REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING JANUARY 16, 2007

 

 

1. CALL TO ORDER: The regular meeting of the City of Hilshire Village was called to order at 7:30 P M by Mayor Robin S. Border at 8301 Westview, Houston, Texas. Invocation was given by Connie Castro. Present were Council members Connie Castro, Brian Henault, Zandra Anderson, Mayor Pro-tem John Denninger and Shannon Whiting. Also present were Efrain Him of CMI, Engineers, and Alison Holland, of Olson and Olson, Attorneys.

 

Mayor Border presented the minutes of the meeting of December 19, 2006 for approval. Anderson wished addition to paragraph second from bottom of page 3 of Ò A resident (Michael Peterman of 1310 Ridgeley stated that he believed that there should be a plan for the crossings before approving the preliminary phase of the engineering. Council member Anderson agreed.Ó

 

 Whiting made motion to accept minutes with addition, seconded by Anderson, and motion carried unanimously.

 

2. CITIZENS COMMENTS: Donald DeGrasse (1019 Ridgeley) did not want the sewer lift station at the circle located south of Ridgeley in the 1007-1023 Ridgeley area. John Heard (1015 Ridgeley) did not want lift station in that area. Kelly Madden (13 Hickory Shadows) was concerned about location.  Paul Maddox (8 Hilshire Oaks Court) thought the present location on Ridgeley was okay where it is.

 

3. REPORTS TO COUNCIL:

3.1.Police: Detective Gary Finkelman presented the December Report. Total calls for service numbered 60. There was theft of construction materials at new house on (1229) Ridgeley. There were 18 alarm calls.

 

3.2. Fire Commissioner: David LabbeÕ, Alternate Fire Commissioner, distributed his written report. There were six  calls in December. A check for $1,893.16 will be mailed to Hilshire Village for its share of ambulance billing. The legal advisor has determined that in the future multiple bids will be acceptable from companies soliciting VFDÕs insurance business.

 

3.3.Treasurer: No report. Balance sheets were distributed showing cash on hand.

 

3.4. Engineers Report: Efrain Him of CMI distributed his written report. The 1209 Pine Chase outfall improvements are being advertised for bids. Bid opening is January 31, 2007. Electrical service for water meter vaults had been proposed by Houston Empire Electric Company for $1605. Survey work for Ridgeley paving project is scheduled to start  January 15th.

 

3.5.Building Official Report: Ted Lazarides, Building Official, read his previously distributed report. The Tribble property at 8201 Mallie Court raises questions regarding setback lines for garages, Section 11.01.5 of Chapter 12. Zoning. Remodeling at 8108 Anadell required a close review of our ordinances regarding the need for fire sprinklers. Our ordinance is very clear and well written.

 

3.6.Mayor and Council Report: Border said final contract with Severn Trent Environmental Services for their services for daily water testing, lab samples, billing services and new or repair work had been executed January 1, 2007 with changes that Council requested. Burt Ballafant and Jimmy Stewart were up for nomination by 14 multi-cities of Harris County and Mayors Association for their representative. Louise Richman had resigned the representation of the multi small cities as she accepted position with METRO itself.

 

Henault said he had received two resumes to date for assistant city secretary and were continuing to advertise. Castro said a manual of personnel requirements were being prepared. Whiting said sixteen people attended a committee meeting for Ridgeley Improvement project held on Monday before council meeting. The committee shall consist of seven members, selected by the chairman. Whiting will present their input to council in a timely manner to provide insight to the engineers for  construction design  and preservation of natural aesthetics.

 

3.6. HVCEFFC: David Cheadle had a committee meeting prior to Council meeting. See item 4.2 below

 

3.7.City SecretaryÕs Report: Seven building permits were  issued in December. There were no move-ins. Advertisement placed in paper for bids on 1205 Pine Chase outfall improv4ements. Bid date is February 9, 2007. One citizen complained of recycling mix-up; one complained garbage can left in driveway, and garbage company was notified of their complaints. A water leak on Pine Creek Lane was determined to be Stearns Corp. responsibility and so notified.

 

4.  DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION:

 

4.1. Consideration and possible approval of CMIÕs proposal for electrical work on water meter vaults: This item was tabled from last month as costs  had not yet been received  from Houston Empire Electric Company. As stated in Engineers report, cost would be $1,605 to electrify in order for Houston to read meters electronically.

It was moved by Denninger, seconded by Whiting that Houston Empire Electric Company perform the electric work necessary for the meter vaults, and motion carried unanimously.

 

4.2. Report from HVCEFFC on possible loan agreement with South Texas School of Law (conduit bonds): David Cheadle said that agreement with South Texas School of Law would generate abut $18,000 for the $1,800,000 desired by them. Agreement has been drawn and will be presented to them.

 

4.3. Placement Agent Agreement between City of Hilshire Village and First Southwest Company for FSC to provide professional services and its facilities as placement agent with the issuance of Series 2007 Tax Notes: Drew Masterson, Managing Director of First Southwest Company said that FSC would provide professional services for placement of bonds and would invoice Hilshire Village upon successful delivery of the bond proceeds, based upon approximate amount of bonds . He had presented Council with a draft agreement for approximately $1,000,000. Border said he was asking for Council to authorize him to conclude  an agreement that was Òno worseÓ than what was presented. He said that as a city, we cannot accept a bid for construction unless funding is in place. Therefore, we must have money in place by August, 2007. Henault wished ÒapproximateÓ amount to be changed to Òno more than $1,000,000Ó. It was moved by Denninger that Mayor be given this authorization with this change, to negotiate for lower fees, and seconded by Whiting.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

4.4.Presentation of Audit for Fiscal Year October 1, 2005 through September 30, 2006 by Sanderson, Knox and Belt: This item tabled until February as a representative of Sanderson, Knox and Belt was unable to be present.

 

4.5. Selection of Treasurer: Mayor Border introduced Patricia Fowler, a resident of Hilshire Village, who had expressed her interest in becoming treasurer. He had met with Fowler and Anne L. Thorpe, former Treasurer, to discuss her employment. Her resumeÕ had been previously distributed to Council, showing she was well qualified.  It was determined a contract would be prepared by Alison Holland of Olson and Olson for her employment.  It was moved by Henault, seconded by Whiting  that Patricia Fowler be employed with a stipend of $200 per month for her services, and motion carried unanimously.

 

4.6. Discussion and possible action, including review of 1987 Ordinance for National Flood Insurance protection, and confirmation that HV adopt all standards of new regulations for Federal Emergency Agency management: Alison Holland of Olson and Olson, attorneys, is in process of reviewing the documents from FEMA and will report later. No action taken.

 

4.7. Discussion and possible action regarding placement and construction of new lift station.  This item tabled for further information.

 

4.8. Discussion and possible action of street light at Ridgeley Drive Court (1007-1023 Ridgeley):  Henault had met with Donal DeGrasse of 1019 Ridgeley regarding ownership of ÒislandÓ in this court prior to any action on the street light. Further investigation will be required. No action taken. This item tabled.

 

5. DISCUSSION: Discussion on the number and longevity of lawn bags placed at curb since inception of current trash contract. Citizens have been complaining about the appearance of Hilshire Village since new contract commenced, requiring lawn bags to be placed at curb. Border appointed Castro to study possible solutions to this problem.

 

6. CONSENT AGENDA: It was moved by Denninger, seconded by Henault that consent agenda be approved as submitted, and motion carried unanimously.

 

7. MAYOR AND COUNCIL COMMENTS: Henault and Whiting are investigating costs involved for new recording system, network of computers and website revitalization..

 

8. ADDITIONAL CITIZENS COMMENTS:  None

 

9. ANNOUNCEMENTS: None

 

10. ADJOURNMENT: It was moved by Denninger, seconded by Henault that meeting be adjourned. Meeting adjourned at 9:15 P M.

 

                                                                                   ___________________

                                                                                   Robin S. Border, Mayor

ATTEST:

 

_______________________

Claudia Bammel, City Secretary