The City of Seabrook’se-Update Sept. 2009

Volume 1, Issue 4

There will be no trash pick up on this day.

On Thursday, October 8 from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at 2400 North Meyer Road, Seabrook, TX, there will be a groundbreaking ceremony to kick off construction of the new Evelyn Meador Library building. After the ceremony, please join the Friends of Evelyn Meador Library for a reception at the Seabrook Community House, 1210 Anders, Seabrook.

Thanks to the conservation efforts of the citizens and businesses of Seabrook, the city has been able to rescind the Stage 1 Mandatory Water Rationing as specified by the City of Seabrook Drought Contingency Plan.

The cooperation of our citizens and the hard work of our water production staff led to a successful Stage 1 Mandatory Rationing. Our water usage decreased substantially and it is those efforts that allow us to lift the restrictions. However, those same efforts will need to continue to be made in order for the City to avoid returning to the restriction of water rationing. We're asking everyone to please follow the voluntary guidelines as specified in our Drought Contingency Plan.

Voluntary Water Use Restrictions:

1. Water customers are requested to voluntarily limit the irrigation of landscaped areas.

2. All operations of the city shall adhere to water use restrictions prescribed for Stage 1 of the plan.

3. Water customers are requested to practice water conservation and to minimize or discontinue water use for non-essential purposes.

Save the date…November 14

SPONSORS: Houston Happy Hikers (AVA-15/TX-6) and Seabrook’s Open Space, Beautification & Preservation Committee

ELIGIBILITY/TYPE OF EVENT: Noncompetitive. Walk, jog or run at your own pace. It is open to all and families are encouraged to participate. Children under age 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

STARTING POINT ADDRESS: Meyer Park Pavilion , 1900 N. Meyer Rd., Seabrook, Texas 77586

START/FINISH TIMES: Start anytime between 8:00 am to 11:00 am, finish by 2:00 pm.

DISTANCE: 10K Walk with a second time on the Start Card is permitted.

AWARD: This is a B Medal event. A supply of awards from previous events will be available.

TRAIL DESCRIPTION: Trail is rated 1 along mostly wheel chair and stroller accessible trails. Some portions of the hike and bike trails through the city parks are limestone or mulched surfaces and may not be suitable for all users. Pets on leashes are permitted.

For more details contact Dori Nelson dori.nelson@sbcglobal.netor 281-474-4825 or hhhpresident@houstonhappyhikers.org.

City of Seabrook 15th Annual

Date: September 12, 2009

Time: 10:00 a.m. - Noon

Place: 2nd Street Park

Cost: Free

Ages: Kids up to 8th grade

Registration: Register at the event.

Prizes: Overall Largest Fish caught by a girl and a boy will receive a gift certificate for a bike. Only children in the Kindergarten - 8th Grade age group will be eligible for this prize. Please bring your own rod & reel. Bait will be provided.

Sponsored by the Seabrook Parks & Recreation Dept.and the Seabrook Police Dept.

Labor Day Weekend Pool Schedule as follows:

Sept. 5 Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Sept. 6 Sunday 1:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Sept. 7 Monday (Labor Day) 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

All meetings start at 7 p.m. unless noted otherwise on the meeting agenda.

Crime Control & Prevention Dist.Tuesday, Sept. 1 at 6:45 p.m.

City CouncilTuesday, Sept. 1 and 15

Planning & ZoningThursday, Sept. 17

Public Safety @ SVFDWednesday, Sept. 9

Building StandardsWednesday, Sept. 9

Charter ReviewMonday, Sept. 14 & 28

Ethics ReviewWed., Sept. 16

TourismMonday, Sept. 21

Master Plan ReviewWednesday, Sept. 2 & 16

Community EventsMonday, Sept. 28

EDCThursday, Sept. 10

Open Space, Beautification & PreservationThursday, Sept. 3 & 17

Submitted by David Hyde, Director of Parks & Recreation

Starting this month your utility bill from the City will simply be the postcard-style you normally receive without the outer envelope or any additional inserts.

You may pay your utility bill online through the City website secure online payment page, or by mail. If you choose to mail your payment, please indicate on the envelope “Water Dept.” so that your payment is routed to the correct department. Thank you.

Visit the City website section Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for general information regarding taxes, municipal building locations and hours, who to contact regarding different utilities and more.

Also visit the Applications and Forms section of the City website to download employment applications, building permit forms and more.

Jon Lovitz

From their website, http://www.gulfcoastfilmfest.com/

“Due to the loss of revenue from our friends and sponsors that were affected by hurricane Ike, all Festival social events have to be cancelled. Our supporters are dedicated to continuing the film festival tradition in 2010, and we look forward to making the 10th Annual Gulf Coast Film Festival an even bigger and better festival. The submitted films and screenplays will still be judged this month and awards presented to the winners. The winners will be notified by email and awards will be forwarded via regular mail. The winners will appear on the official film festival website, and additional promotional initiatives are in the works. Any tickets already purchased for the social events will be honored at the next film festival….Contact us at whiteriverrock@webtv.net.”

Community Emergency Response Team

The CERT program is a 24 hour training class for local citizens to respond in a disaster situation with emphasis on fire suppression, urban search and rescue and medical operations. The training includes basic first aid, basic fire-fighting, how to manage utility connections following a disaster, how to evaluate a damaged structure and to safely search it for victims, how to communicate with local emergency service agencies, and more. The disasters covered are the kinds seen in our area, such as tornados, hurricanes, tropical storms, wide-area fires and chemical emergencies.

BayCERT is the local area CERT group and they meet monthly. Please feel free to attend a meeting to find out more about the CERT program.

Click here for more information and to download and view class dates and and/or a registration form.

Anyone in Harris County who has ongoing needs caused by Hurricane Ike and who is not receiving rental assistance from a Disaster Housing Assistance Program should call:

Stay Connected Texas 713-667-5853

Informational flyers about this program are available for free in both English and Spanish. To order flyers please contact Alison Smith at Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston by emailing asmith@imgh.org.

Where? First Baptist Church parking lot, 1506 Bayport Blvd ., Seabrook

Bring your pets for micro-chip I.D.s or a bath. Donations accepted. Bay Area Pet Adoption will be there, too!

When? Saturday, September 12 from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

The Clear Creek Environmental Foundation (CCEF) will participate with the Texas General Land Office's Adopt-A-Beach Fall Clean up on Saturday, September 26, in Seabrook. They will set up under the Seabrook Bridge, from 8am to 12 noon. Volunteers are welcome!

Call Rex Ward for more information, 281-910-8774.

NEW LAW BANS CELL PHONE USE IN SCHOOL ZONES

A new Texas law goes into effect on September 1, 2009 that prohibits the use of cell phones by drivers navigating a school zone, unless the phone is used with a hands-free device or while the car is stopped.

Bus drivers will also be prohibited from using their cell phones while driving minor passengers unless the bus is stopped. Violators will be subject to a fine of up to $200.

The new law does make an exception if the phone is being used to call police, the fire department or emergency medical services.

City Council took the following action at the recent council meetings. All votes were unanimous unless otherwise noted.

BIDS AWARDED to Teamwork Construction Service, Inc. for Project 2009-05 to repair and replace sidewalks in the Wildwood Subdivision.

BID AWARDED to Tank Pro, Inc. for Project 2009-04 for water tank rehabilitation. Councilors Mack and Morrell were absent.

APPROVED third and final reading of 2009-12, Creating Overlay Design Standards for the Point. Councilors Dunphey and Morrell were absent.

APPROVED third and final reading of 2009-14, Adding Uses Permitted by Right and Conditional Uses in the MMU Zoning District. Councilors Dunphey and Morrell were absent.

APPROVED third and final reading of Ordinance No. 2009-16, Providing for Traffic Signal Lights. Councilors Dunphey and Morrell were absent.

APPROVED all three readings of Ordinance No. 2009-17, Adding Communication Tower as a Conditional Use in C-3 Zoning Districts. Councilors Dunphey and Morrell were absent for the first reading. Councilors Mack and Morrell were absent for third reading.

APPROVED first and final reading of Ordinance No. 2009-20, Stop Signs –Emergency Ordinance.

APPROVED first reading of Ordinance No. 2009-21, Stop Signs - Permanent Ordinance.

APPROVED parade permit for annual 10k run over the Seabrook/Kemah bridge on September 19, 2009.

APPROVED Resolution No. 2009-12, Acceptance of the EDA Grant for the Construction of Infrastructure Improvements at “the Point” in Seabrook, Texas. Councilors Dunphey and Morrell were absent.

APPROVED Resolution No. 2009-13, JAG Grant which authorizes the Seabrook Police Department to participate in Justice Assistance Formula Grant funding.

APPROVED a variance from the construction design standard for storm water detention wet ponds for the detention facility constructed for the Seabrook Center and the Spring Hill Marriott Hotel. Councilors Mack and Morrell were absent.

APPOINTED members to Master Plan Review Commission and to Community Events Committee.

Submitted by Meredith Brant, Assistant City Secretary