CITY OF BUNKER HILL VILLAGE

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL

OF THE CITY OF BUNKER HILL VILLAGE, TEXAS

MARCH 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                                                                      Martha Williams, City Attorney

Councilman Dave Ellis                                                                          Kelly Johnson, City Secretary 

Councilwoman Cooky Mays                                                                  Steve Smith, Director of Public Works

Councilwoman Susan Schwartz                                                                      

Councilman Jay Smyre           

Travis Faler, a ninth grade student at Langham Creek High School, and Brandon Karnoski, an eighth grade student at West Lake Academy, both boy scouts, were asked to lead the Pledge of Allegiance

II.                MAYOR’S REPORT

A.  UPDATE ON W151 DRAINAGE STRUCTURE LOCATED WEST OF STREY LANE

      Mayor Essary stated after repeated calls to Harris County Flood Control, Bunker Hill still does not have a meeting scheduled.  Mayor Essary went on to say he was told from a consultant that Harris County Flood Control is very busy trying to obtain available stimulus money.  The Mayor said that he and Ms. Sager will attempt to meet with Art Storey and the head of Harris County Flood Control sometime in April.

B.   DISCUSSION REGARDING CITY ENGINEERING FIRM

      The Mayor discussed the potential conflict of interest with Klotz Engineering.  The Mayor said we are about to go into a very delicate situation for the city and the conclusion we come out with has to be viewed as totally objective.  Mayor Essary said we need total unbiased representation.  Mayor Essary suggested going out for request for proposals for engineering services.

C.   REAPPOINTMENT PROCESS FOR MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT, PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION, POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT COMMISSIONERS, MUNICIPAL JUDGE, ASSOCIATE JUDGE, AND PROSECUTOR.  THIS PROCESS TAKES PLACE EVERY TWO YEARS AT THE ELECTION OF THE MAYOR

      Mayor Essary said we review appointments to our boards and commissions every two years after the election of the mayor.  Mayor Essary said Ms. Sager will be sending out letters to all the boards and commissions asking if they are interested in serving again.  He went on to say that either in the April or May meeting they will come forward with a list of appointees to those boards and commissions.

D.  PLANS TO MEET WITH CHIEFS AND COMMISSIONERS OF THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS REGARDING THE AGENDA FOR THE NEXT TWO YEARS

      Mayor Essary stated that his plan is to meet with Chief Brye, Chief Calagna, commissioners and alternates, and talk about the next two years in terms of the agenda in the City of Bunker Hill.  Mayor Essary said he wanted to meet and talk about budgetary issues and attempt to allow departments and commissioners to have direct input to the mayor and council in terms of any issues that they believe are important and to open that line of communication.

E.   DISCUSSION REGARDING FUTURE WATER RATES

A.  NOTICE THAT THE CITY HAS USED ALL OF THE ORIGINAL GROUNDWATER CERTIFICATES FROM THE HARRIS GALVESTON COASTAL SUBSIDENCE DISTRICT.  THESE CERTIFICATES HAD A LIFE SPAN OF 40 YEARS AND DID NOT HAVE ANY LIMITS OF THEIR USE.  IN 2001 THE DISTRICT DISCONTINUED THE ORIGINAL CERTIFICATES AND APPROVED ISSUANCE OF CERTIFICATES THAT HAVE A LIFE SPAN OF 20 YEARS AND CAN ONLY BE APPLIED TO A MAXIMUM OF 30% OF A PERMITTEE’S TOTAL WATER DEMAND.

      Mayor Essary stated that our class A groundwater credits are gone and we only have class B credits left.  Mayor Essary said he heard, at the TML Legislative Session, and continues to see from the City of Houston that water rates are a revenue item.  The Mayor stated that he was going to do a 2-3 year water plan with Ms. Sager and Mr. Smith to discuss options regarding water rates.

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 FEBRUARY 17, 2009 COUNCIL MEETING

B.   FEBRUARY 2009 FINANCIALS

C.   KLOTZ ASSOCIATES INVOICE #209007 IN THE AMOUNT OF $396.83 FOR SIGNAL TIMING AT MEMORIAL AND PLANTATION TO ACCOMMODATE SCHOOL-RELATED TRAFFIC

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

IV.              CITIZENS’ COMMENTS

None

V.                 DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING AWARD OF DEPOSITORY BID

Kelly Johnson discussed briefly two different investment programs that Amegy Bank offers, CDARS and Federal Home Loan Bank Letters of Credit.  With the CDARS program the minimum deposit is one million.

Mrs. Cureau, a representative with Amegy Bank, stated that CDs with Amegy Bank backed by Letters of Credit with the Federal Home Loan Bank would allow the City to set the maturities based on the City’s needs.

Mayor Essary discussed having at a different bank a smaller operating account to cover expenditures for two to four weeks in the event of bank failure.  The mayor asked Ms. Johnson to prepare a spreadsheet showing by bank account her recommendations on what investments and the dollar amount.  He stated at that point he will bring it back to city council.

Motion was made by Councilman Brown and seconded by Councilman Ellis to extend the current Depository Contract with Amegy Bank for 60 days.  Motion carried 5-0.

VI.              DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING CANCELLATION OF THE JULY 2009 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING 

Motion was made by Councilwoman Mays and seconded by Councilman Smyre to cancel the July 2009 Regular Council Meeting.  Motion carried 5-0.

VII.           DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING APPROVAL OF GESSNER/MEMORIAL ESPLANADE PARK PHASE II IN THE AMOUNT OF $22,603.50

Motion was made by Councilman Ellis and seconded by Councilman Brown to approve the expenditure of $22,603.50 as proposed in Phase II of the Gessner/Memorial Esplanade Park.  Motion carried 5-0.

VIII.        DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING GESSNER/MEMORIAL ESPLANADE PARK ANNUAL CONTRACT FOR LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE SERVICES IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,702.00

Motion was made by Councilwoman Mays and seconded by Councilwoman Schwartz to approve the Home & Habitat Landscape Maintenance Services Program as presented.  Motion carried 5-0.

IX.              DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF BUNKER HILL VILLAGE, TEXAS, DECLARING THE UNOPPOSED CANDIDATES FOR MAYOR AND COUNCILMEMBERS, POSITIONS 4 AND 5 ELECTED; PROVIDING THAT THE MAY 9, 2009 GENERAL 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

Kelly Johnson read the certification pursuant to section 2.052, Texas Election Code.

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

X.                 CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

A.     CONSOLIDATED REGION APPLICATION FOR DISASTER COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT

Ms. Sager stated we have sent letters but still have not heard anything.

B.     UPDATE ON SECOND SURFACE WATER CONNECTION

Ms. Sager said we still do not have anything from the engineer.

C.     REMOVAL OF FOOTBRIDGE FROM BLALOCK ROAD TO GREENBAY DUE TO UNSAFE CONDITION

Ms. Sager and Mr. Smith went and looked at the footbridge and found the bridge to be unsafe and had the bridge removed.  Ms. Sager stated they looked at an option to pipe the ditch but there are two water lines in the ditch that would prevent Bunker Hill from doing that.  Ms. Sager reported there have been many phone calls from residents wanting the bridge put back.  Ms. Sager said she will report back to council once she gets an estimate of what the bridge will cost.

D.     DISCUSSION REGARDING APPROACH BY CITY OF HUNTERS CREEK VILLAGE TO SHARE BUILDING OFFICIAL DUTIES

Ms. Sager stated we had been approached by two council members of Hunters Creek Village about sharing our building official duties.  Ms. Sager said she had talked with Hunters Creek Village’s City Administrator and she asked we hold up until she talked with their mayor and she would get back with us.

XI.              FIRE COMMISSIONER’S REPORT

A.        FIRE DEPARTMENT ACTIVITIES

Councilman Brown stated the March Commissioners Meeting was moved back to next Monday because of Spring Break.  Councilman Brown said that at February’s Sub-Committee Meeting they did discuss the letter from the Mayor regarding a flat budget.

XII.           POLICE COMMISSIONER’S REPORT

A.     BURGLARY ARREST

Chief Brye stated they did file burglary charges last month on a suspect that committed a burglary a year ago.  They were able to get him identified based on chewing gum that his officer recovered at the scene with DNA analysis.  The District Attorney’s Office went ahead and accepted burglary charges on him.

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

No comments

XIII.        ADJOURN

Motion was made by Councilman Ellis and seconded by Councilman Smyre to adjourn the meeting at 6.08 p.m.

Approved and accepted on April 21, 2009.

_______________________________________

DERRY D. ESSARY, Mayor

ATTEST:

_______________________________________

Kelly Johnson, City Secretary