MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BUNKER HILL VILLAGE, TEXAS

MAY 28, 2008 – 6:00 P.M.

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

Mayor Essary called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall, 11977 Memorial Drive, Houston, Texas.

Present:                                                            Also in Attendance:

Mayor Derry Essary                                         Ruthie Sager, City Administrator

Councilman Keith Brown                                 Steve Smith, Director of Public Works

Councilwoman Susan Schwartz                     John Davis, P.E., Langford Engineering, Inc.

Councilman Dave Ellis

Councilman Jay Smyre

Absent:

Councilwoman Cooky Mays

            Drew Masterson, Managing Director First Southwest Company, officially notified the city today that May 28 marked a historical and significant day in the history of the city of Bunker Hill Village when Standard & Poor’s Rating Agency (S&P) officially upgraded the city’s underlying credit rating for general obligation bond debt from “AA-” to “AAA.” As the first and only city in the Texas Gulf Coast Region in modern history to receive a “AAA” rating from any credit rating agency, current and future investors of the city have reason to draw confidence from this acknowledgement. 

The ratings upgrade comes after the city demonstrated to the analysts at S&P that the city’s financial strength and favorable outlook was worthy of the highest ratings possible. S&P noted the city’s strong wealth levels per capita and conservative fiscal practices such as having strong budgeting and investment practices as well as maintaining healthy fund balances. The only other “AAA” rated cities in Texas are the cities of Dallas, Plano, Irving, Addison, Austin and Richardson, all of which are far larger and have far more sources of revenue than Bunker Hill Village. 

II.                DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING EMERGENCY REPAIRS TO WATER WELL #2 LOCATED BEHIND CITY HALL

John Davis, P.E., Langford Engineering, Inc told Council that Well #2 located behind City Hall is out of service.  The well should be pumping 400 to 450 gallons per minute but is only pumping 20 gallons per minute.  The well has been televised and in need of emergency repairs. The estimated cost of repairs is $200,000.  The cost to drill a new well is about $850,000.  Mr. Davis stated that the other three water wells are in good condition.  Councilmembers agreed that the three options include (1) repairing the well, (2) merging with the Memorial Villages Water Authority and (3) City of Houston surface water.

Motion was made by Councilman Brown and seconded by Councilwoman Schwartz to authorize Weisinger Water Well Service to proceed with emergency repairs to water well #2 in an amount not to exceed $220,000.  Motion carried 4-0.  City Administrator was instructed to inform Mike Montgomery of the present status of our water system given that the city has an interconnect with the Memorial Villages Water Authority.

III.             DISCUSSION REGARDING 2009 BUDGETS FOR MEMORIAL VILLAGES POLICE DEPARTMENT AND VILLAGE FIRE DEPARTMENT

Mayor Essary stated that discussion at the March meeting of the Village Mayors’ included the operation of the Village Fire Department.

Councilmembers discussed the fee structure of the department, response time and the calls for service for ambulance versus fire.

IV.              DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING PROPOSAL FROM TEALWOOD HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION CONCERNING THE SUBDIVISION SIGN

Mayor Essary stated that he was asked to meet with three very aggressive members of the Tealwood Homeowners Association regarding replacement of the Tealwood sign on Gessner.  They have had the sign appraised and asked if the city would consider paying them the cost of the sign, according to their appraisal.  Mayor Essary advised them to put their proposal in writing and he would forward it to Council.

V.                 ADJOURN

Motion was made by Councilman Ellis and seconded by Councilman Brown to adjourn the meeting at 7:30 p.m.  Motion carried 4-0.

Approved and accepted on June 17, 2008.

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DERRY D. ESSARY, Mayor

ATTEST:

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Ruthie Sager, City Administrator