MINUTES

CITY OF BUNKER HILL VILLAGE

REGULAR MEETING

APRIL 18, 2006

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.

I.                    CALL TO ORDER, ROLL CALL, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Present:                                                                                                                                              Also in Attendance:

Mayor Bill Marshall                                                                                                                            Ruthie P. Sager, City Administrator

Mayor Pro Tem Dave Ellis                                                                                                               John Olson, City Attorney

Councilman Peter Tuters                                                                                                                 Yolanda C. Benitez, City Secretary

Councilmember Cindy Buckley                                                                                                       Tom Ramsey, Klotz Associates, Inc.

Councilman Derry Essary

            Councilmember Michelle Belco 

Andrew Jones of St. Francis School led the audience in the pledge of allegiance. 

II.                  GREET GUESTS, MAYOR’S REPORT

A.      MEETING WITH CITY OF HOUSTON DISTRICT G COUNCILMEMBER PAM HOLM.

Mayor Marshall reported on his meeting with Pam Holm, re: Memorial Drive paving and COH participating with BHV and putting an island in at Sandalwood, W-151 drainage project which has no funding at this time.

B.      ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING OF THE VILLAGES INDEPENDENCE FESTIVAL LOCAL GOVERNMENT CORPORATION TO BE HELD ON APRIL 19^TH.

Mayor Marshall reported that all six villages have formed a corporation and they are holding their first meeting tomorrow.

C.      DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING ENDORSEMENT OF MOTHERS FOR CLEAN AIR EARTH DAY 5K EVENT ON APRIL 22, 2006.

Motion was made by Councilmember Belco and seconded by Councilman Tuters to approve the endorsement.

Motion carried 5 to 0.

III.               CONSENT AGENDA:

“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.”

A.      MINUTES OF THE FOLLOWING MEETINGS:

1.       MARCH 21, 2006

2.       MARCH 30, 2006

B.      FINANCIAL REPORTS FOR MARCH 2006

C.    QUARTERLY INVESTMENT REPORT – 1^ST QUARTER 2006

D.      OLSON & OLSON, INVOICE NO. 20387, DATED MARCH 28, 2006 IN THE AMOUNT OF $3,690.25, FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES THRU NOVEMBER 30, 2005.

E.       KLOTZ ASSOCIATES, INC., INVOICE NO. 23650, DATED MARCH 31, 2006, IN THE AMOUNT OF $32,180.00 FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES RENDERED FROM FEBRUARY 16, 2006 TO MARCH 15, 2006 IN CONNECTION WITH BUNKER HILL ROAD/MEMORIAL DRIVE SIDEWALK AND DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS.

F.       INSITUFORM TECHNOLOGIES, INC., INVOICE NO. 812078-1, DATED MARCH 27, 2006, IN THE AMOUNT OF $37,495.00 FOR GREEN BAY EMERGENCY SEWER REPAIR.

G.      GULF STATES PROTECTIVE COATINGS, INC., PAY ESTIMATE NO. 7 & FINAL, DATED APRIL 7, 2006, IN THE AMOUNT OF $21,150.60 FOR REPAIR AND REPAINTING OF GROUND STORAGE TANKS AT WATER PLANT NO. 1 AND WATER PLANT NO. 2.

H.      LANGFORD ENGINEERING, INC., FOR ENGINEERING SERVICES RENDERED IN CONNECTION WITH THE FOLLOWING PROJECT:

Motion was made by Councilman Ellis and seconded by Councilman Tuters to approve all items on the Consent Agenda.  Motion carried 5 to 0.

IV.                CITIZENS’ COMMENTS

Dan Mahoney – 11910 Laurie Lane.  Mr. Mahoney came before council to address the maintenance of their street.  He stated that although it is a private street with only eight houses, the City of Bunker Hill Village has paved it three times since he has lived there.

V.                  DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING APPROVAL OF CONTRACT WITH BUREAU VERITAS TO PERFORM PLAN REVIEW AND INSPECTION SERVICES FOR THE CITY OF BUNKER HILL VILLAGE.

City Administrator Sager explained that since Ron Garrison retired, Bureau Veritas will fill the void with regard to building permits and inspections until a replacement can be found.  City Attorney Olson noted the requested changes to the contract as follows: 1) insurance provision, 2) limited liability, and 3) third party beneficiary language.  Chuck Harrington of Bureau Veritas stated they have not done these types of contracts in the Houston area, but will comply with whatever necessary changes need to be made.

Councilmember Buckley inquired about the fees for reviewing plans and City Administrator Sager replied that the fees will be about 60% of the current building permit fees which the City of Bunker Hill Village charges; therefore, the city will keep approximately 40%.

Motion was made by Councilmember Belco and seconded by Councilman Essary to approve the contract with Bureau Veritas subject to Mayor Marshall and City Administrator Sager signing off on the amended contract.

Motion carried 5 to 0.

VI.                CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

A.    NOTICE OF RESIGNATION OF RON GARRISON, DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS.

City Administrator Sager reported that Ron Garrison had resigned on April 10, 2006 as Director of Public Works and Building Official.  She also noted that John Davis of Langford Engineering will be filling in the role of Director of Public Works until the City of Bunker Hill Village is able to hire someone full-time. 

B.    OZIEL REYNA’S IMPROVED MEDICAL CONDITION AND EXPECTED DATE OF RETURN TO WORK.

Ms. Sager informed the Mayor and Council on Oziel Reyna’s improved condition and noted that he should be able to return to work in about two weeks.

C.    CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION FOR PART “A” OF LANGFORD ENGINEERING INC. JOB NO. 200-007, REPAINTING OF GROUND STORAGE TANK.

City Administrator Sager introduced John Davis who presented a report on this project.  Mr. Davis also reported that the annual warranty inspection of the City Hall plant will take place on April 24^th at 1:00 p.m.

The Mayor and Council praised John Davis for his work on the Taylorcrest Water Plant Project.  City Administrator Sager stated that no complaints were received from the residents and added that the contractor did a great job.

D.    RESUME TAKING SURFACE WATER AT TAYLORCREST PLANT.

Ms. Sager stated that we have resumed taking surface water at the Taylorcrest Plant.

VII.             FIRE COMMISSIONER’S REPORT

A.      REPORT ON FIRE DEPARTMENT ACTIVITIES

Commissioner Light reported that the Compensation Committee has completed its review and it was accepted by the Village Fire Commission.  He pointed out that they are going to be competitive with the City of Houston with regard to salaries and benefits; they have adopted a recommended budget to be presented to the participating cities which involves a pay raise of 4% which will generate a budget of 6.4% over last year’s.  Commissioner Light also reported that they have a long-range plan to pay for vehicles over a period of time, as the ladder trucks are currently at a cost of $500,000.  The Fire Department may have to push it another year, even though the recommended replacement time is 15 years.

VIII.           POLICE COMMISSIONER’S REPORT

A.      REPORT ON POLICE DEPARTMENT ACTIVITIES

Police Chief Gary Brye reported the following: they are within budget and should come in under budget for 2006, they are working with the City of Houston Police Department regarding thefts in the area and they were able to obtain full recovery of stolen property from one of our churches.  He added that they are focusing their efforts in the evening hours around parking lots in churches, schools, etc. to deter crime involving cars in parking lots.

IX.               CITY ENGINEER’S REPORT

A.      DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING AWARD OF BID NO. 04-17-06 FOR THE KNIPPWOOD LANE DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS.

Tom Ramsey presented the bid for council review and consideration and noted that there were seven bids submitted with the low bidder coming in at $112,942.  He pointed out that their budget was $146,000.  Mr. Ramsey recommended that the contract be awarded to Calco Contracting, Inc.  City Administrator Sager agreed with the recommendation.

Motion was made by Councilmember Buckley and seconded by Councilmember Belco to award Bid No. 04-17-06 to Calco Contracting, Inc. in the amount of $112,942.  Motion carried 5 to 0.

It was noted that the work, which is a 45-day project, should begin in mid-May. 

B.      TRAFFIC SIGNAL TIMING AT MEMORIAL AND GESSNER.

Tom Ramsey stated that they studied this intersection at the request of the City of Bunker Hill Village and noted that the traffic signals run in 120 second cycles - 40 seconds to meet traffic east and west, 40 seconds for traffic moving north and 40 seconds for traffic moving south.  He added that the studies were done in the morning hours, as well as the evening hours.

After a brief discussion, council requested that Tom Ramsey provide the council with additional information, including costs, at the next council meeting.

C.      UPDATE ON BUNKER HILL ROAD AND MEMORIAL DRIVE DRAINAGE PROJECT

Tom Ramsey said they are moving forward with the final design with a target date of May 16^th to be ready for bid and noted that they will do Memorial and Bunker Hill together.  He further stated that the Bunker Hill project will take approximately one year.

X.                  PUBLIC HEARING -- PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO SUBDIVISION ORDINANCE AS DESCRIBED IN ITEM XI BELOW.

Mayor Marshall opened the public hearing at 5:20 p.m.

There was no one wishing to speak with regard to the proposed ordinance; therefore, Mayor Marshall closed the public hearing at 5:21 p.m.

XI.               DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF BUNKER HILL VILLAGE, TEXAS, BY STRIKING FROM CHAPTER 14 THEREOF, SAID CHAPTER 14 CONTAINING RULES AND REGULATIONS GOVERNING PLATS AND THE SUBDIVISION OF LAND, A NEW PARAGRAPH (7) OF SUBSECTION (B) OF SECTION 14-7; PROVIDING MINIMUM STREET REQUIREMENTS FOR sUBDIVISIONS WHERE ALL LOTS ARE ADJACENT TO EXISTING PUBLIC STREETS; PROVIDING OTHER MATTERS RELATING TO THE SUBJECT; PROVIDING A PENALTY OF AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $2,000.00 FOR EACH DAY OF VIOLATION OF ANY PROVISION HEREOF; AND PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY.

Motion was made by Councilman Ellis and seconded by Councilman Essary to approve the ordinance subject to the amendments presented by John Olson.   Motion carried 5 to 0.

John Olson explained the steps to follow to change a street from public to private followed by preliminary plat approval and final plat approval by the Planning & Zoning Commission and then council consideration.

XII.             DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING RECOMMENDATIONS FROM PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION CONCERNING POSSIBLE REVISIONS TO ORDINANCE NO. 01-256, ACCESSORY BUILDING AND ACCESSORY USES; AND POSSIBLE REVISIONS TO ORDINANCE NO. 05-341, TREE PRESERVATION.

Planning and Zoning Chairman Bill Purifoy presented the report on behalf of the commission and thanked Councilmembers Belco and Ellis, along with Mayor Marshall for establishing open communications with the Planning & Zoning Commission.  Chairman Purifoy spoke about driveways not coming out to major streets, which has caused many trees to be removed.  He further pointed out that they may need to revisit this ordinance as they could be defeating their prime goals.  City Attorney Olson stated that the council may want to take another look at the conditions of the special exceptions.

XIII.          ADJOURN.

Motion was made by Councilmember Belco and seconded by Councilman Ellis to adjourn the meeting.  Motion carried 5 to 0 and the meeting was adjourned at 6:00 p.m.

Approved and accepted on May 16, 2006.

                                                                                                                                                                                ________________________________________________

                                                                                                                                                                                WILLIAM H. MARSHALL, MAYOR

ATTEST:

______________________________

Yolanda C. Benitez, City Secretary