TUESDAY, October 20, 2009
COUNCIL MEETING
7:00 P.M.
1. CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Robin Border 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 Mayor Pro Tem Castro.
1.2. Present were Mayor Robin Border, Mayor Pro Tem Connie Castro and Council Members Cheryl Wolfe, Edward Davis, Shannon Whiting 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, Alternate Fire Commissioner, Ted Lazarides, Building Official and City Attorney, David Olson, Olson & Olson.
2. CITIZENS COMMENTS: Grady Farris, 1138 Glourie, asked what classification the City had assigned to the Hilshire Village Drainage Guidelines for the newly developed properties. He wanted to know if the document was an ordinance or a building code. If neither, what is it? He also wanted to know if these guidelines were the governing authority for the new construction at 1309 Glourie. (Mr. Farris speaking notes are attached to the Cityís official minutes.)
Helen DiBona, # 5 Hilshire Oaks, was representing the Hilshire Oaks Subdivision. Helen DiBona stated after discussion with the rest of the residents in Hilshire Oaks Subdivision that they agreed the only method to use to correct the paving problems is to use AAA Construction Company and the subdivision will contribute half the cost.
3. REPORTS TO COUNCIL:
3.1 Police: Chief Finkelman gave his report. The Chief stated there was one aggravated robbery in the Village but he had no additional information at that time. Chief Finkelman reported that a purse was stolen from a car at the School of the Woods this month. He stated there were no other events in the Village or surrounding areas.
3.2 Fire Commissioner: Alternate Commissioner Archer stated during the September Meeting Commissioner Peacock stated Chief Calagna had received a separation contract and was satisfied with it. Commissioner Archer also stated Commissioner Nelson thought the agreement should have been the responsibility of the Commissioners and not the Mayors and was upset that they received the contract that day and wanted to know how the Mayors received the contract prior to the Commissioners. The Commissioners voted and approved to accept the separation contract for Chief Calagna. Commissioner Archer stated Commissioner Peacock felt strongly that it was time to form a committee that will solicit applications for a new fire chief. He recommended using a consulting firm. Commissioner Archer said after 22 years Commissioner Peacock was submitting his resignation to Mayor Wegner. Mayor Pro Tem Stephen Reichek will be appointed to take his place. He stated the Fire Department would not have an acting fire chief. Chief Poirier will ìride-upî to Chief Calagnaís position and have the full authority and duties of the fire chief but will not be called ìActing Fire Chiefî. Commissioner Archer stated during the October meeting the Treasurerís report showed the Fire Department was 2.60% under budget at this time; however, there was lengthy discussion regarding the increase in insurance rates. He also stated that Belt Harris & Associatesí engagement letter was approved for 2010 and 2011. Commissioner Archer stated the Fire Department has lost seven (7) fire fighters this year and is having trouble filling the current position.
3.3 City Secretary: City Secretary Blevins stated there was a high volume of calls regarding high water billings. Problems varied from incorrect readings, incorrect billings and the fact that residents could not believe they used that much water.
3.4 Building Official: Ted Lazarides stated the 1309 Glourie permit had been issued and a resident on Archley would be submitting plans next week for review.
The Building Official was excused at this time.
3.5 Engineerís Report: Efrain Him of HDR/CMI stated he attended a second public hearing by Texas Department of Rural Affairs regarding a draft amendment for round 2 funding of the Stateís CDBG disaster recovery plan. As per request of Harris County he updated the Cityís budget and narrative for the Pine Chase Drive and Glourie Drive Drainage Improvements Project.
Efrain stated he contacted Mr. Goodman, a Consultant for Harris County, per the request of the City and informed him of the two (2) known properties that flooded during Hurricane Ike. This information was required under the National Flood Insurance Program requirements.
Efrain stated he provided assistance to the City Secretary in updating the Cityís Local Mitigation Plan which is required to be updated every five (5) years.
Efrain stated he contacted City of Houstonís Chief Inspector regarding the Hickory Shadows Water Meter Vault leak after the City did not receive any corrective actions by the City of Houston. He was informed that a crew would look into the issue as soon as possible.
Efrain stated the City of Houston installed pressure gauges in the north water meter vaults to confirm the delivery pressure. The average pressure on the upstream end was between 50 and 55 psi with low and high pressure readings of 45 and 60 psi. He stated the City of Houston also indicated the 54 inch water transmission line has been operating at 50 psi instead of the ultimate design pressure of 75 psi. Efrain stated this is the main contributor to the Cityís water pressure issues. He requested a follow up meeting with the City of Houston on the week of October 19th to discuss the progress to resolve this issue
4. ACTION ITEMS (CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION):
4.1 A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Castro to authorize AAA Asphalt Paving, Inc. to perform repairs to the pavement at Hilshire Oaks Court and Ridgeley Drive in the amount of $4,404; Hilshire Oaks Subdivision to fund half of the cost and the other half to be paid out of the Ridgeley Beautification Funds, seconded by Council Member Davis. A vote was taken to approve the motion authorizing AAA Asphalt Paving, Inc. to perform repairs to the pavement at Hilshire Oaks Court and Ridgeley Drive in the amount of $4,404; Hilshire Oaks Subdivision to fund half of cost and the other half to be paid out of the Ridgeley Beautification Funds, the motion passed unanimously.
4.2 A motion was made by Council Member Whiting to approve the General Fund and Utility Fund Budget, seconded by Council Member Davis. Mayor Border stated if the budget was approved the proper paperwork would be required to handle the changes.
Mayor Border stated a garbage fee must be collected in the amount of $33.00 bi- monthly per household. Council Member Wolfe stated she did not feel the Citizens had been adequately notified of all the increases to come. Council Member Whiting and Mayor Border stated the subject had been brought up at every Council Meeting for the last two to three months and there was an article put out in the Houston Chronicle. The Mayor stated he has been advising every resident he talks to of the increases. Also, it was on the agenda this month and there were no citizens at the meeting to discuss the issue.
Mayor Border stated there was an agenda item to increase the water rates that Council has been discussing due to the fact that City of Houston has notified the City of two mandatory rate increases. The increase in water rates needs to achieve revenue of $55,000, which is shown on line 228 of the budget. The revenue is required to establish infrastructure replacement funds.
Mayor Border stated that on line 202 of the budget he has shown the leftover Metro Ridgeley funds of $179,317 which can be used to make water and sewer repairs.
Mayor Border stated approving the motion would be approving an increase in utilities and a garbage fee.
A vote was taken to approve the motion to approve the General Fund and Utility Fund Budget. The motion passed 4-1, Mayor Pro Tem Castro, Council Members Davis, Bristow and Whiting for the motion and Council Member Wolfe against the motion.
The City Engineer was excused at this time.
4.3 A motion was made by Council Member Davis to approve a trash fee of $30.00 per household per bi-monthly billing period effective October 1, 2009, seconded by Council Member Bristow. After discussion Council Member Davis amended the motion to $33.00 per household, seconded by Council Member Bristow. A vote was taken to approve the motion approving a trash fee of $33.00 per household per bi-monthly billing period effective October 1, 2009. The motion passed 4-1, Mayor Pro Tem Castro, Council Members Davis, Bristow and Whiting for the motion and Council Member Wolfe against the motion.
4.4 A motion was made by Council Member Whiting to approve an increase in water rates, seconded by Council Member Davis. Council Member Davis stated the City has had a problem for years and ultimately it needs to be taken care of. He stated there has been proper discussion of the water increase and there is a network among citizens and if the citizens had a problem with the increase it should have been voiced at this meeting. Council Member Davis said City Council has been discussing this issue for the last three (3) to four (4) months and a three (3) step process was established: a committee was formed, Council Member Whiting pooled the data together and an analysis was performed using different rate structures to put together a model which was presented to Council two Council Meetings ago. Through the model, a rate could be achieved to acquire a reasonable amount of money for maintenance and utility replacement. Council Member Davis said it was recommended by the Water Committee to go to monthly readings done with an electronic device to eliminate incorrect billing. The Committee also recommended an increase in water rates from a flat rate of $3.51 (10,000 gal minimum) to $4.65 (no minimum) and increase the sewer rate from a flat fee of $54.30 per billing cycle to $64.00 per cycle.
Mayor Pro Tem Castro was concerned with the cost of monthly billing versus bi-monthly; however, she was for one company reading the meters and handling the billing. Council Member Whiting stated the pro to monthly billing was cash flow. City Secretary Blevins stated she felt most residents would prefer monthly readings because it would be easier to detect a problem like a water leak or over usage and it would be easier to remember to pay the bill. The committee stated as time progresses the City will need to look at the numbers to make sure the net result is adequate. Council Member Wolfe stated again she was concerned that the residents did not know there was going to be an increase. The Mayor stated the topic has been discussed at every Council Meeting since July and it was in the Houston Chronicle and he has been discussing the matter with every resident he has seen and he would have hoped everyone else had done the same. The Mayor said as responsible fiscal leaders we have to do what is best for the City. . The City does not want to go bankrupt. After the discussion Council Member Whiting amended the motion to read to approve an increase from $3.51/1000 gallons to $4.65/1000 gallons with no minimum and a sewer rate increase from $54.30 to $64.00 bi-monthly, seconded by Council Member Davis. A vote was taken to approve the motion approving a change in water rates to $4.65/1000 gallons with no minimum and a sewer rate of $64.00 bi-monthly. The motion passed 4-1, Mayor Pro Tem Castro, Council Members Davis, Bristow and Whiting for the motion and Council Member Wolfe against the motion.
5. DISCUSSION ITEMS:
5.1 CLOSED EXECUTIVE SESSION: NONE
6. REPORTS TO COUNCIL:
6.1 Treasurer: Manisha Patel stated the quarter investment report had been presented to Council. Council Member Wolfe questioned the rate from Tex Pool and Manisha stated she would check into it. Manisha said one of the reasons they put the money in Tex Pool was because it was easier to withdraw versus a T-Bill.
6.2 Mayor: NONE
6.3 Whiting:
Bridle Spur: Council Member Whiting stated the Lees were expecting their paperwork back from the Mortgage Company next week.
Ridgeley Project Citizens Committee: NONE
6.4 HVCEFFC (Conduit Bonds): NONE
7. CONSENT AGENDA:
A motion was made by Council Member Whiting to accept the consent agenda deleting Houston Racquet Club and HGAC invoices, seconded by Council Member Davis. A vote was taken to approve the motion to accept the approval of a donation to the Friends of The Spring Branch-Memorial Library in the amount of $250, a Resolution between Harris County and the City of Hilshire Village establishing emergency management programs, approving the Interlocal Agreement between Harris County and the City of Hilshire Village for emergency management allowing Village Fire Departmentís Emergency Management to work with the Harris County Emergency Management Plan, the minutes of the Council Meeting of September 15, 2009, Public Hearing and Special Council Meeting of October 1, 2009, the Public Hearing and Special Council Meeting of October 6, 2009 and Special Council Meeting of October 12, 2009 and the consent agenda excluding disbursements of the Houston Racquet Club and HGAC invoices. The motion was passed unanimously.
A motion was made by Council Member Whiting to approve payment of the invoice to the Houston Racquet Club, seconded by Council Member Davis. The motion was seconded by Council Member Davis. A vote was taken to approve the motion to approve payment to the Houston Racquet Club in the amount of $47.67. The motion was passed unanimously.
A motion was made by Council Member Whiting to approve payment of the invoice to Harris County Mayors & Council seconded by Council Member Davis. Mayor Border stated the charges were for Mary Borderís dinner at the Mayor and Councilís monthly meeting. He stated most people bring their spouses. A vote was taken to approve payment to the Harris County Mayors & Council in the amount of $30.00. The motion was passed 3-2. Mayor Pro Tem Castro, Council Members Davis and Bristow voted for the motion and Council Members Wolfe and Whiting against the motion.
8. ADDITIONAL CITIZENS COMMENTS: Alan Wolfe, 1314 Pine Chase Drive, wanted to clarify his comment in the past on supplementing the budget with a trash fee. He was not in favor of it. He thought it should have been widely publicized. He stated he had no problem with changing the water structure. Conservation of water is a very important issue.
9. ANNOUNCEMENTS: Mayor Pro Tem Castro gave an update on the TX Dot property at I-10 and Wirt Road that is supposed to be a green space. She passed out a drawing and a letter on the anticipated green area. The portable buildings have been removed and the property has been graded and grass has been temporarily planted until the landscape will be done. The project is anticipated to be completed in 2010.
10. ADJOURNMENT: Council Member Whiting moved to adjourn, seconded by Council Member Davis. The meeting was adjourned at 8:52 PM.
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Mayor Robin Border
ATTEST:
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Susan Blevins, City Secretary