GATEWAYFall 2009 Volume 17, Number 3 New Generation of Exploration From Webster to the Moon, Mars, and Beyond The Gateway magazine and archived issues are available online at... www.cityofwebster.com In This Issue Fiscally Fit for 2009-2010 .....................................................................................3 “Webster Goes Green” Reaps Top Honors ...................................................3 Flags and Fireworks ...............................................................................................4 A New Generation of Exploration ....................................................................6 Health & Wellness Fair .........................................................................................8 Senior Game Days .................................................................................................8 Faces Behind the City ..........................................................................................8 Animal Control Relocates Colubrids ................................................................8 Fifty Years as an Attorney ...................................................................................9 Records Retention Day ........................................................................................9 Fire Prevention Week ...........................................................................................9 Yards of the Month ..............................................................................................10 Martin in Webster, will transport astronauts to the ISS, moon, Mars, and beyond. WBA Gets Kinky .................................................................................................10 Public Meeting Notes .......................................................................................... 11 City Council ..........................................................................................................12 On the cover – The Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle, designed and developed by Lockheed Calendar of Events September 1 6 p.m. City Council Meeting GATEWAY 2 6 p.m. Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting (if needed) 7 City Offices Closed 8 6 p.m. Webster Economic Development Corporation Meeting GATEWAY 11 noon Senior Game Day Fall – 3rd Quarter 2009 15 6 p.m. City Council Meeting Volume 17, Number 3 16 6 p.m. Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting (if needed) 25 6 p.m. Senior Game Night Quarterly publication produced by The City of Webster October 101 Pennsylvania Ave. 6 6 p.m. City Council Meeting 7 6 p.m. Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting (if needed) Webster, TX 77598 9 noon Senior Game Day City of Webster Main Line 12 Records Retention Day (City Offices Closed) 13 6 p.m. Webster Economic Development Corporation Meeting 281.332.1826 20 6 p.m. City Council Meeting Toll Free Tourism Line 21 6 p.m. Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting (if needed) 888.805.9000 23 6 p.m. Senior Game Night Fax 281.332.5834 November We want to hear from you! 3 6 p.m. City Council Meeting Please contact 281.316.4121 or email 4 6 p.m. Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting (if needed) [email protected] 10 1-4 p.m. Health & Wellness Fair with questions or comments. 10 6 p.m. Webster Economic Development Corporation Meeting 13 noon Senior Game Day It is the editorial policy of the City to 17 6 p.m. City Council Meeting publish community news that impacts 18 6 p.m. Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting (if needed) the constituency of Webster. 27 6 p.m. Senior Game Night Fall 2009 Page 3 Fiscally Fit for 2009-2010 With a Commitment to Public Safety – A Message From the City Manager As the City of Webster faces the the most significant expenditures in at $1,520,000, compared to sales tax challenges wrought by the national the City’s General Fund Budget of revenue at $10,133,000. While the economic climate, the municipality $16,911,430 are related to police and City of Webster enjoys one of the stands strong with its commitment fire protection. In an effort to im- lowest property tax rates in the region to efficient and effective government prove fire prevention, fire suppression, (just 20.60 cents per $100 valuation in through a performance-oriented and emergency services, the budget fiscal year 2008-2009), the new, pro- budget. With an ongoing practice of reflects 24-hour staffing for firefight- posed Annual Budget anticipates a tax fiscal responsibility and conserva- ers, along with permanent part-time rate of 23.25 cents. That rate includes tism, coupled with the organizational status. a slight tax increase to fully staff one strategies of innovation, teamwork, ef- Certainly, Webster’s economy fire station on a round-the-clock ba- ficiency, and empowerment, the City is affected by the national and re- sis. The tax increase would equate to of Webster is poised to weather diffi- gional markets. As the City’s largest approximately $12.34 annually for a cult economic times and remain highly revenue source is sales tax, which home valued at $100,000. productive and balanced. The theme has experienced a decline nationwide, Webster’s outlook is optimistic. for the new budget year, which begins Webster’s projections include an 8% The City is poised for new growth, October 1, 2009, is “Commitment to decrease over the previous fiscal year. ready to deliver top-notch police, fire, Public Safety.” Webster’s taxable property value has and emergency medical services, and Webster’s position as the central also decreased by 1% (based on Harris dedicated to providing excellent City business district of the Clear Lake County Appraisal District data). services in the form of water quality, region makes increasing demands Current property tax revenue for op- streets, parks, drainage, permits, rec- on public safety. For this reason, erations and maintenance is estimated reation, planning, and development. “Webster Goes Green” Reaps Top Honors Both the International Economic Center Boulevard, is home to IDEV beneficial and sustainable in that the Development Council and the National Technologies, an innovative medical de- City will encounter no financial bur- League of Cities have proclaimed vice company with a workforce of 150. den in authorizing agreements with Webster’s Green Commercial Building As Webster represents the first mu- every new, eligible project, because Tax Abatement Program as “award- nicipality in Harris County to adopt Webster’s ad valorem tax rate is so winning!” Webster will be honored at this novel program, the municipality’s low. The City, too, reaps the benefit of both organizations’ annual conferences leaders can be credited with progres- water and energy conservation when this fall for “Webster Goes Green.” siveness, environmental awareness, and LEED-certified facilities feature green In an effort to build a more sustain- innovation. “Webster Goes Green” roofs, capture rainwater for reuse, in- able community – one that is both was generated to accompany Harris stall vertical wind generation systems, environmentally and business friendly, County’s larger program so that quali- utilize LED parking lot lights, and em- the City created a program designed fied projects can reap the rewards of ploy myriad green technologies that to foster and reward the development both entities’ tax abatements. attract new companies. of new commercial buildings that as- Webster’s program is highly Jeff Mickler, President of Jacob White pire to LEED (Leadership in Energy Construction, plans to build a third and Environmental Design) standards. Gold-LEED office facility in Webster at Webster’s first program recipient’s 700 East Medical Center Boulevard as $11 million, Gold-LEED, 48,000 square soon as half of the 30,000 square foot foot facility, located at 253 Medical building is pre-leased. Accolades for an award-winning program “Webster Goes Green” belong to the first program recipient, (L to R) Jeff Mickler, President, Jacob White Construction; Donna Rogers, 251 and 253 Medical Center Boulevard President, Webster EDC; and Floyd Myers, Mayor. 700 East Medical Center Boulevard www.cityofwebster.com Page 4 Fall 2009 Fire Chief Patrick Shipp Mayor Floyd Myers & Bryan Morgan Martha Griffith & Jay Corbin DeEtta & Chris Fryday Pilots the 1946 Ford Fire Truck Flags and Fireworks Webster Celebrates the 4th of July One of the City’s foremost celebrations occurs annually on July 4th at Texas Avenue Park. This year’s event, which commenced with Morag Sabo & Paula Hebert a mid-morning parade and culminated with a dazzling fireworks show Pauline Small, Mary Fox, & Sue Gallagher Parade Judges that featured more than 1,500 skybursts, was greatly appreciated by several thousand attendees. Webster’s reputation for providing spec- tacular family fun on July 4th continues to grow year after year, as the area in and around Texas Avenue Park is inundated with fans who wel- come the day-long patriotic event, complete with parade, fire truck rides, fire extinguisher demonstrations, bingo, domino competition, dessert contest, hot dog lunch, petting zoo, rock climbing wall, moon walk, mayoral welcome, veterans ceremony, performances by Houston City Manager Wayne Sabo & Morag Highlanders and Youth Advocates Break Dancers, free watermelon Carlos Villagomez, Karen & Jim Williams and sno-cones, variety of food vendors, and much, much more. Due to the tremendous efforts of the Celebration Committee (who begins planning this event in February), Webster’s 4th of July is a resounding success. With Jerry Lou Ellis as the chair, the Celebration Committee consists