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Bi-Monthly: December 2006
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
RIVER OAKS CITY COUNCIL
DECEMBER 12, 2006
MEMBERS PRESENT STAFF PRESENT
MAYOR HERMAN EARWOOD CITY SECRETARY LINDA RYAN
COUNCILMEMBER CLINT WILLIAMS POLICE CHIEF DAN CHISHOLM
COUNCILMEMBER LEONARD WATSON ASST FIRE CHIEF CHRIS HAWKINS
COUNCILMEMBER R R “BOB” MINTER PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR MARVIN
COUNCILMEMBER JOANN GORDON GREGORY
CITY ATTORNEY BETSY ELAM ASST CITY SECRETARY ANGIE HARRIS
ABSENT
MAYOR PRO TEM STEVE HOLLAND (OUT OF TOWN)
CALL TO ORDER AT 7:00 PM BY MAYOR EARWOOD; QUORUM PRESENT
COUNCIL MEMBER JOANN GORDON GAVE THE INVOCATION. COUNCIL MEMBER WILLIAMS LED THE PLEDGES OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE UNITED STATES AND TEXAS FLAGS
APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND BILLS PAYABLE:
1. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES FOR NOVEMBER 28, 2006
Council Member Williams moved to approve meeting minutes from November 28, 2006. Motion seconded by Council Member Watson. All voted “Aye.”
2. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF BILLS PAYABLE FOR PERIOD ENDING DECEMBER 12, 2006
Council Member Gordon moved to approve payment of bills for period ending December 12, 2006. Motion seconded by Council Member Minter. All voted “Aye.”
PERSONAL APPEARANCES/REQUESTS THAT MAY REQUIRE COUNCIL APPROVAL/ACTION:
3. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF REQUEST BY SONNY PARTOVI FOR EXTENSION OF CITY INFRASTRUCTURE TO THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT OF 812 ROBERTS CUT OFF
PWD Gregory explained that Sonny Partovi, Builder of The Park townhomes on Roberts Cut Off, is still seeking approval for City funding of infrastructure connected with the proposed development of 812 Roberts Cut Off. Staff was directed in the November 28, 2006 Council Meeting to provide more clearly defined information/funding criteria. Originally, Mr. Partovi proposed seven (7) homes valued at approximately $150,000 each. The current proposal is for seven (7) patio/garden homes with a cost of approximately $95,000 each. City Attorney Elam reminded Council that the Planning & Zoning Commission will review this issue; CM Gordon suggested postponing voting on this item pending P&Z recommendations. CM Williams gained affirmation from Mr. Partovi that he was willing to consider fewer homes with larger square footage. Mayor Earwood stated that the Council was willing to look at various options. Council Members agreed to pass on this Agenda Item at this time. No further action was taken.
4. CONSIDER REDUCED PERMIT AND/OR DEVELOPMENT FEES FOR SONNY PARTOVI FOR ANTICIPATED DEVELOPMENT OF 812 ROBERTS CUT OFF
Builder Sonny Partovi continued to seek approval for reduced permit fees associated with proposed construction of garden/patio homes located at 812 Roberts Cut Off. Council Members agreed to pass on this Agenda Item pending recommendation from the Planning & Zoning Commission. No further action was taken.
ITEMS REQUIRING COUNCIL APPROVAL/ACTION:
5. DISCUSSION AND/OR ACTION ON CITY PROCEEDING WITH APPROVAL OF ENTRANCE SIGN IN ACCORDANCE WITH TXDOT COMMENTS RECEIVED NOVEMBER 21, 2006
Mayor Earwood informed Council Members that he had spoken with Texas Representative Charlie Geren regarding obstacles with TXDOT in gaining final approval for a City entrance sign at Sam Calloway and River Oaks Blvd (Texas Hwy 183). Representative Geren was supportive of the City’s efforts to construct a more appealing entrance sign and will assist River Oaks, if necessary, in gaining approval for the design. The City has already paid engineering firm Cheatham and Associates for design work; TXDOT requested engineering changes prior to approval of the sign.
Council Member Gordon moved to approve expenditure of an additional $2,500 to Cheatham and Associates, with particular specifications addressed in a letter to the City by TXDOT Representative Oscar Chavez, for final approval of an entrance sign design for the intersection at Sam Calloway and River Oaks Blvd. Motion seconded by Council Member Minter. All voted “Aye.”
6. DISCUSSION AND/OR ACTION REGARDING THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT BLOCK 9, LOTS 14 & E 10’ OF 13, ROCKWOOD TERRACE ADDITION (4413 ALMENA) FOR WHICH THE CITY RECENTLY APPROVED PURCHASE
Council Members agreed that the property located at 4413 Almena, recently acquired by the City, should be sold, with expectations of a profit for the City’s budget. CA Elam stated that sale of the property would require a Bid Process. No further action was taken.
7. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF APPOINTMENT OF FIRE CHIEF BILL CREWS AS THE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COORDINATOR
PWD Gregory has been acting as the Emergency Management Coordinator for some time. Council Members agreed that Fire Chief Crews, in his capacity as an Emergency Management Coordinator for the River Oaks Volunteer Fire Department, was suited to the task of overall citywide coordination in the event of a disaster.
Council Member Williams moved to approve appointing Fire Chief Bill Crews as the Emergency Management Coordinator, effective immediately. Motion seconded by Council Member Minter. All voted “Aye.”
8. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF ORDINANCE NO. 745-06 AMENDING THE 2006-2007 BUDGET AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE
City Administrator Ryan recapped budget changes brought to the City Council a month ago; this Ordinance was presented to serve only for record keeping purposes. For the record, the following amendments were presented:
Account Number/Description Department Amount Increased
01-517-5114/Salaries Fire (Chief) $ 6,350
01-517-5125/FICA Fire $ 1,060
01-517-5127/TMRS Fire $ 810
01-524-5315/Park Maintenance Park $ 5,000
01-525-5363/Other Professional Services Inspections $ 4,940
01-530-5486/Ohio Garden Property City Council Projects $ 35,836
01-525-5370/Demolitions/Substandard Inspections $ 5,000
01-533-5461/Furniture and Fixtures Community Center $ 2,615
TOTAL AMENDED BUDGET INCREASE: $ 61,611
Council Member Williams moved to approve Ordinance No. 745-06 Amending the City’s 2006-2007 Annual Budget and Providing for an Effective Date. Motion seconded by Council Member Gordon. All voted “Aye.”
9. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF MAYOR’S RECOMMENDATION FOR COMMUNITY CENTER HOURS OF OPERATION AND DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES OF THREE COMMUNITY CENTER DIRECTORS
Mayor Earwood presented limited Job Description and Duty/Responsibility information for three (3) newly hired Community Center (CC) Directors. He explained that hours of operation and event plans is a “work in progress” and that as this is a “pilot program,” additional time is needed to develop more exacting duties and goals for the Community Center. Council Members expressed concern that the CC employees were reporting to the Mayor rather than to a Department Head as other employees do. Again, Mayor Earwood expressed the need to allow sufficient time to develop the Community Center’s plans and programs.
Council Member Gordon moved to approve the Mayor’s Recommendation to set the Community Center’s Hours of Operation for Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM and to allow ninety (90) days to establish adequate job descriptions for the Directors and to Develop Clear Community Center Programs/Goals. Motion seconded by Council Member Minter. All voted “Aye,” with the exception of Council Member Williams dissenting.
10. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF COMMUNITY CENTER DIRECTORS’ PROPOSAL FOR A CITY-SPONSORED/FUNDED NEW YEAR’S EVE EVENT, SCHEDULED FOR SUNDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2006
Mayor Earwood stated that plans had been made for this event but that Council could deny. A maximum of 150 people is planned and the City expects to “break even” on this event. Council Members agreed that the event was too near to cancel at this time.
Council Member Gordon moved to approve the Community Center Directors’ proposal for a City Sponsored/Funded New Year’s Eve Event for December 31, 2006. Motion seconded by Council Member Minter. All voted “Aye.”
11. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF MAYOR’S RECOMMENDATION TO SCHEDULE TUESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2007 AS AN ADDITIONAL EMLOYEE HOLIDAY
Mayor Earwood requested this additional holiday for employees who had been dedicated and hard working throughout the year.
Council Member Gordon moved to approve Mayor Earwood’s recommendation for January 2, 2007 to be granted as an additional employee holiday. Motion seconded by Council Member Watson. All voted “Aye.”
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
12. (a) Request by Gustavo Casteneda, to change the Zoning Classification of Lot 7, Block 14, Castleberry Gardens Addition, otherwise known as 1701 Roberts Cut Off Rd from a R-4 Single-Family Zoning District to MF (Multi-Family) Zoning District for Purpose of Building (4) 1300 square foot Town Homes (Zoning Case # PZ 2006-04)
(b) Proposed Site Plan Proposal of Gustavo Casteneda in accordance with Section 25 of the River Oaks Zoning Ordinance # 600, for Lot 7, Block 14, Castleberry Gardens Addition, otherwise known as 1701 Roberts Cut Off Rd for the Purpose of Building (4) 1300 square foot Town Homes (Zoning Case # PZ 2006-03)
(c) Replat Request of Gustavo Casteneda in accordance with Section 212.015 of the Texas Local Government Code for Replat Case # PZ 2006-02 for the Property at Lot 1, Block 4, Castleberry Gardens Addition, otherwise known as 1129 Cambridge Street
Mayor Earwood opened Public Hearings 12 (a), (b), and (c) at 7:55 PM. These Public Hearings will remain open until City Council Meeting scheduled for January 23, 2007 at 7:00 PM. No further action was taken.
ADJOURN:
13. ADJOURN
Council Member Williams moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:56 PM. Motion seconded by Council Member Gordon. All voted “Aye.”
[Reviewed by City Secretary, 01/05/2007]
APPROVED:
___________________________________
Herman D. Earwood, Mayor
ATTEST:
____________________________________
Linda A. Ryan, City Secretary
Date: 12/26/06
Holiday
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