HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Minutes 2009-05-18 Special 05/18/2009 3118
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STATE OF TEXAS )(
CITY OF FRIENDSWOOD )(
COUNTIES OF GALVESTON/HARRIS )(
MAY 18, 2009 )(
MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE FRIENDSWOOD CITY COUNCIL THAT WAS HELD ON
MONDAY, MAY 18, 2009, AT 6:00 PM AND A REGULAR MEETING AT 7:00 PM AT FRIENDSWOOD
CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 910 S. FRIENDSWOOD DRIVE, FRIENDSWOOD, TEXAS, WITH
THE FOLLOWING PRESENT CONSTITUTING A QUORUM:
MAYOR DAVID SMITH
MAYOR PRO-TEM ANDY RIVERA
COUNCILMEMBER BILI HOLBERT
COUNCILMEMBER LESLIE REID
COUNCILMEMBER JIM BARR
CITY ATTORNEY BOBBY GERVAIS
ACTING CITY MANAGER ROGER ROECKER
CITY SECRETARY DELORIS MCKENZIE
Councilmembers Barker and Hill were absent from the meeting.
Mayor Smith called the meeting to order.
SPECIAL SESSION
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RESOLUTION
*'`Councilmember Rivera moved to approve Resolution R2009-28 — a Resolution canvassing the returns
and declaring the results of the General Election held on May 9, 2009, for the purpose of electing the Mayor
and finro (2) Councilmembers to the City Council of the City of Friendswood; canvassing the returns and
declaring the results of a Special Election held on May 9, 2009, regarding one (1) proposition relating to
amendment of the Home Rule Charter of the City; and canvassing the returns and declaring the results of
a Bond Election held on May 9, 2009, regarding two propositions relating to issuance of bonds for park
and recreation purposes and for a new library and civic center facility.
Seconded by Councilmember Holbert. The motion was approved 4-0.
OATH OF OFFICE
The Honorable Galveston County Judge James Yarbrough administered the Oath of Office to the newly
reelected Mayor.
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 contemplated litigation; a settlement
offer; or a matter in which the duty of the attorney requires it.
Council convened into Regular Session at 7:00 pm with no action taken later in the meeting.
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RECONVENE INTO OPEN SESSION
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7:00 PM—REGULAR SESSION
The invocation was given by Pastor Jim Neison with Good Shepherd Episcopai Church.
Mayor Smith led the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States and to the State of Texas.
SPECIAL RECOGNITION AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
A Proclamation was presented to the Public Works Director Kaz Hamidian recognizing National Public
Works Week. National Public Works Week is an annual national event to commemorate all Public Works
employees for their service. Sponsored by the American Public Works Association, the event will be held
May 18-24, 2008. This year, the theme is "The Future Is NOW." The City of Friendswood Public Works
Department consists of the Street and Drainage and Water and Wastewater Divisions all integrated to
provide quality and essential service to the citizens of Friendswood.
A Proclamation was presented to the President of BAVT Rick Nizal recognizing Motorcycle Safety Week.
Today's society is finding more citizens involved in motorcycling on the roads of our country and
motorcyclists are roughly unprotected and much more likely to be injured or killed in a crash than other
vehicle drivers. Campaigns have helped inform riders and motorists alike on motorcycle safety issues to
reduce motorcycle related risks, injuries and most of all fatalities, through a comprehensive approach to
motorcycle safety, it is the responsibility of all who put themselves behind the wheel to become aware of
motorcyclists regarding them with the same respect as any other vehicle traveling the highways of this
country. Urging all citizens of our community to become aware of the inherent danger involved in
operating a motorcycle and give the operator the respect on the road they deserve.
COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC �""'
Chaille Phillips, Friendswood resident, addressed Council and stated her home backs up to Renwick Park
and for the last four years the property has flooded, no one does anything about it and is getting tired of
dealing with this, there is an issue with easement as well. Council referred Ms. Phillips to the City
Manager.
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
City Manager Roger Roecker reported on the 2007-08 Equity Return-Worker's Compensation and Liability
Funds. In April, the City received a check from Texas Municipal League (TML) for $38,437 as part of the
Equity return program (Rebate). This equity return is a direct result of the City's reduced losses over the
past year, the reduced losses by TML's Liability and Workers' Compensation Fund and our length of
membership in the pool. The City of Friendswood has received $151,051 in equity returns since 2003-04.
The City Manager reported on the Hurricane Preparedness Week-May 24-30, 2009. The Governor's
Division of Emergency Management has scheduled Hurricane Preparedness Week in Texas for May 24-
30, 2009. This designation helps to remind us to double check our emergency supplies and plans.
Emergency preparedness is a year-round effort and at this time of the year Staff focus on Hurricane
preparedness. Fire Marshal/Emergency Management Terry Byrd and the City's Office of Emergency
Management Staff have been busy with their hurricane preparedness efforts for the 2009 Hurricane
Season. On April 21, 2009, they hosted the City's 15'h Annual Hurricane Preparedness Meeting. This is
the meeting with our City departments, utilities, other cities, Galveston and Harris Counties, the State
Office of Emergency Management, volunteers, contractors, and other local partners to discuss their
particular hurricane preparedness plans for the coming season.
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The City Manager reported on the 50 Club of Galveston County Officer of the Year. Each year, the
Galveston County 50 Club honors one officer from each Galveston County law enforcement agency and
presents that officer with a plaque during the annual awards luncheon held during "Police Week".
Monday, May 11, 2009, Detective Simon Anguiano was honored as the Friendswood Officer of the Year
at the Galveston County 50 Club Awards Luncheon. Detective Anguiano has served with the
Friendswood Police Department for seven years and he has more than eight years of experience in law
enforcement. During his career, Detective Anguiano has served as a patrol officer, an investigator
assigned to the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) task force and evidence/crime scene technician. He is
currently assigned as an investigator with DepartmenYs Criminal Investigation Division. He was chosen
as the "Officer of the Year" for his involvement in several high-profile drug investigations and arrests, a
very involved interstate aggravated sexual assault of a child case and his role as lead negotiator during a
barricaded person incident.
The City Manager reported on the Supplemental Grant Award for Crime Victim Assistance Program. Last
Monday was a good day for the Police Department's Crime Victim Assistance Program. That same day
the City received official notice of a supplemental award from the Governor's Criminal Justice Division
(CJD) for the Crime Victim Assistance Program. The award is $4,522 and serves to extend the program
funding to be more in line with the State's fiscal year.
ACTION ITEMS
'`*Councilmember Reid moved to appoint Don A. Liddle to the West Ranch Management District Board
with the expired term of 6/2013 to replace the expired term of Stephen Sweeney.
Seconded by Councilmember Rivera. The motion was approved 5-0.
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No action was taken on the election of the Mayor Pro-Tem for 2009-2010.
RESOLUTIONS
**Councilmember Rivera moved to approve Resolution R2009-29 - a Resolution of the City of
Friendswood, Texas, authorizing review of CenterPoint Energy Gas' Cost of Service Adjustment ("COSA")
Tariff, approving cooperation with the Gulf Coast Coalition of Cities to review Center Point's application,
hiring legal and consulting services and to negotiate with the company and direct any necessary litigation
and appeals; finding that the meeting at which this resolution is passed is open to the public as required
by law; requiring notice of this resolution to the company and legal counsel.
Seconded by Councilmember Reid. The motion was approved 5-0.
"*Councilmember Barr moved to approve Resolution R2009-30 - a Resolution of the City Council of the
City of Friendswood, Texas, designating the Mayor as the City's representative in seeking eligible grant
funds under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance (JAG) Stimulus Grant Program; and
authorizing the submission of such grant application to the Criminal Justice Division of the Office of
Governor.
Seconded by Councilmember Holbert. The motion was approved 5-0.
No motion was taken on Resolution R2009-31 -a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Friendswood,
Texas, determining that an easement is needed for construction and maintenance of utilities as part of the
Deepwood Force Main Project; approving the acceptance of said easement from Jerry Moore, property
owner.
No action was taken on Resolution R2009-32 -a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Friendswood,
,..... Texas, determining that an easement is needed for construction and maintenance of utilities as part of the
Deepwood Force Main Project; approving the acceptance of said easement from Archie Amielgh, property
owner.
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*"Councilmember Rivera moved to approve Resolution R2009-33 - a Resolution of the City of
Friendswood, Texas, authorizing intervention in CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLC's application
for determination of hurricane restoration costs filed at the Public Utility Commission of Texas, approving
cooperation with the Gulf Coast Coalition of Cities to review CenterPoint's application, hire legal and
consulting services and to negotiate with the company and direct any necessary litigation and appeals;
finding that the meeting at which this resolution is passed is open to the public as required by law;
requiring notice of this resolution to the company and legal counsel.
Seconded by Councilmember Reid. The motion was approved 5-0.
"*Councilmember Rivera moved to approve Resolution R2009-34 - a Resolution of the City Council of the
City of Friendswood, Texas, adopting an Identity Theft Prevention Program.
Seconded by Councilmember Rivera. The motion was approved 5-0.
**Councilmember Rivera moved to approve Resolution R2009-35 -A Resolution of the City Council of the
City of Friendswood, Texas, adopting guidelines and criteria governing tax abatement agreements in the
City of Friendswood.
Seconded by Councilmember Barr. The motion was approved 5-0.
COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE MAYOR AND COUNCILMEMBERS
Mayor David Smith reported on the candle light Memorial Day Ceremony being held. The Mayor asked
the City Secretary Deloris McKenzie to recap the election process and stated the election process this
year was changed to only one polling place and was a great transition, used Harris County election
workers to also work the election and announced that the majority of the voters voted electronically.
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Councilmember Rivera thanked Public Works and likes the theme"The Future is Now".
Councilmember Holbert thanked City Secretary Deloris McKenzie and the CSO Staff for long hours spent
working the election, stated no one knows the many hours worked during the election along with doing
their regular job.
Councilmember Reid reported on Economic Development Director, Karen Capps recent surgery and
asked for everyone's prayers.
Councilmember Barr reported on the editorial written by Tom Jacobs with Friendswood Journal, Tom
Jacobs stated in the newspaper that Council was spending time on parks rather than the hurricane Ike
clean up. There is an issue with the statement that was made by Mr. Jacobs when Council spent
personal time and efforts to get this City back up and running, this City is one of the first Cities to come
back up quickly compared to many of the communities that surrounded Friendswood. Addressed Mr.
Jacobs and stated if it is needed to write about Council and question the actions then more power to you
but take time to recognize what those in the community are doing for you.
CONSENT AGENDA
"*Councilmember Reid moved to approve the Consent Agenda as presented A. Approve the renewal of
an Interlocal Agreement with the City of Pearland for the residents' disposal of Household Hazardous
Waste (HHW). B. Approve a license agreement for the use of the buyout property located at 508 N.
Shadowbend. C. Accept April 2009 Property Tax Report. D. Approve Minutes of April 20, 2009
Meeting.
Seconded by Councilmember Holbert. The motion was approved 5-Q .,.,,,
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A motion was made and approved to adjourn at 7:55 PM.
David J.H. Smith
Attest:
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D loris McKenzie, TR C �
City Secretary * *
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