESS CAMP THAT'S BEEN IN FRONT OF MARIO'S ON THE SEAWALL FOR ABOUT TWO YEARS NOW, AND YOU WOULDN'T BELIEVE THINGS THAT HAVE HAPPENED CHANGES YOUR PERSPECTIVE THOSE WHO SAY, WE DON'T HAVE A CRIME PROBLEM

[00:20:09]

WE HAVE A REPUTATION FOR LAWLESSNESS.

YOU ALL HAVE TO CHANGE THAT.

AND I HOPE WE CAN SHIFT THIS TOPIC GOLF COURSE TO ACTUAL PUBLIC SAFETY MEASURES THAT WOULD CHANGE AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU, RANDY TUCKER.

GOOD EVENING. ON 10TH STREET, I AM A FAIRLY NEW RESIDENT TO GALVESTON.

MY WIFE AND I HAVE BEEN HERE A LITTLE OVER A YEAR NOW AND WE ARE LOOKING TO MAKE THIS OUR PERMANENT HOME.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT ATTRACTS US TO GALVESTON IS OUR ABILITY TO ACCESS THE COMMUNITY THROUGH OUR GOLF CART.

YES, FULL DISCLOSURE, WE ARE OWNERS OF A FULLY REGISTERED, FULLY INSURED AND LEGAL ELECTRIC GOLF CART.

WE FIND IT A MUCH BETTER WAY TO ACCESS GALVESTON AND THE RESTAURANT'S HISTORY.

THE AREAS OF EAST END AND ALSO THE BEACH AND THE SEAWALL.

IT'S ONE OF THE THINGS THAT HAS DRAWN US TO GALVESTON.

IT'S ONE OF THE THINGS THAT HAS MADE US LOVE THIS COMMUNITY AND WANT TO PUT UP PERMANENT ROOTS HERE.

I WOULD URGE THE COUNCIL TO REALLY BE VERY CONSIDERATE AND JUDICIOUS IN EVALUATING CURRENT REGULATIONS AND WHAT FUTURE REGULATIONS MIGHT BE.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE'VE OBSERVED IN WRITING ON THE STREETS WITH OUR GOLF CART IS THOSE STREETS THAT ARE NOT ACCESSIBLE AND ARE FORBIDDEN ON GOLF CARTS.

IT'S NOT EASILY KNOWN.

WE ARE HERE IN THIS COMMUNITY EVERY DAY, BUT IT'S NOT KNOWN THAT THE ONE WAY STREETS ARE NOT ACCESSIBLE WITH GOLF CARTS AND SOME SIGNAGE THERE. IT'S PRETTY OBVIOUS THAT YOU SHOULDN'T BE ON BROADWAY, BUT SOME OF THE OTHER AREAS, NOT SO MUCH.

THE OTHER AREA IS, I THINK YOU SHOULD USE SEAWALL MORE AS A TOURIST ATTRACTION THAN A THOROUGHFARE.

YOU HAVE ALL KINDS OF PEOPLE ACCESSING THE SEAWALL ON BICYCLE, ON ROLLER SKATES, CROSSING THE STREETS, JAYWALKING. YOU HAVE BICYCLES AND SCOOTERS, PEOPLE STOPPING AND GETTING IN AND OUT OF CARS.

THERE'S AN OVERALL SAFETY ISSUE THERE IF YOU CONSIDER THAT A THOROUGHFARE AND KEEPING THE SPEED LIMIT THE WAY IT IS.

IN FACT, I WOULD ARGUE THAT GOLF CARTS ARE CRUISING IN THE RIGHT HAND LANE, ACTUALLY ARE PROTECTING SOME OF THE VISITORS THAT ARE GETTING IN AND OUT OF THEIR CARS BECAUSE THEY SLOW DOWN ON THAT ONCOMING TRAFFIC.

THEY SLOW DOWN THE TRAFFIC ON THAT SIDE.

THE OTHER THING THAT I WOULD ASK YOU IN CONSIDERATION IS IF YOU LOOK AT THE NUMBERS OF REGISTERED GOLF CARTS, THERE'S A LITTLE OVER 1,750 GOLF CARTS REGISTERED 70% OF THOSE ARE RESIDENTS, RESIDENTS THAT ARE, I'M SURE, BY THE MOST PART LAW ABIDING, THAT USE THOSE GOLF CARTS LIKE WE DO TO ACCESS THE AMENITIES OF OUR COMMUNITY.

WE WOULD PREFER TO GET IN THE GOLF CART THAN TO START UP THE ENGINE IN OUR CAR AND GO A COUPLE OF BLOCKS TO A RESTAURANT OR SOMEPLACE THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WELCOME, SHEILA BELL.

SHEILA. HOW ARE YOU DOING? I WANTED TO APOLOGIZE TO THE COUNCIL.

I DIDN'T GIVE OUT ALL MY BOOKS TOO EARLY, Y'ALL, BECAUSE I DID.

I PUBLISHED MYSELF.

I DON'T HAVE A PUBLISHER.

I DIDN'T HAVE PAPER AND INK, SO I WASN'T I LOVE YOU ALL, TOO. OKAY.

THE OTHER THING IS ON THE GOLF CARTS, CAN WE HAVE BIKE LANES IN GALVESTON? IT'S SUCH A BEAUTIFUL CITY.

EVERYBODY IN THE WORLD WANT TO COME HERE, SEE? SO HOW ABOUT SOME GOLF CART LANES? WE ALREADY HAVE BIKE LANES.

SCOOCH THE LINES OVER A LITTLE BIT.

MAKE ROOM FOR THOSE GOLF CARTS.

HOW ABOUT THAT? ALL RIGHT.

3 MINUTES 224.

I WROTE A BOOK MANY, MANY YEARS AGO.

BEEN SITTING IN THE COPYRIGHT OFFICE FOR YEARS.

GOD REVEALED TO ME, MY GOD, I'M SO GRATEFUL THAT CHINA WOULD ATTACK OUR AIR.

CHINA DID THAT.

THERE WOULD BE FOOD SHORTAGES, QUARANTINES, MASKS WOULD HAVE TO BE WORN.

AND AND WHAT HAPPENED WAS IT HAPPENED IN PART, WHICH TELLS ME THAT THE REST OF IT'S GETTING READY TO HAPPEN AND IT'S FAR WORSE THAN WHAT'S ALREADY HAPPENED.

SO WHAT I'M HERE FOR IS TO NOT LET ANOTHER SURPRISE ATTACK HAPPEN.

[00:25:05]

WE NEED TO PREPARE.

THERE'S NO REASON WHY AMERICA SHOULD BE SURPRISED AGAIN LIKE THAT.

NOW, GOD REVEALED TO ME ALSO CHINA AND RUSSIA, IT'S ALWAYS CHINA.

AND RUSSIA, RUSSIA IS GOING TO SHUT DOWN ALL COMMUNICATIONS AND POWER SYSTEMS. LOOK IT UP, GOOGLE IT.

THERE'S BEEN ATTACKS ALREADY AGAINST POWER SYSTEMS, HUNDREDS OF THEM ATTACKS AGAINST COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS. SO I'M NOT MAKING THIS UP.

THE HEADLINES ARE CONFIRMING WHAT GOD REVEALED TO ME.

I DON'T HAVE TO, YOU KNOW.

WELL, I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN BECAUSE MUCH OF IT ALREADY HAS STOCK UP ON FOOD AND WATER.

WHEN THINGS SHUT DOWN, YOU CAN'T GO NOWHERE.

MANY OF YOU ARE ON MACHINES, MEDICINES AND PRESCRIPTIONS AND ALL KINDS OF YOU HAVE SPECIAL NEEDS.

SO GO AHEAD AND GET ALL THAT IN YOUR HOUSE NOW.

KEEP IT IN THERE.

I'M HOPING THAT THERE'LL BE CITYWIDE PROGRAMS, A GARDEN PROGRAM, SO WE DON'T HAVE TO DEPEND ON OTHERS FOR FOOD, LIFE JACKET PROGRAMS. SO WHEN THE NEXT FLOOD HAPPENS AND IT WILL NOT COME FROM THE BAY, IT'S COMING FROM THE GULF.

WE'LL ALREADY BE READY.

STAIRS TO THE ROOF.

GOD SHOWED ME A VISION WHERE THERE WERE STAIRS TO THE ROOF.

BY THE TIME THIS BARRIER GET BUILT, THAT COULD BE 10, 20 YEARS FROM NOW.

IN THE MEANTIME, IF THERE'S STAIRS ON EVERY BUILDING, EVERY STRUCTURE, ALL YOU GOT TO DO IS GO UPSTAIRS.

JUST GO UP THERE AND HAVE SOME THINGS UP THERE AND THAT'LL HELP.

RADIO I MET REACT AT THE HURRICANE MEETING.

THEY HAVE RADIOS THAT CAN YOU CAN TALK TO PEOPLE 3,000 MILES AWAY.

NOW, SOME OF YOU MILLIONAIRES AND BILLIONAIRES HAVE INTERNATIONAL INTERESTS.

YOU'RE GOING TO WANT TO COMMUNICATE WITH SOME PEOPLE WHEN RUSSIA SHUTS DOWN OUR COMMUNICATION SYSTEM.

AND I'M BOLD ABOUT THAT BECAUSE I'M TIRED OF PEOPLE SNEAKING UP ON AMERICA.

THANK YOU, SHEILA.

MISSED YOU LAST MEETING, SHEILA.

I'M GOING TO APOLOGIZE.

I'M GOING TO MISPRONOUNCE HIS LAST NAME I KNOW.

WILLIAM [INAUDIBLE].

COME FORWARD AND CORRECT ME IF YOU WOULD, SIR.

[INAUDIBLE] THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

MR. [INAUDIBLE] GO RIGHT AHEAD.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

MY NAME IS BILL [INAUDIBLE] AND I LIVE ON THE ISLAND.

I'VE BEEN HERE SINCE BEFORE MY WIFE WAS BORN ON THE ISLAND.

I'M A FORMER NAVAL OFFICER.

I'VE GOT NO MONETARY INTEREST OR AGAINST GOLF CARDS, BUT I DO LIVE ON AVENUE O AND I CAN TELL YOU WHAT I'VE OBSERVED WHILE SITTING IN MY OFFICE.

I HAVE HEARD FIVE DIFFERENT ACCIDENTS FROM DIFFERENT CARS THAT HAVE SLAMMED INTO EACH OTHER AT THE CORNER OF 33RD AND O, SINCE I'VE LIVED THERE.

AND THAT'S WHILE I WAS WORKING.

AND I DON'T ALWAYS WORK FOR MY OFFICE.

WE CONSTANTLY ON WEEKENDS SEE GOLF CARTS AT NIGHT GOING DOWN AVENUE O.

I'VE SEEN CHILDREN IN GOLF CARTS WITHOUT SEATBELTS ON.

I'VE SEEN CHILDREN IN GOLF CARTS, SMALL INFANTS WITHOUT CHILD SEATS.

I'VE SEEN WHAT I PERCEIVE TO BE CHILDREN DRIVING GOLF CARTS.

I'VE SEEN PEOPLE WITH OPEN CONTAINERS IN GOLF CARTS.

THAT'S ALL I'VE OBSERVED.

IF I WERE A POLICE OFFICER, I WOULD HAVE DONE SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

AND I WOULD HOPE YOU WOULD.

I'M MBA I TEACH RISK MANAGEMENT AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT WORLDWIDE.

I'VE TAUGHT IN OVER 24 COUNTRIES.

BUT I'M NOT A PROPHET.

LAST SATURDAY MORNING, MY WIFE AND I WERE LOOKING AT A HOUSE AND THE REALTOR SAID SHE WAS FROM GALVESTON ALSO.

AND I SAID, DON'T YOU THINK THE GOLF CART THING IS RIDICULOUS IN GALVESTON? AND SHE SAID, OH, MY GOD.

I SAID, I'LL BET YOU THEY WON'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE PROBLEM UNTIL SOMEBODY DIES.

JUST LIKE PIPER ALPHA STARTED THE SAFETY MOVEMENT IN UPSTREAM OIL AND GAS.

AND JUST LIKE THE TRIANGLE SHIRTWAIST FIRE IN NEW YORK CITY, 100 AND SOMETHING YEARS AGO STARTED OSHA IN THE UNITED STATES.

IT TAKES A DISASTER FOR US TO PAY ATTENTION TO SAFETY AND RISK.

AND I ALSO AGREE THAT WE DO HAVE CRIME PROBLEMS. BUT THIS WAS AN OBVIOUS ONE, AND I REALLY HOPE THAT SUBSTANTIAL WORK WILL BE DONE SO THAT WE DON'T HAVE TO COME BACK AGAIN AFTER ANOTHER FAMILY IS STREWN ACROSS THE STREET IN A HORRIBLE FASHION.

IT JUST DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE.

AND WHY I AN AMATEUR WOULD HAVE SAID THAT THE MORNING BEFORE IT HAPPENED.

I DO NOT KNOW. BUT I DO THINK THERE ARE SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUES.

AND IF YOU THINK AVENUE O THAT THEY ABIDE BY THE SPEED LIMIT, ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS SIT ON MY PORCH WITH A RADAR GUN AND YOU CAN SEE PEOPLE ARE GOING 150%

[00:30:06]

USUALLY PEOPLE FROM OUT OF TOWN BECAUSE THE REST OF US KNOW THAT THE STOPLIGHTS ARE SYNCHRONIZED AND YOU MIGHT AS WELL DRIVE 30 MILES AN HOUR ANYWAY.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

THANK YOU. AND MR. JAMES [INAUDIBLE].

APPRECIATE THE TIME. I WON'T TAKE THE WHOLE 3 MINUTES.

THE FAMILY ASKED TO SPEAK ON THEIR BEHALF.

I REPRESENT ALL THE FAMILIES THAT WERE INJURED AND KILLED.

. SOMETHING IS DONE WITHIN THE POWERS THAT YOU ALL HAVE TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING AGAIN.

FROM WHAT I KNOW ALREADY, WHAT I'VE SEEN IN MY HISTORY, I'M FROM FORT BEND COUNTY MYSELF, COMING DOWN HERE ON THE WEEKENDS, GROWING UP PEOPLE COME HERE TO HAVE A GOOD TIME AND BUT IF PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE ON GOLF CARTS, IT NEEDS TO BE I DON'T KNOW HOW HOW YOU GUYS ARE GOING TO DO THAT.

THAT'S UP TO YOU ALL. BUT FAMILIES ON GOLF CARTS AT NIGHT, RENTAL COMPANIES THAT ALLOW AND PERMIT THAT.

THEY'RE DOING SO BECAUSE THEY CAN THEY CAN DO IT.

THEY GET PAID TO ALLOW TO DO THAT.

AND THEY'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO DO IT.

AND IT'S GOING TO BE CONTINUED TO BE DONE IN THE THAT'S NOT GOING TO STOP.

AND I THINK THIS IS REALLY ABOUT HOW CAN WE MAKE IT SAFE FOR FAMILIES TO COME DOWN TO GALVESTON KNOWING THAT THERE'S GOING TO BE RULE BREAKERS, THAT THERE'S GOING TO BE DRUNKS ON THE ROAD? PROTECT ALL OF US.

THANK YOU.

THEY'RE EXTREMELY GRACIOUS FOR THE OUTPOURING OF LOVE AND HELP AND FIRST RESPONDERS IN THE COMMUNITIES.

SO THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

I APPRECIATE THAT, MR. [INAUDIBLE]. ALL RIGHT.

ANYONE ELSE IN THE AUDIENCE WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A PUBLIC COMMENT.

ALL RIGHT. I'M GOING TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC COMMENT SECTION.

WE'RE GOING TO MOVE TO ACTION ITEMS.

[8.A. Consider a motion to call a public hearing on September 8, 2022 on the FY 2023 Proposed Budget as required by State law.]

[INAUDIBLE]. VERY GOOD, MIKE.

GLAD TO HAVE YOU WITH US AGAIN.

THANK YOU, MAYOR. JUST JUST A WORD.

THIS ACTION IS TO CALL A PUBLIC HEARING REQUIRED BY STATE LAW ON THE PROPOSED BUDGET.

THE SCHEDULE OF SEPTEMBER THE 8TH DOES GIVE ABOUT A MONTH FOR PEOPLE TO CONSIDER WHAT'S IN THE BUDGET AND COME AND TESTIFY AND OFFER THEIR ADVICE AND COMMENTS ON SEPTEMBER THE 8TH. SO. ALL RIGHT.

VERY GOOD. ANY QUESTIONS FOR MR. LOFTON, COUNCIL? YES, THERE WAS A COPY OF THE BUDGET NOW ONLINE.

I BELIEVE IT MADE IT THERE TODAY.

I'M ASSURED THAT IT DID.

UNDER THE FINANCIAL TRANSPARENCY SECTION.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MIKE.

APPRECIATE IT. YOU MIGHT HANG AROUND FOR JUST A SECOND.

I KNOW YOU'RE COMING UP ON THE NEXT ONE, TOO.

THANK YOU. I WANT TO BRING THIS BACK TO COUNCIL.

I'M GOING TO MAKE A MOTION FOR CALLING A PUBLIC HEARING ON SEPTEMBER 8TH FOR THE PROPOSED BUDGET AS REQUIRED BY STATE LAW.

ANY DISCUSSION? PLEASE CAST YOUR VOTES.

IT IS UNANIMOUS.

BUT FOR COUNCILMAN BOUVIER, WHO WAS ABSENT.

THANK YOU. MIKE, LET'S MOVE TO ITEM 8 B, PLEASE.

[8.B. Consider a motion to propose a property tax rate of $0.45 per $100 of taxable value for tax year 2022 and call a public hearing on September 8, 2022.]

VERY GOOD, MIKE.

THIS SECOND PUBLIC HEARING IS ALSO REQUIRED BY STATE LAW AND PROVIDES THAT AT THE END OF THE BUDGET PRESENTATION, WHAT HAVE YOU, THAT THIS THIS PUBLIC HEARING TAKES PLACE.

THE PROPOSED TAX RATE OF $0.45 IS A MAXIMUM.

THE COUNCIL CAN ADOPT A RATE LOWER THAN THAT WHEN THE TIME COMES, BUT NOT HIGHER THAN THAT.

AND IT DOES REFLECT WHAT IS REQUIRED IN THE PROPOSED BUDGET AT THIS TIME.

[00:35:06]

ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU, MIKE.

COUNCIL ANY QUESTIONS FOR MR. LOFTON? YES.

SEPTEMBER 15TH, CONSIDER ADOPTING A BUDGET AND THE TAX RATE AND THEN ON THE 22ND ACTUALLY, I THINK THE STATE LAW SAID SEPTEMBER 30TH IS AN ABSOLUTE DEADLINE FOR BOTH PASSAGE OF THE BUDGET AND PASSAGE OF A TAX RATE.

OUR CHARTER DOES ALLOW US SHOULD THE BUDGET NOT BE PASSED BY OCTOBER 1ST, THAT IT WOULD TAKE EFFECT IN ITS CURRENT PROPOSED FORM.

WE DO THAT BECAUSE OF THE NEED TO BE READY IN CASE OF A STORM THAT WOULD OCCUR AT THE SAME TIME.

AND THEN WE ARE THE PROPOSED RATE IS THE $0.45 THAT'S A MAX.

THAT'S A MAX TO JUST THAT.

THAT'S CORRECT. VERY GOOD.

ANY OTHER QUESTIONS FOR MR. LOFTON? ALL RIGHT.

I'D ENTERTAIN A MOTION.

I WOULD MOVE TO SET THE NOT TO EXCEED RATE OF $0.45 PER $100 IN TAXABLE VALUE FOR TAX YEAR 2022.

AND CALL A PUBLIC HEARING ON SEPTEMBER 18TH.

AND JUST TO CLARIFY, THAT'S A MAXIMUM TAX RATE NOT TO EXCEED.

ALL RIGHT. WE HAVE A MOTION FOR THAT, I'LL SECOND THAT MOTION.

ANY DISCUSSION? WE JUST WANT TO REITERATE FOR THE PUBLIC THAT WE ARE SETTING THIS MANAGER TO LOOK AT DIFFERENT ANY OTHER COMMENTS? PLEASE CAST YOUR VOTE COUNCIL.

IT IS APPROVED BY ALL COUNCIL MEMBERS BUT FOR COUNCILMAN BOUVIER, IT IS NOW COUNCIL.

5:38 P.M.

WE HAVE GONE THROUGH ALL THE ITEMS ON OUR AGENDA AND I'M OFFICIALLY ADJOURNING THE COUNCIL MEETING FOR AUGUST 11TH.

THANK YOU.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.