May 30, 2005

Hello,

It was nice to see such a good turn out at the Thursday, May 26, E 1488 Community Association meeting. Thank you all for coming and participating.

The beginning of the evening was devoted introducing E1488 CA Directors and to reporting what the Association has been doing over the past year. Treasurer, Bill Haskell (Sendera Lake Estates), gave a short report, saying the Association had $518.00 in the bank and that it was the time of year for subdivisions to renew their memberships. 

Short resumes were given by committee chairs on facilitated community involvement including:

Richard Swingle, Red Oak Ranch (Drainage Committee):

            Richard thanked the County and County Engineer Dan Wilds for their assistance in helping subdivisions with their drainage problems.  He also spoke of the need for new FEMA flood plain maps for Montgomery County and the huge cost that would entail.

The next Drainage Committee meeting is set for June20, 7 pm at the Westwood Board Rooms, 406 Macintosh, Magnolia, TX.

Cheryl Meyer, Montgomery Trace, (Sign Committee),

            Cheryl spoke of her disappointment that HB 599 and 600 (putting responsibility for illegal bandit signs on the shoulders of those who advertise on them and allowing authorities to fine them), put forward by Rep. Rob Eissler and passed by the House, failed in the Senate because our Senator, Todd Staples, wouldn't back them.

            She also spoke of HB34, a bill to ban more billboards along 10 roadways, was passed after Senator Tommy Williams carried the bill in the Senate. However, FM 1488 was removed from the bill because our Senator, Todd Staples, wouldn't back the bill. FM2978 WAS included in the bill since that's Senator William's area.

            Cheryl also spoke of her fight to remove an illegal billboard near the junction of FM2978 and FM1488 owned by Turk Eppes from Century 21. After Cheryl asked Mr. Eppes to remove the sign, Bruce Rychlik of TxDot contacted the Attorney General's Office about the illegal sign. A letter sent to Eppes from the AG's office asked him to either remove the billboard or get a permit. He chose to do nothing so the AG's office is now filing a lawsuit.

Blake Barton, Sendera Ranch (Partnership Pledge)

Blake spoke of gathering information and helping to write the Partnership Pledge which encourages everyone living and working along FM 1488 to retain as many trees as possible, limit signage and provide vegetative borders where ever possible to help retain the ambience of the area. He asked any one present who owned property along FM 1488 to consider signing the pledge. (Partnership Pledge is attached).

Kim Manary, Lake Creek Forest, (Security)

            Spoke of the problems some subdivisions are having with vandalism, etc. E 1488 CA subdivisions have been meeting for some months, trying to work out a pilot program where each subdivision will pay for their own constables but they will be coordinated by the Chief Constable to provide better over all coverage to the area. Another security meeting will be set for this summer.

Cheryl Meyer also presented a resolution written by Glenn Buckley (Montgomery Trace) to limit hunting/shooting on properties under ten acres. Commissioner's Court has the authority to enact such a resolution. Commissioner Doyal is aware of the resolution. Resolution is attached.

The main speakers were then introduced.

Sheriff Tommy Gage, who took office in January, 2005, spoke of the many changes instituted since he took over, two of which are the increased constable and sheriff's office co-operation (that has resulted in shortened response times) and the combining of 911 dispatchers with the sheriff's office dispatchers to provided a better service and save taxpayers' money. The Sheriff also spoke of the problems presented by maintaining the County jail.

            In response to a question from the audience concerning the lack of windows in Montgomery's Bar and Grill, a new restaurant about to open on FM 1488, the sheriff said the County had strict laws governing adult entertainment and such activities had to be authorized. He said he would not sign any such permit while he was in office.

            Commissioner Craig Doyal said State money for the widening of FM 1488 from I-45 to FM 2978 is available. Increased property valuations have added 3 to 4 million dollars to the process. Widening FM 1488 between FM 2978 and I-45 will begin as soon as the right-of-way is acquired. The earliest time construction could begin is this winter but a more probable time is next spring or summer.

            He also spoke of the "shadow toll" being instituted with TXDoT that would allow the County to pass bonds and build roads themselves, then receive money from the State to pay back the bonds according to how many cars used the road ways ( a "shadow" toll, not a real toll.) This money could be used to finish the widening of FM 1488 from FM2978 to SH149.

            The Commissioner explained that out of the taxes paid from a $100,000 home in Montgomery County, his department receives only $20.  This is not enough to pay for the maintenance of the roads already built, let alone build more.

            In response to a question from the audience, the Commissioner said there's been no money for Countywide flood control or drainage planning because a bond that would have provided money for Countywide planning was voted down some 15 years ago.

After thanking the speakers, outgoing President Ann K Anderson announced that HB 3415 which would have amended the Southwest Montgomery County Improvement's District's legislation to allow commercial assessment, was passed by the House but failed in the Senate due to Senator Todd Staple's lack of support. She thanked the many residents who supported the legislation by calling and sending letters and e-mails to the Senator.

After thanking every one for their attendance and participation, the President adjourned the meeting.

Final note: Guidelines for buying property in Montgomery County, written by Glenn Buckley, were available for free at the meeting.  These Guidelines are also available on the website (in text form only) for reading or down loading. (www.e1488ca.org    Click Community News . When new page pops up, click Guidelines.)