HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Minutes 2015-03-02 Regular 03/02/15 4394
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STATE OF TEXAS )(
' CITY OF FRIENDSWOOD
COUNTIES OF GALVESTON/HARRIS )(
MARCH 02, 2015 )(
MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE FRIENDSWOOD CITY COUNCIL THAT WAS HELD ON,
MONDAY, MARCH 02, 2015, AT 4:30 PM AT FRIENDSWOOD CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 9101
S. FRIENDSWOOD DRIVE, FRIENDSWOOD, TEXAS, WITH THE FOLLOWING PRESENT!
CONSTITUTING A QUORUM:
MAYOR KEVIN HOLLAND
MAYOR PRO-TEM JIM HILL
COUNCILMEMBER STEVE ROCKEY
COUNCILMEMBER BILLY ENOCHS
COUNCILMEMBER PAT MCGINNIS
COUNCILMEMBER JOHN SCOTT
COUNCILMEMBER CARLGUSTAFSON
CITY ATTORNEY ARNOLD POLANCO
CITY MANAGER ROGER ROECKER
CITY SECRETARY MELINDA WELSH
REGULAR SESSION
Mayor Holland called the meeting to order.
The invocation was given by Pastor David Bridges with Friendswood Friends Church.
Mayor Holland led the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States and to the State of Texas.
COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC
Rudy Trahan, Friendswood resident, addressed Council and gave a history of the many years he has
volunteered throughout the City, is at the meeting to discuss Friendswood Animal Advocates and
Friendswood Animal Control. He further stated that policy changes have been enacted in autocratic
fashion due to one person, discussed large dogs and temperament assessment, with recent changes
who will pass judgment on these animals, open discussion is needed, convinced of high probability of
further autocratic policy decisions being rendered that will be contrary to his concern for animal welfare
and submits his resignation as a volunteer for Friendswood Animal Control.
Debra Smith, Friendswood resident, addressed Council and stated she would like to elaborate on the
number of animals surrendered to Friendswood Animal Control, Police Chief had suspicion that animals
were coming from outside the City, has been a volunteer since the old facility, has been a practice to
always get proof of residency from a person surrendering an animal, Staff is not following procedures if
animals outside the City of Friendswood were allowed to be surrendered. Upon moving to the new facility,
has worked with the Animal Control Officers in compiling a volunteer policy and procedure manual that
detailed information as well as aided with time sensitive documentation, complete and organized
documentation has always been a struggle for Friendswood Animal Control, why does the Police Chief
feel Friendswood Animal Advocates (FAA) needed grant approval from the City, FAA is a nonprofit 501c3
entity and did not need approval, should be encouraging volunteerism, and gives up her status as a
volunteer at Friendswood Animal Control.
Cynthia Barker, Friendswood resident, addressed Council and stated she has lived in the City of
' Friendswood for 35 years, is not an Animal Shelter but Animal Control, according to the Police Chief the
facility is to protect the public from stray animals, volunteers have actually been prevented from helping
those animals, recently contacted Mayor and Council with concerns about not being able to treat a very
treatable dog, there have been two additional animals since that were only frightened, experienced
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volunteers were able to work with the animals for photos but were ordered to stop working with them,
both animals were killed without a legitimate health, aggression, or space reason. Even though a Shelter ,
Manager position was created and staffed the City does not have a shelter, understanding was when the
new facility was built that Friendswood Animal Advocates (FAA) would have a shelter and adoption
portion, FAA has spent tens of thousands of dollars to help impounded animals receive medical care.
FAA sponsors adoption fees, takes animals to offsite events to help them get adopted, now are being told
that the facility is basically a prison to keep impounded animals for the stray hold period required by law, if
convenient the animal will be given a month or two but even if there are open kennels after that they will
be put to death. The City can talk about 90% no-kill statistics for the last couple of years but Friendswood
Animal Control is not the reason that number was achieved. Will no longer serve as a volunteer because
the progress made to make the facility into a shelter has all been eroded, management does not have the
compassion or the mindset to do the work to save animal's lives and they are preventing the volunteers
from doing so. She stated she believes the standards of the City of Friendswood are higher than that and
that the citizens want better for the stray animals in the community, asked Council to proactively address
the volunteer's concerns.
Carolyn Klein, Friendswood resident, addressed Council and stated she is a Friendswood Animal
Advocate member, have a great facility and many passionate volunteers who want nothing more than to
help Staff and make the animals happier, healthier, and adoptable. Understands that the facility is ran by
the Police Department and number one priority is public safety but the City's attitude is to provide the
minimum care required by Texas state law, does not understand why the City refuses to allow a core
community of advocates and volunteers to meet with the Staff of Friendswood Animal Control (FAC) to
work as a team to evaluate the animals and get them adopted, animals that come in to be adopted should
be evaluated by qualified people, has seen many animals, particularly cats, not make it out of intake
because they were scared or in pain, feels like the cats were treated inhumanely, and gave an example of
the treatment given to a mother cat and kittens. The City of Friendswood may be one of the safest cities
for families, but that does not include the City's pets, regretfully resigns her volunteer position at FAC. '
Tina Wood, Friendswood resident, addressed Council and stated she resigned from Friendswood Animal
Control (FAC) on February 17, 2015, all issues used by the Police Chief to justify new polices were
brought to the attention of the Animal Shelter Advisory Committee and were determined to lack merit, the
committee was satisfied that established policies were working and achieved the desired results, at the
last committee meeting Friendswood Animal Advocates' (FAA) large animal grant which included pit bull
type dogs was discussed and there was not any issues with the grant at that time, grant funds are one of
the many methods used by FAA to obtain funding for outreach operations, a copy of this grant was
provided to the Police Department when requested in July 2014. FAA was not involved in any manner in
the intake of large dogs, intake was the sole responsibility of paid employees of Friendswood Animal
Control (FAC), and FAA's sole interest was getting animals out of FAC. Councilmember Rockey
requested during a committee meeting for the committee to consider a new large dog policy that would
limit adoptions to families with children under the age of ten, incidents Councilmember Rockey was
referring to did not occur from dogs adopted in Friendswood, the committee decided the present policy
was sufficient, and the committee did not recommend an additional policy or changes to the current
policies. FAC policy required a temperament test for all pit bull type dogs and a home inspection before
their adoption was finalized, FAC provided no budget for this processes, FAA paid for all temperament
tests, provided all transportation to the vet, and provided volunteers to do the home visits. FAA also
provided all adoption incentives and helped to fully vet large dogs at the facility, the large dog grant which
included pit bull type dogs did not cost the City any additional money as implied by the Police Chief, but
actually saved the City money, operational costs of running the facility is the same regardless of the
number of animals being housed, only variable in keeping an animal one day versus over sixty days is the
minuscule cost of food, hopes Council understands the damage that will be done by the unilateral policies
established by the Police Chief.
Melanie Reyes, president of Friendswood Animal Advocates, addressed Council and stated she has been ,
a citizen of the City of Friendswood for 40 plus years, is a former volunteer of Friendswood Animal
Control, adopted a dog many years ago from the old City facility, described conditions at the old City
facility, decided to get involved four years ago, in February 2014 reached out to Police Chief Bob Wieners
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two times regarding the declining morale of volunteers at Friendswood Animal Control (FAC), and Chiefl
' Wieners showed a lack of interest in discussing the matter, for the past nine months volunteering at FAC
has been nothing short of a train wreck, instead of focusing on helping the animals have been dealing
with upset and confused volunteers. Last fall reached out to Mayor and a few Councilmembers for help,
Friendswood Animal Advocates (FAA) members suggested leaving FAC and support a facility that would
work with them, Councilmember Rockey proposed an operational team meeting in December between
FAA and FAC, optimistic that both parties would reach a common goal, Chief Wieners would not allow a
team to be formed, after a year of no progress and no cooperation from the Police Department, FAA
voted to redirect financial aid and volunteer resources away from FAC, was not a decision FAA took
lightly, unanimously decided to redirect FAA organization efforts to where they would be appreciated, andl
stated on February 17, 2015, she resigned as a volunteer of FAC.
Cathy Barido, Friendswood resident, addressed Council and stated in August 2013, Police Chief Bob!
Wieners expressed his appreciation for former Animal Shelter Manager Lisa Bragg's accomplishments in
facilitating the efforts to turn what was a marginal shelter at best, into one of the best publicly ran shelters,l
and stated in the future the Animal Control Officer would work together with Ms. Bragg to continue to look
for creative ideas in order to advance what the volunteers do and go to the next level. At the same
volunteer meeting the Animal Control Director stated that the volunteers do a fantastic job leading the
charge to turn the shelter into a facility that looks and operates more like a boarding kennel, the hundreds
of hours volunteers put into the facility were an integral part of its success, plan was to become a partner
with the volunteers to help all involved keep up the high standards that have been set, goal was to,
support Ms. Bragg and her activities, programs that have been established which were models othe
cities should follow such as the foster program, foster to adopt, efforts to promote adoptions of bully,
breeds, dog and cat enrichment efforts, and the Animal Control Officer stated he fully supported the
volunteers and looked forward to continuation and growth. With the new practices that have been
implemented, it is not showing Friendswood Animal Control (FAC) going forward, resigned from FAC on
' February 17, 2015, will miss interacting with the animals, gave the animals kennel breaks so they could
enjoy a little bit of freedom, is not in the Animal Control Officer's job description, new policy is when a
stray animal is picked up it will be on a 60-day time limit and that is only if the animal makes it to the
adoption floor after the three day hold period, adoption rates will plummet due to no volunteers td
socialize with the animals, has been stated that FAC was no longer accepting applications for volunteers!
and there was only a handful of volunteers that that show up to volunteer at the facility.
WORK SESSION
Mayor Holland opened the discussion regarding the Animal Control Facility's policies and operation.
Police Chief Bob Wieners stated he is at the meeting to provide information regarding operational matters
in the implementation of internal controls, reviewed the Animal Control facility in June for additional
funding or Staff, was over budget in 2013 and 2014, reported to Council in June that there were
operational issues, there was a request for additional staffing but the request was pulled at the Chiefs
request due to the information found during the review in June. Issues that will be discussed are polio,
internal control adjustments, public safety, expenditure of taxpayer dollars, liability, and a clear delineatio6
of responsibilities. Chief Wieners presented a PowerPoint presentation regarding the operations at
Friendswood Animal Control (FAC). In 2007 there was a fatality of a 50-year old female killed by her own
dogs which were a pit bull, golden retriever and Australian shepherd, in 2008 there was a one year old
child rescued from family dogs fighting inside a home which were an American bulldog and a French Bull
Mastiff, in 2010 there was a 40 year old and an 11 year old mauled by three dogs which were all bull
mastiffs, in 2011 there was a 16 year old bitten in the face by a neighbor's dog which was a pit bull, in'
2011 there was a 41 year old injured saving her cat from a neighbor's pit bull, and in 2012 there was a 10
year old mauled by a neighbor's two dogs which were a German Shepherd and Doberman Pinscher. The
internal review showed the facility was over budget, animal drop offs increased by 100% from 2011 to
2013 and was on track to increase another 50% in 2014, impound rate was not showing a correlation with
' reduced calls for service and was down 32% in the last two years, facility census was 2.5 times the
national census for pit bulls in 2013, aggressive breeds constituted 33% of animals dropped off in 2013.
A review of documents showed animals were being brought in from outside the City of Friendswood,
Lowell Foundation Grant information was found, there was no official Police Department approval or City
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Council approval of the grant program to operate inside of FAC, no discussion was held regarding public
safety concerns, use of taxpayer dollars, liability and responsibility, incomplete information was provided '
to adoption applicants, and details of the Lowell Foundation Grant application were given. Internal control
measures are needed because of lessons learned over the past three years of operation at the animal
control facility, adoption program quality assurance, data analysis of activities, discovery of an
unauthorized program, and consultation with Texas Municipal League. The internal control measures are
that the facility will not accept animal drop offs, a sixty-day hold period, restriction of adoptions to families
with children under ten years of age for any animal that is the subject of a temperament assessment,
improved monthly reporting system that accurately captures animal impounds and dispositions at the
facility, internal Police Department senior management review of proposed euthanasia, adoption
applicant awareness to check his/her homeowner insurance provider to ensure coverage for breed of
dog, and, when required, certified temperament testing being done by a licensed veterinarian. Staff is
looking for direction from Council.
Discussion took place between Mayor, Council, and Staff regarding that direction is needed, the Police
Chief has no problem with changing the scope of the program but must be done by Council not Staff.
Friendswood Animal Advocates (FAA) submitted a grant application and received grant funding without
discussing the grant with the City to see how the City's liability would be affected, and according to Texas
Municipal League the City is not insured. The animal control facility was never intended to be an Animal
Shelter, FAA has different goals than the City, sole purpose for animal control is public safety, need
private citizens to run an Animal Shelter, many volunteers have resigned, how should the City move
forward, need to recruit volunteers, a new volunteer guide has been implemented throughout the City, a
new volunteer liaison has been appointed, have had a donor step forward to donate medication, reduction
in calls for service, will work on aggressive breeds in rescue or adopt out on a case-by-case basis, more
funding may be needed later for temperament testing and operations and maintenance, part of moving
forward is recognizing there was a problem, will check on progress on a monthly basis, and Staff will
report back to Council during the budget process. '
Mayor Holland briefly recessed the meeting at 5:41 PM and reconvened the meeting at 5:48 PM.
Mayor Holland opened the discussion regarding the Multi-Year Financial Plan. Administrative Services
Director Cindy Edge presented a Prezi presentation, does not include water operations, based on current
service levels, and maintaining current programs. Discussed financial planning, analysis is constantly
being done, adjusted for trends, historical sales tax revenue, tax rate comparison, do an excellent job
monitoring the budget and revenues.
Administrative Services Deputy Director Katina Hampton continued the Prezi presentation with the Multi-
Year Financial Plan (MYFP), start the budget process in December, discussed projected tax rate,
revenues, expenditures, revenues are projected to outpace expenditures, has afforded the city the
opportunity to fund capital projects or in the event of an emergency, Decision Packages are being
reviewed, have exceeded life cycles on some technology items, been a savings, have seen a shift moving
into facility maintenance, City Hall roof is 20 years old and needs replacement, Automated External
Defibrillator(AED) equipment is needed and pool maintenance. City Manager Roger Roecker stated the
roof at City Hall has been repaired over the years, has been bane of existence to have an internal gutter
system roof, will need a full-scale replacement but will need to do it over time.
Administrative Services Director Cindy Edge continued with the Prezi presentation regarding input
needed from Council regarding such items as the tax rate, fund balance use with capital equipment and
technology, alternative revenues with optional sales tax, telecom sales tax, ambulance billing, franchise
fees, and Decision Packages, and street maintenance is in the budget.
Discussion took place between Mayor, Council, and Staff regarding at some point in the budget process
Council would like to discuss the above 90-day fund, when should the above 90-day fund be used to ,
relieve the budget, could be used to replace a roof or excavator when needed. Staff will once again work
on a zero based budget for the upcoming budget year. The City Manager stated a retreat with Council
would be scheduled in order for further discussion.
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' Administrative Services Deputy Director Katina Hampton continued the Prezi presentation with the Fiscal
Year 2015-2016 current services budget, year one of Multi-Year Financial Plan projections with revenue
of $24.5 Million and expenditures of $24.3 Million, total available for Forces At Work and Decision)
Packages of $237,000. Benefits to long range financial planning are stewardship, guidance, and
decision-making.
Mayor Holland opened the discussion regarding the Police Department's Communication Services Line
(fiber encryption) and Mobile Data Computer Systems. Police Chief Bob Wieners presented a
PowerPoint presentation regarding compliance with Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS), involves
all the databases the Police Department has access to, Department of Public Safety is the guiding
authority on policy, compliance with the policy is mandatory and there is work that needs to be done in
order to be in compliance, Staff expects to be audited by the first part of June 2015. Some of the projects
that need to be addressed are Encrypted Virtual Private Network (VPN), required to thwart
eavesdropping, Microsoft no longer supports security updates for Windows XP, and personnel security!
The fiber encryption installation and configuration of VPN tunnels between City of Friendswood and the
City of League City using AES-256 encryption, involves adding a piece of equipment to the existing fiber
line, quoted a cost and service agreement which is $6,508. Ten Mobile Data Computers (MDC) need to
be replaced that currently run the Windows XP operating system, upgrade four additional MDC, quoted
cost is $44,838. The Public Safety Building security system uses Windows XP and cannot be upgraded
to Windows 7, cameras and keypads need to be upgraded and areas need to be added for security entry
points, add audio in the jail, storage device must be replaced for retention purposes, upgrades enable
compliance with CJIS policy. Funding options for the security system are to do nothing and risk not
having access to the centralized CJIS information that the Police Department depends upon and uses
daily, approve funding in the current fiscal year, or consider funding as a Force At Work during the
upcoming budget process. The estimated cost is$80,000, will be doing a budget request, will be audited,
' adds another layer of security, is a good investment, and will serve the City's needs.
Discussion took place between Mayor, Council, and Staff regarding the area cameras would be place
and the advantage of camera usage, Staff is looking for a consensus from Council on the upgrades to be
in compliance with CJIS policy.
Mayor Holland opened the discussion regarding an update on Capital Projects. Director of Public
Works/City Engineer Patrick Donart addressed Council and stated Council was provided information in
their backup documents. A picture of a banner the Parks and Recreation Department has put up
regarding Sportpark improvements was shown. Mr. Donart stated progress on the Sportspark
improvements should begin in 30 to 60 days, waiting to receive plans, do not have an estimation of when
groundbreaking will occur.
Mayor Holland opened the discussion regarding Progressive Waste Solution's rate adjustment.
Administrative Services Director Cindy Edge introduced Mike Wilson with Progressive Waste Solutions.
Mr. Wilson, Progressive Waste Solution's Division Manager stated he is at the Council meeting to request
an annual rate increase for the annual Consumer Price Increase (CPI), which is 1.1%, increases at landfill
and on recycling commodities.
Discussion took place between Mayor, Council, and Mike Wilson with Progressive Waste Solutions
regarding that a fuel decrease was not included in the current Consumer Price Increase (CPI) request,
fuel increase was not included in last year's CPI and a floor rate is set in the contract, fuel decrease
requirements are listed in the contract, and CPI is due to increased cost of recycling.
CLOSED EXECUTIVE SESSIONS
Mayor Holland asked if anyone would like to speak regarding the Executive Sessions. No one spoke.
' Council convened into Executive Session in accordance with the Texas Government Code, pursuant to
Section 551.071 —Consultation with Attorney regarding pending or contemplated litigation. (Wight Realty
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Interests, Ltd., vs. City of Friendswood), Section 551.072 — Deliberation regarding real property.
(Parkland development; legal advice only regarding potential development of real property located within ,
the City of Friendswood) and Section 551.087 — Deliberation regarding economic development
negotiations; to deliberate the offer of a financial or other incentive to a business prospect. (Lifestyle
Financial Advisors)
RECONVENE INTO OPEN SESSION
Council reconvened into Open Session with no action taken later in the,meeting.
SPECIAL RECOGNITION AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Deer Park Public Library Director Rebecca Pool, representing the Texas Municipal Library Directors
Association, presented the Achievement of Library Excellence Award for 2014 to Library Director Mary
Perroni and Assistant Library Director Matt Riley. To qualify, the library had to create an application
binder demonstrating the accomplishment of ten service criteria during 2014. These criteria included a
summer reading program, underserved populations, enhanced service, marketing and publicity, policies
and procedures, cultural and educational programming for adults, literacy support, collaboration, training,
and web presence. Ms. Perron! stated Assistant Library Director Matt Riley put the notebook submission
together to receive the award, introduced the library Staff and Library Board, thanked Council and the
community for their support.
COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC
Dr. Stran, Friendswood Animal Shelter Advisor Committee Co-Chair, addressed Council and stated he
gave a positive report on Friendswood Animal Control at the February Council meeting, has seen
contradiction in the news lately, new facility is five times larger than the old facility, is better, cleaner, more '
friendly and allows more animal adoptions, has led to 90% live release rate which is much better than
what it was years ago. There were bumps in the road with one being the amount of time the animal was
allowed to be impounded in the animal control facility, 60 days is a baseline and not written in stone,
sensitive issue with the pit bull adoption program were not aware of, does not overshadow the success,
since Friendswood Animal Advocates has withdrawn support he has reinstituted a program for immediate
vaccination when an animal comes into the facility and a microchip program that is free to residents.
David Allen, Friendswood resident, addressed Council and reported on federal vaccine concerns, there
are bills in the Texas Legislature about eliminating informed consent, do research about vaccines and
read the inserts, read some of the side effects and ingredients in vaccines.
Mike Czarowitz, Friendswood resident, addressed Council and stated he is speaking in favor of Agenda
Item No. 11 which is disposition of bid for library expansion and renovation, thanked the Citizen Bond
Advisory Group and citizens that voted for the bond, Staff that worked on it and contractor, and asked
Council to approve the item.
Michael Wood, Friendswood resident, addressed Council and stated in the last Citizen Crime Report
issued, the clearance rate of the crimes was omitted, this status measures the efficiency of the Police
Department, is the City doing good investigative work or just taking insurance reports. Have noticed in
the weekly police report most crimes occur in neighborhoods but most patrol activity is in major
thoroughfare, serves zero purpose to go to another jurisdiction to serve a warrant, should use community
oriented police style, and would eliminate most of the property crimes. The Police Chief has stated most
of the City's problems come from outside the City of Friendswood, has a reputation for lacking police
services in neighborhoods, lived here 30 years and used to see police cars in his neighborhood and now
sees none.
COMMUNICATIONS FROM COMMITTEES AND SPECIAL REPORTS '
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Planning and Zoning Commission Vice Chair David O'Farrell gave the annual report. Mr. O'Farrell stated
' over the past year the Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) looked at 11 preliminary plats, 10 final
plats/replats, 11 commercial site plans, and seven zone changes were considered, the reputation that the,
City of Friendswood has with developers has been a positive change over the past 10 years]
Accomplishments P&Z had throughout the year, worked with Council to change the Specific Use Permit
process to allow applicants to obtain approval prior to being required to submit engineered drainage and
utility plans, updated the Permitted Use Table to 2012 NAICS, drafted changes requested by Council to
the Non-Conforming Ordinance, but gave a negative recommendation for the proposed changes, and
recommended changes to Downtown District amenity requirements. There was a 50% turnover in
commissioners over the past year, and new commissioners have been in place for six months. Mr.'
O'Farrell thanked Council for the joint relationship with P&Z.
Mayor Holland asked Mr. O'Farrell to thank the Planning and Zoning Commission for their hard work.
Councilmember Rockey stated he is the Council liaison to the Planning and Zoning Commission, attends
the meetings as he can, impressed by the professionalism of the meetings, discussion is always above
board, obvious how much homework the commission does, always a line of people waiting to get on this
commission.
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
City Manager Roger Roecker reported that just in time for warmer weather, the popular Splash Pad in
Friendswood's Stevenson Park is tripling in size. Council may remember a Citizen's Advisory group
suggested the additional space when asked to consider items that could be part of a bond election. The
existing Splash Pad and the new area will have both ground sprays and above ground, interactive
features. People who bring kids to play at the Splash Pad will also find a covered area with benches to sit
' and watch, and a new sidewalk connecting the expanded Splash Pad to the new Rotary Pavilion is also
part of the Stevenson Park upgrades. The cost of the complete package came in at just under$100,000.
Funding for the project came from General Obligation Bonds that were recently sold, a donation provided
by the Rotary Club, and a generous donation from an anonymous donor. A date for the"Grand Opening'
of the expanded Splash Pad will be announced in the near future. Next to the Splash Pad, at the
swimming pool, the vacant pool manager's office will be converted to a family restroom at a cost of just
under$25,000. The renovation is projected to take four to six weeks to complete and will be funded from
the 2013 Bonds.
The City Manager reported that the City's software replacement is being handled as two projects. One
project is the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) which will include Financials, Utility Billing, and
Community Development portions. The other portion is the Municipal Court portion of the software
replacement. Phase 1 (Planning and Initiation) of the Municipal Court project is complete and Phase 2
(Assess and Define) is in progress. Staff is working on code mapping and has had two"data pulls" and is
readying old court cases for purging so only eligible cases are converted. "Go Live" is currently
scheduled for June 26, 2015, and status conference calls take place on a bi-weekly basis. Phase '1
(Planning and Initiation) of the ERP project is in progress, since December bi-weekly project status
conference calls have been occurring. There was an online kickoff meeting in February to outline the
migration and implementation process as well as the expected Staff time requirements. Staff is working
on survey worksheets to provide Tyler Technologies as much information as possible about the city's
environment, started data pulls and programmers are analyzing the data. The "Go Live" dates will ble
staggered by application module from September 2015 through early December 2015. Staff is working
on survey worksheets for the Community Development products, timelines or conversion data for these
have not yet been discussed. Staff will provide Council with periodic updates as the projects mode
forward. I
' The City Manager reported that Keep Texas Beautiful (KTB) has recognized Keep Friendswood Beautiful
(KFB) as one of ten winners of the 2015 Governor's Community Achievement Awards for outstanding
community improvement. The award is one of the most coveted annual environmental and community
improvement honors in Texas. The winners will share $2 Million in landscape funding from the Texas
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Department of Transportation, and KFB will receive$210,000 for a landscaping project along a local state
right-of-way. Communities submitted materials in one of ten population categories and judges chose the '
winners based on their achievements in seven environmental and community improvement areas:
community leadership and coordination, education, public awareness, litter prevention and cleanup, litter
law and illegal dumping enforcement, beautification and community improvement, and solid waste
management. Recognition will take place at the KTB Conference scheduled for June 15-17, 2015, at the
Omni Hotel in Fort Worth, TX.
ACTION ITEMS
**Councilmember Enochs moved to approve the disposition of Bid No. 2015-01 for the City of
Friendswood Library Expansion and Renovation and award to Ardent Construction.
Seconded by Councilmember Hill. The motion was approved unanimously.
Discussion took place between Mayor, Council, and Staff regarding the request for a budget increase,
original budget was $2.5 Million which includes design, construction, furnishing, material testing, etc., and
bid winner is a local company, estimated completion time of the project should be 11 months.
**Councilmember Rockey moved to approve a professional services contract with the RJN Group, Inc.,
for a flow monitoring study of the City's sanitary sewer system and authorizing the Mayor to execute the
contract in the amount of$159,112.
Seconded by Councilmember Hill. The motion was approved unanimously.
**Councilmember Hill moved to approve a Memorandum of Agreement between the Galveston County
Health District and City of Friendswood.
Seconded by Councilmember McGinnis. The motion was approved unanimously.
**Councilmember Rockey moved to approve an upgrade to the Police Department's communications '
services line (fiber encryption) and Mobile Data Computer Systems.
Seconded by Councilmember Hill. The motion was approved unanimously.
RESOLUTION
**Councilmember Scott moved to .approve Resolution R2016-06 — A resolution of the City of
Friendswood, Texas, authorizing aerial spraying over Friendswood by the Galveston County Mosquito
Control District for the County-Wide Mosquito Control Program.
Seconded by Councilmember Hill. The motion was approved unanimously.
ORDINANCES
**Councilmember Enochs moved to approve the Second and Final reading of Ordinance No. 2015-06 —
An ordinance amending Appendix C, "Zoning," Section 3. "Provision for Official Zoning Map," to update
and adopt the Official Zoning Map of the City, incorporating approved changes in district boundaries and
other matters portrayed on the Official Zoning Map; providing a penalty for violation in an amount not to
exceed $2,000, or as otherwise provided by law; repealing all ordinances or parts of ordinances
inconsistent or in conflict herewith; and providing for severability.
Seconded by Councilmember Hill. The motion was approve unanimously.
**Councilmember Scott moved to approve the Second and Final reading of Ordinance No. 2015-07—An
ordinance amending Appendix C —"Zoning," Section 8, "Supplementary District Regulations," Subsection
I, "Landscaping and Screening Requirements," Paragraph 2, "Perimeter Landscaping and Screening,"
Subparagraph A, "Adjacent Property, Buffer Maintenance and Installation" to revise and update such
buffer maintenance requirements; providing a penalty for violation in an amount not to exceed $2,000, or ,
as otherwise provided by law; repealing all ordinances or parts of ordinances inconsistent or in conflict
herewith; and providing for severability.
Seconded by Councilmember Rockey. The motion was approved unanimously.
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' **Councilmember Scott moved to approve the First and Final reading of Ordinance No. 2015-10 — An
ordinance amending City of Friendswood, Texas, Ordinance No. 2014-29, passed and approved October
6, 2014, same being an ordinance approving and adopting the City's General Budget for Fiscal Year
2014-2015 by approving "Budget Amendment VII" to the "Original General Budget of the City of
Friendswood, Texas, for the Fiscal Year 2014-2015"; providing for supplemental appropriation and/or
transfer of certain funds; providing for severability; and providing other matters related to the subject.
Seconded by Councilmember McGinnis. The motion was approved unanimously.
**Councilmember Scott moved to approve the First and Final reading of Ordinance No. 2015-11 — An
ordinance amending City of Friendswood, Texas, Ordinance No. 2014-29, passed and approved October
6, 2014, same being an ordinance approving and adopting the City's General Budget for Fiscal Year
2014-2015 by approving "Budget Amendment Vill" to the "Original General Budget of the City of
Friendswood, Texas, for the Fiscal Year 2014-20150; 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 Scott moved to approve the First reading of Ordinance No. T2015-12 —An ordinance'
amending Ordinance No. 2012-04 in order to approve an annual rate adjustment as provided for in the
City of Friendswood—IESI Solid Waste Franchise.
Seconded by Councilmember McGinnis. The motion was approved 6-1 with Councilmember Rockey
opposed.
Discussion took place between Mayor, Council, Mike Wilson with Progressive Waste Solutions, and Staff
regarding a fuel decrease was not included, configuration of fuel surcharge, there is a minimum base
amount of $3.65 per gallon for fuel built into the contract, two more years until the current contract
' expires, Consumer Price Index (CPI) is mainly due to increased cost in recycling.
COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE MAYOR AND COUNCILMEMBERS
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Councilmember Scott stated he would like to,wish Councilmember McGinnis a happy birthday.
Councilmember McGinnis stated he has been reflecting on the..earlier discussion regarding Police Chief
Bob Wieners and the Friendswood Animal Advocates, wanted to express appreciation for the volunteer's
efforts, knows they have a passion, still hopeful that with time the groups can get back together, all
volunteers and committees throughout the City do great work:.
Mayor Holland announced that Dr. William Pressley Jones Jr., had passed away, memorial service will be
held on March 17, 2015, at 11:00 A.M. at Jeter Funeral Home. Mr. Jones was quite active in the
Friendswood Community, some of his accomplishments were the development of Regency Estates,
donation of the Jones Hangar, Leavesley Park, served on the Community Appearance Board currently
known as Keep Friendswood Beautiful in the late 1970's and early 1980's, was a member the Riding
Arena Board in 1971, also unsuccessfully ran for Council in 1973, was born November 14, 1924, and died
February 8, 2015, please remember his wife and family.
Councilmember Hill stated Assistant City Manager Morad Kabiri and he attended a recent Bay Area
Houston Economic Partnership meeting, had a discussion regarding the coastal storm protection system.
Assistant City Manager Morad Kabiri gave a brief summary of the discussion regarding the Bay Area
Coastal Protection Alliance.
Councilmember Enochs congratulated Mayor Holland and Councilmember Hill on an unopposed election,
looks forward to serving with them for at least two more years, wished Councilmember Rockey good luck
' in the upcoming election, and stated it has been an honor to serve with him the last three years.
Councilmember Rockey stated the monthly Farmers Market will be held on March 7, 2015, moving from
the parking lot in front of the Chamber of Commerce to Stevenson Park, Parks and Recreation Director
03/02/15 4403
James Toney has been quite willing to work with the Farmer's Market to make it successful, a great
program, have had incredible interest from the vendors, usually about 30 vendors, makes the City look '
good, try to make it to the upcoming Farmer's Market if you have not been, is open from 8:00 AM until
12:00 PM.
Councilmember Gustafson stated he had no report.
CONSENT AGENDA
**Councilmember Scott moved to approve all items on the Consent Agenda as presented: A. Authorizing
the disposal of a Police Department Vehicle through Houston Auto Auction and in accordance with the
Vehicle Replacement Fund. B. Accepting the January 2015 Property Tax Report.
Seconded by Councilmember Hill. The motion was approved unanimously.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:16 PM.
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Mayor Kew Mollan
Attest:
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Melinda Welsh, TRMC
City Secretary
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