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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Minutes 2007-03-01 Special 03/01/2007 2647 STATE OF TEXAS )( CITY OF FRIENDSWOOD )( COUNTIES OF GALVESTON/HARRIS )( MARCH 01, 2007 )( MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE FRIENDSWOOD CITY COUNCIL THAT WAS HELD ON THURSDAY, MARCH 01, 2007 AT 7:00 PM AT FRIENDSWOOD CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 910 SOUTH FRIENDSWOOD DRIVE, FRIENDSWOOD, TEXAS, WITH THE FOLLOWING PRESENT CONSTITUTING A QUORUM: MAYOR DAVID SMITH MAYOR PRO-TEM CHRIS PEDEN (arr. at 7:10 PM) COUNCILMEMBER LAURA EWING COUNCILMEMBER JOHN LECOUR COUNCILMEMBER JIM HILL COUNCILMEMBER JAY HORECKY COUNCILMEMBER MEL MEASELES CITY ATTORNEY JOHN OLSON CITY MANAGER BO MCDANIEL CITY SECRETARY DELORIS MCKENZIE Mayor Smith called the meeting to order. 7:00 PM—SPECIAL SESSION The purpose of the meeting was to receive comments from the public regarding proposed amendments to the Friendswood City Charter. Mayor Smith made opening remarks regarding the process to be used to receive input, stated each amendment will be addressed, asked everyone to be brief and respectful, recognized the Charter Review Commission for their commitment of over 300 hours spent in reviewing the Charter for proposed changes. Mayor Smith called for any comments from the public on each Section being considered for amendment. Charter Review Commission Sections recommended for changes. Section 1.02— Form of government. Fred Krch, 46 year resident of Friendswood, stated he wrote a letter to the Commission requesting the Charter be amended to eliminate references and to be written in plain language. Mayor Smith advised that during the review the Commission took his advice and have made a recommendation for these changes. Section 2.01 —General powers. No comments were received. Section 2.03— Eminent domain. Mike Sharp, Friendswood resident and member of the Charter Review Commission, stated he broadly endorses everything that was submitted by the Commission, this subject is what brought him to be involved in the City, strongly urged this issue be placed on the ballot, supports it, believes families that own homes in Friendswood stand to benefit from this proposal, stated eminent domain abuses were made a few years ago, can condemn property and sell to developers for gain, some areas can be 03/01/2007 2648 considered blighted for economic development purposes, this proposed change is for reining in unbridled use of this process, City still retains powers for traditional uses, streets and schools and hospitals, and stated he supports traditional uses. Fred Krch, Friendswood resident, addressed Council and stated that the Kelo Report had to change three words in regards to eminent domain and stated this recommended change puts more restrictions on eminent domain. Mayor Pro-Tem Peden arrived at this time. Section 3.01 — Number, selection, term, and term limitations. No comments were received. Section 3.04—Compensation for Mayor and Council. Fred Krch, Friendswood resident, stated he is opposed to any payment for Mayor and Council and stated that Friendswood was founded on volunteerism and needs to stay that way. Section 3.05— Mayor and Mayor Pro-Tem. Section 3.08— Prohibitions. Section 3.09 Meetings of Council. Section 3.10 — Rules of Procedures and Section 3.17 — Officers and employees protected from financial losses. No comments were received. Section 4.06— Personnel system. Fred Krch, Friendswood resident, made a reference to the past City Manager. Mayor Smith called Mr. Krch out of order as this is not a proposed Charter amendment. Section 5.11 — Limitation on recall, Section 6.01 — City Elections, Section 6.02 — Filing for office — Incumbent seeking a different elected office, and Section 8.04 —Amendments after adoption with regards to emergency appropriations. No comments were received. Council Initiatives — Creating position of City Auditor reporting to City Council and English as Official Language of Friendswood. City Auditor reporting to City Council— no comments were received. English as official language of Friendswood. Frank Ortiz, Friendswood resident for 37 years, stated he is not against English language, is fluent in Spanish, speaks a little Russian and is learning Italian, his children speak mostly English, consider decisive, could lead to discrimination especially Spanish and other minorities, is making English really the issue, quoted statements from some members of Council from news articles, thanked Mayor for foresight and wisdom for his statements, hope those supporting this initiative will change their mind. Rick Dovalina, Houston LULAC, stated he would like to urge opposition to this issue, consider why you should, it is a non-issue in City, do not have a problem in this City, if want to draw national attention this is a good way to do this, Nashville Mayor vetoed same type of issue, not in the best interest of City, may not be constitutional, could affect this City's economic development, urged Council to reconsider this proposal. 03/01/2007 2649 Maria Ortiz, Friendswood resident, stated she does not wish to speak,just wants to register opposition. Bob Bertrand, Friendswood resident, stated he is speaking in the capacity as a citizen of Friendswood, read a letter from 76 concerned citizens opposing the English as Official Language proposed amendment. Margaret Limmer, Friendswood resident for 23 years, stated the issue stirs up emotions, will speak in support of this issue in memory of her parents that came to America as immigrants, was taught to treat everyone with dignity and respect, taught to value language and freedom, does not think the issue is divisive unless you make it divisive, making English the official language will show we value it and say that is important, stated she is a teacher and would never discriminate against children, stated these statements are made with all due respect to other speakers, given in spirit of love and not in hatefulness. Matt Fleming, Friendswood resident since 1979, stated he is a life-long resident of Galveston County, what a great State to be able to be having this debate, hope this gives opportunity for residents to vote and then it will go to the State, does not see it as divisive, would urge Council to be his advocate and citizen advocate and place on ballot and allow decision be made by the citizens, urge to at least give it a chance to go to the voters. Fred Krch, Friendswood resident, made lengthy comments without mentioning the subject, Mayor called Mr. Krch to order with Councilmember LeCour asking for point of order. Mayor Smith asked Council for a show of hands to allow Mr. Krch to continue to speak, with the majority of Council concurring. Mr. Krch made some comments regarding City employees speaking English when working for the City. Curtis Collier, Spring resident, asked Council to come forward and join hands and have pride in the English language, stated that the English language is the mortar that holds communities together, English language is what made this country what it is, let the citizens of this community, this State and this United States decide that it is one language, let the voters decide and stated put this proposal in the hands of the voters. Mike Ruiz, Friendswood resident for 20 years, stated need to seriously consider this amendment, this matter became an issue over a City worker not being able to communicate, agree that a City worker needs to be able to speak English, believes the City Manager has made changes that have addressed this issue, this is a non-issue, will not change anything, meaningless, does address some very serious issues, if it is proposed, will send a serious message, does not have an immigration issue, will seem mean-spirited and could create lawsuits, do not create issue where one does not exist, focus on other important issues, already creating issues in schools, encourage Council to do the right thing, leave this non-issue alone, do what is right for Friendswood, think about it when you make this decision. Mike Sharp, Friendswood resident for 19 years, stated he strongly urges that this does not go on the ballot, stand to lose more than gain, diversity strength in community, 1400/1700 votes in Friendswood could turn an issue, this is a non-issue, what do we hope to gain, English is already in use in Friendswood, freedom of expression in any language, once Charter is amended without enforcement, four members of Council can adopt enforcement, what else could this bring, will this improve our City services, negative effects, taking a path that is not necessary, opens up potential for abuse and stated the City Manager has already addressed the complaint regarding City employee. Don Seyfert, Friendswood resident, read excerpts from the Galt Global Review, English in a Multi-Lingual World, made a statement regarding core issue before the City, mother language of all should be respected by all, core issue before City, unifying language of upward mobility, English, propose that the amendments be rescinded and a resolution be adopted, that it is important that both English and Spanish be learned by its citizenry, City sponsor both Spanish and English as a second language and expand to 03/01/2007 2650 other languages as needed. J.J. Gallegos, Friendswood resident over 30 years, stated his children attended and graduated from Friendswood School District, strenuously opposed this proposal, adverse impact is already happening with a label of other communities, find insult to family members that lost lives fighting to protect this United States, come from a background of immigrants, look at the side of intolerance and fear, urge re-think this, leave with a saying in Spanish, translated, do not soil yourself by pushing this measure through, in the end it sullies you and stated history will be against you if you continue this proposal. Arthur Lu, Councilmember from Roman Forest, urged letting the citizens vote on this issue, this is a big issue, language has nothing to do with race, something to make official, this is a good thing, this is America, immigrants came here and learned English, remember this is not a bad thing. Jim Barr, Friendswood resident, stated he is highly opposed, already in the news, hearing derogatory remarks in other states, great community, police departments, great services, do not fix it if it is not broken, put this to rest and go on down the road. Sonia Hernandez, Friendswood resident, stated she has a masters degree and taught at two universities, retired Postmaster in Galveston County, is Hispanic and stated that learning English was an important goal to learn, do not understand why this issue has become divisive and stated that language is not racist but actions are. Susie Fleming, Friendswood resident, stated there is a lot of confusion by a lot of people not listening, never has it been said that this means you have to speak only English in your home or work place, challenge that this has the political background of a lawsuit and stated if this is not on the ballot will hear from a large number of voters. Revenue Cap Issue. Jim Barr, Friendswood resident, asked if there is a problem with spending in Friendswood, is this rampant, concern would be what that cap would mean, not going to cut what this community needs, not going to cut sports, need additional parks, taxpayers expect a lot in Friendswood, if not a problem, asked why it needs to be fixed. Council provided some input to Mr. Barr regarding this issue and offered to meet with Mr. Barr to discuss this issue, about the process, the positive and the negatives. Steve Williams, Friendswood resident, stated he is the owner of Double Dave's Pizza, addressed Council regarding the process for a petition for wet/dry area election, stated there are multiple businesses in this area that are restricted to Private Club Permits that are costly and stated he would like to pursue and move this forward. Councilmember Horecky advised that the only way to bring this forward is to call a wet/dry election, is by petition and suggested Mr. Williams meet with the City Secretary regarding the process to follow. No further comments were received. 03/01/2007 2651 This meeting was adjourned at 9:02 PM. � A � f : � Ma id . . ith ) Attest: � ��� FR�Ekp�� , � � O De ris McKenzie, TRMC v City Secretary � * d� �,�r�� �,�py