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CITY OF BUNKER HILL VILLAGE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BUNKER HILL VILLAGE, TEXAS September 15, 2009 – 5:00 P.M. I. CALL TO ORDER, ROLL CALL, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Essary called the meeting to order at 5:03 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/Director of Finance Councilwoman Cooky Mays (arrived 5:07) Councilwoman Susan Schwartz Steve Smith, Director of Public Works Councilman Jay Smyre II. MAYOR’S REPORT A. DISCUSSION REGARDING REQUESTS TO THE CITY FOR PERMITS TO DRILL WATER WELLS FOR IRRIGATION Mayor Essary stated with the record high water consumption over the last several months Bunker Hill Village is seeing some of the heavy water users discussing to either re-activate or drill new water wells. He said there is not a prohibition on that activity. We are looking at what other cities are doing about the situation; permits fees and whether Bunker Hill Village would even allow it. The mayor said this is for non-potable water only. Mayor Essary said we should have a recommendation by next council meeting. B. LETTER TO RESIDENTS REGARDING WATER CONSERVATION Letters regarding water conservation went out by email. III. JOHN DAVIS, P.E., LANGFORD ENGINEERING, STATUS OF THE SURFACE WATER LINE CONNECTION AT CITY HALL Mr. Davis said we submitted all the information to TCEQ and they requested more information. Mr. Davis stated he expected to take everything to TCEQ by Wednesday or Thursday of next week and ask for variances and exceptions. Mr. Davis also states he expected to have the plans approved and back in two months. The mayor stated it is imperative the surface water line connection is complete by summer. IV. 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 AUGUST 18, 2009 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING B. MINUTES OF THE SEPTEMBER 1, 2009 BUDGET WORKSHOP C. AUGUST 2009 FINANCIALS Motion was made by Councilwoman Mays and seconded by Councilman Brown to accept the items under the consent agenda. Motion carried 5-0. V. CITIZENS’ COMMENTS A. DR. ZACHARY HODGES, PRESIDENT, HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE SPRING BRANCH CAMPUS Dr. Zachary Hodges, President of Houston Community College, discussed the upcoming November election when residents of Spring Branch Independent School District will vote whether or not to join the Houston Community College District. Mr. Bob Newman of 314 Chapel Belle, discussed drainage and engineering firms. Ms. Denise Knight of 47 Williamsburg, discussed her concerns regarding the Houston Community College annexation. Mrs. Jeanmarie Stevenson and Mr. Bob Stevenson of 11727 Greenbay, discussed their concerns in joining the Houston Community College District. VI. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING A RESOLUTION ACKNOWLEDGING RECEIPT OF APPRAISAL ROLL, ASSESSOR-COLLECTOR'S CERTIFICATE AND RELATED INFORMATION; DESIGNATING A PERSON TO CALCULATE CERTAIN TAX RATES, MAKE CERTAIN PUBLICATIONS AND PERFORM OTHER RELATED TASKS; DECIDING ON THE AMOUNT OF SURPLUS AND UNENCUMBERED FUNDS TO BE USED TO PAY DEBT SERVICE; AND CONTAINING RELATED PROVISIONS Ms. Sager stated the 2009 taxable value is $1,330,763,057, which represents an increase of 7% or $87,597,988 from the 2008 taxable value. The effective tax rate for 2009 that will support the 2010 budget is $0.264862/$100 and the rollback rate is $0.272008/$100. She said the new improvement number is $24,999,386. Ms. Sager’s recommendation is to adopt the effective rate. Motion was made by Councilman Brown and seconded by Councilman Ellis to adopt a resolution acknowledging receipt of appraisal roll, assessor-collector’s certificate and related information; designating a person to calculate certain tax rates, make certain publications and perform other related tasks; deciding on the amount of surplus and unencumbered funds to be used to pay debt service; and containing related provisions. Motion carried 5-0. VII. NOTICE OF THE EFFECTIVE AND ROLLBACK TAX RATES FOR 2009 TAX YEAR 2009 Effective tax rate is $0.264862/$100 2009 Rollback tax rate is $0.272008/$100 VIII. DISCUSSION OF 2010 PROPOSED BUDGET The mayor said from the first budget workshop the only modifications to the budget were increases for city staff. He stated it was a 3% increase across the board. IX. DISCUSSION REGARDING 2009 PROPOSED MAINTENANCE AND OPERATING TAX RATE TO FUND THE 2010 BUDGET The 2009 Maintenance and Operating Tax rate is $0.164861/$100. X. DISCUSSION REGARDING 2009 PROPOSED DEBT RATE TO FUND THE 2010 DEBT OBLIGATION The 2009 Debt Rate is $0.100001/$100. XI. AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BUNKER HILL VILLAGE, TEXAS, AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE PLACEMENT OF SIGNS PROHIBITING THE USE OF WIRELESS COMMUNICATION DEVICES IN SCHOOL CROSSING ZONES; MAKING OTHER PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT; AND PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY Mayor Essary proposed the adoption of the ordinance to place signs designating the prohibition of cell phones in the Frostwood and Bunker Hill School Zones. Motion was made by Councilman Ellis and seconded by Councilman Smyre to authorize and adopt an ordinance of the city council of the City of Bunker Hill Village, Texas, authorizing and directing the placement of signs prohibiting the use of wireless communication devices in school crossing zones; making other provisions related to the subject; and providing for severability. Motion carried 5-0. XII. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BUNKER HILL VILLAGE TEXAS NOMINATING A CANDIDATE FOR A POSITION ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE HARRIS COUNTY APPRAISAL DISTIRCT Councilwoman Mays expressed concerns about voting for someone she knew nothing about. Motion was made by Councilman Brown and seconded by Councilwoman Schwartz to nominate Ed Heathcott as the city’s representative to the Harris County Appraisal District. Motion carried 4-1 (Councilman Mays opposed). XIII. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING A RESOLUTION DESIGNATING A REPRESENTATIVE AND ALTERNATE FOR THE HOUSTON-GALVESTON AREA COUNCIL 2010 GENERAL ASSEMBLY The City of Bunker Hill’s current representatives for the Houston-Galveston Area Council are Councilwoman Schwartz and Councilwoman Mays as alternate. Motion was made by Councilman Ellis and seconded by Councilman Brown to reappoint the two incumbents to the their current positions with Houston-Galveston Area Council. Motion carried 5-0. XIV. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING PROPOSED 90’ X 10’ PARKING AREA, FOR UTILITY VEHICLES, ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF MEMORIAL DRIVE AT PLANTATION STREET AT A COST OF $4,925.33 Mayor Essary said there is a persistent problem on the South side of Memorial Drive at Plantation Street where there are utility boxes. When the utility vehicles come to service the boxes they pull off and it creates ruts. The mayor is proposing putting a permeable surface where utility vehicles can pull off and not create a rut or sinking of the ground. Motion was made by Councilman Ellis and seconded by Councilwoman Mays to authorize the mayor to approve up to $5,000 for the purposes outlined in item XIV. Motion carried 5-0. XV. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING NOTICE FROM PROPERTY OWNERS ON RAINIER DRIVE TO CONVERT THE STREET FROM PRIVATE TO PUBLIC Mayor Essary said the residents of Rainier Drive have asked that there street be turned into a public street. Mr. Smith said he has done an evaluation of the street and everything exceeds Bunker Hill’s expectations. Mr. Smith said they are still checking on platting issues on the street. The mayor asked council to take a drive down the street and review the street before the next council meeting. Mayor Essary asked that this be put on the agenda for the next council meeting as an action item. No action taken XVI. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF BUNKER HILL VILLAGE AND THE CITY OF PINEY POINT VILLAGE FOR ANIMAL CONTROL SERVICES Mayor Essary stated the mayor of Piney Point Village approached him about this subject. Mayor Essary said he has priced this service to keep Bunker Hill Village whole and the rate would be $200.00 per hour. He said it’s simply an accommodation. Motion was made by Councilman Smyre and seconded by Councilwoman Mays that we provide this Interlocal Agreement between the City of Bunker Hill Village and the City of Piney Point Village for animal control services as modified on pg 2, section 1(a). Motion carried 5-0. XVII. CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT A. CITY OF HOUSTON RATE INCREASE FOR SURFACE WATER, EFFECTIVE JANUARY 2010 Ms. Sager stated that in January 2010 the City of Houston surface water rate will increase $0.30 per thousand. Ms. Sager said we included in the 2010 Proposed Budget a 3% COLA but this increase is in addition to the COLA. XVIII. THE CITY COUNCIL WILL NOW CONVENE INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION PURSUANT TO SECTION 551.071 OF THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE TO CONSULT WITH ITS ATTORNEY REGARDING A MATTER THAT THE DUTY OF THE ATTORNEY REQUIRES TO BE DISCUSSED IN CLOSED MEETING Mayor Essary called to go into Executive Session at 6:22 p.m. Mayor Essary returned and adjourned Executive Session at 6:43 p.m. XIX. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON ITEMS DISCUSSED IN EXECUTIVE SESSION No discussion XX. ADJOURN Motion was made by Councilman Ellis and seconded by Councilman Brown to adjourn the meeting at 6:44 p.m. Motion carried 5-0.
Approved and accepted on October 20, 2009.
_______________________________________ DERRY D. ESSARY, Mayor
ATTEST:
_______________________________________ Kelly Johnson, City Secretary |
