CITY OF BUNKER HILL VILLAGE

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL

OF THE CITY OF BUNKER HILL VILLAGE, TEXAS

OCTOBER 20, 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/Director of Finance           

Councilwoman Cooky Mays (arrived 5:18)                            

Councilwoman Susan Schwartz                                                                                    Steve Smith, Director of Public Works

Councilman Jay Smyre                                                                                                Tom Ramsey, City Engineer

            Samuel Worsham an eighth grader at Second Baptist and Dylan Swain an eighth grader at Faith West Academy, both boy scouts, were asked to lead the Pledge of Allegiance.
 

II.                MAYOR’S REPORT

A.  MEETING WITH HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL REGARDING RECOMMENDATION FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO W151 DRAINAGE CHANNEL (WEST OF STREY LANE)

      Mayor Essary stated that himself, Ms. Sager, Mr. Smith, and Councilman Smyre attended a meeting with Fred Garcia and Steve Fitzgerald from HCFC last week.  Councilman Smyre said a very expensive program was discussed for a solution to the drainage problems.  He went on to say that Mayor Essary offered the City of Bunker Hill’s participation in the program somewhere is the range of $3,500,000 to $5,000,000.  Councilman Smyre said the HCFC had no money available. 

      Ms. Sager said the HCFC offered to do the channel cleaning south of Memorial Drive, clean the silt north of Memorial Drive and cleaning of W146 where it goes into Buffalo Bayou at Memorial and Briar Forest.  Mr. Ramsey said the widening and deepening of W151 gives a bigger bang for the city’s buck.

B.   MEETING WITH RESIDENTS ON ARBORDALE CONCERNING DRAINAGE

      Mayor Essary met with Arbordale residents and the majority of residents with the exception of one resident want their ditches left alone.  He said the city will get with the one resident about a couple of solutions that might be done.

C.   MEETING WITH MAYORS OF THE FOURTEEN SMALL CITIES CONCERNING METROPOLITAN TRANSIT AUTHORITY FUNDING

      Mayor Essary stated that Bunker Hill Village has very effectively used Metro funds for road projects.  He said there is no money available from now until 2012.  It is his opinion that after 2012 the sales tax money will be used to fund light rail therefore leaving the fourteen small cities receiving no additional funds.

D.  DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING A DATE FOR 2009 ANNUAL HOLIDAY RECEPTION (SUGGESTED DATE – DECEMBER 15)

Motion was made by Councilwoman Mays and seconded by Councilman Brown to have the 2009 Annual Holiday Reception on December 15, 2009.  Motion carried 5-0.

E.   DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING REQUEST FROM PINEY POINT FOR BUNKER HILL TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ANNUAL CAROL TREE CELEBRATION, SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13, FROM 2:00 TO 4:00 P.M. AT MEMORIAL DRIVE BAPTIST CHURCH, BY FUNDING PARTIAL PAYMENT FOR THE SNOW IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,500

Motion was made by Councilwoman Schwartz and seconded by Councilman Brown to participate with the City of Piney Point in the Annual Carol Tree celebration in the amount of $1,500.00.  Motion carried 4-1 (Jay Smyre opposed)

F.   DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING CANCELLATION OF DECEMBER REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

Motion was made by Councilman Ellis and seconded by Councilwoman Mays to cancel the December regular council meeting.  Motion carried 5-0.

G.  LETTER TO CENTERPOINT ENERGY AUTHORIZING PERSONNEL TO BE IN AN EVACUATED AREA PURSUANT TO SECTION 418.185 OF THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE

      Mayor Essary said a letter was mailed.  The letter simply states that Bunker Hill Village gives Centerpoint access to the city in the event of an emergency.

III.             JOHN DAVIS, P.E., LANGFORD ENGINEERING, STATUS OF THE SURFACE WATER LINE CONNECTION AT CITY HALL

Mr. Davis said that Bunker Hill Village resubmitted the plans on the chlorimen conversion on both water plants and we are waiting on TCEQ.  He stated he hoped to bid the project in November.  Mr. Smith asked and was confirmed by the City Attorney Loren Smith, that Bunker Hill Village can go ahead and bid the project while waiting on approval from TCEQ.

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 SEPTEMBER 15, 2009 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

B.   SEPTEMBER 2009 FINANCIALS

C.   THIRD QUARTER INVESTMENT REPORT

D.  LANGFORD ENGINEERING, INC, INVOICE NUMBER 14645 IN THE AMOUNT OF $19,480.02 FOR SERVICES PROVIDED IN CONNECTION WITH SURFACE WATER SUPPLY TO WATER PLANT AT CITY HALL

Motion was made by Councilman Smyre and seconded by Councilman Mays to accept the items under the consent agenda.  Motion carried 5-0.

V.                 CITIZENS’ COMMENTS

No comments

VI.              VILLAGE FIRE COMMISSIONER’S REPORT

Councilman Brown stated he was not able to make the monthly commissioner’s meeting.  He did say from what he had been told the health insurance plan has not been voted on and will be voted on next Wednesday at a special meeting. 

Councilman Brown discussed his concerns about the structure of the Village Fire Department and said now might be the time to review the interlocal agreement.  He also said that they are searching firms for a new Fire Chief.

VII.           MEMORIAL VILLAGES POLICE COMMISSIONER’S REPORT

Commissioner Slot reported that there was no crime in Bunker Hill Village last month.  He also stated that National Night Out was a huge success with over 250 residents in attendance.

Commissioner Slot said the health insurance bids are back and preliminary report is that we have a six and half percent decrease from last year.  Mayor Essary stated a big reason for the decrease was our loss ratio was down.  Chief Brye commented that another reason for the decrease was we utilize a health savings account plan. 

VIII.        PUBLIC HEARING

TO RECEIVE COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC, EITHER ORAL OR WRITTEN, REGARDING THE PROPOSED BUDGET FOR 2010

Mayor Essary opened the public hearing at 5:57 p.m.

No comments

Mayor Essary closed the public hearing at 5.58 p.m.

IX.              DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:

A. AN ORDINANCE APPROVING AND ADOPTING THE CITY OF BUNKER HILL VILLAGE, TEXAS GENERAL BUDGET FOR THE YEAR 2010; MAKING APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE CITY FOR SUCH YEAR AS REFLECTED IN SAID BUDGET ESTABLISHING THE PROCEDURE FOR INTRA-BUDGET TRANSFERS; AND CONTAINING OTHER PROVISIONS RELATING TO THE SUBJECT.

Motion was made by Councilman Brown and seconded by Councilman Smyre to approve and adopting the City of Bunker Hill Village, Texas General Budget for the year 2010; making appropriations for the city for such year as reflected in said budget establishing the procedure for intra-budget transfers; and containing other provisions relating to the subject.  Motion carried 4-0. (Councilman Ellis stepped away)

B.   AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE LEVY AND COLLECTION OF AD VALOREM TAXES OF THE CITY OF BUNKER HILL VILLAGE, TEXAS, FOR THE YEAR 2009; PROVIDING THE DATE ON WHICH SUCH TAXES SHALL BE DUE AND PAYABLE; PROVIDING FOR PENALTY AND INTEREST ON ALL TAXES NOT TIMELY PAID; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES OR PARTS OF ORDINANCES INCONSISTENT OR IN CONFLICT HEREWITH

Motion was made by Councilman Brown and seconded by Councilwoman Schwartz to approve an ordinance providing for the levy and collection of Ad Valorem Taxes of the City of Bunker Hill Village, Texas, for the year 2009; providing the date on which such taxes shall be due and payable; providing for penalty and interest on all taxes not timely paid; providing for severability; and repealing all ordinances or parts of ordinances inconsistent or in conflict herewith.  Motion carried 5-0.

X.                 DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING A JOINT RESOLUTION BETWEEN HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT AND THE CITY OF BUNKER HILL VILLAGE ESTABLISHING THE HARRIS COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION

Motion was made by Councilman Ellis and seconded by Councilman Smyre to approve the joint resolution presented under item X.  Motion carried 5-0.

XI.              DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF BUNKER HILL VILLAGE AND HARRIS COUNTY FOR MUTUAL AID THAT SERVES A PUBLIC PURPOSE

Motion was made by Councilman Ellis and seconded by Councilwoman Mays to approve the interlocal agreement between the City of Bunker Hill Village and Harris County for mutual aid that serves a public purpose.  Motion carried 5-0.

XII.           DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING INCREASE IN COST OF DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENT FOR BLALOCK LANE

Mr. Smith reported since the estimate in June, pipe cost has increased as much as 70%.  Mr. Smith asked council to consider approving the increase of $9,000 for the project

Motion was made by Councilman Smyre and seconded by Councilwoman Mays to  increase the cost of the drainage improvements on Blalock Lane by $9,000.  Motion carried 5-0.

XIII.        DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING CONTRACT FOR RESIDENTIAL SOLID WASTE COLLECTION AND RECYCLING SERVICES

Ms. Sager stated Bunker Hill Village has used Republic Waste for six years and has no complaints with the company.  The contract increase is from $23.75 to $25.00 per month for solid waste collection.  Ms. Sager stated we have had better service with Republic Waste than anyone else and recommended staying with them. 

Motion was made by Councilman Ellis and seconded by Councilman Smyre to approve the agreement with Republic Waste as presented under XIII.  Motion carried 5-0.

XIV.        DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING LANDSCAPE CONTRACT

Ms. Sager stated we received bids on Landscaping Services for Bunker Hill Village and the low bid was $10,000 under our current contract.  The low bid was from Bio Landscaping.

Motion was made by Councilwoman Mays and seconded by Councilwoman Schwartz to accept the contract from Bio Landscape.  Motion carried 5-0.

XV.           DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN HARRIS COUNTY AND  BUNKER HILL VILLAGE FOR CITY PRISONERS

Ms. Sager stated this is the annual contract we sign to house our prisoners at Harris County.

Motion was made by Councilman Smyre and seconded by Councilwoman Schwartz to approve the interlocal agreement between Harris County and Bunker Hill Village for housing city prisoners.  Motion carried 5-0.

XVI.        EXECUTIVE SESSION - CITY COUNCIL WILL NOW CONVENE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION PURSUANT TO SECTION 551.074 OF THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE, PERSONNEL MATTERS, TO DELIBERATE THE APPOINTMENT, EMPLOYMENT, EVALUATION, REASSIGNMENT, DUTIES, DISCIPLINE, OR DISMISSAL OF A PUBLIC OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE

Mayor Essary called to go into Executive Session at 6:18 p.m.

Mayor Essary returned and adjourned Executive Session at 6:30 p.m.

XVII.     DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION RELATING TO EXECUTIVE SESSION

Motion was made by Councilman Ellis and seconded by Councilwoman Mays to authorize the mayor to enter into a release agreement as part of a separation arraignment with a Bunker Hill employee.  Motion carried 5-0.

XVIII.  ADJOURN

Motion was made by Councilman Smyre and seconded by Councilwoman Mays to adjourn the meeting at 6:31 p.m.  Motion carried 5-0.

Approved and accepted on November 17, 2009.

_______________________________________

DERRY D. ESSARY, Mayor

ATTEST:

_______________________________________

Kelly Johnson, City Secretary