2007-08-13 CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING MINUTESMINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
PEARLAND, TEXAS, HELD ON MONDAY, AUGUST 13, 2007, AT 7:30 P.M., IN THE
COUNCIL CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, 3519 LIBERTY DRIVE, PEARLAND, TEXAS.
Mayor Reid called the meeting to order at 7:40 p.m. with the following present:
Mayor
Mayor Pro -Tem
Councilmember
Councilmember
Councilmember
Councilmember
City Manager
City Attorney
City Secretary
Tom Reid
Steve Saboe
Woody Owens
Helen Beckman
Felicia Kyle
Kevin Cole
Bill Eisen
Darrin Coker
Young Lorfing
Others in attendance: Jon Branson Parks and Recreation Director; Danny Cameron
Public Works Director; Jack Colbath Director of Fire Services; Roland Garcia Fire
Marshal; Narciso Lira City Engineer; J.C. Doyle Police Chief; Trent Epperson Project
Director; Nick Finan Assistant City Manager; Mary Hickling Director of Human
Resources and Safety Management; Mike Hodge Assistant City Manager; Paul Jamison
Fire Chief; Lata Krishnarao Planning Director; Claire Manthei Finance Director; Jeff
Sundseth EMS Operations Director; Fred Welch Executive Director of Economic
Development Corporation; June Ellis Budget Analyst; Jay Chapman Police Captain;
Ron Fraser Police Captain; Meg McNulty Utility Billing Services Supervisor; Edward
Grossenheider Parks Building Maintenance Superintendent.
NEW BUSINESS
COUNCIL ACTION — RESOLUTION NO. R2007-129 — A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PEARLAND, TEXAS, AUTHORIZING THE CREATION
OF AN EMPLOYEE BENEFITS TRUST, DESIGNATING ALL MEMBERS OF THE CITY
COUNCIL TO BE TRUSTEES, AND AUTHORIZING THE TRUST TO PURCHASE
VARIOUS FORMS OF INSURANCE FOR THE BENEFIT OF CITY OFFICERS,
EMPLOYEES, QUALIFIED RETIREES AND THEIR DEPENDENTS. Mr. Bill Eisen,
City Manager.
Councilmember Owens made the motion, seconded by Councilmember Beckman, to
approve Resolution No. R2007-129.
City Manager Bill Eisen stated State Law allows Local Governments to create a trust
with regard to employee insurance benefits. The Trust allows the City to save $40,000
in taxes it would have paid for the benefits. The item would create the Trust, establish
City Council as the Board of the Trustees, and set several guidelines of operation.
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Councilmember Kyle stated she feels saving the City money is important. She asked
why the City Council will be named as Trustees of the Benefit Trust.
City Manager Bill Eisen stated City Council is named because they are responsible for
the warrant of the bid and the administrative structure of the City.
Councilmember Kyle asked how the City Council is expected to act as Trustee for a the
Trust without any specific training in the area the Trust covers.
City Attorney Darrin Coker stated the responsibilities of the Trustees under this Trust
are limited to awarding the bid for the services and paying any debt incurred by the
Trust.
Discussion ensued between Council, City Manager Bill Eisen, and City Attorney Darrin
Coker regarding the Employee Benefit Trust.
Councilmember Kyle stated the item needs to have language added stating Trustees
may rely on advice or counsel of third parties.
Councilmember Owens made the motion, seconded by Councilmember Cole, to amend
Resolution No. R2007-129 to reflect comments made by Councilmember Kyle.
Voting "Aye" Councilmembers Owens, Beckman, Saboe, Kyle and Cole.
Voting "No" None.
Motion Passed 5 to 0.
Mayor Reid called for a vote on the amended motion.
Voting "Aye" Councilmembers Owens, Beckman, Saboe, Kyle and Cole.
Voting "No" None.
Motion Passed 5 to 0.
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting was adjourned at 7:52 p.m.
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Minutes approved as submitted and/or corrected this the 27th day of August, A.D., 2007.
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Tom Reid
Mayor
ATTEST:
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