2002-08-12 CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING MEETING MINUTESMINUTES OF A PUBLIC HEARING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
PEARLAND, TEXAS, HELD ON AUGUST 12, 2002, AT 7:00 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL
CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, 3519 LIBERTY DRIVE, PEARLAND, TEXAS.
The meeting was called to order with the following present:
Mayor
Mayor Pro -Tem
Councilmember
Councilmember
Councilmember
Councilmember
City Manager
City Attorney
City Secretary
Tom Reid - ..
Woody Owens
Richard Tetens
Charles Viktorin
Larry Marcott
Klaus Seeger
Bill Eisen
Darrin Coker
Young Lorfing
Others in attendance: Deputy City Manager Alan Mueller; Executive Director of
Community Services Tobin Maples; Police Chief J.C. Doyle; Fire Chief Paul Jamison;
City Engineer John Hargrove; Interim Director of Finance Cindy Soto; Parks and
Recreation Director Ed Hersh; Public Works Director Jerry Burns; Assistant' City
Attorney Nghiem Doan; and Administrative Analyst Chris Kidwell.
PURPOSE OF HEARING - 2002-2003 BUDGET .- TO CONSIDER THE CITY OF
PEARLAND'S BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2002-2003. Mr. Bill Eisen, City Manager,
STAFF REVIEW OF PROPOSED BUDGET
City Manager, Bill Eisen, stated the original budget as previously presented by the Staff
to the City Council provided for a recommended increase in the tax rate to $.01. City
Council has now had an opportunity in recent work sessions to talk about that
recommendation and concluded that they would like to go forward with the budget from
this point on, proposing to adopt the current tax rate as it stands. There would be no
change in the tax rate as proposed and there would be no change in water and sewer
rates. There are some significant changes that are additions in service levels in the
budget. Those proposed changes are the addition of six police officers in mid -year and
an increase in the number of ambulances on the street from three to four. Also
proposed are additional personnel in the areas of building inspection and fire code
inspection, due to the growth of the City. It is also proposed to add a Senior Citizens
program, which would be held at the Melvin Knapp Building on a daily basis. Other
proposed changes are to add an animal control officer to cover more time on weekends,
add additional maintenance personnel in both the streets and right-of-way mowing area,
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staffing for new wastewater treatment plant that is expected to open in the far west part
of town the last quarter of next year. Funding will be available in the budget to update
the Land Use Plan and development regulations as well as some funding being set
aside in the budget to look at a transportation and drainage impact fees, which would be
fees assessed to developers to offset some of the City's cost in the areas .of street and
drainage improvements.
CITIZEN COMMENTS
John Mark, 2029 Isla Drive, addressed Council and stated he is president of the
Pearland Historical Society. He further stated that in the proposed budget there are
funds for Zychlinski Park and, since it now belongs to the City, he would like Council to
approve this so the park can be developed.
COUNCIUSTAFF DISCUSSION
Mayor Pro -Tem Owens stated at an upcoming Workshop on Thursday, August 15,
2002, he would like to review with Parks and Recreation Director Ed Hersh exactly what
the Senior Citizen program includes and would like to have an update on Zychlinski
Park and find out what the proposed funds provide.
Councilmember Viktorin stated he would like to see an analysis of the bond issuance
when they were going to come online or when the issues were going to occur and what
were the assumptions behind them.
Councilmember Marcott stated he agreed with Mr. Mark, regarding Zychlinski Park.
There is a plan of what Zychlinski Park is going to look like, and a lot of time has passed
since the plan was first put together. He further stated it is time to bring the Pearland
Historical Society into the process, as well as some other areas of the community, so
that Grand Avenue area is developed properly. As Mr. Mark stated that area has to be
the cornerstone of what we hope to be a village district. With the theater and other
things that are there, it brings forth a real opportunity for the City. The Historical Society
was very much behind this and pushing the City to get Zychlinski Park back in the
possession of the City. Councilmember Marcott also stated that he would like to see
this project go with the direction of a citizens committee.
Councilmember Seeger stated that the purpose of the upcoming Thursday night
workshop will be to find ways to make the budget balance within the estimated
revenues.
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In closing City Manager, Bill Eisen, stated there will some additional recommendations
for Council at the Thursday budget workshop.
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting was adjourned at 9:12 p.m
Minutes approved as submitted and/or corrected this the 26th day of August, A.D.,
2002.
ATTEST:
Dim
Tom Reid
Mayor
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