TUESDAY, March 17, 2009

COUNCIL MEETING

7:00 P.M.

 

 

1. CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Pro Tem Connie 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, Council Members Cheryl Wolfe and Shannon Whiting. Also present were Efrain Him, P.E., of Claunch & Miller, Inc., Engineer for the City and Ted Lazarides, Building Official.

 

2. CITIZENS COMMENTS:

 

Joerg Meyer, 8206 Mallie Court, stated before the final bills for the Ridgeley Drainage Improvement Project are paid he would like to raise Councilís attention again to the issue of high levels of soil erosion in the ravine. The higher water flow velocities have resulted in significant amounts of erosion and have led to a vertical recession of the ravine creek water bed of more than four (4) ft near his property. This erosion will continue to result in an increasingly deeper creek bed. The structural integrity of the buildings on these properties is likely to be affected over a longer period of time.  

 

Judy Shields, 1302 Glourie Drive, asked Council to put the closing of Pine Chase Grove Cul-de-sac on April 18, 2009, for the Civic Clubís crawfish bowl on next monthís agenda.

 

Let the record show that Council Member Anderson arrived at 7:05 P.M.

 

3. REPORTS TO COUNCIL

 

3.1 Police: Chief Finkelman was not at the meeting. Mayor Pro Tem Castro read the Chiefís report. There were four (4) arrests made consisting of two (2) public intoxications, one (1) traffic violation and one (1) arrest for an outstanding immigration violation.

3.2 Fire Commissioner: NONE

3.3 Engineerís Report: Efrain Him of HDR/CMI gave his report regarding Ridgeley Drive Paving and Drainage Improvements (Package 3). AAA Asphalt Paving, Inc., has completed the Channel Crossing A work. AAA is working on replacing the affected driveways on Ridgeley Drive from Archley North to Westview Drive. The final 1 ‡ inch asphalt layer will be installed through the entire length of Ridgeley Drive, Burkhart Road and Mallie Court after the driveways are replaced. All the additional work approved by Council has been completed.

 

Efrain met with Mayor Border and AAA to discuss the removal and replacement of the fire hydrant at Burkhart Road and Glourie Drive. The cost to replace it is $2,100.00. The asphalt patches at 1206, 1311 and 1313 Pine Chase Drive and 1306/1310 Glourie Drive will cost $1,000.00. Mayor Border preauthorized these repairs to be added to Package 3. HDR/CMI reviewed and approved AAA Asphalt Paving, Inc.'s Pay Application No. 13 in the amount of $142,359.94 for completion of approximately 83.55% of the work and within 132.67% of the contracted time.

 

Council Member Anderson asked Efrain about the status of the ravine crossings that are still holding water. Efrain said the culvert on Burkhardt has some sediment in the pipe itself that needs to be cleaned up which will then allow the water to drain. He did not see any evidence of water in the pipe itself on Mallie Court. He stated all the other culverts were fine. He stated the Wourms said the culvert by them is draining fine within a two hour period. Council Member Anderson stated that all four (4) culverts were still holding water. Efrain and Council Member Anderson stated they would both look at the culverts after a rain. Council Member Anderson stated the foliage is dead in these culverts and you can see down into the culverts from the street.

 

4. ACTION ITEMS (CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON):

 

4.1 Council Member Whiting made a motion to authorize payment of AAA Asphalt Paving, Inc.'s Pay Application No. 13 for work related to the Ridgeley Drive Paving & Drainage Improvements Project (Package 3) in the amount of $142,359.94, seconded by Council Member Wolfe. A vote was taken to approve the motion to authorize payment to AAA Asphalt Paving, Inc. in the amount of $142,359.94 and the motion passed unanimously.

 

The City Engineer was excused at this time.

 

4.2 Council Member Zandra Anderson made a motion to authorize the Mayor to sign a contract with Severn Trent allowing for payment to be received by Severn Trent electronically for utility billing, seconded by Council Member Whiting.

 

Joe Woods with Severn Trent explained the two step process. There is a lock box for paper deposits so that the residents can send payment directly to Compass Bank which will eliminate errors in transcribing dollar amounts. The second step will be electronic payments. They can make payment through grocery stores or anyone who accepts payment for utility bills. Also, a payment can be made via telephone or computer. There is no charge through Compass Bank. Going through their regular bank or a third party service will result in a $1.00 fee. There is no fee to the City. It takes about a month to set up. City Secretary Blevins asked what Severn Trent would need from the City and was informed to send an email showing Councilís vote.

A vote was taken to approve the motion to authorize the Mayor to sign a contract with Severn Trent allowing for payment to be received by Severn Trent electronically and the motion passed unanimously.

 

4.3 A motion was made by Council Member Anderson to approve the payment of Severn Trentís invoice for the dress up for sewer repairs at the Korean Church in the amount of $813.47, seconded by Council Member Whiting. Mayor Pro Tem Castro stated the Korean Church has been billed for both the repair and dress up invoices and the City has received full payment. A vote was taken to approve the motion to pay Severn Trentís invoice for the dress up for sewer repairs at the Korean Church in the amount of $813.47 and the motion passed unanimously.

 

4.5 A motion was made by Council Member Anderson authorizing the Mayor to sign a letter to the Village Fire Department and the Spring Valley Police Department requesting that our costs be kept at last yearís levels, seconded by Council Member Whiting. A vote was taken to approve the motion to authorize the Mayor to sign a letter to the Village Fire Department and the Spring Valley Police Department requesting that our costs be kept at last yearís levels and passed unanimously.

 

5. REPORTS TO COUNCIL

 

5.1 Building Official: Ted Lazarides stated there were eight (8) misc. permits issued this month. He stated that City Inspector, Joe Garrett, is back to work on a full time basis.

 

The City Building Official was excused at this time.

 

5.2 Treasurer: City Secretary Blevins gave the treasurerís report. Blevins stated that new financials were submitted to Council showing the difference between unrestricted and restricted funds. The statements are now produced through Peachtree and not transferred into Excel. A lot of work went into setting up these statements. The one thing that Council needs to note is the income statement budget items are for a specific month ending and not year to date.

Council Member Whiting asked why current property tax revenues were so low at this time. City Secretary Blevins stated it had to do with the timing and that residents are paying their taxes slower this year. She stated there are still a lot of residents who are disputing their evaluation dollar amounts.

5.3 Mayor and Council:

 

Mayor Pro Tem Castro read a report from Mayor Border stating Hilshire Village had received some good news. The report stated after continuous work between City Secretary Blevins and himself, FEMA will be reimbursing the City for $7,342.16 in the near future. Mayor Borderís report also stated that after several meetings, phone calls and emails between himself, City Secretary Blevins and Harris County the City will be awarded $200,000.00 flood mitigation dollars. Mayor Border hopes that City Council will approve use of this money for flood mitigation on Pine Chase. Mayor Pro Tem Castro offered appreciation to the Mayor and the City Secretary for their hard work.

 

City Secretary Blevins stated Council needed to appreciate the Mayorís foresight to sign a contract with Harris County for debris clean-up. It saved the City approximately $150,000 which would have had to be paid by the City before being reimbursed by FEMA (which is taking seven (7) to nine (9) months).

 

Whiting: Bridle Spur – NONE

 

Ridgeley Project Citizens Committee has not convened because Council Member Whiting has not been able to meet with Harris County Flood Control and Trees from Houston.

 

5.4 HVCEFFC (Conduit Bonds): Mayor Pro Tem Castro stated there was

$1,048.83 in the bank at this time. City Secretary Blevins stated the committee has finally paid the insurance bill from last year of $1,133.00.

 

5.5 City Secretary:

 

CDBG – Filled out paperwork to request more grant money. The City is going to request any grant money for which it is eligible.

Election - There are five (5) candidates running for Council Positions: John Denninger, Zandra Anderson, Shannon Whiting, Edward Davis and Bill Bristow.

Bill Plagens will be the Alternate Judge for the Election.

Financial Disclosure - has been received except for Council Member Anderson whose form was returned last month to be filled out on the Stateís form. Council Member Anderson and City Secretary Blevins were in disagreement over the receipt of the disclosure.

Centerpoint Franchise check has been received in the amount $9,829.00 for franchise money related to the new franchise agreement.

 

6. CONSENT AGENDA:

 

6.1 A motion was made by Council Member Wolfe to approve the consent agenda after noting the correction made by Mayor Pro Tem Castro to note the amount of the Olson and Olson invoice to be $2,852.50 and to remove 6.2 minutes of the Council Meeting of February 17, 2009 and 6.3 minutes of the Workshop/Council Meeting of February 17, 2009, seconded by Council Member Whiting. A vote was taken to approve the motion to approve the consent agenda less 6.2 and 6.3 including the clarification of Olson and Olson invoice to be $2,852.50. The vote passed unanimously.

 

6.2 A motion was made by Council Member Whiting to approve the minutes of the Council Meeting of February 17, 2009 adding an answer to the question asked of Ted Lazarides on 6.1 Page 5, seconded by Council Member Wolfe. A vote was taken to approve the motion to approve the minutes of February 17, 2009 to include an answer by Ted Lazarides of ìyes, depending on the type of work being doneî for question asked of Ted Lazarides on 6.1 Page 5. The vote passed unanimously.

 

6.3 A motion was made by Council Member Wolfe to approve the minutes of the Workshop/Council Meeting of February 25, 2009 adding Council Member Wolfeís clarification pointing out an error to Mayor Borderís handout in the 2^nd paragraph page 3, seconded by Council member Whiting. A vote was taken to approve the motion to approve the Minutes of the Workshop/Council Meeting of February 25, 2009 adding a clarification on Page 3, 2^nd paragraph that Council Member Wolfe pointed out an error to Mayor Borderís handout. The vote passed unanimously.

 

7. ADDITIONAL CITIZENS COMMENTS - NONE

 

 

8. MAYOR AND COUNCIL COMMENTS:

Council Member Whiting was advised today that there were vehicle break-ins last night and she wanted to know if an email should be sent out warning residents. Council agreed that an email was in order.

 

9. ANOUNCEMENTS: NONE

 

10. ADJOURNMENT: It was moved by Council Member Anderson and seconded by Council Member Wolfe to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 7:45 PM

 

 

 

 

                                                                                    ____________________

                                                                                    Connie Castro, Mayor Pro Tem

ATTEST:

 

__________________________

Susan Blevins, City Secretary