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1995-10-09 CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING MEETING MINUTES87 MINUTES OF A PUBLIC HEARING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PEARLAND, TERAS, HELD ON OCTOBER 9, 1995, AT 6:00 P. M. IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, 3519 LIBERTY DRIVE, PEARLAND, TERAS The hearing was called to order with the following present: Mayor Tom Reid Councilmember Jerry Richardson Councilmember Kevin Cole Councilmember Randy Weber Councilmember Helen Beckman City Manager Paul Grohman City Attorney Amy McCullough City Secretary Yolanda Benitez Others in attendance: Assistant City Managers Richard Burdine and Glen Erwin, Economic Development Director Jim Berry, and City Engineer John Hargrove. Absent from hearing: Councilmember Richard Tetens. PURPOSE OF THE HEARING: To consider the proposed annexation of 843.7 acres of land located in the 518 West Corridor. NUMBER SIGNING ATTENDANCE ROSTER: 84 STAFF REVIEW OF PROPOSED ANNEXATION Mayor Tom Reid stated that the purpose of the hearing was to make available to the citizens, as well as to the City Council, as many facts and as much information as possible about the proposed annexation along FM 518 West. He explained the configuration of the map. The Mayor then asked Councilmember Randy Weber to read the service plan in its entirety. Assistant City Manager Glen Erwin reviewed a map outlining the area which is under consideration for annexation. He noted that the City attempted to follow property lines and subdivision lines in the area to be annexed. City Manager Paul Grohman provided background to the citizens with regard to the services provided by the City, such as street improvements, police protection and emergency response time, ambulance runs and response time, parks and recreation program participation, fire response time, and decrease in the property tax rate for the fourth consecutive year. Mr. Grohman also invited the citizens to attend the City Facilities Tour tomorrow night, October 10, 1995, from 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. so that they could see .m- firsthand what the City has going on. Mayor Reid stated that the Texas Health Department is looking very carefully at homes throughout the State that are being served by septic systems and are in the process of moving as many people as possible off septic systems. He noted they are also trying to get people off ground water because of the encroachment of infiltration of contaminants, the dropping water tables and subsidence. Mayor Reid then opened the floor to those people who had signed up to speak. M00 PERSONS WISHING TO GIVE INPUT 1. Frank Simms - 5930 Lorrie Lane. Mr. Simms spoke as a member of the Garden Acres Subdivision and noted that he feels his taxes will be raised. He asked the Council if they were interested in knowing how the taxpayers feel about the proposed annexation. Mr. Simms requested that he be placed on record as not being ready for the City to annex his subdivision and asked for a show of hands of the people present who were in favor of the annexation. Mr. Simms also requested that he be placed on record as being opposed to the annexation. 2. Bert Jones - 14610 O'Day Road. Mr. Jones stated that the reason for the annexation was purely for the benefit of tax dollars. He noted that one of the reasons he bought his property is because he would not have the "City Fathers" looking over his shoulder. Mr. Jones stated that he was in opposition of the annexation. 3. M. Ross Rogers - 5604 FM 518. Mr. Rogers noted that he sees the proposed annexation as a "usurption" of his freedom, and noted that he did not want to be subject to the City of Pearland ordinances, did not need anything the City had to offer, such as the Police Department, water, sewer, or garbage pick-up. Mr. Rogers also noted that he does not want to be annexed by the City of Pearland, and sees it as a grab for power to control more territory. He noted that the City is trying to build a City with more violence and gangs, which is what the people moving to the proposed annexation area have moved there to get away from. 4. Allen Robinson - 6024 Lorrie Lane. Mr. Robinson commented that he had lived in Houston, but had bought property in Suburban Gardens and he has everything he needs. He stated that he did not like the City getting into his business. Mr. Robinson also noted that all of the homes in this subdivision were nice homes and the majority of the homeowners had spent $7,000 to $8,000 putting in water wells and septic systems. He also stated he did not like the City "looking over their shoulders". 5. Tom Rosinski - 5920 Gardenia. Mr. Rosinski stated that he had recently built a home in Garden Acres and the County had provided him with most of the services which the City is proposing to provide him. He requested that he be placed on record as being against the annexation. Mr. Rosinski noted that he has spent about $10,000 on his well and septic system in the past three years. He requested that the Council address f1why they're annexing these properties and particularly address the benefit cost justification, the amount of revenue that is going to come in, and the amount of capital expenditures they expect to spend". He also inquired about the allowance of livestock and the rules regulating animals as several homeowners have livestock on their properties at this time. 6. James F. Lane - 14611 Thelma Drive. Mr. Lane commended the EMS for an emergency call made to his home about three years ago. However, he noted that the City does not have funds for the capital improvements program. Mr. Lane also stated that he feels the City of Pearland is following the footsteps of the City of Houston in grabbing and doing nothing. He requested more understanding of what the citizens in the proposed annexation area have. Mr. Lane stated that Pearland does have some things to offer, but not enough to suit him. 7. Clark B. Jordan - 6035 Gardenia. Mr. Jordan stated that the County had re-evaluated his property twice in the past eleven months. He stated that when he had protested, he was told that they were under pressure by the City of Pearland to re- evaluate Garden Acres. Mr. Jordan stated he is definitely against being taken into the City limits. 89 8. J. T. Taylor - 14635 Thelma Drive. Mr. Taylor stated that his brother-in-law had been annexed by the City of Manvel for 10 years, was de -annexed recently, and was informed by Brazoria County that he owed $2500 for road work which the City of Manvel did not pay for. His question to the Council was "how can we be sure that this won't happen to us?". He also inquired about when the water line would be in their subdivision. At this time, the Mayor opened the floor for questions from the Council. Mayor Reid asked City Manager Grohman what the timeframe would be for the annexation process. Mr. Grohman stated that there would be one more public hearing, two separate readings of the ordinance, and the annexation would take place approximately December 1. City Manager Grohman noted that the City of Pearland had also paid for the road work done in the City of Manvel, and stated that he did not anticipate this happening in the City of Pearland with the proposed annexation. Mr. Grohman also noted that the City is currently engineering a major water facility on Garden Road with additional lines going back to FM 518, and noted that there are several things in process right now in trying to put in a major 16 -inch water line down FM 518. The Mayor then asked for additional citizens who wished to speak to please come forward. 1. Richard Tress - 5515 Daugherty Road. Mr. Tress noted that it was probably inevitable that the annexation would take place in light of the rapid growth of the City, and he also noted that he was proud of the growth. However, he sided with the other citizens because of the encroachment of City government and taxation. He requested that a Master City Plan for the next 10-20 years be published in the Pearland newspapers. He inquired as to the growth intent of the City, where is the City going, is this an ad hoc annexation being done for tax revenues, or is it in the Master Plan? Mr. Tress proposed a ten-year phase-in of taxation on their properties. i 2. Keenan Winne - 5839 Gardenia. Mr. Winne requested that something official be published concerning any restrictions now and in the future. He also asked if this would affect things they already had before the annexation. 3. Bert Jones - 14610 O'Day Road. Mr. Jones came forward again and asked what it would take (how many signatures) to get it across to Pearland that they do not want annexation. He also asked, "what does it take for us to stop the action that is started, other than file suit?". 4. Mercedes Stivers - 14602 O'Day Road. Ms. Stivers wanted it known that she does not want to be annexed. She noted that the Mayor, Council and City Manager are planning to take them over whether the citizens want it or not. She asked if they were wasting their time, because it seemed that no matter how many reasons they provided, the City Government was going to do it anyway because they want their tax dollars. 5. Jeannie Savell - Cullen & FM 518. Mrs. Savell addressed Council with regard to the location of her property on the map. She requested clarification as to whether her property is included in the area proposed for annexation. �- 6. Julie Boughter - 6015 Lorrie Lane. Mrs. Boughter stated that she feels like she is giving up her freedom with the proposed annexation. She requested additional information on the costs they will be forced to incur for connection of services. Mrs. Boughter noted that she feels the City of Pearland is getting "greedy" in wanting more tax money. She also requested information from the City with regard to what the City can afford to do as far as connection of services is concerned. She requested that this information be in written form at the next meeting. Mrs. Boughter also requested information on their avenues of protest - what can they do - what are their options? 90 7. Sonny Crosby - 6027 Lorrie Lane. the Councilmembers lived in Gardex responded that they (as Mayor an( live in the City of Pearland. Hf stop the annexation. Mr. Crosby done to stop the annexation, he stated that the taxation has to need to protest it to the highest Mr. Crosby asked if any of i Acres. Councilmember Cole L Council) were required to also asked how they could noted that whatever can be wants to do it. He also stop somewhere and if they court, they will. Herbert C. Jahnke, Jr. - 3401 Louisiana, Suite 451, Houston, TX. 77002 (representing James Medearis). Mr. Jahnke noted that several wonderful questions had been asked, but thus far, no answers had been provided. He inquired of the Council as to when the answers would be forthcoming. Mr. Jahnke also asked if a petition were to be received, which was signed by the majority of the residents living in the area proposed for annexation opposing the annexation, would the Council stop and cease and desist from continuing with the annexation. QUESTION AND ANSWER PERIOD: Mayor Reid stated that staff would have answers to all questions at the next public hearing which will be held on Monday, October 23, 1995, at 6:00 p.m. I X610.1121'!3f24W The hearing adjourned at 7:00 P. M. Minutes appy vd as submitted andcorrected this % day of A. D., 1995995 . ATTEST: Y014Adh C. Benitez, City Se etary