MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL MEETING – JUNE 21, 2005
The Council of the City of Hunters Creek Village, Texas, met in regular session on Tuesday, June 21, 2005 at the city office with the following members present:
Mayor Stephen Reichek
Council Members: Art Casper
Michael Cokinos
George Shannon
Peggy Burck
Roger Stark was absent. Mayor Reichek called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m.
Councilwoman Burck moved to approve the minutes of the Council Meetings of May 17, 2005 and June 9, 2005; Councilman Casper seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Metro Board representatives, Louis Richman and Jimmy Stewart, distributed a package detailing plans for the future of transportation in Houston, known as Metro Solutions. Congressional Representatives Tom DeLay and John Culberson have been instrumental in helping secure $1Billion in Federal grants to fund this program. Bus Rapid Transit will be launched initially and reverted to rail later. This means more transit could be provided for less money. Light rail along Mains street has outpaced the anticipation of ridership carrying 37,000 passengers per day. Mayor Reichek praised our representatives for the work they have done to bring Metro to this point.
The 2006 budget for the department has been completed, approved by the Commission and circulated to the Council for approval. It is essentially a “flat” budget with 12 ½% of the 12.79%increase in the budget going for salaries. Hunters Creek’s share will be $1M for 2006. Councilman Shannon moved to approve the 2006 budget for the Village Fire Department in the amount of $4,496,199 as requested by the Commission in the letter of June 14, 2005. Councilman Casper seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Mr. Deden said the Timberwilde project is nearly finished with just a few “clean-up” jobs to do. The first bridge on Pifer is completely out and traffic detoured around through Hunters Park. It will take approximately 3-4 weeks to finish and then the second bridge on Bridgewood will be started.
The Finance Committee met before the awarding of the bid for Pifer Road and determined the cash flow and the audit. Null-Lairson presented the draft of the 2004 audit at the last meeting, and after receiving and reviewing the final draft, the Committee recommended the Council accept it as presented. Councilman Cokinos moved to approve and accept the Audit for the year 2004; Councilman Casper seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
APPROVAL OF BUILDING OFFICIAL
Councilwoman Burck moved to hire Edwin Mergele as the Building Official for the City of Hunters Creek Village; Councilman Casper seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Mr. Mergele is scheduled to begin July 18, 2005.
VILLAGES GREENSCAPE COMMITTEE
Terri Thomas and Olive Hughes, members of the Villages Greenscape Committee were present to request of Council a commitment of funds for the services of an architect to design master plan for landscaping for I-10. A preliminary estimate of the cost of such services is $15,000. With five villages participating, that would be $3,000 each. Discussion of the placement of the planting, of the reason for a decision now, of the need to solicit services of several firms, and the uncertainty of the other villages agreeing to participate. Councilman Casper suggested a committee be formed of one member of each City Council and one member of the committee for the purpose of coordinating these issues. After further discussion, Councilman Shannon moved to approve up to $3,000 to develop a master plan, contingent upon the approval of the other villages entering into it and further, contingent upon the satisfactory legal procedures being followed. Councilman Cokinos seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Participation was also requested for the Arbor Day Celebration that hopefully will become an annual event. Councilman Shannon moved to approve participation in the Arbor Day Celebration including printing flyers to be sent to citizens in January, 2006 and further including the cost of mailing the flyers. Councilman Casper seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Councilwoman Burck moved to table Item #c. under this report; Councilman Casper seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
DISCUSSION OF DOG CONTROL ORDINANCES
Approximately 22 people attended this meeting in order to express their opinions about the control of animals disturbing citizens. The city has ordinances on the books addressing noise and nuisances, barking and running loose. There is opposition to limiting the number of dogs. The proper resolution of these complaints including odors seemed to be for neighbors to attempt a reconciliation that is satisfactory to all concerned.
HOUSTON RACQUET CLUB/HUFF & MITCHELL AGREEMENT
The Houston Racquet Club has entered into an agreement with Huff and Mitchell, contractor for the Piney Point Soldiers Creek Relief Project, to allow them to store equipment on the site during construction of this project. The agreement is contingent upon Hunters Creek Council approving it. With many questions unanswered and no one present from either party to answer them, no action was required.
AMENDMENT #2 TO CITY’S 2005 BUDGET
Councilwoman Burck moved to approve the ordinance adopting Amendment #2 to the 2005 Budget for the City of hunters Creek Village; Councilman Casper seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Mayor Reichek announced at 9:50 p.m. that the Council would retire into executive session.
Upon re-convening in open session, Councilman Shannon moved to authorize legal counsel to send a letter to Mickey Hutton to confirm that the City has considered his letter and has not changed its opinion written in a letter of February, 2005. Councilman Cokinos seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
There being no other business, the meeting was adjourned at 10:40 p.m.
_____________________________
Stephen L. Reichek, Mayor
ATTEST:
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Deborah L. Loesch
City Secretary