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1993-01-25 CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES213 MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PEARLAND, TEXAS, HELD ON JANUARY 25, 1993, AT 7:30 P. M. IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, 3519 LIBERTY DRIVE, PEARLAND, TEXAS The meeting was called to order with the following present: Mayor C. V. Coppinger Mayor Pro Tem/Councilmember Randy Weber Councilmember Councilmember Councilmember Councilmember City Manager City Attorney City Secretary D. A. Miller Benny Frank Joy Colson David Smith Paul Grohman Lester Rorick Pat Jones Others in attendance were Division Directors Richard Burdine and Glen Erwin and Police Chief Mike Hogg. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The invocation was given by Councilmember Weber. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilmember Miller. APPROVAL OF MINUTES It was moved by Councilmember Frank, seconded by Councilmember Colson, that the minutes of the special meeting of January 11, 1993, be approved as submitted. Motion passed 5 to 0. It was moved by Councilmember Colson, seconded by Councilmember Miller, that the minutes of the regular meeting of January 11, 1993, be approved as submitted. Motion passed 5 to 0. MAYOR'S ACTIVITY REPORT Mayor Coppinger reported his attendance at the DARE Program, the groundbreaking ceremony for the new YMCA facility, the Pearland Volunteer Firemen's Annual Banquet, and a Solid Waste Management Conference which was held in Austin. City Manager Grohman reported the City is still working with three other cities to get a grant for a regional plan for dispos- al of household hazardous waste. COUNCIL ACTIVITY REPORTS Councilmember Smith reported he also had attended most of the functions mentioned by Mayor Coppinger. Councilmember Colson reported she had attended these functions as well as the Brazoria County Cities Association meeting hosted by Pearland at Golfcrest Country Club. Councilmember Weber reported he had attended all these functions and the reception held for members of the various Boards and Commissions of the City. Councilmember Frank reported he attended the BCCA function and helped pass out trees with Clean Pearland representatives. Mr. 214 Frank reported on the reception for those who serve on the City's Boards and Commissions which had an attendance by these members of 56%. Councilmember Frank related that a job description will be developed within the next 90 days for each board or commission member and these duties will be put into manual form to aid new members who volunteer for service. Councilmember Miller reported his attendance at BCCA, the DARE Program, and the reception for the board members. Mr. Miller commented on the two Council meetings which were held just prior to this one. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT City Manager Grohman reported the Council -and Staff have been busy covering these functions. Mr. Grohman reported that the City has received a matching grant in the amount of $233,000 from the Texas Parks and Wildlife for improvements to McLean Road Park and listed several of the en- hancements that will be added to the park. Mr. Grohman commended Richard Burdine and Ed Hersh for their efforts in obtaining these funds which had been denied the first two times they were applied for in the past. City Manager Groh - man reported a hopeful completion date at the end of 1993 for most of these improvements. Councilmember Miller thanked Staff for the quarterly budget report and the data on disability benefits which had been in- cluded in the back of the packets. CITIZENS: 1. Richard Keschinger, 2011 Sleepy Hollow. Mr. Keschinger requested signage near his home indicating a dangerous curve because he has had several incidents of speeding vehicles running into his yard. He mentioned he had been before Council recently with this same request. City Manager Grohman stated the City Engineer has looked at this area which also has some drainage problems. Street paving will be done in this area, as well as some correc- tions to the drainage problem which will ultimately aid in the speeding problem. The drawback with putting a sign there, Mr. Grohman said, is that no one wants the sign in his yard. He assured Mr. Keschinger that something would be done, but it will just take a little time. DOCKETED PUBLIC HEARINGS: None UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None NEW BUSINESS ADOPTION OF ETHICS POLICY Citizen Input: 1. Fran Coppinger, 2111 N. Galveston. Mayor Coppinger reported Mrs. Coppinger is the only female appointed by Governor Richards to the eight member Ethics Commission. Mrs. Cop- pinger applauded the Council for its willingness to adopt a Code of Ethics and commented on the general feelings of the public regarding governmental entities. Closing her re- marks, Mrs. Coppinger stated this adoption will be a posi- tive step in building a sound relationship with the communi- ty. Mayor Coppinger called upon Councilmember Colson who has been working on the ethics policy. Ms. Colson related the progress of the research and stated she had gotten some ideas from the City of College Station. 215 City Manager Grohman reported matter for several months and beginning for our City. Staff has been looking at this stated he felt this is a good It was moved by Councilmember Smith, seconded by Councilmember Miller, that a copy of the Ethics Policy, considered at the work- shop meeting held prior to this meeting, be filed with the City Secretary and be adopted and accepted into the records of the City. Motion passed 5 to 0. PRESENTATION OF AUDIT FOR FISCAL YEAR ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 1992, BY EARL LAIRSON & COMPANY, CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS AND ACCEPTANCE OF AUDIT INTO RECORDS OF THE CITY Representatives from the firm of Lairson, Stephens & Reimer, P.C. gave an overview of the audit and discussed various aspects in more detail. Questions were asked by the Mayor and Council and answered by the auditors. The City received a good report re- garding its annual audit. It was moved by Councilmember Smith, seconded by Councilmember Weber, that the audit for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1992, be accepted into the records of the City Motion passed 5 to 0. APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS TO THE ANIMAL CONTROL BOARD FOR THREE YEAR TERMS Mayor Coppinger advised that Veterinarian Mike Allen has agreed to serve on this board. It was moved by Councilmember Weber that Mike Allen, Ben Pinales, Parris Curry, Susan Elam, and Bill Pratt be appointed to the Animal Control Board for three year terms. Councilmember Frank pointed out that two members, Susan Elam and Bill Pratt, had met their two term limitation. It was noted that Virginia Conol had requested to be placed on this board and, if she is accepted, there will still be one vacancy. It was discussed whether to table this item and Councilmember Weber withdrew his motion. It was suggested that action be taken at this time to appoint and reappoint those eligible to serve and that the fifth member be ,-- appointed at a future meeting. It was moved by Councilmember Weber, seconded by Councilmember Frank, that Mike Allen and Virginia Conol be appointed; that Ben Pinales and Parris Curry be reappointed; and that the fifth member be added at a later date to the Animal Control Board for three year terms. Motion passed 5 to 0. 216 BID NO. B93-1, DUPLEX SUBMERSIBLE -PUMP LIFT STATION Council considered the following bids: COMPANY CASHIER'S CHECK TOTAL BID CELCO PUMP CO. $1,185.75 $23,715.00 CHEB $1,197.75 $23,955.00 PUMP & POWER EQUIP. $1,146.25 $22,925.00 Division Director Richard Burdine explained this lift station is to primarily serve the new elementary school on Rustic Lane. Pump & Power Equipment submitted the low bid of $22,925.00 and does meet specifications. In an agreement with the School Dis- trict, $25,000 was committed by the District which will pay for the lift station 100%, leaving $2,075 to work with toward materi- als. After those funds are expended, the City will incur the additional expenses. It was moved by Councilmember Colson, seconded by Councilmember Weber, that Bid No. B93-1 be awarded to Pump & Power Equipment in the amount of $22,925.00. Motion passed 5 to 0. It was noted that delivery should be within 30 days at which time the project will be started. RESOLUTION NO. R93-3, AUTHORIZING PLACEMENT OF STOP SIGNS Resolution No. R93-3 was read in caption by Councilmember Weber. Mr. Weber also read the location of the stop signs to be erected as being at Brom Bones, both roadways, northbound with the inter- section of Washington Irving. It was moved by Councilmember Weber, seconded by Councilmember Frank, that Resolution No. R93-3 be passed and approved on its first and only reading. City Manager Grohman reported that these stop signs were from requests by citizens. Said Resolution No. R93-3 reads in caption as follows: RESOLUTION NO. R93-3 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING, DIRECTING, AND RATIFYING PLACEMENT AND ERECTION OF CERTAIN STOP SIGNS WITHIN THE CITY OF PEARLAND. Voting "Aye" - Councilmembers Miller, Frank, Weber, Colson, and Smith. Voting "No" - None. Motion passed 5 to 0. RESOLUTION NO. R93-4, AUTHORIZING ADOPTION OF FLEXIBLE SPENDING PLAN, SECTION 125 OF INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE CODE Resolution No. R93-4 was read in caption by Mayor Coppinger. City Manager Grohman noted the adoption of the resolution will 217 allow employees who carry dependent coverage to pay for the insurance premium with pre-tax dollars. We are seeing an in- crease in the number of employees carrying dependent coverage, he said, due to the lower rates from TML and this added benefit. It was moved by Councilmember Weber, seconded by Councilmember Colson, that Resolution No. R93-4 be passed and approved on its first and only reading. Said Resolution No. R93-4 reads in caption as follows: RESOLUTION NO. R93-4 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ADOPTION OF A FLEXIBLE SPENDING PLAN IN COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 125 OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE CODE ACCORDING TO THE ATTACHED PLAN DOCUMENT. Voting "Aye" - Councilmembers Smith. Voting "No" - None. Motion passed 5 to 0. Miller, Frank, Weber, Colson, and RESOLUTION NO. R93-5, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER AND THE CHIEF OF POLICE TO APPLY FOR GRANT FUNDS FOR A CRIME PREVENTION OFFICER Resolution No. R93-5 was read in caption by Mayor Coppinger. Police Chief Hogg informed this document is for renewal of an existing grant for our Crime Prevention Program. This program has been very effective and Chief Hogg recommended approval. Councilmember Miller noted that this program allows us an indi- vidual who is a certified crime prevention specialist. This person will go, upon request, to homes and businesses and perform crime prevention inspections. If the owner meets approval, he/she is entitled to a 5% reduction on his/her insurance. It was moved by Councilmember Smith, seconded by Councilmember Miller, that Resolution No. R93-5 be passed and approved on its first and only reading. Said Resolution No. R93-5 reads in caption as follows: RESOLUTION NO. R93-5 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PEAR - LAND, TEXAS, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER AND THE CHIEF OF POLICE TO APPLY TO THE GOVERNOR'S CRIMINAL JUSTICE DIVISION FOR GRANT FUNDS FOR A CRIME PREVENTION OFFI- CER. Voting "Aye" - Councilmembers Smith, Colson, Weber, Frank, and Miller. Voting "No" - None. Motion passed 5 to 0. AUTHORIZATION FOR MAYOR TO TAKE NECESSARY ACTION REQUIRED BY ORDINANCE NO. 411-1 REGARDING SALE OF ADVANCE REFUNDING BONDS BY BRAZORIA COUNTY MUNICIPAL UTILITY DISTRICT NO. 1 City Manager Grohman explained this is similar to the refundings done last fall for two other municipal utility districts. This request is for MUD No. 1 and will allow them to save a substan- tial sum of money over several years. Because these municipal utility districts are in our ETJ, we, as the governing body, must approve this transaction, Mr. Grohman explained. Representatives from MUD No. 1 were present in the audience. i 218 It was moved by Councilmember Smith, seconded by Councilmember Frank, that the Mayor be authorized to take the necessary action required by Ordinance No. 411-1 regarding the sale of advance refunding bonds by Brazoria County Municipal Utility District No. 1. Motion passed 5 to 0. AUTHORIZATION FOR MAYOR TO EXECUTE AGREEMENTS WITH THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE MARY'S CREEK AND COWART CREEK BRIDGES ON DIXIE FARM ROAD, Division Director Richard Burdine stated this is a federal grant program that we applied for through the State of Texas. The States handles the design and bids the projects. Once the bridges are constructed, it becomes the City's responsibility to maintain. These were two chosen by the State as being in very poor condition. The States portion of the projected cost will be $220,000, with the City being responsible for 20% of the cost at a figure of $44,400. Maintenance on these bridges, if not replaced, could easily run $20-30,000 over the next ten years, Mr. Burdine informed. Councilmember Smith recalled other bridges throughout the City which have been done in the past under this program. Council discussed the possibility of widening the bridges or to construct the bridge replacements to accommodate a four lane road in the future. Mr. Burdine replied that it is very unlikely the State will make this accommodation, but they will be widened somewhat as they do not meet State standards. Allowances for hike and bike trails were discussed and Mr. Burdine stated he would ask the State. Budgeting for this expenditure was discussed and Mr. Burdine responded there is a balance from 1991 Certificates of Obligation in the amount of $53,250 which can be used for this purpose. It was noted that completion time may be anywhere from twelve to eighteen months and the bridges will be entirely new and constructed of concrete. Mr. Burdine informed that a list of five or six bridges in the City were submitted for replacement and these two were chosen by the State. City Manager Grohman noted that while Dixie Farm Road is main- tained by the City, it serves as a regional road and the City is attempting to get the State to rebuild this road. Although the chances are slim, the City will request this. Councilmember Smith informed that State funds will no longer be handled by the Highway Department for this region but will be done by recommen- dations from H -GAC and, for this reason, Mr. Smith stated, he will be attending the H -GAC meeting while other City officers attend a seminar in San Antonio. Mayor Coppinger informed that he and Councilmember Weber attended the last H -GAC function and the Director of H -GAC recently had lunch in Pearland with Mr. Grohman and Mr. Coppinger and was reacquainted with the area. It was moved by Councilmember Colson, seconded by Councilmember Weber, that the Mayor be authorized to execute agreements with the Texas Department of Transportation for replacement of the Mary's Creek and Cowart Creek bridges on Dixie Farm Road. Motion passed 5 to 0. OTHER BUSINESS: None ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 8:58 P. M. Minutes approved this op day ofA. D., 1993. Mayor 00 ATTEST: City Secreta 219