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PEARLAND FRIENDSWOOD EDITION
VOLUME 9, ISSUE 4 MARCH 14 APRIL 17, 2023
Pearland City Council proposed a plan to use tax increment reinvestment zone funds to buy down its debt, therefore lowering property tax rates in the future. NEW OUTLOOK ON TAXES
Adopted property tax rate
Projected taxes based on property value growth
PROPERTY TAX RATES OVER TIME
The 7-cent drop from scal years 2021-22 to 2022-23 was partly due to a tax worksheet error.
$0.80
Locals sponsor, organize COVID 19 memorial
$0.10 $0 $0.20 $0.30 $0.40 $0.50 $0.60 $0.70
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Grand Parkway coming to Alvin, League City
2023-24 7% growth
2023-24 10% growth
2017-18 2018-19 2019-20 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 5% growth
Transportation updates
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Fiscal years
NOTE: PROJECTIONS INCLUDE USE OF TIRZ FUNDS AND THE PASSAGE OF THE $181 MILLION DRAINAGE BOND
CAMP GUIDE 2023
SOURCE: CITY OF PEARLAND COMMUNITY IMPACT
Pearland seeks best route for nancial recovery Pearland continues its e orts to address nancial problems caused by a tax worksheet error through re - nancing moves and an audit while the city searches for a new city manager. BY DANIEL WEEKS city aims to approach its deliberations for the next scal year’s budget with all of the correct information it needs to set accurate tax rates and balance a potentially tight budget. The council has also hired third party Strategic Government Resources, or SGR, to audit the city’s tax collection process.
Local summer camps
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In January and February meetings, city sta pre- sented plans to Pearland City Council to address a $10.3 million de cit alongside a roadmap for how the city will assess its nancial needs in the coming months. The
“Now, I’m not going to say this was a fatal blow, but we had to go through triage,” Mayor Kevin Cole said at a
CONTINUED ON 18
Brazoria County is seeking third- party assistance to outsource incar- cerated people in need of mental health support as state hospitals face sta ng shortages. The county is in the process of negotiating a contract with Inspired Behavioral Health Inc., a third-party rm that may assist the Brazoria County Jail in treating Brazoria County seeks jail reform BY DANIEL WEEKS
The latest reports on the Brazoria County Jail’s inmate demographics show the amount of inmates with a “mental health indicator,” which the county de nes as having a “mental illness” or an “intellectual disability.” Jail population snapshot
The Puddery o ers spin on classic dessert
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Pull the newest teaser from CC Libraries
FEBRUARY 2023 SNAPSHOT:
73.5% Occupancy of Brazoria County Jail
inmates with a mental health indicator 133
inmates charged with a violent or serious crime 573
average length of stay for an inmate 7 days
SOURCES: TEXAS COMMISION ON JAIL STANDARDS, BRAZORIA COUNTY COMMUNITY IMPACT
CONTINUED ON 20
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
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PEARLAND - FRIENDSWOOD EDITION • MARCH 2023
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THIS ISSUE
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FROM PAPAR: It’s hard to believe that summer is right around the corner, but it is. The kids and teachers are likely already counting down the days when they can enjoy the slower pace of summer with no school and hopefully lots of pool time. This month we bring you our annual Camp Guide to help nd some activities for your children while school is out. Whether you’re looking for sports, art, educational or overnight camps, our team has compiled a list of local camps for you and your children to enjoy on Page 12. Papar Faircloth, GENERAL MANAGER
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FROM JAKE: I’m back! I spent the past few months bonding with my newborn daughter, Embry Shay, along with my lovely wife, Montaya, and 1-year-old daughter, Arcadia Lillian. Now, I’m back in the swing of things and excited to keep bringing you the news you need to know. Why not start with our cover stories about Pearland’s budget woes and city manager search and Brazoria County Jail reform? Jake Magee, SENIOR EDITOR
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PEARLAND FRIENDSWOOD EDITION • MARCH 2023
IMPACTS
Businesses that have recently opened or are coming soon, relocating or expanding
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SHADOW CREEK
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BROADWAY BEND DR.
AGNOLIA PKWY.
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BAYBROOK MALL DR.
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BAILEY A V E .
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FRIENDSWOOD LINK RD.
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MAP NOT TO SCALE N TM; © 2023 COMMUNITY IMPACT CO. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
NOW OPEN 1 Essential Speech and ABA Therap y opened its new Friendswood location at 1313 W. Parkwood Ave., Ste. 101, on Jan. 9. The facility o ers individualized ther- apy plans for children aged 18 months to 6 years old who are on the autism spectrum. Sessions are held on weekdays and include speech and language ther- apy, and music therapy. 281-947-8925. www.speechandaba.com 2 Lucchese , a 140-year-old Tex- as-based boot-maker company, held a soft opening for its 20th store at 700 Baybrook Mall Drive, Ste. F121, Friendswood, on March 1. The store at Baybrook Mall features Western-style cowboy and casual boots, belts, wallets, apparel and the company’s rst custom hat bar in its nearly 4,000-square-foot space, according to a news release.
COMING SOON 6 Baker Katz , a Houston-based com- mercial real estate rm, purchased a space for future redevelopment in the Baybrook area o of I-45 at 18980 Gulf Freeway, Ste. A, Friendswood. According to a release, the rm plans to create a storefront on the property with “en- hanced visibility from the freeway.” After developing the north-facing part of the 20,000-square-foot property, the rm plans to lease it to either a large retail tenant or several smaller retailers, according to the release. The rm previ- ously announced last June the acquisition of a 108,000-square-foot shopping center at I-45 and FM 518 in League City. 713-621-2999. www.bakerkatz.com 7 A new Torchy’s Tacos location is slated to open in east Pearland on March 15 at 2800 E. Broadway St., Torchy’s
The boot-maker company will also partner with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, which runs from Feb. 28 to March 19. The company will sell exclusive products at the rodeo and have live boot-making demonstrations. 888-582-1883. www.lucchese.com 3 Pinch a Penny Pool Patio Spa opened Feb. 17 at 2732 E. Broadway St., Pearland. The swimming pool retail, service and repair franchise o ers help with pool maintenance, water testing, equipment repair and pool resurfacing, according to a news release. Avail- able supplies include liquid chlorine, tablets, pumps and lters. Locations can be found in ve di erent states, with several locations throughout the Houston metro area. 830-999-7665. www.pinchapenny.com 4 USA Commercial Loans opened its o ce Feb. 20 at 12335 Roy Road, Pearland.
The loan agency o ers a variety of insur- ance services such as commercial, home and auto insurance, as well as business, commercial and nonpro t loans. According to the company’s website, it now o ers tax and notary services. 832-800-2072. www.usacommerciallender.com 5 Valhallan Esports Training plans to hold a soft opening event March 8, after press time, at 2880 Broad- way Bend Drive, Ste. 2, Pearland. The arena will provide a space for youth ages 7-17 to train in competitive video gaming and compete in various pop- ular titles, including “Fortnite” and “Rocket League.” Shauna Garner, president of FranchiCzar, the incubator of the Valhallan Esports brand, said the new arena will o er a year-round program, summer camps, tournaments and birthday parties. 714-577-2615. www.arenas.valhallan.com
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Valhallan Esports Training
Torchy's Tacos
COURTESY FRANCHICZAR
COURTESY TORCHY'S TACOS
Tacos Communications Manager Marisa Patterson said. The popular Austin-based taco chain has more than 100 loca- tions across 14 states. Torchy’s o ers a variety of tacos, alcoholic beverages, and side items, such as chips and queso. www.torchystacos.com ANNIVERSARIES 8 Celaya Mexican Restaurant at 3234 E. Broadway St., Pearland, celebrated its 20th anniversary Feb. 17, according to a Facebook post from the restaurant’s o - cial page. The restaurant serves breakfast and dinner every day with lunch specials served on weekdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Menu items include various classic Tex- Mex entrees. Celaya also has a bar serving alcoholic beverages, such as margaritas and mixed drinks, and it hosts happy hour events, according to its Facebook. 281-485-2778. www.celayasmexican.com IN THE NEWS 9 Partners Real Estate arranged a 11,250-square-foot lease located at 18500 Pearland Sites Road, Pearland. The space was arranged for a new prospective D-Bat location, according to a Partners news release. D-Bat is a baseball and softball training facility company that has sev- eral locations, including Webster, Sugar Land and West Houston. 713-275-9641. www.partnersrealestate.com 10 The Pearland Economic Devel- opment Corporation at 3519 Liberty Drive, Ste. 350, is partnering with the Pearland Chamber of Commerce to launch www.workinpearland.com, which is de-
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A COVID 19 memorial was displayed in downtown Houston Feb. 24 25.
COURTESY GREATER HOUSTON ROSE RIVER MEMORIAL
FEATURED IMPACT IN THE NEWS In late February, downtown Houston was the site of a temporary memorial honoring the victims of COVID-19. The Greater Houston Rose River Memorial was displayed at Tranquility Park, 400 Rusk St., Houston, from Feb. 24-26. The memorial included more than 12,000 handmade red felt roses, one for each Greater Houston area resident who died of COVID-19, said Mohammed Nasrullah, a Clear Lake resident who helped organize the memorial. Nasrullah owns the COVID-19 Wall of Memories nonpro t website with his wife, Ruth Nasrullah. The website, launched in January 2021, allows visitors from around the nation to submit entries of those who died from COVID-19 for display on the virtual wall. The opening ceremony for the memorial at 1 p.m. Feb. 24 included local elected o cials, leaders and family members who lost loved ones to COVID-19, according to a news release. Los Angeles artist Marcos Lutyens created the concept for the memorial and has helped install it in di erent designs throughout the country. Now that the memorial has been taken down, the roses will be used in a di erent memorial in the next city interested in displaying them, the release reads.
More than 60 volunteers worked on the project by making roses and connecting them with shing lines, designing and building the memorial’s structure, assembling the memorial at the park, and then taking it down and preparing it to be shipped, according to the release. “From the design to the installation, local volunteers have worked hard to honor those lost in the Greater Houston area,” Lutyens said in the release. Opening ceremony speakers included Houston City Council Member Letitia Plummer; Edward Rios, community liaison for Harris County Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia; Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones; and local family members of those who died of COVID-19. Several hundred visitors viewed the memorial during its weekend display. www.covid19wallofmemories.org
Celaya Mexican Restaurant
DANIEL WEEKS COMMUNITY IMPACT
scribed as a “virtual job fair” and workforce development resource. The aim of the platform is to promote companies and job listings as well as allow local job seekers to nd locally focused jobs and training pro- grams. WorkInPearland will be available year-round and allow potential employees to connect and interview with employers. Elementary school students with disabili- ties will be able to swing into a new school year next fall as Clear Creek ISD plans to install new adaptive playground equip- ment this summer. CCISD plans to install 13 swing sets at elementary schools using 2017 bond funding, according to a news release. Sets will be installed at Armand Bayou, Bauerschlag, Bay, Campbell, Ferguson, Greene, McWhirter, Mossman, Parr, Stewart and Wedgewood elementary schools. Furthermore, Ross and Whitcomb elementary schools will also receive the new swings as part of major ongoing reno- vations from the bond program, according to the release. CCISD is open to installing more adaptive playground equipment at other elementary schools, according to the release. www.ccisd.net
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PEARLAND FRIENDSWOOD EDITION • MARCH 2023
TRANSPORTATION UPDATES TxDOT announces start of Grand Parkway from League City to Alvin
ONGOING PROJECTS
BY DANIEL WEEKS
PARKWAY PLAN Three proposed segments of the Grand Parkway are at different stages of planning.
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The Texas Department of Trans- portation announced to local legis- lators in mid-February it executed an agreement to begin developing a Grand Parkway extension from League City to Alvin. The extension project is known as Segment B and is proposed to stretch from I-45 South to Hwy. 288. The map of the proposed project provided by TxDOT is preliminary and is subject to change. The current Grand Parkway ends at I-69 South in Sugar Land; a proposed but not yet approved Segment C would connect this part of the road to the prospective Section B. A statement from TxDOT reads the department entered into project agreements with Galveston and Brazoria counties, allowing TxDOT to deliver the initial portion of Segment B, which is proposed to run from I-45 in League City to FM 2403 in Alvin. “TxDOT and Brazoria County will assess the delivery timeframe of the remaining portion of Segment B from
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Segment B is currently approved.
ALL INFORMATION ON THIS PAGE WAS UPDATED AS OF FEB. 20. NEWS OR QUESTIONS ABOUT THESE OR OTHER LOCAL TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS? EMAIL US AT PLFNEWS@COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM. throughout construction. Timeline: Feb. 6-August Cost: $729,486 Funding source: city of Pearland certificates of obligation Dixie Farm Road, Broadway Street intersection improvement The city of Pearland’s contractor SAPO Engineering Consultants began con- struction at the intersection of Dixie Farm Road and FM 518, or Broadway Street, on Feb. 6. The project will add new turn lanes to Dixie Farm Road and FM 518 to improve traffic flow. Accord- ing to a Feb. 3 Facebook post from the city, the construction is the first step of a multiphase improvement project at the intersection and is projected to last six months if weather permits. Lane closures on both roads are expected
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Remaining portion of Segment B is currently not approved.
Segment C is environmentally approved but not under construction and has no timeline
Segment A is currently considered not viable. The location on the map is the rough location of where the project would be located if ever considered viable.
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SOURCE: TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION/COMMUNITY IMPACT N
FM 2403 to [Hwy.] 288 as a separate and future project,” the statement reads. According to TxDOT, a contract for construction is expected to be awarded in 2025, and the project is estimated to be completed by 2030. An environ- mental review of the project was pre- viously approved in November 2016. State Rep. Ed Thompson,
R-Pearland, said in a Feb. 14 release the project will be a large benefit for Brazoria County and the region. “As our community rapidly expands, it’s important to invest in infrastructure that promotes inter- connectivity and economic growth for our cities, schools and businesses,” Thompson said in the release.
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GOVERNMENT
Friendswood City Council supports abolition of county treasurer’s o ce
REMOVING A ROLE Former League City City Council Member Hank Dugie seeks to remove the O ce of the Galveston County Treasurer after being elected to the position. The campaign to remove the position is seeing support from various local o cials.
BY DANIEL WEEKS
on a campaign to abolish the position, eventually being elected into the role Nov. 8. According to Dugie’s campaign website, he sought to abolish the position he was running for to “further reduce the size of our government and lower property taxes.” The Galveston County Commis- sioners Court voted unanimously in support of abolishing the county treasurer’s o ce at a special meeting Dec. 23, requesting the Texas Legisla- ture pass a constitutional amendment abolishing the o ce during the ongoing session. After the resolution, state Sen. Mayes Middleton, R Wallisville, who represents Galveston, Brazoria and Harris counties, led a bill Jan. 12 during the 88th Texas Legislature to abolish the position in Galveston County. The bill was rst read Feb. 15. Dugie did not respond to requests for comment by press time.
SOURCES: TEXAS LEGISLATURE, GALVESTON COUNTY, CITY OF FRIENDSWOOD COMMUNITY IMPACT
Friendswood City Council unani- mously supported a resolution calling for the abolition of the O ce of the Galveston County Treasurer at a Feb. 6 meeting. In a statement, Friendswood Mayor Mike Foreman said City Council supports abolishing the O ce of the Galveston County Treasurer “in an e ort to streamline processes and remove a level of bureaucracy.” Friendswood City Council’s discus- sion comes as state lawmakers and Galveston County o cials—including the treasurer himself—push to have the o ce abolished. The county trea- surer keeps an account of all debts due to and owed by the county and keeps detailed accounts of all transactions performed by the o ce. The o ce is held by Hank Dugie, a former League City City Council member who ran for county treasurer
Hank Dugie
TIMELINE
March 1, 2022: Hank Dugie is elected with 52.69% of the vote in the Republican primary race for the treasurer’s position.
Dec. 23, 2022: The Galveston County Commissioners Court supports abolishing the o ce.
Nov. 8, 2022: Dugie is elected to the role, running unopposed.
Jan. 12, 2023: State Sen. Mayes Middleton les bill calling for removal of the o ce.
Feb. 6, 2023: City of Friendswood supports the o ce’s removal.
Feb. 15, 2023: Middleton’s senate bill has rst reading.
Nine counties have removed the treasurer’s o ce, including Andrews, Bee, Bexar, Collin, El Paso, Fayette, Gregg, Nueces and Tarrant.
Galveston County Commissioners Court claims removing the position will save taxpayers about $500,000 annually.
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PEARLAND FRIENDSWOOD EDITION • MARCH 2023
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GOVERNMENT City of Pearland approves contracts for major wastewater plant project
FUNDING THE FACILITY The Barry Rose Water Reclamation Facility expansion project is one of the most expensive major projects the city of Pearland is working on as the facility approaches its required capacity limits.
BY DANIEL WEEKS
cost $13.4 million. The sole dissenter to the precon- struction contract update was Council Member Alex Kamkar, who protested the agreement due to the use of certificates of obligation to pay for parts of it. Certificates of obligation are a method of borrowing money local gov- ernments can use to fund infrastruc- ture projects without voter approval. Kamkar expressed discomfort with the idea of not getting voter approval for this part of the project. Epperson said using certificates of obligation rather than the standard revenue bonds has a smaller impact on residents’ water rates. “The reason we went with COs is for a better rate that helps manage the expense of enterprise fund and keep the water rates low,” Council Member Tony Carbone said. “[I’m a] big fan of going to the voters for general bonds, but when we’re on the enterprise fund side, it only makes sense to go with the COs to reduce our interest rate cost.”
previously made, and operational repairs are yet to be made. “There’s a few things in each plant that we need to deal with so that we can have those plants in good oper- ating order for the next three years,” Epperson said. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality mandates a construction planning process must begin for wastewater plants when they reach 75% capacity, which the Barry Rose facility has reached, according to the city. Additionally, TCEQ requires construction to start at a facility when it reaches 90% capacity. The Longwood facility has reached 90% capacity, and construction must begin soon, Epperson said. Epperson said the age and condition of both plants, which were built in the 1960s, are in need of replacements regardless of the state’s capacity guidelines. The preconstruction contract amendment adds $1.2 million to the contract, totaling about $2.4 million. The design contract is estimated to
Pearland City Council has moved forward with two contract updates for a Barry Rose Water Reclamation Facility expansion due to approach- ing state-mandated deadlines and aged infrastructure. The project entails expanding the Barry Rose Water Reclamation Facility and decommissioning the Longwood Water Reclamation Facility. This is one of several water and wastewater improvement projects the city is taking on, leading to increased water rates for residents. The contracts approved at a Feb. 20 meeting included an amendment to a preconstruction service agreement with McCarthy Building Companies and a design services contract with Freese and Nichols. “Preconstruction” means construction work that would address critical repairs ahead of the main project to keep the facilities running in the coming years. Interim City Manager Trent Epperson said life safety repairs were
$226M TOTAL:
$195.3M : Construction
$500K : Furnitures, fixtures and equipment $1.2M : Preliminary expenditures report $5.6M : Construction management/inspection $9M : Land $14.4M : Design
SOURCE: CITY OF PEARLAND/COMMUNITY IMPACT
512-232-5000 EdServices@austin.utexas.edu
LEAGUE CITY
Tuscan Lakes Boulevard ±23 ACRES | $4,950,000 PATRICIA SAVAGE 713.503.4222
This property is level with excellent visibility and easy access to major thoroughfares and is a prime development opportunity. The area has strong growth with high traffic counts.
FRIENDSWOOD
Charleston Street 5 BD | 4 BA | $1,400,000 PATRICIA SAVAGE 713.503.4222
This wonderful Colonial-style home has been redesigned for today’s lifestyle and sits on ±1.9 acres. Rooms have been re-purposed for easy living and fabulous entertaining. Front and back terraces.
E nroll anytime in UT's online high school courses to catch up or get ahead. Full-time d iploma p rogram and single courses available including Honors and A P TM subjects .
CLEAR LAKE AREA
Bay Vista Drive ±17,993 SF LOT | $158,000 GERI MILLS 713.248.6613
Build your dream home on this beautiful almost half acre lot in the highly desired Gay Vista community. Perfectly situated just minutes away from the Kemah area and shopping.
For more informatio n visit highschool.utexas.edu /hs_courses
© 2023 Sotheby’s International Realty. All Rights Reserved. Sotheby’s International Realty® is a registered trademark and used with permission. Each Sotheby’s International Realty office is independently owned and operated, except those operated by Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. All offerings are subject to errors, omissions, changes including price or withdrawal without notice. Equal Housing Opportunity. SOTHEBYSREALTY.COM HOUSTON BROKERAGES | 281.333.3034
11
PEARLAND - FRIENDSWOOD EDITION • MARCH 2023
CAMP GUIDE
GUIDE
A noncomprehensive list of camps in the area
Cost: $18-$160 DAY SP 2849 Miller Ranch Road, Ste. 505, Pearland 832 668 5626 www.grapplingzone.com 8 Re ex the Pearland Gymnastics Academy Participants at this summer gymnastics camp will experience a variety of themed weeks, including Disney week, dinosaur week and a mystery week. Ages: 4 12 Dates: May 30 Aug. 11 Cost: $65-$225 DAY SP 2530 Garden Road, Ste. 1, Pearland 281 412 3350 www.pearlandgym.com 9 School of Rock A variety of music camps for people of various age groups and skill levels to learn to play songs through live performances will be provided by School of Rock Pearland. O ered camps include a general Rock 101 camp as well as dedicated metal, modern rock and rookies camps. Ages: 3 18 Dates: June 5 July 28 Cost: $399 ART DAY 3422 Business Center Drive, Pearland 832 895 7625 www.locations.schoolofrock.com 10 SMART Core Labs Camps from SMART Core Labs will teach participants how to use a variety of softwares and technol- ogy from computer-generated art to video game development. Ages: Kindergarten-12 years Dates: May 29 Aug. 4 Cost: $300 per week DAY 2809 Miller Ranch Road, Ste. 401, Pearland 832 736 5691 www.smartcorelabs.com 11 The Little Gym Camp attendees at the Little Gym of Pearland will be taught di erent skill levels of gymnastics moves. Ages: 3 12 Dates: June 4 Aug. 26 Cost: starts at $28 per session DAY SP 9607 Broadway St., Ste. 105, Pearland 713 340 0042 www.littlegym.com 12 Vic Coppinger Family YMCA Kids will experience activities such as games, sports, swimming, arts and crafts, educa- tional activities and the occasional eld trip at these camps. Ages: 5 15 Dates: May 30 Aug. 4 Cost: $180 DAY SP 2700 YMCA Drive, Pearland 281 485 6805 www.ymcahouston.org
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Parents looking for camps for their children have a number of options to choose from in the Pearland and Friendswood areas. This list is not comprehensive.
DAY SP 2817 Miller Ranch Road, Ste. 301, Pearland 281 997 9500 www.bushiban.com 5 Code Ninjas Participants in Code Ninjas camps will be able to learn how to code and build their own video games on weekends and weeknights. Ages: 5 12 Dates: May 30 Aug. 11 Cost: $249+ A+ DAY 1130 Broadway St., Ste. 122, Pearland 832 569 5176 www.codeninjas.com 6 Crosspoint Church Participants will have the opportunity to develop a variety of skills, including archery, building, crafts and cooking. Grades: K 5 Dates: June 5 9 Cost: $224 DAY SP ART 1134 Old Alvin Road, Pearland 706 310 6055 www.connectcamps.com 7 Grappling Zone Campers at Grappling Zone will partake in a variety of activities, traditional martial arts training and team building games.
A+ Academics ART Arts DAY Day NIGHT Overnight SP Sports
PEARLAND 1 A B Sea Preschool Participants will get the opportunity to do hands-on arts and craft, music, games and activities with di erent themes from a day in the life of a bug to an under-the-sea adventure. Ages: 1 1/2 6 Dates: June 5 Aug. 4 Cost: $225 A+ DAY 4540 Broadway St., Pearland 832 243 4602 www.abseapreschool.com 2A Alpha Omega Gymnastics: Movies in Action Participants will experience themed camp weeks, including crafting, ne arts, science and gymnastics. Ages: 3+ Dates: June 5 August Cost: $135-$250 ART DAY 11720 W. Broadway St., Ste. 136, Pearland 281 519 2150 www.alphaomegagymnastics.com
dance and vocal lessons alongside eld trips and a water day. Ages: 3+ Cost: $205-$235 ART DAY 11720 W. Broadway St., Ste. 136, Pearland 281 519 2150 www.alphaomegagymnastics.com 3 AR Workshop Pearland Participants at AR Workshop’s summer camps can engage in various hands-on STEAM learning experiences. Ages: 6 17 Dates: June 5 July 28 Cost: $45-$210 ART DAY 1130 Broadway St., Ste. 102, Pearland 281 710 9133 www.arworkshop.com/pearland 4 Bushi Ban Summer tness camps at Bushi Ban will include eld trips every week, as well as four martial arts classes each week, including karate, jiujitsu and kickboxing. A camp is also hosted at the Friendswood location. Ages: All ages Dates: May 30 Aug. 16 Cost: $250-$285
Ages: 3 14 Dates: TBD
2B Alpha Omega Gymnastics: Dance Summer Camp Attendees will get to enjoy
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
2023
COMPILED BY DANIEL WEEKS
FRIENDSWOOD 13 Amy Blake’s Academy of Dance This camp will include instruction in ballet, jazz, tap and hip hop, as well as an end-of-camp performance for family members. Ages: 3 12 Dates: June 12 July 28 Cost: $180-$200 DAY SP 410 E. Edgewood Drive, Friendswood 281 482 0600 www.amyblakedance.com 14 Chara Christian Dance Academy Camps at Chara Christian Dance Academy will be o ering several themed camps this summer with a new theme for each class, including Disney and Escape Room classes. Ages: 3 7 Dates: June 12 July 27 Cost: $176 DAY SP 101 Hunters Lane, Friendswood 832 569 4065 www.charadance.com 15A First Baptist Church Connect Camps will host a 5-day camp at the First Baptist Church in Friendswood. Similarly to the Cros-
spoint Church camp, this camp aims to serve a variety of interests from crafting to athletics. Grades: K 6 Dates: July 24 28 Cost: $224+ DAY 111 E. Heritage Drive, Friendswood 281 482 7573 www.connectcamps.com 15B First Baptist Church A youth camp trip to Colorado will be hosted by the First Baptist Church this summer, including provid- ed meals and theme days. Ages: 5 11 Dates: June 4 10 Cost: $550+ DAY 111 E. Heritage Drive, Friendswood 281 482 7573 • www. cfriendswood.org 16 The Knight School Participants can take place in a friendly, competitive environ- ment for sharpening their chess skills. Ages: 5 12 Dates: June 5 Aug. 11 Cost: $250 390 DAY 1100 S. Friendswood Drive, Friendswood
281 450 0143 www.theknightschool.com
17 The Little Gym The Little Gym of Friendswood will be hosting two separate summer camps, where kids will take part in activities such as games, arts and crafts and physical activity. Ages: 3 12 Dates: March 12 July 29 Cost: starts at $30 DAY SP 400 W. Parkwood Ave., Ste. 108, Friendswood 281 482 4242 www.thelittlegym.com/friendswoodtx Alvin 18 Bailey Oaks Farms Campers will learn how to ride, groom, tack and care for their animals and will participate in a variety of horse-related activities. Ages: 5 12 Dates: May 29 July 28 Cost: $400-$525 per week DAY SP 7220 County Road 128, Alvin 281 756 7254 www.baileyoaksfarms.com/camps
COURTESY SPORT DIVERS
FEATURED CAMP 19 Sport Divers Sport Divers offers weekly summer camps each year. Scuba diving skills are practiced both in a pool and in open water, and a certi- fication will be available for those that complete the program. Ages: 10 17 Dates: June 5 9, July 10 14 Cost: $550 DAY SP 20814 Gulf Freeway, Ste. 60, Webster 281 338 1611 http://sportdivers.com
GET 1 MONTH FREE On Select Homes*
NOBODY DOES CAMP LIKE THE Y!
55 + ACTIVE ADULT COMMUNITY
St. Patrick’s Day Cultural Celebration
From day camps around the Houston area to overnight camp at YMCA Camp Cullen, your child or teen will make their mark and find adventure and fun this summer at the Y!
Friday, March 17th • 6:30PM – 8:30PM at Larkspur Resident Clubroom 12635 Shadow Creek Pkwy. • Pearland, TX 77584 As part of our robust Lifestyle+ and Cultural programming, join us in celebrating the Irish with your greenest attire and dancing shoes! Live music, light bites, and more .
Learn more at ymcahouston.org.
LarkspurAtShadowCreek.com RSVP Today! 346-512-2179
Larkspur is an equal housing opportunity. Amenities and services vary by location. Pricing and availability subject to change. *Limited time only. Please contact our team member for full details.
YMCA Mission: To put Judeo-Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all. Everyone is welcome.
13
PEARLAND FRIENDSWOOD EDITION • MARCH 2023
CITY & SCHOOLS
News from Pearland & Alvin ISD
Pearland City Council will meet at 6:30 p.m. March 27 for a regular meeting at 3519 Liberty Drive, Pearland. Meetings can be streamed on the city’s official YouTube page. Alvin ISD board of trustees will meet at 7 p.m. April 11 for a regular meeting at 301 E. House St., Alvin. Regular meetings are streamed on the district’s YouTube page. MEETINGS WE COVER MEETING HIGHLIGHTS ALVIN ISD On Feb. 14, the Alvin ISD board of trustees approved a variety of different resolutions to approve staffing positions, employment of personnel, administrative appointments and an administrative position. The board approved the employment of various contract personnel at the district’s upcoming Nichols-Mock Elementary School for a total of $2.3 million. The board also approved 14 additional teaching positions at the new Iowa Colony High School for a total of about $1 million, according to the agenda item. Furthermore, the board appointed Kylie Kunefke as assistant principal of Alvin High School and Kirk Martin as assistant athletic director and head football coach of Manvel High School.
Pearland City Council calls $181 million drainage bond for upcoming May election
Pearland mayor highlights infrastructure in State of the City speech
The upcoming $181 million bond places drainage improvement projects front and center alongside three other packages. This is the first major bond program the city has called for ballots since 2019. WHAT’S ON THE BOND?
BY DANIEL WEEKS
walkability, drainage and parks, all of which will be featured as propositions in the prospective May bond. Cole said the city is moving forward with its Clear Creek Trail project, while acknowledging that walkability is not confined to trails. “Walkability could be just the
without giving exact details on its opening date. In terms of drainage, Cole said one of the primary reasons the city moved forward with a 2023 drainage bond was to replace a previous drainage fee concept that would have billed residents monthly to pay for drainage improvement
PEARLAND Mayor Kevin Cole gave a speech at a State of the City event where he focused on the latest devel- opments in the city’s infrastructure and economy. Cole discussed recent moves to upgrade the city’s water infrastruc- ture, particularly the $535 million in new construction and alterations going into effect as soon as this year. He said these improvements, which include a new water treatment plant and a major expansion of the city’s wastewater facilities, are critical for meeting the growing city’s demand for clean water. “We don’t want to be the next Jackson, Mississippi,” Cole said. “Even though our growth is slowing, we are a growing city, and ... in water and wastewater as well as some of the other capital projects, ... it’s catch-up time.” In addition to a growing demand for updated water infrastructure, Cole touted the city’s moves to improve
BY DANIEL WEEKS
to have a hard time sitting up here and voting to approve [certificates of obligation] to pay for it,” Mayor Pro Tem Tony Carbone said. Certificates of obligation are a method of borrowing money that the city can use for capital improvement projects without requiring voter approval. Voters will be able to approve or disapprove of each individual proposition. The bond election will be the first since a 2019 bond, which resulted in all five propositions passing. The council approved a design contract for the last streets project from the 2019 bond at a Feb. 20 meeting. The city’s stated objective for both the 2019 and 2023 bonds are to start or complete all approved projects within five years. Appearing on the ballot in May alongside the bond will be an election for City Council positions 3 and 7. For Position 3, incumbent Alex Kamkar faces a challenge from Jai Daggett, and Position 7 incumbent Woody Owens is stepping down, leading to a contest between Antonio Johnson and Rushi Patel. Sitting Mayor Kevin Cole is running unopposed.
PEARLAND A $181 million drainage bond was officially called for the next election in May at a Feb. 13 Pearland City Council meeting. The $181 million bond will be presented to voters May 6 with four different propositions. The primary drainage improvements proposi- tion, or Proposition A, consists of $105.5 million in 14 street and neighborhood drainage projects that were previously selected by a citizens committee. Proposition B costs $26.1 million for streets, sidewalks and bridges projects; Proposition C con- sists of two park and recreation projects for $33.7 million; and Proposition D is $15.9 million for the construction of a new fire station. The bond’s primary focus is the sweeping improvements in an effort to address longstanding drainage needs in parts of the city with aged infrastructure that have faced repetitive flooding and home losses. Should any of the propositions be rejected by voters, City Council would need to find alternative sources of funding to pay for the projects, if its members intend to pursue them. “If the voters vote down a project, I’m going
PROPOSITIONS
14 Drainage improvement projects: $105.5 million
A
sidewalk in front of your house. ... We want to fast- track expanding our sidewalk system and filling in the gaps,” Cole said. “In fact, for our people in the Lower Kirby area, we have a trail
projects. The fee concept did not garner enough support from the council since its members preferred to allow citizens to select which drainage projects they wanted to see completed rather
New bridge at Hughes Road and sidewalk improvements: $26.1 million
“EVEN THOUGH OUR GROWTH IS SLOWING, WE ARE A GROWING CITY, AND ... IN WATER AND WASTEWATER AS WELL AS SOME OF THE OTHER CAPITAL PROJECTS, ... IT’S CATCH-UP TIME.” KEVIN COLE, PEARLAND MAYOR
B
2 Park completion projects: $33.7 million
C
8th fire station: $15.9 million
D
system that will come all the way up and down on what they call the [Texas Department of Transportation] ditch.” Cole also said the Ed Thompson Inclusive Playground project is expected to be completed soon,
RESIDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO VOTE ON EACH PROPOSITION INDIVIDUALLY ON MAY 6.
D
than the council deciding. “Be involved, get involved,” Cole said. “Be informed of the various components that make up this bond program.”
SOURCE: CITY OF PEARLAND/COMMUNITY IMPACT
SHADOW CREEK 11023 Shadow Creek Pkwy (281) 977-1027
PEARLAND 10555 Pearland Pkwy
(713) 987-9205 FRIENDSWOOD 3126 FM 528 (281) 648-5473
ALMEDA 11130 Gulf Fwy (713) 910-3941
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