Spring 2023 Inside La Marque Volume 22

MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR

Greetings Friends,

Friends, spring is upon us! We have sprung forward into a great time here in the City of La Marque. Around town this spring, we look forward to seeing completed streetscaping in our downtown renaissance district. We look forward to the start of major water and sewer infrastructure repairs as well as the beginning of the transformation of the former Gulf Greyhound Park site into an economic boom for our city that will one day reduce property taxes to the lowest levels in our history! Spring is here, friends! Let's look forward to the continued rebirth of our great city!

Mayor Keith Bell

We Support April as National Safe Digging Month

April is National Safe Digging Month. April marks the start of the spring planting season and we want to share with you how to protect you, your property and those around you. When you start your projects around the house, remember to add 811 to the top of your list to locate buried utility lines such as gas, cable, etc . Citizens should call Public Works at (409) 938-9280 to request someone to come out and locate the city side water and sewer lines only. No matter how small your next home digging project is, remember to keep yourself and your community safe by contacting 811 to have the approximate location of buried utilities marked with paint or flags before breaking ground. Learn more at 811beforeyoudig.com.

Call 811 before you dig.

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT COUNCIL'S CORNER: DISTRICT A

In the next few issues of Inside La Marque, a section will be dedicated to our Council Members to talk about their districts and the positive changes that have been made.

What do residents in your district have to look forward to in the upcoming year?

District A can look forward to the Seven Pie food chain taking over the old Churches Chicken building on FM 1765 and Bayou. We will continue to expand our LED lighting and community policing efforts. We hope to add a caution light or four-way stop in front of Delany Cove Subdivision in 2024. We are continuing our “Stop the Violence” campaign by promoting safety and reduction of crime by illustrating options. We are working with our convenience store owners and businesses to give back to our community and youth activities through our nonprofit in partnership with the Houston Galveston Area Council. We are very excited about La Marque’s Live Event Center coming in 2024 with the employment and tourism opportunities it will bring to our City.

What are you especially proud of in your district?

I am very proud of our residents who continue to advocate for our community and work with our local government to create change and stability. I am proud of the work performed with Texas Workforce Commission and creating job opportunities for our citizens. I am very proud of the new homes coming to District A that will bring new families and energy. I am excited about the new businesses that are now taking an interest in our City. We boldly advocate for our City and attend regional meetings to make sure that La Marque is never forgotten.

What positive changes have been made in your district in the recent past?

Violent crime is down in District A, thanks to community policing efforts. Our lighting plan has been implemented and is expanding. Blighted buildings have been demolished and roads repaired. Our business owners actively communicate with us now. We are standing up for our City in ensuring that businesses work and invest in our citizens. We worked with TCISD on the Facilities Committee to bring a new high school and stadium to the City of La Marque. I love the new synergy created between our City and the School Districts within our City limits. I am very proud of our Meals on Wheels Program in District A which feeds our elderly and disabled. We are the largest district in the City with the largest elderly and youth population. We actively use our networks to advocate for the City of La Marque, whether it's attending regional meetings, finding grants that will lower taxpayer costs, working with legislators or meeting with aerospace industry partners to bring business to our City. We are doing the work to make sure La Marque has a seat at the table.

What else would you like to tell us about your district?

We are leading the way in District A. Safety and opportunities are our top priorities in our district. We are presently working with the Economic Development Corporation to create a Business Incubator named after Frank Bell, who was one of the first successful business owners in the City of La Marque. We are also working to be a part of the Juneteenth Emancipation Trail for tourists to visit our City and learn our unique history.

CITY OF LA MARQUE CURRENT UPGRADES & IMPROVEMENTS

Sanitary Sewer Manhole Improvements

The City has over 800 sanitary sewer manholes (utility access holes); this Project will include restoration, rehabilitation or replacement of manholes based on condition assessment; approximately 4000 feet of sanitary sewer pipeline rehabilitation is also included in this Project.

Project Location – Various locations throughout the city

Estimated Project Cost = $7,500,000

Estimated Commencement Date – Summer 2023

Project submitted and approved for Grant Funding – Federal Funds through TX GLO Engineering Design is 90% complete; construction bidding is to begin in Spring 2023

Westlawn Stormwater Improvements

Construct new pipelines and street inlets for stormwater collection on Melody Drive and Merry Lane west of Westward Avenue. New street inlets will also be constructed on Westward Avenue, including larger pipelines to accommodate the flow from this area. Grading improvements are planned for the area east of Westward, including Fannin Street, W. Houston Drive and W. Crockett Street.

Project Location – South of Cedar Drive and West and East of Westward Avenue.

Estimated Project Cost $1,500,000

Estimated Completion Date – Winter 2023/2024

Project submitted and approved for Grant Funding – Federal Funds through TX GLO - Engineering Design is 100% completed; construction bidding to begin Spring 2023

Wastewater Treatment Plant Expansion

Construct a new 2.25 million gallons-per-day (MGD) treatment plant to complement the existing 3.0MGD treatment plant. New technology will be incorporated, and capacity addition will provide better treatment and future growth.

Project Location – Woodward Avenue – site of the existing treatment plant.

Estimated Project Cost = $33,500,000

Completion Date – Summer 2025

Estimated

Project submitted and approved for Grant Funding –

Federal Funds through TX GLO

Engineering design is 90% complete; construction bidding is to begin in Spring 2023

Sanitary Sewer Pump Station Improvements

The City has 21 pump stations (lift stations) throughout the sanitary sewer (SS) system. All facilities will be upgraded and improved, based on needs and state of condition.

Project Location: Various Locations

Estimated Project Cost $7,000,000

Estimated Completion Date – Spring 2024

Project submitted and approved for Grant Funding –

Federal Funds through TX GLO

Engineering Design is 90% complete; construction bidding is to begin in Spring 2023

Restoration is being completed – interior and exterior repainting, including replacement of control valves. $658,000 Project 85% complete –Storage Tank is scheduled to be back in service in Spring 2023. New logos are being installed; the tank will be filled with water, disinfected, and tested for water quality before being placed in service.

Elevated Storage Tank

Greyhound Park

Congratulations La Marque Police Department

Life-Saving Award due to their service in saving a life by delivering Narcan Nasal Spray for overdoses in November 2022.

Officer Aaron Skaggs

Life-Saving Award due to their service in saving lives by delivering Narcan Nasal Spray for overdoses in January & February 2023. Officer Skaggs also received the Employee Excellence Award for January 2023.

Officer Armando Rojas

Employee Excellence Award, February 2023 Officer Rojas has served with the LMPD since June 2021 and has distinguished himself by delivering productive and quality law enforcement services to our citizens during this award period.

Corporal Nicole Galindo

Development, The Other Team Sport

During a recent town hall, a discussion took place about economic development. One of the points I made was that everyone can play a role in economic development. In fact, it truly is a team sport. First, we have to understand that economic development is a marathon, not a sprint. Often times, developments take years of cultivation for a project to come to fruition. Sometimes, we solidly establish that there is an opportunity and the business chooses a neighboring community. So to help give ourselves an edge, what are some ways we can compete in economic development as a team sport? I will give a few examples. If you have a good experience somewhere and think the business would be a good fit for La Marque, plant a few seeds with the manager or owner. Tell them about some of the good things you know about La Marque. Mention some of our assets, like we have more I-45 frontage than

any city in Galveston County. Feel free to pass my contact information along to them. Some say La Marque’s greatest problem is a perception problem. The reality is La Marque has as much, if not more potential than most communities, but we simply don’t always do a good job of promoting La Marque to others as we live our daily lives. Therefore, speak highly of La Marque and stand up for her when you can. When someone says we have bad water, educate them to let them know we have the same water as Texas City, Galveston, Hitchcock, League City, GCWCID #1, GCWCID #8, GCWCID #12, GCFWD #6, GCMUD 12, Bacliff MUD, Bayview MUD and San Leon MUD. When you hear something negative about La Marque, be prepared to once again educate them in a kind and professional way about the fact that La Marque is the second fastest-growing city in Galveston County. From 2010

to 2019, we had a 30% gain in population. Can you say boom town? People want to be here! Talk about how many of our businesses are thriving. This is evidenced by the over 100% year-over-year increase in sales tax since 2012. In fact, La Marque has had record sales tax revenues for 6 years in a row! These are the type of facts that can help turn the tide on the negative things we hear from time to time and change the negative perception of our great city. We have to promote and be the change we want to see.

Go, team, go! I look forward to hearing success stories! Until next time, God Bless! #ilovelamarque

An article by Alex Getty La Marque Econonmic Development CorporationExecutive Director

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT

Quencelia Goins

• What is your favorite part about working for the City of La Marque?

I like the people that I work with everyday.

• What is something people would be surprised to learn about you?

I got a 4 year degree in 2 ½ years and graduated when I was 20 years old while on a Volleyball Scholarship.

• What do you do in your free time? Vacation and Referee girls volleyball.

• Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Retired and taking more vacations.

DEPARTMENT: FINANCE

TITLE: ACCOUNTANT II

START DATE: OCTOBER 2020

BRIEF JOB DESCRIPTION

• How do you define success?

Getting to do what you love to do with the people you love to do it with.

Quencelia maintains fiscal control regarding expenditures and balance of City funds, reconcile accounts, prepare accounting reports, assist with year-end audit preparation and assist City personnel and the general public with general information as requested.