Bermuda
Beach
2002 ANNUAL MEETING:
October 12, 2002 Best Western Beachfront Inn
The annual property owner's meeting was called to order at 10:10
AM by President Carroll Cobb.
Carroll announced that Councilwoman Diana Puccetti was not able
to attend due to illness. Carroll introduced our guest Speaker
Jerry Mohn, President of the West Galveston Island Property Owners
Association (WGIPOA) and the Bermuda Beach Board. She thanked
Bill McFarland for providing copies of the Beach and Bay Access
Plan. Carroll also thanked Larry Love for designing the new directory
cover and announced that by going to the new type binding on the
directories we saved enough money to be able to reprint each year.
Carroll also thanked Mildred Coker for providing brochures distributed
by the Parks Department on Seaweed. The minutes of the last meeting
and financial report were distributed to everyone in attendance.
Al Birdwell moved to accept the Minutes of the 2001 meeting as
distributed. The motion was seconded by Bill McFarland and passed.
Al Birdwell asked for a clarification of what utilities we were
billed for and Treasurer, Mildred Coker announced that we pay
both water and electricity for our lighted sign and plantings
at the front of the subdivision. Al Birdwell moved to accept the
Financial Statement as submitted. Motion seconded by Bill McFarland.
The motion passed.
Guest Speaker
Jerry Mohn, President of the WGIPOA presented the Association's
views on Beach Access and the City and State's position. Jerry
urged anyone that could possibly attend the public meetings to
do so and sign up to speak. Property owners were greatly outnumbered
by Texas Open Beach Advocate Groups. Jerry updated the audience
on the CEPRA II sand blanket and stated that the second phase
of CEPRA will begin once the Galveston Beach Access Plan has been
certified by the State. Jerry also discussed the possibility of
Bermuda Beach installing a GeoTube and what would initially be
needed in the way of commitment by the subdivision. He announced
that the initial cost is approximately $125/foot and is expected
to last 10-20 years but must be kept covered and re-nourished
with sand. Lucy Rangel, President of Spanish Grant attended our
meeting and advised that Spanish Grant, our neighbor to the East,
has formed a Task Force to study the GeoTube possibility also.
Glenna Landry, a property owner in both Spanish Grant and Bermuda
Beach is heading the GeoTube research. Glenna agreed to share
her discoveries with the Bermuda Beach Board. Steve Klopp moved
that the Board undertake the development of a feasibility plan
for the installation of a GeoTube. This would include cost of
installation and maintenance. David Walker seconded the motion.
This does not mean that Bermuda Beach will get a GeoTube. IF the
board feels we can afford it, we will take a survey of all property
owners to see if this is what we are willing to commit to on a
long term basis.
The Motion Passed
Crosswalks: There was discussion as to why we have not installed
new crosswalks and why we do not keep the grass mowed and weeds
trimmed around those that are there now. We have requested new
crosswalks in our project goal summaries submitted to the State
for various matching funds programs that we are currently involved
in. Those funds have not yet been allocated, projects have not
been approved or permits granted. The requests however, are still
pending. The reason for not mowing is that it is illegal to cut
any vegetation on the dunes. Jan Mikeska moved that Bermuda Beach
apply for a permit and install at least one new crosswalk on the
east end where the foot traffic had damaged the dune causing increased
erosion and endangering the road. (The estimated cost is $2000-$2500)
The motion was seconded by Kathy Love, and passed.
Dennis Banks made a motion, seconded by Tom Eade, that if the
Board determines the need to rake, the decision will be made by
the board as to how and who to have rake the seaweed. The City
or if necessary the BBIC may hire someone as they have in the
past. They are only to rake the seaweed back to the vegetation
line. Frequency and timing will be at the discretion of the board.
The motion passed.
Danny Stammer moved and Ilse Nihill seconded the motion to rescind
our instructions to the City not to rake.
The motion failed.
Dennis Banks made a motion, seconded by Tom Eade, that if the
Board determines the need to rake, the decision will be made by
the board as to how and who to have rake the seaweed. The City
or if necessary the BBIC will hire someone as they have in the
past and instruct them to rake the seaweed back to the vegetation
line only. Frequency and timing will be at the discretion of the
board.
The motion passed.
Speed Humps: John Allen moved and Tina Mogab seconded the proposal
to install speed humps on Pabst Rd. between FM3005 and John Reynolds
Rd. and between John Reynolds Rd. and Bermuda Beach Drive. After
a discussion a vote was taken by written ballot.
The motion failed.
Hurricane Security TASK Force: Director Joe Taylor presented a
special project that we believe would be a good thing for Bermuda
Beach to adopt. During the last close call with Hurricane Lili,
the board tried to locate off duty police officers that would
commit to standing guard at the Bermuda Beach FM3005 entrance
and on the beach in the event we were hit directly by a storm.
We found it next to impossible to find anyone in Galveston, or
elsewhere that would be available in a weather related crisis.
Forming our own Hurricane Security TASK Force seems to be the
only way we will be able to combat looting in the event of a storm.
Joe's idea of distributing a Bermuda Beach Resident Sticker for
the car was readily accepted. Joe will be in contact with local
police to see if there is a way for the people on the Bermuda
Beach Task Force to be deputized for a specific amount of time
and be able to use whatever means necessary to thwart crime during
our most vulnerable time. He will also investigate what we will
need in the way of radios etc. to communicate with the police
force from our field positions. After Hurricane Alicia looting
was a tremendous problem. This is a problem that will affect us
all. We all will be struggling with property damage and will have
massive cleanup chores to do. Hopefully, many will be willing
to take a turn at standing guard. Those that would like to be
a part of the initial group organizing the TASK Force please contact
Joe at: 409-737-2366
Please note we may not be able to hire help during a crisis. Our
security will be up to us and us alone. We need to plan now.
Parking - rental homes & large parties: Rental homes that
advertise accommodations for large groups, such as those that
can host 15+ people do not have parking spaces for that many cars
if everyone brings their own vehicle. This has escalated into
a major problem for the neighboring property owners.
Please advise your renters and the agency handling your home to
let their clients know how many vehicles the driveway can accommodate.
No one should park in other driveways even if the house is closed.
All vacant lots are privately owned and should not be used for
parking without permission. If you are having a large party and
need extra parking please contact any board member for locations
that property owners have authorized the board to use as overflow
parking. Parking is available on the street in areas not marked.
Carroll Cobb: had announced to the nominating committee that she
would be resigning from the board after 10 years of service. BBIC
presented Carroll with an Arthur Court pitcher as a thank you
for her many years of service to Bermuda Beach. Carroll has agreed
to stay on as an Advisory Director.
Director Joe Taylor: has been working in Arlington for the past
two years, commuting to the beach on the weekends. Because of
this out of town work and increase in his duties of inspecting
nuclear power plants since 9/11, he will also be resigning from
the Board and taking an Advisory Director position. Joe will continue
as Chairman of the Architecture Committee and will act as coordinator
for the Hurricane Security Task Force.
Continue to contact Joe, on the weekends only, for board approval
of your outside construction projects. 409-737-2366
Street Signs: The new beach access proposal distributed by the
City Planning Department shows that the No Parking signs on Pabst
Rd will be removed. There is at this time, no indication that
the other signs in the subdivision will be changed. Hopefully,
parking will be restricted on the seaward side of Bermuda Beach
Drive to protect the vegetation, dunes, and prevent the road from
additional damage.
Last year a property owner contacted the City and requested several
signs be placed on Pabst Rd. A problem did erupt from this incident
causing us many problems in our negotiating the beach access for
the subdivision. We would greatly appreciate it if you have a
problem or suggestion to please call a board member first and
let us approach the city or discuss the situation with you.
A Board Member from each Section: David Walker moved, seconded
by Glenna Landry to elect someone from each of the five sections
to serve on the BBIC. It was noted that we have problems finding
people to serve on the board that can spare the amount of time
necessary and that the different sections are not so diverse that
their needs are different from one another. The motion failed.
Election of Directors: Carroll Cobb presented the slate of nominees
as prepared by the committee. Nominations were requested from
the floor. No nominations from the floor were received. Bill McFarland
moved the ballot be accepted by affirmation. All were in favor.
2003 Directors are: Al Birdwell, Mildred Coker, Kathy Love, Andy
Lang, and John Merchant
The meeting was adjourned and the covered dish barbecue immediately
followed in the
Conference room of the Best Western.
Respectfully submitted by Beverly Twaddell