December Council Meeting

Hello everyone,

Please pardon the delay in getting this out to you. It has been a wild week, but I wanted you to know about the Council Meeting......

Our only Council Meeting in December was called to order with a jam-packed agenda and a full gallery. It's really great to see so many citizens in the audience! All of Council was present, with the exception of Mr. Nelson
.
Pastor Jan Paul Sattem of Good Shepherd Church gave the invocation.

It was my special pleasure to recognize some very special employees who have reached 15-plus years of Service. They are: Billy Miles, courier, 15 years; Wesley Baker, mechanic, 15 years; Quincy Goins, Accounts Manager-15 years; Liz Hopkins, responsible for Library Volunteer Program-15 years; Paula Orise, 15 years; LCPD Capt. Charles Slade, Operations Bureau Commander, 15 years; Darve Hamman, Utility Accounts Representative, 20 years; Paul Lopez, Senior Plant Operator, 20 years; Lt. Bruce Whitten, LCPD East Area Commander, SWAT & Investigations; Barbara Holt, LCPD Records Clerk II, 25 years; John Norgen, Senior Mechanic, 25 years; Robert Morrison, Project coordinator, 25 years; Shirley Murphy, Municipal Court Administrator, 25 years; Lonna Stein, Controller, 25 years; Capt. Pat Bittner, LCPD Commander of Special Services-30 years; Lt. Bruce Honings, LCPD Assistant Bureau Commander for Administrative Services, 30 years. These longterm folks are to be commended for their faithfulness to the City, through thick and thin. They really care about you, the citizen.

Presentation of Certificates of Commendation by the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution was made by John Comer of the Bernardo de Galvez Chapter No 1. Presentations were made to Fire Fighter Arthur Hewitt and LCPD Officer Shawn Murray. We all remember that Art is a WWII survivor, having flown bombers and survived POW camps. Congratulations to Art and Shawn.

In recognition of the 60th anniversary of the League City Garden Club, I was delighted to name December 9, 2009, as League City Garden Club Day. This group is responsible for the bandstand-gazebo in League Park and the Rose Arbor in Helen's Garden; League city owes them a debt of gratitude for the beauty out-of-doors that has been donated by the Garden Club!

Your help is needed with the LCPD Blue Santa program, which needs donated toys. Go to the League city police dept. website

The annual appointment-reappointment of Board and Commissions was done, and I am glad to say that we did involve quite a few new folks this year--which is a positive sign of growth for the City! Congratilations to you all and thank you for your service.

The City donated 3 9" caliper oak trees that needed to be removed from their locations on City property, to the City of Galveston to replace some of their live oaks that were lost in Ike last year. This was brought to our attention by Dr. Ned Dudney, and he will be telling us about this on Channel 16, so be sure to tune in and watch this interesting story. Thanks Dr. Ned!

In Citizens Request for Hearing Before City Council, several wrecker operators in town spoke regarding the proposed changes to the ordinance on tonights agenda. A citizen from Mar Bella subdivision brought to our attention several items about the new CCISD Education Center that afffect their subdivision.

In Council Members Comments/Reports, Councilman Phalen announced that 2010 is national Census year, and that there will be a City committee aiding in the organization of our census. He also announced that part-time jobs for census takers are being offered by Uncle Sam.

The Recycling trash pick-up will be changing in some parts of town in January, so please go to the City's website to find out if the change affects you.

Councilman Lee thanked the City for the efforts made for the City float in the Holiday in the Park Parade. He especially thanked Mark Stelly and Mike Tubbs.

The Holiday schedule for the Library was announced. It will be closed December 23-28th, and Dec. 31-Jan. 4th. The holiday luncheon for volunteer workers will be held on Dec. 16th. For more information, consult the City website.

In the Mayor's Comments, I thanked our Council members who are working so hard and so well!
City Administrator Marcus Jahns announced that we have hired a new Finance Director, Mike Loftin. He also announced that we have engaged the services of David Benson to aid in our action plan process, policy,and communications.

He also announced that our ISO rating has gone up from 5 to 3, which will result in lower prices for our insurance. Many thanks to Wanda Martin, Dena McDermont for her work on this.

The LCPD needs toys for their Blue Santa Program. For information, go to www.lcpd.com

We had the first reading of the long awaited Ethics Policy, with the exception of the campaign finance section which will be coming in the near future. Motion to pass was made by Councilman Baron, seconded by Councilman Barber, and passed 4-2, with Paulissen and Sanborn voting no.

The Interim Management with the Butler Longhorn Museum, was passed with provisions for City Attorney to add 5 items. Motion was made by Councilman Phalen, seconded by Councilman Baron, voted 6-0. When signed by the Museum officers, this agreement will last until September, 2010, at which time it will be re-evaluated.

There was a big discussion about our needing to sign a contract to buy emergency water, if we ever need it. We have several plans in place to help with future water needs that we won't have to buy emergency water, but if we must have it for whatever reason, we will be able to get it. Motion to accept was made by Councilman Barber, seconded by Councilman Phalin, passed 5-1 with Mr. Paulissen voting no.

Council approved entering a contract with Dannenbaum Engineering to update the City's Master Drainage Plan, which was last done in 1990. Motion passed 6-0. This is another of the steps we are taking to correct our drainage problems, so this study will provide us with a roadmap to solutions for today and the future of League City.

The revisions to the Vehicle Wreckers and Wrecker Companies Ordinance apply to which wrecker the Police Department calls when a vehicle needs to be towed. Council approved a rotation system of operators who live in League City and store the vehicles in League City.

Council passed a resolution to certify funding and support for the statewide application to the Transportation Enhancement Program Nomination Form 2009 with the Texas Department of Transportation, for the application to receive funding to build a hike and bike trail along the FM518 Bypass and extending along the former NRG Canal to FM2094. Motion to pass was made by Councilman Phalin, seconded by Councilman Barber, and passed 6-0.

Well folks, this wraps up a long, but important meeting by your elected officials.

Now it's time to say we hope you all have a safe and happy Holiday season. Have fun helping Santa in all his surprises, and hug everyone you love!

Toni Randall
Mayor,
League City