2001-11-19 CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING MEETING MINUTES - 6:00PMMINUTES OF A PUBLIC HEARING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
PEARLAND, TEXAS, TO BE HELD ON NOVEMBER 19, 2001, AT 6:00 P.M. IN THE
COUNCIL CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, 3519 LIBERTY DRIVE, PEARLAND, TEXAS.
The meeting was called to order with the following present:
Mayor Tom Reid
Mayor Pm-Tern Larry Marcott
Councilmember Richard Tetens
Councilmember Woody Owens
Councilmember Larry Wilkins
Councilmember Klaus Seeger
City Manager Bill Eisen
City Attorney Darrin Coker
City Secretary Young Lorfing
Others in attendance: Executive Director of Community Services Tobin Maples; City
Engineer John Hargrove; Police Chief J.C. Doyle; Project Director Joe Wertz Jr.; Parks and
Recreation Director Ed Hersh.
PURPOSE OF HEARING - REOPENING OF JASMINE STREET BETWEEN GRAND
BOULEVARD AND PARK AVENUE.
STAFF REVIEW
City Manager, Bill Eisen, stated that approximately 20 years ago the Council at that time
closed a one-block section of Jasmine Street because of the proximity to C.J. Harris
Elementary School. A representative from the First United Methodist Chumh has requested
that Council consider reopening this one-block section. The City received a letter from the
Pearland College Center and also Pearland State Bank both supporting opening this section
of Jasmine Street. The City received a letter from the Parks, Recreation, and Beautification
Board and another from Pearland Historical Society expressing opposition to reopening
Jasmine Street. He stated one of the factors Council needs to consider is the effect
opening the road would have on mobility in the area. It would provide another way for
people to get from Grand Street to Galveston Road, which has a traffic signal at the
intersection with FM 518 thus making it easier for traffic to get onto or get across FM 518.
Another factor to consider would be the cost of reopening this road. This road has not been
open or used for a number of years and would require reconstruction. The City's Public
Works department estimates the cost of reconstruction to be $26,787. Another factor to
consider would be safety. The City has the intention of taking Zychlinksi Park, making
improvements to it and reopening it as a park. He stated this raises the question regarding
the compatibility of a street running through that property in such close proximity to the
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Park, particularly given the small size of the park tract. He further stated the overriding
issue is the concern of compatibility of park property versus opening the road. Because of
this, Staff recommends Jasmine Street not be reopened.
CITIZEN COMMENTS
David W. Scott, 2228 N. Grand, addressed Council and stated he is in favor of opening
Jasmine Street and further stated Council needs to get Zychlinski Park back to City use and
not be vacant.
charles Sones, 3013 Country Club Drive, addressed Council and stated he is in favor of
opening Jasmine Street.
Karen Hebert, 2232 N. Grand, addressed Council and stated she is in favor of opening
Jasmine Street.
John Mark, 2029 Isla Drive, addressed Council and stated he is against opening Jasmine
Street.
Jerry Pennington, 2607 Brom Bones, addressed Council and stated he is in favor of
opening Jasmine Street.
Peggy F. Long, 2230 N. Houston Avenue, addressed Council and stated she is in favor of
opening Jasmine Street.
COUNCIL/STAFF DISCUSSION
Councilmember Wilkins asked if there were any small children, whose parents attend
Pearland College Center, utilizing Zychlinksi Park, He further stated he is in favor of
opening Jasmine Street.
Parks and Recreation Director, Ed Hersh, stated he was not aware of any children playing
at this park since there is currently no playground equipment.
Mayor Reid suggested a traffic study be done for this area,
City Attorney, Darrin Coker, stated the City owns this property and making any changes to
it would be a discretionary function of the Council,
Councilmember Owens stated the City needs to do a traffic study for this area, He further
stated the City acquired this property a few months ago with the intention of putting a park
there. If the City decides to open up this road there will be a greater concern with traffic
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,.--. coming in and out and cutting through there. A traffic study needs to be done during peak
times when traffic is heaviest.
Mayor Pro-Tem Marcott asked if this would be a 22-foot wide street.
City Manager, Bill Eisen, stated this would rebuild the street that was there previously. This
is narrower than what the City would typically build but the intent was just to rebuild what
previously existed. If Council decides to open Jasmine Street, the road can be widened if
they so choose.
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting was adjourned at 6:35 p.m.
Minutes approved as submitted and/or corrected this. 14th day of January, A.D., 2002.
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ATTEST:
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