HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Minutes 2010-11-01 Regular 11/01/2010 3431
STATE OF TEXAS )(
� CITY OF FRIENDSWOOD )(
COUNTIES OF GALVESTON/HARRIS )(
NOVEMBER 01, 2010 )(
MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE FRIENDSWOOD CITY COUNCIL THAT WAS HELD ON
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 01, 2010, AT 7:OOPM 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 JIM HILL
COUNCILMEMBER BILL HOLBERT
COUNCILMEMBER DEIRDRE BROWN
CITY ATTORNEY BILL OLSON
CITY MANAGER ROGER ROECKER
CITY SECRETARY MELINDA WELSH
Councilmembers Barker, Barr and McGinnis were absent from the meeting.
5:30 PM—RECEPTION
A reception was held to celebrate the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the Incorporation of the City in the
foyer of City Hall.
7:00 PM—REGULAR SESSION
.._.
Mayor Smith called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
The invocation was given by Pastor Danny Mercer of the Friendswood Church of Christ
Mayor Smith led the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States and to the State of Texas.
SPECIAL RECOGNITION AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Mayor Smith presented a proclamation commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Incorporation of the
City of Friendswood. The proclamation read "I, David J. H. Smith, by virtue of the authority vested in me
as Mayor of the City of friendswood, do hereby proclaim November 1, 2010, as celebration of the City of
Friendswood's 50th Birthday of Incorporation. Whereas, Friendswood's incorporation was established
through the foresight of the City fathers by an election on November 1, 1960; and Whereas, from an area
of two square miles and 960 residents in 1960, Friendswood has flourished and developed to a city of
finrenty square miles and over 38,000 residents largely because of the ingenuity and creative efforts of
both public officials and private citizens; and Whereas, this golden anniversary year affords our
community the opportunity to celebrate and commemorate the growth and success of Friendswood.
Now, Therefore, I David J. H. Smith, Mayor of the City of Friendswood, along with the Friendswood City
Council, do proclaim November 1, 2010, as a month of celebration in honor of Friendswood's 50th year of
incorporation. In testimony whereof, witness my hand and the Seal of the City of Friendswood, this first
day of November 2010.
Mayor Smith stated he would like to thank the folks who attended the reception and particularly the
Historical Society that provided words from Joycina Baker and others to help with the celebration this
evening, their work continues to serve Friendswood well in making sure its heritage is preserved.
....
11/01/2010 3432
A proclamation was presented to Friendswood Police Detective Eric Price by Mayor Smith for the
Prescription Drug Advisory Committee. Detective Price stated that Friendswood was number one in '""'
Houston in reclaiming prescription drugs by collecting 466 pounds of pills. He accepted the proclamation
on behalf of the committee that worked on this initiative.
COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC
There were no communications from the public.
COMMUNICATIONS FROM COMMITTEES AND SPECIAL REPORTS
Bob Mitchell, President, and Dan Seal, Executive Director of Special Initiatives, both with the Bay Area
Houston Economic Partnership (BAHEP), gave their annuai report. Bob Mitchell began the report by
discussing the activities surrounding NASA's loss of the Constellation Program and the subsequent loss
of 7,000 jobs, briefly outlined the ten point plan BAHEP presented to committees in Washington, focused
on what NASA has done for America in terms of leadership in space, quality of life, and research and
development, seventy-four visits were made the day they went to Washington and had successful results.
BAHEP is putting together a regional legislative agenda that they are preparing to present in Austin.
Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison has accepted BAHEP's Quasar Award. Dan Seal thanked the City of
Friendswood for its support of regional programs, reported that this past year they have supported
economic development in the City of Friendswood through several venues, Ellington Field has become
more active as a military presence, academic presence, and a commercial presence and is a strong
economic driver for the region. Mr. Seal stated that BAHEP will deliver a full written report at a later time.
Mayor Smith and City Manager Roger Roecker thanked BAHEP for their strong efforts to support NASA.
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
. .
City Manager Roger Roecker reported on the National Flood Insurance Program Community Rating
System (CRS) Annual Report. The CRS program was created by the Federal Emergency Management
Agency (FEMA) to provide further incentives for additional activities by communities that reduce flood
losses. Any community participating in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) may apply for a
CRS classification in order to obtain flood insurance premium rate credits for its residents. The
community must demonstrate that it is implementing floodplain management and public information
activities that exceed the minimum requirements of the NFIP. Today, there are almost 20,000
communities in the NFIP and 1,018 communities in the CRS. Based on these numbers, those in CRS
represent the top five percent of the nation's flood prone communities. Out of fifty-three communities in
Texas currently in CRS, only 4 are Class 5's — Plano, Kemah, Houston, and Friendswood. The City of
Friendswood began participating in the CRS Program in 1991and maintained a classification of eight until
October 1, 2003, when the City achieved an unprecedented rating of five, and is now ranked in the top
two percent of all communities participating in the NFIP. Communities may apply for CRS classification in
order to obtain flood insurance premium rate credits for their residents. Flood insurance premiums can
be reduced as much as 25 percent with the ranking of five. Friendswood has certainly demonstrated that
it is implementing floodplain management and public information activities far exceeding the minimum
requirements of the NFIP. The City just received notification from the FEMA that following the most
recent verification visit in June 2009, Friendswood will retain its current rating as a CRS Class 5
community, as a result of the activities implemented to protect lives and reduce property damage. The
letter from FEMA's Department of Homeland Security states, "I commend you on your community actions
and your determination to lead your community to be more disaster resistant. This commitment enhances
public safety, property protection, protects the natural functions of floodplains, and reduces flood
insurance premiums".
The City Manager reported on the upcoming Fall HauI-A-Day and stated it is time once again for the Keep „ ,,,,,
Friendswood Beautiful Annual Fall HauI-A-Day scheduled for Saturday, November 6, 2010, at
Friendswood's Centennial Park.
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,,,_,,, As in years past, only non-hazardous items will be accepted at the event. Exampies of non-hazardous
waste include tree limbs, grass clippings, old appliances, old furniture, wood, metal, and plastic, large and
small. In addition, residents can donate garage sale items such as furniture and household items in good
condition. However, mattresses will not be accepted. All proceeds from the sale of these items will
benefit the beautification of City facilities and parks. Keep Friendswood Beautiful would also like to
encourage residents to bring items that would benefit the wildlife rehabbers in Friendswood. They need
aquariums, dog and cat kennel carriers, clean rags, and shallow crock bowls. These volunteers take care
of the many injured wild animals that make their homes in Friendswood's green space. Household
hazardous waste will not be accepted including tires, paint, batteries, oil, or any other hazardous waste.
Friendswood residents can still drop off their household hazardous waste at Pearland's Stella Roberts
Recycling Center. This event is for the citizens of Friendswood. If past Spring Sparkles and Fall Haul-A-
Days are any indication, this will be a successful event for Friendswood residents, the City of
Friendswood and Keep Friendswood Beautiful. Those with questions about the event can call the City of
Friendswood Community Services Department at 281-996-3220.
The City Manager reported on the Audio-Video Digital Conversion and License Plate Camera Projects.
Like many police departments, Friendswood relies on technology to help fight crime. The department had
been utilizing an analog VHS tape management system to help create potentially court-admissible
evidence. However, the manual system was cumbersome, inefficient and maintenance was expensive.
Needing a more efficient digital video capture and management system, the department applied for and
successfully received two federal grants to replace the analog system with a turnkey digital video system
that would help reduce the number of manual tasks and increase the quality of the output. Working with
the Police Department's IT specialist, John Johnson, L-3 Communications Mobile Vision provided a video
capture, management and retrieval system, provided project management, training, and back office
hardware installation. A local installer, Fleet Safety, provided the in-vehicle installation services on site.
The whole project took approximately five months, from finalizing the procurement to the hardware
.— installation and training. Key staff members were able to plan and deploy the system-wide technology
change with little disruption, making the project a success. Now, marked patrol cars have mounted video
cameras which record continuously. When an officer switches the overhead lights on or initiates the
video system, the L-3 system saves the preceding sixty seconds. At the end of the shift, the officer pulls
into the back of the station, and the system automatically starts uploading the stored video. The L-3
system will lower administrative overhead costs and the department expects that the improved quality of
video evidence will help boost conviction rates, which will have a positive impact on public safety. It is
anticipated that it will also save the department thousands of employee hours by drastically reducing the
time spent in storing, managing and retrieving videos. The second phase of the project is also complete
which is the switch from microcassette recorders to digital audio recorders to record events away from the
patrol units. The recorders send the digitized audio files to a management system for easy storage and
retrieval. Each of the patrol officers will have an Olympus PUMA police special digital audio recorder to
record all citizen contacts, including those not associated with traffic stops. Both of these systems are
combined to help the department deploy resources more intelligently and to do a better job of law
enforcement.
The City Manager reported on the Automated License Plate Recognition (ALPR) system. Using
Emergency Management Performance Grant funding through the Texas Department of Emergency
Management, the Police Department, in cooperation with the Friendswood Fire Marshal's Office,
purchased and are in the process of deploying an Automated License Plate Reader(ALPR) system. The
grant is discretionary so the two agencies sought to use the grant in the interest of public safety and crime
investigation. The system was ordered on July 27, 2010, and was professionally installed in one of the
patrol fleet vehicles October 15, 2010. After researching several systems available on the market, the L-3
Mobile-Vision, Inc. AlertVuT^" Automated License Plate Recognition (ALPR) system was purchased.
Once installation of the equipment was completed, an L-3 technician conducted one-on-one training with
the officers who will be using the system. The system consists of four cameras, a front-facing color
�-° camera, two cameras set for parking lot patrol and a low profile IR camera system. The system easily
reads license plates from multiple sectors and environments concurrently. The L-3 system was chosen
because of its cost and other benefits such as the integration with existing vehicle components, such as
the newly installed L-3 Flashback II in-car camera systems.
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This decision simplified the implementation and reduced costs. As the cameras scan license plates, the
system checks the license plates against various databases including stolen vehicles, Be On The �`
LookouYs (BOLO's), Amber Alerts, etc. The department can even create custom lists such as "narcotics
suspects". Virtually any process where an officer was previously required to read a license plate or a
system was required to compare that plate to a database, it will soon be automatically processed. The
processing load is so low that the entire application will operate on an existing mobile data computer
without compromising its performance, and it is Windows-based making the software easy to use.
AIertVUT"^ represents the next generation of ALPR for Law Enforcement. With AlertVuT"' thousands of
plates can be processed, improving efficiency and safety. Constant scanning reveals license plates that
are "wanted" even when the vehicles have done nothing to draw attention to themselves. Additionally,
the system has an intelligence gathering function that allows the user to post process data and identify
suspicious trends and patterns allowing for clearer situational awareness.
ACTION ITEMS
**Councilmember Holbert moved to approve the disposition of Bid No. 2010-10 for the installation of FM
2351 Infrastructure Utility Service to Beamer Road/FM 2351 and award to Calco Contracting, Ltd., in the
amount of$1,086,320 and authorize the Mayor to execute the contract.
Seconded by Councilmember Hill. The motion was approved unanimously.
**Councilmember Holbert moved to approve the appointment of Sarah Mathews to the Senior Citizens
Advisory Committee and the reappointments of Bob Bozka and Allen Rasmussen to the Investment
Committee all with terms ending in November 2013.
Seconded by Councilmember Hill. The motion was approved unanimously.
**Mayor Smith made a motion to bring the item from the table and to permanently remove amending
Section 4.06 of the Policy for Appointments to Boards, Commissions, and Committees. (Previously tabled „�
September 13, 2010)
Seconded by Councilmember Hill. The motion failed 3-1 with Councilmember Brown opposed.
Councilmember Brown stated that she had issues with permanently removing the issue because Council
had agreed that they were going to workshop the definition of resident and the public may not understand
that this item has to do with the definition of resident for the appointments.
Councilmember Holbert stated that he understands that it can be brought back to the table at a later date
and Mayor Smith also affirmed that it can.
Mayor Smith stated that this action is strictly administrative and something has to be done with it, this
action does not preclude this subject to be addressed at workshops or whatever format is chosen, and
added that if no action is taken tonight it will come up at every meeting until action is taken.
City Attorney Bill Olson stated that the City Charter requires that there has to be four affirmative votes in
order to take action.
**Councilmember Brown moved to table Agenda items 11 through 15.
The motion died for lack of a second.
**Councilmember Hill made a motion to table the disposition of RFP No. 2010-11 for Contract City
Attorney Services.
Seconded by Councilmember Brown. The motion was approved unanimously.
"*Councilmember Holbert made a motion to grant consent to American Tower Corporation to sublease
part of its tower facilities to Greater Harris County 911 Emergency Network pursuant to the conditions set ,,,.,,,
forth in Section 10 of the license agreement and authorizing the Mayor to execute the sublicense consent
documents.
Seconded by Councilmember Hill. The motion was approved unanimously.
11/01/2010 3435
,,,Y ORDINANCE
"'`Councilmember Holbert moved to approve the First and Final reading of Ordinance 2010-33, an
Ordinance amending City of Friendswood, Texas, Ordinance No. 2009-22, passed and approved August
2, 2010, same being an ordinance approving and adopting the City's General Budget for Fiscal Year
2009-2010 by approving "Budget Amendment X" to the "Original General Budget of the City of
Friendswood, Texas, for the Fiscal Year 2009-2010"; providing for supplemental appropriation and/or
transfer of certain funds; providing for severability; and providing other matters related to the subject.
Seconded by Councilmember Hill. The motion was approved unanimously.
***Councilmember Brown moved to table the First and Final reading of Ordinance T2010-33.
Seconded by Mayor Smith. The motion to table failed 1-3 with Mayor Smith and Councilmembers Hill
and Holbert opposed.
City Manager Roger Roecker stated that this budget amendment has to do with an arbitrage liability and
the payment is due to the Internal Revenue Service by November 14, 2010.
COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE MAYOR AND COUNCILMEMBERS
Councilmember Hill reported on the Harris County Flood Control and stated at the last Clear Creek
Steering Committee meeting announced they have purchased the land for the Mud Gulley detention
pond, is a big deal for Friendswood and a great project for Friendswood, cannot believe it is finally moving
forward, will also be finishing up Planning and Zoning Commission vacancy interviews very soon, has
been an interesting process, has had lots of good applicants.
Councilmember Brown thanked everyone who came to the 50th Anniversary of Incorporation celebration
..�. and especially for participating in the poster art contest. The winner of the contest was a church window
with a rising sun and a Friendswood oak tree in the center, appreciates everyone's efforts toward that,
has been trying to attend the Harris County Flood Control District meetings which are really
Commissioners Court meetings when the Flood Control District is on the agenda, has been in contact
with that office.
Councilmember Holbert reported that he, along with Mayor Smith and Councilmember Hill, attended the
first graduating class of seniors for the Bronco Football League, are all volunteers that have 550 youth
playing football, this was the first group of children who started with the program and are now moving on
and added that they really do a good job, was a lot of fun, and thanked the board for having them out.
Mayor Smith thanked those who attended the City's 50th anniversary celebration earlier this evening. He
stated he would also like to thank the Friendswood Historical Society for attending, noted that the Society
is looking for volunteers, for those interested in continuing to spread the heritage of this community, he
further stated he would like to specifically thank Joycina Baker with the Friendswood Historical Society for
her historical knowledge of Friendswood, every time she speaks he learns something new about
Friendswood and thanked her again for speaking at the earlier reception, encouraged the purchase of the
book the Historical Society sells on the history of Friendswood, and also thanked the media for their
coverage of the 50`h anniversary celebration and helping get the word out.
CONSENT AGENDA
Councilmember Brown requested that the Consent Agenda items be considered individually and Mayor
Smith agreed.
'`*Councilmember Brown moved to approve the acceptance of the 2009-2010 Asphalt Street Project for
d-- the contractor's one-year maintenance period and authorize the Mayor to execute.
Seconded by Councilmember Hill. The motion was approved unanimously.
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**Counciimember Brown moved to approve authorizing the acceptance of public paving and utility
improvements for West Ranch, Lake Ridge Section 1, and accepting the project into the contractor's one- �
year maintenance period.
Seconded by Councilmember Hill. The motion was approved unanimously.
"*Councilmember Brown moved to approve excusing the absence of Councilmember Pat McGinnis from
the November 1, 2010, Council Meeting.
Seconded by Councilmember Hill. The motion was approved unanimously.
**Councilmember Hill moved to approve the second meeting of the month, November 15, 2010, as a
Regular Council Meeting.
Seconded by Councilmember Holbert. The motion was approved unanimously.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:59PM.
, ..� �
i ;J. . Smith
Attest:
Melinda Welsh, TRMC
�
City Secretary
.,�