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Home My WebLink AboutCC Minutes 2001-04-16 Regular 1749 ,_ ' STATE OF TEXAS )( CITY OF FRIENDSWOOD )( COUNTIES OF GALVESTON/HARRIS )( � APRIL 16, 2001 )( MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE FRIENDSWOOD CITY COUNCIL THAT WAS HELD ON MONDAY, APRIL 16, 2001 AT 5:30 P.M. AT FRIENDSWOOD CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 910 S. FRIENDSWOOD DRIVE, FRIENDSWOOD, TEXAS, WITH THE FOLLOWING PRESENT CONSTITUTING A QUORUM: MAYOR HAROLD L. WHITAKER MAYOR PRO TEM KIM BRIZENDINE COUNCILMEMBER KITTEN BRIZEND{NE COUNCILMEMBER JERRY ERICSSON COUNCILMEMBER 7RACY GOZA COUNCILMEMBER LARRY TAYLOR COUNCILMEMBER MEL MEASELES CITY ATTORNEY KIM MICKELSON CITY MANAGER RON COX CITY SECRETARY DELORIS MCKENZIE Mayor Whitaker called the meeting to order Council convened into Executive Session pursuant to the Texas Government Code, pursuant to Section 551-074 — Regarding personnel matters— City Manager and City Secretary compensation. Council re-convened into Regular Session at 7:00 PM. The Invocation was given by Pastor David Ruz+cka from Crossroads Community Church. Mayor Whitaker led the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States and to the State of Texas. Mayar Whitaker presented a Proclamation to Marjorie Hoffman, Board Member of the Galveston County Children's Protective Services, declaring April as "Child Abuse Prevention Month". Councilmember Kitten Brizendine had nothing to report. Councilmember Ericsson reported on attending the Community and Economic Development Committee meeting, attended the Clear Lake Area Economic Development Foundation (CLAEDF) reception for Tom Delay last Thursday. Councilmember Goza had nothing to report. Councilmember Kim Brizendine reported that the Academic Decathlon Team left for Alaska for the national competition and thanked everyone for their support, and asked everyone to keep Paula McGee, a teacher at FISD and a member of the community, in their prayers as she is going through some tough times with her battle against cancer and the hospital bills, and stated that there will be a bar•b•cue benefit held for her this weekend at Friendswood Church. Councilmember Taylor reported that the Friendswood High School giris' soccer team won the state competition. 7hey have reached this level the last three years and offered his congratulations to the team and their coach. 4 / 16 /Ol 1750 Coucilmember Measeles reported on attending the Texas Municipal League Region 14 meeting during which the census and the effect on Texas was discussed, attended the Community Prayer Breakfast at � Mary Queen Church honoring the top ten Seniors from Friendswood High School and Clear Brook High Schooi, and reminded everyone of "Spring Sparkle" which wi11 be held on Saturday, April 215'�at Old City Park. Mayor Whitaker welcomed the "People to People" student ambassadors. The Texas delegation consisting of 37 sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students from area schools will be traveling for 21 days to Australia and New Zealand this summer to learn about other cultures and government structures and to gain a perspective about the people they will be staying with through a three to five day home visit. Mayor Whitaker and Council presented the students with city pins that they can trade to the students they will be meeting this summer. Mayor Whitaker also presented the students with "Student Ambasssador" certificates recognizing the students as leaders and good citizens serving as representatives of the People to People Student Ambassador Program. Ms. Kay Corey, representing the Community Appearance Board (CAB), appeared before Council and introduced Director of Community Services Jon Branson, and Council liaison Councilmember Mel Measeles, and the members present, and reported that they are dedicated to the care and improvement to the City, and thanked Council for the budget each year and re-capped how they spend their budgets including programs such as Spring Sparkle, Tree Give-A-Way, Adopt-a-Spot, and activities such as the business beautification award, the planting of esplanades,watering system for esplanades, a booth at the 4�h of July, reported that the board are members of the "Keep Texas Beautiful" program, stated the board is working on a grant for downtown rejuvenation, and are concerned with losing the medians on FM 2351. Mr. Greg Myers, Chair of the Fourth of July Steering Committee, appeared before Council regarding the Independence Day Celebration. Mr. Myers introduced committee members that were in attendance. Mr. Myers reported that discussion was being held regarding where to have the nighttime program. Brookside Middle School was an excellent space but with the new construction, it will not be feasible to have the celebration there. Mr. Myer stated that the committee voted to move the celebration to Centennial Park and stated there will be problems, parking will be limited, but citizens will be provided with free shuttle service which will run until everyone is delivered to the park or returned and the parking sites will be Hope Lutheran Church and the high school. Mr. Myers also presented a theme for this year's celebration which will be "2001, Today, Tomorrow, and Beyond", and reported on the days activities beginning with the parade at 10:00 AM, activities heid in Stevenson Park which will conclude at 3:30 PM, and the nighttime activities beginning at 7:30 PM. Mr. Myers stated this year's program will be most entertaining and the fireworks that are scheduled to begin at 9:15 PM will be a choreographed spectacular event. Mr. Bryan Corey, President of Wedgewood Village H.O.A., appeared before Council regarding the portable buildings and trees at Wedgewood Elementary located on Friendswood Link Road. Mr. Corey introduced members of the H.O.A. including Carl Hill, Larry Dunn and Sandra Bilski. Mr. Corey discussed the over— crowding at Wedgewood, the removal of trees, drainage problems, traffic problems and reported that the additional students will overwhelm the traffic flow, reported that the Clear Creek Independent School District(CCISD) held meetings involving planning for projected student populations, stated the portable building should not be visible from the street and be removed when not needed anymore, requested as few trees as possible be removed, and asked Council for a letter to be sent to CCISD regarding the portable buildings and tree removal, and that he is requesting the City to lend support to the voice of the citizens. Mr. Ron Brennan, 912 Oak Vista Court, appeared before Council and presented a copy of a statement opposing Resolution R2001-16 naming FM 528 as honorary Ralph l.. Lowe Parkway, stated he has been 4 / 16 /01 1751 a resident of Friendswood for 35 years, and is in strong opposition to the resolution, stated the legacy Ralph L. Lowe left is BRIO/Dixie Oil Products, which caused an immeasurable health cost, stated he had . been in contact with three former Mayors, Paul Shrader, Ed Stuart, and Evelyn Newman and that they are opposed to the naming of FM 528 in honor of Ralph L. Lowe. Ms. Lorna Zeitler, 4 Emerald Circle, appeared before Council regarding Resolution R2001-16, and requested that other options be considered, possibly naming city hall, one of the school that Ralph Lowe's children attended, or the fire station, and stated that the renaming of FM 528 to NASA Road 1 recognizes the relationship with NASA. Ms. Susan Hood, a member of the CAB, appeared before Council to express her concerns regarding the medians on FM 2351, and asked that�all options be considered before the removal of the medians, to consider how the trees and the green space add to the aesthetics of Friendswood, requested the city look at the timing sequence again for a doub{e left-hand turn on FM 2351, and stated her concerns that all options be considered before a Texas Department of Transportation decision is made. Ms. Penny Burke, P. 0. Box 651, a resident of Friendswood for 55 years, appeared before Council to express her concerns regarding the removal of the medians on FM 2351, gave a history of FM 2351, stated that Council should look at alternatives, asked for a tabling to look at options, and if the project is approved tonight, stated this leaves little or no time for public comment and input from properties negatively impacted by the removal of the green space. City Manager Cox reported that Terry Byrd, Fire Marshal/Emergency Management Coordinator, successfully tested the sirens on Friday, April 6t'' and during the test, a recorded announcement was broadcasting over AM 1650 radio to indicate to the citizens the test was taking place. Testing will be conducted on a regular basis—probably the first Friday of the month at noon beginning in May. Mr. Cox presented a Water& Sewer Capital Improvement Program(CIP)update and a comprehensive update of the status of engineering and construction of several projects within the CIP. Mr. Cox also reported that the aerial ladder truck is now officially in service. Fire Marshal Terry Byrd reviewed a report prepared by Bill Bender(Human Resources), Terry Byrd, and Brian Deschner(Fire Marshal's Office)and agrees that all conditions that were discussed in a report prepared by Mr. Cortez Lawrence in DATE, and approved by Council, have been met. "*Councilmember Measeles moved to approve action regarding salary adjustments for City Manager and City Secretary, with City Manager Cox earning $101,460 annually and City Secretary Deloris McKenzie earning $60,696 annually/ Seconded by Councilmember Goza. The motion was approved unanimously. **Councilmember Taylor moved to table drafting a letter to TxDOT from the City regarding the medians on FM 2351. Seconded by Councilmember Measeles. The motion was approved unanimously. Councilmember Measeles left the Council Chambers at this time. RESOLUTIONS *��Councilmember Kim Brizendine moved to approve Resolution No. R2001-14, A Resolution of the City of Friendswood, Texas, concluding Public Utility Commission of Texas(PUC) Docket No. 23098 regarding Reliant HL&P's request to revise fuel factors and implement surcharge for prior under collected fuel costs. Seconded by Councilmember Ericsson. The motion passed 6-0. �`*Councilrnember Kitten Brizendine moved to approve Resolution No. R2001-15, A Resolution of the City 4 / 16 /O1 1752 of Friendswood, Texas, authorizing intervention in Reliant Energy HL&P's petition to revise fuel factors and implement surcharge filed at the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC), Docket No. 23833; . authorizing the joining with other intervening cities to protect municipal and ratepayer interests; authorizing the hiring of attorneys and consultants; and requiring reimbursement of the cities' ratemaking costs. Seconded by Councilmember Ericsson. The motian passed 6-0. Councilmember Measeles returned to the Council Chambers at this time. x-x-Councilmember Taylor moved ta approve Resolution No. R2001-16, A Resolution of the City of Friendswood, Texas, approving the honorary designation of Farm•To-Market Road 528 within the city limits of Friendswood as Ralph �. Lowe Memorial Parkway and send the Resolution to Senator Buster Brown. Seconded by Councilmember Ericsson. �`*�`Counciimember Taylor moved to remove the word "Memorial" from the Resolution. Seconded by Councilmember Kitten Brizendine. The motion was approved unanimously. x*The main motion was approved unanimously. ORDINANCES **Councilmember Kim Brizendine moved to approve Ordinance No. T2001-11, Second and finai reading of an Ordinance amending Appendix C of the Friendswood City Code, said Appendix C being City of Friendswood, Texas, Ordinance No. 84•15, as amended, originally adopted the 19"' day of November 1984, and being the Zoning Ordinance of the City, by changing the zoning classification of a certain 11.16 acre tract of land from Single Family Residential District(SFR)to Multi•Family Residential-Garden Home District (MFR-GHD; said tract being situated in the George W. Patterson Survey, Abstract 645, Galveston County, within the City and being described by metes and bounds; �roviding for the amendment of the Official Zoning Map of the City; providing for severability; and providing a penalty of an amount not to exceed $2,QQ0 for each day of violation of any provision hereof. Seconded by Councilmember Kitten Brizendine. The motion was approved unanimously. *�*Councilmember Measeles moved to approve Ordiriance No. T2001-12, First reading of an Ordinance amending Appendix C of the Friendswood City Code, said Appendix C being City of Friendswood, Texas, Ordinance No. 84-15, as amended, originally adopted the 19�h day of November 1984, and being the Zoning Ordinance of the City, by changing the zoning classification of a certain 0.4951 acre tract of land from Community Shopping Center (CSC) to Multi-Family Residential-High Density (MFR-H); said tract being located in the Perry and Austin League, Abstract No. 20, Galveston County, being located within the City at 101 Live Oak Street, and being described by metes and bounds; providing for the amendment of the Official Zoning Map of the City; providing for severability; and providing a penalty of an amount not to exceed $2,000 for each day of violation of any provision hereof. Seconded by Councilmember Kitten Brizendine. The motion passed 5-2with Councilmembers Taylor and Goza opposed. CONSENT AGENDA ��Councilmember Kim Brizendine moved to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. A. Payment of Capital Pro�ects— 1. Public Works Faci4ity Addition with a payment in the amount of $4,952.06 to Hall Barnum Luccesi Architects for architectural services. Seventy-one percent of the contract has been expended to date. B. Approve the interlocal agreement with Harris-Galveston Coastal Subsidence District for a water conservation program in conjunction with FISD. C. Approve the banner permit application from Mary, Queen Church for the parish fest+val. D. tnvoke Rule 18 from the Rules of ....�..,.,�...�.�.+..�..�..._.____.._,_.� _...�..._._.____._.. ___.._,.. ._,_.__.___.... _ 4 / 16 /O1 1753 • Procedure to change the regular meeting day from Monday, May 7t'', to Tuesday, May 8�'' for the first � meeting in May. E. Approve the Property Tax Report for March 2001. Approve the Minutes of April 2 " and 9, 2001. Seconded by Councilmember Kitten Brizendine. The motion was approved unanimously. A motion was made and approved to adjourn at 8:47 PM. Mayor Harold L. Whitaker ATTEST: Deloris McKenzie, TR C City Secretary