City Council

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING CITY OF PASADENA September 24, 2019 – 9:30 a.m. CALL TO ORDER The Special Council Meeting of the City of Pasadena, Harris County, Texas, was called to order by Mayor Jeff A. Wagner. ROLL CALL COUNCIL PRESENT: Jeff A. Wagner – Mayor COUNCIL MEMBERS BRUCE LEAMON - District B PHIL CAYTEN - District F DON HARRISON - District C CARY BASS - District G SAMMY CASADOS - District D THOMAS SCHOENBEIN - District H Absent: Councilmembers Ornaldo Ybarra and Cody Ray Wheeler Also present at the Council table was Linda Rorick, City Secretary. INVOCATION – Pastor Ruben Villarreal, Pueblo’s Church PLEDGES OF ALLEGIANCE – Councilmember Don Harrison COMMUNITY INTEREST COMMENTS IN ACCORDANCE WITH CHAPTER 551.0415 OF THE GOVERNMENT CODE Councilmember Harrison – Passed; no comments. Councilmember Casados – Passed; no comments. Councilmember Cayten – Discussed the differences between adopting the Effective Tax Rate versus the Rollback Tax Rate. Explained that adopting the Effective Tax Rate would be just enough to ensure employee raises and the 12-year compressed pay scale for police officers and “keep our heads above water”. Stated that so long as our city continues to adopt the same rate year after year, we will be unable to rebuild north Pasadena. Mentioned how other local cities have recognized needs that require more tax revenues and have increased their taxes to meet these needs. Councilmember Bass – Thanked audience for attending meeting. Councilmember Schoenbein – Great to see everyone at meeting. Noted the Public Hearing today. Extended congratulations to the Astros on clinching their division and congratulated our Houston Texans. City of Pasadena – SPECIAL Council Meeting 1 Minutes: 09-24-19 9:30 a.m. Councilmember Leamon – Thanked audience for attending meeting. Explained that our city is trying to adopt the Rollback Tax Rate which “actually lowers the tax rate from last year”. Also, stated that Harris County is raising its taxes, as well as property values and this is the reason for higher tax bills. CITIZENS WISHING TO ADDRESS COUNCIL Ingrid Fuller – Stated she is with PasadenaTexas.com and CityScope.net. Advised she was born and raised in Pasadena and has been to many council meetings over the years. Hopes that Council will start getting along better, that it is “embarrassing at times”; that Council needs to work together. Also, to remember Robert’s Rules of Order. Disagreed with Councilmember Cayten’s remarks about the taxes. Discussed how her taxes have increased and how people in her age category are the ones who are affected the most since they do not get the senior deductions, etc. DOCKETED CITY COUNCIL HEARINGS (A) Public hearing at 9:30 a.m. in the Council Chambers, City Hall for the purpose of hearing public comments on the proposal to adopt a 2019 tax rate of $0.600577/$100 value, which is greater than the effective tax rate of $0.570342/$100 value. 9:39 a.m. – At this time Mayor Wagner recessed Council Meeting and opened the Public Hearing, inviting comments from the audience or Councilmembers. Councilmember Harrison – Reminded he did not vote for a tax increase last year. Talked about property taxes going up, conversation he had with the Budget Officer regarding the money City has in the Reserve Fund. Feels we have more money than required in that Fund and could use it elsewhere. Explained the Rollback Tax Rate. Commented on an article he read relating to people who “vote greedy with tax dollars”. Mayor Wagner – Announced scheduled meetings for purpose of voting on adoption of the 2019 property tax rate. 9:41 a.m. – At this time Mayor Wagner closed the Public Hearing and reconvened the Council Meeting. PRESENTATION OF PROCLAMATIONS, AWARDS AND COMMUNITY EVENTS PROPOSALS FOR CITY BUSINESS PRESENTATION OF MINUTES PRESENTATION OF MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING CONTRACT CHANGE ORDERS PROGRESS PAYMENTS City of Pasadena – SPECIAL Council Meeting 2 Minutes: 09-24-19 9:30 a.m. FINANCE RESOLUTION - MISC. CLAIMS & INVOICES PERSONNEL CHANGES (A) REGULAR EMPLOYEES (B) FINANCE DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEES (C) ADMINISTRATION CHANGES IN PERSONNEL (D) INTRODUCTION OF NEW CITY EMPLOYEES MAYORAL APPOINTMENTS CITY BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS REPORTS REPORTS OF COMMITTEES MAYOR’S REPORT ORDINANCES FINAL READINGS ORDINANCE 2019-162 – Agreement with Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. for a Strategic Plan for the City of Pasadena in the amount of $320,000.00. Councilmember Bass moved, seconded by Councilmember Leamon that Ordinance 2019-162 be passed on second and final reading. Councilmember Harrison – Feels this ordinance is designed to get zoning in Pasadena and he does not think this is good for our city. Explained reasons why. Councilmember Schoenbein – Commented that the City of Pasadena had basically “maxed out our capacity for land use”. Talked about how land in our city is often times not the “traditional” sizes and how this makes it difficult at times to conform to current ordinances. Feels this plan will give us the opportunity to “clean-up” our City ordinances which will be more inviting to people who want to do business in Pasadena. Also, it should help to alleviate variances. Councilmember Casados – Stated he likes this plan; thinks it will move Pasadena forward. Reminded everyone of the issues City had with Restaurant Depot a couple of years ago with Preston Trails South. Believes this plan may prevent such situations in the future. Regarding bringing in businesses to Pasadena, doesn’t feel this plan will do that. Further, noted he does not agree with giving business tax breaks to move into our city. MOTION CARRIED AS FOLLOWS: City of Pasadena – SPECIAL Council Meeting 3 Minutes: 09-24-19 9:30 a.m. “Ayes” – Councilmembers Leamon, Casados, Cayten, Bass, Schoenbein and Mayor Wagner “Nays” – Councilmember Harrison FIRST READINGS EMERGENCY READINGS ISSUANCE OF OBLIGATIONS RESOLUTIONS OTHER BUSINESS EXECUTIVE SESSION ADJOURNMENT BY THE PRESIDING OFFICER Mayor Wagner – Discussed the differences between the Effective Tax Rate versus the Rollback Tax Rate. Explained reasons why our city needs to support the Rollback Rate at this time. Noted that with either plan, taxes will be lower. However, pointed out the amount of money City would get with the Rollback Rate which will benefit our city. Knows Council will have a “hard decision” to make on this issue. Hopes they will review all the numbers carefully. Thanked audience for attending meeting. God bless. City of Pasadena – SPECIAL Council Meeting 4 Minutes: 09-24-19 9:30 a.m.