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2010-08-16 CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING MEETING MINUTES AREA 1MINUTES OF A PUBLIC HEARING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PEARLAND, TEXAS, HELD ON MONDAY, AUGUST 16, 2010, AT 6:30 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, 3519 LIBERTY DRIVE, PEARLAND, TEXAS Mayor Reid called the meeting to order at 6:55 p.m. with the following present: Mayor Mayor Pro -Tem Councilmember Councilmember Councilmember Councilmember City Manager City Attorney City Secretary Tom Reid Scott Sherman Woody Owens Steve Saboe Felicia Kyle Ed Thompson Bill Eisen Darrin Coker Young Lorfing Others in attendance: Jon Branson Assistant City Manager; Danny Cameron Public Works Director; J.C. Doyle Police Chief; Roland Garcia Fire Marshal; Bonita J. Hall Director of Human Resources and Safety Management; Mike Hodge Assistant City Manager; Claire Bogard Finance Director; Michelle Smith Director of Parks and Recreation; Jeff Sundseth EMS Operations Director; Teresa Battenfield Assistant Project Director; Ian Clowes Planner I; Evan Duvall Planner II; Judy Krajca Planning Office Coordinator. PURPOSE OF HEARING — PROPOSED ANNEXATION OF APPROXIMATELY 126 ACRES — AREA 1 126 ACRES OF LAND, MORE OR LESS, GENERALLY LOCATED NORTH OF BAILEY ROAD BETWEEN KENNEDY ROAD AND 1350 FEET WEST OF FM1128/MANVEL. STAFF REVIEW OF THE FEASIBILITY PLAN AND SERVICE PLAN: Assistant City Manager Mike Hodge provided Council and citizens with an overview of the annexation process and a detailed explanation of the Public Hearing process. Planner II Evan Duvall stated the total area for Area No. 1 is approximately 126 acres with 38 acres being vacant. The current land uses vary with most being single family residential. The proposed zoning is RE which is single family estate district and the total appraised value is $829,910. The City will provide services to the area that meet or exceed State Law. The services will include police protection, fire protection, and emergency medical services. Operation of water and waste water facilities will be operated by the City or by a private entity contracted by the residents. Maintenance of roads and parks will be provided by the City. There are currently no water or sewer lines in this area. The City has future plans to provide these services in the future. The Future Land Use Plan designates a 25 acres minor retail node at the corner of Cullen Parkway and Bailey Road. Page 1 of 5 — 8/16/2010 Assistant City Manager Mike Hodge stated all the services stated in the report, except for water and sewer services, are paid for out of the General Fund. The water and sewer services are included in an enterprise fund which means the citizens will not be charged if they are not utilizing the water and sewer service. CITIZEN COMMENTS: Bruce V. Kirby, 3610 Curtis, addressed Council and stated he has an issue with citizens only being given a two-week notice regarding the annexation. He does not need City services and would like to know why the City wants to annex the land. Guy R. Jones, 3530 Helen Drive, addressed Council and stated he would like to know how the residents will be required to handle their water wells and septic system once they are annexed by the City. Also, residents need information on whether they will be able to keep the livestock they currently have on their property. Reverend Lawrence Stewart, 7412 Bailey Road, addressed Council and stated he is concerned about the people that are already located in Area No. 1 and will they have the existing land uses and businesses grandfathered. There is a waterline that is already located on Bailey Road and he would like to know why citizens cannot tie into the line instead of waiting for future services. Lynn Nixon, 16509 Herridge, addressed Council and stated many of the residents were affected by Hurricane Ike and did not receive assistance and she would like to know if they will receive assistance from the City in the event of another natural disaster. She stated she feels the taxes are unreasonable and that it is unfair for the people who have already paid for their water wells and septic systems to lose them when the water service is provided. William A. Haycraft, 3635 CR 905, addressed Council and stated he understands the reason for annexing Area No. 1 is to allow the City to control Bailey Road and he is opposed to the annexation. Michael Rodriguez, 4602 Arnold Drive, addressed Council and stated the only thing he has heard about with the annexation is about taxes. He is tired of paying taxes and feels they currently have a nice rural community. Lupe Cortez, 7520 Lester, addressed Council and stated this is the first time he has ever received notification from the City and was not aware of what was happening to his property. He does not need City services and is opposed to the annexation. Ron Anderson, 7730 Bailey Road, addressed Council and stated he would like clarification on the reason for the city annexing his property. He enjoys living in the country and does not want to be annexed by the City. Page 2 of 5 — 8/16/2010 Robin Anderson, 7730 Bailey Road, addressed Council and stated she agrees with the previous speakers and is opposed to the annexation. Debbie Kirby, 3610 Curtiss Lane, addressed Council and stated she would like clarification why the residents will be paying taxes for services they are not receiving. She does not need City services and is opposed to this annexation. Jessica Roe, 3611 Curtiss Road, addressed Council and stated she has been informed by residents that live near here that they have not received notification regarding the annexation. She feels there needs to be more time for people to understand what the process is and what will happen when they are annexed. Ron Anderson, 7730 Bailey Road, addressed Council and stated he does not understand why he cannot vote for Council, but they are allowed to tell him what to do. If Council has control over what he does then he should be able to vote them in or out of office. COUNCIL/STAFF DISCUSSION: Mayor Pro -Tem Sherman asked for clarification on the structure of taxing and what gives the City the ability to annex the land. Assistant City Manager Mike Hodge stated the annexation process will be complete in September 2010. The appraisal assessment will occur in December and the City will levy a tax against whatever property is in the City at that time. The tax will pay for everything that is funded by the General Fund. The water and sewer aspect is included in an enterprise fund and residents are only charged if they utilize the service. It is not mandatory for residents to utilize City water and sewer services. If the resident chooses to utilize City water and sewer services, he has the option to keep his own well and sanitary systems with certain requirements pertaining connections. There is a $4,800 fee for residents to connect to City water and sewer services which is due at the time of connection. The City has an Extra Territorial Jurisdiction (ETJ) and it has the ability to annex property in the ETJ as it sees fit. City Attorney Darrin Coker stated, there is a provision in State Law that protects the current land uses and businesses and allows them to be grandfathered after annexation. If the business is a nonconforming use, it can be sold and continue the current use after being transferred to the new owner. Councilmember Kyle stated she would like clarification on how the notification list is established and how residents may obtain copies of the residents that were provided with the notice. Page 3 of 5 — 8/16/2010 City Attorney Darrin Coker stated there was an inventory of all the parcels located in the given annexation area. The City is required by the State Law to provide notice to the registered property owner and uses the addresses provided by Brazoria County. Residents may obtain a copy of the notification list by filing an open records request with the City Secretary's Office. Councilmember Owens stated there are existing interlocal agreements with Brazoria County and asked if the City still provides Fire, Police, and EMS services in the ETJ. City Manager Bill Eisen stated the City provides Fire, Police, and EMS services to its ETJ and there are Mutual Aid Agreements with other fire departments for assistance. City Attorney Darrin Coker stated he wanted to clarify that livestock on the property is not a grandfathered use and is controlled by City Ordinances. Residents with livestock will be allowed to come in prior to the annexation and register the number of animals they have with the City. The residents will be allowed to come into compliance with the Ordinance through attrition. Councilmember Saboe asked for clarification on the minor retail node and the reasoning behind the jagged shape of the annexation areas. Planner II Evan Duvall stated the minor retail nodes are specified areas that are allowed to become retail or commercial uses. Assistant City Manager Mike Hodge stated the areas are shaped the way they are because the City planned to capture whole tracks with the same ownership. Councilmember Kyle stated she would like the question regarding the ability to vote for Councilmembers to be addressed for the residents. Assistant City Manager Mike Hodge stated they will have the ability to vote in City Elections as citizens and participate in City Government after the annexation process is complete. Councilmember Saboe stated anyone that did not get his questions answered or would like more information can obtain a list of frequently asked questions from Staff or on the City website. They also have the option to contact Councilmembers or Staff by email. Mayor Reid stated in the 1960's, a 100 -foot wide strip along the city limits was established which is an area the City has the option to annex. This Public Hearing is regarding the annexation of land within that 100 -foot strip. Page 4 of 5 — 8/16/2010 ADJOURNMENT Meeting was adjourned at 8:04 p.m. Minutes approved as submitted and/or corrected this the 13th day of September, A.D., 2010. ATTEST: r. 6 • L 0# 66 SecrWary Tom Reid Mayor Page 5 of 5 — 8/16/2010