2016-09-06 CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING MEETING MINUTESMINUTES OF A PUBLIC HEARING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
PEARLAND, TEXAS, HELD ON TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2016, 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
Councilmember
City Manager
City Attorney
City Secretary
Tom Reid
Gary Moore
Tony Carbone
Derrick Reed
Keith Ordeneaux
Greg Hill
Trent Perez
Clay Pearson
Darrin Coker
Young Lorfing
Others in attendance: Jon Branson Deputy City Manager; Matt Buchanan President of
Pearland Economic Development Corporation; Kevin Byal Building Official; J.C. Doyle
Police Chief; Trent Epperson Assistant City Manager; Michelle Graham Director of
Human Resource; Lata Krishnarao Director of Community Development; Chris Orlea
Director of Parks and Recreation; Cynthia Pearson Director of Finance; Kim Sinistore
Executive Director of the Convention/Visitor Bureau; Eric Wilson Director of Public Works;
Sparkle Anderson Communications Director; Michael Leech Assistant Director of Public
Works; Richard Mancilla Interim City Engineer; John McCarter Management Assistant;
Daniel McGhinnis Chief Information Officer; Rick Overgaard Assistant Finance Director.
Call to Order
Purpose of Hearing — Public Hearing on the Proposed 2016 Tax Rate for the 2016-2017
Budget.
City Manager Clay Pearson reported this is the 2nd Public Hearing on the tax rate, and
Budget Discussion #5. He further stated that Budget Analyst Paulette Englund will be
retiring soon. He thanked Paulette for all her hard work the nine years she has been with
the City.
Staff Review — Proposed 2016 Tax Rate for the 2016 — 2017 Budget.
Deputy City Manager Jon Branson stated because of Council's due diligence staff is able
to bring before Council a tax rate of $.6812 cents per $100 valuation.
Finance Director Cynthia Pearson gave a presentation of the Proposed 2016 Tax Rate
for the 2016-2017 Budget.
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Citizen Comments: '
Mike Doleski, 2723 Manvel Road, addressed Council stating when he and his wife drive
through Pearland they are extremely proud of what Pearland has become. He stated
Council has the ability to soften the blow to the community, the $.6812 has done that, it
is a great compromise.
Woody Owens, 2117 Country Club Drive, addressed Council thanking Deputy City
Manager Jon Branson for assisting the Green Tee Homeowners Association regarding
the park in Green Tee. He also thanked Assistant City Manager Trent Epperson regarding
flooding with some patio homes in Green Tee that will be taken care of by the developers.
He stated his concerns regarding the water and sewer rates.
Suzanne Larson, 3614 Mahogany Trail, addressed Council stating anytime Council can
lower the tax rate would greatly be appreciated.
Steven Mays, 2409 Londonderry Drive, addressed Council stating the tax rate should stay
as it is or lower.
Council/Staff Discussion — Regarding the Tax Rate and Discussion #5, Fiscal Year
2016-2017 Budget.
Councilmember Perez stated what Council is trying to do is find the balance to where the '
City will generate enough revenue to pay for the expenditures for the services the
residents deserve.
Councilmember Hill stated if the tax rate stayed the same the residents would pay more
because the appraised value has increased. Council is trying to offset that as much as
possible.
Councilmember Ordeneaux stated he would like to increase revenue because the City is
not investing in the maintenance and upkeep of the infrastructure. In the long run that is
going to hurt the City. He further stated this is a good compromise, Council is able to
lower the tax rate because the evaluations went up on property.
Mayor Pro -Tem Moore stated the compromise regarding the tax rate is the right thing to
do for the City and residents.
Councilmember Reed thanked staff for putting together the presentation that is easy to
see and understand for the public to view.
Councilmember Carbone stated Council talks about deficit and compromise, but Council
has not talked about anything in terms of expenses that were questioned in the budget.
He stated it is troubling to see that none of the memo's given to Council regarding the ,
budget are not on the City's website for the residents to view. The question for staff is
how going forward will this be a transparent process for all the citizens.
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' City Manager Clay Pearson stated Council is free to discuss or share anything that staff
has given them in the Agenda packets. All the presentations that have been discussed
in meetings are on the website.
E
Discussion ensued between Councilmembers regarding the budget, tax rate, expenses,
and a transparent process for the public.
Councilmember Carbone requested staff to circulate a list of topics that have been
brought up and any memo's from previous meetings to be included in the next meeting
agenda packet for citizens to view.
Meeting was adjourned at 7:59 p.m.
Minutes approved as submitted and/or corrected this the 19th day of September, A.D.,
2016. _ >
Tom Reid
Mayor
ATTEST:
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