First Quarter 2010 Post Ike Newsletter - April, 2010
We have a lot to cover in this first Post Ike newsletter. The minutes to the October Annual Meeting and Financial report have been posted to the web site and will be distributed with the new directory at the October Annual Meeting. Those that do not attend will receive their copies and directory by mail.
We sent not one, but two requests for you to update your data base information. We are very sorry for any inconvenience it may have caused you since all of the first responses to our mail-outs were “returned to sender”. We found that the change of address for the BBIC had not been corrected since the storm. Mail to BBIC should be sent to: 6023 Avenue S. #126, Galveston, TX 77551.
To make sure that our new directory is as up to date as possible please be sure to advise us of any changes to your telephone or mailing address by Sept. 1, 2010. You may send changes by email to: BBICboard@aol.com
NOTICE REGARDING DEED RESTRICTIONS - POST IKE
It has been 18 months since Hurricane Ike devastated Bermuda Beach. Since then, many proud Bermuda Beach homeowners have worked hard to restore their homes. Unfortunately, there are homes that remain in various states of disrepair. These homes are not only an eyesore, they are devaluing our property values and they pose a danger to all residents. Debris from these homes is scattered through the neighborhood. These homes attract vandals that do not discriminate between an abandoned home and one that is occupied. These unrepaired homes are in violation of Galveston city codes and the Bermuda Beach Deed Restrictions that we all agreed to abide by when we purchased our property.
The BBIC Board has privately addressed these violations in a letter to each owner of the properties in question. The Board sought information regarding the reasons repairs had not been started and offered assistance to those who may need it. Unfortunately, of all who were contacted, only three homeowners chose to respond. Many homeowners have voiced complaints to the Board about the unrepaired homes that seem to have been ignored. Please know that it is a priority of the Board to aggressively enforce Bermuda Beach’s deed restrictions for the benefit of all Bermuda Beach property owners. The Board is happy to announce that the City of Galveston has now started a citywide code enforcement of homes that are in disrepair, which will include the violators in our neighborhood. If your property is among those in violation, please contact the Board as soon as possible.
Thank you to all who have worked hard to restore your property.
MAINTENANCE FEES/DUES
We have only 5 residents that are still delinquent in sending in their maintenance fees. This is taking excessive time that could be expended in resolving others issues. There has always been a $25 fee added for accounts 30 days overdue. We do not feel its fair to the other property owners that pay their dues on time that these people are allowed to just pay a $25 penalty and then hold their payment for the next year. The board has voted to attach an additional handling charge of $10 per month. If this doesn’t work, we will be turning these overdue accounts to a collection agency. Their fee will be attached to the responsibility of the delinquent home owner.
SECURITY
At the February Directors meeting the board voted to hire an off duty police officer for weekends and holidays through the Labor Day weekend. Past issues involving parking congestion, traffic violations, private property rights and general public safety have warranted this action. We want it known that Bermuda Beach will be a place where all City Ordinances will be enforced, and visitors will be welcomed to a safe beach environment. Details and hours of service are currently being worked out. Be sure to refer to the web site for updates.
Always use 911 for emergency calls. PLEASE NOTE: If you are using a cell phone confirm that you are speaking to Galveston, TX Emergency. Cell phones dial the nearest cell tower and may dial back to the area where they are listed. Other important numbers to keep handy are:
(409) 765-3702.GPD Dispatch Non-Emergency
(409) 765-3614 is a direct line to the Sgt. Desk.
GARM - Galveston Association of Rental Managers Security
(409) 682-3603 Problems in homes handled by rental company call the GARM Security unless it's an emergency. They should cover loud music, at any time during the day, parking in restricted areas etc. The rental companies hire GARM to handle their non emergency issues. They are extremely helpful.
It is very important to report all incidents even if it seems a small infraction of the law. The City determines how many officers it needs to cover the entire west end based on this input. Questionable behavior, a car passing repeatedly, window broken, door ajar might factor in to some pattern the detectives are working on. Little pieces make up the puzzle. The BBIC is looking into the possibility of purchasing security cameras. Just the threat of Video Surveillance is a deterrent.
SECURITY ALERT
12721 John Reynolds Rd. (East side BB)
Sat. March 27 the Com Cast Security alarm notified the police and owners that someone had entered the house. The alarm or something must have scared them away before they could take anything but unfortunately not before they could make quite a mess.
COMPLIMENTS & COMMENTS ARE WELCOME
To email one of the Sgt’s about and incident or about one of their officers the following addresses should be helpful. It's always better to put it in writing even though you can leave messages on the Sergeants direct line above.
Day watch: Sgt C. Simmons: csimmons@cityofgalveston.org
Evening: Sgt. J. Stewart and Sgt. M. Oliver: jstewart@cityofgalveston.org
Night: Sgt. P. Contesta and Sgt. D. Elliot: pcontesta or delliot@cityofgalveston.org
Be aware of your surroundings and teach this to your children.
GALVESTON COUNTY DAILY NEWS ARTICLE
While being interviewed by Rhiannon Meyers on another local story, Mary Jan Lantz, the BBIC secretary mentioned living in BB.
Rhiannon was under the impression that all was well with Bermuda Beach and that we were back to normal. Mary Jan invited Rhiannon to visit us the following Saturday for a stroll down our beach with she and the other board members. Needless to say it was a good day to walk and talk. It was easy to see that we barely met the basic needs for occupancy. The issues discussed were: reconstruction of Bermuda Beach Dr, access to and repair to John Reynolds RD. and John Reynolds Cir., code enforcement to repair, clean up or remove abandoned homes, water quality and permanent water lines and the ongoing sewer problems. As the Board discussed the many neighborhood issues the overall focus was the safety of the residents and their homes. The Board repeatedly asks questions of City and State officials and continuously receives conflicting answers. We provided Rhiannon a list of these entities, and the questions that need firm answers. On March 20 the article was published. A link to the article “Rebuilding Basics” can be found on our web site. Thank you Rhiannon, we are making progress.
ROADS John Reynolds Rd and John Reynolds Cir have been scheduled to be resurfaced. The beach nourishment project has been set back until October. We have since requested the FEMA money awarded to the city for use in Bermuda Beach be immediately put to use by providing us with a raised road that is sufficiently stabilized to allow access to all homes and emergency vehicles during high tide.
The streets in Bermuda Beach are city streets. All City ordinances apply. Violations can result in a maximum fine of $500.00 Residents & guests should use the roads for foot traffic and drive or park only in designated areas. Driving down the beach to an uncongested area to launch a boat or jet-ski is a violation of the law and will be subject to ticketing and fines. The designated area for on beach parking is located at the seaward end of Pabst Rd. Bollards mark the on beach parking area and driving is only allowed on the landward side of the bollards which is “considered” Bermuda Beach Dr.
PRIVATE PROPERTY This is a residential community that happens to be located on the coast. In the City you wouldn't think of crossing through someone’s yard to get to where you are going. The same "code of conduct" that you use in your neighborhood applies to Bermuda Beach. Respect for private property is appreciated. Please ask your family and guests to use the roads.
CROSSWALKS Once the sand nourishment project is finished the issue of crosswalks will be reviewed. Please advise your guests that the streets should be used as the path to and from the beach.
SEWER Residents on John Reynolds Rd East side that do not have an active sewer system should be prepared to have their water turned off. The original due date was November 26, 2009. Sewer gases have started to become a problem when this line fills up. If this continues and compliance has not been met by those required to install a grinder pump the city assures us that those individuals will have their water turned off and locked.
WATER The board had great concerns about the water quality and voted to hire an independent lab to do test water coming from the temporary 2” PVC lines. Our fear is that the warmer weather would create an environment for bacteria growth that could prove to be a health risk. We also know that the onset of tourist season also increases the demand for water and our water pressure drops drastically. A permanent line is needed now. This is one of the top issues we have been working on; however, due to a recent action by the City the water testing is no longer necessary. Read further for an update.
MEET THE NEW BOARD
“We pledge to work for you”. Our goal is to work with City and State agencies to negotiate and resolve issues affecting our families and the condition of this subdivision. We will be enforcing By-Laws and Deed Restrictions. We will keep you informed as to the status of recovery, programs we are working on and the general health of Bermuda Beach. This is a new Post Ike year and we would like to see that Bermuda Beach is restored to a better community than it was before Ike.
We have two new board members and three returning directors. We want to assure you that this is a very strong and active board. We would like you to be proactive too. You can help us help the community by keeping in touch, voicing your opinions and cleaning up your property. There are so many important issues requiring our time we would greatly appreciate it if you would clean up exposed storage, cut the grass paint, plant, primp and become actively involved in the restoration of Bermuda Beach.
It is time for PIP. Post Ike Pride. The 2009/2010 Bermuda Beach Board of Directors
NEW to BBIC: John Lightfoot, President: 281-880-8820
John and Karen Lightfoot have owned a home in Bermuda Beach since 1999. Formerly the easternmost beachfront home in the community, the Lightfoot beach house was relocated to Pabst Road in 2003, and now is beachfront once again. John is a developer of residential subdivisions in Harris and Fort Bend Counties, and currently serves as Board President of three other communities which he has developed. Born in Galveston County, the beach has been John’s passion since summer surfing in high school and college (my surf board long ago retired). John and Karen honeymooned at the Flagship Hotel in 1971, and now enjoy their beach house with their children and grandchildren.
NEW to BBIC: Tammy Kidd: Director
Tammy and her husband, Don, purchased their beach house “Just KIDDing around” in Bermuda Beach in 2002. Tammy spent much of her free time as a teenager and college student in Galveston and even worked as a server at Gaido’s during college. Tammy is an attorney and legal media consultant in Houston. Her practice and two children keep her very busy so she and her family love to come to Galveston for a break. They spend many weekends and extended vacations at their beach home with family and friends.
RETURNING Directors
Mary Jan Lantz: Secretary
Mary Jan Lantz grew up locally and spent most of her childhood vacations, high school surfing runs and later vacations with her own children on Bermuda Beach. In 2001 Mary Jan and her husband Fred built their dream home on John Reynolds Rd. She has worked in higher education, in local governments and in the private sector. Mary Jan is currently the Director of Human Resources & Risk Management for Galveston College. She is certified in Public risk Management and was recently recognized by Texas Association of School Boards for activities in disaster preparedness and recovery.
Ron Coker: Treasurer
Ron has been a resident of Bermuda Beach since 1993, although, previously visiting our subdivision for vacations since the mid 1970’s. Ron and Mildred (former director of BBIC) have been married for 52 years. Ron graduated from the University of Houston with a BBA degree in Economics and Finance. Ron is currently a Diesel Generator salesman for Stewart & Stevenson LLC of Houston. His career with S&S has spanned 52 years and taken him to ever continent and 60+ countries. Hobbies include golf, bird hunting, and grandchildren.
Kathy Love Cowen: Director: 281-687-4578
Kathy has served the Bermuda Beach board for 10 years. Kathy was involved with the restoration of Bermuda Beach after two other hurricanes and various tropical storms. These however were not the magnitude of Ike but Bermuda Beach did suffer enough damage that several front row homes were lost and Bermuda Beach Dr. had to be replaced.
Kathy has remarried since the death of her husband Larry in 2006. She and her new husband Al were living full time in Bermuda Beach at the time of the storm. Kathy and Al dated some 40 years ago in Kansas City. Needless to say, Hurricane Ike was quite a way to introduce her Kansan to beach living and Texas weather! Her son Wes is a career soldier currently serving in Afghanistan with the 5/2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team. He is scheduled to return home in July of this year.
Our email is checked frequently throughout the week and weekend. We are volunteers and appreciate telephone visits during the work week between 10 AM and 5 PM. We want to be there for you so if you have an issue that you feel is an emergency or absolutely cannot wait for a week day, please go ahead and call 281-687-4578
DEED RESTRICTIONS
Please review.
The complete Deed Restriction list may be found on the web site and in your last directory.
1. No structure shall be erected, placed or altered on any building plot in said Subdivision until the building plans, specifications and plot plan showing the location of such building have been approved in writing as to conformity and harmony of external design with existing structures in said subdivision, and as to location of the building with respect to topography and finished ground elevation, by the Bermuda Beach Improvement Committee hereinafter provided for.
Structures, as that term is used herein, shall be held to include all buildings, fences, walls, swimming pools, playground equipment, outdoor cooking or heating facilities of a permanent nature, and any and all other improvements of a permanent nature.
2. All structures shall be constructed on pilings, buried a minimum of six (6) feet in the ground with the bottom of the floor joist being a minimum of eight (8) feet above the ground.
3. No structure shall be built with less than 600 square feet of livable space, exclusive of open porches and garages.
4. No dwelling shall be erected or placed on any parcel less than one full lot as shown on the recorded plat of this subdivision, excepting on Lots 2 and 3, Bermuda Beach Section 5, where one dwelling is required for both lots.
5. No business, trade or profession of any kind shall ever be conducted or carried on in any structure or upon any lot, nor shall anything be done thereon which may be or become an annoyance or nuisance to the neighborhood.
6. No trailer, basement, tent, shack, garage, arm or other out-building erected on any of the herein described lots shall at any time be used as a residence temporarily or permanently, nor shall any structure of a temporary character be used as a residence.
7. Primarily new construction shall be placed on said lots. It being the intent and purpose of this restriction to maintain the quality of the structures currently comprising Bermuda Beach.
8. No out-building shall exceed the dwelling to which it is appurtenant in height. No out-building shall be rented out or occupied by persons other than bona fide domestic servants of the occupants of the main family dwellings.
9. No building shall be located on any lot nearer than 20 feet to the front lot line. No building shall be located nearer than five feet to any side lot line.
10. All exterior construction of any dwelling commenced within said Subdivision must be completed within six (6) months from the date such construction first commenced.
11. No animals, livestock, or poultry of any kind shall be raised, bred, or kept on any lot, except that dogs and cats (not to exceed two of each category) may be kept, provided they are not kept, bred, or maintained for any commercial purposes, but only for the use and pleasure of the owners of such lots.
12. No noxious or offensive activity shall be carried on upon any lot nor shall anything be done thereon which may be or may become an annoyance or a nuisance to the neighborhood.
Deed Restrictions 13 through 20 will be printed in the next newsletter. Please check the web site for the full document and BBIC By-Laws. Your help is greatly appreciated.
We are very grateful that action is now being taken by the City. Thanks to the persistence of the current board and the power of the press we look forward to recovery soon.
1. ROAD
A 6” deep gravel road has been placed on the beach to provide us with a temporary Bermuda Beach Dr. Homeowners were living with tide tables to make sure they weren’t caught by high tides and not able to leave or return home.
2. WATER
A notice has been distributed that beginning April 5 through June the new 4” water line will be installed. Please help the city by removing any personal items from the easement that might obstruct installation. We are delighted that the City has undertaken this task before warm weather sets in. Our concern had been bacteria would grow in the above ground PVC lines.
3. REMOVAL OF HURRICANE DAMAGED HOMES
The pink hurricane damaged house located on John Reynolds Cir was removed Monday, March 29th. This is a tremendous improvement to the subdivision and to the safety of all residents and guests.