Newsletter

The City of Galveston wants to hear from you!

Make your neighborhood a better place to live!  Would you like . . . A community park? Safer sidewalks? More places to eat and shop? Better transportation?  We won't know unless you tell us! As part of its new neighborhood area planning process, The City of Galveston has scheduled neighborhood meetings all over the Island.

Click here to find out where and when your neighborhood meeting will take place, and remember to mark your calendars as this is a meeting you won't want to miss!

For more information, go to: www.cityofgalvestonrecovers.org Or call: 409-797-3773, ext. 540.

Our Water Tower Story

A few people have been asking about our water tower, so here is a little background on the Isla Del Sol Elevated Storage Tank (EST).  This storage tank was a part of the City’s Capital Improvements Program (CIP) before fiscal year 2004-2005. Every year the CIP is included in the City’s annual budget and is discussed at length in with Council.  This and several other projects were designed and have been waiting for funding.

The Isla Del Sol EST must be located in this area because of the hydraulic characteristics of the system and its proximity to the two twelve inch waterlines located next to FM 3005.  The facility located near the back of Terramar Beach is a wastewater treatment plant and by TCEQ regulation is not allowed to be within close proximity to any potable water storage or pumping facility.

 As a result of Hurricane Ike the City’s CIP was indefinitely suspended because of the uncertainty of the recovery process.  In the spring of 2009, shortly after the passage of HR 1 (Stimulus Bill), City staff began the application process for all shovel ready projects.  The City turned in a total of eighteen projects that were ready or could be ready for construction within the given timeline. ...more

GOOD AFTERNOON
From Lt. Porretto
August 25th 2010       

On Saturday, August 21st, I gave an update to the WGIPOA at the monthly meeting and I wanted to pass on some additional information to our residents. We are still making progress on the West End of the Island with our collaborative efforts and the public support of your police department is greatly appreciated.
1. We have had a number of large warning signs erected at San Luis Pass on the Beach area that supports our law enforcement efforts. We have experienced a reasonable decline in "Public Order Violations" due to forced compliance and the issuance of citations along with arrests in the most extreme cases.
2. TXDOT has completed a signage audit at my request on FM-3005. All of the authorized signs have been re-installed or replaced. By the end of September, larger speed limit signs should be installed replacing the current smaller signs.
3. Lights Out Program- Currently I have the officers under my command on the Night Shift checking neighborhoods for the street lights that are out. If you have street lights out in your neighborhood please email me the 6-DIGIT Pole Number so that I can forward it to Center Point Energy and have it repaired. Mr. Keith Gray is making sure the lights are repaired in a timely manner, and this helps everyone have a safer community.
4. WE ARE ACTIVELY WORKING RADAR ON FM-3005 AT ALL HOURS OF THE DAY AND NIGHT. Slow down, I don't want any of you to be issued a citation !!!Additionally, school started Monday, so PLEASE WATCH YOUR SPEED IN OUR SCHOOL ZONES !!!!
5. The Galveston Police Department is actively enforcing the NO OVERNIGHT CAMPING ORDINANCE on the beaches. If you observe someone camping please call the NON-EMERGENCY NUMBER and report the violation to 409-765-3702.
6. We are in the final stages of an investigation involving a vintage Harley-Davidson motorcycle. This issue was raised at the monthly meeting, and has required a substantial amount of investigation, and to our officers and detectives credit, we should have an arrest warrant issued before the end of the week for the suspect.
7. National Night Out is Tuesday, October 5th, 2010. Any neighborhood interested in participating should contact officer Chris McNeil at cmcneil@cityofgalveston.org or telephone 409-765-3602.
8. Please make sure that if you own a Golf Cart and you operate it on a public roadway it is licensed through the City of Galveston. You can register your golf cart via the City of Galveston Website or appear in person at 601 54th Street.
9. Please continue to REPORT ANY SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY in your neighborhood. You tips, calls, and information are making a huge difference and it truly helps me formulate strategies and efficiently use the resources that I have.
In closing I would like to thank each and everyone of you for helping us make our West End Community safe. I am extremely appreciative of all of the help you have given me, my officers, and the department as a whole. Together we will make our community safe.  

Lt. Henry Porretto
West Isle Division Commander
409-765-3609

Getting Around in Golf Carts

There are many of us that own and enjoy golf carts, but please remember they are only to be driven by licensed drivers and the golf cart must be registered with the city. To see a full description of golf cart laws, click here.

Perfect Pets

Please remember to keep your pets leashed while walking them, and please be courteous to your neighbors and pick up after your pet. To see a full description of local animal control laws, click here. To contact Animal Control, call 409-797-3612

Keep Fishing Pier & Boat Ramp Locked

We’ve had recent problems with the locks to both the fishing pier and boat ramp. Both locks are now repaired and use the same key that you should have. If you do not have a key and or have lost yours, contact CKM Management. There is a $5 fee for the key. The pier and ramp are for Isla residents and guests only, please remember to “lock up” when you’re finished.

Keep Your Grass Cut

Isla’s management company and your Board of Directors have been flooded with complaints from property owners in Isla about vacant lots and some yards that have not been mowed regularly. This is unfair to your neighbors. The policy for a “Force Cut” is as follows. Following the cut, you will be sent a bill. If the bill is not paid, it is collected the same as the assessment. Three letter notices will be sent and then a lien notice will be filed with the County Clerk’s office. None of us want it to come to that.  You can visit the Classified section of this website and pick from the listings to find someone to cut your grass if you’re not able to do it. As always, your cooperation in keeping Isla looking good is appreciated.

Geotubes Damage Easily

Along with trying to create a new marsh, comes the problem of keeping this beautiful, newly created area free from litter and damage in order to allow it time to grow. The black fabric geotubes that you see out there are very fragile and susceptible to easily being damaged. Fish hooks, anchors, anything that could possibly tear the fabric, are all threats to the ultimate success of this project. Please help spread the word – KEEP OFF THE GEOTUBES. As a property owner in Isla, you have every right to be proud and protective of this area.

Be A Good Neighbor

Since most homes in Isla are weekend get-aways, and are not occupied full time, it would be nice if we all chip in and keep an eye out for each other. Just a few courtesies would make a big difference! Pick up trash in your yard, your neighbor's yard or any of the common areas Bring in your neighbor's trash can if you know they are not there. Report street lights that are out by calling 1-800-332-7143. Know the 6 digit number on the light post and a nearby address when you call. Report disorderly conduct at rental properties to GARM (Galveston Association of Rental Management) at 409-682-3606 Report any suspicious activity to the Galveston police.