| The City of |
| Hilshire
Village |
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REGULAR
COUNCIL MEETING APRIL 17, 2007 1. CALL TO ORDER: The regular meeting of the City of Hilshire Village was called to order at 7:33 P M by Mayor Robin S. Border at 8301 Westview, Houston, Texas. Invocation was given by Zandra Anderson. Present were Council members Connie Castro, Brian Henault, Zandra Anderson, Mayor Pro tem John Denninger and Shannon Whiting. Also present were Alison Holland of Olson and Olson, Attorneys for the City, and Efrain Him of Claunch & Miller, Inc., (CMI) Engineers for the City. Mayor Border presented the minutes of the March 20, 2007 meeting for approval. It was moved by Whiting, seconded by Anderson that minutes be approved as presented, and motion carried unanimously. 2. CITIZENS COMMENTS/PUBIC FORUM: (Time Limit -5 minutes) 2.1. Vimal Patel (8001 Anadell): Investigation of Plumbing Expenses on Private Property. Mr. Patel had a sewer back-up on January 21st, and he had Roto-Rooter come out. The plumber relieved the blockage temporarily but said he needed to repair his sewer line and gave an estimated cost of $6,789.64. Mr. Patel came by office to view sewer line drawings of his subdivision, and Mayor Border suggested Patel verify whose line was blocked. Alphaone Plumbing Services came out and dug sewer line and discovered blockage was beyond the property line. The plumber also noticed seashell particles when he opened the main clean out valve on the property. Alphaone billed Patel $725.00. As a result of blockage being on city’s side, Patel called Severn Trent Services and they flushed and vacuumed the main sewer line. Mr. Patel is seeking reimbursement for the expenses that he incurred in the amount of $464.70 for Roto-rooter and $725.00 for Alphaone Plumbing. He feels that he followed proper procedures by determining exactly where the blockage was and is entitled to compensation. Alison Holland of Olson and Olson suggested that a claim should be made to the city’s insurer, Texas Municipal League. Don DeTata (1314 Bridle Spur) is waiting for proper documents for Bridle Spur dedication. His real estate attorney advised that an easement dedication could be filed for exhibit at Harris County for each individual property. 3. REPORTS TO COUNCIL: 3.1 Police: Detective Gary Finkelman distributed his written report for March 2007. There were two burglaries. Both Terrace Methodist and Mennonite Church had office equipment stolen. There were seven alarm calls. Total call for service numbered 60. A new computer communication system is being set up for broadband. 3.2. Fire Commissioner: Tom Archer, Fire Commissioner, was absent. Mayor Border read the written report: “Hilshire Village had 3 calls in the month of March. Treasury report shows that the department is 1.93% under budget through the month of March. Discussion was brought up concerning Mr. Michael Warner and Associates’ audit and the investment report regarding the department CDs. Compensation committee made recommendations which will be included in the budget for 2008. A date will be set for the Mayors Budget Workshop soon.” 3.3. Treasurer: Trisha Fowler, Treasurer, was not present but e-mailed her report to Council. General Fund Revenues to date were $571,166.13 with expenses of $307,124.91. 3.4. Engineers Report: Efrain Him of CMI had previously distributed his report. (1)1209 Pine Chase Drive drainage outfall: Project is approximately 60% complete but no work has been done since March 30, 2007. CMI has attempted to contact Scott Elliott of TEK Holdings (Contractor) but no response. (2) Ridgeley Drive Paving and Utilities Project: Preliminary hydraulic analyses and evaluations of channel crossing flows have been completed and will be presented to Council for feedback. Survey work is 90% complete. Preliminary hydraulic and pump sizing calculations for the wastewater lift station have been completed. An amendment to Ridgeley Drive design proposal was prepared. A separate construction package for the lift station is recommended to avoid the potential of a lift station breakdown that could affect 125 residences, and to minimize impact on Ridgeley Drive reconstruction schedule. (3) Bridle Spur Documentation: Per Whiting’s request, CMI researched the engineering files for existing documentation and evaluated the right-of-way requirements for the street. 3.5. Building Official Report: Ted Lazarides, Building Official, was not present but sent his written report. A list of March inspections and permits was attached. Mayor Border read his report: “Various permits were issued for 7914 Hilshire Green, 1229 Ridgeley and 80190 Anadell. Spent several hours on this project (Tribble Residence) including numerous discussions with Zandra Anderson and John Denninger.” 3.6. Mayor and Council Report: Henault: Fax, /copier has arrived and was installed. The other equipment has been purchased and contemplate having all installed within 30 days. Henault said he would bring cost break-down at next meeting. 3.7. HVCEFFC (Conduit bonds) See bank statement attached to City Secretary’s Report. Bank balance as of April 10th is $54,600.00 3.8. City Secretary Report: List of citizens concerns and complaints is attached to report. Early voting begins April 30 through May 4, 2007 at 1721 Pech Road and other Harris County annexes from 8:00 A M to 4:30 P M. Additional times are posted on website and office. We have received official word that regular voting on May 12th election will be held at the City Hall from 7A M to 7 P M. Feb/March billings were mailed, as well as past due notices. The Hilshire Village office will have new office hours commencing May 1st. New office hours will be 9 to 5 Monday through Friday. 3.9. Webmaster Phil Brooks: Mr. Brooks has been the webmaster as a volunteer since its beginning ten years ago. He is now in process of updating and re-arranging various sites on the website. He wants to put in more data for public information and bring it up to 21st century, including a “citizens” form that could be used to e-mail City their concerns or complaints. In addition, citizens wishing “updates” could request the City to e-mail them directly. 4. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION: 4.1. Authorization for partial payment to TEK Holdings, or its creditors, for work completed at 1209 Pine Chase Drive outfall Project: Efrain Him of CMI has had no contact since March 30 with this contractor. They have had no response. On Friday, April 20th, contract will go into legal default, and thence out for bid for completion of project. Mr. Him believes that contract can be completed without additional costs. No payment to contractor has been made. No action taken at this time. 4.2. Consideration and possible authorization for Claunch & Miller, Inc. (CMI) Engineers to commence geo-technical investigation services for Ridgeley Drive Reconstruction Project. Efrain Him presented Council with a proposal from GEOTEST Engineering Inc. This project calls for reconstruction of existing asphalt roadway with open ditches, replacing three large culvert crossings as well. (1) They propose to drill and sample 23 borings to depths ranging from 15 to 35 feet. The sampling will be performed continuously to a 10-foot depth and at five foot depth intervals to the termination depth of boring. (2) They will convert one boring drilled for the lift station to a piezometer. (3) They will perform appropriate laboratory tests on selected samples to evaluate physical integrity and strength of soil. All tests are to be performed to ASTM standards (4) Engineering analyses to develop geotechnical recommendations for the design and construction of proposed roadway, utility bedding, and backfill, box culverts and lift station will be performed (5) A geotechnical report will be prepared. Based on the scope of work outlined, cost of services would be $25,513.00. It was moved by Henault, seconded by Whiting that this project be authorized, and motion carried unanimously. Out of order of agenda: 4.3 See below 4.4. See below 4.5. Bridle Spur Deed of Dedications, Letter of agreement to the City of Hilshire Village (Whiting): Olson & Olson, attorneys, had prepared these documents and they had been distributed previously to Council for approval. Whiting inquired if deed of dedication was similar to one prepared in 1999 for Bridle Spur owners, and Alison Holland of Olson & Olson replied “yes”. The letters of agreement will be sent to all current property owners (not renters). This letter signed by current property owner indicates their participation in conveyance of Bridle Spur Lane to the City. It was moved by Whiting, seconded by Denninger, that letter be sent to owners, and motion carried unanimously. DonDeta (1314 Bridle Spur) wanted to know when letters were going to be sent. Whiting replied “sometime this week”. 4.3. Ordinance: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF HILSHIRE VILLAGE, TEXAS, BY ADDING TO ARTICLE 1.200, CHAPTER 1 THEREOF OF NEW SECTIONS 1.202, 1.203 AND 1.204; TO PROVIDE THAT THE ELECTION OF THE CITY’S ALDERMAN SHALL BE BY A PLACE SYSTEM; REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES OR PARTS OF ORDINANCES INCONSISTENT OR IN CONFLICT WITH HEREWITH; AND PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY. It was moved by Castro, seconded by Whiting that ordinance be enacted. Discussion followed. Anderson believed that such an ordinance would do away with the “neighborliness” of Hilshire Village, as it would pit a candidate against one person. Denninger thought it would make it more complicated, having to decide for which position to apply, in lieu of a majority against the number of alderman up for election. Anderson felt that ordinance should have come up for discussion only at this time. A vote was taken. Council members Castro, Henault and Whiting approved ordinance, And Denninger and Anderson opposed. Motion carried 3-2. 4.4. Set Date for canvassing the election (May 15-23): Council agreed that canvassing the election would be at 7:15 P M on May 15, 2007. 5. CONSENT AGENDA: Disbursements, summary, Professional service invoices. City Secretary said there was one addition to consent agenda, reimbursement to Robin Border for expenses in the amount of $350. It was moved by Denninger, seconded by Whiting that consent agenda be approved with addition, and motion carried unanimously. 6. MAYOR AND COUNCIL COMMENTS: Whiting: (1) The Ridgeley Improvement Project Citizens Committee met Sunday, April 15th, at City Hall so that input or questions could be relayed to CMI. (2) They would like the next workshop for the project to have the landscape architect present so they get more information. (3) The Houston Chronicle had an article about values of real estate in Hilshire Village that appeared to be incorrect. The City office will call to determine their source to correct misinformation, and will report later. Efrain Him distributed an approximate cost comparison between reinforced box culverts versus reinforced concrete pipe in regard to Ridgeley Drive project, and listed various options in reference to 2 , 10, 25, and 100 year flood plain. 7. ADDITIONAL CITIZENS COMMENTS: Don DeTata (1314 Bridle Spur) urged Council to send out letters of dedications to Bridle Spur homeowners as quickly as possible. 8. ANNOUNCEMENTS: None 9. ADJOURNMENT: It was moved by Castro, seconded by Anderson that meeting be adjourned. Meeting adjourned t 9:40 P M. ___________________ Robin S. Border. Mayor ATTEST: ________________________ Claudia Bammel, City Secretary |