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