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A monthly publication from the City of Nassau Bay
January 2024
Nassau Bay City Hall | 1800 Space Park Drive, Suite 200 | Nassau Bay, TX 77058 | 281.333.4211
EMPLOYEE HOLIDAY PARTY AND AWARD CEREMONY Congratulations 2023 Award Recipients!!
Lacy Belcher Employee of the Year
Jaime Vasquez Supervisor of the Year
Jason Vain Police Officer of the Year
A WONDERFUL HOLIDAY SEASON This year's Holiday in the Park and Christmas Boat Lane Parade were so much fun! Thank you to everyone who made these events possible, including our fantastic Special Events Committee!
PARKS & RECREATION COMMITTEE SPREAD HOLIDAY CHEER
Thank you Nassau Bay residents, sponsors, participants, and volunteers for making this the biggest and most exciting Reindeer The December 6th Parks and Recreation Commitee Meeting Fun Run ever! It kicked off a festive day in town that included featured wreath making at City Hall with gingerbread cookies Holiday in the Park, a spectacular fireworks display, and the and cocoa, a tree lighting ceremony at Howard Ward Park Christmas Boat Parade. Mayor Johnson sent 3 waves of runners with Mayor Johnson, and Christmas caroling through the and walkers on their way, including 6 teams of blind athletes and neighborhood. their support runners from EyeCan Alliance. Luke Birkenfeld (grandson of former City Manager John Kennedy and Brenda) was the overall men’s 5k race winner, and April Venable was the fastest woman. Jennifer Logsdon Kramer, Rylee Robinson, and Iris the dog won the first annual Costume Contest, and Dave’s Deer – 24 strong – took home the RFR Team Trophy. Along the 2k walk route, kids searched for beautiful collectible rocks created by Nassau Bay Rocks, our local rock-painting group. Some kids found and re-hid rocks so kids walking behind them could find one, too. Sparky the Fire Dog from the NBVFD, the ChickFil-A cow, and Dash Gordon entertained the kids and posed for photos.
Staff Celebrations
NASSAU BAY GARDEN CLUB The Nassau Bay Garden Club will hold their January meeting in the City Hall Council Chambers on January 9th at 9:30 AM. The guest speaker is Kelly Drinnen, who will speak on “Not your Grandma’s Flower Gardens,” the coral reefs off the coasts of Texas and Louisiana. This area serves as a focal point for tropical and subtropical marine life. Drinneni works as an education and outreach specialist at the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary of Galveston. In 1992, this organization was designated to protect some of the healthiest coral reefs in the world. This led to further study to learn what type of marine life lived there. The Nassau Bay Garden Club meets on the second Tuesday of the month at the City Hall Council Chambers, 1800 Space Park Drive. Guests are invited to attend.
Chani Honeycutt 5 Years of Service
VOLUNTARY NBVFD & EMS DONATION The City of Nassau Bay provides residents with the opportunity to make a voluntary donation to the Nassau Bay Volunteer Fire Department (NBVFD) and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) with the payment of each water bill. Donations are used by the departments for tools, resources, and capital items to better provide emergency services to our residents. Beginning with the February 1, 2024 utility bill, the coupon portion of the bill will include a new line to show the payment amount for a $5.00 contribution.
FAITH BASED EVENTS St Thomas the Apostle Episcopal Church Organ Donor Gala and Auction will be held on February 16th at Bay Oaks Country Club. This is part of a massive fundraising project for the church, which has owned and stored a rare and historic 1933 Kimball Opus 7133. On a pipe organ of this eloquence, a single person can play a full orchestra of sound. The Opus 7133 has 3,556 pipes and will be voiced specifically for the beautiful St Thomas sanctuary. Every donation helps breathe life into this magnificent instrument, which will live on well beyond its’ supporters and be a legacy for all. There are ways you can help: Sponsor the Gala. Contribute an item or gift certificate for the live or silent auction Plan to attend the Gala. Purchase tickets from Mrs. Renee Bielski at zookeeper8@gmail.com, or send an organ donor donation to the church at 18300 Upper Bay Rd. Nassau Bay. TX 77058-4199.
MAY 4, 2024 CITY ELECTIION INFORMATION The City of Nassau Bay will hold a General Election on Saturday, May 4, 2024, for the purpose of electing three Councilmembers for Positions 2, 4, and 6 and Mayor. These positions are currently occupied by Mayor Pro Tem Lucie Johannes Sommer, Councilmember James Abbey, Councilmember Ashleigh Klug, and Mayor Phil Johnson, respectively. The filing period for the General City Officers' Election will begin on Wednesday, January 17, 2024, and end on Friday, February 16, 2024. Candidate filing office hours are Monday to Thursday, 8:00am to 5:00pm, and Friday, 8:00am to 11:30am. Please note office hours will be extended to 5:00pm on Friday, February 16th. Any person wishing to file for candidacy may pick up an application packet from the City Secretary's office. For updates on the 2024 General Election, including the application and Candidate Packet, visit www.nassaubay.com/Election.
NEW STAFF APPOINTMENTS
ST. PAUL’S CATHOLIC CHURCH St. Paul Catholic Church’s Early Childhood Program wish you and your loved ones a very Happy New Year filled with joy, blessings and love. They are currently accepting registrations for the spring semester, and space is limited. The school offers many exciting learning opportunities, including an introduction to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math in our STEM Center. Additional programs include Wiggle World, Library, and Chapel. Registration forms and additional information is available on our website at www.stpaulcatholic.org under the MDO/PreK tab. Please contact Sheri @ 281-333-0176 or szombory@stpaulcatholic.org for more information or to schedule a tour.
During a Special City Council Meeting held on Thursday, November 30th, the City Council approved Public Works Director Paul Lopez as Interim City Manager, and Mayor Johnson was authorized to begin contract negotiations with Mr. Lopez. At the December 11th Regular City Council Meeting, Lacy Belcher was appointed as the Acting City Secretary for the City of Nassau Bay.
ANIMAL SHELTER COMPLIANCE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
During the December 11th City Council Meeting, the City Council voted to approve the creation of an Animal Shelter Compliance Advisory Committee. Per Chapter 823 of the Texas Health and Safety Code, the governing body of a county or municipality in which an animal shelter is located shall appoint an advisory committee to assist in complying with the Health and Safety Code requirements. The advisory committee must be composed of at least one licensed veterinarian, one county or municipal official, one person whose duties include the daily operation of the animal shelter, and one representative from an animal welfare organization. This committee shall meet at least three times a year. If you are interested in volunteering on this committee, apply at www.nassaubay.com/FormCenter/City-Secretary-6/Application-for-City-Board-Commission-or-39.
NASSAU BAY HOMES ASSOCIATION
The deadline for submitting ballots for the Short-term rentals and dues increase amendments has been extended to February 1, 2024. If you have already voted, you still have time to change your vote. For more information or to request a ballot, please contact the NBHA office at NassauBayHomesAssociation@gmail.com or 281-3332570.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
December January - HAPPY NEW YEAR January 1: New Year’s Day (City Hall Closed) January 8: City Council Meeting January 12: Coffee with the Mayor and City Manager January 26: Coffee with the Mayor and City Manager Ongoing Happenings! Java Owl: Every Friday Night, 6 - 9 PM Wine & Beverages - Live Music on Saturdays! Mediterraneo Market and Cafe: Every Friday and Saturday 6 - 10 PM - Live Music and belly dancing. Erma‘s Nutrition Center: Every Saturday, 10 - 2 PM - Nassau Bay Farmers Market.
COUNCIL MEETING RECAP
December 11, 2023 - REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
Check Presentations: HLSR Go Texan Committee Oath of Office for incoming Councilmember Ashleigh Klug. Ordinance No. 23-11-05 regarding Part II - Code of Ordinances, Chapter 13 was tabled until January 2024 meeting. Approved to extend Reinvestment Zone #1 terms to December 2025 for Phil Johnson, Chase Waterwall, James Abbey and Gary Mossman - will table vacancy for residents to apply. Appointed Sarah Horton to EDC. Motion was approved to establish a Animal Shelter Compliance Committee. Approved to revert future zoning of Gloria Dei property to prior residential designation along with other churches. Appointed Lacy Belcher as Acting City Secretary
BY THE NUMBERS
Statistics for November 2023
POLICE DEPARTMENT POLICE
Total Service Calls .................... 269 Total Reports Taken .................. 44 Total Patrol Miles .................... 3502 Crimes Against Persons ............ 8 Property Crimes ....................... 9 Arrests..................................... 7 Avg Response Times (minutes) ...3.27 CODE ENFORCEMENT CASES..... 1
FIRE DEPARTMENT Total Calls ................................. 34 Fires .......................................... 7 Rescues ..................................... 2 Motor Vehicle Accident................ 1 Hazardous Conditions.................. 2 Fire Alarm................................... 14 EMS Assist ..................................7 Cancelled in Route/Other ............ 3
EMS EMS
Total Calls................................... 110 Total Patients in Nassau Bay ....... 92
CONTACT YOUR CITY OFFICIALS Mayor Phil Johnson 281.734.1074 | phil.johnson@nassaubay.com Paula Tomasi, Position 1 281.960.0559 | paula.tomasi@nassaubay.com Mayor Pro Tem Lucie Johannes Sommer, Position 2 832.338.1828 | lucie.johannes.sommer@nassaubay.com Councilmember Chase Waterwall, Position 3 409.240.1699 | chase.waterwall@nassaubay.com Councilmember James Abbey, Position 4 979.422.2383 | james.abbey@nassaubay.com Councilmember Sarah Horton, Position 5 713.775.6839 | sarah.horton@nassaubay.com Councilmember Ashleigh Klug, Position 6 281.685.3340 | ashleigh.klug@nassaubay.com
A 2024 Message From Your Mayor
Dear Friends, Neighbors, and Citizens It is my sincerest wish that by the time you receive this note, you and your loved ones have shared a treasured Christmas or Holiday season and that you have rung in the New Year with great cheer. My wife and I are very blessed to be new grandparents to our granddaughter Caroline, who, thanks to everyone's prayers, is now a healthy and growing little girl with her challenges behind her. 2023 turned out to have had many surprises for us here in the City, but as I look back to what we have achieved this last year, I sincerely hope that you are seeing the benefits of all the investments we have made. I truly believe our City's beauty has begun shining through again. Our roads, for the most part, have been repaired and renovated, our landscaping is colorful with flowers, the palm trees are lit on Nasa Rd. 1 like never before, and a good 50% of our underground waterlines have been replaced with the rest to follow this next year, all of our parks have seen significant upgrades and the replacement of all our playground equipment. Most of all, our financial situation has never been better. I can report to you that we just reaffirmed our AA+ bond rating by Standard & Poor. We have structurally created over $1.5 million per year of additional discretionary revenue to continue our reinvestment plan for our City, which we have only just begun, without raising taxes for you as citizens. We still have much work to complete, but I cannot thank our entire City Staff, particularly our Public Works Department, this City Council, and all our City Volunteers enough for the progress we have made together. To quote a long-time citizen after our largest ever and most enjoyable series of holiday events: our Reindeer Run, our Holiday in the Park, and the Boat Parade, "It is great to be and live in Nassau Bay"... our progress is evident, and it shows thanks to everyone's participation. Again, I hope all had the merriest of Holidays, and I am truly looking forward to our New Year in 2024. See you on the other side of the New Year... Your Mayor, Phil Johnson