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2010-02-08 CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTESMINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PEARLAND, TEXAS, HELD ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2010, AT 7:30 P.M., IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, 3519 LIBERTY DRIVE, PEARLAND, TEXAS. Mayor Reid called the meeting to order at 7:37 p.m. with the following present: Mayor Mayor Pro -Tem Councilmember Councilmember Councilmember Councilmember City Manager City Attorney City Secretary Tom Reid Felicia Kyle Woody Owens Scott Sherman Steve Saboe Kevin Cole Bill Eisen Darrin Coker Young Lorfing Others in attendance: Jon Branson Assistant City Manager; Mike Hodge, Assistant City Manager; Danny Cameron Public Works Director; Jack Colbath Director of Fire Services; J.C. Doyle Police Chief; Trent Epperson Project Director; Narciso Lira City Engineer; Claire Bogard Finance Director; Michelle Smith Director of Parks and Recreation; David Whittaker Director of Inspection Services; Rick Overgaard, Assistant Finance Director. The invocation was given by Mayor Reid and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Police Chief J. C. Doyle. MAYOR'S ACTIVITY REPORT Mayor Reid reported January 26, he met with Congressman Pete Olson's Chief of Staff Steve Ruhles; January 27, attended the Houston Port Economic Alliance Board of Directors Meeting; January 28, attended the BAYTRAN Board of Directors Meeting, the Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Awards Banquet; January 29, joined Assistant City Manager Mike Hodge for a meeting with the Gulf Coast Water Authority; January 30, attended the Pearland Fire Department Annual Meeting and Awards Banquet; February 1, attended the City Council Agenda Meeting, the City Council Audit Committee Meeting, and the City Council Workshops; February 2, attended the Houston Port Economic Alliance Bylaws Meeting; February 3, met with Congressman Pete Olson's Freight Rail Staff Person Ryan Noyes; February 4, spoke at the Pearland/Alvin/Friendswood Realtor Quarterly Meeting and visited with Mr. Al Colom regarding San Jacinto Historic Activities; February 7, spoke at the VFW District 16 Meeting in Pearland. Page 1 of 18 — 2/8/2010 Mayor Reid, City Manager Bill Eisen, Assistant City Manager Mike Hodge and Past Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce Brandon K. Dansby presented the Chamber of Commerce Chairman's Award, recognizing the Planning Department, Inspection Services Department, Engineering Department, Fire Marshal's Office, Public Works Department, Parks and Recreation Department, Projects Department and the Pearland Economic Development Corporation. Assistant City Manager Mike Hodge thanked the Chamber of Commerce for honoring the City Staff. He stated this project is an example of their improved processes and customer service. The City is continuing to strive to improve and this is one of many successful projects the City completed this year. COUNCIL ACTIVITY REPORTS Councilmember Owens passed on giving a report. Councilmember Sherman reported he met with the City of Pearland/Brazoria County Library Committee and the Friends of the West Library Group. There will be a follow- up meeting in two weeks. Mayor Pro -Tem Kyle reported she attended the Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards Banquet and commended them for the good job they did. She reported she has become involved in the Race Against Violence for the Houston Area Women's Center. Councilmember Saboe reported he attended the City Audit Committee Meeting and commended Finance Director Claire Bogard and Assistant Finance Director Rick Overgaard for the quality of preparation on the Report. He was also pleased with the Auditing Firm of Null-Lairson. Councilmember Cole attended the City Audit Committee Meeting and complimented the Audit Committee on their preparation of the Report. He attended the Chamber of Commerce Banquet, which he reported gets bigger and better each year, and reminds us of the great people we have in the City who are recognized at this event. He attended the Fire Department Banquet and was pleased to see those dedicated men and women who serve the City. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT City Manager Bill Eisen reported the Public Works Department received an acknowledgment and award from the Texas Public Works Association for In -House Project of the Year for work done to add two additional lanes in the west end of FM 518. CITIZENS: None DOCKETED PUBLIC HEARING: None Page 2 of 18 — 2/8/2010 CONSENT AGENDA: A. CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION — APPROVAL OF MINUTES: 1. Minutes of the January 25, 2010, Regular Meeting held at 7:30 p.m. B. CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION — SECOND AND FINAL READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 1406-2 — AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PEARLAND, TEXAS, AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 1406, THE 2009-2010 ANNUAL BUDGET ORDINANCE, BY; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER OR HIS DESIGNEE TO TAKE ALL ACTIONS NECESSARY TO FACILITATE THE CHANGES IDENTIFIED HEREIN WITHOUT FURTHER APPROVAL OF CITY COUNCIL; PROVIDING A SAVINGS CLAUSE, A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE, A REPEALER CLAUSE, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Mr. Bill Eisen, City Manager. C. CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION — SECOND AND FINAL READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 1391 — AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PEARLAND, TEXAS TEMPORARILY ALTERING THE CITY'S RESIDENTIAL WASTEWATER CAP CALCULATION; HAVING A SAVINGS CLAUSE; AND HAVING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE. Mr. Bill Eisen, City Manager. D. CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION — EXCUSE COUNCILMEMBER STEVE SABOE'S ABSENCE FROM THE JANUARY 25, 2010, REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING. City Council. E. CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION — RESOLUTION NO. R2010-17 — A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PEARLAND, TEXAS, ACCEPTING THE CITY'S INVESTMENT REPORT FOR THE QUARTER ENDING DECEMBER 2010. Mr. Bill Eisen, City Manager. F. CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION — FIRST AND ONLY READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 1392 — AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PEARLAND, TEXAS, DETERMINING A PUBLIC CONVENIENCE AND NECESSITY TO ACQUIRE FEE SIMPLE TITLE FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF ROAD, DRAINAGE AND UTILITY IMPROVEMENTS ON CERTAIN REAL PROPERTY DESCRIBED HEREIN; AUTHORIZING THE CITY ATTORNEY, OR HIS DESIGNEE, AND OTHER CITY OFFICIALS TO TAKE SUCH ACTIONS AS ARE NECESSARY TO ACQUIRE PROPERTY, LOCATED WITHIN THE CITY, BY DONATION, Page 3 of 18 — 2/8/2010 PURCHASE, OR BY THE EXERCISE OF THE POWER OF EMINENT DOMAIN; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY AS THE CONSTRUCTION OF MUNICIPAL IMPROVEMENTS BEARS DIRECTLY UPON THE HEALTH, SAFETY AND WELFARE OF THE CITIZENRY; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Mr. Darrin Coker, City Attorney. G. CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION — FIRST AND ONLY READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 1393 — AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PEARLAND, TEXAS, DETERMINING A PUBLIC CONVENIENCE AND NECESSITY TO ACQUIRE FEE SIMPLE TITLE FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF ROAD, DRAINAGE AND UTILITY IMPROVEMENTS ON CERTAIN REAL PROPERTY DESCRIBED HEREIN; AUTHORIZING THE CITY ATTORNEY, OR HIS DESIGNEE, AND OTHER CITY OFFICIALS TO TAKE SUCH ACTIONS AS ARE NECESSARY TO ACQUIRE PROPERTY, LOCATED WITHIN THE CITY, BY DONATION, PURCHASE, OR BY THE EXERCISE OF THE POWER OF EMINENT DOMAIN; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY AS THE CONSTRUCTION OF MUNICIPAL IMPROVEMENTS BEARS DIRECTLY UPON THE HEALTH, SAFETY AND WELFARE OF THE CITIZENRY; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Mr. Darrin Coker, City Attorney. H. CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION — FIRST AND ONLY READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 1394 — AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PEARLAND, TEXAS, DETERMINING A PUBLIC CONVENIENCE AND NECESSITY TO ACQUIRE FEE SIMPLE TITLE FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF ROAD, DRAINAGE AND UTILITY IMPROVEMENTS ON CERTAIN REAL PROPERTY DESCRIBED HEREIN; AUTHORIZING THE CITY ATTORNEY, OR HIS DESIGNEE, AND OTHER CITY OFFICIALS TO TAKE SUCH ACTIONS AS ARE NECESSARY TO ACQUIRE PROPERTY, LOCATED WITHIN THE CITY, BY DONATION, PURCHASE, OR BY THE EXERCISE OF THE POWER OF EMINENT DOMAIN; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY AS THE CONSTRUCTION OF MUNICIPAL IMPROVEMENTS BEARS DIRECTLY UPON THE HEALTH, SAFETY AND WELFARE OF THE CITIZENRY; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Mr. Darrin Coker, City Attorney. Page 4 of 18 — 2/8/2010 I. CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION — FIRST AND ONLY READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 1408 — AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PEARLAND, TEXAS, DETERMINING A PUBLIC CONVENIENCE AND NECESSITY TO ACQUIRE FEE SIMPLE TITLE FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF ROAD, DRAINAGE AND UTILITY IMPROVEMENTS ON CERTAIN REAL PROPERTY DESCRIBED HEREIN; AUTHORIZING THE CITY ATTORNEY, OR HIS DESIGNEE, AND OTHER CITY OFFICIALS TO TAKE SUCH ACTIONS AS ARE NECESSARY TO ACQUIRE PROPERTY, LOCATED WITHIN THE CITY, BY DONATION, PURCHASE, OR BY THE EXERCISE OF THE POWER OF EMINENT DOMAIN; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY AS THE CONSTRUCTION OF MUNICIPAL IMPROVEMENTS BEARS DIRECTLY UPON THE HEALTH, SAFETY AND WELFARE OF THE CITIZENRY; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Mr. Darrin Coker, City Attorney. J. CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION — FIRST AND ONLY READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 1409 — AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PEARLAND, TEXAS, DETERMINING A PUBLIC CONVENIENCE AND NECESSITY TO ACQUIRE FEE SIMPLE TITLE FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF ROAD, DRAINAGE AND UTILITY IMPROVEMENTS ON CERTAIN REAL PROPERTY DESCRIBED HEREIN; AUTHORIZING THE CITY ATTORNEY, OR HIS DESIGNEE, AND OTHER CITY OFFICIALS TO TAKE SUCH ACTIONS AS ARE NECESSARY TO ACQUIRE PROPERTY, LOCATED WITHIN THE CITY, BY DONATION, PURCHASE, OR BY THE EXERCISE OF THE POWER OF EMINENT DOMAIN; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY AS THE CONSTRUCTION OF MUNICIPAL IMPROVEMENTS BEARS DIRECTLY UPON THE HEALTH, SAFETY AND WELFARE OF THE CITIZENRY; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Mr. Darrin Coker, City Attorney. K. CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION — FIRST AND ONLY READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 1410 — AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PEARLAND, TEXAS, DETERMINING A PUBLIC CONVENIENCE AND NECESSITY TO ACQUIRE FEE SIMPLE TITLE FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF ROAD, DRAINAGE AND UTILITY IMPROVEMENTS ON CERTAIN REAL PROPERTY DESCRIBED HEREIN; AUTHORIZING THE CITY ATTORNEY, OR HIS DESIGNEE, AND OTHER CITY OFFICIALS TO TAKE SUCH ACTIONS AS ARE NECESSARY TO ACQUIRE PROPERTY, LOCATED WITHIN THE CITY, BY DONATION, Page 5 of 18 — 2/8/2010 PURCHASE, OR BY THE EXERCISE OF THE POWER OF EMINENT DOMAIN; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY AS THE CONSTRUCTION OF MUNICIPAL IMPROVEMENTS BEARS DIRECTLY UPON THE HEALTH, SAFETY AND WELFARE OF THE CITIZENRY; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Mr. Darrin Coker, City Attorney. L. CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION — FIRST AND ONLY READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 1411 — AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PEARLAND, TEXAS, DETERMINING A PUBLIC CONVENIENCE AND NECESSITY TO ACQUIRE FEE SIMPLE TITLE FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF ROAD, DRAINAGE AND UTILITY IMPROVEMENTS ON CERTAIN REAL PROPERTY DESCRIBED HEREIN; AUTHORIZING THE CITY ATTORNEY, OR HIS DESIGNEE, AND OTHER CITY OFFICIALS TO TAKE SUCH ACTIONS AS ARE NECESSARY TO ACQUIRE PROPERTY, LOCATED WITHIN THE CITY, BY DONATION, PURCHASE, OR BY THE EXERCISE OF THE POWER OF EMINENT DOMAIN; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY AS THE CONSTRUCTION OF MUNICIPAL IMPROVEMENTS BEARS DIRECTLY UPON THE HEALTH, SAFETY AND WELFARE OF THE CITIZENRY; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Mr. Darrin Coker, City Attorney. M. CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION — FIRST AND ONLY READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 1412 — AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PEARLAND, TEXAS, DETERMINING A PUBLIC CONVENIENCE AND NECESSITY TO ACQUIRE FEE SIMPLE TITLE FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF ROAD, DRAINAGE AND UTILITY IMPROVEMENTS ON CERTAIN REAL PROPERTY DESCRIBED HEREIN; AUTHORIZING THE CITY ATTORNEY, OR HIS DESIGNEE, AND OTHER CITY OFFICIALS TO TAKE SUCH ACTIONS AS ARE NECESSARY TO ACQUIRE PROPERTY, LOCATED WITHIN THE CITY, BY DONATION, PURCHASE, OR BY THE EXERCISE OF THE POWER OF EMINENT DOMAIN; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY AS THE CONSTRUCTION OF MUNICIPAL IMPROVEMENTS BEARS DIRECTLY UPON THE HEALTH, SAFETY AND WELFARE OF THE CITIZENRY; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Mr. Darrin Coker, City Attorney. Page 6 of 18 — 2/8/2010 N. CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION — REGARDING THE APPOINTMENT OF MS. KAREN MCLANE TO SERVE IN POSITION NO. 6 ON THE LIBRARY BOARD FOR AN UNEXPIRED TERM EXPIRING NOVEMBER 1, 2012. Mayor Tom Reid. Councilmember Owens made the motion, seconded by Councilmember Sherman, to adopt Consent Agenda Items A through N as presented on the Consent Agenda. Voting "Aye" Councilmembers Owens, Sherman, Kyle, Saboe, and Cole. Voting "No" None. Motion Passed 5 to 0. MATTERS REMOVED FROM CONSENT AGENDA: None NEW BUSINESS COUNCIL ACTION — RESOLUTION NO. R2010-16 — A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PEARLAND, TEXAS, ACCEPTING THE CITY'S COMPREHENSIVE ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT AS PREPARED BY THE ACCOUNTING FIRM OF NULL-LAIRSON. Mr. Bill Eisen, City Manager. Councilmember Sherman made the motion, seconded by Councilmember Owens, to approve Resolution No. R2010-16. City Manager Bill Eisen stated Christopher Breaux with Null-Lairson is present to provide Council with a brief presentation. Christopher L. Breaux CPA, Senior Partner Null-Lairson provided Council with a brief presentation on the highlights of the Financial Report. He thanked Finance Director Claire Bogard and Assistant Finance Director Rick Overgaard for their part in this Report and stated they did a wonderful job. Mayor Reid thanked the Audit Committee for their good work. Voting "Aye" Councilmembers Cole, Saboe, Kyle, Sherman, and Owens. Voting "No" None. Motion Passed 5 to 0. Mayor Reid with Council concurrence, moved New Business Item Number 2 to be considered after New Business Items Numbers. 8 and 9. Page 7 of 18 — 2/8/2010 COUNCIL ACTION — REMOVE FROM TABLE ORDINANCE NO. 569-3. City Council. Mayor Pro -Tem Kyle made the motion, seconded by Councilmember Owens, to remove Ordinance No. 569-3 from the table. Voting "Aye" Councilmembers Cole, Saboe, Kyle, Sherman, and Owens. Voting "No" None. Motion Passed 5 to 0. FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 569-3 — AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PEARLAND, TEXAS, AMENDING ARTICLE II, ALARM SYSTEMS, CHAPTER 20, OFFENSES AND M{SCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS, OF THE CITY OF PEARLAND CODE OF ORDINANCES, FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING FOR THE RECOVERY OF COSTS INCURRED BY THE CITY IN RESPONDING TO EXCESSIVE FALSE ALARMS; PROVIDING A PENALTY FOR VIOLATION; HAVING A SAVINGS CLAUSE, A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE, AND A REPEALER CLAUSE; PROVIDING FOR PUBLICATION, CODIFICATION, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Mr. J. C. Doyle, Chief of Police. Mayor Pro Tem Kyle made the motion, seconded by Councilmember Owens, to approve Ordinance No. 569-3. City Manager Bill Eisen stated a Workshop was held earlier this evening on this particular issue. This Ordinance relates to several changes to permitting fees and permitting parameters for Fire, panic, burglar and Police alarms within the City. During the course of the Workshop discussion, there were requests Council made for additional information. Mayor Pro -Tem Kyle made the motion, seconded by Councilmember Owens, to table Ordinance No. 569-3 to allow Staff to provide Council with additional information as requested. Voting "Aye" Councilmembers Cole, Saboe, Kyle, Sherman, and Owens. Voting "No" None. Motion Passed 5 to 0. Page 8 of 18 — 2/8/2010 COUNCIL ACTION —RESOLUTION NO. R2010-18 — A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PEARLAND, TEXAS, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER OR HIS DESIGNEE TO ENTER INTO TWO (2) LICENSE AGREEMENTS WITH CLEAR WIRELESS, LLC. Mr. Danny Cameron, Director of Public Works. Councilmember Saboe made the motion, seconded by Councilmember Cole, to approve Resolution No. R2010-18. City Manager Bill Eisen stated previously the City entered into an agreement with a wireless telephone service for the license to locate one of their antenna systems on one of City's overhead water towers. This is a request from Clear Wireless LLC to enter into a similar agreement and the terms are identical to those in the prior agreement. The lease provides for payment to the City in the first year of $22,000 with a 3% increase per year thereafter with the initial term of the lease being ten. years. Voting "Aye" Councilmembers Owens, Sherman, Kyle, Saboe, and Cole. Voting "No" None. Motion Passed 5 to 0. COUNCIL ACTION — RESOLUTION NO. R2010-19 — A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PEARLAND, TEXAS, AUTHORIZING A CONTRACT FOR DESIGN SERVICES ASSOCIATED WITH THE HILLHOUSE SATELLITE SERVICE CENTER. Mr. Bill Eisen, City Manager. Councilmember Cole made the motion, seconded by Councilmember Saboe, to approve Resolution No. R2010-19. City Manager Bill Eisen stated this item was presented to Council previously, however, based on Council concerns at that time. Staff has worked to provide a greater limit to the scope of the project. The proposed item now only considers phases one and two with no commitment to go beyond the completion of phase two. Discussion ensued with Council, Assistant City Manager Mike Hodge, and Project Director Trent Epperson. Voting "Aye" Councilmembers Cole, Saboe, Kyle, Sherman, and Owens. Voting "No" None. Motion Passed 5 to 0. Page 9 of 18 — 2/8/2010 COUNCIL ACTION — REMOVE FROM TABLE RESOLUTION NO. R2010-11. City Council. Councilmember Owens made the motion, seconded by Councilmember Sherman, to remove Resolution No. R2010-11 from the table. Voting "Aye" Councilmembers Owens, Sherman, Kyle, Saboe, and Cole. Voting "No" None. Motion Passed 5 to 0. COUNCIL ACTION — RESOLUTION NO. R2010-11 — A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PEARLAND, TEXAS, AUTHORIZING A CONTRACT FOR CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT AND INSPECTION SERVICES ASSOCIATED WITH THE KNAPP ROAD/SH 35 UTILITY RELOCATIONS. Mr. Trent Epperson, Project Director. Councilmember Owens made the motion, seconded by Mayor Pro -Tem Kyle, to approve Resolution No. R2010-11 as amended. City Manager Bill Eisen stated this item relates to construction management and construction inspection services on the Knapp Road—Blockbuster Rice Dryer Sewer Project. The matter was on a previous agenda and at that time, there were Council questions and requests for wording clarifications. Those have been completed consistent with Council's instructions. The proposed contract is to be awarded to LJA Engineering & Surveying in the amount of $137,525.36. Councilmember Owens asked for clarification regarding the cell phone and pager charges included in the contract. Discussion ensued with Council, Project Director Trent Epperson and Jeffrey DeLeon, LJA Engineering and Surveying. Councilmember Owens made a motion seconded by Councilmember Kyle, to amend the contract to not show a 10% mark-up increase on the items identified for the pagers' delivery cost and mileage. Voting "Aye" Councilmembers Cole, Saboe, Kyle, Sherman, and Owens. Voting "No" None. Motion Passed 5 to 0. Page 10 of 18 — 2/8/2010 Mayor Reid called for a vote on the original Resolution, as amended. Voting "Aye" Councilmembers Cole, Saboe, Kyle, Sherman, and Owens. Voting "No" None. Motion Passed 5 to 0. FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 1012-1 — AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PEARLAND, TEXAS, ESTABLISHING A CURFEW FOR PERSONS UNDER THE AGE OF 17 YEARS, PROVIDING DEFENSES TO PROSECUTION FOR VIOLATIONS HEREUNDER, PROVIDING A PENALTY FOR VIOLATION; PROVIDING FOR TIMELY REVIEW AND ANALYSIS OF SAID ORDINANCE TO DETERMINE ITS EFFECTIVENESS; CONTAINING A SAVINGS CLAUSE, A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE AND A REPEALER CLAUSE; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE AND FOR CODIFICATION, AND CONTAINING OTHER PROVISIONS RELATING TO THE SUBJECT. Mr. Darrin Coker, City Attorney. Councilmember Sherman made the motion, seconded by Councilmember Owens, to approve Ordinance No. 1012-1 on its first reading. City Manager Bill Eisen stated, last week City Council held a Public Hearing to consider the re -adoption of the Teen Curfew Ordinance. At that time, Police Chief J. C. Doyle recommended Council renew the Ordinance as it stands. Under the State Law that allows City Councils to implement Ordinances of this type, there is requirement that Council periodically review the Ordinance and after that review, consider it for re - adoption. Voting "Aye" Councilmembers Owens, Sherman, Kyle, Saboe, and Cole. Voting "No" None. Motion Passed 5 to 0. COUNCIL ACTION — REGARDING PROPOSAL A TO THE PROPOSED CHARTER AMENDMENTS DEALING WITH THE CHARTER REVIEW COMMISSION'S RECOMMENDATION TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF COUNCIL SEATS FROM 5 TO 7. City Council. Mayor Pro -Tem Kyle made the motion, seconded by Councilmember Sherman, to discuss the proposed Charter Amendments dealing with the Charter Review Commission's recommendation to increase the number of Council seats from five to seven. After discussion of this item, it was considered by Council and Failed. Page 11 of 18 — 2/8/2010 Kurt Evenson, Charter Review Commission, addressed Council and stated Council appointed members to the Charter Review Commission and a report was submitted to Council regarding the recommended Charter Amendments to be given to the voters. There have been Public Hearings, Workshops, and a Special Meeting held to review the proposed Charter Amendments. The view of the Charter Review Commission was to increase the number of Councilmembers and place a hard cap on term limits and allow these Charter Amendments to be decided on by the voters. He cannot speak for the Commission, but he feels it is important that either both the proposed Charter Amendments "A" and "B" go to the voters or neither go to the voters. The items were developed to complement each other. The Commission considered these recommendations as an enhancement to the way the Council functions. He asked Council to consider the hard work and time commitment of the Charter Review Commission when these items are considered. He thanked the Council for the ability to serve the City of Pearland and Council's willingness to allow that. Larry Marcott, Charter Review Commission Chairman, addressed Council and stated the Commission held many meetings and put in a lot of work. He is disappointed the Council did not accept the proposed Charter Amendment to increase the Council from five to seven. The comment was made by a Councilmember that not all of the candidates were viable, taking it out of the context it was said in, that's what it meant. He does not believe that it is the Council's responsibility to decide whether candidates are viable or not; that's up to the voters. He feels it would be a good change to increase the Council to seven members and have additional opinions. He is asking Council to let the citizens vote on all of the proposed Charter Amendments submitted by the Charter Review Commission. Mayor Pro -Tem Kyle stated the reason she suggested this be put back on the agenda is that she did believe that the Charter Review Commission did a tremendous job in researching and analyzing the issues and they worked closely with the City Attorney's Office. She does not know that we should, as a Council, pull from the voters something that has been proposed by the Charter Review Commission for the reasons that have been stated. Looking at the Charter Review Commission Section 10.15 in our Pearland Code, she is not sure that Council has the right to do anything but approve the proposal as submitted by the Charter Review Commission. The City Attorney, under the provision 10.15-A4 may make changes in writing to the proposed Amendment that he/she deems necessary or desirable. The City Attorney and his staff have made their changes and they are presented in the Charter Review Commission's Report since they worked closely together. When you look at Section B of 10.15 of the Pearland Code on this "Action by the City Council, the City Council shall receive and have published in a newspaper of general circulation in the City of Pearland any report presented by the Charter Review Commission, shall consider any recommendations made, and if any Amendment or Amendments be presented as part of such report, may order such Amendment or Amendments to be submitted to the voters in the City in the manner provided by the applicable statute of the State of Texas." The Amendments that are Page 12 of 18 — 2/8/2010 referred to in Section B are the Amendments that are referred to in Section 10.15- A4 which are the amendments presented by the City Attorney, which there are none other than the Report itself. She is not sure that Council has the authority to do anything but either load up or down the proposal. She would strongly recommend that, given the amount the time that was invested in putting together the Report and the fact they are reasonable recommendations, the Council owes it to the Charter Review Commission and to the voters to let them consider this, let them vote it up or down, and let them do whatever they want to do with it. It is not for us to decide. Councilmember Sherman stated he agreed to be the second signature to get this back on the Agenda because after a week of thinking about this, and talking to people it is his opinion that it makes sense that Council present to the voters what the Charter Review Commission established as a viable alternative. Whether it gets approved or not, it is going to have to come down to the voters. Council needs to put some stock in the group that was put together by the Council to come up with proposed Amendments and present them to the voters. Councilmember Saboe stated based on Mayor Pro -Tem Kyle's statements, he feels it is appropriate to question Council's right to not send the proposed Charter Amendments to the voters and asked City Attorney Darrin Coker for his opinion. Darrin Coker stated, regarding the Charter Review Commission's Report, pursuant to State Law Chapter 9 of the Local Government Code, the City Council can, on its it own volition, make a change to the Charter without a recommendation of the Charter Review Commission. The Charter can only be amended every two year and the proposed Amendments still have to go to the voters. Mayor Pro -Tem Kyle's comments were related specifically to the Charter Review Commission Report and the provision in the Charter which may be somewhat negated by the fact that the Council on its own can make recommended changes to the Charter and send those to the voters. Regardless of what the text says, the Council does have the ability, pursuant to a separate State Law, to make its own recommended changes to the Charter and send those to the voters. Councilmember Saboe stated, given that this section under question discusses the Charter Review Commission, and the Amendments that may be proposed by such Commission for consideration by Council, do you agree that Council may or may not submit those Amendments to the voters. City Attorney Darrin Coker stated under Section B, the Council does have the discretion to select which proposed Amendments they would like to send to the voters. Councilmember Saboe stated he wished to address the two speakers who presented tonight. All along this journey, Council has been verbal in extending their appreciation for the Charter Review Commission's work. He felt the paraphrasing of some of his Page 13 of 18 — 2/8/2010 comments the last time Council voted were very loose, but he respects that. That is the tone that anyone could infer. He appreciates the comments; he just happens to disagree. He respect Mr. Marcott's work and always appreciated the way he made decisions when he sat on this bench even though he disagreed with some of them. He just wanted to make sure that Mr. Marcott knew that personally from him. Councilmember Cole echoed those comments made by Councilmember Saboe to both of the members of the Charter Review Commission. The Commission did a tremendous amount of work. The post work, the actual Report, is a tremendous document, that whatever happens with these amendments going to the voters of not, will leap frog future Charter Review Commissions in their work because of the catalog of work that was done in putting all that together in the Report; just the minutes alone in capturing the data of discussion. Your work will be tremendous in the days to come. He too has talked to a lot of people in the last month as this thing has been moving to Council to put it out to a vote. Last week alone he spoke with various groups of people asking their opinion specifically on five versus seven and the hard cap. The vast majority of people said not to change anything; the smaller the better from a working standpoint. The people he spoke with were adamantly against a hard cap. With that, he will not be changing his vote. Mayor Pro -Tem Kyle stated she appreciates everyone's viewpoint on this issue and everyone is entitled to their own opinion. This is not a difficult decision for her. The Charter Review Commission did what Council expected them to do and presented a reasonable approach whether she agrees with it is irrelevant. Council should honor the recommendations of the Charter Review Commission and send the proposed Charter Amendments to the voters. Councilmember Saboe asked the City Secretary to read the motion that is on the table. City Secretary Young Lorfing stated, Pro -Tem Kyle made the motion, seconded by Councilmember Sherman, regarding the proposed Charter Amendment from the Charter Review Commission to increase the number of Council seats from five to seven. City Attorney Darrin Coker stated essentially the motion was to put this item on the table for discussion. The motion would need to be amended to accept the Charter Review Commission recommendation and put the proposed Charter Amendment to the voters. Mayor Pro -Tem Kyle made the motion, seconded by Councilmember Sherman, to accept and put to the voters proposed Charter Amendment "A" in the Charter Review Commission's Report to Council. Page 14 of 18 — 2/8/2010 Councilmember Owens stated the Charter Review Commission did an excellent job going in and taking a look at this. Normally when something is published in the newspaper that citizens like or don't like, he receives many telephone calls from people voicing their opinion. He did not receive any calls regarding these proposed Charter Amendments. He has served a lot of Councils and he feels this Council is doing an excellent job serving the City. The satisfaction survey that went to citizens did not have any response that the citizens wanted to increase the size of Council. The survey was very well received and had positive feedback. He does not feel there is anything that would be improved by increasing the size of Council and he is reluctant to support the proposed Charter Amendment. Mayor Pro -Tem Kyle stated she is familiar with the report Councilmember Owens is referring to and her understanding was that the question about whether the size of Council was appropriate or not was not addressed in the report. She believes that by presenting the Charter Review Commission's recommendation to the voters, it would give those people who did not read the newspaper or get a call from the consultant conducting the survey to make a decision. She does not see that Council has any real down side to letting the voters decide. The Charter Review Commission has made a proposal. It is not erroneous or unreasonable and Council should just put it to the voters. Voting Aye: Councilmembers Kyle, Sherman. Voting "No" Councilmembers Owens, Saboe and Cole. Motion Failed 3 to 2. COUNCIL ACTION — REGARDING PROPOSAL B TO THE PROPOSED CHARTER AMENDMENTS, ESTABLISHING ABSOLUTE TERM LIMITS (4 TERMS). City Council. Councilmember Saboe made the motion, seconded by Councilmember Cole, to send Proposal "B" to the proposed Charter Amendments, establishing absolute term limits (4 Terms). Councilmember Saboe stated five years ago when he decided to run for office and he talked to people about why he wanted to run for office, they asked him that question. In many cases, he turned around and asked them if they thought he was qualified and would they support him. Quite a few people said they would support him because of his ability to use his judgment. Council is asked to use their judgment every time they cast a vote. He is doing that in this case as well. He voted for this item last week and it did not set well with him. The debate Council had was very confusing. We made an attempt to amend this and debated it long and heavily. What he was left with was a vote that was settling for the original proposal by the Charter Review Commission. We did not have a choice at that point. When there was a vote to reconsider, and Page 15 of 18 — 2/8/2010 subsequent to that, having thought about that process and how he felt at the time of that vote, and having had subsequent conversations with at least one member of the Charter Review Commission, and hearing that same member of the Charter Review Commission testify tonight that he didn't feel that there was a good place not to have both of those proposals on the table for voters consider at the same time, he is going to change his vote tonight and vote no against it. City Attorney Darrin Coker stated the proposal is to adopt the Charter Review Commission's recommendation, Proposed Charter Amendment "B", to accept a hard limit with four three-year terms - a hard term limit of four three-year terms. The motion on the table is to accept that recommendation and send that to the voters. The term is actually established in another section and that is not being changed. Voting "Aye" Councilmembers Kyle and Sherman. Voting "No" Councilmembers Cole, Saboe and Owens, Motion Failed 3 to 2. COUNCIL ACTION — RESOLUTION NO. R2009-14 — A RESOLUTION AND ORDER OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PEARLAND, TEXAS, ORDERING THE HOLDING OF A GENERAL AND SPECIAL ELECTION TO BE HELD ON SATURDAY, MAY 8, 2010, FOR THE PURPOSE OF ELECTING TWO MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL IN AND FOR THE CITY OF PEARLAND, TEXAS; AND FOR THE PURPOSE OF SUBMITTING TO THE QUALIFIED ELECTORS OF THE CITY OF PEARLAND, TEXAS, CERTAIN PROPOSED CHARTER AMENDMENTS; ESTABLISHING POLLING PLACES; NAMING CLERKS; AND ESTABLISHING PROCEDURES FOR SAID REGULAR CITY OFFICERS AND SPECIAL ELECTION. Mr. Young Lorfing, City Secretary. Councilmember Cole made the motion, seconded by Councilmember Saboe, to approve Resolution No. R2010-14, as amended. City Attorney Darrin Coker stated, based on the two actions that took place prior to this action coming up, Exhibit "C" to this order will need to be amended accordingly. Proposed Charter Amendment Number Two will need to be removed from Exhibit "C" so that there will only be one proposed amendment going to the voters. Councilmember Cole made the motion, seconded by Councilmember Saboe, to remove Proposed Charter Amendment Number Two as presented in our packet as under Exhibit "C". Voting "Aye" Councilmembers Owens, Sherman, Saboe, and Cole. Page 16 of 18 — 2/8/2010 Voting "No" Councilmember Kyle. Motion Passed 4 to 1. Mayor Reid called for a vote on the original motion as amended. Voting "Aye" Councilmembers Cole, Saboe, Kyle, Sherman, and Owens. Voting "No" None. Motion Passed 5 to 0. Mayor Reid called to recess the meeting at 9:08 p.m. to reconvene the Workshop to complete the Projects Update. Mayor Reid called the meeting back to order at 10:02 p.m. OTHER BUSINESS: Council adjourned into Executive Session under Texas Government Code at 10:02 p.m. to discuss the following: EXECUTIVE SESSION UNDER TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE 1. SECTION 551.071 — CONSULTATION WITH CITY ATTORNEY — DISCUSSION REGARDING MUNICIPAL UTILITY DISTRICT NO. 6. Mr. Darrin Coker, City Attorney. 2. SECTION 551.072 — REAL PROPERTY — DISCUSSION REGARDING THE SALE, LEASE, PURCHASE, OR EXCHANGE OF REAL PROPERTY. Mr. Bill Eisen, City Manager. 3. SECTION 551.074 — PERSONNEL MATTERS — REGARDING THE APPOINTMENT OF MUNICIPAL COURT ASSOCIATE JUDGE. City Council. NEW BUSINESS (CONTINUED): Council returned from Executive Session at 11:25 p.m. COUNCIL ACTION — REGARDING MUNICIPAL UTILITY DISTRICT NO. 6. Page 17 of 18 — 2/8/2010 City Council. Councilmember Cole made the motion, seconded by Councilmember Sherman, to appoint Councilmember Steve Saboe and Mayor Pro -Tem Felicia Kyle to serve as Council representatives in discussions with Municipal Utility District No. 6. Voting "Aye" Councilmembers Owens, Sherman, Kyle, Saboe, and Cole. Voting "No" None. Motion Passed 5 to 0. COUNCIL ACTION — REGARDING THE SALE, LEASE, PURCHASE, OR EXCHANGE OF REAL PROPERTY. City Council. No action taken by Council. COUNCIL ACTION — REGARDING THE APPOINTMENT OF MUNICIPAL COURT ASSOCIATE JUDGE. City Council. No action taken by Council. ADJOURNMENT Meeting was adjourned at 11:26 p.m. Minutes approved as submitted and/or corrected this the 22nd day of February, A.D., 2010. ,-,� �u '. Tom Reid Mayor ATTEST: wnre Im nt, vuslwnA W� Page 18 of 18 — 2/8/2010