MINUTES

CITY OF BUNKER HILL VILLAGE

SPECIAL MEETING/PUBLIC HEARING

SEPTEMBER 26, 2006 

Mayor Marshall called the special meeting/public hearing of the City Council of the City of Bunker Hill Village to order at 4:30 p.m. in Council Chambers of City Hall located at 11977 Memorial Drive, Houston, Texas.

I.                    CALL TO ORDER

            Present:                                                                     Also in attendance:

            Mayor Bill Marshall                                                   Ruthie P. Sager, City Administrator

            Councilman Peter Tuters                                        Steve Smith, Director of Public Works

            Councilmember Susan Schwartz                           Yolanda C. Benitez, City Secretary

            Councilman Dave Ellis

            Mayor Pro Tem Derry Essary 

            Absent:

            Councilmember Michelle Belco

II.                  DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING RECOMMENDATION FROM THE VILLAGES INSURANCE COOPERATIVE FOR 2007 INSURANCE CARRIERS.

Councilman Ellis requested that this item be discussed after the public hearing.

Councilman Ellis introduced Shawn Wagner, insurance representative from Jardine Lloyd Thompson, LLC, who presented quotes from Great West Insurance Company, and noted that the Memorial Villages Police Commission had reviewed their plan at last night’s meeting.

Commissioner Peter Slot reported that the co-op insurance was not what the Police Commission wanted and they were looking at a $21,000 difference in the first year by going with Great West. He further stated that they will probably get out of the co-op, depending on what the cities of Bunker Hill and Piney Point do.

Mayor Marshall stated that he wished to keep the co-op together if at all possible and get the best deal for the co-op.

Councilman Ellis explained that the same plan could be made available to the co-op and representatives from the co-op were aware of this.  He further pointed out that the Police Commission moved to accept the bid from Great West provided that Bunker Hill Village and Piney Point be part of the group, and provided that Hunters Creek be given a chance to be a part of the group, if they wish to do so.

City Administrator Ruthie Sager stated that she supports the proposal from Great West 100%.

Councilman Ellis stated that he does not recommend that Bunker Hill pull out of the co-op at this time.

Motion was made by Councilman Ellis and seconded by Councilman Essary to accept the quote from Great West, but not to pull out of the co-op yet.

Motion carried 5 to 0.

III.               PUBLIC HEARING – PROPOSED TAX RATE

The city council will hold a public hearing on its proposal to adopt a tax rate of $0.307944, $0.132563 of which is for debt service, and $0.175381 of which is for maintenance and operations expenses.

Mayor Marshall opened the public hearing at 4:31 p.m.

Mayor Marshall explained the proposed tax rate, and the reason for increase in costs.  He stated that the taxable value is up over 7% and that 1 ½ % is due to new construction, with 5 ½% due to increasing value of homes.  Mayor Marshall noted that we could leave the tax rate the same as it is now and it would still raise additional funds.  He further explained that 78% of the budget is for police and fire expenditures.

The following persons spoke with regard to the proposed tax rate:

1.      Jesus Silva – 2 Our Lane Cove.  Mr. Silva requested clarification regarding the fact that the rate will be the same as last year; however, the amount of revenue will be higher due to the increased property values.  Mayor Marshall agreed that his statements were correct.

2.      Bridget Laki – 403 Flintdale.  Mrs. Laki stated that the increase in revenue is 7.1%, and stated that she would like to request income statements including details of where the money is being spent.  Mayor Marshall stated that this information is available at City Hall.

Mayor Marshall closed the public hearing at 4:45 p.m.

IV.                Announcement of the date, time, and place of the meeting at which thE city council will vote on the proposed tax rate.

mayor Marshall announced that the council will vote on the proposed tax rate during the regular council meeting on Tuesday, October 17, 2006, at 5:00 p.m., here at City Hall.

V.                  ADJOURNMENT

Motion was made by Councilman Ellis and seconded by Councilman Essary to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 5 to 0 and the meeting was adjourned at 5:25 p.m.

Approved and accepted on October 17, 2006.

                                                                                    ______________________________________

                                                                                    WILLIAM H. MARSHALL, MAYOR

ATTEST:

____________________________________

Yolanda C. Benitez, City Secretary