MINUTES

CITY OF BUNKER HILL VILLAGE

REGULAR MEETING

AUGUST 15, 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 Derry Essary                                                                    John Olson, City Attorney

Councilmember Susan Schwartz                                                              Yolanda C. Benitez, City Secretary

Councilman Dave Ellis                                                                               Tom Ramsey, Klotz Associates, Inc.

Councilmember Michelle Belco                                                                Gary Struzick, Klotz Associates, Inc.

                                                                                                                                  Steve Smith, Director of Public Works

                        Absent:

                        Councilman Peter Tuters (Out of Country) 

II.                  GREET GUESTS, MAYOR’S REPORT

A.      REPORT ON 2006 VILLAGES INDEPENDENCE FESTIVAL.

Mayor Marshall reported that the Festival was a success, and that all six of the villages participated.

B.      REPORT ON VILLAGE MAYORS AND COUNCILPERSONS VISIT TO TRANSTAR WITH CHIEF CALAGNA AND CHIEF BRYE REGARDING EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS (IN PARTICULAR, THE HURRICANE EVACUATION PROCESS).

Mayor Marshall reported that the City of Bunker Hill Village hosted the meeting, held at TRANSTAR, with regard to hurricane evacuation.  He noted that they were presented with a well-thought out plan.

C.      MEETING BETWEEN HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT AND KLOTZ ASSOCIATES REGARDING W-151 IMPROVEMENTS.

Gary Struzick reported on the meeting and noted that costs have escalated significantly.  He also stated that more public meetings will be held and council should provide any comments to him for presentation at those meetings.

Mayor Marshall introduced Robert Fiederlein of the TIRZ and thanked him for attending.  He also pointed out that it has been extremely difficult to get drainage help from the Memorial City TIRZ 17 to keep water out of Hedwig Village and Bunker Hill.

Mr. Fiederlein explained that they have limited resources and other capital improvement projects, and they have looked at the incremental costs for increasing the pipe size.  He also noted that TXDOT is only funding 150 feet on either side of the ROW, and the TIRZ will fund 100% of excess drainage costs.  Mr. Fiederlein also stated that there is a reduction from 4.7 to 3.1 acre feet of detention.  He further noted that the TIRZ had a long and extensive discussion and determined that they could provide protection for a five-year storm.

Councilman Essary stated that the City of Bunker Hill Village has spent millions in drainage projects in the past decade and is concerned that an entity to the north is making decisions to make a negative impact on the city’s drainage system.  Councilman Ellis echoed his comments and asked why we had not heard anything about this until now.

Tom Ramsey stated that Klotz Associates is representing the City of Bunker Hill Village and noted that they have been asking to see the drainage analysis for the past two years, and were told a year ago that it was being reviewed.  He further pointed out that key elements of the plan have not changed and Bunker Hill’s feelings are well known.

Mayor Marshall introduced Mayor Sue Speck of Hedwig Village who offered the following comments:  It has taken us (Hedwig Village) five years to convince the residents to buy into the $20 million projects, yet the TIRZ has not spent a dime; therefore, she emphasized that the TIRZ has zero credibility with her.  She also criticized the time their meetings are held, along with the constant cancellation of meetings.  Mayor Speck reported that Hedwig Village has done a $6 million drainage project, thus, the TIRZ should be able to handle their $20 million “promise”.

Mayor Marshall asked Robert Fiederlein if he needed help from Bunker Hill Village to get the decision reversed, to which Mr. Fiederlein responded that the TIRZ Board debated extensively before making their decision, which he noted is their final decision.  He also stated that TIRZ and TxDOT are funding 55/45 at this point.

Mayor Marshall then introduced Bert Keller who stated the following:  he noted that Councilmember Pam Holm can block this TIRZ decision and put all funding towards drainage, for at least the first couple of years.  He further noted that a document exists wherein the TIRZ stated that 100% of the first phase funding would go to drainage, and that they need to be held accountable.

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.”