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Home My WebLink AboutCC Minutes 2003-08-18 Regular 08/18/03 � 2053 STATE OF TEYAS )( CITY OF FRIENDSWOOD )( COUNTIES OF GALVESTON/HARRIS ' )( AUGUST 18, 2003 )( MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE FRIENDSVVOOD CITY COUNCIL THAT WAS HELD ON MONDAY, AUGUST 18,2003 AT 5:00 PM AT FRIENDSWOOD CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 910 S. FRIENDSWOOD DRIVE, FRIENDSWOOD,TEXAS,WITH THE FOLLOWING PRESENT CONSTITUTING A QUORUM: MAYOR KIM BRIZENDINE MAYOR PRO-TEM JERRY ERICSSON . COUNGILMEMBER LAURA EWING COUNCILMEMBER DAVID J. H. SMITH COUNCILMEMBER MEL MEASELES CITY ATTORNEY LOREN SMiTH CITY MANAGER RON COX CITY SECRETARY DELORIS MCKENZIE Councilmember Goza and Councilmember Kimmel were absent from the meeting. Mayor Brizendine callecl the meeting to order. SPECIAL SESSION A Budget Worksession took place with discussion on the Proposed FY2003-04 Operating Budget and Proposed Tax Rate for 2003. City Manager Ron Cox answe.red questions regarding the budget from Mayor and Council arid provided ctarification regarding Councilmember Goza's questions. Administrative Services Director Roger.Roecker reviewed the 2003/2004 Budget Process Update, Property Tax Revenue percentage, Budget Issues from Au�ust 11th Workshop with questions and answers from Council and Staff. The annual -- audit of a City.DepartmE:nt Budget each year is external vs. internal and could cost$10,000—$20,000 for an outside audit, depending on what is wanted, would select a department, audit budget impact year to date versus budget numbers, review performance measures, would be a work in progress, look at issues or projects, look at are they getting done,within the budget, etc. Mr. Roecker proposed to allow Staff to make a stab at it to see if they could do the audit. Councilrnember Ericsson discussed taking a look at large department one year, and a couple of small departments next year. Mayor suggested leaving as is and not going outside for external audit, developing what is desired, is receptive to ideas from Council,and it is a good opportunity to review the process. Discussion was held rE�garding Galveston County Consolidated Drainage District requesting a $50,000 increase for the Clear Creek De-snagging Project with f.unding participation from Galveston County Consofidafed Drainage District and other participants. Currenfly have $50,000 included in budget proposal. Mayor and City Nianager Ron Cox met with representatives from Galveston County Consolidated Drainage District to review this request and other projects, after inifial de-snagging funds would be budgeted for some level of maintenance prc�gram, goal is to remove dead trees, foliow specific guidelines to remove anything that restricts, also look at srnaller creeks for cleaning out to help with cleaning tributary's ko help with flooding, would help to free up Galveston County Consolidated Drainage District employees to help with this clean up, requesting additional $50,000, Council agreed to increase this budget request. Council proposed to change the Incentive/Certificate Pay Policy to include all.employees and discussed the Q8/18/03 2054 impact on the budget. Currently Department Directors are excluded from all components, exempt employees do not participafe in the basic certificafe pay component, projected cost is Deparfinenf Directors$8,042, and exempt employees $6,223. Councilmember Ericsson stated could add Department Directors and exempt employees later if proven beneficial, Councilmember Ewing thinks adding would be a positive statementto all employees. Councilmember Smith thinks this would be making sure Staff enables their empioyees to become more educated. Mayor Brizendine stated the certificate incentive pay is a good reward and good investment. __ Councilmember Mease�les asked if this would enhance the City's position in recruiting replacements with Staff advising, yes, it would add to the benefit package. Councilmember Smith asked if there would be any form of backlash by employees and Mr. Roecker stated he does not think so since the plan has not been presented to employees, Councilmember Ericsson suggested to run the plan as proposed, look at the kinks and work them out and then look at across the board. Mayor Brizendine stated he is in support of the program; suggested implernenting the program as proposed and then look at implementing next year after review, leave as is. Staff reported a turnovE�r rate of 11.9% in the last 12 months and Mr. Roecker stated he feels the City is doing well at keeping folks. Council has action tonight to vote to propose the tax rate for 2003 at .6385 and to schedule a public hearing on the proposed 2003 property tax rate for September 8'h. Mayor Brizendine presented Councilmember Kimmel's question from lastweek regarding plans forfunding for Public Safety Building properties for fully developing site from existing funds, Council wishes to proceed as proposed by Staff and discussed the growth rate from revenue vs. City expenditures the past two years,those nurnbers reflect the Tropical Allison buyout properties, City Managerwill meet with Councilmember Kimmel to discuss this question. Councilmember Smith aslced how does this compare to this year's budget, City Manager provided explanation regarding different items fhat drive the budget, Mayor reflected general reserves funds and tax rate to support, holding current tax rate, focus as much as can on economic development, starting to see home building permits on a downward spiral, would ask Council to maintain existing tax rafe of.65�l4. Councilmember Measeles and Councilmember Ewing support Mayor's proposaf, feels tax rate should remain the same. Councilmember Ericsson stated reserves are voluntary not mandatory, stated it is prudent to maintain reserves for the purposes that began some years ago with the Gity's goal to maintain the General 1=und undesignated fund balance at a minimum of 90 days of current year budget expenditures and it helps with bonding status. With the City approaching buildout, keeping the tax rate the same for the 5`h year is probably best course. Councilmember Smith agrees collective$400,000 can do more than give each household back �5.00 each household and can do a lot better with collective amount. Consensus from Council to proceed with budget as projected. Councilmember Ericsson reflected on previous budget for Inflow and Infiltration projectwith City Manger discussing continuing Inflow and infiltration Program and other programs, proactive to meet growth. Mayor and Council thanked Administrative Services for their work and the City Manager for the direction and hard work. REGULAR SESSION The Invocation was given by Pastor Mark Lasch from Hope Lutheran Church. Mayor Brizendine led tf�e Pledge of Allegiance to the United States and to the State of Texas. COMMUNICATIONS F�ROM THE MAYOR AND COUNCILMEMBERS Special recognition wa��given to the Odyssey of the Mind Jr. High Students for winning first place in the World Finals at lowa State Ur�iversity. A videotape of their performance was shown. Mayor Brizendine announced Councilmembers Goza and Kimmel were out of town and hoped for their safe return. � Councilmember Measeles reported on the Texas Municipal League Region 14 meeting he attended on August 08/18/03 2055 9tn in Galveston, Director Frank Sfurzei from TML Legislature stressed laws taking authorities away from cities and unfunded mandates, held elecfion of officers, announced he was elected First Vice President to Region 14, Galvesfon County Consolidated Drainage District met last week,there will be a new Whataburger in town nexf to Walgreens, fhe Clear Lake Area Council of Cifies meet quarteriy and announced he was elected Vice _.. President of Clear Lake Area Council of Cities. � Councilmember Smith reported on attending budget meetings, the Imperial Gardens Ho�neowners Association meeting with City Engineer Mike Hodge, and is available to rneet with Homeowners Association groups to deveiop a communicafion flow between Homeowners Associations and the City. Councilmember Ericsson reported he attended the Houston-Gaiveston Area Counci( monthly meeting. Councilmember Ewing reported that last week she met with the 5enior Citizens group, also met with Dr. Hurd regarding the Library and reported on the upcoming Augu�t 28'h Library Open House at 7:00 pm in the evening. � Mayor Brizendine reported he and his wife are celebrating their 29t�'wedding anniversary, also attended a number of the meetings already mentioned, welcomed new teachers to the School District, stated the transitioning as Mayor for the first two months was not the easiest times, but every once in a while as Mayor gets to enjoy something and there is nothing more exciting than academic achievements, strongly supported and recognized the students who participated in the Odyssey of the Mind contest. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC A presentation was made by Theresa Cumberford regarding September as the Leukemia & Lymphorria Society Awareness Month. On the program is the fundraiser"To Light The Night" on September 27th at Gulf Greyhound Park at twilight honoring survivors, volunteers, and patient services. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT ___. The special City-School partnerships that have developed over the last several years with Friendswood Independent School District and Clear Creek Independent School District have been under discussion. That relationship will soon be recognized on a state level as Mayor Brizendine and City Manager Ron Cox will be participating in a panel discussion at the Texas Association of Superintendents and Texas Association of School Boards annual fall meeting in September in Dallas. Along with representatives of the school,there will be discussions about the relationship including the various school safety issues, and sharing of facilities such as the tennis courts during that presentation. ' The City Manager announced he has been appointed to a TML Committee,which is a special committee to talk about school funding issues and how it would impact City funding, and to work on strategy to be prepared. ACTION ITEMS *�Councilmember Measeles moved to approve action regarding approval for the new Public Safety Building: A. Part 1 of Design/Build Agreement with J.T.Vaughn Construction Company/B2HK, Inc., and authorizing the Mayor to execute the Contract. Seconded by Councilmember Smith. The motion was approved unanimously. **Councilmember Smith moved to approve action regarding approval for the new Public Safety Building: B. Consulting Architect Contract with Randall-Porterfield Architects, Inc., and authorizing the Mayor to execute 08/18/03 2056 the Contract. Seconded by Counciimember Ericsson. The motion was approved unanimously. '`*Councilmember Ewing moved to approve action regarding the proposed Property Tax Rate for 2003 for the City of Friendswood: A. Vote to propose a 2003 Property Tax Rate of$.6385. Seconded by Councilmember Measeles. The motion was approved unanimousiy. -- ''*Councilmember Smith moved to approve action scheduling a Public Hearing on the proposed 2003 Tax ; Rate for September 8, 2003. Seconded by Councilmember Ericsson. The motion was approved unanimousiy. ORDINANCES ""Councilmember Ewing moved to table the Second and final reading of Ordinance No. T2003-11, 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 19th day of November 1984, and being the Zoning Ordinance of the City, by changing the Zoning Classification of a certain 2.04 acre tract of land from Single Family Residential (SFR) to Planned Unit Development District, said 2.04 acre tract located at No. 8 Queen's Lane within the City, and by granting a Specific Use Permit authorizing the use of said PUD for "Single Family Residential Dweliing" purposes; 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 Measeles. The motion to table was approved unanimously. CONSENT AGENDA ""Councilmember Measeles moved to approve the ConsentAgenda as presented,with the exception of B-1. B. Approve Disposition of Bids: ,1'Bid No. 2003-08: Personnel Performance Evaluation Software. A. Payment of Capital Projects�1: Longwood Park Utility Improvements with payment in the amount of$7,755.00 and $7,866.77 to SCL Engineering for engineering�services. To date, 94 percent of the contract has been expended. 7otal payments were$15,621.77. 2!�IVoodlawn/Shadowbend Drainage and Street Improvements with payment in the amount of$40,285.70 to Freese & Nichols, Inc., for engineering services. To date, 90 -�--� percent of the contract has been expended. 3-Blackhawk Ground Storage Tank with payment in the amount of $6,351.40 to SCL Engineering for engineering services. To date, 100 percent of the contract has been . expended. 4. San Joaquin Gravity Sewer with payment in the amount of$1,980.00 to SCL Engineering for engineering se.rvices. To date, 87 percent of the contract has been expended. Total payments were $64,238.87. B.Approve Disposition of Bids/2. Bid No.2003-09: Utility Improvements and Connections to City System for Itongwood Park Subdivision. Authorize Council to invoke Rule 1(A)of the Rules of Procedure to, schedule the regular September Coun il Meetings for September 8 and 22 due to the Labor Day holiday.;D. Approve Concession Agreement for Renwick Park with the Friendswood Chiefs Football Association and authorize the Mayor to sign the agreement�Approve Resolution R2003-34, A Resolution of the City of Friendswood,Texas, Galveston/Harris Counties, endorsing the appointment of Ted Hanley, Citizen At Large to a nine member Board of the Galveston County United Board of Health. �Authorize conveyance of 30 ft. utility easement to City of Pearland for construction of new water main for the Pearland residents of Longwood Park. f�Approve acceptance of utilities, streets, and drainage for Friendswood Lakes, Section III, for the contractor's one-year maintenance period. ,H. Authorize application for a pre-disaster mitigation grant for Sunmeadow subdivision drainage improvements.�Approve Banner Permit Application for Hope Lutheran Church for Annual Hopefest and Craft Fair.�Approve Property Tax Report for July 2003. K. Approval of Minutes of August 4, 2003 Meeting. Seconded by Councilmember Smith. The motion was approved unanimously. 08/18/03 2057 Councilmember Ericss�n moved to approve Item B-1. Approve Disposition of Bids: 1. Bid No. 2003-08: Personnel Performance Evaluation Software. Seconded by Councilmember Smith. The motion was approved unanimously. ~ A motion was made and approved to adjourn at 7:52 PM. �' _ � Mayor Kimball W. Brizendine Attest: <"' - De oris McKenzie, TR C City Secretary �