HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Minutes 2005-12-19 Regular 12/19/05 2411
STATE OF TEXAS )(
CITY OF FRIENDSWOOD )(
COUNTIES OF GALVESTON/HARRIS )(
DECEMBER 19, 2005 )(
MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE FRIENDSWOOD CITY COUNCIL THAT WAS HELD ON
MONDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2005, AT 4:30 PM AT FRIENDSWOOD CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS,
910 S. FRIENDSWOOD DRIVE, FRIENDSWOOD, TEXAS, WITH THE FOLLOWING PRESENT
CONSTITUTING A QUORUM:
MAYOR KIMBALL BRIZENDINE
MAYOR PRO-TEM DAVID SMITH
COUNCILMEMBER LAURA EWING (arr. 4:34 PM)
COUNCILMEMBER JOHN LECOUR
COUNCILMEMBER TRACY GOZA
COUNCILMEMBER CHRIS PEDEN
COUNCILMEMBER MEL MEASELES
CITY ATTORNEY JOHN OLSON
CITY MANAGER RON COX
CITY SECRETARY DELORIS MCKENZIE
Mayor Brizendine called the meeting to order.
4:30 PM —CLOSED EXECUTIVE SESSION
Council convened into Executive Session in accordance with the Texas Government Code, pursuant to
Section 551.072 — Deliberation regarding Real Property, Section 551.071 — Consultation with Attorney
concerning pending or contemplated litigation; a settlement offer; or a matter in which the duty of the
Attorney requires it and Section 551.074— Personnel Matters.
Council convened into Regular Session at 7:00 pm with no action taken.
RECONVENE INTO OPEN SESSION
7:00 PM — REGULAR SESSION
The invocation was given by Reverend Robert Moore from Church of the Good Shepherd.
Mayor Brizendine led the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States and to the State of Texas.
COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC
Mr. Daniel Illerich, 2876 Love Lane, thanked Council and Staff for a job well done and wished the Mayor
and Council happy holidays.
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
City Manager Ron Cox thanked the Friendswood Heritage Gardeners for how beautifully the City Hall is
decorated for the holidays. Each year, the Friendswood Heritage Gardeners work their magic to turn this
rather stoic municipal building into a cheery, festive environment. Since the very first Christmas in the
new building, the members have donated their time and talents to this project. They designed and
donated the materials for the first set of decorations, and this year completely refurbished them for a new
look. He asked that everyone join him in thanking them for their dedication and generosity in making the
Friendswood City Hall a very pleasant place to be during the holidays. The members of the Heritage
Gardeners to whom we owe a huge Thank You are: Mildred and Paul Baughman, Janie and Norm Olson,
Bunnye Baldwin, Jane Davis, Linda O'Brien, Adele Calvillo, Paula Burns and Kaye Corey.
12/19/05 2412
City Manager Ron Cox reported that on December 1, 2005, Assistant Fire Marshal Brian Mansfield
received the "Public Safety Employee of the Year" award from the Rotary Club of Friendswood. The
award recognizes public safety employees who have proven themselves to be responsive to the needs of
citizens and fellow employees. Brian has worked for the Fire Marshal's office and Office of Emergency
Management for five years. He served as Deputy Fire Marshal in Friendswood before being promoted to
his current position in 2002. In addition to serving as Assistant Fire Marshal, Brian is also the Assistant
Emergency Management Coordinator. He has played a significant role in the development of the city
emergency management planning efforts and recently served as Shift Supervisor in the Emergency
Operations Center during Hurricane Rita. Brian is a member of the Friendswood Police Officers'
Association (FPOA) and the Public Education Committee of the Local Emergency Planning Committee
(LEPC). He currently holds state certifications as a Peace Officer, Arson Investigator and Fire Inspector,
and he recently received his Associate's degree in Law Enforcement. Staff wanted to give the
Councilmembers who might not have been present at the Chamber-Rotary meeting an opportunity to
congratulate Brian.
City Manager Ron Cox reported on the Traffic Signal at FM 2351/Woodland Trail Drive. This traffic signal
for the FM 2351 entrance to The Forest of Friendswood subdivision was approved on August 23, 2003.
The State placed it on their calendar to be let the last quarter of 2005. Bids were received for the traffic
signal and roadway work on September 8, 2005. Main Lane Industries, LTD, was the low bidder on the
project. Construction is scheduled to begin on January 3, 2006, and should be completed in 45 working
days. Bill Babbington, P.E., TxDOT's interim Galveston Area Engineer, is in charge of this project.
City Manager Ron Cox reported on the public meeting on Brittany Bay Boulevard Proposed Extension.
The cities of League City and Friendswood, in conjunction with the Houston District of the Texas
Department of Transportation (TxDOT), are considering the proposed extension of Brittany Bay
Boulevard from Algoa-Friendswood Road to FM 2351, a distance of approximately four miles. The
proposed roadway extension will consist of a 4-lane divided section with 130-foot-wide right-of-way
(ROV�. Environmental Assessment (EA) documents are being prepared to evaluate impacts of the
proposed project. A public meeting will be held to obtain comments and evaluate proposed alternative
alignments for the Brittany Bay Boulevard extension in Friendswood and League City. The meeting will
be conducted in open house format on Tuesday, January 17, 2006, from 6-8 p.m., in the Council
Chambers. During the open house meeting, informational exhibits will be displayed in the foyer of City
Hall. Representatives of the cities of Friendswood and League City and the study teams will be available
to discuss the proposed project, alternatives, and to answer questions. Officials from TxDOT will be
available to answer general questions regarding environmental procedures and project funding. All
interested citizens are encouraged to attend this open house public meeting to discuss the proposed
project. Notification will be provided first through advertising placed in the Houston Chronicle and the
local papers for League City and Friendswood, at least 30 days prior and again 10 days prior to the
meeting. Staff will follow-up to those ads with a news release and e-mail notice, place it on the City
website, and send notices to the HOAs. Written comments may be submitted at the meeting or mailed to
the cities of Friendswood or League City. Comments concerning the proposed extension of Brittany Bay
Boulevard should be submitted prior to January 27, 2006.
City Manager Ron Cox reported on City employee Norm Stuart, the Safety and Training Coordinator who
recently earned his Adjustor's License. He recently attended a 40-hour Workers Compensation
Adjustor's course. He then sat for the adjustor's exam and passed with a grade of 93. He will now apply
to the state for a Texas Workers Compensation Adjustor's License. Although, the City believes it has
been compliant in all aspects of the Workers Compensation law, this kind of training helps ensure that
Staff is aware of proper procedures and applicable regulations. Administrative fees for non-compliance
are expensive: $500 - $10,000 per day, depending on the severity of the infraction. In addition, the City
wants to do everything it can to positively impact the Workers Compensation modifier and experience
ratio. Please congratulate Norm for leading the way to accomplish that goal.
12/19/05 2413
ACTION ITEMS
**Councilmember Peden moved to suspend Rule 11 of the City Council Rules and Procedures, When an
ordinance, resolution, motion, or other measure of any sort has been placed before the City Council and
defeated, the same identical question shall not again be considered by the City Council until ninety (90)
days have elapsed.
Seconded by Councilmember Goza. The motion was approved unanimously.
**Councilmember Ewing moved to reduce the Mayor and Council Travel Budget by $25,000.
Seconded by Councilmember Peden. The motion was approved 6-1 with Councilmember Measeles
opposed.
**Councilmember Peden moved to remove the Projects Manager position.
Seconded by Councilmember Goza.
***Councilmember LeCour moved to table the main motion.
Seconded by Councilmember Peden. The motion failed 3-4 with Mayor Brizendine and Councilmembers
Ewing, Smith, and Measeles opposed.
****The main motion failed 2-5 with Mayor Brizendine and Councilmembers Ewing, Smith, Peden, and
Measeles opposed.
**Councilmember Peden moved to reduce the technology fund by $25,000.
Seconded by Councilmember Smith. The motion failed 3-4 with Mayor Brizendine and Councilmembers
Ewing, Smith, and Measeles opposed.
**Councilmember Smith moved to remove the Renwick Park new lighting system.
Seconded by Councilmember LeCour. The motion failed 0-7 with Mayor Brizendine, and
Councilmembers Ewing, LeCour, Goza, Smith, Peden, and Measeles opposed.
**Councilmember Smith moved to increase the fuel budget by $30,000.
Seconded by Councilmember Goza. The motion failed 0-7 with Mayor Brizendine, and Councilmembers
Ewing, LeCour, Goza, Smith, Peden, and Measeles opposed.
ORDINANCES
**Councilmember Peden moved to approve the Second and final reading of Ordinance No. T2005-37, An
Ordinance amending Ordinance No. 2000-38 passed and approved on the 16th day of October, 2000,
same being an amendment to Appendix C of the Friendswood City Code, said Appendix C being City of
Friendswood, Texas, Ordinance No. 84-15, as amended, originally adopted the 19th day of November
1984, and being the Zoning Ordinance of the City, by amending the Specific Use Permit contained in
Ordinance 2000-38 to authorize the use of property located at 107 Shadwell for Childcare, Swim
Lessons, Swim Parties, Water Aerobics, and Catering Uses; providing for the amendment of the City's
Official Zoning Map; providing for severability; and providing a penalty in an amount not to exceed $2,000
for each day of violation of any provision hereof.
Seconded by Councilmember Goza. The motion was approved unanimously.
COMMUNICATIONS FROM MAYOR AND COUNCILMEMBERS
Councilmember Measeles wished everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Councilmember Peden thanked Dan Illerich for his support, and thanked Council and Staff for their
support to him, wished everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
12/19/05 2414
Councilmember Smith wished everyone a Merry Christmas and happy holidays, congratulated the
Chamber of Commerce on the Lighted Holiday Parade, and thanked Police Chief Wieners and Police
Department Staff for looking over everyone.
Councilmember Goza wished everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Councilmember LeCour stated this year has been a wonderful learning experience and is important to
him and to his growth, looks forward to progress, hopes all will be better, enjoyed the City Christmas
party, thanked the Galveston County Consolidated Drainage District (GCCDD) for their holiday event last
Friday and wished everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Counciimember Ewing reported that she attended several meetings, attended the Employee Christmas
Party and acknowledged the gift from the City for each employee of theatre tickets and gift cards as a
"thank you" to employees for working through Hurricane Rita and wished luck to City Secretary Deloris
McKenzie on her upcoming surgery.
Mayor Brizendine wished luck to the City Secretary ot1,her upcoming surgery, stated that public servants
do make a difference, on behalf of Council thank you to all of the City Staff, which are part of a larger
family, wished everyone a very Merry Christmas.
CONSENT AGENDA
**Councilmember Smith moved to approve the Consent Agenda with the exception of Item A—Award Bid
No. 2005-14 for new Lighting System for Phase III of Renwick Park and authorize Mayor to Execute Bid
Form of Agreement. B. Authorize Mayor to execute an Interlocal Agreement with City of Hillcrest Village
for use of the City of Friendswood's storm debris contract for emergency management purposes. C.
Authorize the Mayor to execute an extension to the Realtor Agreement for the sale of three acres on FM
528 at the new Public Safety Building. D. Authorize the termination of the License Agreement with
Beasym Investments for the use of park property adjacent to 107 Shadwell for parking purposes. E.
Approval of November 2005 Property Tax Report. F. Approve Minutes of November 21 and December 5,
2005 Meetings.
Seconded by Councilmember Measeles. The motion was approved unanimously.
**Councilmember Smith moved to approve Item A—Award Bid No. 2005-14 for new Lighting System for
Phase III of Renwick Park and authorize Mayor to execute Bid Form of Agreement.
Seconded by Councilmember Ewing.
***Councilmember LeCour moved to amend Item A of the Consent Agenda to add alternate for wireless.
Seconded by Councilmember Goza. The motion was withdrawn.
****The main motion was approved unanimously.
A motion was made and approved to adjourn at 8:30 PM.
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Mayor Kimball W. Brizendine
Attest:
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D�loris McKenzie, T M * *
City Secretary
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