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Home My WebLink AboutCC Minutes 2008-08-26 Special 08/26/2008 2987 ,.- STATE OF TEXAS )( CITY OF FRIENDSWOOD )( COUNTIES OF GALVESTON/HARRIS )( AUGUST 26, 2008 )( MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE FRIENDSWOOD CITY COUNCIL THAT WAS HELD ON TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2008 AT 6:00 PM AT FRIENDSWOOD CITY HALL, 910 S. FRIENDSWOOD DRIVE, FRIENDSWOOD, TEXAS, WITH THE FOLLOWING PRESENT CONSTITUTING A QUORUM: MAYOR DAVID SMITH COUNCILMEMBER MICHAEL BARKER COUNCILMEMBER JIM HILL COUNCILMEMBER JIM BARR COUNCILMEMBER LESLIE REID COUNCILMEMBER BILL HOLBERT CITY ATTORNEY BOBBY GERVAIS ACTING CITY MANAGER ROGER ROECKER CITY SECRETARY DELORIS MCKENZIE Mayor Smith called the meeting to order. SPECIAL SESSION A discussion was held regarding the proposed FY2008-09 General Operating Budget for the City of � Friendswood. Acting City Manager Roger Roecker stated a temporary part-time position was approved approximately 7 to 8 months ago for the Community Services Senior Program and will be asking to transfer to a part time position for Council's consideration. Mr. Roecker stated this is his first time to work with the Harris County Appraisal District, there is a $21,500 fee that is not in the budget, this can be funded by insurance equity return and inappropriate revenues and it will not affect the projected tax rate. A planned discussion on Water and Sewer projects will be held on September 15, 2008 agenda to plan for future Water and Sewer Revenue Bonds. Mayor Smith suggested considering increasing the suggested revenue stream from sales tax to $65,000 and increase the expenditures to$65,000 to fund a grant writer. Acting City Manager Roger Roecker reviewed several options. Councilmember Hill suggested funding the fee out of Mayor and Council's budget. Acting City Manager Roger Roecker stated Mayor and Council's Budget is $182,000 and the majority of that budget is funding for legal cost which is projected at$132,000. Mayor Smith asked if it could be funded with manipulating hiring dates and asked Police Chief Wieners the impact on the Police Department and Chief Wieners stated it would not have impact on public safety. Councilmember Barker stated since this is not a basic service the City could possibly look at this next year. Councilmember Holbert stated since there are various options and various issues with staging the hiring ,,,_, of additional personnel, considering an increase in sales tax and looking at other unknowns, by mid-year the City would know enough about various revenue streams to look at the funding for the mid-year hiring of personnel, Council would have a better picture than Council knows today. 08/26/2008 2988 -�, Councilmember Barr stated there may be other revenue sources from some of the items that are being added to the budget. Acting City Manager stated sometimes the hiring of an officer takes a lengthy time to process and would probabiy be mid-year before the process is completed. Police Chief Wieners stated there wouid not be any negative impact on public safety, even waiting for the third quarter to hire officers, there still would not be any impact to the Police Department. Councilmember Hill asked what line item the grant writer would be taken out of. Acting City Manager Roger Roecker stated it could be taken out of Mayor and Council's Budget and stated with this information Staff can proceed with finalizing the budget for consideration at the September, 15, 2008, Council Meeting. Mayor Smith stated Council could discuss the hiring of a grant writer at the moment if Council agrees. Councilmember Rivera stated if the grant writer is productive then it would become a moot point and offset some operating costs in other areas. CLOSED EXECUTIVE SESSION Council convened into Executive Session in accordance with the Texas Government Code, pursuant to Section 551.071 — Consultation with attorney concerning pending or contempiated litigation; a settlement ,.., offer; or a matter in which the duty of the attorney requires it and Section 551.072: Deliberation regarding real property. RECONVENE INTO OPEN SESSION SPECIAL SESSION *"Councilmember Rivera moved to approve an agreement for grant procurement services with The Riveron Law Firm and authorizing the Mayor to execute the agreement. Seconded by Councilmember Reid. Councilmember Hill asked about funding available for disasters. Sherry Riveron with The Riveron Law Firm stated disasters are very big and hard to predict, and would be happy to modify the agreement if Council wishes. Councilmember Hill asked what about charge by the hour with Ms. Riveron stating probably work fees into grant for administrative costs. Councilmember Hill reported he attended a Commissioner's Court Meeting earlier in the week and most of the grants are matching funds, were still working on a grant over 6 years ago, not going to vote for in favor of this, no reflection on Ms. Riveron, she is quite capable but just does not feel it will pass right now. Councilmember Barr stated this will be out of pocket expenses with additional costs, this will be interesting to see how it works out and if it is approved, wishes God Speed. Councilmember Rivera stated that most of administrative costs are reimbursed with the grant, the City will always have the option of accepting or rejecting the grant. ..,. 08/26/2008 2989 �-- Councilmember Barker stated he was not sure he is in favor, checked with other cities and they do not use grant writing services but understands this wouid be only for a year. Councilmember Barr asked if the monthly reporting was in the contract and it was stated yes it was. Councilmember Hill stated he could support the grant if the fee was based on commission and hope he is wrong in his concerns. The motion was approved 6-1 with Councilmember Hill opposed. Acting City Manager Roger Roecker and Police Chief Wieners introduced Harris County District Attorney Ken Magidson who presented a check in the amount of $45,592.00 to the Friendswood Police Department from drug money seized. A Crime Victim Liaison Grant was approved in the amount of $45,000 and the 9th year for the Police Department to receive this funding. PUBLIC HEARINGS Mayor Smith called a Public Hearing to order, to receive comments from the public, either oral or written, regarding the proposed City Budget for FY2008-09 as modified by the City Council for funding in part by the proposed tax rate of$0.5797. Councilmember Holbert stated that taxes are frozen for senior citizens 65 years of age and over. The proposed increase in taxes for those that are not seniors with the home value at $250,000 would be approximately $8.55 per household a year, those with a home value of$50,000 would be approximately $17.00. .--. Councilmember Rivera stated the increase just keeps up with inflation and allows the City to continue to provide the same level of City service it has served in the past. Ken Truman, Friendswood resident, stated he has resided in Clover Acres Subdivision over last 40 years, asked if this is also school taxes with Councilmember Holbert advising it was not school taxes, Galveston County Drainage District or County Taxes. Councilmember Hill stated this has been his third budget cycle on Council and this has by far been the most pleasant budget cycle, Staff has done an outstanding job on holding the line, the Fire Department has funded new equipment and the Police Department is well funded. Bea Morris, Friendswood resident, stated she has resided in Clover Acres Subdivision over 10 years and encouraged Council if they need to fund with bond proceeds and passes then move swiftly with it, stated Staff has worked diligently to watch contracts when in place to save those dollars and stated Council also has to watch those things closely. Councilmember Rivera stated when citizens see City Council they will see a very proactive Council and is not going to see money set on the shelf. Mayor Smith stated this budget represents a 2.99 percent tax increase, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) was increased by 7.5 percent for inflation, this budget is the first year of a multiple year budgeting process to cover projects, has been conservative in looking at a long term fiscal program. .—.. 08/26/2008 2990 � Mayor Smith called a Joint Docketed Public Hearing to order, to receive comments from the pubiic, either oral or written, regarding a proposai to increase total tax revenue from properties on the tax roll in the preceding tax year by 2.99 percent (percentage by which proposed tax rate ($0.5797) exceeds lower of rollback tax rate or effective tax rate). Mayor Smith stated individual taxes may increase at a greater or lesser rate, or even decrease, depending on the change in the taxable value of your property in relation to the change in taxable value of all other property and the tax rate that is adopted. Ken Truman, Friendswood resident, stated he is a long time resident and asked for clarification regarding the tax rate wording. Mayor Smith advised this is a legal requirement to publish this type of wording. This meeting was adjourned at 7:05 PM. Mayor David J.H. Smith Attest: , �+� � �!`'�a � � D loris McKenzie, TRMC p n City Secretary �O � � ��oN�a� ,�o �