COUNCIL MEETING, March 18, 2008

 

 

1. CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Robin S. Border called the regular meeting of the City of Hilshire Village to order at 7:00 P M at 8301 Westview, Houston, Texas 77055.

Invocation was given by Council Member Anderson.

 

                  1.2. Present were Council members Brian Henault, John Denninger, Zandra Anderson, Shannon Whiting and Mayor Pro-tem Connie Castro. Also present were Efrain Him, P.E., of Claunch & Millers, Inc., (CMI) Engineer for the City and Ted Lazarides the City Official.

                  1.3. Approval of minutes of Regular Meeting of January 15, 2008: It was moved by Council Member Anderson, seconded by Council Member Castro that the minutes be approved with the following changes: Section 3.4, Engineers line 14, add “but does not think of this magnitude” provided by Council Member Anderson. Council Member Whiting wants the following added to the same sentence. “Council Member Whiting asked who Council Member Anderson had spoken to at the job site but a reply was not provided.” A Vote was taken and the Motion carried unanimously.

 

2. CITIZENS COMMENTS: Greg Whiting, (1319 Pine Chase Grove), made comments on rethinking the common good of the contents. He stated that pen and paper are powerful tools. They are similar to a gun as it depends on the gun owner; it also depends on the writer to provide the relevance of the contents. The contents are important. Facts out of context are similar to a stray bullet in that they may land harmlessly or may cause unwanted distress or worry that eats up valuable time that could be used elsewhere.

 

                  Janet Wourms, (8201 Burkhart), respects the fact that people have a chance to say and present what they think are valuable; however, she believes that she has not read anything that was not true. Everything that was written was written by a homeowner and was well documented.

 

3. REPORTS TO COUNCIL:

 

                  3.1. Police: Detective Gary Finkelman discussed his written report to Council and citizens. The total calls for service were 84, including 15 alarm calls. There were 2 residential burglars on Valentine’s Day on Archley. Spring Valley Police was fortunate to receive information that led to two arrests. They worked with other agencies to make the arrest. Some of the stolen property was recovered. One arrest was made of a solicitor with no permit on Hickory Grove. There was one motor burglary that was not reported for eight days. An arrest was made for the burglary in Spring Valley. Council Member Anderson asked if there was a reason for the spike in crime. Detective Finkelman stated there was not. Council Member Castro thanked Detective Gary Finkelman and any one that worked on the case for a job well done. Council Member Anderson asked if the homes that were broke into had alarms or dogs. Detective Finkelman stated if they had an alarm that would have deterred the burglars because they had stated they had broken into a third house but left because an alarm had gone off.

                  3.2. Fire Commissioner: David Labbe’, Alternate Fire Commissioner, stated that there were 3 ambulance calls, 2 fire calls and one automatic fire alarm. They are 1¼% under budget. Compensation is still the main topic at their meetings. The Fire Chief attended TMRS meeting to get a better grasp of the matter. TMRS said the 2009 rate would probably be the same as 2008. David stated that a letter had been sent out regarding FEMA requirements. The NFPA has changed the way bunker gear has to be inspected which will cause a 50% increase for the year. Mayor Border stated the requirements from FEMA were for all council members.

 

                  3.3. Treasurer: None

 

3.4. Engineers: Efrain Him of CMI gave his report. Sanitation Sewer Rehabilitation Project has been basically completed. He recommends that the City release the final payment to PM Construction. Metro City has completed a substantial amount of the water line work. A walk through was done and there is some restoration work on Bromley. CMI recommended payment be made for Application No. 3. 40% of the lift station has been completed. Metro is still waiting for the equipment to come in on the lift station. On the Paving and Drainage Improvements (Package 3) AAA has installed the culverts, manholes and junction boxes for Channel Crossings E and D. The manhole/junction box for Channel D had to be relocated due to conflicts with the existing water and gas lines along Mallie Court. CMI recommends that AAA be paid for Application No. 1. The landscape work at 1209 Pine Chase is still pending due to scheduling conflicts with Marco’s Lawn & Landscape. Ongoing Services: Mayor Border had reported drainage problems at 1202 Ridgeley and 8014 Burkhart which have been resolved. Council Member Anderson asked why in November, Efrain had stated that AAA had no expertise in ravine crossing, i.e., culvert crossing, and would be subbing them out when they are indeed the contractor doing the work. Efrain stated that back in November, CMI basically did not know if AAA had ravine crossing experience but he did know that they had culvert replacement experience. Efrain said that he stated that “probably they will sub it out” because he had previously discussed that with AAA and they still had not figured out if they were going to sub it out or do the work in-house. Efrain did receive qualifications from AAA showing culvert crossings. Efrain and Council Member Anderson discussed the terminology that was used regarding the expertise of AAA.

                  3.5: Building Official: Ted Lazarides, Building Official, had previously distributed his written report. Very few permits were issued in February but a great deal of inspections was done. A letter that was sent to Mr. Mayes concerning the concrete that was poured in the City’s ROW; however, the letter came back unopened. After a discussion with Attorney Olson another letter will be sent tomorrow and one every day for five days. Inspector Joe Garrett had a clear conversation with the Project Manager with Weekly Homes at 1211 Wirt regarding work that was being done without inspections. The Project Manager has been replaced and the job is running smoothly.

 

                  3.6. Mayor and Council: Mayor Border stated that comments from Council Member Castro, Whiting and Henault would not be discussed because these items should have been placed in a discussion venue where the council members and anyone else who desired could comment. This item will be put on another agenda.

Council Member Whiting stated that all ten residents have signed the Letter of Intent documents for Bridle Spur and that the survey and title search has commenced. Council Member Henault asked if the City was paying for this work. Council Member Whiting stated the City was not paying for any of the surveys or title searches.

 

                  3.7. HVCEFFC (Conduit bonds): Nothing was submitted

 

                  3.8. City Secretary: A list of citizens concerns was submitted to Council. Council Member Anderson stated that she wanted every one of the complaints regarding trash pick up to have her name removed from it because the report was for compliance purposes not to show non-compliance on the part of the resident. The City Secretary stated that there were no move-ins or move-outs and that the City has purchased a test meter to use to check out problem meters. The water billing has been reviewed line by line to assure that all residents/contractors are being billed for their usage. City Secretary Blevins attended a seminar on Public Information. The main topic was e-mails. All City council members are to send copies of all e-mails that were sent to and from them to City Secretary Blevins. A form has been put in place for requesting information. HVCEFFC has written a check to the City in the amount of $53,834.07 and that will be put in the City’s account. Mayor Border requested that this money be given to the City and the funds should be put in the water funds account.

 

4. CONSENT AGENDA: A motion was made by Council Member Whiting to approve the agenda as presented, seconded by Council Member Denninger. A unanimous vote was taken to accept the consent agenda as presented.

 

 

5. DISCUSSION: None

 

6. ACTION ITEMS (CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON):

               6.1 Was moved by Council Member Anderson and seconded by Council Member Castro

that the Code of Ordinances of The City of Hilshire Village be amended by Adding A New Section 4.623 Of Article 4.600, Permitting Driveway And Pedestrian Access Within Public Rights-Of-Way; By Amending Chapter 7. The requirements for circular drives were discussed. It seemed logical to include that the property should have at least 80 ft frontage (or some figure) to have a circular drive. Also the 17 feet driveway was discussed. Mayor Border thinks a committee should look into this ordinance. Council Member Castro moved and Council Member Whiting seconded a motion to table the above motion. A unanimous vote was taken to table the motion. Council Member Anderson and City Official Lazarides will work on this ordinance.

6.2 Council Member Denninger moved and Council Member Henault seconded a motion to authorize the Mayor to hire Manisha Patel as City Treasurer with a salary of $200.00/month. The vote to hire Manisha Patel was unanimous.

 

7. MAYOR AND COUNCIL COMMENTS: None

 

8. ADDITIONAL CITIZENS COMMENTS: None

 

9. ANNOUNCEMENTS: None

 

10. ADJOURNMENT: It was moved by Council Member Henault and seconded by Council Member Castro to adjourn. A unanimous vote to adjourn was made.

 

 

                                                                                                                              ____________________

                                                                                                                              Robin S. Border, Mayor

ATTEST:

 

__________________________

Susan Blevins, City Secretary