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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Minutes 2004-01-19 Regular 01/19/04 2110 STATE OF TEXAS )( � CITY OF FRIENDSWOOD )( COUNTIES OF GALVESTON/HARRIS )( JANUARY 19, 2004 )( � MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE FRIENDSWOOD CITY COUNCIL THAT WAS HELD ON MONDAY,JANUARY 19,2004 AT 5:45 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 COUNC(LMEMBER LAURA EWING , COUNCILMEMBER TRACY GOZA COUNCILMEMBER DAVID J. H. SMITH COUNCILMEMBER SHANNON KIMMEL CITY ATTORNEY JOHN OLSON (arr. at 7:00 PM) CITY MANAGER RON COX CITY SECRETARY DELORIS MCKENZIE (left at 7:00 PM) RECORDS SPECIALIST MELINDA WELSH (arr. at 7:00 PM) . Councilmember iviei �vieaseies was absent irom the meeting. Mayor Brizendine called the meeting to order. 5:45 PM —WORK SESSION Discussion regarding a CommunityAppearance Board Grant Proposal for Businesses in the Entryway Overlay District for landscaping improvements. �_, Jon.. Branson provided a brief overview of a grant for businesses and introduced Judy Kimball with the Community Appearance Board to help make the appearance betf'er in the Entryway Overlay District area, small amount$2,000 with $500 grants to be awarded with a 50/50 % grant, not intended to totally fund the proiects, can be in-kind participation,the Community Appearance Board is asking for Council's concurrence, budgeted in this year's budget and would like to proceed forward with this project. A question and answer session took place where Councii discussed how many businesses would be eligible,Co�mmunity Appearance Board stated it is open to all businesses to apply, hope to expand this program next budget year, match creates a better buy-in by the businesses, Council asked if they had considered maybe 75/25 to allow more businesses to participate, projects have to be complefed before funded from the City, would apply to new businesses as well as existing businesses, would this be limited to one type of grant or another from the City, will be looked at by the Community Appearance Board if it would better serve existing businesses, similar to a grant program from City of Pasadena, saw this was a good program, is a winlwin situation, Council would ask the Community Appearance Board to look at the criteria to make it fair and equitable to all businesses and how io target, deadline to complete would be October 1 each-year, possibly look at existing businesses, , existing businesses needing landscaping, etc, the Entryway Overlay District is large enough to find enough applicants,would rather see it go to the existing businesses, like to see the Community Appearance Board be proactive,.actively pursue those businesses to apply and encourage, have some type of criteria, provide for the Community Appearance Board to have flexibility, bring to Council for action and review annually. Mayor stated this is the process of beautificafion fhat the Community Appearance Board is charged with, this is a positive, great idea and thank you for just wanting a fittle more st�ucture to the program, appiy to both 01/19/04 2111 Downtown Overlay District and Entryway Overlay District , Councilmember Kimmel stated he would like to workshop again, Councilmembers Smith, Goza, Ericsson, Ewing and Mayor Brizendine stated they wish to proceed. The Worksession was adjourned at 6:16 PM. 6:15 PM—EXECUTIVE SESSION Council convened into Executive Session in accordance with the Texas Government Code, pursuant to Section 551.072 to discuss real property. Council re-convened into Regular Session at 7:00 pm with no action taken. 7:OU PM—REGULAR SES510N The Invocation was given by Reverend Charles Anderson from Friendswood United Methodist Church. Mayor Brizendine led the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States and to the State of Texas. COIVIMUNICATIONS FROM THE MAYOR AND COUNCILlVIEMBERS A�layor Brizendine announced that Councilmember Measeles was out due to his wife having surgery and she is � doing well. Councilmember Kimmel reported he was offended by some comments made last week by Councilmember Ewing and others.about developers, builders and property owners and cutting down trees and read a prepared statement responding to Councilmember Ewing's remarks. Councilmember Smith reported that everyone needs to pay attention to the new traffic law which is if you see an emergency vehicle on side of road attending someone you are required to go 20 mph under the speed limit or move over one lane, reported on the upcoming Chamber of Commerce Scholarship Banquet and also the Rotary Reverse Draw. _. Councilmember Goza reported he attended the Tree Preservation Ordinance Super Sub Committee meeting, �"e Ciiy's jcint mee;ing with C!ea- Creek a�d Friends�a�ood !n�ependent Schoo! Districts, remarked on the comments from the last Council meeting about trees and reminded everyone that we all live on lots that were once green space, Friendswood was named before the trees were planted. Councilmember Ericsson reported that he would like to recognize Martin Luther King, Jr., and Robert E. Lee whose birthdays are this week, tomorrow is the Fiouston Galveston Area Council meeting, the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership's Annual Banquet is the 23�d, attended a briefing that General Howell gave to NASA where he summarized President Bush's announcement of the vision for NASA, congratulations to NASA, many families from Friendswood that work at NASA, Galveston County Mayor and Council meeting was last week and the theme this year is economic development, reported on possible closure of focal military bases. Councilmember Ewing stafed that she would like to comment on the remarks made by Councilmember Kimmel and that she welcomes working together to resolve the tree issue, attended Galveston County Mayor and Council meeting, is conc2rned about the possibility of losing Ellington Air Force Base, attended the Senior Citizen Advisory Committee meeting and reported.on their upcoming Valentine's dance, mystery trips, going to 01/19/04 2112 the Ship Channel and other activities and listened to some of their concerns such as a lack of sidewalks in certain areas. The Community Appearance Board will celebrate Arbor Day this week and will give away over 1700 trees, Bonnie Cisco Dance Studio won an award for Business Yard of the Quarter, she and Councilmember Measeles independently metwith Marilyn Hughes about bringing Big Brothers&Big Sisters to �--- Friendswood and reported on the Spring Sparkle coming up on March 27. Mayor Brizendine reported he attended the Galvesfon County Mayor and Council meeting, the joint meeting with Clear Creek and Friendswood independent School Districts, met with the Sunmeadow Board last week and will meet with families from Windsong next week relafing to drainage issues impacting them, reported Hazardous Waste Collection Day is March 27 at Pearland High School, February 6 is the Laurie Whitehead painfing dedication of the painting in honor of the astronauts of Columbia at South Shore Harbour,stated he is glad Councilmembers are passionate about their causes and there is common ground between Councilmembers. COMMU�JICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC No one spoke. COMMUNICATIONS FROM COMMITTEES AND SPECIAL REPORTS Jim Reinhartsen with Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership gave an annual report to City Council with highlights of activities that took place this year such as the Broker Event, Wings Over Houston and the e- newslefter that goes out to thousands. Ellington Field is a challenge, Feb. 18 there wiil be a meefing with Congressman Tom DeLay and stated he believes this will be the best year yei economically for this region. Dr. Joh n Heard, Chair of the Library Board, made a brief presentation on the overall goals of the committee for the year, as well as their most recent accomplishments and provided a written report to Council and a copy for the City Secrefary's office. He also introduced Ruth Lay, Stephen Huffman, Betsy Finger, Library Director Mary Perroni and secretary Deborah Werlla. Dr. Heard reported that his term ends tomorrow night and � thanked everyone for their support and a special thank you to City Manager Ron Cox, Community Services ---- Director Jon Branson, Debbie Werlla and Mary Perroni. CITY MAt�AGER'S REPORT There are a number of improvemehts going on at Renwick Park to report on. These improvements include the lighting project, construction of a new concession stand/restroom building, construction of new batting cages, and the repaving of fhe parking lot/entry way. Lighting Project-Council approved a $129,990 bid for the replacement of lights on Fieids #2 and #3 at the park. That project is nearing completion at this time. These lights will be compliant with National Little League standards. It is anticipated the project will be completed before the first week of March, with work being completed before the next season. Concession SiandlRestroom Facility - Council approved a join't project with the Little League Association fo construct a new concession stand/restroom facility on the park property. It was estimated the total cost of the project would be$173,000,with the City's participation to a maximum of$61,000. The slab has been poured and the walls are up. The underground plumbing and the plumbing top-off are complete. The remaining piumbing and electrical work is scheduled to be completed in early March. Remaining items are the roof and the interior buildout of the concession stand. This project is slated to be compieted before the beginning of the season in May. Batting Cages-The Little League Association has committed to spend up to$100;000 for new batting cages. These cages will be constructed on the current site of the concession stand/restroom facility. Once it is demolished, these cages will be constructed. This will not require City participation, except for the demolition of the building. The batting cages wifl be ready in late May or early June. Repaving of Parking 01/19/04 2113 Lot/Entry Drive -The parking lot and entry drive at Renwick Park is scheduled to be repaved as part of the Street Maintenance Program. The project is scheduled to take place in late February or early March. The Friendswood Police Department Crisis Negotiation Team competed for the tenth time in the Annual National Crisis/Fiostage Negotiation Competition in San Marcos, Texas on January 6 and 7. The event consisted of two days of competition and one day of training on the campus of Texas State University. The chaflenge consisted of approximately 25 teams rated on specific negotiation skills and overall teamwork. Friendswood and Pasadena Police Departments have worl<ed together for the past eight years. They combined their teams for the competition .earning the first place trophy. The team members from � Friendswood who competed were Captain Shari Bu rrows—CNT Team Leader, Officer Lisa Wev, and Officer Lisa Voyles. Other team members not competing this year are Officer Melissa Seaton-Collins and Webster Police Officer Mike Munson. The Friendswood Crisis Negotiation Team is available 24 hours a day to respond to barricaded persons and hostage situations, and are well-trained and equipped to handle the most intense and complex situations that might arise. This team works in conjunction with and is an integral part of the SWAT team. We certainly congratulate this team for its fine display of professionalism and innovation during this cornpetition. We know that if the situation arises, the experience this team possesses will be used to ensure safety in our own City. Team member Shari Burrows with Friendswood Police Department introduced other team members present which were Officer Lisa Wev, Officer Lisa Voyles and Officer Melissa Collins. The Pasadena Police Department team members who were introduced were Sgt. Steve Null, Officers F.R. Davis, Joe Wilson, Kenny Urban and Brandon Marshall. The City of Friendswood's City Attorney firm Olson&Olson's 30 year anniversary was recognized and former Friendswood Councilmember Tom Lay,who was on Council at the time they were hired,was introduced to the audience. � ORDINAIdCE ""Councilmember Kimmel moved to approve the First reading of Ordinance No. T2004-03, an Ordinance known as"Budget Amendment IV", amending City of Friendswood, Texas, Ordinance No. 2002-18, passed and approved September 16, 2002 and being an Ordinance approving and adopting the City's General Budget - for fiscal year 2002-2003; providing amendments to such budget; and providing other matters related to the subject. Seconded by Geuncilmember Ericsson. The motion was approved unanimously. CONSENT AGENDA - '`'`Councilmember Ericsson moved to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. A. Payment of Capital Projects—1. Renwick Park Concession Stand with payment in the amount of$7,000.00 to Camelot Plumbing for c:onstruction services. To date, 50 percent of the contract has been expended. 2. San Joaquin Gravity � Sewerwith payment in the amount of$825.00 to SCL engineering services for engineering services. To date, 89 percent of the contract has been expended. 3. Centennial Park Phase II with payment in the amount of $30,500.98 to Hail, Barnum & Lucchesi Architects for architectural services. To date, 33 percent of the contract has been expended. Total payments were $38,325.98. B. Disposition of Bid No. 2004-01 for Friendswood Public Library Carpeting. C.Approve donation of Utility Easement for Prairiewilde, Lot 2, Block 1 of the Eignus Subdivision. D. Approve Contract in the amount of$2,234 for Fire Protection Services in the unincorporated areas of Harris County. E. Approve ContractAmendment with Claunch &MillerArchitects for Sunmeadow Drainage Project. F. Approve the Property Tax Report for December 2003. Seconded by Councilmember Kimmel. The mo�ion was approved unanimously. 01/19/04 2114 A motion was made and approved to adjourn at 7:51 PM. ,_-_ � r � `� / � �� � Mayor Kimball W. Brizendine Attest: � � / 5 loris McKenzie, T MC - City Secretary �