HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Minutes 2005-09-06 Special 09/06/05 2373
STATE OF TEXAS )(
CITY OF FRIENDSWOOD )(
COUNTIES OF GALVESTON/HARRIS )(
SEPTEMBER 06, 2005 )(
MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE FRIENDSWOOD CITY COUNCIL THAT WAS HELD ON
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 06, 2005, FROM 5:00 PM TO 8:00 PM AT THE FRIENDSWOOD PUBLIC
LIBRARY, 416 SOUTH, FRIENDSWOOD, TEXAS,WITH THE FOLLOWING PRESENT CONSTITUTING
A QUORUM:
MAYOR KIMBALL BRIZENDINE
MAYOR PRO-TEM DAVID SMITH
COUNCILMEMBER LAURA EWING (arr. at 5:25 PM)
COUNCILMEMBER JOHN LECOUR
COUNCILMEMBER TRACY GOZA
COUNCILMEMBER CHRIS PEDEN
COUNCILMEMBER MEL MEASELES
CITY MANAGER RON COX
CITY SECRETARY DELORIS MCKENZIE
Mayor Brizendine called the meeting to order.
5:00 PM —SPECIAL MEETING
Discussion was held with Council and Staff regarding the FY2005-2005 City of Friendswood proposed
Operating Budget. City Manager Ron Cox and Administrative Services Director Roger Roecker reviewed
the proposed budget process with Mayor and Council and held a lengthy question and answer session.
Mayor and Council reviewed the reserve funds policy and discussed expenditures of some of the
overages for seniors and disabled citizens. Discussed a senior tax freeze, which would be implemented
in 2007, proposed expenditures from reserve overages to fund $130,000 for Sunmeadow Drainage
Project and $420,000 for the new Public Safety Building for cost overruns, with $135,616 for reserve
requirement. It is the consensus of Council to move forward with a senior tax freeze.
Councilmember Chris Peden stated that he feels seniors should get better benefits from City taxes and
stated that school taxes are another issue.
Mayor and Council discussed the impact of implementing a senior tax freeze, and asked if it would be
implemented with the adoption of the tax rate Ordinance, and stated the public would be notified through
public process, reviewed surrounding cities' tax survey rate for comparative purposes, reviewed 90-day
reserve funds requirements. Discussed the Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) used the balance for tax
relief by lowering tax rate to $0.6130, a total reduction of $0.0255 from the 05/06 rate. Tax relief for
seniors, disabled citizens if tax freeze is implemented.
A question and answer session followed regarding proposed expenditures, discussed the amount of the
Management Information Services (MIS) budget, stated this represents a 6.94% increase in full-time
employees, Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) position, Master Drainage Plan, shared cost with
Galveston County Consolidated Drainage District (GCCDD), timers for park lights, specifically Centennial
Park, asked about the Human Resources budget, expenses in departments, document expenditures for
future budgets, discussed budget and history for Drainage Plan, Drainage Plan is the priority of the City,
next budget ask Staff to tighten budget process, cut overages, if additional funds needed present to
Council, look at historical trends, look at Public Safety Building and associated costs and scheduling,
$0.6057 tax rate, costs and scheduling, Council, City Manager, next fiscal year Staff is to tighten up
document needs, proposed expenditures with the understanding that they come back to Council.
09/06/05 2374
Development of review of historic trends of spending less than budgeted, discussed $135,616, Council
philosophy regarding budgeting process, propose leave all reserve overage in reserves, budget and tax
rate will be set on September 26, 2005, should know Public Safety Building costs from bids, could change
proposed tax rate prior to vote on September 26, 2005, leave $30,000 noted for Sunmeadow Drainage
Project, Main Street funding request for additional $25,000 and use of$50,000 in this year's budget, fund
or not or stop budget and plan, discussed pro's and con's, need redirection of Main Street Committee,
need contact person, possibly Economic Development Coordinator Karen Capps, need to invigorate Main
Street Committee, this type of project is generally promoted by the City, Mayor would hope to leave
funding in budget and redirect focus, move existing $50,000 for Main Street Project into reserves and
remove$25,000 for Main Street Project from budget until a plan is developed to move forward.
Council concurred except Councilmember Ewing with the prior discussion, workshop with Council after
Mayor meets with the Main Street Committee, Council concurred to move the budget forward to work on
budget issues. Discussed holding it in the future.
A motion was made and approved to adjourn at 8:15 PM.
� C
l.ci ^----�
�
Mayor Kimball W. Brizendine
Attest:
C ��� F R�ENp��
. 5 � Oo
De oris McKenzie, T MC
City Secretary * *
a
��rE � +�