2014-09-08 CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING MINUTESMINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
PEARLAND, TEXAS, HELD ON MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2014, AT 6:30 P.M., IN
THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, 3519 LIBERTY DRIVE, PEARLAND, TEXAS.
Mayor Reid called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. with the following present:
Mayor
Mayor Pro -Tem
Councilmember
Councilmember
Councilmember
Councilmember
City Manager
City Attorney
City Secretary
Tom Reid
Keith Ordeneaux
Tony Carbone
Scott Sherman
Gary Moore
Greg Hill
Clay Pearson
Darrin Coker
Young Lorfing
Others in attendance: Daniel Baum Deputy Fire Chief; Claire Bogard Finance Director;
Jon Branson Deputy City Manager; J.C. Doyle Police Chief; Trent Epperson Assistant
City Manager; Roland Garcia Fire Marshal; Michelle Graham Director of Parks and
Recreation; Bonita Hall Director of Human Resource and Safety Management; Lata
Krishnarao Director of Community Development; Vance Riley Fire Chief; Kim Sinistore
Executive Director of the Convention/Visitors Bureau; Sparkle Anderson Communications
Manager; Skipper Jones Assistant Director of Capital Projects; Bob Pearce Purchasing
Officer.
Purpose of Hearing — Public comment and testimony regarding the proposed 2014 Tax
Rate for the 2014-2015 Budget.
Staff Review — Proposed 2014 Tax Rate for the 2014 — 2015 Budget.
City Manager Clay Pearson stated this is the second formal Public Hearing on the
proposed 2014 tax rate.
Finance Director Claire Bogard gave a presentation on the Tax Rate for the 2014 — 2015
Budget.
Citizen Comments: None.
Council/Staff discussion:
Finance Director Claire Bogard stated the first reading of the ordinance is scheduled for
September 22, 2014 with the second and final reading scheduled for September 29, 2014.
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Adjournment:
Meeting was adjourned at 6:40 p.m.
COUNCIL INPUT AND DISCUSSION: Regarding the proposed Budget for Fiscal Year
2015, and Multi -Year Financial Plan and 5 Year Capital Improvement Program.
City Manager Clay Pearson and Finance Director Claire Bogard gave a PowerPoint
presentation on the proposed Budget for Fiscal Year 2015, and Multi -Year Financial Plan
and 5 Year Capital Improvement Program.
Councilmember Carbone stated he realizes Staff recommended Option three to hire two
Sergeants and three Officers. He prefers Option one, hiring two Sergeants and four
Officers. Regarding the Five Year Forecast Impact, he is concerned if the City is getting
their money's worth on the Information Technology side. He is not comfortable with that
being a priority over requests for sidewalks and staffing for Public Safety. Reviewing the
Fee Ordinance and looking at comparative Cities, the City of Pearland is the only City to
charge for foster home permits. He does not think that is right, the City should waive that
charge.
Councilmember Sherman stated regarding the three options for Police staffing he cannot
support any of the options. He appreciates what Staff has done putting the information
and budget together. At this point he is not sure if he can support the budget at all.
Mayor Pro -Tem Ordeneaux stated he does not like the idea of raising the permit fee, if it
was covering cost for the Permit Department he would feel different. When looking at the
Police Department budget he would like to take the funds at the end of each month if a
Police Officer has not been hired, move them to the sidewalk fund. Instead of those funds
setting there use those funds for repairs before the damage gets worse and costs the City
more. He prefers Option two, hiring two Sergeants and three Officers is the best option
regarding the budget.
Councilmember Moore stated he is concerned with the 563 requests for sidewalk repair
since 2009. He prefers Option one, but he could be persuaded to go with Option two if he
knew the City would aggressively use the funds and time for the infrastructure repairs.
Councilmember Hill stated he agrees with Councilmember Carbone regarding the permit
fee for a foster home, the City should waive that fee. With regards to the Police Staffing,
Option One, hiring two Sergeants and four Officers is the better option.
Discussion ensued between Council and Police Chief J.C. Doyle regarding the four
positions that are currently open in the Police Department do not count the two Sergeants
and four Officers that are being discussed in the Police Staffing Five Year Forecast.
Discussion ensued between Council and City Manager Clay Pearson regarding the
Information Technology budget and the 563 requests for sidewalk repair.
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OTHER BUSINESS: None.
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting was adjourned at 7:48 p.m.
Minutes approved as submitted and/or corrected this the 29th day of September, A.D.,
2014.
,--C
Tom Reid
Mayor
ATTEST:
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