HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Minutes 2001-04-09 Special 1747
STATE OF TEXAS )(
. CITY OF FRIENDSWOOD )(
` COUNTIES OF GALVESTON/HARRIS )(
APRIL 9, 2001 )(
Minutes of a Special Meeting of the Friendswood City Council that was held on April 9, 2001 at 6:30
PM at the Friendswood City Hall, 910 S. Friendswood Drive, Friendswood, Texas, with the following
present constituting a quorum:
MAYOR HAROLD L. WHITAKER
MAYOR PRO TEM KIM BRIZENDINE
COUNCItMEMBER KITTEN SRIZENDINE
COUNCILMEMBER JERRY ERICSSON
COUNCILMEMBER TRACY GOZA
COUNCILMEMBER LARRY TAYLOR
COUNCILMEMBER MEL MEASELES
CITY ATTORNEY KIM MICKELSON
CITY MANAGER RON COX
CITY SECRETARY DEL�RIS MCKENZIE
Mayor Whitaker called the meeting to order.
Discussion was held regarding the Mainstreet Survey Results. Dr. Guisette Salazar, from the University
of Texas at Arlington, presented a power point presentation from the study of the survey. Included in
the presentation was the purpose of the study to conduct a comprehensive inquiry regarding the city of
Friendswood residents' perspectives, opinions, and attitudes of the downtown Friendswood area. Used in
#he survey were personal interviews with community leaders, the public school district, private industry,
volunteer and civic organizations, and the political arena, focus groups including stay-at-home persons,
retired residents, and business groups, and a randomly selected mail survey included in the city's water
bill. The discussion continued regarding the interview resuits which were aesthetic changes are needed,
landscaping is essential, downtown definition is needed, a more business-friendly attitude would help,
city government needs to be pro•active in attracting businesses and initiating change, residents need to
be more involved in the city's business, uniformity in buildings, and business and economic incentives.
The focus groups results were the following: a more pedestrian friendly environment is needed; quality of
life is important; changes in city's attitude towards business; city ordinances and regulations need to be
streamlined; the city should develop a town center or square; a theme for downtown should be
developed; the current small•town feeling should be maintained; greenery is important; and new
businesses — mostly quaint shops - are needed. Discussion continued regarding upscale restaurants,
more downtown festivals, more youth activities, revitalization with input from the public, big stores vs.
small shops, restrictions, planning, taxes, marketing Friendswood, the use of residents' loyalty and
volunteerism, burying overhead power lines, installing nice street light poles, shrubs and benches, and
movie theaters. Council thanked Dr. Salazar for her efforts.
Discussion was held with the Zoning Board of Adjustments and Appeals (ZBOA) regarding Special
Exceptions. Mr. Ron Decker, chair of ZBOA, appeared before council and discussed the types of requests
the board received which include small lots, swimming pools, and church building heights. Discussion
continued regarding ordinances, variances, the city attorney's comments regarding specia{ exceptions,
limited authority of the board, setting guidelines for the future, staying within legal limits, the scope of
authority of the board, and inspectors not catching errors. Mr. Decker requested Councii's support in
delegating the ZBOA more authority in handling requests from the citizens. The City Attorney is to
prepare a draft amendment to the zoning ordinance for the Mayor and the City Manager to review and
discuss with ZBOA.
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" Discussion was held regarding the Asphalt Overlay Street Program. Director of Community Development
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Mike Hodge and Assistant City Engineer Dan Johnson made a presentation to Council. Mr. Johnson gave
a power-point overview of the goais that included maintaining streets on a routine basis, implementing
engineering strategy, and devel�ping a proactive vs. reaction approach. Discussion continued regarding
a development of a database for streets inventory to include age, traffic, and the condition of the street; a
devefopment of a database for population; ranking according to when the street was installed or last
maintained; and a database for ranking on the conditions of the street. Discussion continued regarding
geographical groups, prioritization, coring, and recommendations for repairs for 2001.
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A motion was made and approved to adjourn at 9:07 PM.
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ayor Harold L. Whitaker
Attest:
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Deloris McKenzie, TRM
City Secretary
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