1995-03-13 CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES - 8:00PM236
MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
PEARLAND, TEXAS, HELD ON MARCH 13, 1995 AT 8:00 P. M., IN THE
COUNCIL CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, 3519 LIBERTY DRIVE, PEARLAND, TEXAS
The meeting was called to order with the following present:
Mayor
Mayor Pro Tem/Councilmember
Councilmember
Councilmember
Councilmember
Councilmember
City Manager
City Attorney
Interim City Secretary
C. V. Coppinger
David Smith
D. A. Miller
Richard Tetens
Randy Weber
Jerry Richardson
Paul Grohman
Amy McCullough
Tommie Jean Vial
Others in attendance: Assistant City Managers Glen Erwin and
Richard Burdine; and Police Chief Mike Hogg.
INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The invocation was given by Rev. Rick Scarborough of the First
Baptist Church of Pearland. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by
Councilmember Tetens.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MAYOR'S ACTIVITY REPORT
COUNCIL ACTIVITY REPORTS
Councilmember Smith stated he was informed that the local Y.M.C.A.
was considering changing the name of their building to the C. V.
"Vic" Coppinger Tri -County Y.M.C.A." A standing ovation was given
Mayor Coppinger.
Mayor Coppinger said he was very appreciative of this honor and
that it was a real joy and pleasure to be a part of the progress
that the "Y" has made over the past ten to 15 years.
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
CITIZENS: None
DOCKETED PUBLIC HEARINGS: None
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None
NEW BUSINESS
APPROVAL OF LITTLE LEAGUE PARADE ROUTE
Chief Hogg explained his department will be submitting to the City
Attorney, for her review, their recommended changes to the City's
parade routes and procedures. He said that with all our rapid
growth and additional traffic problems, he felt it was not in the
best interest of Pearland to have parades routed down FM518 or SH35
on a routine basis. under their new plan, if and when approved by
Council, all routine parade requests will be approved through his
office but the significant parades, that Council desires to route
down our major thoroughfares, will be submitted to Council for
their approval.
Continuing, Chief Hogg said the item on the agenda tonight for
Council's approval is the annual Little League Parade, which will
be held on Saturday, March 25, 1995, at 9:00 a.m. The parade will
begin on N. Texas at Broadway, proceed west on Broadway, south on
Hatfield and then west on Fite to the Pearland Area Dad's Club.
After a brief discussion, it was moved by Councilmember Tetens,
seconded by Councilmember Richardson to approve the Little League
Parade Route as approved by Chief Hogg.
Motion passed 5 to 0.
Mayor Coppinger recognized from the audience Steve Gimenez of the
YMCA. He commended Steve for his fine leadership in the community
and all the dedicated professionals who are associated with the
YMCA.
REVIEW OF IMMEDIATE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT NEEDS
Mr. Grohman explained that the City's improvement needs identified
today could reasonably be in excess of $100 million. However, only
$5 million in bond resources can be identified without a tax
increase. He said Assistant City Manager Burdine would be giving
us a review of projects, with specific timeframes, that need to be
at the top of the list in considering the $5 million bond project.
Assistant City Manager Burdine, using the overhead projector,
highlighted the six priority projects needed by the City. The
first two projects identified by Mr. Burdine are the Centennial
Blvd. /Oiler Drive project, the first two lanes of a road from SH35,
along the south side of the High School, turning northwest up to
John Lizer, crossing John Lizer, Mary's Creek to FM518.
Continuing, Mr. Burdine informed the third project is the upgrade
of Shadybend Drive from Liberty to Misty, as a collector width
street. The fourth, fifth and sixth projects are combined in the
West Broadway upgrade, i.e., reconstruction of the McLean/Walnut/
518 intersection; reconstruction of the old and new Hatfield
intersections, including new signalization; and the alignment of
the Harkey/O'Day intersection.
In conclusion, Mr. Burdine advised that the funding resources
summary, i.e., the proposed $5 million in Certificates of
Obligation, the previously paid engineering for Centennial Blvd.,
and some remaining 1992 street bonds, totals approximately
$5,700,000. The immediate funding needs of $3,172,400 subtracted
from the above amount would leave a balance of $2,514,400 available
for other projects. A short discussion ensued regarding the
immediate needs projects.
RESOLUTION NO. R95-15, AUTHORIZING PUBLICATION OF NOTICE OF
INTENTION TO ISSUE CERTIFICATES OF OBLIGATION NOT TO EXCEED
$5,500,000.
Resolution No. R95-15 read in caption by Councilmember Weber.
It was moved by Councilmember Weber, seconded by Councilmember
Richardson to approve Resolution No. R95-15. Said Resolution No.
R95-15 reads in caption as follows:
RESOLUTION NO. R95-15
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING PUBLICATION OF NOTICE OF INTENTION
TO ISSUE CERTIFICATES OF OBLIGATION IN A PRINCIPAL AMOUNT
NOT TO EXCEED $5,500,000 FOR THE ACQUISITION,
CONSTRUCTION AND IMPROVEMENT OF CERTAIN PUBLIC WORKS,
AUTHORIZING DISTRIBUTION OF A PRELIMINARY OFFICIAL
STATEMENT RELATING TO SUCH CERTIFICATES AND AUTHORIZING
CERTAIN OTHER MATTERS RELATING THERETO.
238
Mr. Frank Ildebrando, Senior Vice President of Rauscher Pierce
Refsnes, Inc., using the overhead projector, gave an overview
of the Schedule of Events regarding the bond sale on April 24,
1995. He said the Notice of Intention to Issue Certificates of
Obligation must first be published twice in the official newspaper
before any action can be taken. The Official Statement and Notice
of Sale will be prepared within the next two weeks and will be
distributed to approximately 300-400 prospective buyers around the
middle of April. Bids will be received on April 24, 1995 and
recommendations made at that time. Mr. Ildebrando said they have
estimated the rate of interest to the City should be approximately
6%, or lower, under present market conditions. Continuing, he said
that Standards & Poor have upgraded the City's bond rating from an
A minus to an A.
Continuing further, Mr. Ildebrando said in the past when interests
rates were low, they were able to sell bonds around 5-1/4% to 5-
1/2%, but investments on the bonds were in the 4% range. Today
while interest rates are slightly higher, the short term market is
very much higher in interest rates and they should be able to
invest the money from the bond sale in excess of 6%. He said he
thought we were fairly stable for the next 60-90 days, should be
able to keep the debt service tax rate at 26C over the next three
to four years, and be able to support this debt without any
increase there.
Questions were posed regarding the City's financial condition,
reserves, and timing of the sale.
A brief discussion followed.
Mr. Ildebrando also read a portion of the Standard & Poor's report
concerning the City's upgrade from an A minus to an A. He felt
that the last paragraph of the report stating, "The City's
financial operations are sound despite rapid budget growth because
of population growth, the City has been able to lower it's tax rate
and maintain strong reserves." was an important statement.
Mr. Rick Witte, of the law firm of Mayor, Day, Caldwell & Keeton,
introduced himself and advised that their firm had prepared the
Resolution given to each Councilmember. He then offered to answer
any questions that Council might have. Councilmember Richardson
requested guidelines for spending the monies remaining from the
$5,000,000 bond issue (approximately $3.1 million is already
allocated for six priority projects.) Mr. Witte said that by
statutes, the monies can be used for the construction of any public
works, purchase of material, supplies, equipment, machinery,
buildings, lands and rights-of-way, payment of professional
services rendered in connection with any of those activities,
constructing or equipping a jail, constructing/renovating any
buildings, constructing a bridge, or demolition of dangerous
structures. He then discussed a new rule from the Attorney
General's office and its effect on the issuing of certificates and
the publishing of the notice. With this new rule, the Attorney
General's office asks that a specific description on how the City
intends to spend the money be given.
A brief discussion followed concerning whether the wording of the
notice would also include such things as library expansion and
flood control. Mr. Witte said they list the projects to satisfy
the Attorney General's requirements, but also include the phrase,
"including, but not limited to. . ." to build in some flexibility.
Upon call for the question, Council voted as follows:
Voting "Aye" - Councilmembers Richardson, Weber, Smith, Tetens and
Miller.
Voting "No" - None.
Motion passed 5 to 0.
AUTHORIZATION FOR CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH A
CONSULTING ENGINEER FOR DESIGN OF SHADYBEND DRIVE.
Mr. Grohman explained this is a small project needing authorization
to go forward. He said that we do not have the ability to do this
engineering job in-house at this time and that the project could be
completed fairly quickly. A brief discussion followed.
It was moved by Councilmember Tetens, seconded by Councilmember
Richardson to authorize the City Manager to enter into an agreement
with a consulting engineer for design of Shadybend Drive.
Motion passed 5 to 0.
OTHER BUSINESS
MEETING RECESSED TO EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 8:47 P. M. UNDER TEXAS
GOVERNMENT CODE
Mayor Coppinger read from the posted agenda the following topic to
be discussed in Executive Session:
UNDER SECTION 551.072 - ACQUISITION OF LAND - PURCHASE OF DRAINAGE
RIGHT-OF-WAY FOR HICKORY DETENTION PROJECT.
MEETING RETURNED TO OPEN SESSION AT 9:15 P. M.
NEW BUSINESS: (Continued)
DIRECTION TO CITY STAFF REGARDING THE ACQUISITION OF LAND FOR
DRAINAGE RIGHT-OF-WAY FOR HICKORY DETENTION PROJECT
It was moved by Councilmember Richardson, seconded by Councilmember
Tetens that the staff be directed to proceed with the acquisition
of land of the drainage right-of-way for Hickory Detention as
prescribed in Executive Session.
Motion passed 5 to 0.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 9:17 P.M.
Minutes approved as submitted and/or corrected this �� day of
_ , A. D., 1995.
C. V. Coppinger
Mayor
ATTEST:
Tommie Jean Vi4i
Interim City Secretary
Wui