SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING, September 30, 2008

 

 

1. CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Robin S. Border called the Special Council Meeting of the City of Hilshire Village to order at 6:40 P.M. at 8301 Westview, Houston, Texas 77055.

 

Out or Order

 

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

 

4.1 A motion was made by Council Member Anderson approving an ordinance granting CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric LLC, its successors and assigns the right, privilege and Franchise for a period of thirty years using the ordinance written by Olson and Olson, seconded by Council Member Whiting. The Mayor stated that one difference in the ordinances is the payout from CenterPoint. CenterPoint’s agreement pays out approximately $100,000.00 over the 30 year agreement. David Olson, Attorney for the City, stated that the main difference in the ordinances was that the ordinance written by Olson and Olson would be that CenterPoint must pull permits each time they need to work in the City. The Mayor stated CenterPoint would accept either agreement. A vote was taken to approve an ordinance written by Olson and Olson granting CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric LLC, its successors and assigns the right, privilege and Franchise for a period of thirty years and the ordinance passed unanimously.

 

Council recessed at 7:15 P.M. to return to the Public Hearing Meeting.

 

Council reconvened at 8:40 P.M.

 

1.1 Invocation was given by Council Member Wolfe.

 

1.2 Present were Council Members Cheryl Wolfe, John Denninger, Zandra Anderson, Shannon Whiting and Mayor Pro Tem Connie Castro, Mayor Border. Also present was David Olson of Olson and Olson, Attorney for the City.

 

2. CITIZENS COMMENTS: NONE

 

3. DISCUSSION: Mayor Border said that the City was in deep gratitude for being able to enjoy the benefits of Harris County’s negotiation of their contract for debris pickup and for them allowing the City to be added to their contract. The Mayor stated the City is in the process of completing the Hurricane debris pickup.

 

The City has received a check from Harris County Flood Control District for partial funding for Ridgeley Project Culvert A.

Mayor Border and City Secretary Blevins met with Larry Burnside with Texas Municipal League Risk Pool and went over necessary changes to the City’s Insurance Policy.

 

The Mayor has done everything he knows in efforts to have FEMA extend their 100% reimbursement window.

 

3.2 City Secretary’s Report: City Secretary Blevins asked if Council had any questions regarding the changes that were made to the City’s Budget regarding the additions to insurance coverage. The changes were made to benefit the City with a small incremental charge. The City now has coverage for the Lift Station and Flood Insurance for City Hall.

 

4. ACTION ITEMS

4.2 A motion was made by Council Member Whiting to approve the extension of the City Clerk Position to a permanent part time position effective October 1, 2008, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Castro. Council Member Wolfe asked if she could assume that the City Secretary was doing other duties like accounting when the City Clerk was working. The discussion was made that a portion of payroll could be charged to the Utility Fund. A vote was to taken to approve the extension of the City Clerk position to a permanent part time position effective October 1, 2008, and passed 4-1. Mayor Pro Tem Castro and Council Members Wolfe, Denninger and Whiting voted for the motion and Council Member Anderson voted against the motion.

 

4.3 A motion was made by Council Member Whiting to amend the vacation schedule for Full Time Employees to Five days accrued for the first year (not to be taken until employee has six months service) and ten accrued days after the first year, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Castro. Mayor Border stated that most employers give more than one week vacation after one year of employment. Council Member Anderson stated that if you had two part time employees you would not have to worry about benefits. Mayor Border stated that regardless of how large the City is the functions are the same. Business to run, utilities to manage, citizens to be served and other Government requirements are the same regardless of the city’s size. Mayor Border said the sensible way to run a business is to keep good employees and to keep good employees you have to offer some type of benefits. A vote was taken to approve a change to the vacation schedule for full time employees to read five days accrued for the first year (not to be taken until employee has six months service) and ten accrued days after first year and the motion passed 4-1. Mayor Pro Tem Castro and Council Members Wolfe, Denninger and Whiting voted for the motion and Council Member Anderson voted against the motion.

 

4.4 A motion was made by Council Member Wolfe to amend the benefits package for Employees. There was no second motion to amend the benefits package.

 

4.5 A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Castro to approve the payment of a Mayor’s telecom expense of $90.00 per month effective October 1, 2008 through September 30, 2009, seconded by Council Member Whiting. The Mayor stated that he did not feel this was an outrageous expense. He stated that his service was 1350 minutes per month and blackberry service gives him email service. The email service allows the Mayor to be in constant communication with the City. Mayor Border stated that in a small City the Mayor is the City Manager. The Mayor stated that this cost includes a discount from his wife’s Company. Council discussed different methods of reimbursement and purchasing a plan under the City’s name. Council Member Denninger gave Council copies of the Mayor’s old expenses where the Mayor had asked for reimbursement of his phone service to which he objected. A vote was taken to approve payment for the Mayor’s telecom expenses of $90.00 per month effective October 1, 2008 through September 30, 2009 and passed unanimously.

                                                                       

4.6 A motion was made by Council Member Whiting to approve and adopt the City of Hilshire Village, Texas, budget for the fiscal year 2008-2009; 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, seconded by Council Member Anderson. Council Member Anderson asked why we have the City Attorney at every Council Meeting. She stated that it was a waste of the City’s money. The Mayor stated that the attorney is here to represent the City and clarify issues. The Mayor stated that the City has started arranging the Agenda so that the City can release all paid contractors as quickly as possible. Council Member Denninger stated “that if push comes to shove the City can have residents pay directly for their trash pick up.” Council Member Whiting stated that not all citizens would pay to have their trash picked up. A vote was taken to approve and adopt the City of Hilshire Village, Texas, budget for the fiscal year 2008-2009; 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, and the motion passed unanimously.

 

5. Consent Agenda: A motion was made by Council Member Whiting to approve the Consent Agenda including payments as presented, approving the minutes of the Emergency Meeting of September 11, 2008 and approving a Proclamation of Gratitude to Diversified Electric, seconded by Council Member Anderson. A vote was taken to approve the Consent Agenda including payments as presented, Minutes of The Emergency Meeting of September 11, 2008 and a Proclamation of Gratitude to Diversified Electric and vote passed unanimously.

 

6. DISCUSSION

 

Mayor Border asked if anyone had any questions regarding The City’s Proposed Rollback Tax Rate for 2008. The proposed rollback rate is 0.528595. Mayor Border said that the second Public Hearing will be October 8, 2008 and then Council will vote on the proposed tax rate.

 

8. MAYOR AND COUNCIL COMMENTS: Council Member Denninger stated that at the last Council Meeting there was a lot of talk about the requirement for City Council that the NIMS course was a requirement and stated it is not a requirement. Council Member Anderson reiterated the same but stated for the record she had physically gone to a course and found it quite interesting.

 

 

 

9. ADDITIONAL CITIZENS COMMENTS: NONE

10. ANNOUNCEMENTS: NONE

 

11. ADJOURNMENT: It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Castro and seconded by Council Member Anderson to adjourn.

                                                                                                                                                                        ____________________

                                                                                                                                                                        Robin S. Border, Mayor

ATTEST:

 

__________________________

Susan Blevins, City Secretary