Message from Mayor Wax of Rockport

A Message from Mayor Wax September 13, 2017

Although these letters come through the City, please know that it is a multi-jurisdictional effort that includes Aransas County and the Town of Fulton. Our level of cooperation is unmatched.

We are truly One Voice --working together to rebuild.

New News:

1. Hummingbirds. Now, more than ever, they need your help with feeding for them to finish their migratory route.

2. Boil Water Advisory has been lifted for customers using Rockport water. Individuals who get their water from another source should continue to boil their water before ingesting. Those companies will be sending out notifications when their systems are running properly. Showering and laundry may still be done from the tap water.

3. Debris and Garbage. Republic has resumed its normal weekly scheduled. You may continue to use both the trash and recycling bins for your garbage. If your normal pickup date has passed, please move your bins away from the street.

The heavy debris pickup is focusing on trees and limbs, which can be mulched. Pickup for building materials and appliances will happen later. Please continue to keep the piles separated and off of the streets.

4. Looting. Contrary to some of the stories that are going around, there have been only FIVE reports of looting to the Public Safety Center.

5. Burn Ban. The burn ban reminds in effect. This means no burning … period.

6. Local Businesses. As businesses open, the Chamber will add them to a list and publish it on their web site. This is for ALL businesses, not just Chamber members. http://www.rockport-fulton.org/media/uploads/files/Rockport%20Fulton%20Open%20for%20Business%20-%20Sheet3.pdf . Walmart’s pharmacy, health and beauty, grocery, and garden shop are fully open. The remainder of the store will be open within the next few days.

7. Spectrum. A representative from Spectrum met with the Emergency Operations Center team. They are starting work in Portland and moving north. Approximately 10% of their customers in our county have service. They estimate resumption of services in Rockport to be 10/6. The forecast for Holiday Beach and Lamar is 10/20. Credit will be used to all customers for lack of service.

8. Visiting Dignitaries. I’ve met with the HUD Region 6 Director and State Senator Kolkhorst. The FEMA Regional Director will be here tomorrow. On September 21, John Sharp, chairman of the Governor’s Commission to Rebuild Texas will visit the area. During all of these visits and meetings, I’ve stressed two major needs – 1) Housing and 2) Financing for Rebuilding.

9. Well/Septic. If you have a private well and septic system, you may want to have them tested to ensure there was no damage from the hurricane. Special testing kits are available through Environmental Health. Call 361-790-0121 for more information.

10. Rebuilding Update. By decision, City Council has waived restrictions of the use of RVs on a residential or business property where reconstruction is taking place. If there had been an existing, non-conforming structure, all reconstruction must meet current building codes.

Worth Reminding:

1. Electricity. AEP announced that the circuits are up at all the transformers. About 96% of the county is back on the power grid. If you don’t have power, it may be one of several issues: a) your main circuit breaker was turned off, b) there is a connectivity issue with the power lines or c) severe damage to the electrical systems in the structure. If neighbors have power and you don’t, please make sure your meter is “energized,” i.e. little hands moving around and dials turning. If not, call the AEP Outage line at 866-223-8508. If you have another concern, call AEP Customer Service at 877-373-4858. AEP will have representatives at the Women’s Club to answer questions and resolve problems.

2. Utilities. WE NEED YOUR HELP – if you notice a leak or seepage that we may not have been able to identify, please alert us to the problem. You may contact the City of Rockport’s Water Department at 361-790-1160 during normal business hours. If there is an emergency, please call 361-729-1111 or 729-2222.

We are aware that it is impossible to pay utility bills online and/ or to pay in person. We will let you know when our billing system is up and running. Do not be concerned about penalty fees, or water being shut off. Also, remember to report any leaks

3. The list of Verified Contractors is on the City’s web site is updated regularly. To date, more than 560 contractors have been verified and over 2500 decals distributed. Go to: http://www.cityofrockport.com/DocumentCenter/View/13304.

4. Sacred Heart. The school sustained some serious damage. Recovery teams are on site. Parents and students will be alerted when plans are finalized.

5. Tarps for homeowners are now available at no charge at the Point of Distribution site in the parking lots of the old HEB.

6. Aerial Views. Drones have been taking photos of the Hurricane Harvey aftermath. Residents who wish to view before and after views of the area, should visit Harvey2017.eagleview.com

7. Curfew. Hours have been changed to 10 pm – 6 am

8. Garbage. Continue to put your household refuse in your blue and green bins. Do not block the bins with debris or vehicles as the automated trucks are unable to access many bins on their rounds. Make separate piles for building debris, trees/limbs AND appliances. Place them close to the curb or on your property – not the street. The Transfer Station will operate 7 days a week from 7 am – 6 pm for an indefinite period. Residents should enter via Prairie Street. Commercial contractors must take their debris to a landfill.

9. School District Update. Live Oak, Fulton Learning Center and Little Bay students will be in their permanent classrooms in less than 30 days. Middle and High school students will have classes in temporary buildings on ACISD property.

10. Debris Removal. Major debris pickup for residents is underway. Significant resources from Crowder Gulf and Thompson Consulting have cleared the right of ways and are working south of Market Street and North of Henderson. They’ll go to the far edges of the County – north, south and west, then move inward, and start all over again. Concentration is on residential properties. This is a costly and laborious project, but will continue until the major debris is gone. PLEASE assist us with this effort by separating your debris into building materials and yard waste and NOT put materials in the street or impede access by parking in front of the debris.

11. Building Inspections. Members of the Building Officials Association of Texas have visited ALL buildings (residential and commercial) in the County to assess exterior, structural damage. Their records are with the City’s Director of Public Works.

If there is a RED sticker, it means the property is unsafe and should not be entered for any reason. A YELLOW sticker indicates caution. Entry is at your own risk. A GREEN sticker or NO sticker means the structure appears to be fine.

Please note that the review was only from the exterior. The inspectors were not gauging damage to the interior including electric, gas and water utilities or water/wind damage.

12. Lost Pets. Animal Control has teamed up with the Houston SPCA to post information on lost or found pets. You may access this information by going to one of two web sites: 1) www.findingrover.com or 2) www.houstonspca.org/harvey.

13. Mail. IF your mailbox withstood the winds and is still standing, you should be receiving your mail. If your mailbox disappeared from your property, you may pick up your mail at the Ingleside Post Office, located on 2230 TX-361.

14. Goods Pickup. Ice, water and MRE (Meals Ready to Eat) are being distributed daily from 8 am – 6 pm at old HEB parking lot and Castaways. The operating hours for the Fats location in Holiday Beach/Lamar are 9:30 am – 6 pm. Numerous churches also have necessities for residents in need and some good Samaritans are setting up throughout the city.

15. Government Assistance. Staff from the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) will be at the La Retama Central Library, 805 Comanche, in the library’s conference room from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, September 9. TWIA (Texas Windstorm) has set up a mobile claims center at GSM Insurors at 1102 Laurel Street in Rockport and the Lindale Recreation Center, located at 3133 Swantner Street in Corpus Christi. The Small Business Administration is now open in the Women’s Club building next to Veteran’s Park, near downtown by the harbor, and processing loans for individuals, as well as businesses. FEMA is already set up at the park so this will make it convenient for everyone. 16. 911. We are receiving an inordinate amount of non-emergency calls on our system. Wellness checks and relative location requests should be directed to the Red Cross. All other calls should be directed to 729-1111 or 729-2222.

17. Save the Tree? Some folks are unsure if their trees can be saved. The Texas A&M Forestry Service will be available to answer questions and look at your property. Informational handouts are being developed and will be available through the Rockport Service Center, Public Safety Center, Chamber and The Pilot. This is being coordinated through the Nueces Extension Office. 361-767-5250. There is a fact sheet available on line to help you make a determination – http://tfsweb.tamu.edu/afterthestorm/canmytreebesaved/. You may contact them directly by calling 936-239-9034.

18. Rebuilding. If you have suffered significant damage and are rebuilding, you will need to obtain a building permit. You may use this link: https://rockport.seamlessdocs.com/f/CQcce or go to the City’s Web site and click on Building Department under the Departments tab. We will be posting more information about post flood requirements in the next few days.

It’s getting better every day!!

I liked that Hummingbirds were the first on the list.

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