CITY OF HUNTERS CREEK VILLAGE, TEXAS

MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL MEETING

OCTOBER 18, 2005 

The City Council of the City of Hunters Creek Village, Texas convened in regular session at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 18, 2005, at City Hall, #1 Hunters Creek Place, Hunters Creek Village, Texas. 

Present:         Mayor                         Steve Reichek

                        Council Members:   George Shannon, Mayor Pro Tem

Michael Cokinos

                                                            Art Casper

                                                            Roger Stark

                                                            Peggy Burck

City Secretary:          Deborah Loesch

City Attorney:            Cheryl Wilson                                                                       

With a quorum of the Council Members present, Mayor Reichek called the session to order at 7:30 p.m.  

PUBLIC COMMENTS 

Public comments were received from Lee Hamel, 605 Lindenwood, regarding the enforcement of subdivision deed restrictions; Ed Holland, 314 Shasta Dr, regarding subdivision replatting; and Lou Harpold, attorney, regarding deed restrictions and platting requirements.  All comments were reserved and allowed during the discussion of item on the regular agenda. 

REPORTS 

Fire Commissioner.  Tod Dimity, Deputy Commissioner, reported that the current expenditures were still running 4% under budget.  They are continuing to work on the by-laws, salary comparisons, and liability insurance coverage.  Hurricanes Katrina and Rita responses produced an additional $12,000 in expenses for overtime for emergency personnel.  Revenues from ambulance services billing year-to-date at $185,000 with Hunters Creek Village to receive their portion of about $13,000.   It has been suggested that a central location to deposit debris should be selected so that any assessment of damages for reimbursement can be easily recorded.  Also suggested that the city contract with a company for emergency cleanup and have them in place prior to any emergency situation, and then it will be easier to receive reimbursement from FEMA. 

Police Commissioner.  Benny Hruzek reported on the Police Department’s response during Hurricane Rita.  The substation building at the Houston Racquet Club is completed and is waiting a certificate of occupancy and ADA certification from the city.  The alarm system called Rapid Notification System (RNS) is being tested through the internet directly to the Police Department was well as the alarm company.  The test response was within 22 seconds.   

City Treasurer’s Report.  Bob Dodson reported that the depository contract with Wells Fargo had not been completed at this time.  Null-Lairson has presented a proposed engagement letter for the 2005 audit at a cost not to exceed $11,000, substantially the same as last year’s agreement and recommends council’s approval to accept the proposal.  During mid year 2006 solicitation for audit services for up to 5 years will be submitted. 

City Engineer’s Report.  Bobby Deden, City Engineer and Doug Williams, consultant for the City, reported on the status of various on-going capital projects.   The Memorial Drive Phase II – Timberwilde project is complete with the exception of the planting of trees.  Pifer Road bridges are about complete waiting on the contractor on the Pifer Road project to install a drainage box.  Pifer Road project is finishing the sanitary sewer and temporary road and should begin laying the storm water lines on schedule.  Memorial Drive Phase III design plans are complete for an estimated project cost of $3.2 million and ready to bid the project.  The Piney Point Village Soldier’s Creek project has completed the tunnel under Voss Road, turn lanes are now open on Voss Road and within two weeks turn lanes on Memorial should be open.  Additional police have been controlling the signal boxes during rush hours.  Councilmember Cokinos requested to see a time line for the Piney Point Village project.  In addition, it was noted that an annual maintenance contract needs to be in place for maintenance on Soldiers Creek. 

CONSENT AGENDA 

Upon a motion made by Councilmember Shannon and a second by Councilmember Cokinos, the Council voted five (5) for and none (0) opposed to approve and adopt the consent agenda as follows: 

a.                  Approval of the Minutes of the September 20, 2005, September 23, 2005, September 28, 2005, and October 10, 2005 meetings.

b.                  Approval to declare the old maintenance dump trailer as surplus and authorize the mayor to dispose by sale at public auction.

c.                  Approval of an engagement letter with Null Lairson for auditing services for fiscal year ending December 31, 2005 at a cost not to exceed $11,000.

d.                  Approval authorizing the solicitation of bids for the Memorial Drive Phase III (Kuhlman to Creekside) Drainage Improvement Project. 

REGULAR AGENDA 

Discussion and possible action to consider continuing the billing by the city for subdivision street lighting. 

A motion was made by Councilmember Burck with a second by Councilmember Stark to table the item to the next meeting to allow the city secretary to check the contract price with TXU Energy and HGAC for the bulk pricing.  The motion carried with Council voting five (5) for and none (0) opposed. 

Discussion and possible action to consider a request from the Planning and Zoning Commission to request a legal opinion from the city attorney to clarify the process for the review of plats under the subdivision regulations and the authority of the city to enforce subdivision deed restrictions. 

            A Closed Meeting was convened in accordance with the authority contained in Section 551.071 of the Texas Government Code, to consult with the City Attorney, at 9:35 p.m. and reconvened in open session at 10:20 p.m. 

A motion was made by Councilmember Shannon with a second by Councilmember Casper to not request a written legal opinion from the city attorney and direct the city secretary to include on the next Planning and Zoning Commission agenda a work session with the city attorney to address the scope of their authority and how such meetings should be conducted.  The motion carried with Council voting five (5) for and none (0) opposed.

ADJOURN OPEN MEETING

A motion was made by Councilmember Stark with a second by Councilmember Burck to adjourn the meeting.  The motion carried unanimously.  The meeting was adjourned at 10:22 p.m. 

Respectfully submitted, 

Deborah L. Loesch, TRMC

City Secretary 

These minutes approved on the 15th day of November, 2005.