HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Minutes 2001-08-20 Regular 1794
STATE OF TEXAS )(
C17Y OF FRIENDSWOOD )(
COUNTIES OF GALVESTON/HARRIS )(
AUGUST 20, 2001 )(
MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE FRIENDSWOOD CITY COUNCIL THAT WAS HELD ON
MONDAY, AUGUST 20, 2001 AT 3:00 TO 5:30 P.M. AT THE FRiENDSW00D PUSLIC LISRARY, 416 S.
FRIENDSWOOD DRIVE AND 6:15 PM AT FRIENDSWOOD CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 910 S.
FRIENDSWOOD DRIVE, FRIENDSWOOD, TEXAS; WITH THE FOLLOWING PRESENT CONST►TUTING A
' QUORUM:
3:Oq —5:30 WORKSESS{ON AT FRIENDSWOOD PUBLIC LfBRARY
MAYOR HAROLD L. W.HITAKER
MAYOR PRO TEM LARRY TAYLOR
COUNCILMEMBER KITTEN BRIZENDINE
COUNCILMEMBER JERRY ERlCSSON (Arr. 3:45 PM)
COUNClLMEMBER TRACY GOZA
COUNCILMEM'BER KIM BRIZENDINE
COUNCILMEMBER MEL MEASELES
CITY MANAGER RON COX
CITY SECRETARY DELORIS MCKENZIE
Mayor Whitaker called the meeting to order.
Discussion was held.regarding the Proposed FY2001-02 Budget and the Proposed Tax Rate. Director of
Administrative Services Roger Roecker made a presentation regarding the budget and taxes. Fire Chief
Dan Key spoke on the water rescue program. Dir.ector of Community Development Mike Hodge spoke on
drainage issues including Sunmeadow Subdivision ffooding, funding, coordinating drainage plans with
the developer, sheet flow should reso(ve the problem, over flow swale, and the cooperation of the owners.
Director Hodge stated he is working on getting those issues to the table. Council asked that Director
Hodge expedite the issue. Discussion continued regarding Centennial Park Phase 2, soccer games,
lighting of the fields, disaster relief, the grant for Centennial Park Phase 2,fire station#1 repairs, putting
the parks building at Centennial park, San Joaquin sewer issue, back ups, the force main system,
additional lots to be developed, permits, owner participations. Council reviewed Capital Projects, major
repairs and maintenance, the general fund, the water and sewer fund, submersible pumps, the meter
replacement project, the vehicie replacement plan, property tax revenue, workman's comp., the Clear
Creek Project, the buy-out program, the Public Safety building, permits, impact fees, revenues, building
inspections, risk management, criminal investigations, animal control, public works administration, the
It was the consensus of Council to meet again regarding budget issues on August 27, 2Q01.
A motion was made and approved to adjourn at 5:30 PM.
Council recessed 5:30 to 6:15 PM
6:15 PM EXECUTlVE 5ESSION AT CITY HALL
Mayor Whitaker called the meeting to order.
Council convened into Executive Session in accordance with The Texas Government Gode, pursuant to
Section 551-074— Personnel — Charter Review Commission and Community Appearance Board.
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A short break was taken at this time.
Council re-cornened into Regular Session at 7:00 P.M.
The lnvocation was given by Pastor Ralph Hobratschk from Hope Lutheran Church.
Mayor Whitaker recognized Pastor Hobratschk's 25 years of service as a Pastor and his 19 years in #he
City of Friendswood.
Mayor Whitaker led Pledge of Allegiance to the United States and to the State of Texas.
COMMUNICATIONS FROM MAYOR AND COUNCILMEMBERS ,
Councilmember Taylor reported on attending Pastor Hobratschk's 25th celebration, attended the
Friendswood Independent School District New Teacher luncheon held at the First 8aptist Church,
reported that on August 21St, he and his wife will celebrate their 19th wedding anniversary, and stated he
is making a district-wide announcement that he will be a candidate for the House of Representatives
District 24 and thanked the citizens and his colfeagues and those he worked with for this opportunity to
run, stated that his experience as a Councilmember was very good, read his letter of announcement, and
stated he is humbled by the people urging him to run again. Councilmember Tay4or stated he ran in
1998 and lost but with redistricting, feefs real comfortable, redistricting created a new district and it is
an opportunity to elect a Republican Legislature from this area and thanked his home town of
Friendswood for the support for his election to this new district.
Mayor Whitaker stated that the whole town is proud of him and wish him the best.
Councilmember Measeles stated he is excited about Councilmember Taylor's statement to run for
District 24 and p(edged to support him, reported on attending the Texas Natura! Resources Conservation
Commission Public Hearing heid here in City Hall Council Chambers regarding Clear Creek, duringwhich
fish samples and chlordane and compounds were discussed, and reported that the Texas Municipal
League 89th Conference will be held November 28t'' and 29t" in Houston, and stated there are exhibit hall
passes available at no charge for employees to increase participation.
Councilmember Kim Brizendine reported on attending the Mainstreet Task Force and announced that ;
Alton Todd has been named the new Chair and stated the meeting will be held the second and fourth ;
Wednesdays at 8:00 A.M. and they are currentfy working on an Interim Report. �
Councilmember Goza pledged his and his family's support to Councilmember Taylor's campaign as State
Representative for District 24.
Councifinember Ericsson stated that for Councilmember Taylor running for state representative, this will
be a long, hard process and we will miss him on council, reported on attending the Harris County
Mayors' and Counciis'Association meeting, attended the Clear Lake Economic Development Foundation
meeting today with focus on maintaining quality of life with work to begin on a strategic planning
process.
Councilmember Kitten Brizendine reported on attending the Community Prayer breakfast during which a
presentation was made regarding the Genter for Pregnancy, stated they served over 60Q people last year,
stated the center needs volunteers and urged the citizens to please cal{, they need the community's
support, recognized Mr. Lawrence Cline who is 98 years young, and stated that CouncilmemberTaylor's
experience serving on Council was a stepping stone for training as a freshman representative.
Mayor Whitaker reported attending the ribbon cutting for Sam's on EI Dorado fast Thursday, attended
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the Galveston County Commissioner's meeting and reported that $350,000 was given to Friendswood
from the Clear Creek Project for land acquisition to help with the 25% buyout, and hopes the
Commissioners Court will address additional funds.
COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLlC
Mr. Joe DeBonis, 418 Oak Vista, appeared before Council to thank the City for the response during and
after the flood, stated he was a resident here in Friendswood in 1979 and has not seen this kind of
response regarding centers set up, debris clean-up, handling mosquitoes, the work of the fire
department, the pre-planning, all the meetings set up for flood victims, recognized all of the things done
' before the flood, and stated that we are lucky to have a Council that is on top of things.
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� Mayor Whitaker responded that the staff worked diligently for over two years in being prepared for a
disaster, and while we can't plan for everything, it was a very good emergency plan, with the volunteers,
the police department, the 4ong hours contributed by everyone, and stated he can't thank the peopfe
enough who were involved. -
Friendswood Volunteer Fire Department Chief Dan Key presented to Council a check in the amount of
$6,000 from Fire Commissioner for Precinct 1 from Galveston County for fire protection services in un-
incorporated areas.
Ms. Tammy Brasel and Ms. Julie Christofferson, representing the Allison Tropical Storm Relief Team,
appeared before Council regarding Crisis Counseling, and thanked the Mayor, City Manager, and Council
in getting this program up and running and advised that the crisis counseling team is funded by a FEMA
grant and located in Pearland. This crisis counseling is available to anyone that was affected by the
flood, it is to provide outreach, getting victims&employees to talk about how they were affected by the
extra stress. They stated they were available on call 24 hours a day.
Councilmember Brizendine stated that the churches have joined together to provide counseling, and
have compiled names of citizens that have a very difficult time getting over the flood, stated it is difficult
for a man to admit they are going through a difficult time, and stated this is a very viable effort and
appreciates their efforts. •
CtTY MANAGER'S REPORT
City Manager Cox reported on the new DARE program aimed at 7th and 9t'' grade students. The Robert
Wood Johnson Foundation has funded the University of Akron, Akron, Ohio, to develop and study the
results of a new curriculum for DARE. The Friendswood Independent School District and the City of
Friendswood are participants in this study and Friendswood P.D.'s officer, James Dement, will travel to
the University of Akron for training at the expense of the university and then will implement the program
in Friendswood in the coming school year. This curriculum will be aimed at 7t'' and 9t'' grade students.
ACTION ITEMS
No action was taken regarding confirming the decision to remain a member of the Texas Cities
Aggregation Project, Inc. (TCAP) for the purchase of electricity.
**Councilmember Goza moved to approve a vote to propose a 2001 property tax rate of $.6385.
Seconded by Councilmember Kitten Brizendine. The motion was approved unanimousfy.
*�'�Councilmember Kitten Brizendine moved to approve scheduling a public hearing on the proposed 2001
tax rate for September 10, 2001.
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Seconded by Councilmember Measeles. The motion was approved unanimously.
Councilmember Ericsson moved to approve action regarding Interlocal Agreement with Galveston County
for a matching contribution to the FEMA Buyout Program and authorizing the Mayor to execute the
agreement.
Seconded by Councilmember Taylor. The motion was approved unanimously.
RESOLUTIONS
No action was taken regarding Resolution R2001-36: A Resolution of the City of Friendswood, Texas
Galveston/Harris Counties, casting 100 votes electing Galveston Central Appraisal District Board of
Directors for 2002/2003.
*�`Councilmember Kitten Brizendine moved to approve Resolution R2001-37; A Resolation of the City of
Friendswood, Texas authorizing the City of Friendswood to withdra�v its participation in the Texas
Aggregation Project, Inc. (TCAP). �
Seconded by Councilmember Ericsson. The motion failed unanimously— 0 for and 7 against.
x*Councilmember Kim Brizendine moved to approve the Consent Agenda as presented with the exception
of item B. Approve Change Order #5 for Centennial Park Phase 1 construction project. A. Payment of
Capital Projects. 1. Centennial Park Phase One with payment in the amount of$192,047.29 to Kinsel
Industries, Inc. for develapment at Centennial Park. To date, 99 percent of the contract has been
expended. 2. Ground Storage Tank Rehabilitation with payment in the amount of$8,268.50 to Wayne
Smith &Associates for engineering services. To date 69 percent of the contract has been expended. 3.
Brittany Bay Boulevard with payment in the amount of $12,591.00 to the Texas Department of
Transportation for project review costs. To date 100 percent of the contract has been expended. 4.
Tower Estates Waterline with payment in the amount of $23,312.70 to Haddock Construction Co., inc.
for construction services. To date, 23 percent of the contract has been expended. Tota{ Payments were
$236.219.49. C. Approve appointments/reappointments to Boards, Committees, and Commissions. l.
Community Appearance Board—appointment of Brenda Erfurdt and Ginny Cheek for a two-year term.
2. Charter Review Commission — Steve Huffman, Dennis Holt, Harless Benthul, Laura Ewing, Larry
Seelig, Wayne Ford, and Carl Hill. D. Approve Concession Agreement for Renwick Park with the
Friendswood Chiefs Football Association and authorize the Mayor to sign the agreement. E. Approve
acceptance of utilities for Lowelands subdivision for the contractor's one-year maintenance period. F. I
Approve acceptance of streets, drainage and utilities for The Forest, Section 11 for the contractor's one- �
year maintenance period. G. Authorize emergency expenditures to mitigate flood damage at Lift Station
#17. H. Approve access agreement with American Tower for construction of cell tower on property
located at Blackhawk Wastewater Treatment Plant. f. Authorize Council to invoke Rule 1(A)of the Rules
of Procedure to schedule the September Council Meetings for September 10 and 17. J. Approve banner
permit applications for l. Hope Lutheran Church and 2. Good Shepherd Episcopal Church. K. Property
Tax Report for July 2001. L. Minutes of August 6, 2001.
Seconded by Councifinember Larry Taylor. The motion was approved unanimously.
�`�Councilmember Kitten Brizendine moved to approve Item B - Approve Change Order#5 to Centennial
Park Phase 1 construction project.
Seconded by Councilmember Mel Measeles.
*�Councilmember Taylor moved to table the motion to approve Item B for further review of the contract.
Seconded by Councilmember Kim Brizendine. The motion passed 6-1 with Mayor Whitaker opposed.
A motion was made and approved to adjourn at 8:07 PM.
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Mayor Harold I. Whitaker
Attest:
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� De oris McKenzie, TRMC
' City Secretary
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