CITY OF HUNTERS CREEK VILLAGE, TEXAS
MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL MEETING
APRIL 18, 2006
The City Council of the City of Hunters Creek Village, Texas convened in regular session at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 18, 2006, 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
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. It was noted that Councilmember Roger Stark was not in attendance.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Public comments were received from:
Joseph Colangelo, 8311 Cheshire Vale, regarding I-10 service road and noise pollution being a problem causing health and safety issues to the Inverness subdivision. He reported that TxDot has agreed to place a 16’ wall between the commercial properties and the residential properties to reduce the noise from the freeway. In addition, he has requested that access to Hickory Hollow from the service road be closed, if not, at least place a dead end sign or no outlet sign at entrance, drainage problems where the pipes are undersized, remove the asphalt from the street – too many potholes, and additional street lighting in the area because of potential crime area. He also reported that there is significant eroding in Briar Branch Creek.
Donald Warren, #2 Soldier’s Creek Circle, concerned that an adjacent property owner has installed a basketball goal in violation of the City’s zoning ordinance.
Sharon Durr, 10903 Bridgewood, the Pifer Road issue has created a communication priority and what is that preferred communication with the members of Council and residents, suggested appointing a project sponsor from the subdivision when a construction project has begun, hiring an urban designer, and updating the City’s web site.
A resident from Hunters Creek Drive stated that in previous meetings residents were opposed to the street access closure of Hickory Hollow because that would leave only one entrance into the subdivision.
REPORTS
Fire Commissioner. Elwin Peacock reported that a representative from the Texas Municipal Retirement System is reviewing the current retirement program for the department. The financial statement reflects that expenditures are 2% under budget for the end of March. The department responded to a SWAT Team situation in Spring Valley. Budget preparation is being worked on and will be presented to the Mayors in a work session on May 4th. Expenses are increased due to additional equipment need to be purchased and would avoid a budget increase if funds from EMS billing revenues could be utilized in the vehicle purchases.
Police Commissioner. Benny Hruzek reported that we have had no burglary activity; however, the department has been working with the City of Houston on some church burglaries. They have been looking into installing red light cameras in the area, but are waiting on the outcome of the case with the City of Houston before making in final recommendations. Recently brought in a mobile radar unit on Voss Road, suggested that the City might be interested in purchasing a permanent unit to place on a pole on Voss Road, at a cost of less than $2,000. The commission is concerned with rising insurance costs and has asked the Insurance Coop to look at other ways to control costs. He invited any councilmember to attend the open meetings seminar later in the month.
City Treasurer’s Report. Bob Dodson, City Treasurer, reported that the City has received on an average of 4.65% in interest on money market accounts. He has interviewed two contractors to audit the sales tax revenue collection process due to concern that sales taxes paid to the state by businesses within Hunters Creek may be misdirected to the City of Houston or other jurisdictions. The service would be providing on a fee for performance basis with no net expense being incurred by the City. He is currently checking references and will have a recommendation at the May Council meeting. The 2005 audit has concluded and staff is awaiting a copy of the draft for review.
Assistant to the Mayor and Council. Doug Williams, consultant to the Mayor and Council, reported that Paul Addington, as Maintenance Supervisor and Building Official, is back to working his normal hours with Mark Kosmoski reviewing new and major building plans when needed.
City Engineer’s Report. Bobby Deden, City Engineer, reported:
(1) SBC construction at Memorial and Voss Road intersection will be redesigning the traffic flow through the intersection and there will be a no left turn from Voss Road onto Memorial which could last about 3 weeks. Doug Williams commented that the right-of-way ordinance should be reviewed to see if the regulations for working in the public rights-of-way were restrictive enough.
(2) Piney Point Village’s Soldier’s Creek Relief Project – completed east of Voss Road, the Metro bus shelter has been relocated to its original location, completed restriping, and drainage and streets have been restored to original condition. Memorial at Greenbay should be completed in the next 6 weeks.
(3) Pifer Road water line connection will be complete with the last connection at Cape Cod. There was a major gas line break for which Entex takes full responsibility because they were unaware that the line was there. Two inlets have been relocated at the end of the south line and ready to begin paving work. The temporary road at Hunters Park will remain open until Pifer Road is finished.
(4) Memorial Drive Phase 3 and 4. Bids were withdrawn and none were received.
PUBLIC HEARINGS. Public hearings were held to receive testimony for or against the following proposed amendments to Chapter 14 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Hunters Creek Village, the same being the City’s comprehensive zoning ordinance:
a. by adding a new sentence to Sub-Section 7-7. b.; providing for electronic message centers on signs; by striking all of Sub-Section 7-7. c. and substituting therefor a new Sub-Section 7-7. c.; prohibiting signs equipped with glaring or rotating strobe or spot lights; by adding a new sentence to Sub-Section 7-7. e.; establishing the maximum height of electronic message centers; by striking all of Sub-Section 7-7. f. and substituting therefor a new Sub-Section 7-7. f.; establishing the number of sides allowed on a sign, the maximum sign area, and prohibiting free standing signs in a yard abutting district R.
The public hearing was opened for comments. Hearing none, the public hearing was closed.
b. by striking all of Section 19.1 thereof and substituting therefor a new Section 19.1; providing a definition for “accessory structure”.
The public hearing was opened for comments. Hearing none, the public hearing was closed.
c. by striking all of Sub-Section 6-4.a.(4)(b); deleting the exception to regulations regarding lot size that would allow one lot in a new subdivision to be less than 22,500 square feet.
The public hearing was opened for comments. Hearing none, the public hearing was closed.
d. by striking all of Sub-Section 6-7.b. thereof and substituting therefor a new Sub-Section 6-7.b.; prohibiting fences in front of front building line unless the front yard is contiguous to Voss Road or Memorial Drive.
The public hearing was opened for comments. Hearing none, the public hearing was closed.
CONSENT AGENDA
Upon a motion made by Councilmember Cokinos and a second by Councilmember Casper, the motion carried unanimously. 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 March 14, 2006; March 21, 2006; March 25, 2006 meetings.
b. Approval of expenditure in the amount of $1,195.00 from Court Technology Funds to purchase the Omni-Base module for the Court software for the collection of outstanding fines.
c. Approval of a proposal with Spring Branch Independent School District to provide tax assessor collector services beginning July 1, 2006 and authorize the Mayor to execute the agreement on behalf of the City.
d. Approval of a resolution authorizing an additional penalty on delinquent property taxes.
REGULAR AGENDA
Discussion and possible action to consider amending the Subdivision Regulations related to streets and rights-of-way, including: (i) minimum widths of roadway rights-of-way; (ii) minimum width of paved surfaces; (iii) construction standards; (v) paving materials; and (v) standards for variances.
There was discussion with no formal action taken. The item was tabled to the May 9, 2006 pre-agenda meeting to be discussed in a work session format to have time to study alternatives and give direction to the City Attorney to draft an ordinance.
The Mayor opened the floor for public comments. Comments were received from Charles Durr, Travis Hanson, Donna Hinds, Les Coolidge, Tod Dimitry, Chris Oliver, Meg Bessinger, Ruth Weber, Elwin Peacock, Russell Holder, Joe Coangelo, Sharon Durr, Greg Myers, and Holly Hibert.
Discussion and possible action to consider appropriate action regarding delinquent property taxes owed by Paul E. Licata.
Mr. Hal Gordon, delinquent tax attorney for the City, reported that Mr. Licata had requested an installment plan to take care of the 5 years of delinquent property taxes owed to the City. Mr. Gordon was requesting direction from the council.
A motion was made by Councilmember Burck with a second by Councilmember Shannon to authorize Hal Gordon to file a lawsuit to collect the taxes owed. The motion carried unanimously with Council voting four (4) for and none (0) opposed.
Discussion and possible action to consider the following ordinances amending the Chapter 14 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Hunters Creek Village, Texas, the same being the Zoning Ordinance of the City:
Ordinance No. 664, by adding a new sentence to Sub-Section 7-7. b.; providing for electronic message centers on signs; by striking all of Sub-Section 7-7. c. and substituting therefor a new Sub-Section 7-7. c.; prohibiting signs equipped with glaring or rotating strobe or spot lights; by adding a new sentence to Sub-Section 7-7. e.; establishing the maximum height of electronic message centers; by striking all of Sub-Section 7-7. f. and substituting therefor a new Sub-Section 7-7. f.; establishing the number of sides allowed on a sign, the maximum sign area, and prohibiting free standing signs in a yard abutting district R.
A motion was made by Councilmember Burck with a second by Councilmember Casper to adopt and approve Ordinance No. 664 as presented. The motion carried unanimously with Council voting four (4) for and none (0) opposed.
Ordinance No. 665, by striking all of Section 19.1 thereof and substituting therefor a new Section 19.1; providing a definition for “accessory structure”.
A motion was made by Councilmember Burck with a second by Councilmember Casper to adopt and approve Ordinance No. 665 as presented. The motion carried unanimously with Council voting four (4) for and none (0) opposed.
Ordinance No. 666, by striking all of Sub-Section 6-4.a.(4)(b); deleting the exception to regulations regarding lot size that would allow one lot in a new subdivision to be less than 22,500 square feet.
A motion was made by Councilmember Casper with a second by Councilmember Cokinos to adopt and approve Ordinance No. 666 as presented. The motion carried unanimously with Council voting four (4) for and none (0) opposed.
Ordinance No. 667, by striking all of Sub-Section 6-7.b. thereof and substituting therefor a new Sub-Section 6-7.b.; prohibiting fences in front of front building line unless the front yard is contiguous to Voss Road or Memorial Drive.
A motion was made by Councilmember Cokinos with a second by Councilmember Shannon to adopt and approve Ordinance No. 667 as presented. The motion carried unanimously with Council voting four (4) for and none (0) opposed.
Discussion and possible action to receive a final report and recommendation from the Planning and Zoning Commission relating to minimum required yards for conforming lots in existence on March 25, 1955 and to call for public hearings to receive testimony for or against the proposed amendment.
A motion was made by Councilmember Shannon with a second by Councilmember Casper to receive and accept the final report submitted by the Planning and Zoning Commission and to call for public hearings to be held on May 16 and June 20 at 7:30 p.m. to receive public comments. The motion carried unanimously with Council voting four (4) for and none (0) opposed.
ADJOURN OPEN MEETING
A motion was made by Councilmember Burck with a second by Councilmember Casper to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried unanimously with Council voting four (4) for and none (0) opposed. The meeting was adjourned at 9:55 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Deborah L. Loesch, TRMC
City Secretary
These minutes approved on the 16th day of May , 2006.
Ordinance Nos. 664, 665, 666, and 667 and Resolution No. 06-06 are on file in the City Secretary’s office and are made a part of these minutes by reference.