1974-10-14 CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES140
MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PEARLAND, TEXAS, HELD ON
OCTOBER 14, 1974, AT 7:32 P. M. IN THE CITY HALL, 2335 N. TEXAS AVENUE, PEARLAND, TEXAS.
The meeting was called to order with the following present:
Mayor
Councilman
Councilman
Councilman
Councilman
Councilman
City Manager
City Attorney
City Secretary
INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Carlton McComb
Cecil W. Griffin
Harry Farley
Gene E. Sanders
Tom Reid
Benny J. Frank
William E. Wolff
Bobby J. Williams (Entered 7:40 P. M.)
Dorothy L. Cook
The invocation was given by Rev. Art Jones, Council Chaplain. The Pledge of Allegiance
was led by Councilman Farley.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
It was moved by Councilman Reid, seconded by Councilman Sanders that the minutes of
the regular meeting held on September 23, 1974, be approved as submitted. Motion
passed 5 to 0.
It was moved by Councilman Farley, seconded by Councilman Frank that the minutes of
a special meeting held on October 1, 1974, be approved as submitted. Motion passed
5 to 0.
It was moved by Councilman Frank, seconded by Councilman Sanders that the minutes of
a special meeting held on October 7, 1974, be approved as corrected. Motion passed
4 to 0. Councilman Farley abstained.
MAYOR'S ACTIVITY REPORT:
Mayor McComb advised that a notice has been received from the Corps of Engineers that
on November 7, 1974, at 7:30 P. M. in Webster, Texas, there will be a public meeting about
the Clear Creek renovation project. Councilman Farley who has been working on this
project will have a presentation for the City to make at this public meeting. This
presentation will be prepared and ready for the Council to approve as a formal statement
of the City on the agenda of the next regular meeting.
COUNCIL ACTIVITY REPORTS:
Councilman Sanders reported that he had been in contact with the last remaining property
owner on the east side of Mykawa Road. This gentleman has been unable to contact his
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Attorney, however, he has promised a definite determination on this matter within a
week. Councilman Sanders requested that Item 1 under Unfinished Business be passed
for tonight and placed on the next regular agenda.
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS: None
CITIZENS: None
DOCKETED PUBLIC HEARINGS: TIME 7:45 P. M.
1. Southwestern Bell Telephone Company's rate increase under the
Metropolitan Service Plan.
Comments: Mayor McComb stated that in 1962 the City Council of the City of Pearland
passed a resolution asking to be placed under the Metropolitan Service Plan. In 1964
this plan was put in operation and enabled citizens of Pearland to dial direct to Houston
without a long distance charge. Copy of Southwestern Bell's presentation of the proposed
Metropolitan Service Plan presented in 1962 placed in the files of the City.
PERSONS WISHING TO SPEAK FOR THE RATE INCREASE UNDER THE METROPOLITAN SERVICE PLAN:
Lynn Alexander - Manager, Southwestern Bell Telephone Company -
Mr. Alexander advised that the rate of return to Southwestern Bell Telephone Company
has declined in the Houston area. The Company earned only 1.9% during 1973. He advised
that since 1955 the cost of one party telephone service has increased only 24.6% while
business service has gone up only 28.8%,and the two party residential service only
5.2%. Mr. Alexander advised that the increased rate would bring the fair value rate
return to 4.26% still below the amount authorized by most State Commissions. The
new rates requested are as follows:
Old Rate New Rate
One Party Business - Flat Rate $21.25 $ 27.00
One Party Business - Flat Rate Key 21.25 29.70
Business Extension - Flat Rate 2.00 2.00
One Party Business - Measured Rate 12.40 16.50
Business Extension - Measured Rate 2.00 2.00
One Party Residence - Flat Rate 7.35 8.50
Two Party Residence - Flat Rate 5.10 5.10
Residence Extension - Flat Rate 1.50 1.50
Semi Public - Flat Rate 8.50 10.80
Extension Semi -Public - Coin 2.00 2.00
Extension Semi -Public - Non Coin 1.50 1.50
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PERSONS WISHING TO SPEAK AGAINST THIS RATE INCREASE:
Mrs. R. R. Forrest - resident of West Lea Subdivision (outside city limits)
Mrs. Forrest spoke regarding the service by the Telephone Company in repairing and
restoring service, advising that it took several calls before any action would be taken
by the Company.
Mrs. Barbara Coker - resident of West Lea Subdivision (outside city limits)
Mrs. Coker complained about the length of time it takes to get telephone service repaired
and restored.
Mr. Lackey of Southwestern Bell Telephone Company advised that he would personally
investigate their complaints.
QUESTIONS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL:
Councilman Reid asked the representatives of the Company the plans of actions they
have to continue servicing the present customers, and how they planned to go into
an avoidance plan, if possible, to avoid the problems we have had in Pearland in the
past.
Mr. Lackey advised that a new work center has been opened three miles from Pearland
increasing the forces working in this area. Also, a new training center has been
set up for.the outside craftmen.
Councilman Sanders asked the representatives of the Company if they had the facilities
necessary to convert one party service to two party service in the City 1)if such requests
were received.
Mr. Alexander advised that two party service was available all over the City.
Councilman Griffin asked if the representatives of the Telephone Company knew the number
of two party residential telephones in Pearland.
Mr. Alexander advised that he did not know the exact number, however, it was a very
insignificant number.
HEARING ADJOURNED 8:15 P. M.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
None
NEW BUSINESS:
APPOINTMENT OF A MEMBER OF THE PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION:
M
It was moved by Councilman Griffin, seconded by Councilman Frank that Mr. Jim Hutson
be appointed to fill the vacancy on the Planning & Zoning Commission created by the
resignation of Nathan C. Morrow. Motion passed 5 to 0.
APPROVAL OF CONTRACT FOR BILLING OF CURRENT AND DELINQUENT TAX ROLLS - AD VALOREM RECORDS,INC
It was moved by Councilman Sanders, seconded by Councilman Reid that the contract for
billing of current and delinquent taxes with Ad Valorem Records, Inc. be approved.
Motion passed 5 to 0.
APPROVAL OF CONTRACT FOR ACCOUNTING AND FISCAL YEAR END:- AD VALOREM RECORDS, INC.:
It was moved by Councilman Reid, seconded by Councilman Farley that the contract for
accounting and fiscal year end with Ad Valoremem Records, Inc. be approved. Motion
passed 5 to 0.
HOUSTON-GALVESTON AREA - REGIONAL WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT PLAN:
Mayor McComb read a letter dated September 10, 1974, from Royal Hatch, Executive Director
r�
of the Houston -Galveston Area Council regarding the establishment of a Regional Water
Quality Management Plan. The proportionate share for the City of Pearland would be
$2,009.00. Mr. Hatch advised that failure to provide the total local share could
result in significant delays in the plan and, hence, approval of applications for funding
of sewage treatment facilities.
City Manager Wolff recommended that we join in this Regional Water Quality Board stating
that he felt the cost to be minimal compared to the effects if we don't.
Mayor McComb suggested that if'the Council saw fit to join this plan that the money
be allocated out of the Council Contingency Fund since no money had been provided in the
budget for this item.
It was moved by Councilman Sanders, seconded by Councilman Griffin that we accept the
plan as advanced in the letter of September 19, 1974, that we notify the Director
` that we did not receive the letter of February 25, 1974, as mentioned in his letter,
that our budget has been set, and we will come forward with the funds in the Budget
Year 1975-76.
It was moved by Councilman Reid, seconded by Councilman Griffin that the motion be
amended to show that the funding will be out of the 1974-75 Council Contingency Fund
instead of the Budget Year 1975-76.
Meeting recessed 8:30 P. M. - Reconvened 8:50 P. M.
A
Mayor McComb called for a vote on the amendment to the motion.
Motion passed 4 to 1. Councilman Sanders voted "no".
The Mayor called for a vote on the original motion as amended.
Motion passed 4 to 1. Councilman Sanders voted "no".
TEXAS MUNICIPAL LEAGUE'S PROPOSED COOPERATIVE PROGRAM FOR HOUSTON AREA:
Mayor McComb read a letter dated September 30, 1974 concerning the establishment of a
program of Consultant Services on Municipal Operation by the Texas Municipal League in
the Houston -Metropolitan Area.
It was moved by Councilman Reid, seconded by Councilman Farley that the offer from the
Texas Municipal League for consultant services in the Houston area be declined and that
the Mayor write a letter expressing our appreciation for the offer. Motion passed 5 to
0.
FIRST READING - ORDINANCE NO. 295 - RATE ORDINANCE FOR SOUTHWESTERN BELL TELEPHONE COMPANY:
Proposed ordinance read in full by Councilman Griffin.
It was moved by Councilman Frank, seconded by Councilman Farley that Ordinance No. 296
be passed and approved on first of two readings. Said Ordinance No. 296 reads in
caption as follows:
ORDINANCE NO. 296
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PEARLAND PRESCRIBING BASIC
RATES AND CHARGES FOR LOCAL EXCHANGE TELEPHONE SERVICE
FURNISHED BY SOUTHWESTERN BELL TELEPHONE COMPANY, MAKING
CERTAIN FINDINGS RELATED THERETO; PROVIDING A SEVERABILITY
CLAUSE, AND CONTAINING OTHER MATTERS RELATING THERETO.
Voting "aye" - Councilman Frank, Councilman Reid, Councilman Griffin, Councilman Sanders,
and Councilman Farley.
Voting "no" - None
Motion passed 5 to 0.
ADJOURN:
Meeting adjourned at 9:10 P. M.
Iff jJ
Minutes approved as submitted and/or corrected this the ,,2� day of
A. D. 1974.
ATIE S T : .
1, 1 - ' �. -c/ Mayor
Lam" City SPC.YPi1ary