HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Minutes 2001-06-04 Regular h
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STATE OF TEXAS )( , .
CITY OF FRIENDSWOOD )(
COUNTIES OF GALVESTON/HARRIS )(
JUNE 4, 2001 )(
MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE FRIENDSWOOD CITY COUNCIL THAT WAS HELD ON
MONDAY, JUNE 4, 2001 AT 7:00 P.M. AT FRIENDSWOOD CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 910 S.
FRIENDSWOOD DRIVE, FRIENDSWOOD, TEXAS, WITH 7HE FOLLOWING PRESENT CONSTITUTING A
QUORUM:"
MAYOR HAROLD L. WHITAKER
MAYOR PRO TEM LARRY TAYLOR
COUNCILMEMBER KITTEN HAJECATE
COUNCILMEMBER JERRY ERICSSON
COUNCILMEMBER TRACY GOZA
COUNCILMEMBER KIM BRIZENDINE
COUNCILMEMBER MEL MEASELES
CITY ATTORNEY KIM MICKELSON
CITY MANAGER RON COX
CITY SECRETARY DELORIS MCKENZIE
Mayor Whitaker called the meeting to order.
The Invocation was given by Pastor Mike McAlister from Friendswood Church of Christ.
Mayor Whitaker led the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States and to the State of 7exas.
COMMUNICATIONS FROM MAYOR AND COUNCILMEMBERS
Councilmember Measeles reported on attending the public meeting regarding the Clear Creek Corp
Project last Thursday, commended the Corp for their efforts, and stated he would like to make all the
citizens aware of Saturday, June 16t'' as "Hurricane Awareness Day" and that a program will be held at
League City Civic Center and the public is invited
Councilmember Taylor reported that he also attended the public meeting regarding the Clear Creek
Regional Watershed and he applauds the regional drainage concept that includes regional detention
rather than frog ponds that hurt the city's taxable value, and hopes the community supports the plan,
Councilmember Kim Brizendine reported on attending the Friendswood High School graduation
ceremony held at Moody Gardens and reported there were 2 to 4 million dollars received by the students
for scholarship funds, and reported that there were no incidences during the ceremony and no accidents
. on prom night and everything went well.
Councilmember Goza had no report.
Councilmember Ericsson reported that he is now with Chase Manhatten Mortgage Company.
Councilmember Kitten Brizendine reported attending the Prayer Breakfast.
Mayor Whitaker reported on attending the Qedication and Open House held for the new facility for
Galveston County Drainage District #4,and reported the city has developed a good relationship with
Drainage District#3, attended the Corps meeting regarding the creeks, attended with City Manager Cox,
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the Galveston County Commissioner Courts meeting today regarding redistricting and reported that it
appears that Friendswood is going to be grouped into one precinct instead of two, and that it appears
that the city wi11 be grouped with the northern portion of League City. There will be hearings around the
county and urged everyone to attend the hearings.
COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC AND COMMITTEES
Mr. Ben Malek, Chair of the Pipeline Safety Committee(PSC), appeared before Council and presented a
written report in which the committee thanked Council for allowing them to serve the city during the past
several years. This committee was formed in February, 1996, with the initial and primary objectives
were to prevent Exxon from activating the old line in ethane service, and to ensure that new design
criteria be imposed on any new line that was to be placed in ethane service. The report included goals of
the PSC which were: to provide education of all issues regarding pipeline companies in enough detail to
satisfy all levels of citizens' concerns; to improve emergency preparedness; to analyze excavation permit
requirements and enhance public awareness of same; to prepare and send suggestions to state and
national authorities for new legislation; to analyze Friendswood's Oil and Gas Ordinance. The report
included the major tasks and accomplishments of the committee which included: 1. Successful
resolution of the ethane pipeline issue with Exxon; 2. Development of recommended changes to design
codes applicable to pipelines, which were forwarded to state and federal authorities for implementation;
3. Several improvements in the city's emergency preparedness have been implemented during the term
of the PSC, some of which are related to the work of the PSC; which include city AM radio station,
Doppler radar system, proposed warning sirens, proposed reverse 911 system, and improved
communications and liaison between city a�d pipeline companies with expanded participation in Local
Emergency Planning Committee; 4. Prepared suggested updates and revisions to the Friendswood Oil
and Gas Ordinance which were adopted by the City Council; 5. Videoed and walked major pipeline
corridors, met with pipeline companies to review findings, and verified companies' implementation of
corrections; 6. Reviewed excavation and building permit requirements of city for compliance with One
Call System, which is now a state law; 7. Reviewed pipeline companies policies on pipeline marking and
public awareness brochures to affected homeowners; 8. Developed pipeline data base for all liquid
hydrocarbon and gas pipelines in the city, and identified areas of concern for discussion with pipeline
companies. The report stated that each of the committee members has gained a new appreciation for
the hard work and dedication that the elected officials, emp{oyees and volunteers of the city devote
toward the care and well-being of Friendswood. The report also stated this is especially true of Mr.Terry
Byrd and his staff in the Fire Marshal's office and commended Mr. Byrd for the knowledge, support,
patience, and friendship that he so freely gave to the committee during their endeavors.
The Mayor and Council thanked the Committee for stepping up to the plate regarding the City's concerns
with Exxon's pipeline and using their expertise and knowledge for safer regulations. The Mayor and
Council recognized that the Committee walked every volatile liquid pipeline in the City. The Mayor asked
the Committee to be in a standby mode and asked chair Ben Malek to convey to the Committee
members to be cognizant of new issues and be ready to advise the City in the need to communicate to
fegislators our concerns.
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
City Manager Cox reported on the contract for expansion of the Southeast Water Purification Plant
(SEWPP)and that Kaz Hamidian, Interim Director of Public Works has reported that all the participating
entities in the (SEWPP) have finally appro�ed the contract for this initial expansion phase of the plant.
The City of Houston has also approved the contract. This expansion increases the firm capacity of the
plant from the original 80 million gallons per day production to 120 million gallons per day production.
This edditional amount is from the City of Friendswood purchase of additional plant expansion capacity
of 1.5 million gallons per day. The other 1.5 comes from the City of La Porte and MUD 55. We have not
paid MUD 55 for the additional water pending approvals of these contracts but will now proceed with
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processing payment to them. The expansion will require minor modifications to the plant, as it has been
capable but not permitted to produce the 120 MGD. These modifications are already in progress and the
date for completion is projected for December 2001. Mr. Cox also reported the Fourth of July evening
program will once again be held at Brookside Intermediate School located on FM 528.
Mr. Cox also discussed developing a neighborhood program for citizens to track speeding motorists. The
Police Department wili instruct citizens how to use a hand-held radar gun. Once a resident learns how to
use the radar, they can track and report speed limit violations. Speeders will receive "observation"
warning letters in the mail noting their violations and stated this will be a way to heighten awareness of
speeding in neighborhoods.
ACTION ITEMS
**Councilmember Kitten Brizendine moved to approve the amended agreement with American Tower
Corporation for cell tower construction.
Seconded by Councilmember Ericsson. The motion was approved unanimously.
**Councilmember Goza moved to approve the appointments of City Council Liaisons for 2001•2002.
Seconded by Councilmember Measeles. The motion was approved unanimously.
ORDINANCES
**Councilmember Kitten Brizendine moved to approve Ordinance No. T2001-13; Second and final
reading of an Ordinance of the City of Friendswood, Texas, altering the prima facie speed limits
established along FM 528 from Alvin/Friendswood city limit to the centerline of Sun Meadow to 55 mph;
along FM 528 from the centerline of Sun Meadow to the centerline of Chigger Creek to 50 mph; along FM
528 from the centerline of Chigger Creek to Galveston/Harris County line to 45 mph, established for
vehicles under the provisions of 545.356, Texas Transportation Code, upon the basis of an engineering
and traffic investigation, upon certain streets and highways, of parts thereof, within the corporate limits
of the City of Friendswood, as set out in this Ordinance; and providing a penalty of a fine not to exceed
$200 for the violation of this Ordinance.
Seconded by Councilmember Ericsson. The motion was approved unanimously.
**Councilmember Measeles moved to approve Ordinance No. T2001-15; 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 19t'' day of November, 1984, and being the
Zoning Ordinance of the City, by changing the zoning classification of a certain three acre parcel of land
from Single-Family Residential District (SFR) to Planned Unit Development District (PUD); granting a
Specific Use Permit(SUP)for certain residential uses under certain terms and conditions, said property
being located at 1211 Crawford Street, out of Lot 46 of the Hoidale and Coffman Subdivision and
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.
***Councilmember Kim Brizendine moved to table Ordinance No. T2001-15 for further discussion.
Motion failed for lack of a second.
**Main motion passed 6-1 with Mayor Whitaker opposed.
CONSENT AGENDA
**Councilmember Taylor moved to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. A. Payment of Capital
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Projects. l. Centennial Park Phase One with payment in the amount of$64,461.60 to Kinsel Industries,
Inc. for development at Centennial Park. To date, 91 percent of th,e contract has been expended. B.
Banner Permit Application for Friendswood Historical Society for Heritage Day. C. Minutes for May 14
and May 21, 2001 Council meetings.
Seconded by Councilmember Goza. The motion was approved unanimously.
A motion was made and approved to adjourn at 8:50 PM.
Mayor Harold L. Whitaker
Attest:
�
Q loris McKenzie, MC
City Secretary