CITY OF BUNKER HILL VILLAGE

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL

OF THE CITY OF BUNKER HILL VILLAGE, TEXAS

FEBRUARY 17, 2009 – 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

Councilman Dave Ellis                                                Kelly Johnson, City Secretary 

Councilwoman Cooky Mays                                        Steve Smith, Director of Public Works

Councilwoman Susan Schwartz                                                                      

Councilman Jay Smyre        

II.                GREET GUESTS, MAYOR’S REPORT

A.  REPORT ON LEGISLATIVE UPDATE HELD IN AUSTIN ON FEBRUARY 9, 2009

      Mayor Essary said he attended the conference and observed several things.  He stated the state legislators for the most part believes the we as city governments are affectively irresponsible in the way we spend money. Mayor Essary went on to say there continues to be a force in       Austin  that tries to take additional funding from the cities and pull it up to the state level because they believe they are better stewards than cities. 

      Mayor Essary stated that in Bunker Hill Village we are unique in the sense that we have little to no sales tax.  Mayor Essary also said the average city spends just over 50% of its dollar on public safety.  Bunker Hill Village today is approaching 80%.  The Mayor also stated with the current economic conditions he does not see how Bunker Hill Village can get out of the current situation without a reduction or at least a flat tax base.  He also stated that he was going to send a letter to the Mayors of Piney Point and Hunters Creek suggesting a way we might want to address the current economic conditions is to possible consolidate services.  B.           REPORT ON CONSULTANT TO REVIEW THE TEXAS MUNICIPAL RETIREMENT SYSTEM (TMRS)

      Mayor Essary stated he has talked with a consultant and has asked her to talk with Gary Brye and do an initiale interview.  He went on to say that he asked her to do a letter on how she will scope the project and the estimated cost.

C.   STATUS OF MEETINGS WITH HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL REGARDING DRAINAGE DITCH W151

      The Mayor stated there is no meeting.  The Mayor stated Bunker Hill Village is going to continue to press on the W151 issues.

D.  DISCUSSION OF PROPOSED LETTERS REGARDING BUDGET ISSUES FROM THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL TO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, POLICE DEPARTMENT, PINEY POINT VILLAGE AND HUNTERS CREEK VILLAGE

Mayor Essary wants to send a letter to the Police and Fire Commissions respectively requesting that the budget for next year be flat.  The Mayor would like all of council city to sign the letter.

E.   NOTICE OF TEALWOOD HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION MEETING

Mayor Essary stated the in the Tealwood Times, the subdivision newsletter, noted that all the comments on the new sign were positive.

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 JANUARY 20, 2009 COUNCIL MEETING

B.   JANUARY 2009 FINANCIALS

C.   4th QUARTER INVESTMENT ACTIVITY ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2008

Motion was made by Councilman Ellis and seconded by Councilwoman Mays to approve the Consent Agenda.  Motion carried 5-0.

IV.              CITIZENS’ COMMENTS

None

V.                 DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF BUNKER HILL VILLAGE, TEXAS, ADOPTING AMENDMENTS NO. 5 THROUGH 9 TO THE ORIGINAL BUDGET OF THE CITY OF BUNKER HILL VILLAGE, TEXAS, FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2008; PROVIDING DETAILED LINE ITEM INCREASES OR DECREASES; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND CONTAINING OTHER PROVISIONS RELATING TO THE SUBJECT

Ms. Johnson briefly review each ordinance and stated most items were housekeeping issues or Hurricane Ike related expenditures. 

Motion was made by Councilman Ellis and seconded by Councilman Smyre to approve  the ordinance.  Motion carried 5-0.

VI.              DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN HARRIS COUNTY AND BUNKER HILL VILLAGE, RELATING TO CONFINEMENT OF CITY PRISONERS, BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2009 AND ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2009.  THE COST TO THE CITY IS $74.00 PER PRISONER PER DAY

Motion was made by Councilman Ellis and seconded by Councilman Smyre to authorize the execution and acceptance of the agreement.  Motion carried 5-0

VII.           DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING AWARD OF DEPOSITORY BID

Mary Cureau with Amegy Bank was present and answered various questions from the Mayor and Council.  Ms. Sager stated that five request for bids were sent out but only three were received back.

The mayor and council wanted further information on securities including; cedars, federal home loans, and letters of credit.  The Mayor and Council elected to table awarding the depository bid for 45 days.

Motion was made by Councilman Ellis and seconded by Councilwoman Mays to accept the extension of the contract through the end of March.   Motion carried 5-0.

VIII.        CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

A.     LETTER OF INTENT TO PARTICIPATE IN HARRIS COUNTY CONSOLIDATED REGION APPLICATION FOR DISASTER COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT

Ms. Sager stated that $814 million dollars has been allocated to 13 counties that are together under HGAC.  Ms. Sager stated Bunker Hill Village and Memorial Villages Police Department submitted a letter of intent and if approved they will send an engineer to see what types of projects to include in the funding. 

B.     NOTICE OF CITY OF HOUSTON PROPOSED RATE INCREASE FOR SURFACE WATER 

C.     UPDATE ON SECOND SURFACE WATER CONNECTION

IX.                   FIRE COMMISSIONER’S REPORT

A.        FIRE DEPARTMENT ACTIVITIES 

X.                    POLICE COMMISSIONER’S REPORT

A.     BURGLARY ARREST

B.     POLICE CITATION CONTACT DATA ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2008

C.     RETAINING A CONSULTANT TO REVIEW THE TEXAS MUNICIPAL RETIREMENT SYSTEM PLAN

D.     DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING 2008 FISCAL YEAR INTER-BUDGET TRANSFER

XI.                   ADJOURN

Motion was made by Loren Smith and seconded by Councilman Ellis to adjourn the meeting at 6:24 p.m.

Approved and accepted on March 17, 2009.

_______________________________________

DERRY D. ESSARY, Mayor

ATTEST:

_______________________________________

Kelly Johnson, City Secretary