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MINUTES CITY OF BUNKER HILL VILLAGE REGULAR MEETING JUNE 20, 2006 Mayor Bill Marshall called the regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Bunker Hill Village to order at 5:05 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 Derry Essary John Olson, City Attorney Councilman Peter Tuters Yolanda C. Benitez, City Secretary Councilmember Susan Schwartz Tom Ramsey, Klotz Associates, Inc. Councilman Dave Ellis Gary Struzik, Klotz Associates, Inc. Councilmember Michelle Belco Steve Smith, Director of Public Works Planning & Zoning Chair Bill Purifoy Paul Addington, Commission Member Jackie Lammert, Commission Member Jay Smyre, Commission Member Robert Stevenson, Commission Member Gary Orr, Commission Member
II. GREET GUESTS, MAYOR’S REPORT Mayor Marshall stated he had no report at this time.
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 MAY 16, 2006 REGULAR MEETING B. MINUTES OF THE MAY 30, 2006 SPECIAL MEETING C. FINANCIAL REPORTS FOR MAY 2006 D. OLSON & OLSON, INVOICE NO. 20547, DATED MAY 30, 2006, IN THE AMOUNT OF $4,739.25, FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES RENDERED THRU FEBRUARY 28, 2006. E. OLSON & OLSON, INVOICE NO. 20556, DATED MAY 31, 2006, IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,934.25 FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES RENDERED THRU MARCH 31, 2006. F. KLOTZ ASSOCIATES, INC. FOR ENGINEERING SERVICES RENDERED IN CONNECTION WITH THE FOLLOWING PROJECTS:
G. JOHN D. GRUBBS – 11.5 HOURS AT A RATE OF $61.00 PER HOUR TOTALING $701.50 (LESS TAXES) FOR CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT OF KNIPPWOOD DRAINAGE PROJECT. H. CALCO CONTRACTING, INC., FIRST AND FINAL INVOICE DATED MAY 31, 2006, IN THE AMOUNT OF $121,005.72, FOR KNIPPWOOD LANE DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS. I. LANGFORD ENGINEERING, INC. FOR ENGINEERING SERVICES RENDERED IN CONNECTION WITH THE FOLLOWING PROJECTS:
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 None V. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING SCHEDULING A PUBLIC HEARING CONCERNING PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE TREE ORDINANCE. After a brief discussion, Mayor Marshall announced that the public hearing will be held at 5:00 p.m. on August 8, 2006. VI. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING A REQUEST FROM THE RESIDENTS ON HUNTINGTON PARK COURT TO HAVE THE “NO PARKING, STOPPING OR STANDNG” SIGNS ON THEIR STREET REMOVED. Motion was made by Councilmember Belco and seconded by Councilman Essary to approve the request. Motion carried 5 to 0. VII. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING REQUEST BY PROPERTY OWNERS FOR THE CITY TO ASSUME MAINTENANCE OF LAURIE LANE. Motion was made by Councilman Ellis and seconded by Councilmember Belco to table the request at this time. Motion carried 5 to 0. VIII. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING A COST SHARING AGREEMENT WITH THE PROPERTY OWNERS TO COVER THE DRAINAGE DITCHES ON KNIPPWOOD LANE. City Administrator Sager reported that only six of the residents have paid to date. Mr. Blaney stated that the two lots under construction have not committed; one family is in Europe but they will be back in one week. Steve Smith stated that he has spoken to all of the residents and they all want to cover the ditches. He further stated that the contract must be let by June 30th or the prices will change. After a brief discussion, Mayor Pro Tem Essary asked if the council could authorize City Administrator Sager to let the contract on June 29th. Motion was made by Councilman Essary and seconded by Councilman Tuters to authorize City Administrator Sager to accept payment from the residents up to 5:00 p.m. on June 29th and that the City of Bunker Hill Village split the cost; however, those who do not pay will not get their ditches covered. Motion carried 4 to 0 (Councilman Ellis was absent from the Council Chambers at this time). IX. CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT A. SINK HOLE ON GESSNER ROAD, SOUTH OF MEMORIAL DRIVE. City Administrator Sager stated that she has been in daily contact with the City of Houston regarding this problem. After a lengthy discussion, Mayor Marshall stated that he will contact City of Houston Councilmember Pam Holm again in order to resolve this issue. B. UPDATE ON WILLIAMSBURG LANE CONCERNING PRIVATE TO PUBLIC ISSUE. City Administrator Sager stated that we don’t have a consensus from all of the residents yet; however, only one resident has not agreed at this time. C. UPDATE ON REPAIRS TO WELL IN FRONT OF CITY HALL. Steve Smith reported that Weisinger Water Well had come out, performed an analysis, and installed a temporary motor. He stated that the original motor should be back in place tomorrow and the cost estimate is $12,000. D. INTRODUCTION OF STEVE SMITH, DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS. City Administrator Sager introduced Steve Smith and noted that he began his employment with the city on May 22nd and we are very pleased to have him on board. E. SUMMER COUNCIL MEETING SCHEDULE Ms. Sager stated that the regular council meeting in July has been cancelled, and the public hearing on the tree ordinance will be held on August 8th. F. VILLAGES INDEPENDENCE FESTIVAL City Administrator Sager reported that $39,000 has been collected from residents and vendors to date and the festival will be held on Tuesday, July 4th and volunteers are still needed. X. FIRE COMMISSIONER’S REPORT
A. REPORT ON FIRE DEPARTMENT ACTIVITIES Commissioner Tuters reported the following: the budget is up 4.5%; there was a cardiac arrest patient on Carolane Trail and there was minor damage to the truck because they could not get down the street. B. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING 2005 INTRA-BUDGETARY TRANSFERS Motion was made by Councilman Tuters and seconded by Councilmember Belco to approve the transfers. Motion carried 5 to 0. XI. POLICE COMMISSIONER’S REPORT A. REPORT ON POLICE DEPARTMENT ACTIVITIES Chief Gary Brye reported that the mini substation is operational; personnel policies are being discussed; and they have received a proposal from the medical examiners office which they are opposed to. XII. CITY ENGINEER’S REPORT
A. UPDATE ON BUNKER HILL ROAD AND MEMORIAL DRIVE DRAINAGE PROJECT. Gary Struzik reported the following: the design is almost complete for the Bunker Hill Road project; comments are being incorporated regarding Taylorcrest; they will provide an updated cost estimate when the plans are submitted and go out for bid sometime in mid-July. He stated that Bunker Hill Road, Memorial Drive and Taylorcrest may be bid together or separately with independent crews working on different projects and asked that council advise them which areas need to be done first. Mr. Struzik stated that the project timeframe is nine months to one year. Tom Ramsey stated that the paving can be bid separately. Mayor Marshall stated that the City of Houston should pay for a portion of the Memorial Drive project. Gary Struzik stated that the project should start in September. Gary Struzik stated that he will also call the City of Houston to check on the Memorial/Gessner sinkhole. Mr. Struzik will provide the city with updated cost estimates on the Knippwood project. XIII. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING AN ordinance amending appendix a of the code of ordinances of the city of bunker hill village, texas, SAID appendix a BEING THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY, BY striking from article vii thereof All of section 7.14 and substituting therefor a new section 7.14; PROVIDING that corner lots adjacent to minor and major streets shall have driveways connected with the minor streets only; providing a penalty of an amount not to exceed $2,000 for each day of violation of any provision hereof; and providing for severability. (REMOVE FLINTDALE rOAD AS MAJOR STREET). Motion was made by Councilman Tuters and seconded by Councilmember Schwartz to approve the proposed ordinance. Motion carried 5 to 0. XIV. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING CENTERPOINT ENERGY HOUSTON ELECTRIC RATE CASE SETTLEMENT AND THEIR PROPOSAL TO EXTEND THE FRANCHISE AGREEMENT WITH BUNKER HILL BY 30 YEARS OR UNTIL FEBRUARY 1, 2037. City Attorney John Olson recommended that the council table this item and stated that he has opposition to the franchise agreement. Scott Doyle of CenterPoint Energy made a brief presentation regarding this item. No action was taken at this time. XV. UPDATE BY COUNCILMEMBER BELCO REGARDING CODE ENFORCEMENT. Councilmember Belco presented a brief report stating that some code enforcement cases were not strong enough going forward; therefore, some were dismissed. She then turned the floor over to Steve Smith. Mr. Smith stated that he has looked at how ordinances are structured and is working on the underlying systems. He emphasized that city staff have done an incredible job in the past and that he is taking a strong look at the level of codes and he is pursuing his code enforcement license. XVI. EXECUTIVE SESSION – THE CITY COUNCIL WILL CONVENE INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION AS AUTHORIZED BY SECTION 551.071, TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE, TO SEEK THE ADVICE OF THE CITY ATTORNEY WITH RESPECT TO PENDING OR CONTEMPLATED LITIGATION AND SETTLEMENT OFFERS. The Council convened into Executive Session at 5:45 p.m. The Council returned to Open Session at 5:55 p.m. XVII. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING EXECUTIVE SESSION. No action was taken as a result of Executive Session. XVIII. ADJOURN. Motion was made by Councilmember Belco and seconded by Councilman Tuters to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 5 to 0 and the meeting was adjourned at 6:30 p.m. Approved and accepted on August 15, 2006.
________________________________________________ WILLIAM H. MARSHALL, MAYOR
ATTEST:
______________________________ Yolanda C. Benitez, City Secretary |