| The City of |
| Hilshire
Village |
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TUESDAY, August 18, 2009 COUNCIL MEETING 7:00 P.M.
1. CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Pro Tem Castro called the City of Hilshire Village Council Meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. at 8301 Westview, Houston, Texas 77055. Invocation was given by Council Member Wolfe.
1.2. Present were Mayor Pro Tem Connie Castro and Council Members Cheryl Wolfe, Edward Davis and Bill Bristow. Also present were Efrain Him, P.E., Claunch & Miller, Inc., Engineer for the City; Chief Gary Finkelman, Spring Valley Police Department; Tom Archer, Fire Commissioner, and City Attorney, David Olson, Olson & Olson. Mayor Robin Border and Council Member Shannon Whiting were absent.
2. CITIZENS COMMENTS: Paul Maddock, 8 Hilshire Oaks Court, stated he did not feel the City should have paid AAA Asphalt, Inc., in full because at the corner of Ridgeley and Wirt there still is a low spot that does not drain. He also stated at the corner of Hilshire Oaks and Ridgeley there are ruts caused by vehicles cutting across the corner. Mr. Maddock would like for City Council to look at the curbing in Hunters Creek by the Racquet Club. Efrain stated in regards to Mr. Maddock’s comment on AAA that HDR/C&M will do a one (1) year follow-up and if the problem still exists they will have AAA fix it then.
Alan Wolfe, 1314 Pine Chase, wanted to let everyone know he had attended a meeting with TCEQ regarding enforcement of using licensed irrigators to perform any irrigation work. He stated that he and his cohorts will report any irrigation work that is performed in the City without utilizing a licensed irrigator to the TCEQ.
Robert Belt, 1202 Glourie, stated he was here in a dual capacity; as a resident and as the City’s Auditor. He wanted to respond to remarks made by Council Member Wolfe during the last Council and Budget Workshop Meeting. She stated his house was not appraised correctly, did not reflect the correct square footage and that it might result in independence issues with his firm serving as independent auditors for the City. Robert Belt stated he called HCAD and reported to them that they had his appraisal and square footage incorrect and he also called the State Board of Accountancy and AICPA and talked to their attorneys in regards to the independence issue. The State Board’s Attorneys stated his house being appraised incorrectly by HCAD did not result in any independence issues. The attorneys stated an error as a result of a third party did not result in an independence issue. Robert Belt stated the City Secretary checked to see if the City fulfilled its responsibility by reporting his remodeling and found that the City had done so. Robert Belt wanted to assure Council that the City’s fee only represented ½ of a percent of his firm’s total revenue. He also stated there was a separate partner, audit manager, and audit staff that handles the City’s account. Robert Belt stated that as a supporter of expanded city services and with three children in SBISD he applauded Councilmember Wolfe’s efforts to increase property taxes and thanked her for heading up the City’s efforts to ensure that all properties are carried at their maximum value. He just wanted to ensure he wasn’t the only home owner targeted. He would like the City to make sure that all citizens have fair and equal treatment with regards to evaluation of their property.
Helen DiBona, # 5 Hilshire Oaks, believes that Hilshire Oaks has the right to drain and be curbed like every other subdivision in the City. She would like Hilshire Oaks to be included in the City’s beautification efforts. Helen DiBona is concerned about health issues because of the ponding of water in Hilshire Oaks and believes this needs to be addressed by the City. She would get with other residents to help with funding if the City would supply an estimate to make these repairs.
David Phillips, Grady Farris’ attorney, inquired if the minutes that were in the Council Packets reflected the correction regarding comments made by Grady Farris at the previous Council Meeting. Secretary Blevins stated Mr. Farris’ comments were included in the minutes.
Mr. Phillips stated Mr. Farris waited until the very last moment to file suit and he did so upon his recommendations. Mr. Farris is not looking for a fight; he is looking for a resolution.
3. REPORTS TO COUNCIL:
3.1 Police: Chief Finkelman gave his report. The Chief stated there was one arrest for public intoxication. The Chief reported 15 tickets were issued and 14 warnings.
3.2 Fire Commissioner: Commissioner Tom Archer reported the fire department was 1.88% under budget this year. He stated the Fire Commissioners approved changing one of the Fire Department’s holidays from President’s Day to 9-11. Commissioner Archer reported the ladder truck was still having maintenance problems and the communication equipment had been moved from a truck into a trailer for emergency situations. Commissioner Archer stated thanks were due to Chief Calagna because the Villages were able to keep the ISO rating at a superior rating. He also stated the Fire Department had one more resignation and only 5 applicants have picked up packets.
3.3 City Secretary: City Secretary Blevins stated Severn Trent still did not have electronic billing set up due to some issues with Compass Bank’s lawyers rewriting all the contracts. A water meter was removed from one residence due to lack of payment. Secretary Blevins stated that she had 25 open record requests this month.
3.4 Engineer’s Report: Efrain Him of HDR/CMI stated he had assisted the City in preparing and updating information as requested by Harris County associated with the City’s CDBG funding request for the proposed Pine Chase and Glourie Drives Drainage and Paving Improvements Project. Harris County has approved the application and the City is waiting for the State’s approval.
Efrain is still working with HMGP regarding the generator at City Hall and the proposed Pine Chase and Glourie Drives Drainage & Paving Improvements Project. He prepared letters to TCEQ, the Texas Historical Commission and Texas Parks & Wildlife Department.
Efrain will continue working on the Division of Emergency Management Grants.
HDR/C&M has reviewed and returned the drainage plan for 1309 Glourie Drive due to incomplete information.
HDR/C&M has updated the City’s Drainage Guideline based on information supplied by Mayor Robin Border, Ted Lazarides and David Olson and submitted it to Council for the City to implement.
Efrain contacted DonMar Grading, Inc. in regards to performing the ditch cleaning project along the 1300 Block of Glourie Drive to deepen the ditch and provide adequate drainage to the new development.
Efrain had Lopez Utilities Company rehabilitate the existing six (6) inch sanitary sewer at 8014 Burkhart with an eight (8) inch HDPE line per Council’s instructions on August 4, 2009.
Efrain is still working with the City of Houston regarding a solution to the low water pressure problems experienced throughout the City. The City of Houston installed pressure gauges near the north and south water delivery points to the City of Hilshire Village and determined that the system’s water pressure fluctuated considerably. The City of Houston is currently troubleshooting this fluctuation.
The City Engineer was excused at this time.
4. ACTION ITEMS (CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION):
4.1 A motion was made by Council Member Wolfe to approve the replacement of damaged or lost street signs throughout the City, not to exceed $1,000, seconded by Council Member Bristow. Mayor Pro Tem Castro stated Will Carey’s donation would be used to fund the signs and the balance would be funded by Metro. A vote was taken to approve the replacement of damaged or lost street signs throughout the City not to exceed $1,000, the motion passed unanimously.
4.2 A motion was made by Council Member Davis to appoint Chris Halaska, Travis Crites and Richard McAvey as HVCEFFC Directors. Mayor Pro Tem Castro stated the nominees would replace David Cheadle, Brian Henault and Jay Fort who no longer live in the Village. A vote was taken to approve the appointment of Chris Halaska, Travis Crites and Richard McAvey as HVCEFFC Directors, the motion passed unanimously.
5. DISCUSSION ITEMS:
5.1 Council and City Attorney convened to a closed executive session at 7:50 PM to discuss the pending lawsuit filed against Mayor Robin Border, City Building Official Ted Lazarides, the City’s Engineer, HDR/C&M, and other residents of Hilshire Village.
Mayor Pro Tem Castro reconvened the Council Meeting at 8:15 PM.
The City Attorney was excused at this time.
6. REPORTS TO COUNCIL:
6.1 Building Official: Ted Lazarides stated nine (9) permits were issued this month including one for a generator. Inspections have increased during the month. He issued Certificate of Occupancies to 1225 Pine Chase and 8001 Anadell.
6.2 Treasurer: Manisha Patel was absent; City Secretary stated she could answer any questions Council may have.
6.3 Mayor Pro Tem: Mayor Pro Tem Castro told Council the date for the second Budget Workshop would be Tuesday, August 25th, at 6:00 PM. She also told Council a vote will be needed to approve a resolution to suspend the date of Center Point’s rate increase by 90 days.
Whiting: Bridle Spur: Council Member Whiting was absent.
Ridgeley Project Citizens Committee: Council Member Whiting was absent.
Davis: Council Member Davis will report on the Utility Committee at the Budget Meeting
6.4 HVCEFFC (Conduit Bonds): No report at this time.
7. CONSENT AGENDA:
7.1 A motion was made by Council Member Wolfe to accept the consent agenda deleting 7.4 Special Council Meeting and Budget Workshop of August 4, 2009, seconded by Council Member Bristow. A vote was taken to approve the motion to accept the consent agenda including disbursements of service invoices, Minutes of the Council Meeting of July 21, 2009 and July 30, 2009 but excluding Council Meeting and Budget Workshop Minutes of August 4, 2009. The motion was passed unanimously.
7.2 A motion was made by Council Member Davis to accept the Minutes from Council Meeting and Budget Workshop of August 4, 2009 rewording 3.1 to add “Concerns discussed included the ongoing shortage of revenues versus increasing expenses. Possible solutions discussed included increased water rates, additional fees assessed for garbage pickup, and higher tax rates. Council Member Wolfe discussed her concern that the appraised values of some properties have not been updated by HCAD to reflect recent construction projects”. The motion was seconded by Council Member Bristow. A Vote was taken to approve the motion to accept the Minutes from Council and Budget Meeting of August 4, 2009, with rewording 3.1 regarding concerns discussed. The motion was passed unanimously.
8. ADDITIONAL CITIZENS COMMENTS:
Alan Wolfe, 1314 Pine Chase, stated there was not a yield or stop sign at Bromley and Pine Chase. He would also like for there to be one standard height for the signs.
Jean Bravenec, 8010 Burkhart, stated there was no stop sign at Burkhart and Ridgeley. Mayor Pro Tem Castro disagreed and stated there used to be a stop sign there and the City would make sure there was one. Jean Bravenec stated there was water ponding all over the City.
9. ANNOUNCEMENTS: Council Member Bristow stated that he was going to reimburse the City for the part of Olson & Olson bill regarding his question about carrying a concealed weapon in the Council Chambers.
10. ADJOURNMENT: Council Member Davis moved to adjourn, seconded by Council Member Bristow. The meeting was adjourned at 8:26 PM.
____________________ Mayor Pro Tem Castro
ATTEST:
__________________________ Susan Blevins, City Secretary
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