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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Minutes 2010-02-01 Special 02/01/2010 3271 � STATE OF TEXAS )( CITY OF FRIENDSWOOD )( COUNTIES OF GALVESTON/HARRIS )( FEBRAURY 01, 2010 )( MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE FRIENDSWOOD CITY COUNCIL THAT WAS HELD ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 01, 2010, AT 6:00 PM AND A REGULAR MEETING AT 7:00 PM AT FRIENDSWOOD CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 910 S. FRIENDSWOOD DRIVE, FRIENDSWOOD, TEXAS, WITH THE FOLLOWING PRESENT CONSTITUTING A QUORUM: MAYOR DAVID SMITH MAYOR PRO-TEM ANDY RIVERA COUNCILMEMBER MICHAEL BARKER COUNCILMEMBER JIM HILL COUNCILMEMBER LESLIE REID COUNCILMEMBER BILL HOLBERT COUNCILMEMBER JIM BARR CITY ATTORNEY BOBBY GERVAIS CITY MANAGER ROGER ROECKER CITY SECRETARY DELORIS MCKENZIE Mayor Smith called the meeting to order. ,�,,,, SPECIAL SESSION CLOSED EXECUTIVE SESSION Council convened into Executive Session in Accordance with the Texas Government Code, pursuant to Section 551.071 — Consultation with Attorney; pending or contemplated litigation; a settlement offer; or a matter in which the duty of the attorney requires it (litigation with Wight Realty Interests, Ltd) and Section 551.074 — Personnel Matters; to deliberate the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline, or dismissal of a public officer or employee; or to hear a complaint or charge against an officer or employee (City Secretary). Council convened into Regular Session at 7:00 pm with no action taken later in the meeting. RECONVENE INTO OPEN SESSION 7:00 PM—REGULAR SESSION The invocation was given by Pastor Jon Thornsberry with Friendswood United Methodist Church. Mayor Smith led the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States and to the State of Texas. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC Tina Wood, Friendswood resident, addressed Council and stated she is a volunteer at the Friendswood Animal Control and is a member of Animal Control Advocates, asked for animal shelter to begin in 2010, requesting a seat on the advisory board for the planning process and invited Council to tour the facility .--. with the group. 02/01/2010 3272 ..., Helen Zawila, Friendswood resident, addressed Council and stated she is promoting Friendswood Fine Arts Program and is working with Friendswood Independent School District (FISD) on developing relationships for other arts such as culinary arts and thinks this is going to happen. David Williams, Friendswood resident, addressed Council and stated he would like to speak regarding the potential hotel on FM 528 and is highly concerned for children, property values and is 7 miles from major interchange. Mr. Williams stated there is no need for a hotel in Friendswood, there is a lack of large businesses in Friendswood to attract visitors and does not think the hotel could maintain high traffic. Deirdre Carey Brown, Friendswood resident, addressed Council and stated a number of groups are here regarding different issues. Citizens are tired of being kept out of the loop, there needs to be a planned development and feels the Mayor's comments are patronizing regarding the hotel, with legal issues from May of last year, the Mayor is now working on no smoking issues. Residents are not emotional regarding the proposed hotel and asked Council to pay attention to the residents, there is a problem with communication and has been contacted by a number of people regarding the various issues. Kathy Rogers, Friendswood resident, addressed Council and stated she is concerned with the Executive Session held tonight, taxpayer's concerns weigh heavily on decisions made and would hope that the City would regain in funds spent on the lawsuit on behalf of taxpayers. Jack Burns, Friendswood resident, addressed Council and stated he is opposed to the proposed hotel, he feels it was rammed down residents throats, has very little say in this issue but is concerned with development, property values, what will happen if the hotel falls into disrepair, is all for business but not this type of business that borders residential areas. ...� Burton Chapman, Friendswood resident, addressed Council and stated he is opposed to allowing a hotel to be built in this area, it is too close to the school, transient traffic, hotels in this area are not in the best interest. Curt Roberts, Friendswood resident, addressed Council and stated the zoning was changed to include Accommodations which was made in 2001. No one living next to this property and no one in the area was notified that this change was being made in 2001, sounds like a slight of hand, equivalent to stealing. Children will not be able to play in the front yard, will attract drugs, there will be no benefit with tax values going down. How will this hotel make it financially? Section 8 provisions allow for voucher system for single rooms with a school across the street, transients and crime, this is a disaster waiting to happen. Charles Prendergast, Friendswood resident, addressed Council and stated he is opposed to the hotel venture at the location with the school across the street and the issues with safety, water pressure concerns, low income housing, impact on property values, centers for drug and prostitution. If this fails, the City is stuck with a big derelict building, the ordinance needs to be changed regarding Accommodations, not to be built close to schools or homes, up to City Council to make this change. Vincent Detmer, Friendswood resident, addressed Council and stated he is concerned with the proposed hotel and does not see what the benefit of the hotel coming to town, thinks this will make a detrimental impact on the view of how safe this City is. The City needs to be kept a nice place to live, the hotel will bring crime close to school and homes and asked Council to take a look at this. ...+� �.�.���� .�. 02/01/2010 3273 �.. David Buckner, Friendswood resident, addressed Council and stated Friendswood is a bedroom community that many call home and has never heard anyone say the City needs a hotel, stated he does not think residents want a hotel in this City, has been proposed within 1,000 feet of two schools and the hotel may allow sex offenders. If a vote were taken today then would suggest voting to take out Accommodations from the zoning ordinance, reminded Council that they are not the Economic Development Corporation but are the Council that manages the City, people's trust in the Council is gone and now feels the need to attend the Council Meetings. COMMUNICATIONS FROM COMMITTEES AND SPECIAL REPORTS An annual report was given from the Planning and Zoning Commission Chair Kevin Holland who presented an annual report and stated after hearing from the public this evening he will take up the subject of uses adjacent to residential areas, such as a hotel. Mr. Holland commended Staff for professional support and was impressed with Staff. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT The City Manager Roger Roecker reported on the Friendswood Independent School District (ISD)/City sponsored "Shattered Dreams" event. He stated in the coming months Friendswood ISD, in collaboration with the Friendswood Police Department, Fire Department, EMS and other public safety entities, will be participating in the "Shattered Dreams" program. This program is a youth-led community-collaborative program which educates high school age students on the impact of drinking and driving. The role is to provide support for the program, including officers who are actively involved. Involvement includes ,_,.,, providing expertise on the State laws, assisting with the on-site crash scene, retreat and parent education workshops. While the date has been set, public release is withheld so that the full impact of the tragic event can be realized by the students. Streets and residences affected by the crash site will be given prior warning so that the inconvenience of the event will be minimized. Traffic crashes, many of which involve alcohol and other drugs, are a leading cause of death and serious injury for youth 15 to 19 years of age. Communities around the State are often faced with these tragedies, and many Texas high schools have turned to the"Shattered Dreams" program to help prevent more fatalities. ACTION ITEMS "*Councilmember Barr moved to approve assignment of the City's votes as property owners in the Imperial Estates subdivision to the Imperial Estates Section II Civic Club Incorporated, Board of Directors for all matters except elections and fees/assessments. The Homeowners Association will present the City Manager amended bylaws freezing the fees/assessments for the City and taking the City out of the voting process. Seconded by Councilmember Reid. The motion was approved unanimously. **Councilmember Barker moved to approve retaining outside Legal Counsel of Chamberlain, Hrdelicka, White, Williams& Martin to represent the City of Friendswood in litigation with Wight Realty Interests, Ltd. Seconded by Councilmember Holbert. The motion was approved unanimously. *"Councilmember Rivera moved to approve the provision of legal services in other cities to allow the City Manager to present a survey of area cities. Seconded by Councilmember Holbert. The motion was approved unanimously. "''Councilmember Barr moved to table appropriating funds for surveying for the Stadium Lane Project and �--. authorizing the City Manager to execute a contract. Seconded by Councilmember Hill. The motion was approved unanimously. 02/01/2010 3274 � RESOLUTIONS **Councilmember Rivera moved to approve Resolution R2010-07 -a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Friendswood, Texas, providing for the holding of a General Election on May 8, 2010, for the purpose of electing two (2) Councilmembers (Position Nos. 4 and 6); designating the polling places and appointing election officials for such election; providing the form of the ballots at such election; directing the giving of notice of such election; approving a joint election with the Galveston County Consolidated Drainage District; and containing other provisions relating to the subject. Seconded by Councilmember Holbert. The motion was approved unanimously. **Councilmember Rivera moved to approve Resolution R2010-08 -a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Friendswood, Texas, designating the Mayor as the City's representative in seeking eligible grant funds under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance (JAG) Stimulus Grant Program for the Audio- Video Digital Conversion Project; and authorizing the submission of such grant application to the Criminal Justice Division of the Office of Governor. Seconded by Councilmember Reid. The motion was approved unanimously. **Councilmember Rivera moved to approve Resolution R2010-09 - a Resolution adopting rules of procedure for the Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of Friendswood, Texas, pursuant to authority contained in Section 2-3 of the Code of the City of Friendswood, Texas; and repealing Resolution No. R2002-55. Seconded by Councilmember Barker. The motion was approved unanimously. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE MAYOR AND COUNCILMEMBERS ..� Councilmembers Rivera, Barker, Reid, Barr, Hill and Holbert stated they had no report. Mayor Smith reported on the loss of another great citizen, Dr. Dick Conway, a long time citizen and extended his sympathy to the family. Mr. Conway was a long time Friendswood icon. RECONVENE INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION Council convened into Executive Session in Accordance with the Texas Government Code, pursuant to Section 551.071 — Consultation with Attorney; pending or contemplated litigation; a settlement offer; or a matter in which the duty of the attorney requires it (litigation with Wight Realty Interests, Ltd) and Section 551.074 — Personnel Matters; to deliberate the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline, or dismissal of a public officer or employee; or to hear a complaint or charge against an officer or employee (City Secretary). Council convened into Regular Session with no action taken later in the meeting. � 02/01/2010 3275 ..� A motion was made and approved to adjourn at 9:10 PM. / Mayor David J.H. Smith Attest: . �o� F R�Ely�s De oris McKenzie, TRM � � City Secretary ti � * * �° ��rF OF 'i��' �s ..-. ,._..