TUESDAY, September 15, 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 and Bill Bristow. Also present were Efrain Him, P.E., Claunch & Miller, Inc., Engineer for the City; Chief Gary Finkelman, Spring Valley Police Department, and City Attorney, Mario Del Osso, Olson & Olson.

 

2. CITIZENS COMMENTS: Paul Maddock, # 8 Hilshire Oaks Court, stated vehicles entering and leaving Hilshire Oaks Subdivision are leaving ruts which are a health issue. The problem started after the completion of the Ridgeley Road Construction. He gave Council several bids for resolving the problem including one from AAA, the contractor for Ridgeley Road Construction.

 

Nancy Freedman, 1313 Pine Chase, stated the City was always looking into saving money. She stated that Mayor White with the City of Houston was going to charge a fee to those who did not recycle. She also said the City of Houston has adopted an ordinance requiring residents to use biodegradable bags for yard debris. She suggested Council to consider some of these creative ideas to collect extra income. She was also wondering if Council has checked with the attorneys on the federal laws regarding changing the elections.

 

Helen DiBona, # 5 Hilshire Oaks, stated there are some pros and cons with the different options regarding Hilshire Oaks Subdivision. Crushed road base can churn up and you would have a combination of rock and dirt.

 

Secondly, rocks could be thrown up when yard work is done at the residences on the side of the streets. Crushed road base is less expensive than asphalt. She stated the asphalt can be laid on an angle which would help with drainage and can handle larger vehicles. Asphalt would be more aesthetically pleasing. A majority of the home owners would make a small contribution to resolving this issue.

 

Mayor Border asked Council if they had any questions for Mario Del Osso before he was excused. Council Member Whiting asked if the City had filled out the proper paperwork regarding the change in Election from last year and the answer was yes.

Council Member Wolfe asked if the City should pay Ted Lazarides charges to go over the lawsuit with the attorneys. Mayor Border said that was up to Council not Olson and Olson.

 

The City Attorney was excused at this time.

 

 

3. REPORTS TO COUNCIL:

 

3.1 Police: Chief Finkelman gave his report. The Chief stated there was one arrest where a person was pulled over for a traffic violation and then was arrested for multiple violations and one burglary at Terrace Methodist Church. The Chief stated several persons have been issued citations and escorted out of the Village this month. He discussed the burglaries that were going on at Spring Valley and he welcomes any calls regarding suspicious activity in our Village.

 

3.2 Fire Commissioner: NONE

 

Out of order:

 

6.2 Treasurer: Manisha Patel reported to Council that the financials were changed to the same format as the budget and a new list of Treasurer’s duties was given to Council.

 

3.3 City Secretary: City Secretary Blevins stated a resolution regarding electronic billing was in front of Council for approval. She answered questions regarding the complaint form. City Secretary Blevins stated there were eight (8) move-ins and four (4) move outs. She also stated a calendar was given to Council regarding meetings to approve the tax rates.

 

3.4 Engineer’s Report: Efrain Him of HDR/CMI stated he attended a public hearing by ORCA regarding draft amendments to CDBG’s disaster recovery plan.

Efrain approved the drainage plan for 1309 Glourie Drive.

 

Efrain stated he had Don Mar Grading, Inc. submit a proposal to remove and replace a driveway culvert and clean and re-grade the ditches along the 1300 Block of Glourie Drive and the cleaning and re-grading of the ditch along the 1200 Block of Pine Chase Drive. The proposal cost to perform this work is $9,050. Efrain stated the revised drainage plan for 1309 Glourie Drive will be able to drain within the constraints of the existing ditch configuration; therefore, it was recommended that no ditch improvements be performed at this time along the 1300 block of Glourie Drive. Mayor Border stated the residents at 1305 Glourie strongly objected to the digging up of their ditch. Efrain stated he was told by the Wilkerson’s the ditch was partially filled by them due to parking issues years ago and they would clean their ditch.

 

Efrain stated the sanitary sewer work was completed by Lopez Utilities Construction on September 11, 2009. He requested that Lopez Utilities bury the cleanouts. Efrain said there was only one service connection so they had to put in two connections. The cost should be less than $1,000.

 

Efrain stated he had concerns regarding the potential improvements at the entrance of Hilshire Oaks subdivision. He stated any work performed by other contractors might impact the warranty of the Ridgeley Drive Reconstruction Project.

 

Efrain met with Mayor Border and the City of Houston representatives to discuss the water pressure problem experienced in the City. He presented them with the findings regarding the water meter vault assemblies where the six (6) inch water meter assembly normally feeds water to Hilshire Village through the 1-3/4” domestic feed, while the (10) inch water meter assembly normally feeds water through the two (2) inch domestic feed. Efrain stated the City of Houston’s representatives indicated that the 54 inch water transmission line at the water meter assemblies located in Pine Chase Grove are not operating at the ultimate design pressure of 75 psi but are operating at approximately 50 psi. Efrain stated City of Houston will install pressure gauges on the north water meter vaults to confirm the delivery pressure. City of Houston will also look into different types of meters that would help with the water pressure. Efrain also stated the City of Houston has plans to put a booster plant that will help with the City’s water pressure; however, a date has not been set. Efrain plans to talk with the City of Houston on a weekly basis to discuss these issues.

 

Mayor Border stated in the meeting the fact that the City of Hilshire Village taps directly into the 54-inch water transmission line on the north end of the City. The City of Houston indicated that during early mornings they reduced the pressure on this line to fill other tanks and would look into the situation.

 

4. ACTION ITEMS (CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION):

 

4.1 A motion was made by Council Member Whiting to approve the cleaning of ditches on the 1300 Block of Glourie and the 1200 Block of Pine Chase Drive, seconded by Council Member Davis. Council Member Whiting then amended the motion to read to approve the cleaning of ditches on the 1200 Block of Pine Chase Drive, seconded by Council Member Davis. Council Member Whiting asked how long it would be before the CDBG job would begin on Pine Chase and Glourie Loop. Efrain stated it would be at least 4 months before it could be started. The Mayor stated if the City cleans the ditches now we would still have to do some of the same work in four months when we receive the CDBG grant money. Mayor Pro Tem Castro did not think paying for work now and then re-doing it in a few months was a good idea. Council Member Bristow said the residents on Pine Chase and Bromley would want the work done immediately due to hurricane season. A vote was taken to approve the cleaning of the ditches on the 1200 Block of Pine Chase Drive, the motion passed 3-2, Council Members Wolfe, Davis and Bristow for the motion and Mayor Pro Tem Castro and Council Member Whiting against the motion.

4.2 A motion was made by Council Member Wolfe to authorize a Water Valve Inventory and Assessment, per HDR|C&M’s Proposal dated September 11, 2009 - HDR|C&M, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Castro. Efrain stated there was an issue within the City because the water valves around the City open in different directions. Mayor Border had asked for a proposal to inventory, remap and mark each valve. City Council was concerned about the cost to perform this work. The Mayor said that it might be a good idea to have someone else bid on the inventory and then HDR/C&M could map the information. A vote was taken to authorize the Water Valve Inventory and Assessment, per HDR|C&M’s Proposal dated September 11, 2009 - HDR|C&M, the motion failed unanimously.

 

Council Member Bristow asked if the streets were marked properly for fire hydrants. The answer was no and Council Member Bristow volunteered to take care of this issue.

 

The City Engineer was excused at this time.

 

4.3 A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Castro to approve “Designating” the Utility Account (funds cannot be used for anything outside of utility requirements), seconded by Council Member Whiting. A vote was taken to designate the Utility Account so that funds cannot be used for anything outside of utility requirements, the motion passed unanimously.

 

4.4 A motion was made by Council Member Whiting to approve the City’s proposed 2009 total Rollback Tax Rate of $0.552646/$100 an increase of $0.024051 versus the 2008 rate of $0.528595/$100 valuation seconded by Council Member Davis. Mayor Border stated eight (8) % was the maximum tax rate the City can levy in any given year.

A vote was taken to approve the City’s Proposed 2009 total Rollback Tax Rate of $0.552646/$100 an increase of $0.024051 versus the 2008 rate of $0.528595/$, the motion passed unanimously.

4.5 A motion was made by Council Member Bristow to approve an ordinance to create a place system for City Council election, seconded by Council Member Davis. Mayor Border stated that the City was currently a plurality system. A vote was taken to approve an ordinance to create a place system for City Council election, the motion passed 4-1, Mayor Pro Tem Castro and Council Members Davis, Whiting and Bristow for the motion and Council Member Wolfe against the motion.

 

4.6. A motion was made by Council Member Whiting to approve a resolution to enter into an electronic lockbox payment system with Severn Trent and Compass Bank, seconded by Council Member Davis. City Secretary Blevins stated the resolution was typed as if it were a District instead of a City. She stated she had changed the wording so everywhere the word “District” meant City of Hilshire Village and everywhere the word “Board of Directors” it meant City Council. She stated she did not want to send it back to the lawyers because it would take too long. Joe Williams with Severn Trent stated there would be no cost to the City that this was just a service offered to his residents. A vote was taken to approve a resolution to enter into an electronic lockbox payment system with Severn Trent and Compass Bank, the motion passed unanimously.

 

Council recessed at 8:56 P.M.

 

Council reconvened at 9:06 P.M.

 

5. DISCUSSION ITEMS:

 

5.1 Modification to the entry at Hilshire Oaks: Council Member Whiting asked why the City does not want to put rocks on the side of the road. Council Member Davis explained that obstacles are not allowed in the right-of-way by the City. Council Member Whiting stated the median was the main problem that large vehicles cannot turn into the subdivision. Mayor Pro Tem suggested that funds from the Ridgeley beautification funds be used to make the modifications. Council stated they would consider splitting the cost of AAA Construction’s bid with the Hilshire Oaks Residents. Mayor Border said he would put the modification on the next agenda.

 

5.2 CLOSED EXECUTIVE SESSION: NONE

Mayor Border stated he would like in the future for the Agenda to read exactly the way the lawsuit reads.

 

5.3 2010 General Fund and Utility Fund Budget: Mayor Border went over all items that had changed from the previous budget worksheet. He stated that the City now has the tax revenue amount since the proposed tax rate had been approved.

 

Mayor Border stated there would be an added item for garbage fees. Council Member Wolfe stated the City still needs to look at ways to save money on the garbage expense. Mayor Border said he has suggested using designated bags which residents would have to buy. Mayor Pro Tem Castro said not everyone recycles but everyone is charged. The charge per resident would be approximately $200.00 per year per household. Council Member Wolfe stated the City’s ordinance does not state that you can collect a fee for recycle and yard debris. Mayor Border stated the City would have to change the ordinance to comply with the budget.

 

Mayor Border stated at the last Council Meeting there was a discussion regarding retirement stipend for City Employees. He did not think the City should join TML due to the administration fees. The Mayor stated he put five (5) percent of annual wages under retirement wages. Council discussed different methods in which to put a retirement plan into effect.

 

Mayor Border stated in the utility account the City will need to increase the water rates to achieve the $196,000 in revenue. The water committee needs to recommend a solution for the adoption of this budget. Mayor Border stated the City has $180,000 left over from Ridgeley Utilities that will need to be spent in the next couple of years on upgrading the City’s Utilities.

 

6. REPORTS TO COUNCIL:

 

6.1 Building Official: Ted Lazarides was not present and no report was given.

 

6.2 Mayor: NONE

6.3 Whiting:

Bridle Spur: The Lee’s should hear from their mortgage company this month.

 

Ridgeley Project Citizens Committee: NONE

 

Davis: Council Member Davis reported he has developed a model that shows the data in 10,000 gallons from the bottom to the top of the consumption users. He showed Council various models to use for billing to achieve the required income for water usage.

 

6.4 HVCEFFC (Conduit Bonds): NONE

 

7. CONSENT AGENDA:

 

7.1 A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Castro to accept the consent agenda deleting Ted Lazarides invoice and 7.2 Minutes of the Council Meeting of August 18, 2009, seconded by Council Member Davis. A vote was taken to approve the motion to accept the consent agenda including disbursements of service invoices, Minutes of the Special Council Meeting and Budget Workshop of August, 2009, Proclamation for Texas Night Out and for Halloween Night and Investment Policy and Resolution but excluding Council Meeting Minutes of August 18, 2009 and Ted Lazarides’ invoice. The motion was passed unanimously.

 

7.2 A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Castro to accept the Minutes from Council Meeting of August 18, 2009 correcting the spelling of Alan Wolfe’s name in Citizens comments and additional citizen’s comments. The motion was seconded by Council Member Davis. A Vote was taken to approve the motion to accept the Minutes from Council Meeting of August 18, 2009, with the spelling correction of Alan Wolfe. The motion was passed unanimously.

 

A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Castro to pay Ted Lazarides’ invoice, seconded by Council Member Davis. City Council discussed Ted Lazarides invoice regarding the lawsuit. Council Member Whiting asked if TML would cover his charges. Council Member Wolfe asked if the City should pay for these charges. Mayor Border stated he did not think TML would pay this invoice but the City could check into it. He also stated that Ted Lazarides was acting on behalf of the City and enforces the City’s ordinances. A Vote was taken to approve the motion to pay Ted Lazarides’ invoice. The motion was passed 4-1. Mayor Pro Tem Castro, Council Members Davis, Bristow and Whiting voting for the motion and Council Member Wolfe against the motion.

 

8. ADDITIONAL CITIZENS COMMENTS: Alan Wolfe, 1314 Pine Chase Drive, asked if the City would check with HDR to see if they would donate a new map of the City to be used at City Council Meetings. He also stated the City needed to purchase a new flag. Alan Wolfe highly recommended that Council advise the citizens in regards to the utility rate increase. The citizens need to be informed. He also stated there were a lot of items on the permit list that were unreasonable.

 

Mayor Border stated every time Council approves the International Codes Council never makes exceptions. The permits are based on these ICC 2003.

 

9. ANNOUNCEMENTS: NONE

 

 

 

 

 

10. ADJOURNMENT: Council Member Whiting moved to adjourn, seconded by Council. The meeting was adjourned at 10:50 PM.

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                        ____________________

                                                                                                                                                                        Mayor Robin Border

ATTEST:

 

__________________________

Susan Blevins, City Secretary