Council Connection for Monday, June 6

During its regularly scheduled meeting held on Monday, June 6, City Council received a summary report on the Preliminary Fiscal Year 2012 Budget, reviewed proposed amendments to the City's architectural design standards, saluted a retiring colleague, and administered the oath of office to four Councilmen.

 

Here are some actions City Council took during the meeting:

 

*Held a swearing-in ceremony for Councilmen Bobby Marshall, of District A, Don Smith, of District B, Robin Elackatt, of District C and Floyd Emery, of District D. Marshall was reelected to a second term in the May 14 General Election; Smith and Elackatt were unopposed in their district races and Emery was elected for his first term in the May 14 referendum. Councilman Brett Kojala, who represented District D for 12 years, has retired.

 

*Presented a special tribute to Councilman Kolaja, featuring proclamations commending his "exemplary service, wise judgment, dedication and experience" from Congressman Al Green, State Sen. Rodney Ellis, State Rep. Charlie Howard, State Sen. Joan Huffman, State Rep. Ron Reynolds, City Council and the Missouri City Police Officers Association.

 

"We can't have a first class City without a first class Mayor and Council; thanks for your first class work," Rep. Green said during his salute to Kolaja, who served six terms. "You were here before there was a toll road and you helped make it possible; you were here before we had some of these improvements to the infrastructure of the City and you helped make them happen; and you're now the Mayor Pro Tem; we are honored by your service." To further recognize Kolaja for his dedication to the citizens and the City, Green gifted the Councilman and his wife, Rebecca, with a flag that has flown over the capitol in Washington, D.C. at the Congressman's request.

 

State Rep. Ron Reynolds, who also attended the celebration and read a declaration from the Texas House of Representatives, hailed Kolaja's "efforts in helping to make the City a better place to live and work. We honor him for his committed public service and wish him continued success."

 

And, on behalf of City Council, Mayor Owen paid homage to Kolaja, touting his record of excellence. Brett has always been dedicated to "the best interests of the community," Owen shared, "and he's worked constantly for the betterment of the economic, cultural and aesthetic development of our City." The Kolajas also received a momentous present from Council-a customized rocking chair the couple will use when spending precious time with their new grandchild.

 

Expressing gratitude for the fond farewell, Kolaja said he was thankful for having had the opportunity to serve the residents of Missouri City, saying, "This has been a tremendous honor and really a blessing." He also credited the City's continued progress to the teamwork of City Council and Staff.

 

*Elected Councilman Jerry Wyatt to serve as Mayor Pro Tem; he will preside over meetings in Mayor Owen's absence.

 

*Received an overview of the Preliminary Fiscal Year 2012 Budget from City Manager Frank Simpson. The $32.1 million blueprint, which would go into effect July 1 if approved by City Council on June 20, includes the following highlights:

 

*The tax rate is planned to stay steady at the existing rate of 52.84 cents.

 

*Property tax, sales tax and franchise fee income is estimated to remain virtually flat at $14.74 million, $6 million, and $3.27 million, respectively. Overall, budgeted revenues are estimated to be $30,859,021, a 1.5 percent increase ($468,379) from the 2011 original budget and 5.04 percent less ($1,636,503) than the 2009 original budget.

 

*The City fund balance is estimated to be at 21.67 percent, remaining within the 15 percent to 25 percent range of budgeted revenues established by policy. The preliminary 2012 spending plan utilizes $1,273,893 of the fund balance, leaving a surplus of $6,687,852. The fund balance monies will pay for these critical "one time expenditures":

 

*Computer Replacement Fund: $224,212

*Fleet Replacement Fund: $319,774

*Equipment: $223,449

*Contingency: $350,000

 

*A public hearing will be held on June 20 for the adoption of the FY 2012 Budget at the regularly scheduled City Council meeting in Council Chambers at 7 p.m.

 

*Received a report from Dr. Jonita Reynolds, spokesperson for the Missouri City Juneteenth Celebration Foundation, on the group's upcoming week of activities from June 13 through 18, honoring "the rich heritage, diversity and economic strength of the City." The festivities, which will focus on family values, include:

 

*Annual Golf Tournament on June 13 at Quail Valley Golf Course. Shotgun start at 9 a.m.; games will run until 3 p.m.

 

*Annual Community Service Awards Gala on June 16 at the Sugar Land Marriott Town Square from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Visionary Pastor Byron C. Stevenson, who shepherds The Fort Bend Church on Eldridge Road will be the guest speaker. Stevenson, whose congregation numbers thousands, founded the church upon five pillars: trust, faith, kindness, compassion and liberal giving.

 

*Second Annual Community Health & Wellness Fair on June 18 at Covenant Glen United Methodist Church, 401 Present St., from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

 

*Annual "One Mile of Smiles" Parade on June 18 along Texas Parkway starts at 6 p.m. To accommodate the parade, a portion of the roadway from Buffalo Run to Court Road will close at 5 p.m.

 

*Willowridge High School Alumni Flag Football and Basketball Tournaments on June 18 in Hunters Glen Park from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

 

*Festival Under the Stars concludes the week on June 18 in Hunters Glen Park from dusk to midnight. For more information, call 281-582-8181 or visit www.mcjcf.com or www.twitter.com/mcjcf.

 

*Approved on the first of two readings proposed amendments to the City's architectural design standards, sign regulations and fence regulations and to allow business identity colors for nonresidential, multifamily and condominium developments.

 

*Held a public hearing and approved an ordinance on the second and final reading continuing the standards of care for elementary-age recreation programs operated by the City, and exempting registration guidelines that could limit participation in programs that operate less than two hours a day and less than three days a week.

 

*Approved authorizing an amendment to the pipeline right-of-way easement with Kinder Morgan Pipeline, LLC, to allow for 60 feet of sidewalk on Texas Parkway near the intersection of Missouri City Drive.

 

*Approved the consent agenda, including the following:

 

*Awarded contracts for firefighter protective clothing known as bunker gear totaling $34,816 for 16 sets in fiscal year 2012, with additional sets in the coming fiscal years.

 

*Accepted a report on impact fees and the capital improvements plan from the Capital Improvements Advisory Committee. Council members appointed the Planning and Zoning Commission to serve as the Capital Improvements Advisory Committee. A semi-annual report is required by State law to, among other things: advise and assist the City in adopting land use assumptions, review the capital improvements plan, and advise Council members on the need to update or revise plans.

 

*Authorized staff to negotiate an agreement for the design of a new animal shelter at a cost of $56,750. The City is moving forward on the building without the participation of the City of Stafford, which has partnered with Missouri City in past years. The plans include a shelter that will be capable of housing 900 dogs and 300 cats per year on an average of three to five days. Key features in the new facility will include quality air control structural ability to reduce noise, as well as appropriate flooring and plumbing needed for animal care and use.

 

*Authorized an Interlocal Agreement for the maintenance of traffic signals on Sienna Parkway among the City, Fort Bend County, and the Sienna Plantation Management District. The agreement includes three intersections with traffic signals at Steep Bank Trace, Scanlan Trace and Waters Lake Boulevard, that are not in the City limits. The cost for maintenance of all three signals is approximately $900 per month.

 

*Approved an ordinance expanding Reinvestment Zone No. 6 for tax abatement purposes for a proposed Wal-Mart.

 

*Authorized the acceptance of a water transmission pipeline easement from Sienna/Johnson Development, L.P. for water transmission pipelines serving the Surface Water Treatment Plant. The water lines will supply water to Sienna Water Plants #1 and #2, which run north and south of the Treatment Plant.

 

*Awarded a contract for construction of the Township Lane traffic signal for $284,562.42.

 

*Authorized the Mayor to execute an agreement for the design of Mustang Bayou Regional Water Plant Improvements, Phase I for $66,000. The design is expected to be completed in about four months.

 

*Approved an ordinance adopting on the first of two readings the 2009 Edition of the International Energy Conservation Code that includes new standards for energy efficiency and air quality.

 

*Approved a request by Llarance Turner of Kelly R. Kaluza & Associates, Inc., on the first of two readings to rezone approximately 2.476 acres of land west of the intersection of Highway 6 and Trammel-Fresno Road from LC-2, Local Retail, to LC-3, Retail.

 

*Approved on the first of two readings a request to rezone approximately .668 of an acre tract of land at the southwest corner of State Highway 6 and Glenn Lakes Lane from LC-3, retail district to PD, planned development district for the possible future development of Pollo Campero, a national restaurant chain known for its specialty grilled and fried chicken.

 

*Approved on the first of two readings a request by St. Catherine of Sienna Episcopal Church to remove 8.08 acres tract of land from the boundaries of the church's property. The church intends to sell the property, which now includes a house and lake, "as is" at a future date.

 

*Authorized the City Manager to execute an agreement for engineering design services for the El Dorado Bridge Replacement Project, which includes bridge replacement and repairs on Stafford Run Creek and Oyster Creek for $238,434.

 

*Approved an ordinance establishing the speed limit on Bison Drive inside Buffalo Run Park as 20 miles per hour. The penalty for speeding would be not less than $1 or more than $200.

 

*Welcomed Dale Wells, the City's new Chief Building Official. Wells, who comes to the "Show Me City" from Louisiana, has held building inspection positions in California, Arizona and Kansas.

Done