HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Minutes 2008-09-04 Special 09/04/08 2991
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STATE OF TEXAS )(
CITY OF FRIENDSWOOD )(
COUNTIES OF GALVESTON/HARRIS )(
SEPTEMBER 04, 2008 )(
MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE FRIENDSWOOD CITY COUNCIL THAT WAS HELD ON
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 04, 2008, AT 5:00 PM AT THE FRIENDSWOOD ACTIVITY BUILDING, 416
MORNINGSIDE DRIVE, FRIENDSWOOD, TEXAS, WITH THE FOLLOWING PRESENT
CONSTITUTING A QUORUM:
MAYOR DAVID SMITH
MAYOR PRO-TEM ANDY RIVERA
COUNCILMEMBER JIM BARR
COUNCILMEMBER MICHAEL BARKER
COUNCILMEMBER JIM HILL
COUNCILMEMBER BILL HOLBERT
CITY ATTORNEY BOBBY GERVAIS
ACTING CITY MANAGER ROGER ROECKER
CITY SECRETARY DELORIS MCKENZIE
Councilmember Reid was absent from the meeting.
Mayor Smith called the meeting to order.
SPECIAL SESSION
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A discussion was held with Friendswood Independent School District(FISD ) Board of Trustees regarding
growth issues. City Council and Friendswood Independent School District (FISD) had the opportunity to
meet jointly to discuss FISD bond projects, joint use agreements and growth issues. Bay Architects
representatives, Superintendent Trish Hanks, Deputy Superintendent George Rogers reviewed the
projects on the new junior high school at Centennial Park and asked the City for the needed right-of-way
(ROW), the needs identified were to flip certain playing fields with detention pond, track, tennis court and
multi-use fields will not be lighted, traffic study reflects school entrance off FM 518 with completion by fall
of August 2010, discussed addition to the existing high school, mentioned help is needed with drainage at
the offsite detention by diverting drainage, natatorium and paving City road R.O.W., the baseball field sits
on right-of-way and finro houses sit on right-of-way. Castlewood Street needs a parking lot easement
deeded, is included in a joint use agreement with the Hackney's on the Baker Road baseball and softball
fields will have a joint use with City soccer fields with lighted fields and parking for playing fields and
agriculture barn. FISD is over budget for this project and is looking at only keeping baseball fields or
keeping baseball and softball at high school fields. Two soccer practice fields are needed at this location
and asked how soon the City will have a plan. FISD stated they will need to know by this Tuesday. The
City is working on some alternatives and is a couple of weeks away from a decision. If soccer fields are
placed on Baker Road it would not seriously impact the City and the City will need additional parking.
Baker Road. has a detention pond and 35 acres donated for recreational use by the Galveston County
Consolidated Drainage District (GCCDD). The fields are already shared by GCCDD developing baseball
and softball fields and the amenities are very expensive. Council stated FISD should do what is best for
the district for the playing fields. Mayor Smith and Superintendent Trish Hanks recognized the FISD
Board for their willingness to partner with the City and thanked the City for that partnership to work
projects together. Ms. Hanks stated the same tax dollars are being used and need to make them work
hard for the best use of tax dollars. There will be a City Staff Coordinator for the district projects. This is
*� a very exciting time for schools and the City, exciting things are planned and a lot of good things are
happening.
09/04/08 2992
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A discussion was held with consultant Becky Brooks, Executive Director with Government Finance
Officers Association of Texas regarding the Multi-Year Financial Plan for the City of Friendswood. Acting
City Manager Roger Roecker introduced Interim Administrative Services Director Cindy Edge, Budget
Manager Katina Hampton and consultant Becky Brooks. Mr. Roecker reviewed the budget process with
Director of Municipal Finance Ryan O'Hara with RBC Capital Markets Corporation. The multi-year
financial year was reviewed by Ms. Brooks. A question and answer session was held with Council and
Staff on assumption and revenue and expenditures, residential growth, commercial growth projections,
tax rate issues, consideration for the "effective rate" is overlapping the jurisdiction tax rate 1998 to
present. Council discussed alternatives in the taxable value category and the multi-year financial plan
with the estimated effective tax rate. Council suggested getting an electronic copy of the PowerPoint
presented to review and have others meeting to work on varying components and would like for others to
be cognizant of new projects, would like to see more information on the decision packages, the longer the
City prolongs projects the higher the cost, bite the bullet now. Inform citizens on the bond issue and think
they will support the bonds, would like to see information on worst-case scenario. Staff will need to
provide thoughts and concerns regarding various assumptions, there is a lot more work to do and would
like to continue to work on this on a regular basis, this may be long-term possibly months and something
needs to be done quickly. If having a bond is decided the work may need to be completed by January
2009. The work on the multi-year financial plan will be handled at the winter Council retreat.
CLOSED EXECUTIVE SESSION
Council convened into Executive Session in accordance with the Texas Government Code, pursuant to
Section 551.072— Deliberation regarding real property.
Council re-convened into Regular Session with no action taken.
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This meeting was adjourned at 10:25 PM.
Mayor avid J. . mith
Attest:
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D oris McKenzie, TRM � �
City Secretary OO a
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