The City Council of the City of Shoreacres, Texas met in Regular Session on
Monday, September 11, 2006 at 7:00 p.m.
in the City Council
Chambers of City Hall, 601 Shoreacres Blvd.,
Shoreacres, Texas, with the following present constituting a quorum:
Mayor Jayo Washington
Mayor pro tem Tom Revak
Alderman Joe Gomer
Alderman Vickie Ellis
Alderman Gerry Victor
City Administrator / City Secretary David K. Stall
And the following absent:
Alderman Sandi Lochner
1.0 CALL TO ORDER / ROLL CALL:
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Jayo Washington at 7:02pm.
2.0 PUBLIC HEARINGS, SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS & COMMENTS
2.1 Citizen’s Comments
O. W. Shaffer, 505 Shadylawn: Commented on the condition of Westside Street; the tennis court [Circle Park] will never be used and that money would be better spent on open ditches that are too deep and large to maintain with a weed eater or lawn mower; would like to hear reports from the various city departments.
Evan Kerr, Fairfield @ Miramar: Announced the passing of Col. John Horricks who had long been a resident and who also had many years distinguished military service.
Ron Roark, 1124 N. Country Club: Told council that he has 2 lots and 1.9 acres of land and has been trying since March to build a large building for his RV. He told council that several others in the neighborhood were inquiring on the status. He suggested that Shoreacres follow the lead of Lomax to allow large buildings. He commented that he wants to build 100-feet off the road and that 8 to 10 similar buildings already exist in the city.
Mike Wheeler, 315 Shoreacres Blvd: Introduced himself to council as a member of the Recreation Association and Pier Association Board Member. He commented on vandalism at the pier including breaking locks off the gate, benches torn loose and thrown in the water, and the harassment of children. He raised concerns about non-members on the pier and that they are not getting a lot of cooperation with the police department checking membership. He wanted to know why there’s a problem getting the police patrol to the pier. He told council that he has heard different reasons and excuses why the police won’t help. He raised concern about children safety issues and his fear for kids fishing on the pier.
Chief French responded to Mr. Wheeler and addressed the limitations of the police department as it relates to pier issues.
Dolly Arons, 1118 N. Country Club:
Stan Krauhs, 1103 Shoreacres Blvd: Reported a tree limb down on South Country Club north of Centre that was struck by lightening.
Phil Yovino, 210 Fairfield: Inquired if the quota for culvert work on Baywood had been met and if the city would consider sharing material cost is he pays for material to close the ditch in front of his property.
Administrator Stall responded to Mr. Yovino advising yes, the allocation for ditch work has been fully used on Baywood.
Mayor Washington responded to Mr. Yovino advising no, the city would not share material costs elsewhere.
Paula Wheeler, 315 Shoreacres Blvd: Told council that she is a Yahoo member interested in tax issues and would like to see the budget.
O. W. Shaffer, 505 Shadylawn: Commented that he was confused about private property. [related to Chief French’s description of police authority limitations on private property]
Neal Moyer, 1118 N. Country Club: Commented that the Harris County Appraisal District (HCAD) is lax and slow to process contested appraisals. He told council that they should lead an effort with other small cities to push HCAD to do better. He also remarked that public infrastructure debt is typically greater than the ability to maintain and that it had an impact on all taxes. He also noted that a certain amount of infrastructure is foreclosed on.
3.0 APPROVAL OF MINUTES
3.1 Regular Council Meeting: September 28, 2006
No action taken.
3.2 Council Workshop Meeting: August 21, 2006
No action taken.
4.0 REPORTS
4.1 Council Reports
Mayor pro tem Revak: No report.
Alderman Gomer: Commented on the City’s complaints to TxDOT about the maintenance of ditches along South Broadway. He reported that TxDOT is now using herbicide and that it appears to be an overuse of the herbicide that members of Council should complain about.
Alderwoman Ellis: No report.
Alderman Victor: Reported that he has contacted the General Land Office about silt and grasses.
Mayor Washington: Reported that he attended the Chamber event.
4.2.1 City Administrator’s Report
City Administrator: Reported on the status of the city’s efforts to enforce silt barriers at construction sites; the status of work on the tennis/basketball court in Circle Park; painting of City Hall; and progress towards repaving portions of Bayou Drive and Westview Avenue.
[ Budget vs. Actual report attached ]
4.2.2 Police Department Report
Chief French: Reported on Police Department statistics; the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC); and, discussions with the county about the impact of trucks servicing the port. He reported that the Bayport Facility is scheduled to open November 1, 2006 and that they anticipate initial traffic of 3,000 container trucks per day.
5.0 UNFINISHED BUSINESS
[ NONE ]
6.0 NEW BUSINESS
6.1 Consideration and approval of invoices. (Stall)
Alderman Gomer moved to approve payment of invoices. Alderman Revak seconded.
The vote was as follows:
AYES: Revak, Gomer, Ellis, Victor.
NAYS: None.
6.2 Presentation of proposed budget for FY-2006/2007. (Stall)
City Administrator David Stall presented the proposed budget for FY-2006/2007. The General Fund and Utility Fund Budgets were discussed in great detail covering each revenue and expense line item.
6.3 Consideration, discussion, and action to propose a property tax rate that exceeds the effective tax rate. (Stall)
Alderman Revak moved to discuss a proposed tax rate. Alderwoman Ellis seconded.
Alderman Gomer moved to propose a tax rate of $0.728041. Alderwoman Ellis seconded.
The vote was as follows:
AYES: Revak, Gomer, Ellis, Victor.
NAYS: None.
6.4 Consideration and action to schedule Public Hearings on the property tax rate increase. (Stall)
Mayor Washington proposed Public Hearings on the property tax rate increase for Monday September 25 and Monday October 2, 2006.
Alderman Revak moved to call Public Hearings on the property tax rate increase for Monday September 25 and Monday October 2, 2006. Alderwoman Ellis seconded.
The vote was as follows:
AYES: Revak, Gomer, Ellis, Victor.
NAYS: None.
6.5 Consideration and action on rate adjustment request for residential collection and curbside recycling by Allied Waste Management. (Stall)
Alderman Revak moved to discuss the rate adjustment. Alderman Gomer seconded.
Allied Waste representative Patty Welborn presented council with cost adjustment information and discussed how the rate adjustment was calculated.
Alderwoman Ellis moved to approve the requested rate adjustment. Alderman Victor seconded.
The vote was as follows:
AYES: Revak, Gomer, Ellis, Victor.
NAYS: None.
6.6 Consideration and action to adopt a Resolution designating a representative and alternate to the Houston-Galveston Area Council 2007 General Assembly. (Washington)
Alderwoman Ellis moved to discuss. Alderman Revak seconded.
Alderman Victor was nominated as the HGAC representative. Nominations were closed.
The vote was as follows:
AYES: Revak, Gomer, Ellis.
NAYS: Victor.
Alderwoman Lochner was nominated as the HGAC alternate representative. Nominations were closed.
The vote was as follows:
AYES: Revak, Gomer, Ellis, Victor.
NAYS: None.
6.7 Consideration and approval authorizing the Mayor to approve expenditures from the Bayou Country Housing Trust Funds for use in reconstruction of housing located at 603 Shadylawn. (Stall)
Administrator Stall recommended an additional authorization of $15,000 from the Trust Funds for the Mitchell house project. Alderman Revak disagreed with the recommendation.
Alderman Gomer moved to approve $15,000 for the Mitchell house project subject to the Mayor’s approval of expenditures. Alderwoman Ellis seconded.
The vote was as follows:
AYES: Revak, Gomer, Ellis, Victor.
NAYS: None.
7.0 ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Mayor Washington declared the meeting adjourned at 10:37pm.
PASSED AND APPROVED THIS _____ DAY OF ______________________ 2006.
________________________________
Jayo Washington, Mayor
ATTEST:
_______________________________________
David K. Stall, City Administrator / City Secretary