HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Minutes 2012-05-21 Regular OS/21/2012 3939
STATE OF TEXAS )(
CITY OF FRIENDSWOOD )(
COUNTIES OF GALVESTON/HARRIS )(
MAY 21, 2012 )(
MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE FRIENDSWOOD CITY COUNCIL THAT WAS HELD ON
MONDAY, MAY 21, 2012, AT 6:30 PM AT FRIENDSWOOD CITY HALL, COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 910 S.
FRIENDSWOOD DRIVE, FRIENDSWOOD, TEXAS, WITH THE FOLLOWING PRESENT
CONSTITUTING A QUORUM:
MAYOR DAVID SMITH
MAYOR KEVIN M. HOLLAND
MAYOR PRO-TEM JIM HILL
COUNCILMEMBER STEVE ROCKEY
COUNCILMEMBER BILLY ENOCHS
COUNCILMEMBER PAT MCGINNIS
COUNCILMEMBER DEIRDRE BROWN
CITY MANAGER ROGER ROECKER
CITY SECRETARY MELINDA WELSH
Councilmembers Barker and Scott were absent from the meeting.
REGULAR MEETING
Mayor Smith called the meeting to order.
The invocation was given by Father Geoffrey Gwrynne, Good Shepherd Episcopal Church.
Mayor Smith led the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States and to the State of Texas.
COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC
Margaret Limmer, Friendswood resident, addressed Council and thanked Mayor Smith for coming to
Wesfivood Elementary School, and stated the school has a Rocket Reader program that encourages
students to read. The Mayor always visited the schooi at the end of the program to meet with the kids.
Ms. Limmer left pictures and Ietters with Council of Mayor Smith's last visit to the school and stated she
was thankful for his support of the school and the children.
COMMENTS FROM CANDIDATES AND OUTGOING AND INCOMING COINCILMEMBERS
Candidate Tom Timmins addressed Council and thanked everyone including the other candidates, has
seen parts of the City he had not seen before, and learned a great deai about Homeowner Associations.
Candidate Janis Lowe addressed Council and stated she ran for office so voters would have a choice,
and to point out things that Gouncil could do better. Candidates-elect have embraced those ideas. Ms.
Lowe thanked the volunteers, the people who voted for her, candidates Tom Timmins and Carl
Gustafson, winners of the election, and best wishes for all.
Mayor Smith invited all of Council to speak regarding the outgoing Councilmembers.
Councilmember Enochs stated he appreciates all Mayor Smith has done over the past year helping him
with anything he needed, thanked him for what he has done for the City, and stated the Mayor is leaving
the City better than he found it.
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Councilmember McGinnis thanked Mayor Smith for his many years of service to the City, and stated he �
finds reasons to thank the Mayor for respectfully disagreeing, and mentoring him along with the business i
of Friendswood. To those Councilmembers that are new, there is a lot that goes on in the background, �
and did not appreciate this until he came on CounciL
Councilmember Brown thanked Councilmember Barker and stated even though there was friction in the
past there seemed to be a transition to voting similarly. Councilmember Barker deserves credit for
single—handedly pushing through the Animal Control facility. She stated she remembers sitting with
Councilmember Barker's wife, Cindy Barker and Friendswood Animal Advocates trying to get a motion
together for funding. Cindy Barker does a tremendous job placing animals, and almost running a non-kill
shelter without City support. Some of the ways used to place animals in a home by the facility are
Facebook and Pet Finders, and encouraged everyone to visit the Friendswood Advocates' Facebook
page. The Barkers have donated thousands of dollars and ask for no recognition. Councilmember
Brown stated she and Mayor Smith have disagreed over time, but thanked the Mayor for the impetus to
run for Council, and applauded the work the Mayor did with her on the hotel issue.
Councilmember Hill thanked Mayor Smith for being a mentor over the past 6 years that he sat with him on
Council. The City is a lot better than it was 6 years ago, and an amazing amount of work has been done
to the infrastructure. The City is a lot better off due to the leadership of Mayor Smith.
Mayor Smith asked Candidate Carl Gustafson if he would like to speak.
Candidate Carl Gustafson addressed Council and joked that he was the runner up for candidacy, and
publicly congratuiated Councilmember Hill as weli as the other successful candidates Kevin Holland and
Steve Rockey. Mr. Gustafson stated Councilmember Hill ran a fair campaign and is appreciative. He
thanked the volunteers that supported him, appreciates and thanks those that gave him guidance since
he did not know what he was doing when he started, thanked his employer and boss who were �
accommodating and allowed him to be at the events he needed to attend, thanked his campaign staff,
wife Theresa, daughter Kandra, and his brother who was not present. Mr. Gustafson stated he was
disappointed in the results of the election but respects the wishes of the voters. The campaign was a
wondertul experience and enjoyed the time meeting with candidates and citizens, and got to spend extra
time with his family. He wished Council great success and offered his services if they could be used. ;
Mayor Smith thanked Council for the kind words and would like to thank those who have been with him
over the past 9 years. The experience has been challenging and full of life lessons that he and his family
will carry with them the rest of their lives: He thanked his family for their sacrifice, and stated this has
been a gift for him. He thanked former Mayors Harold Whitaker, Kim Brizendine, Evelyn Newman and I
Paul Schrader for their advice, and historical perspective, and wouid not have been able to do this job I
without them. Mayor Smith stated he served with many Councilmembers such as Andy Rivera, Laura
Ewing, Mel Measeles, Jim Barr, Jerry Ericsson, and many others over the years and appreciates the work
they have alI done. He thanked the committee volunteers who were invaluable, and has truly come to
appreciate the work they do and what they give to the community. Anyone that has worked with this �
Council the Iast 6 years, have campaigned and gone through the pain of working with politics in City i
government and will appreciate the difficulties of it. Sometimes there are people to thank for putting us in
these positions such as former Counciimember Tracy Goza and thanked Tracy for allowing him to be
there, thanked him for his years on Council and willingness to serve, and is proud to say they are friends
today. We do not accomplish the things we do by ourselves. It is typically on the backs of others that �
have come before us. Mayor Smith stated on his first year of Council he lost all the shine on his armor ,�
but over time discovered that was not what was important. Position is temporary and transient, true i
servants are the ones that make service their vocation and that is the City Staff. The Mayor appreciates i
the Staff because they are professional, good at what they do, skilled, work long, hard hours, and are I
constantly at risk due to the political limelight. The Staff here at City of Friendswood are good people, , '
people of character, people of faith, trustworthy and honest. The City is truly blessed by the Staff that '
works for the City of Friendswood. Mayor Smith asked the crowd to thank the City employees one more � i
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time by applause. There is no way to impart everything in one sitting but would like to break it down into
a few sayings. Solving problems as a team will not come as the results of the rules you put down on
paper, it will come from a general desire to help each other make the best decisions possible. If you do
not know how to solve a problem, ask. Ask for help, there are many polite people around you waiting for
an invitation to use their expertise. Most of the things you learn about working together as a Councii you
learn between ages 2-4. Some people will make up problems to solve them, which is a waste of time,
energy, and money. Offer advice, do not give orders, eating crow is painful for you and the crow. When
someone focuses on the shortcomings of others, it is generally a reflection of their own lack of substance.
No disrespect, but older does not necessarily mean wiser and passionate does not always mean smart.
It is 100 times easier to teli someone they had a bad idea than come up with an original idea yourseif. Do
not offer to fix something until you know how it works, who uses it and why. When you are on the one-
yard Iine with 7 seconds left in the game, call a time out, and go ask your coach for advice. Pray a lot,
ask others to do the same for you, and remember that this responsibility you have been given is a gift.
The Mayor thanked everyone that has prayed for him and his family and stated it has been the utmost
privilege to serve.
Councilmember HiII presented Mayor Smith a plaque, which states "In recognition of his dedicated
service and significant achievements as a member of the Friendswood City Council. In appreciation of
the sharing of his time, energy, and talents on behalf of the citizens of Friendswood. Councilmember
2003—2005, Mayor 2006 — 2012, presented May 21, 2012, by Friendswood City Council:' Mayor Smith
received a standing ovation.
RESOLUTIONS
"Counciimember McGinnis moved to approve Resolution R2012-11 —A Resolution of the City Council of
the City of Friendswood, Texas, canvassing the returns of the May 12, 2012, City of Friendswood General
Election for the position of Mayor and Council Position No.1 and No. 3.
Seconded by Councilmember Brown. The motion was approved 5-0 with Councilmembers Barker and
Scott absent.
MAYOR
KevinHolland........................................................................................................ 2,358 votes
JanisLowe............................................................................................................. 1,367 votes
COUNCILMEMBER - POSITION 1
TomTimmons.........................................................................................................1,324 votes j
SteveRockey........................................................................................................ 2,201 votes
COUNCILMEMBER- POSITION 3
JimHili................................................................................................................. 2,250 votes
Carl W. Gustafson................................................................................................... 1,336 votes
'*Councilmember McGinnis moved to approve Resolution R2012-12 —A Resolution and order of the City
Gouncil of the City of Friendswood, Texas, canvassing the returns of the May 12, 2012, City of
Friendswood Special Election and instructing the Mayor to certify the results of the election to the
appropriate State and Federal officials.
Seconded by Councilmember Enochs. The motion was approved 5-0 with Councilmembers Barker and
Scott absent.
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PROPOSITION NO. 1 i
For................................................................................................................2,885 votes �
Against..............................................................................................................571 votes i
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PROPOSITION NO. 2 ;
For..................................................................................................................2,896 votes i
Against..............................................................................................................527 votes
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PROPOSITION NO. 3
For..................................................................................................................2,743 votes
Against............................................................................................................. 686 votes
PROPOSITION NO. 4
For..................................................................................................................2,363 votes
Against............................................................................................................1,077 votes
PROPOSITION NO. 5
For..................................................................................................................2,945 votes
Against..............................................................................................................538 votes
PROPOSITION NO. 6
For..................................................................................................................2,712 votes
Against..............................................................................................................689 votes
PROPOSITION N0. 7
For..................................................................................................................2,166 votes
Against............................................................................................................1,268 votes
PROPOSITION NO. 8
For..................................................................................................................2,145 votes
Against............................................................................................................1,276 votes I
PROPOSITION NO. 9 �
For..................................................................................................................2,496 votes
Against..............................................................................................................908 votes
PROPOSITION NO. 10 '
For..................................................................................................................2,227 votes
Against............................................................................................................1,158 votes
PROPOSITION 11
For..................................................................................................................2,496 votes
Against..............................................................................................................911 votes I
PROPOSITION NO. 12
For..................................................................................................................2,473 votes
Against..............................................................................................................877 votes �
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Counciimember Brown stated one of the amendments is a problem that ail meetings would be open for
comments, voters are voting to allow commentary at closed meetings. Councilmember Brown stated she
would be submitting a Ietter to the District Attorney asking for an Attorney General opinion on issues.
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OATHS OF OFFICE
The Honorable Judge Woltz administered the Oath of Office to Steve Rockey for City Cou�cil Position No.
1.
The Honorable Judge Woltz administered the Oath of Office to Jim Hill for City Council Position No. 3.
The Honorable Judge Woltz administered the Oath of office to Kevin Holland for Mayor.
GOMMUNICATIONS FROM THE MAYOR AND COUNCILMEMBERS
Counciimember Brown welcomed Mayor Holland, Councilmember Rockey and Councilmember Hill, and
stated she looks forward to working with them. The campaign focused on issues important to her and is
glad there is a majority consensus that infrastructure, honesty, integrity, and trustworthiness will be
important issues to work on this coming year. Councilmember Brown asked to denounce
misrepresentations made by former Counciimember Rivera made in a Letter to the Editor related to
pending litigation specifically related to facts that deal with that Iitigation.
Councilmember McGinnis stated he would like to thank Mayor Holland and Councilmembers Rockey and
Hill for their willingness to step up and serve this City. This will take a Iot of sacrifice but will be worth the
investment for your civic duty. He stated on occasions Iike this he often thinks of George Washington and
what was stated by the King of England when Washington stepped down. The King of England was
surprised that George Washington would not want to be in such a powerful role as leader of the United
States of America. Councilmember McGinnis stated he thinks the tradition in the United States where
politicians gladly walk away from power is a great strength of the country. There is a consistency of
Americans with general respect but some amount of skepticism about political power, is a great reflection
of the country that we have such peaceful and orderly turnover of our political Ieadership.
Counciimember Enochs stated he wouid like to thank candidates Lowe, Timmins and Gustafson for
running and asked them to continue to be involved through volunteer opportunities. Councilmember
Enochs stated to Mayor Holland, Councilmembers Hill and Rockey that expectations are high but they
have his support. �
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Councilmember Rockey stated it is a different view up on the dais and thanked all who helped him get
there, too many to mention. A Iot have served before that gave him great advice and insight such as
former Mayor Harold Whitaker, former Councilmembers Laura Ewing, Leslie Reid, Mel Measeles, and '
Andy Rivera. He stated he has a lot of respect for candidates Janis Lowe, Carl Gustafson, and Tom
Timmins for running. He also stated he would Iike to thank his sons for being here, first time to vote for
them and was able to vote for their Dad, looks forwards to this, hopes he can do a great job and earn the
respect people gave him by voting for him. i
Counciimember Hill thanked candidate Cari Gustafson for running a good election and thanked the
Gustafson family, who is a great family. He stated he had an opponent for the first time and is so !
humbled and gracious of the grass roots support he got from this town, would not have dreamed of the
kindness people have shown him, hopes he has earned it and will not Iet them down. This City has a
bright future, is a wonderful City with a wonderful past, and wili continue to make it even greater. !
Mayor Holland stated there is a Iot of wisdom and knowledge to the left and right of him, will count on
them to bring to the table their wisdom and knowledge, is also humbled by the support with ups and
downs during the campaign, thanked everyone for their support and also thanked the candidates that ran,
loves the City of Friendswood and can see by what people were doing that they did to, congratulations '
and thanks very much. �
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The meeting was adjourned at 7:12 PM. �
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Mayor Kevin , Holland
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