Bay Area Edition | July 2023

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BAY AREA EDITION

VOLUME 5, ISSUE 12 AUG. 1AUG. 28, 2023

HOME EDITION 2023

APPRAISALJUMPS

A record number of Harris County residential properties increased in value this year, aecting how much residents will pay in property taxes.

Increase in value

Decrease in value

No change

New restaurants open at Hobby Airport

HARRIS COUNTY

249

290

More projects to widen Hwy. 146 incoming

610

225

610

League City inventorying water lines for lead, copper

288

96% of Harris County residential properties increased in appraised value in 2023.

HOME EDITION 2023

85% of Galveston County residential properties increased in appraised value in 2023.

SOURCES: HARRIS CENTRAL APPRAISAL DISTRICT, GALVESTON CENTRAL APPRAISAL DISTRICTCOMMUNITY IMPACT

Residents, legislators ght increasing property appraisals

Real estate data

BY JAKE MAGEE

though we haven’t made any improvements to the property,” Elliott said. Elliott is not alone; since 2012, the average taxable value of a house in Galveston County has increased from $119,891 to a projected $249,097 in 2023—a 107.77% increase in 11 years. Despite consistently declining county tax rates, the average county tax bill has increased from $719.24 in

2012 to a projected $915.59 in 2023, according to Galveston County data. Things are not easier in Harris County. In 2023, over 96% of residen- tial properties’ appraisals increased. It’s second only to 2022, where over 97% of residential properties increased in appraised value. The problem is severe enough across Texas that the state House and CONTINUED ON 20

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In 1999, Theresa Elliott built her home on Galveston Island. It cost less than $200,000, she said. Today, that same house is appraised at over $675,000, according to the Galveston Central Appraisal District. That’s more than a 237% increase in 24 years. “The increases have been increas- ing steadily over the years, even

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THIS ISSUE

ABOUT US Owners John and Jennifer Garrett launched Community Impact in 2005, and the company is still locally owned today. We have expanded to include hundreds of team members and have created our own software platform and printing facility. CI delivers 35+ localized editions across Texas to more than 2.5 million residential mailboxes. MARKET TEAM GENERAL MANAGER Papar Faircloth SENIOR EDITOR Jake Magee REPORTERS Rachel Leland, James T. Norman GRAPHIC DESIGNER Jesus Verastegui METRO LEADERSHIP PUBLISHER Jason Culpepper MANAGING EDITOR Kelly Schaer COPY EDITOR Adrian Gandara SENIOR ART PRODUCTION MANAGER Kaitlin Schmidt CONTACT US 16300 Northwest Freeway Jersey Village, TX 77040 • 2814696181 CI CAREERS communityimpact.com/careers PRESS RELEASES baynews@communityimpact.com ADVERTISING bayads@communityimpact.com Learn more at communityimpact.com/advertising EMAIL NEWSLETTERS communityimpact.com/newsletter SUPPORT US Join your neighbors by giving to the CI Patron program. Funds support our journalistic mission to provide trusted, local news in your community. Learn more at communityimpact.com/cipatron

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THIS MONTH

FROM PAPAR: The recent real estate climate in our communities has come with both great benets and challenges with many of us aected in some way. Some have beneted as a seller with the higher housing costs vastly improving the equity in their home, and some, like me, have embraced our current homes as the home we will stay in longer than expected, so we are renovating our spaces more. Our annual Home Edition has news and topics no matter which end of the spectrum you are as a homeowner or renter. We hope you enjoy it. Papar Faircloth, GENERAL MANAGER

FROM JAKE: If you’re a homeowner, you’re likely no stranger to the rapid increase in property values happening across the state. The ination is leading to higher property tax bills for homeowners and local business owners, some of whom are being forced to sell their properties because they can’t aord their property tax bills. Read our front-page story to learn more about this problem and what legislators have done in attempts to address it. Jake Magee, SENIOR EDITOR

CORRECTION: Volume 5, Issue 10, Page 19. A story had an incorrect spelling of the city of Bacli.

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IMPACTS

Businesses that have recently opened or are coming soon, relocating or expanding

ARMAND BAYOU NATURE CENTER

SEABROOK

MAP NOT TO SCALE

PGBT TOLL

Golf Galaxy

COURTESY GOLF GALAXY

SRT TOLL

000 TOLL 000A TOLL

COMING SOON 6 Standing Ovation Theatre plans to open this summer at 17380 El Camino Real, Houston. Originally, the theater was going to open in the spring. Con- struction is ongoing to merge two build- ings into one and upgrade the facade to create the theater, which will offer a variety of shows, including comedies, dramas and thrillers for all age groups. The theater will also include event space available for rent. 281-654-6063. www.standingovationtheatre.org 7 Dutch Bros Coffee is set to expand its presence in the Bay Area with the opening of two new locations later this year. The new stores will be located at A 1721 W. League City Parkway and B 6645 South Shore Blvd. in League City. Dutch Bros is a popular coffee chain known for its spe- cialty coffee drinks, teas, smoothies, sodas and energy drinks. The chain originated in Oregon and branched out to Texas in 2021. www.dutchbros.com 8 Scooter’s Coffee , a Nebraska-based drive-thru coffee hut, is set to open a location in the Bay Area at 2030 E. League City Parkway on Oct 2. Scooter’s Coffee offers a variety of specialty coffee drinks, including espresso-based beverages, iced coffees, smoothies, teas and baked goods. www.scooterscoffee.com RELOCATIONS 9 After closing for around five months, Galveston Bay Brewing opened up in April at its new location at 902 Ma- rina Bay Drive in Clear Lake Shores,

DNT TOLL

CLEAR LAKE

000

2351

000

GALVESTON BAY

BAYBROOK MALL DR.

000

MEDICAL CENTER BLVD.

NASSAU BAY

0000

WEBSTER

518

MOPAC

146

SOUTH SHORE BLVD.

528

S. EGRET BAY BLVD.

E. LEAGUE CITY PKWY.

2004

1764

517

646

LEAGUE CITY

NOW OPEN 1 Golf Galaxy , a retail store specializing in golf equipment and apparel, celebrated its grand opening on the weekend of July 7-9 at Baybrook Mall, 18650 Gulf Freeway, Friendswood. The event featured a live DJ, food, refreshments, sports activi- ties, face painters, balloon artists and live appearances from Houston athletes. 832-415-1934. www.golfgalaxy.com 2 Dick’s House of Sport , a brand of Dick’s Sporting Goods, opened a location at Baybrook Mall, 500 Baybrook Mall Drive, Friendswood, on July 7. Dick’s House of Sport is a retail store that brings together sports, community engagement and technology. It offers a diverse range of activities, from outdoor fields to rock climbing, along with a wide selection of

athletic gear, apparel and equipment. After the success of its first three stores in 2021, the retail giant plans to open 12 more lo- cations across the country. 832-415-1934. www.dickssportinggoods.com 3 Houston Methodist Clear Lake Hospi- tal opened a new emergency care center May 22 at 1310 E. League City Parkway, League City. The facility aims to address residents’ concerns about long wait times in the ER and offers a streamlined process for acute medical needs. The 24-hour center provides comprehensive services, including on-site labs and imaging, in private treatment rooms. 346-427-5050. www.houstonmethodist.org/locations/ emergency-care-centers/league-city 4 Artisan coffee and doughnut shop Blackline Coffee & Donuts held a soft opening April 27-30 and opened

for regular hours May 1 at 203 E. NASA Parkway, Webster. The menu includes brioche and gluten-free and cake doughnuts, as well as espresso, drip coffee and blended beverag- es. It offers online ordering as well as a loyalty program. 281-724-1559. www.blacklinecoffeedonuts.com 5 HCA Houston Healthcare opened its first freestanding rehabilitation facility, HCA Houston Rehabilitation Hospital Southeast , on May 22 at 4801 E. Sam Houston Parkway S., Pasadena. The facility offers specialized care for patients recovering from strokes, surgeries and other traumas. The facility offers a gym, a dining area and resources for patients to practice daily activities. 713-904-9300. www.hcahoustonhealthcare.com/locations /hca-houston-rehabilitation- hospital-southeast

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Dick’s House of Sport

Houston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital

RENDERING COURTESY DICK’S SPORTING GOODS

COURTESY RICHARD CARSON

General Manager Chris Loftis said. It hosts trivia, karaoke, yoga and have specials Monday through Thursday. Prior to the move, they were in Dickinson for about seven years. 281-339-3210. www.galvestonbaybrewing.com NAME CHANGES 10 Pediatrix Primary + Urgent Care at Webster , formerly NightLight Pediatric Urgent Care, reopened June 20 at 19325 Gulf Freeway, Ste. 180, Webster. The business will soon offer primary care in addition to urgent care, providing convenience for parents seeking com- prehensive health care for their children. 832-992-5050. www.pediatrix.com/ puctexas CLOSINGS 11 Jenny Craig Weight Loss Center at 935 Bay Area Blvd., Webster, closed in ear- ly May as part of a nationwide closing of all stores. The chain of businesses, which had existed for 40 years, helped customers lose weight by delivering nutritious food to their doors. The closure canceled auto-de- livery subscriptions and coaching sessions, food orders and merchandise sales. www.facebook.com/jennycraigwebstertx 12 Officials from discount retailer Tuesday Morning announced in May they would be closing the business, re- sulting in the closure of the location at 20740 Gulf Freeway, Webster. Tuesday Morning CEO Andrew Berger stated the company has “exceedingly burden- some debt” after filing for bankruptcy for the second time in three years. www.tuesdaymorning.com

William P. Hobby Airport officials May 12 announced eight new restaurants Hobby Airport guests can enjoy, including Pink’s Pizza.

COURTESY HOUSTON AIRPORT SYSTEM

FEATURED IMPACT NOW OPEN Ocials from William P. Hobby Airport, 7800 Airport Blvd., Houston, on May 12 announced eight new restaurants Hobby Airport guests can enjoy. Gastrohub Bistro & Bar serves burgers, sandwiches and salads and is located before security. Strea t, which sells sandwiches, jambalaya, breakfast and alcohol, has locations at gates 2 and 4. Latrelle’s Mexican Kitchen makes breakfast tacos, fajitas, burritos and margaritas, and is at Gate 21. Also at Gate 21 is Pink’s Pizza , which serves pizza by the slice along with craft beers. Gastrohub at the Gate 41 food court serves smoked chicken, ribs, salads and cocktails. Also at the food court is Pick Up Stix , a casual restaurant chain that dishes out Asian food. Finally, Hubcap Bar & Grill , which serves burgers, cheesesteaks, milkshakes and alcohol, is located at Gate 46. The eight dining options are temporary as the airport undergoes a

“phased transition” through late 2024. These eight new concepts bring the total at the airport to 13, joining Chick- l-A at Gate 1, Bualo Wild Wings at Gate 23, Peet’s Coee & Tea at Gate 40, Wendy’s at the Gate 41 food court and Starbucks at Gate 45. A total of 20 permanent dining and retail concepts will be open by late 2024. New concepts include Fat Cat Creamery, Dunkin’, The Spot, The Spot Bar, Velvet Taco, The Rustic, Jersey Mike’s, Pei Wei, Chick-l-A at a new location, two Starbucks at new locations, Throughgood Bistro, Common Bond Cafe, Yard House, Killen’s Barbeque, Spindletap Brewery, Dish Society, Longhorn Steakhouse, Pink’s Pizza at a new location, and Wendy’s.

Dutch Bros Coffee

COURTESY DUTCH BROS COFFEE

Scooter’s Coffee

COURTESY SCOOTER’S COFFEE

13 The League City Recycling Center at 1535 Dickinson Ave., League City, closed June 23. According to city officials, the closure was due to excessive illegal dumping and hazardous waste contamina- tion. League City officials monitored the facility for six months and found frequent violators were nonresidents and commer- cial businesses. Officials are applying for a Houston-Galveston Area Council grant to provide a staffed recycling facility for the city. www.leaguecitytx.gov

L V D

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TRANSPORTATION UPDATES More projects to widen Hwy. 146 incoming

COMPILED BY JAKE MAGEE & JAMES T. NORMAN

UPCOMING PROJECTS

LEAGUE CITY PKWY.

W. WALKER ST.

ONGOING PROJECTS start early 2024 Cost: $1.8 million Funding source: Galveston County League City Parkway and West Walk- er Street intersection improvements Workers will extend and add a couple of turn lanes at this intersection. Those being extended include each of the left-turn lanes that go eastbound to northbound and westbound to south- bound. New right-turn lanes for trac going northbound to eastbound, east- bound to southbound and southbound to westbound will also be installed. Timeline: construction expected to

JAKE MAGEECOMMUNITY IMPACT The widening of Hwy. 146 between Red Blu Road and FM 518 is expected to wrap up this year. WIDENING WORK

After over four years of work, the Texas Department of Transportation is on the verge of wrapping up a project to widen Hwy. 146 between Red Blu Road and south of FM 518. Seabrook ocials have said the project has been a pain point for residents and busi- nesses alike. However, before the project con- cludes, other Hwy. 146 work will begin to the north and south. Starting in August, TxDOT will begin widening a 5.5-mile section of Hwy. 146 between south of FM 518 and Dick- inson Bayou, south of Seabrook and Kemah, TxDOT Public Information Ocer Bambi Hall said in an email. This section of Hwy. 146 is currently four lanes wide and will be widened to six lanes. Additionally, TxDOT will construct a bridge on Hwy. 96 to tie into the new express bridge, Hall said. The express bridge, which is still under construction as part of the ongoing Hwy. 146 widening project, will allow drivers to bypass local trac, TxDOT ocials have said. The new widening project is expected to wrap up in late 2026. The project is expected to cost $198 million, Hall said. “The widening of Hwy. 146 is for emergency evacuations, such as hurricanes,” she said. Hall said Hwy. 146 from Red Blu Road north to Spencer Highway will eventually be widened from four to six lanes as well. Seabrook Economic

Development Director Paul Chavez said equipment has been placed alongside Hwy. 146 in preparation. “The north project is currently awaiting an environmental permit to proceed, which we hope to have some- time in October, but it can sometimes take up to a year,” Hall said. Chavez said he expects the northern widening project to be less disruptive than the widening through Seabrook and Kemah has been. “Our cities were built right up to the highway, where north of that they’re mostly warehouses and such … and mostly o the highway,” he said, noting TxDOT ocials will not have to displace businesses to widen Hwy. 146 to the north as they did through Seabrook and Kemah. Ongoing widening Chavez said construction and trac congestion have gotten more intense as workers approach the end of the Hwy. 146 widening project through Seabrook and Kemah. Most of the work will be done by the end of the year, though crews may have to complete small items in early 2024, he said. There’s debris beneath the bridge that will eventually need to be cleared, but crews’ main task is making sure the bridges are complete and stable, Chavez said.

While a portion of Hwy. 146 widening is almost complete, two more portions are about to begin.

225

GALVESTON BAY

518

146

OPTION 1

518

DICKINSON BAYOU

OPTION 2

SOURCES: TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, CITY OF SEABROOKCOMMUNITY IMPACT Timeline: August 2023-October 2026 Cost: $198 million Funding source: TxDOT Timeline: early 2019-late 2023 Cost: $201.8 million Funding source: TxDOT ONGOING HWY. 146 WIDENING HWY. 146 WIDENING, FM 518 TO DICKINSON BAYOU Timeline: projected to begin this year Cost: TBD Funding source: Texas Department of Transportation HWY. 146 WIDENING, RED BLUFF ROAD TO SPENCER HIGHWAY

ALL INFORMATION ON THIS PAGE WAS UPDATED AS OF JULY 3. NEWS OR QUESTIONS ABOUT THESE OR OTHER LOCAL TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS? EMAIL US AT BAYNEWSCOMMUNITYIMPACT.COM. feet of two-lane roadway that will con- nect Hobbs Road to the I-45 frontage road to alleviate trac to the FM 518 and Hobbs Road intersection. The road will be named after Alexander Wineld, who is one of the rst African Ameri- cans to settle in League City. Timeline: construction expected to start in scal year 2023-24 Cost: $2.3 million Funding source: city of League City Wineld Road construction Workers will construct about 1,000

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DEVELOPMENT

Hobby Airport expansion could start next year

will add baggage claim requirements, leading to a necessary expansion of the airport’s baggage claim hall, Szczesniak said. Szczesniak said increasing demand and population have led to the expansion. “We’ve got an attractive market, and then you’ve got an existing attractive airport,” he said, noting Hobby is the only ve-star airport in North America, as rated by Skytrax, an international airport-rating organization. Additionally, Hobby’s restaurants are undergoing change. In March, two new vendors won 10-year contracts with the city to open 20 new restaurants at the airport. The restaurants will replace Pappas Restaurants, which have been open at the airport for over 20 years. Pappas Restaurants, including Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen, Pappasito’s Cantina, Pappas Burgers and Pappas Bar-BQ, have already closed in preparation for the new restaurants, Szczesniak said. The new restaurants will begin opening this fall through late 2024. While some of the restaurants are

BY JAKE MAGEE

Changes are coming to William P. Hobby airport in southern Houston, and they’ll begin this year. Southwest Airlines, which already has a presence at Hobby, will begin a $450 million expansion as early as next year. The expansion will more than double the number of gates in the western concourse from ve to 12, said Jim Szczesniak, chief operating ocer for the Houston Airport System. Six of the new gates will be for Southwest ights, and the seventh will be for other airlines, he said. The expansion could allow guests to travel through Hobby to more destinations. Today, Hobby services 83 destinations, which is important to residents who live on the south side of Houston, Szczesniak said. Besides the gates, the expansion

An incoming expansion of the William P. Hobby Airport will expand the number of western concourse gates from five to 12.

RENDERINGS COURTESY HOUSTON AIRPORT SYSTEM

chains, such as Chick-l-A and Dunkin’, many are local eateries, such as The Spot, Spindletap Brewery and Killen’s Barbeque, Szczesniak said. “You’ll have your mix of national brands, … but then you’re going to have that mix of local stu we’re going to have,” he said. Szczesniak said the investment happening in Houston right now is great. The Houston Airport System is responsible for 190,000 jobs and $36.4 billion in annual economic activity, he said.

The expansion will add seven new gates.

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WATER League City ocials inventorying all water lines for lead, copper

DIVVYING RESPONSIBILITY Some water lines could have lead and copper pipes, which can be dangerous if they seep into water. The city is responsible for inventorying water lines from the water main to the water meter. Residents are responsible for checking water lines from the water meter to the property.

BY JAKE MAGEE

Conrmation will also require plenty of “boots on the ground,” with crews going to certain properties to conrm unknowns, Hooks said. For instance, as of mid-July, League City crews were visiting and investi- gating 27 multifamily complexes that could have lead and copper pipes. While League City is a relatively new city with plenty of new construction that doesn’t include dangerous materials in pipes, some areas of the city, such as the historic district, are more at risk of having lead and copper pipes, Hooks said. Fortunately, for the last eight to 10 years, League City has had an aggres- sive waterline replacement program, which has given the city a head start. The city is relatively young, too, which means there’s less likelihood of nding dangerous pipes. “We’re pretty condent we’re not going to nd much,” Hooks said. In fact, almost two-thirds of city and private service lines have been cleared because they were developed after 1989, when the state of Texas banned the use of lead pipes in water lines. Homes built before 1989 have a higher risk of having lead materials present in the line from the water meter to the home, said Sarah Greer Osborne, director of communications and community engagement. “We’re in good shape compared to other cities,” she said. Help from residents The work will require residents’ participation as well.

Water meter

Street

League City ocials are in the midst of the largest lead and copper pipe-re- lated project they’ve ever taken on, and it’s one every other city in the U.S. also has to complete. In December 2021, the U.S. Environ- mental Protection Agency released new regulations related to lead and copper pipes. By October 2024, every city in the country is required to inven- tory all service lines in the city. “It’s a massive undertaking,” Public Works Director Jody Hooks said of the work the city must complete in just over a year. If any pipes contain lead or cop- per, they will have to eventually be replaced. How that work will be funded is still a bridge the city has to cross, Hooks said. The Texas Water Development Board has made available $213 million for grants related to replacing lead and copper pipes. It’s most likely this money will go to less auent communities rst, but it’s possible League City could receive some of the money, depending on how much lead and copper is found in the city’s pipes, ocials said. Inventory requirements To inventory pipes, city ocials have to look through paperwork including building permits, inspec- tions and historical records to deter- mine exactly what each pipe is made of. The city has hired a consultant, CDM Smith, to help with the process, ocials said.

City-owned water line

Resident-owned water line

Water main

SOURCE: CITY OF LEAGUE CITYCOMMUNITY IMPACT

The city is required to check every pipe from the water main to each water meter. However, pipes from the water meter to the point of entry to the building are residents’ responsibility. City ocials are working on outreach programs, yers, social media posts and a website to educate residents of what will be required and how to inventory their service lines. Those materials will begin circulating later this summer. Regardless, city ocials ensured the city’s drinking water is safe. The city’s tap water is in full compliance with all federal, state and other guidelines. “By conducting this citywide inventory, we are not only following the new EPA guidelines, but we will be able to guarantee the identi- cation and removal of all potential lead service lines in our city,” Osborne said. While the EPA’s new regulations were released in December 2021, many questions remained as to what exactly would be required of cities. The city did not receive guidance until October 2022, which is why League City ocials did not begin inventorying the city’s pipes until summer 2023, ocials said.

League City workers in mid-July visited multifamily complexes to determine what their pipes were made of. COURTESY CITY OF LEAGUE CITY "BY CONDUCTING THIS CITYWIDE INVENTORY, WE ARE NOT ONLY FOLLOWING THE NEW EPA GUIDELINES, BUT WE WILL BE ABLE TO GUARANTEE THE IDENTIFICATION AND REMOVAL OF ALL POTENTIAL LEAD SERVICE LINES IN OUR CITY.” SARAH GREER OSBORNE, LEAGUE CITY DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

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BAY AREA EDITION • AUGUST 2023

CITY & COUNTY Council postpones granting League City eminent domain

News from League City

League City City Council will meet at 6 p.m. Aug. 8 and 22 at council chambers, 200 W. Walker St., League City. Meetings are streamed at www.facebook.com/leaguecitytexas and http://leaguecitytx.swagit.com/ live-chambers. MEETINGS WE COVER two soccer fields, six tennis/ pickleball courts, four baseball fields, five softball fields and concession stands. HIGHLIGHTS LEAGUE CITY During City Council’s meeting June 13, Blake Coleman of TBG Partners, the consultant the city hired to design Bay Colony Park, said the expected alignment for the Grand Parkway that will eventually bisect the park has shifted about 50 feet south, so the park’s design has been updated to reflect that change. Additionally, officials from Phillips 66, the owner of a pipeline in the future park’s boundaries, have asked League City to bear the cost of updating the pipe’s coding. They also said they want to relocate one of the pipeline’s valves within the park’s boundaries but did not indicate who they expect to pay for that or the cost, Coleman said. The park itself is expected to feature

Controversial League City book review committee not full LEAGUE CITY A controversial book review committee now has six of its seven members, but residents called Mayor Nick Long’s honesty into question during the monthslong process. Long, however, said he has acted above board. BY JAKE MAGEE COMMITTEE MAKEUP SO FAR The Community Standards Review Committee will include seven members. Chairperson Resident members Library board members

Council members discuss parks and recreation survey, community desires

LAND ACQUISITION League City officials are in negotiations with the owners of five parcels of land the city must acquire to upgrade Butler Road.

BY JAKE MAGEE

50-50 SPLIT About half of survey

LEAGUE CITY According to a com- munity survey group, when it comes to League City parks and recreational improvements, residents most want senior fitness programs and an indoor community pool. Two-minute impact: On June 27, Dawn Davis of ETC Institute pre- sented to League City City Council the results of a survey sent to a random sample of residents asking about how to improve city parks and recreational opportunities. The survey also asked about: • Improvements to Clear Creek • Improvements to the Walker Street pool • The potential to build a community center and/or library on the city’s west side Davis said the most important takeaways from the survey are: • Residents are generally satisfied

TURNER ST.

BY JAKE MAGEE

respondents said creating an indoor swimming pool was important. The other half said it was not.

LEAGUE CITY Officials requested eminent domain powers to poten- tially acquire five parcels for a road upgrade project, but City Council postponed granting such power. The overview: Crews are upgrading Butler Road and Turner Street from asphalt to concrete with curbs and gutters. The project will require acquiring parts of five private properties totaling 0.57 acres, or 24,857 square feet. City officials are in negotiations with the property owners to buy the properties but requested coun- cil approve a resolution that would “authorize the uses of eminent domain powers, if necessary” to acquire the properties. Eminent domain is the right for a government to acquire, with

Laura Teatsworth Mark Lardas Luann Shupp Roxann Lewis Leslie McKennan To be filled

Parcel 1

Current situation: On July 11, League City City Council approved two of three proposed Helen Hall Library board of trustee members to be part of the Community Stan- dards Review Committee, which will be responsible for reviewing any library books residents flag as potentially inappropriate or offensive. The two approved board members to join the commit- tee are: • Mark Lardas • Roxann Lewis Byram Lass, who was approved in the same meeting to join the library board, was also set to join the com- mittee, but the council vote to appoint him failed. Long recommended all three people, but council approval was required for each to join the committee. On June 27, council narrowly voted in favor of the following residents to be members of the committee: • Laura Teatsworth • Luann Shupp • Leslie McKennan

Very important Important Not important Not at all important

26%

18%

Todd Kinsey

Parcel 2

24% 32%

Parcel 3 Parcel 4

SOURCE: CITY OF LEAGUE CITY/COMMUNITY IMPACT

SOURCES: CITY OF LEAGUE CITY, ETC INSTITUTE/ COMMUNITY IMPACT

Parcel 5

• Todd Kinsey, former League City City Council member, as chairperson What they’re saying: A few residents questioned Long’s honesty during public comment July 11, alleging Long said June 27 no board members were interested in joining the committee. These residents said library board members had emailed Long expressing interest in joining the committee before June 27. Long clarified what he said June 27 was he hadn’t received any applications from library board members. Long said there are ordinances in place that require appli- cations be filled out to be considered for committees.

with the maintenance and physical condition of city and county parks. • Maintenance, wildlife and environ- mental conservation, and hike and bike trail connectivity are the most important improvements to be made along the creek. • Creating adult and senior fitness and wellness programs is import- ant to residents. • Creating an indoor swimming pool is also important to residents.

SOURCE: CITY OF LEAGUE CITY/ COMMUNITY IMPACT

monetary compensation, private property for public use. On July 11, League City City Council voted 6-2 to postpone the decision until property negotiations had concluded.

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EDUCATION BRIEFS

News from Clear Creek ISD & Texas

QUOTE OF NOTE

Clear Creek ISD to ask for public feedback on $600M bond CLEAR CREEK ISD Six years after voters approved a nearly $500 million bond for Clear Creek ISD to upgrade its facilities, district officials are eyeing another similar request—this time to the tune of at least $614 million. BY JAMES T. NORMAN VARIOUS OPTIONS Clear Creek ISD is considering three options for a potential bond for a variety of facility improvements that, if approved, could be split into multiple elections. Ballot in November Ballot at later date

HIGHLIGHTS CLEAR CREEK ISD A committee for Clear Creek ISD determined the district has the protocol and law enforcement needed to meet the state’s new provisions with House Bill 3, which brings a host of requirements to school districts in the name of safety and security. Some of those include certain safety protocols, armed officers at campuses and mental health training. With the district’s number of officers as well as some campuses’ proximity to police departments, the district is able to have law enforcement at each of its schools throughout the day, officials said at a July 10 workshop. CLEAR CREEK ISD After discussing a new potential bond and voter-approved tax rate election at its June meeting, Clear Creek ISD is launching a campaign, titled “Power of Pennies,” aimed at informing the public about the district’s finances and why it is putting requests forward for more money. Paired with that is a series of meetings and hearings for the public to provide feedback. Meetings began in July but will also include a few in early August. TEXAS A new bill passed by the state Legislature will reward community colleges with funding for outcomes and performance. Community college officials in the Houston area called the bill the most significant funding bill for community colleges in the last 50 years. Along with changing the funding mechanisms, it will dole out nearly $700 million to help the state’s 50 colleges with the transition to the new system, which will go into effect Sept. 1. Clear Creek ISD will meet at 6 p.m. Aug. 21 and 28 at 2425 E. Main St., League City. Meetings are streamed at www.youtube.com/@ccisdtv. MEETINGS WE COVER “WE GIVE OUT WHAT WE NEED TO GIVE OUT IN ORDER TO MEET OUR EMPLOYEES’ NEEDS AND STAY COMPETITIVE, AND THEN WE TAX WHAT IS NEEDED TO COVER THAT. IT’S NOT THAT WE HAVE ALL THIS EXTRA TAX REVENUE, SO LET’S START INCREASING SALARIES.” SCOTT BOWEN, CLEAR CREEK ISD TRUSTEE, ON SALARY INCREASES FOR EMPLOYEES

$379M

$231M

TOTAL: $627M

TOTAL: $625M

TOTAL: $614M

The big picture: At a June 26 meet- ing, CCISD trustees gave the go-ahead for district officials to start seeking public feedback for a potential bond to be used for infrastructure and technology improvements. A new Facility Advisory Com- mittee developed in the spring was tasked with recommending a list of projects and suggested a litany of school upgrades, repairs and equipment, which would total more than $600 million, according to a preliminary report issued by the committee June 12. District staff pitched a few possible

$248M

$394M

OPTION 2

OPTION 1

OPTION 3

SOURCE: CLEAR CREEK ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT

options for splitting the bond across multiple elections. The cost of each option varies due to various projects being deferred, which drives up their cost, Chief Communications Officer Elaina Polsen said. Trustees decided in a 4-3 vote to present constituents with all three options during public feedback.

Clear Creek ISD could hold tax rate election to plug budget shortfall Public meetings were planned for July 18, 20 and 27, including a phone survey, and a few more meetings are planned for August. The feedback gathered will be brought to the board in August with the potential call for an election on Aug. 21. Next steps: District officials will begin seeking public feedback on the bond, Polsen said.

CCISD employees to receive raise

KEEPING COMPETITIVE

Regarding teacher salaries, Clear Creek ISD exceeded the market median in every five-year teaching category for the 2022-23 year. Clear Creek ISD Market median Teacher salaries

BY JAMES T. NORMAN

CLEAR CREEK ISD Staff and teachers at Clear Creek ISD will receive a pay increase after the board approved a new compensa- tion plan for the upcoming school year at its July 24 meeting. The overview: According to district documents, the new salary plan will include: • A 1% increase for teachers for each year on the pay scale and a $600 increase to the minimum salary, raising it to $60,600 • A 1% increase for all professional and administrative staff • A 2% salary increase for nonex- empt staff • Market and stipend adjustments for other employees The plan passed unanimously. What else?: Clear Creek ISD ranked near the top in teacher salary com- pared to other districts in the area for fiscal year 2022-23, according to district documents. Among 13 districts in the area,

CLEAR CREEK ISD A short- fall—and a voter-approved tax rate election, or VATRE—could be in the cards for Clear Creek ISD as officials move closer to approving its budget. What you need to know: Clear Creek ISD’s board approved its budget assumptions and goals for fiscal year 2023-24 at its June 26 meeting. These assumptions and goals set the param- eters for how district officials develop the budget in the coming months. One of those assumptions includes voters approving a VATRE, which could be a difference in $17.4 million in revenue. If approved, the district's bud- get would break even. If it fails, the district could be faced with a $17.4 million shortfall. The details: Before the district can hold a VATRE in November, officials will need to approve a new tax rate that goes beyond the maximum threshold set by the state.

Starting teacher salary $60,000 $59,600 5 years teaching

$62,270 $62,098

10 years teaching

$65,322 $64,909

15 years teaching

$68,375

$65,879

20 years teaching

$71,428

$68,675

SOURCE: CLEAR CREEK ISD/ COMMUNITY IMPACT

CCISD paid above the market median for every five years a teacher was employed. The

district’s rank improved the longer a teacher was working, according to district documents.

BAY AREA EDITION • AUGUST 2023

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REAL ESTATE DATA

COMPILED BY JAKE MAGEE

2022-23 Bay Area real estate market at a glance The number of homes sold in Bay Area ZIP codes was less in June 2022-May 2023 than the prior one-year period. Meanwhile, the average home sales price and average days on the market increased in each ZIP code over the same time periods, except 77565, which saw a decrease in average days on the market.

77058 77059 77062 77565 77573

225

146

SOURCES: SPARROW REALTY, FREDDIE MACCOMMUNITY IMPACT

518

Number of homes sold

Average home sales price

June 2021-May 2022

June 2022-May 2023

June 2021-May 2022

June 2022-May 2023

77058

$305,000

+28.12%

$390,771

77059

77565

$389,000

$425,000 $415,000

+20.5%

+2.41%

$468,742

77573

77062

$377,363

$336,110 $303,000

+10.93%

+8.79%

$410,549

77058

77059

77062

77565

77573

Average days on market

National mortgage rate data After staying relatively at the rst two years of the pandemic, mortgage rates have sharply risen since early 2022, peaking Nov. 10 of last year before seeing some decline the last six months. 30-year xed-rate mortgage 15-year xed-rate mortgage

June 2021-May 2022

June 2022-May 2023

6.48%

3.72%

3.22%

2.65%

5.73%

0 2%

3.16%

2.16%

2.43%

January 2020

January 2021

January 2022

January 2023

77058

77059

77062

77565

77573

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

REAL ESTATE Homeowners insurance rates rise across Greater Houston area

Since 1980, adjusted for ination, there has been an upward trend of billion-dollar disasters in the U.S., which raises insurance rates. So far in 2023, 100 people nationwide have died in 12 billion-dollar events, most of which were severe storms. RECENT EVENTS

NATIONWIDE DISASTERS THAT COST AT LEAST $1B EACH Droughts Floods

BY JAKE MAGEE

Alabama or wildres in California, aect rates in Houston, he said. Since 2020, there have been over 22 U.S. disasters that cost at least $1 billion in insurance claims, Moore said. One of those events was Winter Storm Uri, which hit Texas in February 2021. “That was a multiple-billion-dollar event that happened,” Moore said. Insurance companies raise rates nationally to make up these losses, Moore said. Also contributing to the Greater Houston area’s rising homeowners insurance rates is the area’s proximity to the Gulf Coast. Being close to the coast makes the area high-risk with a higher amount of claims, Moore said. A handful of insurers have entered the Greater Houston area market only to leave because its proximity to the coast makes it hard to be protable, he said. “Companies are losing millions and

Severe storms

Tropical cyclones

Wild res

Winter storms

A recent exodus of insurance companies from the Greater Houston area combined with an upward trend in nationwide disasters has led home- owners insurance rates to increase. Cass Moore, owner of his own Goosehead Insurance agency in The Woodlands, said rates for homeowners insurance have increased by 22% on average this year. Mortgage lenders require homeowners to have home- owners insurance to cover repairs or reconstruction in the event of a disaster, such as a re or storm, that damages a home. “Nationally, rates are increasing at an unprecedented amount,” Moore said. And it’s not over yet. Rates are likely to climb again next year before hope- fully stabilizing in 2025, Moore said. Rising insurance rates locally are a reection of wider trends. National disasters, such as tornadoes in

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023*

SOURCE: NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION NATIONAL CENTERS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATIONCOMMUNITY IMPACT

*AS OF JULY 11

millions of dollars,” Moore said. Ination and supply chain issues also play a role. Due to past shortages in lumber and other materials to rebuild houses, it costs more to insure them, Moore said.

Moore encouraged residents facing large increases in their homeowners insurance rates to shop around. Resi- dents are eligible for major discounts if they get a new roof or a home security system, Moore said.

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