MINUTES

CITY OF BUNKER HILL VILLAGE

PUBLIC HEARING

JUNE 21, 2007  

I.                    CALL TO ORDER

            Mayor Marshall called the Public Hearing of the City Council of the City of Bunker Hill Village to order at 7:00 p.m. in Council Chambers of City Hall located at 11977 Memorial Drive, Houston, Texas.

            Present:                                                                     Also in attendance:

            Mayor Bill Marshall                                                  Ruthie P. Sager, City Administrator

            Councilmember Susan Schwartz                          Steve Smith, Director of Public Works           

            Councilman Dave Ellis                                            Loren Smith, Olson & Olson

            Councilman Derry Essary                                      Tom Ramsey, P. E., Klotz Associates, Inc

            Councilmember Jay Smyre                                    Mike Ogden, P.E., Klotz Associates, Inc

                                                                                               Manu Isaac, P. E., Klotz Associates, Inc.

            Absent

            D. Keith Brow

II.                PRESENTATION OF OPTIONS FOR DECREASING TRAFFIC CONGESTION THROUGH THE MEMORIAL DRIVE AND GESSNER ROAD INTERSECTION AS WELL AS ADDRESSING THE NEIGHBORHOOD CUT-THROUGH PROBLEMS.

Mayor Marshall gave the following opening remarks:

“Thanks for coming this evening so that we can hear your views and opinions on this important issue.

Purpose of this public meeting is to share with interested parties (residents of BHV) the current situation that exists with the Memorial-Gessner intersection, compare this with the situation 4 years ago, discuss the increase in neighborhood “cut-through” traffic, receive input from residents about their thoughts, and present the options to improve the situation.

The current construction on this intersection is NOT a part of this discussion and is unrelated to this decision; however, for your information, we are lengthening the left turn lanes on Memorial Drive both westbound and eastbound to relieve some of that congestion.

Primary concern is the safety of this intersection and especially as it relates to children accessing Frostwood Elementary.  Second concern is to facilitate movement of traffic safely through this intersection (in all directions) with the minimum effect on the surrounding neighborhoods.

Meeting Format:

Each Councilmember may make brief comments prior to the presentation;

Presentation by Klotz Associates, Inc of the data collected and proposed alternatives;

Comments (five minute maximum) from the president of each of the homeowners associations, Memorial Forest, Frostwood, Warrenton, Whispering Oaks and Tealwood.

Comments (three minute maximum) from residents.

If you have already heard said, by someone else, what you were going to say, please do not repeat that portion; and please remain courteous and considerate of all the persons in attendance.  Anyone who does not remain courteous and considerate will lose their time to speak.”

III.             YOU ARE ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND AND MAKE COMMENTS IF YOU WISH.

Twenty-two people made brief comments regarding the traffic gridlock at the intersection of Memorial Drive and Gessner Road.  Their comments revealed to City Council that they are split on how to improve the situation and still preserve their communities.  Some argued that a left turn lane from Gessner to west on Memorial would improve the traffic flow, while others said they felt it would not help reduce the cut-through traffic they’re experiencing and instead would encourage motorists to treat Gessner as a major thoroughfare even more than they do now.   Residents also spoke out about the need for more police patrols to deter motorists who are speeding down neighborhood streets. 

IV.              DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING SELECTION OF THE MOST FAVORABLE IMPROVEMENT OPTION TO DECREASE TRAFFIC CONGESTION AT THE INTERSECTION OF MEMORIAL DRIVE AND GESSNER ROAD.

After everyone was given the opportunity to speak, Mayor Marshall asked the representatives of each of the homeowners associations, located on the four quadrants of the Memorial Drive and Gessner Road intersection, to collect comments and ideas from their members and put them in writing to Council by the end of the day on July 20, 2007.

V.                  ADJOURN

There being no further business, the public hearing was adjourned at 7:55 p.m.

Approved and accepted on August 21, 2007.

                                                                                    __________________________________

                                                                                    WILLIAM H. MARSHALL, MAYOR

ATTEST:

______________________________

Kelly Johnson, City Secretary