CITY OF BUNKER HILL VILLAGE

Mayor Bill Marshall called the regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Bunker Hill Village to order at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall, 11977 Memorial Drive, Houston, Texas.

Councilmember Cindy Buckley (arrived at 5:20 p.m.) Ronald N. Garrison, Director of Public Works

A. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING PROPOSAL SUBMITTED BY MICHAEL D. WRIGHT REGARDING PET LITTER BOX PROJECT.

Mayor Marshall introduced Michael Wright, an 11^th grade student at Memorial High School and member of Scout Troop 642 at Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church, who presented his proposal for the pet litter boxes. He suggested that plastic grocery bags be used for disposal, which could be contributed by the residents. Another suggestion was that plastic newspaper covers be used for disposal of the animal waste.

Motion was made by Councilman Ellis and seconded by Councilman Essary to approve the proposal submitted by Michael Wright for the installation of six (6) pet litter boxes – two on Strey Lane, two on Knipp Road and two on Bunker Hill Road at locations approved by the City Administrator.

“ALL MATTERS LISTED UNDER ITEM III, CONSENT AGENDA, ARE CONSIDERED TO BE ROUTINE BY THE CITY COUNCIL AND WILL BE ENACTED BY ONE MOTION. THERE WILL NOT BE SEPARATE DISCUSSION OF THESE ITEMS. IF DISCUSSION IS DESIRED, THAT ITEM WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA AND WILL BE CONSIDERED SEPARATELY.”

C. KLOTZ ASSOCIATES, INC., FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES RENDERED IN CONNECTION WITH INVOICE #21564, DATED 02/28/06 IN THE AMOUNT OF $5,038.21 FOR KNIPPWOOD DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS.

D. PREJEAN & COMPANY, INC., INVOICE #264-13, DATED FEBRUARY 3, 2006, IN THE AMOUNT OF $23,000.00 FOR BUNKER HILL VILLAGE STREET TOPOGRAPHIC SURVEYS.

E. LANGFORD ENGINEERING, INC., FOR ENGINEERING SERVICES RENDERED IN CONNECTION WITH THE FOLLOWING PROJECTS:

INVOICE #	INV. DATE	AMOUNT	DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT
12539	3/03/06	$2,474.14	REPAINTING GROUND STORAGE TANK
12540	3/06/06	$1,199.79	WATER QUALITY EVALUATION
TOTAL		$3,673.93

Motion was made by Councilman Tuters and seconded by Councilman Essary to approve all items on the Consent Agenda. Motion carried 4 to 0 (Councilmember Buckley had not arrived at this time).

V. REPORT BY COUNCILMEMBER TUTERS AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING REQUESTS, MADE AT THE ANNUAL TEALWOOD HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION MEETING, FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO PAVEMENT MARKINGS AT MEMORIAL AND GESSNER.

Councilman Tuters presented the requests from the homeowners association as follows: the safety of students crossing on Gessner at the intersection of Gessner and Memorial (east to west and north to south); consider making improvements to Memorial (east of Gessner) similar to what we are planning west of Gessner; and the lane markings on the Memorial/Gessner intersection so that lanes are more easily distinguished.

A. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING PRIVATE PORTION OF WILLIAMSBURG LANE STORM SEWER SYSTEM.

City Administrator Sager presented this item for discussion. She stated that a letter was sent to all of the residents with only one letter received in response concerning a “quit claim” process. Ms. Sager stated that she did receive several calls and emails, one of which was included in the council packet. Mayor Pro Tem Ellis directed everyone to Item XIV. He noted that every resident would need to dedicate a 5 foot right-of-way and an additional 5 feet of easement. City Attorney Olson further explained the quit claim process.

Williamsburg resident Craig Glidden stated that the situation needs to be addressed. He also pointed out that he has a signed statement from the residents regarding the “Quit Claim” which he submitted as a part of the minutes.

Director of Public Works Ron Garrison explained that the size of the pipe will be larger than what is presently in. Gary Struzik, of Klotz Associates, stated that the current pipe size is 18” and the proposed pipe size is 24”-36”. Mr. Struzik also noted that the surveys have not been completed, and that the swales will be a little deeper.

City Administrator Sager pointed out that since the Bunker Hill Road design is not complete, the engineering firm has not been authorized to do any of the studies on Williamsburg Lane, and only the survey work was authorized. The residents will be contacted as the project gets further along with regard to status of the project, etc.

Commissioner David Light reminded everyone that the reason for being able to get down narrow streets is to fight fires and save lives. He also reported that the Compensation Committee met prior to the Fire Commission meeting last night wherein they discussed employee performance evaluations and promotions, the health care and compensation package, City of Houston retirement plans, and the development of a policy to retain employees. Commissioner Light further noted that the Fire Department is in the process of losing a paramedic to the City of Houston after just one year of service following completion of paramedic school which costs approximately $55,000 and takes 15 months to complete. He also noted that the Budget is 2% under budget for the current year.

Alternate Fire Commissioner Peter Tuters stated that there will be another Compensation Committee meeting on April 3^rd and hope to have their review completed by April 17^th.

Commissioner Peter Slot reported the following: the Police Commission approved to continue with equal funding from all three villages; 38% of the Bunker Hill Village residents are getting the crime reports via email, which is the highest percentage of the three villages; the Villages Insurance Cooperative committee will meet tomorrow regarding insurance costs; and the Police Commission approved the purchase of two new vehicles.

Gary Struzik reported that Bunker Hill Road has been surveyed from Memorial Drive to Taylorcrest Road. Mr. Struzik noted that they should have the report on the soil analysis during the first week of April. He also stated that the surveyor started today on the rest of the areas along Memorial that were approved at the last meeting and noted that they are a little behind schedule. Klotz is working with them on ways to accelerate their efforts.

Mr. Struzik provided the council with designs for their review which included a proposed 15-year capacity storm sewer. He pointed out that one challenge they are facing is regarding the east side ditch and what size storm sewer to put in.

Council requested that Mr. Struzik come up with an alternative design as they do not wish to reduce the pipe size.

X. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF BUNKER HILL VILLAGE AND KLOTZ ASSOCIATES, INC. FOR PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING SERVICES RELATED TO THE BUNKER HILL ROAD PROJECT.

Motion was made by Councilmember Belco and seconded by Councilman Tuters to authorize the Mayor to execute the agreement with Klotz Associates, Inc.

XI. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH INSITUFORM TECHNOLOGIES, INC., IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $33, 575.00, FOR EMERGENCY SEWER REPAIR ON GREENBAY.

City Administrator Sager reported that the taps have been repaired and the entire street is going to have to be torn up across the road from north to south in order to replace the line, which will run approximately $5,000 more than the amount stated above.

Motion was made by Councilman Essary and seconded by Councilman Ellis to declare the sewer repair on Greenbay an emergency and to authorize the Mayor to execute a contract with Insituform Technologies, Inc., in an amount not to exceed $40,000.

XII. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING CERTIFICATION OF UNOPPOSED CANDIDATES PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.052, TEXAS ELECTION CODE.

Motion was made by Councilmember Belco and seconded by Councilman Ellis to accept the certification of unopposed candidates. Motion carried 4 to 0 (Councilmember Buckley had not arrived at this time).

XIII. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF BUNKER HILL VILLAGE, TEXAS, DECLARING THE UNOPPOSED CANDIDATES FOR COUNCILMEMBERS, POSITIONS 1, 2, 3 AND 4 ELECTED; PROVIDING THAT THE MAY 13, 2006, GENERAL AND SPECIAL MUNICIPAL OFFICERS ELECTION SHALL NOT BE HELD; CONTAINING OTHER PROVISIONS RELATING TO THE SUBJECT; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES OR PARTS OF ORDINANCES INCONSISTENT OR IN CONFLICT HEREWITH.

Motion was made by Councilmember Belco and seconded by Councilman Tuters to approve the ordinance canceling the May 13^th election. Motion carried 4 to 0 (Councilmember Buckley had not arrived at this time).

XIV. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON THE FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE COMMITTEE REGARDING PRIVATE STREET DEDICATION STANDARDS.

City Attorney John Olson presented a report on the committee’s findings which showed that some deviation from the existing standards needs to be done. Mayor Pro Tem Ellis pointed out that Chief Calagna was very involved in the discussions with regard to subdivision requirements and the needs of the Fire Department in order to properly protect residents’ property and effectively fight fires in Bunker Hill. Councilman Tuters further added that Chief Calagna requested off-street parking on extremely narrow streets for access by the Fire Department. City Attorney Olson stated that this would be addressed in the policy. Upon inquiry from Councilmember Belco, City Attorney Olson explained the difference between private streets and public streets with regard to subdividing and noted that subdividing is not allowed on a private street.

Bunker Hill resident, Bob Herlin, thanked the council, the committee members and staff for the work and time spent on this item.

After a lengthy discussion, City Attorney Olson stated this policy could be adopted tonight as it does not require a public hearing. He further stated that a deviation from the policy could be justified on Williamsburg Lane.

Motion was made by Councilman Ellis and seconded by Councilman Essary to accept the recommendations dated March 2, 2006 submitted by the Private Street Dedication Standards Committee, as written, with the modifications prepared by City Attorney Olson and subject to establishment of minimum parking requirements and dealing with substandard streets in the subdivision ordinance.

The subdivision ordinance will be placed on the agenda for the April council meeting.

City Attorney Olson stated that he will email the new policy to City Hall staff tomorrow.

XV. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING POSSIBLE REVISIONS TO ORDINANCE NO. 05-341, TREE PRESERVATION.

Councilman Ellis stated that they had rushed into a solution; however, the ordinance has had some impact, but he feels that it was not done according to what the Planning & Zoning Commission meant, and they may need to revisit this ordinance.

After a brief discussion, motion was made by Councilman Ellis and seconded by Councilmember Belco to send this ordinance back to the Planning and Zoning Commission for further review and possible recommendations at the April council meeting.

Motion was made by Councilman Essary and seconded by Councilman Tuters to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 5 to 0 and the meeting was adjourned at 6:55 p.m.