CITY OF CLEAR LAKE SHORES TEXAS MEETING MINUTES April 1, 2025 @ 6:30 PM These are the certified minutes of the Regular Meeting of the City Council for the City of Clear Lake Shores, County of Galveston, State of Texas, which was held on the above-mentioned date and time. 1. CALL TO ORDER & DETERMINATION OF QUORUM: Mayor Chronister called to order at 6:31 pm Present: Mayor Chronister, Mayor Pro Tem Fenwick, Councilman Terrell, Councilman Scanlon, Councilman Fisher, Councilman Waters, Chief David Donaldson, Finance Director Cheryl Hunter, City Secretary Christy Stroup, City Attorney D. Gregg. Absent: City Administrator Mike Kramm 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA FLAG AND THE TEXAS FLAG: Mayor led the Pledge. 3. REPORTS FROM COUNCIL: Councilman Ed Waters: No report. Councilman Rick Fisher: No report Councilman Jeff Terrell: Al Cisneros will be inducted into the Aviation Hall of Fame on April 11th. Councilman Alex Scanlon: No report Mayor Pro Tem Amanda Fenwick: The City does not have its local election, but there are still two things that affect the citizens - A proposition on the Galveston County ballot for funding that could include the pedestrian bridge and the CCISD elections. Mayor Chronister: No report - gave City Administrator Mike Kramm's report: RFP for debris Management is out and will be opened in a couple of weeks; met with Colliers Engineering about a Hazard Mitigation Grant that could fund a Safe Room for First Responders that are required to stay for a disaster such as a hurricane. 4. STAFF REPORTS: Chief David Donaldson: Stats for March City Administrator Mike Kramm: Absent 5. Update on the Clear Lake Shores Clubhouse Historical Marker. Doris Sanders presented the timeline over the past two years to obtain a historical marker for the City. When the Historical Committee first approached the City Council, they requested permission to file an application to name the Clubhouse a Historical Marker. The clubhouse did not qualify, sO the committee proceeded to apply for a historical plaque and requested a check in the amount of $2,300.00 from the city to purchase the plaque. When requesting the funds, they did not inform the City that the money was for a plaque and not an actual historical marker. Doris apologized on behalf of the committee for not passing this information on to the City Council. Mayor Chronister explained that what they came forward to request from the City Council is not what they filed for and requested funds for. This should have been brought back to the City Council. After discussion, Doris stated that they hope the plaque will be ready by Summer 2027 to commemorate the 100-year anniversary of Clear Lake Shores' existence. Doris also talked about a website where some of the historical documents have been uploaded and that everyone can view. The website is texashistory.untedu. All documents provided by Doris Sanders for this discussion is attached. 6. PUBLIC COMMENTS: At this time, any person with city-related business may speak to the City Council. If the topic of discussion is related to an item on the agenda, the comments may be made now or at the time the agenda item is discussed. If the topic of discussion is not related to an item on the agenda, the City Council cannot deliberate or take any action at this time. Comments from the public should be limited to a maximum of three (3) minutes per individual. No yielding of time is permitted. Meri Cooney - 930 Elm Rd: Thanked Laura Broussard, who recently resigned from the Parks Committee, for her 4 years of serving on the committee. 7. CONSENT AGENDA: a. Check Register: 03/13/25 - 03/26/25 b. Council meeting minutes: 03/18/25 (regular) 1st Motion: Mayor Pro Tem Fenwick made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda 2nd Motion: Councilman Waters MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUS 7. NEW BUSINESS: Discussion and Possible action may be taken on the following items: a. Appoint a replacement on the Parks Committee due to the resignation of Laura Broussard. Mayor Chronister asked Meri Cooney, Parks Committee Chair ift they had a recommendation for the vacant seat. Meri said the recommend Cindy Sawyer. 1st Motion Councilman Fisher made motion to appoint Cindy Sawyer to the Parks Committee 2nd Motion - Councilman Terrell second the motion MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUS Council Meeting Min. 04.01.25 b. Appoint a member to Planning and Zoning to fill vacant position. Councilman Scanlon is currently on Planning and Zoning. He requested to move to alternate and Laura Broussard could have his position. He resigned as a full member and requested to be placed as an alternate. 1st Motion Councilman Waters accepted Alex Scanlon's resignation and appointed Laura Broussard to fill the position and appointed Alex Scanlon as alternate. 2nd Motion - Councilman Terrell MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUS a. EXECUTIVE SESSION: Texas Government Code, Section 551.071 - A governmental body can conduct a private consultation with its attorney when necessary to avail itself oft the attorney- client privilege protections. This exception covers a broad range of legal matters, including contracts, and is not limited to pending or anticipated litigation.: Clubhouse Rental Rates/Purposes Recessed to Executive Session: 7:12 pm Reconvened from Executive Session: 7:55 pm C. ACTION FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION: Texas Government Code, Section 551.071 = A governmental body can conduct a private consultation with its attorney when necessary to avail itself of the attorney-client privilege protections. This exception covers a broad range of legal matters, including contracts, and is not limited to pending or anticipated litigation.: Clubhouse Rental Rates/Purposes 1st Motion: Councilman Waters made motion to approve agreement with the terms and conditions as discussed in Executive Session. 2nd Motion: Mayor Pro Tem Fenwick MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUS 8. ADIOURNMENT: Mayor Chronister called for adjournment at 7:56 pm Approved: W-15:25 (Date) e Sigpature of Mayor * Attest: S * ascy * Signature of dty Secretary * Council Meeting Min. 04.01.25 Clear Lake Shores to Receive Historical Marker The History Committee of the Civic Club would like to announce that the Texas Historical Commission has accepted our application for a historical marker commemorating our city and our clubhouse, the oldest Galveston County public building continually in use since its inception. Thank you to neighbor Jean Garst for her many hours of work in research and writing the application, to the City of Clear Lake Shores for giving its approval to our quest for state recognition, to the Galveston County Historical Society for its guidance, and to the Texas Historical Commission for granting us this honor! Note that this approval is one of the early steps in this process; it may be a year or more before we receive the marker. Still, we eagerly await the installation of this important symbol honoring our nearly 100-year-old clubhouse, once our city hall, and the fascinating history of our city. Timeline of Historical Marker Pursuit 1. June, 2023 Committee met in clubhouse (with Mayor Randy Chronister as an invited guest). Julie Moncur reported that she had spoken with someone from Galveston County Historical Commission (GCHC) re obtaining a historical marker for the clubhouse. Committee decided to pursue the possibility. 2. Aug, 2, 2023 Jan Finnerty, representing the history committee, appeared before the Civic Club to ask its permission to appear before City Council to request their permission to apply for an historical marker. Permission was granted. 3. Sept. 5, 2023 Doris Sanders, representing the history committee, appeared before the City Council to ask permission to apply for a historical landmark for the clubhouse. Council voted unanimously to support the endeavor. 4. Fall, 2023 History Committee member Jean Garst led the effort to apply for historical marker, which had to be done through the Galveston County Historical Commission (GCHC), specifically Julie Baker of the commission. Early in the process, Ms. Baker told Jean that we would not qualify for a building marker, but rather for a subject marker (attachment A). After consultation with Doris, Jean proceeded to go through the steps in apptying for the marker. 5. Winter, 2023 Jean conducted extensive research and wrote numerous drafts of our submission to the Texas Historical Commission (THC), with guidance from Julie Baker of GCHC and suggestions and edits from the history committee. 6. March, 2024 Submission approved by Ms. Baker (GCHC) and sent to THC, along with $100 submission check from the Civic Club's history committee budget. Included was a statement of ownership of the clubhouse, signed by Mayor Chronister. 7. July 30, 2024 THC approved application for marker. Sent invoice for $2300. Doris Sanders, committee chair, sent email to committee members listing ideas for how we would pay the fee; ideas included payment by the city and/or the EDC, fundraising, and individual donations by members of the history committee. She also informed the mayor, city administrator, and city council members, and attached both a suggested write-up to inform the public and the acceptance letter (which included the invoice) from THC. 8. Aug. 8, 2024 City Administrator Mike Kramm, after consultation with Mayor Chronister, informed Doris via email that the city would pay the fee, since council had agreed to the application. Fee is paid by the city in September. 9. And so we wait for THC to complete and deliver the marker. Note:! can submit copies of all of the pertinent emails, minutes, official documents from the THC, and of the final narrative we submitted should you want to see them. I am including here two write- ups, one written by THC to be put on the marker and the other the statement submitted to the mayor and city administrator as a suggested announcement, an announcement that was used on official city Facebook page and other unofficial CLS Facebook pages. History of the City of Clear Lake Shores, Galveston County, Texas CONTEXT Fertile Ground in the Region Creation ofthe Clear Lake Shores community began during one of the greatest economic booms in Texas history. The Spindletop oil field was discovered in 1901, giving birth to the oil and gas industry and growth beyond the imagination of most entrepreneurs. From 1900 to 1920, Houston's bank deposits grew from 118 million to 617 million or 422%. And from 1900 to 1930, Houston's population grew 650%, from 44,633 to 292,352. In Galveston County, from 1900 to 1930, the population grew 45% from 44,116 to 64,401. In 1911, the Interurban Railway service between Houston and Galveston began, and the concrete causeway opened for both rail and auto traffic.2 In 1924, William P. Hobby became president of the Houston Post-Dispatch newspaper. The spirit ofthe times and Hobby's ingenuity created Clear Lake Shores. Origin of a Community Subscription by subscription, the community of Clear Lake Shores, Texas was born. In 1927, the Houston Post-Dispatch promoted the sale of 20ft X 100ft "cabana lots" located on an undeveloped peninsula in northeastern Galveston County (Attachment A) by selling them for $69.50 along with a 6-month subscription to the newspaper. The original plat (Attachment B) was the work of a New York company, William and Arthur Smadbeck, Inc. "The Houston Post- Dispatch, through a contract dated September 27, 1926, between its owner, Houston Printing Company, W. P. Hobby, President, and Smadbeck, agreed to sponsor and promote the land sales.' "3 The initial offering, April 6, 1927, and frequent Post-Dispatch articles in the following weeks, hyped the sale as the place where the working class could join "America's Aristocracy." For just $9.50 down and $3.00 per month, a buyer could own part oft this dream. Other articles touted, "The property is valuable because it represents the one remaining spot where a deep outlet to the bay may be had with perfect protection from storms" (Attachments C& D). McComb, David G., Houston, A History," University of Tèxas Press, Austin, Texas, 1969, 83 "Discovering Galveston County's Past: Images II of Galveston County, Texas," 1 Galveston County, The Daily News, 1994,3-4 3 Hargus, Stanlcy W., "clear lake shores, community land use and conservation guidelines, University of Houston, College of Architccture, Thesis Arc 550D, December 18, 1976, 1 1 bids were accepted by the Commissioners Court to rebuild the bridge approaches." 8 Finally, in 1965, the old timber trestle bridge was replaced with a concrete structure 80 feet in length. An April 5, 1946, Galveston Daily News article, Varied Projects Planned by 34th Precinct Club, 19 described how a citizen committee from Kemah, Bayview and Clear Lake Shores worked out, in substantial detail, a route for mail delivery and presented it to US Postal officials. This Club also took up the matter of getting natural gas lines extended from Kemah into Clear Lake Shores. In the late 1950's, water and sewer services in Clear Lake Shores became a priority with County health officials who declared the need for an approved water supply. I0 For years, property owners had either purchased water from Mr. Ketchy's private well located in town or had a well and septic system on their own property. On March 26, 1960, voters in Clear Lake Shores and Kemah went to the polls to decide if Clear Lake Shores could be annexed to the Kemah water district, WC&ID 12."1 That vote was overwhelmingly favorable for annexation. Progress during this era was very slow. Dues paid to the Property Owners Association were $0.50 per lot annually, SO fund-raisers were necessary. Special needs such as Club House maintenance were funded by hosting dances and holding raffles. Galveston County Commissioners Court had demands from all growing communities, especially for roads and drainage assistance. Prior to 1960, only 3 cities, Galveston, Texas City and LaMarque, were incorporated in Galveston County which meant all other geographic areas were County responsibility. In Clear Lake Shores many weekender families became permanent residents, anchoring the community for its gradual maturity. Generations of these families invested their time and effort to pursue essential infrastructure. Their thoughtful decision-making and problem- solving established the norms for sound governance. Clear Lake Shores took on an identity. "Commissioners Court," " Galveston Daily News, May 21, 1935 9 "Varied Projects Planned by 34th Precinct Club, ) Galveston Daily News, April 4, 1946, 14 10 "Health Unit Reports No Typhoid Found, Galveston Daily News, May 10, 1957, 33 11 "Kemah, Clear Lakc Shores Vote on WCID 12. Annexation,' 9 Galveston Daily News, March 25, 1960, 23 2 interested Clear Lake Shores property owners for their private use. In return, leaseholders were obligated by contract to bulkhead and backfill their waterfront easements. However, one resident, Melvin Rouff, a Houston bank executive, helped raise City revenue by paying his leasehold for 30 years. 14 OVERVIEW Incorporation and growth An April I1, 1962, Galveston Daily News article reported, 44 Texas City passed at first reading an ordinance annexing all unincorporated territory on the Mainland of Galveston County. 15 In response, Clear Lake Shores Property Owners Association leaders sought and received a release from Texas City for their unincorporated community territory. In a subsequent June 30, 1962, special election, 127 homeowners voted for incorporating and 52 voted against. 16 In November, 1962, Clear Lake Shores was officially incorporated by the State ofTexas. A council was elected and a highly respected resident, Bob Piehl, was elected mayor. Piehl and all his fellow council members were reelected to at least one more term in office. 17 In July, 1963, Clear Lake Shores'C City Council passed a zoning ordinance, establishing residential, commercial and apartment zones. 18 Two committees, a Planning and Zoning Committee and the Zoning Board of Adjustments, were begun. U.S. Census records for 1970, the first year Clear Lake Shores data is available, show the population was 721. In 1990, the population was 1,096; in 2000, 1,205 people were counted; and, in 2020 the population was 1,258. 19 Since its inception, Clear Lake Shores occupies less than one square mile. In addition to a verdant area ofs single-family homes, the city limits included a thriving commercial district of large and small businesses and three large marinas, Watergate, Legend Point and Portofino. 14"Island Lore: Sundial Park,' 1 The Islander, July, 1998, 10 15"Clcar Lakc Shores Sccks Releasc From Texas City," The Galveston News, April 11, 1962, 18 16, "Clear Lake Shores Votes In Favor of Incorporation, 7 Galveston Daily News, July 1, 1962,1 17"7 Incumbents Scek Reclection At Clear Lake Shores Are Unopposed, Houston Post, March 26, 1963, 8 18" "Zoning Ordinance OK'd By Clear Lakc Shores Council, * The Houston Post, July 7, 1963, 15 191 htps.data.census.gowv 4 one upstairs office space and City administrative offices, including the city secretary and city records, were located upstairs on the opposite end. The original Club House, the land on which it sits, and all other property owned by the Property Owners Association was transferred to the City in 1962. In 2002, the City purchased the former Josh Tillinghast Architect's Building across the street and transferred the growing operations of City administration, including the police department, to that location. The City Hall reverted to its original name, the "Club House," and continued housing city council and committee meetings, as well as all Civic Club events. Since the town adopted zoning laws in 1963, the Club House and the property on which it sits has been zoned commercial. As such, it could be endangered if commercial interests gained control. Below is a list of some routine happenings which the old building has witnessed: Clear Lake Shores Property Owner's Association meetings and socials Bi-monthly Clear Lake Shores City Council Meetings Monthly Civic Club Meetings Monthly Economic Development Board meetings CLS Waterfront Compliance Committee meetings CLS Parks and Pool Board meetings CLS Planning and Zoning Board meetings CLS Board of Adjustments meetings CLS Budget workshops Monthly Clear Lake Shores Municipal Court Election polling place for national, state and local elections Annual hurricane preparedness workshops sponsored by CLS Police Department Annual Civic Club Thanksgiving Dinners Annual Civic Club Children's Christmas parties Red Cross First Aid Training Workshops by US Army Corps of Engineers re: Clear Creek Flood Control Project One unique Club House use occurred immediately after the April 16-17, 1947, Texas City fertilizer-ship explosions. With hundreds dead and thousands injured, about 200 of the latter were brought to the Clear Lake Shores Club House and locations in Kemah where they were attended by medical staff.21 21 "Closed Camp Wallace Comes to Life As Haven for Refugees, 97 Austin-American Statesman, April 19, 1947, 1-2 accustomed to frequent dinners, parties, and fund-raisers for items like park benches, street signs, playground equipment and Club House kitchen equipment. The Civic Club was established, and over 60+ years since, devoted people have assumed leadership. Annual Civic Club events are institutions that have contributed to family life as well as town unity. For over 40 years, the monthly Civic Club Islander newsletter, delivered to doorsteps, kept citizens informed of new laws, City Council minutes, upcoming events, outstanding volunteers and much more. IfCity government has been the head ofthe town, the Civic Club has functioned as its heart. Clear Lake Shores' Culture Driving into Clear Lake Shores was, and still is, reminiscent of entering a small country town with light poles and rural mailboxes lining every street, no curbs or sidewalks, and open ditches for storm water drainage. Most addresses were on roads, not streets, and very old houses were scattered among newer ones. The speed limit was 20 mph, at least partly because roads were narrow, requiring drivers to yield when passing. In order for all citizens, especially those living in the Island's interior, to enjoy the views seen from Shorc Drive, years ago boat houses were banned SO the vistas were not blocked. The primary characteristic of Clear Lake Shores' culture was community cohesiveness. Families who raised generation after generation in Clear Lake Shores set in motion an atmosphere of self- sufficiency and thriftiness that sustains the temper of affairs. Since the town's founding in 1927, residents have taken pride in volunteering for positions in city government and the Civic Club, as well as helping one another. Clear Lake Shores was nurtured by early town leaders as an oasis amid a thriving urban area. For decades, new arrivals to Clear Lake Shores have received a rich endowment. Age-old durable amenities foster family life, such as a library, children' 's garden, fishing piers, swimming pool, monthly band concerts in the pavilion, boat launches and much more. For almost a century, there have been three verdant waterfront parks. Preserving natural habitat has been a long- standing focus, especially on Jarboe Bayou which is within town perimeters. Decades ago, wise volunteers secured a grant from Texas Parts and Wildlife to enlarge and secure two bushy, swamp-like bird islands in Jarboe Bayou next to Clear Lake Shores' entrance bridge. Birds and 8 ATTACHMENTS: A) Map showing Clear Lake Shores location, 1927-2024, northeastern Galveston County, Texas B) Plat Map, 1927, Clear Lake Shores community, Hargus, Stanley W., "clear lake shores, community land use and conservation guidelines, 99 University of Houston, College of Architecture, Thesis - Arc 550D, December 18, 1976, Figure 1,2 C) Newspaper article: "Greatest Subscription Offer Ever Made, 7 Houston Post-Dispatch, April 6, 1927 D) Newspaper article: "America's aristocracy, 77 Houston Post Dispatch, April 18, 1927 E) Clear Lake Shores Property Owner's Association By-Laws, Adopted August, 1928 F) Contract between 33 homeowners and R.P. Edmonson to dredge Jarboe Bayou, Clear Lake Road entrançe bridge to Clear Lake, March, 1956 G) Shoreline Loss Map, Hargus, Stanley W., "clear lake shores, community land use and conservation guidelines, > University of Houston, College of Architecture, Thesis - Arc 550D, December 18, 1976 H) Newspaper article: "Have You Secured Your Lots in Clear Lake Shores?" Houston Post Dispatch, April 10, 1927 I) PHOTOGRAPH - Clear Lake Shores Club House, East View, Main Entrance, 2023 J) PHOTOPRAPH - Clear Lake Shores Club House, West View, 2023 K) Minutes, Clear Lake Shores Property Owners Association, June 13, 1931 10 ATTACHMENTC: P - a 14 Greatest Subseripti n Offer Ever Made BY SUBSCRIBING FOR XMONTHS TOTHE oteton n -Biapatrh YOU CAN SEC RE A LOTA AT CLEAR LAKE SHORES a U Ls Qa Pria-s Orrle Equ THE SUMMER COMMUNITY W Wht Yo On le Rigit A Balire Wilr Fronti and pual MA ParndfiecHenk - huss GREATED BY THEPAST-DISPATCH a UL eros DOWN AD 4 PER MONTH da & MAMAN au ANA Chs 00 Malivey MA Oanly o aut Tua Ww H A WOND AOUR A PAR GOLE, AN OPOATTY NOT 10 ED ACT NOW! DON7 WATI EF - - - - - h M ai - a H - lele) - - ah R A NA e AU - y B NE Me - y C 4 AL Nh 1 MHT - LNg M NT - l hhwi a - - w à aE - a Mts 4 - 1 o A 4 * MAEU DIGPATOH SUITB u SUITB 115A17HE HOUSION DonNo A 335,227 V 005 nur AMD 07 D MounE LVIOTAAmN Houston Post-Dispatch April 6, 1927 Initial Subscription Offer 12