1996-10-14 CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING MEETING MINUTES - 6:30PMMINUTES OF A PUBLIC HEARING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
PEARLAND, TEXAS, HELD ON OCTOBER 14, 1996, AT 6:30 P. M. IN THE COUNCIL
CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, 3519 LIBERTY DRIVE, PEARLAND, TEXAS.
The hearing was called to order with the following present:
Mayor Tom Reid
Councilmember/Mayor Pro Tem Jerry Richardson
Councilmember Richard Tetens
Councilmember Kevin Cole
Councilmember Helen Beckman
Councilmember Larry Wilkins
City Manager Paul Grohman
City Attorney Amy McCullough
City Secretary Yolanda Benitez
Others in attendance: Assistant City Managers Glen Erwin and Richard Burdine; Police
Chief Mike Hogg; and City Engineer John Hargrove.
PURPOSE OF THE HEARING: To consider the proposed annexation of 321 acres of
land located in George C. Smith Survey, Abstract No.
551; Section 29 of the H.T.&B. RR Co. Survey,
Abstract No. 292; the A.C.H.&B. RR Co. Survey,
Abstract No. 416, Section 36 of the H.T.&B. RR Co.
Survey, Abstract No. 461; and W.T. Hughes Survey,
Abstract No. 462 of Brazoria County, Texas.
NUMBER SIGNING ATTENDANCE ROSTER: 14
Mayor Reid outlined the guidelines for conducting the public hearing and explained that
everyone would be allowed three (3) minutes to address the Council during that portion
of the agenda. He stated that everyone would be called according to the sign -in sheet.
134
STAFF REVIEW OF PROPOSED SERVICE PLAN
City Manager Paul Grohman provided answers to questions which were asked at the
public hearing held on October 7, 1996. He informed everyone that Fire and EMS
services are currently being provided to the proposed annexation area; and police,
animal control, code enforcement, building inspection, and similar services begin
immediately upon annexation. Mr. Grohman explained that the changes usually take
place at midnight on the day of the second reading of the ordinance. Sanitation services
are extended within 60 days of the second reading of the ordinance, and water and
sewer will be provided within 4 1/2 years in accordance with State law. Mr. Grohman
provided clarification with regard to zoning questions, school district questions, questions
concerning animals on the property, and questions relating to property values.
City Manager Grohman provided statistical information concerning police services, EMS,
parks & recreation programs, tax decreases and increase in building permits.
CITIZEN COMMENTS:
1. Jack Mabry - 9502 CR 414, Alvin, Tx. Mr. Mabry requested clarification of a road
noted on the map. He inquired about current city regulations and codes, and
what would be grandfathered.
2. Mike Evans - 17827 Hwy. 35, Alvin, Tx. Mr. Evans asked the following questions:
1) "Why the annexation?"; 2) "Can we get the sewer and water in before we start
paying taxes?"; 3) "If I have a piece of property that is a residential property at
present, and I wish to sell it as a commercial property later, is there going to be
any problem with that?"; 4) "How much road work would you cover?"; 5) "What
about culverts - would they be covered?"; 6) "Has anyone done any kind of
assessment of the pipelines situated up and down Highway 35 to find out if its
feasible to run water and sewer without excessive cost?"; 7) "There has been a
rumor that a county road is proposed for the area between Highway 35 and
Clover Field - is this going to take place or not?".
3. Bud Edwards - Rt. 3, Box 361, Alvin, Tx. 77511. Mr. Edwards suggested that we
not annex this area and requested that the Council reconsider. He asked the
following: 1) "What kind of notification are the residents given prior to the public
hearing?"; 2) "Why do you want to take the rest of this area - is it just because of
the traffic signal at Dixie Farm and Hwy. 35?".
4. Frances Jamison - 2417 E. Broadway, Pearland, Tx. 77581. Mrs. Jamison
addressed Council with regard to previous annexations which she stated were not
validated.
5. Delie Stephens - 17000 EI Camino Real, Suite 104-13, Houston, Tx. 77058. Ms.
Stephens stated that she was not a resident of the proposed annexation area, but
that she was attending the public hearing as an observer and a "fact finder".
6. John Alexander - P. O. Box 127, Pearland, Tx. Mr. Alexander stated that he feels 135
the city is reaching its limit on loaning capacity and the proposed annexation is
a way to raise the city's bond rating. He also commented on the oil drilling
ordinance recently passed Mr. Alexander asked the following
question: 1) "Why don't you do a better job of controlling traffic inside the city?".
He also pointed out that the city has built "sorry, second, third or fourth -rated"
roads/streets and they have never built a good street.
7. Johnnie Wallace - Rt. 3, Box 336, Alvin, Tx. Mr. Wallace stated that his residence
is outside the proposed annexation area; however, he owns property inside the
area. He stated that he did not feel they had sufficient time to get organized and
come together as a group before Council. Mr. Wallace pointed out that the
residents are judging this annexation by the one previously attempted by the City
of Alvin, and they are hesitant because the City of Alvin did not come through with
their plans for this area.
8. Mary Price - 18718 Highway 35 North, Alvin, Tx. Mrs. Price stated that they had
moved to this area in 1995 from Dickinson and had moved out of the city because
of their animals. She noted that they have cattle, horses, chickens, and other
animals. Mrs. Price stated that in the City of Pearland, they would be restricted
to the size of house they built, and the number and types of animals they could
have on their property. She requested clearer information concerning the zoning
of her property and the livestock that they anticipate having on their property. She
asked: 1) "What type of zoning are you going to put upon us?"; 2) "If we are
annexed, what are you going to tell us what we can and cannot build out there?";
3) "Do you want residential out there?"; 4) "Do you want commercial out there?";
5) "Why wasn't the information that was provided to the Council provided to the
citizens as well?".
9. Vernon Smith - Rt. 3, Box 307, Alvin, Texas. Mr. Smith stated that it was not worth
the city's time and money to put in water and sewer services for the residents in
the proposed annexation area. He also noted that they would not have to pay city
taxes if the city left them as they are now. Mr. Smith pointed out that the old
Exxon station is contaminated and has been barricaded.
10. Rudolph Rusnak - 17535 Hwy. 35 South, Pearland, Tx. 77581. Mr. Rusnak stated
that he owns a business on this property. He pointed out that if the city is going
to put the services in during the 4 '/z year period, then they should be satisfied
with the sales tax income that they are going to get, and give the residents a
break. Mr. Rusnak noted that he does not see this area as being of benefit to the
City of Pearland, and requested that the Council reconsider.
11. Henrietta Smith - Rt. 3, Box 307, Alvin, Tx. Mrs. Smith stated that they want to be
left "in the country".
12. Ann Durso - Rt. 3, Box 318, Alvin, Tx. Mrs. Durso asked the following: 1) "Who
has the final say regarding the decision as to what happens to us?"; 2) "Do we
have to use city water and sewer services?". She pointed out that her home and
1 3 r'
her daughter's trailer had burned down and the Pearland Fire Department did not
come. Mrs. Durso further stated that there is a bad intersection at Walnut and
South Main that needs improvement as bad or worse than the one at Dixie Farm
Road and Hwy. 35. She further asked: 3) "Since we have residential property, if
you put us in the city, and we try to sell it as residential property, would that be
zoned where it would have to go as commercial property?"; 4) "Are we going to
get answers to this?".
13. Richard Burns - P. O. Box 2802, Pearland, Texas. Mr. Burns addressed the
Council with regard to the previous annexations concerning Hwy. 35. He stated
that he has not received services from the City of Pearland. Mr. Burns stated he
had not opposed the previous annexation, but was very much opposed to the
proposed annexation because the city has not kept their word. He requested the
following: 1)"If you do annex, can you rescind the state's control of the septic
systems and return it to Brazoria County?"; 2) "Why do you need to annex this
area?"; 3) "What do you plan to do with this red light at Dixie Farm Road and SH
35?"; 4) "Would you explain the situation with this traffic signal?".
14. Laverne Lang - 7418 Dixie, Houston, TX 77087. Ms. Lang stated that she owns
12 acres in the proposed annexation area. She asked: 1) "What roads are you
going to maintain in this area?"; and 2) "What services can you provide me?".
She stated that she wanted to go on record as being in opposition to the
proposed annexation.
COUNCIL/STAFF DISCUSSION:
City Manager Grohman provided answers to some of the questions posed as follows: 1)
The notice of annexation is done in accordance with State law. Deviating from the notice
procedure can lead to possibly entangling the City in litigation. 2) Unless you do a major
remodeling or renovation or addition, you are brought into the City limits in an "as is"
condition. 3) Any major change to the property would be to make it come into
conformance with whatever other residential properties are here. 4) If you are going to
build a barn, you would have to get it permitted like any other structure. 5) There is no
city ordinance regulating the size of the property, and trailers would be allowed to remain
on the property. 6) The Council has stated that they would like to ensure our entrances
into the city which is the reason for the annexation of the proposed area.
City Manager Grohman stated that answers will be provided to any individuals providing
him with their names and addresses. He requested that any additional questions be
forwarded to Assistant City Manager Glen Erwin at 3519 Liberty Drive, Pearland, Texas
77581, by 5:00 p.m. Friday, October 18, 1996. Answers to these questions will be
forthcoming by mid -week of the following week after the questions are submitted.
ADJOURNMENT
The hearing adjourned at 8:04 P. M.
Min es pp ved as submitted and/or corrected this C= day of
A. D., 1996.
�ovyc.
Tom Reid, Mayor
ATTEST:
PKA-1 • :- - -M'O
137