CITY OF HUNTERS CREEK VILLAGE, TEXAS

MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL MEETING

JANUARY 17, 2006 

The City Council of the City of Hunters Creek Village, Texas convened in regular session at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 17, 2006, at City Hall, #1 Hunters Creek Place, Hunters Creek Village, Texas. 

Present:         Mayor                         Steve Reichek

                        Council Members:   Michael Cokinos

Peggy Burck

                                                            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 Mayor Pro Tem George Shannon was not in attendance. 

PUBLIC COMMENTS 

No public comments were received. 

REPORTS 

Fire Commissioner.  Elwin Peacock reported that the department was loosing one of their qualified inspectors to the City of Pearland.  Pearland has hired several employees of the department over the years.  The salary review committee is continuing their study comparing with the cities of Houston, West University and Bellaire departments.  EMS billings were approximately $70,500 for the last quarter of 2005, with the approximate annual income of $256,000 resulting in about a $26,000 increase over the previous year.  Hunters Creek will be receiving a check for $15,500 for the last quarter receipts.  Tod Dimitry is providing a suggested form for identifying streets where trees, shrubs, and other obstructions may prevent proper access by emergency vehicles for fire and EMS calls.  The department is reviewing these situations and will report these findings to each of the villages. 

Police Commissioner.  Police Chief Gary Brye reported on the activities of the Police Department for the month.  The department refunded to each of the villages $39,000 from the balance in the building account for the new facility.  Chief Brye informed the Council on the status of recent burglaries in the area and that there has been some identification that the suspects in the cases are involved in cases in other areas in the county.  There are plans to place a mobile radar trailer through out the villages.  The mini-substation is ready to come on line any day now. 

City Treasurer’s Report.  Bob Dodson, City Treasurer, reported that the City earned 4.27% on its money market deposits in December and all accounts have been reconciled.  The banking services contract with Wells Fargo is being negotiated to change some of the language in the contract documents.  A consensus has been reached between legal counsel for the city and the bank and should be ready bring the final version before council at next month’s meeting for approval. 

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, the shrubs have been ordered and are ready for planting in the next 2-3 weeks  (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.  Discussions are continuing with the Memorial Villages Water Authority to replace a 6” water line in the Bridgewood area from Pifer Road to Hunters Park.  (3) The water line relocation has been approved on the Pifer Road project with approval of the change order by council.  The storm sewer construction is complete with paving scheduled to start in several weeks.  Expecting completion sometime in April.  (4)  Memorial Drive Phase III – waiting on Memorial Villages Water Authority’s comments and execution on the plans and requesting their participation in the project for new water lines.  Doug Williams explained that Harris County Flood Control District is looking at all projects being bid and should have a draft agreement in place soon.  (5)  The Piney Point Village Soldier’s Creek project has laid pipe all the way to Greenbay.   

CONSENT AGENDA 

Upon a motion made by Councilmember Casper and a second by Councilmember Cokinos, 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 December 19, 2005 and December 20, 2005 meetings.

b.         Approval of the reappointment of Harley C. Robinson as a Board Member of The Subsidence District for a two year term.

c.         Approval of Resolution No. 06-01 authorizing the Mayor to execute a Letter Agreement by and between the City and Doug O. Williams Consulting for research and evaluation services relating to drainage improvement projects in the City and to assist the Building Official in matters pertaining to building permits, inspections, building code, and zoning issues.

e.         Approval of Change Order #1 with C. E. Barker for water line relocation on Pifer Road in an amount not to exceed $90,000 and upsizing the storm sewer pipes and appurtenances from 36” to 42” on Piper Way in an amount not to exceed $10,000. 

REGULAR AGENDA

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”; adding to Section 19 a definition of finished floor elevation; 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.

            A motion was made by Councilmember Burck with a second by Councilmember Casper to table the item.  The motion carried unanimously with Council voting four (4) for and none (0) opposed.

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.

            A motion was made by Councilmember Stark with a second by Councilmember Burck to table the item.  The motion carried unanimously with Council voting four (4) for and none (0) opposed.

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.

            A motion was made by Councilmember Stark with a second by Councilmember Burck to approve Ordinance No. 660.    The motion carried unanimously with Council voting four (4) for and none (0) opposed.

Discussion and possible action to consider submitting to the Planning and Zoning Commission, for its report and recommendation, proposed amendments to the zoning ordinance regarding: (i.) revising Section 19.1 the definition of accessory structures; (ii.) deleting Sub-Section 6-4 a (4) (b) allowing for one lot in a new subdivision to be less than 22,500 sq. ft. in area but no less than 20,000 sq. ft. in area; and (iii.) revising Sub-Section 6-7 b. to remove the term setback in the text on fences and walls.

            A motion was made by Councilmember Burck with a second by Councilmember Stark to submit the above proposed amendments to the Planning and Zoning Commission for their report and recommendation.  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 Public Works Maintenance employees.  The Closed Meeting convened at 8:40 p.m. and adjourned at 8:55 p.m.

Council reconvened in Open Meeting.

ADJOURN OPEN MEETING

A motion was made by Councilmember Casper with a second by Councilmember Cokinos to adjourn the meeting.  The motion carried with Councilmembers Burck, Casper and Cokinos (3) voting for and one (1) voting nay (Councilmember Stark).  The meeting was adjourned at 8:55 p.m. 

Respectfully submitted,

Deborah L. Loesch, TRMC

City Secretary

These minutes approved on the   21st     day of               February      , 2006. 

Ordinance No. 660 and Resolution No. 06-01  are on file in the City Secretary’s office and are made a part of these minutes by reference.