A. CALL TO ORDER: The regular meeting of the City of Hilshire Village was called to order by Acting Mayor Connie Castro, Councilwoman, at 7:30 PM at 1003 Wirt Road, Suite 103, Houston, Texas. Present were Councilmembers Vickie Tucker, Vernon Kahanek and Robin Border. Absent were Mayor Ershel Redd, Jr. and Mayor Pro-tem John Denninger. Invocation was given by Connie Castro.

Acting Mayor Castro presented the previously distributed minutes of the Regular Meeting of June 18, 2002. It was moved by Councilman Border, seconded by Councilman Kahanek that minutes be approved, and motion passed unanimously.

B. REPORTS TO COUNCIL

1. Police: Detective Gary Finkelman distributed the June 2002 Police Report to Council and citizens. There were 50 calls for service, including 16 alarm calls. There were two burglaries of motor vehicles. One burglary was a purse stolen from a car at Holy Cross Church, and the other the theft of a cell phone from a car at Hilshire Building garage.

2. Treasurer: Brian Henault, Treasurer, distributed his Financial Reports to Council for June 2002. In the General Fund, June revenues were $10,000 and expenses of $45,000, with a net loss of $35,000. Year to date revenues were $520,000 and expenses of $330,000, with a net profit of $190,000. The June 2002 Utility Fund reflects revenues of $45,800, with expenses of $17,200, giving a net income of $28,600. Year to date revenues were $166,000. and expenses of $111,000 giving a net income of $55,000.

Mr. Henault also distributed his Quarterly Investment Report. His report indicates certificates of deposit totaling $594,913.00 with the General Fund, a $25,000 time deposit from the Utility Fund, and another time deposit of $100,000 from Metro 2 Fund.

3. Fire Commissioner: Tom Archer, Fire Commissioner, distributed his written report to Council. Hilshire Village had two calls in June- an unconscious party and a sick call. VFD is currently approximately 1.25% under budget, but although this is June report, 67.91% of annual budget for health insurance has been used. Strategic funds have been audited and continue to earn 6% interest at Compass Bank. Discussion regarding change in electric from Reliant Energy (HL&P) to Utility Choice Electric was tabled till next meeting. Village Fire Department currently has 8 holidays per year. Other cities have 10 to 12. Two additional days were added for the VFD. Castro stated there seemed to be a discrepancy in number of calls made to other Villages for May and June, and asked that figures be corrected.

1. Consent Agenda: Acting Mayor Castro presented the Consent Agenda for approval. It was moved by Councilman Border, seconded by Councilmember Tucker that it be approved, and it passed unanimously.

1. A Proclamation of the City of Hilshire Village for National Night Out Program to be held on Tuesday, August 6, 2002 at 6:30 PM: The proclamation for the 19th National Night Out was read by Castro. The event promotes cooperation between police and community and neighbors. The event will start at 6:30 PM and end at 8:00 PM. Friarcreek Lane and Pine Chase Grove Streets will be partially closed temporarily for this occasion. Councilmember Tucker moved that proclamation be approved with correction of date in first paragraph. It was seconded by Councilman Kahanek, and motion passed unanimously.

Acting Mayor Castro presented the previously distributed resolution and read it for the benefit of citizens attending, including the names of the participants. Councilmember Tucker wished to add the names of the Parade Participants, and made the motion that resolution be approved with said addition. This motion was seconded by Castro, and it passed unanimously.

3. Request from Richard McAvey, 1206 Glourie, for letter of clarification and indemnity from City of Hilshire Village for work done in utility easement: At the June 18th Council meeting, Mr. McAvey had gotten a letter from a neighbor across the street. A plumbing contractor had to tap into the water line (located across the street) to install a new meter, and the neighbor’s letter stated that he was going to hold Mr. McAvey responsible for any damage to his property. Mr. McAvey presented the following three requests to Council to act upon:

"1.A letter from the City Engineer and Inspector that the installation for my property was done fully according to City guidelines in a normal and routine way.

3. Since residents must do "their own work" in City easements, that the Council consider actions to protect residents from liability claims".

Jack Murphy, P.E., Engineer for the City, said that work was done in the city right-of-way ( the utility easement) and it was a normal procedure, depending on the location of the lines. The contractor’s insurance could have the City of Hilshire Village as "additional insured". The permit for the new water meter had been issued to a contractor approved by City of Houston to work on fire hydrants and water lines.

Councilmember Tucker had prepared a letter that she thought should be sent to the neighbor, informing him that the excavation was located in the City right of way and completely approved by official inspectors..

Councilman Border made a motion that three items be sent to the City Attorney for his review and advice and to see if our procedures in place protect the City adequately, as follows: (1) Letter from A. L. Dent III, of 1200 Pine Chase Drive (2) Copy of McAvey’s requests and (3) Copy of letter that City could send to Dent. This motion was seconded by Councilman Kahanek and motion passed unanimously.

5. Pine Creek Lane at Westview Property Purchase for City (Robin Border, Councilman):No action-tabled.

6. Revision to Recreational Vehicle Ordinance (Vickie Tucker, Councilmember): Councilmember Tucker had submitted suggested changes to Chapter 12, Article 40.04 Parking of Recreational Vehicles, Trailers, Boats and Utility Trailers. She wished to add in paragraph 40.04.04. "If a recreational vehicle, trailer, boat or utility trailer is taller than seven feet, it shall be stored off site." She also wished to have "grandfather clause" added to ordinance. Motion was made by Councilman Border, seconded by Councilman Kahanek that suggested change be sent to Mario Dell’Osso, Attorney, for his review and advice, and motion passed unanimously.

7.Revision to Tree Ordinance:Councilmember Tucker had previously distributed her suggested changes to Tree Ordinance (431-10/18/94) to "tighten" requirements before trees are cut down for new construction. She reviewed the items she felt needed changes. Wherever "building permit" was mentioned, add "demolition permit". Add that no trees were to be planted in the City right-of-way. In the Certificate of Compliance, Certification No. 1 add (c) Every tree removed greater than 8 inches shall be replaced with a viable tree which is no less than three inches in diameter measured at 6 inches above grade. Add a signature line for approval of Building Official in all certifications 1,2 and 3. Councilmember Tucker then made motion that City Attorney be sent these recommended changes for his preparation of amended ordinance. Councilman Border seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

1. Municipal Complaint Status of Im’s Service Center: Jack Murphy, as Building Official, had signed complaint against Im’s and was to have gone to Municipal Court on Wednesday, July 17th, but he received a phone call this afternoon (the 16th) from City Attorney. Case has been re-set due to attorney for Im being called to jury duty. Court date is not known at present.

2. Update on Current Projects ( Jack Murphy, P.E. Engineer for the City): The 54" water tie-in to Houston is connected, and he asked Council about water pressure. They reported no change. Mr. Kahanek told Mr. Murphy about a "Blow-out" on Westview that occurred recently that might have caused Houston to close some valves. Murphy will verify with Houston about valves being open. It should be noted that ONLY City of Houston waterworks operator can turn valves in Houston, and ONLY Mr. Kahanek can turn valves in Hilshire Village.

The ditch drainage contract has started. They are doing rough cuts now. They have not cleaned out any culverts yet, but will do so. The contractor will re-check, and then lay sod to "grade". The design for the three culverts for Ridgeley (approved sometime ago) had to be re-designed at one point, and will be ready for presentation soon. Erosion at Friarcreek that had been reported by a resident was examined by Murphy, Kahanek and Border and they could see no erosion at present, nor did they see street damage.

Councilmember Tucker said the City needed to repair culvert at 1206 Glourie, and that culverts should be examined from 1226 Glourie to 1206 Glourie, as some appeared to be damaged.

Jean Bravanec (8010 Burkhart) distributed a 4 page letter, with 2 maps, outlining problems of drainage that she felt should be addressed to the Council and to Jack Murphy, Engineer. She believes that many culverts are improperly placed, or too small, for proper drainage. She feels additional work should be done at Burkhart and Glourie. Some of the problems she brought up had been examined sometime ago and Council is in process of correcting some of these problems.

She was concerned about property at 8014 Burkhart that has a natural ravine that is being washed away by the large amount of rain water running through it, and offered her solutions. Murphy reminded Council that the ravine was on private property. She is also concerned about the mosquito problem. She thanked the Council for their listening and appreciated their serving the City .

G. MAYOR AND COUNCIL COMMENTS: None

H. ADJOURNMENT: It was moved by Councilman Border, seconded by Councilmember Tucker that meeting be adjourned. Meeting adjourned at 9:45 PM.

ATTEST:

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Connie Castro, Acting Mayor

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Claudia Bammel, City Secretary