HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Minutes 2018-05-14 Regular i
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STATE OF TEXAS )(
CITY OF FRIENDSWOOD )(
COUNTIES OF GALVESTON/HARRIS )( 1
MAY 14, 2018 )(
MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE FRIENDSWOOD CITY COUNCIL THAT WAS HELD ON
MONDAY, MAY 14, 2018, AT 6:30 PM AT FRIENDSWOOD CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 910 Sj
FRIENDSWOOD DRIVE, FRIENDSWOOD, TEXAS, WITH THE FOLLOWING PRESENT
CONSTITUTING A QUORUM:
MAYOR KEVIN HOLLAND
MAYOR MIKE FOREMAN
MAYOR PRO-TEM STEVE ROCKEY
COUNCILMEMBER SALLY BRANSON
COUNCILMEMBER JIM HILL
COUNCILMEMBER TRISH HANKS
COUNCILMEMBER MIKE FOREMAN
COUNCILMEMBER ROBERT J. GRIFFON
COUNCILMEMBER CARLGUSTAFSON
CITY ATTORNEY MARY KAY FISCHER
CITY MANAGER MORAD KABIRI
CITY SECRETARY MELINDA WELSH
Councilmember John Scott was absent from the meeting.
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
Mayor Holland asked if anyone would like to speak. No one spoke.
COMMUNICATIONS FROM INCOMING/OUTGOING MAYOR, COUNCILMEMBERS AND
CANDIDATES
Candidate Omar Peck congratulated the candidates that won, a fine campaign was ran by all, bittersweet
for those that did not win, now it is time to join together and work for the betterment of Friendswood. He
appreciates everyone that supported him, and thankful that he met so many new people. The City of
Friendswood is a great city and it is a privilege to live here.
Candidate Phil Ratisseau stated he would like to thank everyone for the civility of the campaign season.
He congratulated those that were elected, large field of candidates that love the city, and all eight
candidates had the best interest of Friendswood in their hearts. He feels that the citizens of Friendswood!
along with the candidates, are all winners, hopes those elected live up to their word, reassured by theif
desire and passion to get involved and work with others to make sure Friendswood stays our hometown
and prospers. Thanked his wife, could not have done the campaign without her, and thanked his
supporters. Congratulated those who were elected, and stated may God bless all of Friendswood.
' Candidate Trish Hanks stated she would like to thank everyone who supported her and those that did not.
She concurs with Omar Peck and Phil Ratisseau, the campaign was run well on both sides, and stayed
true to the issues. She reported that at one of the first campaign meetings that was held in her living
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room with supporters, it was decided they were not going to make the campaign personal, was going to '
keep the campaign about Friendswood issues and about what was good for the City of Friendswood.
She believes everyone does love this city. Thanked Mayor Holland and Councilmember Jim Hill for all
their years of service, and was so proud to see Mr. Hill's grandson Austin Hill at the previous Council
meeting and to hear him speak. She has watched Austin and his speech skills since he was a young
boy, he carries himself so well, and he made the Hill family so proud. She was so excited to hear Austin
recognize all the things and contributions that Mr. Hill has made, and then to hear Mr. Hill call out Mayor
Holland as Mr. Anonymous. She has known Mayor Holland for several years when she was school
superintendent and knows of the things that he has done for this community. Mayor Holland is not
comfortable tooting his own horn, would much rather stay in the background, sometimes people mistake
that, he was extremely involved and very effective. People do not understand the amount of work that
goes into being a Mayor and it is all volunteer, same also being a council person but especially the
Mayor. Mayor Holland served with such grace, humility and conviction to our community. She was
honored that Mayor Holland asked her to go pray the Four Corners. People do not know that Mayor
Holland gathered citizens and went to the Four Corners of Friendswood to pray for our community. She
used to do that for the school district before the school year started, and was so honored and happy that
he would do that. She knows that is not something he would put on Facebook or publicize in anyway and
appreciates that. She will never forget the picture of Councilmember Jim Hill sifting on a tractor outside
the Old Junior High getting a Lacrosse field ready for the Lacrosse kids when the program started. Both
of these men have given so much of themselves personally, professionally, and financially. They gave to
the people and we are forever indebted. Thank you very much and she will work very hard to live up to
the reputation and the level of service that has been set.
Candidate Robert Griffon stated he would like to give a heartfelt thank you to all the residents of the City
of Friendswood, humbled by the support, and is truly thankful for all the support he was given on the
campaign trail. He would like to also thank the gentlemen who ran in the election. They ran a great race,
glad he got the chance to meet them, and they are just wonderful people. It is not an easy thing to put '
yourself out into the public eye in this form. It can be nerve-racking at times and stressful, appreciated
getting to meet everyone on the campaign trail. Got to meet everyone at the Senior Citizens Center and
play dominos with some neat people. He has been able to meet a lot of good people here in
Friendswood, especially the Staff, employees and the volunteers that make this city run. Mayor Holland
has done a wonderful job and has done wonderful things for the City of Friendswood. He has deep
admiration for Councilmember Jim Hill who took him under his wing and took him just about every place
you can go to tour Friendswood and explained what has happened for the last 35 years, needed the
background, and appreciated all that Councilmember Hill did to help him get up to speed on what is going
in the city. Councilmember Hill has had a wonderful Council career with 12 years of service, but is a
wonderful man and a wonderful uncle. Thanked everyone again and stated he looks forward to serving.
Councilmember and candidate Steve Rockey stated he would like to echo the things the other candidates
stated. All eight candidates did a terrific job and can be proud that it brought a record turnout for this
election, there was approximately 4,200 votes, which surpassed the last election. Heard a lot during this
election and all of it was good. Also, heard from people who may have been opposed to him and they
had great ideas that need to be considered. There were a lot of people who supported us, and we owe
them consideration for their opinions. He has been on Council for six years and prides himself on
meeting with people who are opposed to him. There are a lot of challenges over the next couple of years,
but the new Council will do fine. Councilmember Hill, Mayor Holland, and himself all ran together six
years ago, so for his first couple of years he would get a call from Councilmember Hill who would tell him
all the things he did wrong. He would disagree with him but nonetheless considers Councilmember Hill a
mentor. Councilmember Rockey further stated when he would come into Council meetings, he thought a
lot about each issue but had not often made up his mind until he listened to the rest of Council and
surprisingly Councilmember Hill probably changed his mind more on matters than anybody else on
Council. Councilmember Rockey informed Councilmember Hill that he considers him a mentor and a
friend, and is going to miss him. Councilmember Rockey stated he likes to do woodworking and for ,
people that he really likes he gifts them with a tool, so he made Councilmember Hill a wooden mallet.
Councilmember Rockey stated he considers Mayor Holland a brother in arms. Several people talked
about how Mayor Holland does a lot in the background and because of this it lets the rest of Council be
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more outspoken than we have ever been and that was just an immense help. Do not kid yourself on he
' much Mayor Holland has done for the city in ways that people do not know unless you have been there to
see it. Councilmember Rockey informed Mayor Holland he will miss him, and he will always be Mayor to
him. Mayor Holland has had to sharpen Council's edges, so he got him a set of Swiss carving knives
Thanked his wife Susan, he will enjoy the next three years serving on Council, and anyone can come
speak to him.
Councilmember Branson thanked Councilmember Hill for his service, presented him with a gift, and
stated maybe now he can chase the dreams that have been put on hold for the last 12 yearn
Councilmember Branson presented Mayor Holland with a gift, thanked him for his service to the
community, and hopes he gets to enjoy his grandchildren.
Councilmember Gustafson stated when he was first elected he got the same tour of town from
Councilmember Hill that Robert Griffon had, and it was very informative because Councilmember Hill
knew everything that happened in the city. He informed Councilmember Rockey that he too remembered
that election where the three of them ran together. He has the distinction of being the only person to ever
run against Councilmember Hill in an election which did not work out very well, for him anyway
Councilmember Hill has been very helpful to him. If he had a question or needed to know anything about
any of the history of this town Mr. Hill was always a go-to source of information and hopes that will
continue. Councilmember Gustafson presented Councilmember Hill with a gift and stated it has been an
honor to serve with him. Councilmember Gustafson informed Mayor Holland that his first real encounter
with him was when his wife was going to an event at the senior center and she dropped a bunch of push
cards in the parking lot. Mayor Holland probably does not remember but he has never forgotten it, his
wife told him what a nice guy Mayor Holland was because he stopped, even though he had to be in there
too. His wife had gone to the event on his behalf since he could not be there, Mayor Holland stopped in
the parking lot and helped clean it up even though they were not on the same slate in that election, whichl'
l him a lot about his character, Mayor Holland has been a great guy to know, a great guy to work wit�hl,
and people are right that there has been a lot of stuff that Mayor Holland has done that nobody knows
about. Mayor Holland put together a relay to get medication to one of his neighbors in the Forest of
Friendswood during Hurricane Harvey. The man was in hospice at home and de a couple of days after
the flooding receded. It was comfort medication and Mayor Holland was instrumental in getting it to himi,
The city has had a wonderful Mayor for the last six years, the right guy at the right time, with the right
temperament. He has done a magnificent job steering the ship and the city's next Mayor has extremely,
big shoes to fill. Councilmember Gustafson further stated he has enjoyed working with Mayor Holland
and is proud to call him a friend.
A video was shown of pictures from Mayor Holland and Councilmember Hill's many years of service.
Mayor Holland informed Councilmember Gustafson that he did remember the incident with his wife, is
blessed with a wonderful family and a wonderful wife and has really enjoyed serving with him. He
informed Mayor-elect Mike Foreman that they have served together a couple of years on Council and he
is confident in his abilities, have a great Staff, a great community behind you, a great Council, and id
going to do fine. Mayor Holland addressed Councilmember Hill and stated that he has enjoyed serving
with him, got a lot of stuff done and the city looks better than when he started and that is what it was all
about. Mayor Holland addressed Councilmember Branson and stated their time together on Council has
been short but is glad she is here. Mayor Holland told Councilmember Rockey that they go way back
thinks he had hair when they first got elected. Mayor Holland thanked everyone for their words, thanked
the community for the opportunity to serve, is glad tonight is the last meeting, and it is a lot of serving on
Council, and is looking forward to seeing what Council can do to move the city forward. Mayor Holland
congratulated City Manager Moral Kabiri on his new role and stated it was good to see former Citt,
Manager Roger Roecker present at the meeting. Mayor Holland stated his family is present, including his
wife Maryanne, son Kevin and daughter-in-law Serina, grandson Bronson, and other son Tyler.
' Mayor Holland presented Councilmember Hill with a carved stone with an inscription recognizing his long
time, dedicated service and significance achievements as a member of the Friendswood City Council, in
appreciation of sharing his time, energy, and talents on behalf of the citizens of Friendswood.
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Councilmember Hill stated he too is glad that it is his last meeting, has been a long time on Council but it '
has been the best part of his life. When you look at the town year by year it gets better every time and we
are leaving it in good hands. Councilmember Hill further stated as he looks in the audience he sees Staff
members and it is feels like he has known them all his life. They are not just staff members, they are
considered friends, and claims City Manager Morad Kabiri to be his third son but that is another story.
Councilmember Hill informed City Attorney Mary Kay Fischer it has been a pleasure to work with her.
Councilmember Hill informed Councilmember Rockey that he does not always agree with him, but at the
end of the day they have a mutual respect for each other, has done a lot for the city too, and it will not go
unnoticed. Councilmember Hill informed Councilmember Branson she has only been on Council a year
but has known her quite a while. Councilmember Branson has helped a lot of councilmembers with
campaigns, is the master campaigner and it is appreciated. Councilmember Hill informed Councilmember
Gustafson the thing he will always remember about him is getting the two parks named after two young
veterans. That was a huge accomplishment and he appreciates his efforts. Councilmember Hill informed
Mayor-elect Foreman being Mayor will be easier than going for a spacewalk. There will be a few ups and
downs but nothing like what he has seen. Councilmember Hill stated he believes Mayor-elect Foreman
will be a great mayor and if he can help any of Council he is just a phone call away. Mayor Holland is a
special guy, has known he can always call on him when something needed to be done, it would be done
within a few days, and he is a genuine good person. He thanked his wife Debbie who has stuck by him
the whole time, and he appreciates it. His whole family stuck by him and he appreciates every one of
them. As Mayor Holland stated, he is glad this is their last meeting but he would not have traded the
experience for anything.
Councilmember and candidate Mike,Foreman stated he learned a lot during the election, has participated
in two elections, one was opposed, one was unopposed, and recommends running unopposed. He met a
lot of great people on both sides of the ballot and learned a lot from a lot of people that he met. Going to
put a lot of the things he learned in discussions over the last few months to work going forward. He has '
Candidates Omar Peck and Phil Ratisseau's phone numbers, will be calling them, they are not getting off
scot-free, and appreciates both of these men willing to continue to serve as needed. Thanked his soh,
Jim Foreman, appreciates him, and he ran a spectacular campaign. Thanked his wife Lome who has
been with him for 39 years and supported him through everything he has said he wanted to try to do, she
has always been tremendous, and he appreciates her. Appreciates Councilmember Hill, has not always
agreed with him, any differences that they have had he thinks have been forgotten quickly, will definitely
be calling him as well for advice, and appreciates the time Councilmember Hill has devoted to the city.
Tried-to talk Mayor Holland out of stepping down from his position, appreciates Mayor Holland's family
being at the meeting to support him, and Mayor Holland has been a mentor while on Council.
Councilmember Foreman presented Mayor Holland a carved stone with an inscription recognizing his
long time, dedicated service and significance achievements as a member of the Friendswood City
Council in appreciation of sharing his time, energy, and talents on behalf of the citizens of Friendswood.
ORDINANCES
**Councilmember Hill moved to approve the First and Final reading of Ordinance No. 2018-14 — An
ordinance of the City Council of the City of Friendswood, Texas, canvassing the returns of the May 05,
2018, City of Friendswood General and Special Election for position of Mayor and Council Positions No.
1, No. 3 and to fill the remainder of an unexpired term for Council Position No.4.
Seconded by Councilmember Rockey. The motion was approved 6-0.
MAYOR (Term expires May 2021)
OmarPeck............................................................................................................. 1,895 votes
MikeForeman.......................................................................................................... 2,227 votes
COUNCILMEMBER—POSITION NO. 1 (Term expires May 2021) '
SteveRockey.......................................................................................................... 2,034 votes
MichaelWood.......................................................................................................... 1,886 votes
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' COUNCILMEMBER— POSITION NO. 3 (Term expires May 2021)
TrishHanks............................................................................................................ 2,240 votes)
Phillip Ratisseau...................................................................................................... 1,841 votes
COUNCILMEMBER= POSITION NO. 4 (Unexpired term expires May 2019)
Robert J. Griffon...................................................................................................... 2,186 votes
BrentErenwert........................................................................................................ 1,805 votes
PRESENTATION OF CERTIFICATGES OF ELECTION
Mayor Holland presented the Certificates of,:Election to newly elected Mayor Mike Foreman
Councilmembers Robert J. Griffon, Trish Hanks, and re-elected Steve Rockey.
OATH OF OFFICE
The Honorable Judge Jim Woltz administered the Oath of Office to Steve Rockey for City Council Position
No. 1. 1
The Honorable Judge Jim Woltz administered Ehe'Oath of Office to Trish Hanks for City Council Position
No. 3.
The Honorable Judge Jim Woltz administered the Oath of Office to Robert J. Griffon for City Council
Position No. 4.
The Honorable Judge Jim Woltz administered the Oath of Office to Mike Foreman for Mayor.
COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE MAYOR AND COUNCILMEMBERS
Mayor Foreman presented former Mayor Holland with his gavel that was engraved with his name an
dates of service.
Councilmember Branson congratulated the newly elected members, Councilmembers Hanks and Griffon
in particular, welcomed Mayor Foreman and Councilmember Rockey back, congratulated Mayor Foreman
on being elected Mayor, and thanked him for the service he is about to do for the city. J
Councilmember Hanks thanked her husband for agreeing to let her run, excited and looking forward to
serving on Council, and thanked Phil and Connie Ratisseau for a great race.
Councilmember Griffon stated it has been a wonderful and rewarding experience, thanked his wife Anita
and his family for being at the meeting to support him and former Councilmember Jim Hill during this
special occasion.
Councilmember Gustafson stated the first three years he served on Council there was not a change in
Council, amazed at the changes in the last two years. Former Mayor Kevin Holland and former
Councilmember Jim Hill were part of a magnificent experience for him. He is looking forward to working
with the new councilmembers, has gotten to know each of them a bit, and has known Mayor Foreman fog
the past couple of years. If you look back over the last six to twelve years that former Mayor Holland and
former Councilmember Hill served, there has been significant differences throughout the city. These
gentlemen had the opportunity to make positive changes in the lives of 40,000 people and they should b
proud.
' Mayor Foreman thanked everyone who supported him during the campaign, and announced for everyone
to join Council for cake and punch in the foyer.
Councilmember Rockey stated he had nothing to report.
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The meeting was adjourned at 7:15 PM. '
Mayor Mi Forem n
Attest:
O�Melinda Welsh, TRMC 'V� �IZj�N���•%
City Secretary �* p
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