REGULAR MEETING MAY 15, 2001

A. CALL TO ORDER: The regular meeting of the City of Hilshire Village was called to order by Mayor Jane Fisher on May 15, 2001 at 7:30 PM at 1003 Wirt Road, Suite 103, Houston, Texas. Invocation was given by Jane Fisher. Present were Mayor Pro-tem John Denninger, Councilmembers Connie Castro, Vernon Kahanek and Robin Border. Councilmember Jerry Riley was absent.

RESOLUTION 2001-5-15 -GRATITUDE AND APPRECIATION TO JERRY RILEY FOR SERVICE AS COUNCIL MEMBER: Mayor Fisher presented the Resolution to Council, and it was approved unanimously.

Oath of Office Mayor Fisher then swore in the newly elected candidates: Ershel C. Redd, Jr. as Mayor for one year unexpired term, and Councilmembers John Denninger, Vernon Kahanek and Vickie Tucker for full term. She then turned the meeting over to Mayor Redd.

Mayor Redd presented the previously distributed minutes of the regular Meeting of April 17, 2001 and the Special Meeting of May 8, 2001. Councilman Border moved that the minutes of both meetings be approved, and it was seconded by Councilmember Castro, and it was approved unanimously.

B. REPORTS TO COUNCIL

1. Police : Detective Gary Finkelman distributed the April 2001 report to Council and citizens. There were 56 calls. Nineteen alarm calls were made, and two traffic citations issued. He again reminded residents to keep their garage doors closed, and said that soon families would be going on vacation and to call Spring Valley Police Department for their vacation watch. Finkelman will verify if additional "20 MPH signs" are available so they may be posted on additional streets.

2. Treasurer’s Report : Cheryl Wolfe, Treasurer, gave the April 2001 report for the General Fund. Revenues were $23,000 with expenses of $33,000, giving a net loss of $10,000. Year to date revenues were $505,000 with expenses of $282,000, giving a net income of $223,000. Total assets were $1,500,000, of which $789,000 is Metro monies The April 2001 Utility Fund revenues were $35,000 with expenses of $26,000, giving a net income of $9,000. Year to date revenues were $111,000, with $93,000 in expenses giving a net income of $18,000. Cash on hand was $63,000.

3. Fire Commissioner: Tom Archer, Fire Commissioner, was present, but reports will be presented by Commissioners of the Village Fire Department later in this meeting.

1. Consent Agenda: Mayor Redd presented the Consent Agenda. It was moved by Councilman Border, seconded by Councilman Kahanek , and it passed 5-0.

1. Approval of Intra-Budgetary Transfers and final approval of the Village Fire Department (Audit Draft): The Council had previously received copies of the intra-budgetary transfers based on the 2000 Audit draft. The refund will be forwarded upon the approval of the cities and the final approval of the 2000 audit. Mayor Pro-tem John Denninger moved that transfer be approved as submitted, with Councilman Border seconding the motion and it passed 5-0.

2. Donation to Villages Independence Festival: The annual Villages Independence Festival will be held on July 4th, a Wednesday. A film showing the attendance, parade, and activities of the 2000 celebration will be shown later in this meeting. Each city is asked to contribute toward the costs of the free barbecue, games, etc. Councilmember Vicki Tucker observed that Hilshire Village had less participation in the Parade, after it was decided that the Villages have a common July 4th celebration, as it is difficult for families with children to prepare for parade and drive over to starting point, and suggested that perhaps Hilshire Village could have a parade in Hilshire Village proper, and then families could still participate in the barbecue, hot dogs, etc and the games at the Villages Festival afterwards. Councilmember Castro said the $500.00 contribution made by Hilshire Village each year would go toward costs of the free barbecue and games and moved that the donation be made. Councilman Border seconded the motion, and it passed 5-0.

3. Donation to Friends of Library at Harris County Library on Corbindale: The $250 contribution made each year by Hilshire Village to the Corbindale Branch was to help in purchase of books, etc. as this is the only library close by that Villagers may use without charge. It was moved by Councilman Kahanek, seconded by Mayor Pro-tem Denninger that donation be made, and it passed 5-0.

4. Authorize City Engineer to furnish a Preliminary Engineering Report for Street Drainage Alternatives at 1100 and 1200 blocks Ridgeley Drive: Jack Murphy, Engineer for the City, was not present, but the owners of the property at 1237 Ridgeley had requested a solution for their problem in the drainage of the their new house now under construction. The property was situated in a high place, and drainage of the property was a concern. In addition, another owner had a similar problem. Mayor Pro-tem Denninger made the motion that Jack Murphy be authorized to prepare a preliminary report to determine a solution, not to exceed $500 cost. This motion was seconded by Councilmember Castro, and it passed 5-0.

While waiting for the Village Fire Department officials (who were appearing at Bunker Hill Council meeting for presentation this same night) the Council viewed the Villages Independent Festival film, furnished by Bob Sommer, Committee Member of the Festival for Hilshire Village.

1. Village Fire Department Budget for 2002: Tom Archer, Fire Commissioner for Hilshire Village, and David Labbe’, Alternate Member, presented Henry Kollenberg, Alternate Commissioner for Piney Point, Hedwig Village Fire Commissioner Michael Puig and Dr. Craig Wasserman, an outside consultant of Katz/Wasserman. The Council had previously been given copies of the proposed 2002 budget, with the various changes and recommendations of the Fire Commissioners.The proposal would boost salaries. The visiting fire commissioners presented Council with additional graphs, breakdowns, and financial surveys indicating the changes that they thought should be made to prevent so many recently hired firemen to seek employment elsewhere. Last year, the across the board raise was considered to be a stop-gap or a "Band-Aid" till further determinations were made. Mayor Redd said that many times it was the amenities that held employees rather than the wages. He suggested that the right amenities were like "golden handcuffs". Budget workshops for the Fire Department will commence soon and Council should input their suggestions to the Fire Commissioners. For additional information, the Commissioners suggested that the website of the Village Fire Department be accessed at " villagefiredept.com" .

F. CITIZENS COMMENTS: Cheryl Wolfe(1314 Pine Chase Drive) said that the Hilshire Village Parade needed to be scheduled at a different time so that volunteers would be able to serve at the Independence Festival. Councilmember Vickie Tucker agreed to be in charge of the Hilshire Village Parade, and the Hilshire Village Civic Club will sponsor it. Councilman Kahanek read a letter from

Virginia Roeder (8111 Bromley Drive) wherein she was complaining about "tent-like" structure at 1228 Ridgeley. This complaint will be turned over to the Building Inspector for investigation of zoning violations. Report will be made at a later date.

G.. MAYOR AND COUNCIL COMMENTS: Councilmember Tucker requested the City pay for air conditioning at Council meetings during the summer months, as was done last year. The building management company will be so notified. Mayor Redd was curious about when a "specific use permit" if any that had been granted to Im’s Service Center at 1215 Wirt Road. There appeared to be oil spillage and perhaps the EPA would have to be notified. Research will be done and a report made later.

H. ADJOURNMENT: It was moved by Mayor Pro-tem Denninger, seconded by Councilman Border that meeting be adjourned. Meeting adjourned at 9:15 PM.

ATTEST: ________________________________

ERSHEL C. REDD, JR, Mayor

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CLAUDIA BAMMEL, City Secretary