1973-09-10 CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES257
MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING Or THR CITY_.CQUNCIL QV.THE CITY Qr kEAKAND HELD QN
SEPTEMBER 10, 1973 AT 7:30 P. M. IN THE CITY HALL, 2335 N. TEXAS AVENUE, PEARLAND, TEXAS.
The meeting was called to order with the following present:
Mayor Carlton McComb
Councilman Cecil W. Griffin
Councilman Harry Farley _
r-- Councilman Gene E. Sanders
Councilman Tom Reid
Councilman B. J. Frank
City Manager William E. Wolff
City Attorney Bobby J Williams'
City Secretary Dorothy L. Cook
INVOCATION & PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
The invocation was given by the Chaplain, Rev. Art Jones. The Pledge of Allegiance was
led by Bunny Audel of The News..
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
It-was.moved_.by Councilman Sanders, seconded by Councilman Reid that the minutes of the
regular meeting held on August. 27,.1973 be approved as submitted. Motion passed 5
to 0.
MAYOR'S ACTIVITY REPORT:
EPA'S PROPOSED REGULATIONS: Mayor McComb read a letter from Representative -Bob Casey
dated August 1, 1973, regarding the EPA's proposed regulations. Representative Bob
Casey advised that he has taken a stand on the Floor of the House in -an effort to
point out how unreasonable the proposed regulations are.
DESIGN PUBLIC HEARING:., Mayor McComb advised that the Texas Highway Department will
conduct a Public Hearing on September 25, 1973, at 7:00 P. M., in the auditorium of
the Ross Sterling Senior High School, Houston, for the purpose of discussing the
proposed design of State Highway 35 on new location from Dixie Drive to Almeda-Genoa
Road.
SPEED ZONING - SH 35: Mayor McComb advised that he received a letter from O. F.
Poorman, District Engineer of the Texas Highway Depart - Dist. 12, which is the
answer to a request from the City to make a survey of the existing speed zones on
SH 35. The Highway Department now recommendsthatspeed zones on the highway_
be reduced in certain areas and enclosed a copy of a proposed ordinance to be --adopted
by the City Council. This proposed ordinance will be on the Agenda of the next
regular Council Meeting.
GATE RATE INCREASE - NATURAL GAS: Mayor McComb referred to letters form the United
Gas Company and the Houston Natural Gas Company relative to an increase.in the gate
rates thereby increasing cost of natural gas to the citizens of Pearland. United
Gas Company stated that the increase would cost its customers 1/4� per day for the
average residential customer. Houston Natural Gas advised that the monthly rates
will be increased by thirty-six hundredths of one cent (.36) for each 100 cubic
feet of gas consumed.
COUNCIL ACTIVITY REPORTS:
Orange Street Drainage Pipe:
Councilman Frank reported that he had talked to Commissioner Johnny Griffin of the Drainage
District regarding the pipe going in on Orange Street. The Drainage District has
approximately 460 feet on the ground now and should receive the balance shortly. Work
should start on actual construction by the end or the week if the weather permits.
This drainage project should help alleviate the drainage problem in Willowcrest and
Mimosa Acres.
Hydra -Lok System:
Councilman Frank reported that after the last Council meeting that he, Councilman Reid
and Councilman Farley met with Mr. Charles E. Corns, representative of Hydra -Lok -System.
This is a system that that greatly reduces the time of connection from your pumper fire
truck to the fire plug. Councilman Frank advised that he discussed this Hydra -Lok system
with the Fire Department and they seemed to like the system, however, in case of a large
fire where other Fire Departments were called in, the fact that their trucks were not
equipped with Hydra-Loks would create a problem. Councilman Frank stated that he
recommended that unless this was area wide venture, the matter be dropped at this time.
Dogs:
Councilman Reid discussed the problem of dogs at large in the City. He stated that
some citizens were not adhering to their own responsibility of keeping the pets fenced
as we had hoped they would. After the first of the year the City plans to increase
the number of runs at the dog pound.
Mayor McComb asked Councilman Reid to undertake a project of writing a letter from
the City to the new citizens which would outline the things they need to know about
the community as well as a welcome to the City. Mayor McComb also asked the
local newspapers to give some publicity to the problem of dogs.
Cards on Capital Improvements:
Councilman Griffin reported that the Council has received approximately 800 cards from
the citizens expressing their opinions regarding capital -improvements.. According to
the tally, the drainage and streets seems to be the major areas.
DEPIRRTMENTAL REPORTS:
Chamber of Commerce - Christmas Decorations:
City Manager Wolff reported that the City has no room for storage of large decorations,
however, it could accomodate the Chamber on small type decorations.
City Attorney Williams advised that the general liability policy of the City has no
exceptions, so far as he could ascertain, that would exclude coverage in the event
a decoration would cause bodily injury or property damage, if in fact it was a city
endeavor, such as being placed on public poles,
CITIZENS: None
DOCKETED PUBLIC HEARINGS: None
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS:
259
Mrs. Rye, a representative of the Chamber of Commerce,advised that the storage problem
has been solved, therefore, the request for storage space for the decorations was not
needed.
40�3
It was moved by Councilman'" �, seconded by Councilman Griffin that the Chamber of -
Commerce request to install Christmas decorations be approved. Motion passed 5 to 0.
SECOND AND (FINAL) READING - ORDINANCE NO. 260, TAX LEVYING ORDINANCE:
Ordinance No. 260 read Tay-Caunci griffin. (Second and final reading.)
It was moved by Councilman Griffin, seconded by Councilman Sanders that Ordinance No.
260 be passed and approved on second and final reading. Said Ordinance No. 260 reads
in caption as follows:
ORDINANCE NO. 260
AN ORDINANCE LEVYING TAXES FOR THE USE AND SUPPORT
OF THE MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT OF THE CITY OF PEARLAND,
TEXAS, AND PROVIDING FOR THE INTEREST AND SINKING
FUND FOR THE YEAR 1973 AND APPORTIONING EACH LEVY
FOR THE SPECIFIC PURPOSE.
$0.789 .....................General Fund -
0.511 .. .Interest & Sinking Fund
$1.30 Total Tax Rate
Voting "aye" -,Councilman Farley, Councilman Sanders, Councilman Griffin, Councilman
Reid, and Councilman Frank.
Voting "no" - None
Motion passed 5 to 0.
SECOND AND (FINAL). READING - ORDINANCE NO. 261, APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE:
Ordinance No. 261 read by Mayor -McComb. (Second and final, reading).
It- was moved by Councilman Sanders, seconded by Councilman Griffin that Ordinance No.
261 be passed and approved on second and final reading. Said Ordinance No. 261 reads
in caption as follows:
ORDINANCE NO. 261
AN APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE ADOPTING A BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL
YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 1973 -AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30,1974.
Voting "aye" - Councilman Frank, Councilman Sanders, Councilman Griffin, Councilman
Reid and Councilman Farley.
Voting "no" None
Motion passed 5 to 0.
}h0
SECOND AND FINAL READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 262 - AN APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE ADOPTING A
REVENUE SHARING BUDGET BEGINNING JULY 1, 1973 AND ENDING JUNE 30, 1974:
Ordinance No. 262 read by Councilman Farley. (Second and final reading)
It was moved by Councilman Farley, seconded by Councilman Reid that Ordinance No. 262
be passed and approved on second and final reading. Said Ordinance No. 262 reads in
caption as follows:
ORDINANCE NO. 262
AN APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE.ADOPTING A REVENUE
SHARING BUDGET FOR THE ENTITLEMENT PERIOD
BEGINNING JULY 1, 1973 AND ENDING JUNE 30, 1974.
Voting "aye" - Councilman Farley, Councilman Sanders, Councilman Griffin, Councilman Reid
and Councilman Frank.
Voting "no" - None
Motion passed 5 to 0.
NEW BUSINESS:
RESIGNATION OF M. L. SINGLETON AS CHIEF OF POLICE:
Mayor McComb announced that M. L. Singleton had submitted his resignation to become
effective December 31, 1973. This letter was submitted to the Council on August 27, 1973,
It was moved by Councilman Griffin, seconded by Councilman Sanders that the City Council
accept the resignation of M. L. Singleton, Chief -of -Police to be effective December 31, 1973,
with extreme regrets. Motion passed 5 to 0.
HOUSTON-GALVESTON AREA COUNCIL AGREEMENT -RADIO EQUIPMENT AGREEMENT:
An Agreement with the HGAC to act as the City's purchasing agent for the purchase of all
equipment and items of software and hardware ne,6essary for the installation of radio
equipment for the installation of radio equipment as part of the H -GAC Law Enforcement
Radio Communication System in and for the City of Pearland, was brought before the
Council for consideration.
It was moved by Councilman Griffin, seconded by Councilman Frank that the Agreement between
the City of Pearland and the Houston -Galveston Area Council for the purchase of certain
radio equipment be approved, and that the Mayor be authorized to execute the Agreement.
Motion passed 5 to 0.
BIDS ON NEW EQUIPMENT:
City Manager Wolff requested authority to advertise for bids on a garbage truck, police
cars, and gasoline storage tank. Bids to be opened after October 1, 1973, the beginning
of the City's new fiscal year.
It was moved by Councilman Reid, seconded by Councilman Farley that the City Manager be
authorized to place official bids for the garbage truck, police cars, and gasoline storage
tank. Bids to be opened after the beginning of the new fiscal year for the City, October
1, 1973. Motion passed 5 to 0.
261
OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER FOR THE CITY:
It was moved by Councilman Sanders, seconded by Councilman Griffin to direct the City
Secretary to send letters to all newspapers with general circulation within the City asking
for quotations on cost of printing legal notices for the City. The newspapers addressed
should also contain inquiry as to.publication dates, whether weekly, bi-weekly or daily.
Motion passed 5 to 0.
APPOINTMENTS:
This item to be placed on the next regular Agenda.
OTHER BUSINESS: None
ADJOURN:
There being no further business on the Agenda, the Mayor adjourned the meeting at 8:35 P. M.
Minutes approved as read and/or corrected this _ day of - ��>i� .►
A. D. 1973.
Mayor