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

Blue Santa

The League City Police Department’s Blue Santa program has started. This program has provided many smiles on Christmas morning to those in need in our community. Add a little more cheer to a young one this Christmas season by helping out the Blue Santa program.

Traffic Trauma?

Does League City need a traffic light 800 feet away from the intersection of FM 2094 and Twin Oaks Boulevard? Read what Thayer Evans wrote and let us know what you think. If you are so inclined you may voice your opinion to our city administration by clicking here. Really want to understand the master plan? Then click here to use the resources that our city provides to keep us all up to date and informed on this issue.

On the Agenda for 12-8-09

From: Toni Randall
Sent: Sun 11/22/2009 4:20 PM
To: mallios@comcast.net
Subject: FW:

Chris

can you please put this on your blog, I would like for the citizens to be as informed as possible.

Thank You in advance
T

________________________________________
From: Rich Oller
Sent: Sun 11/22/2009 7:32 AM
To: Toni Randall
Subject:
Mayor I will be bringing before you and council On December 8, a request to approve 3 necessary and needed studies for the City these are:

Water Distribution Model- This model is compulation of lines sizes, storage tank & pump sizes and existing pressures that exist in the water distribution system collected and analyzed by computer simulations to accurately predict low pressure areas due to inadequate booster staion location and/or line sizes within the system. The model also will ascess fire flows in the system to show areas of low fire flow under varying conditions. The benefit to the City is this becomes an interactive model for us to use in mangaing our distribution system and providing the information needed on extensions of lines and additional storage requirements. It will also give us the ability to better predict water supply needs more accurately.

Sanitary Sewer System Model- This is same concept as the water system model and is a tool that collects existing data including all lift station pump and wet-well sizes and provides us with information on the pumping capacity of the lift stations, determines if lift stations are undersized or maxed out, line sizes and their capacity to add more connections, and will identify areas within the collection system that is contributing infiltration/inflow (I/I) into the system. This is groundwater or runoff water that is getting into the sewer system and we are transporting & treating it. This water does not need to be treated and is costing the city to do so.

Master Drainage Plan- This plan was last developed in 1990 and the plan develops improvements from a City wide view point and how best to manage the overall drainage. It is tied to the Regional Drainage Districts plan and with FEMA and the Corps of Engineers plans. This plan will allow the city to know what types of drinage routes need to be dedicated as the city further develops. It will also be interactive with all of our land use models and Regional Drainage Models.

All 3 of these models will give the City the necessary tools to better plan development and growth and providing the tools we need to better operate the systems in a cost-effective performance based approach. The information will allow staff to be proactive and not reactive to all of these infrastructure needs.

And then there was one

It looks like this blog is the only public forum for the citizens of League City to voice their opinions on. It is my understanding that the other blog has gone private because it could not conduct open discussion in a civil way. I have received a letter that, from what I understand, has been delivered to one of the contributors of the other blog. This may or may not have something to do with the drastic action taken by the other blog. You decide and tell us what you think.

Cars, Cameras, Collections and Credit.

Did you know that if you fail to pay the 75 dollar (Big brother is watching) ticket you could hurt your credit rating? According to the Houston Chronicle today (can’t find the article online, but I have it in print ) if you do not pay your big brother ticket it will be turned over to a credit agency for collection. So if you dispute that you ran a red light there is no court of law you can go to. In League City you are SOL (surely out of luck). Thoughts ??

Who owns Palomino Road?

There appears to be some discussion about the ownership of the end of Palomino road. It is my understanding that a land owner is claiming the end of Palomino is a private drive. What I find interesting is that the city claims they do not know who owns the end of the street . From what I understand of our city history, at one time there was a bridge that crossed the creek (before the hurricane of 1943) at Palomino road. Sure doesn’t sound private to me. Then there is the traffic master plan in the early eighties that shows Palomino road as relief value for north south traffic. How could that be if it is a private street? Then when there was the big discussion about Clear Springs HS during which there was never any discussion about the end of Palomino being a private road. So when did this happen? There is nothing in the city records that indicate that the land or right of way was abandoned so “where’s the beef” (as Clara Peller would say) Only after the owner of the land that borders Clear Creek at the end of Palomino decided to use their property as a bed and breakfast did this claim come up by their neighbor. So what is this all about? The right of ways and the road on palomino, as well as other areas of the city, are assets and may be used for future improvements to enhance our city’s quality of life. Let’s do the legal research and find out the truth. Use our tax dollars for flooding problems not for fighting a claim in court.

Up and running

I understand that the water tank in Webster is now operational. Congrats are in order for taking action and getting to the bottom of the problem. It appears once the Mayor and Council know the problems, that have been hidden, or should I say “Dropped through the cracks”, from them, action and accountability takes over. That is a perfect example of a strong mayor form of government in action. Thoughts? Comments?

Back again !!!

Goodness it looks like I took a month off in September !! (or the whole summer) Well now … How is everybody doing ?

The city seems to be getting better. I noticed the new web site and it looks great !
I notice CCISD has a committee or two open for the public. I notice that there are also some boards and commissions in our city that are up at the end of the year. So there seems to be a lot to get involved in.

Farmers Market… any thoughts on the subject? Is it going to be for local farmers to sell produce or will someone buy produce in Houston and drive it down to League City to sell?

What about our water tank situation. Now that the council has become aware of the problem what is the progress with that? I understand that the tests did not go as hoped and that the cost will be over half a million just to get it up and running.

Also one or two last thoughts… What about the regulation of golf carts? Mr. Edelman was at the council meeting asking for greater regulation do you think that the government needs to be involved in further regulation?

RED LIGHT cameras My goodness. Any thoughts on those lovely big brother is watching tools?

Mobility Problems

League City Seeking Solutions to its Mobility Problems

League City is one of the most rapidly growing communities in the Houston-Galveston region. Unfortunately, growing pains have resulted in congestion and mobility problems for League City. As a first step toward finding solutions, the City has undertaken the development of a Master Mobility Plan. Public input is extremely important to the development of the plan because it is the residents of League City who use the City’s transportation network every day. Therefore, residents invited to attend the first of three Open Houses to discuss the City’s mobility issues. Meeting details are as follows:


Wednesday, October 7, 2009
6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Johnnie Arolfo Civic Center
400 West Walker St.
League City, TX 77573

The Master Mobility Plan will address ways to improve citywide mobility across a broad spectrum of transportation modes including the roadway network, local transit, park and ride, commuter rail, hike and bike trails, marine transportation, and the pedestrian network. It will be the City’s first truly multi-modal transportation plan.

Unquestionably the predominant form of transportation in League City is the automobile and will continue to be. Thus, significant attention must be paid to improving traffic flow. However, the Master Mobility Plan will pay equal attention to establishing a more balanced range of mobility options.

A needs assessment is currently being conducted for the various transportation modes. Two modeling tools looking at land use scenarios and future traffic congestion will also play a big role. This information, along with public input, will be used to develop the Plan’s multi-modal mobility recommendations. The Plan will also include funding and implementation recommendations meant to guide the City as it continues to grow.

A website will be online by early October where residents can find out about the mobility planning process, access materials to be presented at the Open Houses, fill out an online survey, and offer other comments. The website address will be www.LeagueCityMobility.com.

We want to know what you think! Please join us at the Open House!