CITY OF HUNTERS CREEK VILLAGE, TEXAS
MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL MEETING
JULY 18, 2006
The City Council of the City of Hunters Creek Village, Texas convened in regular session at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 18, 2006, at City Hall, #1 Hunters Creek Place, Hunters Creek Village, Texas.
Present: Mayor Steve Reichek
Council Members: Peggy Burck, Mayor Pro Tem
Michael Cokinos
Art Casper
City Secretary: Deborah Loesch
City Attorney: Cheryl Wilson
With a quorum of the Council Members present, Mayor Reichek called the session to order at 7:35 p.m. It was noted that Council members Roger Stark and George Shannon were not in attendance.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Public comments were received from:
Elwin Peacock stated that he was strongly in favor of compensation for the Mayor, but not council members and that he has been a proponent of this even when he was serving on council.
REPORTS
Fire Commissioner. Elwin Peacock reported that refunds from the unexpended budgeted funds for 2005 were returned to each village, with Hunters Creek Village receiving $30,715.01. The second quarter’s ambulance billing was $57,842 with Hunters Creek portion in the amount of $12,870. Paramedics participated in 5 life-saving incidents last month, crediting rapid response time and training a major factor. City of Houston has been very responsive in cooperating with the department for mutual aid. The department was represented at the Fireman’s Olympics in Austin with participants winning four gold and two silver metals.
Police Commissioner. Benny Hruzek reported that the Commission has been reviewing the proposed 2007 budget with an overall possible 4% increase, indicating an increase of 3% for personnel cost. They are currently looking at other options for health insurance benefits that would reduce costs and expecting an increase of $81,000 for fuel costs. The budget also provides a new line item for fees from the Medical Examiner’s office for which is currently being disputed by departments through out the county. Chief Gary Brye discussed with Council possible alternatives for traffic control at the curves along Voss Road to improve safety conditions. The cost of installed pole mounted speed displays would be cost prohibitive, the placement of reflective buttons on the roadway may be an option. The City Engineer will review the traffic design manual for proper placement. They also reported that the substation located at the Houston Racquet Club property is operational.
City Treasurer’s Report. Bob Dodson, City Treasurer, reported that the City has received on an average of 5.14% in interest on money market accounts and 90-day T-bills are currently under 5% therefore providing no incentives to move funds into long term securities at this time. The City has approximately $9 million on deposit at Wells Fargo. The sales tax audit contract has identified 70 businesses have been operating in Hunters Creek Village but do not appear to have a sales tax permit indicating Hunters Creek as their business location. They are in the process of contacting these businesses. They will also contact the Comptroller’s Office to seek correction of the misallocations. The expectation that the City could receive between 30-50% of the businesses reallocated to the City. Hal Gordon, delinquent tax attorney, has reported that Mr. Paul Licata is current on his installment payments.
City Engineer’s Report. Bobby Deden, City Engineer, reported:
CONSENT AGENDA
Upon a motion made by Councilmember Burck and a second by Councilmember Casper, the motion carried unanimously. The Council voted three (3) for and none (0) opposed to approve and adopt the consent agenda as follows:
REGULAR AGENDA
Discussion of the proposed budget for 2007.
Mayor Reichek presented a preliminary copy of the proposed budget to the Council for their review. A final copy will be filed with the City Secretary later in August with public hearings to be held in September.
Report on future capital projects involving the Memorial Villages Water Authority.
Mayor Reichek reported to Council regarding participation by the Water Authority in future capital construction projects. At a recent meeting with representatives from the Board of the Water Authority, Mayor Reichek advised them that the City of Hunters Creek Village would no longer be paying 100% of the costs for water and sewer facilities in the rights-of-way and that any costs relating to the Water Authority’s facilities would be their responsibility. Also Mayor Reichek informed the Water Authority by correspondence of proposed projects for 2007 that would affect their facilities and the estimated cost would be $825,000. At the time of the meeting, the Mayor has had no response from the Board.
Discussion and possible action to consider the establishment of a monthly stipend for council members.
Mayor Reichek advised Council of the proposal to provide a monthly stipend to compensate council members for their service. There was discussion with no formal action taken. Under discussion, the Mayor stated that he has approached several citizens about serving on a committee of three to serve review this proposal and report back to Council at the next meeting. Councilmember Burck commented that this might be brought before the citizens as a non-binding referendum on the next election. Councilmember Casper commented that a professional survey should be conducted. Councilmember Cokinos responded regarding compensating other volunteers as well.
Discussion and possible action to authorize the solicitations for bids to purchase a generator for City Hall.
A motion was made by Councilmember Casper with a second by Councilmember Cokinos to authorize the purchase of equipment and the installation of a natural gas line back up generator for City Hall in an amount not to exceed $30,000.00 to be expended from budgeted funds and to appropriate additional funds, if necessary, from fund balance. The motion carried unanimously.
Discussion and possible action to authorize the solicitation of request for proposal for disaster recovery assistance and debris management services.
A motion was made by Councilmember Casper with a second by Councilmember Cokinos to authorize the solicitations of proposals for disaster recovery assistance and debris management services. The motion carried unanimously.
Discussion and possible action to authorize the purchase of pole mounted radar speed display for Voss Road.
No action was taken.
Discussion and possible action to receive and accept a final report from the Planning and Zoning Commission relating to sign regulations.
The Planning and Zoning Commission was requested to reconsider additional amendments to the sign regulations in the commercial district. The Commission submitted their final report stating that no change is warranted at this time.
A motion was made by Councilmember Casper with a second by Councilmember Cokinos to receive and accept the final report of the Commission as presented. The motion carried unanimously.
Discussion and possible action to consider approval of: (a) resolution authorizing the execution of a Release of Easement between the City and James and Terri Huguenard; (b) resolution authorizing the execution of a Temporary Access and Construction Easement between the City and James and Terri Huguenard; and (c) resolution authorizing the execution of a Drainage Easement between the City and James and Terri Huguenard.
No action was taken.
ADJOURN OPEN MEETING
A motion was made by Councilmember Burck with a second by Councilmember Casper to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 9:13 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Deborah L. Loesch, TRMC
City Secretary
These minutes approved on the 15th day of August , 2006.