CITY OF HUNTERS CREEK VILLAGE, TEXAS
MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL MEETING
DECEMBER 20, 2005
The City Council of the City of Hunters Creek Village, Texas convened in regular session at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 20, 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
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. It was noted that Councilmember Peggy Burck was not in attendance.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Public comments were received from:
John Abercrombie regarding the driveway construction at a new residence on Smithdale at Smithdale Ct.
Kenny Duncan, President, U.S. Coin, regarding the current sign regulations were too prohibitive for signage for multi-tenant buildings and requested that Council have the Planning and Zoning Commission review the regulations for possible amendments. A motion was made by Councilmember Shannon with a second by Councilmember Cokinos to forward this request to the Planning and Zoning Commission for their review and recommendation. The motion carried unanimously with Council voting four (4) for and none (0) opposed.
REPORTS
Fire Commissioner. Elwin Peacock reported that the department has added a new dispatch protocol system to standardize dispatch procedures for all dispatchers and all shifts. Tod Dimitry reported on the bid proposals for liability/property/workers’ compensation insurance. An application for reimbursement by FEMA for expenses associated with Hurricane Katrina has been submitted and received approximately $12,000. This was the first claim to be filed in Harris County because Captain Miller’s quick response. Reimbursement for Hurricane Rita is being prepared. The department received $4,000 as a part of the tobacco settlement and will be used to purchase another defibrillator for the Battalion Chief’s vehicle, making all emergency vehicles equipped for cardiac emergencies. Chief Porier visited Beaumont, Biloxi, New Orleans and several smaller cities along the Gulf Coast area affected by the hurricanes to discuss problems for first responders in dealing with hurricanes. These will be reviewed and implemented for upgrading the department’s preparedness for future emergencies. Chief Calagna has outlined requirements for inspections for areas of the plumbing and fire codes. Building officials and contractors should be familiar with these rules as they are enforced by the Fire Department.
Police Commissioner. There was no report presented.
City Treasurer’s Report. Bob Dodson, City Treasurer, reported that the City earned 4.08% on its money market deposits in November and all accounts have been reconciled. A monthly Investment Report will be provided each month as required by GASB. The City began processing payroll through an automated direct deposit service with Wells Fargo on October 31, 2005. This service will enhance management reporting, increase controls and efficiency. Consolidation of bank accounts has been initiated and some accounts will be closed as funds are spent resulting in fewer accounts to reconcile with increased efficiency and higher interest earnings.
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. (1) The Memorial Drive Phase II – Timberwilde project is complete with the exception of the planting of trees which should occur from January to March 2006, awaiting approval by Mr. Don Baker of the type of trees to be planted. (2) Pifer Road bridges are all in with the exception of the retaining and wing walls and they will be installed at the end of the Pifer Road project. The temporary road on Bridgewood will be left open until a solid lane is in placed on Pifer Road. (3) The Pifer Road project the main line trunk placement facility is in place but no inlets have been connected. Relocation of the water line and other utility line adjustments should begin in January 2006. The project is running ahead of schedule and making every effort to get the road started. (4) Memorial Drive Phase III – Doug Williams met with Harris County Flood Control to request funding for a portion of the project, a response is expected sometime in the next 45-60 days. (5) The Piney Point Village Soldier’s Creek project has laid pipe all the way to Greenbay. All lanes are now open at Memorial Dr. and Voss Rd.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Public hearings will be held for the purpose of receiving testimony for and against on each of the following proposals to amend Chapter 14 of the Code of Ordinances, the same being the City’s Zoning Ordinance:
a. Amending Section 19.5 to amend the definition of “height of building” and to amend Sub-Section 6-3 and 7-2 related to height regulations.
Mayor Reichek opened the public hearing for comments. Comments were received from Jim Frankel stating that the height should be measured from the top of slab and above the sanitary sewer man hole per water authority; Ed Holland stated that he did not have a problem with the height as long as it was not a problem for the Fire Department.
Hearing no further comments, the public hearing was closed.
b. Amending Sub-Section 9-2 to establish the required yards and maximum lot coverage for non-conforming lots and to establish the maximum height of buildings located on non-conforming lots.
Mayor Reichek opened the public hearing for comments. Comments were received from Ed Holland stating his concerns in his subdivision would uphold the 40’ front setback line in the deed restriction when new construction has been building at 50’. Jim Frankel stated that 50’ front setback requirements on smaller lots would make it impossible to build. Ken Spalding stated his concerns of the integrity of the subdivision.
Hearing no further comments, the public hearing was closed.
c. Amending Sub-Section 6-5(3) (iv) and (v) to delete regulations requiring the opening of automobile shelters (garages) that face the side line of a lot to be situated or screened so that no part of the opening is visible from the front street in a line of view that forms an angle, measured from any point on the front street line to any point in such opening, that is greater than 45 degrees and such screening providing a solid visual barrier.
Mayor Reichek open the public hearing for comments, hearing none, the public hearing was closed.
d. Amending Sub-Section 6-7i. to permit a fence or wall along or behind the front building line, regardless of where the residence is located on the lot and providing for the type of fencing material allowed.
Mayor Reichek opened the public hearing for comments. Comments were received from Ed Holland, Elwin Peacock and Ken Spalding regarding the allowance of wood as an approved product and solid fences and walls.
Hearing no further comments, the public hearing was closed.
CONSENT AGENDA
Upon a motion made by Councilmember Stark and a second by Councilmember Casper, the Council voted four (4) for and none (0) opposed to approve and adopt the consent agenda as follows:
a. Approval of the Minutes of the November 15, 2005 meeting.
b. Approval of Ordinance No. 654 adopting a Personnel Policy effective January 1, 2006.
c. Approval of expenditures in the amount of $840.00 for the painting of outside shutters at City Hall and $6,451.25 for repairs to street cracks on Kemwood from budgeted accounts.
d. Approval of an Interlocal Cooperation Contract with the Texas Department of Public Safety to participate in a failure to appear program with OmniBase Services as the program administrator for Municipal Court.
e. Approval of a Service Agreement with TrafficPayment.com to provide an online citation payment service for Municipal Court.
f. Approval of a proposal with Municipal Code Corporation to provide document imaging services from funds budgeted in records management for fiscal year 2006.
g. Approval of a Professional Services Proposal with Municipal Code Corporation for the recodification of the city’s ordinances from funds budgeted for codifications in fiscal year 2006.
REGULAR AGENDA
Discussion and possible action to consider Ordinance No. 655 amending the budget for fiscal year 2006 (amendment #2) to provide funds for new carpeting for city hall and recodification of the city’s ordinances.
A motion was made by Councilmember Shannon with a second by Councilmember Casper to approve Ordinance No. 655 as presented. The motion carried unanimously with Council voting four (4) for and none (0) opposed.
Discussion and possible action to consider Ordinance No. 656 amending the budget for fiscal year 2005 (amendment #5) to provide funds for payroll for the remainder of 2005.
A motion was made by Councilmember Cokinos with a second by Councilmember Shannon to approve Ordinance No. 656 as presented. The motion carried unanimously with Council voting four (4) for and none (0) opposed.
Discussion and possible action to consider a proposal from M.E.K. Floors for new carpeting for city hall.
A motion was made by Councilmember Shannon with a second by Councilmember Cokinos to authorize the purchase of new carpeting for city hall based on the best contract price solicited from 3 additional vendors with Councilmember Casper being delegated as the committee to seek additional proposals and authorize the Mayor to sign the purchase order. The motion carried unanimously with Council voting four (4) for and none (0) opposed.
A motion was made by Councilmember Casper with a second by Councilmember Stark to table the following items for further review and additional comments by staff:
Discussion and possible action to consider approval of Ordinance 657 amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Hunters Creek Village, Texas, the same being the Zoning Ordinance of the City, by striking all of Section 19.5 of Chapter 14 thereof and substituting therefor a new Section 19.5; providing a definition for “height of building”; by striking all of Sub-Section 6-3 and substituting therefor a new Sub-Section 6-3; establishing the maximum height of buildings in District R, single family residential district; by striking all of Sub-Section 7-2 thereof and substituting therefor a new Sub-Section 7-2; establishing the maximum height of structures in District B, Business District.
Discussion and possible action to consider approval of Ordinance No. 658 amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Hunters Creek Village, Texas, the same being the Zoning Ordinance of the City, by striking all of Sub-Section 9-2a. of Chapter 14 thereof and substituting therefor a new Sub-Section 9-2a.; establishing the minimum required yards and maximum lot coverage for nonconforming lots and the maximum height of buildings located on nonconforming lots.
Discussion and possible action to consider approval of Ordinance No. 660 amending Chapter 14 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Hunters Creek Village, Texas, the same being the Zoning Ordinance of the City, by striking all of Sub-Section 6-7i and substituting therefor a new Sub-Section 6-7i; permitting the construction of a fence or wall along or behind the front building line, regardless of where the residence is located on the lot.
The motion carried unanimously with Council voting four (4) for and none (0) opposed.
Discussion and possible action to consider approval of Ordinance No. 659 amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Hunters Creek Village, Texas, the same being the Zoning Ordinance of the City, by striking all of Sub-Section 6-5 (3)(iv) and Sub-Section 6-5 (3)(v) of Chapter 14 thereof related to the screening of the opening of automobile shelters (garages) that face a side lot line.
A motion was made by Councilmember Stark with a second by Councilmember Casper to approve Ordinance No. 659 as presented. The motion carried unanimously with Council voting four (4) for and none (0) opposed.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
A Closed Meeting was convened in accordance with the authority contained in Section 551.074 of the Texas Government Code to discuss personnel matters relating to the duties, responsibilities, and compensation of the Building Official and Public Works Maintenance Workers. The Closed Meeting convened at 9:20 p.m. and adjourned at 10:15 p.m.
Council reconvened in Open Meeting.
ADJOURN OPEN MEETING
A motion was made by Councilmember Casper with a second by Councilmember Stark to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 10:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Deborah L. Loesch, TRMC
City Secretary
These minutes approved on the 17th day of January , 2006.
Ordinance Nos. 654, 655, 656, and 659 are on file in the City Secretary’s office and are made a part of these minutes by reference.