2020-02-17 CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING MINUTESMINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PEARLAND,
TEXAS, HELD ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2020, AT 5:30 PM, IN THE COUNCIL
CHAMBERS CITY HALL, 3519 LIBERTY DRIVE, PEARLAND, TEXAS.
Mayor Reid called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. with the following present:
Mayor
Tom Reid
Mayor Pro -Tem
J. David Little
Councilmember
Luke Orlando
Councilmember
Tony Carbone
Councilmember
Gary Moore
Councilmember
Adrian Hernandez
Councilmember
Trent Perez
Councilmember
Woody Owens
City Manager
Clay Pearson
City Attorney
Darrin Coker
City Secretary
Crystal Roan
Others in attendance: Deputy City Manager Jon Branson, President of Economic Development
Corporation Matt Buchanan, Assistant City Manager Trent Epperson, Director of Human
Resources Michelle Graham, Director of Community Development John McDonald, Budget &
Procurement Manager John McCarter, Director of Finance Cynthia Pearson, Fire Chief Vance
Riley, Police Chief Johnny Spires, Director of Engineering Robert Upton, Director of Public Works
Clarence Wittwer, Grants — Special Projects Administrator Joel Hardy, Communication Director
. Joshua Lee, Chief Information Officer Daniel McGhinnis, and Deputy City Attorney Lawrence
Provins.
ROLL CALL:
Mayor Reid, Mayor Pro -Tem Little, Orlando, Carbone, Moore, Hernandez, Perez, and Owens
were present.
STAFF COMMENTS:
City Manager Clay Pearson gave an introduction and apologized to the community and City
Council for the water billing and collections issue.
Deputy City Manager Jon Branson provided an executive summary and overview of the Utility
Billing and Collections process. Mr. Branson also provided an overview of the history of the billing
delay, and an update relating to the automated billing infrastructure project.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Jessica Reeves, 2708 Shakespeare Street, spoke regarding the water billing and collection
issues.
Scott Youngblood, 2004 North Main, spoke regarding the water billing and collection issues.
Denise Hewitt, 3404 Spruce, spoke regarding the water billing and collection issues.
Jimmy Davis, 5004 Colmesneil Street, spoke regarding the water billing and collection issues.
Pearland Special Meeting Agenda February 17, 2020
Pete Stype, 2312 South Capri Drive, spoke regarding the water billing and collection issues.
Joyce Garner, 2316 South Vinici Drive, spoke regarding the water billing and collection issues.
Mary McKernan, 2321 South Lake Vista Drive, spoke regarding the water billing and collection
issues.
Richard Sharp, 2516 Woodcreek Drive, spoke regarding the water billing and collection issues.
Terry Gray, 2415 South Texas, spoke regarding the water billing and collection issues.
PURPOSE OF THE MEETING:
COUNCIL INPUT AND DISCUSSION- Regarding Utility Billing Matters.
Councilmember Owens stated his concerns with the auto draft double billing, the process, and how
it will be corrected. He also stated he feels Option B is the best option.
Councilmember Perez stated he feels the debt should be collected. He also stated he supports
Option B and waiving the penalties.
Councilmember Moore stated supports Option B. He further stated he supports giving residents
the option to pay their full balance.
Councilmember Hernandez stated he feels Option C allows the clearest visualization of any
outstanding amounts owed.
Councilmember Hernandez stated he wants to provide Town Hall meetings or present this issue
at a Regular Council Meeting. He stated he feels this would provide ongoing accountability, the
opportunity for residents and Council to have input, and provide more oversight and transparency
in the process.
Mayor Pro -Tem Little stated he is confused on the remedy and requested a report for monthly
billing cycles once the billing is current. He stated he does not want any undue hardship placed on
the citizens because of a mistake made by City.
Councilmember Carbone stated he feels the City failed to communicate the status of the issue. He
further stated he feels Option B is the most reasonable. Councilmember Carbone requested Staff
to perform analytics of the average bills for residential and commercial properties depicting
different scenarios for Option B.
Councilmember Orlando stated he shares all the frustrations of the residents. He stated he
supports Option B and proposed a possible modification to Option B waiving the higher tier and
penalties.
Mayor Reid stated Option B provides predictability of payment and of the use of water. He also
stated Option B would also reduce the billing cycle to 30 days.
Pearland Special Meeting Agenda February 17, 2020
There was a Council consensus to direct Staff to move forward with Option B; to provide a
breakdown for the outstanding payments owed by the residents, if possible; to provide reasons
the breakdown cannot be produced; and to bring this item back for the February 24, 2020, Regular
City Council meeting for further consideration.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
Minutes approved as submitted and/or corrected this the 27th day of July 2020.
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Tom Reid
Mayor
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Pearland Special Meeting Agenda February 17, 2020