HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Minutes 2001-09-10 Regular 1800
STATE OF TEXAS )(
C17Y OF FRfENDSW00D )(
. COUNTIES OF GALVEST4N/HARRIS )(
SEPTEMBER 10, 2001 )(
MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE FRIENDSWOOD CITY COUNCIL THAT WAS HELD ON
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2001 AT 6:00 PM AT FRfENDSW00D CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 910
S. FRIENDSWOOD DRIVE, FRIENDSWOOD, TEXAS, WITH THE FOLLOWiNG PRESENT CONSTITUTING A
QUORUM:
MAYOR HAROLD L. WHITAKER
MAYOR PRO TEM LARRY TAYLOR
COUNCILMEMBER KITTEN BRIZENDINE
COUNCILMEMBER JERRY ERICSSON �
COUNCILMEMBER TRACY GOZA
COUNCILMEMBER KIM BRIZENDINE
CITY AT70RNEY KIM MICKEL50N (Arr. 7:00 PM)
CITY MANAGER RON COX
CITY SECRETARY DELORIS MCKENZIE
Councilmember Measeles was absent from the meeting.
Mayor Whitaker called the meeting to order.
6:00 PM — SPECIAL 5E5SION
Discussion was held regarding the proposed construction of elevated water storage tank on FM 528.
Director of Community Development Mike Hodge and Acting Pub{ic Works Director Kaz Hamidian
provided information regarding location of sites including Friendswood Sportspark and Fire Station #2.
Discussion continued regarding the Texas Natural Resource and Conservation Commission's time line,
the need to increase the elevated water storage capacity, an action plan in writing, steps that have been
taken, funds, and completion date of 2002.
Fire Chief Dan Key appeared before Council and discussion continued regarding the proposed
construction of a water tank storage tank at Fire Station #2, the construction of additional fire training
facifities, ISO requirements, additionaf sites for water and fire-training facilities, the location of the water
tower, clearance on the proposed site, moving the water tank facility to the Friendswood Sportspark Site
or look at what can be utilized, check on availability of adjacent property, check to see if affice training
can be incorporated at the base of the tower, can it be made to fit within the property, look at slipping
the project for one year and look at all of the options.
It was the consensus of Council to move the proposed water tank to the Friendswood Sportspark, even
though there may possibly be an additional cost of $60,000 which wouid offset the cost to purchase
additional property, and advised the City Manager to proceed with this plan.
The Worksession ciosed at 6:59 PM.
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7:00 PM - REGULAR SESSION
. Call to order. ,
The Invocation was given by Councilmember Taylor.
Mayor Whitaker led the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States and to the State of Texas.
Public Hearin�
Mayor Whitaker called the Public Hearing to order to receive comments, either oral or written, regarding
the Proposed Operating Budget for fiscal year 2001-02.
Mr. Ken Truman, 902 Cfover Ridge, appeared before Council to express concerns regarding drainage in
the Clover Acres subdivision, stated his home has been flooded five times, about eight inches each time,
has lived in his home for 36 years, met with the Mayor, the City Manager and City Engineer regarding
drainage, lack of easements, growth in Coward Creek, understands there is a property owner refusing to
affow clean out, funding for drainage and asked if there was any work pfanned or a study proposed.
Mayor Whitaker advised that the City had looked at this problem and concur that the monies budgeted
should be used for the project.
Mr. Dan Yardbury, 106 Clover Ridge, appeared before Council to also express his concerns regarding
drainage in Clover Acres and stated his home has also fiooded about five times, stated he understands
$42,000 is in the budget for a study, and asked how to get this changed from a study to funding for the
work that needs to be done. Mayor Whitaker advised that as soon as the budget is approved the city can
begin the project.
Councilmember Taylor asked if Clear Creek Drainage District can help with this drainage problem with
Mayor Whitaker advising they may be able to help with easements, and will ask Texas Department of
Transportation to help a4ong FM 2351and this would be a joint effort to get the project done.
Teresa Caccietti, 809 Briarmeadow, appeared before Council to express her concerns and stated she has
moved back to the area and did not realize what a busy street Briarmeadow has become, and with no
sidewalks, no lights, traffic traveling so fast, stated she was asking for money to be in the budget for
sidewalks, possibly speed bumps, and wanted to express the concerns of other residents with children,
and asked what other options can be considered, and could the 30 MPH speed limit be lowered.
Mayor Whitaker asked if there was room for sidewalks with City Manager Cox responding that this would
be a problem because of the open ditch, heavy school traffic, how sidewalks would affect drainage,funds
in the budget for safe-school sidewalk route. Council asked the City Manager to look at the short block
for sidewalks which would help this area.
Mayor Whitaker cailed the Public Hearing to order to receive comments, either oral or written, regarding
the Proposed 2001 Tax Rate .6385.
Ms. Evelyn Newman, 502 Falling Leaf, appeared before Council to express her appreciation to Councii for
the same tax rate as last year .6385 and the 20°J discount for homestead, stated Council worked hard
on the budget and complimented the finance department for their efforts.
Hearing no further comments, the Public Hearing was closed at 7:31 PM.
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Communications from Mayor and Councilmembers
. Councilmember Kitten Brizendine reported on attending the funeral service for past Councilmember
Loren Wood and stated he will be missed at the Community Prayer Breakfasts, and reported on the
young man that lost his life last week and asked everyone to please slow down and be careful.
Councilmember Ericsson has nothing to report.
Councilmember Goza has nothing to report.
Councilmember Kim Brizendine has no comments.
Councilmember Taylor reported that he grew up next door to Loren Wood, and stated he was a good man
and Friendswood will truly miss him, reported that Mr. Wood started the Community Prayer Breakfast 32
years ago which was a once-a-month get together involving all churches in Friendswvood, stated he was a
dedicated sports fan and passed away during the Friendswood High School High School game, stated the
church today was packed and felt there was a real outpouring of love. Councilmember Taylor also
reported that it was such a tragedy for the young man who lost his life on FM 518 and Chelsea and
stated his family is heartbroken, and stated we need to reach out to the family who are new to the
community and show them that we are a community of caring,
Mayor Whitaker stated that he would like to sum up what Councilmember Taylor said that Loren Wood
was the conscience of the Community.
COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC
Charles Anders did not appear before Council.
City Manager Cox presented the Five Star Award for the second quarter to City Planner Mike Dominguez
from the Community Development Department. Mike was nominated as a result of a citizen writing to
thank him for his helpfu{ness in finding some important information for her. In attendance was Ms.Judy
Svoboda, City of Dickinson Councilmember, who nominated Mike.
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
City Manager Cox reported on the Main Street Task Force Progress Report and stated that Karen Capps,
Economic Development Coordinator developed an interim report on the activities and the plans they
MSTF have to complete by the end of this calendar year. The progress report was provided to Council.
City Manager Cox also reported on the FEMA Buyout Project and stated that many of the homes that
were flooded during Tropical Storm Allison are eligible for repair. In addition, there were 75 homes that
received substantial damage and are not eligible for repair unless they are brought up to the City's
standards. The buyout program funded by FEMA app{ies to these 75 homes, as well as others. Mr. Cox
reported that letters were sent to all of the originally identified homeowners giving them an update and
provided Council with a copy of the letter outlining efforts to date. In addition, the Texas Department of
Housing and Community Affairs has announced the City has been approved for a Community
Development Block Grant in the amount of$350,000 to be used as part of the required matching for the
federal buyout program. Also, the Clear Creek Drainage District has made a written offer to fund an
additianal $100,000 toward the needed matching funds, as well as maintain the properties that are
purchased. An amendment to the interlocal agreement with CCDD will be forthcoming. This, along with
the commitments from Harris County Flood Control and Galveston Countytotals$1.3 million committed
from other sources toward the required 25 percent matching funds for the FEMA Buyout Project. Mr.
Cox also reported on the accident that occurred at Chelsea and FM 518 where a young boy was killed
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- and stated he received comments regarding the need for a traffic signal there, stated he recently received
� approval from the Texas Department of Transportation regarding a flashing beacon, this was approvedin
" February, and after five surveys, drafted a letter to TxDOT to upgrade the request for a fully actuated
" signal due to an increase of traffic accidents at this intersection. Mr. Cox also reported that Mr. Loren
Wood was a soft- spoken kind man who always said the City was doing a good job, pointed out that the
plaque on City Hall carries a portion of the dedicatory prayer "May integrity, honesty and truth be the
foundation of all decisions made in this City Hall" made an impact on him. Mr. Wood served on City
Council from 1979 until 1982.
Consent Agenda
x*Councilmember Kim Brizendine moved to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. A. Payment of
Capital Projects. 1. 16" Melody to Sunset waterline/8" East heritage Sanitary Sewer Replace with
payment in the amount of$143,308.45 to Ramos Industries, Inc.for construction services. To date, 72
percent of the contract has been expended. 2. Tower Estates Waterfine with payment in the amount of
$85,111.30 to Haddock Construction Co., Inc. for construction services. To date, 100 percent of the
contract has been expended. 3. Public Works Building addition with payment in the amount of
$32,994.70 to G &Z Contracting for construction services. To date, 10 percent of the contract has been
expended. Total payments were $251,414.45. b. Disposition of Bid No. 2001-9 for Booster Pump
Station Replacements awarded to T&C Construction, Inc. in the amount of $1,555,650. C. Approve
appointments to the Local Law Enforcement Block Grant Board to include Local police department- Luke
Loeser, Acting Chief of Police; Local prosecutor's office — Steve Baker, City Prosecutor; Local court
system — Richard Flake, City Judge; Local school system — Hazel Johnson, FISD; Local nonprofit
educational, religious, or community group — Dennis Owens, Police Chaplain. D. Approve annual
contract with Harris County for Frie�dswood Volunteer fire Department to provide fire protection services
in unincorporated areas of Harris County. E. Approve Banner Permit Application for Heritage Gardeners
for Home Tour. F. Minutes of August 13 and August 20, 2001.
Seconded by Councilmember Kitten Brizendine. The motion was approved unanimously.
A motion was made and approved to adjourn at 7:50 PM.
ayor Harold L. Whitaker
Attest:
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Deloris McKenzie, TR
City Secretary