2004-08-23 CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING MEETING MINUTESMINUTES OF A PUBLIC HEARING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
PEARLAND, TEXAS, HELD ON AUGUST 23, 2004, 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
Mayor Pro -Tem
Councilmember
Councilmember
Councilmember
Councilmember
City Manager
City Attorney
City Secretary
Tom Reid
Charles Viktorin
Richard Tetens
Woody Owens
Larry Marcott
Kevin Cole
Bill Eisen
Darrin Coker
Young Lorfing
Others in attendance: Deputy City Manager Alan Mueller; Executive Director of
Economic Development Corporation Fred Welch; Police Chief J.C. Doyle, City Engineer
Doug Kneupper, Public Affairs Liaison Lynn Munford; Mattie Culver Public Affairs
Manager, Parks & Recreation Director Rhonda Cyrus; Director of Human Resources
and Safety Management Mary Hickling; Yesenia Garza HR Benefits Coordinator; Fire
Marshal Steve Chapman; EMS Director Jeff Sundseth; Assistant Police Chief Johnny
Spires.
PURPOSE OF HEARING — 2004-2005 BUDGET — TO CONSIDER THE CITY OF
PEARLAND'S BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2004-2005.
STAFF REVIEW OF THE PROPOSED BUDGET
City Manager Bill Eisen stated Council held a workshop in regards to the proposed
budget for the upcoming year. As a result OF some of the discussions during the
workshop, a later meeting was held on the issue and a couple of revisions were made
to the budget. This Public Hearing will allow discussion regarding those primary
changes that were made to the document. He gave a brief presentation regarding the
accessed value, current tax rate/proposed tax rate, and debt service. He briefly
discussed the City's General Fund. He stated this is the primary operating fund for the
City. He stated, based on this budget, the final balance of this fund at the end of this
year would be $5.4 million. This keeps the City well ahead of what is required by the
City's Policy. Mr. Eisen stated that adjustments in Police pay structure have occurred.
Adjustments to the annual salaries will make the City more competitive with the
surrounding areas. He stated that an increase to property tax revenue took place this
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year and some of those funds will go toward different purposes other than use in the
General Fund. Some of those purposes include debt services, Tax Increment
Reinvestment Zone No. 2, and the expansion of Centennial Park. He stated there is a
total of 12 new employees placed in the General Fund. Projects currently taking place,
and that will be ongoing into the next year, include the updating of the City's Park
Master Plan, revitalizing the Old Townsite, and the continuation of reviewing the various
City codes. He stated the analysis of existing retention ponds would take place in the
upcoming year. Funding is set-aside in the budget for use in the acquisition of a new
fire station site on the west side of Pearland. Funding for additional fire fighting gear for
the Fire Marshal's Office is in the upcoming budget. Miscellaneous drainage
improvements in the amount of $200,000 have been included in the operational budget.
Concrete repairs within certain areas of Pearland will start in the upcoming budget year.
Additional development to City side streets will take place as well. He briefly discussed
the major capital items of the budget. He stated the Water and Sewer Fund, based
upon the budget, that the projected end balance is $1,789,000. This leaves the City
ahead of what the City's policy requires. A 10% increase is seen for the water and
sewer rates. This is to help in debt service payments and water services costs. He
gave some additional information regarding projects that would be funded in the
upcoming budget. He stated the Economic Development Corporation projects are
funded in the upcoming budget.
CITIZEN COMMENTS
Michael Klaus, 5016 Groveton, addressed Council and stated, in previous years, there
was some discussion about having a budget item for drainage beyond miscellaneous. -�
The flood plain has increased, and this would be a good item to have within the budget.
He stated that funding for studies regarding Clearcreek should be included within the
budget, and the city should look at this item carefully.
COUNCIL/STAFF DISCUSSION
Mayor asked for some input from the City Manager regarding the drainage layout for the
City.
City Manager Bill Eisen stated that the drainage layout could be incorporated into the
City Budget. The comments indicated by Mr. Klaus certainly have some impact on
costs associated with development.
Councilmember Owens asked for clarification regarding items pertaining to employee
salary adjustments detailed within the proposed budget.
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— City Manager Bill Eisen stated the number of employees receiving the lump sum salary
adjustments is very small. This circumstance happens to exist when major changes
were made to the employee pay plan.
A brief discussion ensued among Council and Staff regarding the salary adjustments.
Councilmember Owens asked about the overtime amount placed in the proposed
budget.
City Manager Bill Eisen stated the EMS Department is a very large contributor to
overtime. Parks Maintenance Division and Engineering Department contribute to this
type of overtime as well. This is the emergency times that cannot be scheduled, and
some is for inspection personnel. The contractors for various projects reimburse
inspection personnel.
Councilmember Owens asked if the City is benefiting from the Clear Creek Steering
Committee.
City Manager Bill Eisen stated this committee helps maintain constant contact and
updates regarding Clear Creek.
Councilmember Owens asked for the amount it is costing the City to be a part of the
Bay Area Transportation Park.
City Manager Bill Eisen stated the City of Pearland is a member of the Bay Area
Transportation Park and was proposing to be a member last year because they were
instrumental in providing the grand funding in order for Pearland to become part of the
Intelligence Transportation System. He stated overall the cost is between $8,000 and
$9,000 per year.
Councilmember Owens asked for clarification regarding the reasoning for $65,000 being
spent for the Council Chambers in the proposed budget.
Mayor Reid stated several things need to be done in the Council Chambers. The
amount budgeted is to make sure everything is covered, and he gave a brief description
regarding the changes to the Council Chambers.
City Manager Bill Eisen stated there are occasions when there is a large crowd present
during meetings. People then have a difficult time hearing the people speaking. He
stated the chambers have been utilized for 19 years and it is showing some age.
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Councilmember Owens stated, in the water and sewer fund portion of the budget,
additional positions needed are shown. Delinquent balances are significant. He asked
if revenue is generated after the delinquencies are handled, would there still be a need
for the additional positions? �.
City Manager Bill Eisen stated that part of the reason for the additional personnel is not
only to handle the growth of new customers, but to also ensure that adequate staffing is
available for the delinquencies.
Councilmember Owens stated that a significant contribution was made in regards to
employee benefits. He stated this year it is down. He asked for clarification regarding
the percentage covered by the City for employee health insurance and coverage for
family members.
City Manager Bill Eisen explained the changes made to the health insurance coverage.
He stated, from the indications given by the insurance carrier, some changes were
made.
Discussion ensued among Council and Staff regarding health insurance coverage and
benefits for City employees.
Councilmember Cole asked that, during the upcoming Council Retreat discussion take
place regarding property tax rate relief for the citizens of Pearland.
City Manager Bill Eisen stated, in past discussions, Council decided to table the matter
regarding property tax rate relief for seniors in Pearland until further information was
established within the Special Session of the Legislature. Nothing took place within the
Special Session and he asked Council if they would like to move forward with the issue
at this point or wait until the court case currently taking place is finalized. He stated the
delay by Council does not impact on fees for this year.
Mayor Reid stated this could be an item for discussion during the upcoming Council
Retreat.
Discussion ensued among Council and Staff regarding homestead exemptions and
senior citizen freeze on property tax.
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting was adjourned at 6:50 p.m.
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Minutes approved as submitted and/or corrected this the UP day of September ,
A.D., 2004.
ATTEST:
Tom Reid
Mayor
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