[00:00:01]
[1. DECLARATION OF A QUORUM AND CALL MEETING TO ORDER]
WHAT A PLEASURE SEEING EVERYBODY OUT HERE THIS AFTERNOON.AND THIS IS QUITE AN AUSPICIOUS OCCASION FOR INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE LEAVING CITY COUNCIL AND FOR THOSE THAT ARE COMING ON NEW SO WE'RE SO GLAD TO HAVE EVERYONE HERE.
AND I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT IT IS 1:30 P.M.
AND I'M GOING TO OFFICIALLY CALL THE MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF GALVESTON TO ORDER.
WE DO HAVE A QUORUM, BUT COULD WE HAVE A ROLL CALL, PLEASE? MAYOR BROWN. PRESENT.
PRESENT. COUNCIL MEMBER LEWIS.
PRESENT. COUNCIL MEMBER BOUVIER IS ABSENT.
WE HAVE ALL OF OUR COUNCIL MEMBERS HERE BUT FOR COUNCIL MEMBER BOUVIER.
WE'RE HONORED TO HAVE RABBI PETER KESSLER WITH US TO GIVE THE INVOCATION.
RABBI KESSLER, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.
ETERNAL AND INFINITE GOD BLESS US THIS AFTERNOON AS WE WELCOME THE NEW MEMBERS TO OUR CITY COUNCIL AND THANK THOSE WHO NO LONGER WILL BE FORCED TO LISTEN TO THE COMPLAINTS OF THOSE WHO LIVE ON OUR ISLAND.
[LAUGHTER] GUIDE US WITH YOUR WISDOM.
MAY THIS BE YOUR WILL AND WE SAY AMEN.
AMEN. THANK YOU, RABBI KESSLER.
LET'S HAVE THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, PLEASE.
ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THEE, TEXAS, ONE STATE UNDER GOD, ONE AND INDIVISIBLE.
WE'RE VERY HONORED TO HAVE SOME ELECTED AND APPOINTED INDIVIDUALS HERE.
I WANT TO, FIRST OF ALL, RECOGNIZE OUR SENATOR MAYES MIDDLETON.
MAYES, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.
[APPLAUSE] WE ALSO HAVE OUR REPRESENTATIVE HERE.
TERRI. [APPLAUSE] AND WE ALSO HAVE A MEMBER OF THE GALVESTON HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD, PAT TOLIVER.
PAT. [APPLAUSE] ARE THERE ANY OTHER ELECTED OR APPOINTED OFFICIALS THAT I HAVE NOT? NO. BILL CLEMENT. OUR PARK BOARD TRUSTEE.
WELL JOE WILSON, BILL CLEMENT I'M SORRY.
BILL CLEMENTS FROM THE PARK BOARD.
STEVEN PEÑA, FROM PLANNING, STEVEN PEÑA FROM PLANNING.
STEVEN PEÑA FOR PLANNING COMMISSION.
[APPLAUSE]. DAVID O'NEAL IS WE HAVE DAVID O'NEAL IN THE BACK FROM THE SCHOOL BOARD.
[APPLAUSE] ANYONE ELSE THAT'S HERE? OH, YES.
KATHLEEN DINATALE IS FROM THE CO-CHAIR OF THE CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION.
WE HAVE THE UNVEILING OF ONE OF THE AWARDS OF PUBLIC ART HERE SHORTLY, THAT WILL BE UNVEILED AT 20TH IN THE STRAND DOWN THERE. IT'S ALREADY INSTALLED.
IF YOU GET A CHANCE, GO DOWN AND TAKE A LOOK AT IT.
I JUST WANT TO THANK EVERYONE FOR THEIR PRAYERS.
TWO HOURS BEFORE I GOT MY FINAL BIOPSY AND I AM CANCER FREE.
[APPLAUSE] NOTHING BUT GOOD NEWS THIS AFTERNOON.
I'M GOING TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR ANYONE THAT WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A COMMENT.
[5. PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS]
AND I WOULD LIKE TO ALSO MENTION THAT IF YOU HAVE COMMENTS THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO MAKE ABOUT, SOME OF THE COUNCIL MEMBERS THAT MAY BE LEAVING, OR THE NEW ONES COMING ON.I WOULD ENTERTAIN, OF COURSE, YOU COMING FORWARD AND HAVING YOUR THREE MINUTES TO DO SO.
[00:05:03]
I'M GOING TO START WITH TREY CLICK.I'M THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE DOWNTOWN PARTNERSHIP.
IT CAN BE A THANKLESS JOB, BUT NOT TODAY.
I'M HERE TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE OUTGOING COUNCILMAN AND ALSO TO THE NEW FACES, SOON TO BE SEATED.
IT TAKES A HUGE COMMITMENT TO VOLUNTEER YOUR TIME AND ENERGY TO BE A PUBLIC SERVANT.
A FEW OF THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS THAT WE HAVE DONE, THE NEW CLEANING CREW WHO WORKED SEVEN DAYS A WEEK, EMPTYING THE TRASH TWICE A DAY, CLEANING GUTTERS AND SIDEWALKS SO THAT WE CAN PRESENT TO HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF VISITORS THAT WE CARE ABOUT OUR HISTORIC DOWNTOWN.
I FOUND OUT THAT SAN ANTONIO HAD A GREAT DOWNTOWN CLEANING PROGRAM, SO AT OUR OWN EXPENSE, WE ROAD TRIPPED TO VISIT WITH THEM AND BROUGHT BACK THEIR BEST IDEAS AND IMPLEMENTED THEM.
THE 23RD STREET CORRIDOR FROM CHURCH TO HARBORSIDE.
THIS PROJECT WAS INITIALLY FUNDED, BUT THE DESIGN ELEMENT WAS VERY EXPENSIVE, SO DAVID DUDLEY ANDERSON, THE CITY ATTORNEY, ARCHITECT AND MYSELF WALKED THE AREA AND DID THE DESIGN WORK OURSELVES, SAVING THE CITY HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS.
BECAUSE YOU SEE, NOW, BECAUSE WE HAD THE CLEANING CREW, WE COULD WATER THE POTS.
DAVID IS THE REASON WE INCREASED THE PUBLIC ART BUDGET FROM $100,000 A YEAR TO $250,000 A YEAR.
THIS IS HOT TAX MONEY USED TO ADD ANOTHER REASON TO SHOW PRIDE IN OUR CITY.
CRAIG, YOU TOOK MY WHOLE THING.
I'M A STAUNCH BELIEVER THAT WE SHOULD ALWAYS GIVE IT BACK BETTER THAN WE GOT IT.
THANK YOU FOR MAKING A LASTING DIFFERENCE.
VERY GOOD. [APPLAUSE] ANY OTHER COMMENTS? COME FORWARD.
AND I WOULD JUST LIKE TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL OF YOU REMEMBER HOW HARD OF A JOB THAT IS.
AND PLEASE, PLEASE INCREASE YOUR SUPPORT FOR THE GALVESTON POLICE OFFICERS.
IT IS THE TOUGHEST JOB YOU COULD EVER HAVE.
PROBABLY NEXT TO BEING A SCHOOL TEACHER.
YOU KNOW, IF WE GAVE THEM ALL 100 GRAND A YEAR, YOU COULD VET THE HECK OUT OF THEM.
THERE'S GOOD ONES. THERE'S BAD ONES IN EVERY PROFESSION IN THIS COUNTRY.
JUST PLEASE CONTINUE TO SUPPORT DOUG BALLI AND THE TROOPS.
GOOD MORNING MAYOR, HONORABLE COUNCIL PEOPLE.
I WANTED TO THANK OUTGOING COUNCIL MEMBER LISTOWSKI AND YOUR WORK ON JONES PARK.
JUST MONDAY MONDAY OF THIS WEEK, WE GOT 100% DESIGN.
WE'RE GOING TO RUN THROUGH SOME EXTRA THINGS, BUT WE WERE HOPING TO BREAK GROUND WHILE YOU'RE STILL IN THE CHAIR, BUT COUNCIL MEMBER ELECT RAWLINGS, YOU'LL GET TO ENJOY WHEN WE BREAK GROUND ON JONES PARK.
BUT THANK YOU AGAIN FOR ALL YOUR HELP AND WORK AND ENJOY THIS NEXT CHAPTER WHEREVER WE SEE YOU.
YEAH. GOOD AFTERNOON, COUNCIL MEMBERS.
BILL CLEMENTS, AS IT WAS MENTIONED EARLIER, I'M A MEMBER, A RECENT APPOINTEE TO THE PARK BOARD, AND I JUST WANTED TO THANK DAVID COLLINS, JOHN PAUL AND MIKE IN HIS ABSENCE, THE OUTGOING COUNCILMAN, FOR WORKING VERY EFFECTIVELY.
I THINK WITH US THIS YEAR, SINCE THE NEW PARK BOARD TRUSTEES CAME ON, I THINK WE'VE ACCOMPLISHED A LOT AND GOT SOME DIRECTION, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH THE NEW MEMBERS YOU GUYS, AS WE MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS TO COMPLETE THE WORK AT STEWART BEACH TO DEVELOP A MASTER PLAN FOR SEAWOLF PARK AND TO ACCOMPLISH A LOT OF THE OTHER GOALS AND OBJECTIVES, AS WELL AS MAINTAINING OUR STATUS AS CHARLES BARKLEY'S FAVORITE BEACH IN TEXAS.
[LAUGHTER] THE ONE OTHER ACCOMPLISHMENT I THINK WE'RE QUITE PLEASED WITH, AND I WANT TO MENTION TO YOU, BECAUSE I KNOW A NUMBER OF YOU GAVE ME INPUT AND I APPRECIATED IT WAS THE SELECTION OF OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OR OUR CEO
[00:10:09]
FOR THE PARK BOARD.AND I THINK AFTER INTERVIEWING OVER 100 CANDIDATES, NARROWING IT DOWN TO SEVEN, NARROWING IT DOWN TO TWO, WE CAME HOME TO GALVESTON AND SELECTED SOMEONE WHO'S PROVEN TO HAVE A VISION FOR GALVESTON AND A PROMOTION FOR GALVESTON THAT WE DESPERATELY NEED FOR OUR PARKS.
SO THANKS TO YOU OUTGOING GUYS, I ENJOYED WORKING WITH YOU.
AND SHARON DAVID MARIE AND THE TWO COMING IN, I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU.
GOOD AFTERNOON. GOOD AFTERNOON.
COUNCILMAN. AND MY FRIEND, SHARON LEWIS.
I COME HERE TO SUPPORT MISS LEWIS BECAUSE MY HUSBAND, THE LATE E.R.
AND WHEN HE PASSED, I TOLD SHARON THAT I WANTED HER TO RUN FOR HIS POSITION.
AND I WOULD LIKE TO TELL THE COUNCILMAN THE FLAG.
ONE GOD, INDIVIDUAL LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
AND MAYOR BROWN WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT WHEN THE ELECTION WAS OVER, I GOT MY PHONE AND I SEEN WELL I VOTED FIRST AND I CALLED SHARON AND I SAY, SHARON, I VOTED FOR YOU, YOU AND MAYOR BROWN.
I LOVE YOU. [LAUGHTER] THANK YOU, MISS JOHNSON.
[APPLAUSE] HOW ARE YOU, ROSALIND? QUITE SURE EVERYBODY PROBABLY KNOWS WHO I AM, BUT WHO DON'T KNOW WHO I AM, I'M ROSALIND JACKSON.
IF YOU WANTED TO GET OUT ON FACEBOOK, HERE I AM.
I'M JUST PLAYING. [LAUGHTER]. BUT I JUST WANT TO SAY SHARON, WE LOVE YOU IN OUR COMMUNITY.
MARKET STREET LOOKS SO MUCH BETTER, Y'ALL.
Y'ALL DOING A GOOD JOB ON MARKET STREET.
[APPLAUSE] PEOPLE, PEOPLE COME OUT FROM OUT OF TOWN.
THEY COME VISIT CLUB 68 OPHELIA'S AND NOCHE' BERRY'S.
THEY JUST SO PROUD THAT WE STILL HAVE SOMETHING STANDING HERE.
AND I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR KEEPING THIS COMMUNITY THE WAY Y'ALL DO.
AND IF LEON PHILIP WAS HERE, Y'ALL, KNOW HE'LL BE STANDING RIGHT HERE TALKING AND TELLING EVERYBODY.
SO IMMA KEEP HIS LEGEND GOING ON AND WE'RE GOING TO KEEP THAT BUILDING AS MUCH AS I CAN.
WE'LL MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER WORLD.
[APPLAUSE] ANYONE ELSE WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A COMMENT? COME FORWARD, MR. MILLER. GLAD TO HAVE YOU HERE, SIR.
GOT TO BE YOU'RE UP FOR THIS STUFF.
ANYWAY. I DON'T HAVE KIND WORDS.
THERE'S SOME PEOPLE UP THERE CAN'T RUN NO MORE.
YOU OUGHT TO HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT YOUR CONSTITUENTS.
YOU COULD DO A BETTER JOB BECAUSE YOU DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT RUNNING THEM OFF.
THAT'S GUY SITTING IN THE MIDDLE.
THAT'S THAT LADY SITTING OVER THERE.
YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO CURSE IN PUBLIC, BUT GIVE THESE PEOPLE HELL AND MAKE A BETTER GALVESTON.
ANYONE ELSE? AS USUAL, MR. MILLER, WE APPRECIATE YOU WINDING THIS UP FOR US.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. [LAUGHTER] VERY GOOD.
I'M GOING TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC COMMENT SECTION.
LET'S MOVE TO OUR ACTION ITEMS.
[6.A. Consider For Approval An Ordinance Of The City Council Of The City Of Galveston, Texas, Canvassing The Returns Of The General Election Held On May 4, 2024; Officially Declaring The Results Of The Election; Declaring The Regularity And Legality Of The Election; Directing The City Secretary To Prepare The Election Register And To Preserve The Election Records; Providing For Findings Of Fact And Providing For An Effective Date.]
JANELLE 6A. ITEM 6A CONSIDER FOR APPROVAL AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GALVESTON, TEXAS, CANVASING THE RETURNS OF THE GENERAL ELECTION HELD ON MAY 4TH, 2024, OFFICIALLY DECLARING THE RESULTS OF THE ELECTION, DECLARING THE REGULARITY AND LEGALITY OF THE ELECTION, DIRECTING THE CITY SECRETARY TO PREPARE THE ELECTION REGISTER AND TO PRESERVE THE ELECTION RECORDS.PROVIDING FOR FINDINGS OF FACT AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WE HAVE A MOTION FOR APPROVAL OF ITEM 6A COUNCILWOMAN ROBB.
I'M GOING TO SECOND THAT MOTION.
ANY DISCUSSION COUNCIL MEMBERS? ELECTRONICALLY, WE'RE FUNCTIONING, I THINK.
[00:15:02]
SO THAT'S.OKAY? WE HAVE A MOTION FOR APPROVAL.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE SIGNIFY BY RAISING YOUR HAND.
AND WE HAVE TWO VOTES HERE WITH JOHN PAUL.
[6.B. Consider For Approval An Ordinance Of The City Council Of The City Of Galveston, Texas, Ordering A Runoff Election To Be Held In The City Of Galveston On June 15, 2024 For The Purpose Of Electing A Councilmember To District Two (2); Providing The Means And Method Of Carrying Out Said Election; Designating Hours For Voting; Providing Bilingual Election Requirements; Designating Polling Places; Providing For Early Voting; Providing For Notice Of The Runoff Election; Providing For A Severability Clause; Providing An Open Meetings Clause; Providing A Savings Clause; Providing For Findings Of Fact And Providing For An Effective Date.]
LET'S MOVE TO ITEM 6B, PLEASE.ITEM 6B CONSIDER FOR APPROVAL AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GALVESTON, TEXAS, ORDERING A RUNOFF ELECTION TO BE HELD IN THE CITY OF GALVESTON ON JUNE 15, 2024 FOR THE PURPOSE OF ELECTING A COUNCIL MEMBER TO DISTRICT TWO, PROVIDING THE MEANS AND METHOD OF CARRYING OUT SAID ELECTION.
DESIGNATING HOURS FOR VOTING, PROVIDING BILINGUAL ELECTION REQUIREMENTS, DESIGNATING POLLING PLACES, PROVIDING FOR EARLY VOTING, PROVIDING FOR NOTICE OF THE RUNOFF ELECTION, PROVIDING FOR A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE, PROVIDING AN OPEN MEETINGS CLAUSE, PROVIDING A SAVINGS CLAUSE, PROVIDING FOR FINDINGS OF FACT, AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. VERY GOOD.
I'M GOING TO MAKE A MOTION FOR APPROVAL OF THIS ITEM.
WE HAVE A SECOND BY COUNCILMAN FINKLEA AND BY COUNCILWOMAN ROBB.
THE ORDINANCE INCLUDES ONE POLLING LOCATION ON THE ISLAND, AND THAT IS GISD ADMIN.
AND THE COUNTY ELECTIONS OFFICE HAS ADVISED THAT WE CAN ADD ONE IF YOU WANT TO.
I'M GOING TO MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS ITEM.
KEEPING THE GISD ADMIN BUILDING AND ADDING THE OLD COUNTY COURTHOUSE ON 21ST STREET.
WILL THOSE BE THE ONLY TWO? THEY WILL BE THE ONLY TWO.
AND CAN YOU REMIND US OF THE DATES OF THE ELECTION AND EARLY VOTING? I SURE CAN.
JUNE 3RD I THINK JUNE 3RD THROUGH SEVENTH AND THEN JUNE 10TH AND 11TH.
WE WILL HAVE A RUNOFF ELECTION FOR DISTRICT TWO.
THE VOTING WILL BEGIN EARLY VOTING JUNE 3RD.
IT WILL THEN THE ELECTION DATE IS JUNE 15TH.
I'M GLAD YOU MENTIONED THAT, MARIE.
I WANT TO ADD THE WEEKEND NOW.
COUNCIL ONE THING THAT WE CAN DO, WE CAN ADD THAT SATURDAY OF THE EARLY VOTING.
DO WE WANT TO ADD THE SUNDAY? YEAH, I'D SAY WE ADD THEM BOTH.
I'M GOING TO MAKE A MOTION THEN THAT WE WILL AMEND THAT ITEM TO INCLUDE THE WEEKEND VOTING ON THAT SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, PLEASE JANELLE.
DO YOU WANT TO SPECIFY THE TIMES ON SATURDAY? ON THE SATURDAY OF VOTING I THINK WE HAD THAT FROM 8 TO 5.
ON THE SUNDAY VOTING IT'S IN THE PAST IT'S BEEN FROM 1 TO 6 I THINK, OR 1 TO 5.
IT WOULD BE 1 TO 5 ON THAT SUNDAY AND 8 TO 5 ON THAT SATURDAY.
ALL RIGHT. ANY OTHER THOUGHTS ON THAT DISCUSSION? DOES EVERYONE UNDERSTAND THE MOTION COUNCIL.
LET'S MOVE TO ITEM 6C, PLEASE.
[6.C. Recognition of Service by Outgoing Council Members]
ITEM 6C RECOGNITION OF SERVICE BY OUTGOING COUNCIL MEMBERS.FOR THOSE THAT ARE HERE AND FOR THE OUTGOING COUNCIL MEMBERS, I'D LIKE TO MAKE A FEW COMMENTS.
WE HAVE THREE OUTGOING COUNCIL MEMBERS.
COUNCILMAN COLLINS, COUNCILMAN BOUVIER, AND COUNCILMAN LISTOWSKI.
AND I WOULD LIKE TO SAY YOU EPITOMIZE IN MY MIND WHAT A COUNCIL MEMBER SHOULD BE.
YOU REPRESENTED YOUR DISTRICT WELL.
YOU REPRESENTED THE CITY WELL.
AND I WANT TO ALSO RECOGNIZE THE FAMILIES OF THESE INDIVIDUALS.
WHEN YOU RUN FOR COUNCIL, AND THE NEW COUNCIL MEMBERS WILL SEE THIS, IT WILL INVOLVE YOUR SPOUSES, YOUR GIRLFRIENDS AND ALL OF YOUR CLOSE CLOSE FRIENDS. THEY WILL BE RIGHT IN THERE WITH YOU.
[00:20:05]
I WANT TO RECOGNIZE COUNCILMAN COLLINS FIRST.AND WHAT WE'LL DO IS WE'LL PRESENT A AWARD OF RECOGNITION TO EACH COUNCIL MEMBER AND THEN GIVE THEM A TIME TO SAY A FEW WORDS ON THEIR OWN IF THEY WOULD LIKE.
AND HE HAS BROUGHT INFORMATION TO OUR COUNCIL ON MANY, MANY ISSUES THAT WE WERE NOT UP TO SPEED AS MUCH AS POSSIBLY WE SHOULD HAVE BEEN. AND HE BROUGHT US BACK TO WHERE WE NEEDED TO BE IN THE DISCUSSIONS WITH THE RESEARCH THAT HE'S DONE.
HE'S AN INDIVIDUAL ALSO THAT HE WADES INTO SUBJECTS AND BRINGS SUBJECTS FORWARD THAT NEED TO BE TALKED ABOUT THAT ARE SOMETIMES NOT SUPPORTED THAT WELL.
HE'S A COURAGEOUS COUNCIL MEMBER, AND HE HAS BROUGHT SUBJECTS FORWARD THAT HAVE BEEN VERY, VERY EMOTIONAL FOR A NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY AND ORGANIZATIONS. BUT IT NEEDED TO BE DONE.
AND HE FELT THAT HE NEEDED TO MAKE THINGS THE WAY THEY SHOULD BE.
AND I COMMEND HIM FOR HIS BRAVERY IN DOING THAT.
ALSO HIS WIFE MARGARET IS HERE.
AND, MARGARET, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.
[APPLAUSE] PRESENTED TO DAVID COLLINS, COUNCIL MEMBER, DISTRICT 3, IN GRATEFUL APPRECIATION FOR YOUR YEARS OF OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP AND DEDICATION TO THE CITY OF GALVESTON, 2018 TO 2024.
[APPLAUSE] IS IT MY TURN? YES SIR.
IT'S BEEN AN HONOR AND A PLEASURE.
I ESPECIALLY WANT TO THANK MARGARET FOR HER HELP AND SUPPORT DURING MY ENTIRE TIME IN OFFICE.
SHE NEVER LET ME QUIT, THOUGH THERE WERE CERTAINLY TIMES I WANTED TO DO SO.
SOMETIMES YOU GET SO WRAPPED UP IN THE PROCESS YOU FORGET THE IMPORTANT PART.
HOW DO YOUR DECISIONS AFFECT THE PEOPLE OF GALVESTON? THEY'VE PROVIDED EXCELLENT GUIDANCE FOR ME TO KEEP ME FOCUSED ON THAT.
EVERY DECISION I'VE MADE IN THE LAST SIX YEARS HAS ULTIMATELY BEEN FOR ONE REASON WHAT WILL MOST BENEFIT OUR PEOPLE, OUR NEIGHBORHOODS, AND OUR BUSINESS COMMUNITY? TOURISTS ARE AN IMPORTANT PART OF OUR ECONOMY, BUT THEY ARE NOT WHY I'M HERE.
I'M HERE TO ENSURE THE SAFETY AND WELFARE OF GALVESTONIANS.
I THINK WE'VE DONE PRETTY WELL AT THAT.
I ALSO WANT TO THANK THE 200 PLUS CONSTITUENTS, VOLUNTEERS WHO SIT ON OUR BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS.
YOUR WORK AND ADVICE HAS BEEN INVALUABLE.
I OWE A GREAT DEAL OF THE DEBT TO CITY STAFF.
JANELLE, YOU'VE DONE A GREAT JOB PLAYING DEN MOTHER TO THE CITY COUNCIL.
YOU CRAFT OUR AGENDAS SO THAT IT'S CLEAR TO BOTH COUNCIL AND THE PUBLIC WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.
COUNCIL'S ACTIONS ARE OPEN AND TRANSPARENT BECAUSE OF YOU AND THE PEOPLE IN YOUR OFFICE.
GLENN BULGHERINI I DON'T BELIEVE HE'S HERE TODAY AS OUR CITY AUDITOR.
HE'S A GENIUS AT READING BETWEEN THE LINES OF A FINANCIAL REPORT.
DON, AS CITY ATTORNEY, YOU AND THE ENTIRE LEGAL STAFF HAVE KEPT US ON THE STRAIGHT AND NARROW.
YOU'VE BEEN A BEACON OF REASON IN THE SOMETIMES DISORIENTING SEA OF DISAGREEMENT.
BRIAN MAXWELL, HOW WILL I LIVE WITHOUT YOUR SENSE OF HUMOR? YOU'VE BECOME A FRIEND AND TRUSTED GUIDE DURING MY TIME ON COUNCIL.
WHEN BRIAN TOOK OFFICE, THE CITY HAD NOT BALANCED ITS CHECKBOOK IN YEARS.
[00:25:06]
IN THE TEN YEARS THAT YOU'VE BEEN THE CITY MANAGER, I'VE WATCHED YOU CONSISTENTLY HIRE SMART PEOPLE, GIVE THEM THE TOOLS TO DO THEIR JOBS AND LET THEM DO IT. IT SHOWS GALVESTON IS AS STRONG FINANCIALLY AS IT HAS EVER BEEN.THERE'S A PLAN FOR STREET PAVING BASED ON NEED.
WE'LL NEVER WIN THE BATTLE WITH MOTHER NATURE, BUT WE'RE MAKING HEADWAY.
IF IKE WAS MAKING LANDFALL THIS SUMMER, WE'D TAKE A HIT.
I'VE HAD OCCASION TO WORK WITH ALMOST EVERY DEPARTMENT HEAD IN THE CITY, TOO MANY OF WHICH TO NAME HERE TODAY, AND I PROMISE ALL OF YOU, THEY ARE SMART, COMPETENT, DEDICATED PEOPLE GETTING THE JOB DONE.
THEY ARE WHY THIS IS THE BEST RUN CITY IN TEXAS.
SO THANKS TO STAFF FOR EVERYTHING YOU GUYS HAVE DONE FOR US.
YOU'VE MADE THIS JOB POSSIBLE.
THANK YOU TO MY COUNCIL COLLEAGUES, THE SIX I'VE WORKED WITH THIS LAST SESSION AND THE ONES FROM SESSIONS PASSED IN THE LAST SIX YEARS, 14 IN ALL, IF MEMORY SERVES. AGREEING, DISAGREEING, ARGUING AND LEARNING FROM ONE ANOTHER EACH AND EVERY TIME WE'VE COME TO A CONCLUSION AND MOVED ON; THAT, FRIENDS, IS THE NATURE OF A FUNCTIONING DEMOCRACY. IT'S BEEN A PRIVILEGE.
[LAUGHTERR] WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBERS.
IF I CAN OFFER YOU JUST A MOMENT'S ADVICE ABOUT FOR THOSE OF YOU ABOUT TO TAKE YOUR SEATS.
THE PEOPLE SENT YOU HERE TO SET POLICY AND TAKE CARE OF GALVESTON.
YOU DON'T OWE ANYTHING TO SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS, OUT-OF-TOWN INVESTORS, OR, FRANKLY, TO TOURISTS OTHER THAN TO PROVIDE FOR THEM THE SAME SAFE ENVIRONMENT YOU WANT YOUR CONSTITUENTS TO ENJOY.
YOU WERE ELECTED BY THE PEOPLE OF YOUR DISTRICT, BUT YOU REPRESENT THE WHOLE ISLAND.
ALL OF IT. BEWARE THE WORDS MY DISTRICT.
MAYOR YARBOROUGH GAVE ME A FEW PIECES OF GREAT ADVICE WHEN I TOOK MY SEAT IN 2018.
DON'T MAKE ENEMIES GRATUITOUSLY.
YOU'LL GATHER THEM ALONG THE WAY AS YOU GO.
DISAGREE ALL YOU WANT, BUT ONCE THE VOTE IS RECORDED, MOVE ALONG.
AS THEY SAY, WE CAMPAIGN IN POETRY, BUT WE GOVERN IN PROSE.
YOUR PRIORITIES WILL CHANGE, I PROMISE.
AND HERE'S YOUR CHANCE TO START YOUR TERM WITH SOMETHING MEMORABLE.
AT YOUR FIRST MEETING LATER THIS MONTH.
I'VE HAD THE HONOR OF HOLDING THAT TITLE FOR THE LAST FOUR YEARS.
THE JOB IS MOSTLY CEREMONIAL AND OCCASIONALLY RUNNING A MEETING IN THE MAYOR'S ABSENCE.
AND ONCE IN A GREAT WHILE IT'S IMPORTANT IN AN EMERGENCY.
IT'S RARE, BUT IT COULD HAPPEN.
AND YOU WANT SOMEONE WITH THE TEMPERAMENT TO LISTEN TO STAFF DURING A HURRICANE OR A FREEZE.
A FEW WILL TELL YOU THAT IT'S BASED STRICTLY ON SENIORITY, BUT IT'S NOT.
SHARON LEWIS HAS THE EXPERIENCE.
[APPLAUSE] SHE'S GOT THE RIGHT STUFF TO LEAD.
MAKE HISTORY AT YOUR FIRST MEETING BY ELECTING HER AS YOUR MAYOR PRO TEM.
AND FINALLY, WE DON'T ALWAYS GIVE OUTGOING COUNCIL MEMBERS GIFTS.
BUT THERE ARE TWO THINGS THAT I KNOW I WILL LEAVE WITH BY TRADITION.
ONE IS THAT PORTRAIT HANGING OUT THERE IN THE STAIR HALL.
NOT SURE WHAT I'LL DO WITH IT, BUT I'M PRETTY SURE BRIAN DOESN'T WANT IT.
INSTEAD OF TAKING IT HOME, I THINK I WANT TO GIVE IT TO JANELLE AND ASK YOU TO HANG ON TO IT.
YOU MIGHT NEED THIS IN A COUPLE OF YEARS.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. VERY GOOD.
[APPLAUSE] OUR NEXT OUTGOING COUNCIL MEMBER IS NOT HERE MIKE BOUVIER.
[00:30:04]
MIKE AND HIS WIFE, KAT, HAS BEEN ACTIVELY INVOLVED WITH HIS DISTRICT 4 FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS.AND MIKE WAS AN INDIVIDUAL THAT NOT ONLY PARTICIPATED AND BECAME INVOLVED WITH THE TOPICS AND REALLY LOOKED INTO THE TOPICS FIRSTHAND, BUT MIKE AND HIS WIFE, KAT IN MANY INSTANCES ASSISTED FINANCIALLY IN BRINGING FORTH SOME OF THESE TOPICS TO MAKE THEM THE SUCCESS THAT THEY ARE.
ONE OF THE EXAMPLES IS THE MENTAL HEALTH OFFICER PROGRAM THAT THE CITY HAS ENACTED.
AND IT WAS MOVING ALONG, AND WE DIDN'T HAVE THE FUNDING, REALLY, FOR A VEHICLE.
AND ALL THE SUPPORT MATERIALS FOR THIS PROGRAM.
AND MIKE BOUVIER'S FOUNDATION STEPPED UP AND FUNDED THIS.
SO I LIKE TO WISH MIKE BOUVIER AND HIS WIFE, KAT AND HIS FAMILY THE BEST.
AND WE HAVE AN AWARD FOR HIM THAT WILL STATE THE SAME AS COUNCILMAN COLLINS.
PRESENTED TO MIKE BOUVIER, COUNCIL MEMBER, DISTRICT 4 IN GRATEFUL APPRECIATION FOR YOUR YEARS OF ASTOUNDING OF OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP AND DEDICATION TO THE CITY OF GALVESTON, 2022 TO 2024.
[APPLAUSE] AND FINALLY, THE BEST FOR THE LAST JOHN PAUL LISTOWSKI.
JOHN PAUL BROUGHT WHAT I WOULD SAY PROFESSIONALISM TO HIS COUNCIL POSITION.
JOHN PAUL'S EXPERTISE WHEN IT COMES TO CONSTRUCTION AND ALL TYPES OF TECHNICAL ACTIVITIES FROM DESIGN, SURVEYS AND ENGINEERING GUIDED COUNCIL A LOT OF TIMES ON MANY OF THESE ISSUES.
AND I THINK IF YOU ASK THEM WHO'S THE BEST LIAISON YOU'VE EVER WORKED WITH ON THE PLANNING COMMISSION? AND IF YOU HAD A CHOICE OF ONE TO STAY THERE FOREVER, IT WOULD BE JOHN PAUL LISTOWSKI.
AND JOHN PAUL, WE ARE REQUESTING THAT OF, YOU.
NO. [LAUGHTER]. SO IT'S BEEN A PLEASURE WORKING WITH JOHN.
I'M NOTING FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS AND WHAT A WONDERFUL COUNCIL MEMBER AND SO PRESENTED TO JOHN PAUL LISTOWSKI, COUNCIL MEMBER, DISTRICT 5, IN GRATEFUL APPRECIATION FOR YOUR YEARS OF OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP AND DEDICATION TO THE CITY OF GALVESTON, 2018 TO 2024. AND JOHN, WOULD YOU INTRODUCE YOUR GUEST, PLEASE? YEAH, THIS IS MY DAUGHTER, LILY.
JOHN. SO I'M NOT GOING TO BE AS PREPARED OR POLISHED AS MY COLLEAGUE DAVID.
BUT I'LL START OUT BY SAYING SIX YEARS GOES BY FAST.
I GOT INTO THIS FOR REALLY ONE REASON, AND IT WAS FOR THIS LITTLE GIRL AND MY SON BACK THERE.
WHEN I STARTED, I WASN'T MARRIED YET.
WE DIDN'T HAVE KIDS, BUT I KNEW THAT THAT WAS IN THE FUTURE.
AND SO I GREW UP HERE IN GALVESTON, LOVED THIS TOWN, AND I JUST WANTED TO GIVE BACK TO MY CITY.
SO I APPRECIATE ALL THE SUPPORT I'VE HAD OVER THE LAST SIX YEARS.
IF I COULD GIVE ONE PIECE OF ADVICE TO THE NEW MEMBERS OF COUNCIL.
SOMEONE BROUGHT UP JONES PARK.
I CAME ON COUNCIL, AND I WAS LIKE, WE ARE GOING TO GET THIS PARK BUILT BY MY FIRST TERM, AND THREE TERM'S LATER, WE'RE STILL NOT THERE, BUT WE'VE DONE SOME GREAT THINGS.
[LAUGHTER] WE FINALLY BROKE GROUND ON THE SOCCER COMPLEX, WHICH HAS TAKEN 6 OR 7 YEARS.
IT JUST TAKES A LITTLE LONGER IN GOVERNMENT THAN THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
I'D LIKE TO THANK ALL MY CONSTITUENTS.
MY MOTHER, PEGGY, FATHER, JOHNNY LISTOWSKI.
MY MOTHER IN LAW IS BACK THERE.
LIAM MULLINS, MY NIECE DYLAN'S BACK THERE.
AND THEN, OF COURSE, MY BEAUTIFUL WIFE IS BACK THERE.
[00:35:02]
SO THANK YOU.AND CARA, WON'T YOU STAND? WOULD YOU PLEASE? THERE THEY ARE. OH, THEY ARE STANDING.
[LAUGHTER] [APPLAUSE] WE ALL KNOW WE'RE GOING TO GO DOWN.
[6.D. Administer The Oath of Office To Elected City Council Members]
AND WE'LL START WITH THE MAYORAL POSITION.I THINK YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO READ ON THAT, JANELLE.
I DO, I HAVE THE CERTIFICATE OF ELECTION IN THE NAME.
AND BY THE AUTHORITY OF THE STATE OF TEXAS, THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT AT A GENERAL ELECTION HELD ON MAY 4TH, 2024, CRAIG BROWN WAS DULY ELECTED MAYOR OF THE CITY OF GALVESTON.
THANK YOU, JANELLE. [APPLAUSE] AND MY WIFE, ANGELA.
ANGELA, COULD YOU COME FORWARD, PLEASE? MIC] OKAY. RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND AND REPEAT AFTER ME.
I, CRAIG BROWN. DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR.
THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY EXECUTE THE DUTIES.
THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY EXECUTE THE DUTIES.
OF MAYOR OF THE CITY OF GALVESTON.
OF MAYOR OF THE CITY OF GALVESTON.
AND WILL, TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY.
AND WILL TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY.
THE CONSTITUTION AND LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES.
THE CONSTITUTION AND LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES.
AND THE CHARTER AND ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF GALVESTON.
AND THE CHARTER AND ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF GALVESTON.
SO HELP ME GOD. SO HELP ME GOD.
THANK YOU MAYOR. [APPLAUSE] YOU CAN SIGN YOUR OATH REAL QUICK.
I'LL MAKE STANDING OVATION. WE WILL NOW MOVE TO DISTRICT 1.
IN THE NAME AND BY THE AUTHORITY OF THE STATE OF TEXAS, THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT AT A GENERAL ELECTION HELD ON MAY 4TH, 2024, SHARON B.
LEWIS WAS DULY ELECTED CITY COUNCIL MEMBER, DISTRICT 1 OF THE CITY OF GALVESTON.
[APPLAUSE] RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND AND REPEAT AFTER ME.
THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY EXECUTE THE DUTIES.
THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY EXECUTE THE DUTIES.
OF CITY COUNCIL MEMBER, DISTRICT 1.
OF CITY COUNCIL. MEMBER, DISTRICT 1.
AND WILL, TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY.
AND WILL TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY.
[00:40:03]
PRESERVE, PROTECT AND DEFEND.THE CONSTITUTION AND LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES.
THE CONSTITUTION AND LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES.
AND THE CHARTER AND ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF GALVESTON.
AND THE CHARTER AND ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF GALVESTON.
SO HELP ME GOD. SO HELP ME GOD.
[APPLAUSE] I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO ALL THE CONSTITUENTS, AND THIS HAS BEEN A LEARNING JOURNEY FOR ME.
[LAUGHTER] AND I FOUND IT A LOT DIFFERENT.
BUT I'VE LEARNED, AND I WANT TO BE ABLE TO LEARN SO THAT THE CONSTITUENTS CAN LEARN.
SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND I LOOK FORWARD TO DOING THIS AGAIN.
IN THE NAME AND BY THE AUTHORITY OF THE STATE OF TEXAS THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT AT A GENERAL ELECTION ON MAY 4TH, 2024, BOB BROWN WAS DULY ELECTED CITY COUNCIL MEMBER, DISTRICT 3 OF THE CITY OF GALVESTON.
RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND AND REPEAT AFTER ME.
THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY EXECUTE THE DUTIES.
THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY EXECUTE THE DUTIES.
OF CITY COUNCIL MEMBER, DISTRICT 3.
OF CITY COUNCIL MEMBER, DISTRICT 3.
AND WILL, TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY.
AND WILL TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY.
THE CONSTITUTION AND LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES.
THE CONSTITUTION AND LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES.
AND OF THIS STATE. AND OF THE STATE.
AND THE CHARTER AND ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF GALVESTON.
AND THE CHARTER AND ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF GALVESTON.
SO HELP ME GOD. SO HELP ME GOD.
[APPLAUSE] THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT.
BOB. I JUST WANT TO THANK EVERYBODY.
EVERYBODY ALL THE ANYWAY, THANK YOU ALL. I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO IT.
[APPLAUSE] THANK YOU. IN THE NAME AND BY THE AUTHORITY OF THE STATE OF TEXAS THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT AT A GENERAL ELECTION HELD ON MAY 4TH, 2024, ALEXANDER PORRETTO WAS DULY ELECTED CITY COUNCIL MEMBER DISTRICT FOUR OF THE CITY OF GALVESTON.
RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND AND REPEAT AFTER ME.
I, ALEXANDER PORRETTO I, ALEXANDER PORRETTO, DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR.
MEMBER, DISTRICT FOUR OF CITY COUNCIL.
MEMBER DISTRICT OF THE CITY OF GALVESTON.
AND WILL, TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY AND WILL TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY, PRESERVE, PROTECT AND DEFEND, PRESERVE, PROTECT AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION AND LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES, THE CONSTITUTION AND LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES, AND OF THIS STATE AND OF THIS STATE, AND THE CHARTER AND ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF GALVESTON, AND OF THE CHARTER AND ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF GALVESTON. SO HELP ME GOD.
SO HELP ME GOD. CONGRATULATIONS [APPLAUSE].
[00:45:11]
I WANT TO THANK ALL MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS AND MY FIANCÉ WHO PUT UP WITH THIS FOR THE LAST THREE MONTHS.YOU KNOW, I'M NOT GOING TO FORGET WHO I REPRESENT.
EVEN THE PEOPLE WHO DIDN'T VOTE FOR ME, THE PEOPLE WHO DID VOTE FOR ME.
AND IT'S IT'S ABOUT EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU IN THIS ROOM.
SO, YOU KNOW, BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR.
BUT, YOU KNOW, MY I'M REALLY MY, MY FAMILY HAS A LOT OF HISTORY HERE.
AND SOME PEOPLE, YOU KNOW, MIGHT MEN HERE MIGHT KNOW MY NEW MY GREAT GRANDFATHER AND MY GRANDFATHER.
AND YOU KNOW, I JUST I WANT TO MAKE HIM PROUD, AND I WANT TO MAKE THE CITY PROUD.
SO I APPRECIATE EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU FOR COMING OUT.
IN THE NAME, AND BY THE AUTHORITY OF THE STATE OF TEXAS, THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT AT A GENERAL ELECTION ON MAY 4TH, 2024 BEAU RAWLINS WAS ELECTED CITY COUNCIL MEMBER, DISTRICT FIVE OF THE CITY OF GALVESTON.
CONGRATULATIONS, BEAU [APPLAUSE]. RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND AND REPEAT AFTER ME.
I BEAU I BEAU RAWLINS, DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR.
SOLEMNLY SWEAR THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY EXECUTE THE DUTIES.
THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY EXECUTE.
MEMBER, DISTRICT FIVE OF CITY COUNCIL.
MEMBER, DISTRICT FIVE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GALVESTON.
OF THE STATE OF TEXAS. OF THE STATE OF TEXAS.
AND WILL TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY AND WILL TO AND WILL TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY.
PRESERVE, PROTECT AND DEFEND, PRESERVE, PROTECT AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION AND LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES, THE CONSTITUTION AND LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES, AND OF THE STATE AND OF THIS STATE, AND THE CHARTER AND ORDINANCES OF AND ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF GALVESTON.
CONGRATULATIONS [APPLAUSE]. THANK YOU.
I HAVE A LOT OF FRIENDS, SEVERAL FAMILY MEMBERS HERE.
THANK YOU SO MUCH, MARILYN, FOR ALL THAT YOU'VE DONE TO HELP ME.
I I TRULY APPRECIATE BEING ELECTED.
ANYBODY WHO PUTS THEIR NAME IN THE HAT IN FOR THESE LOCAL ELECTIONS ARE PUTTING A LOT ON THE LINE, AND I'VE DONE IT A FEW TIMES AND I'VE PULLED IT OUT THIS TIME, AND I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR EVERYBODY THAT'S BELIEVED IN ME.
AND I KNOW SOMETIMES IT'S NOT THAT WE TRY TO CATEGORIZE PEOPLE BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT [INAUDIBLE], BUT IT'S PUT MY FAMILY HERE SINCE THE LATE 1880S. AND FOR ME TO BE IN THIS POSITION, I WANT EVERYONE TO KNOW THAT I REPRESENT THIS ENTIRE ISLAND, NOT JUST DISTRICT FIVE.
THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE IN THIS ROOM THAT I LOOK FORWARD TO TALKING TO TO TO REPRESENTING.
AND I LOOK FORWARD TO MAKING EACH OF YOU PROUD AND MY FAMILY PROUD.
IN THE NAME AND BY THE AUTHORITY OF THE STATE OF TEXAS.
[00:50:04]
, DISTRICT SIX OF THE CITY OF GALVESTON.CONGRATULATIONS, MARIE [APPLAUSE].
I, MARIE ROBB, DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR.
THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY EXECUTE THE DUTIES OF CITY COUNCIL MEMBER, DISTRICT SIX OF THE CITY OF GALVESTON AND THE STATE OF TEXAS, OF THE CITY OF GALVESTON AND THE STATE OF TEXAS.
AND WILL DO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY PRESERVE, PROTECT, AND DEFEND.
AND WILL DO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY TO PROTECT AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION AND LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES.
THE CONSTITUTION AND LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES, AND OF THIS STATE, AND OF THIS STATE OF TEXAS.
AND THE CHARTER AND ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF GALVESTON.
AND THE CHARTER AND ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF GALVESTON.
SO HELP ME GOD. SO HELP ME GOD.
CONGRATULATIONS [APPLAUSE]. THANK YOU.
THANK YOU. WELL, I'D LIKE TO THANK EVERYONE.
BEING A CITY COUNCIL MEMBER, I TRULY LOVE WHAT I DO FOR ALL THE PEOPLE IN THE ENTIRE CITY.
AND I LOOK FORWARD TO SERVING YOU IN THE FUTURE BECAUSE YOU ALL ARE OUR BOSS.
AND DON'T LET ANYONE ELSE TELL YOU ANYTHING DIFFERENT BECAUSE WE WORK FOR YOU, ALL OF YOU.
AND I LOOK FORWARD TO SERVING YOU IN THE FUTURE.
AND THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR VOTE, YOUR SUPPORT, AND ESPECIALLY YOUR PRAYERS.
WHEN WE SAY EVERYBODY DANCE Y'ALL.
NO THAT'S NOT ON THE AGENDA [LAUGHTER].
VERY GOOD. WE ARE COMING TOWARDS THE END OF OUR AGENDA THIS AFTERNOON.
I WANT TO CONGRATULATE EVERYBODY IN MY MAYORAL RACE ON THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT.
THIS HAS BEEN A LABOR OF LOVE FOR ME THROUGHOUT THESE ENTIRE YEARS THAT I'VE BEEN YOUR MAYOR.
I TAKE IT VERY SERIOUSLY, AND I WANT TO BE THE ADVOCATE FOR YOU OUT THERE THE CITIZENS OF GALVESTON, THAT'S MY ROLE. I WORK AT THAT VERY HARD AND DOES GALVESTON DESERVES TO HAVE REPRESENTATIVES, WHICH WE HAVE SEATED NOW, THAT HAVE A LOVE FOR THIS ISLAND AND WANT TO SEE IT PROGRESS AND GET BETTER.
WE ALSO NEW COUNCIL MEMBERS AND THOSE THAT ARE SEATED CONGRATULATIONS.
WE'RE ON QUITE A JOURNEY NOW FOR THE NEXT TWO YEARS.
SO LOOKING FORWARD TO MOVING FORWARD WITH ALL OF YOU.
SO PLEASE STICK AROUND AND HAVE SOME REFRESHMENTS WITH YOU.
AND IF YOU WANT TO DANCE WITH MARIE, YOU CAN.
AND SO ANYWAY, WE'LL HAVE THAT.
BUT BEFORE WE ADJOURN, I'M GOING TO ASK BRIAN.
BRIAN, WE HAD A BARGE HIT THE BRIDGE.
BRIAN, COULD YOU GIVE US AN UPDATE FIRST? WELCOME ABOARD COUNCIL WOULDN'T BE COUNCIL WITHOUT A CALAMITY OR DISASTER, SO WELCOME.
THEY ARE OPERATING OUT OF OUR EOC AT THE JUSTICE CENTER.
[00:55:02]
WE HAVE ALLOWED NOW, EVERYBODY THAT WAS ON PELICAN ISLAND WITH THE CAR TO EXIT THE ISLAND KIND OF IN A SINGLE FILE FASHION IN A VERY ORDERLY FASHION TO GET ACROSS THE BRIDGE. RIGHT NOW, THE BARGE IS STILL LODGED UNDER THE BRIDGE.AFTER THAT, THE BRIDGE IS GOING TO BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC UNTIL FURTHER EVALUATION CAN BE HAD.
THERE IS SOME CONCERN THAT IF THEY OFFLOAD THE BARGE, THE BARGE IS COMPLETELY LOADED.
SO THEY'RE GOING TO KIND OF TAKE THIS ONE A LITTLE DIFFERENTLY.
THAT'S WHAT CAUSED SOME OF THE OIL SPILL THAT WE'VE EXPERIENCED HERE.
AND THEY'VE GOT THAT CONTAINED.
OR AT LEAST THEY'VE GOT THE BARGE.
THE OIL RELEASE FROM THE BARGE CONTAINED.
THERE WAS QUITE A BIT OF RELEASE INTO THE BAY.
THE CURRENTS TOOK IT. SO THEY'RE GOING TO BE WORKING WITH A REMEDIATION COMPANY TO DEAL WITH THAT.
SO WE'RE GOING TO GET THE TRY TO GET THE RAIL TRESTLE OFF THE TOP OF THE BARGE NEXT.
IT IS RESTING AGAINST THAT BRIDGE RIGHT NOW.
THE COAST GUARD OBVIOUSLY HAS ASSUMED COMMAND.
PD IS ON SITE. FIRE DEPARTMENT'S ON SITE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, PUBLIC WORKS.
THE COUNTY OF GALVESTON IS THERE.
THE COUNTY ENGINEER WAS THERE WITH ME THIS MORNING.
TMS IS ON SITE TXDOT IS ON SITE.
THE BARGE OWNERS ARE ON SITE, AND THEY'RE DEALING WITH THIS APPROPRIATELY.
AND THE NAVIGATION DISTRICT, OF COURSE, WAS FRONT AND CENTER BECAUSE THEY WERE THERE WHEN I GOT HIT.
WE HAVE DEPLOYED ONE RESERVE FIRE ENGINE AND WE HAVE LEFT IT ON PELICAN ISLAND IN CASE THERE IS SOME TYPE OF EMERGENCY, WE CAN RESPOND STILL ON THE ISLAND WITHOUT HAVING TO RUN A BUNCH OF HEAVY EQUIPMENT ACROSS THE BRIDGE.
THANK YOU BRIAN, I APPRECIATE THAT.
WE HAVE GONE THROUGH ALL THE ITEMS IN OUR AGENDA.
THANK YOU [APPLAUSE].
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.