MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL

OF THE CITY OF BUNKER HILL VILLAGE, TEXAS

APRIL 15, 2008 – 5:00 P.M.

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

Mayor Essary called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall, 11977 Memorial Drive, Houston, Texas.

Present:                                                           Also in Attendance:

Mayor Derry D. Essary                                  Ruthie Sager, City Administrator

Councilman Keith Brown                               Loren Smith, City Attorney

Councilwoman Susan Schwartz                   Tom Ramsey, P.E., Klotz Associates, Inc

Councilman Dave Ellis                                  Kelly Johnson, City Secretary

Councilwoman Cooky Mays                         Steve Smith, Director of Public Works

Absent:

Councilman Jay Smyre

Thomas Fuller, a Boy Scout in eighth grade at Memorial Middle School, was asked to lead the Pledge of Allegiance.  He stated he is in the process of earning his Communications Merit Badge.

II.                  GREET GUESTS, MAYOR’S REPORT

A.      COMMENTS REGARDING APPOINTMENTS TO POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT BOARDS

Mayor Essary stated he would defer his comments until later in the meeting.

B.      LOT IN FRONT OF MEMORIAL VILLAGES POLICE DEPARTMENT IS LISTED FOR SALE

Mayor Essary stated that the asking price for the lot located on Memorial Drive in front of the police station, platted in Norvell, is $780,000. 

III.               CONSENT AGENDA:

“ALL MATTERS LISTED UNDER 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 MARCH 11, 2008 SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING

B.      FINANCIAL REPORTS FOR FEBRUARY 2008

C.      FINANCIAL REPORTS FOR MARCH 2008

D.      QUARTERLY INVESTMENT REPORT

E.       CALCO CONTRACTING, INC., INVOICE NO. 11 W, IN THE AMOUNT OF $97,415.38 FOR WILLIAMSBURG LANE IMPROVEMENTS

F.       CALCO CONTRACTING, INC., INVOICE NO. 12 & FINAL IN THE  AMOUNT OF $166,476.13

G.      KLOTZ ASSOCIATES, INC. FOR ENGINEERING SERVICES RENDERED IN CONNECTION WITH THE FOLLOWING PROJECTS:

            Mayor Essary asked that Item E be removed from the consent agenda.

            Motion was made by Councilman Ellis and seconded by Councilman Brown to approve all items on the consent agenda with the exception of Item E, Calco pay request.  Motion carried 4-0.

Steve Smith stated that the budget for Williamsburg Lane Project was $291,824.41.  Calco’s final estimate is $262,891.50.

Motion was made by Councilman Ellis and seconded by Councilwoman Schwartz to approve Item E, pay request to Calco.  Motion carried 4-0.

Councilman Brown asked if the final estimate included any money refunded to homeowners for covering their ditch.  Councilman Brown was told that $2,700 was refunded to one homeowner.

IV.                CITIZENS’COMMENTS

None

V.                  DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING CERTIFICATION OF UNOPPOSED CANDIDATES PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.052, TEXAS ELECTION CODE.

Motion was made by Councilman Brown and seconded by Councilwoman Mays to approve the Certification of Unopposed Candidates.  Motion carried 4-0.

VI.              DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF BUNKER HILL VILLAGE, TEXAS, DECLARING THE UNOPPOSED CANDIDATES FOR MAYOR AND COUNCILMEMBERS, POSITIONS 1, 2, 3 AND 4 ELECTED; PROVIDING THAT THE MAY 10, 2008 GENERAL AND SPECIAL MUNICIPAL OFFICERS ELECTION SHALL NOT BE HELD; CONTAINING OTHER PROVISIONS RELATING TO THE SUBJECT; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES OR PARTS OF ORDINANCES INCONSISTENT OR IN CONFLICT HEREWITH

Motion was made by Councilman Ellis and seconded by Councilwoman Mays to approve the ordinance as submitted.  Motion carried 4-0.

Loren Smith administered the Oath of Office and Statement of Elected Official to Mayor Essary and Councilmembers Brown, Schwartz and Ellis.

VII.           DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ARTICLE IV OF CHAPTER 4 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF BUNKER HILL VILLAGE, TEXAS, BY ADDING TO SECTION 4-76 NEW PARAGRAPHS (2) AND (3) PROHIBITING OF THE USE OF ANY WOOD SHAKES, SHINGLES, OR NON-CLASSIFIED OR UNLABELED MATERIALS FOR ROOF OR EXTERIOR COVERING  AS A SIDING FOR RESIDENTIAL STRUCTURES; PROVIDING A PENALTY OF AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $2,000 FOR EACH DAY OF VIOLATION OF ANY PROVISION HEREOF; AND PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY

Motion was made by Councilman Ellis and seconded by Councilwoman Schwartz to approve the ordinance as submitted.  Motion carried 4-0.

VIII.        CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

A.    CITY OF HOUSTON SURFACE WATER RATE ADJUSTMENT EFFECTIVE APRIL 1, 2008

Ms. Sager reported that the City of Houston has increased the rate for contract treated water from $1.762 per 1,000 gallons to $1.793, effective April 1, 2008.

B.    NOTICE THE W151 GOVERNMENT ENTITY MEETING SCHEDULED FOR APRIL 30, 2008 FROM 9:00 A.M. TO 11:00 A.M. IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF CITY HALL.

Harris County Flood Control has invited approximately fifteen people to meet at Bunker Hill Village City Hall regarding improvement to W151.

C.    NOTICE OF CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S COMPLETION OF REQUIRED COURSES TO BE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE (NIMS) NATIONAL INCIDENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

As required by the Fire Chief, Ms. Sager reported that she has completed the four on-line NIMS Courses. 

D.    INCODE SOFTWARE INSTALLATION FOR MUNICIPAL COURT COMPLETED

Incode Software for municipal court has been installed and Valerie Cantu, Court Administrator has completed training.

IX.              DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING PAVING AND DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS TO RIP VAN WINKLE

Steve Smith reported that Rip Van Winkle is a sixteen foot wide public street.  Plans are to install a drainage pipe on the south side of the street and increase the width to twenty feet at an estimated cost of $42,760.  Motion was made by Councilman Brown and seconded by Councilman Ellis to approve the paving and drainage improvements to Rip Van Winkle.  Motion carried 4-0.

X.                 FIRE COMMISSIONER’S REPORT

A.    FIRE DEPARTMENT ACTIVITIES

Councilman Brown reported that the Fire Commission meeting is not scheduled until next week. 

He stated that Captain Miller has asked that the appointed officials take the IS-800.B training course on the National Response Framework, An Introduction.

The projected increase in the 2009 personnel cost is 4.21%. 

The notes from the TMRS meeting in Austin, prepared by Jerry Turner were submitted to Council for review.

The Memo from Sue V. speck, Mayor of Hedwig Village, regarding VFD issues relating to TMRS was submitted. 

The fire truck has not been delivered.

XI.              POLICE COMMISSIONER’S REPORT

A.   POLICE DEPARTMENT ACTIVITIES

      Councilman Ellis stated that the Police Commission does not meet until next week.  

XII.           CITY ENGINEER’S REPORT

A.      DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING APPROVAL OF BIDDING PROCEDURES AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR INSTALLATION OF THE LEFT TURN LANE ON GESSNER AND OVERLAY OF MEMORIAL DRIVE

Motion was made by Councilwoman Mays and seconded by Councilman Brown to approve the bidding procedures and specifications for installation of the left turn lane on Gessner Road and overlay of Memorial Drive.  Motion carried 4-0.

B.      DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING AUTHORIZATION TO CONTRACT WITH AN ENGINEERING FIRM TO REVIEW THE GREYTON PLACE DRAINAGE PLAN

Motion was made by Councilman Ellis and seconded by Councilwoman Mays authorizing the Mayor to contract with an engineering firm to review the Greyton Place Drainage Plan.  Mayor Essary stated that he would meet with at least three firms prior to making a selection.  Motion carried 4-0.

XIII.        DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING RESIGNATION SUBMITTED BY MAYOR ESSARY AS COMMISSIONER OF THE VILLAGE FIRE DEPARTMENT, EFFECTIVE MARCH 25, 2008

Motion was made by Councilman Ellis and seconded by Councilwoman Mays to accept the resignation of Mayor Essary as Commissioner of the Village Fire Department, effective March 25, 2008.  Motion carried 4-0.

XIV.        DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF BUNKER HILL VILLAGE, TEXAS, NAMING SAID CITY’S COMMISSIONER AND ALTERNATE COMMISSIONER ON THE BOARD OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF THE VILLAGE FIRE DEPARTMENT

At the request of Mayor Essary, Dave Ellis gave an overview of responsibilities of commissioners.

Motion was made by Councilwoman Mays and seconded by Councilman Ellis to approve the Resolution appointing Keith Brown as Commissioner of the Village Fire Department and Jay Smyre as Alternate Fire Commissioner.  Motion carried 4-0.

XV.           DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING THE FEE PAID TO CITY BUILDING INSPECTORS.  RICHARD NORTON IS STATE LICENSED ELECTRICAL INSPECTOR AND CHARLIE EHRLUND IS STATE LICENSED PLUMBING.  THE PROPOSED INCREASE IS FROM $35.00 PER INSPECTION TO $45.00

Motion was made by Councilwoman Schwartz and seconded by Councilwoman Mays to approve the increase for building inspectors from $35.00 to $45.00 per inspection.  Motion carried 4-0.

XVI.        ADJOURN.

Motion was made by Councilwoman Mays and seconded by Councilman Ellis to adjourn the meeting at 6:15 p.m.

Approved and accepted on May 20, 2008.

_______________________________________

DERRY D. ESSARY, Mayor

ATTEST:

_______________________________________

Ruthie Sager, City Administrator