TUESDAY, July 21, 2009

COUNCIL MEETING

7:00 P.M.

 

 

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

Invocation was given by Mayor Pro Tem Castro.

 

1.2. Present were Mayor Robin Border, Mayor Pro Tem Connie Castro and Council Members Cheryl Wolfe, Edward Davis, Bill Bristow and Shannon Whiting. Also present were Efrain Him, P.E., of Claunch & Miller, Inc., Engineer for the City; Chief Gary Finkelman, Spring Valley Police Department; David Labbe’, Alternate Fire Commissioner, and City Attorney David Olson, Olson & Olson.

 

2. CITIZENS COMMENTS: Paul Maddock, 8 Hilshire Oaks Court, stated that at the corner of Ridgeley and Wirt there is a low spot that does not drain. He also stated at the corner of Hilshire Oaks and Ridgeley there are ruts caused by vehicles cutting across the corner. He suggests that the City put rocks in that area to keep people from driving off the road.

 

Grady Farris, 1138 Glourie, reported that during the recent rains, his back yard is still flooding. The problem continues and he asked Council for their attention for a solution.

 

3. REPORTS TO COUNCIL:

 

3.1 Police: Chief Finkelman gave his report. The Chief stated there was one accident, a hit and run between a vehicle and a parked vehicle, and two (2) arrests for unlicensed drivers. They issued 20 traffic citations and 8 warnings.

 

3.2 Fire Commissioner: Alternate Commissioner David Labbe’ reported there were four (4) ambulance calls for June. The average response time for the fire department is four (4) minutes. On scene time is 18 minutes and 44 minutes to complete the run. The fire department is 1.24 % under budget due to lower salaries and associated expenses. The quarterly investment report shows $550,000. Commissioner Labbe’ stated the 2010 budget had been presented to the Villages for approval.

 

3.3 City Secretary: City Secretary Blevins stated that commitments from all past due utilities customers had been received except for one address. The City was working with the homeowner by receiving partial payments. She also reported that the City had received one (1) child safety funds request from the Big Little School for playground rubber mulch for the safety of the children. City Secretary Blevins requested that the school get a quote to complete the job. City Secretary Blevins passed out copies of the Plan Check List for Councils review, stating the drainage criteria had not been completed. Severn Trent still did not have electronic billing set up due to some issues with Compass Bank.

 

 

3.4 Engineer’s Report: Efrain Him of HDR/CMI gave his report regarding Ridgeley Drive Paving and Drainage Improvements (Package 3). He stated that AAA Asphalt Paving, Inc. had substantially completed the punch list and should have everything taken care of this week. HDR/C&M recommends final payment to AAA Asphalt Paving, Inc., for final payment.

 

Efrain stated he was working with the City to fill out applications for CDBG funding for the proposed Pine Chase and Glourie Drives Drainage & Paving Improvements Project.

 

Efrain is still working with HMGP regarding the generator at City Hall and the proposed Pine Chase and Glourie’s Drives Drainage & Paving Improvements Project. He had reviewed final surveys for 8001 Anadell and 1225 Pine Chase Drive and found both location surveys were incomplete.

 

Efrain has been working with the City of Houston getting the damaged storm sewer inlet repaired at Bridle Spur and Westview Drive.

 

Efrain is still working with the City of Houston regarding a solution to the low water pressure problems experienced throughout the City.

 

4. ACTION ITEMS (CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION):

 

4.1 A motion was made by Council Member Whiting to approve final payment of AAA Asphalt Paving, Inc.’s Pay Application No. 15 in the amount of $175,332.06, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Castro. A vote was taken to approve payment of $175,332.06 to AAA, Asphalt Paving Inc., the motion passed unanimously.

 

The City Engineer was excused at this time.

 

4.2 A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Castro to approve a resolution to give consent to change control from Time Warner to Comcast TCP Holdings, Inc. The Mayor said this resolution had never been brought to Council and was 2006 business. Council Member Bristow stated the resolution needed a current date and not a 2006 date. A vote was taken to approve a resolution to give consent to change of control from Time Warner to Comcast TCP Holdings, Inc., with a current date, the motion passed unanimously.

 

4.3 A motion was made by Council Member Wolfe to approve the Village Fire Department’s 2010 budget as proposed, seconded by Council Member Bristow. Mayor Pro Tem Castro questioned the hospitalization increase; one column showed a 15% increase with the bottom line showing 27.39%. It was determined that the 27.39% was correct and the 15% was a presentation problem. Mayor Pro Tem Castro wanted to know if a 27.39% increase in health insurance was correct. The Mayor stated that other Cities health insurance had an increase between 25-30%. Council member Whiting questioned the overtime charges. Commissioner Labbe’ said it was a 33% increase because overtime had been underestimated in previous years. Also, Labbe’ stated the Fire Department was short handed. A vote was taken to approve the Village Fire Departments 2010 budget as proposed, the motion passed unanimously.

 

4.4 Appointing HVCEFFC Directors. Mayor Border stated he has become aware that two of the board members are no longer active residents of the City. He stated he would like to see this item put on the agenda again next month because he did not have all the information together as to who was on the committee and who still lived in the Village. Mayor Border stated he would like to appoint Chris Halaska to this Corporation. He also spoke to Mark Groesbeck and Paul Townsend and had not been given a confirmation that they would be interested. Council Member Davis stated that it was a good idea to replace these candidates and he felt that Council needed to see if they had any recommendations. Council Member Davis would like to see the resumes from the candidates. David Cheadle is the current President, Jim Cullen, Vice President, and directors are Stephanie Post, Tom Steffan, and David Parker. Directors that do not live in the City at this time are Brian Henault and Jay Fort. No motion was made to appoint HVCEFFC Directors.

 

The City Attorney requested that Council choose a time to have a Municipal Law Seminar. A date was chosen for July 30, 2009 at 6:00 P.M. for the Municipal Law Seminar.

 

The City Attorney was excused at this time.

 

5.1 Building Official: Ted Lazarides was out sick. City Secretary Blevins stated that a Certificate of Occupancy had been issued to 1225 Pine Chase and 8001 Anadell would be issued the same tomorrow. City Secretary stated Ted had inspected the property behind Mennonite Church and it had been cleaned up. Mayor Border stated the 1309 Glourie swales had been dug in preparation for the construction. He stated that the City needs to do some maintenance in the ditch in that area. He has requested HDR to prepare an estimate.

 

Council Member Whiting wanted to know why there were so many red tags. She Member Whiting stated it might be a good idea to send out emails reminding citizens what type of jobs need to be permitted. It was decided to send an email from the City and put something in the water bills regarding permits.

 

5.2 Treasurer: Manisha Patel stated that the second quarter investment report was included in the packet. She stated she would be looking into bank charges per the request of the City Secretary.

 

5.3 Mayor:

Will Carey, 1240 Archley Drive, stated he had cleaned and repaired all the street signs in the City for his Eagle Scout Project. He had a team of 40 scouts, family members and students from St Thomas High School. They cleaned all the signs, repaired signs that could be repaired and Will made a list of all signs showing their conditions and which signs needed to be replaced. Will stated he had raised over $1,000.00 in funds to do this project and had left over $500.00 to present to the City for making the repairs and replacement of the signs. Council thanked Will Carey for all his efforts.

 

Dr. Zachary Hodges with the Houston Community College presented Council with their Service Plan for the Spring Branch Community. He recommended the City vote for Spring Branch I.S.D. to join the Houston Community College District. He stated this would be an investment for the City residents, not an expense.

 

Budget: Mayor Border stated that he would like to choose a date for the budget workshop. August 4, 2009 at 6:00 PM was chosen by Council.

 

Whiting:

Bridle Spur: Council Member Whiting stated the Lee’s have submitted paperwork to their mortgage company.

 

Ridgeley Project Citizens Committee: No report at this time.

 

5.4 HVCEFFC (Conduit Bonds): City Secretary Blevins stated there was no report

at this time.

 

6. CONSENT AGENDA:

 

6.1 A motion was made by Council Member Davis to accept the consent agenda changing Severn Trent’s invoice to come out of the Utilities Fund instead of the General Fund and deleting 6.2 Council Meeting of June 16, 2009, seconded by Council Member Whiting. A vote was taken to approve the motion to accept the consent agenda including authorization for the Mayor to sign a two (2) year agreement with Spring Branch I.S.D. and the reclassification of Severn Trent’s invoice; but excluding Council Meeting Minutes of June 16, 2009. The vote was passed unanimously.

 

6.2 A motion was made by Council Member Davis to accept the Minutes from Council Meeting of June 16, 2009 rewording page 6, 6.2 and adding “out of order” on Page one (1) before Reports to Council, seconded by Council Member Whiting. A Vote was taken to approve the motion to accept the Minutes from Council Meeting of June 16, 2009, with rewording page 6, 6.2 regarding the vote also adding “out of order” before Reports to Council and the vote passed unanimously.

 

7. DISCUSSION ITEMS:

 

7.1 Utilities (Davis and Whiting): Council Member Whiting stated she first captured and documented what had been discussed at the utilities workshop. First issue is that the City is going to receive a 5.09% increase from the City of Houston. She had done a consumption analysis. Council Member Whiting stated she prepared the information in two different worksheets for Council. There are 308 residential water meter connections in Hilshire Village. The range she used was for one (1) year of consumption data or six billing cycles from December of 2007 to November 2008. The data was averaged to adjust for seasonal consumption. Council Member Whiting stated that 81% of the connections consume 35,000 gallons or less on each billing cycle. She stated 50% of the connections consume 15,000 or less on each billing cycle. Council Member Whiting stated the average water bill is $160.00 per two month billing cycle. Mayor Border stated Council needs to provide a rate plan that will build replacement funds. The City cannot replace even a small percentage of the City’s water and sewer system which is 50 years old. The recommendation to Council is to adjust the rate schedule consumption increases and mandate a deposit for all new water applicants of $200 to be applied to the final bill. The next step for the committee should be to prepare a proposed rate and cost calculations for 2009-2010 budgets.

 

8. ADDITIONAL CITIZENS COMMENTS:

 

Grady Farris, 1138 Glourie Drive, stated in the June 16, 2009 minutes under Article 8, Additional Citizens Comments the final sentence quoted from him stated “He stated that he has built a case against the City repeatedly.” Mr. Farris stated he had obtained a copy of the audio and he never made this statement. He stated “this was a concern to him because none of you folks have ever heard me stand here in any manner say that I was suing or would be suing the City. I never made that statement. Building a case against the City was not what he was here about. Shannon, as you may recall I was referring to your comment that if you have a case, build a case and bring it to the City Council for consideration. That is what I was referring to.”

 

Mr. Farris stated in the same minutes 4.3, that Mayor Border stated there was not an action item on the Agenda regarding 1134/1138 Glourie because there was no solution provided by either party. Mr. Farris also stated he had provided the Mayor and Council a letter stating why the Farris family is not required and should not be required to find a solution. What he wanted to know was what are the specific differences between an ordinance and the drainage criteria. Mr. Farris has asked for a clarification repeatedly and has not received them.

 

Mr. Farris said that he took a crew behind the church alley/ditch and they removed the old culvert and cleaned the area. The swale is now flowing. He is trying to be proactive to what he can do to help the situation.

 

Mr. Farris stated he would like to have all requests for information that has been requested of the City be answered. He also stated for the record “I am not, I will not and I never said I would and will say I will never sue the City of Hilshire Village.” The Mayor stated the reason he is not getting any response from the City was because the City Attorney had instructed him and City Council not to answer his questions. The Mayor also stated that the flood guidelines are not an ordinance. He cannot produce an ordinance if it does not exist. Mr. Farris then again asked as to what authority Ted Lazarides or CMI/HDR, the City or whoever requires various new construction to drain from back to front. He does not want to sue his neighbors or anybody and has not filed any law suit to date against anyone. Mayor Border stated that Mr. Phillips clearly represented to everyone on this City Council that a lawsuit was pending. Mr. Farris stated “Mr. Phillips is not being employed to sue the City of Hilshire Village, You have my word on that, my word is golden”.

 

9. MAYOR AND COUNCIL COMMENTS:

 

Council Member Wolfe stated she was concerned with new construction and the threat of flooding on existing properties. The City needs to take greater strides to assure the protection of our existing residents. Mayor Border suggested that all Council Members look at the 1309 Glourie property because of the existing ditches. The property is close to the top of the hill with little available slope. He believes there is merit in surveying the ditches and making necessary changes if needed. He stated it might be a good idea to contact Harris County for assistance.

 

10. ANNOUNCEMENTS: NONE

 

11. ADJOURNMENT: Mayor Pro Tem Castro moved to adjourn, seconded by Council Member Davis. The meeting was adjourned at 9:23 PM.

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                        ____________________

                                                                                                                                                                        Mayor Robin Border

 

ATTEST:

 

__________________________

Susan Blevins, City Secretary