A. CALL TO ORDER: The regular meeting of the City of Hilshire Village was called to order by Mayor Pro-tem John Denninger on January 16, 2001 at 7:30 PM at 1003 Wirt Road, Suite 103, Houston, Texas. Invocation was given by Vernon Kahanek. Present were Councilmembers Connie Castro, Jerry Riley, Vernon Kahanek and Robin Border. Mayor Jane Fisher was absent.

Mayor Pro-tem Denninger presented the previously distributed December 19, 2000 minutes and said under Council Comments that "asked about draft" should be inserted on his comment regarding zoning ordinance. Councilmember Castro moved they be approved as noted, and Councilman Border seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.

1. Treasurer’s Report: Cheryl Wolfe, Treasurer, gave the Quarterly Investment Report. As of December 31, 2000, the total value of the certificates of deposit was $312,989.64. CD1 will mature 3/7/01, and CD2 will mature on 6/24/01. These investments are in compliance with the investment policy of Hilshire Village, with relevant provisions of the Texas Government Code, Chapter 2256. For the 3 months ending December 31, 2000 the Utility Fund had revenues of $45,000, with expenses of $7,000, giving a net income of $38,000. Cash account of utility Fund is $57,000. For the General Fund, revenues were $130,000, with expenses of $34,000, giving a net income of $96,000 for the month of December. The year to date actual revenues were $285,000, with expenses of $102,000, giving a net income of $183,000. Assets total $1,427,000, of which $584,000 is non-Metro.

2. Police Report: Detective Gary Finkelman distributed the December Police Report to Council and citizens. There was a total of 62 calls, of which 20 were alarm calls, and the rest miscellaneous. There was a felony theft of a trailer from Sound Arts Recording Studio. There were 4 traffic tickets issued, and 2 arrests.

3. Fire Commissioner: Tom Archer, Fire Commissioner, gave a verbal report. There were two fire calls in December. Hilshire village will get a refund of $2,928.58 for EMS services. During the last quarter, 5 firemen resigned, but they have now hired 3 new members, including 3 paramedics. The firemen leave Village Fire Department because they feel they sometimes may have an opportunity for more advancement with a larger department. The decision in regard to replacing or repainting the "rusting truck" has not been yet made by the Board. If a new truck is purchased at present, there would a trade-in value of $165,000. The cost of a new truck is more than $500,000.

1. Consent Agenda: Mayor Pro-tem Denninger presented the Consent Agenda. It was moved by Councilmember Castro, seconded by Councilman Border that it be approved. Motion carried unanimously.

1. Relocation of Website of Hilshire Village from Rice University to Southwestern Bell: Councilmember Castro reminded Council of previous information given at the November meeting. Mr. Phil Brooks, a Hilshire Village resident who designed and set up the website for Hilshire Village, was present to answer questions. In order to make the change, we would have to register a domain name for $35.00 per year, with a minimum of 2 years. The "domain name" would have to be "hilshirevillage texas" as someone had already registered "hilshire villagetx." The internet provider would be Southwestern Bell. Their setup fee is $50.00, and $25.00 monthly fee afterwards, or a total initial cost of $120.00. Mr. Brooks would set it up. Councilmember Castro made the motion that a website be established with Southwestern Bell and City pay the associated costs therefor for this service and try to get domain name of "hilshirevillagetexas.com" (with Texas spelled out). Mayor Pro-tem Denninger seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously. Mr. Brooks and Councilmember Castro will work on this together. Councilmember Castro questioned receipt of "email" at City office. The "email inbox is checked every day, and has had no messages. The computer program will be examined. Some problem may exist.

2. Striping of Streets: Mayor Pro-tem Denninger asked for discussion. Councilmember Riley believed that it would help at night as striping of sides of streets using a reflective material would be of benefit. Jack Murphy said if it were raining, there would be no reflection due to water covering the stripes. Imbedded reflectors might be more useful. Councilmember Castro said with 20 mile per hour speed limit she saw no need for striping. Striping would last about 2 or 3 years and then need to be re-done. Councilmember Riley made the motion that striping be done on the streets, as we do not have enough lighting. There was no second to the motion, so no action taken.

3. Street Lights: The installation of additional street lights had been addressed several times in previous years. Some homeowners objected to placement of street lights in front of their house. Installation of a certain number of street lights would be provided by HL& P Co at no cost, but there would be a monthly fee of about $15.00 per month for each light thereafter. Councilman Border said that he had requested street lights on the agenda, but he said when he saw Item 5- Evaluation Survey of City Services, he felt that street lights could be addressed on the survey. Councilmember Castro said that maybe 8 to 10 lights could be added to lighten up dark areas. Councilman Border said he would like to see lights all "one" color. Jack Murphy, Engineer for the City, said only sodium lights were being installed by H L & P -- the "yellow ones"- as they were more efficient. Mayor Pro-tem Denninger also pointed out there are other people in the city that did not see the need for more lights, and he was one of them. Councilmember Castro said "we do not want it to look like the Astrodome". Councilman Border said if a survey were done, those results would determine whether additional street lights were desired. No action taken.

(Out of order of Agenda)

5.Authorization for Evaluation of City Services to be placed in Hilshire Village Civic Club newsletter for distribution. Mayor Pro-tem Denninger said his only comment was that if survey were made, then City should take action on citizens’ comments or responses. Councilmember Castro agreed that action should be taken if there is a need. Castro will tabulate the results and give percentages. Additional items may be added. Councilmember Castro made the motion for evaluation survey to be placed in next newsletter, seconded by Councilman Border, and it passed unanimously.

4. Increase in Monthly Rates for Garbage Collection: Century Industries, the present garbage company of Hilshire Village, requested a rate increase due to rising landfill costs and fuel costs. The present contract with Century Industries commenced in September 1998, and will end August 30, 2001, and be renewed automatically for another three years unless terminated by registered letter, etc. prior to June 2001.

Mayor Pro-tem Denninger distributed applicable page of this contract to the Council.

Paragraph IV. Contractor’s Compensation, Section 4.02, states as follows:

"The rates of compensation set forth in Section 4.01 are adjustable only by the City of Hilshire Village except that the City of Hilshire Village shall not decrease the rate during the term of this contract. Upon application by the Contractor showing a necessity therefor, the City of Hilshire Village may increased the rate from time-to-time, but Contractor shall not make application for a rate increase more often than annually and such increase shall in no event exceed four percent (4%) annually,"

It was pointed out that this first request was a 38% increase, whereas agreement limited it to 4% annually. Mayor Pro-tem Denninger moved that increase be granted to Century Industries for 4% only- making total monthly cost per resident of $10.35 instead of $9.95. This motion was seconded by Councilman Border.

Four Councilmembers approved. Councilmember Castro opposed "due to sloppy service", and motion carried.

1. Recreational Vehicle Ordinance- Amendment to Zoning Ordinance. The draft prepared by Olson and Olson, Attorneys for the City, for this amendment to the Zoning Ordinance had been distributed at the previous meeting. Denninger asked if there were any other changes that might be made at the same time, as it would have to be advertised in paper-and have a public hearing. Mr. Murphy said that perhaps the Board of Adjustment might have some comments as a result of some of variances granted. Further inquiries will be made prior to public notice publication.

2. Annexation Research: Mayor Fisher had received literature from Texas Municipal League, but she felt that City Attorney needed to determine feasibility of annexing a small strip of land designated as "County only" at Spring Branch Creek and Pech Road triangle. Mario Dell’Osso, Attorney at Olson & Olson, said Houston had first call, and Spring Valley second (based on population and type of government). He is researching this, and will report later.

F. CITIZENS COMMENTS: David Gunn who is at present building a house at 1237 Ridgeley stated that he had a problem concerning drainage from his property to the ditch in front of his house. His ditch area appeared to be lower than areas adjacent, and needed to know a solution. Mayor Pro-tem Denninger suggested that City Engineer could help him. Murphy said that perhaps we could do something similar to Friarcreek and Westview ROW, i.e. build inlets, with pipe underground for drainage.

G. MAYOR AND COUNCIL COMMENTS: Councilmember Riley asked about sewer back-up on Burkhart. Councilman Kahanek, advised that manhole had been inspected and was full of grease, which in cold weather, solidifies. Four houses on Burkhart drain into manhole at Bravenec’s property. This had been cleaned out and was flowing. He also said perhaps a note could be put in Hilshire Village Newsletter not to put grease in the water system. Councilmember Castro said latest information about Wal-Mart and Church switch was that a request for extension had been made until February 5th for settlement. Mayor Pro-tem Denninger announced that Texas Municipal League was having a Small Cities Seminar in Lake Jackson, Texas, with a deadline of January 23rd for registering. Information is available at City office if Council wished to attend. He also stated that Board of Adjustment would have a public hearing on January 24th.

H. ADJOURNMENT: It was moved by Councilman Border, seconded by Councilmember Riley that meeting be adjourned. Meeting adjourned at 9:10 PM.

ATTEST:

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Claudia Bammel, City Secretary Mayor Pro-tem John Denninger