2008-01-07 CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING MINUTESMINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
PEARLAND, TEXAS, HELD ON MONDAY, JANUARY 7, 2008, AT 6:30 P.M., IN THE
COUNCIL CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, 3519 LIBERTY DRIVE, PEARLAND, TEXAS.
Mayor Reid called the meeting to order at 7:15 p.m. with the following present:
Mayor
Tom Reid
Mayor Pro -Tem
Steve Saboe
Councilmember
Woody Owens
Councilmember
Helen Beckman
Councilmember
Felicia Kyle
Councilmember
Kevin Cole
City Manager
Bill Eisen
City Attorney
Darrin Coker
Deputy City Secretary
Sonia Blair
Others in attendance: Danny Cameron Public Works Director; Trent Epperson Project
Director; Mike Hodge Assistant City Manager; Fred Welch Executive Director of
Economic Development Corporation.
NEW BUSINESS
COUNCIL ACTION — RESOLUTION NO. R2008-1 — A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PEARLAND, TEXAS, COMMITTING FUNDS FOR
EXPANSION OF THE CITY OF HOUSTON'S SOUTHEAST WATER PURIFICATION
PLANT. Mr. Bill Eisen, City Manager.
Councilmember Beckman made the motion, seconded by Mayor Pro -Tem Saboe, to
approve Resolution No. R2008-1.
City Manager Bill Eisen stated this item would approve the necessary City funding for
the City of Houston Southeast Water Purification Plant.
Mayor Pro -Tem Saboe left Council Chambers at 7:30 p.m.
Rob Istre, Gulf Coast Water Authority, stated when the engineers first developed the
original design for the water plant expansion the total estimated cost was approximately
$110,000,000. Several participants were concerned about the price and established
two committees to review the plans for potential savings. The two committees reduced
the cost to $90,000,000. When the contracts were reviewed by all the participants and
finally went out for bid the price came back at $168,000,000. Everyone involved has
expressed concern over the substantial price increase. The City of Houston announced
that they would not proceed on the project unless all participants agreed to contribute.
Mayor Reid asked if a new bid could be obtained to see if the price could be reduced.
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Rob Istre, Gulf Coast Water Authority, stated the general feeling is that the longer the
project is delayed, the more the price will increase due to construction cost.
Councilmember Cole stated he is disappointed to hear that there are very few
contractors that are willing to do this type of work. He wonders if the Cities have hyped
the need for water to a point where the appearance of the need is reflected into the bid
figures.
Rob Istre, Gulf Coast Water Authority, stated prices can be based on a supply and
demand situation. The problem with Pearland building their own water plant is it would
be hard to find a person to supply the water to on a short term basis and earn a profit.
Councilmember Owens stated his concern is with the price increase and feels there was
possibly something wrong with the figures to start. He does not want the City to sign an
open-ended contract with no control over it. Change orders will be inevitable and the
City of Pearland will not have the final approval on the cost. This project will
undoubtedly cost the citizens of Pearland more money in Water and Sewer Fees and
feels the City should have possibly considered other alternatives to the plant. He would
like to have a representative at the table when this contract is being reviewed and would
like to be sure the City of Houston understands the concerns of the City of Pearland.
Councilmember Kyle stated the entire Council shares the concerns about the proposed
project. The City of Pearland has discussed building its own water plant. She asked if
there would be an opportunity to sell excess water from the plant to make a profit for the
City.
City Manager Bill Eisen stated a water plant the size the City would build would really
only be able to provide water for its own citizens. The ability for the City to find a
resource to produce a profit would be unlikely.
Further discussion ensued between Council, City Manager Bill Eisen, and Rob Istre,
Gulf Coast Water Authority, regarding the Resolution and the City's water needs.
Voting "Aye" Councilmembers Cole, Kyle, Beckman, and Owens.
Voting "No" None.
Motion Passed 4 to 0, with Mayor Pro -Tem Saboe absent
OTHER BUSINESS:
Council adjourned into Executive Session under Texas Government Code at 8:27 p.m.
to discuss the following:
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EXECUTIVE SESSION UNDER TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE
1. SECTION 551.087 — CONSULTATION WITH CITY ATTORNEY —
REGARDING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INCENTIVES. Mr. Bill Eisen,
City Manager.
2. SECTION 551.072 — REAL PROPERTY: DISCUSSION REGARDING THE
SALE, LEASE, PURCHASE, OR EXCHANGE OF REAL PROPERTY — CITY
FACILITIES. Mr. Darrin Coker, City Attorney.
NEW BUSINESS (CONTINUED):
Council returned from Executive Session at 10:20 p.m.
CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION — REGARDING ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT INCENTIVES. City Council.
No action taken by Council.
CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION — REGARDING THE SALE, LEASE,
PURCHASE, OR EXCHANGE OF REAL PROPERTY — CITY FACILITIES.
City Council.
No action taken by Council
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting was adjourned at 10:21 p.m.
Minutes approved as submitted and/or corrected this the 14th day of January, A.D.,
2008.
ATTEST:
pung rang,
ity S6tretary
)071
Tom eid
Mayor
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