2019-08-19 CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING MINUTESMINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PEARLAND,
TEXAS, HELD ON MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 2019, AT 6:30 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS,
CITY HALL, 3519 LIBERTY DRIVE, PEARLAND, TEXAS.
Mayor Reid called the meeting to order 6:30 p.m. with the following present:
Mayor
Tom Reid
Mayor Pro -Tem
J. David Little
Councilmember
Luke Orlando
Councilmember
Derrick Reed
Councilmember
Gary Moore
Councilmember
Adrian Hernandez
Councilmember
Trent Perez
Councilmember
Woody Owens
City Manager
Clay Pearson
City Attorney
Darrin Coker
Interim City Secretary
Maria E. Rodriguez
Absent: None.
Others in attendance: Jon Branson Deputy City Manager, Matt Buchanan President of EDC, Trent
Epperson Assistant City Manager, Michelle Graham Director of Human Resources, John
McDonald Director of Community Development, John McCarter Assistant Finance Director, Chris
Orlea Director of Parks and Recreation, Cynthia Pearson Director of Finance, Robert Upton
Director of Engineering ad Capital Projects, Clarence Wittwer Director of Public Works, Andrea
Brinkley Assistant Director of Public Works, Joel Hardy Grants — Special Projects Administrator,
Jennifer Huhn Court Administrator, Skipper Jones Assistant Director of Capital Projects, Joshua
Lee Communications Director, Daniel McGhinnis Chief Information Officer and Lawrence Provins
Deputy City Attorney.
NEW BUSINESS
Council Input and Discussion: Discussion #2, Fiscal Year 2019 — 2020 Budget.
Assistant Director of Finance John McCarter presented to Council regarding the first eight
changes to the proposed Fiscal Year 2019 Budget that Council asked for following the last Budget
presentation.
Councilmember Owens asked staff for clarification on the Pavement Condition Index ratings
across the City that is in the presentation.
Assistant City Manager Trent Epperson stated the ratings are applicable to both concrete and
asphalt, although the streets listed in the presentation are asphalt roads.
Councilmember Owens asked staff if the funds allocated to the Independence Park Bridge have
to be used for that projects because they were allocated Park Development Funds.
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City Manager Clay Pearson stated that project is the recommended best use of those funds, to
establish connectivity.
Conversation ensued between Councilmember Owens and City Manager Clay Pearson regarding
the discussed drop in debt obligations and the proposed time period in which the City will be
issuing more debt.
Councilmember Trent Perez spoke regarding the changes in the budget and the positive effect it
has on helping to understand the Budget items. He further asked staff to go more into detail
regarding the Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) debt issuance.
Deputy City Manager Jon Branson addressed Council and provided the details of the HOT tax
debt issuance stating the City can issue debt with the tax revenue, but it must be allocated to a
project related to directly promoting tourism and hotel activity.
Councilmember Moore asked staff if the funds allocated for the Independence Park Bridge can
be used for any other project.
Director of Parks and Recreation Chris Orlea stated the money allocated for that project must be
used for something that has deteriorated over time due to overuse and the bridge fits that special
use.
Councilmember Hernandez spoke regarding the negative effects on the City if the effective tax
rate is kept the same.
City Manager Clay Pearson presented to Council regarding the last five changes to the proposed
Fiscal Year 2019 Budget that Council asked for following the last Budget presentation.
Councilmember Perez stated the water rates need to be looked at more so that residents do not
pay more due to businesses use, and possibly pass the higher rate to businesses.
Conversation ensued between Council and staff regarding the use of different size meters, the
effect of the sizes relative to the water rate, how to spread out the cost and future building
requirements.
Councilmember Owens stated the amount allocated for conventions and seminars is hard to
justify when the City is looking to cut costs.
City Manager Clay Pearson spoke to Council regarding the need to have staff go to seminars and
conventions to stay current with the changes in policies and government.
Council Action - Resolution No. R2019-212- A Resolution of the City Council of the City of
Pearland, Texas, placing on the agendas of September 16, 2019 and September 23, 2019 City
Council meetings, consideration of the proposed fiscal year 2019-2020 budget and setting the
public hearing on the budget for September 3, 2019 at 6:30 PM.
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Councilmember Little made the motion, seconded by Councilmember Hernandez to approve
Resolution No. R2019-212.
City Manager Clay Pearson stated this is setting up the additional meeting for the Budget and
sets the date for the Public Hearing.
Voting "Aye" Councilmember Orlando, Reed, Little, Hernandez, Moore, Perez and Owens.
Voting "No" None.
Motion passed 7 to 0.
Council Action - Resolution No. R2019-211 - A Resolution of the City Council of the City of
Pearland, Texas, voting on a proposed tax rate of 0.741212, the rollback tax rate which represents
a property tax revenue increase of 3% above the effective tax rate, and placing on the agendas
of September 16, 2019 and September 23, 2019 City Council meetings, consideration of the
proposed fiscal year 2019-2020 tax rate and setting the public hearings on the proposed tax rate
for September 3, 2019 and September 9, 2019 at 6:15 PM.
Councilmember Hernandez made the motion, seconded by Councilmember Moore to approve
Resolution No. R2019-211.
City Manager Clay Pearson stated this is setting up the remainder of the Tax Rate Meetings and
set the date for the Public Hearing.
Voting "Aye" Councilmember Orlando, Reed, Little, Hernandez, Moore, and Perez.
Voting "No" Councilmember Owens.
Motion passed 6 to 1.
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting was adjourned at 7:50 p.m.
Minutes approved as submitted and/or corrected this the 25th day of November, A.D., 2019.
ATTEST: �'% • '
Maria Rodriguez •
L
Interim City Secretary
Tom Reid
Mayor
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