2003-08-11 CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING MEETING MINUTESMINUTES OF A PUBLIC HEARING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
PEARLAND, TEXAS, HELD ON AUGUST 11, 2003, 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
Richard Tetens
Charles Viktorin
Woody Owens
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; Executive Director of Economic Development
Corporation Fred Welch; Police Chief J.C. Doyle; City Engineer Doug Kneupper; Public
Affairs Liaison Lynn Munford; Director of Finance Mary Ross; Parks and Recreation
Director Tom Grieve; Public Works Director Jerry Burns; Purchasing Officer Gordon
Island; Project Director Joe Wertz; Assistant Police Chief Johnny Spires.
PURPOSE OF HEARING — 2003-2004 BUDGET - TO CONSIDER THE CITY OF
PEARLAND'S BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2003-2004. Mr. Bill Eisen, City Manager.
STAFF REVIEW OF PROPOSED BUDGET
City Manager, Bill Eisen, stated the estimated property value for the Fiscal Budget Year
2003-2004 is $2.6 million, a 20% increase over the last five years. Just about half of that
is the construction and new values in the City. The property tax rate being proposed is
$69.6/$100 value, which is an actual increase of $0.01 over the current tax rate. Mr.
Eisen gave an overview of the property tax rate breakdown for the City, explaining the
funding of the operations and maintenance and Bond indebtedness. The General Fund
projected revenues for the upcoming year is $29.6 million, which is slightly more than
$2.0 million over the previous year. That is approximately an 8% increase in revenues.
Some of the General Fund highlights are to keep capable experienced employees, there
is a proposal for some salary adjustments. Mr. Eisen stated with the proposed increase
in the property values and rate, there are still several things eating away at that property
tax revenue. Approximately $400,000 will go to General Fund operations and almost
$2.0 million increased revenues go to debt service associated with Bond programs.
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There is a new Recycle Center this year and it is budgeted for a full year and should be
completed near the beginning of the Fiscal Year. In previous years, there has been very
little funding for drainage. The proposed budget includes $200,000 to do some of the
smaller projects around town. Those projects at this time have not been specifically
designed. The projects will be discussed in a Council workshop in the near future,
assuming the budget passes in its current form. One major issue in the General Fund is
a payment of $746,000 for developer reimbursement for road improvements in Municipal
Utility District No. 6. Approximately two years ago, the City entered into an Agreement
with Municipal Utility District No. 6, which allows the City to levy Sales Tax in that area.
One of the conditions of the agreement with the Municipal Utility District was the one-
time payment for the improvements. Mr. Eisen stated there are 14 additional personnel
in the General Fund and two in the Water and Sewer Fund. That is a total of a 5%
increase in the number of full-time employees already employed with the City. Water
and Sewer Revenues are projected to increase because of the replacement of aging
meters that were no longer reading accurately and the increase in the number of new
customers. Mr. Eisen further stated there are -no proposed changes in Water and Sewer
rates for the upcoming year. Mr. Eisen gave a brief overview of the Debt Service Fund
and stated the City is ending the year with a strong fund balance. He stated this is very
important to the City as we come into the future years as debt service payment. The
Economic Development Corporation Fund balance has been increased due to some
discussion in the community regarding the proposed Bio -Tech Park. Any incentives that
would come from the Economic Development Corporation associated with that project
would come in the form of debt, and that debt would be issued in such a way that the first
payments would not be made until the following Fiscal Year. The Hotel Motel Fund,
which is a result of revenue from Hotel Motel Tax, is levied on the room rentals within the
City. Funds are being proposed for the first time in order to set aside for advertising and
promotion for the Hotels in the City. This would help promote and bring tourism into the
community.
CITIZEN COMMENTS
Arthur Kneeland, 2626 Thelma Drive, addressed Council and stated he is in support of
the budget, especially the funds set aside for drainage. He further stated some of the
drainage problems on Thelma Drive are more or less man-made and not nature made.
In closing, he stated he would like to see drainage stay in the budget.
Justin Springer, 4501 Sandy Ridge, addressed Council and stated he is an employee of
the West Side Church of Christ, which is at Thelma Drive and FM 518. He stated he
appreciates the City putting money in the budget for drainage. Mr. Springer stated he
would like to have Thelma Drive included in the project. It not only affects the Church,
but also the neighbors behind them.
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Robert Wilson, West Side Church of Christ Elder, addressed Council and stated as the
previous speaker, he appreciates money being included in the budget and Council's
consideration for the drainage problem they have at the corner of Thelma and FM 518.
He stated the church recently tied into the City's sewer and afterwards.the sewer backed
up into the. building. He further stated when it rained the ditch became completely full
and did not drain.
Alma Nolen, 2106 N. Galveston, addressed Council and stated she is in the Old
Townsite, and they swim every time it rains. She stated the Old Townsite would like to
have some consideration.
Curtis Holden, 4518 Cornerstone, addressed Council and stated he is a member of the
West Side Church of Christ located at FM 518 and Thelma. He feels for their neighbors.
Fortunately, they have been blessed and have not had water in their Church building, but
most of the neighbors on Thelma have. In closing, he stated he encourages Council to
consider a drainage project at Thelma and FM 518.
COUNCIL/STAFF DISCUSSION
Councilmember Viktorin stated in the proposed budget there is a proposed increase of
the tax rate by $0.01. He asked Mr. Eisen how much does that net the City in revenue.
Bill Eisen, City Manager, stated the $0.01 would net approximately $250,000.
Councilmember Owens asked if the problem on Thelma has been looked at.
Bill Eisen, City Manager, stated at the time the drainage projects were prioritized and
included in the Bond program, this project was number seven. It is a project of such
magnitude that it could be addressed in the budgeted amount.
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting was adjourned at 7:25 p.m.
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Minutes approved as submitted and/or corrected this 25th day of August , A.D.,
2003.
ATTEST:
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7 Se et
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Tom Reid
Mayor
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