City Council Regular Meeting

Minutes of Regular Meeting The City Council City of Richwood A Regular Meeting of the City Council of City of Richwood was held Monday, July 13, 2015, beginning at 6:00 PM in the Richwood City Hall, 1800 N. Brazosport Blvd. Richwood, Texas. I. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m by Clint Kocurek, Mayor and presiding officer. II. INVOCATION The invocation was given by Glenn Patton, City Manager. III. PLEDGES OF ALLEGIANCE The Pledge of Allegiance and Texas Pledge of Allegiance was recited by those in attendance. IV. ROLL CALL OF COUNCIL MEMBERS Roll call showed the following members present: Clint Kocurek, Mayor and presiding officer Paul Raymond, Council, Position #1 Melissa Blanks, Council, Position #2 Jarrod Beaty, Council, Position #3 and Mayor Pro Tem Sarah Harris, Council, Position #4 Chris Hardison, Council, Position #5 A quorum was declared. Others present included Glenn Patton, City Manager, Karen Schrom, City Secretary, Bryan Corb, Police Chief, Kenny Williams, Public Works Director, Mathew Stewart, Patrick Byrne, Evan Sharp with Waste Connection, Kevin and Vivian Munley, Hunter Whearley, Laura Cox, Clark Whited, Dale and Alan Simmons. V. CONSENT AGENDA On motion by Councilman Beaty, seconded by Councilman Raymond, with all  members present voting aye, the items on the Consent Agenda was approved as presented. A. Approval of Minutes of Previous Meetings B. Payment of bills C. Appointment to Keep Richwood Beautiful - Justin Gatlin and Joe Hernandez D. Appointment to Parks and Recreation - Lacie Guillen VI. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS A. Presentation of Letters of Commendation On May 16, 2015, Sergeant Kevin Munley and Officer Hunter Whearley responded to a burglary alarm call at the Richwood Food Mart. Upon arrival, Sergeant Kevin Munley and Officer Hunter Whearley observed the front window to have been broken out and several items including the cash register to be missing. Sergeant Munley and Officer Whearley began investigating the offense and were able to locate video surveillance which captured the crime. Officer Whearley assisted Sergeant Munley and began calling area law enforcement agencies to see if they had any similar burglaries. Richwood Officers were able to quickly coordinate a meeting with area investigators and identify the suspect in the Richwood Food Mart Burglary. The identification of the suspect and the investigation performed by Officer Whearley and Sergeant Munley led to the clearing of 14 other burglary cases and the arrest of the suspect. Chief Corb presented Letters of Commendation to Sergeant Munley and Officer Whearley. B. Award Solid Waste Collection Service Contract The City received two bids for solid waste collection services. They are as follows: Waste Management Waste Connections Base Proposal 14.66 18.81 Proposal #2 17.61 Proposal #3 14.71 Councilman Beaty asked how Waste Connection would communicate with the City in the event something happened that would affect solid waste collection in  Richwood. Mr. Sharp, site manager for Waste Connection, stated they have a call center in Angleton and he would contact The City Manager or city staff. They already have plans to hire 2 new drivers and have ordered 2 new trucks in the event they get the contact. He also explained the recycle bin will be the same size as the garbage can – 96 gallons. They do not recycle glass but do take cardboard, paper and plastic. They will send out a postcard to everyone as well as provide flyers if they get the contract. On motion by Councilman Harris, seconded by Councilman Beaty, with all members present voting aye, it was duly adopted to award the contract with Waste Connections for Proposal #3. C. Public Hearing - Rezone Lot 5 and Lot 1, Block 2, Richwood Centre from C-1 Commercial to R-3, Multi-Family Residential The Public Hearing was opened at 6:15 p.m. There was no one who wished to speak. The Public Hearing was closed at 6:16 p.m. D. Rezone Lot 5 and Lot 1, Block 2, Richwood Centre from C-1 Commercial to R- 3, Multi-Family Residential On motion by Councilman Beaty, seconded by Councilman Harris with all members present voting aye, it was duly adopted to rezone Lot 5 and Lot 1, Block 2, Richwood Centre, from C-1 Commercial to R-3, Multi-family. E. Public Hearing - To grant Specific Use Permit to operate an Amusement Redemption Machine Game Room at 1027 Brazosport Blvd., N. The Public Hearing was opened at 6:17 p.m. Jessie Bienvenu, representing Pro-Grames, LLC out of San Antonio, explained they were asking to obtain a specific use permit to operate an Amusement Redemption Game Room at 1027 North Brazosport Blvd. Councilman Blanks asked why they chose Richwood. Mr. Bienvenu stated they were vendors of the machines and are also involved in the operation of game rooms. Mayor Kocurek asked about the pay out of winnings. Mr. Bienvenu stated that the state is very clear. The magnitude of the payout depends on the amount wagering. It must be paid out in such items as durable household goods or gift rewards to local restaurants.  Chief Corb explained to Council that he was against a new game room in the City. They are currently having problems with the current game rooms. It was explained they will need to make sure they have at least one parking spot per machine and the parking must be dust free. The Public Hearing was closed at 6:24 p.m. F. Specific Use Permit to operate an Amusement Redemption Machine Game Room at 1027 Brazosport Blvd., N. On motion by Councilman Hardison, seconded by Councilman Harris, with all members voting aye, it was duly adopted to deny the specific use permit to operate an Amusement Redemption Game Room at 1027 Brazosport Blvd., N. G. Public Hearing - Conditional Use Permit to expand school facilities in Block 18 and Block 19 of Glenwood Bayou Subdivision The Public Hearing was opened at 6:25 p.m. Councilman Beaty asked what Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic School was expanding. It was explained that enrollment was up and they wish to extend the school to include up to grade 12. They are also working on a traffic plan to ease the traffic congestion and plans are to re-design parking and drop off to keep the kids safe. The Public Hearing was closed at 6:30 pm. H. Conditional Use Permit to expand school facilities in Block 18 and Block 19 of Glenwood Bayou Subdivision On motion by Councilman Hardison, seconded by Councilman Beaty, with all members present voting aye, it was duly adopted to grant the conditional use permit to expand school facilities in Block 18 and Block 19 of Glenwood Bayou Subdivision. I. Abandon 2.97 acre tract of land out of Camellia Street Right of Way In the original plat of Glenwood Bayou Subdivision, Camellia Street was included in the plat. This portion of Glenwood Bayou was never developed. The City of Richwood does not have any desire to develop Camellia Street and takes the stance that the complete abandonment of the project amounts to a destruction of the general scheme and purpose. Given this, a condition exists in which the object of the use for which the property was dedicated fails.  On motion by Councilman Beaty, seconded by Councilman Harris, with all members present voting aye, it was duly adopted to abandon the 2.97 acre tract of land out of Camellia Street Right of Way J. Interlocal Assistance Agreement between the City of Richwood and Velasco Drainage District On motion by Councilman Harris, seconded by Councilman Hardison, with all members present voting aye, it was duly adopted to approve the Interlocal Assistance Agreement between the City of Richwood and Velasco Drainage District. K. Ordinance No. 335-15, Regulation of Food Establishments On motion by Councilman Harris, seconded by Councilman Raymond, with all members present voting aye, Ordinance No. 335-15, Regulation of Food Establishments, was approved as presented. L. Ordinance No. 401 - Four-way stop signs at intersection of Blue Jay Dr. and Cardinal Dr. Councilman Hardison asked why a stop sign rather than a yield sign. Chief Corb explained that there is a sight issue as you can’t see the first street as you come over the bridge. Also, they will be coming from an area where the speed limit is 30 mph to a subdivision where the speed limit is 20 mph. On motion by Councilman Beaty, seconded by Councilman Harris, with all members present voting aye, it was duly adopted to approve Ordinance No. 401- Four way stop signs at intersection of Blue Jay Dr. and Cardinal Dr. M. Ordinance No. 402 - Prohibiting through truck traffic on all public streets except for Highway 288B and FM 2004 Chief Corb stated we are already experiencing a problem with dump trucks and other heavy trucks using our streets to build the subdivision in Lake Jackson. He feels the proposed ordinance will save wear and tear on our roads. They will be getting the signs for truck routes and the Police Department will be issuing warnings at the start. On motion by Councilman Hardison, seconded by Councilman Beaty, with all members present voting aye, Ordinance No. 402, Prohibiting through truck traffic on all public streets except for Highway 288B and FM 2004 was adopted as presented. N. Presentation of Proposed FY 16 Budget The proposed budget for FY 16 was presented to City Council. General Fund The tax rate for FY 16 is proposed to remain the same at $0.73568 per $100. This is based on preliminary estimates of taxable value. Each department contains notes concerning their major budget changes. Some of the highlights include: 2% increase across the board in salaries A new employee in City Maintenance A new mower in City Maintenance Moving animal control in house Together we decided that maintaining our current tax rate and adding a new employee in City Maintenance were our two top priorities in General Fund. Public Works has seen their job scope increase substantially over the years with no increase in manpower. It has reached the point where we would see a decrease in services without the additional manpower. Water/Sewer Fund The substantial increase in Water/Sewer in large part to three major items: Increase in our costs of the Sewage Treatment Plant. Increase in rates – Brazosport Water Authority Increase in the Contingency line item. The increase in the Sewage Treatment Plant costs are due to the fine bubble diffusion project at the plant. We are obligated for 25% of the bond payments. The recent failure of the sewer line on Magnolia brought home the reality that we need to build up our financial reserves in the Water/Sewer Fund. Our infrastructure is aging and we need to prepare for future needs. As a result, the water and sewer rates will result in an increase of approximately $100 per year per account. We are also recommending increase the garbage rates by at least $1 a month. We would set aside these revenues to pay for any storm debris pick up.  O. Approve items removed from Consent Agenda There were none. VII. REPORTS A. Finance Reports Par for the period ending Jun 30, 2015 is 25% remaining. Revenues are exceeding expenditures. City Administration, City Maintenance and Parks and Recreation are over budget. VIII. CITY MANAGER’S REPORT Mr. Patton reported that Precinct 1 is in the City beginning work on the streets. They will be working on Oakwood Shores and N. Mahan. The Brazos Crossing Apartments are moving forward and are currently installing the water and sewer line. They have just recently gotten the permit for the entrance off Hwy. 288B. They are also moving forward with the second set of apartments. IX. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Budget Workshop on August 3. Four-way Stop Sign at Warbler Court/Dove Trail at Audubonwoods Drive. Goals X. COMMITTEE REPORTS Ms. Blanks reported that Keep Richwood Beautiful met with TxDot and Terri Cardwell. They are moving forward on the GCAA award and hope to have plans by the end of August. There are plans to plant at least 30 trees in the median on FM 2004. DOW volunteers painted the gazebo at the Richwood Municipal Park and Public Works assisted quite a bit on that project. She reminded Council of the All American Night, Saturday, July 18th from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and the movie at 8 p.m. XI. COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS & REPORTS There were none. XII. MAYOR’S REPORT  Mayor Kocurek reported that BCCA will be hosted by the City of Lake Jackson on Wednesday, July 15th. The water meters will be replaced throughout the City. XIII. PUBLIC COMMENTS There were none. XIV. ADJOURNMENT With no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 7:03 p.m. APPROVED BY A MAJORITY VOTE OF COUNCIL ON AUGUST 10, 2015. ________________________________ Clint Kocurek, Mayor ATTEST: ________________________________ Karen B. Schrom, City Secretary