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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Minutes 2017-05-15 Regular 05/15/17 4685 STATE OF TEXAS )( CITY OF FRIENDSWOOD )( COUNTIES OF GALVESTON/HARRIS )( MAY 15, 2017 )( MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE FRIENDSWOOD CITY COUNCIL THAT WAS HELD ON MONDAY, MAY 15, 2017, AT 6:00 PM AT FRIENDSWOOD CITY'HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 910 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 SALLY BRANSON COUNCILMEMBER MIKE FOREMAN j 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 Lynn Colby with Calvary Chapel Church. Mayor Holland led the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States and to the State of Texas. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC Kitten Brizendine, Friendswood resident, addressed Council and stated she would like to remind Council of the upcoming Prayer Breakfast honoring community leaders at The Harbor, and thanked Council fo' their service to the community. Mayor Holland stated there are 210 full-time City employees, and for two tonight it is their last Friendswood City Council meeting before they retire. Administrative Services Director Cindy Edge is an example of how hard work; education, and common sense can lead to a great career. Thirty-two years ago, Mrs. Edge applied for a Receptionist job with the City and got it. Since then, she has worked hard, been a wife to Dennis and a mother to Tiffany and Jeremy. She has earned her Bachelor's degree, and became a Certified Government Finance Officer, all while rising up through the ranks at the City. For the last seven years, Mrs. Edge has been the Director of Administrative Services, overseeing Human Resources, Safety, Municipal Court, Utility Billing, Payroll, :Finance, Purchasing, Accounting, Information Technology, and the City's Budget. Her work ethic is legendary, and it has not gone unnoticed that she is often here working on a Saturday to make sure the City continues to operate smoothly. She has formed and led an award-winning team, and leaves the City better off and in good hands. Mayor Holland stated on behalf of a grateful Council and residents, he would like to thank Mrs. Edge for her thirty-two years of dedicated service, and wished her well in whatever she decides to do next. Mayor Holland further stated this would be City Attorney Arnold Polanco's last Council meeting before he retires; he has practiced law since 1986. As a consulting City Attorney for the City of Friendswood beginning in 2011, and then joining the City full-time in 2015,.Mr. Polanco has kept the City on course as the City has navigated through the ' years. Mr. Polanco sits on the dais during meetings, providing quick and accurate interpretation of rules and ordinances but what the public does not see behind the scenes is the way in which his legal knowledge and calm demeanor has served the City. Mayor Holland thanked City Attorney Arnold 1 05/15/17 4686 Polanco for his.dedication to the law and for doing what is right for the citizens of Friendswood, and wished him well in the years to come. COMMENTS FROM CANDIDATES AND OUTGOING/INCOMING COUNCILMEMBERS Councilmember Billy Enochs stated there is so much emotion after serving the City for six years that it is hard to put it into words. He thanked candidates Omar Peck and David O'Farrell for their willingness to get involved. For too many years there has been an epidemic of not enough good people wanting to commit to public service. He congratulated Sally Branson and Councilmember Scott on their victories, and stated he is excited to see what this Council has in store for the citizens. Mr. Enochs further stated when he reflects back on the last six years, the first word that comes to mind is proud. He is proud of what this Council body has accomplished for the citizens of Friendswood, but, more importantly, he is especially proud of the manner in which they have accomplished it. This Council has exemplified how a governing body should conduct itself and as such, have made politics really boring in Friendswood, and that is how it is supposed to be when Council's main focal point is taking care of the citizen's business. He is proud of all the improvements. Anywhere you go in the City, you will see where services and facilities have been improved for the citizens. He is especially proud of the City Staff. Mayor Pro-Tern Hill has said it many times and he agrees wholeheartedly, that the City of Friendswood has the best Staff of any city around. Mr. Enochs thanked Staff for always making Council proud of how well they interact and take care of the citizens, regardless of how the citizens might treat them. Councilmember Enochs further stated it has been an honor serving and working with Mayor, Council, Staff, and citizens over the past six years, and is thrilled at the possibility of continuing his service at a higher level. May the good Lord continue to bless the Council body and the great City of Friendswood. Candidate David O'Farrell stated running for office was an amazing experience, except for the last part. He congratulated Sally Branson and stated he got to know her as a fellow Commissioner on the Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z), and she had great contributions on P&Z. He congratulated ' Councilmember Scott and said they have far more in common than not, is a fiscal conservative, served well for the last six years, the next three years will be more of the same. Thanked the citizens, including all the new ones that he met during the campaign, and the numbers in the election reflect well of the future, thanked his wife for her support, she is a blessing to him, and stated what a great City that Friendswood is, national polls reflect that, is thankful to live in the City of Friendswood, God bless Friendswood. Candidate Omar Peck stated he was just before Council not that long ago announcing his candidacy for Council, is a proud Friendswoodian, thanked his family, opponents, and the citizens for their support, and appreciates the good race. The City of Friendswood is a great city, while campaigning he found a city with a great-heart that moves in the right direction. The city is driven by its faith, core values and does not stray from that, wished Sally Branson the best, is his intent to stay involved and looks forward to next year's election, God bless Friendswood. Candidate Sally Branson stated she is honored and excited to serve the city she has called home for many years, City of Friendswood is on the right track, thanked her supporters for their support, appreciates all that supported her and the opportunity to serve. Councilmember John Scott thanked the citizens that came out to vote, was an unprecedented amount of people that came out and voted this election cycle, shows a tremendous amount of involvement by the citizens, honored and humbled by the opportunity to serve the City for another three years. The past six years he has led with his heart and plans to continue to do the same. The City has helped shape him, and having an opportunity to give back is the greatest thing that can be done, is thankful to all his supporters, looking forward to the next three years, and wishes Councilmember Enochs the best. RESOLUTIONS "Councilmember Enochs moved to approve Resolution R2017-15 — A resolution of the City Council of the City of Friendswood, Texas, canvassing the returns of the May 06, 2017, City of'Friendswood General I 05/15/17 4687 Election for Council Positions No. 2 and No. 5. Seconded by Councilmember Foreman. The motion was approved unanimously. COUNCILMEMBER— POSITION NO. 2. Sally Harris Branson................................................................................................ 1,740 votes OmarPeck............................................................................................................. 1,434 vote COUNCILMEMBER—POSITION NO. 5'> David O'Farrell....................................................................................................... 1,318 votes JohnScott..........................................................:................................................... 1,876 votes **Councilmember Rockey moved to approve Resolution R2017-16 — A resolution of the City Council of the City of Friendswood, Texas, canvassing the returns of the May 6, 2017, City of Friendswood Special Election and instructing the Mayor to certify the results of the election to the appropriate State officials. Seconded by Councilmember Hill. The motion was approved unanimously. PROPOSITION NO. 1 I For.................................................................................................................2,639 votes' Against...............................................................................................................474 votes PROPOSITION NO. 2 For................:................................................................................................2,395 votes Against...............................................................................................................557 votes PROPOSITION NO. 3 For.................................................................................................................1,959 votes Against.............................................................................................................1,116 votes ' PROPOSITION NO. 4 1 For......................................:..........................................................................2,541 votes Against...............................................................................................................462 votes PROPOSITION NO. 5 For.................................................................................................................1,443 votes Against.............................................................................................................1,534 votes PROPOSITION NO. 6 For.................................................................................................................1,844 votes Against......................................:......................................................................1,121 votes PROPOSITION NO. 7 For.................................................................................................................2,284 votes Against............................................:......................................:...........................648 votes PROPOSITION NO. 8 For.................................................................................................................2,465 votes Against...............................................................................................................522 votes' Mayor Holland presented Councilmember Enochs with a carved stone in recognition of his dedicated service and significant achievements as a member of the Friendswood City Council for six years. PRESENTATION OF CERTIFICATES OF ELECTION ' Mayor Holland presented the Certificates of Election to newly elected Sally Branson and John Scott. OATHS OF OFFICE 05/15/17 4688 The Honorable Judge Jim Woltz administered the Oath of Office to Sally Branson for City Council Position No. 2. The Honorable Judge Jim Woltz administered the Oath of Office to John Scott for City Council Position No. 5. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE MAYOR AND COUNCILMEMBERS Councilmember Gustafson congratulated Councilmember Scott on his re-election and welcomed newly elected Councilmember Branson. He is proud of the work Council has done and believes it will continue, is looking forward to working with Council. Councilmember Scott congratulated newly elected Councilmember Branson, the election is a tough process, and looks forward to working with Council in the future. Councilmember Foreman stated he would like to commend candidates David O'Farrell and Omar Peck for stepping up, and congratulated Friendswood Independent School District (FISD) Superintendent Trish Hanks on her retirement. Councilmember Hill welcomed newly elected Councilmember Branson, loved serving with former Councilmember Enochs, a lot of good things were done for the City during his service; appreciates Omar Peck for stepping up, David O'Farrell worked harder than any candidate he has seen, glad to have Councilmember Scott on Council another three years, and thanked Friendswood Independent School District (FISD) Superintendent Trish Hanks for her service. Councilmember Hill further stated today is Peace Officer Memorial Day, remember all the peace officers, job is harder to do these days, and lost Friendswood resident Lorna Zeitler this past week who was a great citizen of Friendswood, and will be ' missed. Councilmember Branson congratulated Councilmember Scott, and stated she looks forward to serving with Council, thanked Friendswood Independent School District(FISD) Superintendent Trish Hanks for all her years of service, thanked Omar Peck and David O'Farrell, was a great race and turnout. The City of Friendswood is a wonderful and unique community, will do all she can to help, took her a long time to be ready to run for Council, and is honored to have this opportunity. Councilmember Rockey thanked Former Councilmember Enochs for his service, will miss him, wishes him well in future endeavors, was an honor to watch the candidates that ran for office, looks forward to working with Councilmembers Branson and Scott, and thanked Friendswood Independent School District (FISD) Superintendent Trish Hanks for her years of service. Mayor Holland stated he would miss City Attorney Arnold Polanco, told Administrative Services Director Cindy Edge to enjoy riding her motorcycle, candidates David O'Farrell and Omar Peck ran a stellar race, congratulated Councilmembers Branson and Scott, and have a good Council and a great community. The meeting was adjourned at 6:32 PM. Mayor levin olland / Melinda Welsh, TRMC U ® . City Secretary " .TFOF Sr.- . FI.